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
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
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
Profound Isle did greatly maruel to sée strange sights in like manner did Platir and Berolde albeit they were good and hardy knights yet did they admire with the other for company extolling his hauty and noble prowesse who by his famous conquest brought the Island to be inhabited After they had a long time discoursed on the singularitie of this Fountaine they tooke their way to the Castle where hard by the riuers side stood foure faire Iasper pillars whereon hanged foure shieldes like vnto them which Palmerin won from the foure Knights and there stood the images of the Knights in Columbs of Marble hauing the like Armor and Shields as the liuing knights had and standing as though they vsed regard to their shéeldes whereon their seuerall names were written in letters of Gold Palmerin was as greatly amazed at the fight hereof as he was the same day he approoued the aduenture while the kuights tooke pleasure to behold this strange monument he perceiued to come ouer the Bridge an Esquire who was sent thither by Satrafort the gouernor of the Castle the Esquire had no sooner séen the knight of the Tiger but he presently returned into the Castle to giue his Maister to vnderstand that the Lord of the Island was arriued there wherevpon Satrafort come forth to receiue him and with humilitie conducted him into the Castle wherein they were no sooner entred but Platir began after this manner Me thinkes the strange fights of this Countrey is farre contrary to them in all other parts of the world in that these motions shew the great danger of the aduentures passed and the brauery of this castle doth euidently witnesse that the skull and knowledge of the Sage Vrganda ought to be estéemed aboue all other The Prince Platir could not chuse but maruell very much séeing the sundry rare monuments which the Sage Vrganda had erected in that place where she made her continuall abyding because she would alwayes ayde those whom she made account of for her so speciall friends as you may reade at large in the booke of the valiant Amadis of Gaule But to come againe to our former purpose these Knightes hauing séene the lower parts of the Castle at last came to the place where Palmerin of England in times past found the Giant Demetail the fight hereof caused them to passe on further and after they came to the blacke riuer wherein the malicious Eutropa cast her selfe when the Prince Palmerin tooke her by the hand being ou the plancke which was so dangerous the sight of this perillous aduenture made them forget all the brauery they had séene before Siluian began to thinke on his masters fortunate successe in atchieuing such a worthy famous aduenture and the conceit of the manifold troubles he had passed was of such force in the gentle Esquiers minde as he began to shed teares but the Knight of the Tiger perceiuing how Siluian wept while his other friends were busied in beholding the occasions there present he came and embraced Siluian vsing these words I would haue thée thinke my good friend Siluian that the knight who hath the rare beauty of the princesse Polinarda imprinted in his heart could not faile to accomplish these aduentures how dangerous so euer they were at first to him and I assure thée that the vnfained leue I beare to her made me to trie the hazard of this vncouth place from whence in the soueraigntie of her name I returned victor wherefore I pray thée refraine thy teares and perswade thy selfe assuredly that the earnest desire I haue to do seruice to my Lady encouraged me in all my trauailes Then he left Siluian and came againe to his friends and companions speaking to them in this order I pray you my friends to forsake this place which doth nothing else but trouble your thoughts with silent vexations of griefe thinking on things of so small importance for me thinks Satrafort saith it is time that we go to supper At these words the knights departed thence commending highly the valour of the knight of the Tiger and Satrafort brought them into a faire great chamber the windowes thereof being ouer a faire Garden very thicke beset with trées and a prettie small riuer taking his course thorow it In this place the knights were set to supper being serued with such great pompe and state as there wanted nothing that could be deuised and Satrafort being desirous to witnesse their great welcome into the Perillous Isle shewed himself surpassing bountifull and beside he was so glad of the presence of the noble Palmerin of England as he spared no trauaile to purchase those things that might yéeld him contentation All Supper time they delighted themselues in pleasant discourses vntill the tables being withdrawne they arose with courtesie one to another and then Satrafort brought ech of thē into his chamber which were hanged with rich cloathes of tapistrie that the Enchantresse Eutropa and the Giant Dramusiande had left there because the house should be decked at all times that when any of his friends came they might haue the better entertainment as for them whom he thought not well on they durst not be so bold as to presume thither because as he vsed his friends with courtesie so did he his enemies with crueltie CHAP. XIX Here is yet continued what happened to Palmerin of England in the Perillous Isle THese foure knights were no sooner risen on the next morning but they walked into fields about the Castle which were very faire and fragrant to behold in that the Sage Vrganda did take great delight in her life time to be very busie there during the time the Spring lashed in planting and setting yong and tender grafts which were done in the manner of walks and Arbours hauing kept such iust proportion and measure in setting them as surely they would content any friendly eye The walkes were paued with large stones of colour of white and gréene and the trées about them were so brauely branched as in the Summer time the Sunne could not offend any with heate there was such a delicate shaddow and in the winter the cold and sharpe winde could not come at them by reason the trées were so thicke and high In the Garden there stood a goodly Cesterne to receiue the water that fell when it rained and from it by pipes and other deuises the water was ronueyed into all the necessary roomes in the Castle this cestern was inclosed round about with Christal and bound with barres of siluer maruailous beautifully These knights could not sufficiently content their eyes with the diuersitie of braue deuises about the Castle and so long they walked till a messenger came and called them to dinner when though they were loath to go so soone in againe yet remembring their courteous Hoste they went presently The rest of the day they spent in their former exercise vntill the night came stealing on them and euery man being in his loding could not
deliuered out of the grieuous passions wherein I haue long time remained for you shall vnderstand that the Knight whom you haue conquered is the very same that flew my brother Doriell for whose death the King my father liueth in extreame heauinesse The knight of the Tiger marking her words spake in this order to his friend Siluian I sée wel it is more dangerous to fall into the hands of a woman who is desirous of vengeance then to deale with a hundred good and hardy knights Wherefore I pray thée take my horse a while and I will goe sée if by my entreatance his life may be saued Then came he to the Bridge and desired the Knight of the Bull that would not offer the knight any more cruelty and turning to the Princesse Armisia he saluted her with these spéeches Madame if any anciant enmitie causeth you to desire the death of this Knight I pray you admit to memorie that a Lady of so great calling as you are ought not to be void of lenitie and pittie and chiefely at such a time when you haue most power to execute the extremitie of your will And if my reasons be not sufficient to appease your anger I pray you yet consider with your selfe that no persons vse crueltie where they may shew pittie but they repent themselues afterward when their collericke moode is ouerblowne and past The honest and vertuous language of the knight of the Tiger had not the power to mooue any pittie in the Princesse Armisia but she commanded the knight of the Bull that he should cut off the head of her enemie then the Prince gaue her these wordes I promise you Madame if neither pittie nor perswasion may preuaile with you I will stand such an eye-sore in your way my selfe as you shall not execute your malicious humour I would with all my heart said the Knight of the Bull that it might please the Princesse to grant this knight his life but since you presume so boldly to defend him I will not refuse albeit I am so sore wounded to let you vnderstand that you neither can nor shall hinder me in fulfilling what my Lady hath commanded The knight of the Tiger did not vse these wordes to the end that hee would enter the Combate with Pompides but onely to change the rigorous humour of Armisia and because he saw the Knight in such danger But such was the cruell minde of the Princesse as shée continued still in one song calling for the head of the vanquished knight Adraspe who with the great expence of his blood and griefe to sée the wreakefull will of Armisia ended his life while the knight of the Tiger and Pompides were preparing themselues to the Combat Armisia séeing Adraspes was dead could not be yet contented therewith because his head was not smitten off as she commanded Wherefore because Pompides did not accomplish what she willed him shée flang away in a furie and went into her Chamber Pompides who was brought into great extremitie for her loue did so grieue at her departure as he was constrained to set him downe vpon the bridge but the knight of the Tiger perceiuing his heauines tooke pitty on him and came to comfort him which Pompides séemed to disdaine because he iudged that his presence procured his misfortune Siluian séeing his maister not returne came walking with his horse before the bridge whom Pompides hauing espied he knew presently that the knight of the Tiger was the renowed Palmerin of England in which perswasion for the great ioy hee conceiued he came to him with these words I am well assured my gratious Lord that the comfort I receiued at this present instant will deface and extinguish all my former mishaps Palmerin tooke off his Helmet and hauing imbraced Pompides beganne to perswade him in good hope of his Lady who had no sooner forgotten her anger but shee reprooued her selfe of great vnkindnesse and then shee sent to intreate Pompides that he would pardon her and if so it were his pleasure to bring the knight into her house with him whoō she saw so familiar with him Pompides vnderstanding the will of the Princesse took his brother by the hand and walked into his Chamber where when they were vnarmed the Princesse came her selfe to visit them entring into these spéeches to the knight of the Tiger I beséech you Sir knight to excuse me in that I made no more account of your honest and courteous words for I assure you the great danger wherein I was at that instant would not suffer me to regard any perswasion whatsoeuer but onely to reuenge my selfe on my cruell enemy And because you shal not conceiue any ill opinion of me I will tell you for what cause I enuied the Knight so much You shall vnderstand Sir that I am the daughter of Meliadus the king of Scots in whose Court Adraspe the eldest son to the Duke of Sizana whom Pompides hath slaine beganne to waxe very amourous of me but because I knew him to bée one of very bad conditions I made no regard of his earnest suite Neuerthelesse he was so importunate and voyde of reason as he would not be answered Wherupon I was constrained to complaine to the Prince Doriell my Brother of whom when Adraspe perceiued himselfe to bee hated and despised he practised which way he might best be reuenged on him and following his secret trayterous intent it was not long after before he had the opportunitie for to execute his mallicious stomacke It so chanced that one day my brother and he had appointed to walke abroade together when Adraspe being priuily armed and hauing at hand such as prouided for his purpose he slew my Brother whose death the King my father could not accomplish to reuenge because hée should then deale with one of the chéefest Princes of his Realme and his best assured friend Yet was not his heart frée from continuall vexation in respect that nature could not otherwise chuse which I pittying and willing to assist my father to the vttermost I could I left the Court and caused this house to be erected in this place which being the chiefest passage in all this Realme I enterprised to haue some valiant Knight defend this Birdge promising to marry with him if he could be so happie as to kill Adraspe And he as he was alwayes accustomed bearing a proude and loftie minde would oftentimes come to show himselfe here onely to vexe me with the remembrance of my Brothers death and still hee would Combatte with my Knights being euermore so fortunate as to vanquish and kill them But after the knight of the Bull tooke this charge vpon him Adraspe who had heard of his noble prowesse remained two moneths before he could come hither againe yet at the last came to trie his Fortune against the Knight of the Bull who hath depriued him of his life as you sée and satisfied my wil that made me to ordaine this custome Madamy
me Thou hast reason said Floraman to vse thy selfe thus for that one ought not to be knowne in these affaires especially hauing receiued his shame in the presence of one of these Ladies So taking his leaue of the other Knights he rid away presently they being very desirous to haue knowne what and who he was CHAP. XXXVII Of that which hapned to certaine other knights who would proue the aduenture of these foure Ladies IN the mean while the French Court kept at the Cittie of Parris many knights tooke pleasure to come thither the most part whereof were the affectionate seruants of these foure Ladyes and there they would practise Iousts combats and other honest pastimes such as amorous persons are wont to take delight in But I assure you the French men themselues were not so forward in affectioÌ„ for that they were dayly in the presence of these Ladies neuerthelesse the strange knights whom loue conducted thither to see them felt those secret and sundry assaults which he enforceth them to endure who yéeld themselues obedient to his lawes These foure Ladies were not a little prowde to see themselues so estéemed but the knights gaue themselues most on Torsiaes side because she was not in the Company of the other who vsed with their beautie very gratious entertainement towards their knights that they might vse them with the greater regard But Torsia who iudged her selfe more worthy then the other she was very squemish and disdainefull not making account of the trauailes which the Knightes endured for her sake thereby to make her beautie the more honoured and extolled for her selfe made so great estimation thereof as she iudged that those knights who aduentured on her behalfe were greatly honoured by making proofe of their valor in defence of her beautie and this was the cause she was lesse serued of the French knights then of other But the strange knights they gaue themselues altogether to her seruice desiring to trie fortune and knowing there was no victorie more noble then that which was most doubtfull in the obtaining While the knights of the French Court delighted themselues to behold these newcome louers Albayzar who came to the castle of Almaroll where he robbed Dramusiande of the Princesse Miragardaes sheeld passed by Paris desiring to soiorne there for the space of two dayes at the end whereof he departed thence for he would not enter the Combate with such as would praise these Ladies aboue the Princesse of Targiana Yet he returned againe to the Court and would sée these foure Ladies before she went he not estéeming the knights two Daughters Florenda and Graciana whose courtesie did well deserue that the knight should enterprise something to their honour for they were as beautifull as these other foure Ladies among whom Albayzar gaue the praise to Torsia so that her beautie best contented him which was the cause that in all places where he came he praysed her aboue the other thrée Albeit séeing the French knight were so affected to these ladies as they made no occount of his swéete friend Targiana he trauailed thence to Constantinople where he enterprised to maintaine against the knights of the Emperours Court that tge Princesse Targiana excelled in beautie all the Ladyep and Damosels in the world At the same time Palmerin of England and the prince Florendos passed by the French Court and staying there they had so great desire to approoue themselues against Albayzar Dramusiande likewise passed by soone after being very willing to sée these foure Ladies i but the intent he had against Albayzar would not suffer him to goe hither And I assure you had it not beene for the enterprise of Albayzar this aduenture in France had bene as worthy of commendation as the noble prowesse shewen at the Castle of Dramusiande in England and that of Miragarda in Spaine While many Knight trauailed to sée the Prince Albayzar Pompides and Blandidon who iudged themselues to be Brethren came to the Court of France where they thought so well of the beautie of these Ladies as setting all other remembrance of loue aside they tâ—ied the Combate wherein their liues were brought to great danger These two knights renowned among them that stayed in the French Court were both of them so inueigled with the beautie of Torsia as they discoursed to each other their intents beganne to mallice one another cruelly whereby they shewed the small iudgement of them who called Loue by the 〈…〉 seeing that so many misfortunes tooke their originall by him Pompides conquered with the onely regard of Torsia séeing that Blandidon would not giue him place by entreatance concluded to trie the Combate with him agréeing thus betwéene themselues that hee that was the conquerer should remaine there to defend the Ladies beautie Blandidon who was as desirous as he could to purchase the acceptable fauour of Torsia agréed to enter the Combate vnder the same condition which Pompides opposed and that these two Knights might the sooner execute their willes they came and humbled themselues before the Quéene in whose presence Pompides spake in this manner to Torsia Madame this knight and I who are brethren and so conquered by the grace and beautie wherewith you are accompanied as notwithstanding both nature and friendship we intend to make proofe at armes which of vs twaine shall be iudged worthy to be receiued in your seruice desiring you humbly not to be offended at what we haue enterprised and that you would vouchsafe to entertaine him for your seruant whom fortune shall fauour in atchieuing the victory Great and sudden admiration was among them all hearing the braue attempts of these two Knights but especially the other thrée Ladies who séeing Torsia so highly preferred beganne to be dismayed and changed their colour which Torsia dissembling although shee had no knowledge of their secret enuie was iocond and pleasant to her selfe as could be then casting her eyes on the Quéene to whom she made signe as though she would answer she spake to Pompides and Blandidon in this manner It may be séene by you Gentlemen that the merits of these thrée Ladies hath not as yet gained any knowledge of your valour séeing you enterprise to hazard your selues together for one selfe-thing wherefore I admonish you that it is méete you should defend the cause one after another for otherwise you goe contrary to our determinations and then he that can be so happy to vanquish the knights that come on the behalfe of these other Ladies shall be iudged worthy of that honourable reward méete for such a famous and noble conquerour These two Knightes were indifferently satisfied with the answere of Torsiâ— wherevpon many knights that desired to sée her went and presented themselues in the field The first of them was Rupert Rosselin a knight of good estimation who maintained the quarrell of Telancia Brician of Rochfort who loued Mansia and the Countie Brialte the affectionate seruant to Latrania Pomdides and Blandidon came no sooner
