replied I knowing I will till death obey your commaund Shee answered Why then we shall not so ill disagrée as I thought the thing therefore I would knowe is thou must tell me if thy Lady be heere or no and her name withall without delay and circumstance for I shall thereby receiue the greatest pleasure in the world and with the contrary excéeding discontent which will bee immerited and no iust guerdon for what I meane to do for thée You may easily conceiue valiant Knights what conflicts I might indure of contrarious thoughts not knowing the successe that might ensue if by telling troth I did condiscend vnto her demaunde Somewhat amazed stoode I a while in so much that shee saide you must not deuise excuses for it will fall out woorse if you offend me so I answered None did I deuise diuine Pollinarda but I rather began to incourage my selfe to passe my life in your disgrace for nought else can redowne heereby but kindle your fléeping wrath Bee it what it will saide shee for I am pleased with the knowledge Why then replied I know soueraigne Princesse shée is in this Cittie and of the selfe same name that you are of in which repitition I offend her Shee procéeded further saying And haue you neuer spoken with her now did I tremble with feare and then imagined a thousand deuises yet in the end I replied Soueraigne Ladie your excellency so farre vrgeth this matter that I cannot steppe from hence fearing to méete with death vnlesse you seeke his lifes ouerthrow that was borne to serue you She replied I wil haue you tel me all for I wil take it as one that procures your good as you haue partly séene Whereto I answered falling on my knées Presuming on your Royall word and fauours sacred Ladie I cannot deny but I am yours imploring pardon for this fault if it be any worthie of worse punishment then death It did not gréeue her to heare me say she was the Quéene my heart had chosen to imperate ouer it and my soule but rather taking holde by my King the marke of my slauery which for my pleasure I often put on shée raised me saying Very plainely hast thou Florisiano exprest thou louest me and if thy constancie wherewith thou doest it be as thou saiest so I may enioy a heart so sincere and second to none I giue thée leaue to do so stil regarding the secrecy due to my honor vntil the heauens shall minister those meanes wherewith I may asswage thy griefes I required her hands I could doo no lesse to kisse them more glad then had I bene inuested sole Emperor of the wide world and yet that had not so pleased me She commanded me to take off my King séeing Fortune had now fauoured me wherto I replied Oh let not your excellency commaund me to put off that thing wherewith the heauens haue begun to worke my ioy lest Fortune enemy to all content séeing me no more a slaue should tryumph ouer my glory And though I be a king in louing and the most glorious and frée in being beloued let me kéepe this as a memoriall I am and wil be yours while my life shall endure the which loosing it in your seruice will be the happiest and richest losse in this terrene Orbe If it be so weare it replied the Mistresse of my life and yet the taking it off should nothing impaire my affection which now is only imployed in your Loue. Thus was the Soueraigne of my soule weauing this swéete webbe of my life on the delicate Loome of both our contents when blinde Fortune Mistresse of mischaunce being weary and angry that she had helped me that litle moment of time brought it about I know not by what meanes that our Loues till then became suspitious in Court nay further procéeds my woes Oh I cannot without teares say more it came to the Kings eares who desirous to be assured of so dishonourable a déede as to be beloued of the Princesse he had hidde himselfe in that roome vnknowne to me that very night and séeing by experience what he had suspected he issued forth inraged like a mad mā I yet was on my knées when he came forth and finding me in that manner he tooke me by the collor and drawing my ponyard said Oh infamous miscreant Turkish dogge hast thou thus wronged the trust reposed in thée The punishment inflicted on thée shall bee a sufficient example to all others such disloyall wretches as thy owne selfe I had no eyes to looke him in the face nor tongue to answere him though I wanted not hands to shead his blóod had not my Ladyes and my friend Lysanders displeasure and discontent thereby stayed me Hée snatched at her so furiously that shee almost fell vpon her face saying I had not thought Minion thy wanton boldnesse would so haue made thée passe the limits of shame and grace as to bestowe thy affection on a slaue He cried to those that awaighted without whereat foure knights rushed in who straight conueied me to prison where I thoght they would closely murther me the which I had gladly receiued so shee were not hardly handled that had so bountifully fauoured mee The king did commit her but knowing our affection had beene no other then he had séene hee straight for hee loued her dearely forgaue her turning all his rage vpon poore Florisiano Oh magnanimious Knights with how many millions of brinish teares did I bewayle that losse it was beléeue me the greatest in the world for none in so short time could bee so happie as I nor none againe so vnhappie Nothing I did but exclaime lamenting and with woes tormenting my afflicted selfe At length being so many some pierced the high heauens moouing the immortall Gods to pittie and comiseration appointing a meanes on earth to redéeme me for the Noble Lysander being mooued at my disgrace by pollicy procured my Gailors to release me of my Irons and boltes that I might escape through a window and saue my life I gréeued no lesse to depart from Pollinarda at that time though in her grace and fauour then at first when like an enemie I ran from her Yea more then this did my friend sollicit in my behalfe for hee went to his sister and discouered to her the whole secret of my affaires telling her I was the Knight in yealowe and hee that slewe her Agesilao then louing her more then now I neuer would tell any who else I was because I vowed it from the beginning onely to procure her fauour or disfauour without that regard and respect wherein I might bee hadde beeing knowne to bee Prince of Apulia and had not your valour and curtesies bound me thereto none should haue knowne it The Lady did not gréeue at this swéete complot of Loue but rather it kindled in her some new affection So was I visited in prison from her which reuiued my hopes and added new life to my dying powers To pleasure
