put himselfe into his station There came after him that valiant and prowd Alsino all armed in yeolow armour full of precious stones and flower de luces amongst them In the middest of hys shield there was a Ladie painted with this posie Did I but grace his valor Mars should fall But he will win despite of mee and all The choler was so great that entred into our Spaniard when he saw that louing Posie vnderstanding vnto what ende it was written together with the wrong that was done to the faire Grisalinda without anie feare hee went to him and said Now is the time vncurteous knight that shal be séene whether I haue hands heere as I had a tongue in the pallace to defend mee and I will make thée vnsay the falshood which thou intendest in thys deuice thou bearest When hee was touched with that the amorous Moore could abide no more reasons but turning his horse about he put himselfe against his Enemie Now would I that I were inspired with some diuine fauour to declare the most furious Battell that euer was seene in the pallace of ancient Paris the weaknes of my Muse hath no power to expresse the worthines thereof If some excellent spirit now assisted me with what content should I prosecute the most heauie and amorous battel of these furious Warriours Who at the sounding of the trumpets parted with so great a noyse as though the vnder earth had trembled being oppressed with the furie of their couragious horses on whom they made their incounters in the middest of their course with no lesse violence than if two rockes remooued with the sea had rushed together The speare of the mightie Partomio tooke no holde on the Magicall shield but it was giuen with so great force strength that it made the Dacian double with his bodie and to loose one of his stirrops and the reynes of his horse out of his hand but not his memorie which in that extremitie did much helpe him so that at the staying of hys horse he had recouered al and returning with great swiftnes he drew out his sword and went against his Enemy with whom he had encountred so strongly although hee could not seaze on him a full blow in the middest of hys shield for that it was of magicall mixture that he stroke him such a violent blow vpon the brest which tooke away part of his breath by bending and brusing of his harnesse and his speare running forwards shiuered in péeces a splinter wounding him in the throate in such sort that if it had had a little more force it had cut his throate asunder yet notwithstanding he wounded him whereof hys issuing blood gaue testimonie and made him to embrace the necke of his great horse The wonder was great that they all receiued to sée so furious a blow and from that time forwards they did behold the Battell with more attention perceiuing by that beginning the Moore for all his brags wold surely haue the worst The gentle Spaniard and his Enemie made their incounter in the middest of the carréere with so great force that it séemed by the rumour of this course some great edifice had falne The incounter of our baptised Knight was somewhat low for that hee would not erre yet for all this his aduersaries shield and harnesse fayled him he gaue him a little wound which troubled him they rushed together with their shields and helmes and with their horses so furiously that the Moore fell out of all sense with his horse dead betwéene his legges vnto the ground Likewise the Christian being brused with that incounter was forced to doo the like but his horse escaped neuerthelesse he thought with the fall hee had broken hys bodie in péeces Yet for all this he began to bussell and make himselfe ready to goe against his enemy with an admirable quicknes saying it stood him in hand being before his Mistresse and in defence of so faire beautie All that were in the place did verie much reioyce at the good successe of him with the blacke armor but by and by he was troubled in that he sawe the third defied Knight come swiftly with his speare in his reste against the Louer This wrathfull youth did not feare him but before the Moore woulde passe séeing the Prince make shewe as though he would abide him he somwhat stayed his horse because he would not misse and comming néere him he bare his speare lowe intending to carrie him away at that thrust But the Spaniard commending himselfe to God at such time as he deliuered his Speare put himselfe on the one side laying holde thereon with so great quicknes and strength that he forced him to let it loose because els hee should haue fallen and so the Moore passed forwards caried with the furie of his horse This newe Louer hauing gotten his Speare in his hand and won it in such order would shewe some of the antiquitie and bloud whereof he came Therefore he did tosse and shake it before his faire Ladie that behelde him fixing her eye on the place where hee was and hee perceiuing that she did looke vpon him as indéed all the people did noting with what brauerie he did it euen as if he had béen vpon his good horse he went after him that then was returned comming to ouerrun him with his horse which caused great laughter and noyse in the place till such time as they were aduertised what was done Then they saw that the Spaniard firmed his féete on the ground and threwe the Speare with so great strength that he stroke him in the middest of his shield and made him fall ouer the crouper of his horse whereas against the ground his head receiued a greate and gréenous fall and besides he caried a tronchon of the speare in his brest whereout began to run much blood Presently amongst the people there arose a great noise saying Hee with the black armor doth begin to quaile the pride of the kinsmen The furie of this famous Prince of Spaine did not héere rest for when he saw him with the Lance ouerthrowen and that the other could not cléere himselfe from vnder his horse he went vnto the last and tooke him by the legges drawing him vnto the place whereas the proude Alsino lay blaspheming his Gods that had giuen such force to one Knight at two blowes to bring them into that estate And when he came to Alsino hee said Nowe beast thou maist sée that it is better to put more hands to the battaile than so much pride I will not helpe thée from vnder thy horse till such time as this champion doth come to himselfe that shall beare thée companie in death so he layde him by him and left them in that sorte causing greate laughter among them all and pleasing the innocent Princesse who then began to féele some new alterations iudging with some passion that which all men publiquely spake of the valiantnes of the Spaniard
rest tarrying till the morning al praying vnto God to giue them victorie against so great an enemy When as the gallant Tytan had left the morning comforted and went to Thetis with new shewes of fairenes these foure warlike youthes being armed with their shyning armour went foorth into the Market place of their Cittie whereas the Kinges and knightes did abide their comming and did beare them company vnto the bridge leauing the Princesse with a thousand suspitions in her louing imagination whether hee that put himselfe in so great perill and danger were the knight whome she had printed in her heart or not yet for to giue them content and shew foorth her gallantnes she apparelled her selfe al in blew wrought vpon Salamander skins then being many bright shining Carbunkelles embroydred thereon with diuers Laces of her owne hayre which wee may equall with the thrids of gold which the Nimphes of Arcadia did spinne she made a sightly garland with so strange kinde of working that I knowe not what Artist could equall it Shee greatly contented her Louer in sending him a Beuer of blew like vnto her garment by her damsel who said vnto him with great curtesie Sir knight my Mistresse the Princesse Flora commends her vnto you and for that you doe goe to make battaile for her desires that you would vowchsafe to carrie this fauour for shée cannot as she would helpe you with more than with this The loued Tharsian answered faire Damsell say vnto your Mistresse the princesse y t he which so long time past doth liue bound to her perpetuall seruice hath little néede of such curtisie but being incouraged by her gift to present her the head of the King of Cilicia in recompence for the Beuer or in the demaund to loose myne owne life and being for such a Lady I account my death happie And therwith she returned to the Princesse who considered much of the answere of the Knight concluding to confirme in her amorous suspition that it should be her beloued prince Lisarte And therewith shee went vnto the windowe with her Damsels to sée the battaile with more fearefull care then euer shee had til that time cursing a thousand times that Giant that had done them so great wrong till such time as she did sée comming her welbeloued Louer who was the ioyfullest man in all the world for the fauour which the Princesse had sent him And when hee passed by the window he did obeysance and made his great horse to â—ow his knées with such a grace that made all the Ladies much affected to him