Cittie and that they prepared themselues to take landing and the Emperour caused himselfe to be carryed vp into a high Tower of his Pallace because hée would sée how Fortune disposed of his happinesse King Edward was no sooner arriued where the Enemie was but he placed his Armie on the Sea-shoare to hinder the Enemie from comming on Land but therein he was deceyued for the multitude of the Galleys and Ships were such as it was impossible for him to doe as he would Albayzar who was accompanied with the most renowmed knights of his Armie and two the most ougly and fearefull Giants that euer were seene made offer to take Landing first of all but they of the Emperors Court stepped before them and entertayned them in such sorte as diuers both of Turkes and Christians were very dangerously wounded Albayzar was so offended because he could not haue libertie to get foorth of his Galley as hee commaunded the Gyants to step into the Water to whose commaundement they preâ—ently obeyed and with theyr Maâ—es of Iron they began so to breake thorowe the preâ—sse and they which before hindred Albayzar from comming on shoare began to giue place as it were for his landing Which when Dramusiande perceiued hee stept into the water vp to the nauill and couering himselfe with his shield hee encountered the Giant that aduanced himselfe foremost and king Edward leaped into the Sea to hinder the other Giant from dealing with Dramusiande but while these foure were thus encountring together the other knights of the Emperours Court seeing their Captaine on foote began to follow after so that Albayzar was constrained to come neere the Giants because they thought he would want his ayde Palmerin of England being busie on the other side seeing the Horses round about the field without their masters doubted least some misfortune had fallen to his friends whereupon he gaue his horse the spurs and galloped to the place where he saw the greatest bickering and séeing King Edward his father standing in the sea dealing with such an ougly and monsterous Giant he presently came to him and stepping before him entred into these speeches I desire you my gracious Lord and father to giue ouer this enemy and giue succour to your friend Dramusiande for if any misfortune should happen to you your losse would be gréeued through all Christendome King Edward esteeming light the words of his Sonne would not leaue the Giant so greatly hee desired to remaine victor but the necessity wherein hee perceiued diuers of his friends caused him to step backe and giue place to the Noble Palmerin of England Albayzar behaued himself in such braue manner as diuers were glad to shunne his presence which when Florendos beheld hee aduanced himselfe to him and such knightly prowesse was shewen on eyther side as between them began a cruell and dangerous combate Dramusiande preuailed so well against his enemy the Giant as hee tumbled downe dead before him but himselfe was sore wounded as King Edward commaunded him to be carried into the Citie And Palmerin of England slew the other Giant likewise which his father left him fighting withall but himselfe was so dealt withall as in fiue dayes after he could weare no Armour Albayzar no sooner perceiuing the Giants slaine but he presently retired into his galley and so did diuers of the Turkes beside but when Edward saw the Turkes betake themselues to their Galleys againe hee mounted on horsebacke giuing a signe to his company to withdraw themselues desiring the Soldane Beâ—lagris the King Arnedes the King Recinde and the Prince Belcar who were dealing with another Vessell that sought to take landing to follow him but they gaue him to vnderstand how Florendos Platir Blandidon and the Giant Almaroll were carried into the Citie so sore hurt as they were not able to sustaine themselues The King Recinde Palmerin and Belcar were likewise grieuously wounded which made king Edward desire them to goe into the Citie and in the meane while Primaleon entred the field accompanied with seauen hundred knights desiring earnestly that King Edward and his traine would withdraw themselues that they might come with a fresh assault on the enemy But King Edward would not suffer it should be so therefore they altogether went into the Cittie being very much grieued that the principall knights of their Armie so sore wounded CHAP. LVI Of the griefe and sorrowe made in Constantinople for the dangerous estate wherein the Giant Dramussande was brought And how the Turks placed their Campe before Citie of Constantinople WHen the Emperors Captaines were thus come into the citie with their traines they passed the night in vsiting them that were so sore wounded at whose ill lucke Primaleon greatly grieued for he iudged the want of their helpe to be such as he was out of hope to defend the enemy from entring on land the next day And most of all for that Palmerin of England Florendos the King Recinde Belcar Berold Don Rosuel and Bellizart were in such case as they could not endure to beare Armes againe so soone Vpon this he concluded to let the enemies take landing and to suffer them to bâ—ild their Tents and prouide for the field in the meaâ—e while the wounded persons would be in better disposition and the succour they looked for would be likewise arriued wherewith they had good hope to bid the enemy a braue battaile in the meane time they daily gaue Albayzar and his company sundry assaults King Edward going to visite the wounded persons found the Prince Palmerin talking with the faire Polinarda whose company made him forget the griefe of his hurts for in her alone consisted the onely medicine to restore his health in like manner he found Florandos and Miragarda Platir and Sidelia Polendos and Francelian Berolde and Onistalda of Normandie Gracian and Claritia Don Rosuell and Dramatiana Bellizant and Denâ—sa Francian and Bernarda Guerin and Clariana and diuers others of the Knights with them to whom they bare most affection But Dramusiande was not in like case as these fortunate Louers were for his wounds were so yangerous as he could not enioy the swéete company of his best beloued Arlencea towards whom he remained maruellous affectionate so that I assure you the Emperour and all of his Court were so sorie for his misfortune as if the Citie it selfe had béene brought into extreame danger King Edward whose minde was not on such pleasure as he made any account of rest or quietnesse kept his friend Dramusiande company hauing his wife and Quéene Flerida with him onely to comfort the heauie and pensiue estate of Arlencea whose sad case may be easily iudged by young married louers Florendos and Miragarda visited the Giant Almaroll whose danger almost was in the same estate with Dramusiande yet he was able to walke behaue himselfe more pleasant in company then the other whose case was pittied and lamented of all in generall Soone after arriued there the Sage Aliart by
as he cried for succour to the king of Trebisonde with whose aide he returned to recouer what he had lost and at length made the meanes to get Argelao and the king of Bithinia thorow the preasse But he that had theÌ„ séene the prince Primaleon might plainly haue discerned his willingâ—es to preuails against his enemies for he laide on loade so on euerie side and following vpon theÌ„ with his traine so nobly as not one durst stand before him to endure his fury by this meanes he recouered horses againe to Floraman and Berolde but they were so wounded as they were glad to get forth of the battell Primaleon Palmerin of England and Florian of the Forrest with their traynes helde the king of Trebisondes second Squadron so hâ—te play as they wished themselues a little furder off But on the left hand of this Squadron was the most daungerous battaile betwéene Framustant and Dramusiande who had gotten great aduantage of his enemies by reason that Framustantes sword was broken to his hand but Albayzar sent two hundred Knights on foote to helpe the Giant which when Primaleon perceiued he spake to Palmerin of England in this manner I pray you Sir goe with me to succour our friend Dramasiande for I will neuer returne into the Cittie except I haue him with mée Without any more words they layd about them lustily and knockt downe euery one that stood before them vntill they came where Dramusiande was thither likewise came to defend him against his enemies the Knight of the Sauageman Florendos Platir Polinard Pompides the Sage Aliart Maiortes Frisoll Blandidon Don Rosiran de la Bronde Belcar and his sonnes being likewise accompanied with twentie of the most renowmed Knights in all the Armie and to aide Framustant came the Soldan of Persia and the king of Trebisond accompanied with a hundred knights of great authoritie and valour they being all on foote When Primaleon saw his friends without their horses he alighted likewise and so did the Prince Palmerin but when the other Christian knights heard that Primaleon fought on foote they forsooke their horses and came hastily running to defend him and now beganne such a cruell and fierce battell as on all sides it remained very doubtfull and dangerous Dramusiande and Framustant so layde vpon each other with their pommils of their swords as they were at length so sore trauailed as their stroakes could but little hurt them Primaleon and the king of Trebisonde buckled together but such was the fiercenesse of their fight as in the end they were constrained to pause a while the like happened to Palmerin of England and the Soldane of Persia but the Knight of the Sauage man slew two Knights who came traiterously and strooke him behinde his back and Florendos with the rest of his companions stuck so closely to their tackling as many of the enemies ranne like dogges away But Maiortes was so compassed in with his enemies as none of his friends might come to helpe him so that he had such gréeuous wounds giuen him as hauing slaine so many of his enimies as durst abide him hée fell downe dead to the ground himselfe Florian of the Forrest was so grieued when he saw him fall as the teares trickled downe his cheeks and albeit he was in extreame heauinesse yet he followed on them that had kilde Maiortes and reuenged his death nobly because the death of so braue a noble man was much lamented of them that knew his valiaunt minde but most especiallie of his Sonne Dridan who with anguish of mind cast himselfe amongst his enemies and within a while he behaued himselfe so well as the Turkes knew to their cost his extreame griefe for the death of his Father yet such was his vnhappie fortune in the end as being beset among the thickest of his enimies many cruell wounds giuen in diuerse places of his body he fell to the ground his vitall spirite forsaking him and made him follow his Fathers dead ghost which was no small griefe to the noble king Edward of England in respect of the great friend shippe and loue that had remayned of long time betwéene him and Maiortes And because he iudged that fighting thus on foote would be the death of many his deere friendes he commaunded his hard horses to breake through the ranckes whereto they presentlie obeyed and scattered the troupes of the enemies in such sort as all his friendes were mounteâ— on horsebacke againe and Dramusiande and Framustant were separated a sunder but at this second encounter the king of Trebisonde was slaine by the hand of the noble Palmerin of England Dramusiand and Framustant were so daungerously wounded as they were not able to hold out the fight any longer wherefore they were conueied thence the one to the Turkes Tentes and the other to the Cittie to be tendered with present regard according as their dangerous estates required When the conflict was thus broken diuers that had entred with the first squadron retired to take breathing but Primaleon Palmerin nor many of the Emperors Court beside were any of them for it was a pleasure to them to endure the trauaile of Armes such small account they made of their hurts and their enemies The Empresse and the Ladies séeing so great cruelty and the losse of so many noble Gentlemen withdrew themselues into their chambers where they lamented in such gréeuous maner as if they had seene the enimie entred into the Citie whervpon many Ladies of great authorite hearing their pittifull lamentatioÌ„s came vnto the Pallace reposing altogither their hope in the aged Emperor if the knightes in the Field should fayle of the victorie The king Tarnaes would haue denied the Ladies entraunce into the Pallace but it was more then he could well doo for hardlie can any man gouerne the common people especiallie when a generall feare of their liues is threatned before their eyes The Emperour himself whose debilitie in yéeres and griefe of minde conceyued by this vnlooked for stratageme depriued him of his woonted good iudgement and pollitique meanes to preuent so great mischéefe as he could not imagine with himselfe how to remedie this suddaine misfortune but euen with a Womans stomacke rather then the inuincible minde he had alwayes borne héeretofore fel into pusillanimitie and doubtful feare with himselfe vtterlie forgetting the auncient Adage Audaces Fortuna iuuat and Targiana the Princesse of Armenia and all the Ladies in the Turkes Campe were so fearefull and doubtfull of the victorie as the Ladies in the Emperours Court. King Edward being Generall of the Christian Armie desiring to witnesse his noble valour in the fielde hauing rested himselfe a pretie space dismounted thrée knights one after another with one Launce afterward drawing his sworde he charged the enimes on all sides about him so valiauntlie as they were glad to auoide and giue him place And the Prince Albayzar likewise séeking to honour himselfe this day with the renowme of the field came vppon the
labouring to auoyde that motion that either might séeme to her person displeasant or by any sinister meanes to make shew of her disprofit destred him to appoint such prouision for her that there she emight discharge her heauy burthen and not to depart before she sawe the fruits of her labours To which reasonable request the Prince right courteously consented being right glad to fulfill that occasion that might be to her content and for that cause as yet he refused the gouerning of the kingdome appointing the whole affaires thereof to the wise discretion of King Fredericke his father vntill such time as he saw the Princesse in better estate of her health And in this order sought he ech vnfrequented place of passage and eche solitary habitation to remooue his Tents when pleased the Princes déeming those places to his better content then the youthfull delights of the King his Fathers Court But as the fayrest colours soonest fadeth the freshest flowre soonest withereth and the cleerest day quickly cloudy euen so the man to whom Fortune dooth anouch most fréendlinesse is soonest intrapped by he dissembling falshood and when least he thinketh of any secret doubt he is deceiued by sudden daunger So this valiant and renowned Prince whom Fortune had encouraged by his admirable conquests and aduaunced his name in respect of his Noblenesse new reclaiming her former and woonted courtesie causeth him to taste her present crueltie and where before she helde his Honor as best woorthie her fauour now in a chollericke humor breaketh of her fréendship causing him to knowe though she had holpen him long she was now minded to hurle him downe at last The time being come of her appointed treacherie and the meane deuised to accomplish her crueltie shée caused Don Edward to leaue the company of the Princes Flerida and all other his Lords and Ladies who were there present with her and walketh to the Sea side which was not farre distant Returning agaiue hée caused the tents to be pitched foure miles from the Forrest on a pleasant gréene platte by a little running riuer which delighted the minde of the Princesse the place was so fine and fitly chosen out On a sudden there was heard a great tumult in a thicket of trees neare adioyning to sée what it might be the Prince mounted on Horsebacke and rode to the place where casting his eyes aside hee espied a wilde and mighty Bore which sight the Prince was not a little glad of but with diuers of his noble Lords made present pursuite after Don Edward still rid after the game that the other had quite lost the sight of him which they sought againe to recouer but all was in vaine for the day being cleane spent and waxing somewhat darke caused them to retyre againe to the Princesse Who séeing her Lord Don Edward not returne with them fell into great dismaying and doubting of his safetie which she had iust cause to doe for that this his sudden departure was greatly lamented through the Realme of England and all kingdomes in Christendome before they had his presence againe The strayed Prince being thus allured by Fortune affecteth his game with such great delight that he neuer minded the Princesse distresse but gaue himselfe wholly to his present pastime not fearing for foreséeing what might be the perill His Stéede with tediousnesse of trauaile waxeth stract in his limines which caused the Prince to stay and alight for the darkesomnes of the night had lost his game and the fayning of his Horse required to haue rest Don Edward resting him at the foote of a Trée beganne at last to call to minde the desolate estate of the Princesse Flerida and the griefe his Lords would conceiue for want of his company Faine he would haue slept but could not for still the doubts that assailed his mind one while for the Princesse another while for his Péeres first to thinke how his absence would cause her to iudge somewhat of his vnkinde dealing then how his Lords would stand in feare of his danger these and a thousand more tristfull terrors with held him from receiuing that swéet rest he gladly looked for Alas thought he how hard is his hap to whom Fortune is aduerse how contrary his good lucke that awaiteth her liberality the one is a thing euer to be doubted and the other ought at no time to be desired The night is spent in these and such like cogitations and at the appearence of the day his eyes began to waxe heauy as commonly it happeneth vnto those whom conceiued sorrow denieth the required rest at last very griefe of it selfe constraineth them to slumber This carefull Prince hauing obtained such quietnesse as the extremitie of his paine would permit him stretching forth his armes calleth againe into question the retchlesse regard he had of himselfe so lighly to leaue his Lady and so vngently to forsake his company which although it happened against his will he iudged they would not accept it so in worth Then mounting vpon Horsebacke rode on to finde his company so vnaduisedly lost but Fortune still denying his pretended purpose by how much he estéemed himselfe néere to his comfort by so much the farder of she set him to the contrary yet hasting on in hope at last he arriued in a great Groue of Trées the thicknesse and height whereof caused him to fall into admiration with himselfe Through this graue ran a faire and cleare Riuer wherein he perceiued the resemblance of a Gallant and curious Castle as strongly fortified as rarely edified the sight whereof somewhat asswadged the egernes of his gréefe likewise the pleasant ratling of the gréene leaues with the mellodious harmony of the pretty chirping Birds exiled the former heauines of his heart and caused him to remember the gladsome time wherein he spent his labour to gaine his best beloued during the warres of the Emperour Palmerin where first he named himself Iulian. In these pleasant conceits hee rid along by the Riuer side so rauished with his inwarde delight that he little suspected the imminent daunger for vnto that place did he chéefest frame his desire which Fortune had appointed to worke his distresse Don Edward beholding the braue scituation of this Castle so curious in workemanship and costly in outward resemblaunce the Bridge at entring whereof was so large that foure knights might easily haue Combatted thereon no lesse insued at his suddē arriual then he meruailed at this his strange aduenture The Porter of the Castell with double diligence more then deserued thankes set open the gate to allure him in which the Prince perceiuing misdoubted no daunger or any secret guile in his gallant prospect because he neither sawe any to resist his entrye and the Porter being vnarmed made him doubt the lesse It last more on a youthfull courage then an aduised care he aduanced himselfe to the Gate of the Castle desiring to know the name of so pleasant a place who protected a thing of
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
haue discouered what hee was for that if the Emperor sent he durst not disobey his will which the better to preuent he rode till he resolued himselfe he was far enough from recalling But as he was greatly contented with his honourable Conquest so was hée heauily oppressed in thinking on his Lady whose angry countenance made a more déepe wound into his heart then the weapon of his Enemy had power to enter But Syluian who was Chyrurgian to his Maisters Passions vsed his good perswasions which was of more force with the Prince then any other that might offer to talke to him For Nature willed him to accept his intreaty when neyther courage nor crueltie in any other might compell him CHAP. XXVII How the knight of the Sauage man leauing Blandidon in the Tristfull Valley in the Realme of Lacedemonia tooke shipping to trie the aduenture of great Brittain but chancing to go on land in Ireland he came to the castle of the Giant Calfurnien who kept three Ladies prisoners in his Castle And how the knight of the Sauage man encountred Calfurnian and slew him HEre haue I thought good to remember the knight of the Sauage man who leauing Blandidon in the Tristfull Valley came to the cittie of Lambel where he imbarked himselfe toward the Forrest of great Brittaine minding to visite King Fredericke and the Princesse Flerida and then to séek the Castle of Dramusiande which was greatly talked on for the losse of the knights And now had Dramusiande set the Esquires of the knights at libertie but carryed them forth in such pollitique manner that they could neither returne againe to the Castle nor giue any report in what place it stood The knight of the Sauage man had such a prosperous winde that at last they had sight of the coast of England but on a sudden arose such a tempest as carryed them perforce vpon the coast of Ireland taking hauen at the mount of Saint Cyprian because they could not reach the port of Moricque The knight of the Sauage man had a great desire to land but the maister perswaded him to the contrary with these words I desire you Sir to take good respect in what you enterprise for well you know vnhappinesse dwelleth next doore to hardines and danger is the neighbour to earnest desire therefore in all your actions vse a good foresight so may you the better preuent any For on yonder Mountaine dwelleth a Giant of no lesse vglynesse of person then renowned in his puissance hee hath to name Calfurnien whose crueltie is such that if any chance into his hands it is their present death Wherefore good Sir be ruled by your friend who would be loath you should fall into so great folly Syr quoth the Knight of the Sauage man I giue you as great thankes as I perceiue your counsell tendeth to my welfare But it he be so cruell as you speake of it were good to teach him some courtesie if he can conceiue none of himselfe And so much trust do I repose in Fortune that shee will suffer me to deale with him albeit not to conquer him which if it returne the losse of my life I estéeme it the lesse in so much as he shall perceiue courage and courtesie in one that would wish as much in himselfe The maister seeing no perswasion might auaile sent him with his Esquire Artifer on land in the little Cocke committing him to the reward of all good Fortune The knight of the Sauage man accompanyed with his Esquire trauelled vp the Mountaine which was very thicke beset with Trées till at last he came to a little Pauilion before which lay a great many Trunchions of Speares and broken Armour belonging to such knights as were there foyled in seeking the Castle Walking on farder in a litlle path which he saw traced with very fresh blood he was lead by the droppes thereof to the sight of the Castle gate which was placed on such an vnmeasurable height that he was faine to alight and walk vpon foot his armour being very troublesome vnto him and walking thorow such a narrow passage that hee was very wearie When he had attained the top of the hill hee saw the Giant being such a man as the Master of the Ship reported before him stoode seuen well appointed men at Armes holding fowre knights on their knées before the Giant Thrée Ladies looking foorth at the Castle window which the Giantesse kept there as Prisoners perforce séeing the Knight of the Sauage man and sorrowing any good knight should come to such a Tyrant they all began a grieuous and sorrowfull lamentation The Giant espying the knight of the Sauage man sent thrée of his knights to take him and bring him to his presence who stood leaning vpon his Sword for that he was very wearie with comming vp the high hill then they came to him commaunding him to yéeld or else they would slay him The knight of the Sauage man hearing their rough wordes stoode not waiting for nice tearmes but made this answere I rather chuse to abide the danger in denying your command then to trust to your courtesie in yéelding my selfe for as I little estéeme your friendship so doâ— I make lesse account of your furie With these wordes he saluted one of them so friendly vpon the head that hee fell downe dead at his footâ— as for the other twaine he dealt with them so reasonably that hee paid them their debt in the same coine Then aduancing himselfe to the Castell gate Calfurnien who had knowledge of this mishap came foorth very stronglie armed with a mightie shield and a great Mace of Iron hauing the head very thicke beset with Azure nailes that no shield nor armour but it would enter into and in this manner he spake to the Knight of the Sauage man Alas poore knight Fortune was not ouermuch thy friend when she conducted thee hither but rather thought her selfe much cumbred with thée and that I should sacrifice thée to her for mine owne honour The abuse thou hast offered me in â—laying my knights hath prepared a rod so sharpe for thée as thou wilt wish thy boldnesse had béen better gouerned The courteous knight who had neuer séene any Giant before and maruelling at his mightie stature would not vse any perswasion to himselfe of prosperous successe but in this manner gaue him his answere Me thinks sir it were more commendation for you and greater honour euery way to disburden your heart of cruell attempts and embrace a courteous and ciuill kinde of life For as God hath made you more mighty then other men so to those that are your inferiours you should vse a gentle demeanour which would better agrée with Knighthood then with sauage qualities Calfurnien was in such a rage at these wordes that he presently returned him this answere I would there were before me tenne of the strongest Knightes on the earth that I might reuenge these taunting wordes on them because thy death can
