heare on both sides the Captaines exhort the Caualiers applaude the Trompets made a heauenly harmonie inforcing the horses to carrier and the heart to courage in briefe the battailes ioyned where the Souldan shewed inestimable feates of armes hewing murthering and ouerthrowing whom so euer he met Pepin like Mars inraged or Achilles incensed beating downe all that resisted brandishing his sword like lightning now stroke hée downe the King of Circasso the Duke of Hieropolis now reskewed the olde Emperour who laden with yeares and armes yet lacking no courage sought all meanes possible to subdue his enemies Behenzar on the other side seemed like Alexander among the Macedones for being attended on by a troope of Mamelukes resembling the Macedonian Phalax he dispersed the horsemen tossing them on his pikes so that after a bitter and long â—ight the right wing of the Christians was discomforted there might you see Ortacus of Denmarkâ— shewe himselfe a braue warâ—iour who entering vppon the Thessalian horsemen with his Danish Regiment so dismembred them that they fled about the fields both disordered and welny destroyed But the Souldan relied them sâ—dainly and intermedling them with fresh hands of Souldiers gaue such a charge on the front of the enemies battaile that it was inforced to recoyle The Christians in this incountrie were put to the worst of Princes were slaine the Duke of Consa the Earle of Malgrania the King of Pontus the Marques of Pisarra and to the number of 1700. Christians the Emperour himselfe hardly escaped and was in great perrill of his life who gathering vp his broken wings together in grieuous discontent of minde entered his Citie whilest the Pagans triumphed in their Tents hauing lost but to the number of 900. men besides those of marke and accompt Of the great moane that was made throughout Rome for the losse of the Christians and how Emine the next day of battaile gaue Robert the Diuell a rich white Armour and Shield with a white horse who reskued the Emperour and did wonderfull deedes of armes GReat was the moane through all Rome for the Christians ruine many the teares of the mothers be moaning their sonnes many the sighes of the daughters weeping for their fathers there was no house in the Citie which solemnized not some funerall and happie was he in his misfortune whose sonne had béen most forward But among all the mestfull families the Emperours Court was most vnfortunate where in stead of rich spoyles the Emperiall chambers were replenished with dead and wounded bodies and confusion seeming to haue elected her habitation in that place began to infect euery particular person with his poyson The Empresse bathed in teares had her eyes almost choaked vp with weeping and Emine the flower of beautie seemed like the Rose ouerwashed with ouerlirant shewes her crimson staines became pale and bleake colours so much doth sorrow alter both the inward and outward habilities Robert agréeued in heart to see these discontents groaned in mind though he dissembled mirth practising all meanes possible to delight the Emperour to mooue laughter to the Empresse to content Emine faine would he haue enterprised armes but he durst not fearing it was preiudiciall to his vowe and so much courage wrought in his heart that espying his Confessor one day who by reason of these warres had withdrawne himselfe into the Citie he by signes shewed his deâ—ires to doo the Emperour seruice The good old man falling on his necke blessed him and confidently perswaded him thereunto so his desire were not for vaineglorie sake but for the honour and in the name of Christ Robert resolued herein became more frolicke moouing great pleasure in the Princes by kissing their swords and playing with their armes many battailes were there fought wherein he would faine haue béen present One day among the rest at such time as the Princes issued out to battaile Emine called Robert vp into the top of a high turret from whence they might behold all the manner of the conflict but alas the day was fatall to the Christians and the cries of them that fled pierced the very heauens Robert not able to endure these massacres wept bitter teares for anger and seeing Emine discontent made signes vnto her for armour she by diuine instinct somewhat assertained of his intent secretly with her owne hands armed him in a rich white armour of her fathers which he vsed in his youth giuing him a faire sword and shield and shutting his beuer close commanded that a horse should bee giuen him the groomes of y â— Emperours stable gaue him a fierce and stout Steede of selfelike colour as his armes