Gerileon doe aduaunce W. M. THE FIRST BOOKE of the Hystorie of Gerileon After the death of the most puissaunt and vertuous king Brandismell King of greate Britaine there succeeded hym in the gouernement of the said Realme a Sonne of his called Floridamant The whiche beyng in hys Pallace at London feastyng his Lordes and Barons and making preparatiō one afternoone to go course an Harte in the company of the Princes Huberte of Scotlande and Dorian Sonne to the Kyng of Spaigne which Harte he had seen in a wood neere to the Castle of Mirandoll There entered into the Hall a Damsell who hauyng recounted to hym a certaine aduenture had hym away with her The first Chapter THOSE whiche haue been curious in readyng of auncient Histories are nothing ignoraunte howe amongest those Realmes whiche for their fertilitie and worthinesse haue in tymes paste merited any Commendations Brittaine the Greate hath not only matched but also farre surpassed them all As well because of naturall beauty goodnes therof as in that it is the country vnder heauen which of all Antiquity hath bene more populous better stoared of strong and valiaunt Knightes then any other whatsoeuer thether drawen and allured partlie by the excellent and deuine beautie of the Ladies there inhabityng partly by the merueilous and straunge aduentures there accustomably found In so much that for this occasion it hath béen often called the Lande aduenturous Neither might any one of forraine Coastes or Countries name hym selfe a true and valiaunt knight if in it hee had not made proofe of his worthines there atchiuyng some straunge aduentures But especially in the tyme of the moste Puissaunt and vertuous king Brandismel whiche hauyng by his prowesse and valiauncy conquered many Realmes and Prouinces as Norwaie Swethlande and Denmarke instituted also the order of the twelue couragious knightes of greate Britaine beyng suche and endued with so greate force and valiauncie that fewe their likes were as then to bee founde in the whole worlde Amonge whom for moste valiaunt was the kinge Ferrande of Norwaie Dom Grandilaor and Dom Murcibel king of Denmarke The rest also because of their bounty dexteritie and bouldnesse in matters of Armes were greate praise worthy For this occasion was king Brandismel much feared and redoubted of his neighboures and borderers yet no lesse beloued of them for his courtesie liberalitie lenitie and humanitie with other vertues infinite whiche were resplendisaunt in hym And in suche forte that there was not hee whiche doyng hym the most toylesome and agreable seruice hee coulde did not yet estéeme himself most happy to be insinuated into his good grace and fauour so to gaine his gratious amitie But the fatall Sisters most impious and enuious of the good successe and felicitie of humaine kinde and of those especially whiche retaine a singular contentment and pleasure to bee in the fellowship and acquaintaunce of a Prince so vertuous and debonaire bereft them the shinyng gleames of noblenesse and myrour of Chiualry out of this worlde shreading a sonder the last thréede of this so vertuous a king the yere of grace after the death of our Sauiour Iesus Christ 418. the 66. yere of his age and 32. of his raigne Whervppon I can not rightly expresse the dolour sorrow that the couragious knightes his Subiectes receiued with his most priuate and best frendes In so muche that as recounteth vs the Historie there were suche of them as remained twoo or three Monethes without power to refraine themselues from weeping and lamenting most bitterlie when as it came to them in minde of the Bountie and Vertue of that noble Prince And chieflye the worthy olde Candior Duke of Normandy a Prince surelie amongest the Sage and hardy muche commendable Neuerthelesse as there is noe griefe so greate whiche in course of tyme a quite consumer of all thinges is not put foorthe of remembraunce So for iuste cause this good Lorde of Normandy together with the reste whiche were moste dolefull for the losse of a King so debonaire and vertuous at laste made ende of their plaintes and lamentations And for iuste cause saye I in that he lefte them for successour a Sonne of his begotten by his deere and loyall Spouse and Wife Florixe whiche not many yeres before had departed this life whiche saide sonne after the death of his Father was Heire not onely of his terreine Dominions and Possessions but also of his most rare and singuler vertues For besides that he was a good knight prudent and hardy past measure beeyng of a large stature his members well made formed and proportioned in equality the one with the others of sixe or seauen and twentie yeres of age ▪ or there aboutes he was also had in reputation for the most sage modest courteous Prince of his tyme In so much that to make briefe no man could require or wish any thing proper or conuenient for so great a personage as his whereof his valiauncie and inuincible prowesse was not beautified and adorned This same was called Floridamant the which did neuer finde man of what force or puissaūce soeuer he were who daring to Iust with hym hadde not geuen plainly to feele and vnderstande that he was peerelesse and not matcheable For this cause there was no knight in all Brittaigne the Greate whiche at his newe arriuall to the Crowne did not deliberate and determine to conuerte and tourne the lamentations and weepinges of his Fathers death into ioyes and gladnesse for hauing after the losse of a good Lorde and Master recouered and receaued a better kyng To whom there lacked so litle that he should degenerate from the bountie and goodnes of his predecessour that by his vertue whiche rather more then lesse did hym illustrate he did in suche sort striue and endeuour in equalitie of valiauncie and good behauiour to imitate and counteruale hym that his Knightes Princes and Barons with other of his Vassailes and Seruauntes thought in no wise to haue chaunged their Maister who vnwillyng to omit anye iote of his greate magnificence a while after his Coronemente made and gaue so many faire and Godly Giftes and Presentes not onely to the couragious knightes his Subiectes but also to such straungers as were come to visite him and to make offer to hym of their seruice beeyng nothyng ignoraunt that liberalitie rendreth men subiect and bounde towardes those whiche vse it that there was not he whiche pricked and prouoked with a desire to doe him agreable seruice so muche his lenity and liberality had charmed and enchaunted their affections would not willinglie haue put his life in hazarde for the maintenaunce conseruation of his honour And for that that a little afore the decease of the good king Brandismel his Father he had espoused the daughter of king Barrachen of Scotlande named Bellizenne a Princesse as sage and vertuous as faire and gracious for fewe there were who then for beauty good grace durste compare with her There were come to visite
