thought he was able with them to subdue all the world For most of the Princes were accompanied with furious Giants and many Sagitaries especially the Soldane of Egypt because his country affoorded most With such noyse they arriued at the Tower as if heauen and earth had met Yet for all this did not the two Combattants desist from the cruell sight vntill the strange knight saw how great a Fléete made thitherward and then thinking it no wit longer to stay with a cruel point thrust the sturdie Brauorant from him and turning his barke put foorth into the sea leauing the inraged Pagan so furious that hee was about to follow him Hée was nothing daunted with the sight of so huge a Nauie but rather wished they would assault him that hee might execute on them the wrath that the knight had put him in who was none other but the bewtious Archysilora who séeing the flames came to the Tower Within sight she stood and so did the sixe Gallies to sée what order they tooke With soueraigne prayses did Lupersio extoll the merits of the Knight of the Tower so euery one called him They all reioyced knowing whose sonne he was and how he would take their part He aduertised his friend Bembo to honour him for in him consisted the sure hopes of that doubtfull victorie The Prince did so sending a Galley to salute him in his name A little did not the Pagan estéeme the account that was made of him much honoured Bembo being acquainted with him By Lupercios counsell the thrée most mightie Pagans Bembo Brauorant and Brufaldoro his competitor placed themselues before the Arches for he â—…red what after did insue and there had it not beene in respect of Bembo would Brauorant haue had assaulted the Mauritanian There was neuer a Prince in all the Fléet but went to know him all whom he receiued with singular courtesie But how he tendred Floraliza requires a new storie hers was the third voyce in counsel of war for that dignitie had Lupercio procured her by whose direction all the armie was gouerned Neuerthelesse greatly sorrowed the Soldane of Nyquea for his sonnes absence thinking his presence would haue assured his hopes Scarce had that mightie Nauie cast about the Tower when another no lesse puissant then it appeared Eastward froÌ„ the coast of Grecia the which but stripping the windes purposed to get the aduantage of his enemies It was the Emperour Trebatios that with fiue hundreth shippes and galleyes made towards the highst part of the Tower somewhat a farre off and from the toppes of their masts they could descrie the Fléete at the Tower which they iudged to be their enemies Neuer did Neptune on the seas behold a thing more stupendious for both armies seemed two populous Citties In the royall Admiral all the Princes were met to consult on the giuing of the battel The Emperor brought with him the best men in all his Empire and in his guard his sonne Rosicler the warlike Rosamond with famous Brandafidel and the stout Bramidoro king of CerdenaÌ„ For the Ladie perswading her selfe that in so renowmed an enterprise her beloued Dacian would surely be would not stay in Grecia but rather clad in her rich armour was one that wonne most honour both on sea and land With him also came the sonnes of the mightie Croanto Lord of the Carmenian Iles knights whose like the world contained fewe No lesse guarded was the Emperor Alphebos Admiral within which there was besides himselfe his deare Empresse Teffereo and the two valiant Spanish brothers for his more safetie he had with him twelue Gyants his neighbours then who in all the aduerse armie there was none valianter nor that with more trust and care defended their Prince The Spanish Admirall was one of the brauest and best furnisht shippe in eithers Fleet for therein would Torismundo shewe his magnifisence with his brother in lawe Clauerindo and both their sonnes that were in her and at their guard fiftie Spanish knights that against Mars neither of them would refuse the combat The new King of Thessaly would néeds manifest how much he was bound vnto the Greekes to whom with his Sarmatia the first onset was committed and to be seconded by the Spanish and French as meÌ„ most hardiest at the first assaults The Emperor Trebatio like a wise Captaine shewed himselfe in sanguine coloured armor for this deuice pleased him best and mounted the hatches of his ship that euery one might sée him With him came the two wise men Lyrgandeo Aâ—tomidoro who as yet knew not the end of the aduenture for it was in Medeas bookes and he that had them was their friend Nabato that in a Cloude houered ouer the Tower for his deare Don Elenos sake least Lupercio with his exercismes might deuise some newe treason against the Lady enchaunted there The counsell was ended with resolution straight to begin the battel although there wanted the Kings of Antioch Babylon and Persia whose presence was greatly missed Euery Prince and commaunder passed to his owne ship to order theyr necessarie affaires And while the quiet waues with gentle calme hore their vesselles the great Emperour of Greece leaped into a Frigat wtth his Helme off on the one side went his sonne Rosicler and on the other Don Elenos faire Lady and hauing gone round about his Nauy encouraging his souldiers set himselfe in middest of them all and thus began Come is the time most valiant knights wherein déeds will be more requiset then words hauing such multitudes of strong enemies to cope withall if I be mooued to speake thus beléeue me it is but to renew the memorie of the royall blood from whence we descend the glory the our predecessors froÌ„ age to age haue maintained eternizing their fames therby to all posterities intreating you as friends that none would fight otherwise then to make their enemies confesse the worth of their persons not for desire of spoyle or gaine and to expresse his duty loue fidelitie towards his God Prince and country for this nothing but this will assure his victorie And let not their ouermatching numbers daunt our couragious mindes but still vphold our woonted valor wherewith in despite of foes we made our names to be feared There can be no greater honor then with glory here like good knights to die if sates haue so appointed And since euery one of you knowes the right and iustice of our cause let vs confidently trusting thereto make them know how vniustly they haue topsey-turuey turned the world Here ended the braue Emperour and with amiable Maiestie commaunded his frigate to his former place leauing his souldiers so animated with his words that they thought euery minute long till they met with their enemies Straight he ordered his battels diuiding his Fléete into thrée parts The middle most he himselfe conducted being all the Gréekes and Macedones whose Generall was Meridian The right squadron guided the Emperour Alphebo with all
