kinseman the Prince Florendos Palmerin of England did the like to the faire Florenda and Florian of the Forrest to the Princesse Graciaâ—a in briefe the Princesse and Knights led all the Lades Palfraâ—es till they came to the Pallace The Emperour was caried in his Chayre by foure Knights communing with the Princesse Miragarda all the way desiring her to fauour his Nephew Florendos and to thinke of him as one that had well deserued at her hands CHAP. XLIX Of the Conference which the Emperour had with the Princes And how the Marriages that he appointed were now accomplished in effect WHen the Princes that were thus arriued Constantinople had rested themselues for certaine dayes the Emperour desirous to content euery one before he died who had bestowed their seruice in honouring him reuealed his intent to the Emperor Vernar king Edward Arnedes Recinde and Primaleon how he would gladly sée his Nephewes married and the other Princes that had béene nourished in his court whom he would see all matched according as their affections serued them The Princes liked maruaellously the Emperours intent whereupon he caused the Sunday following a great feast to be ordained in the Quéene Fleridaes Chamber which place was the most conuenient in all the Pallace for their courtly disports and there the Ladies were euery one regarded in their degrées being more pleasant in the Ladyes of their sauoured seruants then all the costly iunckets prouided for the banquet Palmerin was so earnest in affection towards his Lady as he iudged her to surpasse all the other in beautie Florendos held the same opinion to the faire Miragarda and Florian made such estimation of the Princesse of Thrace as he feared not to Combate against any whatsoeuer that her beautie might carrie the credite aboue all the rest and the Prince Platir was not behinde him in conceite towards his swéete Ladie Sidelia daughter to the King Tarnaes The Empresse Bazilia Gridonia Flâ—rida Francellina because of their high estates were chéefe next the Empresse 〈…〉 the Quéene Flerida bare the price of beautie amongst them all because she was in the most swéete and delicate time of her yeares After the Tables were wishdraâ—e and all the 〈◊〉 departed the place the Emperour being weake and sickely 〈◊〉 King Edward to expresse before all the company what he had giuen him in charge King Edward willing to obey the Emperors commandement arose from the Table theâ—â— taking off his Hat and kissing the Emperours hand he saluted all there present and began thus Most gratious Empres as each of vs for his benefit honor hath receiued such Ladies in marriage as the Emperour from his owne Court hath pleased to bestow on vs some that are allied to his Excellency and others to the Princes and lords of his Empire wherby the renowme of Christendom is worthyly maintained and all causes expressing good nature continued in their florishing estate It may therefore séeme good to you at this present that I publickely open his gracious and Princely determination whereby may be knowne if your Highnesse with these Quéenes and Princesses in your company shall thinke well of that which by the aduice of his honourable councell he seeketh to put in practise It is so that his Maiesty hath set it downe for a decree that these young Princes and knights shal ioyne in mariage in â—ecompence of all their noble trauels with those to whom they are most affectionate And as for theÌ„ that are as yet vnprouided of Ladies his Maiesty will allow them continuance in his Court whereby no 〈◊〉 shall grew on any side but euery one shall be contented to their owne desires Here pausing a while he attended what the Empresse with the other Quéenes and Ladyes would say as also â—o bethinke himselfe on the names of the persons whom the Emperour had appointed to many but the young Princes and knights were somewhat abashed doubting whether they might giue credite to the kings words for their was not any of them but iudged his labors sufficiently rewarded if he might enioy his sweet Saint and Mistresse The Ladies that were in presence began to blush change their amiable countenance whereby they bewrayed the secret sudden ioy of their hearts which they receiued by the spéeches King Edward had vttered Polinarda very often cast her eyes on the Prince Palmerin being in as great feare as the offender that awaiteth the senteÌ„ce of the Iudge for she doubted least her Grandfather would bestow on her some other and not let her enioy him whom her heart desired And Palmerin was afflicted in the same manner such and so great was the vehemency of his sundry passions which betwéene hope feare he was constrained to suffer but while his thoughts were in this infinite deale of trouble his Father King Edward following his former intent began againe in this manner You shall vnderstand Sir Florendos that my gratious Lord the Emperour with the consent of the King Recinde enioyneth you to espowse the Princesse Miragarda who in my iudgement will not bée any thing offended to bee so matched and so shall you Syr Florendos thinke your selfe fully satisfied for all the trauailes you haue endured for her sake All the prince there present looked on Florendos when they might well perceiue that the words of king Edward had giuen him more ioy then if the richest Realme in the world were in his own possession but the princesse Miragarda kept her countenance so demurely as one could hardly iudge whether the loue of Florendos were acceptable to him or no. And for thée my sonne Palmerin said king Edward the emperour the prince Primaleon being very willing thou shouldest knowe the loue they beare thee doe giue thée to wife the Princesse Polinarda not doubting but thou shalt imagine all thy passed trauailes to be fully recompenced in so sweet a reward The Princesse Polinarda no sooner heard these wordes but the delicate Rosiall colour that dyed her daintie countenance witnessed the loue and good will she bare to the Prince Palmerin of England who likewise now abandoned all his former feare seeing he should enioy the felicitie hee had so long wished for Which when his Father King Edward perceiued he made as though he did not espie and procéeded on with his former determination giuing the Prince Gracian Sonne to the king of France to vnderstand that the Emperour did bestowe on him his Niece Claricias the Daughter to the King Polendos And you Syr Berolde for your vertuous behauiour must enioy the Iewel of your heart the faire Onistalda Daughter to the Duke Drapos of Normandie and Niece to the renowned King Frisoll whereof your Father I am sure will be very well contented And you sir Francian shall match with Bernada Daughter to the valiant Prince Belcar And you noble Prince Platir in that your déedes are worthy of perpetuall memorie you shall possesse the faire Sidelia Daughter to the King Tarnaes of Lacedemoniâ— who will
Prince Don Edoard as also to the noble Primaleon withdrew themselues to their lodgings and armed themselues presently posting with all spéed they might after the aduenterous Primaleon some taking one way and some another As well those that vsed the Triumphes for their Ladies sakes as also those whose redoubted behauiour hath both wonne the honour of the field and dignitie of fame All with a mutuall consent aduentured limme and life that the report of their déedes might manifest the renowne of their knighthood And because you shall haue knowledge who behaued themselues most worthy cōmendations in this no lesse famous then rare aduenture I will bewray some of them to you that yonr gentle opinion of their paines may yéeld them in recompence part of a condigne praise The first that tooke the courage to hazarde himselfe in the field had to name Polendos King of Thessaly Sonne to Frisol the King of Hungaria accompanied with his brother Belcar The next was the Prince of Allemaigne son to the Emperor Trineus and named Vernar who honoured the beautie of faire Bazilia youngest daughter to the Emperour Palmerin to whom he was newly maried and stood in doubt how to proceed least Fortune should not be so fauourable to him as he expected which caused some slacknesse in good will Neuerthelesse after he had considered the honor of Mars and sharpe cōflicts of Venus how the one was lasting in Fame and the other linked to an effeminate fancie hee determined to follow his Companions driuing into obliuion the pleasaunt conceyts that hee often estéemed in his best beloued vsing this perswasion with himselfe That hee which vanquished himselfe with the vanitie of Fancy and yéeldeth the libertie of his will to fond affection is more méete to handle a Lute then a Lance and better to court a Lady then deserue the braue name of a Captaine In this perswasion hee departed intending so knightly an opinion in his minde that the honour of his name should expresse his noblenes and valure of his bounty be estéemed of his fayre Bazilia Thus was the city of Constantinople as it were desolate wanting the noble knights which were thence departed which caused the Emperour to visite the chiefest places in the Citie to the no small content of himselfe ioy of the Citizens who little minded the absence of the noble Gentlemen in that the Emperor so louingly vouchsafed thē his cōmpany Thē departed Argolant frō the Court of Constātinople toward the realme of England bearing answere of his Ambassage from the Emperor to his Lord soueraigne how y◠losse of the Prince Don Edoard was blazed in the courts of diuers noble Princes As in the court of Armedes King of France his Cousin Son in law to the Emperor of Constantinople as also in the court of Recinde K. of Spaine in the court of Pellagris the Souldan of Niquee with the noble Maiortes many Princes more to whom the losse of the English Prince was as grieuous as to himself For proofe whereof the imployed paines of diuerse noble mindes might remaine as witnesse who walked the Forrests and vnknowne passages in many Countryes that Martiall behauior was neuer more estéemed thē it was during the search of this strayed Prince Argolant being departed from the Emperour after many dayes Trauell hee arriued at the English Courte whereas to the king Fredericke the Quéene and the Princesse Flerida hee deliuered the answere of his Message who were greatly satisfied in hearing the Noble Attempts of the Grecian Knights by whose endeuoured paines they had good and prosperous successe CHAP. VI. ¶ How Primaleon endeuoring himselfe in the diligent search of the prince Don Edoard happened to meet with the Funeralls of the sorrowfull Lady Pandritia Daughter to the K. of Lacedemonia the which she solemnized for the vnkinde repulse she sustained by the Prince Don Edoard NOw Primaleon determining his secrete escape from the Cittie of Constantinople as I haue before declared commaunded his Esquyre to bring his Courser and Armour and closely to conuey all his Equippage and furniture behind the Storehouse of his Sister Flerida for that none should be priuie to his intent but only he The Esqu failed not to accomplish the pleasure of his Lord. And being come to the appointed place he armed the Prince except his Shield and Helmet which he bare himself so mounting on Horsbacke they both departed vowing to rest in no place till hee might recouer some wished tydings of his Brother and Friend Don Edoard without whom he would neuer returne to Greece again Long he trauelled before he encountred any aduenture worthy the rehearsall But at length arriuing in the bottom of a valley in Lacedemonia whē the Sun was declined to the west parts he was discoraged for that the night was obscure vpon him beside thicknes of the trées made his passage more tenebrous thē else it would haue bene so that very hardly he could finde his way Wandring on still vsing his minde with seuerall Imaginations at least to the comfort of himselfe and ioy of an Esquyre who sorrowed to sée his Lorde so suddenly pensiue hee espyed a gailant troupe of Ladyes bearing in theyr hands lighted Torches eache one well mounted on a lustie Stéede attyred all in blacke and framing their voices to great lamentations Primaleon surprised with great griefe of minde to sée such fayre Ladyes weare the habite of Mourners tooke the boldnesse of himselfe to beholde what they were and drawing himselfe somewhat nearer to them to them perceiued the chiefe Lady and Mistresse of them her Palfrey trapped with black Veluet her Vesture of the same and foure ancient Knights in the middest bearing a Funerall couered all with blacke Veluet Primaleon perceiuing their heauy lamentations and that they were nothing abashed at his presence but helde on their Iourney as though they had not séene him he tooke such an earnest desire in himself that he must néeds demand the cause why they mourned in that manner Then presenting himselfe before the chiefest Ladie whose faire face had sustained a great blemish by the abundance of teares that issued from her Eyes in this manner he prepared himselfe to giue the Onset Faire Lady impute it not to flattery that I call you so nor to Folly in so much as you are so but rather of your nature cannot admit your own praise for the perfectiō of your mind being answered in perswasion of my vnfeigned meaning which estéemeth you as I haue said albeit farre inferior to that I could say It is no more my desire then vnder duety I may demaund nor my Sute no otherwise disposed then may stand with your Honour to replie and my honesty to request I being a friend to all Ladies and foe vnto none insomuch that a moytie of their desires should rather hinder me by mishap then dishearten me by any danger So that in briefe my request is thus why you frequent this solitary place accompanied with these who are equal
