offended those yonder Ladies in denying what they required that they will lend mee none and yet I knowe no reason for it seeing that heretofore I haue bene so subiect to their obedience All the Ladies which before he had seene had seated themselues all aboue in the Galleryes to see the battell Yet the Tinacrian was of opinion that what was past would giue no occasion that in such a case they should refuse to fauour him and so he beganne with a very great good grace to put off his Armour remayning all in blew so gallant a personage as there was none like him In that maner he went towards the Ladyes and making vnto them a verie comely reuerence hee sayd vnto them I remember Soueraigne Ladies the small reason I haue considering what is past to come to intreat you but in that that I did not performe your commaund it is to be attributed to the naturall feare wherein I was not conceyuing that your presence was sufficient to accomplish with honour any action whatsoeuer though neuer so daungerous yet notwithstanding being challenged to the battell by this gentle Knight with mantles and I hauing none and to be giuen by Ladies reposing my case in your generositie and not in my want of courtesie which I acknowledge I beseech you that it may come from some hand which may giue me the palme of this and all other warres which I shall vndertake to doe you seruice I know not Knight with what countenance you can come to request any thing at Ladies hands whom you haue so much offended and in a matter which so much concerned you answered she which first had spoken vnto him particularly there is nothing wherein Gallants attaine vnto greater honour then by obeying Ladies So as that now if wee should at your bare request giue you our mantle it would seeme that wee did it of great necessitie Therein consisteth your noblesse most excellent Ladies answered the fearefull young man and I will assure you to returne it againe to you whole and sound although it cost mee my life which I will esteeme nothing so deare nor no aduenture so hard that I will not vndertake and there is no greater generositie then to pardon an enemie principally acknowledging his error and that he hath deserued punishment As they stood denying this Mantle there came into that same roome a most faire Ladie O loue how great is thy power for shee was not fully come and had set her selfe at the side of the Gallerie when to her was subiected the most frée young man who hauing forgotten what he requested and himselfe also for he stood gazing fixing his eyes so vpon her that hee was besides himselfe and knew not where hee was And in exchange for beholding her he gaue her the keyes of his heart and was yet sorrowful holding it yet too little in exchange onely to behold her Shée came all clad in cloth of Gold with sundrie colours with her haires curled after her Countrie fashion with a Dutch robe of the colour of the rest of her apparell the young man neuer saw any thing so well worth the séeing in his life All the rest of the Dames séeing him in this maner with a fained laughter asked of him How now Sir Knight what haue you felt that you haue so soone forgotten not onely the Mantle which you desired but euen your selfe also If it bee a wound of loue it is ill falling in loue in this place for here is nothing to bee hoped for but cruell death In her crueltie answered the now firme louer consisteth all my life séeing I haue séene the most swéete death that can be imagined he spake it with such passion that I know not who would not but haue yéelded considering his goodly personage The faire Ladie was no lesse busied in her imagination perswading her selfe that there was not so comely a Knight in the world giuing loue so frée passage into her brest which lasted till her death being no way able to leaue to loue In her did loue shew an example of power and valour and being vnable to doe any otherwise hauing vnderstoode the request of this young man and what the Ladies denied she said Because gentle Knight you shal not think that in this Castle is included all the crueltie of the world I will giue you this Mantle wherewith you may end the battell but vpon condition that you shall not depart from hence before you shall first haue come to aske pardon of the Ladies whom you haue so offended That should bee a great want of discretion Soueraigne Ladie for a man to fall into the reckoning what it is to offend you séeing how much it concerneth mee not to depart hence without it it shall not need to aduertise mee that therein I should purchase your disfauour Why then valorous Knight quoth shée there resteth nothing but to giue you the Mantle and therewith to wish you the victorie as one which deserueth the same In vttering these wordes with such a grace as would haue made loue himselfe in loue shée tooke off her rich robe cast it downe to the Tinacrian who being much enamoured with his necke in her yoake winding it about his arme he turned toward the knight who at his approach said vnto him You haue Sir Knight made so long stay that but for that that I did so much desire the battell I would haue returned to my lodging without giuing you any place to go any further forwards In that I haue made no longer tariance I doe maruaile said the valorous Gréeke for I know not how I could possibly depart from my life leauing it in the hands of those faire Ladies Is it possible said he of the Castle that comming in frée you are become alreadie so subiect Therein appeareth the force of loue answered the gentle Tinacrian for he giueth and bereaueth of libertie at his pleasure In this maner said he of the Castle you are desirous to giue end to this battel It rather grieueth me much answered the valiant youth that we stay so long I expect no longer the contrarie neither did the Tinacrian giue him aunswere but rather the one making to the other a due reuerence with angrie paces they came to ioyne O Thalia that a man might put this battell into thy hands to the end that thou mightest giue it that Soueraigne grace which it deserueth for with my dull wit and want of fauours it is not much though I erre therein All the faire Ladies beheld the warriours The Tinacrian did purpose rather to suffer himselfe to be hurt then that the Mantle should bee toucht it did encourage him and that verie much that his Ladie had giuen it him hee entred with his right foote bearing the point of his sword firme forward He of the Castle was nimble and so with his left arme he baâ—e by his thrust giuing him another verie strong one it did not a little auaile the young man
reason for his valour good gouernment for that was it which most aduanced him aboue all others All this was nothing neither the assurance which shée saw of her paine to cause Felina to giue ouer her determination but rather increase it attempting one of the boldest most presumptuous enterprises of the world from whence could ensue no other thing but that which followed for vnable to endure to sée her self so little respected she adueÌ„tured to say vnto the prince Daristeo that the princesse would expect him that night in the garden to confer with him of matter of importaÌ„ce There could nothing happeÌ„ more pleasing to the infortunate prince then such a message for as it was a thing vnlooked for now holding him selfe assured thereof he held himself the most happy maÌ„ in the world he held the day for as loÌ„g as a mans life he thought the night fled froÌ„ him euery minute he held for a yere such was his desire to meet the lady princesse The subtil Felina séeing her plot to take effect took a sute of Celibellas which did best set out her beauty clad her self therwith as yâ— heauens would not frustrate what she had exployted so could not the gallant sée whether it were the Princesse or shée But hee comming into the garden lesse armed theÌ„ was néedfull went to the window so passionate that he knew her not The cruell damsell couÌ„terfeyted her speach and sayd I haue hitherto Oh prince of Podolia dissembled how much I haue loued you for some respects which haue forced me thereto but seeing your great deserts I could not forbeare holding it vniust but to impart my faith vnto you and to say that you are more beloued then all the men in the world As he should haue made an answere in an alley among â—ose trées priuily armed came Rosaner for as hee was wise so would hee not come into so suspicious a place carelesly and in danger of his person he had beforetime there spokeÌ„ with the Princesse and séeing a Knight there and that shée stood talking with him well may a man iudge what he felt who held him selfe beloued and with so great affection hee was come somewhat néere when the vnlucky Daristeo said My deare Lady I could neuer imagine that the loue which I haue euer borne you could haue bene so highly rewarded neither can it yet sinke into my head that I could euer deserue so great a good as thus to sée you to bestow such and so particular fauours which wholy is to be attributed to your generositie more then to my loue or desert although the I might hope much for I beléeue that no man euer loued with greater affection then I. The cause hereof is the little confideÌ„ce which I repose in my owne deserts and worthinesse to attayne to so great a good as to bee beloued by your beauty neyther can I leaue to coÌ„sider the high estate you hold without vnderstanding who he was or imagining any thing of his brother for now Fortune would néeds shewe her mutability against these two Louers with the greatest suddennesse of the world the beloued Rosaner ranne vpon his deare brother not knowing who hee was Neuer Eagle turned with greater liuelynesse then did Daristeo against his brother and as they were very valiant so began there betwéene them a most cruell battaile but the elder had the worser not through want of force but of armes fortune Although the other had receiued some hurts yet they were but small The furious louer would néeds close with Daristeo but therein he sought his owne death for the desperate yong man being deadly woundeâ— before hee gaue vp the ghost reuenged himselfe by bereauing life from his mâ—â—t deare brother Rosaner for stumbling forwardes by reason of his wounds he thrust out his sword arme and by chance hit him right in the face The elder brother had not yet so much lost his memorie but that he followed the blow vntil the point of the sword pierced through his brothers braines These faithfull louers came to fall iust together losing with one onely blow their liues ielousies and loue and the greatest good of the world which was the fayre Lady The vnhappy Felina stood beholding this battaile vntill that she sawe them fall then sorrowing their death with her outcryes shée disqueted all the Palace and falling downe in the euill which shee had done without dissembling it neither had she strength to auoid the punishment she her selfe being her owne executioner for euen in the same attyre as shee stood she cast her selfe headlong out at the window falling vpon her head betwéene theâ— and in their death kept them company The greatest part of the people in the Palace ran into the garden and the king with the furious Furâ—ander who when he saw the cruell happe of his two brothers was likely to haue lost his wits which was the cause of altering his condition imagining with himselfe that they were dead through Celibellas occasion Some others did suspect it to sée the brotherly death betweene two louers It caused extréeme sorrow in all the court for the king shewed himselfe very sorrowfull as was reason to sée so pitifull a chance What the Princesse did in her chaÌ„ber I would rather that some other body would report it then I which saw it A thousand times would she haue ended with one death yâ— many deaths which she should endure through â—he absence of her Rosaner which shée beganne presently to shew for the company of her damsels was displeasing vnto her wherein she was woont chiefly to delight the fight of knights and gallants was loathsome and their discourses yrksome so as her whole delight was to be solitarie receiuing some pleasure in me discoursing of the cruelty which fortune had shewed her There was nothing but did put her in minde of her knight and to remember him it was death to her and hauing no more comfort but what shee reaped from her teares which were so many which shee shed for that lamentable mischance that it bereaued her of a great part of her beauty All the Court was in an vproare the king in making search for the murderers could take no rest so as in the citie there was nothing but suspition and mourning The most valiant Furiander disturbed all forgetting what he had promised when he took the order of knighthood that hee should neuer take part against any Lady for as ech of his brothers had discouered vnto him part of his loue and séeing how much they were tormented and how carelesse she was thereof which was not for want of affection but rather of discretion he fully perswaded himselfe that to be rid of their importunities she had procured their deaths he conceiued it with such apprehension that nothing could disswade him neither to see the sorrowfull signes which the princesse gaue for the death of the two brothers for this furious yong man had determined what he would do