not satisfie my furie and then shouldest thou perceiue what it were to me with impatience God Syr quoth the knight of the Sauage man disdaine not weake men though your owne strength be monstrous but if it shall like you to Combate in the Court within your Castell I may hap to saue mine Knights a labour because a tenth is here who though hee be not so big as ten will doe as much one Then Calfurnien willed the Knight of the Sauage man to goe with him into the Castell and at length they came into a faire Court where stood a faire Fountaine the water issuing foorth of the mouthes of two Dwarffes that were artificially made in Christall vpon it and all about it was very faire Iasper pillers the court hauing such goodly lodgings and Chambers that he greatly pitied â—o faire a place should be kept by such a cruell person For as the Historie maketh mention this goodly Castell was built by the King of Ireland wherein he would often recreate himselfe when he rode on hunting but the father of this Giant named Rauiassor tooke it from the King perforce and liued therein with all his progenie Calfurnien and the Knight of the Sauage man being readie appointed charged one another with such puissant strokes that the victorie stood very doubtfull especially in the knight of the Sauage man who had his Shield all broken in péeces by Calfurnien his Mace of Iron beside the sore blowes he had vpon his body put him in great danger of his life Yet did he so well apply himselfe to Calfurnien that he had mangled his bodie armes and legs in diuerse places which mooued him to such anger that he threw downe his Shield taking his Mace in both handes intending the present death of the hardie knight But he escaping the stroke and taking vp his Shield which was somewhat too heauy for him held him play till he was glad to draw his Fauchion wherwith he sent such a blow vpon his owne Shield that he could not recouer his Fauchion out againe which the Knight of the Sauage man perceiuing strâ—gke his hseles vpwarde so that he got him vpon his backe where with his sword that was halfe broken off hee lest him not while he found any life in him Then sate he downe to rest himselfe being sore wounded and very faint with the losse of much blood which made him to lie stil a good while ere he could mooue himselfe any way CHAP. XXVIII How the three Ladies that were Prisoners in the Castle healed the wounds the Knight of the Sauadge man had receiued by the Giant Calfurnien And how when hee was in perfect good health he gaue the Castle to Orianda one of the sisters and all three the Daughters of the Marquesse Beltamor and so he departed towards England WHen the three Ladies that were in the Castle perceiued the Giant Calfurnian to be slaine and the noble Knight of the Sauage man to lie in such danger of his life they came all speedily vnto him and taking off his Armour were very carefull to stench his bleeding of his wounds Orianda the eldest of the Sisters who had greater experience in Medicine then the other twaine and was of a more sharpe and ingenious capacitie would not suffer her other two Sisters to meddle in any thing but tooke the whole charge vnto her to prouide him such néedefull things as were requisite and to shewe her selfe thankefull for his well imployed paines At last Artiser his Esquire came vp with his Maisters Horse and seeing the great danger he was in became very pensiue and full of griefe and while the Ladies carried his Lord into a very faire Chamber he barred fast the gates so that â—one might enter in which they somewhat stood in feare of because the Giant was slaine that any should come to his reskew There was the knight of the Sauage man kept vntill such time as he had attained to more strength who when hee had gotten a little health would faine haue béene gone but the ladies restrained him to the contrary declaring to him the danger that might happen vnto him if so soone he would loade his body with his armour that was brought very low and rather required more strength Their great courtesie liked him so wel that he was loath to do any thing they should misâ—ike of wherfore â—â—tting talking with them he desired them that without offence hee might demaund as considering their estates their names and Countrey and by what mishap they chanced into the Giants gouernment Artanaina the second Sister whose beautie was equall with her Maidenly behauiour resolued him of their names and then began this Worthy Syr albeit the vttermost of â—ut power is too â—â—mple to 〈◊〉 our noble paines yet esteeme the valour of our good 〈◊〉 which is the richest reward wee can requite you withall 〈…〉 our estates we are all three sisters and daughters to the 〈◊〉 Beltamor vassaile to the renowned Fredericke King of England who vpon the enuious report of slanderous tongues our Father being endued with great riches and large possessions when he came to inhabit this place whervpoÌ„ thrée mountains he caused to be built thrée faire castles determining one to each of vs after his discease which place both was and is yet called The Mountaines of the three sisters all this aforesaide liuing he was in the Kings displeasure disinherited of and we left to abide other mens reuersion sauing the three Castles which were left for honours sake to sustaine vs in After our Fathers death we resorted each of vs to our appointed Castle keeping them 〈…〉 from this Giant whom you haue slaine that 〈…〉 to defeate vs of them But when wee were in 〈…〉 his minde because hee had well leâ—t 〈…〉 then were we soonest of all deceiued For 〈◊〉 full twenty dayes 〈◊〉 wee met by appointment all together 〈…〉 our Castles where a little Pauillion was 〈…〉 for the time hauing in our company 〈…〉 and louing friends This Giant who by his Spyes was admonished of our being there came suddenly vpon vs thrée of our Knights slaine the other glad to take themselues to flight and hee brought vs with him into this place To which place if good Fortune had not conducted you we had beene depriued of our small wealth but that which is most of all the chiefe Ornament of our honour had stoode to an vncertaine award The Knight of the Sauadge man who had bene well acquainted with their Father in the Englâ—â—â— Court and heard of the good report of his thrée Daughters â—eioyced that by his onely meanes they had purchased deliuery and that it was his hap to Land in such a lucky time promising them to vse such meanes on their behalfe to King Fredericke his Soueraigne that they should againe possesse the Liuings belonging to their Noble Father whose offence hee knewe to be so small that he might easily purchase the Ladies theyr owne When he had abode there till he
was well able to beare Armour he desired Orianda to accept that Castle in recompence of the paynes shee had bestowed on him in his weakenesse promising both to her and her Sisters his Hand and Sword when any néede should require the Ladies vsed large thankes vnto him for his so great courtesie desiring him to make knowne his Name vnto them that they might commend his memorie who had bene so good a friend vnto them To which request he thus answered Ladies my name is as yet so little knowne that I am the more vnwilling to shew it to any till I deserue to be estéemed among those whose noblenesse is no lesse then their Name Desiring you to accept of this auswere as now and thinke not that my déedes shall reproue my word but that at any time I will imploy my selfe in your seruice But first I must hazarde my selfe in the Aduentures of great Brittaine wherein so many Noble and famous Knights haue receyued great aduantage which if I may finish or in tryall safely escape you shall knowe the small estimation I will repose of my life to trye the déepest doubtes for such Honourable Ladyes Syr quoth Artinarda if our Prayers may preuaile or our wishes returne to any good effect doubt not but we wil be earnest therein for your prosperous successe in great Brittaine And estéeme your poore handmaides not stretching beyond the boundes of modestie yours so farre as courtesse may and shall commaund After many gentle salutations the knight of the Sauage man departed accompanied with Artisar his Esquire leauing the Ladies in more seuerity then he found them not offering them once iniury or disloyaltie for that hée estéemed the small faults of the noble and famous were worthy as seuere punishment as their hauty déedes of Armes did rightly deserue eternall commendation So in this maner he left them taking shipping with all spéede toward the realme of England CHAP. XXIX How the Emperour walked to comfort the Knight of Death who remained in great heauinesse for his faire Altea who by the perswasion of the Emperour determined to leaue that sorrowfull kinde of life and to imploy himselfe in seeking strange aduentures And how the Damosel Lucenda returned vnto the Court where shee gaue knowledge of the Knight of Fortune which greatly reioyced the Emperour and all the noble Knights of the Court. IT hath béene already declared vnto you the great displeasure which the Emperour tooke for the departure of the knight who bare the honour away vnknowne in the Triumph wherefore now you shall vnderstand how the Emperour remembring the heauie and pensiue estate of the knight of Death went accompanied with his Princes and Lordes to giue him some occasion of comfort which might bee a meane to driue foorth of his memory the continuall mournings he vsed for his faire Altea The Knight of Death being aduertised how the Emperour was comming came to the gate attired in a long blacke gowne agréeable to his sad and ioylesse kinde of life where he receiued the Emperour according to his obedient duetie Then would the Emperour vse to giue him such pleasant spéeches as might constraine him to forget his rufull complaints but he giuing small attendance thereto made answere to his Grace cleane contrary to the no small amazement of his highnesse as also his Courtly attendance who greatly maruailed to sée how vnfortunate desteny had ahe power to bereaue a man both of reason vnderstanding which was amply verified in this sorrowfull prince of Sargignia The Emperor to perswade the extremity of his fits would rehearse diuerse perswasions of his owne knowledge who had béene subiect to the like infirmity and either cut off their time by desperation or continued in a life bemoned of all persons vpon which words he tooke occasion to vse this talke I would sir Floraman not onely coÌ„mend your loyaltie but likewise attribute high honor to your constancy if teares could call the dead to life or the rufull monâ—s recouer your great losse Yet doe I consider with my selfe loue compels you to this and your setled affection hath brought you to an immoderate euill but compare the impossibility with the state and condition of your griefe you shal find the one as needlesse as the other is helplesse and the extreame to be refused when the maine can not be recalled Consider if sorrowe eate into the heart it is not presently to be withdrawne againe if vexation haue woon the chiefest place perswasion may weare her tonge to her téeth ere she can bridle the impatient desire so that if wisdome be not in man to intollerate his griefe it may cost him the dearest him before he haue a quiet life Doe but thus remember your selfe impatience bring sorrow sorrow sickenesse sickenes consumation consumation the miserable Anatomy of himselfe which is at error to his kinred an eye sore to his friends the delight of his enemy and the continuall heart breaking of all that loue him so that the sooner he ends the better he mends On the other side if a man apply himselfe to any exercise as either trauaile for the honour of himselfe fame of his Countrey or spending his time in martiall exploytes or according as his estateis the poore to take paine the rich paine with pleasure the Artificer and such to their handie craft the noble minde the Courtly Gentleman either to the exploytes of the field or such exercise as may auoide idlenesse Then is the eye directed the sence quickened the minde preserued the heart quieted the conscience vnpolluted affection gouerned loue bridled and lust banished the good name perfected vertue established honour well exercised and Fame enternized Sée here the difference betwéene heauen and hell betwéene the contempt in this life and conteâ—t eternall to the Soule which who so séekes shall finde but they that will not are ouer fonde Thinke thus with your selfe Altea is dead though I shrinke her beauty on earth yet is her substance shouelled in the clay though I delight in her Image and Picture yet hath Death made an Anatomie of her fayre person while she liued I loued her being dead I remember her and in her loue I liue for her as the honour I will enterprise shall witnesse and the aduentures I will hazard shall manifest So drowne this dulled desire in remembrance of your knighthood which you enioy for manhood not for mourning to display your worthy deedes and not to play in amorous Dities but one moneths vsing this Medicine trust me will extinguish this mallady When Floraman perceiued she earnest wordes of the Emperour to be both for the honour of his name and noblenes of his life he replyed thus Most gratious Emperour I see chat Goates blood will molifie the Adamant and the little drops of raine pierce into the hard Marble s wisedome reproouing wilfulnesse sheweth him his follie and perswasion piercing into the obstinate doth more by friendship then others can doe with force I confesse
belonging to Pompides the sonne of Don Edward The sharp assaults betwéen these foure vrged the Knight of Fortune to breake forth into these spéeches Gentlemen the great danger I perceiue you to staÌ„d in with the grieuous endamagement that may happen vnto you constraineth me to desire you would leaue this great rage and end your strife friendly with reason so shall you find it to your own coÌ„moditie and my selfe always bound to you If you accept of my counsell Indéed answered one of the Knights our quarrell is grounded on so slight an occasion as we might easily agrée to your honest desire It doth onely consist in the knight of the Bull who will the name of the knight he séeketh for although he desired of vs likewise to vnderstand some tidings of him It is vnpossible for me to tell his name answered the knight of the Bull or if I could satisfi your desires you could not any way compell me so long as I haue this hand and sword to defend me These words procured a fresh strife and too it they fâ—ll againe very fiercely and without any regard of themselues which greatly pitied the knight of Fortune to sée such couragious mindes subiect to so great a hazard which he was very loth to tarry and behold but he greatly esteemed one of the knights who was in white Armour and dealt his blowes so freely that he was in least danger of them all Then did the knight of Fortune once more perswade them to leaue the fight but they were so seuerely bent the one against the other that they scant knew themselues what they did At last a suddaine darknesse sent from the Castle of the Sage Aliart ouershadowed them at the departure whereof the knight of Eortune sawe all the foure knights laid in a Charyot drawn with foure blacke Horses which made him somewhat abashed and mooued him to demand of one of the Esquirs that droue the Chariot what knights they were that had fought this sore Combate To whom he answered that the knight in the white Armour was Platir sonne to the noble Primaleon the other was Floraman the Prince of Sardignia the other two knights were Pompides and Blandidon who entred their Combate about the enquiring after the knight of Fortune which made them leaue the Emperours Court enterprising likewise the aduenture of great Brittaine if they might meete with this knight whose friendly company they alway desired But see the misfortune as they arriued here not farre from great Brittaine these two other knights met theÌ„ demanding also for the knight of Fortune so words arysing on either side why they should seeke after this knight they fell to this fierce skirmish which your selfe hath partly seene to the losse I feare of our noble Maisters except we were neare some place where wee might make prouision for them The knight of Fortune was greatly moued at this tale and perswaded the Esquyres to hasten with their Maister to London where in short time no doubt they might recouer their health and thus in grief he departed from them And as he rode very sad he espied one come riding towards him with his horn about his necke attired like a hunter who began in this manner to gréete him Behold thou noble Palmerin of England the time wherein thy famous déeds shall bring out of obliuion the worthy Prowesse that long time hath béene hid so that great Brittaine shal enioy the former quiet state Be not offended because I did enterprise so boldly to name you for I am priuie to that which shall happen by you although your selfe remaineth ignorant thereof The knight of Fortune knew not what to thinke to heare himselfe named in such a strange place where he perswaded himselfe he was vnknowde to any at length he beganne to thinke that it might be the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley yet would he not certainly giue credite to his suspection out of which doubt to remoue him Aliart thus spake againe Be not dismayed worthy Palmerio for I am Aliart your seruant who would gladly imploy my selfe in your seruice to doe you the greatest honour I might But as concerning what shall chance vnto you I neither may or will as yet declare bnt this assure your selfe that you shall enioy a more quiet and happy estate then as yet you do Sir Aliart answered the knight of Fortune God forbid I should request any thing which you are not willing should bee knowne but for the great bounty and friendship you haue vsed towards me I remaine while my life endureth both with loue and duetie to honour you So walking on at last they came to the Obscure Valley where Aliart conducted the knight of Fortune into his Castle and shewed him many rare and excellent Monuments the liuely shape of men and women in faire Portraitures which gaue a great delight to his noble minde so that he thought this Castle the fairest that euer he had séene in all his life There remained he so long as him pleased very well entertained by the Sage Aliart who gaue him to vnderstand how Platir and the other Knightes should be healed of their wounds without any danger These newes pleased the knight Fortune very well as also the great gentlenesse he found into the Sage Aliart to certifie him many things that he desired CHAP. XXXIII How the Knight of the Sauage man arriuing in England trauailed towards the Citie of London And how Eutropa sent a Damosell and caused him to enter Combate with the Princes Gracian Francian and Polinarda In which fight they were all in great danger till the Knight of England riding on hunting chaunced to meete with them who set them at vnitie and brought them to the Court with him THe Knight of the Sauage man being departed from Orianda in the Castle of the Giant Calfurniâ—n so long continued on the Seâ—s that at last he arriued in England entending to take his way straite to London because he would see the king Fredericke and the Princesse Flerida but greatly lamented to sée the Forrest so ful of strange Knights and Damosels that procured perillous aduentures At last he espied a Damosell on a white Palâ—ray come riding towards him her haire spread ouer her shoulders and her garments séeming to be greatly misused all the way aa she rode she vsed many skrikes and gréeuous lamentations which was greatly pittied by the Knight of the Sauage man who saw a knight came hastily riding after her whereupon she began to this gentle knight in this manner Good Sir as you regard the honor of knighthood and the distressed estate of a poore Damosell so at this time helpe to defend me from him that seekes to dishonour me of that which maketh me esteemed amongst all vertuous persons These words pierced so déepe into his noble minde that he staied the knights coming who was very well armed and brauely mounted to whom he began in these words I perceiue both knighthood and that armor is