puissant Kings in Christendome and himselfe as victorious as â—uer was any Wherefore let his entertainment be such as his honour doth deserue and his estimation according as his valure doth declare for he it is must needs defend the Diadem of thy domiminions when it shall remaine destitute of wished defence and he it is that shall make thee lauded of Fortune and loued of thy enemies as of thy dearest friends Likewise the two most infortunate Princes of the world shall enioy their libertie by him in which many haue and shall attempt but he alone is oidained to finish this Exployr for that he is aboue all in the Fauour of Fortune and he shall exell all in the Nobilitie of Knighthood Thus leauing the summe of my promise to your gratious triall I wish the noble Emperour of Greece may liue in eternall honour and felicitie By her who is more in dutie then by pen or words she can any way disclole The Lady of the Lake The Emperor no lesse amazed at this happy aduenture then contented at the glad newes of this noble yong Prince desired of the Damosel who might be the Lady of the Lake To whoÌ„ the Damosell replied Noble sir she is altogether vnknowne of me but thus much I dare boldly assure your Maiestie that what her Letter presenteth shall be performed in this worthy young Prince These spéeches ended the Damosell departed which the Emperor perceiuing sent for the yong Prince vpon whom vsing many chéerfull countenances he desired his noble Gentlemen standing by that he might be tearmed of all Palmerin after his owne name for that he thought he should be the better estéemed of his Lady Polinarda in whose fauor he was greatly estéemed as the wearing of his Ladies colors he might giue some cause of beliefe But the Empres and Gridonia still lamented the losse of Primaleon whose absence from the court was chiefest cause of their sorrow CHAP. IX Of that which happened to Vernar the Prince of Allemaign in his search of Don Edoard and of the controuersie betweene him and Belcar the Duke of Duras in the vnfortunate Forrest of England I Haue declared to you before how Vernar the Prince of Allemaigne and sonne to the Emperour Trineus and the faire Agrigola left the Court of Constantinople when Palmerin departed to séeke the Prince Don Edoard In which affaires this gentle Prince likewise behaued himselfe so worthily in many rare exploytes that his Fame remaineth as a perfect type of his hononr in the Allemaigne Chronicles for which cause I leaue to rehearse them returning to that which happened this Prince and is in my charge to speake of It fortuned that hee hauing spent no small labour in trauaile arriued at last in great Brittaine where he had good hope to heare some newes to end his labour And being entred into this vnfortunate forrest ryding very sadly for yâ— his mind was somwhat distracted with remeÌ„brance of his faire Bazilia at length there met him a comely Knight very brauely mounted attyred in gilt armour whereon was wrought many Leopards by Artificiall deuice yet crazed and broken by some rough encounter that he had béene in And in his Shéeld he bare a Serpent in a field of Siluer trauailing also in the search of the strayed Prince as likewise to méet with such who professed the magnanimitie of minde to combate in the honour of their owne good Fortune for which cause he left the Ladies in the English Court among whom he was called The Knight of the Serpent Passing by the Prince Vernar he vsed such courtesie vnto him as beséemed his Knighthoode and was méete for such a Noble person but he altogether vsing his thoughtes on his fayrest Bazilia had no leysure to beholde the Knights courtesie The Knight of the Serpent supposing that eythere hee willingly would not perceyue or séeing scorned the gentle Salutations he vsed reuiued the Prince Vernar with these spéeches Syr Knight mee thinkes it might stand with your Honour and profession and no blemish to you any way but bounty euery way to haue thought well of him who meant no ill to you and to haue gratified him like a Courtier that disdained to passe by you and not vse courtesie The Prince being driuen foorth of his dumps whereto hee had more pleasure then to the Knights gentle proffer betwéene Iset and earnest thus answered Sir I muy be offended without blame and iudge your behauior to be very bald that would constraine me to speake not hearing your spéeche when I had more matters in minde then would suffer me to sée you much lesse to heare you Syr quoth the Knight of the Serpent this excuse is farre too simple in denying both your Hearing and Sight for though statelynesse would not suffer you to sée me yet the leawdnesse of my spéech doth iustifie you might heare me Vernar hearing the large language of the Knight which might quickly mooue him to anger being before subiect to ouer much Melancholie thus shortly replyed Syr Knight you haue better licence to depart then leaue to stay here for that my minde is troubled with such metters as rather requireth your absence thea alloweth your presence Giuing you farther to vnderstand that your companie is so much to my heart that the strife which may arise betwéene vs will be to your great harme When the Knight perceyued what small estimation Vernar had of him thus roundly replyed Syr either your bringing vp hath bene ouer churlish or your present behauior scant currant in that you estéem courtesie more like a Carter then a Courtyer and Ciuile demeanour more fitte to holde the Ploughe then fine qualities to honour your person I estéeme it both méete and modest that you expresse such a Friuolous motion as doth represse abruptly the nature of Friendly manners for greater danger is in concealing what I desire then damage in concealing such a simple demand I desire rather quoth Vernar mine owne ruine then I should be so simple to graunt what you request In so much that it is expedient none should know my thoughts shee onely excepted that must be priuie to what I thinke Wherefore esteeming thy Manhoode as small to commaund as thy might to compell I will bury my Thoughts with my Death before I intend to satisfie thy desire So leauing off words they fell to their weapons where shiuering their Speares and Armour they Encounted with such Brauerie that they were glad to take breathing when the Knight of the Serpent beganne thus to charge him I belieue Sir you finde this Skirmish more hote then your concealed thoughtes may be estéemed wisedome and that your Estate standeth in a more sharpe hazarde then your mute conceyts are of force to yéeld you any sure helpe which I hope shall shew you the difference betweene a carelesse Groome and a Courtly Gentleman Syr aunswered the Prince Vernan your opinion is as yet farre beyond my purpose for that you are as wide from your hope as you are
Princes out of the cruell Enchanted castle of Eutropa and Dramusiande ARgolant who by the commandement of the king of England was departed on his voyage towards Constantinople to declare vnto the Emperour Palmerin the good successe of his sonne Primaleon and the other Prince indeuoured himselfe so well in his iourney thorow the helpe of good wind and weather that at the last he attained the end of his trauaile And as he rode through the Citïe he espied the Emperour among a great many of Souldiours whose beard was growne so white with anguish of minde and his face so wanne by reason of his continuall mourning that he stood in doubt whether it were the Emperour or no but that he was certified thereof by the people which made their recourse thorow the stréetes Who told him that report was giuen abroade how the Soldans of Babylon and Persia had gathered a mightie Armie intending to besiege their Cittie which made the Emperour in his owne person to goe sée to the fortifying of the walles that his Rampiers of defence might bée readie to resist the enemie Argolant comming before the Emperour who presently knew him alighted and knéeling downe humbly kissed his hand to whom the Emperour thus spake You may sée Argolant in what necessitie the citie of Constantinople is now vnhappily falne which in times past hath vrged me to the opinion that neither warres could surplant it treasons inuade it nor any disloyall accident once vse spight against it But such is the alteration of times and so vncertaine the fauour of Fortune that the famous monuments of most honour and antiquitie are as soone subuerted as the weakest defence so that it remaineth to me to say which once I could iustly say I haue béene happy For such is the danger threatened to our estate and so doubtfull the mischance that may suddainely annoy vs as my Subiects stand euery houre in feare of their liues and my selfe in dispaire of mine own safety Because I want those whose names in the eare of mine enemy hath carried as great estimation of hot resistance as they now being absent doe ouercharge me with a cold comfort But how fareth thy Soueraigne Lord the king of â—ngland to demand for other tidings were as néedelesse as I suppose them helpelesse If it shall like your Highnesse answered Argolant the king my Soueraigne and Lord saluteth your imperiall estate with all happinesse that he can wish or you possibly desire as for my charge if you will vouchsafe the place where the Empresse Gridonia and the other Ladies may be present you shall all be certified I trust to your contentations The Emperour at these wordes rode straite to his Pallace not staying till he came where the Empresse Gridonia and the faire Polinarda were sitting altogether but Argolant missing Bazilia wife to the Prince Vernar began on this wise to intreate the Emperour Let it not be offensiue to your highnesse in that I trifle time so long because I want one here to be partner of my happy tydings which is the faire Bazilia whose heart I am right sure thought the absence of her Lord Vernar too long The Emperour supposing there was some glad tydings toward in that they concerned not one alone but all such as had long time béene oppressed with heauinesse and knowing likewise the Princesse Bazilia would hardly leaue her Chamber tooke the paines to gâ—e for her himselfe when being al set down together Argolant in this manner vttered his Ambassage As it is not vnknowen to you most mightie Emperour as also these gracious Ladies who since that time haue endured no small oppression of heauy conceits that at my last being in this place I brought the vnfortunate report which caused as you know ful well a grieuous mishap ensuing vpon the losse of our no lesse famous then redoubted Prince Don Edward which prouoked your noble sonne Primaleon with a number of valiant Princes and Knights of your court to pursue in his search So now I durst not present my selfe where my former newes caused such griefe without I might bring those tidings as shuld in recompence cause a mutuall and generall gladnesse which loath to conceale from you too long thus it is The knight of Fortune the myrrour of Chiualrie the onely Lampe and Load-stone to draw the aduenterous minde to all valiant attempts as his exploytes in your Court against Floraman who for his fayre Altea made the onely challenge for the supreame title of beautie may not onely remaine a witnes but as a perfect example of all worthinesse to such as shall ensue after him for his memory and their learning This worthy Champion attempted the aduenture of great Brittaine where by the Magique of Eutropa and might of Dramusiande sonne to the Giant Frenaque whom you slew before your departure forth of England our Prince Don Edward your sonne Primaleon with a number of Princes and noble Knights were all this while kept as prisoners onely to reuenge the death of the aforesaid Giant Frenaque Wherein he spedde so happily that notwithstanding the cruell enchantments dispersed ouer the whole forrest and retaining the knights in such a seruitude as they might doe nothing without the consent of this wicked Eutropa he withstood her helliâ—â— charmes the force of her nephew the giant fulfilled that hauty attempt which could be finished by no other And our Prince Don Edward chancing first into this mishap was appointed to endure the first Iust against all that came so that through the helpe of two Giants whom the Knight of Fortune hath valiantly foyled all the wandring Knights were caught captiue in this Castell In fine when this famous Conquerour had found the way to this Fortresse and behaued himselfe against the resistaance with singular magnanimitie hée entred the Combate with Dramusiande where a bloody and doubtfull fight was presently begun The Emperor suddenly staying Argolant at these words in a maze and great feare put forth this demand Good Argolant before you procéed any further resolue me of a doubt wherein the last report of your discourse hath brought me know you where as now the knight of Fortune remaineth and whether he be aliue as yet or no for if he fare otherwise then well my state cannot endure without bearing him company to which Argolant replyed At such time my gratious Lord as I departed from the Realme of England I left him in such good disposition as himselfe could wish or your Maiesty desire when euery one reioyced for the good successe he had against the Gyant Dramusiande But may I quoth the Emperor vpon your faith and knight heed assure my selfe of this report If it may please you my good Lord answered Argolant to giue credite to my Message then beléeue me that the knight of Fortune is in good estate of health and hath done what I haue manifested before this honourable assembly Likewise the Forrest of that disloyall Eutropa is subdued from all her Enchantments so