with their bewties made that place a Paradice although Venus Layssa feared séeing the Prince in so doubtfull a fight Without any such thought expected he the comming of his enemies whose entrance the next capitulateth CHAP. VI. The battle that past betweene the two Princes with the end thereof The Prisoners liberties and what happened IF at any time swéete Ladies wonders of this times bewtie my Prince and Don Eleno had néed of your fauours this it is for I without shall be forced abruptly here to stoppe and he thinking that it failes him no maruell if he feare his aduersary that at one end of the place appeared as wel furnished with armes weapons as with pride mounted on a mightie white Courser his Armor was gréene with many harts all incompassed with flames of fire In midst of his shield were two Harts enchayned with this word Both are due to her varitie For modest grace and chiefest bewtie Of gallant cōstitution séemed the Pagan with the great companies that accompanied him euerie one assured of his conquest séeing him with such aduantage besides reputing him of forces inuincible They equalled the sunne betweene them an auncient martiall custome in warres of that qualitie Oh Don Eleno who might sée thée on foote without weapons fearelesse awaight the comming of thy valiant aduersarie who at the fearefull trumpets sound prickt foorth making the earth with hoarse noise eccho the trampling of his horses hoofes The Dacian stayed for him couragiously onely fearing the incounter in the closing of the horse Leaping aside he made him loose the blow and with such furie passe foorth his carrier that his shield had almost leapt out of the lists Twise was he so serued but the third he changed of purpose for brandishing with mightie force the launce with such seleritie he cast it at him that his was not sufficient to make him shun the receiuing it vpon his amorous breast it could not pearce it for that onely Loue had done so making him a little stagger backe while it rebounded backe Oh admirable act in the end worthie the Dacian Lord for with more furie taketh not the towring Eagle her flight after her pray then doth Don Eleno follow the retorted lance he tooke it in the ayre and turned merely vppon the Pagan at him hee let it flie with more horror then had it béen sent through a cannons mouth Against his strength there is no defence for it plainely pearced his shield wounding him very dangerously below the nauell with a mightie fall hee made him measure his length on the earth with such astonishment of the beholders that they knew not what meanes to finde to praise the knights valour The lance was broken in two which did not a little content the Prince he tooke it vp quicker then the rauenous kite snatcheth the tender chicke By this came Lindauro with his shielde and sword in hand thinking quickly to ende the fight and with a florish would haue strooke the Dacian entring with a thrust As sure of his armes as of his strength was the Prince so standing fast on his féete suffered him to enter Great was the blowe he receiued but hee with the trunchion in hand gaue him one that set all former ones in obliuiou for bringing the lances péece right ouer his head vppon the helme discharged it so puissantly that voyding infinit blood throgh his nostrels and mouth he tumbled him headlong to the ground Suddainly he arose for it was no time of delaies But he was met wit an other that almost had againe feld him Neuerthelesse would not the Pagan doubt the victorie and drawing strength from weaknesse let flie at the toppe of the Dacians helme it turned his an one side more then he wisht Enter he wold with another but ere he could sway his sword about the Prince made him feele the forcible waight of his trunchion therewith making his shield and head méete that it stopt the passage of his breath Close he would with him but the Pagan brauely set his sword in the middle with the poynt against him and thrust him away so strongly that he was forced backe thrée or foure steppes He followed him with a blowe on the helme which put the Dacian to some paine but all redowned to the Pagans harme for Don Eleno being now extreamly incensed avoyded another and closed with him casting his strong arme about his necke A while continued they wrasling but in the end with a grone the Dacian laide him on the ground vpon his backe On his breast he set his knées saying Dead art thou Prince Lindauro vnlesse thou doest vnsay what thou haste said commaunding the prisoners to bee brought hither and set at libertie with their horses armes and weapons since against all lawe and iustice they haue been so long detained All is ended with my vanquishment replied the afflicted Saracin The Dacian intreated the Iudges to come and take the Pagans confession who sent vnto the King to liberate the knights with all that was theirs since his fortune was so aduerse against him Their horses and armes being brought in presence of them all they were armed Where with great kindnes the Persian offred his loue to the Gréeke for as great amitie grew betwéene them as euer was among their fathers Claridiano receiued him saying I was assured gallant Prince I could nor I should not receiue any good without your presence my good will deserues it for in all things it shall procure your content Whereto he answered Great is that I receiue heroicke Prince to haue found the time wherein I might enioy your sight and far greater should I haue conceiued had I taken part of the troubles I was tolde you indured although where this happie Prince hath imployed his power my little indeuor were but néedlesse I acknowledge my selfe so bound vnto you al replied Claridiano that I will protest no more saue that you in desire and this Prince in dooing haue accomplisht the dutie of your valours and fulfilled my expectation But let vs now go to take our leaues of this peruerse malicious people on whom I vow ere I depart from Esclauonia to be fully reuenged at my pleasure and their dammage All foure that were the flower of armes went togither to the window where the king was to whom that euerie one might heare the suspitious knight spake thus I am very sorry king of Esclauonia in thy Court to haue séene so many tumultuous brawles where had you obserued and vnwronged kept euery ones iustice according to the fame that for so iust a king doth so blazon you to be throughout the spacious territories of the worldes wide regions they had not procéeded so farre foorth although these knights and my selfe may truely say that if we displeased thée thou haste at pleasure satisfied thy selfe to the deare cost of our quiet putting in daunger the liues of such knights a thing that the very hearing doth offend how much the more