THE NINTH part of the Mirrour of Knight-hood Being the fourth Booke of the third part thereof Wherein is declared the high and noble actes of the sonnes and nephewes of the Noble Emperour Trebacius and of the rest of the renoumed Princes and Knights and of the high cheualrie of the gallant Ladyes wherein also is treated of the most cruell warre that euer was in Greece with the amorous euents and the end thereof AT LONDON Printed for Cuthbert Burbie and are to be sold at his shop at the Royall Exchange 1601. The fourth Booke of the third part of the Mirrour of Knight-hood wherein is declared the high and noble actes of the sonnes and nephewes of the Noble Emperour Trebacius and of the rest of the renoumed Princes and Knights and of the high cheualrie of the gallant Ladyes wherein is treated of the most cruell warre that euer was in Greece with the amourous euents and the end thereof The first Chapter How the Princesse Rosselia of Rome being deliuered from the Inchantment desired her father to bee reuenged on Don Heleno Prince of Dacia and of that which followed thereof SO many were the harmes receiued of the princes of the Gréekes most Noble Lord that in all the Pagans countreys there was no spéech of any thing but of reuenge and that the most cruell that might be for those which were grieued were so great Monarches that each of them determined to inuade Greece apart particularly Bembo who drue his pedegree from Iupiter and felt himselfe most toucht séeing the Gréeke louer to beare away the spoyles which were due to his worth and valour Well had the Pagan some body else who likewise was grieued for him For Proserpina below in her darke kingdom through the malice which she bare against the Gréeks entreated her beloued Pluto for aid in the behalf of Bembo against the GreciaÌ„s The infernall prince was so subiect to his wiues request that he commanded Discord to be called whom with the greatest company that possibly might bée he commanded presently to depart to leaue neither armes nor lance on end which should not bee bent against the Gréekes for the Grecians bold attempts were not to bée endured Discord felt it selfe some thing grieued euer since the time of the venturous Octauius Augustus for her arme being vnable to resist the valor of that yong man he peaceably possessed the whole world wherefore it was an easie matter to make her leaue that infernall habitation shée was well accompaned for with her went Ambition and Ielousy friend to the blind god and there went Auarice and the rest of the infernall Furies Discord sallied armed at all pieces in russet armour with a sword in each hand vpon her shoulders a bright shining Mirrour a signe that as she pardoned none so would she go in safetie from her enemies accounting all for such Couetousnes marched with her spectacles which made all she saw séeme greater with a monstrous aspect The first place attempted was in Morea against the braue Epirabio to the ende that in seruice of his Liciana he should repaire into Grecia there nowe to recouer that which before by his late comming he had lost They knew how to take so good order that although the Prince went with his confederates al the kingdom was in an vprore to attend the seruice of their soueraigne Lord. The king of Lituania was already summoned to the ende that with the greatest forces that he was able to make he should draw nere vnto Niquea Couetousnesse encountred this man and in such sort ouercame him that at the instant hée beganne to order his people wich were many and well armed The faire Lisiana would not stay froÌ„ going into Greece for not a little succéeded for her there Good friends had they ray3sed against Grecia but their chiefest trust remayned in the braue Romanes Discord Couetousnesse and Suspition tooke charge of the Conâ—uest For the very soule of Resilia was possessed séeing her faith so ill rewarded and that the Dacian had made a scoffe of her There is no Uiper which sheweth it selfe so cruel as a faire Ladie doth against him whem shee hath once loued as her soule Iealousie crossed in the middest vntill she was wholy ouercome forcing her to aske cruell vengeance of her father for that which the Dacian had committed They made herto adde thereunto which was that the Emperour asking her whether there past any promise of Mariage Shée beeing blinded with passion answered her Father Yea. Wrath approched in so good a time that a Basiliska returneth not more wrathfull then the Romane Emperour Constantius shewed himselfe to bee against the Gréekes he presently commanded a Councell to be assembled in this case there entred thereinto Arsiano the braue Prince of Almany whom Dishonour had already ouercome bringing to his minde the disgrace whereinto Don Heleno the Prince of Dacia had brought him and as his voyce was the first and he well disposed thereto hee gaue his opinion that by fire and sword vengeance should be taken No man gainesaid this passionate yong man The alarme was spéedily giuen in Rome and in all the Townes subiect thereto Thither came the Kings of Zerssa of Carthage and of Argier all which were friends to the Romanes The king of Rodes failed not in this warre As for the furious Almaine he thought with his owne people alone to giue battell to the whole world for he left not in all Almany neyther high nor low one man that was able for the warres The King of Scotland came with a mightie Hosse in fauour of the Romane Empire for the friendship he had amongst the Daughters Discord was yet of greater power for it passed into Gibia leading Reuenge by the hand where she published the death of their Princes by the hands of the Dacian Lord in Rome their death was there already vnderstood and mourned for But those infernall furies knew how to take so good order that all that whole populous Kingdome was at an instant in an vprore who had a yonger brother and the most valiant man in all those kingdomes called Brundusio the strong who although that hee were not a Gyant of his bodie yet there was no man how strong soeuer that was able to resist his force which yet was not knowne to be borrowed He spéedily began to leuie people gathering together the Borderers which were braue Knights with many proud Gyants which excéeded two thousand of other people the strong Brundusio raysed an hundred thousand fighting men and with them hee went to ioyne himselfe with the Romanes carrying sufficient prouision for many daies perceyuing that the warre would be of long continuance The Emperour of his ariuall receyued him with great ioy séeming vnto him that with that people and the rest which he would leuie it were a small matter to subdue the whole world they would not inuade the Gréekes without aduertising them of their departure déeming that it would bee attributed to
would draw his comfort for the lesse of the two princes brothers from the death of a lady whom to be hold I know not who but would haue veÌ„tured his life for her It hapned most valiant prince that one day the king being despised for that he could not be certified concerning the death of these princes as he had newly dined the fierce Furâ—ander armed at al pieces in blacke of bright and shining stéele armour without any deuice sauing onely in the midst of his shielde hee bare reuenge most liuely painted Being thus furnished his comming into the Hall made al those which beheld him change countenances who with the fiercenesse wherewith nature had endowed him making a little reuerence and a litle lifting vp his visor said with a hoarse voyce for yet I haue not forgotten what feare I was in to heare him Mightie king of Samogacia not withstanding that I am of opinion that my comming in this maner will not a little offend you the great griefe which I endure to sée the most dearely beloued princes of the world slaine in the palace doth enforce me a thing euen the heauens should lament for so vniust a death that gods doe know how much it grieueth me to come in this maner considering howe much my deare brothers were boundeÌ„ vnto thée but the feare that I am in to returne again to Pâ—dolia to the king my father who sent me to séeke theÌ„ hath forced me séeing that nothing can be done against that which the heauens haue decréed and to the end that the common people shall not say that they dyed and that no man would reuenge their death and séeing the many certaine signes which in their life and since I haue perceiued I say that I will maintaine against any one two thrée or foure knights together with my horse and armes that they were slaine by order from your daughter the princesse Celibella which from this day to the end of 4. moneths I will maintaine because the princesse shall vnderstand that I desire not to preuaile by reason of the shortnes of the time but that she may haue time to send whither for whom she wil to defend her honour so as shee may not be accounted murtheresse of princes The diuilish knight held his peace and there was no man so valiant that durst so much as moue The king stood some what in a doubt pondering on the waight of the case and at length resolued and I beléeue hee was forced â—eeing how much Furiander was feared to admit the challenge and so he caused the princesse to be called which God knowes was sorowfull ynough for their deaths shée imagined straight what the matter was and so halfe amazed foorth she came The king propounded vnto her the Pagans occasion she could not answere for I thinke no body could vntill the qualme was past which had almost bereaued her of her life and then she answered with so great stomake as made mee wonder it was the equitie of the cause and the great wrong that was done her did thus animate her thereto saying that it was a lye that she would take such order as should be requisite to recouer the honor whereof she was thus robbed with so great trechery she being innocent of the death of those Princes but séeing the one failed she was to