who gaue him no longer time for this consideration for the two that on horsebacke remained returned to ouerthrow him Hee could not defend himself for the course was short and so headlong they ouerturned him Ere he could rise Celio stept to him with the greatest blow he had in al his life receiued for it had almost strooke him sencelesse laying him all along vpon the earth All this was no meanes to put the Dacian from his skilfull procéeding for ere he could second another like a furious Lyon he rose on his féet resolued to expect them Hee sawe himselfe in daunger of death for the two that remained on horsebacke with quicke and suddaine carriers so opprest him as he lost his hope with honour to issue out of that enterprise Among the horses he setled himselfe strongly A thing worthie his valour he did for his shield forwards he expected Larsinio that to incounter him had aduanced himselfe but no more he mooued him then if he had runne against a rock whom with his horse staggering back the Dacian forced to fall whereat the Prince was glad knowing that on foote he could better deale with them So he stept aside letting Alcino passe and as he went gaue him such a thrust which was it that assured him the victorie making him therewith maugre his strength to leaue his saddle For all this he had no cause to boast of the blowe for the inraged Celio ranne to him with both hands laying on his rich helme the temper gaue him his life else had his head downe to his necke béene diuided yet made he the blood in great abundance gush through his nose By this were the other two vp with their swords in hand It was a combat most worthie Cupids sight for the thrée are mightie and the Dacian the same he was woont and a foote stronger then Mars hée shewed himselfe like a cunning fencer setting forth at length his shield and sword to intice them to make offer Herein hee preuailed for most blowes he receiued on his shield which being inpenetrable they did not so much as race it In this manner a while he behaued himselfe but hee iudged it cowardise so to end the battell wherefore brauely he rusht among them well couering himselfe with his shield and as hee past he gaue the second brother such a counterbuffe on the helme striking away a great part of his vizor that it was aduenture he had not done so by his head Downe along the breast descended the sword making there a long daungerous wound with another he would haue ended that battell had the other two let him But the haughtie Celio with impoysoned rage entred so much inwards that at his pleasure hee could discharge his furie on the toppe of the inchaunted shield not able to cut it yet so waightie was the blow that thrée or foure steppes staggering backwards it forced him Larsinio was not ydle for with a strong point he thrust at his brest He felt the blow for it depriued him of his breaths passage The two brothers had not discharged their blowes when the wounded Alcyno returned and with both hands gaue him a most mightie stroke Rezound with Eccho did the gréene fields by the warriors sterne stupendious blowes And the angrie Iudge was astonished to sée with what crueltie they assayled each other Aduantage had the warrelike Dacian in his armour for though he was tired yet they had no scarre Otherwise was it with the brothers for the fielde was besprinkled with their blood Don Elenos celeritie much auailed him else he had not got the victorie so cheape but it and the surenesse of his armes makes it certaine Thrée houres haue they fought making no shewe of fainting in the end of which was the Dacian alreadie at the extreamest of his rage thinking he had the worst of the fight so casting his shield at his backe and with his sword twixt both hands began to brandish it among them quicker then the Cyclopian Smithes doo their crooked hammers and as he could not misse them he gaue no blowe but fetcht blood In the selfe same Coyne doo they paie him for the thrée more fiercer then Alcydes assayled him so brauely that if he giues he receiues and in greater quantitie with equall quallitie Now skill and dexteritie preuailes not with him all he remits to blowes wherewith he rents cuts and in péeces shiuers their armor priuy coates and shields He would first dispatch Celio which most troubled him so getting from the two entered to him and in his assault with a downright blowe he cut away his shield with al his vanbrace and a great péece of his shoulder Scarce had he done it whē with a point he turned against the second thrusting thrée parts of his sword vnder his arme pit where had he put foorth his arme as he mought for euer had he there laine Vpon Larsinos waste he discharged his furie so fiercely that it was a wonder he had not in two diuided him The heauens preserued him to paie his iealousie although against the Dacian Prince he lost thereby In his very soule was Celio vext to sée with what rygor that one knight handled them that taking his sword strongly in his fist aymed aloft giuing Alcyno time to giue him a dangerous blow on the thigh for falling betwéene a ioynt it made him a wound outwards so great