Vanbrace and with it cut all the laces off his shield and made him shake like a loftie Pyne strooke with an other blast she gaue her horse the reignes and quickly turned him before the Gyant setled himselfe shee let flie at his wounded arme This blowe assured her the victorie for lighting on the vnarmed place she threw it to the ground and made him roare horribly for the wound was mortall Without payment scaped not the Quéene for ere his soule departed dispairing of life so mightie a blowe hee discharhed on her head that she fell vpon her horse voyding much blood from her mouth with such strength was it executed that finding no other stay it drew the Gyant after it who like a Tower ouerturned with a whirle winde he fell downe Long in accompanying him was not the other for Floraliza enuying what the Quéene had done so vehemently pursued her Combat that she tumbled the Gyant at her horses féete with so many deadly wounds that he straight gaue his soule vnto the diuell that long since had expected it No longer stay made the other Gyant and knight but with their Coursers fastest running prickt against the Ladies to surprise them vnawares Dangerous were not the encounters by reason of their enchaunted armor though they were extreame greeuous Betwéene the foure they began one of the brauest battels on the earth But at the instant it was disordered for the knights not respecting their honors altogither stept to aide their maisters in no little danger were the ladies séeing themselues assaulted so many waies but fetching strength and courage from their amorous breasts they inacted déeds impossible to Mars his sight He that most vext them was the great Knight being one of the stoutest in all Paganisme With him the faire Quéene made her battell thinking by that meanes the victorie was surest Shee left the beautious Floraliza with the Gyant and some twentie Knights that were left but so wounded that she quickly brought them to twelue They were all busied in those bloodie affaires when the braue Assyrian like a thunderbolte galloped along that field towards them who also had heard the Ladies outcries in the Chariot and hasting to helpe them had lost himselfe in the wood notwithstanding he came in good time amazed to sée so many dead He knew the Knights and they him he entred with his lance aboue hand a better blowe was not executed in that battell for approaching the place where his Ladle fought strongly brandishing he threwe it at the Gyant which penetrating all his stéeles places it appeared at his backe the pike bloodie with his hearts gore This blowe was to no small purpose for it mooued a suddain strange alteration in the Ladies breast iudging so well of him that gaue it that ouer ioyed with that content she said to her selfe Oh most heroicke Knight would I might satisfie thy desires and not wrong the Tynacririan There stayed not the galliant Don Clarisell for drawing foorth Mylos furious sword he gaue no blowe but ouerthrew an enemie dead close by them went the Ladie excéeding glad to sée him On horsebacke was the Prince one of the greatest Knights in the world and so richly armed no heart could desire more For all this ceased not the warlike Lirian Matrone to pursue the great Knight entring and retiring with such agillitie as Mars himselfe were hee there could wish no more In his countrie was the Pagan accounted the valiantest knowne wherefore he brauely held out in fight Of all helpes néeded he combatting with the Quéene both in beautie and in valour who florishing her weapon stept in with one foote forward and lay open that the Pagan might enter who being excéeding skilfull perceiued her intent and making her loose two blowes gaue her two thrusts one after another which forced her to bow backwards on her horse as she raised her selfe with all possible spéede hee strooke her on her rich helme but reacht her onely with the poynt wherefore the blowe was not to much purpose though it gréeued her much No Hircanian Tyger was now comparable to the Quéene in fury to sée her selfe so vsed she florished her sword and let it fall so mightily on his head that it felde him along the saddle sorely wounded She trusted to the strength of her Horse so giuing him the spurres ranne against her enemy incountring him so strongly with his breast that shée ouerthrew them both to the ground But the Pagan knowing his disgrace leapt aside and though weake and with many wounds setled himselfe to make his defence against the Quéene that nimbler then an Eagle leapt from her horse after her pray Deadly wounded was the Pagan and no maruell then if with euery blowe she make him kisse the earth with his handes and knées Alreadie were the Louers though different in affection rid of all their enemies and were set to gaze on the battell when from the top of the mountaine descended a Knight with more brauery then the sun Farefull it was to heare the trampling noyse of his neighing Courser wheresoeuer he trod He arriued at the chaire extreamly abashed to sée all his hast had not auailde him Oh cowardly Prince said hée is it possible thou hast shewen thy selfe slow in thy Ladies seruice thou doest wrōgfully call thy selfe hers being the least in ayding her in her greatest distresse There was hee interrupted hearing a horrible blowe which was thus The Quéen noting they all looked on her iudged it weaknesse longer to continue and therefore strongly stretching her selfe on her left foote with both hands laid on the Pagans broken helme such a blow that diuiding his head downe to the neck at one instant she ended both his loues and life And as if she had done nothing mounted into her seate and turned about to thanke the Assyrian for his good helpe whereto he answered All and more then this is due to your valour most excellent Knight for where yours and this Knights is little auailes mine So thence they went to speak vnto the Ladies in the Chariot which were Garrofilea and her bewtious daughter Rosaluyra with two other damzels their attendants whose beautie made our two Ladies somwhat enuie them Neuer did any Knight affect with more reason Lindoriano Prince of Nyquea who was new come Well did mother and daughter knowe him and none like him had the Princesse estéemed From the heauens may you receiue your deserued recompence most mightie knights for the succour you lent me and my daughter said the cruell Garrofilea although considering the dutie by your selues due to the valour of your owne persons in discharging it so the immortall powers long since guerdoned it by imparting so largely their matchlesse gifts with you making you absolute in all compleate vertues yet that our ioy may be repleat and we know to whom we rest bound we shall account it an exceeding fauor and remaine debtors togither with the former for the same if you will relate your names
