saying Sir Knight doo you not knowe mee No in good sooth aunswered Palmerin Beléeue mee quoth the Damosell then hath my seruice béene euil imployed which sâ—metime I did you and whereof I am sure you haue heard good account Then Palmerin knewe her she bringing the Shéelde and the Helmet when Florendos knighted him whereuppon he rose from the Table and embracing her said Faire Damosell and my fréende I pray you pardon me for the length of time since I first saw you did quite exempt you from my remembrance pleaseth it you to commaunde me anie seruice Sir Knight said the Damosell when I presented you the Helmet and Shéelde wherwith you tooke your order of Knighthoode you promised mee if you remember that you would vse it with right good will in anie affaires the Knight had that sent it you and when he should require such performaunce nowe is the time to confirme your déede with your worde for hee hath sent mée to you with humble intreatie that without anie staie you goe where I shall conduct you otherwise you are the onelie cause of his death God shéelde me froÌ„ such mis-fortune said Palmerin rather woulde I goe with you presently from the Table So doo I pray you quoth she for I haue hast Then he called for his Armour and the table withdrawne he went into his Chamber to arme himselfe and so dyd Ptolome also returning they tooke their leaue of the Ladies and mounted on horsebacke the whole companie béeing so sorrie for their departure as Esmerinda came to the Damosell saying I promise you Damosell you haue doone vs wrong in mine opinion to hinder vs of the presence of so good a Knight Ladie aunswered the Damosell thinke you he was borne for you onelie content your selfe with the good you haue receiued by him and suffer such as haue néed of his prowesse to receiue his assistaunce as you haue doone And good reason saide Esmerinda if it be to so good an end that no resistaunce bee offered when helpe is required So departed the two Knights with the Damosell which waie she guided them and verie desirous was Palmerin to bee with the Knight that sent to seeke him because hee would gladlie know of whence hee was that wyshed him so wel as his message declared by the Damosell the same daie hee was Knighted CHAP. XXIIII Howe Palmerin and Ptolome arriued at the Courte of the King of Bohemia where they entred Combat against the Countie of Ormeque and his two Cozins who accused the Knight and his Son of treason that sent to seeke Palmerin MAnie miles had these Knightes ridde with the Damosell when Palmerin at length desired her to tell him what hee was that sent him yâ— Helmet the Shéeld whereto she aunswered that séeing he was so desirous to knowe listen ê™ she and I shall report the whole vnto you The Knight we speake of is disceÌ„ded of verie royall bloode béeing Uncle to the King of Bohemia that raignes at this present as also to the Empresse of Allemaigne the verie best séene in Nigromancie this daie liuing This noble man is named Prince Adrian who neuer liked to liue in the Court of the King his Brother but contented with what patrimonie his Father left him at length maried with a verie beautifull Ladie of whom in time hee begat a Sonne named Dyardo which Sonne his Brother the King of Bohemia nourished vppe in his Court with his owne Sonne So mutually in loue agréed these two yong Princes as after the death of the aged King the yong Dyardo should ioyn the rule with his Cozin the King who tooke to Wife the Daughter to the Duke of Lorayne bringing her with him into this Countrey in companie of her Sister a Princesse so wise and vertuous as euer liued It so came to passe that Dyardo my Lords most noble Sonne framing his thoughts to the inspirations of loue affected so highlie the other Sister as he determined neuer to haue anie other to his Wife if he might compasse what he intended For her good Ladie he coulde not be deceiued in his amorous desires he found her loue so equall with his yet did they shaddow their affections so discreetlie as none coulde perceiue them but Domarto the traiterous Countie of Ormeque one of the best Knights in all this Country were he as familiar with vertue and honestie as he is with mallice and disloyaltie This Traytour enterprised to match with the Queenes Sister beloued as you haue hearde by my Lordes worthy Sonne and thereuppon after manie sollicitings made knowne his intent vnto her whereof she made so slender account as shee forbad him any more to trouble her Domarto séeing my Lorde Dyardo his onely hinderaunce in loue intended a mallicious villainie and on a suddaine accused the Prince that he intended to poyson the King so to obtaine the Crowne as discended of a neerer coÌ„sanguinitie And as it often falleth out in such cases when one séekes to crosse an others fortune there is no time flacked in following such drifts euen so this Traytor finding the yonge King alone began his matter in this coullorable sort My gracious Lord the faith and allegeaunce I owe to you highnesse bindes me to make your princelie cares acquainted with such newes as God is my witnes said the Traitour lifting his eyes and hands to heauen mine own death were more welcome to me such is the loue I beare them whom it concernes béeing al so neere allied to you in birth as sorie I am they shoulde bee detected but in your regarde my gracious Lorde the action touching you in such sort as it dooth let me die rather then spare any liuing creature no not mine owne Sonne had nature giuen mee anie This néedelesse exordium haue I made to so foule an occasion albeit truth néedes no coullers or eloquent figures and therefore in bréefe my Lord this is the summe I am crediblie enformed that your highnesse Cozin the Prince Dyardo and Madame Cardonia Sister to the Quéene haue laid the platforme to poyson your Maiestie and this haue they attempted by the procurement of olde Adrian your Uncle who pretends that the Crowne of Bohemia is his I knowe not whether it be for want of discretion or no but howsoeuer it be my Lorde you shoulde not leaue such a villainie vnpunished The King began greatlie to meruaile at these newes and knewe not well what to think whervpon he aunswered the Countie that he coulde not beleeue this accusation But the Traytour set so smoothe a countenaunce on the matter and did auerre it still with such stout protestations as hee induced the King to beleeue him so that a daie or two after the King béeing walking in hys Garden séeing Dyardo Cardonya at the Quéenes chamber windowe secretlie conferring of their amorous affections commaunded them bothe to be carried to prison The Countie glad thereof prouoked the King still with such anger against them as immediatlie he woulde haue theÌ„ bothe doone to
Palmerin D'Oliua The Mirrour of nobilitie Mappe of honor Anotamie of rare fortunes Heroycall president of Loue VVonder for Chiualrie and most accomplished Knight in all perfections Presenting to noble mindes theyr Courtlie desires to Gentles theyr choise expectations and to the inferiour sorte howe to imitate theyr vertues handled vvith modestie to shun offence yet all delightfull for recreation Written in the Spanish Italian and French and from them turned into English by A. M. one of the Messengers of her Maiesties Chamber Patere aut abstine At London Printed by I. Charlewoode for William VVright and are to bee solde at his Shoppe adioyning to S. Mildreds Church in the Poultrie the middle Shoppe in the rowe 1588. To the right noble learned and worthie minded Lord Edward de Veâ—e Earle of Oxenford Viscount Bulbeck Lord Sanford and of Badelsmere and Lord high Chamberlaine of England A. M. wisheth continuall happines in this life and in the world to come AMong the Spartanes right noble Lord and sometime my honorable Maister nothing was accounted more odious then the forgetfulnes of the seruaunt towardes his Maister which made Mucronius who had beene seruaunt to Hagarbus a poore Arteâ—an and for his vertues afterward called to the office of a Senatouâ— in all assemblies to reuerence his poore Maister so that he would often say It was honour to Mucronius that he had beene seruaunt to Hagarbus Though this example my good Lord be vnfit for me in what respect beseemes me not to speake Yet that excelâ—lent opinion of the Spartanes I count it religion for me to immitate For if this vice was so despised among such famous persons what reproch wold it be to so poore an abiect as my selfe beeing once so happy as to serue a Maister so noble to forget his precious vertues which makes him generally belooued but cheerfâ—ly mine owne dutie which nothing but death can discharge In remembraunce therfore of my officious zeale I present your Honour the willing endeuours of your late seruaunt howe simple soeuer they be right perfect shall you make them by your fauourable acceptaunce this being added that were I equall in ability with the best all should be offered to my noble Maister If Palmerin hath sustained any wrong by my bad translation being so worthely set downe in other languages Your Honour hauing such speciall knowledge in them I hope will let slip any fault escaped in respect I haue doone my good will the largest talent I haue to bestowe And seeing the time affordes me such oportunitie that with ending this first parte the olde yeere is expired I present it my noble Lord as your seruauntes New yeeres gift and therewithall deliuer my most affectionate dutie euermore ready at your Honours commaundement Needelesse were it by tediousnes to growe troublesome when a woord suffiseth to so sound iudgement I submit my selfe and my Booke to your gracious conceit and the second part now on the presse and well neere finished I will shortly present my worthie Patrone In meane while I wish your Honor so many New yeers of happines as may stand with the heauenly appointment â—nd my modestie to desire Sometime your Honours seruant yet continuing in all humble duty Anthonie Monday To the courteous Readers WHen I finished my seconde parte of Palmerin of England I promised this worke of Palmerin D'Oliua because it depended so especially on the other to discharge that debt for promise is no lesse accounted with the new yeere I send him abroad a freendly companion for the long euenings and a fit recreation for other vacant times But because some perhaps will make exceptions against me that being but one Booke in other languages I now deuide it twaine my aunswer is that to glut men with delight may make them surfeit and so in expecting thanks for my paynes I should remaine condemned by generall misliking Beside a Booke growing too bigge in quantitie is profitable neither to the minde nor the pursse for that men are now so wise and the world so hard as they looue not to buie pleasure at vnreasonable price And yet the first parte will entice them to haue the second when it may bee alleaged the cost is as great as though it had come altogether yet Iâ—am of the minde that a man grutcheth not so much at a little mony payd at seuerall times as he doth at once for this aduauntage he hath in meane time he may imploy halfe his mony on more needful occasions and raise some benefit toward buying the second parte Againe the other part will be new at the comming forth where now it wold be stale for such are affectioÌ„s now a daies that a booke a sennight olde is scant worth the reading Thus no iniurie is offered by deuiding my Booke but profitte both to you and me yours I haue rehearsed and mine is that a little pause dooth well in so long a labour beside this aduauntage would I take that if my first parte deserued no liking you should neuer be offended by me with the second Yet heerein I am encouraged that what hath past with so great applause in diuers languages can hardly merite to be despised in England being matter altogether of delight and no way offensiue for noble and Gentle mindes are farre from iniuriâ—g the Historie that hath so highly pleased Emperours Kinges mightie potentates if then the inferiour sorte mislike it is because they are not capable of so especiall deseruinges And yet I am perswaded that both one and other will freendly entertaine Palmerin D'Oliua because his History iâ— so plentifully stored with choyse conceit varietie of matter and exquisit conueyaunce as nothing can be reprooued but my simple translation yet that I hope will be pardoned too in that to translate allowes little occasion of fine pen worke The second parte goes forward on the Printers presse and I hope shal be with you sooner then you expect In the meane while let this haue fauourable acceptaunce and that wil be a spurre to hasten the other Yours to his vttermost A. Munday The first parte of the auncient and honorable Historie of the valiant Prince Palmerin D'Oliua Emperor of Constantinople Sonne to the King Florendos of Maccdon and the fayre Griana Daughter to Remicius Emperour of Constantinople a History full of singuler and Courtlie recreation c. CHAP. I. Of the secrete loue which the Prince Tarisius bare to the yong Princesse Griana and the arriuall of the Prince Florendos at Constantinople THe auncient Histories of the famous Emperours of Constantinople doo record that the eight Emperor succeeding Constantine the founder of that auncient and famous Cittie was named Remicius who gouerned so iustlie and with such excéeding honour as not onelie his Subiectes intirelie looued him but of the kingdoms about him he was so feared and reuerenced that his Empire increased more large then in the time of his Predecessors This Remicius was of such a princely and munificent minde that
which deuousâ—ie he praised God binding vppe his woundes so well as he could with extreame wearines he laid him downe and slept wheÌ„ he séemed to sée the thrée Sisters whereof wee haue spoken before who were the Daughters to a Knight Lord of the Isle Carderia to whom none might be coÌ„pared for knowledge in the Magicall sciences and so well he had instructed his Daughters as after his death they alone excelled in this Arte so that the men of that Countrey commonlie called them the Goddesses of destinie because they coulde diuine before what should follow after And if any one didde happen to iniurie them they would reuenge themselues by their enchauntments so that they were greatlie feared and helde in reuerence They vsed diuers times this Mountaine Artifaeria as well to gather Hearbes for theyr necessarie vse as also for the Water of the Fountayne for the defence whereof they had there left this Serpent who was in time growne so huge and monstrous as he rather séemed a deuill then a natural Beast Notwithstanding howe hidious soeuer he was Palmerin as you haue hearde ouercame and slewe him finding the thrée Sisters in the manner as I haue tolde you who were not greatlie discontented with him but estéemed so well of him as in his sléepe the eldest of them thus spake to him Beléeue me Palmerin thy beginning is so honourable as great pittie it were to let thée die héere chéefelie for the want yâ—e all Greece shal haue of thée in time to come the whole Empire wherof is predestinated thine and therefore will I heale the woundes thou hast at this time receiued I will then doo somewhat more for him said the seconde Sister I will enchauÌ„t him so wel for his auaile as héerafter no coÌ„iuratioÌ„ or witchcraft shall haue anie power to hurt him Truelie said the third Sister for my part I will giue him such fortune as the first time he shall sée his Ladie Polinarda who so manie times saluted him in his Dreames shee shall looue him so intirelie as no dolor or forment shall make her forget while shee liues the happines shee shall receiue by his occasions Then the eldest Sister tooke a Golden Cup and filled it with the water of the Fountaine and wringing the iuyce of certaine Hearbes into it washed therewith Palmerins woundes so that they were immediatlie healed Now felt he verie wel all they did but his slumber tooke awaie the libertie of his spéeche vntill such time as they were departed but first the eldest of them thus spake Since this Knight hath had so good a beginning and yâ— his strength hath depriued our garde of our Fountaine I praie you let vs suffer him to haue his Glasse full of our Water that by his meanes the King of Macedon may be healed which a number of other Knights haue failed of héeretofore Wherto they all consented and so it came to passe then gathering their Hearbes as they were wont and washing them they tooke their waie to the Isle Cardâ—ria CHAP. XVII Howe Palmerin discended from the Mountaine wyth his Glasse full of the water of the enchauÌ„ted Fountaine and how ioyfull Vrbanillo the other Esquires were seeing their Maister returne with so good fortune WHen these thrée Sisters were departed Palmerin awaked and arose not a little meruailing at that he had heard and séene but most of al when he felt his wouÌ„des healed sawe his glasse ful of the water he came for so reudering thankes to heauen for his good successe hee went vp higher on the Mountain thinking to sée the Fountaine but he could not wherfore without any longer staie he discended downe againe thus saying to himself How happie maie I count my selfe to finde so good fortune in this desolate Mountaine for now I know her name that is destenied to be mine henceforth shal she not conceale her selfe from me may I find the place where she abideth and this I vowe by him that made mee that I will not cease to séeke her through the world til I heare some tidings of her and were it not for the promise I haue made the Princesse Arismena to bring her this water to recouer the King her Father this daie woulde I begin my religious enterprise in hope if the Ladies spake trueth yâ— appeared to me in my sleepe héereafter to be one of the happiest Knights in the world So walked he on til he came where he left his horse wheron hee mounted and came to Vrbanillo and his other Esquires who hauing heard the cry of the Serpent when Palmerin gaue him his first stroke perswaded themselues that their Maister was slaine but when they saw him coÌ„ming Vrbanillo aboue all the rest was most ioyfull ran apace to meete him desiring to know how he had sped Uerie wel I thank God said Palmeâ—in who gaue me strength to kill the Monster and to bring sufficient of the Water I hope to winne the King Primaleon his health Then haue I the thing I most desire said Vrbanillo albeit I greatlie feared that you had accompanied all the other Knights in death that aduentured before you and coulde not spéede so well So mounted they all on horsebacke and made so good iourneies as they arriued at Macedon whereof Florendos and faire Arismena were not a little ioyfull especially wheÌ„ they were assured that Palmerin had brought with him the Kings health by meanes wherof it is not to be demanded if he were highlie honoured and receiued at the Court. CHAP. XVIII How foure Knights would haue taken the Glasse of fatall water from Vrbanillo before Palmerin arriued 〈◊〉 Macedon and of the Combat betweene them YOu must heere vnderstande that the same day Palmerin in companie of his Esquires departed from the Mountaine hée sent Vrbanillo the Dwarffe before towardes Macedon with the Glasse of water when it so fortuned yâ— foure Knights met with him one of theÌ„ saluting him in these hard tearmes Deformed villaine giue me that Glasse or I shall take thy head from thy shoulders Palmerin who came not farre behind séeing the Knights offer iniurie to his Dwarffe gaue spurs to his Horse and thus answered Howe now Gentlemen are you not ashamed in my presence to abuse my seruant trust me I neither can nor wil so put it vp and so couching his Launce he encounted one of them so roughlie as he fel from his Horse deade to the ground When the other three sawe their companopm thus foyled they altogeather set vpon Palmerin but their fortune fel out so ill as two of them were soone vanquished and the third tooke himself to flight verie hardlie escaping Palmerin made no account of folowing him but leauing them rode on his way his Dwarffe thus comming to him Beléeue me my Lord quoth he hee is to be accounted ouer foolish hardie that at the weapons point séekes to offende you I dare boldlie affirme my wordes by euidence of the fortune of these foure Knightes In that said Palmerin thou
countenaunce to her then hee was accustomed but shee good Lady in his excuse conceiued better opinion then she had cause yet as it euermore falleth out in loue that when Ladies sée themselues but slenderly courted by their Fréendes they growe importunate in their amorous desires so came it to passe with Laurana who perceiuing herselfe not solicited by Palmerin as shee was wont one night somewhat late shee called the Dwarffe and thus began Howe comes it to passe my good Fréend that thy Maister is not of so pleasaunt disposition as heeretofore he hath béene it may be thou hast not let him vnderstand my last salutation or els feare with-holdes him from following his determination I pray thée doo the message of my earnest good will to him and tell him that I long to impart our affections togeather to the ful resolution of our desired thoughts which I haue found the way vnsuspected to accomplish so please him to come to my ChaÌ„ber to morrow at night where I shall not faile to expect his presence When the Dwarffe heard Laurana vse these words thinking his Maister was still in his former cogitations thus aunswered Trust me fayre Madame within these fewe dayes my Maister is become so mellanchollie as I haue manie times feared his death and I am sure hee hath no other cause to torment him so but onely the fury of the extreame loue he beares you yet séeing you haue promised him such gracious fauour let me alone to change this vnpleasaunt humour Fayle not then quoth shee to let him know my minde I goe presently said the Dwarffe to acquaint him with these long desired tydings So taking his leaue he went to his Maisters Chamber whom he founde fast a sleepe when not daring to awake him let stay hys message till the next morning and so laide him downe to rest at what time sleepe had thorowly possessed him he began to cry and complaine so loude as his Maister hearing him arose and demaunded of him the cause of his lament Alas my Lorde quoth he neuer in all my life was I so affrighted me thought that one of the fayrest Ladies that euer eye lookt on helde a naked sworde against my throate saying Uile and villainous creature as thou art darest thou presume so much to offende me as to make thy Lorde and Maister amorous of Lady Laurana and to forsake me iustly doost thou deserue to dye on this weapon for thy paillardise and if héereafter thou carry any message to preiudice my right assure thy selfe that I wil chastise thée in such sort as all deformed villaines shal receiue example by thée I tell thée Traytour Palmerin his fortunes climbes higher then the name of Laurana and where he is more looued for the royaltie of his linage then for his base and Pastoral education With which wordes shee gaue me such a stroke on the heade with her sworde as I fearefull of my life cryed so loude as you say you hearde me This motioÌ„ made Palmerin easily perceiue that Polinarda had made thys threatning to the Dwarffe for Laurana which concealing to himsâ—lfe he said in laughter I think thou diddest forget to drinke when thou 〈◊〉 to bed and so thy hart béeing drie conceiued this fonde vision I praie thée sléepe trouble me no more with such idle passions The Dwarffe betooke him to rest but Palmerins thoughts all night were hammering on this Dreame so that he resolued to departe thence the next morning and séeke els where his aduentures séeing hee was admonished by so manie aduertisements So at the daie rysing he called the Dwarffe and commaunded him to prepare his Armour for hee intended to take his leaue of the Duke Ptolome hearing this and hauing noted beside all that the Dwarffe tolde his Maister in the night Dissembling the matter as was his manner he came and bad Palmerin good morrowe who aunswered Ptolome in this manner My déere Fréend I haue concealed none of mine affaires froÌ„ thée since the time we receiued our knighthoode and parted togeather from the Courte of Macedon nowe therefore shall I impart to thée what I haue determined It is so that vrgent occasions constraines me presently to leaue this Countreie and henceforth to frame my course which way Fortune will direct me by which occasion I see we must be enforced to leaue each other notwithstanding let me intreate that our absence may no way impayre our fréendshippe not doubting but in good time we shall meete togeather againe In meane space if you sée the King or Prince Florendos forgette not the humble duety of theyr vowed Seruaunt I beséeche yée who dedicates his life and honour in all attempts to their gracious fauours By God said Ptolome let who will doo the message for me for neither death nor daunger shall seperate me from you but I wil beare you companie while life and soule hold together If you be so resolute said Palmerin shame were it for mee so to refuse you Set forward then when you please quoth Ptolome for we neither must nor will depart that 's flat So béeing bothe armed they came to the Duke who meruailed much to sée them so prepared and therefore demaunded whether they went My good Lord answered Palmerin in that your Countrey is nowe quieted wee must intreate you for our departure because waightie affaires in other places doo so commaunde vs. How happens it fayre Fréendes saide the Duke that you will so soone leaue mee My Lorde quoth Palmerin wee are so enforced and therfore we humblie intreate you not to be offended If your affaires bee such saide the Duke lothe am I to hinder you commaunde of me and mine what you please for all remaineth at your disposition Most humble thanks did Palmerin and Ptolome returne the Duke and ere they went to horseback they came to take their leaue of the Duchesse Laurana who was well nie deade séeing her hope deceiued for she expected the night comming when shée and Palmerin should conferre togeather of their loue but séeing him now departing she was out of all hope to sée him againe the extreame gréefe whereof so ouercame her as giuing a greate shrike shee fell in a swoune The Ladies and Gentlewomen in great amazement came about her ignoraunt of her euill but onelie Palmerin and his Dwarffe which hee likewise woulde not reueale to anie for the reason you hearde discoursed before and rather would she entertaine her own death then make knowne a secrete of such importaunce wherefore hauing somewhat recouered herselfe and not able to conceale her anguish with an extreame sigh she thus breathed foorth her sorrow Ah Palmerin easilie hast thou kindled the fire which with great shame thou leauest consuming vnquenched Who would haue thought such treason coulde harbour where faire conditions and honourable valour shined so brightlie Well may I condâ—mne al men of disloyaltie séeing thou hast failed resembling so excellent Beléeue me Knight thou hast doone mee great wrong and thy selfe much more
