they seemed good hardie Champions discended of some great birthe in that they were so woorthilie accompanied with women of choyse and singuler beautie as also Gentlemen of câ—…uill behauiour Héerevpon many Knights â—…ousted with the Countie who styll bare away the honour of the â—…elde Lynedes all this while not arming himselfe for the woorthy successe of his Cozin deserued high commendation wherof his Lady was not a little proude to sâ—…e her husbande performe such Chiualrie Rifarano and Lecefin enuying the Counties glory intended to see how they shoulde spéed in the â—…oust yet they desired â—…o defer it til the last day when they vanquishing the Countiâ—… and Lynedes his Cozin might beare away the whole praise of the Tryumph but others came in meane while and altered their intent as you at large shall perceiue heereafter CHAP. XIII Howe Arnedes Sonne to the King of Fraunce and Râ—…inde his Cozin Sonne to the King of Castile came to Constantinople where Arnedes vanquished Lynedes and his Cozin in the Ioust by which occasion they were greatly â—…onoured of the Emperour THe King of Fraunce Father to Lewes Duke of Burgundie bâ—…eing at y â— extreame poynt of his life among other things remeÌ„bred that when the peace was concluded betwéene the Emperour Palmerin and him they determined vpon an alliaunce by marriage if God graunted them issue wherby to doo it to the end that in the heroycall house of Fraunce Sonnes and daughters might be nourished procéeding from such worthie auncâ—…ers as the like might not be found thorow the whole worlde For this cause when the time likewise shoulde conueniently agree therewith he commaunded his Sonne to remember the Emperour of his promise which Prince Lewes promising his dying Father to performe with excéeding sorrow accomplished his funeralles and making â—…hoyse afterward for his owne fancie in hope to fulfill his Fathers desire in his issue hee maried with the daughter to the King of Castile by whom hee had thrée Sonnes and two Daughters that were borne at a byrth His eldest Sâ—…nne was named Arnedes whose minde was euermore giuen to Armes and Millitarie discipline wherein time and vse made him so expert as he was estéemed the oneliâ—… Champion of Fraunce It came so to passe as the King of Fraunce marryed one of his Daughters with the Kyng of Scicilie at whose marriage Arnedes wunne such fame by his Chiualrie as the report of him was blazed thorowe manie prouinces To this marriage likewise came one of his Cozins Sonne to the King of Castile and named Recinde who conceiued so good liking of Arnedes behauiour that they swore an inuiolable league of amitie betweene them twain neuer to forsake eche others companie in matters of Armes where with the Queene was â—…ighly contented because shee looued her Cozin Recinde with intire affection King Lewes seeing his Sonne Arnedes of yeeres to haue a Wife and fearing he should els where dispose hys lyking one day called him into his Chamber and thus conferred with him My Sonne such is the naturall inclination of my looue towards thee as I would not wyshe anie thing to thee but to haue thee as well contented therwith as my selfe to this end I vse these speeches for that our late kinglie Father of famous memorie at the verie shutting vppe of his latest dayes gaue me charge to ioyne thee in marriage with the Emperours Daughter of Constantinople that such issue as no doubt shall procéede from you botâ—…e may some what resemble their famous auncesters Wherefore I am determined right soone to send an Embassage to him to sollicite this mariage which I hope he will like well of and this I can assure thee if Fame tell no leasings that the Princesse Philocrista nowe aged sixteene yâ—…eres is a Ladie of such rare singuler beautie as Nature hath not framed the like vnder the moouing of these eyght Spheres When the Prince Arnedes saw that his Father talked so courteously with him about these affayres he humlye intreated him not to trauaile any further in y e matter for there was time enough heereafter to deale in such occasions wherwith the King paciâ—…ed him because he saw his Sonne so colde as he thought in matter of marriage nor would he trouble him any more therewith afterward But the young Prince wise and aduised in concealing his owne desires hauing long before heard faire Pilocrista coÌ„mended beyond compare as also the deedes of the Knights in the Emperour Palmerins Court he had no leysure now to forbid them his remembraunce so that fayne would hee compasse a secrete iournâ—…y to Constantinople intending if