Captaine Gyant came marching downe along the fielde against the Pagan this Gyant was king and Lord ouer them all the furie which they broght made the Greke feare the loosing of the Lady whom he intreated séeing her on foote to get vp to the toppe of the hil and hid her selfe among the trées whither hee would quickly followe her She did so kindly requesting the Gréeke to looke vnto the safetie of Abstrusio It gréeued him not to heare her tender spéech purposing to marrie them if he could Then like a thunderbolt hee turned on his enemies and with Abstrusio ranged vp and downe among them dyed to the chinne in aduerse blood and thogh the Pagan were somewhat wearie with the many battelles of that day yet the sight of the Gréekes braue déedes so animated his fainting heart that hee forgot his wounds and their paine Such miserable destruction on the hard rypened corne makes not the ouerflowing of an vnstayed current passing his limits as the two warriours on those coward knights giuing no blow in vaine but slew outright or for euer maimed which it behooued them so to do beeing onely two and their enemies so many Followe mee braue knight said the Gréeke for ere we part from hence I vow to be reuenged on these base villaines Do what you will most mightie warriour answered he for I le obey His shield he cast at his backe and tooke his sword twixt both handes beginning to execute such déedes as Mars would not attempt More feared was not Hercules among the Centaures then Rosabell of his enemies that beating them downe on euery side at length he metwith the Gyant that stole the Ladie whom he assailed with a terrible blowe and past on where the Pagan stayed him till he returned when with both handes hee discharged his sword on his thicke helme whereon the famous Troyans blade finding no resistance made his head a good way to skip from his neck This pleased him not so that aboue tenne lost their liues in the conflict for repairing thither it was as much as to be ledde to the slaughter house By this the Larke the mornings Herauld mounting into the loftie ayrie skies beganne to sing the daies approach welcomming bright Phoebus to the East when the two warriours like two firie meteors of heauens consuming wrath ranging about the battell encountred in the ende wearie of killing with the chiefe and sole suruyor of the Gyants who roring like a Lyon for his pray séeking them met and with them his death for stepping betwéene them with a heauie Iron mace thought to reuenge himselfe at two blowes It fell out otherwise for the furious Gréeke with one stroke cut away halfe his shield and sorely wounded him Heere did Abstrusio brauely second him though it cost him deare for thrusting himselfe vnder the Gyants armes although hee thrust a handfull of his sword in the side of his brest yet did the Gyant execute his blowe discharging it on the top of his helme so fearcely that sencelesse it strooke him along vppon his horse At the noyse the Gréeke turned about and thinking his companion dead no Hyrcanian furie may be compared to him With more eagernesse furiously flies not the lowring Eagle against the spoiler of his nest as the Gréeke to be reuenged Againe would the Gyant raise his Mace when with incomparable strength with one blowe did Rosabell throw downe his armes and club and with a thrust going to runne through the Gyant he turned aside making the Gréeke strike his head against his brest with more strength he embraced him then Hercules when twixt his hands he crusht to death two serpents yet it auailed him not wanting one arme for the Gréeke drawing foorth his dagger terminated that warre with two cruell stabbes Dead tumbled downe one of the mightiest Gyans of all those Isles whose father lost his life by the hand of the great Dardario the sonne procuring his iust reuenge sacrificed his blood with honour being bereft by the Gréek Prince who fearing to léese Abstrusio did execute more then humane deeds Better was not the Hesperian fruite kept before Alcydes spoyled it then Rosabell defended the sounded Pagan offending his enemies on all parts so lamentably that woe was to him that approached to trie the effect of his hands euen as one awaked from a déepe slumper so amazedly the Pagan raised himselfe and remembring the state wherein hee was and what the Gréeke had done for him said to himselfe Oh Iupiter let me liue that I may gratifie this knight what his déeds on my behalfe haue deserued The furious brauenesse wherewith he behaued himselfe so animated the stout Louer that as if but then the warre beganne he beganne to turne himselfe among them to the deare cost of many liues So Rosabell spurring his horse away said Follow me knight for our fighting now is to no more purpose the drawing of the mornings brightnesse comming on so fast may make vs loose the Ladie The Pagan followed him for whom the Gréeke hewed out such ample passage as he could reach to effect no blow They galloped through the thickest of the troupes leauing behinde them the cruellest slaughter that euer was done by two knights They arriued to the hill where the Lady was there they dismounted to speake to her who full of ioy guided by Loue embraced the Pagan thanking him for his kinde carefull rescue She on the instant perceiued her committed error but could not salue it for Lyrianas skilfull Louer straight iudged the cause and being glad thereof knowing the Pagans will and considering of the signes which the Ladie had showen of her affection towardes him saide to trie what would come of it Now is the time sir knight to end our former battell that I may right the Ladie which hath called me from so farre countries Both Louers were mooued by the Gréekes wordse but passing that fitte and waighing what he had done Abstrusio thus replied Oh Ioue forfende braue Knight that séeing you haue so often saued my life this day I should now imploy it against your seruice The glorie and victorie of the fight is yours and more then it deserues your valor which the heauens haue imparted you and though it bee more then hell for me to liue without this soueraigne Ladie so I may séeme gratefull to your deseruings my selfe shall force my selfe to forgoe this happinesse which is the onely nourisher of my forlorne life Woorthie the honour of your high merits excellent knight hath this your answere béene said Rosabell and I doe in heart wish my faint woorthes were now equal to my will that I might were it but in part pay the great bonds your liberall bountie hath bound me in and since this Ladie is now infranchised and frée I am readie as I promised her Damzell to conduct her to her kingdome or where else she please Whereto she spake Euer since sir knight my fortunes made mee néed your helpe I put my honour in your