weare of on which speedely mounting he issued foorth of the gates gathering together the scattered troopes and entered the thickest of the Saracens with such furie that before his â— aunce was broken he dismounted thirtie of the best Pagans then taking in hand his well tempered sword hee performed such Cheualrie as all the beholders were amazed his sworde lighted in no place where it cleaued not a lim neither was their Helmets of that temper that could withstand his stroake he slewe Behenzar hand to hand and had welny taken the Souldan prisoner had not a band of strong Tartarians reskewed him Emine from her solitarie Turret beholding his prowesse was surprized with meruailous sollace now wished she that she could speake whereby she might mooue her loue now desired she that hée were as noble as hee was valiant and as wittie as hee was worthie But the Emperour among the rest was wholly reuiued with the sight and yéelding God most humble thankes animated his Souldiers to pursue the victorie many and valiant were the men that fell that day by Roberts sworde and had not the night by speedie approach departed both the Armies the Souldan had that day suffered an vndoubted ouerthrowe whereuppon both the Armies sounded the retreate and Robert with all expedition priuilie entered the Citie where encountering the Recluse his Confessor he left his Armour with him and hid his horse in a Monastarie where the good man was resiant returning to the Court in his fooles habite by which time the Emperour with his attendants was entered the Citie and being disarmed sat him downe in great content discoursing with his Princes and Emperours vppon the affayres of that dayes seruice great was the noyse throughout the Citie of the white Knights valour and in Court was no other talke but of the straunge Knight that behaued himselfe so valiantly The Emperour made great inquisition after him but by no meanes could vnderstande thereof By this time Robert and his hound as was his custome entered the dyning chamber playing many pleasant trickes before the Emperour who tooke thereat wonderfull delight Emines eye was continually fixed on him and whilest the Kings talked of the valiant warriour she purposely poynted at him It fortuned in this incountrie that Robert had a little scratch ouer his right eye which being but freshly wounded bled a little
adioyning to Roan building sumptuous Scaffolds for the Iudges prouiding place of audience for the prisoner leauing nothing vnsought for that pertayned to that tragedie and at such time as the assembly of estates was set he brought foorth the Champion a kinsman of his owne well instructed in armes and resolued in the complot of treason This braue Caualier ritchly mounted bonded his horsse before the iudgement seate offering to doo his deâ—oire toward the approbation of the Dutchesse treacherie Then was the prisoner called for where Editha carying in her lookes the badge of modestie in her behauiour the courage of a Matron apparrailed in black Ueluet and couered with a vaile of black Tissue ascended her Scaffold attended by all the chiefe Ladyes of Normandie who to testifie their melancholie were in like manner attyred mournefully After that Editha had done her obedience to the Iudges Estate she was demaunded for her Champion who returned this answere It is extreame iniurie and no iustice you Fathers when Princes shalbe condemned like priuate persons without respect of their Maiestie or regard of their accusers for otherwise was Auberts hope ye Lords who appoynted me to commaund you and not to be condemned by you but dutie I perceiue was buried with him and those that honored him in his life time it was not for loue but in hope to get liuing I am accused for poysoning Aubert ye Peeres and you your selues were eye witnesses of his naturall death when no signe of treason no token of violent death â—ppeared either before his death or after his departure Had he taken potions they should haue wrought but you knowe there was no violence in his pangs but euen the infirmitie of age that fashioned him to his graue But you will say there are witnesses and what alledge they forsooth that I bought poyson but of whome that I tempered poison but where that I ministred poyson but when were you as forward to examine circumstances as you are affected to listen to complaints you would blush either at your wilfull blindnesse or â—ndeserued malice But be it as you pretend adiudge me to the fire yet shal I dye innocent call me murtheresse I know I am innocent for my Champion I haue not sought him but God hath sent him if he come not at the summons let my 