tymes more sharpe then the horrour of death it selfe And thus it chaunced that one daie as hee was in the queste and pursuite of straunge adueÌ„tures to make proofe of his force and valure also to get praise and honour the only Guerdon of Illustrious and gentle hartes as all wanderyng knightes accustomably doe passing by chaunce through a certaine Forrest he encountred a wilde Boare whiche beyng striken and wounded through the bodie with a Darte came and fell doune not farre from hym starke dead which he apperceiuyng tooke and charged vppon his horse to cary it away but as hee beganne to departe there came towardes hym another knight of so small stature that hee exceeded not the height of two or three cubites but therwith so strong and puissaunt that no knight nor Giaunte whatsoeuer might endure his force and for this cause so fearce and presumptuous that if he sawe any thing to hym not agreable were it wrong or right he would haue it This fellowe seeing the praie whiche my Lorde and Father caried said to him very stoutly that he either should deliuer geue to hym the wild Boare out right or otherwise he would let hym vnderstande that it was not for suche a one as hym to gainsaie any thyng to hym agreable My father which had his Hearte so fixed and settled and who was of so greate courage that he could in no wise suffer so presumptuous a bragge to hym answered that he shoulde not haue it without conquest made by the pointe of the Swerde Whereon the litle knight whiche had to name Nabot was so chaffed and enraged that putting without more wordes his hande vpon his Swerde he stroake my miserable father so rudely vppon the head that at the firste blowe hee brought hym doune all astonished from his Horse to the grounde whereon after he had laied the wilde Boare he tooke my Father betwixt his armes and caried hym into the moste straunge and Butcherous Prison that euer was hearde spoken of For besides that he hath clogged his feete with greate and weightie Giues of Yâ—on hee ne geueth hym all the day to eate ought elles but a Morsell of most salt Bacon without drinking more then once in twoo daies of the moste odious and corrupte Water that is to be founde and when as hee purposeth to take his iourney anye where on Horsebacke he causeth hym to bee brought foorth to crouche to the grounde that he setting his foote vpon his backe may make hym serue for a Stirrope to mounte on Horsebacke then sendyng him backe to his Prison againe causeth hym to bee scourged and tormented moste cruelly I knowyng this my Lorde haue been often before hym to entreate hym to haue my Father raunsomed at what he woulde require But hee therein hath alwaies gainsaide mee manafyng mee with like crueltie if in fixe Monethes I coulde not prepare and present a knight whiche should bee able in iustyng to bryng hym from of his Horse Whiche thyng I endeuouryng to doe haue brought hym already full many parte whereof he hath slaine and parte whereof he hath put in a prison farre more miserable then that of my poore Father In so muche that now ignoraunte of what woodde to frame myne Arrowes I haue enterprised to make this rashe request whiche you haue harde So muche hopyng in that bountie and prowes whiche aboue all others maketh you esteemed through eache coast of the vniuersall worlde that it shall bée you onely who shall haue power by puttyng to death the cruell and disloyall Nabot to deliuer me from the mortall and languishyng dolour whiche for long space hath made in me residence geuyng to hym libertie whiche hath begotten me The kyng hauing well heard the purpose of the Damofell and supposing her to haue said true deliberated to succour her aswell for the necessitie whiche she seemed to haue of ayde and assistaunce as to proue hymselfe againste that Nabot of whom hee had often hearde speake and for whom he had searched in many Countries to doe the same without euer findyng hym at all And seeyng than when he least thought thereof the occasion too bee ministred so to fit his purpose to make proofe of the force and valiauncie of hys person by encountring with that mightie Nabot he would not lette it slippe so Yea chiefly for so iuste an occasion as that of the Damoselles In suche wise that it was not possible what pithy reasons socuer one alledged to distourne and staye hym from going alone into Thrace there to combate for so iuste a Quarell Whereof the Queene Bellizenne was much grieued and discomforted praiyng moste instauntlie the valiaunt and hardie Prince Hubert of Scotlande her brother to beare hym company whiche thing hee promised her to doe Yet the king in no wise would suffer nor permit it but deepely vowed and sware to trauell solelie with the Damsell to geue accomplishment to his promise whereof she was much inyous who instauntlie putting her selfe in waie spurryng her Palfrey in the flancke with all diligence possible And the kyng whiche was furnished of all Armour necessarie for the Combate and eke well Horsed pursued her as fast as his Horse would runne a grande gallop After whose departure al the Worthies whiche as then were resident in his Court retired home abandoning the same in suche sort that of the xij couragious Péeres of the said Britaine the Greate there remained but the kyng Ferrande of Norwaye onely whiche because of his faithfulnes and bountie was appointed Gouernour of the Realme in the absence of king Floridamant and the prudent prince Candior Duke of Normandie the whiche because of the sodaine absence of their kyng were greatly sorrowfull and astonished Notwithstanding takyng it paciently they made of necessitie a vertue for lettyng ceasse their late dolours they betooke themselues to coÌ„forte in best wise they could the desolate Princes Bellizenne whiche for sorrowe and yrksomnes tare her haires coÌ„mitted many suche foolishe actes of a fraÌ„ticke woman one without sense Which thyng the prudent Prince Ferrande of Norwaye seeyng counsailed her thereby the better to forget her griefe to goe sport her selfe at Myrandol as she did where chaunced to her that which you may perceaue in the Chapters followyng For we there muste now leaue her to make recount of that whiche hapened too the kinge after his departure with the Damosell Who was the Damosell whiche led awaie the Kyng Floridamant and who was the Necromancian Minofoll which had builded by his enchauntments the superbious and sumptuous edifice of the red Castell And also how the king lost the Damsell in a thicke wood replenished with wilde and sauage beastes where his Horse beyng dead vnder hym he hard the lamentable voyce of a certaine Damsell whiche complained most bitterly Towardes whom as he marched to succour her he recountered a Knight whom after a fierce and tedious Combate he slewe ¶ The seconde Chapter WHEN once the desire of vengeaunce hath taken roote in