to sée his gallant demeanure At his entring into the field hee put for iudge on his part the Kings brother and his Sonne vnto whome he had giuen libertie and caused all the army be in a readinesse if néed required The gallant Tharsian put his horne to his mouth making it to sound throughout all the Campe to aduise the King of his comming who came armed with his accustomed armour sauing that on his shield there was a Serpent carrying in his clawes a Lady which he tooke from a fierce crowned Lyon that had her with this Posie Stronger from strong doth take The pray he nill forsake This valiant youth did well vnderstand to what ende he had that deuise and for that the possession of her should bee gotten by strength of arme and not with reasoning wheÌ„ he came nigh him he said Giant it séemeth guiltines in him y t professeth to be a seruer of ladies to be negligent And hauing such confidence in your strength you might haue come sooner and assured your happines with my death And now séeing there is no more to doe because thou shalt vnderstand how little I estéeme thée these knights shall be witnesses and iudges on my part whome I commaund that if the Gods being enuious at me do help thée that they raise the siedge The couragious Prince of Tharsis looked for no other thing but turning about his horse hee behelde his Flora from whence he knew shuld come his courage strength and prepared his speare against the Pagan who likewise came against him Now haue I good occasion discréet Thalia to haue my rude tongue forged for that it is so blunt that I beléeue I cannot shew how these valiaunt Pagans incountered in the middest of their swift course with so great force that Mars himself would haue doubted to haue met with them and for that they were both strong without any mouing in their saddles they both passed the one by the other vpright without receiuing any hurt making the shiuers of their speares swift messengers of their strengths At one time they returned with their heauy Maces settling such blowes that both of them gaue shewe of their valors and fell both vpon the pommels of their Saddles as dead men and their horses carried them about the field til such time as the Tharsian came vnto himselfe and like a Lion he went against his enemy with his vttermost strength and before that hee recouered himselfe from that troublesome blowe he gaue him another vpon his shield so great that it sounded as though he had stroke vpon a bell breaking it all to péeces in his hand Who séeing that it was not for defence he let it fall and assalted the Tharsian with force and with both his hands settled such a blow vpon his shield that he made it to recoyle on his breast that almost with the great paine hee was without sense and therewithall staggred in his saddle but recouered it it was the occasion that he was wholy kindled in quicke choler and stroke so thicke vpon the cruell Pagan that hee seemed to grinde and bruse both bones and flesh entring and going backe with such dexterity that all who did behold the battaile greatly maruelled that they so long endured in equal degrée without acknowledging any bettering betwéene them But shée who receiued most blowes was the faire Flora who séeing her Knight before such an enemy and thinking him to be the same he was her colour went and came in her face diuers times shewing sadnes at euerie blow which her knight receiued which were such and so many that if she had not béene the reward of the battaile he could not haue sustained them but reinforcing his courage hee gaue such a blowe on the left side of his enemies helme that it lacked little to haue ouerthrowne him from his horse and made him to giue a fearefull shrieke with the griefe thereof The furious Giant did returne him an answere in such sort that it séemed to disquiet him it was so cruell there anew began their furious combate so that it séemed all the seruants of Cyclopian Vulcan were there ioyned together The braue Pagan did lift vp his Mace and went to the gentle Louer who withstood him and put himself so much forwards at the receiuing of the blowe that hee could not reach him but with his armes and let fall that heauy weapon with the
strength of the blowe leauing the poore Knight that he séemed as though he had been stonned and being so nigh the King sawe hee could not hurt him with weapon he layd hands on him and griped him in such sort that hee made him to doe the like whereas was séene a gallant wrastling and by reason they were both of great force the one could not recouer of the other any aduantage but were forcing each other with the contention of their wrastling that they made their horses to stoope on their knées They were but mortall and to shewe they were such it was not much after foure houres battaile so well fought that Mars would haue bin weary that they loosed one from the other and breathed a while then taking againe their Maces they began to lay on without any pittie procuring the spéediest way they could ouercome it chaunced that the Tharsian did looke vp to the windowe where as his Lady was and seeing that shée stirred not leaning with her chéeke on her hand hee thought it was because she sawe in him some weaknes wherewith hee prâ—ssed to his enemy and stroke him vpon the helme such a blow that he voyded bloud at his mouth and fel vpon his saddle bowe Euerie one thought he had béen dead for that they saw his horse carry him about the field but within a while he came to himself without comparison much more malitious then the angry Uiper in the sandy Libia and with both his handes he gaue an answere to his contrary so rigorously that hanging down his armes and voyding bloud it made him in that state that his horse carried him towards the window wheras the Princesse was who séeing her Louer in that case her heart would not suffer her to sée so heauy a sight but she turned her back at such time as the gréeued youth came vnto himselfe and séeing the backe of his Flora considering from whence it did procéed he pricked foorth his great horse and assalted the Pagan and raysing himselfe in his stirrops with both his hands he gaue him such a blowe vpon the crest of his helme that he buckled it vnto his head wherewith he had a great fal to the ground with so great griefe vnto his people that it forced them against reason and without considering what their Lord had commaunded trusting in their great multitude to giue an assalt saying Strike downe and make dye that euill knight that hath slaine our Lord but that incouraging was to their hurt and damage for y t the valiant louer séeing them to be a vile kind of people returned to them so rigorously that quickly hee made a broad way whereas he went Those of the Cittie were not forgetful nor the valiant Princes for in a moment they opened the gates of the Citty whereout came all the knights and before them the thrée pillers of Knighthood and set vpon their enemies who were without Captaine making great slaughter wounding and killing with such force that quickly the field was witnes of their crueltie all to besprinckled with Cilician bloud and in such sorte they did presse them that at the euening they had almost none to fight with followed the chace vnto the seaside there it was that the Argentarians did most at their content make reuengement and remained rich with the spoiles for many yéeres and being honored foreuer they returned to their Citty with little losse yet they slew that day more then thirty thousand men besides a great number of captiues They were all amazed to sée the Knightly déeds of Rosicleer whome they estéemed in equall degrée with Mars The Kings receiued them all with that content as they were wont to receiue such as were victors increasing more their ioy with the hope they had to know what they were who said that it should be done in the pallace Then the gentle Lisarte caused to cut off the Pagans head and made his Page to keep it til he came at the Pallace whither they went And being all set down the valiant Tharsian rose vp with the head in his hand went knéeled down before his Lady who was the ioyfullest woman in the world saying Sir Knight Iupiter reward you for that you haue done this day for me for me to reward you I will not binde my selfe thereunto neither doe I beléeue that if I should venter my life for you it would bee a iust reward considering what for me my father this day hath bin done by you your valorous frends whome and you in the behalfe of these kings I desire to pull off your helmes and tell vs who you are which shall be in regard of no duety for that which is done is sufficient but to leaue vs a memorie of your vertue and noblenes I am therewith content faire Princesse said Lisarte more than this doth the time that you spent when we were nourished together bind mée vnto I am Lisarte the Prince of Tharsis and haue not made my selfe known till such time as I had concluded this little seruice which hath béene according vnto my strength but not coÌ„formable to your desert And therewith he pulled off his helme which caused great consentment to all that were