came thether the Page of the Dacian with his French Damsell who receiued great contentment in beholding the valour of her Knight and reioyced that shee carried in her companie so good a warrant in the right of her Mistres Grisalinda The new and valiant Louer Torismundo being at libertie came vnto the Chariot whereas their Pages had fréeed all that were therein of their vngentle bands and pulling off his helme his face being by reason of the heat somewhat inflamed hee showed himselfe to be one of the fairest knights that was to be found and verie yong for as before it was said his beard did not yet appeare Comming to the Chariot hee knéeled downe before the Ladie saying Pardon faire Ladie my delay in gréeting you for I could do no more than was in my power the offence arises not from want of good will vouchsafe therefore to receiue this small seruice of him that is readie to put his life in anie aduenture that redoundeth to your content and to accompt it as his owne The Ladie did well vnderstand the affection wherewith he spoke it but being restrained by the vnseperable yoake of marriage with the Prince of Geneua who was present she answered The heauens reward you worthy knight one of the most valiant you are that euer I haue séene what you haue done for my husband and mee heauen will requite It is sufficient ioy to vs that you haue shewed your selfe so valiant that we may thankfully attribute the reward only to your worthines as a thing admirable vnto vs. It cannot be imagined what gréef this passioned youth receiued in séeing his remedie impossible whereby hee perfectly vnderstood the true sayings of the wise man that he should sée himself in excessiue troubles accounting this at this present to be one of the greatest aduersities that might chance him yet notwithstanding because he would not giue them knowledge thereof he dissembled his griefe and answered It were vnequall glory vnto me gallant Lady to attribute vnto my Arme that which with so great reason is dewe to this stout warrior vnto whome with greater right you ought to giue the thankes for your ayde and succour as vnto one of the mightiest Knightes that euer bore armor And at this instant the Dacian Prince was with them but with his helme on because they should not know him for that it séemed vnto him he had before séene the Prince spouse to the faire Dutches of Sauoy called Orosia and greatly maruelled at the beauty and worthinesse of the Prince of Spaine So after there had passed many reasons with those Ladies they did importune him much for to discouer himselfe which he refused to doe for that he said he had giuen his word vnto the Damsell not for to disarme himselfe neither to enter into any publique enterveiw with any till such time as he had finished an aduenture whereon he then went Without impeach of this promise Sir knight said the faire Dutches I hope it will not bee out of your way to beare vs company vnto the citty of Paris Then aunswered Don Heleno I doe sweare vnto your beautie worthy Ladie that it is not in my power for I haue put my libertie into the handes of this Damsell that commeth with me Wel séeing it is so answered the Prince of Geneua wee shall receiue great content if that at your comming to Paris wee may chaunce to sée you that in some parte wea may gratifie the greate good which you haue done for vs which will be ioyfull vnto vs all The like was promised by the worthie Torismundo who was greatly affectioned to the gentle disposition of the Dacian and would haue remained with him to haue knowen who he was Afterwards inquiring of one of the Prisoners who his Lord should bée He said that it was the furious Tilmon Sonne vnto the mightie Brandafuriel whome Clauerindo the Prince of France slew and left this but a verie yong Youth but when hee grew great and bigge in yeares he receaued the order of knighthood and became the most hardiest knight in all that Countrey liuing in such valiant sort that he was estéemed for a more worthy man than his father Which Tilmon purposing to be reuenged for his Fathers death came from the Towred Iland whereof he was Lord and brought those Giants in his companie the better at his ease to séeke reuengement And after we had disimbarked our selues on shoare wee went through the Countrey in secret till yesterdaye wee met with this Chariot which was going towards Paris and vnderstanding the gréefe that the king would receiue for the imprisonment of his Nephewes as both the prince of Geneua and his Wife were hee did apprehend them to procure some occasion through sorrow to kil y e French king I giue great thankes vnto God and vnto these worthie knights said the faire Orosia that your euill pretence took no effect So for that it waxed late they tooke their leaue of the knights and iournied towards Paris where they arriued the next day and were receiued with great ioye and content by the king vnto whom they declared what had happened vnto them by the way and how they were set at libertie by two alone knightes whereat the king greatly meruailed and could not imagine who they shuld be of so great power and strength that alone durst giue battell vnto so manie together and against such deformed Giants He was somwhat comforted to sée his welbeloued Neuewes yet not in such sort but that he felt in his soule the griefe concerning his daughter which in conclusion he was constrayned to make the Dukes pertakers thereof who although it were a griefe vnto them as it was reason yet they studyed to dissemble it and to comforte their Unkle in all that was possible and determined that the Prince of Geneua should goe disguised and séeke those valiant Knights and to giue them vnderstanding of all that passed that they might frustrate that greate euill which was raysed against the Infant Grisalinda The which Knightes after they were departed from the Chariot entred into the thicke grouie Countrey till they came vnto a fayre Fountaine whereas they lighted and the Spaniard cast his armes vpon the Prince said Sir Knight showe not me so much iniurye as you did vnto that precious Lady in not declaring to me your name for in doing so I shall remaine without gratifying of the ayde and succour you did vnto me Worthye Knight aunswered the discréete Dacian I should be very ill aduised if I should not acknowledge the great good which is gotten in making him pertaker of my thoughts that is of such desert and so desirous and if I did vse my strength it was not for that you were in necessitie therof but the affection which I receiued did constrain me to ioyne with the breuitie of the time that I might if it were not a griefe vnto you demaund what you were and likwise aduertise you of the most secret things
fortune had coÌ„passion of your griafe Thou hadst reason diuine Floriana to remaine doubtfull of séeing me at thy departure How ofteÌ„ didst thou vrge me with my plighted faith the which I will kéepe till such time as I am in thy estate without any feare to loose thée but to sée thée with these eies wherwith I now doe celebrate thy death Oh most happy land of Cantabria in times past pittifull to my lamentations how maiest thou from this day forwards begin to mourne for the lacke of such a Lady and Mistresse Now my louing father may you liue content with my fortune to see me liue without my Floriana who was so odious in your eies for that I loued her I am vexed still that you doe noâ— conceaue it was life to me to loue her and a swéete ease to suffer for her Nowe here I sweare by my high thoughts not to returne to Spaine but to destroy it once againe if any therein were the occasion of the death of my loues life although it were my naturall father Oh my Floriana what can I doe to liue content or who is able to giue it me but death onely the which if I suffer for thy sake I will receaue it gladly And hauing a desperate wil he pulled out his sword saying O happy sword being the sword of my Goddes with thée at her hands I receiued the order of knighthood I sweare by her beauty that none shal be able to disturbe me til this vnhappy body doth accompany her in death that did giue it so excellent a life At that instant he would haue lifted vp the skirt of his shirt of male to haue thrust his sword in thereat If the discréet Arsilo had not thrown himselfe before him and pulled it out of his murdring hands Then this grieued youth came to himselfe and saide Oh my Arsilo is this the loue you beare me to hinder me that I go not to accompany in death that which neuer departed from me liuing my friend permit it as thou wouldest the heauens to be more fauourable to thée then they haue béene vnto the sorrowfull Torismundo Worthy Prince and my Lord answered the discréete page I should offend much therein in the duety that I owe vnto you and your generous father and you offende more your owne discretion for that you cannot suffer that which the heauen doth ordaine the faire Dutchesse was not for you for that the commaunder of all beauty had chose her for himselfe Amongst worthy persons there is nothing more to be praised then to know how to beare and suffer the disgraces of fortune with such courage as they doe her fauours consider how little ease it should be to your griefe in killing your selfe Doest thou call it little said the grieued Knight that alone is sufficient to succour me wherewith should I end so many deaths which waited on me but in giuing my selfe one for the conclusion of all thys did euill agrée vnto the seruice that thou owest mee sith to die is onelye profitable At this time answered the page I will die ere you shed one droppe of bloud Heare me a little my beloued Lorde that I may set before your eies examples for your comfort The Phrigians had excéeding cause to bewaile the death of valiant Hector and they did fill the ayre with immeasurable lamentations yet not one of them no not his Andromache though being deare to all to him she was most deare not one of them I say despairingly