framed all the furniture and garnishementes of the same of the moste riche and faire stuffe then to bee founde And after that they had put hym to reste at his ease on this Manner he so remained more then an hower without awaking but after a while whē he opened his eyes he was so trasported with admiration and rauished with maruell that he knew not what to thinke not for that he found hym selfe now out of the wood where he was afore a sleepe for why he wished not to be there but to see suche store of substaunce rare riches and pleasaunte Pictures painted and pight within that Chamber whiche curiouslie too contemplate without care either to retourne to the Forreste Chase or home to his Mother in that thereof he had no regarde he setled him selfe softlie to discende from of the bed whereon he laie and setting hande on side as they saie beganne to walke along the Chamber earnestly vewyng the walles of the same wher at he was astonied to see the purtrature wherwith it was embolished decked muche magnificentlie For the Fayrye there had framed the fairest Tables and best made that euer the excellent Painter Apelles had portrated And amongest the reste the Effigie of Venus whiche he had begonne before his death which neuer none durst presume to finish but only our Painter which the Fairie had in her societie farre surpassing him who had so adorned it with liuely curiositie of coulours that in seeyng the same one woulde haue affirmed it aliue In contemplation of the same ▪ rested the little young Gerileon so rauished with maruell that hee was in doubt whether it were painted or aliue couloured or quicke senceles or sensiue whereupon hee was at laste determined to aske her what she did there and espiyng enteryng the Hall a Damozell apparelled like a Nymphe who approaching neere to hym tooke him by the hand and led him into a great Hall where she gaue hym to eate and drinke of most fine victualles and wines pleasaunter and sweeter then the verie Ambrosia or Nectar it selfe wich whiche the Gods as Poettes faine fede themselues in heauen Wherof he was so well apaide and ioyous that hee did nought but skipped daunced and coursed along the Hall when as there entered a Damozell dressed in sumptuous aparell being of surpassing beautie grace of countenaunce aboue the rest whom the youth hauing escried saluted with humble reuerence and hasting bouldly to embrace her saide to her Madame will you doe as I done and take some repast here with mee I will giue you such bread as I haue here in my hande better I beleue then euer you tasted of Then the Dame whiche was the Fairie Oziris taking him betweene her armes kissed him most amourously saiyng wanton and wil you not remaine with mee still yes forsooth Madame said he and whither shall I goe then But listen you muste giue me a little horse and a pretie speare and sworde whiche is good for me and some dartes and houndes to hunte withall in the Foreste Truely my Sonne saied the Faierie you shall haue all this and more and then she made her Damozell to take hym who led hym to walke in a faire garden wherein beyng come he began curiouslie to vewe behold the sundrie shewes of workes wherewith the plottes of the same were finelie enterlaced and couered with all kinde of good hearbes whiche continually kept their naturall verdure and greenenesse and of faire flowers so odoriferous and sweete that it was a singular solace to smell them and a passyng pleasure to beeholde them And after that hee had a long-while suruewed them the Damozelles houlding him by the hande brought him to the brimme of a faire Fountaine the whiche continuallie caste vppe water by more then twelue Conduites whiche wattered all the Garden passyng so pleasauntly by an infinite number of galaunt riuers that with their murmuring fal thei gaué great reioycement and recreation to the eares of the hearers Within this same were the Nimphes Naiades Ministers of Madame Ozyris the fairest of whom who was called Aegle came and tooke the Infant betweene her armes and kissed hym more then a thousande tymes The youth finding her faire in perfection misliked nought thereof but putting his little Youry hande within her Alablaster bosome rekissed her still in suche forte that the others then beyng desirous of suche wantonnes came swiftly to catche hym from those sweete Armes of hers couered with a litle crespe fastened there through whiche there appeared a Skinne surpassing the Snowe in whitenesse One of the whiche bound vpon his head a Nosegaie of Azure coulour another a purple flower the thirde gaue hym a gallant Shirte composed and wrought with her proper handes the best that could be made To be shorte I knowe not neither can I well discloase to you or here recount the half without thereon employing too long time al the singularities either of the Garden and Fountaine aforesaide or of the multitude of contentmentes and pleasures whiche the Nimphes tooke in dalliaunce with this litle demy God Assuring you that if he had beene somewhat more of stature he had become an husband to some of them For they loued hym so well that they could neuer contente themselues without his company And I duely deeme that the Goddesse Citherea neuer loued so the Sonne of Cynara King of Cyprus and Mirrha as these Nauoundes cherished this litle youth Gerileon who dured a long season with solace and delites in this terrestial Paradice afore he had occasion of misliking or yrke somnes any waie For if he were not in the Garden in the company of the Naiades hee was in the pallace perusing some pleasaunt or profitable booke of Hystorios of the Warres of the Grecians Troians and Romaines as the Iliades of Homer the Aeneides of Virgill the Commentaries of Caesar or some suche like or elles he skirmished against some one for there was the fairest place for that purpose in all the world or els he occupied himself in the woods somewhiles to assaie himselfe to sit an Horse which he guided so well as was possible or els to pursue the pretie Birdes with a braue Siluer Bowe whiche the Nimphes had geuen hym hauyng his Quiuer well garnished with Arrowes wherwith he could well behaue himselfe either after the Hare or Harte wilde Boare or other Beast of the praie were hee neuer so fierce and quitte him selfe so well with the helpe of his Houndes all whiche were moste expert in that exployt that there was noe Harte so swifte nor Roebueke so nimble in the course to whom with small pursuite he gaue not the ouerthrowe And there was neither Beare nor wilde woode Boare whom after hauyng settled moste sharpe assaultes with his Arowes or Dartes he made not takē by flight or left not stretched starke dead vpon the Grasse-In so muche that one daie as he wént to hunt in the Forrest halowyng his houndes with his Horne of Yuorie hanging aboute his