〈◊〉 be consumed this is the aime of mine enemie and the worst of your enuie This conclusion she vetered with confident boldnesse insomuch as Villiers blushed and some of the Peeres began to suspect him well the summons was sounded according to order and braue Robert of Normandie boldly entered the Listes offering to aduenture his life in the behalfe of Editha Great was the ioy of all the Ladyes to see so goodly a Knight enterprise the Dutchesse right and Editha in thought seemed to claime some part of him but leauing tedious circumlocutions this in briefe was the effect of the matter the Champions were sworne and the Iudges appoynted and after sound of Trumpet and Proclamation the Combate was commenced Great was the courage of the accuser but greater the constancie of the defendant the one fought for money the other fought for his Mother the one truâ—â—ed to his force the other to his faith the one fought with feare the other with confidence in briefe the one no lesse animated by amitie than the other emboldned by equitie after theyr Launces were broken they betooke them to theyr Swoords where after some small resist Robert lent his aduersarie such a stroke that he cut off his right arme and killed his Horsse and nimbly buckling himselfe vnto his enemie who prepared to flye rent off his Helmet froâ— his head and rudely casting him on the earth commaunded him either to discouer the truth or hee was but dead It is woonderfull to see the affection of faithfull Commons to their naturall Princesse for no sooner was the appealant ouerthrowne but they all with common voycâ— cryed out God saue Editha our true Princesse and innocent Villiers was abashed and descending from the iudgement seate sought meanes verie politiquelie to make away the vanquished before the villanie were discouered but Robert preuented the same for menacing him that was in his daunger with present death hee in open assemblye discouered the Treason the Complot of Villiers for the Dukedome leauing nothing vntouched that might manifest the Dutchesse innocencie This his confession so moued Robert that taking Villiers by the heare of the head hee drewe him to the Iudgement seate causing the Escheuâ—s of Roan to lay holde on hym when mounting vp the Scaffold where the Princesse sate hee tooke her by the hand and conducted â—r to the chiefest seate of Iudgement and opening his Beauer hee humbling himselfe on his knee spake thus Though my vnworthinesse before times most gratious Dutchesse and curteous Mother deserue not the sight of so reuerent a person yet acknowledging my faultes and beseeching your fauour beholde your Sonne Robert for his wickednesse before times surnamed the Deuill now humblie prostrate before you in all duâ—tie though I haue béen a corosiue to you in your youth beholâ—e God hath left mee to be a comfort to you in your age Reioyce Madame and as appertayneth to you punish this Traytor according to his demerits And you vnnaturall Normans that neglecting duetie haue affected doublenesse growe ashamed at your follyes and confesse your faults who haue countenanâ—ed a Traytor and contemned your Soueraigne Editha deuoured in ioy in stead of reply fell vppon his neck in a sound and with such entyre affection embraced him that it was thought that both their bodyes were vnited together with a mutuall simpathie of affections and after she was reuiued a little stealing a long kisse from his lips she began thus And art thou yet liuing my Sonne or are mine eyes deceiued Yea thou liuest my Sonne for nature tells me so planting such a ioy in my heart to sée thée as I neuer had so great will to sigh for thée Oh the fruite of my wombe and the comfort of thy father had Aubert liued to behold thee my sonne to haue seene thy wilde â—alliance exchaunged to wise discourse thy fond behauiour to affable benignitie thy diuellishnes to discretion oh the ioy oh the sollace but hee from heauen beholdeth thee and I on earth embrace thee The Péeres and Ladies cut off her further discourse each one presenting him homage and humble salute whereupon taking Editha with him and placing her on the right hand he with great grauitie ascended the Iudgment seate and spake thus to all the assemblie Were I as insolent as I haue béen accustomed my countrimen neither would I ascend the place of Iudgement nor condiscend to administer Iustice but since God hath humbled my heart and altered my affects and made you happie in calling mée home hearken to me my Subiects and consider on my sayings If absence alter not heritage as it cannot and forgetfulnesse chaunge not dueties as it should not you