ill bestowed vpon you that imploy your selfe in the persecution of a faire Damosel when you are both bound by dutie and by law of armes to defend her Sir answered the strange knight I desire you let not the fained teares and vniust complauit of this Strumpet inueigle your minde for it is not troth that she reporteth neither am I so base minded to pursue her causlesse The knight of the Sauage man was so perswaded by the Damosell that he would not credite what he said bnt answered him thus Sir you shall rather disaduantage me then dishonour her and therefore prouide for your selfe The strange knight seeing him so egerly bent said I am content since you will enforce me to it and not rule your desire by reason Whereupon touching their Speares they met together couragiously so that the strange knight was cast and the knight of the Sauage man faine to leape off from his horse and drawing their Swordes they layde at each other very cruelly to the great hurt of them both In the meane time they were in figh the Damosell had left them and returned accompanied with two knights more shewing them the knight of the Sauage man and saide Behold Sir knights the man that hath slaine my Father and now would gladly worke the death of this my Brother pointing to the knight that before had pursued her wherefore I desire you to take reuengement on him At these words one of the knights alighted and perceiued the knight that the Damosell named her brother to be very sore wounded stepped betweene them saying to the knight of the Sauage man Come Traytour deale with me and not with him whose losse of blood and wearinesse beside desireth rather to take rest then the Combate The knight of the Sauage man was greatly offended at these wordes wherefore he left the other and went to him saying I will make thée either recant thy wordes or else I will leaue my life in this place So charging one another very puissantly the Knight of the Sauage man laide him at last along on the earth which the other knight séeing and also the Armor of the gentle knight to be greatly broken in many places began as followeth I sée Syr Knight you are brought into such debilitie both with the great expence of your blood as also wearinesse with long enduring the fight that I thinke it great dishonour to giue you a fresh assault and small manhood in mee to vrge you to such extremitie The knight of the Sauage man still incensed with furie for the vnkind wordes hee had receiued of them returned him presently this answere As I haue little cause to estéeme of your friendship so haue I lesse opportunity to craue your fauour and though my wounds be yrkesome in your sight yet can I endure the vttermost that you can charge me withall wherefore set apart these words and execute the extremitie of thy disloyall will Thus breaking off their talke they beganne to assault one another very rigorously so that the knight sitting on Horse-back conceiued great maruaile at the hauty courage of the knight of the Sauage man While he occupied his eies in beholding this noble exploit such féeblenesse entred the minde of his fellow that he could scarcely hold his Sword or kéepe himselfe from falling to the ground and fearing he could not escape the death being in such great disaduantage he alighted from his Horse and to the Knight of the Sauage man began in this manner Me thinkes Syr knight it were for your better assurance of health as also great gentlenes you might offer to these knights to satisfie your desire vpon this victory then to hope on a farder of me likewise so be depriued of that you might hardly spare which might yéeld you greater disaduantage then the conquest you haue gotten will enlarge your renowne Syr quoth the K. of the Sauage man except he recant the shrewde wordes he gaue me or confesse himselfe vanquished and to rest at my commaund I will finish his boldnesse by honour of my Sworde say you what you can and hee what he dare Trust me Sir answered the knight if you will not grant to such a small request as shall both extoll your Fame and manifest your friendship I shall be enforced to enter Combate with you which I am very loath to doo considering your present estate in so much as I would not be hée that should depriue you of your life Good Syr quoth the knight of the Sauadge man this care in you is more then I haue deserued or desire you should vse vnto me wherefore hereupon assure your selfe I am as able to deale with you as they haue found me indifferent to conquere them At these words the knight whom this noble Victor held in subiection fell along on the ground through faintnesse of much blood that had issued from him as also the grieuous wounds hee had so vnhappily sustained Which made this other knight to assaile the knight of the Sauadge man very rigorously in hope to haue reuenged his friends hurt with the detriment of his noble Enemies life but he found the knight of the Sauadge man so great of strength and so greatly affected to a farther Victorie that hee partly repented himselfe for entring such hazard Yet did he behaue himselfe with greater courage then the other knightes which made him endure Combat a longer time It chaunced the King of England to come on Hunting into this Forrest where espying these two knights so eager at their fight and commending both their expertnes and braue behauiour he entred betwéene them vsing great intreatie to leaue off their Combate which they presently did for that they would not disobey the kings request whom they knew and were very glad to sée The knight of the Sauadge man lifting vp his Beuer came and presented himself to the King who perceiuing him to be the knight was nourished in his Court as also the man hee had greatest delight in receyued him very graciously in signe whtreof he suffered him to kisse his hand When the King had knowledge that the other Knight was Gracian sonne to the noble Arnedes King of France he alighted from his Horse imbracing the Prince very louingly and desiring him to shewe the occasion of their discord as also what the other Knights were that lay on the ground The Prince Gracian after he had done his dutie to the King and to the Noble companie that then were there present beganne as thus If it shall like your Maiesty the knight that lieth hithermost and is nearest to your Grace is named Francian Sonne to the famous Polendos king of Thessaly In whose company to mine owne honour and eyther of our contents I trauelled from the Citie of Constantinople through many places where we haue approoued our Knighthoode and made manifest such déedes of Armes as our yeares and skill would suffer vs To this place wee were conducted by a Damosel who reported her selfe to bee
place where these knights were assembled and entring into the Campe like an ancient olde man hauing a rodde in his hand where about was wound a Serpent he strooke vpon the ground with it when presently the knights fell all to the earth in such a strange and marueilous alteration that one would haue iudged they had béene depriued of their liues After he had there finished what pleased him he weÌ„t vp to the Castle of Dramusiande sending such a darke smoke ouer all the Valley wherein might be perceiued great flashes and flames of fire that the Princes in the Castle were marueilously affrighted This moued Eutropa to such great anger because shée could not gaine the knowledge how this had hapned no worke her will on â—he knights as she had certainly purposed that shée went raging all about the Castle mooued to such disquietnesse that no body could perswade her At last this great darknes vanished away and nothing could bee séene but the Knights that lay all grouelling vpon the ground which caused Dramusiande with his noble Prisoners to goe foorth and fetch them all into his Castle When they had taken off their Helmets the King Recinde knew his children and the king Arnedes his sonnes Polendos knewe Francian his sonne and Bazilliart and Don Rosuel were visited by the valiant Belcar Dridan was carried the armes of Maiortes and Platir was borne in by his noble Father Primaleon who because he had left him wheÌ„ he was somewhat yong did hardly knowe that it was his sonne In briefe they all lamented to sée their kindred and friendes in such great misfortune and conueyed them into the Castle where they were so honorably vsed that in short time they had good hope to recouer them from this danger When they had attained some part of their former health they reioyced greatly that they had happened into the company of their dearest friends and declared in what maner they were deluded by the two Damosels which was not strange to them who perceiued the daily practises of Eutropa to be grounded on such trecherous deceits Now did Dramusiande greatly commend his good Fortune in gaining so many couragious and well approoued knights as he was fnlly resolued he should now easily conquere the Isle of the Lake which as yet hee would not make knowne to any of the Knights but vsed himselfe so pleasant in their company and frequented them daily with such delightfull exercises that generally they bare him great good will and affection For this opinion he conceiued that vsing them with gentlenesse and shewing himselfe curteous in all attempts he should winne their good wils which hée made more account off then all the riches in the world As it is alwaies séene that friendship sooner winneth the gentle minde theu the rich promises and deliuery of Coyne can purchase any faithfull perswasion which craueth a more couetous interest then the persons estéeming vertue will straine their mindes to amount vnto CHAP. XXXIX How Eutropa after she had obtained all the Knights prisoneners in her Castle began a new trechery to bring to ruine the Emperour and Citie of Constantinople by sending Letters to the Soldan of Babylon declaring how the Emperour was destitute of his chief knights how he might easily ouercome the citie And how the noble knight of the Sauage man after he was healed of the wounds he had receiued by the knight of Fortune left the Court of England and trauelled to seeke the aduentures of great Brittaine in which endeuour he arriued at the castle of the Giant Dramusiand where he vnhorsed the Prince Primaleon and his noble Father the Prince Don Edward Likewise how he preuailed against the kings Arnedes and Recinde and foiled the Gâ—ants Pandare and Alligan so that he entred combate with the Giant Dramusiande each of them fore wounding the other yet neither could enioy the victory And how the Sage Aliart came againe and made such a maruellous darkenesse that the knight of the Sauage man was carried away no body could whither GLad was Eutropa that she had gotten these Knights her prisones whom she stood in great feare of and Christendome in most néed of and yet not contenting her selfe with this extreame crueltie would practise another mischiefe to bring to destruction all the noble knights on the earth It so fortuned that by politike meanes she was aduertised of the death of Olorique Alchediane the great Soldan of Babylon and deere friend to the Emperour Palmerin who had a sonne remaind aliue not of the gentle nature of his father but a great enemy to the whole estate of Christendome This seruing for fit her diuellish purpose she gaue him by Letters to vnderstand what great and gréeuous mischances his Progenitors had receiued by the Emperours of Greece in that many Princes of his blood and linage had béene cruelly slaine before the walles of Constantinople which naturall loue and dutie did inforce him to reuenge else should he be iustly contemned and reproched of the whole world where if now he would vexe his enemy vpon so iust occasion vrge him to the small defence he had left for his succour he might be Monarch of the whole world and haue more at command then all his Predecessours had As for a conuenient time he could with for no better then was at that present when if he would lay siege to Constantinople it had no other Rampier of defence then the aged Emperour whose yeares forbad him to enter the field and whose dominions lay ready at his owne appointment As for the noble couragious knights whom all the world feared and were the onely safegard to that famous City were in such place where they had more néed of succour themselues then come to defend the aged Emperour Yea and all other realmes were so vnprouided of those that were the meane to let this determination that neither could they helpe him or promise safety to themselues so that if he would he might bring vnder his obeysance the most of all Christendome There letters were conueyed to the Soldan of Babylon who prouide for the attempt which Eutropa had willed him where to his determination we will forsake him at this time till we gaine more fit occasson to discourse of procéedings The hardy knight of the Sauage man was purposed now to sée the aduentures of great Brittaine for which cause when his wounds were perfectly healed he tooke leaue of King Fredericke and the Princesse Flerida procéeding in his trauell till fortune brought him to the Valley of Perdition where he presently espoed the Castle of Dramusiande Not long had he stood to take view of this Castle but hee perceiued to issue forth a braue company of well appointed knights among whom were Giants of a monstrous stature which gaue him occasion to suppose that hée was arriued at the place where so many famous Knights were detained Prisoners yet was ge driuen into a great doubt in that such comely Knights should kéepe company with
Armour to the aged King Fredericke who caused it to be placed in the House of Ensignes amongst the Armour of many famous Knights THe renowed Knight of Fortune whom through occasion we left to speake of remained so long in the house of the ancient Gentleman his Hoste that his woundes were perfectly healed and his body well able to endure the bearing of Armor When Siluian had prouided him new Armor like his other and a shield with his vsuall deuise of Fortune vpon it he departed which way he thought soonest to finde the Castle of Dramusiande At last arriuing at the foote of a mountaine he espied a little Pauillion wherein were a great many of lighted torches which because the darke night was somewhat entred gaue a very great shewe of light to the place This strange sight moued him to take his way thither as well to sée what it might be as to driue other fancies away that greatly annoyed his mind When he was entred the Pauillion he perceiued two séemely Knights the one lying on a sumptuous Béere more like a dead then a liuing creature the other making great lamentations and pittious bemonings ouer him whom hee presently knowe to be Don Rosiran de la Bronde the Cousin of the aged King of England which made him suppose that the Knight on the Béere was some man of great authority estimation Comming to Don Rosian and saluting him very friendly he presently had knowledge of him that he was the noble Knight of Fortune to whom he began in this manner following Sir I sée that Fortune hath greatly fauoured you in permitting you to sée the dead body of the Knight of the Sauage man to whom you were alway a mortall enemy yet could not bée he that should vanquish him in fight The Knight of Fortune hearing the wordes of Don Rosiran was ouercome with such heauinesse that the teares trickled down his chéekes when he began to frame his answere thus Indéede neuer had I more desire to preuaile against any man then my minde laboured to conqure this hardy Knight whose prowesse is no lesse bruted euery where then his knightly behauiour deserued But now since death so hath cut off this famed Champion whom I laboured to know yet could neuer attaine my wish I will end the enmity that hath bin betwéene vs with so sharpe a reuenge of his vntimely death as were it possible for his ghost to imbrace my friendship himselfe should perceiue his enemy is become as deare a friend to him as euer was any Wherefore of all courtesie shew me the place where he hath receiued this misfortune and I wil die on him that hath bene the death of so good a knight Trust me Sir answered Don Rosiram my arriuall hath bene here so lately that I am ignorant how he happened to this mischance neuerthelesse I was aduertised by one who departed not long before you came that at the Castle of Dramusiande where all the knights remaine that haue bin so long lost he hath sustained this vnfortunate hap yet not without iniuring him and his traine as the memory of this knight shall remaine to him while he liueth albeit Fortune would not suffer him to end the aduenture The knight of Fortune greatly displeased to sée this knight brought into such extremitie began to conceiue better estimation of the aduenture then euer he did before albeit he was greatly abashed that so good a Knight had failed in that enterprise Then began he to behold the Armour that lay there by him being defaced and hacked in so many places which vrged him to commend them that had the strength to vse it so but more the man that had the might to resist such an extreme danger wherevpon he saye I may well perswade my selfe that the hope to end this adventure is altogether lost the Knight béeng dead who had the puissance to finish all other At these words he approched to the Béere to sée if he were cleane depriued of life when lifting vp the shéete of Silke he perceiued his countenance so grim and hardy as it was at the time he entred Cambate with him As he stood wishly beholding this noble Knight his heart began greatly to conceiue an inward ioy and his minde began to muse on a thousand matters But chéefly the lesse of his Brother was his greatest thought whom he suspected this knight to be by diuers markes he knew ie his face for the better assurance whereof he called Siluian willing him to behold the knight and report as his minde serued his answer was comfortable to his Maisters opiâ—ions giuing credite that it was Florian who returned not after he departed with the Lyons Vpon this perswasion the knight of Fortune desired Don Rosiran to certifie him of the name of the Knight of the Sauage man insomuch as it should neither disprofite the one nor the other but that he might resolue him in a matter which caused him to vse great suspition to which words Don Rosiran thus answered Sir Knight in what I may or can satisfie your desire assure your selfe I will do my best As concerning his name neither my selfe nor any other that I know were so happy as at any time to vnderstand it for that he vsed no other name then to call himselfe the Fatherlesse But in times past he hath often declared vnto me that the best friend he had remembrance off was a Sauage man who nourished him a long time and whom he supposed to be his Father but because he could not certainly assure himselfe thereof he termed himselfe as I haue told you The Knight of Fortune whose minde was maruellously reuiued at the words of Don Rosiran perswaded himselfe that the knight of the Sauage man was his Brother Florian for which cause he offered to embrace him as he lay but on a suddaine there entred foure men who lifting vp the Béere vppon their shoulders departed away with it in very great hast The Knight of Fortune endeuouring to follow them they willed him to the contrary giuing him to vnderstand that such good prouision should be vsed to him as if the Diuine bountie would agrée therto his life would be preserued his estate recomforted With this perswasion heâ— returned to Don Rosiran to know which way he intended to trauaile because he had determined himselfe to go séeke the place where this good knight had bene so ill handled and reuenge his cause though it were the losse of his owne life Sir quoth Don Rosiran I meane presently to take my way towards London where I will present the armour of my deare Friend to the king mine Vncle at whose hands he receiued the order of knighthood that it may be reserued in such a place where the remembrance of his déedes done in his life time may eternize the memorie of his infortunate death With this answere the knight of Fortune was very well pleased desiring if he could shewe him the way to the Castle of
could no longer sustaine himselfe when the Knight of Fortune sate downe by him as glad to haue a little rest he was become so faint Don Edward and the other Princes came running to Dramusiande and tooke off his Helmet that he might receiue the Aire desiring the Knight of Fortune to conteut himselfe with the victory and not to worke the death of the friendly Giant to which he answered Although mine intent was to part his head from his shoulders yet will I not at this time execute such crueltie respecting the honour you haue done me to intreate for him and I haue done as much as my heart desired The Princes conducting them both into the castle were so diligent about thē at their dangerous estate required especially to Dramusiande who was reduced into very weake estate As they were so busie about thē they heard a great knocking at the gate which the prince Platir opened in all spéed where he beheld an ancient man apparelled after the Grecian fashion who entred the Castell accompanied with two comely Damosels carrying in their handes two golden Boxes of precious Oyntment wherewith they enbalmed the Knight of Fortune as also the other Knights that had receiued any hurt The auncient man would not suffer any to be about the wounded knights but onely the two Damosels wherefore he commanded all the other foorth of the chamber promising them they should recouer their woonted health againe This promise did greatly content the Princes who desired nothing so much as the health of the Knight of Fortune in that by his conquering the Giant they had receiued their former libertie againe and all the cruell Enchauntmentes that Eutropa had practised in the Valley of Perdition were now fully finished and her power to be no more estéemed The anciēt man tooke his leaue of the Princes commaunding the Damosels not to depart from thence till they had all recouered their sound estate of health againe The Princes did daily accompany the Knight of Fortune and Don Edward woud often visite the Giant Dramusiande labouring to shew him great courtesie because he would not be vngratefull for the frienship hee had found at his handes In this manner did the Princes passe away their time vntill their dearest friend had gained a good constitution of his body which the Damoselles accomplished before they would depart from the Castle CHAP. XLII How the Princes in the Castle of the Giant Dramusiande for ioy of their deliuery by the puissance of the renowned knight of Fortune sent Floraman the Prince of Sardignia to the court of the king of England to whom in the presence of the Queene and Princesse Flerida hee declared the ioyfull newes of Don Edward as also of the other Princes that had bene long time kept prisoners Which caused the king to send Argolant againe to the Emperor of Constātinople to declare the glad finding of the prince Don Edward with his sonne the noble Primaleon And how Sir Pridos came to the English court to verifie the Prince Floraman DRamusiande being thus happily ouercome and remaining in such great debilitie as it was doubtfull of his spéedy recouery the Princes would not depart from thence till the knight of Fortune were able to beare them company to whō the Damamosels neither spared labour nor good endeuour so that they had good hope in short time he should be of strength to trauaile with them In the meane time they determined with themselues to send a Messenger to the King of England that he might vnderstand the good Fortune that had happened to them which would make amends for the great sorrow hee had sustained of a long time The Prince Floraman because of his great wisedome and iudgement was appointed by generall consent to beare these glad tidings who went into the Armourie belonging to the Giant Dramusiande and put on his owne Armor which was battered broken as also coloured with the blood which came out of his body in the skirmish before he was taken prisoner into the castle When he was armed he tooke his leaue of them all and rode in such haste that on the second day he arriued at London where he was very much beheld because his armour was so greatly brused At length he came to the Court at what time the king was ready to goe on Hunting to whom Floraman presented himselfe desirous to kisse his Graces hand After his Esquire had taken off his Helmet the king had knowledge of him when he imbraced him with these words Certainly sir Floraman your Armour brought into such a great alteration doth witnesse the great danger hath bene incident to your person which trust me is as gréeuous to me in beholding as it hath bene yrkosome to your selfe in abiding It séemeth you should bring but sorowfull tidings being in such great mischance as it séemeth you haue tasted Neuerthelesse hauing often receiued such a sad reports I can the better endure this therefore say on My gracious Lord answered Floraman if you would vouchsafe to returne into your Pallace where I might behold your Quéene and the Princesse Flerida I shall discouer such ioyfull newes as your long continuing wishes shal be now prensently satisfied At these words the King tooke Floraman by the hand and walked with him to the chamber where the Quéene and princesse were sitting who welcommed him very gratiously and vsed him according as his noble birth required Floraman being neuer so happy as before this instant to haue a sight of the Princesse Flerida estéemed himselfe the gladdest Knight aliue to bring tidings to such a rare Princesse of beautie then after he had done his dutie according as the place and persons beséemed he began to salute them with these spéeches following To be tedious in words my gratious Soueraigne or to trifle the time with long circumstances might offend your patience to stay to heare it and cumber my memory tastand to shew it Wherefore to vse breuity in sch a case as you haue long desired and at last deserued I thinke it expedient considering your heauinesse and therefore attend how it hath luckily happened Don Edward your noble sonne Primaleon with the other Princes and Knights that haue bene so long time lost and now found at last in remembrance of their obedient duetie do all kisse the hand of your Maiestie Their long oppression hath now obtained a happy end and their grieuous sorrowes finished with a generall delight in that they haue recouered their wonted libertie albeit it hath bene bought with a sharpe resistance It will not belong before they come themselues for honour and dutie willeth them to stay as yet because the renowned Knight of Fortune whose Prowesse hath fréede them from bondage hath not recouered such health as may permit him to iourney Vntill which time they remaine in the Castle of Dramusiande who hath kept them prisoners till this long aduenture hath bene so worthily brought to end and thus haue I certified your Grace what hath