presented his Cozins the one named Edron proude and arrogant and the other Edward of selfe same qualitie These two tooke their oathes with the Countie that the Princes accused conspired the Kinges death in such sort as hath béene before declared and olde Adrian Dyardo and fayre Cardonya sware the contrary But it is true and I wil not denie it said the Prince Dyardo that I haue and doo loue Ladie Cardonya as much or rather more then mine owne selfe yet neuer did I cary any other intent but to request her in holie wedlocke so pleased the King and Quéene to like so well thereof as we coulde But that euer I intended treason or villainie it is most false and Countie thou liest in thy throate and thy copartners that haue sworne with thee It is sufficient said Palmerin but my Lord ê™ he to the King if wee be conquerers the accused shall bee deliuered and the accusers hanged What saie you Countie quoth the King Good reason Sir the like doo we request if we be victors Will you saide Palmerin that eache shall helpe his fellow as he findes it conuenient What els said the Countie that is expedient While this talke endured Edron regarded so well Palmerin that hee espied the Sworde which the Damosell carried in the Casket and brought to that Courte as she did to others which shewing the Countie he saide out aloude Where did the deuils finde this Knight to giue him this Sworde Belike they gaue him strength to drawe it out els he might haue failed as manie other did the Damosell was vnwise to bestowe it in such bad sorte At which wordes Palmerin beeing angry returned Edron this rounde auâ—swere I see Knight there is in thee more brauery and foolishe glorie then manlie action thou blamest mee before thou knowest me but ere you and I part I le finde better reason to bestowe on you and beate better gouernment into your pate with this sword that likes you not This caused euery one wishlie to beholde Palmerin the King remembring that he had séene the Sworde which none in his Court coulde deserue to conquere whereuppon he estéemed so well of Palmerin as he commaunded Edron to silence and all to goe arme themselues because hee intended that day to see the Combat fought CHAP. XXV Howe Palmerin Adrian Ptolome entered the Combat against the Countie of Ormeque and his Cozins whom they honorably vanquished AFter the King had commaunded the Knights to goe arme themselues he gaue charge to foure of his auncientest Knights to see the fielde prouided and there to place the Iudges according to the wonted custome in Bohemia the Knights béeing careful of the Kinges commaunde had soone prepared all things in readines wherefore the King his Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen went to sée the issue of this valiant enterprise Then was the Prince Dyardo and faire Cardonya brought into the fielde before whom was made a very great fire wherein they should be burned if the Countie conquered Soone after came the sixe Combatants who entered at two places appointed one against the other the Challengers beeing conducted by two of the Iudges to their place and the Defendants by the other two where they were appointed so the Iudges beeing placed the Marshal summoned the fielde and the Heraldes bid the Champions doo their deuoâ—re Palmerin had good regard to Edron whose words sticking on his stomacke called now for reuenge wherefore couching his Launce he encountered him with such a full carrire as his Launce passed through his bodie and Edron tombled dead to the ground In the meane while the Countie and Prince Adrian had vnhorssed eache other Adrian so sore wounded as he could hardlie helpe himselfe as for Ptolome and Edward they had astonied each other with falles from their Horsses but they recouered themselues quicklie and with sharpe strokes beganne to charge eache other valiantly Greatlie ashamed was the Countie to bee vnhorssed and therfore to recouer his honour he came with great furie towardes his enemie which Palmerin perceiuing stept betwéene them saying To me Countie to mee who wil bid more for thy heade then anie in the field With which wordes he reached him such a sure stroke on the head as made the fire flie foorth of his eyes notwithstanding as a man of good courage he stept aside thrusting his sword into Palmerins Horse throate enforced him quickly to take him to his féete but all the worse for him as it fell out afterwarde for Palmerin hauing beaten him out of breath he flong away his weapon and caught him about the middle where they tugged so long togeather that Palmerin getting him downe and his knées on his belly with his sword soone tooke his heade from his shoulders All this while Ptolome had good play with his enemie and after manie daungerous woundes receiued on either side at length hee had the better of the daie by killing his aduersarie Then he and Palmerin went to the Iudges who giuing theÌ„ sentence of honourable victory they tooke of their Helmets came to sée in what estate the Prince Adrian was Euill enough quoth he my noble good Fréends but the lesse account doo I make of my life in that mine eyes haue séene due vengeaunce on mine enemies Then was he nobly borne forth of the fielde the King commaunding to lodge him in his owne Pallace and the Chirurgions searching his wounds founde them mortall which newes did gréeue the whole Court ingenerall the good olde Prince yet béeing of some courage was ioyfull to die in so good sorte hauing defended his owne honour and his Sonnes whâ—me he sent for and in the presence of all the standers by saâ—d My Son séeing it hath pleased God thus to sende for me good reason is it that his will bee fulfilled but ere I depart this I commaunde thée that next God thou truely serue and loue my Lorde the King bearing towards him a hart so faithfull as I haue doone to the hower of my death and conceiue no essence at what hath passed against thée and me hauing come to passe as I iudge more by euill counsel then any setled perswasion against vs. For the rest to thy vttermost remeÌ„ber the good thou hast this daie receiued by yâ— noble Knight who is called Palmerin then calling Palmerin to him hee saide Sir Palmerin death hath seized so surelie on me as I cannot let you know a number of things that concerne you very néerelie I counsell you therefore to trauaile to yâ— Emperours Court of Allemaigne where you shal heare tidings of that you séeke so earnestlie with which wordes hee deliuered vppe his ghost And because it seemeth good â—re I passe any further to let you knowe how the Prince Adrian came by the knowledge of Palmerin thus it is I haue heretofore reported that he was a notable Cabalist or Magitian by meanes whereof fewe secrets were concealed from him so casting the Callender of most honourable byrthes he haâ—pened on Palmerin and
as Prince Lewes was throwne betwéene his horsses féete and he for England lost his stirrops but recouered himselfe well enough by the mayne of his Horse then he séeing his enemie not vppe againe cast himselfe out of his saddle to haue taken his aduauntage but Lewes preuented him and came marching against the Duke with his Sworde drawne who staied him thus Me thinks Prince of Fraunce before any worse befall thée thou wert best to yéelde thy selfe and remember that our Combatte beginnes for the excellencie of beautie By God man of England aunswered Lewes thou canst not perswade me to a thing so farre from my thought therfore goe too and he that hath the fairest Fréende shall soone be knowne In this great choller he reached the Duke such a stroke on the head as made him sette one knée to the ground but recouering himselfe quicklie and both thorowly angry they laid on eache other so cruellie as the very hardiest of the beholders feared the successe Thus fought they for matter of speciall value the defence of theyr owne reputations and honor of their Ladies whose loue was more precious in their harts then their owne lines So long these eager charges continued on bothe sides as Prince Lewes hauing receiued more then twentie woundes on his bodie feeling himselfe fainte fell downe before his enemie saying O noble hart of Fraunce the true succéeder of thy famous predecessours The victorious Englishman setting his foote vpon him saide Lorde Lewes if now thou declarest not my Lady to excel thine in beautie it câ—sts thée thy life a matter nothing pleasing to me in respect of the chiualry and singuler prowesse I haue founde in thée as also this magnaâ—â—â—ious enterprise of thine which in despight of thy foyle and death it self shall make thée liue for euer But Lewes made no aunswere eyther for his weakenes or sorowful conceite of his mis-fortune wherefore the Iudges came who granting the Duke victorie desired him to procéede no further which he honourably graunting was as ioyfull of the conquest as the Duchesse sad and pensiue thinking Prince Lewes had béene slaine outright wherfore the floong away to her lodging not tarrying for the King or any of the Ladies who likewise departed the fielde in maruailous sorow séeing theyr Sonne so pittifully wounded but aboue al the Duchesse made more lamentation then shee woulde haue doone for the death of her Husbande yet fearing what shee thought secretly shoulde by her gréefe bee openly suspected comforted herselfe so well as she coulde and béeing by herselfe with one of her trusty Gentlewomen shee thus breathed foorth her mones Ah trecherous Fortune enemye to all actions of regarde why hast thou suffered the man thou most fauoured thus to be vanquished and which is most to be pittied without hope of life Ah deceitfull tremperesse séeing thou hast offered him so much wrong doo mee the fauour to beare him company in death that liued and died so honourably for my loue Ah death let it suffise thée yâ— Loue hath wounded him and make not thou experience of thyâ—e ineuitable stroke vnlesse thou wilt doo as much for mee Ah false and flattering Sonne of Venus is this the guerdon thou rewardest them withall that serue thée faithfully So ceasing her complaint awhile in great impatience she thus began againe Alas neyther the one or other are cause héerof but my most vnhappy selfe when prouoked by my beautye he tooke in hand this enterprise but if it bee so déere Fréende that enuâ—ous fate deale so harde with thée soone mayst thou be reuenged on her that caused it And wyth these wordes she sell betwéene the armes of one of her Ladyes present whom she specially trusted who thus spake to her Why howe nowe Madame wâ—l you perswade your selfe no otherwise beléeue me there is no remedy but you must change this conceite What wyll you forgette your selfe it is no time if you remember your selfe well for if he whom you loue and endure these paynes for shoulde vnderstande héereof in stedde of séeking his health you wyll shorten hys dayes if as you say hee liue not without your welfare More requisite is it that you goe coÌ„fort him wyth your chéereful presence then thus to bee the argument of bothe your deathes Beside Madame if my Lord suruiue as no doubt he shall what may he presume trust me matter sufficient if you gouerne not your selfe better that you séeke to discouer what most of all beséemes you to conceale Alas my Fréende aunswered the Duchesse I knowe you speake the trueth but howe is it possible for me to content my selfe séeing what estate he is in onely for my loue But if he dye small reckoning will I make of my life for let my honour bee blamed or otherwise let all aduersities and mis-fortunes goâ— togeather Yet will I somewhat bee aduised by thee and I wyll goe sée if my presence wyl any thing comfort him To breake off this talke came an Esquire from the Queene to intreate her come to her Maiestie which she did and went with the Quéene to the Princes lodging who beholding the Duchesse so pale and full of greefe with this conceit his woundes opened and blâ—dde 〈◊〉 for which cause his Chirurgions who imagined the occasion to proceede by shame the Prince conceiued that any one should see what woundes he tooke by the Duke of Gaule wherfore they forbad any to enter his 〈◊〉 vntill the peril of death was better passed ouer which was within short time when the Duchesse by her ofteÌ„ visiting him coÌ„uerted his sorowes into many ioyful coÌ„ceits But because our History appertaines not onely to hys deedes or the loue of the Duchesse we will returne to the Duke of Gaule who after he had thus conquered Prince Lewes followed the conditions of the fielde taking the portraite of his Ladye Agriola and placed it where the Duchesse picture stoode setting it among the other conquered Ladyes That day dyuers other Knights came on behalfe of their Ladies whoÌ„ the valiant Englishman entertained with such valour as all his paines tourned to the honour of his Mistresse Agriola who nowe was seated as paragon of the fielde CHAP. XXXVI Of the Combatte betweene Palmerin and the Duke of Gaule with the successe thereof ON the same daie that the Prince of Fraunce was vanquished by the Duke of Gaule arriued at Paris Palmerin Trineus and theyr trayne but the Combat was first ended wherefore they commaunded their Squyres to prepare theyr Tent. Palmerin vnderstanding yâ— the Duke was conquerer greeued not a little in yâ— he came no sooner to winne the honour of the Prince yet knowing if nowe he coulde conquer the Duke more glory shoulde arise to him then by the Prince Lewes he contented himselfe passing that night in his Tent with the Prince Trineus in diuers arguments of the Combat between Lewes of Fraunce and the Duke yet was Lewes highly commended to Palmerin though he were ouercome because hee had so brauely doone the
auauntgarde were slaine sore wounded or taken prisoners Which when the King of Scots perceiued béeing a Prince so hardie and valiant as might bee commaunded the maine battaile to giue the charge in middest whereof he was in person whereuppon the fight beganne again much more fierce then before so that you might haue heard the Horsses storme the Armour clatter and on euery side behelde good and venturous Knights giue vppe their liues At this furious onset Palmerin séeing the Scots to retire for aduantage cryed to the King of England Why how now my Lord doo you forget your selfe Why doo you not folow on with your maine battell séeing the enemie playes vpon aduantage chéerefully let vs vpon them for the daie will be ours The King séeing that Palmerinâ— counsel was verie expedient commaunded his men to martch on valiantlie which they did with such courage as not one of them but was thorowlie busied Palmerin fearing least Trâ—neus would be ouer venturous because the yâ—ng Prince was meruailoâ—s forward desired him not to runne so farre into danger but kéepe by him to the â—nde the one might succour the other if necessitiâ— required With these words â—e ranne vpon the Sâ—ots like an angry Lyon and no man durst withstand him they sawe him make such slaughter the King of England following him at an inche deliuering true testimonie of his inuincible hart On the other side Trineus met with the Kinges Brother of the Isle Magdalen piercing his Launce quite through his bodie so that he fel deade among his owne Souldiers and Ptolome all this whyle was not idle but where ere he came he laid his enemie at his féete so that the Scots wondered at yâ— behauiour of these thrée Knights When the King of the Islâ— Magdalen vnderstood the death of his Brother incensed with vnquenchable anger ran fiercelie among the English till hee came where Trineus Palmerin and Ptolome were one of his Knights shewing the King the man that slew his Brother whereupon he making towards Trineus lifted vppe hys Sword and thought to haue slaine him but Palmerin stepping béetwéene them said To me Captaine to me and so the King and he encountered togeather so terribly as Palmerin was wounded in two or thrée places for which hee made such recompence to the King as fastening his Sword on his Helmet clâ—st his head in â—wayne that doone he fell deade to the grounde The sight héereof enflamed the Scots with such rage as like mad men they ranne cutting and killing among the English as well to reuenge the King of the Isle Magdalens death as to defend their own King whose danger they feared In this hote skirmish the Kings of England and Scots met togeather who charged each other with such forcible strokes as the King of England was vnhorssed and sore wounded but Trineus béeing at hand seeing his déere fréendes Father in such perrill buckled with the King of Scots so valiantlie as he gaue him many a cruell wounde and had not his men made hast to conuay him through the throng he had béene slaine by Trineus so was the King of England mounted againe and reuenged hys foyle on his enemie with meruailous valour There tryumphed the thrée Grecian Knights with inexplicable honor the Englishmen making such hauocke among the Scots as vtterly dispayring they fled one part to a Forrest neere at hande and the other towardes the Sea to their Shyps the King getting into one of them to saue his life by the meanes of one of his Knights that leÌ„t him a good Iennet of Spayne to escape away withall And so sayled thence the King with greater shame then did the Emperor Antonius from Octauius Caesar leauing his men fiercely pursued by the English who terrefied them in such sort as many of the poore Scots chose rather to run into the Sea drowne them selues then to â—all into the handes of their conquering enemies CHAP. XLVIII Of the retrait of the King of Englands Armie and the honor he did to the three strange Knights AFter the King of Englande was maister of the field he caused the retrait to be sounded and hys men called togeather commaunding likewise that search shoulde bee made through the fielde to succour such as were sore wounded and to burie the deade least the ayre should be infected wherupon the Englishmen took the spoile of their enemies chéefely their bag bagage which they had left behind them In meane while the King withdrew himself into his Tent where remembring the great seruice of the thrée strange Knights hee commaunded his Nephewe Ceâ—des to séeke them immediatlie who founde them in a Scottish Tent binding vppe their woundes and béeing not a little glad of his good fortune hee came to Palmerin saying Gentlemen the King my Uncle earnestlie desireth you to come to him because hee will neither enter the Towne nor vnarme himselfe til he heare some tidings of you Séeing it pleasâ—th him said Palmerin to commauÌ„d we humblie obey wherefore we pray you Sir to returne his Maiestie our dutifull thanks and dilligent attendance After Ceridâ—s was departed they resolued among themselues at the earnest request of Trineus that Palmerin shoulde bee the chéefest among them and him they woulde honor as their Lorde because the Prince feared to be known if such account shoulde bee made of him so went they presentlie to the Kings Tent where they were no sooner entered but the King albeâ—t he was sore wounded arose from his Chaire and embraced them louingly one after another not suffering them to knéele before him but honorably thus spake to them Woorthie Gentlemen howe welcâ—me you are I cannot expresse for I account my selfe so highlie beholding to you as the Realme of England had sustained this daie great foyle but by your fortunate valour think then woorthie Lords wherein England may recompence you and on my worde it shall not be denied in meane while I praie you let me haue your companie because I will see your hurts carefully attended The Knights with great reuerence accepted the Kings noble offer and were conducted into a faire Tent next the Kinges where the Chirurgions with great dilligence dressed their wounds and afterward they came and supped with the King And because the King intended on the morrow to goe refresh himselfe at the Towne of Corfania which before had béene cruellie besiedged by the Scots to giue God thanks for his happie victorie a famous Sermon was made before him by the Archbishop of Canterburie to whom likewise he gaue order for enterring such as had béene slaine of account and in that place for memorie of his good fortune hee caused a goodlie Monasterie to be builded and dispatched a Poste presently to aduertise the Quéene of his good successe Now was his Maiestie verie desirous to know the thrée strange Knights that had so valiantlie assisted him especiallie the man that saued his life whereupon the next morning he went to sée them demaunding howe they fared for quoth he we will