is not our custome in Europe prowd Babylonian to perswade with peremptorie threats but to woe with gentle intreaties and as our natures are mollified by mildnes so are they indurate by menaces If y â— Souldan salute me as his equall he erreth for y e Emperour of Christendom daines no so bace companion as a Souldan if as his superior I thus answer him the distance of his countrie the difference of his custome the abiectnes of his riches the barbarisme of his religion these disable him to be an Emperours son as for my daughter she must bee ruled by her father her father wil not admit thy master who if he attempt me with iniuries I will temper him for his iniustice as for his presents I bestow theÌ„ on thee for golde Barbarian amongst vs is of small accompt in respect of vertue go let thy vassalls take it vp and carrie thou that home as a gift meeter for a messenger of the Souldans than a Master of the Souldan for his inuasions I feare them not since my Christ is my protector vnder whose safe conduct both these and I little feare him and so be thou answered Behenzar mad with rage seeing the Emperours small regard stamped with his foote and sware thus By Mahound Christian thy Carpenters sonne that Christ your God shall not saue thy hands nor thy heads from the sword of the meanest Prince about the Souldan but this Citie shall be raced in despight of thy protector and thy power Behenzar had so sayd and in his furie was stinging out of the Pallace when Robin the Diuell hauing all this while solemnely attended at the foot of the Emperour all on the sodaine arose and not induring to heare the name of his Sauiour blasphemed he flung the Pagan to the grouÌ„d and stamped him vnder his feete which done he made shewe of a foolish triumph and bumming the proud Babilonian with his bable he had welny killed him had not y â— Princes drawne him off who safety conducted blaspheming Behenzar to his shippes and smilingly laughed at the insolence of the Idiot The faire Emine seeing the forwardnesse of her Champion was meruailously delighting shewing vnto her father by signes that he was no foole but some man of high spirit euerie day dressed she meanes to recouer his wits vsing prescripts of Phisicke and the councell of the learned who secretly informed her that he was a man of rare expectation These suppositions meruailously inflamed her and loue began to show himselfe in act in all her outward parts inflaming her eyes changing her colour which least it should be perceaued she with humble reuerence forsooke the assembly leauing her father with the other Princes in great consultation who resoluing to preuent all inconueniences departed each one to his Countrie swearing by solemne oath each one to gather his greatest power and to come and assist the Emperour the next yeare in the suspected or rather certainlie pretended warres of the Souldan in which mindes I leaue them intentiue on their forces Robert deuout in his follies Emine detayned with fancies Behenzar sayling to Babilon who with such expedition followed his businesse that with a prosperous wind hee arriued in Assiria and so hastely posted to Bagdet what there insued the Chapter following shall declare How the Souldan being repulsed by the Emperour with a huge and mightie armie sayled into Italy and how he besieged Rome with some euents thereabout NO sooner had Behenzar declared vnto the Souldan the resolute and carelesse answere which the Emperour had returned him but racing his rich Pallace and stamping the statue of his Goddesse Emine to powder he furiously called for Armes swearing all his Princes by solemne and inuiolable othes neuer to depart out of Christendome till they had ruinated the Empyre and recouered his loue and hereupon he embarked himselfe as soone as the next Spring appeared accompanied with 11. Kings 18. Princes 300. Mesulmahes his Armie coÌ„sisted of 300000. horse and foote his Barkes and Gallies â—hoked the Sea and the billowes groning vnder the burthen began to wonder at the wood of stately Pines which laboured vppon their bosomes With these forces and in this Equipage arriued this Souldan of Babilon in Italie the terror of whose threats amated all the Westerne parts the poore countrie men throughout Italie droue their Cattell to the chiefe Cities forsaking their houses and leauing their riches the noyse of trouble amated Greece and afflicted Spaine and the French as all amazed prepared armes And as in common dangers a huge and mightie armie is the onely meane to make head against a furious Enemie the whole Nations assembled them together about Rome and submitted themselues vnder the conduct of the Empyre