courtesie to the other knights the king lead the Quéene to the Prince Don Edward saying Madame behold now your Sonne for whom you haue wished so long now may you at leisure make knowne vnto him the gréeuous passions which for his absence you haue suffered And I desire you to entertaine these noble Princes with as great fauour as you can any way deuise for that we are greatly bound vnto them considering the danger they haue passed to finde our Sonne Don Edward Then he shewed her the noble Primaleon to whom she went embracing him in her armes and gaue him a swéete kisse for his welcome The like she did to the Prince Vernar the king Polendos Recinde Arnedes with all the Princes and Knights Then Flerida comming to her brother Primaleon imbraced him in her armes with these wordes Let it not be offensiue to you my noble brother that I haue stayed so long not welcomming you as I ought for sure the glad comming of my Lord Don Edward made me vnmindful of any other body Your reason Sister is allowed answered Primaleon and he that should blame you for it were not worthy to be estéemed among those that séeme to professe honour and vertue Then the King commanded their lodgings should be presently prouided which they found in euery point so royally adorned as they could not speake sufficient in praise of the court of England Thus staied they a good while in the English Court euery one desirous to returne into their owne Dominions more to set such things in order as their Deputies had failed in then for any desire they had to leaue the Court of England But because those whom they left in charge with their kingdomes had dealt in such order with their subiects as they were ready to rebell against their rightfull Prince therefore they thought the sooner they departed in the lesse time they might allay all the troubles againe CHAP. XLIII How Trineus the Emperour of Allemaigne hearing of the happy deliuery of the Princes out of the Castle of Dramusiande left the Court and with the Empresse Agriola trauailed till he arriued in England where he was very royally and Princely entertained REport had blazed in all Countreyes how the Princes and Knights that had béene so long time lost and could not he heard off were now at libertie and the aduenture of great Brittaine fully ended Trinens the Emperour of Allemaigne who had spent his dayes in great sorrowe grieuous complaints for his two Sonnes Vernar and Polinard now vnderstanding that they remained in the English Court his heart was supprised with so great ioy that not bewraying his intent to any hee determined to trauaile till hee came into England So accompanied with the Empresse Agriola and such knights as beséemeth his royall estate to haue with him hée passed thorow Germaine where at diuers Cities hée was honourably receiued at last landed on the Coast of England King Fredericke had knowledge of the comming of the Emperour Trineus wherefore he commanded the Chamber should be prouided wherein the Empresse from her childhood had talke with her at such time as the Emperor Palmerin and he came to present their seruice to the King of England Many noble Estates prepared to goe meete him thrée miles from the Citie of London and the king accompanied with Vernar and Polinard came to receiue him into the Citie But to rehearse vnto you the royall and gratious entertainment they receiued by the king with the sumptuous and rare deuises fcamed by the Citizens to welcome him withall would aske a greater time then I can well stay so long from discoursing of our History but so great was the kings fauour and so liberall the expences of his dutifull subiects that they said within themselues England had no fellow When they were come to the Pallace the Quéene and the Princesse Flerida being very gorgiously attyred against the comming of such a great State receiued him with such royaltie as is not here to be spoken of With great honour they were conducted to their Chamber all retyring backe except Vernar and Polinard their sons whom the Empresse commanded to stay with her because shée had a great desire to talke and conferre with them All the knights determined with themselues to prepare some notable shewes of pleasure wherewith they might delight the minde of the Emperor that he might perceiue what losse both Christendome and their noble Parents should haue had if fortune had determined their continuall seruitude to the Giant Dramusiande and had not wrought the meane to grant them their libertie The Emperor and Agriola passed away the time in pleasant communication to heare what aduentures their noble Sons had passed yet safely to escape such a bitter plunge for which they both lauded Fortune and estéemed their age the happiest time of their life Then would he often declare to Agriola what sharpe assaults he had endured in that chamber being amorous of her loue and bestowing his affaires in her seruice wishing for the time againe wherein he spent his flourishing youth so valiantly But knowing that his desire was vnpossible to be receuered he delighted to rehearse what pleasant cenceits had passed betweene him and her as well when she was coy as when she made acceptation of his courtesie and shewd her the secret places of danger which full many a time he made hazard in when he had desire to speake with her But nâ—w considering how his ancient time had cut off such amorous drifts as then he put in practise betwéene teares and pleasant talke he passed this remembrance in his silent thoughts knowing that youth must of force giue place to age and as then he had pleasure in amorâ—us deuises so new to content his age with ancient discourses And often would he rehearse what strange and rare aduentures his sonnes had reported during the time they sought for the strayed Prince as also the pleasures of Constantinople which was a meane to perswade his vrgent passions and to forsake such complaints as were bootelesse to be rehearsed The faire Aurora had no sooner left her old and ancient husband and shewed her bright beames vpon the earth but that galleries and scaffolds were made about the Tiltyard where the knights determined to shew the Emperour their valour The knights of England and Allemaign held both one side together and the Grecian knights maintained the other side each one behauing themselues with such hautie courage that the Emperour did assigne them singular commendations For sometime Fortune maketh cheyre of a weake Champion and alloweth him to be as aduenturous as the most hardy knight euen so the weake and strong preuailed so well together that both sides were praised aad the noble estates sufficiently pleased CHAP. XLV How Argolant arriued at Constantinople where in the presence of the Empresse Gridonia Polinarda and the faire Bazilia he declard how the knight of Fortune had deliuered Don Fdward Primaleon and the other captiue
that Don Edward our infortunate Prince Primaleon your noble Sonne and all the other captiue Princes in despite of her and the giant Dramusiande are reléeued from their long vnhappy imprisonment Then turning to the Princesse Bazilia he began courteously to salute her as thus It stood with good reason faire Lady that your presence should be partaker of these happy tidings insomuch as you I am sure haue suffered no small afflictions for the absence of your deare friend the Prince Vernar whom I can assure you to be in as good health as you can wish sauing that he is not here as you could willingly be content he himselfe as in short time he will I dare awarrant you Gridonia rauished with the report of Argolant was so suddenly ouercome with excéeding ioy that she caught the Princesse Bazilia in her armes either of them cured of one sicknesse that one could hardly iudge whether their present gladnesse excelled their passed gréefe or in what order they receiued these newes but it sufficeth they had good cause to be pleasant The Empresse came and took either of them by the hand conducting them into her Oratorie where in heartie and solemne deuotions they gaue thankes to God for this prosperous successe In the meane while the Emperour desired Argolant to rehearse the names of such noble Princes and Knights as were partners in this long captiuitie which when he had heard he greatly reioyced that the florishing noble mindes of all Christendome bare parts of the mishappes of the renowned English Prince a token of their great loue and friendship in that they disdained not the terrour of such hard misfortune to beare him company whom all hautie hearts did honour And the rather was his ioy the greater because the knight of Fortune contained the magnanimitie of courage as notwithstanding all bitter brunts to threaten the contrary he was the chosen Champion to accomplish this rare aduenture Now he called to remembrance the letter sent by the Lady of the Lake the same day as Polendos king of Thessaly deliuered him that royall present as also the message of the Sage Aliart which had now discouered the full effect of their promises Through all the Cittie was presently noysed the recouery of the Grecian Princes which caused euery one to make small account of the presumptuous brags of the Soldanes of Babylon and Persia in that they iudged themselues vnder the surest defence that might be now they had obtained those whom they euer estéemed The Emperour causing Argolant to be brought to his chamber went straight to the Closet of the Empresse where he rehearsed all that Argolant had declared as concerning the successe of the knight of Fortune Argolant departing on the next morning was desired by the Emperour to will the knight of Fortune make hast vnto Constantinople because he had a great desire to sée him And now the Emperour with all his court was indued with as great ioy as he conceiued sorrow at his departure which he had good cause to do hauing lost his chéefest defence in the absence of the Princes and knights that were kept prisoners in the Castle of Dramusiande by the accursed meanes of the Enchantresse Eutropa and now possessing the fréedome of his losse he might well estéeme the volour of this hardy knight But such are the changes and mutabilities of Fortune who when the heart is drowned in gréefe past any hope she sendeth a happy successe to requite the former mischance and likewise where most pleasure hath continuall residence there she soonest prouideth the greatest mishap CHAP. XLV How the English knights and the Grecian knights in honor of the Emperour Trineus and the faire Agriola enterprised a braue Tournament wherein each one behaued himself very valiantly And how three strange knights arriued there whose noble behauiour vrged the royall assembly to great admiration EIght dayes after that the Emperour Trinâ—us was arriued at Court the knights among themselues determined a triumph for which cause the Tiltyard had many scaffolds and galleries built about it that they might the better behold this hauty attempt When the Emperour with the fair Agriola the king Fredericke the Quéene the Princesse Flerida Don Edward Primaleon with the other noble Ladies and gentlemen of the Court were come to the place appointed for them to sée this Tournament the English knights entred the lists where they meant to manifest the affection they bare to their Ladies that in honour of their fauours they feared not to hazard the vttermost of their liues After them entred the Grecian knights euery one brauely mounted and attired in faire new complete Armour which graced with their persons maruellously the Prince Gracian by their generall consent was chosen Captaine to whom they referred the state of their conduct for that day because Palmerin of England would not enter the Ioust against his friends left his valour should turne to their disaduantage At the sound of the Trumpet they all prepared themselues encountring one another with such knightly courage that the Estates presents with such a whole multitude of people attributed great coÌ„mendation to this hardy exployt for that they dismounted one another on either side as it was doubtfull to say which company were likest of victory Gracian ran fiercely against Eutrope of Beltran an English knight of great strength and very well estéemed but Fortune turned her backe towards him that day so that he could not withstand the knightly puissance of the French Prince Platir encountred with Normant the Proude gaue him such a colde welcome that they were faine to carry him forth of the field In like manner Carlente sped at the hands of the Prince Berolde consequently the English knights albeit their déeds did iustly merite eternall commendations both at the Tilte and Tourney were vrged to the repulse because the Grecian knights were the stronger side Berolde breaking through the rankes vsing such singular behauiour in all his attempts as was greatly liked of the Regardants came to Clariball of Hungaria who setled themselues stoutly against ech other that they endured both a doutfull and a dangerous fight neither hauing the aduantage of the other but such an equall condition passing betwéene them as the Emperour with all the royall company were greatly affected therewith The king Recinde albeit the sharpe strokes his Sonne receiued vrged him to take it some what impatiently yet the generall applause which was giuen vnto him constrained him to thinke well of his valiant procéeding Eutrope came now to the assistance of Clariball accompanyed with Syr Pridos Archirin LaÌ„bert Roquendar Rugerald Flocandrisse Alberraz Lamonstrant and Brutamont against whom to maintain the quarrell of the Prince Berolde came Gracian Frisol Luyman Onistalde Dramâ—an Tenebrant Don Rousel and Bazilliarde all these behauing themselues very gallantly at Armes yet at this brunt was too weak to resist the hot assaults of the valiant English Princes which was stil maintained with fresh supply of noble
who is her owne Childe And Madam let not be forgotten the wordes sir Pridos rehearsed vnto you at such time as you had lost both husband and children which was reported to him by the Ladie Argonida for loe at this instant her promise is accomplished your noble Lord Don Edward is restored and your two lost sonnes safe and sound recouered whose Knightly valure hath sufficiently discharged the sorrowe that then your afflicted person suffered The Knight of Fortune is your Sonne Palmerin to whom you gaue that name in honour of the Emperour Palmerin your Father who by the meanes of the Knight Polendos receiued your son into his Court when he likewise caused him to be tearmed by his owne name And this aduenturous knight of the Sauage man is your other Sonne which according to the place of his birth you called him Florian of the Forrest him haue you nourished brought vp by your motherly care albeit he was knowen to you for no other then a straunger Thus to knit vp your former ioy I thought good to presume so farre as to make you partners of that which was not knowen to any but onely God and my selfe The Princesse Flerida and Don Edward wel viewing one an other were suddenly rauished with such an inward ioy as it is impossible for me to giue iudgement thereon then Palmerin and Florian came imbraced each other which moued the king and all there present vnto such delight that they could not conceale the great pleasure they conceiued whereupon the king entred into these words Trust me Syr Aliart these newes were altogether vnlookt for at this present albeit they haue béene earnestly desired long before this time but yet doe me the fauour to certifie me how you are assured of that which you haue giuen foorth for a manifest troth it may be here are some that dare hardly aduenture to beléeue it If I should my good Lord answered Aliart fable in such a case I were well worthy such seuere punishment as is due to him that should falsely informe a Prince But neuerthelesse to giue you the better assurance thereof marke what shall ensue and then answere how you are satisfied Then drewe hée foorth a little Booke whereon hauing read a prettie while the Sauage man and his Wife entred the Hall who had nourished Palmerin and Florian so long in theyr Caue when presently the two Princes beholding them went and imbraced them both with great courtesie the the like did Siluian who hauing learned more ciuility in court then when he remained with his Father in the Caue knéeled downe vnto them as was his duetie The Princesse Flerida receiued such excéeding ioy that shée imbraced them both very louingly and Palmerin thinking it great dishonour to him to be vnmindfull of his nurses that had vsed him so gently tooke them by the hand and brought them before the King giuing him to vnderstand that they twain had deserued a good reward in recompence of the great affection his Brother he had found at their hands The King taking them from the ground in his armes promised that their labour should be honorably rewarded so lifting his eyes vp to heauen he vttered his ioy in this manner O heauenly Father this is the last good happe that euer I desired to sée wherefore now if it be thy pleasure take me out of this miserable world before vnconstant Fortune determine any more mischance to me This done he tooke his two Nephews and brought them to the Princesse Flerida before whom they humbled themselues on their knées kissed her hand a great many times and she casting her armes about their necke in teares remembred the great danger she saw them both in when they endured the bloody Combate at such time as shee was faine to set them at vnitie Then Don Edward their noble Father in remembrance of the valiant behauiour he had séene in them both at the Castle of Dramusiande receiued them in his armes with such courteous gréetings on either part as the ioy in such a case did vrge them to manifest The Emperor Trineus a partaker of this Fortunate sight came to both the Princes and vsed many friendly spéeches to them in like manner did the Empresse Agriola the Kings Recinde and Arnedes with all the Princes and Ladies whose ioyes were not small for this happy successe Then Palmerin vsed great courtesie to the Prince Primaleon for that he vnderstood him to be father of his Lady and Mistresse Polinarda and Sonne to the Emperor his Grandfather who had vouchsaued him his honour dnring the time he remained in his Pallace at Constantinople The Sauage man and his Wife were very graciously entertained who séeing the two Princes in dignity beyond their expectations when they were in their Caue did greatly reioyce that Fortune had so fauourably preserued their noble liues Palmerin séeing the time that euery one prepared themselues to their chambers commanded Siluian to conduct his father and mother to a faire and rich Chamber which was prouided for them Euery one departing the king accompanyed Aliart to his Chamber where he desired to know what the other knight was that came in his company If it please your Grace answered Aliart to morrow morning you shall be resolued to the vttermost in the meane space assure your selfe that he is such a one as his valour deserueth to be remembred amongst the most renowned Thus with a generall gladnesse euery one went to take their rest forgetting all gréefe that was passed before in remembrance of the fortunate successe that had happened at this instant determination of ioy CHAP. XLVIII How on the morrow Blandidon was knowne and Aliart bewraied himselfe and Pompides to be the Sonnes of the Prince Don Edward Argonida the Lady of enchāted the Isle And how the Emperour Trineus with the other Princes determined to depart from the Court of England but were desired first to goe see Castle of the Giant Dramusiande wherein the Princes had remained Prisoners so long time THe pleasures in the Court of the aged King of England of the Prince Palmerin and Don Florian his Brother that the Cittizens passed away the night merrily in making of great Bonefires ringing of Bels to manifest the ioy which they likewise conceiued for this happy accident In the morning the king went to the chamber of the two Nephewes where he found Primaleon and the Prince Vernar merrily disposing themselues together and so accompanied with Arnedes and Recinde they went to the chamber of the Emperour Trineus who béeing already stirring prepared themselues to go heare diuine Seruice which was accomplished with maruailous great solemnitie When they returned vn to the Pallace such was the assembly of people to sée the two Princes that they could hardly ascend the staires to the great hall the people were gathered into such a prease The strange Princes endcucured themselues to entertaine the Sage Aliart very honourably so that from the hightest to the lowest