towards them so fast as his Horse could gallop Palmerin doubting some vnhappy chaunce and remembring his dreame said to the king Neuer credit mée my Lord if this squire come not to you about some speciall affaires as well maye be gathered by his spéedie pace At these words the GentlemaÌ„ came to the king reporting how the Giant Franarco Lord of the castle of Carbones since his departure came to his Tents and from thence had violently taken the Quéene and her Daugter Agriola notwithstanding the resistance of manie knights who striuing to defend her lost their liues The King with these words strooken in wonderfull gréefe said Ah Gentlemen this villainous Traytor hath notoriously wroâ—ged vs. How is it possible to recouer them againe before they be dishonoured Trineus and Paâ—merin mooued at these newes asked the Squire which way he went with the Quéen and her Daughter In truth my Lord quoth he I cannot tell yée which way he tooke we all were so troubled and misused by his traine except they went along the Forrest and so are gone to the next village Then Palmerin clasping on his Helmet and snatching his Launce from his Dwarfe Galloped amaine after the Giant not speaking a word to Trineus who accompanied with Ptolome rode apace after him and as they passed by the Quéenes Tent they saw the Ladies and gentlewomen heauily lamenting especially Eufemia the chéefe companion to the Princesse Agriola Diuers Knights beside armed themselues to pursue the Giant but Trineus not a little enraged followed the tracke of the horse demaunding of all he met if they saw the villaine that had stolen away the Ladies As concerning this Giant Franarco you must note that hee was the cruellest tyrant and most notable fellon in all the Realme hauing a dayes iourney from the Forrest where the King hunted a Castle so well fortefied and furnished with munition and all things necessarie as in England was not the like which was left to him by the death of his Father who forciblie tooke it from a Lorde his neighbour and diuers other places especially the Isle Magdalen There succéeded â—e the royall dignitie after the death of the elder Brother who as you haue heard was slaine in the battaile by Palmerin and hée vnderstanding the death of the king of the Isle Magdalen was so â—ighlie displeased yâ— although he had alwaies before boorne allegeaunce to the king hée nowe solemnly swore to reuenge his Brothers death béeing so feared of the whole Countrey as none durst enterprise to deale with him So to reuenge the slaughter of his eldest Brother with diuers of his kindred and Fréendes likewise â—layne in the battaile he strengthened himselfe with thirtie hardie knightes intending to displease the king so much as hee coulde And hearing yâ— he was comming to London to feast the knights that were the cause of this victory but chéefely him that slewe his brother came with his coÌ„pany this way in hope to finde them all vnprâ—uided And coâ—ming that morning the king was gone on hunting hée â—ound these hée desired to méete withall for the hatred he bare them thinking himselfe sufficiently reuenged if hée could carry away with him the Quéene and her Daughter which he accomplished to his owne desire causing them mount vp behinde two of his Knights The gentlemen that were left to kéepe the Quéene companye offended to sée such villany offered theyr Ladie and Mistresse defended her so well as they could but all auayled not against the Giant and his power because they were armed and they with the Quéene were vnprouided so that a number of them were slaine and sore wounded and more had béene but that he feared the return of the King which made him in hast ride thence with his spoyle sending them somewhat before and loytering behind himselfe to fight with anie that shuld come to reskew them Trineus hauing gotten the sâ—ght of them came passing to the Giant saying Stay trayterous théefe for thou maist not so cary her away that is worthy the greatest lord in the world With these words they ran fiercely togither Trineus giuing the Giant a sore wound on the shoulder but the Prince reâ—eiued such a mightie stroke from the Giant as he fell froÌ„ his Horse with his héeles vpward Palmerin béeing not far off and doubting least the Prince had béene slaine came in a great rage to Franarco saying Monstrous enemie to menhoode who made thée so saucie to lay violent hands on Ladies of such account by my Sworde villaine I shall make thée déerely to pay for thy folly So couching theyr Launces they met togither the Giant fayling but Palmerin gaue him a shrewd wound on his body and their horsses roughly shouldring one another as their masters were both thrâ—wn to the ground Franarco béeing heauie and vnweldie had such a fall as easily he could not recouer himselfe Palmerin nimbly getting vp againe gaue the Giant such a wound on his right legge as the flesh hung downe pittifully to beholde The Giant béeing not able to stande any longer on that leg set his knée to the ground béeing glad to defend the strokes of Palmerin who reached him such a sound blowe on the forehead with the hils of his sworde as the Giant fell along on his backe when Palmerin soone setting his foote on his breast with his Sword deuided his heade from his shoulders During this fight Trineus Ptolome made after the Quéene and her Daughter whome the Giants Knights droue cruelly before them Nowe was it a matter well worthy memory to sée the braue behauiour of these two Knights but cheefely of Trineus before his swéete Mistresse whose presence endued him with such exceeding courage as hée thought himselfe able to conquer the whole world and therefore sufficient for all them were they as manie more in number But strength dooth not alwaies equall courage and louers thinke more then they are able to doo as to Trineus perill it had now fallen out but that a companie of the Kings Knights arriued whereupon began a hote encounter betwéene them and Trineus comming to the Knight yâ— had Agriola behinde him set him soone beside his horse with his neck broken in his fall so that the princesse getting forth of the throng and séeing her beloued so valiant in prowesse bâ—twéene ioy and gréefe she said Ah happie Knight the mirror of all such as follow armes I desire thy fortune may prooue such as thou thy company may haue victory ouer these traytors Now may I bée well assured of the loue thou bearest me for which if we may escape this hard brunt perswade thy selfe not to passe vnrecompenced Trineus hearing the words of Agriola was enflamed with such a spirite of conquering desire as breaking in among the thickest his strokes gaue witnes he fought for a wife But the Giants Knights were men of such proofe as the fresh sâ—pply that came were all wel-néere slaine and doubtlesse the rest had borne them company but that the
quarrell My Lord quoth she in concealing his name I should offer him great wrong concealing the bountie and prowesse of the man which hath not béene sparingly shewed heretofore in presence of the Duke of Gaule agaynst the King of Norway whose armie was â—icomfited by the worthy valour and pollicy of this knight who calleth himselfe by the name of Frysol the Duke of Gaule bringing him foorth of Frauncâ— at his last voyage and euer since hath so dearly loued him as he were his owne naturall brother I promise you Ladie sayde the King you made no ill choyse of your Knight for I haue heeretofore heard of his actions and am not a little glad that I know him wishing he were of my Court because a King accompanyed with such persons must néedes imagine his Countrie happie And in respect he is so braue a Champion it is impossible but hée shoulde bée a wyse and vertuous Knight wherefore I pray you cause him to come to mee which shée presently did And hauing saluted his Maiestie with honourable reuerence the King embraced him with these wordes Woorthie Sir you are most heartily welcome I coulde wish you were one of my Knights in respect that my Court should bee the more honoured and I might requite your paines better then I can on a sudden Mightie Prince quoth Frisol in assisting this distressed Ladie I haue done but my dutie but if I could any way do your highnesse seruice I knowe no Prince liuing for whom I wold more gladly employ my selfe And at this time vrgent affayres excuse me from staying héere any longer neuerthelesse I intreate you my good Lord if it may stande with your fauourable liking to repute mee among the number of your Souldiours and Seruaunts If it must néedes be so sayde the King you shall doo what please you yet will I reckon you amongst those to whom I owe continuall loue and affection And although the death of Myseres doth somwhat gréeâ—e me because I made some estimation of him yet for your sake shall I deliuer the Ladie her Castell which you haue conquered with so knightly chiâ—alrie Frysol humblie thanked his Maiestie and departed with the Ladie which way they came but Palmerin very much offended at his departure and earnestly desiring to be reuenged on him commaunded his Dwarffe to marke well which way they went The Dwarffe diligently fulfilling his Maisters charge returned and told him which way they tooke wherevpon he beeing desirous to follow without giuing any knowledge thereof to his companions left Trineus to conferre with his fayre Mystresse Agriola and departed the Câ—urt so secretly as neither the Prince or Ptolomie suspecâ—ed any thing And so accompanied with the Dwarffe Vibanillo 〈◊〉 câ—me to the place where his Squire stayed with his Armour where when hée 〈◊〉 armed hee mounted on horsebacke thus speaking to his man Returne you to the Cittie and there expect my comming as for thée Vrbanillo thou shalt say to Tryneus that hée must pardon mee though I did not acquaint him with the cause of my departure which I was more enforced to doe then he thinkes on neâ—erthelesse pray him take no paine to enquire after mee because I doubt not to returne verie shortly although not so soone as hee woulde yet pray him to vse so little speech thereof as may be The like mayst thou say to Ptolome and to them both commende me most heartily With this charge to you both that vppon payne of your lyues neither of you doo followe mée nor cause anie other to séeke after mee So taking his Launce hee galloped that way which his Dwarffe shewed him they were gone and he with the Squire returned to the Cittie making verie sorrowfull lamentation because they thought their maister woulde returne no more in that hée would not bee knowne whither hee went yet would they bewray nothing theyr maister had forbidâ—e them Trineus and Ptolome were maruellous sorowfull especially the Prince who without the Dwarffes assurance of his Maisters short returne had followed to seeke him yet not thorowlie contented with Vrbanilloâ— perswasions the King came to comfort him saying You must thinke good Sir that your noble Fréend is gone about some straunge aduenture for you knowe he neuer enterprised any thing but it returned him to honour If héeretofore for the loue of his Ladie hée shewed himselfe without his Péere in chiualrie thinke you be will not regarde his reputation and premeditate his actions before hee runne to farre in daunger Content your selfe I pray you for if his returne be not the sooner I will cause such prouision to bée made as hée shall be found againe The Princesse Agriola likewise intreated him not to bee displeased at the absence of Palmerin for with the helpe of God and his Fréendes quoth shée his returne will cause as much ioy as his departure dooth grâ—efe All this coulde hardly content Trineus for hée dreamed in his sléepe that the Knight which slewe Myseres was hée against whom Palmerin entred the Combat in Fraunce at what time they could not ouercome each other And remembring what ill will Palmerin bare him vehemently suspected that for this cause hee followed him which imagination somewhat comforted him and he reputed the Knight vnwise if hée medled any more with Palmerin Chap. LIIII How after the death of Myseres Palmerin followed Frysol whom he had slaine but that a Damoselâ— intreated his life AL that day Palmerin trauailed and most part of the next yet coulde hee heare no tidings of the Lady and Frisol which made him ryde in great melancholly till at length méeting with a Damosel mounted on a goodlie Palfray very richly harnessed of whome he demaunded if shee mette not a Knight armed who bare in a Shéelde of Azure a Golden Sunne and with him a Ladye attended on by manye Squires Truelie Sir quoth the Damosell if you will graunt mée two requests that I shall demaunde I will bring you to him you séeke for before to morrowe the third houre of the day Palmerin who was woonderfull desirous to finde his enemie granted to anye thing shee woulde desire on condition quoth he that you shewe mee the Knight Followe mée then sayde the Damosell for I will accomplishe what I haue promised So rode they togither and among other speeches Palmerin asked her if shee knewe the Knight and what his name was The Damosell aunswered that shée knewe not the Knight but shée was very well acquainted with the Ladye in his company and this night quoth shee they mind to lodge at a Castle of mine Auntes in the euening they arriued within the sight of the Castle where they alighted from their Horsses and entred a little thicket for feare of béeing séene and the Damosell hauing a flagon of Wine and a pastie of redde Déere in a maunde at her saddle bowe Palmerin and shée refreshed themselues therewithall but all that night coulde not Palmerin settle himselfe to sleepe watching the castle Gate least in the time of his
thy beautie of such value that the Knight to whome my Father and I haue doone so great honours would leaue vs and depart with thée trust meâ— thou art farre from thine account for if thou vauntest to doo him such honor in thy Fathers Courte as his nobilitie deserueth it consisteth in my power to exalt him more in one howre then thou canst doo in a thousand yéeres mightest thou liue so long I did neuer thinke that such audacious and incontinent tempting a man could any way enter thy heart but if such bee thy disposition thou oughtest rather to abide in thy Fathers Courte where thou maist haue leysure to followe thy base affection with some of the 〈◊〉 or youthes attending on thy Father then to offer the 〈◊〉 héere in my Chamber Hence hence foorth of my presence for I will not kéepe company with such an intemperate Woman What regard hadst thou of thy great linage or the place from whence thou art discended Yea what comfort will it be to me when I shall heare that a Ladie issued of the blood royall should bée more shamelesse and impudent then a 〈◊〉 a villaine or an high way begger Many other such like hard spéeches vsed Alchidiana all which gréeued her not so much as to 〈…〉 of him whom she reputed as passionate for her loue as shée was for his These high words of the Princesse caused the Ladies attending on Ardemia to enter the Chamber which maâ—e her then breake off because she woulde not haue euerie one knowe the matter and they séeing their Mistresse so sad and discomforted brought her to her owne Chamber where on her bedde shee sorrowed so impatiently as each one 〈◊〉 she would 〈◊〉 her selfe and faine shée woulde but that their presence hindered her therefore shee deferred it till better opportunitie And because shee had spent the most part of her yonger yéeres in reading the workes of 〈◊〉 as wel Greekes as Arabians she remembred the mouâ—nfull Tragedie of Biblis which caused her to frame a Dittie that shée had translated from the Greeke 〈◊〉 of Sapho into her vulgar spéech and turning towardes her Ladies and Gentlewomen she began in this maner The lamentable Dittie of Ardemia dying for loue MVsenot fayre virgins at Ardemia Although her end be hard and dolorous For death is pleasant as mine elders say To any Ladie sometime amorous For as the Swan in cold Meander glide By mournfull notes foretelles her speedy death So my complaint doth bid me to prouide For sweetest loue makes hast to stop my breath The ill that endlesse and vncessantly Torments my heart is fayre and choysest beautie And this vnhappie awkwarde desteny Falles to my lot through spotlesse loyaltie For fond conceit that ouer-rulde my wit More wretched then fayre Biblis maketh me And he I loue more stony hard is knit Then Caunus who could ken no courtesie Yet Bibliâ— oftentimes could ease her heart By sweete deuising with her louely freend But he I honor recks not of my smart Nor will vouchsafe one gracious looke to lend And as her sorrowes cheefely did arise Because the secrets of her loue were knowne So I reueald each one will me despise VVhich death can stint ere it too farre be blowne Vnhappie wretch that could not this foresee And be more chary of so choyse a thing But all too late I wish the remedie Therefore my folly doth due guerdon bring if loue that is esteemde a power diuine Vnto his Seruaunts giue so sharpereward VVhat merit may vile hatred then resigne Vnto his vassayles that his Lawes regard Oft haue I heard mine auncient elders say That such as loue not are vnwoorthie life Yet doth my loue imagine my decay And throwes my hope into whole worlds of strife And yet the paynes I wish for my mischaunce May not be valued with my present woe For to compare them is meere dalliaunce And neither sence or reason should â— shoâ—e Life is to me lothsome and burdenous All pleasure seemes to mee tormenting hell Ah poore refused and abused thus Must thou needes die for louing all too well O sacred Venus patrâ—nesse of loue In this distresse wilt thou not pittie me And thy fayre Sonne that thus his shaft did proue VVill he forsake me in this ieopardie If you forsake me in this iust request And will not fauour what you did procure Giue leaue to him that bringeth all to rest And he will ease the torments I endure You fatall Sisters that haue spunne my thred And now thinke good it should be cut in twaine Fulfill the taske as you are destenied And let my heart abide no longer paine Come sweetest death expected too too long Ende all the euils vnhappie loue begun If thou delay I challenge thee of wrong Hast then good death that loue and life were done Her complaints thus finished shée commaunded her Ladies to depart the Chamber and being alone by her selfe shee againe began to consider the rigorous refusall of Palmerin the conceit whereof gréeued her so extreamely as also the reproachfull wordes of her Cozin that making a conscience of her sorrowes and raging with extreamitie of this despight brake the vaines of her heart in sunder and the artiries of her bodie as the bloud issued foorth at many places aboundantly and therewithall in short time she was strangled The nxet morning her chéefest Lady that attended on her and loued her excéedingly came to the bedde side to sée how shée fared but finding her dead and so 〈◊〉 with her owne bloud gaue such a loude shrieke as Alchidiana and her Dâ—moselles affrighted at the noyse ranne in all haste to the Chamber The Princesse knowing the cause of this mischaunce was maruellous sorrowfull assuring her selfe that the wordes shée spake in her anger occasioned this bloudie 〈◊〉 And the â—umor of this mishop was so soone spread through the Palace as all the Ladies Damoselles Knightes Squires and other câ—me to beholde the harde fortune of Ardemia What lamentation was made on all sides is not to be expressed especially the Ladies attendant on Ardemia and her Brothâ—r Guâ—â—haran who brought her with him thither but her Gouernesse not able to endure the burthen of her heauinesse without feare of dread of any thus openly complained Ah swéete Princesse Aâ—demia the flowre of beautie howe deare hast thou bought this precious gift for I knowe assuredly that for this cause onely thy death happened vnhappie was the houre when thou didst leaue thy Fathers Court to accompanie the Princesse Alchidiana After her mones and the funerall pompe accomplished the Soldane erected for her a most beautifull Tâ—mbe with a sumptuous Coronet on the toppe thereof being vpheld by two inestimable Pillâ—rs of engrauen and guilded Alablaster the like whereof were neuer séene since the first King of Greece Yet was hée ignorant in the cause of her death and Palmerin not imagining whence this inconuenience did arise was so sorrowfull for the death of the Princesse as day and night hee mourned for her and
at length remembring her wordes to him and doubting his vnkindnesse to be the cause of her death sayd within himselfe Alas faire Princesse must I at the first motion driue thée to dispaire had I dissembled a little or temporized the matter thou hadst not fallen into this extremitie but my onely wilfull indiscretion is cause of thy losse O Female sexe howe are you subiect to casuall passions Yet néede I not wonder at this present mishappe for from the beginning of the worlde the Woman hath béene so suddein and voluntarie to the effect of her desires were they good or euill but especially in the action of loue as neyther feare honor shame torments no nor death could diuert her from her vndiscreâ—te fantasies Hereof beare record Hypâ—â—mnestra Myrrha Deianira Scylla 〈…〉 Phyllis Salmacis Hero and Dydo whose deatheâ— were procured onely by lauish loue O diuine wisedome that hast suffered me to fall into this lucklesse accident protect mée from any further disaduauntage séeing thou hast taken her hence who gaue some ease to mine 〈…〉 that so liuely shée resembled my swéete Mistresse 〈…〉 desire to serue with continuall loyaltie I nâ—we 〈◊〉 my selfe that this loue was not accompanied with vertue and that for my good it hath so chaunced forgette 〈◊〉 not then but so enable me as in such badde occasions 〈…〉 not from my duetie And such is my confidence in thy promises as no teâ—ptation shall preuaile against mée but this â—aptiuitie once discharged I hope to direct my course pleasing in thy sight and to 〈◊〉 such gracious seruice as thy name 〈…〉 and glorified for euer So long continued he in this silent contemplation as Alchidiana perceiued him which greatlie displeased her but fearing any way to 〈◊〉 Palmerin shée durst not saye what shée thought liuing in hope that her Cozin being dead she should now compasse the effecte of her desires Ardemia enterred in her honourable Tombe Guilharan her Brother with his traine and the Ladies that attended on his Sister returned into Armenia where great sorrowe was made for the death of the Princesse and the renowne of her beautie blazed the report of her death through euery region Chap. IX How Amarano of Nigrea eldest son to the king of Phrygia vnderstanding the death of the faire Princesse Ardemia who was newly promised him in mariage made many greeuous lameÌ„tations for her losse And how Alchidiana discouered her amorous affections to Palmeâ—in SO farre was spread the reporte of the strange death of the Princesse Ardemia as 〈◊〉 came to the hearing of 〈◊〉 eldest sonne to the king of Phâ—ygia the most valiant redoubtâ—d knight of y◠〈…〉 as wel for his great 〈◊〉 and déedes of Armes which he before that time accompliâ—â—â—d in Asia as for his affable nature vertue and courtesie This yong Prince being in the King his fathers Court and hearing commended beyond al other Ladies of the East the faire Ardemia Daughter to the King of Armenia at the verye sounde of the Trompe of this blazing Goddesse and setting the newes downe for true from her affecting spéech he became so amorous of her as he had no content but in thinking on her Héereupon he sent his Ambassadours to her Father to request her in mariage wherto right willingly he condiscended and nowe at the instant when he intended to go visite her newes came to the Court of her admirable death which for a while was 〈◊〉 from him because each one doubted the conceit 〈◊〉 would cause his death For they knowing the loue he 〈◊〉 her to be so vehement as hée vnderstanding her strange kinde of death they thought it impossible but it would 〈◊〉 to very scandalous inconuenience yet in the ende he 〈◊〉 thereof but to sette downe héere the gréefe teares and complaints of this yong Prince is more then I am able 〈◊〉 it therefore suffise you that his sorrowes were such as euery houre his death was likewise expected It was likewise told him howe through the enuie of Alchidiana shée dyed and that for certaintie shee was one of the chéefest causes thereof which mooued him then into such an alteration as hée swore by the great Prophet Mahomet to reuenge her iniurie so that the Soldaâ—e shoulde for euer remember the daunger in suffering so great a treason In conclusion hée intended to take with him two hundred chosen Knights all clad in mourning for the gréefe of their Maister and â—oure of his Brethren Knights of great hardinesse and so well they iourneied as they â—ame within twentie miles of the 〈◊〉 Courte But that wée may not too farre 〈◊〉 from our intent Alchidiana ioyfull as you haue hearde for the departure of Guilharan and his 〈…〉 Palmerin 〈…〉 to all louers such account she made of her beautie and riches as she imagined that Palmerin would not disdaine her but rather would repute himselfe happy to haue that at his pleasure whereof so many Kings and great Lordes had béene denyed And in this opinion the next time that Palmerin came to her Chamber she beganne with him in this manner Now Syr Knight what thinke you of the death of Ardemâ—a who so falselye would haue seduced you to goe with her hence did shée not commit great treason against mee if shée had preuailed but right well is shée rewarded and as I desired Thinke then no more of her presumptuous follie or the ridiculous conceit of her vaine loue which shée made her pretence to cause you forsake my Fathers Court where you haue receiued so many speciall honours chéefelie of his Daughter who loues you déerelie and inâ—â—nds to make you Lord ouer all her possessions Beléeue mee Sir Knight if hitherto I deferred to acquaint you héerewith it was in respect I doubted her but now shée being gone estéeme henceforth of me as your owne and to begin this alliaunce I honour you with all that is mine and my selfe to be disposed at your pleasure For my heart which is onely subiect to you applyes it selfe to your lyking and can wish nothing but what you will 〈◊〉 How long haue I desired this happie day howe often haue I contemned and despised my selfe in not daring to breake the seale of my affections which nowe I 〈◊〉 aduentured to your knowledge As for that which now troubleth mee is the want of your spéech which the Gods haue depriued you off being enuious of your manifolde perfections Alas my Lord why did they not endue â—hée with that benifit that in declaring my desires thy answeres might returne reciprocall pleasure Some in their loue delight themselues with embracing kissing and such ceremoniall behauiour as for mée amoâ—rous priuate and 〈…〉 I repute a 〈◊〉 content Yet hath Loue one shaft in his 〈…〉 then all these béeing the onely argument of each others resolution in respect whereof I commit my honour into your protection prizing estéeming and chusing you aboue all men in the world beside Palmerin exceedingly abashed at these vnséemelye spéeches knewe what signes to make for his aunswere