séeke who might giue account of her honour Her father the king commanded her presently to be committed to prison because he would shew himself a Iuâ—â—icer notwithstanding it was against his owne daughter whom he so dearely loued and of whose life depeÌ„ded his own for it was yâ— kings law held inuiolably although very rigorous that whatsoeuer person were accused of an offence coÌ„mitted within the palace that doeth not either of himself or some knight for him answere the challenge within the time lymitted in the challenge shall be condemned to be burnt the most cruell thing that euer was heard Then came your fame valorous prince flying through Samogacia with the highest pitch that euer knight enioyed The poore distressed Lady was of opinion as in deed it is true that she could not repaire with more reason and assurance vnto any then to you and so shee sent mee to seeke you I came from the citie with that care which a matier of such importance as this is doeth require and vnderstanding of the great feasts which were in Grecia I was of opinion to finde you there among your brothers for by the way I vnderstood that you are sonne to the great Emperour Trebatius with whose fame the whole world is replenished seing it was my hap to méet you in so good coÌ„pany I am the gladdest womaÌ„ in the world assuring my self that bringing you I bring life to the princesse although that we haue bin hindred in our sayling with tempests yet the wind being fauourable wee shall I doubt not come in time to Samogatia for there yet remaine twentie daies before the challenge bée expired and this is Sir Knight the cause that hath mooued me to take the paines to seeke you and I beléeue it shal not bee in vaine for seeing the wrong that is done to the Princes you will not suffer it to proceede for the fame of your valour importeth no lesse but that you imploy it in fauour of those which are distressed as is this Ladie The lady hauing ended her story with some teares which fell from her eyes remembring how much it would grieue the Princesse seeing her long stay that valorous Tinacria was verie pittifull especially in the behalfe of women holding it for no honour which was gotten against them and so he answered I would that the heauens had giuen me farre greater force faire damsell to the end that your businesse might be the better assured although hauing so much equitie on her behalfe I hope that it shall suffice to yéeld that contentment as such an excellent Ladie as shée is doth deserue against any that without reason shall procure her griefe and I refuse not the houre to méete that Knight of so little discretion Great comfort did those couragious spéeches yéeld to the Damsell which the Prince vsed the weather was fauourable vnto them for foure daies before the time was expired they landed néere the Citie of Adibia for so is it called with great pleasure to them both to sée themselues so neere shée to her soueraigne Ladie bringing so good a returne and he which much desired to shew all his valour in defence of the Princesse and but that it was onely his it had neuer béene accomplished with that good hap for the Pagan was one of the most strong men in the world One day and a halfe did they spend in comming to the Citie which was full of strangers although neuer a one so valorous as to answere the challenge notwithstanding that Furiander came daily to the lists They passed the night in a groue of poplar trées where what happened vnto them
after another which set him on the arson of his Saddle griping him so that it seemed he had striken him quite out of breath The Pagan aduanced himselfe closing with the Tinacrian he thought to preuaile by grasping with him but he found the sonne of Garofilia as fast in his saddle as if he had béene a rock they tugged so hard together that they both were out of breath their horses stood more fixt in the grouÌ„d with â—â—uing in their wrestling then the most moored roots With one turne they fell both to the earth The Pagan had a mishap because one of his feet hung in the stirrâ—p which if the TinacriaÌ„ had perceiued in time he had slaine him yet notwithstaÌ„ding before he could get it out with his dagger he gaue him 2. cruel stabs left the marks in the flesh which the Pagan held for mortal and so turning to his enemy who as he was higher then he he lifted him from ground carying him in such sort that the Batchelour had lieffer haue bene deadly wounded hee did his best to encounter his aduersary and so recouer footing whence twise whéeling about they hurled together with greater force then a Coluerine shot they gaâ— to their weapons with such speed that al those which were present wondred thereat I beléeue quoth the king turning himselfe towards the principall of those which were with him that in these two warriours is disciphered the flower of cheualrie No pleasure can be compared to that which Celibella receiued séeing how well her knight had acquitted himself for on foot none of her brothers could do better and yet oftentimes fighting with them hee made them to doubt of the battaile Some aduantage was perceiued in him for striking with great rage the Tinacrian happily crossing inwards and standing very firme on his right foote he ioyned hitting right on the side of the vaunt-brace the trenchant sword rebounded to the hollow entring a third part in at the brest The Pagan féeling the wound thinking it had bene to the death gaue a signe thereof for with the very paine of the wound he went crosse-leg'd and was readie to fall the furious yong man holpe him doubling another blow vpon his helme with so great might that hee made him set his knées to the ground There is no serpent so wrathfull which can turne so as Furiander returned against the sonne of Garofilea and with the raging smart which he felt of his wouÌ„d throwing his shield to the grouÌ„d he went with such fury with his sword in both hands that he made more then foure lose all their colour in their faces the blowe was with lesse héed then wisedome required to beare for it had beene the last that euer the Tinacrian had receiued he hit him so right vpon the gilded crest that hee made him to sée a thousand starres in his helme and he charged his furious sword with such force that he made him to 〈◊〉 both his handes and knées to ground The impatient Moore drew néere with another no lesse then the first hée had stretched him out for a pray according as he was stroÌ„g so he suddenly pinck't from him his vâ—â—nâ—-brace and Lirgando saith that he also tooke his shield from him Gualtenor sayeâ—h no but that hee did cut the greatest part of his Polarons If hee had béene able to haue giuen the third I knowe not how this Batchelour had escaped from the battaile but as the wound fell vpon that side where his heart was it made him breathlesse so as hee could not thencefoorth procéed in his furie giuing the Baâ—chelour place to rise there was no helpe for the armour against the blowe which he gaue for hee cleane carryed away the crowne of the helme and a piece of the head withall Well might the sonne of the great Trebacio haue ouercome him but hée was a Knight who in déed did more affect the woorth which the Pagan had shewen saying thus vnto him I doe much desire Sir Knight that this battaile may rest in that estate wherein it is for I see you are dangerously and sore wounded very néere vnto death and in going further any your euill fortune whatsoeuer would much grieue mee for I doe neither desire your death nor ouerthrowe but perpetuall amitie and friendship which from hencefoorth I offer vnto you swearing and protesting vnto you that you most inâ—uriously vphold and maintaine the wrong against a Ladie who in apparant shewe hath much sorowed and lamented the death of your brothers When the generositie most noble Prince is so discouered procéedeth from a gallant brest there is no Aspicque so fierce and cruell but will bee therewith appeased hée had not beene Prince of Tinacria neither could that haue bene the country of your most noble Lordship if therein had not bene bred so rare a good as was this And so this valiant â—â—oore sound himselfe bound with the reasons which the Prince vttered â—aying Fâ—â—thuâ—g could happen to me so well as this my life and reputation being in such danger I would valorous man at Armes gladly in exchange to purchase the friendshippe of such a knight as you are and seeing it behoueth 〈◊〉 and that of my obâ—â—inate contending there can nothing grow vnto 〈◊〉 but perpetuall infamy and discredite I doe from hencefoorth vtterly giue ouer the battaile and freely seâ— at â—â—ertie the Princesse condemning my euersight and blinâ—â—â—â—e séeing iâ— was not possible in so perfecâ— a subiect to 〈◊〉 any thing which should so much disgrace it When the prince of Prussia lawe the 〈◊〉 league and bond of friendship concluded beiâ—â—ue the 〈…〉 he put spâ—â—res to his horse and tooke his way towardes his countrey with all the spéede that might be where hee passed his time in great heauinesse and sorrow hauing atchiued no aduenture The Iudges were néere at hand hearing what the Pagan said which yéelded such contentment to the whole Court that no man is able to expresse it but â—â— may be better imagined then any way described The hidden fire in the scattered powder my Soueraigne Lady hath not so much power neither is it of such effectuall force as is settled loue to shewe what it is and what it is able to doe What man in the world could haue confirmed a peace betwéene Princes so much at variance and with so great reason Who could haue brought it to passe that Celibella the beauty of the world should haue béene any whit sorowfull or grieued for the spitefull Paganâ— hurâ—s though neuer so deadly bee receiuing them in fighting so disgrace and confound her It cannot be imagined that so great an alteratioÌ„ as this can be attributed vnto any other thing but to loue Fortune was more fauourable vnto him then he was well aware of for they were not yet gone forth of the field when twenty Knights clad in mourning attyre came into the Campe which seeing him come foorth of the lists afoote came to him to kisse his hands and