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
excepted to whō she was accustomed to disclose her secrets Great was the pleasure for the returne of Primaleon whom the nobles and gentlemen of the cittie came dayly to welcome but to their greater content within a while after the Prince Vernar with a great many of the Princes knights of Greece arriued at the Court whose company was not so long desired as now they were ioyfully and hartily embraced In the middest of this great triumphing and solace a Messenger sent from the Soldane Belagris presented himselfe before the Emperour who disclosed his message in this manner Illustrious Prince the Soldan Bellagris my Lord and master in humble duty kisseth the hand of your excellency giuing you to vnderstand that so soone as he was arriued at his court he was aduertised how the Soldon of Babilō hauing with him a great and puissant armie prepared himselfe to ouerrunne your country and Empire and to make a generall spoile of your people and Dominions your estate being weakned through the losse of those knights who haue left your Court to séek the aduentures of great Brittain But when he was taking Ship and his Army at poynt to hoyse their sailes word was presently brought him how certaine Lords in his Realme had leuied a number of his owne subiects to enter armes against him for that they were able no longer to suffer his oppressing tyranny Vpon this occasion he stayed his armie to bring them in obeysance that had béene so hardie to rebell against him which thing he can hardly do without the losse of 20000. Pagans but when he shall finish with them thou he intendeth to visite you Which that you might preuent my Lord thus willed me to make knowne vnto you wishing to sée the houre of his own death before your imperiall estate should be any way be distressed Gramercy my good friend said the Emperour at this instant I perceiue the great good wil which the Soldane thy Lord hath alwaies borne vnto me to whom I pray thée commend me with honourable thankes protesting to do as much for him if as God forbid he stand in the like néede I thinke it best for you to take your rest a while because hauing endured so long trauail you cannot else chuse but be very sore laboured yet first I desire thée to rehearse how fareth thy Lord since his coming home My Lord answered the Messenger euer since his arriual hath delighted to discourse of the strange aduentures which not long since are brought to ende in great Brittaine which how rare they be I know your highnesse hath heard wherfore I néed not to reherse them You say true quoth the Emperour and assure your selfe that the imprisonment of the English Prince Don Edward will cause the Castle of Dramusiande to remaine in perpetuall and renowned memory Thus concluding their talke the Emperour went to the Empresse chamber where in the presence of the Ladies he rehearsed the Message from the Soldan Bellagris and on the morrow the messenger departed bearing with him the Emperours letters to his Lord. Now was the Court and Citizens replenished with as great ioy as before they were filled with heauinesse when they stood in feare of the Armie of the Soldan of Babylon CHAP. LIII Here the History discourseth at large of the Tristfull Knight who after hee was departed from Constantinople in the company of the other Princes and knights that went to pursue the search of the Prince Don Edward through occasion of ill weather on the scas landed vpon the Coast of Spaine And how in trauaile he came to the Castle of the Giant Almarol where he became enamoured of the faire Miragarda for whose loue he foyled the Giant and kept the passage there a great while in the honour of her picture BEcause the Authour hath all this while made no mention of the prince Florendos who at this present tearmeth himselfe the Tristfull Knight and endeuoured himselfe likewise in the search of Don Edward now as well to excuse his owne negligence as also to fauour the hard Fortune of this Knight in trauayle you shall bée perfectly resolued of all his procéedings At such time as he departed from Constantinople in the company of diuers Knights who pursued the Prince Primaleon euery one taking a contrary way his course directed him to a hauen of Sea where imbarking himselfe in a Merchant of England time and occasion so serued that they tooke their departure Hauing endured so long on the seas that they knew themselues to be within a ken of England on a suddaine a contrarie winde came vpon them and held them in such danger betwéene hope and feare that at last in great hazard of their liues they chanced vpon the Coast of Spaine where they tooke landing on a Rocke which at this day is called Lisbone Florendos séeing himselfe so farre from the place whither he directed his course and would haue so gladly attained rode on ouercharged with extreme heauines complaining on fortune for his vnlucky trauaile After he had passed through the Prouince of Portingall and by his hautie Chiualrie obtained a generall commendation he happened to come to the Riuer Thesin where ryding on contemplating his amorous thoughts he espied a goodly Castle scituated vpon a Rocke which gaue him great occasion of pleasure to behold it This Castle vrged him to aduance his course thither but there lay a blocke in his way which was a great let to his former pretence for vnder the gréene shade as he rode he perceiued three Ladies of such singular beautie as in all his life time he supposed neuer to haue séene the like These Ladies continued a very serious discourse among themselues so that they tooke no héede to the arriuall of Florendos who gaue a great good liking to them all but especially shée that sat in the middest to whom the other twaine shewed very great reuerence being of most stately beautie as also of a singular and erquisite behauiour But shall we say that Florendos was enamoured at this faire spectacle O no hee could as well eschew it as the Bird fast caught in the Fowlers snare and he liked her no better then he that did most honour and heartily loue her so that hee changeth his mirth into mones his talke into teares and his whole cogitations to a Louers complexion aiming the whole course of his affection on the Lady whose face had the power to detaine his fréedom and her behauiour the operation to be chiefe starre within the compasse of his Sphere Still he stroue with himselfe to goe backe againe and shun the blaze that had set on fire his sences but affection had hung such a clog on his conceits and one looke brought his heart into such a Labyrinth that Ariadnes thread could do him no good but only the saint that had giuen him this glaunce While he remained in these muses such occasion the Ladies receiued that they leaue the field and walke into their
into such subiection by the force of loue The faithfull and trusty Esquire Armello kéeping them company and frequenting still his grieuous mones thought none worthy to kéepe such a precious treasure as was the shield of the faire Miragarda but onely his Lord and Maister who did best of all deserue it wherfore being not able to conceale the passions his heart conceiued began in this manner to the Giant Dramusiande I knowe well sir Knight that Fortune hath greatly fauoured you in that my master is absent and you kéepe the Iewell of his ioy but durst hée shewe himselfe in this place which he is constrained to forsake by the command of Miragarda you should well perceiue that her faire Portrait is to be kept by none but he whereto Dramusiande replied thus My friend the faith and affection thou bearest to thy Maister séemeth to me worthy of great commendation And as his déeds remaine a true confirmation and witnesse of your woryes yet you must not vse any euill suspect to him who is altogether vnknowne of you and would also enter combate wich your Maister were he present in this place And if it were any chauce to to be vanquished by him I would content my selfe to be placed among these other conquered whose assurance haue béene as likely as mine and peraduenture it might be more to my profite if I left my Shield vnder her obeysance whose will I onely séeke to satisfie by ending my life in such a hautie enterprise Againe it might so fortune if it were your chance to sée me combate wish your Maister you would conceiue another opinion thâ—n as yet you doe and iudge me either better or worse then I perceiue at this present you make your account Wherefore I perswade my selfe that I am as well worthy and able to kéepe and defend this shield of the faire Miragarda as the knight your Maister who is vnknown to me albeit I confesse not so worthy of her as he that hath so déerly deserued her not onely I am sure by this notable coÌ„quests but also by proofe of this knightly curtesie For if I should that way equal my selfe with him It might well be thought no trueth remained in me And if you shall stay here a certaine space I doubt not but you shall sée as hauty attempts ended as at any time haue béene by your Maister finished While he continued these spéeches hée espied a farre off two knights come riding along the Riuer side one of them had his Armour coloured blacke and white with diuers borders of Gold finely wrought vpon it bearing in his Shield for his deuice a murthered body in a campe of Sinople the other had his Armour of a gréene colour very thicke beset with Lyons of Gold in his shield two Lions rampant These twaine were no sooner arriued at the Castle but Dramusiande incontiuently knew them for the one was Don Rosuel and the other was the Prince Gracian who sometime had béene his Prisoners and whose amitie hée alwayes made great account of But albeit their friendship was very acceptable to him yet the promise he had made Miragarda commanded him to the contrary confidering also that loue had gotten the maisterie of him and directing his minde in this enterprise made him neither to spare friend nor foe but vsed all alike that trauailed thither Then mounting on his stéed he came forth before them when they perceiuing he prouided himselfe to the Iuste were very well pleased because they desired to approue their strength in the behalfe of the faire Miragarda But casting their eyes on her beautifull Picture which they beheld in the middest of the Shieldes that Florendos had conquered they were supprised with such a suddaine amazement that they had quite forgotten for what cause they came thither which Dramusiande seeing addressed himselfe to them with this manner of salutation Sir Knights the Portraite of this Lady is not here placed to be contemplated with so great ease but hée that desireth to enioy such a Iewell must first combate against me who denyeth him that priuiledge till I am vanquished and if that Fortune in this respect doe fauour him yet shall he féele a double torment by remayning Victor Trust me answered the Prince Gracian if a mans life may ataine the honour of such a singular personage behold him who hath the courage to aduenture first So concluding his spéeches he met Dramusiande valiantly with the breake of the Speare which was with such force that hee was throwne to the earth with so strong a violence that for a great while he was voyde of any feeling This mooued Don Rosuel to such displeasure that to reuenge his friend hée pricked foorth against Dramusiande who being ready prouided with another Speare sent him to beare the Prince Gracian company This rude encounter made them both maruaile and supposed that their enemy was the renowned Palmerin of England whereof being desirous to be resolued Gracian as the hardiest of them both with his swoord drawne in his hand entred into these tearmes Sir Knight althogh Fortune hath béene your friend to foyle vs in the Iuste yet I pray you to discende on foote to the ende we may finish the Combat with the swoord because I would trie your valour to the vttermost if I may depart from hence with the benefite of my life Dramusiande who was euer accustomed to great bounty and gentlenesse seeing the desire of the Prince Gracian on whom he had gotten the honour of the victory would not in that respect satisâ—ie his mind but made him answere in this maner Sir Gracian I do not make so small estimation of your life that I would be the man shâ—uld bring you into such danger beséeching you not to take in all part that which I haue already so boldly ventured being my selfe bound by duty to doe any thing I may for your honourable welfare Gracian hearing himselfe named by the Knight of whom he had no knowledge was greatly abashed and replyed thus Worthy sir since my fortune hath béene so good as to obtaine the friendship of so hardy a Knight I estéeme my selfe the happiest vnder the Sun desiring to haue knowledge of you if you shall finde it expedient At these wordes Dramusiande tooke off his Helmet when presently they both ranne and imbraced him conceiuing such an vnspeakeable ioy for his company that their mischance was now put cleane out of memorie because they iudged it no shame to be foyled at the handes of Dramusiande of whom they requested for what cause he remained in that place To satisfie their desires he recited the whole occasion of his iourney and how he made promise to Miragarda after he had conquered the Giant Almarol to kéepe the Shield in that place vntill some Knight by his prowesse could bring him vnder his obeysanâ—â— Certainly said Don Rosuel then I perceiue you intended to keepe it all your life time because I knowe nothing but death can ouercome you Trust
me quoth yâ— prince Gracian I haue in times past both extolled verily belieued that my faire Claritia might be equall with any for her beautie but hauing now behâ—ld this admirable Miragarda I exempt from minde all other desiring to accomplish the meane that I might doe her seruice And credite me said Don Rosuel I haue so forgotten the loue I bare to my Lady that if I depart not the sooner from hence I shall fall into contempt both of her and all other Ladies giuing the onely laud to this péerelesse Miragarda Then mounting on Horsebacke he ridde away so fast as possible he could in like maner the Prince Gracian possed presently after him neither of them vsing any friendly departing to the Giant Dramusiande who could not refrain from laughter to think on the weake stomacks of these two Princes CHAP. LXIIII. How Palmerin of England trauailing toward Constantinople laid him downe to sleepe hard by a faire Castle from whence came foure Ladies who carried him into the Castle And how one of the Ladies bearing him louing affection but he disdaining her great good will vrged her to keepe him there as her prisoner PAlmerin of England after he had left the Castle of the Giant Almarol happened on the frontiers of Nauarre in the Dominion of France which he perceiued altogether to be inhabited and gouerned by mighty Giants whose vnciuility of life wrought many cruel spoiles and villanous deeds in these parts among whom Palmerin behaued himselfe so worthily that the effect of his déeds returned his due commendation CoÌ„tinuing his trauaile along the Coast at last in a faire gréen valley he espied a goodly and well fortified Castle and neere vnto it was a faire largs Poole well stored with choice of fish where the Prince alighted from his Horse to let him feede a while in the pasture In the meane time he looking all about and could sée no body that on a suddaine might come to endanger him sat downe by the water side the beholding wherof droue many solemne fancies out of his remembrance As he was about to take a little nap his Mistres Polinarda approached his thoughtes as also the remembrance of his manifold courtesies which he receiued while he remained at Constantinople so that some of these motions prouoked him to good opinion of ioy but other some to a number of heauie lamentations as especially the sharp command of his mistres which being loath to breake mad him to absent himselfe from Constantinople longer then otherwise hee would gladly haue done In these thoughts hee fell into a sound sleepe when foure Damosels came walking foorth of the Castell who beholding the Prince his chéekes all dewed with teares and his eye lids very redde with ouermuch wéeping were all constrained to great compassion Then one of the Damosels being of rare and excellent beautie called for certaine of her seruants who with their helpe caried the Prince into a faire Chamber in the castel causing his armes to be fastened together with a chaine to the ende he might vse no resistance against them When he awaked and found himselfe in this great alteration he was so ouercome with griefe that he knew not what to say but the Ladie bearing great affection to him at euery instant changed colour which witnessed the ardent loue shée had conceiued in her minde at last made manifest the sum of her desire whereto Palmerin by no meanes would giue consent For being desirous to shunne any occasion whereby hée might bée thought disloyal to his Lady determined to depart from thence without Horse or Armour onely to auoide her importunate sute This moued the Lady to such extreame griefe that she violated the bondes of Reason whose limits duty had alwaies warned her to kéep within and séeing that neither tears nor intreatis might mollifie the heart she commanded him to be brought into her Chamber where irons were made fast about his legs and great spéeches giuen forth to terrifie him because he would vse no pittie to her outragious passions Palmerin not estéeming either her selfe or her words bare greater affection to clogging irons then to all the amorous spéeches the Lady could vse who at last turned hee hot loue into extreame hatred so that absenting her selfe out of his companie caused him to bée vsed in very rigorous manner But her crueltie had no long time of lasting for her woonted affectioÌ„ caused her to repent her hasty fury and in her mind she thought to discharge the Prince séeking all meanes possible to banish him out of her memorie for which cause she inclosed her selfe in her Chamber labouring both by examples and present proofe to extinguish the furious flames of her continuall Passions But when she saw nothing would serue but her griefe was driuen to an impossible cure she concluded to kéepe the Prince in Prison so long that at length shee would glut her selfe with his remembrance Or else at last the Prine would be so wearie that he not able any longer to endure the cruell practises she vsed would repent him of his so long deniall and so bee enforced to accomplish her amorous dessre But Palmerin hauing already made faithful vowe of his loue by no torment or cruelty would be perswaded to violate his promise to the no small griefe of the Lady who frequented himselfe still with her woonted sute as also for his obstinacy encreased her seuerall deuises of cruelty CHAP. LXV How Don Florian remaining in the Court of England made such entreatie on the behalfe of Orianda and her sisters the Daughters of the Marquesse Beltamor remaining in the Castle of the Giant Calfurnien that they were restored into Kings fauour and married to three noble Gentlemen of his Court. And Don Florian departing out of England arriued at the Castle of the Giant Almarol where he entred the Combate with Dramusiande where ending their strife with great friendship he departed accompanied with Siluian desirous to finde his brother the noble Palmerin of England DOn Florian of the Forrest of whome no mention hath béene made since the Prince Palmerin departed out of England stayed a certaine time in the Court of the King his Vncle to intreate fauour for Orianda and her Sisters the Daughters of the Marquesse Beltamor For remembring the great seruice they had done to him at such time as the giant Calfurnien had wounded him so sore willing to discharge the promise he made them at his departure which might manifest his honour and redéeme them from that misery wherin they remained approached the presence of the King in this manner I haue alwayes heard my Soueraigne Lord and Vncle that laudable déedes ought to be recompenced with the like and that ingratitude and vnkinde dealing should euer be banished from the heartes of Princes wherefore fearing least my selfe should be found faulty in such a hainous crime I shall desire your gratious furtherance in a cause as shall present my duty and your owne honour It is so my