that he 〈◊〉 spâ—ken 〈◊〉 of her in the presente of the 〈…〉 with maruailous anger and disdaine returned him this aunswere Amarano the most rash and 〈◊〉 Knight that euer I sawe I wonder howe thy folly could make thée so audacious to come and accuse me of treason against all truth before my Father and his 〈◊〉 But thy spéeches well noted and considerâ—â— shew nothing but carelesse youth 〈◊〉 and too vaâ—nglorious conceit chiefly in this that thou armed 〈◊〉 and accompanied with so many well appoynted Knights commest in this sort to molest a poore maiden who neuer to thée or thine committed any offence but all seruiceable honour especially to her on whose behalfe than offerest the combat As for the valour thou reputest in thy selfe that 〈◊〉 which this slaunder doth encourage thée withall 〈◊〉 thy hartinesse and resolution of heart thou oughtest rather oppose against a Knight able to aunswere thée then a siely Uirgin who hath no weapon but her â—onour wherewith to defende her selfe I confesse I am a Ladie but not traiterous or false as thou auouchest yet of so noble courage as were I of thy sexe thou neuer shouldest depart this Hall before I had that conspyring head from thy shoulders to witnesse thy falshoode and maleuolent spirit Notwithstanding as I am so please my Lorde and Father with a Kitchin cudgell I shall let thée know that thou dotest in thy spéeches and against thine owne conscience chargest me with the murder of my Cozin Examine thy thoughts what likely reason might induce mée to such an offence If shée was fayre thanks to our Gods mine owne talent is so good as I néede not enuie her beautie If shée made account of her rich dowrie I béeing sole heyre to the Signories of the Soldane might iudge my selfe farre beyond her being desired in mariage by many Kings and Princes whereof I am well assured shée neuer had the like I knowe not then what cause should anie way induce me to request her death But what néede I make such prâ—â—estations to thée séeing that by some one of my Fathers 〈◊〉 thy pride will bee abated and I reuenged of the iniurie thou hast doone me Amarano not aunswering her a 〈◊〉 spake to the Soldane in this sort It is not decent my Lord that a Prince or Knight of qualitie should stay on the wordes of a Woman so little considerate who more by anger then vertue thinkes to reprooue and annihilate a 〈◊〉 accusation Wherefore according to the agréement 〈◊〉 determined cal for the knight that dare vndertake the quarrell of your daughter to whom I will manifest in plaine Combat that what I haue said is trueth and if hée bée vanquished your Daughter Alchidiana and he shall bée burned togither as the greatnesse of the offence well deserueth contrariwise if Fortune denie mée successe I will request no other iustice then what shall please you to appoynt for me Maulicus séeing that well he could not denie the Prince though to his gréefe pronouced the sentence that his Daughter that day shoulde present a Knight to sustaine her cause according to his conditions alleaged This hard prescription made neuer a Knight willing to aduenture the Combatte so much they feared Amarano for the great report they heard of his prowesse but stoode all silent as though themselues were condemned to death Alchidiana séeing the courage fayle of so manie Knights whom shée estéemed for men of great account knewe not to whom shée should haue recourse and therefore ouercome with excéeding sorrowe but that her Ladies assisted her had twise or thrise swouned before her Father Palmerin beholding her and knowing that his refusall was greater cause of Ardemiaes â—eath then the iniurious wordes of Alchidiana pityed her estate and hauing before his eyes the loue she bare him the great honours was done him for her sake and the pustillanimitie oâ— the Soldanes Knights was so mooued 〈◊〉 forgetting all daunger and his dissembled dumbnesse which hitherto hée had so cunningly obserued as though he had béene borne in that Countrey hée thus began in the Arabian tongue 〈…〉 vnwoorthie hencefoorth the name of Knights how can your hearts endure that a proude and presumptuous Prince shall come into your 〈…〉 to accuse your Ladie and Mistresse and not one of you daring to defende her right By the celestiall powers 〈◊〉 may you bee accounted heartlesse men and in suffering this wrong to be depriued of all noble titles and to bee solde in the market as slaues and villaines Thinke you the Prince Amarano is come hither for anie other intent then to make tryall of his great hardinesse Can you be destitute of reason and so easily abused as to thinke 〈…〉 Princesse Alchidiana whom nature hath so worthily 〈◊〉 with beautie and with whom no other may make comparison could be prouoked to murther Ardemia for this onely occasion because she was faire And you Lord Amarano for a matter so slender haue you enterprised to blame a Ladie so vertuous as is the Princesse Alchidiana I accept the Combat on her behalfe auouching that shamefully and without reason you haue accused her behold me readie likewise to maintaine in open fielde that falsely and maliciously thou lyest in thy throate in witnesse whereof there is my gage and I beseech your highnesse affoorde vs presently Iudges that may discerne the issue of our Combat I take thy offer quoth the Prince and before the Sun set will giue thée the payment that belongs to such a frollickâ— companion Who can nowe imagine the ioy of Maulicus and his Daughter séeing him whome they reputed 〈◊〉 by nature thus to recouer his spéech assuredly they were all so amazed that they thought Mahomet had come from the 〈◊〉 to performe this myracle The Soldane thus surprised with vnspeakeable comfort forgetting the maiestie of his person 〈◊〉 Palmerin in his armes saying Ah 〈◊〉 Knight hâ—we may this bée dreame I or dooth but my fancie delude me with your spéech O Mahoâ—et for euer bée thou praysed for this great grace By the highest God I am more ioyfull of this good fortune then 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 the fayrest Island in the Mediterâ—â—â—ean Sea Nowe will I dismay â—o longer 〈…〉 Daughters fortune séeing that you take her quarrel in hand and for her sake wil comâ—at with Amarano with all my heart I graunt you the Fielde and thinke that my Daughter will not denie it But tell mée noble Fréend howe you haue so happily recouered your speech Palmerin abashed that hee had so forgotten himselfe knewe not what excuse to make neuerthelesse â—éeing nowe there was no remedie and that the 〈◊〉 throwne could not bée recalled imagineâ— some likely â—â—militude of his suddaine spéech saying I promise you my Lord that the cerâ—itude of your Daughters iâ—â—ocencie and the great griefe I conceyued séeing your Knightes so cowardly and faint in courage mooued mée into such choâ—ler as the Catarrâ— which of long time hath hindâ—red my spéech dissolued it selfe and â—â—th giuen my tongue libertie
Ladyes eares Neyther can you in my iudgement honour him sufficiently because my Daughter and mée hee hath shéelded from death expulsed our ignominious slaunder and slaine our false accusing enemy to make vs liue in perpetuall fame and memory The most part of them well 〈◊〉 his words and confounded with the remembrance 〈◊〉 theyr shame when they 〈◊〉 not enterprise the Combat for their Lady knew not what to answere but fearing to grow in further offence sought how to change his minde to some other talke Alchidiana béeing all this while in her Chamber prepared her selfe to goe visite 〈◊〉 not knowing how to shape her 〈◊〉 for fresh bewraying of 〈…〉 for the Goddesse Iuno when shée stoode before Syr Paris for sentence of her beautie was not more sumptuously adorned then the Princesse Nowe be 〈◊〉 shée to dispute in her thoughts the honourable graceâ— of Palmerin his nobilitie so farre renowmed his knightly prowesse and magnanimitie whereof herselfe had so good experience as shée resolued neuer to haue any other Husband Then 〈◊〉 she of her Ladies how she might 〈◊〉 her Knight if her head â—yre 〈◊〉 orderly if her 〈…〉 were tressed as they ought and if her garments were braue enough For conclusion the louely Mayden knew not how to dispose of herselfe to gaine his loue shée so earnestly longed for In this equipage she goes to sée her Friend and in his Chamber shée findes her Mother who hindered her languishing Daughter from discouering her sicknesse to him that onely had the power to helpe her wherefore liuing in hope of some better oportunitie for this time she smothered her gréefes so wel as she could finding other talke with her Ladies least her mother should suspect her Chap. XIII How the brethren of Amarano would haue buried his bodie in the Tombe with Ardemia which Alchidiana would not suffer but constrained them to carrie him home againe into his Countrey AMarano thus slaine his Brethren according to his charge thus giuen them before hée entred the Combat tooke his bodie and with great mourning they brought it to the Princesse Ardemiaes Tombe thinking to burie him there with her but Alchidmia aduertised héereof came presently and intreated her Father that hée woulde sende an Herauld to the Brethren of the vanquished Prince to charge them not to leaue the bodie of Amarano in his Dominions for if they did he would cause it to be burned as a Traytor deserued Moreouer that they themselues should depart within foure and twentie hours on paine of the daunger should ensue by their default For good Father quoth she if you should permitte their boldnesse it will be great blame and dishonour to you in that it is commonly knowne with what great pride and arrogancie he came to your Court thinking to iniurie your good report and eyther to shut mée from your presence for euer or else with open scandale to ende my life The Soldane well regarding her wordes willingly graunted her request whereupon the Princesse Brethren were certified of the Soldanes pleasure by a Trumpet whereat they maruailed not a little but séeing they could no way remedie it they said Herauld it is reason that your Lord should bée obeied within his owne territories neuerthelesse you may say vnto him that the crueltie he shewes to a dead bodie is verie great and against all equitie which he héereafter happilie may repent So opening the Tombe againe they tooke foorth their Brothers bodie and the Princesse Ardemiaes likewise conuaying them into a Litter of Cipres to kéepe them from corrupting and thus returned with them to Phrygia where the Princes death was greatly lamented but chéefly by the aged King his Father who séeing his Sonne dead before him after many dolorous passions thus complained Ah Fortune howe cruell doost thou shew thy selfe to the mightie as well as the meanest Ah my Sonne Amarano too déere hast thou bought thy loue to Ardemia Wretched and dispised olde man howe vnfortunate art thou among all other For when thou perswadest thy selfe to haue ioy and comfort by thy Sonnes thou findest the chéefe cause of sorrowe and discontent O death thou sufferest me too importunate Yet if the Soldane had graunted thée buriall where thou diddest desire it before thy death the lesse had béene my gréefe But soone shall I cause him repent his hard dealing and reuenge thy death with sufficient requitall The second brother to Amarano named Gramiel séeing his father in such extreame heauinesse assayed by all meanes he coulde to comfort him promising in the presence of all his Knights with all possible spéede to reuenge his Brothers death and so did all the sixe Brethren solemnly vowe togither Which spéeches did somewhat comfort the aged King who commaunded the bodies of the two louers to be taken from his presence and for a perpetuall memorie of his Sonnes death he caused a sumptuous monument to be made of marble and Porphire whereon was grauen the cause of their vnhappie death All this while Gramiell who vndertooke his Brothers reuenge gaue charge to the people round about him as also to the Kinges and Princes of Suria who were then enemies to the Soldane to prepare themselues in readinesse so that within a Moneths space hée had assembled a power of fiue thousand hardie Soldiers himselfe béeing appointed leader and generall ouer them In this sort they tooke themselues to the Feelde hoping to ruinate the Soldanes Countrey with fire and sworde but they were better entertained then they expected as hereafter shall bée largely discoursed Chap. XIIII Howe Alchidiana ouercome by vehemencie of her loue offered her selfe to Palmerin as his wife and of the aunswere he made her REmembring what hath past in the chapters before we may not forget how by the message of the Quéene of Tharsus sent to the Soldanes Court Alchidiana who began as it were to despise Palmerin was coÌ„strained to renue her loue thus conferring with her selfe that if so great a person as the Quéene of Tharsus commended estéemed and honoured him hauing neuer séene him the better meane had she béeing dayly in his companie to practise the furtheraunce of her earnest desires Shée therefore continually awayted oportunitie to discouer the fire newly raked from the embers and which day and night consumed her with languishing but so well it came to passe that not many dayes after the Combat with Amarano hee came to visite her in her Chamber right ioyfull of the talke hee had with the Soldan as coÌ„cerning the prouision of his strength to goe ruinate the Citie of Constantinople which gaue him hope of his returne to Allemaigne Alchidiana hauing courteously saluted him and shewing better countenaunce then before shée did caused him to sit downe by her and soone after began in this sort I desire you Sir Knight by the reuerence you beare our Godâ— and the â—ayth you owe to her for whose loue you tooke the enchaunted Crowne from the Prince Maurice to tell me your name what your Parents be and of whence
you are For I sweare to you by the honour of a Princesse that the guerdon you shall receyue in so dooing is my heart hauing once conquered those desires that long haue tormented me intending to make you Lorde of my selfe and all the possessions of the Soldane my Father without anie sinister meaning you may beléeue mée Consider therefore good Knight that without feare or dissimulation I haue tolde you what néerest concerneth mee if then you desire not my present death make aunswere as honourable dutie requireth ballancing in your owne thoughts howe vehemently the impressions 〈◊〉 loue haue touched me in respect that now I haue twise for your sake excéeded the limits of mine owne regar◠〈…〉 of my passions But séeing our Gods haue béene so fauourable as to restore the thing was earst taken from you and likewise hath brought you into her companie who loues you dearer then her owne life shew not your selfe so hard of nature to flie the howre that Loue and Fortune presents you withall Therefore â—y onely beloued Lorde in recompence of your sharpe Combat with proud Amarano receyue me as your wife whom you haue woorthily deserued Palmerin séeing himselfe assayled by so faire an enemie who coulde sooner bring in subiection an other Hercules then euer did Iole and as easily giue life to a statue of Marble as Venus sometime did at thâ— request of Pigmalion the Caruer was in maruellous affliction hauing before him on the one side feare to offende God on the other the loyaltie he ought his Mistresse and then the 〈◊〉 death of Alchidiana if he denied her In the ende remembring what the Soldan had spoken concerning his voyage to Constantinople hée deuised by this meane to 〈◊〉 her such aunswere as she should rest contented and neither God nor his Mistresse be offended he thus began 〈◊〉 and most excellent Princesse 〈◊〉 I am assuredly peâ—waded that there is not any Monâ—rce or Prinâ—h so noble in all Asia but might reckon himselfe among the happiest in respect of your perfections and vnualuable riches to espouse you as his wife By farre greater reason I that am poore a Knight errant vnknowne and whose life you haue saued may say and name my selfe aboue all other in fortune But knowing my selfe to simple and of so slender deseruing towardes you I estéeme it impossible for the Gods and nature likewise to lift mée to so wonderfull 〈◊〉 of happinesse Wherefore séeing the cause such and greater then I can desire or imagine likewise that it is 〈◊〉 to your commaundement 〈◊〉 I were 〈◊〉 any fauour of Fortune and to bée 〈◊〉 among the most vngratefull Knights in the worlde iâ— may any thing I should disobey your pleasure My reason is that you béeing reckoned as chéefe among the most perfect and accomplished Ladies deigne so much to abase your selfe as to make mée Lord of your loue which hath béene desired by so many worthie personages For these causes most gracious Mistresse I am bound to loue you aboue all other Ladies liuing which henceforth I hope to doo and loyally to serue you with my vttermost endeuours And as I ought swéete Madame to loue none but you so is my dutie to hold your regard in chéefest commendation therefore will I with such secrecie as so honourable a conquest will permit conceale this extraordinarie graâ—e And had I not this morning made promise to your Father to accompanie his power Constantinople there to reuenge the death of your deceassed vncle Gamezio soone should our loue sort to wished effect and I gather that swéet flower which aboue all other would beautifie my Garland Notwithstanding my hope is such that in this voyage I shall do such seruice to the Soldane your Father as at my returne hée will recompence mee to your content and good lyking of his Princes and Subiects which may no way nowe bee mooued least his minde otherwayes busied should conceyue displeasure against me and so all our fortune for euer squandered In this respect swéete Madame if euer hereafter I shall doo you seruice let me intreate you to patience till my returne resoluing your selfe in the meane while that I am more yours then mine owne and dedicate my life to your gracious seruice As concerning the rest of 〈◊〉 demaund my name is Palmerin d'Oliua and what my Parents are the Quéene of Tharsus within these thrée daies will tell me more then hitherto I could vnderstand by any when you shall vnderstand more of my estate and Country also but so farre as I yet gather by mine owne knowledge my â—iscent is from Persia. This excuse hée made because Alchidiana should not suspect him to bée a Christian and with this aunswere shée was so ioyfull and contented as nothing was able to inspyre more chéerefull life into her languishing soule which Palmerin perceyuing and the better to continue her in this opinion verie often he kissed her hande in signe of his affectionate obeysaunce and in this sort hee departed to his owne Chamber leauing the Princesse triumphing of her conquest He was no sooner come into his Chamber but solicited with the remembraunce of his Ladie Polinarda hee imagined how she blamed him with mournfull complaintâ— for his late promises which thought so diuersly afflicted him as he spent all the rest of the day in teares and as shée had béene present humblie requesting her to pardon what had past him in respect hée did it not willingly nor gaue anie consent with his heart thereto but dissembled the matter least the Princes by his deniall shoulde fall into despayre and rather then he would violate his solemne vow to his gracious Goddesse hée woulde aduenture on infinitâ— dangers Yet did this feigned answere to Alchidiana greatlie auaile him and caused him to bée more honoured then euen hée was before as also to bée continually accompanied with her presence whose onely delight was in dayly beholding him Chap. XV. Howe the Soldane hauing determined to send his armie to Constantinople would elect Palmerin his Lieutenant generall which he refused intreating him to giue the charge to the olde King of Balisarca NOw was the Soldan continually mindfull of the promise hée made to his deceassed Father Misos to reuenge the death of his Brother Gamezio wherefore séeing all his dominions in peace and that hée had with him the valiaunt Palmerin hee concluded to leuie a mightie Armie to 〈◊〉 that which dutie daylie called for And hauing prouided a huge number of Galions 〈◊〉 Gallyes and other vâ—ssels hée sent abroade to aduertise all the Kinges Princes Califfes and Toborlanes his Subiects of his will and pleasure who likewise gathering their forces togither were numbred to bée aboue an hundred and fiftie thousand fighting men All this while the Soldane so fauoured Palmerin as he had bestowed on him 〈…〉 which he made but slender account of 〈…〉 continually expected time to sée his Polynarda Alchidinia likewise building on his passed promises daylie presented him with many rich gifts and practised all
the deuises shee coulde to please his fancie for so deuoutly did the Princesss loue him as shée rather desired her owne death then to giue him the least occasion of dislyking And Palmerin by fayre and affecting speeches perswaded such setled opinions in her as shee helde his promises with greater pertinacie then euer did any Logitian maintainâ— his Aristotle By this time were the men of Armes come from all places wherefore the Soldane calling to Palmerin beganne with him in this manner Syr Palmerin considering how much I am indebted to you my affections are so resolutely perswaded that I estéeme of you as you were my Sonne and much more then I am able to vtter not so much for seruices you haue done mée from time to time as for the incomparable déedes of armes and chiualrie which makes you honoured through the whole world Hauing nowe determined to sende my forces to Constantinople my onely hope I repose in you and well it liketh mée that you beare the office of my Lieutenant Generall and principall gouernour of the Kings and Princes in this expedition Therefore my noble and approoued good Friend vsing your wonted magnanimitie and discretion my people shal think well of my appointment referring the honor of their victorie to the generall hauocke and confusion of their enemies Nowe I perceiue my gracious Lord answered Palmerin that by your manifolde fauours and courtesies you would depriue mée of acknowledging mine owne dutie notwithstanding in respect it is your pleasure I would aduenture the vttermost of my life for you which I cannot with greater honour loose then in your noble seruice Yet may it be spoken within compasse of your highnesse controll me thinks you should rather giue this charge to the King of Balisarca a man wise experienced and farre more skilfull in Armes then I am Beside your people hauing a man of their owne nation for theyr head will obey him more willingly and serue with much more chéerefull coâ—rage then vnder him whom they know not but onely by your Princely and liberall bountie which hath béene such that from the meanest estate where fortune helde mée as altogether despised your Maiestie hath lifted mee to the highest earthly honour Thus speake I dread Lorde as not gain saying your commaundement but for this consideration that taking this honourable charge the Souldiers may mutinie against me and so your seruice be altogether disappointed And thinke you quoth the Soldane that my people will be more obedient to the King of Baâ—isarca then to you Yea doubtlesse my Lord saide Palmerin that is my opinion Know then quoth the Soldane that for this counsell you haue giuen mée my loue is nothing diminished towardes you for I sée by this noble regarde how deseruedly you gaine the fauours of Kings and great personages it shall be therefore as you haue appointed This counsell gaue Palmerin not for any good he wished to Maulicus or the King of Balisarca but desiring nothing more then the ruine and generall destruction of these Heathen hounds sworne enemies to Christ and his Seruants to ridde himselfe of that charge which would bring him so great and shamefull report to â—ight against his Lord and maker therefore premeditating on all these inconueniences he but expected the meane to gette footing in Christendome againe Maulicus thus contented with his aunswere the King of Balisarca was appointed generall of his Armie yet he gaue commandement that Palmerin should bee reuerenced among them as the second person to himselfe and on paine of death none to offende him As all this strength was readie to take shipping newes came to the Court of Gramiell and his brethren what slaughter and spoyle they made through all Assiria whereat the Souldane béeing greatly offended séeing his prouision against Christendome thus chaunged came to Palmerin and sayde My Sonne what thinke you of our enemies What shall I doo to these followers of their Brother in pride I pray you counsell mée in this necessitie Palmerin perceiuing his desire preuented was ouercome with maruailous passions yet to hide his discontent from the Soldane he thus answered Séeing it hath so fallen out my Lord that without any summons our enemies haue presumed vppon vs I thinke it most expedient that your Armie prouided in so good readinesse beginne first with these arrogant inuaders for I doubt not their attempt béeing so trecherous and the courage of our men so resolute but they shall déerely buy their presumptuous aduenture A matter soone begunne will bee as soone ended and our shipping readie wee may afterwarde set forwarde to Constantinople for this will bee a good whetting to our stomackes to deale with our enemies of greater multitude This counsell was accepted wherefore it was immediatly proclaimed through the field that euery man should be readie to depart within thrée daies Chap. XVI How the Prince Olorico sonne to the King of Arabia came and offered his seruice to the Soldane bringing with him fiue hundred armed Knights and of his entertainment SOmewhat before the Soldanes Armie was readie to departe the Prince Olorico eldest sonne to the King of Arabia came to the Court and with him fiue hundred Knights so hardy braue and comely personages as both for the Court and the war better might not be imagined This yong prince reputed among the most valiaÌ„t of his time hearing report of the rare beauty of Alchidiana vnder colour of offring the Soldane his assistance determined to behaue himselfe so brauely in his court that by his liberalitie and honorable actions he would obtaine the Princesse to his Wife wherefore beeing come to the Court and hauing doone his obeysance to the Soldane hee began in this manner Right mightie Lorde of all Assiria and Palestine hauing of long time heard your great forwardnesse to the encreasing of our faith chéefely of the last honourable councell you held to reuenge the death of your famous deceased Brother Gamezio whom our Gods nowe entertaine at their celestiall banquets I tooke my selfe to trauaile with aduised resolution to doo you such seruice as might stande with my abilitie and your pleasure to command And for I now beholde that my arriuall is in a time so fortunate I celebrate theyr names with immortall thankes assuring your Maiestie so farre to stretch my endeouurs as the sonne that is beunde by dutie to his Father The Soldane who had heard great report of his bountie and valour his Father likewise béeing one of his friendes and confederates after he had made him very gracious welcome thanked him for the succour he brought him and henceforth he would not estéeme of him as a stranger but as his Sonne and most especiall Friende All this while Palmerin noted the behauior of the yong Prince and iudging by his complection that hée was of better nature then the other Assirians began to affect him so that after the Soldane had giuen them all the good night Palmerin accompanied the Prince to his Chamber where they could deuise no