Barbarian accepteth no such fained excuses as these which you make vnto me And séeing the heauens beare record how much I desire your content there is no prolonging of time séeing my fortune hath ordained it Hee had scarcely ended his spéeches when one of the Giantâ— drawing néere stretched out his arme to seize on her which being dismaied giuing a great 〈◊〉 cast her selfe to the ground which 〈◊〉 the cause that the Giant could take no hold of her But he had no néâ—d to doe it for the fierce young gallant sonne of Garrofilea brandishing his reuengeful Launce raiâ—â—ng himselfe vpon his Stiâ—râ—ps hurled it with such forâ—e that Mars himselfe did malice to sée how great a 〈◊〉 he gaue for hitting him right 〈◊〉 vnawares in the middeâ—â— of his spacious brest the well stéeled Trenchant made so great a â—â—ud-gate that the hâ—rd plates of Stéele were not sufficient to sâ—ay it from appearing out at his backe coloured with his fresh bloud There néedeth not any great question to bee made whether the Ladie were glad thereat or no séeing it gaue her courage to raise vp her selfe to sée with what force the frée Tinacrianâ—urned â—urned heat against his two enemies the which little remembred what to Knightâ— did appertaine both at once charged their â—aunces in the midest of his â—rée brest they made him vilely to bend in his Saddle striking his head against his horse buttocke and it was no maruaile for these two valiant men charged him in great furie to sée their friend slaine The valorous Tinacrian recouering againe his seate and ward returned vpon them the Giant he found alone who with a waightie Maâ—e of stéele came towards him giuing place and time to the Prince to seize on the Ladie who lifting her voice to heauen cried to the Tinacrian for helpe The Giant gaue him so much to doe that the Prince had time to depart in safetie with his praie which so much despited the sonne of Trebacius that he was readie to burst with anger calling himself coward that one Knight should bee able to withhold him from helping that faire Ladie so vniustly taken hee doubled herewith â—o thicke and furious blowes as would haue rent the most hard rock But he had before him one who held himselfe to haue no equall in the world the faire Poliphebus desired to hazard the fortune of the battell at one blow and so approching to the Pagan made shew to stay for him he lifted vp his fearefull Mace and had not fully done it when the Youth flew within him and with a blow strake it out of his hands and helde the victorie for his and séeing that delayes might bréed danger redoubling his force hee strake him on the head the blow was so terrible that it made him sencelesse The Tinacrian was not a yong man which would let slippe oportunitie particularly in a matter of such importance which concerned no lesse then the Ladies libertie and so the Moore beeing in this trance hee with the greatest care of the worlde with his sword in both his hands with all his power strake him vpon the crowne of the head the helmet could yéeld no defence for he claue it so as it fell at his horse féete and dispatched him suddenly He turned about as swift as thought following the trace of the bold aduenturous Prince and fortune was fauourable vnto him for without any let within one mile where the battell began hee saw the Prince with his pray flying swifter then the winde the Falcon neuer slew so swift after the fearefull Hearon as this valorous Tinacrian who giuing the spurres to his horse made him to run swifter then the stéeds of golden Apollo And thus riding he called to the Prince to stay whose voyce caused this gallant louer whose haste to himselfe séemed slow still to spur his horse for it sufficed him not to sée and hold his Ladie in his armes but with her to escape the armes of that yong man who as a furious Lyon his sword died in bloud approached and in his flight strooke him vpon the rich Helmet and if it had hit right it had ended the warre with that blow But it was not to any small purpose séeing it made him for his owne defence to set her to the ground being wholly sencelesse The sonne of Trebacius returned saying Ill it beséemeth him who reckoneth himselfe a worthie Knight to doe â—o vile a thing as that which you haue committed and against such a Lady as is this he came not so little offended as to stay for an answere but that with the well stéeled point hee smote him in the brest with such force that hee made him to féele his sword within his flesh The Moore was most nymble and skilfull and if hee had gone away with this blow he might haue prolonged his life but to his greater harme he would néeds close with the valorous Tinacrian where al happened acrosse vnto him and the Moore well perceiuing his strength gathered new forces from his most mortal wounds considering with himselfe how much he lost in losing that battell and so he suffered him to enter and with his sword in both his handes hee smote him vpon the rich helmet and had reuenged the death of his two companions and recouered the Ladie had not the well tempered fine mettall béene betweene the which although it gaue the yong man his life yet it could not defend him but that it brought his head as low as the pommell of the saddle casting out blood both at his nose and mouth he reached him yet another which made him almost forget himselfe Neuer was Eagle more furious in defending her nest then the Tinacrian shewed himselfe turning towards the furious Pagan and hitting him vpon the helme it sounded like a bell and made him tremble like an Aspen leafe being shaken with the fresh winde in Autumne he smote off his crest leauing him mortally wounded and séeing him stagger he claspt him in his well brawned armes whose betters the world contained not and pulling him from his saddle hée bare him in his armes to the place where the Ladie was being perfectly come to her selfe who ioyed to sée how well he had reuenged her quarrell Hee leapt with him from his horse and with his ponyard ended his life and loue in the sight of the Ladie whom hee best loued in the world the which ioyfull and secure rose from the place where she sate and with a countenance which would haue made loue it selfe in loue shee went to the frée young man casting her armes about his necke which I know not who would haue refused and with a cloth wiping his armour sparkled with blood said Well hath my friendly fortune ordayned valorous man at armes that although that your first offer serued not for a medicine to cure the wounds of my soule yet with the second restoring my life and honour you haue wholy bound me vnto you and so I entreat you in the
himselfe and holding such company as the Gréeke Prince who desirous to returne into Grecia to the aid of his parents taking leaue of these Knights thanking them for the newes which they had told them he said Ualorous Princes the best most certaine meane that I know to deale in this busines is to remit it to the fortune of my valor so to bereaue this Prince which procureth your spoiles of the meane therto here fréeing vs froÌ„ any successe that may happeÌ„ to send a messenger to the King of Lucania that I wil maintaine the beauty of this Lady against any Knight that shal say the contrary at al assaies to be the fairest that is in this kingdoÌ„ which shall giue occasion to this Knight if he loue and be valiant as he is reported to be to take it in ill part that any should bee preferred before his Ladie and comming to blowes with him for nothing in the world will I giue ouer the battell and if the heauens grant vs victorie as I hope they will it shall bee an easie matter for you to carie the Ladie away shee bearing you such good will as you say she doth and being in your Countrey you may defend her against all the world or otherwise make your returne into Grecia in company with this Ladie wherein you shall do the king of Argel great seruice deliuering her into his hands They all agréed to this which the Knight of Cruelty had deuised and so in conclusion they dispatcht a Damsell in company with Polisandro to deliuer the message to the King they remayning in a wood expecting answere which shal be declared in the next Chapter CHAP. VI. How the Damsell deliuered the ambassade to the King of Lucania in the behalfe of the Knight of Crueltie who admitting the same the matter came to triall AS Polisandro and the Damsell as saith Galtenor were departed from the Princes with the Gréeke Princes message and were come within two miles of the great Citie of Troba at what time as the King was newly risen froÌ„ dinner accompanied with many principal knights among which was the most strong Astrenio which was now respected of euery body as the Kings sonne they desired leaue to enter which was granted in the presence of many Ladies the faire Polinarda with Solesia the Princesse of Campania and her valorous louer Lisander The Damsell doing such reuerence as in such cases is accustomed the King willing her to deliuer her ambassade shee began in this maner Thou shalt vnderstand mighty King of Lucania that in the confines of the red Sea in that part which boundeth vpon Media there lyeth a most populous and rich Iland called the I le of plate for the great abundance which the earth there bringeth forth of which Iland is Quéene one of the most accomplished Ladies of the world called Troyla with whom the mightie Prince of Cumagena trauelling through the world to seeke his aduentures seeing her rare beautie fell in loue and that with such feruencie that according to the shew which hee hath made thereof nothing but death onely may suffice to diuert him from his amorous conceit hee hath perfourmed most Soueraigne King so many and so great matters in the seruice of this Ladie that of very dutie and considering with her selfe that it was no disgrace to her to accept him for her Knight thee resolued to admit his seruice and him for her seruant With the fauours which she bestowed on him he beganne againe anew to make triumphs for ioy in such maner that she consented and promised to be wholy his She valorous King standeth so assured on her selfe and her beautie that she requested him in requitall of the faith which she vowed vnto him to carie her to the Courts of the most famous Kings for the space of two yéeres to maintaine her beautie A small request seemed vnto her louer that which she required and to all others that knew him seeing by experience the great valour which the heauens had infused into him And now they goe accomplishing the two yeeres quest performing such aduentures therin with so much honour to them both that hee is held for one of the most valorous Knights of the world and hearing the fame of this Court of the gallantrie of the Ladies of the same he would not passe by into Grecia before he had here made proofe of what power his aduenture might bee he yéeldeth to the battell at all perils for some hauing procéeded to the Iusts onely haue remained throughly grieued bringing the battell to no perfection wherefore he hate sent to entreat thée if it shall so please thée to send him safe conduct to the ende he may maintaine the cause for which he commeth Here ended the Damsell her Oration leauing not one in all the hall which did not wonder at her bold demaund Some rumour beganne among the young Knights making a scoffe thereof auouching that the Ladies whom they serued had attained to the highest of all beautie Wel did the King vnderstand it and dissembling the same answered the Damsell which comming in the name of an Ambassadour was to be honourably entertained I doe thankefully accept faire Damsell of the pleasure which this Knight with his presence will doe vnto this court although as I am perswaded he shall here purchase more enemies then friends for here being Princes which delight in Ladies seruice they will neuer yeeld to so generall an offence as is this The most strong Astermo could not dissemble his discontentment déeming that therein was great disgrace done to his Polinarda who said thus I doe rather wiâ—h faire Damsell that this Knight had first séene the Ladies of this Palace that he might haue perceiued the errour which he maintaineth before he had with such ouerboldnesse defyed their gallants I am of opinion Sir Knight answered the disâ—reet Damsell that you haue not yet made proofe of the power of loue seeing that you know not that hee which admireth the beautie of his beloued speaketh according to his affection I am of opinion that both of the one and the other the Prince will put you out of doubt if it shall please the King to giue him leaue thereto I graunt it quoth the King if he will to the end wee may see the effect of your hopes The Lady would haue kist the Kings hand for the sauour which he granted returning she said As these Princes mightie King haue trauelled a long iourney so come they vnfurnished of prouision necessary wherefore they pray thee to commaund a Tent to be lent theÌ„ seeing that the challenger is to make his abode therein Whatsoeuer shall please him answered the King I will coÌ„mand to be carefully prouided In this maner said the Ladie with a high voice begin you that are enamoured to set vp your armes for betwéene this and to morrow wil come to the Lists the Prince of Comagena with costly experience to make shew of his great