Fortune who preserued them to a greater conquest of honor caused at that very instant the noble Palmerin of England to arriue in that place who knowing Dramusiande supposed verily that he was slain wherefore he came to the other knight and taking his Helmet off and perceiuing that it was the noble Florendos he became so ouercharged with griefe that he could hardly sustaine himselfe from falling to the earth Then he commaunded Siluian to goe to the Citie and presently to bring Chirurgions with him because he thought verily they were almost past recouery and Siluian knowing that the death of these two knights might be an occasion to put his Maisters life in danger vsed such diligence that in short time hee returned with two very expert Maisters in Chirurgerie Palmerin desired them to manifest their knowledge at that present in recouering the health of those dangerous wounded Knights and his recompence should excéed in liberalitie so when the Chirurgians had searched their wounds they found them not so dangerous as their weakenesse and wearinesse wherefore they promised by the grace of God to bring them into as good estate of health as euer they were The Prince reioyced at their good answere and caused Siluian to fetch a Coach from the Citie wherein they were brought to the house of an ancient Gentleman and there Palmerin bare them company vntill they were able to trauaile againe CHAP. LXXXII How Albayzar came to the Court of the Emperour Palmerin and of the conditions he made there to begin his aduenturous intent VEry well prouided and full of renowned Knights was the Court of the Emperour Palmerin at such time as Albayzar hauing left Palmerin of England where hée slewe Bracandor arriued there when alighting from his Horse he came vy into the great Hal in very faire gréene Armour beset with golden Speares with two Esquires attending on him where finding the Emperour sitting with the prinoipall of his knights he thronged thorow them and reuerenced himselfe before the Emperour with these spéeches Most dread and puissant Emperor I haue béene constrained to visit your Court for two causes which I hold as especial the one to sée the noble mindes that are alwayes here abyding the other to try my selfe against them all on her behalfe that hath sent me hither Giuing you to vnderstād that for the loue of the fairest and most noble Lady in the world I haue béene at the Castle of the Giant Almarol where by force I haue obtained the Shield of the faire Miragarda which by force I beare onely to honour that Saint to whom I homage my heart and will enforce all knights to yeeld as vassailes So that if your Highnesse will licence me the Field I will compell all the Knights of your Court as also any other that dare auouch the contrary My Lady and Mistresse Targiana the onely Daughter to the great Turke my Lord and Soueraigne is she that shall beare the prize all for beautie And these conditions I doe require in mine attempt that the Defendant on his Shield shall bring the liuely Portayt of his Lady with her name to be verified at the foote thereof because it shall be the onely recompence the Conquerour shall gaine And there be any who will manifest themselues to be but indifferently fauoured of their Ladies they shall be sworne to giue in writing the name of their Mistresse As for him that hath the good hap to vanquish me he shall not onely be Lord of the shield of my Lady Targiana but shall haue likewise deliuered to him all the shieldes which Fortune shall allow me by my prowesse And furthermore to be granted that the knight dismounted in the Iust shall not haue the licence to fight with his Sword but as vanquished deliuer his Shield and so depart Now expect I your answere most redoubted Emperour as concerning the request of him that hath trauailed many a strange Countrey and now commeth to make triall of the valure and puissance of your knights if so be they can conceiue the courage to aduenture the combat on the behalfe of their Ladies When he hadde ended his spéeches a great tumult arose among the Knights and Ladies of the court who were very desirous to sée Albayzar in the field the Ladies to know the valour of their amorous seruants and the Knights to manifest the cause to deserue their loue euery one wishing to quallifie this presumptuous challenge The Emperour would make no answere to Albayzar till such time as he had conferred with his Councell when then he returned with this reply You haue sir knight attempted such a hauty enterprise as if wée should deny we should not onely grant our cowardise but also hinder you of many noble Exploits to the griefe of your selfe as also of such knights as haue a desire to shew themselues in the field Wherefore the fielde is licenced you at what time you please and your conditions allowed which were before specified but I desire you first to resolue me of one thing are you not allied to the Soldane Oloricque of Babilon because it séemeth you resemble him somwhat in fauour My lord answered Albayzar the curtesie you haue offered me moueth me in humility to kisse your gratious hand assuring you that I am the son of the Soldane Oloricque and am called by the name of Albayzar The Emperor arose immediatly and imbraced him saying I would gladly see you in my Court in another estate then you are at this present but loue shall now excuse your enterprise And then he commaunded a Chamber should be prouided for him but he made refusall thereof because he had sworne not to depart the field till he saw the issue of his hauty desire The Empresse and Gridonia sent vnto him desiring that he would suffer them to view the Shields of Targiana and Miragarda whereon they entred into iudgment that although Targiana was very faire yet was she nothing comparable to the Princesse Miragarda With seuerall suppose they went from hand to hand till at last they came to the Princesse Polinarda who was somewhat offended to see the princesse Miragarda so singular and faire which made her now to wish that the noble Palmerin of England would now arriue at the Court for shée perswaded her selfe that his worthinesse would aduance her to the glory of the Shields So that sometime she was minded to send for him but then by and by she altred her thought so that she ministred occasion to some disdainfull minde of that noble Sex how no stability or constancy is to be found in a woman Then was the picture of Altea brought which for a precious Iewel supplied a roome in the Empresse coffer and comparing her with the faire Miragarda she was found to differ very far in beautie Albayzar receiuing his Shields departed to the place appointed for the Turnament where the Emperour had commaunded two Tents to be erected and on a Pillar neare adioyning was placed the faire Portrayt of the
desiring him that he would suffer them to assist him as defending the challenge of the other two giants Dramusiande séeing them so well prouided would not refuse their knightly offer whereat Gracian Berolde Pompides and Floraman were somewhat offended because ther was none of them al but would gladly haue taken part with the Giant Dramusiande The Giants named Arbusar Albaroco and Berocant refused the offer which was made them answering that if there were no Giants for them to deale withal they disdained to take armes against men of no more might Elorian hearing them speake so arrogantly in a chafe tooke Arbusar by the arme saying Thou counterfeit Monster sâ—me not to excuse thy selfe so fondly from entring the Combate for in recompence of thy deserts I will present the Emperor with thy head from thy shoulders And to giue thée the better occasion to fight thou shall vnderstand that I am the Knight who brought the princesse Targiana into this Countrey and for this Knight thou séest with me I knowe his hardinesse will suâ—â—er him to deale with Albaroco now refuse the combat iâ— you dare The Giants hearing him to confesse that he had brought the Princesse Targiana from her countrey became so full of choler that they desired the place might be assigned where they presently determined to hazard the fight The Emperor commanded the place should be showen them whereabout he caused such good regard to be placed as in such dangerous affaires he was woont to doe but it was somewhat displeasant to him that â—orian should venture on such ougly follows iudging the other knight to be Palmerin of England he was in great feare least now he should chance to lose them both At such time the knights were entring the Field the Damosel of Thrace taking Florian aside secretly vsed these words vnto him Sir knight if Fortune bend her selfe against you that in this dangerous attempt your strength doe faile you commend your selfe to the clemency of some lady and doubt you not but to escape the hazard luckily God forbid said Florian that I should trust in them who haue not the power to helpe themselues much lesse can they any way send me succour or that I should prostrate my selfe to deâ—ice their fauour whose greatest libertie is continuall thraldome to an aduenturous minde With these words they all mounted on horsebacke and rode into the field the Emperour with all the Ladies and Knights hied themselues to the windowes to sée this hautie exployt and Albayzar likewise desirous to sée it came to one of the windowes desiring that the victory might fall to the Giants as he had good hope beholding their valiant and noble courage CHAP. XCIIII What happened in the fight against the Giants AFter that the Iudges were placed to discerne the fight the Trumpets sounded and they encountred one an other very couragiously euery one dealing so roughly with his enemy that this was supposed the most dangerous Combate that euer was séene The Emperor was still affectionate to behold the marueilous courage of the Knights of the Dragon as for Dramusiande and Florian they behaued themselues with such deliuer behauiour that Primaleon Florendos and all the Knights gaue great praise to the hautie valour of them all The Empresse Gridonia departed from the window greatly pittying the danger on either part but the Princesse Polinarda staied to sée the end accompanied with Targiana who was as much gréeued to sée the boldnes of Florian as she was pleased in beholding the courage of the giants by whose helpe she thought to haue reuenged the great inconstancy shee found in the prince Florian. And then he gaue the damosel of Thrace to vnderstand that it was not for want of strength he preuaild no better in the triall of the cup for albeit the giant Arbusar desended himself well he could not resist against Florian who saluted him with many mighty and cruel strokes driuing him into such wearinesse that he could hardly indure to stand on his féete At last faintnesse and wearinesse constrained them to retire when Berocant séeing his fellows so dangerously wounded began to rage with himselfe in this manner O gods is it possible that the force of Berocant Arbusar and Albaroco so highly estéemd throughout the whole world should be brought into subiection by one only giant and two knights why grant you not vs our accustomed strength but in our greatest néed leaue vs destitute of all succour How happy might I estéeme my selfe if I might vanquish him who sometime conquered Dramusiand and deliuered the number of knights he kept as Prisoners If you will not suffer me to haue aduantage ouer him then would I that here were with him foure of the best knights on the earth so losing my life on them I might the better broke this my hard fortune The Knight of the Dragon had no other recourse for his amorous thoughts but only to the beautiful face of his Lady Mistâ—es whose vngentle words at his departure from CoÌ„stantinople armd him with greater patience to abide the death if his froward hap should now prouide it for him As for the prince he had no body to apply his thoughts vnto but only coÌ„mitted himselfe to the gouernment of Fortune whom he only kept for his Lady and Mistresse Euery one vsing some pretty fancy to himselfe during the time they remained breathing assalted one another again very valiantly when the knight of the Dragon hauing brought Albaroco to his foote to honor his mistresse with his conquest he opened his helmet and before her part his head from his shoulders as glad of the victory as before he stood in doubt how to obtaine it Then he aduanced himself to assist Dramusiand against Berocant at whom he fiercely let fly a stâ—oke but their often trauersing the ground caused the blow vnfortunately to fall on Dramusiande giuing him a greater wound on the shoulder then any he had receiued at the hands of Berocant wherfore Dramusiand turned to him with these words Trust me sir knight I estéeme the succour you giue me to be oppression and no friendship wherefore I pray you suffer me to end this cause my selfe and if perhaps you sée me vanquished then put your valour in triall to kill him who shall remaine victorious ouer me for the death I rather chuse then the shame which may fall to me by this vngentle manner of ayde The knight of the Dragon hauing thus against his will iniuried his friend Dramusiande retired greatly displeased with himselfe and Aâ—busar was reduced into such weakenesse that Florian quickly gaue him his paiment so sore wounded himselfe that the Iudges would haue had him carried out of the field but he would not consent thereto before he had séene the issue of the fight which was so displeasant to Albayzar and Targiana because the giants were so cruelly vsed that they went from thence as not able to suffer such a gréeuous sight The Emperor Primaleon
you the second part wherein he dares promise you such plentifull varietie of choice conceits as cannot be so long expected as they will bee thought worthy of a welcome Meane while he reposeth himselfe on your wonted courtesies desiring to heare nothing that may disharten him from his intent or hinder you from the end of so braue a Historie FINIS Anthony Munday Patere aut abstine THE SECOND PART OF THE NO LESSE RARE THEN excellent and stately Historie of the famous and fortunate Prince Palmerin of England and Florian du Desart his brother CONTAINING THEIR KNIGHTLY deeds of Chiualry successe in their loues pursuite and other admirable fortunes Wherein Gentlemen may finde choyse of sweete inuentions and Gentlewomen be satisfied in Courtly expectations Translated out of French by A. M. one of the Messengers of her Maiesties Chamber Patere aut abstine LONDON Printed by Thomas Creede and Bernard Alsop 1616. TO THE VVORSHIPFVLL MAISTER FRANCIS YOVNG OF BRENT PELham in the Countie of Hertford Esquire and to Mistresse Susan Young his Wife and my kinde Mistresse heâ—lth and happinesse intirely wished ALPHONSVS king of Naples Right Worshipfull a King renowmed in sundrie volumes of Antiquitie for his wisedome Bountie and Affablilitie of Nature lying very sore sicke in the Citie of Capua hauing tryed the very vttermost cunning his Physitions could vse on him yet all would not helpe to recouer his health determined with himselfe to take no more Medicines but for his recreation caused the Storie of Quintus Curtius concerning the deedes of Alexander the Great to be read before him at the hearing whereof hee conceyued such woonderfull pleasure as Nature gathered strength by it and chased away the frowardnes of his disease Wherevpon in some sorte hauing soone recouered his health hee discharged his Physitians with these wordes Feast mee no more with Galene and Hyppocrates sith all their skill would not serue to asswage my sickenesse but well fare Quintius Curtius that holpe mee so soone to my health By this example may be gathered right worshipfull how necessary it is oftentimes to reade Histories which in the iudgement of the wise are esteemed as healthfull to the mind as Phisick is accounted holesome for the body yea oftentimes more for that the sodaine inward conceit of delight wherewith Histories are plentifully enriched may sooner breake and qualifie the extreamity of a painfull disease then the long and laboursome applying of Physicall receipts Yet not to condemne the one nor extoll the other more then it deserueth I allow of both very well but I must needs thus confesse with Aristotle that History is the Schoolemistresse of Princes and the onely Trumpet that soundeth in the eares of all noble personages the famous deeds of their worthy progenitors Plato likewise affirmeth that the name of History was giuen to this end that by recording matters of antiquity our fleeting memories might be stayed which otherwise would soone be lost and retaine little Seeing then right worshipfull that Histories carry such credite among the learned sort and haue not bene a little esteemed of both Emperours kings and famous Potentates as a testimony of my vnfained affection and dutie to your worshippe I offer you the second part of this excellent and famous Historie which how bad the rude translation thereof may seeme to the daintie eares I know but how singular it is of it selfe no better description then the reading ouer can be made I presume therefore maister Young as the Romanes did who were woont to place the pictures of their most especial friends at the very entrance into their stately Pallaces therby to declare their zealous and vnspotted affection to him In like maner haue I stampt your worships name in the face of this historie as well to countenance the Book with such a worshipfull personage as to credit my selfe with your woonted and fauourable good liking for I account my selfe and my labours free from the reproach of wounding tongues being allowed but the least moitie of your gentle iudgement It shall bee needlesse for me to wade into tedious circumstances when to the wise and learned a word is sufficient wherefore Palmerin reposeth himselfe on your kinde conceite and wisheth such happy continuance to you your wife my gentle Mistresse and whole issue as the world being partaker of your vertues my selfe acquainted with your fauourable opinion and my Booke defended by your worthy selfe you may remaine as in yeeres so in happinesse and the longer your course the larger your comfort Your worships at command A. Mundy To the Reader ACcording to my promise I haue finished the second part of Palmerins famous historie how pleÌ„tifully it is enriched with singular conceite sweete inuention and commendable purposes leaue to thy iudgement not doubting but that thou 〈◊〉 censnrâ— therof vnpartially And least thou shouldest â—â—â—edge that this second part broakes off abruptly not shewing what become of the Princes after they were conuayed by the Sage Aliart to the Perillous Isle vnderstand that the third part shall acquaint thee therewith as also the full conclusion of euery matter herein handled which if thou be desirous to haue giue these two former Bookes the friendlier welcome and it will hasten the translation of the other with the greater speede Thy vnfained friend to his power A. Munday THE SECOND PART OF the famous Historie of the noble and valiant Prince Palmerin of England containing other most singâ—lar and knightly deedes by him atchieued and worthily finished CHAP. I. Of that which happened to the Prince Florendos after that he had left the Castle of Dramorant the Cruell where hee vanquished Astribor I Haue made rehearsall vnto you in the first part of this Historie how the valiant Prince Palmerin of England who caused himselfe to be called the Knight of the Tiger happily brought to the end the cruell enchantment wherein the faire Leonarda Princesse of Thrace was long time detained and hauing staied long in that realme he concluded to take his leaue of the Quéene Carmelia and the young Lady desiring them humbly that they would not séeme to hinder him from his voyage to Constantinople within whose walles was inclosed the inestimable treasure of his knightly and loyall minde which indéede was the faire Princesse Polinarda the soueraigntie of whose beautie was of such power as made him refuse the Crowne of Thrace which was presented vnto him according as the Sage Aliart made rehearsall before these famous aduentures by the principall noble Gentlemen throughout the realme of Thrace who hartily desired if it might be possible that the noble Palmerin of England whose honestie valour and Knightly courtesie was agréeable together should fulfill the commandement of their King Sardament which they would haue béene very loth to contrary had he thereto consented But Palmerin made knowne his minde and secret intent as well vnto them as also to the Princesse both what he intended and what hée would sée especially performed wheron his honor should stand
in short time was so blazed as it mooued a generall consent of gladnes not so much for the recouery of the Castles as that they were woon by the prowesse of the Prince Florian. The good King Fredericke for ioy of this good happe sent sir Pridos the Duke of Galles in all the spéede that might be to sée if he could méete with his noble Nephew who taking a Galley presently in short time arriued in the Coast of Ireland not very farre from the Hermits Cell Where finding the Prince and declaring the sum of his message the Prince concluded to depart thence notwithstanding his wounds were not thorowly healed so taking leaue of the gentle Hermit and desiring the other Knights to accompany him they committed themselues to the Seas whereon they had not long sayled but they arriued at the Cittie of London thorow which they were honourably conducted to the Kings Pallace When tydings being come to the King that they were arriued in the Court accompanied with his Sonne Don Edward hée came to méete them when casting his armes about the necke of the Prince Florian the teares ran downe his white beard for the inward ioy he conceiued in his presence as for his Father Don Edward he would not hide his earnest affection but welcommed his sonne with very great kindnesse and his mother the Princesse Flerida pittying his hurts but glad of his company shewed her selfe a louing mother vnto him and would not depart day nor night from him till she perceiued him to be thorowly recouered The King of England did very honourably entertaine the Knights which came with his Nephew and for that he would show he made estimation of them he accepted them into offices according to their degrées in his Court for which great bountie they witnessed themselues not vnthankefull but so behaued themselues as they did great credit to the King in his Court. The Prince Florian being in good estate of health newes came vnto the English Court of the imprisonment of the king Polendos and his companie in the Court of the great Turke which vnhappy tidings moooed the king and his whole Court to great gréefe considering withall the state of sorrow wheren the Emperour of Constantinople remained and the more extreame did they take the cause in respect of the small hope was to be had of their liberty againe in that the great Turke had sworne to put them all to death except the Emperour would send him the knight who so boldly carryed away his daughter the Princesse Targiana These newes comming to the eares of the Prince Florian he began to fall into these spéeches Far better it is for me to go render my selfe and suffer the extrame rigour of that cruell Infidell then that for me so many good knights should liue in danger for séeing by my occasion the cause did first arise no better meane to salue it vp againe then my selfe I cannot beléeue sayd the Prince Don Edward that the Turke is so forgetfull of himselfe as to séeke the death of so many for so small a matter by reason Albayzar one of his owne kindred should then stand in hazard of his life but if it be as the report goeth the Emperour ought to be carefull in the kéeping of Albayzer to the end that the safegard of his life might redéeme the other their woonted liberty whereto the Prince Florian thus replied I am perswaded good Father that the Turke will hardly be remooued from his determination which maketh me the greater to misdoubt the safety of those knights the absence of whom I am assure so gréeuously offendeth the good Emperour that I am perfectly resolued to goe and comfort him considering it is a part of dutie on my behalf not to be so farre from him at this time séeing he is depriued of them that should defend him The aged king Fredericke his Father Don Edward nor his mother the Priucesse Flerida could disswade him from his determination but contrary to their wils he departed from the Court taking his iourney toward Constantinople being armed after his accustomed maner and bearing in his Sheeld his vsuall deuise Thus the happy successe which may fall vnto him at this time we intend to leaue him because we will returne to the Prince Florendos who by his time is wel néere the castle of the giant Almarol hauing in his iourney done many noble déeds deseruing commendation but for that they are rehearsed in the English Chronicles it would séeme impertinent to this place to rehearse them neuerthelesse I must needs tell yée that Floraman the Prince of Sardignia in this iourney atchieued very great renowne and so continued till their arriuall at the City of Rioclaro which at this present is called Tamar Florendos séeing himselfe so neare the place where he had spent a great time in languishing afflictions entred into a thousand imaginations with himselfe first considering the beginning of his loue and then the happy continuance thereof enforced him to a number of sad coniectures wherein he passed that night as quietly as he could In the morning they rid on toward the Castle of Almaroll when Albayzar beganne to vse some doubt of his entertainement for that he iudged women were but slenderly acquainted with pittie especially hée looked for small fauour of the Princesse Miragarda who contrariwise was not so cruell towardes strangers as shée was toward her dearest and best beloued friendes Florendos had no sooner discouered the Trées which were planted about the Riuer Thesin and with all the walles of the Castle of Almaroll but his heart was immeasurably touched with suddaine feare remembring how many stormes he had endured and the perilles whereto he must now render himselfe againe afresh a spectacle certainely of woonderfull griefe wherein he somewhat bare the Prince Albayzar company who remembring that he was vanquished knew no other remedie for himselfe but to abide the mercy of Miragarda When they were come to the Castle they found all the gates fast locked wherevpon they went to the Trée where the Shieldes were hanging where well beholding them all Florendos at last espied his owne at the sight whereof he secretly sighed and imagined how he might be thankfull sufficient to his Esquire Armello who had since his departure so well garded it but in sooth he was not so much beholding to his Esquier as he did esteeme himselfe because Armello was fallen amorous of Lardemia the Damosell attendant on the faire Princesse Miragarda and stayed in that place to contemplate the beauty of his beloued Mistresse rather then for any care he had of his Maisters shéeld and Armor for he was gone so farre ouer shoes in loue as he had no other pleasure then the remembrance of the Damosell who tooke great delight to sée him so gréeuously attached for loue Armello shas so set on fire in affection as he could not know his Lord and Maister and some other cause there was to hinder him for that he was so