Palmerin was the better more richly prouided of all things necessarie for the field Olorico was the more glad of his companie so the day béeing spent and the Tents pitched in a goodly plaine Palmerin inuited the Prince of Arabia to suppe with him for the Souldane had appointed him such honourable prouision as better hée could not for his owne sonne The Tables withdrawne and spending the time a while at Chesse play they went to bed where Olorico not able to sléepe beganne in this manner to his friendly companion Most fortunate Palmerin howe much more could I wish to resemble you then the greatest King or Lorde in the world to be likewise beloued of her who in beautie good grace and swéete spéech hath not her like And because my good Friend and Brother I haue noted the speciaâ—â— loue of the Princesse Alchidiana towardes you let me intreate you to tell me who shée is you aboue all other loue and intend to make your espoused Wife vowing to you on the word of a Prince whosoeuer it bee to conceale it with secrecie and to disswade my selfe from my loue newly begunne for your sake albeit I died therefore For your noble minde and braue gentilitie hath gained such soueraigntie ouer me as all other pleasures whatsoeuer I despise onely to haue your companye and fauour Thus quallifying the passions which day and night doo secretly torment mée I will sette downe such order as my Father shall not néede to send his Ambassadours nor imploy any of my Fréendes to demaunde her for mee albeit for this onelye cause I left my Countrey in such sort as you haue seene Palmerin hearing the wordes of the yoong Prince and perceiuing him wounded with her loue whom he desired to be furthest from smyling said My Lorde Oloriâ—o I sweare to you by the honour of my Knighthoode I neuer thought of the loue which you demaunde nor haue I any desire to followe that humour But true it is that I would doo so much for her as a Knight may for his Ladie for so shée well deserues her fauour and gentle behauiour woorthye farre better abilitie wherefore my déere Fréende if you will beléeue me giue not ouer your intent but practise to gaine her to your Wife and I promise you that I will so mooue the matter to the Soldane and her as happilie maye effect the end of your desires Yet let me intreate you to continue so iust a Fréende to her as her high calling well deserueth otherwise I had rather die the death then once to speake a word on your behalfe These newes so cheered the Prince as embracing him manie times and returning him manifold thanks he said Assuredlie my noble Freend I am greatly beholding to my father who gaue me my present being but much more owe I to you because my estate had now ended but that your gracious spéeches called me againe to 〈◊〉 My second selfe hauing thus lost my libertie I despaire of attaining what you haue promised and endure a death more then mortall but that you breath hope of successe into me assuring mée of immediate felicitie and ioyfull dayes héereafter which no father but so good a fréende was able to doo After other such like spéeches the Prince slept but Palmerin touched in another sort was solliced with the remembraunce of his lost fréendes and perceiuing his companion slept soundlie he began thus to deliuer his sorrowes Ah vnfortunate and wretched Palmerin how can thy mind so long beare this yoke of seruitude onely standing in feare of death Hast thou so forgot those two perfect louers Trineus and Agriola with thy true fréend Ptolome not knowing whether they bee aliue or deade what wilt thou not searche for them The Emperour of Allemaigne hath not hée good cause to complaine of thée yea and to blame thée if his sonne be not returned Darest thou present thy selfe before him Ah touch of loyaltie faire Agriola how iustlye mayst thou call mée thine enemie inuenter and fiâ—st motion of thy misfortunes O wretched and miserable that I am for leauing thée so discourteouslye I well deserue a million of torments farre worse then those exercised by the cruell Dyonise on the Scicilians Nor coulde they be sufficient to expiate my hainous guilt in that forgetting thée fayre Princesse I liue in daylie delights among these Moores and Tartars But were I such as I ought to bee mindfull of a fault so foullie committed I shoulde not liue one houre in rest or quiet till I had found my déerest Fréendes againe Ah disloyall Traytour how canst thou thus waste thy time héere slothfullie knowing the great and continuall trauails thy Ladye and Mistresse endureth for thée But I vowe to God this warre finished I will not abide in the Soldanes Courte tenne dayes but intende to sette forwarde to sée the Iewell of of my welfare And were it not to my perpetuall discredit as also that I should be iudged a faynting coward I would begin my iourney presently Thus all the night continued Palmerin such like coâ—plaints considering his Fréendes misfortune and his owne with such déepe impressions as thence forward hee liued in meruailous melancholie and would not delight himselfe 〈◊〉 before hee was accustomed Chap. XVIII Of the Combat betweene Palmerin and two of Aâ—aranoes Brethren whom he valiantly ouercame and killed FOllowing the true discourse of our historie the King of Balisarca Lieuetenant generall of the whole Armie caused the next morning to bée proclaimed by souÌ„d of Trompet that euery man should attend on his Ensigne and not go robbing and forraging the Uillages on paine of death to be inflicted on the offender So marching on in good array in short time after they encamped themselues before a citie where the enemies kept themselues in garison and planting themselues there for their aduantage the next morning they determined to giue the assault All yâ— night they were ordering the maner of their batterie the Pyoners making Trenches and such defences as are requisit in warlike occasions Euery thing in due and perfect order at Sun rysing they beganne to assaile the Cittie rounde about following their intent with such courage and alacritie as with scaling Ladders and other Engines in lesse then two hâ—wres they gotte vpon the walles and in despight of their enemies entred the Cittie murdering and expulsing the Phrygians and sharing the spoyle among themselues All other Citties Townes and Uillages that were taken by the enemie within sixe dayes after were recouered they not daring to withstand the Soldans power Gramiell Amaranoes eldest Brother amazed héereat hauing vndertaken to reuenge his Brothers death with his men betooke himselfe to open Fielde determining to giue the Assirians battaile and that way to make triall of their fortune in which resolution they came within halfe a dayes iourney of theyr enemies The King of Balisarca aduertised héereof dislodged immediatlie taking aduauntage of a little Mountaine which was in the open sight of the enemie And Palmerin who
them home with excéeding ioy but they answered that they ought rather to thanke the Knight in gréene Armour for hee deliuered vs from the Moores and Infidels without request of any ransome Olorico amazed at these signes of ioy as also when hee sawe Palmerin pray knew not well what to thinke which Palmerin presently perceiuing and to resolue him of all doubts whatsoeuer sayd No longer neede I know my good Lord and Friende to hide the affaires and secrets of my heart from you know therefore that I am a Christian and a Gentleman of the Emperours Court of Allemaigne But that which most of all gréeueth me is that I am constrayned to forsake your companie and returne againe to my Lorde for too much should I offend my God to go with you to the Soldanes seruice Wherefore my louing friend let me intreate you to holde me excused swearing to you by the faith of a Knight that whether else it shall like you to go I will accomplish your minde in any thing I intreate you likewise to entertaine al my Squires and Gentlemen into your seruice and among them to share all my treasure in the Shippe because I will haue nothing with me but my Horse and armour And notwithstanding all this feare nor to present your selfe before the Soldane and Alchidiana for to them will I write such matter of you as they shall accept you in my place and with as great honour as euer they did mee If heauen so fauour mee as I may come to the knowledge of my father I will certifie you with the truth of all As for my counterfeiting to be dumbe was onely but to awaite opportunitie when with safety I might escape thence If Olorico at the first was amazed what may be iudged of him nowe notwithstanding hee loued Palmerin so perfectly as hee returned him this answere Although Syr Palmerin wee are of contrary faith and opinion yet hath your noblenesse and humanitie gained such priuiledge ouer me that as you haue long time liued a Christian among the Turks so for your sake will I liue a Turke among the Christians dissembling in like sort as you did and neuer shall any occasion force mée to forsake you till you haue found your Father and know if he be discended of the Soldanes bloud No honour will it be for me nowe to returne again to the Assirian Princes and as for my people I force not though they go backe againe with my treasure for on my Knighthood I will bee no richer then you nor will reserue any thing with mée then what belongs to a Knight errant which is Horse and Armour For the rest let Fortune do the worst she can I hope for all this one day to be King of Arabia Then noble friend be not offended for I will beare you companie if death and strong imprisonment doo not withhold mee Palemrin embraicng him saide Ah worthie Prince so noble is your minde and repleate with fidelitie as perswade your selfe to find me your loyall Brother and fellow in Armee neuer to forsake you while I can lift my Sword so please you to abide with mee So calling the chéefest of them in the ship they sayde as much to them as you haue heard commaunding them not to stir from Arabia before they heard some other tydings As for their strange conceit at these newes I bequeath to your iudgements yet durst they not gainsay their Maisters but launching into the deepe sayled backe again into their own Countrey Palmerin and Olorico for this night lodged in the Cittie to refresh themselues and the next morning after they had taken leaue of the Merchants they deliuered they set forward on their iourney Continuing their trauaile thrée daies together at length they mette a Knight who séeing them armed after the Turkish manner sayde Gentlemen God saue ye if I should not seeme troublesome to you because I iudge you to be strangers I would gladly knowe if you could tell me any tidings of two Knights which long since left this Countrey Howe were they named quoth Palmerin Syr saide the Knight one of them is Trineus Some to our dread Lord the Emperour and the other the most valiant Palmerin d' Oliua Two yéeres and more since they left the Court without any newes what became of them sauing that wee heard they were a while with the King of England and thence they conuayed his Daughter the Emperous continuing so sorrowfull for theyr losse as euery houre his death is expected May it be quoth Palmerin that all this while Trineus is not returned What daunger will noble Allemaigne receiue by loosing their young Prince Ouercome with exceeding griefe and sorrow by report of these vnhappie tidings to himselfe he beganne in this maner What shall I doo dare I be so presumptuous as to present my selfe before my Mistresse what sufficient excuse can I make for the loue of her brother Doubtlesse if it were such a hell to me to finde the meane for my departure from that long captiuitie in the Soldanes Court much more will it be to me now in the search of the Prince for without him I dare not approach the Emperours presence While he thus secretly discoursed with himselfe he became so excéeding passionate as Olorico thought he had lost his sences which was the cause that without any further enquirie the Allemaigne Knight departed from them when Olorico amazed at this suddain alteration said How now Sir Palmerin what hath moued you to this heauinesse I beséech you conceale not the cause from me for if it be by any offence that the Knight offered which spake to you soone shall I deliuer him his penance Therefore tell me I pray you for vndoubtedly I will not suffer you to rest vntill you haue acquainted me with the truth Palmerin knowing how déerly y◠Prince loued him and that for his sake he had left Country parents and friends reposing on his loyaltie imparted his loue to him as also the lesse of Trineus and the Princesse Agriola Olorico then laboured to perswade him aduising him to compasse some secret spéech with his Ladie of whome hée might learne how to recouer her lost brother and the faire Agriola of England againe Palmerin following this counsell pacified himselfe and kept himselfe so closely as he could from being knowne to any Chap. XX. How Palmerin by the meanes of Vrbanillo his Dwarfe spake with his Lady Polynarda with whom he stayed fiue daies to recompence some part of his long absence and to the great contentment of them both SUch expedition in their iourney made these noble companions that at length they arriued néere a castle which was foure leagues from Gaunt where the Emperour as then was disposed to hunting for the delight of the Ladies but chéefely to expell his owne melancholy for the losse of his sonne as also to recreate the Princesse Polynarda who shadowing the cause by her Brothers absence lamented continually for her noble Friend Palmerin of whome
his departing time being come when the Prince attiring her selfe in her wâ—nted mourning garments and shaping her countenance to her former sorrow throwded her pleasures past and thus we will leaue them returning to our Affirianâ— sayling on the Sea Chap. XXIIII How after the tempest was past the soldans Armie assembled togither came against Constantinople where by the Emperours power they were discomfited the King of Balisarca his sonne Gueresin and 〈◊〉 other great Lords of Turkie slaine THe tempest which had thrown Palmerin on Hercuâ—es pillars after many loÌ„g and contagious stormes began nâ—w to cease the Sea béeing faire and calme and the windes very quiet whereupon the king of Balisarca General of the Armie in short time assembled togither the most part of his Fléete and came vpon the Coast of Natolia where hée attended the rest of his Foystes and Galleyes And hauing there â—â—ayed about fifteene dayes among all the Shippes that came hée could heare no â—â—dings of Palmerins Carrick the long slay wherof caused him to doubt least he had vnhappily 〈◊〉 in the Sea and ouercome with excéeding gréefe hee thus began Ah gentle Palmerin the flower of all Chiualrie in lucklesse howre didst thon betalâ—e thy selfe to the Sea what answere shal I make the Soldane for the 〈…〉 the Prince Olorico béeing so especially committed to my trust Nowe cannot Fortune 〈◊〉 so fauourable to vs as she would for by thy losse I vtterlye despayre of expected victorie To cut off these 〈◊〉 complaints he was counselled by the Lords Knights and auncient Captaines to sette forward to CoÌ„stantinople to discharge themselues of their promise to the Soldane least in returning without dealing with the enemie they should be reputed for fearefull faint-harted â—owards Setting their sailes to the wind at length they came to the Bosphor Now was the Emperour veriâ— aged and sickly hauing altogither committed the superintendaunce of the Empire to his sonne Caniano who had a son aged â—eaurntéene yéeres named Cariteos And being aduertised of the comming of so manie Assiriâ—ns Turkes and Moores hée sent to all the Christian Princes for succour the greater parte whereof was there as nowe arriued with resolute determination to welcome these Infidels When the Emperours scoutes had espied the enemiâ— to enter the straight yong Cariteos beholding the Knightes on all sides some on the walles and other in the Fielde came and knéeled before his Graundfather earnesâ—lye desiring him to graunt him his Knighthood For my Lord quoth he a better time and occasion cannot be then newe The aged Emperour graunted his request and with the teares in his eyes said In the name of God my Sonne maist thou receiue thy order and to the glorious maintenaunce of the Christian faith albeit thy youth forbids thée to venture so soone Presentlye arose the yong Knight Cariteos and clasping on his Helmet was the first that went foorth of the Cittie accompanied with tenne thousand Horsemen and twentie thousand Footemen to hinder the landing of the enemies which a great while hee did with such valour as the Hauen was channged with the bloud of the slaughtred The King of Balisarca hearing thereof commaunded his Archers to their taske 〈◊〉 shafts 〈◊〉 so thicke in such multitude as it were the Hayle that falleth from the Cleudes and on the other side hée gotte thiâ—tie thousande men on land who assayled the Christians so 〈◊〉 as yong Cariteos was slaine and a great 〈◊〉 of noble personages which was the cause that the Christians retired to the verie Gates of the Citie The Prince Caniano aduertised of his sonnes death and the great daunger wherein the 〈◊〉 issued foorth of the Cittie with eight thousande Horsmen and foure thousand hardie Archers who like hungry Tygers ranne vpon the Turkes beating them to the earth in such heapes as twelue thousand of them were slain at this encounter and the rest repulsed backe to their ships where many entred for sauegard of their liues and a great number were miserably drownâ—d in the Sea At this mishap the King of Balisarca was greatly eâ—â—ged who with his power presently went on shore the fight enduring so cruell and bloudie thrée howres space as neyther side could be reputed likeliest of victorie In this encounter ended their liues the King of Balisarca his Sonne Gueresin and a great number of Cailiffes and Taborlanes of Turkie and of the Christians the Prince Caniano with diuers other great Princes and Lords whose deathes are to this day lamented in Greece yet were the Pagans and Christians so animated one against another as darke night was the cause of their seperation When the Emperour vnderstood the death of his Sonne and Nephew hée was readie to die with conceit of griefe but séeing the necessitie of the time required other matter then sorrowing teares and vnprofitable lamentations hée presently dispatched Postes and Messengers to hasteâ— the succour was comming from Christendome In short time arriued a mightie Christian power and despight of the Turkes entred the Cittie when the Emperour presently sent tenne thousand into the Field and prouided a signall for the other to set fire among the Turkishe Fléete at what time they receiued the signe from the Cittie The Infidelles séeing the Christians to sallie abroad left their Shippes and came to méete them whereupon the Christians diuided themselues into squadrons and running furiously on the Moores Arabies and Assirians made such hauocke and slaughter of them as happie was he coulde best defend himselfe Then suddainly was the signall of fire made on the highest stéeple in Constantinople to the Emperours power wasting on the Sea which immediately launching among the Turkish Fléete suncke the greater part of them and burned the rest with their wilde fire When the Turkes beheld this stratageme and that they were now destitute of any helpe they beganne to faint so that at the comming of the Emperour who came himself vpon them with a fresh sallie of fiue thousand men they were all slaine except a fewe that escaped into Galleyes that brake from the rest vpon fight of the pollicie Great was the spoyle gotten by this conquest which the Christians taking with them entred Constantinople where they gaue God thankes for their happie victorie But although the Emperour sawe his enemies vanquished after the Princes were departed that came to his succour right gréeueus was the losse of his Sonnes to him wherefore his Lordes aduised him to send for his daâ—ghter the Quéene Griana and King Tarisius her husband and to commit the gouernment of the Empire to him For the accomplishment of this generall determination the Duke of Pera was appointed Lord Ambassadour being one of the most auncient Princes of Greece who accompanied with many noble Gentlemen made such expedition in his iourney as hée arriued in Hungaria before the King and his Quéene Oriana whose sorrowes may not be expressed for the death of her brother When they vnderstood the Emperours pleasure they resolued on their obedience which caused the
