the greatest pleasure that euer fortune did him and set her in her Saddle saying I would not valorous Quéene that your worthie acts should bring you into such danger To ioy in yours warlike Knight it shall bee but well done to séeke it séeing that therewith is purchased the sight of the valour of your arme There was no time to vse many speeches for they were in haste for séeing the enemies on foote no man remained on horsebacke The Greeke with a light leape recouered his horse leauing them all amazed at his doings it was his good hap to be on horsebacke for there came the flowre of Giant-land with great Pine trées in their hands these the Greeke desired to meete and but for leauing his Ladie he had gone to seeke them their huge bodies were clad with planckes of Stéele to meete them went out two with the Princes Brandafidel aduaunced him and gaue a faire blow for hitting one of those fierce Giants on the toppe of his Murrion hee put him out of his remembrance throwing him to ground with a greater noyse then if a great horse had falne his death was not noted for there came so many that there was no place voide although they fell more and more With all this they felt the braue Greeke keepe a stirre and working wonders among them that which Bramidoro did was no lesse worth the sight who had alreadie slaine foure the great troupes of men which came to rescue one another parted the battel but not the companie of the foure which first began Claramante hauing vpon a suddaine slaine a King of the Giants raising himselfe on his Stirraps saw much people towards Grecia in a whirling he repaired thither conducting the thrée Princes with him one wondring at anothers doing They made great haste for it was néedfull and the matter was that the young man whome wee will call the Knight of the Starres vntill the fourth part of this Historie where hee shall lose his name and become a louer it was hee which in the Forrestes as is alreadie said put the Princes in such danger who was come in fauour of the Pagans as hee had promised to Bembo whome hee went to seeke Before that euer he brake his Launce he had throwen many of the most famous to the ground for to the Princes of Fraunce nothing did their valour auaile them for he ouerthrow them Liriamandro Brandisel and Bariandel with the braue Troiane kept them companie it was his fortune with his sword in his hand to meete with that Knight to whome by nature he was bounden which was Zoilo the Tartarian They both strake together but the match was vnequall for such as the young man are few in the world hee had put him in danger of death or of being ouercome if the warlike Lisait had not come to his aide with his beloued sonne and the Prince of Persia Bransiniano the which with their power hauing left the stand where Sacridoro was séeing all in safetie came afresh to the battel and they came in good time for the Tartarian The yong man more faire then Absolon doubled nothing but casting his shield at his shoulders as he neuer mist blow he put them all out of breath without losing any ioat who being neere the Prince of Hungarie with a side blow he cast him to the ground sore wounded after him hee set the Prince of Bohemia on all foure Then came the Spanish Prince who within a little held them companie for hee set him sencelesse vpon his Saddles pummell hee had a hundred swords about his cares and those the most famous but his lot was to make shew of himselfe to bee the Phenix of the world To his rescue came the foure Pillars of their Camp Bembo Brufaldoro Brauorante and the terrible Brundusio with whose aide he made more head against the Greeks On the other side came the braue Emperor of Trapisonda all couered with bloud with Rosacler his sonne they held their swords to behold the young gallant God blesse vs quoth Alphebus what valor is in this knight he would not assaile him he so much affected him but be held Rosabel who like a Lion leapt into the middest of the throng All those which were of his side knowing him gaue him good way and the enemies for feare left the field frée for the foure famous warriours Claramante and his companie had taken them to taske and so hauing fit oportunitie they put their determination in execution I would I were not so much affected to the young Knight with the starres whose fame reached vnto them because I would describe this battell without passion worthie to bee related by Virgill or Mantuan For these two rare persons in valour comming to ioyne it is not possible to expresse what blowes they gaue onely Gualtenor saith that they bowed downe their heads to their Saddles pummels casting aboundance of bloud out at the visors of their Helmets none of those which beheld the battell durst to giue them any aide for it was néedlesse for they presently came againe to themselues and each of them knowing the valour of his enemie they began to vse dexteritie The bold Breton was most accustomed to armes and therefore was more nimble in giuing the on-set but the late lost blow of the yong man supplied that defect for as fierce as a Serpent he sought to attaine to the victorie He came flying in with two blowes vpon the highest of his shield the young man with the Starres was not one who would lose occasion and insuch a case as that and so beating by a thrust hee smote him on the rich Helmet it much auailed him that it had béene Hectors otherwise hee had cleft him to the necke it sounded like a Bell he made the firie sparkles flie and him beléeue that the skies were therein when they are most starrie for hee did so astonish him that for a good space hee lost his remembrance it was a spurre to put life in him for the young man to come with another as strong as the first it cut off his plumes and as Lupertius saith the Cannon also wherein they were but let it bee as it will the Gréeke neuer saw himselfe in the like danger as then in his life but being chaffed therewith and that his Father did behold him he set vpon his enemie In all these battels there was neuer giuen a better blow for against Hectors sword no force nor magicall temper can resist Smiting him vpon the top of the shield hee claue it in two péeces and passing through to his shoulders it carried with it his Poloron leauing him shrewdly wounded hee ranne at him with a thrust which cast him backe vpon his Saddle and if he could haue fastned another vpon him without doubt he had ouerthrowne him There is no Uiper could bee compared to that warlike young man for seeing himselfe handled in that maner hee flung his shield to ground and with his sword in both