was the paine as he could not stand on that legge which the brothers perceiuing and assuring themselues the victory began to oppresse him so vehemently as they depriued him of breathing Eager herein séemed the third brother and would make some shewe of his valour but it rezulted to his deare cost For Don Eleno noting his intent gaue back as fearing the rest and so let the third enter who being within his reach with incredible force laide him on the head he cut away most of his Helme with a great péece of his head tumbling him at his féete helping him thereto with another no lesse strong The other two closed with him lamenting the successe He could not refuse the wrasle He entred thereto aduisedly first drawing foorth his dagger quickly they fell on the ground where they tumbled a good while It was aduantage for the Dacian to be so for stretching foorth his arme in that place where before Alcyno was wounded on the front there againe Don Eleno strooke him making him loose his hold with the pangs of death Then he turned on the first whom for his valour he had affected but at that instant forgetting it let flie at his brest a most cruell stabbe wherewith he ended the brauest aduenture euer in that kingdome knowne The noyse which the haughtie edefice made vanishing away was heard through all the Citie of Xantho To Cupids Throne was the Ladie conueyed in that manner as she witnessed her brothers deaths whom the God of loue thanked for her amorous act in giuing her selfe the mortall stroke of death only mooued through zealous
Galtenor saith the Ladie forgot her paines enioying many daies the fruition of the Gréeke Louers bedde vnder that deuise telling him that a wise man her great friend had for some time fetcht her out of the inchantment to accompany him in that distresse Much bound did the Prince thinke himselfe to him for so good a turne So farre wrought the vertue of the Crowne that all the time shee enioyed him by that deceit the Gréeke could comprehend no more but tooke what Fortune offered him At length Eufronisa iudging it reason to let him go féeling her selfe with childe conferred with Selia that approoued it Shee tooke off the Crown kissing it a thousand times for hauing enioyed by it her harts content She had no sooner set it by the other when it was presently taken away not knowing by whose hands A voyce shée heard which thus comforted her Haue patience Ladie for the heauens will haue it so and till you knowe the fruite that by this deceit shall rise neuer looke to sée it more So soone as it was taken away the Gréek thought all that he had past but a dreame hauing scarce the remembrance thereof What time hée had so spent he knew not but stayed for the Ladies comming to giue her his answere which shee determined to refuse because shee would not be bound vnto him for it She entred his chamber with her damzell thus speaking How are you determined most cruell knight of the Flowers that according to your resolution she may liue that loues you He answered I am sure excellent Princesse you haue had time to consider the wrong you do me to inforce me breake my word yet I am yours and will bee till the death and so may you dispose of mee at your pleasure Whereto she thus returned Euer since most glorious Prince of Greece that Fortune or the powers of Loue made my heart obedient to your will I onely procured but a graunt from your mouthe by so many meanes as you haue séene solely deuised to affect you and that you might knowe I loue you And since you are assured thereof and now to comfort my sorrowes in your absence I wil haue you leaue with me some remembrance and let it be your dagger for which you shal haue mine that wherewith I intreated you to end my life which now I le kéepe to imploy it in your loue and beléeue me braue Prince while this soule shal haue power to breath this affection shall neuer decay And therewith with excéeding ioy she embraced him and taking his ponyard she gaue him hers bidding him prepare his departure against the next morning The Prince did so somewhat abashed to haue béen so importuned Hee tooke his leaue of the Ladies not without many teares for trust mee hee was beloued in the highest degrée that euer knight was A verie rich Iewell the Ladie gaue him at his departure All armed in precious armour and mounted on a lustie Courser giuen him by Eufronisa hee went out of the famous Cittie of Golthuerge whose departure she tooke most heauily yet some comfort she conceiued to be big with childe by him Straight the two Ladies beganne to deuise how they might kéepe close Eufronisas trauell who being a straunger to such matters gréeued thereat Onely this consolation she tooke to looke from the toppe of a high turret towards Grecia whither her ioy was gone calling it a heauie land to bring forth such fruite Thus this bewtious Lady passed away the season vntill her time of deliuerie which being the first she felt extreamely She was deliuered of two boyes the fairest that the heauens created for he which was first brought forth had on the face of a Lady fairer then the sunnes Splendor in his pride The other a heart thrust through with a dagger with the wound so fresh as it séemed then to bléed Selia shewed them her saying Reioyce faire Princesse with the issue sprung from that deceit which is such that it frées you from any fault The tender mother embraced and kist them saying Oh may the powerfull heauens deare children of my heart let you liue to know your warlike father for though he vsed me with all crueltie yet are you his sonnes Blesse you may the Gods make you as happie as I am vnhappie although I may now call my selfe the happiest on the earth onely by being your mother So carefull Selia tooke them away and through a secret doore in the garden she gaue them to the old ancient knight to see them nursed in some Village At