Now at Rome in stead of beautiful houses were builded strong Bulwarkes in stead of Pallaces Palisadoes and each man was mightily addicted to the safetie of his countrie But the Barbarian like the cruell riuer of Tigris exceeding his bounds with vnmeasurable and resistlesse waters or the lightning falling vppon the drie Cedars ouerran all the fruitfull champion destroyed Cities burned Uillages raced Manner houses the voyce of desolation was heard on euery side and feare and wonder assayled men on euery side The Clergy with great deuotion called for assistance from heauen and euery man hearing of the daunger of his neighbour suspected his owne domage to be at hand At last the Souldan after great victories rich spoyles good fortunes and long iorneys arriued at Rome begirting the Citie with a mightie and strong siege his streamers waned in the winde and the Egle of golde shining on the top of his Pauilion seemed to abash all the beauties of the Capitoll The Emperour was no lesse vigilant in preparing defence for being assisted by the brauest men of Europe he neither pretermitted policie nor omitted oportunitie often were the outrodes the Enemie made about the Countrie and there passed no day wherein there was no some light skirmith wherein for the most part the fortune was doubtfull But Behenzar mooued with the outrage of the Idiot among all the Pagans was most forward to battaile euery day would hee ride about the walles reuiling the Christians calling the Emperour Toward his followers Foxes that durst not stirre out of their hale till at last Pepin of France with other famous Lords who indured not concumelie neither brooked braues so earnestly wrought with the Emperour that the battaile was appoynted the day following and the Souldan thereof aduertised by a Harrolt great was the preparation on both sides and greater the dread among the Christians in that the whole hope of the Empyre depended on the fortune of that conflict No sooner did the bright and beautifull messenger of the day with blushing seemelines awaken the sleeple God of light whose Chariot being apparelled by the houres with golden brightnesse gaue possession to radiant Phoebus but both the armies issued out into the field and in a faire plaine arranged themselues in battaile there might you
the Emperour that loued him deerely examined who had harmed him great noyse was there about the Pallace of this iniurie and no man would be knowne of it only one Knight knéeling before the Emperour certified his grace that the knight who had deserued so much in his seruice that day was wounded in the same place that he suspected it was he Robert fearing least he should be discouered began much more to play y â— Idiot putting his Cockscomb vpon the Knights head laughing which caused all y e Princes to take great delight but Emine still poynted at him if the libertie of her tongue had graunted her meanes to discouer the secrecie of her thought Robert assuredly had at that time been knowne The Emperour notwithstanding began to gather on these allegations and desirous to knowe the certaine trueth priuatly appoynted certaine Knights against the next day to the number of thirtie to attend the sayd Champion and by some meanes to cause his discouerie In this manner passed they the euening in delight till it was bed time when as the Emperour and Emperesse after order was giuen for the safetie of the Citie betooke them to their rest and the other seuerall Lords and Princes to their lodging at which time Robert and his hound entered their homely cabbin wherein meditating without closing his eyes the salt teares streamed downe his cheekes in remembrance of his sinnes in thought of his father in consideration of his countrie and now came there to his minde how for sixe yeares and mare hée had liued an abiect life vnworthie his estate the thought whereof so much abashed him that it is vnpossible to reckon vp his perplexities then called hee to minde the kinde effections of Emine and his soule bemoned that so perfect a person should haue so palpable an vnperfection now applied hée the cause thereof to the Emperours sinne accompting the virgin happie that by her want of speach escaped from many occasions of offence then recorded hee the effusion of Christian bloud and of méere compassion in middest of that thought hee wept most bitterly when the poore kinde beast licked vp his teares In this sort spent he the night in consideration of many thinges and in conclusion of the aduenture of his life for the sâ—fetie of Christendome whilest the approach of the morning called each one from his â—ouch and the warning