Giants payd for it who were so waighty that they could not make such haste and so death ouertooke them before they could come to the sight of Grecia One of the best ships in the whole nauy was lost There was no lesse to doe where the three lights of Knighthood Claramante Archisilora and the disguised young Knight with the Captaine generall by land were fighting The braue Souldan of Egypt fell to their lot but to his losse for against the furie of those foure Princes there was no force or temper of any Armour was able to resist for before he could put himselfe in readinesse they had ouercome him and had wholly ended it if that foure Gallies had not with full sayles come to the rescue of their Prince and with all this presuming vpon the aide of the Gyants hee placed himselfe neere the boord where he assaied to shew his force to his enemies His youthfull resolution lasted but a while for his gard of Gyants little auailed him neither his fierce Cousin which stoode by his side whome Claramante suddenly with a knocke with his Battel-axe bereaued of his life for taking him on the toppe of his Helmet the sharpe edge of of his Battel-axe descended downe to his brest This terrible blow strooke a cold sweat into all the Gallies which came to his aide The warlike Causelio as angrie as a waspe taking the Souldans part would needes be reuenged who in the Empire was the next that succéeded the dead Souldan Fortune was heere fauourable vnto him reseruing him for greater daungers for although hee fell into the handes of Claridiano yet he could not although hee procured it accompanie his honourable Cousin in his death but yet hee was stretcht out vpon the Hatches mortally wounded very neere vnto the death hee would haue leapt aboord her crying Grecia and had done it and gotâ—en the Galley â—ad not there come in his necke a mightie Galeâ—n to rescue the wounded youth Herein did the Gréeke execute his rage for in despight of those which came therein he leapt aboord and presently the thrée which followed him The fight in no place in all the whole armie was more cruell then aboord this Galley neither were there halâ—e so many â—laine men found elsewhere in that battel for if these foure met but with neuer so little resistance they redoubled their valour To the losse of many liues they gat the Standard iust at the instant when Don Heleno assailed the Admirall of the Romanes for he had long béene about it The furious Lady aduanced her selfe forwards being verie angrie for the defiance which they had sent her husband The first that was met was the strong Brundusio who séeing the armes of Dacia wauing in the maine top hee presently imagined what it was and to be that which he desired hee made all haste with his Galley to come aboord the mightie Dacian The Moores Galley came manned with so good Knights and so warlike and mightie Giants that here the battell was most obstinately maintained The warlike Pagan fell into the Ladies hands with whome shée began such a stur and with such valour as made them all to wonder shée had the aduantage aboue all that followed the warres for there was not a blow that shée gaue but did cut their armours cleane thorowe and most commonly the flesh withall By reason heereof the Pagan notwithstanding that he were knowne to bee one of the most strong and valiant in the army yet was hee so hardly be set by his aduersaries that hee was bathed all ouer in his owne bloud but that was not sufficient to make him giue backe neither was there in him any point of cowardize but deferring his cruell destinie be fought like a valiant Captaine The Dacian his Galley was in great danger for there were foure which at once with full sayles charged him on all sides I beléeue it was to the ende that he should the more shew his valor for redoubling his deadly blowes there was nothing worth the looking after but he and his faire Ladie They deuided themselues ayding those which were in greatest distresse The high minded Spaniard was none of those which did worst for both hee and his sonne made good shewe of the strength of their armes wading almost to the middles baâ—hed in Turkish blood notwithstanding all this they had hardly escaped but that the warlike Zoilus came to their â—id with his squadron of Galeons appointed onely to yéeld assistance where greatest néed required hee came in hurling so much artificiall fire and that with such swiftnesse that hee thereby rescued the beaten Galley which beeing therewith lightened charged so the Romane Admirall that they had almost taken her when the warlike Lindauro arriued whom the Dacian deadly hated he set the Romane at libertie but not with such ease but that hee first had some taste of his enemies valour There was a huge noise in that squadron wherein the mightie Alphebus was in company with his Claridiana and of the Troiane Oristides and his faire Sarmatia which was that hauing aduentured far coueting to take the Admirall of Niquea they were enclosed with aboue twentie Gallies holding them in such danger that if there had not béene therein such people as there were they had without doubt béen taken but the most strong Lisarte with his daintie sonne kept all the one side which did some what appease the battell There were neuer séene more cruell blowes then were giuen here for the mightie Emperour holding his valour for nothing worth to sée himself so compassed about gaue neuer a blow which bereaued not some one of his life so as the Sea was full of dead carkasses the enemies were so many that they neuer mist ten or an hundred for presently there came so many fresh men in their places and of ours neuer a one they had now no hope to depart from thence for it séemed impossible séeing their great valor to do that which they intended which was to take their Standerd Afresh came the furious Knight of Epire who was accounted for one of the most famous he was much in loue with the faire Lisiana wherefore his doings were to be noted he came in a very high carued ship he thought to haue caried all at the first charge but he found such company within boord as was the flower of Cheualrie who came to ioyne with the louing Moore before that he could take footing as a valiant man for indéed he was one the Emperour Alphebus gaue him so sound a knocke vpon the top of the Helme that he made him set his hands and knées both to the ground he was scarcely risen vpon his féet when with a thrust hee set him faster then apace out of the Galley he would haue followed him had it not béene for feare to abandon his Galley being in such danger there came a Gyant to his owne hurt to séeke reuenge but before that he could discharge one blow Claridiana had left