the Princesse pleased to demaunde her of the Emperour in marriage and if his Maiestie would not consent thereto hée intended to doo such exployts in Greece as the honourable prayse of them should compassâ—… his loue Thys was the proiect of Arnedes resolution which in secrete he imparâ—…ed to his Cozin Recind who with mighty perswasions annimated him heerein vowing that till death they would loyalliâ—… 〈◊〉 freendly companions and so well gouerne themselues by disguâ—…ng theyr persons and contrarying their languages in these affayres as the moâ—… skilfull head shâ—…ulde not searche the depth of their intent When the two Cozins were thus determined Arnedes imagining it no wisedome to iugle with his Father went and requested a fauour at his highnes hande the effecte whereof was thus Gracious Lorde and Father quoth hee my desire is without your displeasure that I may got â—…ee the Princesse Philocrista as well to like as loue before any motion of marriage and for my Cozin Recinde will beare me coÌ„pany I wold haue your Maiestie so perswaded y â— in secret disguiâ—…ng we wil passe vnknowne of anie much lesse giue occasion of suspect what we are not doubting but by our vertuous behauiour to yeelde you content by our â—…oyage and our selues good report Beside the worlde is well acquainted therwith that this Emperour of Constantinople had not wâ—…nne such fame and renowne but onely by the innumerable Trophes erected in diuers Regions of hys youthfull trauailes which are examples sufficient for Knights of high desire not to desist from worthy enterpryfes for the obiect of death who without regarde of time or place pursueth in ambush the steppes of the woorthiest Nor let doubt of our stay in Greece hinder vs good father for as we goe not to build any dwelling there so is y â— hope of our returne to be expected more spéedie It greatlie dyspleaseth mee answered the King that I haue promised to myne owne dyscontentment and which much more wyll redownde to your disaduantage but seeing I haue past my worde and in thys sorte you meane personally to vysite Greece goe in Gods name who guyde and sende you safely home agayne els will your stay more hurt mee then you can imagine Humbly taking his leaue of the King because he wold not haue his departure knowne hee secretly gotte him to Marseilles accompanied with none but his Cozin Recinde his
possible speede Alaâ—… my Sonne qâ—…oth the Queene giuing a bitter â—…ghe your words haue so sharplie pierced my hart as me thinkes I feele my very thred of life cut in sâ—…nder the feare of this present extreamitie with-held me from vttering mine owne 〈◊〉 â—…ut séeing I cannot 〈◊〉 what I haue willingly conâ—…nted to with what 〈◊〉 I can I will beare my mis 〈◊〉 One thing yâ—…t woulde I commend tâ—… thee if zeale and looue to thy Mâ—…ther may solliâ—…ite anie coÌ„passion that thou wouldest return to the place of thy birth so soone as thou canst that mine eyes beholding thee once more before I die my soule may passe with greater comfort into another world So helpe me God aunswered Palmendos as I intende not to breake the least of your commaundements nor will I deceiue you in my short and speedie returne Sith then my Sonne quoth the Queene you will needes vndertake this voyage I would aduise ye to haue good store of hardie Knights with you that your entertainment by the Emperour may be the more honourable Madame quoth he I am certaine my Lorde will not esteeme any thing the more of me for my companie because it shall suffise that I am King of Tharsus wherein consisteth the poynt of my renowne as for any paine of trauaile some report of good successe in Chiualrie shal wipe that away For as you are not ignorant therof his Maicstie trauailed alone through the world opposing his vnconquerable mind against al aduentures whatsoeuer yet did y e diuine bountie euermore â—…heeld him from perill and death and as he so manie other famous Kings and Potentates What emprise was more dangerous thâ—…n y â— of Iason when he won the Golden fléece in the Isle of Cholcos or that of y â— gentle Champioâ—… Theseus when he conquered the Minotauâ—…e in the inextricable Labirinth of Creete yet the Gods defended them in all their attempts In my time Mother I haue seene that poore and simple Ships haue sailed in the Sea with great fortune in tempests and outrage and at length haue returned home richlie furnished on the contrary I haue noted that sundry gallant vessels haue cut with full sayle through calme and quiet Seas fauoured both with winde and wether and at the verie entraunce of the