or to beare Scepter Neuerthelesse ponderyng vppon the vehemente Passion and iuste occasion whiche had moued him thereunto he chaunged opinion and then again blamed his Meynie for being so bold in this attempt On thus wise assailed with these two cōtrarieties which in greate furie made hym walke vp and doune fretting and fuming none daryng to presume presently to comforte or counsell hym there entered into the Hall a Page who certified hym that a greate Lorde of Persia was ariued who greatly desired to speake with hym and had brought hym Letters on the behalfe of the greate Sophy whereupon the Emperour chaungyng and dying his countenaunce with a certaine feined coulour of gladnesse and ioye caused hym to be brought in to heare his Message and so to aunswere hym where wee leaue them for a certaine tyme ere we tell you any further The pitifull and dolorous complaintes whiche the Lady Porphyria made when she heard of the death of her louer the Youth of the Fairies and the Maidens Dynamia and Amidree also heard that Pharisor was slayne whiche thing beeyng knowen by the Giaunt Ergoferant hee put hym selfe in queste of the vnknowen Knight to reuenge their deathes ¶ The. xvi Chapiter WHiles the Emperour was much enraged towardes the vnknowen knight as you haue heard in the Chapter precedent the Empresse with other great Dames and Damozelles were at Dinner in her Chamber and the Lady Porphyria with her Cosin Harderine were in theirs to prate and parlee of the Personage prowesse of the Youth of the Fairies whom they deemed to haue bene at Dinner with her father the Emperour the Lady Porphyria was purposed to haue spoken to hym after Dinner and giue hym some certaine secret signe and testimonie of the amorous alterations whiche with an infinite number of griefes and dolours still distressed her poore hearte But the Empresse hearing into her Chamber the prefull woordes of the Emperour who cried and spake lowde and also the sound of Swerdes and Harnesse in the Hall when as the Emperours folkes would haue slaine the knight vnknowen desirous to vnderstande the cause of this tumult she had sent one of her Damozelles doune expressely to knowe the newes and to bryng her word therof who hauyng learned the matter came againe all amased and sorrowfull to tell her of the pitifull death of her Neuew Pharisor whom she so much loued and of the valiaunt Youth of the Fairies whō she no lesse estemed for the great good tournes which he had doone them in deliueryng them from the continuall care that clogged them all whiles the Giauntes Ferclaste and Androfort were aliue and vnslaine of hym The Empresse and her Damozelles hearyng so piteous a styrre and disorder cast foorth a most lamentable crie accompanied with a floud of Teares distilling from their radiant eies along their most amiable faces and so quite dispossessed with newe distresses ceassed not to weepe and lament some for the loue of Pharisor who to many of theim was frende and Parent other some per compagnio to see their fellowcs weepe so extremely tooke thereat so greate compassion that as women are alwaies most enclinable to the chaunge of affections as I saied to beare their frendes companie more then for grief they had they made such accordaunt moane and dose that neuer hearte was so harde whom it would not haue moued to pittie and compassion especially if he had heard the cōplaintes lamentations of the Damozell Dinamya sister to Pharisor and Amidree who though he were in no wise amourous of her yet burning in loue towardes hym she made suche lamentations that as it were halfe mad shee ranne awaie shritching and criyng into her Chamber whiche was adioyning to that where faire Lady Porphyria was not knowing ought of all this with her Cosin Harderine who hearyng the lamentable moanes of Amidree went presently into her Chamber where thei found her dead sounded in the place Whom after they had with cold water and other suche like thinges recouered to her former sences they asked and praied her deepely to declare vnto theim the cause of her dolour and greate lamentations whiche she not able to keepe it couered any longer confessed and with a lowe and troubled order of voyce saied thus Alas and wellawaie Ladies myne Ah my deere frende Pharisor is dead what saied the Ladie Porphyria may that be and is he dead in deede O my deere Cosin But tell mée Amidree in veritie who hath reported these newes For I can not persuade my self that it is so seing he had in his cōpaigny a Knight by whose safconduite as well of his valiauncie hath experience béen shewed he was sufficiente to discomfite a whole armie but I beleue it is some one who to make a kinde of proofe of your loue toward hym hath dashte you out of countenaunce with this craftie cloaked tale Ah Madame saied Amidree would GOD you now saied true but there is nothing more certaine as well his murderer is lately come to vaunte hym self thereof within armed with the Armes and mounted on the same Horse whiche was once that gentle Knightes that ouercame the Giauntes whom he hath also slaine and spoiled thereof And hereat the Emperour is so enraged that he hath ignominiouslie chaced hym out of his Court although the Caitiffe was he a thyng whiche makes me rather to beleue it whiche lastlie bare hym self so valiaunt in the Iustes that none could resiste the poise of his puissaunce but to death he went were he neuer so well Armed At these last wordes was the Ladie Porphyria so surprised with a sodaine shiueryng of dolesome feare that she could not speake a word more her hart mouth beyng as it were closed vp rounde with a sodaine passion of those pitifull newes in so muche that she fell doune flatte in the place rather as one deade then in a sounde as she was and became so pale and wanne that it was wounderfull not moouyng nor stirryng more then a corps quighte destitute of vitall breath Where of the Maidens Harderine and Amidree had so greate feare that tremblyng for sorrowe thei ranne redoublyng still their complaintes with speede to recompte to the other mournyng Maidens whom thei founde although quite drouned in teares yet enforcyng them selues the beste thei could to cōfort the desolate Dinamya this second mischief and mournefull hap of the death of the yong Princesse Wherat they all leauyng Dynamya ran sodainly to see her and firste of all the Empresse who firste enteryng into Amidrees Chamber where she was she sawe the corps of her miserable childe liyng flatte in the place for dead and running to imbrace it it is impossible to expresse and muche lesse to write the dolorous complaintes bitter cries which she cast foorthe bedewyng her I beleue with greater aboundaunce of teares tricklyng from her tender eyes then the gaie spryng tyme is wonte to shewe of Flowers and Plantes in quantitie and quality bothe to decke and illustrate the greene fertile