slewe himselfe but armed their resolutions against their enemies Who could waile a louers losse more than Venus her swéete Adonis whom she found discoloured and dead his faire body rent by a foule Boare yet she despaired not amidst her lamentations Sorrow for seperated friends I deny not is necessary but to die because they die is diuelish and damnabâ—e Despaire depriueth al grace doubteth of immortality and let not your excellence wrong Floriana so much to make quâ—stion of her immortall being Suppose her gone vnto a Princely habitation hauing enioyned you to perfourme aduentures for her loue Let your little short span of life be the progresse to that house your iourny done you shall enioy her sight Therefore consider worthy Prince and besides these reasons remember the royall bloud from whence you descend and the harme you should doe to many by your death who haue néed of that life that you so little estéeme Celebrate the death of your Mistresse and let me be the first in death if it may be any comfort vnto you But I am sure that it is rather an anger to Floriana who enioyeth a better estate than ours Therefore returne vnto your reasonable senses beloued Prince and conâ—ider that it is the ordinance of heauen for that you against the will of your father woulde loue her and might haue sought an other equall vnto your estate This grieued youth receaued great comfort by the discreete reasons of his page but not in such sort that it caused him to forget the griefe he felt The page séeing that he was somewhat quieted and eased drew foorth a letter saying This is the last worke that came from the hands of your Lady This worthy Spaniard did take it 〈◊〉 kissed it a thousand times and bedewing it with teares he opened it and read as followeth The letter of Floriana the Dutches of Cantabria to Torismundo Prince of Spaine VNderstand from me welbeloued Prince that I draw nigh vnto a new estate being appointed by the heauens and remembring with what truth you answered my firmenesse almost life scarce suffering mee to write these fewe lines I tooke strength to write vnto thée only for to desire thée by the faith which thou plightedst to bee mine to passe thy life in my absence with discretion as is required and Torismundo let not my death bee occasion of thy indiscréet dealing I would welbeloued Prince that I might in this worlde call thee my owne but to thy comfort in the other world I will thither goeth thy beloued Floriana hoping to sée thée when as the powers of heauen will stande our friend I can say no more for that my senses faile To God I leaue my beloued Torismundo Dying Floriana This afflicted Gallant concluded the reading of the letter giuing a harty sigh saying Oh chance and is it possible that now should be shewed vnto me so much euill and that she commaunds me to liue and I must performe it Oh my deare Mistresse how can I liue who liued onely with your presence Oh Fortune with how much discontent doest thou giue a little contentment Oh vnhappy heart so cruelly vsed in the beginning of thy age and tormented with thy excessiue torments Ah Floriana to remaine with life will be death vnto me but séeing that you receaue content therein I will liue imploying the rest of my life to loue in absence in the â—ame degrée as when I triumphed in your soueraigne beautye Now you may worthy Spaniard saide the Page
vnto my simple lodging nowe those delicate handes hath so soone put me in such estate that I am not as I was wont to be visited To whom she said Sir Knight if this way you will carry it I wel could long â—re this haue giuen you entire health but I receauing content in your company haue delaied the cure at which fault of mine it séemeth you are malecontent neither can I blame you séeing the gallant Oliuia is not here by whome you should receaue all the contentment that may be giuen You doe well faire Princesse said Rosicleer so to put it off that I may more and more protest the seruices I haue sworne to the beauteous Floralinda which if weakenesse hinder not I wil on any occasion perfourme Cease now to talke of occasions said Floralinda I know ye haue béene alwaies a professed seruant to faire Ladies and therefore worthily were you called the Knight of Cupide and in their defences haue you shewen your selfe a second Mars But tell me certainely swéete Prince now Mars is vnarmed of his good sworde were it not a faire sight to sée Oliuia his Venus by his side Impossibilities said the Prince are not to be expected Oliuia is too farre from hence distant to be here with wishing but should the Knight of Cupide wish for Venus she were not farre to séeke Floralinda of Macedon beeing so nere With your leaue great Prince said Meridian if this be Venus and you Mars I dare ingage my honour the olde fable will prooue false for neither will you forsake Oliuia for this face nor my Venus make Meridian Vulcan for your valour Let vs leaue these iestes said Floralinda if we run into such coÌ„parisons for if the Prince or I had that intention yonder shines the same glorious Eie of daie that discouered to all the Gods the lustfull Mars and his faire minion in an iron net and the same sun would surely shewe our sinne to all the earth But the Grecian Prince wil neuer proue y e Mars said Rosicleer nor Floralinda so light a Venus Inough inough said the Troian Oriâ—tides Meridian is disposed to stand on nice tearmes it was not long since he was otherwise imployed but libertie now the possession of his faire Loue maketh him secure The Greeke Prince hath lost his Sword and his Oliuia is far distant Meridian may therfore be much merrier than his famous Rescuer Let vs intend our iourney towardes Greece and therefore worthie Knight of Cupide dispose we pray thée of this Castle and the curteous Giant as to thy bountie best séemeth I will giue vnto the Giant said Rosicleer that which his bountie and vertue deserueth being there too vrged by Meridian Floralinda and your selfe Therefore I praye you call him that we may finish our affaires here The Nephew of the Troyan was not slothfull to fetch the Giant who till that time would not speake with anie neither come foorth of his chamber with the gréefe he conceiued for the losse of his Father and Brethren all that while his Sister did cure him and giue him diet He came in a gowne of russet veluet cut vpon purple and the Giant Ladie with him who although she was great yet was shee well proportioned At their comming all the Princes arose vp which argued in them great and high curtesie and beeing all set againe the Greeke addressâ—d his talke vnto the Giant I doo wel vnderstand vertuous Brandafidell that neither the death of your Father and brethren neither to sée your selfe ouercome and in prison and your Castle in the power of a strange owner hath bin occasion to alter your heart as one that knoweth vnto what man is subiect liuing vnder the continuall chaunce and change of fortune It shall not therefore be needfull for your comfort to laye before you anie example of him that in one daye was a King and in the same was throwne into a cage or prison This I speake worthie Knight for that you should accept this present fortune as a thing you looked for and so you shall see that the euill shall neuer gréeue you because it commeth as a thing expected before The death of them all is a griefe vnto me and I should haue béen verie ioyfull if there had béene any other meane to haue preuented it but the imprisonment of these Princes being betwéene deserued that a better estéemed life then mine should be aduentured for their liberties It is now done and there could be no lesse don Therfore confirme your selfe vnto that which fortune doth offer which is the fréendship of these Princes and mine and if there be any other thing requisite and necessarie for the satisfaction of the dead you are at libertie and Lorde of the Castle as before for that these worthy Princes doe thinke it conuenient and séeing you are a néere neighbor vnto the Princes Countrie acknowledge him for your friend and he will fauour you in all he may And in satisfaction of the pain and griefe they suffered in the inchantment the losse of my estéemed swoord hée shall at our intreatie tell vs who is this great wise man and where hee dwelleth that in way of prophecie thus foretelleth wonders And therewith the Prince concluded his spéech giuing contentment vnto them all Then the stout Pagan aunsweared with a kinde of humilitie which procéeded from his vertuous disposition I will not â—â—ower of Knighthood for this present nor for that which is past newly binde my selfe to be more affectioned neither héerwith more extoll the noblenesse which you doe vse in doing that which is common to so soueraigne a Prince I liued in securitie and you being the victor I cannot say I am ouercome And being conquered by those warlike handes I do extende that nothing could to mee bee more glorious then to haue put my selfe in the field against him that Mars himselfe dare not contende with The libertie which you and these Lords doe giue I so estéeme of it as is good reason I shoulde but I woulde change it howsoeuer to be alwaies in your companie and employ it as experience should manifest in your seruice while life lasted ending therewith my swéete bondage I acknowledge all you my kinde Lords and friendes for that you demaund touching the inchauntment Many dayes past my mother did tell vs that in the Grecian house was borne my fathers death and now it is wel séen for that you haue giuen it him and she said that with very griefe to sée my father slaine shee should dye and that I shoulde see in her reuenge running brookes of Grekish bloud for that she had an Unkle the wisest man that is to be found in all those partes who neuer woulde carrie vs to sée his dwelling which is called the hidden Iland and they say that it was neuer séen of any since he dwelt in it And that for this reuengement he will ioyne together the greatest part of all the Pagans nourishing and maintaining fiue Knights which