present and his father had no end of ioy in that he knew his sonne to bee so valiant The King Father vnto the Princesse séeing that the Prince of Tharsis was a mean to raise the siedge from his Cittie and to obtaine so glorious a victory hee went vnto the Princesse and taking her by the hand he gaue her for spouse vnto the valiant Tharsian whereof hee was wonderful ioyous and she no lesse delighted which ioy I leaue to the consideration of true Louers This gallant Lisarte when hee sawe his fortune sure turned to his new and welbeloued spouse and said for that worthy Princesse you shall bee more certified of my firmnes and with what truth you are estéemed I haue tarried vnto this time for to haue you girt me with my swoord although this Knight pointing to the Troyan gaue me the order of Knighthood hee would not neither I my selfe would suffer it but at your hand yet foorthwith I defied him to mortall battaile Then he told them the occasion of the battaile the agréement whereat they all maruelled But the faire Princesse because she would not be ingratefull for that which the thrée knighets had done for her said with a soueraigne grace Welbeloued Lord I am content you knowe that if I loued you I doe loue you should make it manifest to all the Knightes in the world But yet I doe conclude this battaile in that I sée you haue better occasion to make long frendship then bréede any rigorous enemitie in séeing what this knight his frends hath done for you it is no iustice y t you so euil reward theÌ„ and the rather in that he loues and estéemeth his beloued Ladie which is reason and liues to honour her which is his dutie and it
she could scarâ—e suffer so horrible a spectacle and the more when as the great Knight with a light leape entred the ship crying victorie with the losse of many liues whome hee ouerthrew with his sencelesse blowes all which went vnto the heart of the fearefull Princesse At the bustling and noise which the Pagan made the curteous Tartare returned that way which he came with his sword coloured in bloud and assalting him said Oh vnsatiable furie of Hircania when wilt thou conclude thy vntamed furie And with his sword he stroke him such a blow vpon the helme that glanced to the gorget in such sort that it made a troublesome wound whereat issued much bloud which was the occasion that the Moore returned with much more furie than the Lion on the yéelded pray and stroke the Tartare such an ouerthwart blow on the waste that he made him to fall vpon a banke in the Shippe but as quicke as thought hee â—ose vp againe and returned on his enemie and defended that part but in the other parts there were so many more thaÌ„ he had that his knightes beganne to bee dismaid and to retyre to the Castle on the poope and defended the Cabbin whereas the Lady was who gaue such shréekes that they reached vnto the heauens And he who neuer failed them that called vpon him in their necessitie did ayde them In that there came directly vnto them the inchaunted ship of the thrée couragious Princes Rosicleer Meridian and the heroycke Troyan that was going vnto the kingdome of Lacedemonia who with the stormes at Sea came that way whereas the battaile was And séeing the sea staind with blâ—ud and that there were two ships to one they determined to helpe the weakest and to do that which they were bound by order of knighthood So they grapled their ship with that of the Tartare and could not imagine who that valiant knight should be that made such defiance against so many and for that they would not delaye theyr succour embracing their shields with their swords in their hands they leaped in and ouerthrew thrée that they met at the entrie The warlike Gréeke went directly where as the great knight was in battaile and without stay for that he imagined he was a Rouer he gaue him so strong a blow that he almost deuided him in two parts and ouerthrew him at the féete of his enemy leauing him greatly amazed to sée so furious a blowe And hauing no more time séeing so good succour and the victorie at hand he couragiouslie set vpon his enemies hauing by him the piller of Knighthood that would not let him strike a blow he assalted them so fast on euery side The other two princes were not idle with the rest but séemed as lightning striking on both sides to the griefe of those miserable knights vpon whome came the iust iudgement of God conformable vnto the life they led and the great iniuries which they had done both by sea and land without any difference of nations paying now all that they enioyed for they dealt with knights that neuer stroke blowe but they killed or maymed an enemy And the Grecian Mars being affected vnto the valiantnes of the Tartare said Uppon them stout knight for they are before your force vile and base people And therewith with a gallant semblance he threwe his shield on his shoulder with his swoord in his hand that of Quéene Iulia was not better and began to wield his furious body so hastily that within one hower they found not one with whom to fight although there entred into the ship more then two hundreth knights all chosen men but with the help of their frends did he and the Tartare enter into the ships of their contraries and did in strife maine other wonderful maruels till such time as they saw they could make no resistance both the one and the other ship did yéeld and craued mercy for their liues of the two valiant warriers who vsing their accustomed clemencie and that which is natural vnto worthy victors they receiued them prisoners So leauing the Ships with good watch and ward hée returned vnto their owne and met at the entrie their two good frends whereas when they were together the valiant Tartare pulled off his helme and went directly vnto the Gréeke and said Warlike knight let my fortune be so good that I may know whom I may giue honor to as the restorer of my life in knowing who you are and the like of your companions Gentle knight answered the beloued of Oliuia we are of the countrie of Greece and knights of so little fame that if wee should tell you wee should not thereby be knowen Oh mightie Iupiter with a great voice said the curteous Andronio is it possible that I haue so great good in my Ship and that those who hath ventured their liues for my libertie are of that happie Country where the Sepulcher of my vnfortunate Cosin Zoylo is worthy knight do not deny me your names for you shall declare it vnto him that is the greatest frend to all Grecia I am the happie Andronio in that I haue met with you and Cosin to Zoylo a deare frend to the Grecian Princes and now by my fortune or better to say misfortune for lacke of such a Cosin I am come to bee King of the people of Tartary And now since I haue told you my name and who I am and with what security you may tel me yours doe not deny it me for I doe imagine that vnder these armours goeth some of the Princes of Grecia The heroycke Rosicleer pulled off his helme and discouered his faire face being bound by the good reasons of the Tartare yet doubtfull of that he told touching the death of his beloued frend Zoylo and he said valiant Andronio it shall be an vniust part to hide who wee are vnto him that so plainely hath giuen vs to vnderstand of his doings and who he is we are bound to doe the like so that in knowing you shall receiue content I will tell you This knight pointing to Meridian is Meridian Prince of the Scithians And this knight is the warlike Oristides the Troyan and I am one of those princes of Grecia to whom you are indebted so much as you say I am called Rosicleer and by an other name the Knight of Cupid the greatest friend to the Tartar Zoylo and you haue made me not a little maruell in saying that he is dead With strange content went the curteous Andronio to kisse the hands of the warlike Greeke who not admitting such costly curtesie raysed him from the ground remaining imbraced of the Tartare who with the ioy hée receiued thereof said I will not ventrous Prince y t the knowing of you be without giuing part of the ioy vnto my wel beloued Princesse Who hauing heard that y e Grecian prince was there came foorth and humbled her selfe to Rosicleer giuing him and his Companions hearty thanks for their ayd