dagger hee had â—â—ne a greater harme which he had done had not his old Aunâ— Cleonta preuented it the which in her kind being angry vsing her accustomed inchaunâ—ments put him farre from mee Shée came to mee and pluckt out the dagger and putting certaine herbes into the wound cured me of the hurt and said vnto me Notwithstanding that the resisting of your fathers passion be very worthy of commendation yet in that that thou wast not sory for his payne as was reason being his daughter it is iust that thou make satisfaction therefore in straight and close inchauntment where thou shalt remaine vntill that the braue Lion shall enter into my strong Castle breaking by force of Armes the strength thereof and ouercomming the gards which I shall there set and then thou shalt begin to feele some comfort although thy father haue none for it is requisite that he pay more for the iniurie which he hath committed not onely against thy renowne but against his owne honour But the â—â—siliske shall be giuen him when he shall least think thereof She sayd no more vnto me but at that very instant me thought I began to want my wits and without knowing what I did I went to that lodging from whence you set me free where I did nothing else but be waile the absence of my father holding him for dead She would neuer tell me any thing of him although that sometimes she came to visit me giuing me hope hereof and she told it me so playne that I now perceyue how much is therein contaynes and I am giuen to vnderstand that the time shall come that I againe shall sée my father Yea it will come answered the gallant Louer for the heauens giue not one contentment without another In this and other pleasing things they past the greatest part of the night wherewith the young man began to ware somewhat bold it was not wholly to offend her but to shew with the mouth what the heart felt He was of opinion that this Ladie was sent to him from the heauens wherefore with the greater ioy they past the rest of the time It suffiseth that to take their rest they went to their Cabin with a determination on eyther side that nothing should hinder their loue Before that Aurora had done the Sunnes Ambassage to the world shewing his câ—mming the master aduertised the Prince that in the top he had descried somewhat neere another Galley Hee leapt out of his bed not willing to shew any carelesnesse for the defence of his Ladie With the masters helpe he put on his rich Armour and being at all peeces armed he went to put the Princesse of Egypt and his soule also out of feare and with reuerence being wholly ouercome with loue he told her that there was an enemies Galley discouered willing her that shee should not therefore bee afeard for the sight of her good grace did assure all With greater valour valorous Prince sayd the Ladie I would very gladly accompany you for the succour which hereof can come vnto you except the good will is so little that it will rather be a hinderance Ill should I gallant Ladie quoth the Tinacrian goe to fight if not going wholly yours and in fighting it shall bee onelie for you By this time the two Gallies were come neere together wherin in seeing the Princes Gally was heard a great cry bidding them amaine if not they should all dye The young man did it but to another intent for hee commaunded that all those which could beare Armes should take them and should stand at the ships side As the Marriners with all diligence had ended the casting of grapples aboord the other to the ende that shee should not fall off and that they might with their swords fight aboord it was no euill counsell for it gaue them the victorie vpon a sudden there came some twelue Knights which bade them to yeeld The valiant young Prince stayed vntill that they had fastened the Galley and getting a club in his hand hee set himselfe vpon the poope where hee gaue so good account of himselfe that two of them lost their liues with one blow which he gaue amongst them They were many and for feare of their Commaunders they set vpon the Prince but it was to come with their liues and there to meete their death for hee neuer stricke blowe which killed not a Knight and sometimes two of them together payd for their folly before that they could returne he had made an end of them By that time there came forth three most fierce Giants out of a withdrawing place in the ship where the Tinacrian heard cryings as of forced Ladies Those thrée most cruell Pagans were much amazed to sée how soone that Knight had made an ende of all their Knights All of them forgetting the order of Knighthood drawing out their monstrous faulchions came to the shippes side and one of them assuring himselfe of his agilitie setting his one foote vpon his shippe side leapt into the Tinacrians Galley and had done it if the young mans cruell club had not by the way taken him a blow on the pate and bereauing him of his life in the ayre throw him in back againe into the ship dead at his friends feet which were in a cold sweat He which lost least occasion was the Tinacrian for with a light leap he set himselfe against the Giants Whether that she which loued him better then herselfe tooke pleasure therein there is no doubt thinking that no man could be loued with more reason then the Tinacrian seeing his great valour conioyned with so much beautie as hath bene aforesayd He was one of the most gallant personages in the world so as many times he would not put off his Helmet especially among Ladies to whom he was as a Cockatrice Uery ioyfull she set her to behold what he did in the Galley He somewhat reposing himselfe with a troubled voyce sayd How now you traytours and so easily did you thinke to beare away the prize First you shall leaue your liues in pawne for your foolish presumption The valiant Louer stayd for no answere but whorling his club about his head he smote one of them vpon the shield which hee brake in péeces and there withall his arme which it hung vpon He escaped not without his paiment for in the warres for loue neuer giueth the palme without it for they both smote him vpon the inchaunted Helmet and made him set his knees to the ground they there strake the Prince and his Ladie in the shield which her soule hath that faithfully loueth this they which know what it is to loue call the heart hee saw that these fierce Giants againe smote downe right at him Hee on one side crossed the blow with his club and the other he shunned by skipping to one side The club was no defence against the force of the blow which brake it in the middest It was good fortune that the Tinacrian