their carriage away a thousand kisses and blessings did the louing mother giue them as diuining the long time shee should be ere againe she saw them With much care did the olde knight carrie them to a Village where he had prepared a nurse for them That hee might passe more couertly he cros◠the Forrest bearing the children in two baskets on a litle Asse by the way hee rested and tooke downe the boyes to quiet them from crying Scarce had he done when a chased Lyon ran thitherward being hunted by shéepheards with their dogs The knights age and the Lyons sight put him in such feare as he fell downe in a trance As then the cruel beast ment not to take any pray but to escape his pursuers In this manner lay the old man and the children crying for hunger when by great chaunce a mightie Lord dwelling on the confines of Sylepsia past that way with his wife that had bene at the Cittie to to sée the tryumphes there With them was an auncient Lady lately deliuered of a childe that dyed in Golthuerge So soone as the Lords wife saw the children and hauing none her selfe tooke such affection on the babes séeing theyr woonderfull bewtie that she commaunded the other Lady carefully to nurse and bring them vp In this manner were these two Infants carried by this Lord and tendered as his owne He that had the Ladies face they named Clarabell And the other with the wounded heart Leobello Who so grew in yeares and bewtie that they were accounted children of the Godds Where we will leaue them nourished by the good Knight Sergio for so was hee called omitting also their afflicted mothers sorrow for theyr losse and a while must remember the mightie dispayring knight Claridiano of the Sphere already departed from Croatia CHAP. XVII What aduenture the Prince Claridiano met in the I le of Creet where he disinchaunted his Vnckle Claramant FOr a while faire Ladies I am constrained to leaue Loues amorous discourses and trust mee with some gréefe but hauing to treate of many things I must describe them with diuers styles And now the warlike Gréeke with an Adamantiue power attrackts me to lighten him from the darke center of obliuion who departing from the most bewteous Venus and gallant Laysa lanched into the Adriaticke sea downe the which hee Nauigated foure dayes and the fift hee crossed into the Affrican and happening on no aduenture deseruing memorie
shuld passe that way fearing that some one woulde vanquish the Minotaure that kept somewhat more within Scarce could the Gréeke Prince endure the coldnesse of the Lane and but that he iudged it base feare he had returned backe yet encouraging himselfe valiantly with his sheeld he passed on forwards till he met with the mightie Theseus clad al in most rich greene armor garnished of tawnie Lyons beset with many rich and vnualuable stones A foote stood the fierce Athenian leauing against a mightie stéele battle-axe with a sword girded at his side looking with such a sterne aspect as Mars had feared him But Trebatios sonne borne to maister him vndauntedly stept to him with such courtesie as he thought his person merited saying Most valiant knight I would gladly finde a passage from a place so yrkesome as this and if along this Lane be the way I intreate you suffer me fréely to passe With admiration of his gallant disposition did Hercules companion thus reply Most willingly faire Donzell I would pleasure you in this or any thing else but my ingratitude bringing me hither forceth mee to let none passe this way onely to haue more company being alone to associate me And so may you séeke an other way although I beléeue there is none but this Why then said our new Mars I shall be constrained to procure it and so rest nothing beholding to you for it Whereupon as if hée were better armed then the Athenian well couering himselfe with his shéeld paced towards him who became more fiercer then when he descended into the earthes blacke Center séeing the boldnesse of the youth so yoong and armorlesse presuming to win what onely was committed to his strength in so many dangers and haughtie enterprises approoued He raised aloft his axe thinking to haue cleft him in the middest But the gallant youth leaping aside meant not onely to make him loose his blowe but to close with him hauing an eye vnto his sword hoping that if he had it to assure his victorie therewith At this time he mist of his intent for Theseus was none of those that admitted any such brauados but in the middest of the stroke before his aduersarie could enter he stayed the axe discharging such a blowe on his shéeld with the point that he inforced him backe swifter then hee came with greater paine on his brest for the shéeld striking there made him almost breathlesse He had not effected this blowe when with the blade he offered an other He floorished it aboue his head so mightily that had not the Gréeke fallen on his he had bene cleane parted in two He saw himselfe within deathes clawes for the very wind the weapon yéelded in his passage was inough to strike downe an other lesse valianter then he He would not then ketch at his sword because the other ouerwharted him in it but rather with the nimble skill his tutors had taught him séemed to stay a blowe lifting his shéeld on high the Athenian beléeuing that he would and that therewith he should terminate that controuersie well setled on his left leg hee let fly at him a downe-right blowe It is credible that hitting him with the axe he had diuided not him alone but the strongest Rocke He that should liberate the Scythian Lady would not so trust to his shéeld for as the axe descended swifter then thought he closed with him thrusting himselfe vnder his armes and with his he astonished him with a blowe running his shéeld against his head whereat the other for feare of giuing backe resisted him with all his strength and so ayding his