â—ignes and the Ladies sadnes gessed she had some wrong therefore taking his swoord in his hand and his shield on his arme he called saying â—ady if you be distrest speake and I wil deliuer you knight said the Giant you are more forward than you need if the Lady wanted help t is like the would demaund it And then artmore vncurteous than thou needst answered Lisarte for if she be not disâ—rest yet I deserue thanks for my good will that shalt thou know if thou darest abide O howe full of furie was Brandafidell with a fearefull voyce hee commaunded the ships to be grapled The faire Floralinda was notable to disturbe the battaile for she saw the Giant so angry that shee durst not come nigh him He quickely put on his helme and tooke a great heauy mace at whose point did hung other sixe bullets of stéele and with a furious aspect taried for his enemy The warlike Tharsian came against him but was receiued with such a blow as had almost cost him his life But returning to himselfe he repayed it so on the helme that it made him stagger on the one side two or thrée paces and entring with the swiftnes of an Eagle with a stiffe arme he gaue him such a thrust vpon the brest that he made him recoyle back two or thrée paces and with this would haue entred the bark with a light leape but although the blow was great yet it did not take away sence from the Giant he put his left leg forwards and inlarging his arme with a close fist he stroke the Tharsian such a blowe vppon the brest he ouer threw him on his backe in the middest of his barke and with the quicknes of a thought he put himselfe in the same order as he was before abiding his enemie who full of anger returned and betwéen them continued a gréeuous fight for more then thrée houres but Lisarte was likely not to get much for that the place was narrow and the Giants weapon vnreasonable The gentle Tharsian was a shamed to acknowledge the vauntage that his enemy had in the strâ—â—itnes of his place and would haue giuen halfe his kingdome to end the battaile wyth him vpon firme land In this time the curteous Brandafidel was not 〈◊〉 hauing a desire to conclude the battel and that the Princesse shuld vnderstand what a good kéeper she had he whirlâ—d his weapon about ouer his head making shew as â—â—ough he would strike him The gentle Lisarte did abide him till he saw it comming making an internall noise ratling the one with the other and in passing be would haue stroken a â—hwart blowe at his armes but the giant was so politick that in giuing an other turne helping it with some what yéelding his body he forced two bullets into his shield with so deuilish a furie that it pulled it out of his hands and threw it a great way off and left him so astonished that he thought verily hee had also away his arme The furious Lisarte like a serpent returned bearing his body low fearing the second blow and with both his hands seazed a blow hard by the Giants elbowes and although hee did not cut him by reason of the finenes of the armor yet he tormented them in such sort y e his diuelish weapon fell from him The curteous Giant had thought his armes had béen off but the excessiue gréef being past putting backe his left leg he drew out his fauchion no lesse feareful then the mace for that was by Lirgandeo warranted you may well vnderstand the ioy that the Tharsian receiued when that fierce weapon was gone and so firming his foote he ioyned with him where began so sightly a battell that it amazed the beholders till the Sunne declined they fought and then with loud voyces they called for lights but the soueraigne Lord knowing what those knightes should doe in the augmenting of his faith apparted the battaile with equall honor vnto theÌ„ both for at the bringing forth of lightes they were all put out with a easterly wind which rushing betwéene the barkes did part them a good way the one from the other in such sort that by no meanes they could ioyne the Giant cryed out that he would tarrie and the other that he did abide him yet at the rising of the Moone they were sixe miles the one from the other with so great griefe vnto the Tharsian that he would not beléeue but that he had lost honor with his enemy so there was not any that durst speake vnto him no not his Son But the faire Roselia did bolden her selfe and said Ualiant Prince abate your Ire and be fully certified that if your coÌ„trary hath got any honor it was not with any losse of yours but rather as I imagine had the battel bin on land we should haue remained w t the palm of victorie So without anger they supped with great content praising the brauery of the Giant The gallant aduenture that hapned vnto the Princes about the libertie of a Knight Chap. 19. WE left the faire Florisarte ioyfull of the picture when he knew not the person with inward sighs begaÌ„ to say Ah tender yeres that so truly are brought vnder the yoke of Cupid With how much reason may the world complaine of mee to sée me yéelded without knowing who is my owner Ah Princesse Flora your sorrowfull Son desireth loue and hath put his libertie he knoweth not where and hath giuen it to one absent and suffereth mortal grief without any hope of ease Who could euer be a perfect louer if he had not fed and contented his eyes on his beloued Oh cruell discretion to loue I know not whom and therewith with no lesse grace than he that brought stones to be molified in hearing his song he began to sing in this sort Pigmalion like I loue a senseles thing In hope the substance one day will appeare Of this sweet shape which I do hold so deare Which sight content vnto my heart will bring And rid my soule of sad dispairing feare O happy then I happy should be named But I beleeue her like was neuer framed She was not far that should remedy him might haue done it with louing him yet she entred into the chamber dissembling her griefe and with a louing boldnes said I wold not Prince of Argentaria y e the picture which I gaue you should be the occasion of your vnquietnes there is no doubt 〈◊〉 with me your sorrow must be departed séeing it is so dangerous for vs both it were better to loose the memory of the lady theÌ„ to haue for her absence such discoÌ„fort I say that this worthy Prince that you might inforce your courage for that these woundes of Loue many times doe so earnestly treade downe the strength and reason of the Louer that when he returnes to himselfe he hath no force for the same and this doth happen vnto them that feareth to be loued but vnto
you what thing is there that can giue you any griefe being fully certified that you are beloued and they who sent you this figure doo liue by your affection Ah Artimio my wel beloued brother answered the afflicted Prince how is it that I know not my selfe neither can I giue my selfe any testimonie with this new change I feele it will end me and I know not to whom I shall acquaint my griefe neither know I who is the occasion and if I do perseuer herein according to the force wherewith it is begun there is no doubt but the griefe will afflict mee in such sort that I shall dye with the most gréeuous passion that euer louer suffered The amorous Arbolinda with her eyes full of water answered saying Let passe this griefe and to assure ye shall haue comfort of your Lady weare this iewell which hath many yéeres hung about your Ladies necke And therewith she tooke from her neck a worthy and estéemed Diamant and put it on the Princes necke which gaue him the greatest content that might be imagined Being in this swéet conuersation the Pilot of the Barke entred and said that he had discouered a faire aduenture at the Sea where with they armed themselues with their rich and shining armor and went forth to the Barkes side to sée what it should be And they saw a thing that made them not a little maruell for that not farre from their barke they sawe a Tower so bright that it séemed to be of Christall it was seated vpon foure Pillers more firm then if it had bin on the land with great desire they hastened on their iourney til abouâ— the third houre they drew nigh vnto the Pillers who séeing the great richnes and workemanship did iudge thaâ— deuine hands had done it and not humane They wenâ— round about it to sée if there were any way to mount into it but they found none but comming nigher vnto it they might sée certaine letters grauen in gold on one of the pillers which the valiant Lisarte read in this manner If any hath a desire to giue libertie to the flower of great Brittaine doing greater seruice vnto Grecia putting a side all feare let him blow this horne he shal finde the entrie easie but the comming forth dangerous There néeded no more for the valiant Lisarte to indanger his life vnderstanding that it redounded for content vnto Grecia So putting on his helme he blew the horne with so great noise as doth Eolus when out of his darke iawes hee issueth to giue battell against all the world He had not well taken it from his mouth commending himselfe vnto the God that Rosicleer did worship when as hee laid hold on a Ladder that was throwen from the top of the Castle by which hee mounted more swifter then a bird Hee had not well put his féete on the Christaline flower when thrée furious Giants fiercely assalted him the first he cut a sunder in the wast when much to his amazement the two parts sodainly became two Giants and pittilesly assailed him till his good chaunce suffered him to wring froÌ„ one Giant that had the inchanted life a heauy mace with which hee so bestirred himselfe that he made that cursed company flye from him amaiâ—â— But when he thought the victory sure there came forth a goodly knight saying Thou shalt not slay my kind keepers and take me from my pleasant dwelling and ther with doubled so many blows vpon Lisarte that he left him on the floore almost without life and the inchanted knight tooke the prince in his armes purposing to throw him out at the window but Lisarte being recouered and closed in that sort