minds They being in some doubt to gaine the ouerthrow suddenly entred the field Platir Floraman Francian Germaine of Orleance Vernar Polinard with others so that as then began the brauery of the fight which as it was well worthy past not without notable praise and the English Knights came still afresh to fiercely on them that the GreciaÌ„ Knights were through néere constraint vrged to retire But behold on a sudden to aide the Grecian Princes there entred thrée strange Knights very brauely mounted the first of them bearing in his shield on a grouÌ„d of sand the God Saturâ—us compassed about with Starres the second had for his deuise in a gréene field the Image of the House of Sadnes the â—hird would not haue his Shield knowne and therefore bare it couered These thrée séeing how the English Knights preuailed maruellously in their resistance couched their Speares and ran among the thickest of them whom to the great danger of both sides began a fierce battaile so that Vernar Tremoran Teneâ—rant and others were faine to be carried out of the field they were so sore wounded In like manner were diuerse of the English side till the Reâ—â—eite was sounded when the Prince Gracian with his company retired into his Campe and the English Knights conducted the Emperour and the King into the Pallace where sweet musicke and other delightfull exercises ioyned them all friends in their former vnity CHAP. XLVII How the three Knights that came to the Tournament were knowne to be the Knight of the Sauage man the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley and Blandidon And how Aliart discouered in the presence of all the Princes how Palmerin of England and Florian of the Forrest were the sonnes of the noble Don Edward and the Princes Flerida for proofe whereof he brought the Sauage man and his wife who had nourished the two young Princes so long in their Caue into their presence by whom this great ioy was fully confirmed WHen the Triumph was ended and the Emperour with King Fredericke returned into the Pallace the Tables were ready prepared when immediately they sate downe to take their repaste being seiâ—ed in such honorable and comely order as the princes were greatly in loue with the court of England Against supper was done the King gaue in charge that the Knights should prepare themselues to the dancing which done a sumptuous Banquet should presently be serued on the tables The Dancing and the Banquet finished and they sitting pleasantly ieasting one with another they entred the Hall the thrée Knights who had behaued themselues so brauely in the Tournament Many desired to come néere them because they would know of whence they were but to hinder their intents such a mist on a sudden arose in the Hall as the lights were dimmed the Torches burned very scarcely and the Ladies being dismaied caught their Knights in their Armes To put them out of this feare the mist departed and the Hall was as cleare as it was before when straight way they beheld in the middest a Lion and a Tiger enduring a great fight together and to set them at vnitie there entred a faire Damosell with a golden rod in her hand wherewith she touched them both and they humbled themselues at her féet This done shee departed and they arose againe in the forme of two fierce and vntamed Bulles which caused such an astonishment to all the beholders that they wished themselues to be foorth of the Hall But the Knights séeing their Ladies so greatly discouraged perswaded them that it was but some deuise artificially prouided for the delight of the Emperour but they would hardly beléeue them because the two Bulles fought so vehemently the one against the other and being ouercharged with wearines of fight fell to the ground breathing from their mouthes an horrible and ougly blacke smoke as was before The Hall auoided of all these accidents and in the same estate it was at first they might behold that thrée Knights with their heads vnarmed so that he who would not haue his shield known was found to be the gentle Knight of the Sauage man who presently went to the king and kneeling downe kissed his hand with these words My gracious Soueraigne I earnestly intreate at your hands this Knight may receiue the courteous entertainement your Grace will afford him at my request for this is the Sage Aliart your Maiesties most affectionate seruant to whom your griefe hath been so displeasant that he thought himselfe not in perfect quietnesse till he might manifest his humble deuoite to your Grace King Fredericke who had often heard report of the Sage Aliart by reason of the renowne and fame was spred abroad of him stoode in a doubt how it should bee hée because his youthful yeeres was much vnlikely to embrace so great cunning and learning as was euery where famed of him neuerthelesse giuing credit to the Knight of the Sauadge man hée embraced him with these salutations Certainely sir Aliart I am bound in duty to make good account of you as well for your vertuous dealings which doth iustly deserue it as also for bringing me my Fatherlesse Knight inso sound and good disposition of health wherein you haue not onely honoured me but likewise approoued the vnspotted faith of your Knighthood My gracious Lord answered Aliart the desire I haue to manifest the loialtie of my seruice vrgeth me to this opinion that might I liue neuer so long I could not accomplish so much as duty doth require in me respecting the great friendship I haue found at your Graces hand vndeserued But maâ— I vnder your Soueraigne pardon presume to disclose so great a secrete as shall both content your Highnesse as also this illustrious assembly The King supposing some glad tydings toward requested all the Princes to vouchsafe their audience when being euery one quietly placed to their owne content Aliart humbling himselfe to the Princesse Flerida began as followeth Madame it were hard for me to distinguish betwéene your extreame griefes passed and the swéete solace you enioy at this present for albeit this is to be thought beyond comparison yet in time when you were heauie your wofull complaints were equally as vehement as they that were priuie to their aduerse case could easily beare with the vrgent cause But referring long discourse of matter you are to estéeme your selfe highly honoured by this no lesse hauty then happy and famous Knight of Fortune who for your sake hath suffered the annoiance of paine in recompence of the dangerous trauaile you sustained for him at such time as you were deliuered of two Children in the vnfortunate Forrest when your Lord had left you For when the Sauage man had taken him and this redoubted Knight your Sonne Florian his Brother to sacrifice them to the rauenous iawes of his gréedy Lions pittie so pierced the heart of his poore and louing wife that shée saued them from the bloody slaughter and nourished them as carefully as she did this other
he was greatly made account of insomuch as euery one thought his labour well imployed to do him seruice and euery one were desirâ—us to question with him how Don Florian was guarantized of his wounds which he had receiued at the Castle of Dramusiande When dinner was ended they went all to the chamber of the Empresse Agriola with whom the Quéene and the Princesse Flerida had dined and the king desiring silence when they were all placed began in this order to the Sage Aliart Let it not séeme displeasant vnto you good Sir that I presume to remember you of a promise made yester-night as also to deliuer me from a doubt that I haue conceiued of your selfe which is if I may request so much fauour to tell me of whence you are because the great cunning and science I haue heard to be in you doth argue you are discended of some noble linage To which demand Aliart presently returned this answer I was determined déere Soueraigne neuer to bewray my selfe to auy but since your Maiestie hath commanded me whose words are more of force to compell me then any prince or potentate may or can constraine me I will certifie you of that which neither friend nor foe could yet get of me This knight whose name you are desirous to know is called Blandidon as concerning his birth and Parentage the Prince Florian can at large giue you to vnderstand for which cause I will passe no furder to discouer what he is But as touching my self this knight here named Pompides and my selfe are Brethren both of vs the sonnes of the Prince Don Edward and Argonida the Lady of the Enchanted Isle as hath béene affirmed to vs by the oath of diuerse Don Edward sitting by his beloued Flerida loath to conceale any thing that might profite in this case humbling himselfe to the King his Father began as followeth Deare father what Sir Aliart hath deliuered to your Grace I must and will auouch to be most true they are both my Sonnes wherefore I desire you to entertaine them as your Nephewes And my swéete Flerida let it not séene as disliked of you because it was long before I entred acquaintance with you and such were the craftie deuices Argonida vsed with me that what with perill of my life and the pleasure I had also in her company these twaine are the fruits of our long familiar labours The King came to them aud imbraced them very louingly when presently Florian at his instant request declared the hautis Exploytes and Knightly déedes hée had both tryed and found in the noble Blandidon Flerida forgaue her Lord Don Edward this offence smyling at the subtill inuentions Argonida vsed to gaine the desire she bare to the English prince when immediately Aliart and Pompides came and submitted themselues to her whom shée welcommed as hartily as had they béene her owne children and so continued pleasantly talking with them till time required they should depart to their Chambers Palmerin of England held yâ— Sage Aliart in great estimation when he perceiued he was allyed to him in kindred so that altogether he framed his delight to be in his company and would not attempt any thing but he should be priuie to it The Triumphes and sumptuous feastes continued daily aboundantly and euery night there was Marking Dauncing rare deuises put in execution so that the Grecian Knights highly honoured the Ladies of England whose braue gesture of Courtly entertainement was not onely estéemed of them but as much commended at their returne in the Court of Constantinople After a long continuance of this excéeding ioy Arnedes and Recinde concluded to depart to their kingdomes leauing their sonnes to accompany the other Princes in their pleasure which the Emperour perceiuing determined to iourney towards Allemaigne also But when they prepared themselues to take their leaue Don Edward and the other Princes desired them to vouchsafe the paines to sée the Castle of Dramusiande wherein so long time they had béene kept as prisoners This request pleased the Emperor very well so that he desired Arnedes and Recinde to beare him company also and then they would depart together Intreaty had quickly wonne them so that on the morrow they departed themselues thither accompanied with the Ladies and Gentlemen of the English Court who greatly longed to sée the Castle so much spoken off that had caused great Brittaine to stand in such feare and by the prowesse of the Noble Palmerin was brought into subiection CHAP. XLIX How the Emperour Trineus the King of England with all the Princes and Ladies rode towards the Castle of Dramusiande where by the way they saw the Caue of the Sauage man wherein the two Princes had beene so long time nourished And how all the way as they rode the Sage Aliart presented them with many rare and braue deuises vntill such time as they arriued at the Castle Where they met with a strange knight who in honor of the beautie of his Lady Miragarda Iusted with diuers of the Princes and departed againe from thence vnknowne to any but the Sage Aliart who discouered to Palmerin of England his name and whence he was IN the morning the Knights who had behaued themselues so worthily in the triumph prouiding them of new and rich Armor made great haste because they would bee ready to goe with the Giant Drausiande onely because they would gratifie their Ladies in bearing them company to sée this Castle At their departure foorth of London the King by sound of Trumpet and Heralde caused them to be proclaimed that no Citizens should offer to follow them because hée had determined being so many of themselues that none should enter the Castle but the Ladies and the Knights For that night hée concluded to lye in the Forrest and therefore sent such prouision of Tents and Pauillions that when they were arriued there they found euery thing to their owne contentment The Princesse Flerida was desirous to sport her selfe about the Forrest and walking By the place where shée had suffered the extreame panges of her trauayle the Sauage man came and humbled himselfe vnto her declaring how in that place he tooke the two Princes from her and nourished them in his Coue which was néere adioyning On this report the knights were desirous to sée his Caue so taking leaue of the Princesse they walked with him thither where after Primaleon Maiortes and the Soldane Bellagris were entred they began euery one to be greatly amazed séeing this Caue to containe so large a breadth and length which made them suppose it to be in manner an intricate De dalus All about on the walles was hanged Tapistrie not of Gold Silke Caddis or such maner of stuffe but the skinnes of Beastes which the two Princes had slaine very finely laboured into an artificiall frame and so decked foorth the Chambers that the Knights marueyled in so desart a place to finde such a fayre dwelling A great while they stood debating with