gaue back with his body letting goe his club which was the cause that he escaped the blow which if he had not done he had falne on his face the handle onely remained with the valiant louer which he would imploy in his Ladies seruice which he saw did behold him it did the more encourage him to doe it for that that by reason of the noyse there came cut of a Cabbin in the Galley a most braue dame clad all in blew cut vpon rich cloth of Gold with her haire made vp more bright then the Sunne beames vpon her head a net-worke of Siluer the swéete prison of loue which to him had béene life if they would haue letten him alone although somewhat painefull in that place It was long since that the Prince had séene that Ladie but he presently knew that shée was his beloued sister the gallant Rosaluira a cold sweate to sée her in that place ran ouer all his bodie he would defer no longer time but threw the péece of the Club which hee had in his hands at one of the Giants if it had béene shot out of a Culuerin it could not haue fline with greater force he smote him right on the Helmet him who had alreadie lost his arme the gallant neuer in his life gaue blâ—w more worth the séeing for lighting on the end it sheathed it selfe in his head he therewith stept backe and drew out his rich sword and with a skip was with the Giant who was yet troubled with the last blow and with all the strength that he was able hee gaue him a thrust in the middest of the brest His strong douâ—le brest plate auailed him not but that his sword entred euen vnto his shoulders and in drawing out his sword cut came the Giants soule He which remained aliue was much vexed therewith and séeking reuenge with his sword in both his hands he made towards the youth he could not auoide the blow and to haue receiued it was like to haue béene the Princes last for striking him on the top of the Crest hee made aboundance of bloud gush out at the visor of his Helmet he was readie to fall The Moore came vpon him with another which made him fall vpon his hands and knées vpon the ground hee would haue troden him vnder his feete but the warlike Prince had not yet lost his good resolution séeing him come running slipt to one side letting him passe with greater force then a thunder-bolt The young louer followed him and as hee turned about with his sword in both hands hee smote him athwart the Helmet and strake away all that side and left him shrewdly hurt hee prouided for him another because hee should â—â—aie and with a backeward blow hee left him astonied for to smite him on the side of the head euerie blow was death to him hee closed with him séeing the aduantage which then he should haue The Giant with the pangs of death griped him with such force that his armour entred into his flesh But the fierce youth with his dagger ended the warres and throwing them all into the Sea hee went straight to his sister putting off his Helmet and said I know not Madam and my beloued sister how I shall estéeme this good hap which the Gods this day haue powred vpon mee séeing they haue brought me where I might doe you seruice for I beleeue you were forced to come hither with such euil companie By this the Ladie knew him and imbracing him with a thousand teares like Pearles for ioy shée said Who that hath gained valorous brother hath béene my selfe séeing that in giuing me libertie you haue giuen me means to reioyce at your Cheualrie They againe imbraced for there were no brothers that more déerely loued then these two he acquainted her with his aduenture and the course which he held The Ladie beyond all measure reioyced to sée the prince Poliphebus so well employed shée would then goe to speake to the Princesse of Egypt taking much pleasure to knowe her for her Ladie and sister The Prince carried her in his armes aboord entertaining her with such courtesie as was expedient and knowing her to bee his sister whome shee so deerely loued shee shewed her great affection which lasted so long as they liued The Princesse was verie sorie to thinke how much her mother grieued for her absence wherefore they tooke order that two of their people should goe in the Giants Galley directly for Tinacria where they should bee well paid for their labour which they did carrying certaine letters from the Prince to his mother They tooke their course for Grecia where in few dayes they arriued and those with the letters at Tinacria where they were well entertained knowing for whome they came The Quéene read the letters reioycing to know what was become of her beloued sonne the contents whereof were these Poliphebus his letter to Garrofilea his mother MY businesse hath beene such so much Soueraigne Queene and deare mother that they haue not giuen me leasure to bee my owne messenger notwithstanding that I much desired the same occasion was now offered me when verie merily I tooke my way towards the Greeke Empire in companie and as husband of the Princesse of Egypt and the high heauens willing to fauour me ordained that in the middest of the Sea I met with my Sister whom three cruel Giants carried prisoner The gods were so fauourable that I gaue her libertie and with her am going to doe my dutie to our father who is vexed with most cruell warres and if mine and my sisters intreatie may ought preuaile with you we beseech you that forgetting what is past you will not onely pardon but also assist him with men from your kingdome which wil be much esteemed through the world and to vs it shall be much honour to be the children of such a mother We hope that your wisdome wil consider that this is verie requisite and much importeth The gods preserue your royall person and graunt vs life to returne againe to doe our dutie vnto you Poliphebus of Tinacria and Rosaluira of Grecia your louing children The sonnes reasons did so much mollifie the hard hart of the cruell mother that shée presently altered her mind In the end as shée was a woman yet therefore shâ—e lost no part of her authoritie but presently commaunded Proclamation to bee made through all Tinacria that they all should within few dayes with the greatest force that they should bee able to leuiâ— make their repaire to her Citie Her subiects obeyed for shée was well beloued of all and when they knew what voyage they should make they leuied thirtie thousand men all verie well armed shée issued of her treasure what was néedful for although that the warres would be long yet there should bee nothing wanting shée was a thousand times in the mind to haue gone for Grecia but she found so many inconueniences that shée was enforced to stay Shée sent for