pulled off the inchaunted knights helme whose face when he saw he guest it to be Rosicleer and said Alas my Lord Rosicleer what hath the Prince of Tharsus deserued that you should vse him so vngently When the Knights helmes was off the inchauntment ceased And he said Knight your valor hath deliuered me from this inchantment for which I rest bound vnto you I am suspected indéed to be the Princes son you name but my weaknes approoues me vnworthy of so excellent a Father Lisarte remembring the words on the piller and beholding his countenance assured him he was the Sonne of Rosicleer and there they imbraced Lisarte discoursing what hapned to them in Argentaria and Rosabel what chaunced in Lacedemonia So a while we will leaue them and follow the gallant Brandafidell and the Princesse Floralinda What hapned in Greece to the gentle Brandafidell and Floralinda Chap. 20. WIth many milde perswasions did Floralinda mittigate the rage of Brandafidell beeing parted by the tempest from Lisarte and in short time they both landed in Grecia where Brandafidel expected store of aduentures so causing the Princesse to bee mounted on a milke white Palfrey hee himselfe bestrid his huge Alfana being a beast bred in the mountaines of Barbarie with a huge Launce in his hand his dreadfull mace at his saddle bow On the tenth day as they iourneyed towards Constantinople they met a mighty great Knight and with him twenty knights in troop and comming néere them the great Knight said I can hardly bée perswaded Giant that this Lady goeth with thée willingly but if she doo she is vnfit for thée therefore deliuer her vnto mée and this horse which séemeth to be good You ask much said Brandafidell but would yee not bee content to leaue the Lady so I gaue you the horse No said the great Knight and therwith one of his troop laid hold on Floralinda which made her giue a great shréeke Not the violeÌ„t lightning with more swiftnes breaketh out of the cloudes than the rage of Brandafidel sent death to that presumptuous knight and thrée of his companions for with his lance cast violently from his hand he ouerthrew foure dead that sate in ranke and with foure bullets of his dreadfull maâ—e made foure more at one blow to beare them companie But the great Knight entred within him and stroke so dangerous a blow that the Giant wel perceiued he had a strong aduersarie but with the ende of his mace on his brest-plate Brandafidell gaue such a foyne that hee ouerthrew him senselesse to the earth By this the other twelue Knightes had round incoÌ„passed him but like the Cyclops hammers fell his heauy bullets on the weake anuyles of their heades that héere some brainlesse there others senselesse lay dead on the ground When he thought all had béen ended the great Knight recouered and betwéene theÌ„ continued a battaile no lesse furious than the dreadful contention betwéene Anteus and Hercules On foote they fought for Brandafidell would haue no aduantage and in the courage of his enemy hee tooke pride but remembring his presumption against the Princesse hee whirled his dreadfull mace and parted with two bullets his head in péeces At the knightes fall Floralinda ioyed but Brandafidel left not till hee had slaine all the wounded Knightes but one
shal be those which shall sweare the reuengement to whome he will giue armour horse wherewith they shall fight against the Grecian princes and that the swoord of one of them should bee that which most bloud shall shed and it séemeth vnto mee that in part it is performed and I doe beléeue that hee hath with hym those youthes And at his departure hee tolde mee that I should be constrained by the Gréekish vertue to be on that part against whome hee will procure my reuengement which he calleth present death and that I should remain the kéeper of this Castle for defence of all such as shoulde procure the aduenture of the swordes for so the Castle is called and likewise that there shoulde bee heare in fast kéeping two Ladies the most principalest in all the world till such time as a Maiden childe in equall battle doth ouerthrow me and he said that foorthwith I should tell you who it was This is princely Lords all that which I doe know of this aduenture or my euill fortune for that I find my selfe friend to the Gréekes and must sée their bloudes spilt for my cause but in shedding of mine owne and loosing my life in your defence it séemeth vnto me that I doe that which I am bound to doe All the Princes remained content with the reasons of this most valiant and new Greeke for so we will call him from this time forwards for that Lyrgandeo doth make of him great mention comparing him with Brufaldoro and saith that he did excéed him in strength yet the dexteritie of the other supplied his want of strength You haue well showed heroyâ—all Knight said the Troian the noblenes of your worthie hart for that you beare it so well against the variable chaunces of Fortune and there is no doubt you know that vnto whosoeuer she hath shewed her selfe frendly she hath also made him know the mutabilitie of her whéele And yet for al this the Greekes will not let but to be as they were and to haue courage to oppose themselues against anie in the world that shall offend them For my part I account it glorie for them who like you haue obtained their frendship For who is more bound to be their Enemie than I in calling to minde that they raced my first Cittie and killed so manie and worthie Knights my predecessors as there perished but now knowing their vertue I sée no reason but to imploye my sâ—lfe in their frendship And therefore from this time forwardes I doo receiue you into the number of the Grecian Band and I giue my selfe to you for one of your most frends Heerewith they imbraced one another there remaining betwéene them such loue and fâ—â—ndship that indured to the death as you shal vnderstand hereafter and for his excellent vertues they called the Giant the Greek Knight That day they dined altogether and the Giants Sister was verie much comforted But all dinner time the Princesse Floraâ—inda remembring the losse of her beloued Children was so sad that they which were at the Table did perceiue it and with great instance requested her to tell them from whence procéeded that new care griefe Her Husband with the rest vrging her she was forced to tell them So beginning with a thousand sighes christaline teares which did solemnize her griefe she said It well appeareth louing Lorde and husband to sée you without danger and at libertie that it is the greatest content that can come vnto me yet fortune hath béene so contrary vnto me that me thinke I am not bound to giue her any great thankes for you shall vnderstand that the fruite of our louing marriage before I coulde imbrace them were taken from me so that onely I know I lacke a Sonne and a daughter The afflicted Ladie coulde not speake any word more neither had she any space for that they saw the walles of the chamber to open and there entred foure deformed serpentes euerie one of them embrasing one of the Knights leauing the Princesse all alone whome a terrible and fearefull Griffon tooke vp in his clawes in such sort that the cryes vnto her louing spouse for help could not profit her for that the knightes were not able to moue from the place where the Serpents layd hold of them which Serpentes séeing the other beast gone let loose the Princes with such griefe that they were readie to burst because they could not ayde and helpe the Princesse neither sawe they any more of the Serpents but they found a letter vpon the boord the which the Troyan tooke and read the contents being as followeth The Letter of the wise Gelasio TO the souereigne prince of the Scythians and Rosicleer the Destroyer of my blood with the rest of the new Greekes health or hate If his desire who with all hys wisedome and arte doth striue to procure thy death in satisfaction of that which thy vntamed arme hath done thou néedest not desire to haue the sight of thy sword till such time as thou féelest the losse of thy blood so that the hauing it at that time shal be cause that thou canst did no more outrage And thou Prince Meridian shalt now pay my sorrow for my lost neuewes with like gréefe for want of thy beloued wife vntill such time as the furious Ownce doth ouercome in equall battell that new Knight thy now Frend my vnworthie neuew to whom I will adde no more gréefe but that hee shâ—l be ouercome in manner aforesaid And thou Troyan shaâ—t loose thy libertie putting thy head in the power of thy most cruell enemy Gelasio WIth great paint this valiant Knight coÌ„cluded the reading of the letter giuing shewes of the griefe he felt at his heart Then gentle Brandafidel did comfort them promising that hee would serue the Princesse with all things necessarie and verie shortly disinchaunt her and bring her foorthwith to Greece This was a great comfort to the Princes and foorthwith they would not stay any longer in the Castle wheras so many disgraces came vnto them but being prouided of horse and armour they tooke the way to Greece verie much recommending the Princesse vnto the Moore theyr friend who promised vnto Rosicleer forthwith to become a Christian and gaue him a swoord one of the best in the world which was that of King Portias a great friend vnto the Greekes And therewith they came to the Sea taking their way towards Grecia whereas we will leaue them to intreate of the great wise man Gelasio Who Gelasio was what aduenture brought him to the hidden Iland and the reason he had to robbe and take away Infants Chap. 3. YOu doe remember in the first part of this mightie historie Rosicleer calling himselfe the Knight of Cupide slewe the furious Mandroco nigh the Grecian Empire This as saith the wise Lirgandeo whom we do follow in this historie had an Unkle brother vnto his Father called Gelasio of high and sharp vnderstanding as much giuen vnto studie as his