beléeuing that his victorie procéeded from the beauty of his Lady would once more put his Fortune in hazard thinking the feature of his faire Altea to be as soueraigne in authoritie as the strange Miragarda wherevpon he thus began to conferre with himselfe Albeit Madame I haue suffered your name to be absent a while from my thoughts yet hath your beautie bene alwayes extant in my memory so that I neuer vowed the title to any but you although mishap would haue vrged me to the contrary Wherefore at this time let your beautie so fauour me that I may foyle mine enemy in the perfect honour of your fame Then they encountred one another againe couragiously passing the first course with the breake of the Staffe but at the second time Floraman and his Stéede was throwne to the ground very violently when making recourse to his former secrete spéeches be began as thus I perceiue now Altea that my misfortune chanceth thorow your froward opinion of mée and that the more I attempt in your honour the more you repay me still with hatred which will vrge me to forsake your seruice and neuer assay any thing hereafter on warrant of your courtesie The Emperour Trineus and all the Princes were very sad to behold the sorrowe of Floraman as also to sée Onistalde and Pompides reduced into like mischance whereat the strange Knight triumphed which Don Florian stomaking to see his friends on euery side foyled and the Knight to vant himselfe in such sort giuing a Conge to the Empresse and her Ladies ranne violently against the strange Knight Thrée times they met yet neither preuayling against the other when the strange Knight looking on his Shielde and perceyuing the faire face of his Lady to be somewhat raised with the Speare began in this order to talke to himselfe Now can I execute my selfe of the dishonour I haue receiued in suffering her faire face to be polluted to whom I owe most dutifull affection for neither can I preuaile against him that hath done it nor endure long the Combate I am so attached with sorrow At the fourth attempt they met so furiously together that they were both layde along on the earth when because the night approched so fast on Palmerin could not compasse the meane to enter the Iust which made him suppose hée should displease his fayre Polinarda but Aliart to put him from that opinion he came to him with these wordes Good Syr let it not séeme offensiue to you because you haue not Iusted with this Knight for if your valoure should returne him any disaduantage your Lady and Mistresse would thinke great vngentlenesse in you I thanke you Syr Aliart answered Palmerin for your courteous perswasion in wishing me from that which might be my hurt albeit vnknowen vnto me yet by your Arte made manifest to you But may I request the name of his knight wherein you may make mee greatly beholding to you as also it will cause me vse more circumspection in mine attempts wherein I onely desire to escape the anger of my Lady Polinarda to which question Aliart shaped this reply Your courtesie is such and so great in mine affection that I cannot conceale the thing which may doe you pleasure wherefore you shall vnderstand that this knight is named Florendos who putteth his noble déedes in proofe for the honour of her whose Image you may perceiue figured on his Shielde euen as you hazard all your actions to purchase the fauour of her who is your Lady and his Sister At these words Palmerin imbraced Aliart giuing him hartie thankes in that he had satisfied his earnest desire which he vowed to kéepe secrete and not discouer to any Don Florian being mounted on Horsebacke againe was somewhat offended that he had receiued no better successe against the strange knight whom he perceiued with his Esquire ryding away in great hast as loath to be knowne because he had not sped according to his hauty desire for which cause hee departed in no small sorrowe CHAP. L. How after the strange knight was departed Sage Aliart bewraied to them the faire Miragarda And how they entred the Castle of Dramusiande which Palmerin gaue againe to the giant his friend who in his honour caused it to bee called the Inuincible Fort of Fortune Departing from thence Aliart brought them to his Castle in the Obscure Valley where he shewed them many rare and strange deuices from whence the kings Recinde and Arnedes taking their leaue of the Emperour and the king of England departed home into their countries And how in a while after the Emperor and the Princes iourney from the court of England when as Don Edward discouered to Soldane Bellagris that Blandidon was his sonne begotten on the sorrowfull Lady Pandritia THe strange knight being very spéedy in his departure the Emperour with the other Princes ceassed not to commend his redoubted enterprise greatly desiring to know what he was which made them very importunate so the Sage Aliart but they laboured in vaine for he would not in this matter satisfie their desire But to the Prince Primaleon hee told in secret that hée was a personage of great authoritie whose valour was excellent and his vertue equally thereto apparant and that the Ladie whose Portraite he vsed in his Shéeld to whom he bare such affection as he would in nothing disobey her will causeth him to absent himselfe from the company of all other till hée haue attained that title which his Lady desireth and himselfe deserueth And to satisfie his Ladies pleasure he hath ventured his life to arriue at this place thinking the aduenture of Dramusiande to be reserued for him but when he perceiued it was already finished by the Prowesse of the knight to whom he voweth his humble seruice he could not with his honour but proffer you the Ioust to cause you know both his bountie and courage is sufficient to haue enterprised such a hautie and pecillous aduedture Then Don Eward desired him to shew the name of the Damosell to whom he had vowed such earnest affection whose will Aliart loth to gaine say beganne in this order to answer his request The Lady to whom this Knight hath vowed his seruice is named of euery one the faire Miragarda whose face if any would take occasion to contempleate should behold the perfect rare and substantiall Image of only beauty As concerning her birth she is daughter to the Countie Arla◠and of great authoritie in the dominion of Spaine whose singuler forme when this knight had beheld he could not chuse but thrust himselfe among the pykes of hazard insomuch as none that hath seene her could withdraw their effections but haue aduentured limme and life for her who is beyond any in comparison Trust me said the king Recinde I haue bene well acquainted with the County himselfe but as for such exquisite perfection to remaine in his daughter I neuer before this time could gaine the knowledge for indéede when I left
suspition of me I giue you to vnderstand that I am called Primaleon Sonne to the famous Emperor of Constantinople When the Tristfull Knight heard these wordes he was ouercome with such extreame sorrow and heauinesse because he had entred Combat with his Father Primaleon that he had much adoe to sustaine himselfe which the Prince séeing came to him with these words Florendos let no grieuous motions séeme to abate your courage for I had knowledge of you before we fell to the Combat as for what hath passed I franke and fréely forgiue being glad that I haue tryed your right to be of such reputation The Tristfull Knight knéeling downe and in great humility kissing his Fathers hand hée sustained him graciously in his armes and great were the salutations that passed betwéene them Pandritia being glad to sée the Prince Primaleon conducted them both into her House of Sadnesse where they were lodged in a goodly chamber and their wounds attended by the Ladies with very diligent and louing respect CHAP. LII How Primaleon and the Tristfull knight being healed of the wounds they had receiued in the combat by the courteous entertainment of the sorrowfull Lady Pandritia after they had staied there a little space and Primaleon certifying her of the happy deliuery of the Prince Don Edward they both departed from thence the Prince toward Constantinople and the Tristful knight in his iourney towards Spaine when Pandritia likewise for these ioyfull ridings left her House of Sadnesse and went to the Garden of Damosels And how after Primaleon and the Prince Vernar were arriued at Constantinople the Soldan Bellagris sent a Messenger to the Emperor who gaue him to vnderstand of the dealing of the Soldan of Babilon who had staid his army to contend with certaine Lords of his dominions that rebelled and entred into armes against him FLoredos the Tristfull Knight and his noble Father the Prince Primaleon made their abode for the space of certaine dayes in the carefull Castle of the solitary Pandritia where they were so carefully visited and their feeble estates so louingly tendered that in short time they recouered their perfect health In which time Primaleon had certified her of the prosperous successe of the Prince Don Fdward whom she verily supposed to be dead long before so that shée conceiued such great delight in this report as at the request of the Prince the left her House of Sadnesse and returned to her Mansion named the Garden of Damosels vsing more pleasant conceits then for a great while she might suffer to thinke on Primaleon hauing borne her company longer then willingly hee would and declared to her the the names of the Knights that were prisoners with Don Edward as also the manner of their happy deliuerance accompanied with the Tristful Knight he tooke his leaue of her she being loath they should depart so soone but perswaded by their earnest affayres gaue them the courtesie and so they left her They twaine thus ryding together the Tristfull Knight desired his Father that hée might leaue his company because the affection to his Lady directed his trauaile into Spaine who not denying his sonnes request because himselfe was minded to ryde alone to the ende hee might make the better proofe of his valour imbraced one another the Tristfull Knight riding towards her for whose swéete sake he liued in great affliction and anguish of minde where at this time wée will leaue him and returne to the Prince Primaleon who not encountring any aduenture by this time is come to Constantinople whereas full often he wished himselfe because he had heard of the Soldanes Army which was of such force that it caused the whole Empire to stand in great feare Primaleon being entred into the Citie kept close his Beuere because he would not be knowne to any but intended to come suddainly vpon his friends which wold make him to be the better welcome Being come to y◠Pallace hauing deliuered his Horse to his Esquire he went vp into the great Hall in the same Armour that he vsed against the Tristfull Knight which was very much defaced with the blowes he had receiued causing great astonishment to all that were present who gaue him way to come before the Emperour Then knéeling downe and desiring to haue the Empresse and the Ladies present he would discourse 〈◊〉 his Highnesse what had happened lately in England which the Emperour desirous to heare yet not knowing what or who he was all this while receiued him from the ground saying That the honour of the place from whence he came should make him a great deale the better welcome and so he conducted him to the Empresse chamber where by good hap the princesse Gridonia Polinarda and Bazilia were present when the Emperor tooke occasion to begin as thus Faire Ladies this Knight commeth from the Court of England and would not declare his message to me vntil such time as he might come to your presence before whom he desireth to shewe his Ambassage which I wish to be otherwise then I thinke for because of the tariance of my sonne Primalaon whose absence is no small cause of my heauinesse With that the Emperour sate downe by the Ladies whom Primaleon began to behold very earnestly because he perceyued them growne into great alteration especially the Emperour his Father whose countenance was much changed then when he saw him last and the Princes Gridonia had greatly offended his faire face with the continuall mourning shée vsed for the absence of her Lord so generally beholding them all and staying from speaking an indifferent long space to the great amazing of the Emperor as also the company of the courtly Ladies at last he vnclasped his Beuer began in this order I desire you my gratious father to pardon my long silence as also the great time of mine absence from your royall Court hauing no other Message to present you but the good health of your noble friends in England as also of your Sonne Primaleon who humbleth himselfe before your gratious presence The Emperor was suddenly wrapt with such an inward ioy y◠for a great time he remained as it were in a trance in like maner the Empresse Gridonia Polinarda al the Ladies who came running altogether imbraced him with such ioy as it is impossible for me to giue iudgement thereon After hée had vsed curtesie to them al the Princesse Bazilia came kissed his hand to whom he said Faire Sister feare you not your Lord Vernas will not long absēt himselfe frō you but you shal haue him here right soon I dare warrant you Then was he vnarmed when the Emperour could not satisfie himselfe till he heard the ioyfull newes lately chanced in England but when he vnderstood how Palmerin was sonne to the Prince Don Edward and his daughter Flerida he receiued great contentation in that he was nourished in the company of the princesse Polinarda who concealed her ioy from any one Dramacian