fresh bloud and each of them a scrole shewing their names On the first was writ Don Celthdo the hidden And the figure of the faire Floralisa séemed the most excellent in the world and by the gallant haire which was more yellow then that of Apollo they perceaued and knew her to be a woman and for her name she had onely these letters F. and L. But betwéene them both there was a scutchen whereon was this written To change the sea is not sufficient But the greene earth shall streame with purple gore When the three brethren fierce and violent Intend their slaughters on the sea and shore As this gallant and gentle Assirian was beholding this warlike Princesse there increased within him a thousand thoughts and that alone sight caused that to succéed which séemed impossible I meane the subiection of a hart more frée then euer yet was knowne in the Assirian nation And with great affection he asked of the wise man who that deuine Lady should be To whom Gelasio answered laughing Loued sonne it is not conuenient to know who she is at this present to auoide the knowledge of death before you see the cause thereof But the time wil come that you shal sweare in her hands my reuengement and vow to be hers although first it will cost you full deare A little more forwardes from those gallant youthes they sawe painted vpon a sea stained with bloude this writing which the Phoenecian Prince read Mars ore the new world giues me victory And sweares no strength shall passe my chiualry With a gallant demeanor said the Phoenecian Prince of truth discréet father there must be more experience of our persons ere we be exercised in the sight of such rigorous figures as these be Let not this grieue you answered Gelasio for he that did paint it did not ground his painting vpon the worke but vpon the déeds which vnto these three as a fauour from heauen granted them shal be attributed being so many that the seas vast spaciousnes shal be filled with wonder yet euery one for his part must enamell it with some of his owne bloud And when this shal happen the braue Torisiano shall loose his liberty At the end of all he shewed a rough youth one of the bâ—â—t proportioned in all that quadrant although the last with this deuice his féete were setled vppon a world like vnto a gloaâ—e all embrued in bloude as a victor thereof and in his left hand a banner where in was this written Mars ore the new world giue me victory And sweares no strength shall passe my chiualry In his right hand he had a sharpe dagger turned with the point against his owne heart with this writing What doth auaile my purâ—hast soueraignty When of my selfe my selfe shall butcher be With a hearty sigh did the wise man solemnize the leauing of these Emblemes saying Louing sonnes this is he of whom I tremble in my hidden dwelling This is he that together with his brethren shall not care to giue battaile to all the Pagan countrey this is he whom I feare to whom destiny at his birth did promise triumph and victory of the vniuersall world This is he whom the world shall feare till such time as the little tame lambe shut vp in the inchaÌ„ted tower for that she had him in his armes being a childe he do acknowledge her for his owner swearing at her first sight that he is the same that so long time past was promised vnto her So of this furious youth I can say no more All the Princes exceedingly reioyced to behold so faire figures and thought the time long to sée themselues armed Knights to goe foorth into the world to séek out such valiant Youths as were there shown to prooue themselues with them And so being dinner time they went into an Arbour and Gelasio commanded their meate to be broght thether in such princely manner as though they had béen in their Fathers Pallaces Dinner beeing done they there passed away the day till their wonted time of walking Gelasio not suffring them to sée the pallace where as the Brother and Sister were for that the two Princes Torisiano and Don Argente of Phoenicia should vndertake shortly a great Aduenture NOw am I carried with a swift course to the two gallant Youths the Brother and the Sister who after the great roaring they heard let slippe theyr greyhounds and with their blades in their handes they passâ—d thorough a great thicket and came into a Playne nigh the sea side whereas they saw two deformed Satyres who had slaine a Knight that came thether in a a Barke at which déed the monsters taking great content made those horrible out-cryes and detested roarings These two Princes verie much mused to sée people of that shape for that they had neuer beheld other but the Wise-man and their Pages yet not forgetting the generositie of their couragious hearts with their swords in their hands they went against those diuelish monsters as though they had béene verie well armed and long exercised to their weapons Now want I excellence of Art to describe the heroike resolution of this yong Princesse O happie Satyre that deserueth to receiue blowes of so glorious a Damosell The swift Chariot Driuer of the Sunne sometimes the Shepâ—ard of Admetus in his course the better to beholde this battle The deformed beast would haue caught her in his armes But this Scithian Ladie would not giue him that fauour which Iupiter himselfe hardly deserued but put her swoord betwéene them and hit him in the brest such a furious blow that there issued great aboundance and flakes of bloud It séemed not strange vnto the Amazonian warrier equalling in strength the auncient Bellona to sée that great wound which would haue caused a thousand faire Ladies to haue sowned But shee who was borne to giue it did second another with such swiftnes that the Satyre was not able to defend it but she haue him â— wonderfull wound vpon the thigh which done she retyred with the swifnes of an Eagle leauing her enemy very sore hurt So rauished am I with declaring the déedes of this excellent Floralisa that I remembred not the new fearce Mars her brother Don Celindo whose battell was worthy to be recorded by the deuine Pierides or by some if any such could bee more excellent Poet that sense rauishing Homer With an admirable swiftnes did hee encounter the other mightie Satyre who with a knotty oake stroke at him a wonderfull blowe and this hardy youth without experience abode the same with such gallant semblance that Mars in his glorious Orbe had enuie at it and at the fall of that mightie clubbe with a light leape on the one side closing with him he stroke him with his short swoord on his right wriste that he cut it cleane a sunder and the mizerable Satyres deformed ryght hande and hys great and mightie Clubbe fell both to the ground together The worthie Gentleman séeing the
not for that loue did giue them alwaies abundance of assured hopes easing therein and lightning the excessiue paine which the disdained Louer doth receiue But the accustomable conceipt raigning among beloued ladies is self opinion of their own worth a souereigne desire to be faithfully serued a glorie and pride in their Knights valor but when the full payment of his deserts as a true fée for Knights seruice is requyred then is the Ladies beautie muffled with clowdy discontent If she speake she checkes his audaciousnes if she looke she darts vengeance from her eyes and all the reward the Louer hath is this that others pittie him and are eye-witnesses of his true seruice which she wil scarce vouchsafe to acknowledge This gréeueth mee more than the rest sayd the gracious French Ladie to sée how you are vtterly falne out with loue in that you cannot obtaine to be the onely chéefe in account for the seruice of Ladies Tell mee I praye you is it not a high reward for a Louer to haue one gracious looke from his beloued Ladie nay is it not a salue for manie sustained sorrowes if hee but once attaine her desired sight Yes it were well aunswered the Prince and excellently for a Louers contentment to passe the heate of the day priuately in such contemplation where the Gallant may without let salute his Mistres but when such audacious entrie is made without the ladies special license I doo iudge it to be one of the most errours which is committed in the ordinarie erring Schoole of Loue. But let vs reckon the best méede the Louer hath for all his mone Doth shee bestow a smile Oh then hee is a happie man that one false sunshine is a sufficient comfort against manie bitter showers but if shee vouchsafe a kinde word a gentle touch or some little idle conference our kind yong louer is transported beyond all compasse hee writes pure Castalian walkes no where but in Tempe dwells with the Muses sings with Apollo Io Paeans in Loues praise Anone in the midst of all this iollitie on goes his Ladies frowning kercher and then his Eulogies are turnde to Elegies his mirthes to moane an vncouth caue couers his disgraced head a darke and queachie groue his pleasant garden the aire his counsellour Eccho his scoffer teares his drinke care his food and such a deale of foolerie vâ—xes this louing foole that I must néeds conclude him to be either desperately mad or questionlesse a verie Ideot Therefore of Loue and Louers this is my absolute iudgement Loue is a busie troublous foolishnes Those that commend it mad and reasonles With this amorous conuersation they traueled toward Paris when vpon the right hand of the Forrest they heard the swift running of a horse who came in such hast that before the Prince could put on his inchaunted helmet the furious Rider was in sight who séemed rather a Diuell than a Knight The occasion thereof was the reflection of the Sunne vppon his armour which was of shining stéele and colored blacke and so was his horse who made no show of steps vpon the grasse whereas he trode by reason of his swiftnesse The gallant demeanor which this Knight showed did giue great content vnto the Dacian Prince And here we thinke it good to leaue him with