went in the Uaunt-gard aboue thrée thousand Giants so high that they séemed to be so many Pine trées the valorous Astorildo led the arrere Gard desirous to méete with his Cousin of Dacia with whome hee was much offended because that hee had perswaded his sister Rosamundi to renounce the worshipping of their false gods Thither came the mightie Emperour of the Romanes accompanied with the best men in the armie by his side came the Prince of Almaine with the strong Brundusio which could neuer be perswaded of the fiercenesse of the Greekes there came for his Gard all the flower of Giant-land which were aboue two thousand The braue Califa led his people so gréedily desiring to fight that euen with passion not foreséeing the euent hee commaunded his Standerd to march forwards and so extending themselues in length in good order they should present themselues before the Gréekes for this should put the victorie in their hands The mightie Gréeke came not so ill prouided but that hee brought all the Thebane horsemen by his side commaunding the Duke to bring foorth all the Carts Wagons set with hookes of Iron the Elephants and if occasion were offred to present a field battell for hee with his sonne would take the gréene way Then came the mightie Captaine Generall with the best companie that was in all the whole world for hee had twentie foure Giants the most valiant that were in all the Armie which only had the charge of his person for so had the Quéene Oriselua commanded feareful for her déere sonne therewith went the flower of Cheualrie Claridiano Claramante and the faire Archisilora there was also the valorous Zoilo with the men of Tiglia who went a great pace to recouer a hils side which was of great importance for the battell Good were these preparations but fortune being against them they serued to small purpose for the enemie led her by the fore-locke for the couragious Bembo which led the vauntgard seeing the Armes of Trapisonda which were fiue Eaglets in a field of siluer said to the Gallants which were with him Sée yonder is the Emperour Alphebus of whom fame hath made so great report heere is the place where you are to shew your valour The mightie Gréeke came mounted vpon Cornerino his good horse with his strong and rich Armour which hee had wonne for in this battell hee meant to shew himselfe a Gallant With him hee brought three companions which did assure any hard aduenture which were the valiant Dacian the fayre Rosamundi with his Empresse Claridiana of whome the sonnes of the great Tituan tooke charge which were eight Giants and they the most famous in all the armie The braue Lord of Achaia went a little apart from his people in signe that first they desired so many against so many to breake their launces to shew the valour of their persons They went forth foure and hee made the fifth which were Brauorante and Brufaldoro with the fayre Floralisa and her brother Don Celindo Face to face stood they against the Flower of Christendome for the great Emperour which had a great desire to proue himselfe against Bembo addressed himselfe against him and against the Scithian the valorous Don Heleno against Brufaldoro Rosamundi Floralisa and Claridiana charged together and against her beloued brother the prince of the Persians the valorous Bransiniano Bembo his encounter was somewhat lowe for feare of missing as hee desired it was not such as hee had giuen But he that receyued it his force not auailing him lost both his stirrops The like happened to the valiant Brauorant◠with the warlike Don Heleno who turning his Tirian returned against a contrarie partie and Alphebus did the like There was neuer séene a more cruell particular battell in a field nor better fought for as for foure of them they could each of them apart doe as much in the warres as the angry god Mars himselfe The three past their carriere amazing all the armie Brufaldoro is more valiant but the Ladies Armes supply her defect and more too for returning vpon him she gaue him a knock the best that euer was stricken in the warres for by chaunce her sword lighted betweene his shield and his brest she strake it from his arme and loosened a great part of his vaunt-brace shee came vpon him with a thrust and well shee felt that it fet the bloud Neuer was Lion so furious as was this Mauritanian against this Ladie and although her Helme were most strong yet it was not sufficient to keepe her from falling sencelesse vpon her saddle pummell casting bloud out at her mouth All the rest of the Combats were reasonably deuided but they were presently parted for the furious Dacian with the noyse of so huge a blow by chaunce looked backwards and séeing his Rosamundi to whom the Pagan was about to giue another blow with two leapes off his Tirian hee was with him and tooke him somewhat at vnwares What shall I say of his blowes they made him lay his head on the saddle pummell Then he ranne against him with his horse brest which made him stagger and likely horse and man to fall to the ground By this time was Rosamundi come againe to her selfe and was glad to sée her Dacian so neere her The Combate could not continue by reason that the two Armies ioyned with so great a noyse that it seemed that the last day was come Who is able to describe the sundry kindes of death the mightie blowes and the gallant attempts giuen and taken of either party that day Some vnable to kéepe themselues vpright tumbled to the ground and before they could rise againe death met with them others which kept their saddles much better with seeking meanes to hold them lost their liues and were glad that they were dead before they fell to ground others were thrust thorow from side to side and were nothing sorry for their wounds but because they had no time to bee reuenged others were so impatient that being close by their enemies they had not so much trust in their swords as in their fists and with them mayntained the warres vntill that death cut off all hope to sée the triumph for the warre There were aboue twentie thousand dismounted and the greatest part of them lost their liues At the first charge where Bembo went and his fierce companions Gualtenor durst not tell what they did but comparing them he sayth That a Riuer breaking his bounds and ouerflowing a corne field doth not so beare downe the corne as they did tread men vnder their feet The Christians were so desirous of reuenge that they would not suffer any place to bee voyd for although they sawe that they met with their death yet there was no bodie seene to refuse it still being in hand with the gallant Pagans whose swords and Armours were died in Gréeke bloud No lesse harme did the valorous Alphebus with his mightie company for he did so oppresse