Giants payd for it who were so waighty that they could not make such haste and so death ouertooke them before they could come to the sight of Grecia One of the best ships in the whole nauy was lost There was no lesse to doe where the three lights of Knighthood Claramante Archisilora and the disguised young Knight with the Captaine generall by land were fighting The braue Souldan of Egypt fell to their lot but to his losse for against the furie of those foure Princes there was no force or temper of any Armour was able to resist for before he could put himselfe in readinesse they had ouercome him and had wholly ended it if that foure Gallies had not with full sayles come to the rescue of their Prince and with all this presuming vpon the aide of the Gyants hee placed himselfe neere the boord where he assaied to shew his force to his enemies His youthfull resolution lasted but a while for his gard of Gyants little auailed him neither his fierce Cousin which stoode by his side whome Claramante suddenly with a knocke with his Battel-axe bereaued of his life for taking him on the toppe of his Helmet the sharpe edge of of his Battel-axe descended downe to his brest This terrible blow strooke a cold sweat into all the Gallies which came to his aide The warlike Causelio as angrie as a waspe taking the Souldans part would needes be reuenged who in the Empire was the next that succéeded the dead Souldan Fortune was heere fauourable vnto him reseruing him for greater daungers for although hee fell into the handes of Claridiano yet he could not although hee procured it accompanie his honourable Cousin in his death but yet hee was stretcht out vpon the Hatches mortally wounded very neere vnto the death hee would haue leapt aboord her crying Grecia and had done it and gotâ—en the Galley â—ad not there come in his necke a mightie Galeâ—n to rescue the wounded youth Herein did the Gréeke execute his rage for in despight of those which came therein he leapt aboord and presently the thrée which followed him The fight in no place in all the whole armie was more cruell then aboord this Galley neither were there halâ—e so many â—laine men found elsewhere in that battel for if these foure met but with neuer so little resistance they redoubled their valour To the losse of many liues they gat the Standard iust at the instant when Don Heleno assailed the Admirall of the Romanes for he had long béene about it The furious Lady aduanced her selfe forwards being verie angrie for the defiance which they had sent her husband The first that was met was the strong Brundusio who séeing the armes of Dacia wauing in the maine top hee presently imagined what it was and to be that which he desired hee made all haste with his Galley to come aboord the mightie Dacian The Moores Galley came manned with so good Knights and so warlike and mightie Giants that here the battell was most obstinately maintained The warlike Pagan fell into the Ladies hands with whome shée began such a stur and with such valour as made them all to wonder shée had the aduantage aboue all that followed the warres for there was not a blow that shée gaue but did cut their armours cleane thorowe and most commonly the flesh withall By reason heereof the Pagan notwithstanding that he were knowne to bee one of the most strong and valiant in the army yet was hee so hardly be set by his aduersaries that hee was bathed all ouer in his owne bloud but that was not sufficient to make him giue backe neither was there in him any point of cowardize but deferring his cruell destinie be fought like a valiant Captaine The Dacian his Galley was in great danger for there were foure which at once with full sayles charged him on all sides I beléeue it was to the ende that he should the more shew his valor for redoubling his deadly blowes there was nothing worth the looking after but he and his faire Ladie They deuided themselues ayding those which were in greatest distresse The high minded Spaniard was none of those which did worst for both hee and his sonne made good shewe of the strength of their armes wading almost to the middles baâ—hed in Turkish blood notwithstanding all this they had hardly escaped but that the warlike Zoilus came to their â—id with his squadron of Galeons appointed onely to yéeld assistance where greatest néed required hee came in hurling so much artificiall fire and that with such swiftnesse that hee thereby rescued the beaten Galley which beeing therewith lightened charged so the Romane Admirall that they had almost taken her when the warlike Lindauro arriued whom the Dacian deadly hated he set the Romane at libertie but not with such ease but that hee first had some taste of his enemies valour There was a huge noise in that squadron wherein the mightie Alphebus was in company with his Claridiana and of the Troiane Oristides and his faire Sarmatia which was that hauing aduentured far coueting to take the Admirall of Niquea they were enclosed with aboue twentie Gallies holding them in such danger that if there had not béene therein such people as there were they had without doubt béen taken but the most strong Lisarte with his daintie sonne kept all the one side which did some what appease the battell There were neuer séene more cruell blowes then were giuen here for the mightie Emperour holding his valour for nothing worth to sée himself so compassed about gaue neuer a blow which bereaued not some one of his life so as the Sea was full of dead carkasses the enemies were so many that they neuer mist ten or an hundred for presently there came so many fresh men in their places and of ours neuer a one they had now no hope to depart from thence for it séemed impossible séeing their great valor to do that which they intended which was to take their Standerd Afresh came the furious Knight of Epire who was accounted for one of the most famous he was much in loue with the faire Lisiana wherefore his doings were to be noted he came in a very high carued ship he thought to haue caried all at the first charge but he found such company within boord as was the flower of Cheualrie who came to ioyne with the louing Moore before that he could take footing as a valiant man for indéed he was one the Emperour Alphebus gaue him so sound a knocke vpon the top of the Helme that he made him set his hands and knées both to the ground he was scarcely risen vpon his féet when with a thrust hee set him faster then apace out of the Galley he would haue followed him had it not béene for feare to abandon his Galley being in such danger there came a Gyant to his owne hurt to séeke reuenge but before that he could discharge one blow Claridiana had left
the greatest pleasure that euer fortune did him and set her in her Saddle saying I would not valorous Quéene that your worthie acts should bring you into such danger To ioy in yours warlike Knight it shall bee but well done to séeke it séeing that therewith is purchased the sight of the valour of your arme There was no time to vse many speeches for they were in haste for séeing the enemies on foote no man remained on horsebacke The Greeke with a light leape recouered his horse leauing them all amazed at his doings it was his good hap to be on horsebacke for there came the flowre of Giant-land with great Pine trées in their hands these the Greeke desired to meete and but for leauing his Ladie he had gone to seeke them their huge bodies were clad with planckes of Stéele to meete them went out two with the Princes Brandafidel aduaunced him and gaue a faire blow for hitting one of those fierce Giants on the toppe of his Murrion hee put him out of his remembrance throwing him to ground with a greater noyse then if a great horse had falne his death was not noted for there came so many that there was no place voide although they fell more and more With all this they felt the braue Greeke keepe a stirre and working wonders among them that which Bramidoro did was no lesse worth the sight who had alreadie slaine foure the great troupes of men which came to rescue one another parted the battel but not the companie of the foure which first began Claramante hauing vpon a suddaine slaine a King of the Giants raising himselfe on his Stirraps saw much people towards Grecia in a whirling he repaired thither conducting the thrée Princes with him one wondring at anothers doing They made great haste for it was néedfull and the matter was that the young man whome wee will call the Knight of the Starres vntill the fourth part of this Historie where hee shall lose his name and become a louer it was hee which in the Forrestes as is alreadie said put the Princes in such danger who was come in fauour of the Pagans as hee had promised to Bembo whome hee went to seeke Before that euer he brake his Launce he had throwen many of the most famous to the ground for to the Princes of Fraunce nothing did their valour auaile them for he ouerthrow them Liriamandro Brandisel and Bariandel with the braue Troiane kept them companie it was his fortune with his sword in his hand to meete with that Knight to whome by nature he was bounden which was Zoilo the Tartarian They both strake together but the match was vnequall for such as the young man are few in the world hee had put him in danger of death or of being ouercome if the warlike Lisait had not come to his aide with his beloued sonne and the Prince of Persia Bransiniano the which with their power hauing left the stand where Sacridoro was séeing all in safetie came afresh to the battel and they came in good time for the Tartarian The yong man more faire then Absolon doubled nothing but casting his shield at his shoulders as he neuer mist blow he put them all out of breath without losing any ioat who being neere the Prince of Hungarie with a side blow he cast him to the ground sore wounded after him hee set the Prince of Bohemia on all foure Then came the Spanish Prince who within a little held them companie for hee set him sencelesse vpon his Saddles pummell hee had a hundred swords about his cares and those the most famous but his lot was to make shew of himselfe to bee the Phenix of the world To his rescue came the foure Pillars of their Camp Bembo Brufaldoro Brauorante and the terrible Brundusio with whose aide he made more head against the Greeks On the other side came the braue Emperor of Trapisonda all couered with bloud with Rosacler his sonne they held their swords to behold the young gallant God blesse vs quoth Alphebus what valor is in this knight he would not assaile him he so much affected him but be held Rosabel who like a Lion leapt into the middest of the throng All those which were of his side knowing him gaue him good way and the enemies for feare left the field frée for the foure famous warriours Claramante and his companie had taken them to taske and so hauing fit oportunitie they put their determination in execution I would I were not so much affected to the young Knight with the starres whose fame reached vnto them because I would describe this battell without passion worthie to bee related by Virgill or Mantuan For these two rare persons in valour comming to ioyne it is not possible to expresse what blowes they gaue onely Gualtenor saith that they bowed downe their heads to their Saddles pummels casting aboundance of bloud out at the visors of their Helmets