King to sende for two of his Nephewes who were sonnes to the Duchesse of Ormeda his sister the one named Promptaleon and the other Oudin to be his Lieutenants in Hungaria during his absence Upon their presence before the Ambassador of Constantinople the King Tarisius tooke their oathes for their loyall and faithfull gouernment But because we must now reuiue matter long expected as concerning the noble Prince Florendos of Macedon I am loth to spende any further time in vaine and will now report what happened at Buda during the time of this determination Chap. XXV How the Prince Florendos of Macedon accompanied with none but his Cozin Frenato departed from his Countrey in a Pilgrims habit iourneying in Hungaria where he killed the King Tarisius and how he and the Queene Griana were taken prisoners LOrdings let vs nowe remember how after that Palmerin was departed from Macedon hauing recouered the health of the olde king Primaleon Father to the noble Prince Florendos who during the time of Palmerins presence was somewhat more pleasant then of long time he had béene appeasing his complaints for the Princesse Griana by the happie tidings of the ancient knight that sent the shéeld to Palmerin at his knighting But now Florendos hearing no newes of him returned to his former heauines and languished much more then euer he did so that when the Macedonian Princes Lords pressed him with continuall request of marriage that hee might haue issue to succéede in the Kingdome hee was constrained by their importunitie to make them promise of their request crauing a yéeres respite before in which time he intended to make a deuout voyage whereto they consented in respect of his promise Nowe did he not demaunde this time of his Subiects for any desire he had to bée a Pilgrim or any superstitious zeals to the Spanishe Leather Cape Shooes Frocke and such like but for he longed to sée his swéete mistresse Griana whom he serued in heart with such loyall affection as till death he would not marrie with out her consent and licence The day being come that he would depart he tooke his leaue of all the Princes Lords and Gentlemen and accompanied with Frenato Father to Pâ—olome both caped after the manner of Pilgrimes mounted on two Palfrayes of small value and without anie weapons except each of them a little short Dagger departed the Cittie making such haste in their iourney as they arriued at Buda where as then the King kept his Court prouiding to set forwarde to Constantinople There were they lodged in one of the best Osteries in the Cittie and the next morning went to the great Church where the Quéene was euer woont to heare diuine seruice and so well it fortuned that at the time these two Pilgrims entred the Church the Quéene her selfe was in the Chappel Florendos who was maruaileusly disguised stoode not in doubt to bee knowne but séeing the Chaplaine had begunne seruice hypocritically he approched to Aultaâ— with holie deuotion to the ende hee might the better beholde the Quéene Regarding her swéete countenaunce he remembring the courtesies he sometime receyued of her and what excéeding affection as then shée bare him but now being in the custodie of another and he out of hope to haue any more gracious pittie his spirits were so wonderfully troubled and so manie passionate sighes hée breathes from his heart as he fell downe in a swoune that euerie one reputed him for dead The Quéen who manie times had noted his pitâ—ious lookes commaunded Tolomestra one of her Ladies shée that had the charge of her in the Tower of Constantinople that shee should go vnderstand the Pilgrims disease and do the best to recouer him againe which Frenato had done before she came Tolomestra demanded of Frenata the cause of his sicknesâ—â— who answered Madame we are newly come from the holy voyage of Ierusaâ—em and hee who was wont to endure many vehement alterations which the contrary ayres by the waye doâ— bréede féelyng the freshe coolenesse of this Church hath therewit béene ouercome as it should appeare My friendes quoth Tolomestra withdrawe your selues to the Court and enquire for the Gallery in which place the Quéene dooth daily giue her almes there shall be prouided some remedie for you and I will giue you certaine precious Drugges which shall héereafter comfort you when any such humour offendeth you A thousand thankes good Ladie sayd Frenato we will doo as you haue commaunded vs. Seruice béeing ended they went to thâ— Gallery whither soone after came the Quéene and opening the Casement of her Window as shée was wont stood to behold the Almes giuen to the poore Pilgrims Frenato and his companion had gotten so neare the Windowe that the Quéene might easily heare any thing they sayd After most humble reuerence made Florendos thus beganne Most excellent Quéene renowmed beyond all other Ladies among so many of your daily charities may it please you to pittie the most poore and miserable Knight in the world The Quéene at these wordes knewe him and was in such feare least the King should know of his being there as shée could hardly sustaine her selfe but satte downe on a Pallet by Tolomestra who séeing her suddaine alteration sayd What ayle you Madame that your colour changeth in such sort Ah my trustie friende quoth the Quâ—â—â—e the Pylgrime that swouned in the Church is the 〈◊〉 Florendos of Macedon I pray thée goe to him and 〈◊〉 him presently to depart hence for if the King come to the knowledge of him all the worlde cannot shéelde him from death For the rest will him follow no further what he lost by his owne default and that the sauour héeretofore graunted my duetie and honour now forbiddeth mée Tolomestra entring the Gallerie saide the message to the Prince Florendos who vnderstanding this sharpe answere shed manie teares with gréefe saying Ah my déere Fréend Tolemestra desire my gracious mystresse Griana that in requitall of so manie tormenting passions which nowe twentie yéeres I haue patiently endured shée will affoord me once so speake with her and kisse her hand before I depart Tolomestra brought this answere to the Quéene perswading her to heare him speake which shée might do with safetie vnder colour of requesting to know the maruales of Palestine with the precious and worthie monuments of the holie Citie I am content to graunt so much quoth the Quéene but I greatly feare the issue of his spéeches go then and cause him secretly to enter Ah gentle habit where-under many doe often beginne their delight which in the ende proues woorsse then Tragicall The two Pilgrims béeing entred Florendos â—ell on his knée before his Ladie and kissing her hand sayd O my God thy name be praysed through all worldes permitting mee to kisse these handes so long time desired Sée héere swéete Mistresse your Florendos that with such loyaltie hath loued you and hitherto hath kept the fayth which hée vowed to you at Constantinople
in your fathers Pallace and which no death can make me falsifie or change vnlesse you please to suffer me take another wise wherein I shall satisfie the importunate requests which daylie thâ— Lords of Macedon make to me for marriage that I might leaue them an heyre of my linage Which is a matter so gréeâ—ous to me in that I failed of you to whom I first gaue my fayth as I resolued neuer to take any other which I knowe not how I shall performe without losse of my life As he thought to haue procéeded further in spéeches and the Quéene hauing not answered one worde vnhappily the King entred which the Quéene beholding swouned with feare But she was immediately recouered by her Ladyes When the King séeing her in such estate and in what secrecie the two Pilgrimâ— talked with her hée gathered some suspition and ouercome likewise with the force of iealousie saide Madame what make you here at this time and in so slender companie of Ladies how dare you stande talking with these Straungers I woulde gladly know the matter and what hath made them so bold to enter your Chamber Florendos séeing his affaires to growe from badde to woorsse and that his Ladie was so threatned entring into choler he drew his Dagger from vnder his Frocke and taking the King by the bosome said Tarisius I will not hyde from thée who I am it is more then twentie yéeres since I promised thy death and nowe I am come in person to performe it With these wordes he stabde the Dagger to his heart and downe fell Tarisius dead at his féete which when the Quéene saw she on the other side fell in swoune again Frenato greatly amazed hereat sayde to Florendos For Gods sake my Lord let vs shift for our selues before this misfortune bée blazed abroade Content thy selfe sayd Florendos neuer shall it bee reported that I left my Ladie to suffer for mine offence or that for the feare of death which is the ende of all mishaps I will endure such intollerable anguishes and torments Now by ill fortune one of the Pages of honour attended on the King and hauing séene this homicide hastiliâ— ranne downe the stayres crying aloude Arme ye Knights arme ye and reuenge the Kings death who by a trayterous Pilgrime is slaine in the Quéenes Chamber Cardino one of the Quéenes Squires her brother that caried yong Palmerin to the mountaine had no leysure to take anie other armes then a Sword and Shéelde wherefore he was the first that came to the Quéenes Chamber where hee found Florendos guarding the entraunce who presentlie knew him saying Depart my good Friend Cardyno vnlesse for the Quéenes loue I shal take thy life from thée And what art thou sayde Cardyno that knowest mee so well I am thy Fréend quoth the Prince the most vnfortunate Florendos Straunge it is my Lord quoth Cardyno that you durst venture into this Court but take héere my Swoorde and Sheelde and defend your selfe for I thinke you will stande in great néede thereof In the means while I wil go aduertise the Duke of Pera of this mishap he is your good fréend and by his meanes you may haue some succour for oftentimes haue I heard him say at Constantinople that he wished you as well as my Lord the Emperour Dispatch then said Florendos that thou be not found héere with me assuring thée if I may escape this daunger I will acknowledge this seruice to thine owne content Florendos armed himselfe with the Sword and Shéeld whereof hée was so glad as if hée had béene backed with manie trustie fréends vowing before he died to make such a spoyle among his enemies as should remaine for an after memorie Cardyno went with all diligence to the Duke and secretly acquainted him with all this misfortune whereat the Duke greatly amazed answered I will do my vttermost for his safetie because full well he hath deserued it And so accompanied with many Grecian Knights he went to yâ— Quéenes Chamber and thrusting through the throng in despight of them that guarded the stayres bée got to the Chamber At the entrance whereof he found Florendos defending himselfe with such manly courage as nine or ten lay slaine at his féete The Duke and his men caused the Hungarians to withdraw themselues saying that himselfe would not suffer the matter so to escape for the offence ought to bee punished by iustice after the truth were knowne and thorowlie vnderstoode Hereupon the kings two Nephewes came in great rage saying to the Duke of Pera that the Quéene and the Pilgrime ought presently to die What quoth the Duke depart you likewise your willes shall not héere stande for Lawe nor is the Quéene to bée intreated with such rigour So drawing his swoorde and his Knights likewise resisted the Hungarians so that manie of them were slaine vntill certaine Gentlemen came who louing and estéeming the Quéene appeased this tumult Then was it agréed vpon that the Duke should take him into his charge who had murthered the King on whom such punishment should bee inflicted as the cause required and héereupon the Duke tooke his oath before all the companie In this sort the Kinges Nephewes were quieted who presentlie departed the Chamber causing the dead and wounded to bee conuayed thence that the people might receiue no further occasion of offence and the Duke comming to the Prince Florendos said Yéeld your selfe to me my Lord and I will promise you on the faith of a Prince that I will maintaine both your right and the Quéenes whatsoeuer daunger I hazard therby If you will not assure your selfe that your bodies cannot suffice the villainous surie of these people for they haue confidently sworne your deathes I know my Lord quoth Florendos that you speake the trueth and I repose my trust on your nobilitie which is such as you will not suffer anie iniury to the man béeing in your guÌ„â—rde I yéelde my selfe to you and earnestly intreate you not to imprison the Quéene for on mine honour she is guiltlesse And if any offence hath béene committed it was by me yet not without iust cause and in defence of mine own life My comming hither-was because I am newly returned from Ierusalem and remembring the manifold honours which sometime I receyued of my Ladie in the Emperour her Fathers Court in my passing by I was destrous to do my dutie to her At the instant time I was saluting her the King came into the Chamber who moued with an auncient hatred which you verie well know would haue slaine me but I preuenting his intent with the ayde of my weapon bestowed that on him which he wished to mee I beléeue well what you haue sayd quoth the Duke yet must you néedes abide triall in this case Frenato perceyuing his Cozin in such daunger sought about the Chamber for some weapon to defende him and finding the Kings Sworde by the Quéenes bed side shewed it to the Duke that he might
them Namely that the King was murdered finding Griana committing adulteris with Florendos At which words the Emperour was so enraged that like a man depriued of reason he violently pulled himselfe by the heard saying Ah wreâ—ched and infortunate olde man haue the heauens suffered 〈◊〉 thus long life that after the death of thy sonnes Caniano and yong Cariteos thou must sée thy daughter conuicted of treason adulterie and murder If I haue had some comfort by my Sonnes lying now in the Hearse of honour for maintenance of the Christian faith doubtlesse this iniurie is so great and enorme as no ioy or comfort can now abide in mée Ah my louely Daughter Griana whom I had good hope would bee the onely support of mine age and for that cause sent to haue thy companie commest thou now with such shame and monstrous report Florendos if héeretofore against the Turke Gamezio thou didst me seruice with great wrong hast thou now reuenged thy selfe taking from mee that good which thou canst neuer restore againe But let it suffice that knowing the truth of thy disordered dealing such shall bee thy punishment as shall remaine for perpetuall memorie The Empresse likewise forsaking her Chamber came and knéeled before the Emperour desiring him to put Florendos to the first councell and be to be dispatched with dilligence At which words the choler of olde Remicius augmented hee answering Madame for Gods sake getâ—e you gone for you are the onely cause of my dishonour and then you beganne it when you would not suffer the Prince Florendos of Macedon to match with our daughter but gaue her to your Nephew perforce and contrarie to her owne liking The Prince séeing him so offended intreated her to depart perswading her that the accusers of Griana were her cheefest enemies and that might easily be gathered by their proude and maleuolent detractions which happily would proue false rather then truth For if they might heerein spéede of their purpose and theyr accusation passe for currant the princesse Armida should be disinherited and themselues be the onely heyres of the Kingdome This was their principall drift not any deuotion to reuenge their Uncles death as they in outward shew declared and hereupon all opinions were set aside vntill the next day when the prisoners arriued Chap. XXVII How Florendos and Griana were brought to Constantinople and there were appointed by the Emperours Councell to purge themselues of their accusation by the combate of two knights against their accusers Promptaleon and Oudin THe Duke being arriued at Constantiople immediately caused the Queene Griana and Armida her daughter to be conducted to the Pallace by manie noble Lords and Gentleman When Griana saw shée must néedes go before her father she began again her wonted pittifull complaints notwithstanding shee was so comforted by the Lordes of Greece by theyr solemne promise to defende her right as shee encouraged her selfe and comming before her Father fell on her knées and thus beganne My gracious Lord and father inconstant fortune euermore hath beene and still will continue a most cruell enemie of them of highest calling and no further néede I speake for proofe of my words then the History of your last warres against the Turks and the present slaunder of mine enemies against mée I cannot likewise forget that twentie yéeres and more are nowe expired since to my great gréefe I was seperated from you but with much more excéeding heauines am I now returned if by my misaduenture you receiue any impeach or I deserue to loose the name of your Daughter Therefore my Lord forgetting the name and office of a Father let naturall regarde be exempted from me and exercise on mée tyrannous â—orments with the greatest rigour that may be deâ—ised Yet all too little in respect of my deserts not for any offence in this matter as God is my witnesse but for the suspition of the common and vulgare people more credulous of the faults of Princes and noble Ladies then of their discréete and sober vertues Neuerthelesse receiuing death for a matter neuer committed and with patience despight of mine enemies it will redound to my immortall honour Upon these spéeches the Princesse Armida making great reuerence to the Emperor and with the teares trickling downe her chéekes saide Dread Lord my chéefest desires euermore haue béene to sée your maiestie but so it falleth out nowe that in stéede of ioy and pleasure it is with gréefe teares and tribulation Yet gracious Lord for the first request that euer I made to your highnesse I beséech you to credit me that my mother hath committed no treason or any dishonour to the deceased King my Father neither euer permitted any man entrance into her Chamber but hee whom now the question cencerneth and at that time I with these other Ladies were present and are credible witnesses of the whole action Such efficacie wrought her words in the Emperours minde as he beganne to defie the accusation perswading himselfe that it was nothing but falshood and louingly taking the yong Princesse vp by the hand addressed his spéeches in this manner to the Quéene Well hast thou sayde that Fortune hath béene too contrarie towards thee for when my whole hope remained in thée and that the Crowne of mine Empire should haue béene placed on thy head thou hast fallen into such wounding reproch as both thou and I shall be for euer dishonoured My Lorde quoth Griana vnder correction and sauing the reuerence of your imperiall Maiestie neuer imagine the case any thing to your defame if you credite not mine enemies or common report from whence is engendred all vntruth This speake I not to excâ—se my death which I know to be the refuge for the desolate and ende of al afflictions but to declare mine owne innocencie and that mine honour shall at length be founde vnspotted But now consider good Father with what violence you enforce mee to match with the King Tarisius my heart being still against it and the néerenesse of linage betwéene vs forbidding it Nor were you ignorant of my loue to the Prince Florendos the most gentle Knight of Greece and whose only trauaile hither was to make mee his Wife all this will I not denie nor can my heart permit to passe in silence Notwithstanding by your commaundement I was constrayned to forsake my best beloued and take the man I was not borne to fancie After I sawe it must néedes be so acknowledging him my Lord and Husband and my selfe his Wife and Subiect neither in word or déede nor so much as very thought did I dispose my selfe to any disobedience but liued in most loyall and hâ—nourable dutie Uerie truest is that he founde Florendos talking with mee but I protest before Heauen that it was with such chaste and modest regarde as the Sister might conferre with her Brother And so little time our talke endured as I had not the meane to answere the Prince for the King comming in and prâ—uoked with
too much their enemie Then declared hée their troublesomâ— time on the Sea in what manner he lost them and how he now trauailed to finde them againe Since fortune hath so appointed quoth Frysoll that this loue and friendship should bee begunne betwéene vs to continue the same I will beare you companie and will not forsake you till yée haue found them may it like you to accept me for your companion If it like mée quoth Palmerin you néede not doubt thereof and rather you then any man that I knowe for which noble kindnesse I thinke my selfe most fortunate In this manner beganne the concorde betwéene Palmerin and Frysoll which continued with vertuous and perfect constancie as in the Chapters following you shal perceiue Thus soiourned these Knights there louingly togither till Palmerin being recouered and able to beare armes they departed thence leauing the poore Lady Leonarda in great heauinesse because her friend Frysol left her so soone Chap. XXX How Palmerin the prince Olorico and Frysoll went to Buda thinking to finde the Court there where beeing arriued they heard newes howe the prince Florendos was taken whom they went to succour with all diligence at Constantinople FFysol because he would not haue his Ladie Leonarda too much discontented made promise of spéedie returne to her which words somewhat pleasing her he departed with his two friendes and such quicke hast they made in theyr iourney and within sixe daies after they arriued at Buda There were they aduertised of the Kings death whereof the Prince of Macedon was accused and the Quéene likewise for which cause they were as prisoners conuaied to the Cittie of Constantinople At these tydings Palmerin was very displeasant wherefore he sayde to his companions Beléeue mée good Friends my heart will neuer be in quiet till I haue beene before the Emperour who ought to bée an indifferent Iudge to Florendos and hée is the onely man of the world to whome most gladly I would do any seruice therefore let vs make hast to Constantinople to the end we may succour him if he stand in any néede of our ayde I am ready quoth Frysoll and let vs sette forwarde when you please Héerewith hee remembred his father to whom the Crowne by right appertayned if Tarisius deceased without anie heire where to by this meane hée might attaine right soone Perswading himselfe with assuraunce héereof hée was now more â—arnest to be gone and hastened his companions in such sort as they came to Constantinople two daies before the appointed time for the Combat As they entred the Cittie they met a Knight riding on hunting whome after they had saluted Palmerin questioned with all if hée knew any thing of the Prince Florendos his misfortune what the Emperor intended to doo with him Sir quoth the knight the Emperour hath resolutely set down that the Prince and his daughter shall receiue their triall by Combate against the two Nephewes to the deceased King and furnished they must bée of their Champions before the limitted time of ten dayes bée expired and nothing else as yet is doone to my knowledge I thank you good Syr quoth Palmerin it is happie the matter is no further forward So leauing the â—â—ight they prauncâ—d merrilie into the Cittie and because it was 〈◊〉 soone to take vp their lodging they rode to the Pallace to knowâ— at full the certainetye of the matter thus beeing all Armed except their Helmets which their Squirâ—s carrâ—â—d after them they made a séemely shew as they rode in thâ—t they were all thrée of one stature and verye beautifull young Princes they were especially noted and followed by many Knights and Gentlemen who imagined suâ—h persons went to the Pallace for other matters then Coâ—â—tlie dauncing These thrée companions béeing entred the great Hall which was hangâ—d rounde about with blacke veluet in signe of mourning â—â—ey meruailed what might bée the occasion thereof wherefore Palmerin falling on his knée before the Emperour and hauing humblye kissed his hande thus spake Most renowmes Monarch of the worlde my Fréendes héere and my selfe within these fâ—we dayes as we trauailed through the Realme of Hungaria were aduertised that you kéepe in pryson the Prince of Macedon whom so please your Maiestie to vouchsafe I woulde gladlie sée in respect that hée is my Lord as for the desire I haue to deale in the Combat appointed if it like him to make choyse of me The Emperour perceiuing Palmerin so faire modest and couragious began with himselfe to conceiue well of him and imagined that his Sonne Caniano was againâ— receiued so néere did he resemble him in countenaunce stature and all proportions of the bodie wherefore hée returned him this answere It shall not in ought displease mée my Fréende to let you sée him to the ende you may conceiue no suspition of iniustice So calling a Gentleman Usher commaunded him to conduct the Knight to the Towre where the Prince Florendos was afterwarde enquiring of the Prince Olorico and Frysoll what the Knight was that so hardily did enterprise the Combat Dreade Lord quoth Frysoll he is called Palmerin d'Oliua a Knight in my iudgment of the verie highest qualitie in the worlde Then hée and the Prince Olorico rehearsed the prowesse and déedes of Chiualrie by him accomplished in France England Allemaigne Bohemia and Turkie which béeing heard by a Bohemian Knight then present he came to Frysoll saying I pray you Sir is this that Palmerin who kild the Serpent on the Mountaine Artifaeria and brought the water from the Fountaine which healed the good King Prymaleon Father to Florendos It is he Sir quoth Frysoll and no other Then dare I say gracious Lorde quoth the Knight that you haue séene the most valiant and vertuous Gentleman that euer came in Thrace Héereuppon he discouered the noble victorie he obtained in Bohemia against the two Gyants Daâ—â—aco and Mordano whome hée slew before his woorthy Combat on the behalfe of Dyardo Coâ—i◠〈◊〉 to the King and fayre Cardonya against the Counte of Ormeque and his Cozins in the Companie of Prince Adrian and Ptolome Héereat were all the Princes and Knights present amazed so that the Emperor himselfe saide Well maye Florendos nowe aduenture the tryall of his rause hauing the onelye Champion of the woilde on his side and in this manner they deuised of him till his returne from the pryson againe Palmerin entring the Tower Florendos was astonied because no person was wont to come sée him but chiefely when he sawe him on his knées to him vsing these spéeches Alas my Lord Florendos how gréeuous to mée is your imprisonment in vnhappie time did you knowe him that hath caused you to bée so ill intreated I pray you my Lord comfort your selfe and take courage for héere may you beholde your Seruaunt Palmerin who will be hewed in a thousand péeces but hée will deliuer you from this miserie Florendos whole eyes and facâ— were greatlie swolne with incessant wéeping onelye with the