left leg outwards our new warrior met with the swords handle the which without more adoo he easily drew forth whose blade yéelded such splendor as the Prince was amazed It was many years since the Athenian had not séen his naked sword which now viewing in his enemies power there is no Lyon in fiercenesse comparable to him Néeds would the Gréeke youth trie his conquered weapon before he got from him discharging it with all his strength on that side it hung His armor it cut not for the world had none better but it so tormented his legge and thigh that he could not stand thereon So Claramant stepping from him saide Now shall thou know knight how much better it had béene for thée to haue let me fréely passe and kéepe thy weapons then to bée without them for they now shall make me way Why then stay said hee discourteous youth and thou shalt sée whether the hauing of my sword can defend thée from Theseus wrath at whose presence al Plutos kingdome trembled And so he strooke at him a most mightie blow He could not so defend it but it fell vpon one side of his shield cutting it away and made him thrice turne about But suddainly he recouered and firmed himselfe against his aduersarie that with his axe poynt came against him He turned away and scapt it discharging his sword vppon his helme It sounded like a bell making a displeasant musicke chattering of his téeth Ere Theseus could recouer himselfe he gaue him another it was it which gaue him the victorie by the passing with the poynt betwéene the closing of his armor Cutting his priuie coate of male the sharpe blade entred vnto his flesh had he not feared the axe and a little forwarder thrust his arme he had slaine the Athenian yet it was the first time that the ingratefull Louer sawe his owne blood whose sight added such furie to his furie that now hee will not procéede like a skilfull knight but let his blowes flie at randon which put the youth in more daunger and aduised care to shunne them assuring himselfe that blow which tooke him full would be his death and therefore he behaued himselfe with such dexteritie as his cousin had hee béene there could haue done no more Oh it was a spectacle woorthie the Gréeke Theater for the haughtie Athenian fiercer then when he slew the Tyrant Creon procured to giue him but one blowe the which with singuler agilitie the Gréeke shunned There is no Roe in swiftnesse like to him for entring and retiring at his pleasure sometimes hee wounded Theseus and euerie time he tooke him ful with his famous sword he made him tremble like the toppe of a high proude pyne shaken with the voyce of heauen Hée himselfe receiued some but they were on his shield the which in that daungerous battell saued his life Sixe houres they haue fought without rest They were in the end swéet Mistresse made of flesh blood and must feele the excessiue paine and trouble so at once without any word they withdrew to breath for although the Gréek was not wounded yet his much labour had ouer much wearied him Against himselfe bitterly exclaimed the Athenian séeing himselfe both matcht and wounded by one knight without armor The Gréeke had no cause yet to complaine for this was his first battell yet he incouraged himselfe to end it to
On the shoulder the inchaunted shapelesse Picture seconded another which made him tumble on the grounde and as he went to thrust at him a furious poynt he got on his féete but so blinde with rage that forgetting what had befallen he tooke his sword in both hāds and with the vtmost of his strength he discharged it vpon his shoulder diuiding the Phantasmo cleane in two He had scarce executed the blow but the couragious Pagan repented him thereof for each part of the accursed Phantasmo turned to a mightie Lyon whose ferocitie could not but haue feared any other saue Brauorant It amated the Pagan yet not that he fainted but with more brauery then in the beginning held the point of his sword before him letting the beasts come whereof one thirsting for his praie ranne vpon his sword splitting his heart in two thereon The other assayled him on his left side where finding no resistance fastened his clawes on him and although his Armor was strong yet he pearst them renting his flesh within which but more kindled his fury séeing his blood there shead which til then had happened in no fight be fore Bramarants sonne would not immitate Sampson in that action because it should not be said he followed the example but rather performed an act no lesse memorable for letting his sword hang by the Chaine at his wrist he tooke the Lyon by the necke twixt his hands and with incomparable strength choaked him himself remaining both wounded and with his Armor rent There is no ioy like to his hauing ended that perillous Combat and although he was weary yet went he forward fearing his companions would be before him No lesse famous were Claridianos battles for vanquishing the kéepers of the first Castle like a whirlewinde he past on making staie at a litle narrow Lane séeming to haue no end on no side Amazed was Archysiloras gallant at the obscuritie thereof yet he went on and comming to the ende vnawares he did tread in a hollow place falling into a Vawte filled with nothing but Wormes and venemous Vermine It was but sixe yardes broade and eight long It yéelded no more light then what issued at a litle casement where he espied a verie olde man swarter then Chimnies soothe who with a hoarse voyce said In faith braue knight you haue got verie good company among those Wormes on them you may execute your reuenge but I feare they wil first take it on you with their venome and therfore your best way is not to strike them if you wil not be slaine for t is better to prorogue your life a litle then nothing to enioy it Excéeding great was the Princes wrath séeing himselfe so betraied into that pestilentiall