none of those which beheld the battell durst to giue them any aide for it was néedlesse for they presently came againe to themselues and each of them knowing the valour of his enemie they began to vse dexteritie The bold Breton was most accustomed to armes and therefore was more nimble in giuing the on-set but the late lost blow of the yong man supplied that defect for as fierce as a Serpent he sought to attaine to the victorie He came flying in with two blowes vpon the highest of his shield the young man with the Starres was not one who would lose occasion and insuch a case as that and so beating by a thrust hee smote him on the rich Helmet it much auailed him that it had béene Hectors otherwise hee had cleft him to the necke it sounded like a Bell he made the firie sparkles flie and him beléeue that the skies were therein when they are most starrie for hee did so astonish him that for a good space hee lost his remembrance it was a spurre to put life in him for the young man to come with another as strong as the first it cut off his plumes and as Lupertius saith the Cannon also wherein they were but let it bee as it will the Gréeke neuer saw himselfe in the like danger as then in his life but being chaffed therewith and that his Father did behold him he set vpon his enemie In all these battels there was neuer giuen a better blow for against Hectors sword no force nor magicall temper can resist Smiting him vpon the top of the shield hee claue it in two péeces and passing through to his shoulders it carried with it his Poloron leauing him shrewdly wounded hee ranne at him with a thrust which cast him backe vpon his Saddle and if he could haue fastned another vpon him without doubt he had ouerthrowne him There is no Uiper could bee compared to that warlike young man for seeing himselfe handled in that maner hee flung his shield to ground and with his sword in both
they made for where Brandafidel Bramidoro and the gentle Tefereo went there was no defence against their clubs for they trode all vnder foot The greatest part of the Pagans was slain before that their succors came from the campe In the auaunt gard came the flower of Chiualry which were Bembo Brauorante Brufaldoro the young men although yâ— Leobulo by reason of his hurts was not to haue taken armes so soone On the other side came the fiue of the wood desirous to méete with the Gréeks who being more ready séeing theÌ„selues reuenged and so much to their honour sounded a retreat garding their backs with the Citie wals leauing the enemy with lesse then the third part of their people And the greatest euil was that Poliphebus desirous to make shew of himselfe in company with his brother and Nephew wan the Standard of Comagena the King comming to the rescue lost his life honorably because it was by the hands of the Tinacrian This king was cousin and great friend to Bramarante and vncle to the furious Brauorante who when he knew of his death Gualtenor durst not tell how angry he was for before that the Gréeks were wholly withdrawn he slew aboue a hundred of theÌ„ would not returne to the campe without reuenge The diuelish young man went so compassed with his enemies that in despight of them hee went into the citie where I would gladly sée thée O Homer to sing the acts which he there performed he would not refuse to fight with a hundred for hee sought with them all He met with the Princes of Hungarie and Bohemia it was nothing to strike them to the ground considering what he pretended He turned to Thorisiano whoÌ„ he left sencelesse at his horses héeles And the braue Tartarian although he deserued it not hee had neere bereaued of life for casting bloud at his mouth and nostrils he threwe him to ground The strong Florisiano and the Prince of Croacia escaped not scotfrée for he left them astonied A proud attempt sixtéene Princes he threw to the ground in so ill plight that it was doubted of their liues He came to encounter the two famous Giants Bramidoro and Brandafidel to which he had an eie euer since their méeting in the willow valley He entred betwéene them nothing weyghing their terrible clubbes and they which were borne to be feared nothing feared him for whorling about their feareful weapons they both together smote him so strongly that they made him bow both his knées to the ground and had taken him but the terrible young man bestirring himselfe with his broad sword strake Brandafidels club out of his hands and came vpon him with another which set him from him faster then a good pace which gaue him place to rise and ouertake the furious Bramidoro Hee had paid no lesse then his life for the displeasure of this angrie young man for hee made him to fall vpon his hands and would haue closed to make a finall end of him and had done it had not the gentle Tifereo come who with a fierce blow hindred the purpose of the fierce Brauorante But he paid that which he ought to Poliphebus for with a thrust he wounded him verie sore in the middest of his brest and if his sword had entred a little further hee had nayled the one side to the other Brandafidel came to the rescue laying hand to his monstrous crooked Fawchion wherewith he thought to haue defeated the Pagan and smote him athwart the Helme and made him sée a thousand starres therein The Prince of Fraunce Clarindo by chance came at one side of him who was so eager that he could not strike although hee would faine but was likely to haue met with his death for the Pagan séeing him so néere him that hee could not strike him with his sword gaue him so sound a knocke with the Hilts that he â—aid him at his feete Gualtenor saith that had any of the other famous Princes entred with him the Citie had béene in danger to haue béene surprised he roared like a Bull at the stake and was more wight then an Ounce and thinking that hee should better execute his rage on foote he forsooke his horse and so iustled those which came mounted vpon great horses as though hee had béene an Elephant with two blowes hee strake downe the two brothers Spaniards which were held for as valiant as most in the Campe yet there were so many that desired to come to blowes with him that the place was neuer void but rather they met him in the way seeking reuenge All this did but inflame his rage had not the Gréeke Princes béene aduertised thereof who desirous to kill him came in all haste The Dane came first vpon his Tirian very cholericke for that he had ouerthrowne his Captaine which brought his troupes out of Dacia who entred pale with anger and ran vpon him with his horse brest but hee stirred him as much as if he had met with a rocke Then came the braue Claramante who had many times made him to feele what hee could doe with his Halbert who leapt from his horse to whome euerie one gaue place hee stood somewhat aloofe and whorling his weapon about his his head smote him ouer the Helmet and did more then Don Heleno his horse could doe for he made him set his hands to ground he seconded it with another which made him starke mad for making no reckoning of the third although that he saw it comming hee ioyned with him giuing him a suddaine blow with both his hands vpon the Helmet and made him to set both his hands and knées to the ground no man came to his rescue for feare to offend him thinking that he would make an end of the Pagan but hee was become such a Basiliske that if the whole Greeke Armie had beene there hee would not haue refused the battell against them all The louer gaue him a thrust in the brest and had not his armour béene so good hee had nayled him thorow and made him make two steps backwards By this time had all the flowre of the Greekes compassed him about and the Tinacrian had so great a desire to trie himselfe against him that hee leapt from his horse with his Shield vpon his arme desiring his brother to leaue that battell to him wherein he should doe him pleasure All meÌ„ desired to content him for he was beloued of all The Pagan knew him well by his Eagle and knowing that he had slaine his good Unkle hee assailed him bidding them both to prepare themselues which Claramante would not doe by any meanes but left the battell for his brother who as hee came fresh and eager before hee could turne about had giuen him two blowes one after another there was no enchantment against his weapons nor force equall to his for both his knees he made him set to the ground and reached him another no lesse then the former The Pagan
sawe that which hee neuer had seene for the swordes point entring at a cracke in his brest-plate as it found a little entrance it cut the rest till it set out the bloud it was a great chance and God preserued him to the end he should bee his fâ—iend and the greatest in the world to this Prince for falling in loue in Egypt hee was a meane to put the Ladie into his hand as shall bee declared in the fourth part of this Historie and so winding himselfe to one side the sword slipt out leauing him wounded although not much The braue Pagans bloud did fréeze in his belly to sée it vpon the Grecians sword and giuing a fierce crie he assailed him and but that his nimblenes did much helpe him I beléeue that hee had incurred great danger for notwithstanding all this he hit him a blow vpon the rich shield and made him runne stumbling forwards readie to fall The Pagan to his owne hurt closed with him for the Prince was as strong as hee who letting goe his shield set hand to his rich dagger But the Moore had such confidence in his armour that hee made no accompt thereof and the young man remembring the vertue of that weapon gaue him vpon the top of his shoulder two sore wounds one after another which made much bloud to run out The Moore was so highly angred that with a push hee put him far from him and séeing that it was meere madnesse to striue any longer hauing no assistance hee assailed the Knight Flamineo who was mounted vpon a good horse hee pluckt him out of his Saddle pulling him ouer those which were on horsebacke and with a leape hee gat the Saddle and rushing through the thickest aboue foure lost their liues in the Pagans going forth At the top of a hill all the whole armie staied expecting him hearing the noyse but they were not able to come to helpe him for from the turrets and Parrapets of the wals they threw so many stones Darts that without manifest danger they could not come néere him and the Pagan escaped not without it so as when he came to the Campe he was as wearie as furious he would speake to no man but rather méeting with Brufaldoro not remembring their agreement he set vpon him roaring like a baited bull The braue Mauritanian encountered for hee neuer feared him where they began one of the most fierce battels that euer was in the world for they were two of the best Knights therein but Bembo came to part them Herein did the Pagans blindnesse appeare who not respecting him turned against him saying that they should all fight against him for his deare Uncles death could not be reuenged with lesse then with the destruction of all the world The great Captaine would not lay hands on him although hee had much angred him All the whole Campe could not haue made him giue ouer the battell had not Floralisa come whom the Pagan euer since he met her in Mauritania had chosen for his God for hee was of opinion that there was nothing in the world worthy to be regarded but her beautie Well did the Lady know how dearely the Moore did loue her although it were single loue for she was otherwise prouided although she liued the most sorrowfull life of the world séeing her hope to marry with the Tinacrian frustrate