answered the knight of the Tiger you should haue had my helpe in taking his life from him if you had told me at the first what great wrong he had done you for the very earth will open to swallow those that intend or practise any treason against their Prince yea and the Prince himselfe cannot be frée from such secret conspirators when fauour shall stand in stéede of Iustice to such wicked offendors wherefore if they be sharpely punished the rest will be the better warned by their tranâ—gression And I assure you Madame you haue done as well beséemed a vertuous Princesse in cutting off that branch when fortune made the instrument of your vnhappinesse beside the duetie wherein you are bound to the knight your father did command you should sée so good a déede executed Now therefore let me humbly intreate you that you would kéepe your promise to Sir Pompides who is my Brother the nephew to king Frederick of England and sonne to the prince Don Edward who is father to him and me and friend to you I sée well sayde Armisia that I haue wrought the contentment of the Knight my father and taken vengeance for the death of the Prince Doriel my brother by the prowesse of him whose presence is no small honour to me neuerthelesse I may thinke my selfe little beholding to him in that he hath concealed himselfe so long from me who would haue allowed him more honourable entertainment And I pray you Sir let it not offeÌ„d you that I desire to know whether yon be the prince Palmerin or Florian of the Forrest his Brother not that I am affectioned more to the one then the other but because I would know which of them Fortune hath made me so happy to sée the Prince returned her this answer Florian of the Forrest Madame is so farre off this place as very hardly can one tell where to meete with him wherefore you may perswade your selfe that I am Palmerin whom if you please you may command as your seruant The Princesse Armisia embraced him very gratiously reioycing that she might any way accomplish the meanes to honour him because the king Meliadus her father was brother to the Quéene of England the Prince Don Edwards mother The death of the proude Adraspe was reported the same day in the king of Scots Court which was but foure leagues from this place and the name of the Knight that had slaine him whereupon the king vpon the next meaning tooke his Coatch and being accompanied with many worthy knights he came to sée the Prince Palmerin of England and hauing giuen him many gratious salutations he tooke Pompides by the hand promising to make as good estimation of him as he did of the Prince his sonne while he liued While the aged king sate familiarly talking with Armisia his Daughter the Archbishop of Esbreque arriued there by whom Pompides and Armisia were presently married together and then departing thence they went very strongly to seeke to the Duke of Sizana Father to the proud Adraspe whom the king vowed to put to death or kéepe him prisoner but he reckoned without his Hoste for the Duke being aduertised of his intent fled iâ—to Ireland whereupon his goods and liuing fell into the Kings handes They in England hauing knowledge of Pompides marriage made Triumphs and Bonfires for the good fortune that had happened to Pompides who was very well beloued of euery one as well for being the Sonne of the Prince Don Edward as for his vertuous bounty and knightly courage CHAP. XXXII How the knight of the Tiger tooke his leaue of Meliadus the king of Scots and of the Princesse Armisia his Daughter and what happened vnto him during his voyage WHen the Nuptials of Pompides were solomnized to the great contentment of the King of Scots and his whole Realme the Knight of the Tiger tooke his leaue of the King and the Princesse Armisia accompanied with his brother Pompides to whom before he was embarqued he gaue to vnderstand the charge wherein all Princes were bound that receiued royall dignitie desiring him very earnestly since fortune had brought him to so great felicitie that he would vse himselfe modestly and wisely because Fortune was so vncertaine in her selfe that sometime she put those persons in greatest feare whom she had placed in most assurance whereby she letteth them vnderstand that she can quickly dispossesse them of their happinesse at such time as they little looke for any such alteration But to the end you may enioy your dignitie with most assurance I counsell you to entertaine your subiects with amitie administring Iustice rightly vnto them which let bee done with so good zeale as it be not conuerted in rigour and cruelty whereby you shall cause them to say that their Gouernor is become tyrannous and vnmercifull to them My Lord answered Pompides your wordes sauouring of so good iudgement as they are worthy of most high commendation I cannot but thinke my selfe much bound to you for this your noble and friendly counsell assuring you that I will lodge them faithfully in my heart and accomplish them according to your gracious commaundement for in doing otherwise I shall iudge my selfe vnworthy to be named your Brother After many such like spéeches had past betwéene them they imbraced one another Pompides returning to the Citie and Palmerin entring the Shippe caused the sayles to be hoysed when the winde seruing them so well as after they had spent such time as is méete for so great a iourney the Prince tooke landing in Hungaria When he had past through diuerse places of the Countrey it was his chaunce to arriue in a goodly Forrest where at length he came to a very faire Fountaine which was couered with an Arke of maruellous ingenious workemanship and because the weather was excéeding hot he alighted to refresh himselfe at this Fountaine In the meane while Siluian suffered the horses to grase in the pasture and when the Prince had washed his hands and his face he espyed a little from him downe further in the Forrest a Damosel running very spéedily with her haire hanging about her shoulders and tearing her faire visage with her nailes crying and wéeping out of measure at last she espyed the Knight of the Tiger to whom she came running a great pace and casting her selfe at his féete she remained fearefully looking about her a good while hauing not the power to speake one word The Knight of the Tiger séeing her perplexed case began to pittie her very much and doubted lest he that had feared her would make pursuite after her he called for his Helmet which he had no sooner clasped on his head but he beheld comming the way that the Damosell came a giant very strongly armed carying in his hand a huge Mace who séeing the Damosell had demaunded succour of the Knight of the Tiger spake vnto her in this manner Trust me Damosell you betake your selfe to very simple assurance in that this knight wanteth
strength to defend you against me So without any more words he strooke at the Prince with his Mace who put his Shield before him to resist the stroke which was so rigorous as his Shield flewe in two pieces the Prince was somewhat offended hereat wherefore drawing his sword he gaue the Giant such a blowe on the arme as afterward he could hardly strike to any great purpose The Damosell remaining still in extreame feare by the cruell intreatance the Gigant had vsed to her would haue departed to hide her selfe in the Forrest because she iudged the Knight of the Tiger vnable to subdue her enemy which Siluian perceiuing came vnto her and counselled her to see the end of the Combat wherevpon she gaue him these words I pray you gentle esquier and my friend that you would not séeme to hinder me for this Giant nay rather a Deuill whose force none is found able to resist will assuredly put me to death after that he hath slaine your maister I would yet said Siluian that you would stay to sée the ende of the fight for peraduenture it may happen otherwise then you expect The knight of the Tiger who was destitute of a Shield to auoid the cruell strokes of his strong enemy behaued himselfe so politiquely and nimbly as hee lent the Giant many sore blowes who was cōstrained because he could not lift his mace in his right hand to vse his left thinking yet to deale well enough with the Knight of the Tiger but the Prince was so fierce vpon him hauing giuen him many grieuous and mortall wounds as his heart began to faile him so that he retired not able to resist so many waighty strokes neuertheles the prince séeing he had almost brought him to buy let flie still so fiercely on him as he could not haue the meane to charge him againe The Giant perceiuing himselfe in such extremitie leaned his backe against a Trée when he defended himselfe a great while so well that the Prince could hardly reach to hurt him hee waged fight euery way so precisely with his Mace which hee held in both his hands watching the time when he might giue the Prince such a stroke as he willingly would The knight of the Tiger he might not preuaile against the Giant without hazarding his person in great danger he went and rested himselfe against a Trée like wise which when the Giant beheld he spake vnto him in this order I pray thee Sir Knight let me find so much friendship at thy hands as to let me vnderstand what is thy name because I haue euermore thought that no ten of the best knights on the earth could not do as much as thou hast done neither that they could haue bene able to resist me halfe this while I am content answered the knight of the Tiger to satisfie thy will so much on condition thou wilt promise to tell me thy name and the cause why thou doest pursue this Damosell So much quoth the Giant thou shalt commaund at my handes wherefore thou shalt vnderstand that I am called Vascalion of Ocrance Sonne to the Giant Lucran who was slaine at Constantinople by the hands of Primaleon with whō he was so hardy as to enter the Combate to reuenge the death of Don Perrequin of Duas and to haue in marriage Gridonia the duchesse of Ormeda who was afterward espoused to Primaleon At what time my father was slaine he left me in the kéeping of one of my Brethren named Dramoque who is likewise slaine be one of the sonnes of the Prince Don Edward of England and this Knight is yet in the search of Knightly aduentures But I assure you I am not a little agréeued to sée my selfe in this case becanse I am almost depriued of any hope to reuenge the Death of my Father and his Brother before I dye And for this Damosell it is so that fortune caused me to méet with her to day and as I vnderstood by her she is going to the Court of the Emperor Palmerin to visite Leonarda the Princesse of Thrace now for that I am desirous to do all the iniurie that I may to any of that Emperours Court I endeuored my selfe to rauish this Damosell But at the time I was about to fulfill my pleasure on her an Esquire of hers who had escaped my hands came and hindered me with the ayd of fiue Knights whom I haue left to hold Combat with ten of my Knights because I would follow this Damosel who tooke her selfe to flight so soone as the fiue Knights began to charge me Thus haue I told you the whole circumstance of my minde now it remaineth that you reueale your selfe to me according as at first you promised Beléeue me Vascalion answered the Knight of the Tiger it is necessary that thou shouldest receiue sharpe chastisement for vsing thy life in such wicked actions the proofe hereof thou mayst now behold thy selfe for thou being not content with the death of thy Father and his Brother séekest to reuenge thy villainous will on this innocent Damosell I let thée know therefore that I am a kinseman to Primaleon and the same man that slew thy Fathers Brother which made me be called Palmeran of England Sonne to prince Edward and faire Flerida the Sister of Primaleon for whose sake I intend to take thy life from thée before I depart Vascalion at these words began greatly to dismay himself for he knew well that his strength was not sufficient to hold out long against him but yet he presently aduanced himselfe to shew what desire he had to be reuenged on him that had slaine his Vuckle Palmerin being very glad when he perceiued the Gianc had forsaken the Trée which serued him all the while as a Rampire of defence assayled him with such furious strokes as the Giant would gladly haue rested himselfe againe but the Prince followed him still so earnestly as at length he tumbled on the ground before him when not content to sée him so conquered he set his foote vpon him and when he had taken off his Helmet he presently parted his head from his shoulders The sight hereof made the Damosell so glad as she had now forgotten the feare wherein she was when the Giant pursued her and then came the Knight of the Tiger to her with these words Faire Damosell I iudge that the fiue Knights who are in Combate for your occasion cannot otherwise chuse but be in great daunger wherefore I will goe séeke them foorth to succour them in the meane while you may come faire and softly after with my Esquire who for your better ease shall take you vp behinde him on his horse Then tooke he that way which he saw the Giant come when he pursued the Damosell and it was not long before he heard the clanching of the Swordes wherevpon he gaue his horse the spurs and neuer left gallopping till he came to them where he sawe they had slaine foure of the Giants knights and of the