earnest desire to knowe what that Knight was and wee will get before him to Paris where we lefâ— the couragious Knight of the Images Torismondo Prince of Spaine who was healed of his wounds but not of the gréefe he receiued in the battel with the mightie Alpbebo This Torismond went out of Paris with purpose to séek some of his owne people and till he met them to trauaile a few dayes in those mountaines and to conclude manye aduentures so that in Paris there was no other talke but of the Knight of the Images As he trauelled he oftentimes sent vnto the Court to know and learne some newes of his Ladie by the Postes that came from Spaine and oftentimes he tarried for hys Pages returne at the Fountaine of Merlin being the resting place for Knights aduenturers trauelling in that Forrest One day as he was expecting newes from Spaine hee saw his Page comming with a countenance different from that he was wont to haue for that he came making of great lamentation which caused some suspition in the amorous Spaniard For alwayes a timerous heart touching a mans owne euill doth prophecie as it were insuing mischiefe as to affrighted Torismond at this time it prooued who gazing stedfastly on Arsilo thus questioned him What meaneth thy sadnes Arsilo haue the heauens depriued me of all my good and left poore Torismond to â—ament his Ladies absence This youth did confirme his suspition in that he did not answere one word The Prince as one wholy beside him selfe said ah fortune thou hast now shewed thy selfe who thou art nowe I feare not thy strength for that which I most feared with all thy malice is certainly befalne me Conclude Arsilo declare vnto me these newes that must redowne vnto my death What should I say soueraigne Prince answered the page but that it is as you suspect death pale meager death hath seazed oâ— your soules content This amorous and afflicted youth did not heare the rest for that he fel vpon the grasse without any sense or féeling til such time as his page brought him to himselfe againe Who in recompence said vnto him Oh vnfaithfull why hast thou called me from my ease what doest thou imagine that there is strength in me to liue without the life of her whom rigorous death hath taken from me I cannot nor I will not although I may liue being without that good which was my comfort How can he liue that only did sustaine his life in yéelding it into the handes of her who did receaue it with equal comfort Oh my chiefe good because I should know the despight of fortune she hath taken thée from me Oh déere déere loue how I doe number my wants excéeding all number with the onely lacke of thy soueraigne beauty Oh mournfull earth wherfore beginst thou not to lament thy lost ornament for my losse reacheth farther then the griefe of vnhappy Torismondo Oh warlike Spaine how maiest thou from this time forwards leaue off thy glorious name for that she who was the cause of al your courage is now conquered by al deuouring death Oh worthy knightes with what reason may you from this day forwards liue without courage since she who with her beauty did recreate you all faire heauen hath tooke away that heauen might be onely faire Oh deuine Floriana thou art a creature ordained to extoll the cunning worke of humane nature but the dieties enuying that earth should beare such perfect excellence found meanes for to vndoe so perfect a figure carrying with it all the grace beauty and perfection of the worlde ioyntly with the soule of this vnhappy body You ladies that were enuious at the brauery of mine
an arrow out of a Scythian bow inlarging his pace to know that well proportioned and gallant armed warrier till such time as Apollo lacked little to leaue the world as an orphane by want of his shining face and then in the middest of a great Plaine he ouertooke the Chariot with manie gallant Knights on horse-backe garding it among whom 〈◊〉 dealt in such sort that he quickly gaue them to vnderstand of what courage he was to their spéedie hurt For that incountring with the first who was a bold knight he ran him thorough with his launce for his presuming to méete him and therewith drew out his good sword and so behaued his arme amongst that trecherous companie that it was great damage to euerie one of them that did withstand his furie So valiantly he behaued himselfe that when the Giants and another gallant Knight big set and in rich armour returned to sée what the noyse was which they did heare behinde the Chariot for that they were then before this warlike Spaniard had slaine 〈◊〉 Knights and dyd such â—aliant déedes that the furious Mars was not woorthie of his creditâ— It is not possible to expresse with what violence the Giants the big knight with other sixe and twentie that remained séeing what had passed began to assayle and incompasse this yong Prince in such sort that it séemed by their furie they had bin able to haue broken in péeces a verie strong rocke they were so valiant but this worthie valorous Torismundo did sustaine himselfe in such sort that by the force of his arme they receiued a bloodie payment At that time his new well tempered armour and horse did stand him in good steed who was so light and nimble on the one side and on the other as thought could bee no swifter which was the occasion that the battell continued in a most honourable sort yet notwithstanding it could not be but that he had néed of succour in a Fight so dangerous for the warriers with whom he delt were verie valiant Such was his fortune that then the frée Dacian did set spurres to his horse and came at that instant when as he was executing such furie as the inraged Pirrhus did vpon the Phrigian people The Dacian greatly wondred at this inclosed Knight being verie much affected to his valiantnes for that hee made no reckoning of the other knights although they were strong and stout but still assayled the Giants that big knight in such sort that he made them feare his great and mightie blowes hauing ouerthrowne twelue other knights Then could not Eleno staye but pricked forward hys good horse and with his happie launce in hys hand thrust himselfe among the knights and ioyning nigh vnto the valiant Spaniard he sayd Uppon them good knight for they are but a few although they séeme to be braue and stout for our iustice and their pride will giue them into our hands This saying was scarce ended neither had y e Spaniard answered it when as with double courage he incountred one of the Giants on the one side in such sort that he made him to accompanie those thot were faln dead betng quite thrust thorough and thorough wherewith he gaue a fearfull shréeke At which strange incounter Torismundo greatly admyred and was verie glad of that gentle succour in time of so great necessitie And for to giue his vnknowen frend knowledge of what valour hee was hee threw hys shield on his shoulder and went against the great Knight who troubled him most and strooke him such a mightie blow vpon the helme that he made him fal vpon his horse necke voyding great quantitie of blood at his trayterous mouth At hand was the worthie Eleno and beholding it hee meruailed at taat blow and séeing that great knight so â—igh him and in that sort his horse also so astonished that he could not stir he stroke him such an ouerthwart blow that seazing on the inlacings of his helme helme and head fell into the gréene field whereat all that were in the chariot wondred This blow was not so soone giuen but Torismundo who the while was busie with the Giants knights and had not noted what the Dacian had done willing to conclude that which was begun stroke the dead bodie which lay headlesse on the horse so furiously on the backe so that passing thorough it it passed to the horse neck and cutting it asunder all fell together to the earth wherewith one of the Ladies that were in the chariot gaue a great shréek saying O glorious God what great force is in this knight that is not onely able at one blow to cut in sunder the Rider but the horse also The valiant Spaniard turned his head towardes the Chariot imagining that some knight would haue done iniurie vnto the Ladies and in the chariot discouered one of the fairest Ladies in the world iudging her great beautie excéedingly to exceed that little which he saw before in Floriana wherewâ—â—â— he receiued a greater blowe at the heart than that which hee had giuen on the bodie of the mightie Knight Here he that had sworne firmnesse to his Ladie dooth now striue to dispence with vowes he calleth the heauen vniust in shewing him first but part of beautie his valour wexed weake and his powers for awhile failed and faine he would haue spoken to her that so throughly had subiected him giuing her in change of her first sight hys loue-sicke wounded soâ—le With this new desire and amorous passion hee thrust himselfe amongst those few that remained and saw the Giant in sharpe battell with the Dacian Knight but hee accounting the affaires belonging to that Ladie proper to himselfe and conceiuing her to be the agréeued and iniured Mistres of the rest he began a fresh to dispatch more of the Giants Knights to carrie newes into hell of hys new change In this time was not the magnanimous Dacian idle for that he was in battell with one of the most brauest Giants of all his Nation but hauing a meruailous good horse he entred in and out at his pleasure till such time as he saw the stout Spanish Warrier how worthilye hée behaued himselfe against the other Knights wherewith a kinde of honourable enuie so pressed him that like a furious Lion he encountred the Giant who came towards him striking one the other such heauie furious blowes that it caused the worthie Spaniard to stay his battell for to looke on them but he saw that the Giant had the worst for that he faintly trauersed the field stretching himselfe with the pangs of death and being ashamed to sée so few Knights so long to indure in the time that the couragious Dacian Prince came vnto himselfe for that he was somewhat astonished he behaued himselfe in such sort that hée left not one aliue but onely two which he receiued to mercie for to be informed who they were that attempted this outrage A good while before this battell was ended