Hauens mouth haue splyt on some Rocke or sustayned other mischance Needles then were my feare of the Sea or Fortune because where ere I goâ—… Death tracks met as my shadowe and dare not strike till he be commaunded thâ—…rfore I am thus determined to haue none with me â—…ut Ozalio and two Squires because we wil trauaile as meanâ—… Gentlâ—…en and try 〈◊〉 manhoode with the 〈◊〉 of Europe before the Emperâ—…ur shall haue aâ—…ie knowledge of me The Nueene would no more contrarie his intent but referred all things to his owne disposing wherefore Palmendos hauing sent for the cheefe Lordes of the Kealme â—…eclared to them openlie his minde giuing them this expresse charge to obâ—…y the Quéene his Mother his Unckle whom he left aâ—… Lieutenaunt generall of y â— Prouince in his absence They all sorie that hee woulde so soone depart knewe not howe to hinder it hee beeing so resoâ—…ute notwithstanding they promised to fulfill his commaunde wyshingâ—…him a tranquile prosperous nauigation Soone after the Queene went into her Cabinet where her hand discharging the office of the tongue shee wrote a freendlie Letter to the Emperour which shee accompanied wyth a King like to that she gaue him at his departure to y â— ende that by this Iewell Palmendos might be y â— sooner known of him Shippe and all thingâ—…s readie for this voyage hee tooke his leaue of his Lordes and Subieâ—…s and afterward of the Queene his Mother who byting in her greefe so well as the could deâ—…uered him the King and the Letter the contents whereof thus followeth The Letter of the Queene of Tharsus to the Emperour Palmerin To the most illustrious famous Palmerin dâ—… Oliua Emperour of Constantinople the most loyall of Louers most accomplished of Knights and aboue all the Princes that inhabit the center of the earth the Queene of Tharsus his intire perpetuall freend sendeth health humblie kissing the hand of his Maiestiâ—… IF the Heauens had so bountifully beâ—…owed those perfections on mee in my cradle which the most accoÌ„plished Ladies make their vaunt of as Fortâ—…ne was afterward fauourable and â—…ourteous vnte me in adorning my head with the royall Diademe of Tharsus needelâ—…s had my recourse â—…éene to Charmes or Magick O fauoured and fortunate Prince when I sought your â—…cquaintance in the â—…ealme of Pasmeria But sith by that small talent wherewith nature endowed me the Destinies graunted mee the sweete aspect of your loue after I behelde you with our Admirall Alfarano my prâ—…stinate vertue could not preuaile against vnquenchable desire because the fame of your renowne was so caractred in my spirit as my former chaste and bashfull continencie was in the ende irrecuperably ecntaminate Yet can I not repute this chaunce as matter of â—…is-fortune seeing the heauenly powers were so benigne as from that acte proceeded Palmendos our onelie Sonne from whom I still hidde that you were his Father albeâ—…t by strange meanes he was not long since aduertised therof from which time hee hath so preuailed by intreaties as he hath constrained me not without great greefe doubtfull fcare neuer to sée him againe to suffer him come see his noble Father And hardlie could I yeelde thereto but that my confidence in you is such as you will quickly returne him againe so soone as you haue seene and knowne him for your Sonne At this accident I hope you will not be offended when you consider the world enioyes a young Prince whose vertuous quallities and good cariage of himselfe presage his future commendable fortune In this sort haue I sent him accompanied onelie with his Cozin because hee thus perswaded me that when you trauailed the worlde it was commonly alone as a simple Knight errant And least you should be scrupulous in acknowledging him your Sonne beside the coniectâ—…res of his phisnomie proportion of bodie and other your perfect resemblaunces I haue by him sent you a Ring like that which I gaue you when you parted from mee which Ringes if you compare together you will remember the wordes I â—…pake wanteâ—… no 〈◊〉 Once more I coniure ye by the honour and reuerence of the firme looue you alwaies bare so religiously to the onely Mistresse of your hart that you will quicklie returne our Sonne againe that hee may yet be some comfort to my following date of time while I enioy my beeing in this nether Region The most humble of your freendes the Queene of Tharsus CHAP. VI. Howe Palmendos by meanes of a tempest on the sea was brought to the Isle of Delphos where after hee vnderstood the aduenture of the Tâ—…mple he â—…ent on shore And howe he afterward conquered the Sonne to the Gyant Baledon who