Caue and hauing vnderstood the Magitians words blinde with rage he replied Small is the Conquest got by such treachery thus to betray any knight which assures me that he which made this Inchauntment was more inured to treasons then good déeds séeing without battles by vndesent stratagems he prosecutes his diuellish intent and purpose Why then that I may sée how thy words will agrée with your déeds said the infernal Coniurer there be within that place two beasts to whom all the rest acknowledge their obedience Now if thou beest so hardie as to incounter with them on their deaths depends thy libertie else art thou for euer there inclosed Although extreame wrathful yet glad in some respect Trebatios Nephew answered I am content to hazard my person in any daunger to issue hence and for an instance thereof shewe me the way I must goe foorth and then place the beasts there Be it so returned the Magitian and in yonder dark corner there is an iron King the which if thou doest pluck at thou shalt descry whence the beastes doo issue Slacke was not the Princely Gréeke to goe thither and getting holde of the King hée pluckt so hard that drawing a Plancke from the Wall hée fell backwardes with it almost vppon him but fearing the suddain comming of the beasts he quickly got on his féete when against him there came a Monster of straunge shape His bodie was proportioned like a Beare saue that he had a long Tayle and crooked téethe like Tuskes and on his head he had a horne neare a yarde long His armes were nothing differing from a mans being footed lyke a Lyon In one hand he beare a Bowe readie bended with a stéele Darte And in the other he had a Chaine which tyed a mightie Bazeliske Nothing daunted with the sight was Claridiano although a litle amated at theyr fiercenesse but hauing an eye at the Darte drawing his sword and couering himselfe wel with his shield he marched against the vgly mishapen Monster Who shooting his Darte did make it flie swifter then lightning The Prince warded himselfe receiuing it on his shield And then the Monster hauing so done he let loose his Companion marching both togither against the Prince He also incountred them and méeting first with the Monster he let flie at his head striking away halfe his horne with all his Iawes on that side Before he could second it the Bazeliske with his stéely Bill strooke him vnder his arme that it made him stagger thrée or foure steppes and stumbling on the wall saued himselfe from falling In manifest daunger of his life was the Gréeke for the wounded Monster roring with paine closed with the Prince ere he could recouer his last mischaunce and casting his armes about him would haue pluckt him backwards Here Alphebos sonne could no otherwise but doo the like and hauing greater strength and being more nimbler then the Monster slipt one arme betwéene his legges and hoysting him aloft he flung him to the earth on his backe and as he drew his Dagger to ende with him the furious Bazeliske fluttering his winges flewe on his shoulders where with infernal fury with his inchaunted Bill hée strooke the Prince on the head that it made him loose his blowe and that good occasion and with his helme clouen felde him a toside In whiche season the Monster rose spitting fire through his hellishe mouth Straight did Claridianas sonne rise but being halfe astonished of the blowe the Monster had time to runne at his breast with his broken horne which made him so recoyle backe that he had much adoo to saue himselfe from a fall But what auailes it all being for theyr worst for the Prince stifeled with rage tooke his Dagger in his one hand and not knowing what he did aimed it at the Bazeliske that came flying at him Straighter then the Monster shot his Darte he flung it and hitting him in the breast it staied not til it cleft his heart in two and flying out at his backe fel with the beast at once that with a hiddeous shrike stird no more This death greatly displeased the Monster who bellowing and spitting sulphure flames leapt to the Prince that set his swords point against him the which he tooke betwéene his
I rusht vpon him saying The time and place doeth now fit discourteous Prince that the death of one of vs shall testifie the vallor of the other I being alone and himselfe accompanied with two made them the bolder all thrée to assaile me I refused them not but valiantly put my selfe among them I mortally wounded one which gaue me way the sooner to méet with the vnhappie Prince who so litle liued to enioy his louing hopes for driuing him before me til he was vnder his Mistresse window with a strong thrust I ranne him through where the blinde Goddesse of Chaunce séemed yet to fauour him as to be stucke to his Ladies wall At the last grone wherewith he yéelded his soule I heard another the fearfullest that euer before or since I heard because it procéeded from Pollinarda It so daunted me that I had like to haue bene taken all the knights guard with others being thither come As secretly as I might I shrunke away til I had time to set my safetie on my féete getting to my Lodging saying nothing of what had happened vnto my friend yet had he questioned me about it he could not but haue perceiued it What else befel the next Chapter shall rehearse CHAP. XXVIII How the Prince of Apulia with much pitie continued the discourse of his life vnto the Greeke Princes TO proue how many daungers and perillous inconueniences the disordinate passion of inconsiderate Loue doth cause there shall néede no arguments nor preambles of large discourses to auerre it for the experience that euery one sustaines by paines and griefes thereof togither with the opinion of that famous Philosopher that said If this disordered Motiue of intemperate and furious motions had not bene indengered in the breasts of mortalls as some plague and scourge for