read it as followeth The letter froÌ„ the Infant Flora of Argentaria to the Prince Lisarte of Tharsis WElbeloued Prince if my absence hath caused in thee any firmnes towardes her that so long since professed her selfe to be thine neuer can there be greater occasion to shew it thaÌ„ now fortune making me néed help when I began to loue thée did liue without care of any chaunge thinking my selfe most frée and making a iest of my hearts strange imprisonment assured in all good being thine But proude fortune enuious of this my quietnes which was the greatest felicitie I had hath giuen me rigorous experience of her turning wheele and so ordered that the proud King of Cilicia hath beseidged my Citty with purpose to carry away the spoiles of my small beautie that is due to you and now seeing in what necessitie she remaineth whome you called the owner of your heart according to the promise you once gaue me there is no néed of perswasion I hope but that you will come for now beeing a woman I put my confidence in your strength as when I was a child I trusted in your promis And although it be somewhat out of the way receiue the order of Knighthood by the hands of the King of Mauritania for that according to the fame as is heere reported hée is the floure of Knighthood among the Pagans and till you come to me let none girt on your swoord The Gods be your guide and giue mee life to imploye it in your loue Flora the Princesse of Argentaria You may well vnderstand worthy kinghts said the louing Pagan that I haue reason to loue her who when I thought she did abhorre me hath certified me of her affection with so louing a style iudge it not pride in me to defend her worthines whichin al y e world is a thing worthy to be known And I do hope though I am in defiance wyth this knight it is no let that hee should helpe to raise the seidge of my Lady I warrant you answered the worthy Greeke although I defend the valor and beautie of Ladies yet shall not my arme be the last in so iust an ayde And I did hope no lesse of you said the beloued Lizarte but that your valor should be equal to the noblenes of your mind and yet being wel coÌ„sidred it is not worthy much thanks for that you do only what a knight is bound vnto with this such like they trauelled and passed away the loathsome and wearie nauigation till the fourth day that the Barke arriued at a fresh and delightfull Countrie which gaue great content vnto the Princes for that they were wearied with the sea Forthwith they disimbarked their horses and a palfry for the Damsell who was very ioyfull to goe in companie with such knights She went with her face couered and the knightes with their visors open vppon their mightie horses they being so gallant and the Sunne shining on their rich armour it was a heauenly thing to behold them and the sight thereof did dasell the eyes of the Beholders They commanded them that had the gouernment of their barke to stay for them so they began to trauell receiuing great content to sée the freshnes of the Countrie The furious Pagan if any occasion should bee offered of assalt for himselfe broke downe halfe an oake and laying it vpon his shoulder hee beganne to trauell with it that it greatly delighted them to behold him as they rid they passed away the time with him with swéete and amorous conuersation for that he was so good a seruant to Cupide till such time as they came into a great plaine where as they saw more then fortie knightes in a troope trauelling by the way and in the middest amongst them was some on horse-backe without armour which gaue them great desire to knowe what they were And when they came more nigher they saw that they were two knightes the one of middle age the other somewhat entred in yéeres which had their hands bound behinde them which caused in the Pagan great compassion for that he was by nature vertuous who with his oake came vnto one that went somewhat behinde and said Sir knight if it be not much griefe vnto you my companions and I shal receiue great content that you would giue vs to vnderstand what countrey this is and what people they are that thus trauaile The curteous demaund of the Tharsian did binde the knight to answere who said sir Knight this is the mighty kingdome of Argentaria a fruitfull country And those knights that are Prisoners are Unkle and Cosin to the Princesse Flora whom the fearefull Arlante Lord of the Cilicia doth demaund in marriage and for that her father did deny it he hath made war against him had it beâ—ne ended but that the King of Tharsis came with a mightie power to ayde the King of this Country and yesterday was the first battaile that was giuen in the which was many of our people slaine for that the Tharsians did shewe themselues what they were yet for al this foure Giants that hee brought with him at the retiring of the people apprehended the Kings brother Unkle vnto the Princesse and his Sonne for the which our Arlante reioyced much but he would not put them to death because he would not anger his Lady knowing that in the end they should doe by force that which now they will not doe being so much desired Oh infernall furies I beléeue the rage is little among you to be coÌ„pared with that which entred into the affectioned youth for that without any more speaking he lift vp his fyst and stroke him such a blowe that hee made both braines and eyes to flye out of his head and spurred his horse with so great spéed as might be deuised And ouertaking theÌ„ in the middest of that plaine the syth doth not so swiftly enter into the tender grasse as this diuelish youth entred with his knottie oake ouerthrowing both horse and knights with such quicknes that it was a pleasure to behold him whose beautie caused great affection in the princes Then the noble troyan the more to satisfie the Moore of his worthynes pressed foorth his furious horse and entred among them in such sort that they séemed wolues amongst shéep In the meane time that these two were occupied for to dispatch this bloudy war their Pages did vntye the hands of the prisoners who were astonied to see the great force of those knights who the one with his swoord and the other with his oake so handled these miserable people till onely twoo remained who thinking to find more helpe in their horse than in their force began to flye with as much spéede as they could but the wrath of the Tharsian was such in that extremitie that he followed after them without admitting any mercy the which he otherwise much estéemed but for that it was in busines which touched his beloued Flora and that she
I doe beléeue said Alcisa that at these new triumphes they being Knights and desirous of honor first they will shewe their valiantnes in the Court before they will depart out of the Countrie whereas I know they haue found some remedie for the griefe they brought Then they are amorrous answered the ielous Princesse No said the Damsell but I heard them praise a Ladie much and said they should neuer forget her if memorie did not faile them to remember the good which by her they had receiued But séeing it groweth somewhat late it shall be good that we depart whereby the Ladies do not conceiue any thing of our long being heere for it will be no small occasion of suspition So they departed leauing the two frends in obscure darkenes séeing her absent that with her presence did ease those inward desires which the Spaniard suffered although he was greatly content to haue séene by experience the loue which the Princesse did beare him that without knowing who he was or any farther consideration she was so wholy surrendred to him and feared hee would not omit her faith Then the worthy Dacian said Lord Torismunde we may now goe with great securitie worke some meanes to comfort your Lady and it shall bee some ease to your griefe in reuiuing her to morrow we will be at the fountaine against the Damsell come and of her wee shall vnderstand the order that wee must vse in this our busines for by her helpe wee shall make the way easie to take her from France carrying her for Spaine considering with whome she is her father will easily pardon her and if it doe not chance to your content they shal cut in péeces the Dacian Prince before they shal haue her from our power With this they turned out of the garden and went towards their lodging where as their Pages tarried for them with great griefe for their long absence but when they saw them they were glad and slept quietly the rest of the night that remained but at the breake of the day couering their armor because they would not be known they went into the Forrest where as the Damsell should come to giue thē knowledge what had passed in the court Who in the morning being masked went foorth vpon her Palfrey right vnto the place appointed but missing a little the way in wandring amongst the trées foure knights met with her who séeing her beautie and disposition they would haue vnhorsed her but she vsing the vsual weapon of women cryed out and the Princes did heare her who were hard by The braue Spaniard finding himselfe fullest armed a foote as he was went vnto them they were all alighted with the poore Damsell who cryed out for succour And when he came thether hee knew her not but being choloricke he put himselfe amongst them with his sword in his hand saying Away vile Knights and laye no handes on the Damsell if you doe you shall dye for it and reaching the first vpon the head in reward of his folly he cut it downe to the shoulders The thrée which remained séeing the death of their companions and that he was but one onely drew their swoords and went to him But this warlike youth so behaued himselfe amongst them that he stroke