the sonne of King Edward and certifying her likewise how the Soldan had receiued his Heathenish faith to make her amends by marriage which she ought not to refuse as well considering the valour and riches of the Soldane who was a mighty and renowmed Prince as also that her son might know his noble father Pandritia heauily looking about her was so sore troubled as it was a great while ere she spake a word but after she had better remembred her selfe shee earnestly beheld king Edward speaking to him in this maner My hard destiny worthy Prince hath concealed this so long which you at last haue vouchsafed to bewray that my life may be heereafter more pleasant then it hath beene and this you may assure your selfe that if I had knowne of this before I had giuen due chastisement to my ignorant misfortune But since it is come to light at this time both the loue of my sonne the saluation of the Soldane and his Subiects compelleth me to forget all matters past considered also that the force of loue made him deceiue in this manner The Emperour liked well of that she had said and the Empresse embraced hee many times being so glad as could be possible that all things came to such a happy end Blandidon was then called into presence who was very sorry when he knew king Edward was not his father but the hope to be preferred by the Soldanes dignitie made him to forget all former occasions and take content in that present before him 〈…〉 L. How the Soldan Bellagris was baptized and how afterward the Emperor caused him to be married to Pandritia and how the other Princes of his court were married also AFter that these marriages were thus agréed vpon the Emperour commaunded the day following that all things for the solemnizing these honourable rites shoâ—ld be prepared in the most decent maner because he would haue them all married in the great Hall of his Pallace there the Archbishop of Constantinople sayd diuine seruice afterward he made a learned Sermon to giue the Soldane Bellagris earnest affection to the law of Iesus Christ publishing likewise openly what had passed betwéene him and the Ladie Pandritia because no suspition should arise by them who were apt enough to conceine an euill opinion When the Archbishop had concluded his sermon be baptized the Soldane The Emperor and king Edward of England were his Godfathers and the two Empresses his Godmothers And to honour him the more the Emperour would haue him first married so the Soldane Bellagris and Pandritia being thus knit together in Matrimonie Blandidon humbled himselfe before them in signe of obedience but the Soldane embracing him tooke him vp reioycing greatly that he had so good a knight to his sonne and that hée should leaue to his subiects such a worthy Gouernour After that Pandritia was thus espoused to the Soldane the Empresse and her Ladies walked with her because the Emperour would haue Florendos and Miragarda matched next which being done his heart abandoned all woonted care and taking her by the hand gaue place to other the Quéenes of England and Spaine walking with them along the Hall to comfort these new married folkes with their good counsell Next entred the Prince Polinarda led betwéene the Empresse of Allemaigne and the Quéene of Fraunce Palmerin going before her accompanied with the Emperour Vernar and the King Tarnes of Lacedemonia and next them came the faire Princesse of Thrace betwéene the Queene Francelina of Thessalie and the Quéene Flerida of England they being glad to sée her matched with the Prince Florian of the Forrest After these two noble English Princes had wedded their swéete friends the Princes Gracian Berold Platir and all the other Prince and Knights were espoused vnto their Ladies Then the new Quéen of Thrace and the Princesse Polinarda entred leading Arlencea betweene them whose beautie shewed very stately being set foorth by the presence of these two Princesses the Prince Primaleon and King Edward accompanied the Giant Dramusiande who was married to Arlencea with great royaltie When they were departed the place the Princesse Miragarda humbly intreated the Emperour that he would giue Cordigea daughter to the Giant Gatarin she remaining in her seruice in marriage to the Giant Almaroll whereto his maister presently agreed after he had vnderstood the good will of Cordigea so he gaue her himselfe to honour the Princesse Miragarda the more to the Giant Almaroll Of this Cordigea you may reade more at large in the second Booke of the notable History of Don Edward of Brittaine The Giant Almaroll was Lord of another Fortresse not farre from thence where he had kept the Princesse Miragarda this Fortresse being called Beauties Bulwarke whereof hee made a present to his espoused Lady Cordigea on condition she should call the Castle after her owne name but returne we againe to our Historie As soone as the Archbishop had ended all these Ceremonies of these marriages the Emperor went into the Queene Flerides Chamber where the dinner was prouided to honor these princes withall and with the Ladies came in Florenda and Graciana the daughters of the king Arnedeâ— but Germaine of Orleaunce being the affectionate seruant of Florenda thought himselfe vnworthy to come in presence because hee was counted but a subiect to the king of France yet did the Emperour make such commendation of the knightly déedes of Germaine of Orleaunce as the King graunted him to marry with his Daughter Florenda albeit his Daughter Graciana found her selfe discontented that she could not get a husband to ioy with them for company The feast was serued with most magnificall honor and the new married Prince made such high account off as it was thought a heauenly life to be a married man for Florendos Palmerin Florian Platir and the other princes were respected in the fauour of the Emperors and the Kings exceedingly in like manner was Miragarda Leonarda Polinarda Sidelia and all other Princesses honoured by the Empresses and the Quéenes most stately to beholde Oftentimes they would recreate themselues thorough the City to the no small delight and content of the Emperour who marking all his frienâ—s and seeing the Prince Floraman absent from their company hée demanded what was become of him Some made answere that hee was a little from the Palace sitting mourning vnder a Tree Which when Florendos vnderstood hee left the company and went to him and perswaded him to come and reioyce with them Floraman returned him this answere Why doe you trauell your selfe so Sir Florendos to haue him be partners of the pleasures you enioy who hath for euer lost his comfort The great good will I vnfainedly beare you doth not deserue you should so deale with me in that my sorrowes would be ten times more if I should doe as you would haue mee therefore I desire you let me beare my griefe quietly séeing I am hee whom Fortune delighteth to torment continually Florendos deuised all
pleasure after the Iousts be ended to giue them leaue to daunce with these Ladies the Emperour returned him this answere Thou maist my friend say vnto thy Lord that I am content to graunt his request and the twelue knights o◠my Court shal not faile to meete them in the Fielde at two houres warning beside the Empresse shall giue them leaue to daunce with these Ladyes who I trust will agrée to what I determine albeit they know them for theyr sworne Enemies But if any other Knights come in companie with the twelue thou mayst say to the Soldane thy Lord that they are forbidden to come in Arms the like doe I promise with the knights of my Court that none but themselues shall come Armed into the Field The Esquire returning with his answere to the Soldane of Persia both hée and his Companions beganne presently to prepare theyr Deuises and Armour CHAP. LX. ¶ Howe the Combate betweene twelue Turkes and twelue Christians begunne and howe the Ladyes caused it to be giuen ouer presently BEtwéene the Knights of the Emperours Courte arose great controuersie because euery one stroue to be of the number of the twelue and very hardly could they be quieted such was theyr earnest desire to deale with the Turkes yet in the ende they were glad to obey the determination of Florian who chose the twelue according as he named them to you The first was Palmerin of England his Brother the Prince Florendos Gracian Berolde Floraman of Sardignia Blandidon Platir Pompides the King Estrellant of Hungaria Don Rosuell Francian Sonne to the King Polendos and Don Rosian de la Bronde these twelue Knights were Armed very richly hauing theyr Coates of Armes made by theyr Ladyes King Edward Arnedes Recinde the Soldan Bellagris and the Giant Dramusiande they being all vnarmed accompanyed these Knights into the Field which was in the same place where the Soldan of Persia had appointed it because the Empresse and her Ladyes might see theyr behauiour Then came the Soldane of Persia and the eleuen knights of his company they being honoured with the presence of the kings of Gamba of Sparta of Armenia the Giant Framustant they being all vnarmed The Soldane of Persia desired greatly to vnhorse the prince Florian of the Forrest hee comming foremost with the King of Aetolia who of the two was thought the most valiaunt against him Palmerin of England determined to Ioust for hee knew him by the deuise in his shéelde which was a golden tower in a field of Sable The Soldane of Persia clapt downe the Beuere of his Helmet and the King of Armenia gaue him his Launce so when they were all readie to the Ioust at the sound of the Trumpets they ran altogether couragiously and met one another with such force as the most part of them was cast to the ground Palmerin of England enconntred the king of Aetolia so brauely as he was sent to measure his length on the ground and himselfe was so shaken as he forsooke both his Stirrops Florian and the Soldane of Persia encountred with such force as they were both cast foorth of their Saddles Florendos vnhorsed the Prince of Arfasia named Argelao in bréefe they were all vnhorsed except Palmerin Platir and the King Polendos who desiring to accompany their friends alighted from their horses to charge their enemies The Soldane of Persia and the king of Aetolia who were more offended at their misfortune then all the other presented themselues before their enemies and so with the aide of their companions they beganne the Combate with the Sword but they sped no better thereby then they did at the Ioust which the Ladies pittying and séeing the Soldane of Persia in great daunger by reason that Florian had woonne the aduantage ouer him likewise that Palmerin and Florendos had brought their enemies into subiection concluded that the Princesse Miragarda accompanied with foure other Ladies and the king Tarnaes of Lacedemonia should goe into the field to separate them but so soone as the Combattants had espied her they would not suffer her to come so farre as they were but gaue ouer their Combat and come to meete her The Princesse Miragarda thought her selfe greatly honoured by theyr forbearance of the Combate and hauing very gratiously thanked them all shee returned backe againe holding the Prince Florendos by the hand and they all by degrées following in decent manner When they were come to the Pallace the Soldane and his companie were very honorably entertained by the Emperour the Empresse Miragarda Gridonia Flerida and the other Princes who gaue the Princesse Polinarda to vnderstand that the Soldane of Persia thought maruellous well on her The Emperour caused them to be brought into the Chamber of Presence which was richly behanged with cloathes of inestimable value but when the Turks entred the Chamber their mindes were rauished with beholding the stately maner therof King Edward Recinde Arnedes and the other Kings entertained the Turkes with singular humanitie which made them iudge that the courtesie and bountie of the Emperours Court could not be matched in all the world beside but when they beheld the rare and excellent beauty of the Ladies they imagined that their Knightes preuailed more by theyr Heauenly feature then by the strength that consisted in themselues The Soldane of Persia still viewing the Princesse Miragarda tooke her to be the faire Polinarda but at length he found how he was deceyued for he saw Florendos still in her company and that Palmerin kept his Wife Polinarda in talke with him which made him presently recall his error As for the other Turkish Princes whose mindes were onely to seeke the spoyle of the Cittie they tooke their leaue and departed and when they were come to theyr Campe they practised which way to worke theyr trayterous intents The Soldane of Persia tooke the Princesse Polinarda to daunce the king of Aetolia tooke the beautifull Princesse Miragarda the Soldane Albayzar took the Queen Leonarda knowing that the Prince Florian would scantlie bee pleased therewith but the King of Cospia albeit hée was young himselfe yet he refused all the other Ladyes and tooke the Quéene Flerida so falling to their Courtlie Pastimes after they had Daunced so much as pleased themselues in courteous manner they departed thence But as they were going foorth of the Chamber the Giant Framustant who had all this while well viewed Arlencea was so rauished in affection towards her as hee challenged the Combate against Dramusiande on the morrow and because they would not dally on either side they threw downe theyr Gages which the Emperour caused to be taken vp assuring them the Fielde on his behalfe and the Soldane Albayzar made them the same promise In this maner they tooke their leaue one of another euery one wishing that the Night were past because they had good hope to see a notable Combat and this you shall vnderstand by the waye that Framustant was the onely Giant