had receiued griefe for the lacke of her Unkle and Cosin he gaue them their payment as the rest and returned with a quiet pace vnto his Companions who abode his comming with the prisoners they receiued him with great content and verie glad they were come in the Countrey whether as they were bound The prisoners did yéeld them great thankes for the succour they gaue them Then the Troyan asked how farre it was to the Campe The prisoners sayde that it was litle more than a mile then they entred in among the trées and lighted but pulled not off their helmes vsing no more spéech but that they were wandring knights who hearing of the vnreasonablenes of the Cilician came to helpe the Lord of the Country The knight that was prisoner did much estéeme it and gaue them great thankes in the name of his brother the King There they consorsed that foorthwith through the thickest of that mountaine the two Knights with all their pages and the Damsell should enter into the Cittie for that they foure would first sée the scituation of their enemies Campe. The Father and the Sonne would verie gladly haue borne them companye for they were both good knightes but they would not consent thereunto So they began to goe forwards being armed with other armour of the Moores not without griefe of the Damsell but she séeing that Argolio Page to the Gréeke Prince went with her she was comforted Being departed from them the three frendes a newe praysed much the Pagan and hee answered them with great discretion wherewith he was indued more then all other Pagans They pulled off their helmes for to easâ— themselues till it was night for that then they would set vpon the campe for that they had informed themselues of the way and had agreed with them that went vnto the citie of Napea whereat was incamped al the enemies that at the beginning of the night the gate which opened vnto the campe should be left vnlockt for that they would bend their course thether so taking their watch word because they would not bee dispersed which was Troye they mounted on their horse and rid towards the Citty at that time when as the Sunne had altogether hid his face vnder the deepest caues of the earth and came at such timâ— as they were all at rest and were sure that fewe would trouble them because they were al wearied with the battell The two first watches of the night was past when as these foure most strong warriers did enter into y e carelesse campe of their enemies and agreed to goe vnto the tent of the braue Cilician King And concluded amongst them that the Grecian should remaine at the entry doore and the other thrée should enter in With this agréement they went vnto the great tent and for that the Moone did show her selfe more fairer then she did to her beloued Endimion they might goe straight thether without speaking to any for that the watch thought they were of the Royall guard At one instant they all alighted and left their horses at the doore in the kéeping of the Greeke Prince they entred in the companie of other Cilicians and came when there sate in counsell with the King the foure mighy Giants armed with rich and shining armour and at that time they concluded the next day to giue assalt vnto the Cittie But braue Knights said the pagan King be aduertised that if it may be possible kill not anie wherby discontent shuld redound to my beloued Flora whom I would not offend in anie thing It is impossible to note the anger that this amorous Tharsian receiued to heare that deformed Giant talke of Flora as a Ladie proper vnto himselfe and not hauing power longer to hide his intent he tossed about wyth hys knottie staffe and with a lowd voyce sayd Tarrie awhile false King before thou doost enioy her excellence thou shalt féele the weight of my oake Then without considering in what danger he put himselfe he stroke him so strong a blow vpon the helme that he made him against his will to leaue the seate where he sate his two Companions were not slothfull with the securitie they had of the kéeper they left at the doore but with their cuttyng swords laid on those Knights in such sort that before they could turne them they had left but some few and those verie sore hurt being the most principall in all the camp but by reason that the Giants were verie strong and well armed they ioyned with them a well fought and intangled battell The valorous Louer of Oliuia was not idle for that at the doore like a good and faithfull Porter he let none enter but that he left his life in recompence till such tyme that at the noyse there came vppon them so much people that the Troyan was constrained to giue out the signe to goe foorth at the doore whereas with the Giaunts they were in great trouble for mounting their horses but with the helpe of the Gréeke they at last got vp Lisarte carried in triumph a heauie Mace of the kings which when he fell from his seate hee tooke from him with the which it was a maruellous thing to behold the hard and lamentable blowes that he stroke vpon those euill armed people In this sort went these foure Frends thorough the camp ouerthrowing horse and knights and amongst them â—he well corded tents so that it séemed a great Armie had bin ioyned together the rushing of these foure was so great In this sort they crossed the Campe leauing dead and euill wounded more than thrée hundred men besides the principalls of the Councell of warre Those were they which the pagan King gréeued most to loose And when he came vnto himselfe as a man out of his wits hee began to make a noyse reuiling and forsaking his false Gods and entring into the roome whereas they were hee sayd Now you euill Gods may you séeke those knights that fauour you in whom you haue put so much power and began with a club to beate his poore Gods paying them that which he deserued At last hee vowed that hee would not vnarme himselfe nor suffer any to enter to sée him till he had béen reuenged on those rebellious Knightes that so much at their ease wer departed Who leauing the whole Campe afraid they came vnto the bridge of the Cittie whereas they found to the number of ten thousand men readie to come foorth if néed had so required and for Captaine of them a worthie Tharsian somewhat a kin to the fierce Lisarte who was so angrie that hee would haue returned with those people vppon the Campe. Which had béen no smal aduantage but yet his frends did stay him saying that the next day he should not lacke occasion for the same With this the cholericke Youth was pacified and entertained the Captaine of the people verie curteously and he them likewise guided them vnto the pallace whereas the Kings did tarrie
so strongly that hee made him to fall ouer the horse crupper pearced thorough and thorough and he was incountred in such sort that it made him stagger in the saddle and the Tharsian failed his stirrops with his strong incounter but in recouering himselfe hee stayed to behold with what gallantnes the Grecian returned more estéeming him then than he did before From the Cittie there was heard a great noyse of mirth the people saying We haue one diuell lesse The two good Frends of these stout Warriers came foorth of the Citie for that they saw the other two Giants did make themselues readie for to incounter them that out of the Court of Guard came foorth the fierce Arlante mounted on a mightie Elephant and at his saddle bowe another mightie mace of stéele hanging whereby it did appeare he was verie cunning in vsing of that kinde of weapon The two Giants séeing their companions on y e ground at one blow without kéeping the law of Knighthood came with their speares to incounter the two good Frends who did abide them without anie feare the one with his new sword and the other with his mace When they came to make their incounter it was a sight worthie to be séene for euen as thogh they should strike vpon a rocke in such sort the Giants mooued the Knights passing the one by the other without anie staggering Foorthwith they returned with their mightie fawchions in their hands and all of them at one time smit such blowes that it was meruaile they fell not all to the ground Somwhat more did the Princes show themselues for that the Tharsian with his heauie mace reached on the helme of his Enemie such a blow that hee