the second such a blow vpon the arme that arms and swoord fell both to the ground who séeing himselfe lamed he beganne to cry out and runne into the forrest whereas within a while after he yéelded vp the ghost the other two purposing to be reuenged they assalted him He séeing their ouermuch contempt payed them in such sort that at two blowes he made them beare the first company with great content to the Damsell for that she saw it was her knight And taking off her maske she went vnto the Knight with her armes open saying I did well know Sir knight that if any succour did come vnto me it should be from this mightie arme Happy Alcisa that hath come to knowe the best amonst knightes in her behalfe This amorous Torismunde reioyced in his soule when hee sawe the Damsell and knewe her and said vnto her with great content those false Knights faire Damsell did not so much estéeme you as I doe that so against your honor and my content would haue displeased you Thankes be to God Sir Knight and your strength said shée which gaue them their payment as they deserued and according to my will which shall bee alwaies ready in whatsoeuer for your content At this time came the worthy Dacian with his swoord in his hand whereat they did not a little laugh and the Damsell said vnto him It well appeareth sir knight who hath most care to doe mee frendship for if I should haue tarried for you I beléeue mine honor had bin lost now I say that the lacke of care in the seruice of Ladies is verie euill for at such time as it may bee lacked that after it cānot be remedied with life the which I would haue dispatched if these false knights had gon forwards with their rigorous intent but séeing that betwéen you two there is so great frendship it seemeth that being remedied by your companion I am bound to serue you both which I wil do to my power And therwith she declared why she came to seeke them and gaue them to vnderstand of all that passed in the Court and what the Prince of Phrigia purposed in loue towards Grisalinda At which the Spaniard was so angry that he said I vow that I wil no more put on armour if this go forwards and foorthwith I will go paie him the reward of his boldnes The Dacian when hee saw him so determined said that hee should quiet himselfe for that in these matters hast is not profitable This knight is in France and he cannot be so strong to resist vs and séeing you haue not gone forth to the Iuste you may goe thether and deale with him This Irefull Youth was somewhat appeased but not in such sort but that the Damsell plainly saw the good will which he had vnto the Princesse and séeing it would not be taken in euill part she said What is it to you gentle knight that the prince doth imploie his thoughts vpon Grisalinda The Prince answered to sée the euill he doth to an other in procuring to loue where he deserueth not And how are you certaine answered the Damsell of this euill which he doeth My poore armes giueth testimonie thereof answered the Spaniard Then sir knight you are he that excéedeth the prince of Phrigia in loue Not him alone answered the youthful prince but all the world and vpon this I wil enter into the field with all the world Nowe am I glad answered the Damsell for that you shal haue néed of Alcisa And how is it y t he must haue néed said the Dacian what are you so much in fauour with the Princesse touching this knight it is due to our desire in procuring her cōtent
to the second he stroke him so on the head that he made his braines flye in the field therewith quenching the desire they had vnto the Damsell In the meane time Fabio his Page had vntyed her who greatly maruelled at the valiantnes of the knight and came vnto him saying The heauen Sir Knight reward you for this you haue done for me For from thence commeth the reward of them that giue such succours which with my life likewise I will repay I giue you thankes faire Damsell said the prince but I pray you tell mee what was the occasion that these Knightes did thus misuse yee as also what Countrie this is where I am The Damsell humbling her selfe said most valiant Knight for euill persons to put in execution their kankred will little or no occasion at all serues So it is as I walked on my way in this Forrest I met with them and laying hold vpon me without any other occasion they put me in that sort as you found me and by and by began their battaile to try who should first make spoile of my honor And to the â—est touching this Countrie you shall vnderstand worâ—hy Knight that you are verie nigh vnto the great â—ittie of Rome for in two daies iourney you may â—â—me thether The gentle Dacian was ioyfull to bee in that famous Countrie so praised thoroughout al the world with many thankes he departed leauing the Damsell much bound to his seruice and verie ioyfull that she had séene so warlike a knight she went onwards on her way The Dacian took his way towards Rome and came that night vnto a faire and delightfull groue of poplers where he intended to passe away the night being sommer so there he alighted from his horse and made his Target his pyllowe but about aleuen a clocke at night he was waked by the noise of two shepheards who not farre from him were a talking but he imagining it to be some other thing buckled on his helme went by little and little amongst the trées to sée who they were y â— talked til by the light of the Moone he saw two shepherds set downe vnder a huge pine trée talking together And as one that was frée from the grief of amorous cares he receiued content to heare their talke the one who séemed to be yonger then the other with some shew of anger said It is not to be doubted frend Lisio that the brauerie of my shepperdesse excéedeth for onely with her beautie hath nature atchiued the name of famous Which causeth Aliano to affirme his shepperdesse is she that deserueth Apollo for her shepherd If he receiue content to come forth it is onely to behold her but not to giue her light for hee doth well know the eyes of my shepherdesse excéedeth his beames brightnes And this will I defend against them that be honored for Goddesses in the great Tinacria And therewith taking foorth his wel tuned rebecke he began this song with great swéetnes My Loue is of the Heard beloued Yet by his teares she is not moued In the sand his words she writeth And rends the songs that heinditeth O this she me with scornes requireth If I say I will not loue her My eyes teares my griefes discouer I must loue though she doe hate Sue though she disdaine my state And sing in teares this life me best delighteth At the end of this song thus answered the other Shepheard Aliano thou dost loue and takest it for the best life I doe not condemne thée but rather conceiue as thou desirest the fame due to thy Shepheardesse For this is the course of euerie louer to say that his Shepheardesse is a Phenix and for such a one doth hold her his crow must néedes be a swan who euer gainsaie it and yet there can be but one excellent and if yours be she whome doe all other Shepheards praise especially Poncenio The cholar of the amorous shepheard would not let him procéede any farther but he said It is sufficient frend Lisio I can with my rough crooke make knowne that Poncenio is an heryticke in affirming that his Shepheardesse deserueth the merit of mine and being ouercome with cholar at two leapes he put himselfe nigh vnto Poncenio with his knottie crooke in one hand and in his other his Ierkin and said Defend thée shepheard for it is time to sée if thou hast hands to maintaine that which thou hast so falsely published Poncenio was not a shepheard that would take such reprochfull words so with the swiftnes of a hawke hee put himselfe in the same order as his contrarie was where you should haue séene one of the prettiest contentitions in the world for as the shepheards did estéeme theÌ„selues to be louers they did not forget to be valliant The Dacian Prince reioyced in beholding them and greatlie wondred at the power of Loue that amongst shepheards shewed this rigor but he suffered them not to procéed forwards for that the contention would be perilous And so with a quicke pace came amongst them saying giue way gentle Shepheard it is not iust that this contention shuld goe forwards Valiant knight answered Poncenio it is not so small a matter as you thinke if you haue fasted loue you can say it is the greatest and most iust quarrell and rather to choose death than in this case to leaue off contention yet for all this for my loue said the Dacian I will that ye would be frends Of truth gentle Knight answered Poncenio many daies past haue I procured thys frendship with all plainnes in y e world and I beleeue because it was so simple it hath bin occassion that this shepheard doth thinke I doe it of necessitie he knowing which all the world shall know that if he loue I liue by louing a shepheardesse who in beautie discreation and proportion equalleth the most excellent I cannot said Aliano but acknowledge the many good parts of your shepheardesse brother Poncenio yet for all this you know that my shepheardesse hath caused her to yéeld These are passions sir knight said Lisio so long time past that it would be tedious to declare them But since you haue taken the matter in hand I pray you perswade them to leaue off contentions past and become frendes for frendship doth ease the sower troubles of this amorous euill And therewith the Dacian Lord went directly vnto the Shepherds very ioyfull that he had séene that controuersie and he tooke them perforce by their hands and made them frends which endured vnto death And the more to binde their frendship they all foure together sate downe on the gréene and fresh grasse making a signe vnto Fabio to bring the horses and likewise to inioy the frendship of the shepheards The gallant Youth did pull off his helme and shewed foorth his faire countenance but he had not so soone pulled it off wheÌ„ as the shepheard Lisio fel down at his féete saying O warlike Prince of Dacia what a happy day