those of his Empire being very warlike people The left going somewhat foremost ledde Torismundo Prince of Spaine Before than all went Priams valiant heire backt with some Spanish Galleyes to succour those in most daunger On the Pagans side in no lesse good order had Bembo disposed his battel in forme of a halfe Moone an vsual custome to fight among them in which manner they approached our Nauie at the sound of many thousand militarie Instruments Beeing readie to giue the oâ—â—â—t the famous Generall from this Admiral spake thus Where valiant Knights there is so many Princes and such great experience in warre I should haue little néed to aduertise you that Fortune hath ministred vnto vs occasion foreuer to perpetuate our fame Sure may we account the victorie for beeing as valiant as our aduersaries we excéed them in numbers and may if me list two or thrée at once assayle euery one of his enemies As for my selfe loosing my life in the office you haue giuen me I satisfie the dutie of a knight and vow to be your generall friend till death And therevppon displayed a bloodie flaÌ„gge crossebarde with blacke a signe that none should take his foe prisoner but shut the doores against all mercie So closing his beauer lead after him the best soldiers in the Fléets and leaning vnder the arches the mightie Brauorant and Brusaldoro his competitor those two puissant Fléetes began to come within shot one of another Where oh Apollo who may without thy helpe relate such a famous conflict whose successe well deseruing a new Booke it cannot haue lesse then another Chapter CHAP. XXI How the most cruell fight betweene both the Nauies began and the admirable successes that in the processe thereof happened THis is the time béeing incompassed with so many enemies that I dare not faire diuine Ladie passe one foote further without your speciall fauor Blacke and fatall was the day to many tasting in it the sower cup of death But to those whom fortune was bent to please reseruing their liues to sée the dismall bloodie losse of others some comfort was it to them the hearing of so many drummes and trumpets eccho in the ayre resounding in the déepe reioycing a so many displayed flagges and bannerets as daunced with the winds the waighing of anchors and hoysting vp of sayles the noyse which the poore slaues haue on the waters beating them with their oares the clamorous cries of euery Captaine incouraging those whom feare had alreadie daunted the glistring shine of armour and the confounding numbers of braue Knights and fierce Gyants that on the hatches of euerie vessell did expect their enemies these and such like sights amazed and admired the beholders Neptune would not this day shew himselfe cruell nor Eolus let foorth more then one gentle breath that did with swelling pride blowe big the Pagans sayles Who taking aduantage of the good occasion with redoubled courage offered to grapple accounting the conquest theirs Oh who is he able to describe the manner of so many deaths that there were giuen So great was the smoke issuing from their shottes that they neither heard nor sawe one another which being past and the welking clearing ouer head Oh Mercury would thou wert in middest of this battell in apt eloquence to modell foorth the merits of euery particular woorth But first the hideous cries of slaughtered bodies the noyse of warriours the shrikes of the wounded could not but be a cruell spectacle for they were all betwéene two of the cruellest oppressed elements that were fire and water Quickly fomed the seas with bloodie froth and on it floated the dead carkasses of sometime liuing creatures Excéeding great was the slaughter that the Christians made with wilde fire and balles of burning pitch and rozen And as they vsed all possible celeritie in casting it and the winde that played with their running wings a little strong by that meanes was the destruction which they made infinit for neither striking of sayles remoouing cabbins and casting ouerboord all necessarie tackle auayled to auoyde the mercilesse deuouring fire which left neither mast nor sayle vnconsumed Oh cruell Soldan of Nyquea that doest delight to sée the thing that would haue moued Nero to some pittie Straunge waies for deathes were there séene for some flying the fire perished in the waters nor is there a friend that will helpe the other The father in such hurlebourly knowes not his deare sonne nor he remembers his sire to pay him the debt he owes him for life and nurture Only euery one procures to liue and when he cannot scape to die not to depart vnreuenged This satisfaction was the sole comfort to them that with cruell wounds flung at their enemies and stumbling on their owne guttes embraced a willing death togither with their aduersaries Some haÌ„ging by their strong hands ouerboord sawe the cruell axe descend and cut them from his holde and he reioyced with such a death rather then to be hewen in péeces by an Infidel Others embraced like good friends sought their endes in the lowest déepes glad to kill being killed The proper life is heere had but in equall estimation with his aduersaries death Others that to themselues complained towards the heauens against Fortune and their happes sawe their friends come stumbling without armes and legges vppon them Such was the confusion among them that no order could be obserued although therin the Greek got some aduantage because their vessels were lighter and better prouided The gallant Spanish Captaine with aduise of his Lieftenant generall Countie of Medyna appointed some small boates well furnished who with all necessarie diligence closely pearced through tenne of the Pagans greatest ships the which with such furie leaked that on the suddaine not knowing which way they were suncke with an infinit number of men chéefely Gyants whose waights did soonest ouerwhelme them Then preuailed not outcries of Pilots nor the hastie calling for boats because the Rowers fearing the fires which the Spaniards hurled rather striued to saue themselues then their friends whom they sawe smothered in those vnquenchable flames and beeing vp to the chin in water yet séemed to burne aliue Peace they iudged the two contrarie elements had made séeing the aboundance of water could not frée them from the fire nor the fire for feare of it kéepe the waters from ouerwhelming them From side to side some were thrust and these exclaimed not for beeing wounded but for want of company to comfort them in their funerall obsequies Well do the Gréekes defend themselues offending on this side where the Spaniards brauely cried S. Iames. And although they were confronted thrée to one they gallantly stucke to it seeing how victoriously the Thessalians had assayled their enemies Wonders performed the Troyan with his beloued Sarmatia against the Pagan but what auuales it when for one they kil there came twentie in his place and so on either side the battell was at one stay whose fiercenes may be forgot remembring what