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVL AND HIS APPROued good friend Maister Frances Young of Brent-pelliam in the County of Hertfort Esquire and to the most kinde Gentlewoman and my Mistresse Susan Young his louing wife and my Mistresse as much happinesse wisheth as their owne hearts can desire SHould I right worshihful as flatterers are woont to doe set downe a Catalogue of your commendations and enter into a Laborinth of loue toward you I know your wits so good that you would quickly espie it and I confesse mine owne nature such as I hartily hate My present purpose then at this time is neither to rehearse your many stinde fauours which I knowe you rather loue priuately to enlarge then listen publikely to heare laide open nor report mine owne vnthankfulnes which I am sorie hath beene so much yet you will forget although it were farre more bui as a dutifull remembrance of both these though not able to be shadowed in one subiect yet sufficient in your conceits I know being but in part acknowledged I send you this honourable Historie of Prince Palmerin of England which cost mee no more paiues in writing then I hope it will be pleasing to you in reading The Epistle This first part is but to relish your tast how yee can like of such worthy Knights loues and memorable aduentures whereof at my last being with you in the Countrie I sawe yee vse no mislike Then finding such gentle entertainment as I make no question of the second part shall bee with you very speedily after So committing your worship and my sweete Mistresse your wife to the heauenly protection I remaine yours to my vttermost ⸪ A. Munday TO THE LADIES AND GENTLEVVOMEN OF ENGLAND THE Authour wisheth such a courteous moderation in iudgement that his labours be not hastily reproched nor hatefully receiued AMong the best choyse of flowers faire Ladies all are not sweet where is most varietie of Medicine some are not soueraigne so amongst all the conceits you shall finde in this Booke all are not pithie though the most pretie When the Lion roareth the Lamb trembleth when the Captaine taketh his Lance the Coward ferareth his life euen so the brauery of the learned is so great a blemish to him that hath little that he feareth to proceede not daring to step a foot without a pardon Such are the ingenious inuentiōs right noble minded and courteous Ladies so plentifully sent to your perusing that were it not the bountiful respect of your gentle iudgements did assure me to taste of your friendly fauour I should conuert my studies into so great despaire as the verie thought were sufficient to kill him that dieth euery houre fearing displease But as mercy doth alway accompany your noble sexe and mildnesse represse any cholerick chance so know I that rigor cannot dwell where is no desire reuenge but as of all men are faultie I shall be forgiuen for company Your most bounden by dutie A. M. In lucubrationes A. M. Epigramma R. W. VT legi placuit nec enim placuisse mireris Namque tuum nomen fronte libellus habet Laudo animum cupioque tibi sint saepe labores Grati suecumbas ne mala verba ferens Nomines Indoctos doctosque reuoluera scripta Indoctique cito fulmen ab ore venit Sed tu perge tamen tipis ornare libellos Persoluent sumptum gloria fama decus Quaeso feras animo patienti me tibi calcar Addere currenti sum tuus esto meus R. W. THE FIRST PART OF THE NO LESSE RARE THEN EXCELLENT AND stately History of the famous and fortunate Prince Palmerin of England CHAP. I. How Don Edward sonne to Fredericke king of England hauing obtained in marriage faire Flerida daughter to the Emperor Palmerin of Constantinople returneth home againe into England and going on hunting lost himselfe in the vnfortunate Forrest of great Brittaine by pursuing an inchated Bore which brought him to the Castle of the Giant Dramufiande where he remained Prisoner a long time AFter that Don Edward sonne to the aged Fredericke king of England had finished his long desired marriage with Flerida daughter to the renowned Palmerin d'Oliua Emperour of Constantinople not onely to his owne good liking but also to the content of his friends and familiars he tooke his voyage from the Empire of Greece as it is at large mentioned in the booke entituled Primaleon of Greece toward the realme of England accompanied with the Princesse Flerida his espoused Lady beside a traine méete to attend on so puissant a person as the Prince was Being arriued at the English Court to the no little ioy of the Knights Father and great delight of his kinsfolke and friends they were welcommed as beséemed their royall estates and ioyfully receiued to their hearts content It chaunced in short space after the Princesse Flerida waxed great with childe a thing of no small comfort to the aged king nor of little pleasure to the young Prince Now is the tediousnesse of their trauaile the wearisome labour of their long iourney cleane cast out of remembrance as of no account and the ioyfull Prince Don Edward deuiseth each dainty delight and each gallant attempt that either might procure the Princesse to pleasure or by any meanes giue her occasion of pastime And for because the pinching pangs which alway frequentetth one in her case might either cause doubt of her good deliuery or daunger in her well doing her person being somewhat ouercharged with sickenes the young Prince was as carefull in preuenting such ill chaunce as circumspect in prouiding to shunne any such chaunge Leaning the Court he walked with her in Prograce through the Forrest of England for that he supposed the sight of the spreading Trées and pleasant passages through the grassy groues would be an occasion of the vnminding her former fits and driue out of memory the sudden assaults that were incident vnto her féeble nature vsing himselfe very pleasantly and calling himselfe Iulian the more to encrease her mirth All this while remained the aged King in his Pallace where the English Prince being armed cast his eyes on the portrait of Gridonia hauing by her side a Lion and a tender infant the sight whereof was of such maruailous estimation in his conceiued thought both by the shew of beautie he held and shape of bountie he iudged in her that hée abandoned his naturall Countrey to trie his good fortune against the couragious Knight Primaleon For the more certaintie whereof you may at large peruse the effects of his valiancie in the discourse of his memorable aduentures and concerning the fortunate procéeings which passed betwéene them aswell the prowesse of the one as valure of the other I must needes say it was such and of so great authoritie as it bare the title of perfect magnanimitie But returne we to our matter The Princesse Flerida perceuing the courteous care and diligent endeuour that her royall spouse Don Edward vsed for her greater delight so louingly
that detained him Prisoner THe Hystorie doeth discourse vnto vs how when the Emperor Palmerin of Constantinople left his royall estate to seeke aduenttures as a wandring Knight that he ariued in England accompanied with Trineus the Emperor of Allemaignes sonne who for the loue of faire Agriola in the English Court left his natiue Countrey and behaued himselfe so valiant that shée might esteeme him as one of her 〈◊〉 fauored Knight And in sooth not to diminish his praise or hold backe one title of his braue behauiour the exploites both of him and the Emperour Palmerin béeing both to most vnknowne were such as the King of England with all his Courtly assistaunts not onely commended their valure but also gaue them entertainement agréeable to their bounty and magnanimity For he perceiuing that their daily endeuours tended both to the safegard of their person and honour of his whole Realme gaue them that preferment in Court which they deserued in chiualry and that honour in name which they both argued to haue in nature whereby they were encouraged to attempt the hardest aduenture and so be honoured in their knightly behauiour In fauour of their Prince and ioue of their Country at length they obtained the full issue of their enterprise which was to haue with them the Prince Agriola whom on a day through leaue obtained of the King with the Queene her mother they got leaue to walke into the field not farre distant from the Court accompanied with diuerse Noble men and Gentlemen as you may reade more at large in the Historie of Palmerin d'Oliua which faith That sporting themselues there on the top of a hill on a sudden altogether vnlooked for there came a Giant named Frenaque well attended on with twentie fighting men who perforce tooke the Queene and her Daughter Agriola from them neither respecting the woefull meane of the Ladies nor gentle entreatie of the knights who had no defence to rescue them nor companie inough to resist them But at that time were more ready to vse a distaffe with Hercules then a Speare with Hannibal and rather required to handle a Lute in Venus Chamber then lift a Launce in Mars his Campe and for a soldiers iâ—unitiâ—n vsing sweete Parle with their Mistrisse and their Ladies laps for the hard lodging in the fielde So béeing thus altogether vnprouided lost the sum of their pleasure and honour of their Knighthood Palmerin and Trineus who had béene with the King in walking arriuing there and hearing of this losse encouraged them as wel as they might offring themselues to die ere they would put vp this iniurie So willing them all to prouide them presently for that a rash encounter might turne to an hard aduenture they proceeded in pursuit after the giant and ouertaking him behaued themselues so worthily that he was slain by the hands of the Emperor Palmerin Then the yong Prince Trineus as well that his Lady Agriola might perceiue his hardnes as also the Quéene her mother might giue his deeds commendation so valiantly menaced his courage that by the helpe of the other Knights all the Giants traine were vanquished so that the Quéene and her Daughter had suffered no spot of dishonour by their crueltie which greatly they stood in feare of This Giant had a Sister named Eutropa so cunning in Magicke that neither Zoriastes nor all the other Magitians were in this deuilish Art comparable to her by helpe whereof she had knowledge of the death of her Brother which entered so déepe into her heart that shee vowed her reuengement should excéede this cruell mischance And hauing in her Castell with her a Nephew of hers and the Sonne of this Giant Frenaque named Dramusiande by whom she meant to seeke her sharpe reuenge shee tooke him in her armes and entred into these rufull complaints Ah swéete Nephew albeit thou art fatherlesse yet art thou not friendlesse and though in thy tender time Fortune hath framed thy mishap yet espect a farder time which my Art shall beginne and thy manhoode finish And he that hath thus cruelly murthered the Father both hee himselfe his lynage friendes and familiars will I persecute with extreame rygor After these and such like speeches vttered shee prouided to fortifie and make strong her Castell least the King of England should seeke both the ruine of it and destruction of the Giants kindred when once it came to his eare the Treason shée pretended against him wherefore shée armed her selfe with all those of her kindred knowing that to resist the power of a King asked no smal defence And for a further remedy least worst should happen she enchaunted the Forrest round about so that none could enter her Forreste without her leaue vntill such time as the yong Giant Dramusiande were able to beare Armor and receiue the order of Knighthood In processe of time the young Giant grew able to beare Armor and then his heart began to thyrst for reuenge of his Fathers death the which to accomplish hee was very desirous in Trauell to aduenture his strength according as his heart desired But Eutropia perceiuing the courage of his minde to excéed the strength of his person deâ—iled him to stay his Iourney and she would yéelde into his hands such a one on whom hee might sufficiently reuenge the death of his Father Thus and with these perswasions she changed the minde of Dramusiande vntill the hard fortune of the Prince Don Edoard brought him to her Castell where he entred without any daunger for that his good Sworde kept the force of all Enchauntments from him but hauing lost it by her Diuellish deceyte remained as I haue expressed in vnspeakeablie Leauing this matter it shall not be amisse to speake somewhat of the state and condition of Dramusiande who albeit he were a Giant which commonly are of rough and impatient nature yet was he indued both with ciuilitie of life and honestie in behauiour exempting crueltie and surpassing all of his stocke and parentage in courtesie For after he had a long space kept Don Edoard in Prison and not onely perceiued his Princely qualities but also the sobrietie and great gentleâ—â—â— his life hee caused his Fetters to bee taken from his féete and gaue him leaue for recreation to walke about the Castell vppon condition that hee would not séeme to passe beyond his limits without his consent The courteous Prince gaue him his hand and Oath that he would not passe one foote further then his Licence should permit Yet notwithstanding for all that he gaue charge vnto diuerse to respect his walking abroade in that hee respected his Aunte Eutropaes promise which was that many valiaunt Knightes would Aduenture their liues in the searche of this strayed Prince whome she doubted not but to haue also as Prisoners in the Castell And against the comming thither of any such shee caused to lye in Embush in the Forrest a great number of Armed men to aide Dramusiand against them if his hard hap should