Fieldes enuironed with the Riuer Nilus or rather with more number and shew thā there is Sandes vpon the banckes of eche running Riuer that make their courses with furious force vomit their fomie floods into the wyde Ocean Sea and if I should saie more then the number of Starres in the heauen when in a cleare frostie night they seme most to appeare I should not lye So was the number infinite wherewith this infortunate Dame bathed as though she had been plunged in a depe runnyng Riuer the corps of this vncomparable faire desolate Princesse Who in fine felyng her so bewette and hearyng the scrichyng and lamentable cries tedious to tell as wel of the Empresse as of her coufine Harderine Marcella and all the other Damozelles shee beganne to reuiue and by little and little recoueryng in castyng for the a pittifull and profounde sighe she opened her eyes a little then seeyng and vnderstanding their cries lamentations whiche were aboute her enforcyng them selues to lifte her vp and carie her into her Chamber to repose her self vpon her bedde she fell doune againe worse then afore this puttyng her a newe in remembraunce of her vehemente and late dolour Then should ye haue heard a fearfull redou blyng of Teares and lamentable cries on all partes who then thinkyng verely that she was paste recouerie seeyng that neither with colde water with rubbyng her pulses ne ought els they could not woorke but that she was a whole longe hower in this extasie without either stirryng hande or foote They wailed piteouslie and made a stirre yea greater then the Troians Cassandra and Hecuba seeyng their Infantes Brothers and Nephues slaine and murdered by the reuengyng blades of the Greekes and their noble Citee putte to sacke by Fire and Sworde whiche sone consumed it Neuerthelesse not knowyng what remedie to vse thei conuaighed her straight into her Chamber and laied her vpon her bedde departyng all sauyng Harderine and Marcella who vpon the corps ceased not to waile and speake thereto as if it had vnderstode theim the others goyng towardes the Empresse Who on the other side was sounded in Amidrees Chambers thinking at the seconde crie of the Damozelles that verilie her daughter had beene dead who after a while beeyng somewhat reuiued was then layed in her bedde by the Damozelles Harderine and Marcella who to their power did striue to comfort her but all in vaine For she not able to giue neuer so little release to her dolour consideryng her selfe quite destitute of meane whereby she might euer recure her ragyng loue which still flamyng and encreasing in her caused and made that her griefe was farre greater then death it self chaffed in her mind a great while against loue for wounding her so sodenly yea so sharply and surely with his venomous Shaftes then againe excusing hym for so muche fauouring and blessing her as to bende and set her beste likyng in a place so digne and worthy of her who vnder heauen found none her matche but hym onely then breathed she forth her yre anger against death for taking from her a gift so rare and precious whom Venns Infant of mere bounty had bestowed vpō her Beséechyng her that in middest of so many miseries sorowes she would in like wise strike her with the same Darte wherewith her deere frend was so wounded and murdred to the ende that where hee was either in the Celestiall or Infernall Mansion shee might goe and accompaignie hym so to open vnto hym the summe of her dolorous distresses Then considering that Death hauing no puissance on her as it which is nothing els but the dissolution and separation of the Soule from the bodie through the defaute of some of the fower Elementes whereof the diuine prouidence hath created man she made her humble and hartie Praier vnto the soueraine Creatour of all thinges most inslauntlie requiring him to cut asunder the Thride of her life if it were his pleasure therby to rid her from the vnsupportable dolours distresses which most impaciently she endured But GOD who had not ordeined to ende and finish her daies in suche hastie forte not lettyng her to wit that as he can tourne the moste cleare and bright daies into obscure and darkesome nightes and the same againe into daies more shining and radiant then the resplendaunt beames of Phoebus euen so also hath he power shewyng her the seuere Visage of a Fortune more propitious and fauourable then it could then seeme or appeare imploying her back to the burden of an infinite number of anguishes and dollours couered with a cloudy Veile of cares distresses to take her at her owne desire out of the middest of the Labyrinth of so manie mischieues which oppressed her on all sides would not heare her Praier albeit hee well permitted that through mere griefe she nerehand had approached the Porte Acheronticall by the excesse and vehemence of a greeuous Maladie which caused in her a continuall Feuer which surpryzyng her handled her in suche sorte that through the tremblyng fittes commonlie accompanying suche like payned pacientes she made the bed to daunce wheron shee laie whiche neuerthelesse ceasing a slumbering Sleepe surpryzed her whiche coueryng her cogitations with a dreamyng obliniousnes suffered her to take some rest For vnlesse the naturall order of all thinges bee peruerted as one seeth not alwaies the hoat skaldyng Planet to drie vp the floatyng streames of flouddes and Riuers nor the colde Northe in Winter to make destitute the pleasaunt Forestes of their greene couloured garmētes which the sprouting Springtyme hath bestowed vppon them So is it also vnpossible that without release a cōtinuall grief should haue place in a humaine corps not adnichillating totally ruinating the same No lesse neither can an extreeme ioye remaine without some intermission of his contrarie And therefore Nature beyng then so fauourable to this anguishe and miserable Princesse that to encounter her aduerse Fortune shee permitted her the hauyng of some little reste her Damozelles drawyng the Courteines of her Bed and shutting in the chamber windowes departed towardes the Empresse To whom not long afore reuiued from sound thei recompted to consolate her withall that her Daughter slepte soundly at her ease which thyng she could not beleue afore she sawe it but when she had tried it true she enforced her selfe to giue truce to her pitiful plaintes and teares But if she liued thē in dollour for the loue of her daughter and her daughter likewise for the death of her late frend the Youth of the Fayries the young and faire Maiden Dynamia who by the Emperours consente was louer and beloued also of the good valiaunt Giant Ergoferant was oppressed with noe lesse griefe then they for the death of her good and louyng brother Pharisor not able without incessant wéeping and lamentyng to supporte and endure the remembrance of so luckles a chaunce through the vehemencie of fraternall amitie which in all honest and naturall loues hath