Trompet called out to the fight their went euery one to arme him and after they had heard the diuine seruice taken some refection prepared themselues vnto the fight In the Souldans Camp all were farre otherwise for y â— losse they receaued y â— day before enâ—enomed their harts and made them more vigorous vnto reuenge each one resolued with this Camarado to subdue or dye to conquer or be confounded In their lookes were shadowed their tyrannies and in their hast their hardinesse Scarcely were the allarms sounded on both sides but the enemy gaue the charge and the Souldan inflamed with loue and inraged with furie sought by all meanes possible to confound his aduersaries On euery side were heard the gronings of wounded men some hauing lost their armes some their legs the sonne oftentimes was trampled vnder the horsse féete of his father and in these common miseries nature her selfe stoode amazed to behold the Massacres The Souldan which way soeuer he trauailed ouerthrew his resistants the Emperour was by him vnhorssed and wounded and had not Pepin and Charles of Burgundie rescued him at that time actum esset de imperio Certaine men that were lightly wounded brought no lesse astonishment into the Citie than was in the battaile for they aggrauated the discomfiture farre more than it was reporting that the Emperour was vnrecouerably distressed Robert hearting of these rumors hasted to the Recluse his soule groaned within him and zeale ouercame him so that after some deuout prayers accompanyed with remorsefull teares he mounted on horsseback and hauing taken his armes he so valiantly and furiously entered the fight that those who beheld him thought that some tempest had bin stirred vp and some whirlewind issued from the Citie in his furie he tooke no regard of person murthering whomesoeuer he incountered scarce could his horsse stirre himselfe for the multitude of dead men that fell before him such of the Christians as fled out of the battaile before his entrance returned vehemently so that the conflict was renewed with such vigor as the heauens in vehement showers seemed to be weepe the murther The Emperour beyond all expectation shewed himselfe valiant and approching the place where the Norman Prince fought he cryed out for extreame ioy Oh hope of Christendome thou flowre of chiualrie thou anchor of mine Empire the heauens requite thee see how old in yeares my person shall accompany thee how forward I will fight and inforce thy selfe the more to preuent the desolation of yond Citie Robert quickned with his words departed as if he vnderstood him not and meeting with the Souldan gaue him such a stroke on the helmet that his horsse fell vnto the ground and he himselfe was wonderfully amazed The whole band of the Mamelucks seeking to withstand him were either dissipated or destroyed and be that thought to gaine y e chiefest triumph enacted the choicest tragedie in briefe as the tender blossoms new apparraâ—led by nature issuing from their stalks as new borne creatures vpon the violent breath of a Northren wind are depriued of their beawtie and decayed in their blossome so the Pagans beholding the forwardnes of the assaylant and the feeblenesse of their assembly fled away both carelesse of their weale and recurelesse in their wrack Robert seeing the euening approching on the Christians prowd with victorie the pursuite hote the flight hastie sodainely withdrewe himselfe for the gentle Westerne winde a kind louemate of the euentide began with curteous breathings to asswage his ouergrowne wearinesse the sunne in the East set in his scarlet rednesse pretending the beawtie of the succeeding day or the windynes of the following night for which cause dreading to be be â—cried and desirous to escape ascribing all glory to heauens and not vnto his hand he sodainly departed leauing the Christians to pursue that with swiftnesse which he had compassed by his sword but whilst he seeketh to auoyd the furie of his enemie he is readie to perish through the meanes of amitie for the thirtie chosen Knightes appointed by the Emperour to descrie him at such time as he forsooke the battaile followed him hastelie and couching their Launces all at once on sodayne assayled him he seeing so many attempting him at once turned his horsse resoluing to endure the hazard but finding their armes to be Christian he spurred his horsse detesting vtterly to come in knowledge the pursuite was hote the flight seruent the followers in despayre the flyer determined how often smiled Robert to himselfe knowing that he fled before he feared how often feared they to touch him that fled from them