helde the Islande in forcible subiection PAlmendos with Ozalio their Squires embarqued the Marriners hoysed saile and sette awaie merilie the Prince commaunding the Pilotte to make towards Thrace because he hoped to heare some tidings there of Francelina whoÌ„ he had made cheefe Mistresse of his affections But after they had sayled halfe a daie a violent contrarie winde arose which droue them thrée daies and thrée nights so furiously as the Marriners coulde scant tell in what part they were At length this rough and boysterous tempest ceased when Palmendos beeing desirous to know in what Country they were was aunswered by the Maister that they were in Europe and the Mediterranian Sea verie neare to the Isle of Delphos where after so long and vncomfortable wether Palmendos wold goe on land to refresh himselfe In this Isle the Pagans were oftéâ—… wont in ancient time to come and visite the Temple of Apollo as also to consult with his Oracle and at this time was Lord therof a Gyant named Baledon the most fierce and cruell Tirant that liued in all those three parts of the world This Gyant had a Son no lesse valiant then himselfe and after hee had by force gotten this Island hee buildâ—…d a streng Castell on a little Promontorie discending so artificialliâ—… into the Sea as hauing a huge Rocke on â—…ither side therâ—…of it was wel desended from the extremitie of the water No other Porte for landing woulde he permitte in all the Island then this onelie hemde in with the two Rocks betwéene which hee had fastened a great chaine of yron which commonlie laye somewhat shallowe in the water But when anie 〈◊〉 came to anker in that Porte certaine villaines which hee kept in Towres for the purpose woulde hoyse them vppe with the chaine in such sort that they could depart no more thence except the Gyant pleased and thus woulde he rob and spoile all that landed there that al those parts lamâ—…nted to heare of his villanie If happilie hée mette with any Knights who resisted his will then woulde he outrage theÌ„ by force of Armes and afterward put them into an insectious stincking Pryson The Merchaunts and others that vsed traffique from thâ—…m would he take all they had and afterward deliuer them ouer to a most cruâ—…ll death so that all such as had notice of his tyrannie flâ—…d that place as the daungerous Gulfe of Caribdis Yet not withstanding there was in this Island a great aduenture for in the time of the Gentiles there inhabited a welthy Prieste a Magitian and wonderfull inueftigatour of hidden thinges hee was high Priest of the Sanctuarie in the Temple as also he had the generall administration through the whole Prouince he hauing a comlie beautiful Daughter endued with al vertues requisite in a Uirgin and her he gaue to the seruice of the Oracle It so fell out that the Duke of Feria a very gentle and gracious youth became enamoured of her onely by report for oftentimes he had hearde her commended to excéede in beautie the choysest Dames of that Countrey wherfore he made sundrie requests to enioy her as his Wife but all his labour was to no purpose because her father â—…ould not part with her And as it often happeneth that the Messenger who is twyse or thryse sent to one place to obtaine a matter earnestlie desired will deuise what meanes hee can for the behoofe of his Maister more to escape the shame of refusall then for anie great good will happilie to the partie euen so fell it out with the minister of this sute for séeing hâ—…e went and returned so often without auaile hee gotte one dâ—…ie to speake with the Maiden herselfe whome he laboured with so manie perswasions and whetted on to ioyne in a secrete marriage as shee became rauished with the loue of the Duke and promised if his Maister coulde cunningly steale her from her Father she would goe with him whether he pleased The Duke not a little glad of this aunswer presentlie iournied to the Island where béeing arriued hee aduertised the Damosell that he would stay for her in a conuenient place néere her fathers Pallace whether she should not fayle to come so soone as the silent night had brought euery one asleepe But the Prieste who by meanes of his Magick foresaw all these practises and knowing thâ—… place where the Duke of Feria staied for his Daughter caused two fierce enchaunted Lions to discend froÌ„ y t Mountaines which ranne with rauâ—…nous mouthes on the vnprouided Duke and he no way able to defende himselfe they rent and tore him cruellie in peeces Which pittifull spectacle