yet to appease the battell she tooke off her Helmet and putting herselfe betweene them she sayd Giue roome Knights for this battell cannot now be ended and you wrong the Souldan of Niquea his whole campe if in time of necessitie any of your Armes should be missing The Pagan lifted his sword no more vp after he heard his mistris voyce Strange power of affection for what so many Princes could not doe was ended with her sight onely I would haue bene very glad valorous Lady said the Mauritanian if you would haue suffred mee to haue ended it but seeing it is your pleasure I leaue it in your hands Let it rest sayd the Ladie vntill the field battell be ended Let it be as you will appoint it sayd he now very gentle which before seemed to be a Lion for from henceforth in any part I will not breake it and so they returned to their campe and although against his will yet she made him to sup in the Ladies Tent where although fained she shewed him a thousand fauours they were meanes to withhold him from his fury for he had determined to pursue them al to be reuenged of the death of his Uncle There was great sorrowe for the losse of that day and meaning to make amends in the field battell they concluded that it should be eight daies after What happened in the meane season you shall knowe by the next Chapter CHAP. XXVIII How the Greekes with victorie returned to the Citie where they made preparation for the field and how the two youthes were made knowne to their mother WIth such contentment as winners vse to enioy most excellent Prince the Greekes remained in the Citie of Hircambela wondring at the furie of that Pagan holding it for a matter incredible if with their eyes they had not séene it and so much to the cost of such personages as they were There was none of the Princes but desired alone to fight with him especially Poliphebus of whome the old King of Macedonia returning to Constantinople reported wonders all were glad thereof especially his Father who loued him in the same degree as he did the Emperour Alphebus By the Ladies which boldly might doe it those knights were disarmed some helping one with their hands and with their eyes and soule another What passed in the Campe was discouered and how that from thence eight dayes they had appointed the field battell because that by that time Leobello would be cured of his hurts Lupertius cured him verie carefully that all might sée how much hee loued them One night the discréete Selia came by chance who had folded them in their swadling cloathes at the time of their birth being much affected to their valour without any knowledge of them by reason of Eufronisa who was in the same Tent shee went to see how hee did of his hurts Shee came as Lupertius was dressing of him and as women are verie bold and being by night for that shée would seeme to doe him some fauour therein shee tooke the candle to giue him light to dresse him but hee had scarcely lifted vâ— his shirt to see the wounds in his brest for those were the most cruell shee was so much troubled that shée was readie to let the candle fall out of her hand and seeing the picture of a Ladies face in the young mans brest and remembring that that marke was vpon one of the children borne by the Princesse Eufronisa and shee imagining that without doubt this was one of them with verie ioy shée was ouercome Shee desired to stay with him to the end to know more
on our side the mightie Generall and Claramante with the vnknowne Gréeke which came to ioyne with greater force then can be imagined Oristoldo lost his stirrops but hauing so good a horse he past furiously along the like did the foure which remained they returned the one against the other with as great courage as possibly could be imagined Bembo desirous to strike Claridiano came so néere that he could not strike him and so came to handie gripes the Greeke knew the Pagans strength and leauing his stirrops he suffered himselfe to be carried away but in plucking him from his Saddle he took so strong hold that he pluckt him out of his before that hee was able to quit his stirrops which if the Gréek had knowen he would haue trailed him from his horse It was a luckie chance for Archisiloraes Louer for as he was stronger then the Moore so he set him vp against his horse and with his dagger was like to haue slain him for he hurt him although not dangerously The yong man was almost lost for the Giants séeing the Pagan in the ground charged with their squadron had troden him vnder foot had he not bin closed with Bembo but this the approach of the battels gaue theÌ„ place to take horse beginning betwéene them anew so furious a battel as if they had bin alone within the Lists It lasted not long for the flouds of frieÌ„de enemies parted them being mixed among the troupes where oh who is able to expresse what blowes were giuen aboue 30000. lost their saddles some presently their liues for they were either troden vnder the horse féete or smoothered with extreme heate who had seene the gallant Claramante with his shield at his backe charge the enemie with his Battel-axe at large to let driue at those Giants which as they were huge so many he neuer mist blow at euery blow felled one to the grouÌ„d stopping the passage against the horsemen his friends held him so good companie that it gaue great pleasure to behold theÌ„ for Claridiano carefull of his Lady suffered her not to strike a blow although she wel made shew of the valor of her persoÌ„ The warlike Lady charged in so far among the Giants that before she was aware hauing hoâ—t her horse they had her afoote her Louer repaired to the noyse séeing the Queene a ground I cannot tel whether a man should relate what the Gréeke did For 4. Giants being alighted to help their Captaine which was at handy gripes with the Lady he laid theÌ„ on the ground at 4. blowes and came where the Giant was armed with plankes of stéele his Helme He let her go séeing the Gréeke coÌ„ming prepared for his defence but it was too late for before he could turne with the furie which did predominate in him hee smote him with both handes vpon the head rasht away a great piece therof of his thick helmet hee seconded another together with Archisilora shee with a thrust pearced him thorow he before hee fel had cleft his head so as the best fairest hands in the world wrought his death Many did enuie the Giant for his death in such maner Oristoldo and Claramante would not bee out of the way when they should assist them The thrée famous Pagans turned backwards hearing the noyse and those which were a foote were like to bee in danger by their comming for in the Generals gard they had done much harme It was strange to sée Bembo with his sword died in bloud The furious Brauorante bare that day a great Mace of stéele being stung with the death of his Uncle hee sufficiently reuenged it for hée gaue many for one at his comming hee met with those of the Generals Chamber and flue thrée of them at two blowes and charging the Giants which had the gard of his person being nothing afraid to sée himselfe alone amongst them he began to stirre in such maner that if Claramante had not come hauing first mounted those two princes hee had made an end of them but knowing him they gaue place whose battell is not to bee forgotten for the one with his Axe and the other with his Mace at euerie blowe made the bloud to gush out at their Uisors It was good hap for a great many and as a man might say ordained by the heauens for at one blow with his terrible Axe hitting close by his hand hee smote in two péeces his Mace of steele and it was maruaile that he had not done the like by his armes O who had then séene the angrie Moore more furious then a Basiliske hee was nothing amazed neither did hee strike sayle to furie but rather drew out a sharpe skeane wherewith hee would haue smitten the Gréeke but it was too late for he had alreadie the edge of his Axe vpon his Helme here he saw that which he neuer thought of his weapons for hitting him athwart the Creast he smote it cleane away a great part of his stéele Cap. Forwards went the louer glad to see the Standard to march forwards getting ground The infidell Bembo perceiued it and with great furie would haue set vpon him which bare it which was the good Duke of Thebes had not his hands béene as good as his iudgement according to the force wherwith he pluckt it he had ne're caried it Brufaldoro followed the chase The old man was in great danger but his 3. soÌ„nes which were the flowre of the Gréeks defended their father as wel as they did the standard Oristoldo and Claridiano wel saw the hurly burly but the Giants did so much trouble them that they could not passe but séeing what was lost in the Standard notwithstanding he had a good gard throwing downe those which stood in his way the furious Claridiano caâ—e and met with Brufaldoro and taking him at vnwares it was a maruell that he had not killed him for in passing by he gaue him a mighty thrust in one of his sides which finding entrance in the iointing came forth againe all died in bloud The yong man passed by so swift that hee could not strike him but others of lesse worth which remained behind paid for displeasing him Bembo would that all the whole army should charge for the being by halfe more then the Gréekes being mixt al together they might the better one helpe another The horne was thrise winded which was a warning to giue the charge The braue Oristoldo well vnderstood it retiring with his company then which a better was not in the world he said vnto them The time is now come valorous Princes wherein your valour wil appeare for Bembo hath giuen signe for the generall charge and because he shall not thinke that we are carelesse it shall be good to get the hand of them which he did for he presently winded his so lowd that all the valleys rang thereof The Ladies in Mars his Castle knew it and the