euils infinit and Capitall deadly crimes had neuer bene committed nor imagined Well is this saying confirmed by the vnhappy death of the Calabrian prince at the hands of the Apulian Florisiano who with equal grace and griefe prosecuted the tenor of his woes thus The bitter exclamatios that sounded in the Pallace braue knights and the hurliburly of the Citie séemed no lesse then had it bene round begirt with enemies Dead as he was he was carried to the Lady so she gaue in charge for louing him so dearly in his life she would not in his death forsake him She did lamentably bewaile ouer the murthered Corpes when I disguised came thither for I could not but go and sée her of whose sorrow I had bene the causer Oh cruell heauens said the wofull Ladie with what barbarous immanitie haue you extended your rygorous power on me more then on any Ladie else Oh Sauadge and inhumane wretch murtherer of my soule may it be there shall want Iustice where such bloodie déedes haue abounded Ay me vnfortunate Prince how cruelly in thy tender yeares art thou by an vntimely death persecuted A thousand times did she sound vpon the deceased Truncke holding it in her lappe So extreame were my passions Syr knights that to sée him in that manner I almost became iealous iudging I had fauoured him by so sheading of his blood that in death were it not sencelesse to enioy so swéete a fauour Considering my great intyer loue my state for his I would haue chaunged By little and little I approached so neare her that lifting vp her eyes she met with him that was cause of all her sorrowe shée supposing it cried out aloude and saide Why doo you suffer the bloodie murtherer with such presumption to appeare thus before the murthered Oh Gods sufficient strength did I then desire sufficiently to be reuenged Some of the dead Princies Allyes did suddainly arise which forced me without farther regard to shewe my selfe guiltie of the fact by drawing my weapons Aboue fortie swords did presently flie about mine eares The Pillers of the yarde whither I was got following Pollinarda defended my backe whereby hauing slaine thrée or foure the rest with feare retired giuing me leaue to returne vnto the place where the Ladie continued her laments There I said I would yeelde both my selfe and my weapons into the Princesse hand So ioyfully I resolued to accompany the dead prince to please the Ladie and therevpon taking my sword by the point prostrated on my knées I said Most excellent Ladie if any offence hath bene committed it hath beene with this wherewith you may take what reuenge you will on mée that was the executioner thereof Beléeue me heroicke knights there is no crueltie like to that kindled within the breast of an angry woman peremptorily resolued for so she may haue her will no life she doth respect She tooke the sword and with inraged courage she offered to execute what I had accounted my happinesse so she were contented but her strength fayled her in the execution of the blow falling after the blade in a traunce whose point scratching my Front did let foorth my blood And though greater wounds then that I had not felt yet that I noted when the Lady returning to her selfe I spied my deare blood on her face as the spoyles of her intent A sufficient marke was that braue knights to asswage the greatest paine Millions of thankes gaue I Fortune for it attributing that hap to her for being so rare it could not but procéed from such a blinde distributresse of vnexpected benefits I had no power to defend me from those that assailed me being weaponlesse who had giuē me a thousand deaths much more one but that my friend and faithfull Lysander arriued at the instant who drawing his sword approued his friendship to be great by shielding me from a shamefull death though not from a rygorous prison where the King commaunded me that night to be cast in shewing himselfe to be most excéedingly angry and gréeued You may easily suppose woorthie Syrs what I might féele being in that sort imprisoned especially when the next day I was adiudged in the open place to bee beheaded I did not so much sorrowe to be ledde to die as to depart in my Ladies disgrace Who moste like an eager Tyger of Hyrcania stil cryed and yelled out for reuenge But it pleased my inconstant chance from whence I gather I was reserued to suffer greater paines that I should knowe my Iaylor being a knight both gentle and kinde whom by deserts I had bound to pleasure me for in former times I had no lesse saued him then his life defending it from them that would haue spilt it Hee much encouraged me saying he would for my sake vndertake any perill béeing thereto long since indebted His kindnesse did much comfort me although I neuer imagined to steale from prison for all he would haue set mee at libertie for I was resolued to die louing her by that meanes working my Ladies content that she might sée I suffered the deserued punishment on me inflicted for so displeasing her I onely intreated him by the amitie and loue I had