wheÌ„ his Squire that came with him behelde he gaue such a lamentable shrike as the Damosell whose eyes eares were carâ—…fullie waking easilie hearde it In like sorte did diuers others of the house who came foorth with lighted Torches to vnderstand the cause but the Mayden hearing too soone in what case they founde the Duke came running from the Castel as a mad Woman to accomplish the Sacrifice Such was her greefe to beholde her vowâ—…d Husband thus cruellie massacred as she taking his Rapier sette the pommell thereof to the grounde and placing the point opposite to her hart with meruailous violence threwe herselfe thereon as one â—…isdaining to liue béeing robbed of her loue Neuerthelesse she was heerein deceiued for the Sword passing through her right side shee fell vpon the dead corpes and so lay awhile aliue breathing foorth many greeuous sighes and lamentations And finding in her bosome a shéete of paper with her owne bloode shee wrote twelue mornefull verses in forme of an Epytaph then seeing her latest howre to hasten on with rufull mones she deliuered these speeches Séeing it is so my sweete choyse and paragon of cour teste that for my sake thou hast endured this martyrdome it will remaine as a gall in my conscience that I did not ende thy funeralles according to thy desert And that my Father may knowe what wrong he hath doone vs I will leaue some occasion for his too late repentaunce yet I desire no other recompence but causing our bodies to bee buried in one Coffin he will suffer for a perpetuall remembrance of this stratageme this Epitaphe to be engrauen thereon Forbeare mine eyes more to bemone thy freend Whose peereles vertues time nor death can staine Despise the man that thus procurde his ende And hath withall his onely daughter slaine Ah angrie fate and planet most vnkinde What more inhumaine act could ye deuise Then step betweene the hart the eye and minde And pierce that vaine which could them all suffise But sith in life our fortune was so bad To misse of that which we desired most Yet nowe in death the same is freelie had Wherefore of loue in death we make our boast This Epitaphe ended shee yeelded the humaine tribute to nature for afterward her bodie made no motion of vitall mouing and it cannot be esteemed as fabulous that loue
commaunded him from that seruice but only the gracious Letter sent by her whcrfore he desired to returne thether againe to make her more famous til the aduenture were ended To stay her aunswer and appease his hote desire at that very instant the Courrire arriued sent froÌ„ Tirendos whose message being heard highly wâ—…s the Princesse contented but Belcar ouercome with excéeding greefe because fayne he would haue tryed his fortune against Palmendos Nowe come we to the Damosell againe that pursued Belcar for the death of her Bretheren according as you suâ—…ficientlie heard before she vnderstanding that hcâ—… was in the Court of Macedon so highly loued of y â— King Quéen and the whole nobilitie she was out of hope to worke him iniurie there wherefore she intended to returne hâ—…me againe and by the way she happened to méet with y â— Prince Recinde when beginning her accustomed complaints she deliuered the same discourse which she had doone to Cardino and Tirendos saying that the Knight who had so trayterously slain her brethren soiourned in the Court of Macedon Recinde desirous to win honor by succouring the distressed and hoping he might find the Knight he sought for at Macedon answered her in this maner If it be Damosel as you say that the Knight in such trayterous sortc sic we your bretheren I proâ—…se ye by the faith I beare to Chiualrie that to my power I will reuenge your wrong because all 〈◊〉 receiuing this ordcr are bounde by dutie to assist Damosels iniuriously wrongâ—…d by dâ—…storall varlets The crafty deceiuer fel at the Princâ—…s séete affirming what she had saide with many othes Gâ—…e thâ—…n with me ê™ Recinde to shew me the Knight and either I will loose my life or mâ—…ke him coÌ„fcsse his villainy The â—…nted palliard mounted on her Palfray and such spéâ—…de thcy made in trauaile as at length they arriued at Maccdon when entring the great Hall they â—…ounde there the King Belcar and diuers noble Barons whereupon the Dâ—…inoscl thus spake to Recinde Sée here my Lord the Knight that slew my Brethren I beséech yee make him knowe before the King the teason he committed against harmeles men for his Maiestie not knowing the enormitie of the case reputeth this offendour one of the most courteous Knights in his Court as my