you shal heare in the next Chapter CHAP. III. Of that which hapned to the Prince of Tinacria with a Knight much affected to Celibella and how he ended the battell for her IT should bee past midnight most Noble Lord when a Knight with his lamentations did awakeÌ„ the valiant Poliphebus who a little from him had laid him down to sléep The sonne of the cruel Garriofilea saâ—e vpon the gréene grasse and being frée from loue he harkned and gessing which way the complaint came fully armed not knowing what might follow for he would not goe vnprouided he saw by the Moone light which shined very cléere at the foote of a great Oake a great Knight stretched all along vpon the ground richly armed in blew armour wrought all ouer with many knots of gold bee séemed to the Tinacrian to be some Knight of good account In his shield which he had fastened to his necke was painted loue with a merry countenance and fortune in the skirt with the most piercing aspect that euer was séene with these letters vnderwritten Fortune being so contrary With angrie valour taking part Though constant loue be on my side Yet nothing can assure my heart The Knight séemed to be in a trance séeing he moued not as indéed he was for the griefe to lose the faire Celibella had put him out of his wits But when he came againe to himselfe with a sigh being out of breath he began to say O Fortune with how many trials doest thou shew thy mutabilitie tyring my heart with so many troubles If I did imagine blind Goddesse that I had euer béene rebellious against thée that I had not respected thée that I had not put my trust in thée that I had doubted of thy power and of what thou art I should haue taken this rigorous touch for a reward for my patience But séeing that without any occasion thou wilt shew thy selfe my greatest enemy I hauing giuen thée no iust cause thereof I cannot forbeare to complaine and onely of thy mutabilitie séeing that with what or for what thou hast brought me to the point that nothing but death onely can yéeld mee ease O â—â—wardly heart séeing that for being so thou suffrest her to die which might giue thée life in distresse succour thée Pardon mee worthy Princesse for now I sée the iniurie which with my cowardise I haue done thée in not daring to oppose my life in thy behalfe and séeing that so many wayes I sée it lost and that now fayling with thée the remainder wil be worse then death it selfe the Gods defend that I sée thy vniust death but rather that I with iustice bereaue my soule thereof for in so long staying I wrong the loue I beare thée and herewith in a diuellish furie hee snatcht vp his sword and lifting vp his bresâ—plate hee would haue thrust it into his owne bodie saying Herewith soueraigne Ladie I make amende for not vndertaking the battell although that I had seene my death before mine eyes by how much more then beeing for thée it might haue béene accounted life The Tinacrian tooke hold of him and before that hee could effect his diuellish intent he seized vpon his sword which he pluckt out of his hands saying Oh desperate Knight and with committing so vilde an act wilt thou soader vp that which thou hast done against the Ladie whom thâ—usâ— much louest The Moore came to himselfe who was Prince of Prussia a countrey very néere adioyning to that of the most faire Celibella and beholding that Knight so tall and so wel armed being perswaded that he saw his remedy he said vnto him Do me not Sir Knight so great displeasure but suffer me to satisfie with my life that which I haue committed against the most faire Lady that the world containeth séeing that vndertaking the battell for her although with the losse of my life I might haue done her particular seruice but being against so furious a knight with very cowardise I lost that which I might haue gotteÌ„ although I had remained without life and séeing that now to hold it it will be to my further hurt giue me leaue to procéede according to my determination if you will not that I make a larger payment for the error which I haue committed which was the greatest that euâ—r Knight committed against her whom he so loued Leaue off your so much sorrow said the warlike Tinacrian for men are not bound to vndertake matters aboue their force for in such case you of your part are excused That cannot bee said the Pagan who owing his life and would not venture it for her in any daunger how doubtfull so euer the successe thereof were cannot be excused therefore you cannot denie me the wrong that I haue done my Ladie Notwithstanding all this I will not yéeld that any such crueltie bee committed in my presence neither is it weldone but ill you see the end of this aduenture to torment your selfe in such sort as may put you in such despaire as this which dooth so much disgrace the valour which appeareth in your person And because I came from farre about this businesse and to fight for this Ladie I pray you be satisfied and hold me companie to the Citie where I will trie my lot with Furiander Who can presume Sir Knight said the Moore to come into that Citie where hee hath committed so great a fault such as the like hath not beene séene I haue not the power neither can any thing make me thereto able It hath not beene so great said the Tinacrian but it may be amended if fortune fauour vs. The Prince told him so many things that in the end hee offred to hold him companie to the end that he might see the forces wherewith hee should fight for Celibella By this time it was day and so they tooke their horses and with the damsell and the Tinacrian his squire they tooke the way towards the Citie and by the way hee knew that this Knight was the Lord and King of Prussia where he fel in loue with the Princesse Celibella although he neuer knew the necessitie wherein shee was vntill hee came with his armes onely disguised to the Court to see her which for her beautie was extolled through his whole Dominion and comming thither he vnderstood of Furiander his challenge But the fame of his valour was such that hee durst not vndertake the battell for the Princesse notwithstanding that hee loued her much more then his owne soule and falling into consideration of what hee had done going forth of the Citie he meant to haue slayne himselfe The Tinacrian recomforted him the best that hee could and he did not a little preuaile being the most fearefull yong man in the world They ariued when the King was newly risen from the table and had that day inuited the famous Furiander purposing with some good reasons to haue disswaded him from that attempt being very sorrowfull for that he perseuered
in his determination he saw néere at hand the certaine death of his déerely beloued daughter for hee continued so obstinate in his vniust challenge that nothing could withdraw him from his damned resolution The two Princes came in whose presence gaue no small ioy to all that were in the hall principally the Tinacrian for no man had a greater grace in his countenance In ouer-looking the hall with iudiciall eyes the sonne of great Trebatius doing some reuerence said God saue the great King of Samogacia and graunt thée that peace which thy personage deserueth this Knight and I come from farre countries onely to defend the wrong as we haue vnderstood which is done by a certaine Knight vnto thy Daughter and casting lots whether of vs should first enter into battell for her it fell to me which gaue mee no small content to doe thy daughter this seruice and performe that whereto by the law of Knighthood I am bounden and therefore you may commaund her to be called and wee shall sée whether shee will commit the equitie of her cause into my hands The Gods requite thée the band Sir Knight wherein you haue bound me with offring your person to such danger as this present which is one of the greatest that you haue séene which might be ended by some other meanes if this Knight would who is the defendâ—nt to the challenge but séeing it must goe as fortune will appoint there is no more to be done but to come to the battell which the Gods graunt may end according to the equitie of the cause To be of the Princesses part mightie King hath compelled me to come answered the Tinacrian The fierce Pagan being somewhat moued rose vp saying I would not Sir Knight that you should haue so great confidence in the Ladies innocencie but that you should come so well furnished with forces as are needfull for the battel and so you may take this Knight to helpe you for my challenge doth extend to foure It shall not néed said the sonne of Trebacius to haue any more companie theÌ„ the equity of my cause doth giue me for if I be in the right my person will sufâ—ice for a greater matter if in the wrong little will great forces preuaile against iustice and I much desire that such a Knight which is so famous as you are before so many people should not make shew to trust more in the strength of your arme then in the equitie of your cause which most commonly fayling valour is of little effect The furious Pagan beeing there with â—ffended answered saying I thought not Knight that my curtesie had animated thee to be so proud but because thou maist know that I will not passe the time in words being more fit to vse deeds we wil no longer deferre the battell As he had ended his answere came the most faire Celibella all clad in mourning attire which did greatly encrease her beautie The Tinacrian had neuer séene greater beautie for there were few in the world that did excell her Her father told her at her comming how that Knight vndertooke the battell for her The faire Princesse knew him straight by his deuice of a bough which he bare in his shield that hee was the man for whom she had sent She presently gaue him authoritie with greater contentment then can be spokeÌ„ although that when she remeÌ„bred the infortunate Princes her most pleasing thoughts were watred with teares These two valiant Warriours made no delay for the fierce TinacriaÌ„ taking his leaue of the King went into the lists taking with him the Prince of Prussia who stood to looke on On the other side of the lists presently came in the valorous Furiander much people accompanying him although there was no bodie that would he should winne the palme or weare those armes wherein hee had accused the Princesse who was set vpon a scaffold with a sufficient gard where she prayed to her false Gods that her Knight might obtaine the victorie séeing the in so iust a cause he vndertooke the battell Face to face stood these two warriours whose lookes and gestures were such that he which stood farthest off did scarcely account himselfe in safetie at the giuing of the fearefull signe they drew with more swiftnesse then an arrow flieth In the middest of the place was appointed the course of their Carriere making a greater sound in their meeting then if two hils had runne together they bowed not in their â—addles with the force of the lances which brake like Kâ—xes whose splinters flew so high that they were out of sight These two rare men in valour turned their horses with their swords in their hands approching the one iust to the other they gaue so fearefull blowes as would haue beaten a rocke in pieces eche of them could testifie his aduersaries force they redoubled the second with greater courage then dexteritie either of them féeling his owne blood in his mouth they began to make benefite of the nymblenesse wherewith they were endued closing and beating by the blowes in such exquisite maner that Mars himselfe could not haue done the like The valiant Moore spurring his horse thinking by swiftnesse to get aduantage charged carrying his sword firme with the point forwardes The great Tinacrian was well aware thereof there was neuer seene any Eagle more swift then hee in giuing blowes and making his horse to giue a bound hée passed before the Moore and turned him so sodainly that hee wondred at the Sonne of Trebacio they came to ioyne and the Moore would giue the first blow hee did it which was more swift then the wind and strake him vpon the rich Helmet whose finenesse warranted his life for otherwise hee had clouen him to the saddle it sounded like a bell and therein the Tinacrian saw a thousand starres in the skies he fell vpon his horse necke and the Moore doubled his blow but if hee had giuen the third the battell had béen ended for it came with such force that he was quite senselesse he had closed with him if he had not séene that more furious then a Basiliske hee returned with his sword aloft There was no man in that place that yeelded not the victorie for the Pagan the Ladies fainting confirmed the same for losing her Rosiall colour it became like snow séeing the blowes which her Knight had receyued who was nothing discouraged therewith but casting his shielde at his backe grinding his téeth against the other he assayled the Moore giuing him so mightie a blow vpon his helme that he left him al that part vnarmed charging him so vehemently that there mist but little to haue laid him in the dust hee tooke hold of his horse necke The Tinacrian ioyned with him accounting the victorie for his owne and with both his handes gaue him another blow which imprinted his sword in his flesh wounding him in the shoulder as the Moore setled him selfe losing no occasion he gaue him two thrusts one