Knights I remembred the things she did most loue and hate she shewed no whit of alteration but returning my ponyard said Little néed had you Florisiano to alter your name for any such feare knowing that onely for it the first of the same had bene forgiuen Farther shee did not procéede nor more openly bewray her affection I dissembled my ioy sharing it with Iaroe whom now me thoght began to bee forgot I would therein recompence him for his former kindnesse towards Florisiano The time would no longer permit vs to chat for the houre of my departure being come I was constrained to tell her so She was content aduising me to be secret because shee would that way often visit me I imagine Sir Knights that you thinke both tongue and soule swore a solemne performance of her deare commaund and if you so thinke I assure you your thoughts deceiue you not for my soule that still hanged vpon her lips receiued her command with no lesse sentēce of the Delphian Oracle then rising with a pleasant smiling she said I pray Lord Florisiano let vs entreate your Turkeship Christianly to conduct vs to our lodging and then wée le license your departure All rauished with ioy not able to speake a word I went with her to her chamber doore and then falling on my knées and kissing her hand desiring her to account me hers I tooke my leaue leauing my soule in her bosome and returned to my Lords lodging where we prepared our selues for our walke He did an act that I iudged most kinde for he gaue me a garment that had bene mine saying Hold Iaroe for since Fortune robbed mee of his owner none hath better deserued it I put it on and greatly wondred how he knew me not Away we went arriuing to the window where his Lady expected him I stayed to guarde the passage with such resolution that all the world yea Florisiano of Apulia had not passed there with the first and with the fauoured last was Iaroe now in disgrace séeing the alteration of his fortunes So if with patience you will attend me the next Chapter shall vnfolde what else happened CHAP. XXIX How the Prince of Apulia ended the discourse of his amourous life to the Greeke Princes and how Claridiano pittying his estate departed with him WHat strong residence the power of Loues affection hath within an amorous brest faire Ladies the beawteous Pollinardas suddain and vnexpected change which Agesilao bought full dearely doth amply shew for not remembring how greatly she had loued him how bitterly she had taken his death and with what rigor she procured his reuenge she recanted and without consideration of her honours blemish doted on a slaue A iust guerdon that séeing she would not affect the Knight that with such firme proofes had approoued himselfe to be hers and by his déeds worthy of her estimate she now beheld the subiect of her ioyes with slauish markes and that her blinde and vaine passion might so far excéed as to say that for the second Florisianos sake the first had bene pardoned There is none that may safely build his assurance on such effects if once he haue opened his doores to Loues flatteries In pensiue imaginations had the Louer put the Gréekes with his amorous Historie that they would not so soone haue it end But the youth that aggrauated his woes with repetition of his former gréefes abreuiated saying There stayed I Heroicke knights gazing on the vesture that belonged to the Apulian till that my Lord Lysander hauing excused himselfe to his lady of certaine obiections layd against him I thinke it was but some iealous imagination they would assure all inconueniences by an espousall contraction especially befitting them both So hee came for me to be a witnesse thereto but ere he discouered himselfe he would néeds try the vygor of my armes comming an other way disguised for the purpose and being neare me he drew saying What madnesse hath brought thée to so suspitious a place where thy boldnesse shall reape no other againe then a remorcelesse death I was so carefull to let none passe nor to disclose who I was that without more ado or other answere I set vpon my dearest friend In faith I reioyced to sée how wel he behaued himselfe although I knew him not but I being throughly incensed I began to follow him in such sort that I droue him among the hedges of the Orchard faithfully discharging my dutie It behooued him to speake least some danger had happened so he raysed his voice miscalling me therewith which more gréeued me then if he had mortally wounded me for séeing me with eager furie presse to take aduantage at full to hit him he said Oh Turkish dog what doest thou I knew my Lord Lysanders voyce and beléeue me Noble warriors I was neuer more vexed but that I tendered him as my soule Iaore had surely kept him from enioying his loues yet I stayed my hand considering his friendship towards the Prince of Apulia So I tooke my sword by the poynt and intreated him to pardon me for my not knowing him had forced mee to commit that fault The faith answered he wherewith friend Iaroe thou backest thy Maister brings with it thy excuse for neuer had any knight a better seruant thē I But that thou mayest know how I estéeme thée come for I will haue thée be a witnesse to the faith I will plight vnto Solecia to bee her firme Louer Hee bounde mee eternally by the act And the Moone then shyning bright it shyned iust in the middest of the Ladies windowe where she stayed and credit mee shee séemed bewtifull Shee had so affected Florisiano Prince of Apulia that séeing mee with his owne garments shee could not but pittie him calling mee to memorie With my hatte in hand as a seruant ought I stood still but she called me saying Come thée hither friend Iaroe for I will haue this assurance passe in thy presence and my ioyes should I account compleate were the owner of thy apparell in thy place Oh if that were so my deare espouse sayde my tender-hearted fréende what greater content could wee more desire Towards whom might the blinde Goddesse shewe her selfe more fauourable then to vs had she now sent vs that valiant knight crost with so many troubles Some teares did I espie in their eyes which so greatly moued me that I could no longer dissemble and going more neare them I thus spake My very soule would ioy most soueraigne Princes although I lost this good to sée that knight here who is the happiest in the worlde to be beloued of such Princes for then should fortune neither bereaue Iaroe of this content oh Gods I could scarce make an end nor yet should the dispairing Knight be so persecuted by her as not to enioy your happie presence by experience sée with what faith he is affected And if you regard him behold me here for more troubles yet reserued And since I am eye