selfe perceiued at my last béeing here Recinde hauing with humble reuerence saluted the King Florendos turned to Belcar w t these spéeches Sir Knight this Damosell hath sworne to mee that yeu haue trayterouslie slaine her two bretheren after you had béen fréendlie entertained at her fathers house if yee did so surelie it was an act far vnbeséeming you and by force of Armes I shall make ye so to confesse it if you haue the hardines to enter the field with mee Belcar greatly offended to heare himselfe so charged and euermore by one that sought to bring his life in danger in anger thus replied In sooth Knight I cannot but think thy discretion very simple in saying if I haue the hardines to enter y â— fielde with thée and thy presumption is as insolent as this Dâ—…mosell is trothlesse and disloyall in accusing mee without anie cause notwithstanding I hope to recompence ye â—…or light beléefe that false woman likewise the instrument of thy follie After these spéeches he went and Armed him selfe for the Combat which the King many waies laboured to hinder but Recinde continued so resolutely against Belcar as the King could not diswade the matter wherfore he thus spake to Recinde Séeing you wil not at my intrea tie giue ouer this rashnes let me vnderstand the name of him that will not graunt so smal a matter specially to one that is able to yéeld thanks therfore I amm ê™ Recinde a Knight of a strange Country who came to the Emperors Court at Constantinople meane while the nuptiallâ—…s of the Hungarian Prince were sollâ—…mnized whether likewise came a Knight vnknowne bearing a siluer flower in hys Shéeld hée hauing wun the honor of the Tourney departed secretly from the assembly which made me followe in searche of him and in respect I am but a poore Knight errant I desire no wrong may be offered me in the battail Be thâ—…rof assured answered the King that none shal meddle with you but your aduersary onlie trust me it greeueth me to the very hart that comming from the Court of the Emperour Palmerin my Sonne you should héere enter the fielde against Belcar who is one of his Maiesties cheefest fauourites When Recinde heard Belcar named on the one side it displeased him y â— he was to deale with a Knight so famous and renowned on the other side it gréeued him as much when he considered the néere alliaunce betwéene him and Melicia whom he loued as his verie soule so that willinglie he would haue forborne the Combat but that he could not with honor gaine say it Nowe the King desires the Duke of Pontus and another of his cheefest Barons to iudge the fight according to conscience and without any exception of person Soone after the Champions enter the Listes where breaking theyr Launces brauelie in the carrire they were both dismounted notwithstanding they quicklie recouered themselues and drawing their Swordes fell to the Combatte Long while they continued a most furious fight sharpe cruell woundes being deliuered on either side that iudgement could not be giuen who was in greatest daunger but his Maiestie séeing Belcar were very feeble and that it was like this â—…ght would ende bothe their liues as one loth to sée the death of eyther he threw his staffe of peace betwéen them then comming downe from the window where hée stoode into the â—…eld he desired them at his request to giuâ—… ouer the fight My gracious Lord answered Recinde that may we not consent vnto vnlesse the Damosell that complained of Belcar will first remit the iniurie he hath doone her My selfe will thereto perswade her said the King in meane while doo you trauaile no further in this controuersâ—…e séeing you haue bothe shewen sufficient and haughtie Chiualrie So went the King to the Damosell who was wonderfull glad to sée Belcar in such daungerous estate as no Knight before had brought him in the like Damosel ê™ he séeke not the death of two so good Champions as these are but for my sake pardon Belcar if hee haue in ought offended and I shall cause him to make such amendes as your selfe shall like well thereof beside such courtesy shal ye find at my hand as happilie shal yéeld occasioÌ„ of thanks while yee liue Héereto will I neuer consent though I die quoth she and more wold the present death of Belcar content me then if the whole Monarchie of y â— world were vnder my puissaunce considering the enorme and deteâ—…table treason wherwith hee villainously wronged my Father and Bretheren which makes mee I cannot discharge my Knight of his promise The King with great instance intreated her againe and so did all the Lords attending on