made him decline his head to the saddle bow and comming with another if he had hit him full on the head he had ouerthrown him yet for all that he gaue him such a blow vppon the shoulder that with verie gréefe he could no more mooue his shield arme But the Giaunt roaring like a Bull strooke such a blow that lighting vppon the Tharsians helme it made him fall vpon his horse necke without anie sense and it séemed that he was dead for that his horse carried him about the field till hee came vnto the place whereas the first fierce Giant lay astonied wyth hys incounter The Giant being now come to himselfe arose vp and séeing his mortall Enemie in that sort hee assayed for to take him in his armes and he had done it if at that time the Louer of Floralinda had not come who seeing the vncurteous dealing of the Giaunts hauing a good horse came at such time as this wretch was laying hold of the Prince and gaue him such a thrust with the breast of his horse that the vnwéeldie Monster fell downe vppon the ground Now was the couragious Youth come vnto himselfe and acknowledging his estate he humbled himselfe to the Prince for his ayd and succour and therewith hee lift vp his mace and went to the other Giant who came and receiued him with his fauchion aloft but this beloued youth did execute his blow in such sort that he made his braines flye out of the sâ—ull and ouâ—rthrew the Giant to y e ground And when he saw that the Scythian prince would a light from his horse he came to him and said Worthie knight let this reuengement be mine for that it toucheth me and I will procure to execute it and therwith he leapt as swift as an Eagle vpon her pray which caused all that were in the Cittie to maruell and likewise his Ladie who remembred her Lisarte and prayed God that he were one of those Knights The Gréeke prince vsed his aduersarie in such sort that he could not rule his sword which being perceiued of the prince he closed with him and caught hold on his healme with so great quicknes and strength that he pulled it off and strooke him withall such a blow that hee ouerthrew him at his horse féete By which time the Tharsian had cut off the head of his Enemie with great content vnto them al and praised the Moore when they saw him mount on his horse without putting his foot into the stirâ—op With manie requests he tooke the speare of the Troyan who let him haue it being greatly affected to the valiantnes of the Youth At this time came foorth the stout Arlante saying Come to me all yee weake knights for of you all I purpose to take reuengement The worthie prince of Tharsus put himselfe first forwards and said Stay proud king thou shalt perceaue that thou dealest not with knights which doo vse to combat with anie such aduantage for euerie one of himselfe is sufficient by the helpe of the immortall Gods to make a more misshapen wight than thou sweat drops of bloud And all this might haue béen excused if thou hadst don like a Knight to haue come forth when I deâ—ied thée but thou wouldst néeds send thrée Giants to make them pay that which thou owest and séeing that thou art so angry with that knight that stroke thée yesternight and tooke away thy weapon looke vpon him for I am he and if thou wilt assure me from thy other knights I will make equal battaile with thée with condition that if I ouercome thée thou shalt foorthwith raise thy seidge and if thou ouercomest me vse thou thy will on mee and my companions shall returne to the Citty and thou shalt haue time to doe that which thou doost intend Well said Arlante I would that Mars himselfe would come to help thée and yet for all that I shoulde not thinke my selfe reuenged and turning about his horse he would haue assalted him But the gentle Lisarte sayd stay King for first I will giue them to vnderstand to whome my heart is bound of this battaile that I summond for if I had the libertie as thou hast I would make an end of it foorthwith but thou must giue mee sureties for thy word and sweare before some that thou wilt accomplish it and I will doe the like Thou makest many excuses said thee Pagan and I beléeue thou dost it because thou wilt not performe it The gallant Louer was much vexed thereat and therfore requested the Troyan to goe and make the Kings acquainted of this agréement but they would not consent thereunto for that it seemed they were some what wearied of their daies worke whereat the two Knights receiued gréefe But seeing it could not be otherwise the Giant returned to his Campe blaspheming his Gods and our knight with his companions went into the Citty whereas the Kings came foorth to méete and receiue them whereaâ— passed betwéen them many matters important which for to auoyde tediousnes I doe let passe neither what the true Louer felt when hee was before his Flora who receiued them with so great ioy and content but yet they woulde not pull off their helmes till the battell was ended So they went to take their
frée time with his welbeloued frends till on a day at the taking vp of the tables there entred the Damsell which the wise man had sent him so many times who making great curtesie vnto the king she went vnto the prince Heleno and gaue him a letter from the wise Lirgandeo who did read it aloude being as followeth REmembring and acknowledging wherein I was bound so long time past vnto your father and you valiant prince studying how much I may shewe it for your conduct I haue found it coÌ„uenient that you leaue the dainties of the Court and return to the auncient trauels now void from your warlike mind and with the armor which my damsel shall giue thée thou shalt depart foorthwith aduising the Tartare thy frend that the princesse in recouering more strength to sustaine so long a iorney hee returne thether wheras with great necessitie he is desired and to haue me in the number of his frends for I wil deal faithfully in his affaires he who gouerneth the world be thy kéeper giue thée forces to suffer that which is tarying for thée In concluding the reading of the letter the Damsel said that foorthwith he shuld arme himself for that it was conuenient with all spéed he should go foorth of France wheras so quickly frée hearts do humble their necks vnto the amorous yoke of Cupid and therewith she tooke out a russet armour and began to help to arme him and gaue him a shield with the ancient deuice of Cupid with two faces They al receiued content to sée the riches of that armour but not without griefe to consider that the owner should so long be absent so he tooke his leaue of them all not admitting the company of any he embraced his good frends not without some sorrow but especially to the Ladies So the valiant Heleno went out of France leauing them to talke of his great strength for many yéeres and when he came to the Sea side he found his inchanted boate who ingulfed him into the sea in such sort that hee lost the sight not onely of them that did beare him companie to the Sea side but also of the most highest rockes that were there All the Knights returned vnto Paris much lamenting the absence of y e Prince although it was a ioy to sée the bringing vp of the yong Princes euerie day more and more increasing in beautie till the time came that the Tartare with his faire wife †yong Sonne did imbarke themselues in a wel appointed ship to saile towards Tartaria at whose departure the faire Grisalinda was left solitarie who with motherly affection did bring vp her Sonne the Prince and her cosin till they came to the age of fourtéene yéeres who in the bignes of their bodies and gallant disposition séemed to bee of many more yeares where as wee will leaue them for to tell of that which hapned to the Tartare trauelling to his Country What hapned to the mighty Tartare Andronio at the Sea with a ship of Rouers of the ayde and succour that Rosicleer and his companions gaue him Chap. 10. TOwards Tartaria went this curteous Andronio with his welbeloued Princesse Grisanea verie ioyfull for the good chance which fortune had giuen him in accomplishing his desires with so little gréefe vnto his minde In the same degrée of ioy was the faire Grisanea dryuing away the painful voyage with the presence of her welbeloued Andronio and the faire Prince Andronisio from whom the amorous Lady did neuer depart accompting that life to be death with the absence at least of one of them So they trauelled with prosperous gales Aeolus shewing to them greart frendship til the tenth day of their nauigation they beheld two ships with full sailes bearing their course by and by the worthy Tartarian began to put in order his knightes in the most dangerous parts of his ship because they should not come vpon them vnprouided not without many teares of the faire Princesse Grisanea who began to complaine on fortunes mutabilitie On the contrarie her Louer went vpon the fore-castle of the Ship being armed with his strong and shining armour and at his going foorth met with his beloued Lady who greatly increased the couragious minde wherewith he was indued At this time the two great Ships were come so nigh that they might discerne who