Court and the eldest first put himselfe right against the Dacian the yonger remaining still at the beginning of the Listes tarying till twoo houres wer past to helpe his brother So when the fearefull signe was made the one came against the other as fast as their horses could run and encountred with all their force in the middest of their caréere but that of the Prince of Dacia was the greatest for striking him in the middest of his shield it made both him and his horse come to the ground with great admiration to all them of the Court The Dacian would take no aduantage of him but alighted from his horse and taried til that the Prince was cleare of his who very couragiously with his swoord in his hand came against the Dacian giuing him so great a blowe that hee made him stoop with one hand to the ground turning to renue the same hee stroke him so vpon the right shoulder that don Heleno felt it euill but rising vp he approached with so rigorous an answere that he made him giue thrée or foure steps backwards ready to fall and followed him so that if hee of Gibia had not béen cunning hee had ouerthrowne him for he séeing his intent put the point of his swoord forwards and as he was earnest to come on if his armour had not béen magicall our Dacian had not gone frée for hitting him in the buckling of the brest-plate his swoord did somewhat enter so that it was néedfull for him to beare backwards because he would not be hurt but he returned with great cholar and closed with his enemy both giuing together so heauy blowes that he of Gibia was forced to put both his hands to the ground to kéep him from falling and the Dacian Lord made an vnmeasurable staggering From that time they continued wyth great force no aduantage appeering betwéen them he of Gibia maintaining himselfe for more then one houre with great honor against Heleno yea halfe of the second houre was past when as the cholar of the Dacian was turned into liuing bloud and throwing his shield at his backe he tooke his swoord in both his hands and gaue him of Gibia so strong a blow vpon his helm that he cloue his head and ouerthrew him dead at his féete breaking his swoord in thrée péeces the pommell onely remained in his hands I will let passe the griefe that the faire Arbolinda sustained and leaue her in a sound in the Princesse lap who was busied in beholding the knighthood of the Dacian Lord who had no time to secure himself when as like the wind the second Prince of Gibia came foorth with desire to reuenge the death of his brother and more respecting rage than the order of Knighthood he came behind the gentle Dacian with the brest of his horse with so strong an encounter that he layd him on the ground passing ouer him with his horse and left him almost without breath but in recouering himselfe more furious than a viper of Hircania he aboad the comming of his enemy who came with so great swiftnes that it was miraculous the Dacian effâ—cted that which he did For as he passed by he threw the pomell and hylt rf the swoord with so great strength as if it had bin forced out of a péece of ordinance and stroke him on the helme so vntoward a blowe that whether hee would or no he made him leaue his saddle and without sence to fall to the ground The content was great that all receiued at so venterous a blow and if thereat the worthy Roselia did reioice there is no doubt and the more when as she saw that the prince as one that had done nothing went directly vnto the edyfice with an ireful pace with the trunke of a speare in his hand but he was not so soone come thether wheÌ„ as betwéen the pillers the earth did open there came foorth a serpent as long as a lance who beating the ground came against the Prince that with no little feare did abide her comming At first she rose vp so high that he could not strike her head but her body the trunke was so short but the serpent stroke him with her taile with so great force that shee threw him a good way from the pillers giuing him a gréeuous fall to the ground which did not a little gréeue the Emperor and al those that desired to sée an end of the aduenture The Dacian was so kindled in cholar that he wisht it had béen two serpents and with a light leape assalted the serpent who giuing wonderfull shrikes came to catch him with her clawes but before she could fasten her tallants our Heleno did execute his blow with the trunke of the Lance vpon her head with so great force that hee made her fall to the ground and followed her to haue stroken another blow at such time as shee did incorporate herselfe in such sort that he could not hit her but on the necke breaking al in péeces the trunke of the Lance but he went not away boasting of that blow for the Serpent set her furious nailes vppon his shield and pulled it so strongly that she got it and brake it which made the prince the more to wonder for that hée thought his shield had béen magicall And so with a newe feare his Lady bearing him company with a thousand sighes he did abide the Serpent with his armed fist for he had no other armor left and as she came aloft without any feare he went vnto her lifting vp his hand he stroke her such a blow vpon the head that hee made her loose her blow but yet she caught him betwéene her clawes with so great rigor y e it séemed she had thrust them into his bowels He thinking that he had bin wounded to death quickly drew out his dagger and with the point nailed her in the head two or thrée times and made her to stretch foorth her selfe with the pangs of death in the middest of the edyfice The Dacian arose vp so wearie and wounded that all were greatly admired how he could sustaine himselfe on his féete but as though he had béen whole he assalted the shape that had the armour and vpon a soddaine there passed before him a furious Gyant saying Stand cowardly knight for first thou must know the swéetnes of my fauchion and therewith gaue him such a blow vpon the helm that halfe his head was vnarmed The Dacian was in great feare of death in séeing the small defence which his armour had to that which the Giant had and then found the lacke of his good swoord but considering who did behold him he went vnto the Giant who again was lifting vp his heauie fauchion the Youth making shew as thogh he would abide it but at the fall hee closed with him his dagger in his hand and neuer left stabbing til he fel down dead Then assailed he again the portrature when sodainly a
their helmes their names the first was Milo of Rome the second Astrusio King of Media the third Telamon of Greece Milo out of the piller in the inchaunted sepulcher had drawen his sword and began a most rare battel with vnarmed Clarisell who with great lightnes cléered himselfe and closing with Milo wrung from him perforce his sword and therewith assailed the other two knights that were entred combat with Argante and Torisiano who without respect of knighthood left the vnweaponed youths and assailed Clarisell who so defended him that the noise of the battell was dreadfull This was the noise that Celindo and his sister heard and comming within sight they thought to assist the youth when sodâ—inly a Caue opened whereout issued a hideous monster that clasped Celindo and ran in with him but Floralisa followed so néere that the monster had no time to shut the Caue Argante and Torisiano this while came to the sepulcher and offering to draw the two swords out of the pillers they were hindred by the violence of fire And sodainly came before them two mightie giants each with a long key at his girdle offâ—ing to take the yong princes in their armes but betwéen them foure began a most perillous and daungerous wrastling wherein the princes being almost wearied they sodainly broke the keyes from the Giants girdles and smiting theÌ„ in the forheads with a horrible crie they fell downe dead Then went the Youths againe vnto the Sepulcher and Torisiano drew out y e sword of Astrusio Argante Telamonios for with the two Giants deaths the inchantment ceased Then went thâ—se ioyfull princes and with the keyâ—s opened the doore where Clarisel was maintaining the battell against the thrée inchanted knights who seemed like furies when they perceiued the youths possessed of theyr swords and for three howers they maintained a doubtfull battell but being all by the princes ouerthrowne they vanished away leauing their armours wherewith the princes armed one another finding the armours so fit as if it had béen made for them Being armed said Clarisel vnto his companions In such a Castle as this it is verie like there are more kéepers Being better prouided of armour our care is the lesse said Argante So they searched about the Castle but could finde no bodie onely they dyd heare the furious blowes of a battell that séemed by the hollownes of the sound to bee fought in some vault of the Castle This was the battell betwéene the beauteous Floralisa and the inchanted Camilla For the princesse following the Monster that bore away her brother at y e foote of a darke paire of staires ouertooke him and parted hys head from his shoulders When Celindo was about to reÌ„der thankes for his rescue he was hindred by the descending of the furious Camilla who forced both brother and sister thorough a long entrie into an open Court where she fought almost sixe howers O that I had sufficient arte to describe the excellence of this fight and to quote the vnbeléeueable dexteritie of this excelling Damsell aswel in giuing as auoyding dangerus blows The last that of this long fight made an ende was a desperate thrust cast vnder the gorget of Camilla that parted her throate and vnarmed her head where with falling downe the princesse in sted of ioy mourned to behold so beautiful a face as Camillas stained in bloud But on a sodaine the bodie vanished and a voyce said Knight arme thy selfe and pittie not mee for I am