and holdeth the head roume and place so that shee was in her Chāber lamenting and complaining in sorte as followeth Alas Dynamia the moste lucklesse and desolate that is at this daie liuyng vnder Heauens yea no lesse then thou wast happie and fortunate to bee sister to the moste valiaunt and beste knight in perfections of all Greece what happe what blessednesse what reste what consolation or what supporte hopeste thou to haue from henceforwarde in this worlde wherein nought can bee durable or parmanente that in one daie is not founde vnstable Somewhiles when one is depriued of ioye by the successe of some lucklesse encomberaunce or chaunce somewhiles whē any grief most tormenteth vs ouerwhelmeth our stomackes by the hap of some good hower which neuerthelesse is lesse durable chiefly to me then the saied mischief and moste haplesse happe since that it is so that thou seest thy self depriued of a brother the most actiue and valiaunte that euer was seen in these coastes who beyng causer of all the felicitie and contentmente thou haddest in this life it can not bee that henceforwarde thou shouldest liue to see ought els to followe or enuiron thée but al sortes of ill hap and discomforte laboursome trauaile and discontentation if Death shewe not her selfe so courteous and extende not her clemencie so muche towardes thee as to vse vpon this thy miserable corps the same rigour that shee hath shewed to thy beloued Brother O murderer cruell inhumaine and detestable whiche haste slaine hym accursed bee the hower and iourney that euer thou madest to come into this Countrie to leaue vs so pittifull a patterne of thy wickednesse And accursed bee the Chymaera or cruell Lionesse whose pappes erst gaue thee sucke and that it had pleased God that thou hadst been vntymely borne or smouldered in her wombe O art not thou of more peruerse and naughty nature then a Tigre Beare or wilde Boare more fell and cruell then euer Afrique bredde or nourished So traiterouslie and villanouslie to haue murdered hym whiche neuer gaue occasion no not in the least of his thoughtes wrongfullie or without cause to damage or offende the least creature that euer GOD made on yearth at leastewise hungrie Wolffe glutted with humaine blood why was it that thou satisfied not thyne vnreasonable appetite vppon this poore and miserable Damozel Why hast thou not with the same murdryng glaue whiche so ended his daies and made me destitute of the thyng I helde moste deare in this worlde bemangled and killed the corps of her who how long so euer she liueth can not be but infortunate and distressed Ah noble King of Austria my Father I feare mee that the insupportable dolour which you shall receiue in hearyng these heauy dolorous nouelles of the death of hym which was the onely staie and vpholder of your old age shal not giue much aduauncemēt to the course of your long yeres who alredy haue whitened both your hoary head and beard And that ensewing shortly after the message whiche shall acertaine you of your daughter Dynamias Death who for loue of hym is resolued to dispatche her self with her owne proper handes I haue great feare and the feare I haue thereof maketh me vse this language to premeditate that mischief that with a headlong and swift hastenyng course you will bende your steppes towardes that parte where the Feriman Charon vseth all his trade But what seeing that the destenies haue of long time spunne vs this ill happe Is there any that can withstande it No no none be he neuer so strong or mightie can resist it It restes it restes that to make an ende of my miseries I goe to kéepe compaignie and visite hym on whom depended all my ioye and comforte Whiles she thus spake complainyng and tormentyng her self moste bitterly and dolorously the good Giaunt Ergoferant whiche hastened to arriue from Rocke Alpine beholdyng all those whiche were in the Emperours Hall assembled with intent to dispatche aunswere the Letters of the great Sophy of Persia to haue their faces chaunged with a certein greate kinde of sorrow and sadnes which much vexed them To know the occasion therof he tooke his way into the Chamber of his Lady and Mistresse Dinamya whō he sorowfully found in estate as is aforesaied wherevppon after he had employed some paines to pacifie her and shee consolatyng her selfe somewhat by his commyng he asked her from whence proceded these plaintes and lamentations which incited her to torment her selfe so to whom not able to cōceale her sorow she recompted although much fearefull to loose hym therby as in deede she did afterwarde the occasion of her great griefe Whereat it needes not to tell if the most noble and vertuous Giaunt that euer was were angrie aswell for the losse of his Ladies deere and louyng brother as for the loue of hym who onely saued his life and for that cause he was no lesse bounden then for her For in giuyng comforte consolation to this young and noble Princesse he armed hym selfe with his Harnesse and Club and mountyng vppon a good and mightie Horse whiche he had hee departed in the secretest wise hee could from the Courte in deliberation neuer to taste sound sleepe till hee had reencountred the knight murderer of those who in this world he esteemed most to be reuēged of their deathes els to go visite them where euer they were Where we let hym go and leaue the Ladies muche sadde and sorowfull to recompte vnto you how the knight whiche was slaine in the Forest by the knight vnknowne had stollen the Youthe of the Fairies his Horse and Harnesse whō me left in the Castel de la Plaine with the amourous Damozel louelesse and slaue to loue for euer daughter to the Duke of Chalcide and of that that chaunced him after he went thence chiefly also to speake of Pharisor and where he happened to be reuiued from his Traunce The Youth of the Fairies beeing lodged at the Castle de la Playne his Horse and Harnesse were stollen from him and going to seeke the Thiefe he encountred in a wood a marueilous Crocodile whiche after a long cōbate he slewe Then goyng somewhat forward he found the dead corps of the knight which had stollē his Harnesse and horse which he could not finde but those of the vnknowen Knightes he sawe whiche he tooke and armed him selfe and after encountred the Squire Geliaste whiche slept in the Forrest who led hym into the place where the Combate had beene betweene Pharisor and the vnknowen Knighte ¶ The xvij Chapter AFter the hard sharpe Combate which was bet wéene the good Knight Pharisor and the valiaunt vnknowen knight we haue afore declared that hee pricked with greate disdaine and dolour to bee so caste to grounde by the Youthe of the Fairies extended further the desire of his reuenge whiche blinded him in suche sorte that forgettyng all honest courtesie whiche naturally accompanieth the heartes that are