came to them for at the ships side appeared a furious fierce and vnséemely knight that lacked little to be a Giant wâ—â—â— with many moe other knighâ—s beganne with great noise to bid them yéeld But the Tartarian séeing that with such people it was not boote to reason answered them with their swoords in their handes and caused his ship to be grappled with that of the great knight with more courage then if he had the victorie of that battaile secure so there began betwéene these two one of the most rigorous battels that euer was séene at sea For that the Rouer was one of the most valiantest amongst the Pagans At their méeting they settled two so myghtie blows that both of them with the griefe gaue testimonie of the force of his enemie Our valiant Andronio redoubled an other on the deformed knight which lighted on a Target of fine stéele which he had for a shield which being done with great cholar he saw him to step backe thrée or foure paces wherwith he entred after him thinking all had béen ended but in a moment before hee could enter into the Ship of his contrarie he was with a sharp assalt disturbed by the great Knight who stroke him vpon the shield and although it could not enter by reason of the Magicall temper yet he droue it to his helme with so great force that it made him not onely to loose that which he had got but all his standing by the force of the blowe wherewith began such a battaile that it séemed to bee of many more Knights Those on the Tartares side did well defend themselues and offended their contraries but when the second ship came and boorded her on the other side it was cause that the curteous Andronio left the battell with the other and supplyed the greater necessity and did great wonders for whereas he went hee made a broad way amongst them that were so bolde in troopes to enter into his ship trusting in their strengths because they were so many There he found the lacke of help that his good frends had done for him and was assured if they had béene there those people had béen but a few to haue withstood their forces Likewise it grieued him to sée the wéeping Princesse with her Sonne in her armes from vnder hatches beholding the bloudy battel committing all her charge vnto the high maker of all the world and that hee would not permit the losse of her husband before he were Baptized which he had so earnestly promised to perform At that time the afflicted Lady did sée that they entred into the ship in thrée other places that
said the Damsell I giue ye and I do receiue it for the greatest curtesie that nowe you can shew mee in that the busines of my Lady is so dangerous and séeing so ventrous and valiant a knight as you are doe deale in it I am secure and I doe beléeue your companions will thinke well of it And to shewe the valor of their persons they shall not lacke occasions in this country for it is said by wise men there are héerein maruelous aduentures They al reioyced in that the Troyan Prince would take vpon him the battell for the Princesse And Meridian said it séemeth vnto me faire Damsell that this knight féeleth the effect of the Country séeing hee hath begun to follow your band in putting his life in aduenture for women a thing which before séemed impossible And I beléeue worthie Prince said the Damsell hee wil shewe more than this it may be we shall sée him leaue the battaile or if he ouer come bee ouercome by his enemy many more frée than he haue lost their liberty in this country of Lacedemonia and it shal be no strange thing vnto her to subiect such a frée heart as he hath séemed to haue for I am certaine in seeing him of so gallant disposition he will bee amorous then shal be séeâ—e the truth that a while since he reproued At this time they beganne to discouer the populous Citty whether as they iourneyed and therefore tooke their helmets which their Pages caried and pulled downe their vizors they kissed her on the chéeke aduisâ—ng her not to tell who they were so they tooke the most swéetest way to the Citty and came thether at the third houre when the king as yet had not gone out of the Pallace They entred in at a gate called the serpent gate the people that were in the stréetes following them and the eyes of Ladies waiting on their gallant proportion yet not any able to imagine what knights they should be In this order they arriued at the Pallace where as they alighted and mounted into the Royal hall where as they did see a great number of Ladies and Knights the Ladies in companie with the Quéene and her daughters and Knightes did accompany the vertuous King The entring of these thrée warriers did not a little trouble the whole Hall for that they knew not what they would haue but when they saw them goe directly to the King they all pacified themselues So when as the heroycke Troyan had done his bounden duetie in lifting vp somewhat his visor hee directed his talke vnto the King in this manner Worthy King of Lacedemonia my companions and my selfe trauelling to séeke aduentures to procure fame as Knightes should did heare somwhat far off from this place that in your Court is great wrong done vnto the Prince Liuio of Laodicea and vnto your daughter Thomiriana For as it hath been told vs you granted your daughter to him with great ioy whereat arose your second Daughter with confidence of her owne strength and made contradiction thereof whereas of right she should haue procured the effect for many reasons that shee hath knowne And so although I neuer combated against any woman héere I saye that I will defend the Princesse cause agaynst whome soeuer from the Sunne rysing to Sunne set if he be content to commit it into my hands Sir knight said the king for your commendations of my vertue I thanke you but for the rest it is put to the order of battell so that there is nothing to stand vpon but to sée if the prince will admit you for his Champion Therewith came foorth the prince apparelled in crimsâ—n taffeta cut vpon cloth of gold richly laced with so great gallantnes that the princes did all affect him All did vnto him curtesie which he graciously returned and humbly thanking all the knights for their great trauell hee sayd vnto the Troyan Sir I referre to you my whole right although if it pleased the king that I might defend myne owne cause I would bee loth to indaunger anie knight but he saith it is against his law That law said the Grecian prince is verie preiudiciall in a Common-wealth for some may be accused that can find none to defend theÌ„ This is not to be iudged by you sir knight said the king somwhat angerly for those that ordained the law did it with more reason than you haue shewed to contradict it The Gréeke prince being vexed thus answered All that you say sir king in your person I gainsay not but I defie anie other that thinketh I presume to iudge any thing which I will not defend Neither doo I beléeue sayd the king that there will want knights to answere you if ye make anie Challenge and therfore you may vse your discretion Then answered the Grecian your person excepted for the vertue which thereof hath béen reported I do defie two knights together so they be naturally borne in this kingdome that will affirme this law to bee good and iust And I doo defie other two said the prince of the Scythians that will maintaine there hath béen vsed iustice according to the right of Nations towards the prince of Laodicea but rather great and manifest wrong Which Challenge we will foorthwith defend by armes because will not multiply their anger by delaye y t be affected to maintaine this most vniust violent and intollerable law There did not lacke foure knights that came foorth of the Principallest and moste valiant in all the Kingdom such as were iealous of the honor of their king and gaue their gages vnto the Princes thinking thereby to get great honor Then came the faire Sarmacia not adorned in her shining armour but in a gowne of blew cloth of goldfull of Precious stones vpon her head she wore a vayle so white that thorow it was plainely séene her golden haire about her necke hung a rich swoord by a red sendall and although it were vpon the garment yet it séemed to be wrought in it Ind this sort she passed by all the knights who gaue her way to passe where the Princes were who greatly maruelled to sée her gallant disposition And when shee came to them being affected to their gallant proportion she said which of you gentle Knights is he that must make battaile with me All of vs answered the heroycke Grecian are Knightes faire Lady to defend your beauty but he whome fortune hath made choise of for this is this Knight pointing to the gentle Troyan She iudged him of high valor and hee could scarce turne his head to behold her his sences were rauisht in such forte that hee knewe not what thing could giue him content but to serue that gracious Princesse and it séemed to him that she came from heauen to make conquest of his heart and performe that which the Damsell has said Oh false and rigorous Cupid shall I not put my hand to my penne but thou must put thy selfe before me with thy cruell