her helme and although her beautie did not deserue it he made her stumble as shee would fall At her did Rosabell let driue felling her altogither on the gound To helpe her hasted Don Argante which was to no small effect hitting Claramant a venturous blow on his armes making him loose his whose force could not but haue indaungered Don Celindâ— Like an angrie Lyon did the gallant Torisiano set vpon Lyrianas â—â—â—er and giuing him on his helme a most fierce blow It forced him touch the Barke with one hand By this was Floraliza on his féete who more furious then an Hyrcanian beast with both hands raised Camillas sword laying it on Rosabell before he rose With a little more she had layde him along yet she stayed to giue him a thrust at his rising which she did with the vtmost of her strength driuing him two steppes from her Disgraced was the Brittaine here for either tripping one leg with another or by the strength of the blowe he fell on his backe at Don Celindos féete Who thinking he had occasion by the front would not omit it for seeing him so stagger he turned his sword about ouer his head and discharged it at full on the Gréekes helme Doubt do the wise men to whether Rosabels fall may be attributed It extreamly gréeued Abstrusio that was hard by him then who was neuer Lyon more fierce He met with Floraliza that eagerly followed the Gréeke on whose shield he layde the waight of his armes with his broad sword in such manner that beating it against her head it left her sencelesse He had time to turne vpon Don Celindo that would haue knéeled on the Brittaine whom he gaue so mightie a stroke on his shoulders that he inforced him backwards faster then he came Then gaue hée the Pagan his hand who quickly got on his legges and so at his pleasure tooke his reuenge on the brothers that they were fully requited with interest In this season was not Claridiano so ydle as to witnesse what his vnckle performed for neuer any knight did better backe his friend There was no Gyants durst come neare the inchanted barke but in satisfaction of his presumption left his life in the handes of the one or other Sometimes would Claramant hitting his enemie with his axe strike him euen to Claridianos standing who finished the reckoning bereauing him of his life whose fortune brought him thither The horror which was made there séemed no lesse then if the whole frame of heauen would fall for all the famous Pagans repaired to the Tower maintaining the battell in an equall state where they were but in all other places else there was nothing heard but victorie for the Gréekes Breaking through so many valiant aduersaries rusht the inchanted Barke till it confronted Brufaldoros It much pleased Claramant to beholde the Pagans disposition and with what furie hée defended his arch With thousands of dead bodies hee had strewed the vast sea hauing thitherto with honor augmented his fame but the blinde Goddesse intending altogither to fauor the Grecians conducted thither the inuincible Claramant all died with Sarazens blood The Moore then ended the felling of the gallant Persian on his Barke to poore Laissas extream grief that beheld it who quickly saw him pay for it dearly For as the Barke past all the Christian vessels made the warriour way somewhat he might reuenge them for their sustained disgraces and others that waighed not their honours because they would not meddle with him Many left their fights hearing that the Knight of the Lyons combatted with him that kept the arches of the Tower With fresh courage entred the famous combattants Most nimble was the Moore and knowing his enemies valor with what aduantage he had with his axe he purposed to procéed warily in this battel and helpe himselfe with that dexteritie the heauens had lent him So with his shield on his arme and his sword poynting outwardes stayed for him The venturous youth did not respect nor care toward his aduersaries blows saue onely brandished his axe about letting it fall where it would but Brufaldoro was no knight to bee assaulted so openly and carelesly for letting the axe flie ouer his head he set his knées on the ground and in that manner he gaue the Prince so mightie a blowe on his left side Had not his armor béene so sure in two hee had béen diuided yet it made him stagger as if hee would haue fallen on that side This was the first and greatest blowe that Claramant receiued With more aduise he turned and being well setled whilded aloft his axe All his trickes nor agilitie auayled the great Mauritanian king for falling on the edge of his shield all it reached was cut away letting the cruel blow light on the Pagans temples Neither armor nor inchantment can resist the furious axe for in sight of the greatest Princes and best knights of the world the mightie K. of Mauritania with a daungerous wound was felled all along vppon the hatches of his barke Highly was the knight of the Lyons extolde by all the beholders for they that knew Brufaldoro and at one blowe saw him on the ground could not imagine whom his aduersarie might be With mightie furie did the barke passe forward as far as Bembo at such time as the proud Moore rose in amaze flinging to his enemie in his place he encountred the haughtie Claridiano representing the sterne God of battelles on the seas Betwixt them both they began one of the fiercest combats of that day for the Pagan rores and blasphemes against heauen when thinking to be reuenged he met whoÌ„ he imagined not being so brauely to his cost resisted by Claridiano that many times he was strooke sencelesse Many gazed on their fight iudging him and his companions of the Lyons the flower of both armies Quickly did the furious Claramant attract all the spectators eyes after him who then had like to haue incurred much danger for bearing his ayme on Brauorant the valiant Bembo stept vnder his armes and in his passage gaue him a daungerous thrust There stayed the Barke and ere the Gréek could turne about his axe Achayan was ioyned to Claramant The Pagan greatly fearing the Gréekes weapons went as neare him as he could and so reached at his sword With some amaze hee made him giue backe else he had easily drawne it Claridiano did by chance perceiue it whereat with one step he was with him Neuer did two knights better ayde one another then the kinsmen At his armes he let flie a mightie blowe it made him forget his hold of the sword and retire thrée steppes helped thereto with an enuious thrust And hauing performed his succor he returned very quicke vnto his first place For the Assyrian and Don Argante were come thither to both whom hée made knowne the valor of his person More abashed then may be expressed Claramant retired a little backe séeing what had happened him with Bembo to fetch