Europe had fallen to his share And the Giaunt hauing left him to goe to Constantinople they departed the one with the Damozell that is to wit the Squire to goe finde his Master And the other whiche was Ergoferant to goe to Constantinople where hee was not so soone ariued but he founde Maister Rabalon whoÌ„ in the Forrest he left pursuing the Outlawes who told to the Emperour intentiuely listening vnto him vnto his Baro as in the great Hall of the Pallace beyng all armed froÌ„ head to foote how the Youth of the Fairies a young Knight to whom he had giuen his Knighthoode not long afore had by his force and valiauncie vanquished the Gardes of Rocke Alpine parte of whom he had thither brought for better assurance of the same whose dead Carkasses with the twoo Giantes Ferclaste and Androfort were come in Chariotes and also how he had brought the prisoners which they had perforce long tyme helde to doe therewith at his pleasure The other parte remainyng with hym aliue at Rocke Alpine and how he had ouercome and brought to his subiection the Giant Ergoferant who while this other was thus tellyng his tale entered into the Hall and castyng his Battle Are doune in the place and then villacing his Helmet whiche he layed doune at his feete he addressed his speache to the Emperour on this wise Mightie Emperour I assure my selfe that if you haue regarce to the infinite damages and displeasures which I my brethren haue daily doen vnto you I merite to be punished more gréeuously worse then euer yet was any But puttyng my confidence in your courtesie bountie aboundant I haue presumed accordyng to promise to presence my selfe personally before your Imperiall Maiestie beyng so enioyned to doe by the faire and gentle Youthe of the Fairies the Flower although as yet yong and tender of all the Knightes that nowe liue that you may doe and dispose with mee at your owne good will and pleasure Beeseeching you in his name and for the great good wil which he beareth you to graunt mee mercie and pardon of all the faultes whiche I haue euer committed against you whiche with true repentance and vowing to you my seruice henceforwarde as hee hath expresselie commaunded I humbly require and obtest The Emperour who in benignitie and clemencie was second to none in the worlde as well for the good newes brought hym as for the loue of the Youthe whom he deemed sent from heauen to helpe his calamitie concernyng the Giantes pardoned hym with good harte beeyng ioyfull of so good fortune â–ª knowyng further this Giaunt by his sookes and countenaunce coutrarie to the kind of such to be very mecke and gentle and also hauyng heard saie that through his clemencie and courteous nature in his brothers life hee had released and let goe many prisoners if at any tyme they chaunced to be absone Wherfore he praied hym to vouchesafe to tarie in his seruice for whiche hee would well recompence hym whereto the Giaunt humbly thankyng hym aunswered that euer whises life lasted hym he would not faile nor bee faithlesse to hym Whereat the Emperour exceedyng ioyous saied that hee would marry hym to his Neece Dinamâ—â— sister to Pharisor whiche offer because the Damozell was merueilous faire and grattous he willingly accepted thereupon he made them to promise the one to the other 〈◊〉 the of marriage which done the Emperour and all his Barons and Knightes arose and went to see the dead Knightes and Giauntes liyng vppon the Chariotes without whereat they muche meruened how one onely person could by his valiauncie without other aide at all put to death and dispatch so many puissauÌ„t Personages who in their life had troubled whole Arnues and they also marueiled at the mightie blowes and woundes whiche they had For some were riuen doune to the Belly other some quite clouen with one blowe of the Swerde and others as the Giaunt Ferclaste had their Armes and Legges cut of and they saide one to another that aforetyme they had seen men slaine but neuer did they ne neuer should thei sée men so mangled and martyred as these were Whereupon they largely praised the Youthe of the Fairies for his valoure saiyng that if he continued as hee had begonne hee would bee the beste Knight that euer the world fostered or had brought foorth This dooen the Emperour commaunded to hange all those deade bodies in a Woodde not farre distaunte from the Citie whiche was doen incontinentlie Then he caused the best Painter in al his Empire to come vnto him and to depaint the History as a matter worthy of aye lasting remeÌ„braunce in the greate Hall of his Pallaice with the moste riche and costlie splendizant coullers that could bee found And for the greate desire he had to see the Youth he dispatched three or fower knightes to goe searche hym spedilie at Rocke Alpine whiche doen he commenced the Iustynges and Tourneis without further feare whereat were present vpon skaffoldes sette vp for that intent the Empresse the Princes Porphyrie and the Ladie Harderine with the sage Marcella and the gentle Amidree with many mo Ladies and Damozelles right richly attired adorned with chaines of gold gounes of Veluet of all coullers clothe of Golde and Siluer and other Iewelles whereof thei had lefte none that daie behinde in their Chambers whiche might helpe to enhaunce their beauties or perfectnesse in any pointe whiche standyng againste the shinyng Sunne shewed as thei had bene thinges diuine rather theÌ„ humain which thing gaue such hartenyng encouragement to the knightes that should Iuste that thei takyng loftie stomackes vnto them eche one semed to bee farre more valiaunte then in prooffe hee was those whiche were preste and renged for the Iustes brake and strained theim selues with suche force on the course that at the dashyng and stroke of their Launces whiche in shiuers flewe vp into the ayre some of them beyng caste out of the Saddles fell doune to the grounde the reste more expert and valiaunte without breache of staffe atchiued their course gallauntlie Whiche thyng a certaine yong knight seeyng who seemed in countenaunce and shewe to bee of greate vertue and valiauncie who that same Mornyng was come to assiste at the Iustes aduaunced hymself came so fiercely with his Speare towards one of them which had not bene dishorsed who seemed to him the sloutest Iuster of all called Anthenor who had caste adoune the gentle knight Florenges and stroke hym so roughly vppon the shielde that at the first blowe the launce passed through his body more theÌ„ a yarde in length whereat the Emperour was muche agreeued and likewise all his Barons and Knightes for nexte his nephewe Pharisor he was the valiauntest and wisest of all his Empire and specially Gyllant of Cartage who was his great frende and compaignion who to reuenge his death came towardes hym but he receiued hym so brauelie that after his Launce was broken he tooke suche a leape