down into hatred What regard haddest thou of a Princesse thy selfe being a poore Pesant Or what estimation hadst thou of modestie to mooue so great offence in thy gracious Mistresse whose loue was the only state of thy life and whose fauour was the flower of thy prosperitie Ah sweet Ladie on your courteous pitie let passe my presumption and what hath been more then dutie impute to may rude behauiour which your clemencie may both punish and pardon And yet my good Ladie if you respect my trusty seruice with the constant loyaltie I haue alway borne to your Soueraigntie my fault committed rashly deserueth no such repulse in that this ingratitude is too much for you to shew and more then I can any way suffer For if you regard your owne beauty with the stayed assurance of your seruants bountie you shall perceiue my words to bee for your honour and not worthie any hate in that I will preferre your name aboue all Ladies in noblenesse And yet am I contented to abide your hard doome and according to your pleasure wast my daies in distresse till either you will mooue you to recant or my spotlesse loyaltie to relieue my mishap which the longer you deserre the more is my dolor and you remaining obstinate my paines are helpelesse but that your gentlenes giueth me hope your displeasure shall end with my eternall delight Thus hauing finished his complaintes he drew neare to the Castle where by good hap he heard the sound of Musicke which gaue him occasion to enter further And comming to a great Hall he espyed in one of the corners one sitting all in blacke with a fair long Beard and a very graue countenance shewing by his sad complexion that he had more minde to moane then to any myrth Palmerin would not as yet enter any further least he should break off his quiet exercise which was in singing many sadde Dittyes to his Lute that himselfe had framed in the prayse of his Ladie Palmerin hauing heard what singular reports he gaue his Ladie as that none might compare with her for beautie and brauerie was very much offended in that hee esteemed all Ladyes as counterfeite to his fayre Polynarda wherefore hee brake off the Knightes Sonnet with this kinde of Salutation Me thinkes Syr you either want manners or modestie to glorie in your Lady as thought there were none her like Syr your late comparison hath vrged me to great choller for that my Ladie is aboue all in beautie and for honour of her Name beside beyond all in Noblenes of Nature and therefore worthie all praise because she is superiour to any The auncient Knight seeing one entred vpon him so suddenly and to correct his pleasures with such sharpe words aduanced himselfe towards him with this answer Syr Knight your bolde entraunce into this place with the great offence you haue offered my person may happe to be set at so deare a price as shal cost the Blood you would be loath to spare Is there anie to bee equall with my Lady who is not méete to beare the comparison of any whose very remembrance maketh me liue in vnspeakable tormentes If thou darest stay till I am Armed I will make thée eyther denye thy bragges or buye my Ladyes honour with the losse of thy life and breath And I will so reward this thy presumption as shall teach thée thy dutie and winne me my hearts desire Syr said Palmerin cease these words and execute your wrath if I haue spoken any thing to your displeasure reuenge your selfe and there an ende The auncient Knight withdrewe himselfe into a Chamber where as his Esquire presently Armed him Palmerin went foorth where he mounted on Horsebacke and attended his comming At length came foorth the Knight attired in blacke Armour bearing in his Shield the portraite of griefly Death lying on a Toomb couered all with blacke Vsing no more words they fell straite to fight eache of them behauing themselus very valiantly but the Knight of Death was at length throwne to the earth Then dealing a while togither with their Swoords Palmerins lucke was so fortunate that he ouercame his enemy then comming to him and taking off his Helmet he entred into these spéeches Loe Sir Knight contrary to your expectation you are become my Prisoner Now must you gainsay what before you haue boldly said in extolling your Lady aboue her whoÌ„ I honour or prepare your selfe to the extreame rigour of death To whom the Knight of Death replyed Syr well may you estéeme your valoure and make account of your victorie in that you haue foyled him who had good hope neuer to be dismayed by any But concerning the harde choyce you put me to eyther to denye my Ladie or to leaue my life Suffice your selfe in this that no rigor can constraine me no not the death it selfe may or shall compell me for I rather choose to abide your cruâ—lty then I will offer my Ladie so great discourtesie this is my answer take it as you please Palmerin comparing the loyaltie of the Knight with the constancie of his owne Loue and his affection to be as surely planted as was the earnest desire in himselfe satisfying himselfe with the Conquest called Syluian and departed The Knight of Death returning into his Castle where he was carefully tended and looked vnto by his Esqâ—yre greatly contemning his fortune in that he was so suddenly foyled CHAP. XIX ¶ Here shall you vnderstand who was the Knight of Death that the renowned Palmerin of England had conquered and what was the cause he remained in his solitary Castle IT is registred in ancient Hysâ—ories that in Sardignia sometime Raigned a King named Euandrin who espowsed Quéene Emeralda Daughter to the Duke Armian of Normandie and Sister vnto the Noble Duke Drapos This King had one onely Sonne who was named Floraman of no lesse expertnes of capacity then Knightly behauiour in courage which made him liked of all that saw him loued of all yâ— knew him It so chaunced that this Floraman growing to ripenesse of yeares became enamoured of Altea Daughter to the Duke Charles of Cicilia who was subiect to the King Euandrin so that betwéene these twaine was ioyned such a league of perfect good liking and such a mutuall consent of faithfull loue that they supposed neither any accident could hinder their determination nor any extreamitie â—euer their plighted promise But as Fortune is enemie to the hauty courage and prepareth her malice against the well meaning minde so this Loue could not please the King his Father but by all meanes he could thought still to preuent it When the King perceiued he could hardly reclaime his Sonne but that his affection still increased to faire Aâ—tea he sent her home to the Duke her Father meaning to matche his Sonne to Adriana the Quéene of Cicilia whom Floraman denied to loue or in this to grant to his Fathers minde but rather endeuoured to follow his Lady whose absence procured the
refreshed themselues inuyting into their companie the foure Ladyes who were so stately Apparelled this day as their beautie seemed to excell all the Ladyes that were come with the Queene The straunge Knight went foorth of his Tent that he might the better behold this sudden assemblie and sitting downe at the roote of a Trée his Esquyre brought him victuals to breake his fast withall After that the King was risen from the Table these foure Ladyes according to their woont mounted on theyr Stéedes and tooke theyr way to the place where the straunge knight remained who euen then was readie to fall to his daylie exercise they courteously saluting him went with the Quéene to her Tent and by the kings Tents the strange Knight stoode expecting who should first beginne the Iouste And the King himselfe was greatly delighted in beholding the Garlandes which for that they were the fauours of the Ladyes and lost by the Knights that were foyled he began highly to commend the Prowesse of the strange knight who being ieasting with the foure Ladyes he espyed at last to come along the Valley the knight of the Sphere Armed as he was the day before and bearing his Ladies Garland on his Creast which he had good hope to keepe well enough When the King Arnedes had espyed him hee entered into these spéeches I desire greatly to see that Garland of Flowers brought vanquished vnto these other whereby I may bee the better assured whether hee that preuaileth in these Conquests so happily may find his Péere elseâ—where or nâ— The Knight of the Sphere comming into the Kings presence saluted him with humble obeysaunce afterwards taking his Garland from his Helmet he desired him to weare it and if hee defended it not according to the merit of her Beautie he desired it might bee placed among the other vanquished But if the victorie happen on his side he would not seeke any other recompence at her hands but that those other Garlands might bee giuen to bestow on his Friends Of this request Latrania was very glad and desirous to reach so high felicitie where of throughly perswading her selfe and likewise to satisfie the knight of the Spheres will she put the garland on her head then earnestly beholding the strange knight she entred into these spéeches You sée Sir the day when I haue the meane to make known your knightly déedes as also the desire you haue to doe me seruice I will Madame so behaue my selfe aunswered the straunge Knight as you shall be perswaded no other knight can iniurie me so great is my desire to accomplish such seruice as may be agreeable to your gratious nature And if afterward you make such regard of me as you doe of those whom you are woont to thrust into forgetfulnes I must then comfort my selfe with this that I am not alone in misfortune but beare my crosse with others for company The knight of the Sphere hauing vnderstood how Latrania made no more regard of them that did her seruice and séeing the Dice Fortunes hand either to his continuall honour or present disgrace yet ignorant which of them should be his chance ranne couragiously against she straunge Knight they encountering together so worthily as they were both compelled to forsake their stirrops Vpon this gallant beginning they tooke new staues wherewith they met againe together so strongly as the pieces flew whistling in the ayre and passing forward these Knightes met so furiously with their bodies as they were constrained to tumble to the ground At this sight the King was greatly abashed but Latrania contented her selfe very well séeing the noble and valiant behauiour of her Knight who shée thought as good in all points as the stranger These two Knights had no sooner recouered themselues but they drew their swords wherewith they hacked and hewed one another very pittifully The straunge knight being desirous vs to passe this day with as great renowne as he had all the other before followed his intent with singular agillitie and the knight of the Sphere to witnesse his earnest affection to Madame Latrania did behaue himselfe likewise so worthily as each allowed him the name of a good and hardie Knight And such was the difficultie of this Combate promising hope to neither side but very doubtfull on both as the King esteemed it of no lesse danger then that betwéene Don Edward of England his sonne end Dramusiande and his Giants when he was prisoner in the custody of the Enchauntresse Eutropa And the King was extreamely passioned fearing least two such noble champions should die in his presence so fiercely they continued the fight as they were both constrained to withdrawe themselues to breath a while The Knight of the Sphere seeing his arme so mangled began to thinke his estate in some hazard but afterwards remembring the beautie of her for whose sake he thrust himselfe into danger hée coÌ„muned thus priuately with himselfe What greater good can happen to me in all the world then to be allowed in her seruice whose beautie none in all the French Court may match In the meane while these two knights thus paused the Damosell that was woont to come so often into the field addressed her selfe now againe to the strange knight vsing vnto him this language I desire now to sée Syr Knight how you will iustifie the large promises you haue made to me for that I perswade my selfe the Knight of the Sphere will restore these Ladies with the losse of your life and he being earnest the victorie should fall on his side in reuenge of the offence you haue offered vnto them will yeeld your Tree decked with these Garlands of flowers into their handes that best deserue them to which wordes the strange knight thus answered It is tâ—â—e long enough faire Damosell since I perceiued the small good will you bare me but since I now perceiue that my misfortune is so agreeable vnto you I desire you to make knowne vnto the Ladies that I make no account of their fauouring me being well assured that they are woont to vse such recompence towards them who aduenture their liues in their seruice Wherefore that they shall well vnderstand that my force tooke his nature in times past by the gratious regard of one most singular Lady I desire them to keepe their woonted couetousnesse of their beauty And I shall decenâ—â—â—â— that Latrania vse her fauour towards him whom it pleaseth her to make most account off When he had thus said he returned to the Combate which helde betweene them a long while but when they perceiued their Armor defaced their flesh martyred and themselues very greatly feebled they once againe withdrewe themselues to rest a little The King Arnedes was loth two such hardy knights should end their liues in so desperate maner the quarrell being of so small estimation there he would haue had them them parted asunder And the strange Knight thinking on the discourteous entertainement Latrania affoorded him disdainedence to looke on