smote off the one halfe thereof with great part of her Uantbrace to her aide came the wouÌ„ded Don Clarisel desiring to die in the sight of her whom he so dearely loued and like a Uiper drawing force not out of his owne féeling but from his firme faith hee smote the Dame vpon the rich Helme and made her bow downe her head lower then shée would hee gaue place to Floralisa to be reuenged of the Princeâ—se giuing her two thrusts the one after the other There is no particular combat but may bee ended for now of the Moores side came Astorildo and Epirabio with the Calipha of Siconia and the King of Giant-land with foure Giants all Cousins They entred treading the Gréekes vnder féete and were like to doe much harme for Brandusio and the Prince of Almaine had aduanced forwards with those troupes which remained at the entrie into the valley but they found newly come before them the mightie Trasondan Poliphebus and his brother Rosacler with the two couragious Giants Brandafidel and Bramidoro with the gentle Tifereo and the faire Claridiana It was a thing worthie a Romans Theatre to sée the encounters for the Giants matched themselues the one with the other it was like as if two ships had met in the middle of the Sea In this encounter the Gréeke partie had the better for Brandafidel who was one of the most famous in the world laid his aduersarie on the floore Bramidoro did the like they had them in chace and presently many after them for Tifereo had likewise ouerturned Lindauro within a little the warre had againe béene new begun for in a maner the greatest part of the Princes came afoote either partie to aide their people Brandafidel was furious when he fought being angrie they could fasten few blowes vpon him for on foote he was very light and withdrew himselfe to play his part with his club wherewith he did things although lawfull yet verie pitifull for there happened to enter a Giant which came with Brundusio He hit him but two knocks and both on the Helmet there needed no more blowes for he layd him dead at his féete Brundusio would be reuenged but it was to méete with his death for Bramidoro was at hand and in passing by with his bat he made him goe vpon his hands Tifereo holpe him for he stretched him out all along They left their clubs to repaire to him of Gibia seeing that he of Zardus was come to gripes with him They had killed him had not Brauorante ariued whose comming with Aristoldo did not onely rescue him but also renewed the warre so as it then séemed much more cruell then at the beginning The great Alphebus after his old maner singled out Brufaldoro for hee had long desired it ouer since that in the woods of Gréece he would haue robbed his mother The Pagan refused it not but rather at his first smote him on the strong and rich helme and made him auale his head downe to his bosome The Mauritanian would haue seconded it but the famous Emperour which with those blowes was nothing amazed whéeling his horse a little to one side made him to lose his blow and would not let slip occasion but with all his might he reached him a blow vpon the shoulder which smote away all his vaunt-brace it went not alone for hee gaue him another which put him out of his remembrance The Gréeke spent so much time in sâ—riking him that he gaue opportunity to Claribel to come vpon him with a thrust it was one of the most extreme blowes that ouer the Gréeke had receyued His Ladie would reuenge it but she could not find him for he was like an Eagle and had vpon a sudden hardly handled the great Tartarian Zoilo hee made a thrust at the Troiane and had not the Princes of Tharsis and Argentaria bene néere without doubt Hectors heyre had bene in danger The faire Sarmatia was troubled to sée her Troiane in such estate and grinding her téeth she set vpon the youngster she came so néere that she could not strike him the blow did him greater fauour then he deserued for casting her fayre armes ouer his backe shee griped him so hard that shee imprinted his armour in his flesh as she tooke him at vnawares so was it a small matter to vse him so and had hee bene any other shee had pluckt him from his horse In the chase came the great Tinacrian vpon his Rubican he seemed to be no other then a thunder-bolt whistling betweene the clowds he first tooke Don Argante to taske and set him without iudgement vpon the saddle bowe he stretched Lindauro all along vpon the ground and finding Don Celindo néere him with a strong thrust he set him besides his saddle Trebatius his sonne was neuer séene in such a fury his fiercenesse made them all to wonder and had not he with the stars come he alone had ended the battell in that place for before that he came he had ouerthrowne the Prince of Almaine he leapt after him holding it to haue bene honorable to haue taken him prisoner accounting him for one of the most principall by his rich armour in their campe The vnknowne yong man detained him from his purpose smiting him at the entring in the chest of his brest it is a great hap that he had not kild him for his sword pierced his armour euen to the skin and with a little more hee had thrust him in the heart pit Luzelaes louer suffered himself to be hurt with a stab and séeing his bloud spilt vpon anothers weapons there was neuer Tiger so fierce as he for the fleshed Lion is tame in respect of him for bringing his sword about his head with all his might he smote him with the stars athwart the Helmet and made him see them within the same with aboundance of bloud The Gréekes would faine haue ended these battels because they knew that therein consisted the strength of their armie and they being lost the victorie against them was certaine But now there was no remedie for the Emperour of the Romanes was alreadie entred the wood with aboue a hundred thousand men The Gréeks doubtfull of their Princes had shewne no lesse care for the valorous Meridian was come with as many The battels were ready to ioyne but both the one and the other were in feare to bee lost through the discommodity of the place and so they parted either hauing something to talke of 〈◊〉 the valour of those Knights The Greekes extolled the 〈◊〉 Knights with highest praises estéeming theÌ„ 〈◊〉 the flowers of Chiualrie They left no lesse occasion to 〈…〉 particularly Poliphebus who had sheweÌ„ himselfe so valiant that they wondred thereat as prodigious all men intreating him and chiefly his brother to tell who he was but he excusing him selfe the best that he could caused thâ—m the more to mistrust and most when hee tooke his leaue of them telling them that hee was to goe to trye a