Arismena his Quéene Palmerin verie ioyfull of the Kings motion in that he was one of the chéefest estates of Greece acquainted his Aunt with the Kings request and what an honor it was to her to be so matched Nor was the Princesse heart so colde by her Fathers death but séeing the yong beautifull King loued her so well it began to warme againe so that considering her owne estate béeing nowe in yeares past foure and twentie shée made some excuses by her Fathers late â—eceaâ—e But Palmerin perceiued by her modest yeâ—lding lookes that the heart consented although the mouth was loath to vtter it Wherefore the next day they were espoused togither by which meane the King was more affected to follow Palmerin as he determined before hée came from Constantinople as well for the great kindnesse he found in him as for his fauour in furthering him with the ende of his desires Now was the King more importunate on Palmerin to accept him for his companion in his trauaile who at length condiscended although he imagined that his Aunte had rather haue her newe Husbande â—arrie with her The day béeing appoynted for their departure Palmerin concluded with the King of Sparta that hée should sende Arismena to Constantâ—nople there to stay his returne wish her Brother Florendos For her safe conduct thither all the chéefest Knights that came thence with him where chosen except the Prince Eustâ—ce Son to the duke of Mecaena And Palmerin fearing his voyage woulde be longer then hée expected commaunded Vrbanillo his Dwarffe to returne to the Quéene Arismena and if I â—â—ay quoth hée longer then a yeare from Constantinople go then to Allemaigne with this Letter to comfort my Ladie and take with thée thy Sister whom I sent to the Quéene my Mother The Dwarffe although he had rather haue gone with his Maister then attend on Ladies not daring to gain-say him returned with Arismena who in short time after arriued at Constantinople where the Prince Florendos very ioyfully receiued her béeing not a little contented that shée was ioyned in marriage with the King of Sparta yet his Fathers death hée tooke verie heauily How welcome she was to the Emperour the Empresse and Quâ—â—ne Griana I doubt not but you can sufficiently imagine who contâ—â—â—allie comforted her till her Husbands returne Before Palmerin departed from Macedon he established all things in due and decent order creating the Counte Roldin Lieutenaunt generall for the Realme commaunding as dutifull obeysaunce to him as to their souereigne Lord the King his Father Afterward hee tooke order that his shipping might be ready because he would delay no longer the search of Trineus Chap. XLI Howe Palmerin and his companions sayling on the Mediterranean Sea were taken by Olimaell Admirall to the great Turke and their fortunes in Greece where Palmerin saued Laurana the princesse of Durace ROldin established in the gouernment of Macedon and the Ship readie which Palmerin had appoynted hée went aboord with his vowed Fréendes that would not leaue him vz. Frysoll thâ— Prince Olorico the Duke of Pontus the King of Sparta and Eustace sonne to the Duke of Mecaena These sixe hauing sworne the search of Trineus committed themselues to the mercy of the winds and Seas not knowing where they should first take landing Hauing thus sayled sixe or seuen dayes togither and the Seas nothing rough or tempestioâ—s they went vp on the decke to see if they coulde descry any shore And as they were deuising merily togither they suddainlie espyed a great Fléete of Ships which with wind at will made apace towards them but because you shall vnderstand of whence and what they were attend the sequell and you shall be resolued The Moore Olimaell as ye haue read in the former part of this Historie after he had giuen the Princesse Agriola to the great Turke entred into so great credit as in recompence of his gift 〈◊〉 was made high Admirall of Turkie so that béeing renowmed for a Knight of Péerelesse desert the Turke gaue him the charge of his great Armie where with he shoulde continually disturbe the Christians This Olimaell was Generall of this huge Fléete descried by Palmerin wherat somewhat amazed he called one of the Pilots demaunding if hée knew the ensigne of whence they were The Pilot had no sooner behelde them but hée presently saide they were Turkes and no way there was for themselues to escape because he saw sixe light Gallies were made out to hem them in and the rest came mainly vpon them But Palmerin as a Prince experimented in daungers thus spake to his companions Noble Fréendes where Knightlie force or beâ—â—tie cannot auaile it were méere follie to vse it we are but sixe and all in one vessell and farre wee caâ—not â—lie before we shall bée taken I thinke it best therefore that wâ—e vse â—ound dissimulation and so expect when Fortune will better teach vs the way to recouer our losse and reuenge vs on our enemies to their confusion Withdraw your selues and leaue me alone to talke with them because I can well speake the Arabian language Yet thinke not that â—owardise or feare of death makes mée vse these spéeches for in an action inuincible hardinesse and knightly prowesse will bée estéemed as follie and indiscretion Haue then patience my good Fréendes I hope that all shall turne to our good No sooner had he ended his spéeches but hée heard the Captaine commaund them to yeeld or else they should dieâ— Die quoth Palmerin that goes verie hard assure vs our liues and we yéeld otherwise not I promise thée said the Captaine neither thou nor thy companie shall haue any harme So seazing vpon the ship they brought it to the Admirall Olimaell presenting to him all the Knights they tooke therin for which he hartily thanked them saying Tell me Gentlemen and dissemble not are ye Turks or Christians Sir quoth Palmerin séeing Fortune hath béene so contrarie to vs you shall vnderstand truly what we are We are Christians and poore Knights searching aduentures to gaine honour and profit in some Princes seruice be he Heathen or Christian. And because we can not now shew you what we are able to doo so please you to suffer vs enioy our libertie and graunt vs the benefite of our Armour we will promise you loyall and faythfull seruice Olimaell who was by nature sterne and austere séeing these sixe Knights so yong and braue accomplished persons imagined theyr assistaunce woulde greatlie auaile him wherefore he thus answered Gentlemen if you wil sweare to me by your fayth that you will not depart from me without my licence but will loyally imploy your selues in what I shall commaund you shall haue your Armour againe and I will not vse you as my slaues and prisoners but as my honest companions and Friends Which oath they all tooke to him wherefore they were immediately armed againe and remained in the Galley with Olimaell who séeing their armour so rich and costly estéemed them to bee of
and say to her what you would haue mee know because shee is a Lady both vertuous and faithfull No lesse Madame haue I alwaies found her quoth Palmerin therefore I beséech you make account of her and acquaint her with your greatest affaires for shée is daughter to one of the most gentle Princes in the world But Madame I would gladly know what became of Trineus after that so vnhappily I departed from you The Admirall Olimaell quoth shée came with his Gallies so soone as you were departed who tooke vs and then seperated vs in sunder scant permitting me to speake to him or Ptolome nor knowe I what is become of them It sufficeth then Madame aunswered Palmerin that I haue founde you for on you dependeth the life of Trineus who shall not long I hope bee concealed from vs therefore aduise your selfe on the day when you will departe for I haue a shippe readie to carrie you from this seruitude Thanks be to heauen quoth she for so good fortune I will be so readie as you shall not stay for me Now entred Hippolyta who brake off theyr talke to other occasions where we will leaue and returnâ— to the Prince Trineus Chap. XLII How Trineus beeing enchaunted into the shape of a Dogge in the Isle of Malfada there came a Princesse of the Moores who requested him of the aged Enchauntresse to whom he was giuen and what happened to him afterward I Thinke as yet you remember without repetition of the former discourse in what manner the Knight Cozin to the Admirall Olimaell to whome the Prince Trineus was giuen arriued by tempest in the Isâ—le of Malfada and how he with his people were transformed into diuors shapes of Beasts among whom Trineus bare the likenesse of a goodly Dogge Béeing thus disguised a yong Princesse named Zephira Daughter to the King of the same Countrey came to demaund counsell of the aged Enchauntresse Malfada for the cure of a certain disease which by strange aduenture happened to her in this manner This yong Princesse one day béeing pleasant in her Fathers Court among many of her waiting Ladyes entred a goodly Garden which abounded with great diuersitie of swéet flowers and after shee had walked a prettie while in an Arbour of Muske-roses shee espied a Gille-flower which séemed so faire and beautifull in her eye as shee was prouoked to goe crop it from the stalke Hauing this dellicate flower in her hand wherein by misfortune a venemous worme was crept she tooke such delight in smelling it as her breath drewe vp the worme into one of her nose thrilles not béeing able to get it out againe So the venome and poysome of this little worme engendred a putrifaction and other like worms which gaue a smell so filthy and lothsome as hardly could any abide to stand by her Her Father not a little agréeued at this mischaunce sent for the most skilfull Phisitions to sée what remedie might bedeuised but all their paine and trauaile was in vaine for the disease continued still without any amendment In the end the King fearing it would change to a Canker incurable and hauing heard what straunge actions the Enchauntresse Malfada performed sent the Princesse Zephira to her where shée béeing arriued without anie daunger because she would not hurt anie inhabiting in the Isle declared to the Sorceresse the whole manner of her misfortune The Enchauntresse answered that shée could giue her no remedie and hardly should she finde any at all except it were by an ancient Knight who remained in the Court of the King of Romata and Grisca Realmes subiect to the Soldane of Persia and the knight was named Muzabelino The Princesse was so displeased at this answere séeing her intent frustrated as shée would receyue no sustenaunce wherefore walking in the Féeldes to represse her anger and so to the Sea-side where the Ships lay confused shée behelde the Dogge which was the Prince Trineus and so farre in liking was shée with him as she desâ—red the Enchauntresse to giue him her and hauing obtained her request returned to her Father who lay sicke in one of his Citties called Nabor whereof the whole Realme bare the name When the King saw his Daughter returned without cure his Melaâ—cholie conceit so strooke to his heart as with in thrée daies after he died Hauing made his Testament before his deceasse hee gaue his Daughter as her portion a Citie called Elain one of the greatest and surest strength in the Realme with all the signories belonging thereto To Maulerino his yongest Sonne he gaue an other like portion which was a dayes iourney distaunt from Elain After the Kings funerall rytes were solemnized the Princesse with her brother Mulerino went to their owne possessions doubting the furie of the Prince Tyreno their eldest Brother who alwayes had showen himselfe proude and contentious Shée béeing thus in quiet by her selfe tooke no other pleasure then in playing with her Dog because hée seemed verie subtile and politique so that shée prepared a Couch for him at her beds féete Tyreno béeing crowned King after his Fathers deceasse began greatly to despise that his Sister should enioy the fayrest Cittie in the Realme for which cause hée practised all the meanes he coulde to put her to death And that he might the better compasse his purpose hee secretly sent a Messenger to the maister of the Princesse horses that if hée woulde kill or poyson his Brother and Sister hée would giue him thirtie thousande Seraphes and make him gouernour of Elain The wicked noble man gréedie and couetous séeing the large promise of the Tyrant consented thereto so that one night the Princesse béeing asléepe he entred her Chamber with his Sword drawne there to haue murthered her and afterward the Prince her Brother Trineus who had lost nothing belonging to a man but bodily shape and voyce seeing the Traytour enter his Ladies Chamber with his weapon drawne started vp presently and setting his two foreféete on the villaines breast bit him so cruelly by the face and thraote as he being vnable to helpe himselfe was constrained to crie out aloude With this noyse the Princesse awaked and her Brother likewise who lay in the next Chamber comming in haste to sée the cause of this outcrie and knowing the Traytour beate him so fore with the Pommell of his Sword about the stomacke as in the end enforced him to confesse his treason Whereat Maulerino not a little maruailing and wrathfull at his villainous intent smote his heade from his shoulders In the morning he appoynted such guarde in the Cittie as no straunger might enter without great examination The Princesse knowing howe her Dog had saued her life loued him afterwarde so tenderly as shée would féede him at her owne Table and none but her selfe might giue him anie foode Héere will we likewise pause a while and declare the deliuerance of the Princesse Agriola Chap. XLIII Howe the great Turke became enamoured with the Princesse Laurana by means wherof he
Palmerins féete so that hée demaunded of the Princesse if shée brought him from the Isle of Malfada for doubtlesse quoth he I thinke it is some Knight transformed by that cruell woman who héeretofore belike hath knowne me At which words the dog howled excéedingly when Paâ—merin tooke an oath that hée would searche all the worlde ouer to finde some meane to bring him to his former shâ—pe that hée might know from whence this loue procéededed The next day the king Tyreno assaulted the Cittie who was slaine in the battaile by Palmerin so afterward was Maulerino crowned king of Nabor and all the Countrey enioyed their former quiet whereupon the Princesse Zephira gaue Palmerin her dogge who requited her with many gracious thanks because he greatlie suspected that it was his fréend Trineus transformed into that shape but now let vs returne to the soldane of Babilon vnderstanding how his Armie was discomfited at Constantinople Chap. XLVI Howe one of the Nephewes to the King of Balisarca brought newes to the Soldane of his vncles death the foyle of his Armie the losse of Palmerin and Olorico And how the Princesse Alchidiana bought Ptolome whom she greatly honored for Palmerins sake THe King of Balisarca as you haue heard before being slaine his Armie discomfited and al his Galleys burnt before Constantinople one of his Nephewes that kept the straight of yâ— Bosphor with two foysts least any succour should come that way to the Christians by one Galley that escaped hearde all this misfortune wherefore making haste backe againe fearing to be taken at length arriued in the Soldans Kingdome where not staying long hée posted to the Courte and to the Soldane reuealed all that had happened When the Soldane heard how his Armie was thus ouerthrowne Palmerin whom he loued so well and the Prince Olorico lost in the storme on the sea vexed with greefe and rage hee called his Lorde Ambassadour Mauce to to him saying Haste thée good Maucâ—â—to to my Brother the Soldane of Persia and desire him to leuâ—y me a strong Armie against the Moneth of March next ensuing to encounter with the Emperour of Greece promising him the spoyle whatsoeuer it bee reseruing for my selfe nothing but the â—â—me of reuenge Maucetto departed presentlie on his iourney and by the way mette sixe Moores leading two Christians to the Soldans Court to sell which were Ptolome and Colmelio of whome hee demaunded why they were so bounde in chaines My Lord quoth one of the Moores they be Christian slaues who not long since were taken at the Sea by Olimaell Admirall to the great Turke And how came you by them said Maucetto The Admirall quoth the Moore gaue them to one of his Cozins who now is deade and his wife béeing loth to kéepe them anie longer sendes them to the Court to be solde for money Maucetto bought Colmelio of them refusing Ptolome because he was somewhat sâ—cklie and so passed on his Embassade The Moores comming to the Court with poore Ptolome and placing him among other slaues that stoode to bee solde there came a deformed Moore farre worsse mishapen then was Thersites yâ— Greek and he would néedes buy Ptolome of the Merchaunt but Ptolome disdaining to be subiect to so vile a creature gaue him such a stroke on the stomacke with his fiste as made him tumble ouer backward saying Thou monstrous Uillaine let me rather die then come into thy subiection At this instant passed by the Princesse Alchidiana smiling is sée the Moore lie along but when shée behelde the good personage of Ptolome shée remembred her louer Palmerin and was therewith mooued thus to speake Nowe durst thou take such hardinesse vpon thee béeing a bondslaue and a captiue thus to strike a Moore frée of this Countrey Ptolome perceiuing by the Ladies attending on her that shee was the Soldanes Daughter falling on his knée thus aunswered Assuredlie Madame rather desire I death then to liâ—â— at such an ill fauoured villaines controll my selfe beeing a Knight at Armes Are you then a knight said the Princesse I am good Madaine quoth he although my seruitude hath very much altered mée Alchidiana withâ—ut any further questions deliuered the Merchant two hundred Seraphes and by two of her Squires caused him to bee conducted to her Chamber where he was presentlie disroabed of his vnséemelie garments and cloathed in such as well became a knight to weare afterwarde she commaunded her attendants to depart the chamber and comming to Ptolome she thus began Nowe Syr Knight I intreate you by the holy faith you owe to your best beloued that you will truelie tell mee by what misfortune you happened first into thraldome Madame quoth he séeing of your owne grace and bountie you haue deliuered mee from these villaines that made sale of my life I will not fable with you in any one point but tell you a Historie repleat with wonderfull sorrowe Hauing reuealed the manner of his taking and all the mishaps hée endured euer since the teares trickling downe his chéekes he said And yet sweete Ladie all these passed miseries and still abiding your slaue gréeues me not so much as the losse of my déerest Fréende the best knight in the worlde who went to sée his Falcon flie when the Pirates came and vnhappilie tooke vs. Tell me good freende quoth the Princesse what may the knight bee called of whom you make such estimation Quoth Ptolome he nameth himselfe Palmerin d'Oliua O soueraigne Gods said Alchidiana haue you béenâ— companion to the noble Palmerin That haue I in truth Madame quoth he and knowe more of his affayres then anie other man doth Unhappie that I am said the Princesse nowe sée I well that I am deceiued in all my hope Saye good knight naie more I coniure thee by thy faith to the soueraigne Creator of all things to tell mee if he bee of our Lawe and hath béene dumbe of long or no By God Madame answered Ptolome your adiuration is such as rather will I make a sacrifice of my selfe then bee found vntrue to you in any thing Hée is a Christian borne in Greece and neuer had defect in his spéech if discréet consideration of following euents eyther to escape captiuitie or death did not inforce him to feigne such a deceite for hée is most expert among all other in dissembling anye matter may turne him aduauntage Then such hath béene my fortune quoth Alchidiana as his vertue bountie wise foresight vsed for the space of a yéere and more in my Fathers Court made me so religiously vowed to him in loue as neuer intend I to make other choise and I sweare by all our Gods that if I heare not the better tydings of him by thée my spirit will forsake this wretched bodye and except better fortune among the soules in Elisium Ah imperious loue how wonderfull is thy strooke My fréende is contrarie to me in lawe and profession a Knight errant vnknowne absent from mee and loues me not for these occasions were I the