to the grounde that all the beholders thought he had broken his necke The yong Knight continuyng his course came against an other busie fellowe and he vsed hym so as he did the other and without breache of Speare he ouerthrewe and slewe that daie more then fiftie of the finest and ioyliest knightes whereat those whiche sawe hym were muche amerueiled for hee ranne not against any whom hee bare not from his Horse to the grounde and made theim moreouer there to confesse that his Lady was more faire then theirs whereof the good Giant Ergoferant being aduised disdaining much that he should triumphe so long purposed to trie one blowe for the loue of his newe Mistresse and came all armed and mounted vpon a lustre Steede weenyng by his onely presence to astonishe hym and to make hym flee incontinente But it chaunced cleane contrary For the youÌ„g knight hauyng spied hym came with Speare in reste towardes him and little fearyng hym receiued the blow brauely vpon his shielde which was so huge and sharpe that pearcyng quite through it passed vnder his arme an elle or more whiche beeyng recouered hee finished his course the Giauntes blowe though strong and weightie not remouyng hym one whitte Whereat he beeyng muche despited and angered tooke his greate Battle Axe and with muche furie came againste hym who ioylily receiued hym with suche force that if he had not by his agillitie and nimblenesse eschewed the weightie blowes of the Giaunte he had not so long stoode against hym as hee did But fleyng some while the Giauntes furious blowes some while receiuyng those whiche he thought lesse daungerous vpon his shielde so to giue hym better occasion of plaie by rappyng hym now on his shield now on his Helme he bare himself so valiauntly that the battle endured an whole hower the Assistauntes who of his valiauÌ„cie wist not what to iudge were so transported with maruell not perceiuyng any aduauntage either of the one partie or of the other and so wery were they of the Combate that to take breath they retired backe assunder a Roodes length the better to begin their next encountrie But wheÌ„ they had rested in quiet about a quarter of an hower they would haue begonne again when behold there ariued twoo Knightes all couered with the skinnes of wilde beastes doune to their horses hoofes so hideous to beholde as euer was Monster that Hercules slewe who hauyng long tyme bene hid behinde the preasse of the people who busily behelde the Combate of the Giaunte and the braue vncoothe Knight to see the ende and issue thereof were wearied to stande so longe idle without plaiynge some parte of the Tragedie wherefore leapyng into the fielde not without greate astonishment to the Assistaunce chiefly to the Ladies who deemyng them Diuels or Hags of Hell so disguised cast foorth suche a crie that amazedly descendyng from the Skaffoldes where they sate they fled with all speede possible towardes the toppes and Turretts of the Pallace to sée with more suerty the issue of the Combate and to coÌ„template these new come knightes more further of But the Empresse nor her daughter neither any of their Damozelles moued one whit beeyng certified by a Squire disguised with a Visarde and a long white Beard that these were two of their knightes who of purpose were come to breake of the Combate betwixt the Giaunte and the valiaunt young knight Who hauing certified the Empresse hereof roade speedely to the Combatters who by this tyme had begonne to hacke and hewe the one the other and presentyng to eche of theim a Launce saied these woordes Worthy knightes I pray you that taking a little Truce you will heare what I say The sauage Knightes my Maisters enamoured and desirous of the great prowesse which they see to bee in you desire you of courtesie that geuyng some releasement to your Combate it will please you to take eche of you one of these Launces and let theim proue their force by the breakyng of one onelie Staffe againste your persones assuring you that they bee men and mortall creatures but yet right strong and valiaunt knightes and not as some suppose Sprites or walking Ghostes either Castor or Pollux so disguised Verelie for one blowe saied the yong knight thei shall not be refused on my side no not for two or thrée if they wil so many but it shall be with this on the Grounde saied hee whiche I will vse in this case for in myne opinion it is stronger then thyne And as hee would haue descended to take it vp whiles the Giaunt seased vppon the biggest of the others the Squire tooke it vp lightlie noc permittyng hym to stoupe douâ—e and gaue it into his hande which was the same wherwith he had slaine and ouerthrowen so many knightes and as sone as he had it he and the Giaunt came together saiyng what know we whether they be deuilles or no according to their apparell and streight waies they sawe them come with suche force against them with their Speares in Rest that the greater wilde man made the Earth tremble vnder hym who hit the youÌ„g knight on the Shield with suche force that hee burste his Speare without stirring from the Sadle although the other had pearced his Shield in diuers places wherein his Launce abidyng fastened hee fell huygely to take his measure on the grounde wherat al the people that sawe it said that the greate deuill had cast the little deuill adomne And on the other parte the meetyng together of the Giaunte and the other sauage manne was suche that breaking their staues the one vpon the other with out failyng thei brauely performed their courses and had begunne againe to Iuste if the sauage manne seeyng his fellowe with the Launce in hand which he had drawen froÌ„ his shield to flie like the wind froÌ„ out of the field had not paced after hym with great hast the disguised Squire also who had brought the Spearestaues in such forte that sone their were out of sight For beyng passed the Tonne thei entred into a Woodd so thicke and farre that none could after that sette eye on theim Whereof the yong vncoothe Knight was so abashed who thought to haue had the price of the Iustes that he seemed to goe beside hym self and mountyng on Horse tooke a Launce and rode after theim to hee auenged of his fall leauyng the Emperour and all the reste so ameruailed that thei knewe not what to thinke of this aduenture if it were not that the yonge Knight who was caste doune were not the Youthe of the Faieries consideryng the courage that in hym consisted and that the other were some Magiciens who had made hym loose his glorie and honour whiche hee had gained in the Iustes had it not beene for this but they were farre out of their compte and so it fell out that by the common consente of the Iudges the price was allottet to the greater of the wilde men who had caried awaie the