vnhurt With more content the Ladie tooke vp the armour and by her brothers helpe was armed therein And so they ioyfully ascended the stayres and in the Court foâ—nd the thrée faire princes with the wise Gelasio being so ioyfull that he continued a long time in imbracing them Though the princes had neuer séene one another before yet by the pictures they remembred one anothers countenance the yong Assyrian at the fight of Floralisa making such fuell of his heart as loues fire and his liues light were either at once extinguished so long his affection continued The Wise-man caused Celindo to knight them all and Floralisa to girt their swords and and so he brought them home and after they had dined he brought the brother and sister out at the doore that conducted them to the sea side where they slew the Sagittaries the first day they hunted and the wise man said follow this way Celindo and win armour Being come to the place they read this writing on a piller Who euer doth intend to haue The armour kept within this Caue Which kinde Medea forgd by Arte For Iason false that slue her heart Let him attempt a danger great Through vnseene fire and sure felt heate Before he bring it to an end With monstrous shapes he must contend Fierce beastes foule fends the porters be To barre him from his entery Yet is there graunted vnto one To win this armour els to none That shall be cald the hidden youth To him t is graunted of a truth And a little lower there was on the same piller this inscription The youth must enter and no other The Sister may not helpe the brother If she attempt she must returne Else ceaselesse shall our fier burne For neither strength nor hardines Preuaileth in this busines Be warned therefore and take heed For onely he of this must speed Floralisa carelesse of the writing went in with him but they were so afflicted with heate that they hath returned I perceiue Sister said Celindo that as the writing saith I must enter alone therefore I pray you stay at the entrie with our horses I would gladly haue borne you companie said she but séeing it may not bee heauens Guider prosper you in the aduenture So entred this valiant and couragious Youth as boldly as if he had had on his sisters armour but he had not gone farre when sodainly one laid hold of his sword and pulled it from him perforce and a voyce ioyfully said Hee must haue a greater care of hys owne weapons that séeketh to win others The prince with his swords losse and violence of the heate doubted to goe forward with the enterprise but comming to a doore that opened into a great Court the heat left him and a furious Griffon came against him whose braines with hys shield flat in both hands he at the first blow beat out He had no sooner done it but he beheld before him one lyke a mightie furie who said Thinke not vnhappie Knight to win easily the victorie and therewith lifted vp a huge mace hauing also Celindos sword at his girdle which the Prince espying ioyfully ran within him but could by no meanes recouer his sword which so vexed him that he laid hold on his mace and continued strugling with him for it more than an hower at which time the furie vanished leauing his sword on the ground which he took vp with no lesse ioy than when he first won it So being very wearie he rested awhile in the
vnderstande the discontent that Floriana shoulde receiue by your death and the wrong you shall commit in not sustaining your life And therewith the page caused him to eate of such foode as he brought although it was with an euill will But yet the heauens did ordaine a remedie worthy to comfort this wofull Prince for by reason of his great wearines he fell a sléepe a while although it was not much for that with a sodaine anger he arose vp saying Ah my Goddesse and is it possible that there shall remaine no memorie of thy glorie and my torment this commeth not of the loue I beare vnto thée But I doe promise to solemnize thy feast returning into Spaine and giue the world to vnderstand with what affection Torismundo loued thée and in saying this hee went vnto a great and mightie Poppler trée on whose barke he fixed with his dagger these verses Ye Fawnes and Satyres seruants to great Pan. And olde Syluanus all assemble yee Ye lightfoote Nimphes assist a wofull man Of wood or water whether ere ye be Wilde Forrest beasts shall helpe you in your song And roare a base to thunder out my wrong Not one must sing a meane in my lament Except the still streame gliding on the pebble Thus will we carroll out my discontent My wofull selfe will sing or cry the treble Or if ye will confusion marre our song For we are all confounded by deathes wrong On the other side of the Fountaine there was a rough and knottie ashe whereas he descyphred the swéete name of his fayre mistresse and concluded with this Ode Floriana had not dyed Had not Fates her Loue enuyed Torismundo impartiall Fate With a deadly killing hate Sought to punish but could finde Nothing to torment his minde Till the fatall Sisters fell Worse than those three hags of hell Chancing to behold Cantabria And her Soueraigne Floriana Heard her praise the Prince of Spaine Heard her for his lacke complaine Heard her say she was his ioy Heard her sweare that no annoy Could to Torismund betyde If she liude to be his Bride Where withall from her liues clue Hastely the thred they drue And with speed they cut the same When they heard my hatefull name So because I was enuied Gentle Floriana dyed This worthy louer being somewhat quieted depared and comming to the Christaline water hee washed his blubbred face and handes and drunke of the vertuous Fountaine which so quicklie did worke his necessarie effect that before he departed from the water hee knew not what had passed with him but the amorous life that before séemed to be a dreame although he remembred all yet not in such sorte that the death of the faire Floriana should giue him any perticuler griefe but rather seemed that he did wrong vnto Spaine that so quickly left it for blind affection Being in this new frée estate hee saw comming out of the thickest of the mountaine a Damsell mounted on a mighty blacke horse with a Lyon before her who at her arriual with a gallant demeanor alighted and comming to the Prince she said in the Spanish tongue Ualardus Torismundo a wise man who desireth thy good as to himselfe commanded me to bring thée this armour and horse and although their coulours are now contrary to the new and pleasant time and frée state which thy destiny hath brought thée yet the troubles are so many that you must passe in tormenting your couragious hart that you may from this present beare a deâ—ice conformable vnto that griefe and in recompence he will desire no more but that your heart faile not but alwaies haue in memory the noble bloud from whence you descend till such time as the tame Lionesse nigh to the place whereas now you vnderstood of the death of Floriana méete thée then shalt thou know of the frée life that shal be admitted thée and then thou shalt leaue this blacke armour putting on with better reason this which thou nowe wearest the which shall remaine vpon that poplar till all be finished that I haue here rehearsed vnto thée for so it is ordayned This swift Damsell tarried for no answere but with the spéede of an Eagle she put her selfe into the Forrest presently this young Mars did put of his pretious gréene armour with the which he did incounter the mighty Alphebo and hung it on the poplar whereas he found this saying He that takes thy armour hence which thou leauest for this blacke Shall againe in recompence giue thee ioy which thou wilt lacke With great ioy did this worthy Spaniard leaue his pretious armour and armed himselfe in the blacke armour of truth for that there were few like vnto it The armes as I say were all blacks but onely in the middest of the shield was painted Hope and Fortune Fortune saying thus With the turning of my Wheele all estates of men doo change Greefe or ioy they vsde to feele on a sodaine seemeth strange Hee had not well concluded the perusing of the shield with the deuice when that somewhat a farre off he heard a great troope of horse and sometimes the noyse of Women which séemed that they were by force constrayned which was the occasion that he leapt vpon his inchaunted horse and went into the high way with all spéed possible But by reason it was night and the Moone went verye low he could not sée nor know what people they were til such time as cléere Day appeared from the East then from a little hill whereon he ascended for to learne what it should bee hee discouered a mightie waggon drawen with sixe swift horse being full of people and to the number of 30. Knights with them and two furious Giants by which he conceiued that those in the waggon were caried prisoners Wherewith he descended from that little mountaine like an arrow out of a bow and ran with hys horse after them till it was in the afternoone and then hée was constrained somewhat to rest his horse in which time the Giants got vantage of the way for that the horses in the waggen were verie good After he had a while refresht his horse this warlike Youth went from thence more swift than the stone out of the sling till such time as in trauelling he saw a gentle Knight with russet armour and his shield of the same and in it the deuice of Cupide with two faces different vnto that hee was wont to beare for that they were now both closed This was the frée Dacian if you doo remember in amorâ—â—us conference with the French Ladie on their iourney towards Paris the Prince by the vertuous Fountainâ— changed had on his shield this Embleme written by the wise Lyrgandeo Sith my libertie is gained Close those eyes my heart that pained The Prince receiued great contentment when he saw the shield with that posie and willed the Pages that they should follow him softly after and spurring his inchanted horse he ran with more swiftnes than