honoured with so high a present which I will kéepe so charie as mine owne person but that the name of Muzabelino may for euer be imprinted in my heart giue mée some one of your name or kindred who â—uermore may bée néerest to my person My Lord quoth Muzabelino to you will I giue one of my Sonnes begotten by me on a Christian Ladie agréeing with you in faith and oâ—inion whereof I am not sorie yet feare I that the King should knowe so much least his religion might cause his death Déere fréend said Palmerin for Gods sake giue him me presently and him will I loue as hee were my brother Your request quoth he can I not yet satisfie till wée goe to my Castle where he is kept which because I will no longer deferre to morrow will I perswaâ—e the King to iourney to his great Cittie of Grisca there to take view of his Armie when I shal compasse the meane to giue him you vpon this conclusion they departed to their cambeâ—s Chap. LII How Muzabelino gaue Palmerin his Sonne Bellechino entertaining the King and all his companie royally at his Castle and how the two Armies of the King Abimar and the Soldane of Persia encountred with the successe therof MVzabelino perceiuing by his art that the Soldane of Persia with his power was néere at hand thinking to ruinate the great Cittie of Grisca aduertised the King thereof willing him with all spéede to muster his Armie and preuent the soldanes determination The King not misliking his aduise set forward presently to Grisca and by the way at the earnest intreatie of Muzabelino the King with all his courtly companie lay at his Castle where many rare deuises were showen them by enchauntment which I passe ouer as matter altogether impertinent There did the Magitian giue Palmerin his Sonne Bellechino one of his Daughters likewise to the Quéene and another to the Princesse Zephira Afterward they iourneyed to the Cittie of Grisca where all his armie was ranged in readines béeing numbred an hundred thousand fighting men the auantguarde he committed to the two Princes Palmerin and Trineus consisting of twentie thousand horsemen his two battailes of 30000. Archers on horsebacke the two Princes Tomano and Drumino had in charge and the rereward was gouerned by the two Kinges of Seuata and Garara The Soldanes power béeing ordained in battailewise within few dayes after the fight beganne which continued with such danger on either side as the victorie hung very long in suspence In the ende after a mightie massacre made of the Persians among whom was Donadel Prince of Siconia slaine with many other great Califes and Lords the Soldane himselfe was taken prisoner by Palmerin sent bound with â—etters of Gold to the Princesse Zephira The Messenger comming to the Princesse Chamber declared how Palmerin had sent her that prisoner to entreate him as her selfe liked best In sooth my Lord quoth the Princesse to the Soldane you are right welcome for his sake that sent you héere shall your entertainement be as fittes your calling and miâ—like not your mishap in that the knight who sent you is wont to conquere where himselfe pleaseth The Soldane angrie at his hard fortune yet séeing hée was prisoner to a Lady so beautifull was immediately so surprised with loue as hee was not able to answere the Princesse one word But she perceiuing he was very sore wounded caused him to bée conducted to a goodly Chamber commaunding her Chirurgions to attend him dilligently On the morrow shee came to sée how hee â—ared when Loueouer mastering all his senses made him forgette his hatred to the King Abimar resoluing to become his friend by marriage of the Princesse and vnable longer to suppresse his waighting passions which more troubled him then his dangerous wounds hee thus beganne Fairest among the daughters of men tell me I desire you if you bée the Childe of the King Abimar or els of whence you are to the ende I may one day acknowledge this fauour which your milde nature affoordes your prisoner Heereunto the Princesse answered howe shée was Daughter to the King Onodius of Nabor coupling therewith all her passed fortunes concluding in the ende that in all actions agréeing with honour shée remained his humble Seruant Fortune quoth he neuer constant but in vnconstancie once yesterday was I the greatest Prince in the worlde and now none in my Kingdome so miserable as my selfe béeing brought in subiection to my inferiour and snared in loue with my vassailes Daughter Wisely sayd the Poet That badlie doo loue and Maiestie agree togither for though the height of mine estate forbids my desire yet loue and mine owne lyking are two such seuere enemies as I must not nowe stand to dispute the cause Happie is the Knight in whose power remaines a Ladie so excellent but much more happie is the Ladie that can commaunde so great a person by whom such honours are this day affoorded you fayre Princesse as wel may you vaunt to bée the greatest in Persia. If by a Knight surpassing in prowesse I was conquered in battaile by one in beautie and curtesie incomparable am I againe ouermaistred so that I am enforced to present you my heart and all the signories I possesse to vse at your pleasure vowing for your sake perpetuall peace with Abimar mine enemie The Princesse abashed at this vnexpected offer a swâ—ete blush colourer her daintie chéekes and fearing to be imputed too indiscréete shaped her answere to the last poynt of the Soldanes spéeches as thus In sooth my Lord well could I like that peace were concluded betwéene the King and you though not by any meane in mée but by the omnipotent power of the Goddes who letting you know the weaknesse of your owne strength would not haue any warre betwéene you and the King Abimar And if it like you so much to abase your selfe as to like the simple Daughter of a King who while hée liued was your highnesse Subiect well may I with modestie giue consentâ— for if my Father all his life time obeyed you as his Lorde vnséemely were disobedience in his Daughter By the holâ—e Alcaron of Mahomet aunswered the Soldane your benigne humilitie hath more conquered me then the proudest enemie in the worlâ—e coulde doo doo you therefore appoynt the Articles of our peace and I as vnpartiall will agree thereto Thus began the peace and the promise of mariage betwéene the Soldane and the Princes Zephira which béeing thorowlie agréed vppon the King Abimar Palmerin Tryneus and all the states subscribing thereto the Camps on either side were discharged and the Soldane with his great Seneshall openly in the Citie of Grisca protested peace in this manner That the Soldane shoulde espouse Zephira and Tomano the Princesse Belâ—ina the Soldanes Daughter Beside hee renounced all pretended rights to the Realmes of Grisca and Romata nor would he demaund anie tribute of them afterward or enter his confines with anie violence but assist the King continually against
not that the celestiall spirits haue reuenged our wrong with the death of thy people and for my escape I râ—nder thanks to the highest not to thée that gaue my life to the fire yet much better would my death haue contenteâ— mée then to liue without him whose absence is my torment and did not the hope of his life giue mee some comfort thou shouldest perceiue how little I estéeme of my life Then entred the Quéene Zephira and she falling at the Soldanes féete thus began Ah my Lord the dishonour you haue this day done mée is vnspeakeable Haue my deserts béene so simple in your eyes that I might not intreate the libertie of one Knight who this day I feare hath perished by your ingratitude Neuer shall I sée those noble Knights againe whose liues haue béene endaungered for my welfare Ah my Lorde if you looke into the weight of your offence you shall perceyue my teares are not shedde without great reason Madame quoth the Soldane and you faire Sister at this time excuse my fault committed and patientlie beare what hath happened for I vowe to you by the fayth of a Prince that I will make sufficient amendes for my trespasse When hée now thought to bée no further troubled his Sister Lyzanda entred mad and raging and snatching his Fauchion from his side said Sée villaine sée what happeneth by thy commaundement one of thy Sisters is for euer defamed and the other will presently and her life before thée Héerewith shée stâ—â—d the weapon to her heart and felt downe dead at the Soldans féets to the no little sorrow of his Maiestie and all that were present but Zephira causing the bodie to bée taken away the Soldane commanded she should be honourablie buried and erecting a goodlie Tombe of Marble ouer her graue caused the maner of her death to be thereon described Afterward by the counsell of the Lords of Persia hee sent the Prince Tomano and the straunge Knights all the riches and treasure they had left behinde them the Princesse Aurecinda remaining in continuall heauinesse and within short time shée felt her selfe to be conceiued with 〈◊〉 Héere in shée somewhat comforted her selfe though Fortune would not suffer her to enioy the companie of her Fréend yet one day shée hoped to sée his liuely image which at the time appoynted by Nature shée did béeing deliuered of the goodlyest male Childe that euer was séene in Persia naming him Ryfarano whâ— carried the beautifull complexion of his Mother as hee did the hardinesse and magnanimitie of his Father Chap. LVII Howe Palmerin and Trineus hauing soiourned a while at Grisca with the king Abimar departed to the Isle of Malfada where by the meanes of Dulacco and Palmerin all the enchauntments were finished BY the way as the Princes rode towards Grisca Palmerin vsed these spéeches to Trineus Howe happie is the Prince that giues credit to good counsell and will not be led by flatteries or subiect himselfe to his own passions and how vnfortunate are they that fall into the the contrarie Can ye haue a better example héere of then the trayterous Soldane who first causelesse disquieted the good King Abâ—mar and afterwarde at his sisters motion I imprisoned his Friend for your good successe héerein my Lord you must thanke Muzabelino and the Prince Tomano whose power was so readie to defende you Tryneus remembring his follies past was still so ashamed thereof as hee could make no aunswere wherefore Palmerin thus spake againe Why my Lorde hath the imprisonment for fayre Aurecinda strooke you dumbe leaue this bashfulnesse to Women and remember your former courage Stoute Hercules whose honors are yet so rise in memorie did not hée for the loue of Iole weare feminine garments and spin among women Did not Achilles the like when hée was with his faire friend in the Courte of King Lycomedes Marke Anthonie the Romaine Emperor did not he follow Cleopatra before Octauius although his armie on the Sea was two folde the number of his enemies And you for a little familiar loue to a yong Princesse who conquered you onely by 〈…〉 sute remaine thus confounded Doo you imagine your selfe to excell in strength prowesse and knowledge Hercules Achilles and the Emperour Anthonie Alas déere Brother aunswered Tryneus well may you 〈◊〉 of your especiall graces béeing able to tryumph ouer coâ—cupisâ—ence but so yrkesome is my offence in mine owne conceit as I thinke myselfe vnworthie to be séene among men of vertue What shall I say to my Agriola when she shall vnderstand my hainous offence howe shall I dare to present my selfe before her For that saide Palmerin we shall doo well enough but I would it were so welcome to passe that we were with her to abide her censure Continuing these spéeches they arriued at Grisca where the king béeing aduertised of their comming came to méete themâ— vsing these words at their gracious enterâ—â—â—â—ment Righâ— welcome are ye my noble Friendes no maruaile though the Soldane sought to wrong you remembring howe for my sake you vsed him in the battaile In sooth my Lord aunswered Palmerin well doth your nobilitie deserue our seruice and his iniurious dealing sharpe reuenge which happily héereafter hée may féele to his cost vsing strangers so vnhonorably but héere we present your Daughter Belsina to your Maiestie after whose marriage al these troubles began Welcome faire Daughter saide the King much better then my soâ—ne hath béene to your Fathers Court. When my Father quoth the Princesse hath considered his furie doubtlesse he will be heartly sorrie therefore and make satisfaction for any thing misâ—oone till then I beséech your highnesse to conceiue the best And according as the Princesse had spoken it came to passe for within thrée dayes after the Soldane sent Ambassadours to the King Abimar to excuse the imprisonment of Trineus and the sentence of death hée gaue against him sending to him and Palmerin all their treasure and sumptuous presents in signe of satisfaction and to his Daughter Belsina and the Prince Tomano he sent sixe Camelles laden with gold as the dowry of their marriage Nowe are Palmerin and Trineus wearie of theyr so long stay from their friendes wherefore they desired leaue of the king to depart who séeing hée coulde not well intreate their longer aboade right thankfully yéelted to their request giuing them all things néedefull for theyr iourney as Horses Armour men money and diuers other gifts of inestimable value For which kindnesse they humbly thanked his maiestie refusing to trouble themselues with such riches in their trauaile nor would they take that the Soldane sent them or what they brought from the ten Roâ—ks except the Birde and the two Crownes giuing all the rest to Muzabelino desiring him to continue them in remembrance My Lordes quoth he no seruice can bee lost that is doone to such liberall Princes as nowe you giue mée good occasion to confesse and though both I and mine should spend all our following daies in your seruice
to the King Tarisius of Hungaria whome Paâ—merin and Frysoll slew at Constantinople hée was their Brother and Sonne to the Duchesse of Ormeda Shée vnderstanding the death of her two Sonnes could not conceale it from the Duke her Husband who presently died with very conceit of gréefe whereuppon shée to reuenge this mishappe caused by her report as also the death of her twâ— Sonnes made promise to Nardides then béeing eightéene yeeres olde that so soone as hée was knighted hee should go to Constantinople and there if it were possible to murder the Emperour and Frysoll All this he â—owed to performe and two or thrée dayes after hauing married the Kings Daughter of Polonia hee embarqued himselfe with â—orty Knights determining by a Combat for treason to compasse his intent These wreakfull aymers at reuenge landed all in one instant at Constantinople when the old Magitian calling to Nardydes sayde hee would gladly sprake with him in secret as concerning matters greatly for his auaâ—le Hereupon they went all closely together into one of the Cabins and the olde man entred into theâ—e spéeches Sir Nardides néedelâ—sie is it for you to hide your affaires from mee for I knowe that you depart from Poloma with fortie Knights disguised like Merchants onely with this determination to destroy the Emperour in reuenge of certaine iniuryes done to your Brethren But if you will giue credit to mée and go to worke in such sort as I shall aduise yée yée shall happily obtayne the end of your desire By God sayd Nardides you 〈◊〉 mée wonders there is not one in the shippe that knowes mine intent yet you haue sayde the truth whereat I cannot maruaâ—le sufficiently Seeing then you know so much it were but follâ—e to dissemble say then your minde and I will heare yée This night sayd the old man the Emperour wil suppe in the great Hall with the Prince Olorico and the Princesse Alchidiana the King of Sparta and his Queene with many other great Princes and Lordes so that such store of people are in the Pallace as little regarde will bee had of strangers or housholde sâ—ruants You then with my Sonne Mâ—nadeno beeing Armed as beseeâ—es a cause so 〈◊〉 shall sodainely enter and â—ill the Emperour my Sonne Lycado and I will stay your returne heere and I that can commaunde the winde and weather will carrie ye hence without danger of following And true it is that there is a Bird pearched in the Hall which the wise Muzabelino hath so enchaunted as neither good or ill tydings can come to the Emperour but she bewrayes the same by her song or fearefull crie yet doubt not you thereof strike boldly there will be none Armed so that you departe againe at your owne pleasure My Friend said Nardides happie be the houre I â—ette with thée assure thy selfe that if I can kill the Emperour and thou afterwarde deliuer me safely such recompence will I bestow on thée as both thou and thine shall for euer remember me Other recompence I demaund not sayde the olde man then the death of the Emperour prepare thy selfe therefore so follow thine intent The night béeing come these Traytors Armed themselues and casting their mantles about them entred the Pallace were among the Pages and seruants without suspition they came into the Hall leauing Lycado and his Father at the Port where hée threwe abroade such enchauntments that all such as came foorth of their houses presently fell downe a sleepe in the stréetes No sooner were the Traytours entred the Hall but the Bird gaue a horrible and fearefull crie beating her beake against her breast with such furie as though shee would haue rent foorth her heart My God sayd the Emperour in mercie behold mée for the cry of this Birde dooth foretell great misfortune Looke about my friendes quoth he to his Guard and sée if any Stranger or vnknowne body is entred our presence Nardides by these spéeches knew hée was the Emperour wherefore drawing his Sword hée thought to haue cleaued his head yet hée fayled of his intent for the Emperour séeing the blow comming with a great Golden Cuppe awarded it indifferently notwithstanding the Sword in slipping from the Cuppe gaue him a â—ore wound vpon the head Olorico sitting on the other side the Table ranne at the Traitour but the Emperour had receiued two strokes more ere he could come at him so that his maiestie fell from his Chaire as he had béene dead As the Prince Olorico held the Traytor Nardides by the armes Menadeno strâ—oke at him so rigorously as if Ptolome had not borne off the blowes with a great siluer plate Olorico there had lost his life Duke Eustace séeing this shamefull outrage wrong the Sword out of Nardides hande and gaue him such a sounde stroke therewith on the head as made him tomble his héeles vpwarde and by the helpe of Bellechino who founde the meanes to gette off his Helmet hée smote his head from his shoulders Bellechino who had béene newly baptised loued the Emperour as hée had béene his Father and comming to Menadeno whome Duke Ptolome strongly helde in his armes gaue him so many stabs on his throate that he likewise fell downe at his féete The Empresse séeing her Lord so wounded rent her garments tore her comely locks of hayre and smote her faire face with maruailous violence Ah my Lord quoth shée thou art not wounded alone for if thou die as God forbid right soone will my ghost follow thée Cease Madam your complaints saide the Emperour and comfort your selfe so wel as you may for this is the houre wherin I must leaue you I haue lost such aboundance of my bloud as longer may I not liue with you O my God forgiue my sins and receiue my soule In vttering these words he swouned againe and the Empresse with him for companie to the no little amazement of all the Lords and Ladies who were well néeâ—e at their wits ende to be holde this vnexpected alteration Alchidiana likewise was in wonderfull perplexitie fearing also that her Lord was wounded to the death but to comfort this sorrowfull and desolate Court good fortune sent this helpe ensuing CHAP. LXVI How the wise Muzabelino knowing by his arte the cruell treason doone to the Emperour came to succour him and of that which followed MVzabelino the Nigramanâ—er of whom we haue alreadie spoken by chaunce this day was turning ouer his Booke and â—ound the dangerous stratâ—gâ—me deuised by these Traitours and calling his familiars together demaunded the danger that would ensue by this treason whereto one of them replied that if hée went not spéedily to Constantinople the Emperour the Prince Olorico and their Ladies would hardly escape that day with life Then armed he himselfe in the selfe same maner as he was when he succoured the Prince Tryneus and calling two spirits of the ayre resembling Giants their faces so vglie and fearefull as no humane creature durst beholde them them hee commanded to carrie him to
death but that the Quéene and the Lordes of hys Counsel founde meanes to quallifie his displeasure declaring what discredite his highnes shold receiue if he did not suffer them to be openlie conuicted of their offences All this while good Princes were they ignoraunt of this detection till at length the King discoursed the whole matter to theÌ„ and likewise who was their accuser nor did the Countie faile to maintaine his wordes openlie offering to make it good in fight against any that durst say the contrary and because he had two Cozins hardie and valiant Knights conspirators likewise in this faction there could be none found that would enter the Combat against them Which when the noble Prince Adrian vnderstoode very gréefe had well néere slaine him in respect he had no Child but this Dyardo as also for yâ— hee was accused with yâ— hee neuer thought Héereupon he went presently to the King his Nephew and preuailed so well with him as he obtained the space of two Monethes to bring with him one or two that might maintaine the innocencie of him his Sonne Dyardo and the Princesse Cardonia against the Traytour Domarto and his Cozins And this is the cause he sent mee to seeke you foorth in hope that you are as much his Freende as hee is yours which you may somewhat perceiue by the freendlie presents he sent you by mee to Macedon So helpe mee God saide Palmerin you haue reported a most strange dyscourse and neuer did I think that such treason could enter the thoughts of any Knight or other inferior person All this is true quoth the Damosell and it is appointed yâ— the Prince Dyardo with his aged and crazed Father shal defend their owne causes without séeking helpe of anie other but he neuer as yet receiued the order of Knighthoode and therfore is constrained to desire your assistaunce And that shall I doo with all my hart saide Palmerin would God we were there where he expecteth vs for the desire I haue to sée him as also to vnderstande what he knowes of my following fortunes Those matters are hid from mee quoth shee yet this haue I hearde him say diuers times being in talk of you that he accounted you the most honorable Knight in the worlde and that if he euer chaunced to sée you he wold aduise you to goe to the Emperour of Allemaignes Courte to be the knightly Seruaunt to the Princesse Polinarda When Palmerin heard the name of Polinarda he remembred that it was her name whome hee had so manye times séene in his fraunces for which cause he asked of the Damosell what the Lady was of whom shee spake My Lord quoth the Polinarda is Daughter to the Emperour and Niece vnto my Lorde Adrian the most beautiful Princesse that euer eye behelde By my faith saide Palmerin yâ— more easily may I be induced to graunt her my seruice and thether intend I to trauaile when I haue finished your Lords busines So rode they with much more haste theÌ„ before tyl at length they came to the Cittie of Almedya where the King remained and the Prince Adrian expecting Palmerins comming which when he hearde hee came to meete him eache embracing other with meruailous courtesie and the good olde man with the teares in his eyes thus saide Ah good Knight what may counteruaile this your exceeding paines to maintaine the right of my Sonne and mee who are falselie accused of such villainous treason as on the perill of my soule we neuer did imagine Thereof am I certainlie perswaded aunswered Palmerin and therfore am I come to enter the Combat with him that dare affirme otherwise Mine olde age quoth Adrian might excuse mee henceforth from bearing Armes but béeing vnable to endure so vile a slaunder so long as life and soule will holde togeather shal I doo my deuoire so please your companion to make the second as olde as I am I will be the thirde for the trayterous CouÌ„tie hath two of his Cozins yâ— take part with him And if my fortune so fall out as I die in this tryall I shall receiue my lot very contentedlie if mine eyes might first beholde mine iniurie reuenged I pray you said Palmerin goe presently to the King to the ende that hys highnesse may graunt vs the fielde for my Freende and I thinke long till we haue made your accuser knowe his trecherie Adrian immediatly went to the King and on his knées thus began My Lorde you knowe that the Countie of Ormeque hath accused mee my Sonne Dyardo and Madame Cardonya of the cryme of Lesae Maiestatis and in that we all are innocent I am readie to maintaine that he hath falsely and malliciously belied vs which I my selfe will approoue vpon him or two more with me against him and his Cozins if they dare enter the fielde with him in this quarrell where we will either make known their villainie or receiue the reward belongs to disloyall Traitors As for the wrong which you my Lord haue doone me béeing your Uncle and my Sonne Dyardo your Cozin germaine that I referre to God to recompence and to the better knowledge you shall receiue of mee héereafter béeing â—owe too olde to bee a Traytour and my Sonne too louing to proue disloyall The King was abashed to heare his Uncle speake so audaciously doubting nowe whether he should giue credite to what had béene reported especially against him so neere his highnes in bloode who so liberally offered to enter the Combat notwithstanding his white heade and aged body made him vnfit for such actions wherefore hee thus aunswered Good Uncle impute not mee any thing faultie in your accusation and that the proofe shall manifest that must be made The Countie beeing present was strooken in a quandarie at these wordes and gladly he wold haue demed this former slaunder but he could find no waie cleanlie to doo it wherefore seeing of force he must néedes enter the Combat he boldly fell on his knées before the King with these wordes My Lorde what I haue saide is verie certaine and most true it is that by the counsell of Prince Adrian héere present his Sonne practised with Lady Cardonya to poison you that he might be King which to make good there is my gadge on the behalfe of my selfe and my Cozins Thou lyest Traytor in thy throate said olde Adrian I take thine offer and as he woulde haue gone on with further spéeches Palmerin stept before the King saying Worthy Lorde séeing the effect of the wordes must be put in execution which haue béene heere spoken on bothe sides before your Maiestie may it please you the Prince Dyardo and Lady Cardonya may be sent for to take with vs their oathes as in such cases is required and in meane time let eache one goe put himselfe in equipage for the Combat Good reason said the King and presently hee commaunded the Princes to be brought who beeing come Palmerin demaunded where they were that tooke part with the Countie whereupon he