iudged one of the best knights of the world wherein hee nothing deceiued himselfe Who hauing sounded the rich horne whereat the Gates burst open whence came foorth a well proportioned Gyant both brauely mounted and clad in defensiue armes with a huge mace of seldséene greatnesse in his hands Against him made Bramarants sonne brandishing his launce aboue his head so did the Gyant with his mace but in the méeting Campeons Nephew mist his incounter running his speare through the head of his aduersaries horse who as Brauarant past by him discharging his mace with such strength in the middest of his shield the which though inchanted it battered and descended to his helm where it fell so heauily that maugre his courage it made him bend his head below his brest and voyde much blood There is no Lyon crueller nor chafed Bull more furious then is now the inuincible Scythian for hauing wel recouered his seat drawing foorth his slycing blade with more fiercenesse then a thunderbolte hée looked for his enemie whoÌ„ he saw on féet with his mace aloft Against him hee went but first brauely leapt from his horse and griping his sword strongly twixt his hands he neglected to watch his aduantage but let flie at the Gyant so did he and at once executed two blowes woorthie such warriors Venturous was the Gyants blowe for lighting on his enemies helme although it could not breake the inchantment it forced him to tumble headlong on the paued floore where hee thought he sawe the twinckling of more starres then is in the firmament The Gyant had no time to vaunt of his victorious blow for with another nothing inferior his shield was cut in two through which the sword descended to his helme cutting away all the one side thereof with all the top the which had it fell right his head had béene cleft in the middest yet fell he to the ground on his hands amazed with the stroke The haughtie Emperor not a litle admired the strength of the combattants much estéeming the Gyant considering Brauorants disgrace whom he animated though néedlesse with these words Courage braue warrior for there is much to doo but making the world knowe the vtmost of your singular valor with it we shall easily liberate the Princesse Roselia Though almost choked with chollor and blaspheming against himselfe for no God he confest hee turned his head at those words and séeing the Knight of the Sunne not fighting because he had alreadie killed the gyant there is no tongue able to explicate the furie that entred the fierce Pagans breast supposing that knight excelled him when he would not acknowledge Mars any superioritie And accounting it base fearfulnesse to let a single combat indure to the third blowe foming through the mouth he raised his sword and went against the Gyant that was alreadie vp who well noted with what furie he came and trusting to his Mace crost it ouerhead whereon fell the strongest blow bestowed in his time For being possest with the vtmost of extreamest rage Brauorants son desirous to make known the might of his arme hee discharged on him a fierce stroke worthie his valor which falling on the mace whose inchauntment being of no force it cut it like as it were of wood and sliding to the shoulder where his armor was not able to resist the sharpnes of the sword guided by the strongest arme that euer the Gyantiue nation knewe it sliced him in the middest diuiding the brutish bodie in two parts which déede the Knight of the Sunne so admired as he iudged him to be sonne to such a father Litle had the fierce Pagan thought he had done wherevpon like an infernall furie he entred the gate All this while was not the Heroicke Claridiano ydle for in the opening of the Portall at the shrilnesse of the horne there issued foorth a mightie Centaure with a big dart in his right hand and in the other a chaine by which he ledde a cruell Lyon This sight daunted not the second Mars but swifter then a Roe he prickt against the Centaure that expected him brandishing his stéely dart the which ere the prince came neare him hee flung at him with all the strength of his arme it ranne through the shield and wounded him a little on the breast pearcing his armor whose inchauntment could not withstand the sharpenesse of the speare The Prince hit the Centaure in the middest of his breast with such puissance that had not his plates of fine tempered stéele wherewith he was armed defended him he had béene then slaine yet he so thrust him backe that staggering vp and downe hee fell on the ground at such time as his horse past on which stumbling on the Centaure fel shrewdly on the earth where it had cost Claridiano no lesse then the price of his life had he not vsed his dexteritie wherewith hee leapt at one side from off his back before hee fell the which scarcely touched the ground when the cruell Lyon with his pawes seyzed on him and rent him asunder péece by péece which much auailed for the Princes victorie for whilest the Lyon deuoured the horse he discharged at his pleasure the waight of his armes vpon his head of the which as much as the murthering sword did take was cut away yet the blowe was not sufficient to kil him outright but rather roring amaine it forced him leaue his pray to flie at Claridiano closing with him so spéedily that he could not shunne him but with his sharpe clawes helde him so hard that hee crusht his crimson blood through his armor gryping him closer then doth the little Remora cleaue to the kéele of any shippe to hinder her swift course In great anguish of minde was the warlike Gréeke all this while féeling himselfe so fast bound betwéene the Lyons fangs and séeing the Centaure come against him with a heauie naked sword No remedie found Mars his Competitor but to draw his dagger and stabbing it into his bellie forced the Lyon with the pangs of death to leaue him the which méeting with the Centaure not knowing what it did catcht at his brest which with his clawes he rent letting foorth riuers of blood through his mortal wound Whereat the fierce Centauâ—â— forsaking the Prince raised his blade on high and with it diuided the Lyon in two Which done trailing the one halfe with him he marched towards Claridiano who wondring at the sight did so too and on his shield tooke the beasts blowe which he requited with a poynt that he thrust at him which penetrating his plates of stéele wounded him to the death Roaring like a Bull the Infernal Monster towred his sword aloft which when he would descend he was staied in the midst of his course by the remorcelesse stroke of death whereat he fel downe at the time that Claridiano thanked his God for the victorie And imagining his companions were afore him he past on through the gate No lesse fierce was Claramants renowned