they made for where Brandafidel Bramidoro and the gentle Tefereo went there was no defence against their clubs for they trode all vnder foot The greatest part of the Pagans was slain before that their succors came from the campe In the auaunt gard came the flower of Chiualry which were Bembo Brauorante Brufaldoro the young men although yâ— Leobulo by reason of his hurts was not to haue taken armes so soone On the other side came the fiue of the wood desirous to méete with the Gréeks who being more ready séeing theÌ„selues reuenged and so much to their honour sounded a retreat garding their backs with the Citie wals leauing the enemy with lesse then the third part of their people And the greatest euil was that Poliphebus desirous to make shew of himselfe in company with his brother and Nephew wan the Standard of Comagena the King comming to the rescue lost his life honorably because it was by the hands of the Tinacrian This king was cousin and great friend to Bramarante and vncle to the furious Brauorante who when he knew of his death Gualtenor durst not tell how angry he was for before that the Gréeks were wholly withdrawn he slew aboue a hundred of theÌ„ would not returne to the campe without reuenge The diuelish young man went so compassed with his enemies that in despight of them hee went into the citie where I would gladly sée thée O Homer to sing the acts which he there performed he would not refuse to fight with a hundred for hee sought with them all He met with the Princes of Hungarie and Bohemia it was nothing to strike them to the ground considering what he pretended He turned to Thorisiano whoÌ„ he left sencelesse at his horses héeles And the braue Tartarian although he deserued it not hee had neere bereaued of life for casting bloud at his mouth and nostrils he threwe him to ground The strong Florisiano and the Prince of Croacia escaped not scotfrée for he left them astonied A proud attempt sixtéene Princes he threw to the ground in so ill plight that it was doubted of their liues He came to encounter the two famous Giants Bramidoro and Brandafidel to which he had an eie euer since their méeting in the willow valley He entred betwéene them nothing weyghing their terrible clubbes and they which were borne to be feared nothing feared him for whorling about their feareful weapons they both together smote him so strongly that they made him bow both his knées to the ground and had taken him but the terrible young man bestirring himselfe with his broad sword strake Brandafidels club out of his hands and came vpon him with another which set him from him faster then a good pace which gaue him place to rise and ouertake the furious Bramidoro Hee had paid no lesse then his life for the displeasure of this angrie young man for hee made him to fall vpon his hands and would haue closed to make a finall end of him and had done it had not the gentle Tifereo come who with a fierce blow hindred the purpose of the fierce Brauorante But he paid that which he ought to Poliphebus for with a thrust he wounded him verie sore in the middest of his brest and if his sword had entred a little further hee had nayled the one side to the other Brandafidel came to the rescue laying hand to his monstrous crooked Fawchion wherewith he thought to haue defeated the Pagan and smote him athwart the Helme and made him sée a thousand starres therein The Prince of Fraunce Clarindo by chance came at one side of him who was so eager that he could not strike although hee would faine but was likely to haue met with his death for the Pagan séeing him so néere him that hee could not strike him with his sword gaue him so sound a knocke with the Hilts that he â—aid him at his feete Gualtenor saith that had any of the other famous Princes entred with him the Citie had béene in danger to haue béene surprised he roared like a Bull at the stake and was more wight then an Ounce and thinking that hee should better execute his rage on foote he forsooke his horse and so iustled those which came mounted vpon great horses as though hee had béene an Elephant with two blowes hee strake downe the two brothers Spaniards which were held for as valiant as most in the Campe yet there were so many that desired to come to blowes with him that the place was neuer void but rather they met him in the way seeking reuenge All this did but inflame his rage had not the Gréeke Princes béene aduertised thereof who desirous to kill him came in all haste The Dane came first vpon his Tirian very cholericke for that he had ouerthrowne his Captaine which brought his troupes out of Dacia who entred pale with anger and ran vpon him with his horse brest but hee stirred him as much as if he had met with a rocke Then came the braue Claramante who had many times made him to feele what hee could doe with his Halbert who leapt from his horse to whome euerie one gaue place hee stood somewhat aloofe and whorling his weapon about his his head smote him ouer the Helmet and did more then Don Heleno his horse could doe for he made him set his hands to ground he seconded it with another which made him starke mad for making no reckoning of the third although that he saw it comming hee ioyned with him giuing him a suddaine blow with both his hands vpon the Helmet and made him to set both his hands and knées to the ground no man came to his rescue for feare to offend him thinking that he would make an end of the Pagan but hee was become such a Basiliske that if the whole Greeke Armie had beene there hee would not haue refused the battell against them all The louer gaue him a thrust in the brest and had not his armour béene so good hee had nayled him thorow and made him make two steps backwards By this time had all the flowre of the Greekes compassed him about and the Tinacrian had so great a desire to trie himselfe against him that hee leapt from his horse with his Shield vpon his arme desiring his brother to leaue that battell to him wherein he should doe him pleasure All meÌ„ desired to content him for he was beloued of all The Pagan knew him well by his Eagle and knowing that he had slaine his good Unkle hee assailed him bidding them both to prepare themselues which Claramante would not doe by any meanes but left the battell for his brother who as hee came fresh and eager before hee could turne about had giuen him two blowes one after another there was no enchantment against his weapons nor force equall to his for both his knees he made him set to the ground and reached him another no lesse then the former The Pagan