in the sea for beléeue me they are the flower of Armes Two of them replied the Prince I can tell you of the one Bembo by name King of Achaya and Lord Generall of the Souldans Fléete the other is a most strong Pagan King of Mauritania and mortall enemie to the Gréekes The last yet séeming of a bigger constitution of composed members I knowe not sauing that it was he which in our companie proued Rosilias inchantment being he we met in the Forrest in battell against the Emperor my father But the time is long and we may end any particular combat for I no lesse desire it then you since I crost him on the seas when I defended your ladder In this conuersation they came vnto a cleare riuer of fresh bubbling water which inuited them to find out his spring to passe away the heate of the afternoone for the Sunne hauing progrest halfe his course had alreadie dried the moysture of the earth Within a while they found a faire Fountaine where they allighted both to wash their faces and take such repast as Pollisandros prouision affoorded Thus they droue away the time with some content for Claridiano for his vncles sake controwled his greefes when his Ladies remembrance troubled him So béeing desirous to take a nappe they parted a litle one from the other to sléep Short it was for the Musicke of a swéete voyce awaked them at once Wherevpon Claridiano said Haue you euer heard braue Knight more swéet harmonie Beléeue me we haue met with some good entertainment for he that sings in my opinion should liue by being in loue We may not leaue the enioying of so swéete a note So they rose togither and putting on their helmes tooke their shields and followed the sound they heard and then ceased They came vnto a little groue beset with loftie Pynes there saw they a shepheard of the fairest disposition in the world and so beautifull that his sight wold haue made him enuious that kept Admetus flockes He séemed to be very young holding a Recorder in his hand to whose sound tuning his voyce he sung his soules gréefe vnto those sencelesse trées Credit me Prince of Grecia said Claramant that some chance in Loue hath made him so disguise himselfe for although there be gallant shepheards about these and other fields yet this his tender behauiors showes he hath not béene brought vp to tend shéepe Let vs attend him replied Claridiano for hee himselfe will resolue this our doubt They néeded not much perswasion to make them listen for the swéetnesse wherewith he sounded his Instrument was sufficient to mooue as did the Thracian Poet his melodie which when he ended he warbled foorth this Elegie Great must needs be the greef extreme must needs be the torments Which I do feele while I want faire Polinarda thy sight Esteeming thy sweet presence my sole happines in life How may thy long absence but be a death to my heart On this staie yet I liue in thy disgrace that I liue not For then in endles plagues damned I were to perish Rather as one whose sincere Loue was kindly regarded On the highest heau'ns-spheare placed I was by thy hand Golden dayes were those But now dispoiled of all blisse Like sad Bellerophon ioyles I wander alone In darknesse I do straie missing thy Sunne to direct me My day to night turnde is my delite into laments Vexed thus though I am Complaine on thee yet I cannot Of thee Ladie diuine for loue I had loue againe Spightfull Fortune it is that of all ioyes hath me bereaued And with deadly malice crost me with heauy mishaps Distrest by Fortune yet neuer will I be daunted Maugre her and her force will I loue and be belou'd Enuious ill Fortune cannot compell me to dispaire When she hath her worst done then can I be but a wretch Then when I most am a wretch most cōstant shal be my hope then Which without her compasse firmly by faith I do keepe Her force will not I feare nor seeke for her helpe that I lou'd be Oh fayrest of fayres on thee alone I depend In presence was I lou'd and shal be I doubt not in absence Lady in whom vertue like to thy bewtie shineth Constant as comely Bur alas that I must like a Pilgrime Wander a whole age thus through regions so remote Kingdomes farre distant where I wish in vaine to behold thee Where new sprung dangers hourely delaie my returne From thy sight banished whose siluer rayes be so splendent That therewith dazled Cynthia hideth her head Expect yet do I still and that day daily do looke for In thy sweete presence once yet againe to reioyce Conuerting sadnesse to gladnesse sorrow to singing Rapte in blisse then I shall perpetually tryumph In meane time resting on this so sacred a comfort This thy want perforce with patience I do beare Till the raging tempest of Fortunes fury be ore-blow'n And I of all turmoyles shall haue a happie release No more could the two valiant Gréekes vnderstand for the vehement grones that burst from his soule togither with hart-breaking sighes drowned the verie sound of his words Now that he had thus giuen a litle passage to his griefes by publishing them vnto those loftie pynes that by bowing their spreading braunches séemed to pittie his distresse with a breathlesse Ay me he began his laments in this maner Oh Loue how extreamly hast thou executed the power of thy rygor on me Oh my tender yeres eclipsed in the budding of your spring with the nipping winter of sower griefe Iniustly hast thou made me an example of the happiest Louer that euer was neuer hauing against thy soueraintie so much as in thought offended nor yet in any thing gainsaid or contradicted thy awfull power Oh I acknowledge it and do confesse what happinesse is obtained submitting true dutie to thy commaund as to the sole deitie able to giue life or swéetest death and yet for all thou art long since assured with what submissiue humblenesse I haue obeyed thy behests and with patience endured thy crosses so dearely bought at the highest rate and price of my content it pleaseth thée when the soueraigne Goddesse of my soule would most fauour me to exile me her presence by such cruell meanes On me and my poore heart that neuer did offend thée hauest thou tyrannized with all inhumanitie winking and pardoning the Conspirators against thy rule What hast thou got by absenting me from her stampt in my liuing soule wherein wert thou offended when I beheld her presence were it not I feare to be accounted Traytor vnto thy Crowne and Principallitie I would call and proclaime thée ouer and besides that thou art cruell to be enuious and if not so that Iealousie plague of mortals and immortals to sée me loue and liue thereby and in recompence of so firme a faith to hope for the glorie of being againe beloued hath forced thée to make me in exile wander thus from that her