Gréekes were in such readines that as he left they marched as swift as the fresh wind A sorrowfull day for a great many for there they met with their deaths in a thousand maners The earth shrâ—nk it was so oppressed The Sunne hid his beames because he would not sée so many deaths The noyse wherewith the battel 's ioyned was so terrible that rebounding vp to the skies it made there also a great slaughter for the flying soules wanting ayre to maintayne their flight came dead to ground The 2. Nauies at sea although they had already ioyned heard the noise which was at land In came the mighty Trebatius accoÌ„panied with his sons so furious that he séemed like death it selfe they did so well gard him that he neuer receyued blow The famous Tinacrian was the best armed and mounted of any man in the world and so earnest that sometimes his kinsmen could not follow him notwithstanding that they wrought miracles But the Pagans were so many that although that they where they went had the aduantage yet the Moores had it in the rest of the campe fighting sometimes foure against one and sometimes at more ease On that side where the Souldan of Egypt was there the Gréekes had the better because on that side happened to fight the inuincible Alphebus with the no lesse furious then redoubted Knight Oristides who séemed no other then as Hercules among the Giants in the plaines of Egypt or as Samson among the Philistims Lirgandeo reporteth that before that hee had euer drawne his sword hee had felled ten Giants those with that in his hand he sought and not the weake simple Knights They made a broad stréet for him but Don Celindo taketh him in hand with his sister friends he rushed in among them vpon a sudden seized vpon Thorisiano he made him lose his reynes and almost his saddle and therewith his life had not Don Argante come at one side who with his rich sword when as this braue Emperour would haue seconded his blowe there with haue stinted the strife entred with a strong thrust which he made at him hitting him in the brest shrinking vp his sword arme with the paine and so he could not strike the yong man but turned against the Fenician more fierce then a Leopard smote his plumes from his head had he borne his hand a little lower he had endangered him he returned a thrust at the Assyrian who séeing what the knight did which knew him not for he would neuer enter into any battell but as a priuate soldier had aduauÌ„ced himselfe forwards with a desire to strike him he hit him in the middest of the brest and vnable to pierce it for the goodnesse of the mettall hee pushed him so farre backe that hee tumbled him out of his saddle There was neuer a better blowe giuen in all the battell Claridiana was glad to sée it who had taken Floralisa to taske Their battell was apart for the high heauens in valour although not in beautie had made them equals No man came to their ayd séeing their equalitie in fight But Don Celindo who was of greater force then the Troiane sorry for his friends blowe parted from him and assayled the TrapisondaÌ„ Lord. He was neuer weary with fighting for therewith he was refreshed he let him enter and with all his might stepping aside as he was more nimble valiant seizing vpon him with his armes he pluckt him out of his saddle and but for feare to bee ouerborne by the beasts which the Giants rode on he had kild him hee let him goe spurning him with his feete but he was presently remouÌ„ted The Souldan of Egypt was extreamely sorry to sée that of his side they had the worst of the battell and therefore he fought not but did more in giuing directions for by turnes he brought new succours where they were ready to fly Those in the middest charged with all possible force Rosabel his sonnes and the vnknowne young man with the starres had desceÌ„ded more lower into the valley They séemed like the bright Sun beames amidst the black clowds and amazed all the army to see how they plaid the deuils They resembled Auteus in strength and Cesar in fighting They left not a Knight wounded for they strake them all starke dead The orchard kéepers beat not downe fruite so fast with their long poles as they did the Gréekes with their sharpe swords No man durst abide them and so climing vp a little hils side and séeing that in all the rest of the battell their friends as fast as they could goe did get ground although that they saw them fall by heaps yet they were so many that there was no man mist leauing the staÌ„dard in his hands who well knew how to defend it they came downe the hils side The two brothers wore seuerall coloured Scarfes which their mother had giuen them although not by that name but as their country woman they were séene by both armies Hee which went to méete them was no lesse then the fierce Don Heleno with his beloued Ladie who was knowne to haue the aduantage of all men with those cruell Armes which sometime did belong to Semiramis on his left side went that valiant Spaniard Thorismundo to whose trust might be committed any charge although not this for without doubt Claribel was more valiant who fel to his lot who as this was the first battell that hee had séene so would he therein purchase fame Hee suffered the Spaniard to enter vpon a faire horse of the race of Corduba in whome he did put too much trust to his valor giuing the young man a great blow who was nothing mooued therewith and preparing a second hee entred striking him vpon the rich Helmet which then gaue him his life but for all that it set him vpon his Saddle bow casting bloud out at his Uisor and with another hee would haue ended the warre and had done it had not his sonne come running who séeing his father in such case drawing force out of feare with both his hands tooke reuenge it was enough to make him to lose his â—â—ow for thereby hee recouered his Fathers life who with the helpe of his sonne set vpon the young youth who was glad thereof the better to make them to know the strength of his arme which tired him more then they knew for This was nothing to the battell betwéene Don Heleno and Rosamundi with his brother and the Knight with the starres Shée reposed great trust as there was reason in her rich weapons and for that cause shée ioyned euerie foote with the youth cutting both his armour and his flesh he went more enraged then a chafed Bull to see himselfe so hurt for before that hee could cleare himselfe from this Ladies hands he had receiued foure wounds which were the first that he had receiued in all that battell The Ladie was no lesse tyred and endangered then if she