to requite your kindenesse Polynarda contented herselfe very well with the gentle aunswere of the fayre Princesse Leonarda as well to be resolued of the speciall entertainment which shee gaue to her Noble Couzin Florian as also to remooue the suspition shee had of her singular Beautie fearing least her most fauoured Friende the Prince Palmerin of England should fall into any lyking to matche with her because she reserued him altogether for her séemely selfe The Prince Florian was not a little prowd of his good fortune and the Emperor would haue called him to him but that he saw how familiar the two princesses were in talk with him whervpon he determined if good hap would so permit to make a marriage betwéene him and the Princesse of Thrace whom he gaue as bed fellow to his Néeâ—e Polinarda assuring you that these two vertuous Ladies liued and loued so intirely together as the one could neuer be without the others company and what occasions of secrete sorrow so euer hapned the one would not 〈…〉 of the other in reuealing their close conceits for they 〈◊〉 of this minde that it could not be called firme and faithful friendship when all kind of such causes should not passe common betweene them At length the Emperor accompanied with the Prince Florian withdrew himselfe into his Chamber where he quistioned with him about the prosperous estates of the King of England his Grandfather and his father the Prince Don Edward not forgetting his deare daughter the faire Princesse Flerida whom he desired if it might be possible to sée before he dyed and after he had communed with him about many matters hee caused the Prince to be brought into his Chamber where the good Knight could not â—â—sse the night so quietly as he was accustomed the 〈…〉 princesse Leonarda was so earnest in his thoughts as 〈◊〉 and tumbled but could not enioy any wished rest On the next day in the morning when the Emperour had béene at the Chappell to heare diuine Seruice the Table was couered in the Princesse Fleridaes Chamber where he dined in the company of the Empresse Gridonia Polinarda and the faire Princesse of Thrace but after that the Tables were withdrawne and they had â—â—tten a prettie while talking together there entered a Damosell attired all in blacke with two séemely Esquiers attending on her she humbled herselfe before the Emperour with kissing his hand and did the like to the Empresse Gridonia and Polinarda who very gently imbraced the Damosell for that she knewe her to be one of the wayting Gentlewomen vpon the Princesse Targiana at such time as she was there abiding in the Emperours Court and before the Empresse shee stayed still when the Emperor hauing knowledge of her came and demanded other as concerning the welfare of her Lady and Mistresse to which wordes she answered in this manner Dread Prince and my most gratious Lord I desire you that you will not receiue any displeasure for that you sée me rather inclined to the Empresse then to your excellencie because the Princesie Targiana commaunded me to addresse my selfe vnto her highnesse as to one whom she vnfainedly regardeth but for your grace desireth to vnderstand how the Princesse my good Lady â—aâ—eth it is so that she neuer came foorth of her Chamber since the day that the Prince Polendos your Sonne and the other Princes and Knights were committed to prison during all which time she hath not ceassed most gratiously to wéepe and lament insomuch as her faire beautie is maruellously altered and chaunged yet hath the Turke her Father laboured as much as may be to disâ—wade her from this mournefull kinde of life but all in vaine he wasteth his endeuor for she tooke her oath in his presence that she would neuer giue euer vexing her selfe with continuall waiting vntill your knights enioyed as frée libertie as they had when they came with her from Constantinople The Turke her father fearing lest her extreame griefe would be a cause of shortning her youthfull time hath promised to restore them for the libertie of the Prince Albayzar whom they of Babilon haue request of him that they may enioy him among them againe for this cause the great Turke hath sent hither an Ambassadour who will be here either this day or tomorrow morning when your Highnesse shall vnderstand the summe of the matter And for that the Princesse Targiana feareth least you should denie to graunt what he requireth which may mooue such an inconuenience as your Maiestie would repent the great honour you bestowed on her in your Court she put me faithfully in trust to bring these tydings vnto the Empresse in whose presence I haue made you acquainted with that I had in charge because it teâ—cheth you more then it doeth any other person Moreouer shee carefully pondering euery carâ—e with her selfe and doubting least the mallice which her father beareth to the Princesse of your Court will séeke a secrete reuenge some way as treason intended betwéene him and his Ambassadour towards your Highnesse to preuent the worst that may happen she desireth you to returne her Father good words but not forgoe the Prince Albayzar whom you know her lawfull husband before first your Knights be foorth of her fathers power and that they haue attained such a place of assurance as al deuises notwithstanding no harme may come vnto them but if after their libertie such misfortune happen them as she would be very loath your Maiestie may as you sée cause finde your selfe agrieued with the offenders Faire Damosell answered the Emperour I accept very gratefully the good aduice of the Princesse Targiana and I sée very well that the honour she receiued in my Court albeit it was but small is now double and double rewarded and perswade your selfe that I am determined to follow her counsell The Emperour concluding his minde the Damosell came againe to the Princesse Polinarda to present her with the gratious commendations of the faire Targiana but when she behelde the rare and singular beautie of the Princesse of Thrace which set by her the damosell tooke the hardinesse to demaund and if that Lady were not the Princesse Miragarda for whom and by whom the Prince Albayzar was vanquished In sooth faire Damosell answered Polinarda this is not the Princesse Miragarda but this is Leonarda the Princesse of Thrace whom the noble Palmerin of England deliuered out of the enchantment wherein she remained a long and tedious time at these wordes the Damosell tooke occasion to beginne thus By your fauour Madame I knowe now who this Lady is because I haue not forgotten the straunge aduenture of the Cuppe which was brought by a Damosel into his Court and I assure you that Palmerin of England was of a very strange nature that he could both make so small account of such a faire Princesse as also in refusing the stately gouernment of the Kingdome of Thrace Polinarda desirous to mooue the Damosell from talking in that matter willed that
of her whereupon he made her this answer Madame if you were as firme and constant as you are both kinde and beautifull which is a thing most necessarie in you I durst awarrant you that your Knights could not be conuicted in this manner beside there is no knight but would willingly ioyne with them in doing you seruice and I assure you that had you not offred to compell me against my will I would willingly haue granted your owne desire so desirous I am to doe faire Ladies seruice remembring alwayes that such as you are ought to be well estéemed and not forgotten And you shall vnderstand that I haue béene both in the Court of England and Spaine which are not a little renowned by the beauty of the faire Ladies that there are nourished Likewise I haue séene Florenda daughter to Arnedes the king of Fraunce whose beautie is honoured of a great many but shée whom your Champion named and those that I haue rehearsed to you my selfe may not compare with the Ladies of the Emperour Palmerins Court. There haue I séene Gridonia Polinarda Leonarda the princesse of Thrace and Sidelia Daughter to the King Tarnaes of Lacedemonia I haue séene also the Princesse Targiana daughter to the great Turke for whose loue Albayzar the Soldane of Babilon hath suffered very dangerous trauailes all these in my iudgement are highly aduanced in beauty beyond you and so it will be granted of any that is not wedded in affection towards you But let it not offend you that I speake more plainely it is your crueltie and pride together that doeth much deface your title of beautie which you cannot deny your selfe making so light account as you doe of sir Dragonalt not remembring that he is a worthy Knight and Sonne to one of the most valiant Princes on the earth And if this triall is not sufficient to cause you loue him faithfully trust me I must needes say that he hath put himselfe in danger for an vnfaithfull person whom neither knightly bountie nor regard of her owne duty hath power to mooue In respect therefore that you made me promise to grant what I requested my desire is that in recompence of his noble deserts you would accept of him as your Lord and Husband so shall you both fulfill your promise to me and accomplish the commandement which the King your Father charged you should fulfill I now respect your answere to see if a man should build any assurance of your word Sir Knight answered Arnalte do me the fauour to tel me first who you are and afterward I will doe my good will to satisfie your request The knowledge of me faire Lady saide the Knight of the Sauage man shall be no hinderance to the matter wherefore I aduertise you that I am called Florian of the Forrest Sonne to Don Edward the English Prince and Flerida the Daughter to the Emperor Palmerin Dâ—agonalt hearing these words spake thus If in the victory you haue obtained Sir Knight I should loose nothing else but the reputation of a good Knight I could not be any iote offended being vanquished at his handes who alwayes returneth from the Combat conquerour but seeing I am frustrate of the hope that should yéeld me content I cannot chuse but complaine on Fortune who hath caused me fall into so great perplexitie Arnalte vnderstanding that the knight of the Sauage man was the Sonne of the noble Prince Don Edward she began to blush remembring what had passed betwéene her and him and very desirous she was to match with him in mariage but seeing she might not doe as she would she contented her selfe with his request declaring her minde in this manner I did not thinke Sir Knight that he which could so nobly vanquish the enterprise of knights would study and practise how to deceiue poore simple women neuerthelesse the behauiour of the Prince Dragonalt enforceth me to obey your desire Vpon this condition that within one yéere you and hee shall bring mee to the Court of the Emperour Palmerin as well for the vnfained reuerence I beare to his Maiestie as also to be acquainted with those gratious Ladies which you haue named God forbid Madame saide the Knight of the Sauage man but I should agrée to this lawfull request and the rather because I knowe your presence will greatly honour the Emperâ—urs Court Then Florian offered to kisse the Princesse Arnaltes hand but she imbraced him very courteously and Dragonalt would haue humbled himselfe at his féete but he would not suffer him to rise from his bed for he made such estimation of him as hee sent for the chiefe gouernours of the Realme who hauing knowledge of the Knight of the Sauage man iudged the mariage of Dragonalt and the Princesse to be according as it ought and to do them the greater honour the Prince Florian caused the marriage to be solemnized presently in the Castle On the next morning he came to take his leaue of the prince Dragonalt and the Quéene Arnalte to whom hauing made promise that he would not faile to accompany them to the Emperours Court he tooke his way on his iourney where we will forsake him a while and speake somewhat of the Prince Albayzar CHAP. XXX How the Prince Albayzar embarqued himselfe to saile into Turkie after that he had presented himselfe to the Princes of Thrace ALbayzar the Soldane of Babylon was desirous to leaue the King of Spaines court thrée dayes after he had tried the Ioust against the noble Prince Florian of the Forrest and taking his farewell of the King the Quéene the Ladies and those knights of the Court who were his friends he set forward on his way accompanied with two Esquires making such spéedy haste as it was not long before he attained to the Cittie of Constantinople Then comming to the Pallace with a very proude and stately iesture he entred the Chamber of Presence where he found the Emperour the Empresse and her Ladies beside the chéefe Princes and Knights of Court he making no reuerence to any stood viewing among the Ladies whom he had séene before which of them he might repute for the Princesse of Thrace At last iudging her to be the Princes that sate next vnto the faire Polinarda he came before her and knéeling down saluted her with these spéeches Madame at the very instant I was about to depart from the King of Spaines court a knight arriued there being accompanied with nine Damosels and he trying the Iousts with the most redoubted Knight of the Court vnhorsed them brauely one after another The sight hereof made me desirous to hazard my fortune but such was my ill hap that he serued me as he had done the other knights and hauing thus conquered me he enforced me to make my faithfull promise that I would come and submit my self before you and declare the message he would command me for the condition was so made on either part when we began the Ioust This Knight charged me to
Constantinople DVring the the time this great ioy was in the Court of Constantinople for the comming of the prince Palmerin the Emperour had tidings brought him how the Prince Albayzar had leuied a great and mighty Armie to come and besiege the Cittie and assure the Messenger that the Lord who was the Soldane Bellagris was preparing himselfe in a readinesse to come and aide him The Emperour being at this time ouercharged with age found himselfe farre vnable to deale in these affaires the consideration whereof did not a little displease him Neuerthelesse he fayled not to make prouision as wisedome willed to entertaine the enemy whereupon he writ to the Soldane Bellagris sending him heartie thankes for the good forwardnesse hâ— saw in him especially in a time so néedfull and when the messenger to the Soldane was dispatched the Emperour sent presently to informe of these newes Arnedes the King of France his Sonne in law Recinde the king of Spaine Don Edward the Prince of England the Emperour Vernar of Allemaigne Maiortes and many others The Armie of the Turkes was no sooner heard of but the Knights who followed their noble aduentures returned to Constantinople knowing they shuld make better trial of their valour there then in any other places and such was the rumour spread abroad to the Turks intention as in short time the Citie of Constantinople was furnished with many noble and redoubted knights where aduentures was presented to them day by day but the Emperour would not suffer them to pursue after such occasions because they were nothing else but deceite and villany wayting still for the time when he should be assaulted by Albayzar who was now setting forward on the Seas being accompanyed with diuers approoued knights at armes as also a number of cruell and bloody minded Giants intending to make a generall spoyle of all the Emperors Dominions But till we haue better occassion we will leaue them a while and returne to the Prince Palmerin who during the brute of the Turkes Army was aduertised of the death of Satrafort the gouernor of the Perillous Isle being taken by Trofolant the Fearefull who was descended to the giants kindred And as it is rehearsed in the first volume of this History that Trafolant was vanquished in the Tournament by the Prince Florendos and had the like mishap the day following by the prowesse of the Knight of the Sauage man who guarded the shéeld of the Palme Tree in the forrest of the Cleere Fountain which the Damosell from the Sage Aliart brought to the Emperour Palmerin that he might deliuer it to the Knight his Nephew who had woone the honour of the day in the Tournament It was likewise his fortune after when he trauailed to the Castle of the Giant Almaroll to be vanquished there by the Prince Florendos who guarded the shéeld of the faire Miragarda and returning thence he met with the Damoselles Knight when offering to take one of his Ladies from him they fell to the Combate and in the end was likewise vanquished The conceit of his so many and sundry foyles and all by the Knights of the Emperours Court caused him to deuise by what meanes he might worke some iniurie to them that belonged to the Emperour in respect he was so seuerely bent against them as he would take vpon him to reuenge the death of Calfurnien and his brethren But to the ende he might the better execute his treacherous enterprise hée tooke his way to the Profound Isle thinking there to inuent some treason by the aide of Collambra but his intent was there disapointed for it was told him that she was brought to the Emperours Court of Greece Then he determined to goe visit the Perillous Isle being accompanied with two Knights that were his kinsemen with whom he knewe well how to dissemble the treason on his stomacke and Satrafort thinking them to be of the Emperours Court of Constantinople entertained them very louingly into his Castle where when they had soiourned for certaine daies they murthered Satrafort and all his houshold But the pleasure of this victorie was very short to them for Argentao the gouernour of the Profound Isle came by a secret wile suddenly on them with his power and taking Trofolant in the Forrest sent him presently to the Emperours Court where was no little ioy of his comming in that he saued Palmerin a iourney who was taking his leaue of his friendes because he would goe to take the Traitors that had done such villanie Trofolant was condemned by the lawe and publiely executed according as his trecherous dealings deserued and Argentao was honourably recompenced that he might haue the better occasion to be carefull and circumspect in his office So soone as Trofolant was put to death the Sage Aliart arriued at the Court of Constantinople whose presence gaue greater assurance to the Emperour and his Knightes and he gaue them heartie thankes in that they were so ready to goe recouer the Perillous Isle After the Sage Aliart there came to the Court the Prince Floraman Albanis of Frieze Reccamon Leyman of Burgunuy beside many other princes and knights who had euery one forsaken their seuerall countries to assist the Emperour of Constantinople with their aide because they had heard of the Turks preparation The very same day was tydings brought to the Court how Fredericke the king of England was dead which newes caused â—o small griefe among the Princes especially to the Emperour himselfe who being as aged as King Fredericke was iudged himselfe not of long continuance behind him in that this was a speciall president for him to regard King Fredericke being one he made most chiefe and high account of Prince Edward was then crowned King of England to the great ioy of all his subiects he being such a vertuous and magnanimous Prince and the funerals of king Frederick was solemnized in Greece with very great state their Beacons burning and Bonfires made through the whole Empire according as it was the custome in that Countrey CHAP. XXXVI Of an aduenture which happened during the troubles at Constantinople in the Realme of France and after what manner it chanced THe History reporteth that certaine Ladies in the Realme of France enuying the renowned of Polinarda of Greece Miragarda of Spaine and Leonarda of Thrace whose beauties defaced greatly the Ladies in all other Countries began to complaine very much on the French knightes that either by the want of courage or their little regard of loue their beauties remained vnknowne in other Realmes Countries and Prouinces Vpon this occasion they found themselues somewhat agréeued and to the end they would remedie the cause foure Ladies of the king of France his Court thinking to excell all other in beauties enterprised to establish an aduenture to mooue the mindes of many Knights to come endure their triall against such as would maintaine their beauties The first of these Ladies was called Mansia the second Telanfia the third Latrania and tge fourth
so soone as he was armed he caused Arlencea and the Damosels to be sent for who had all this while remained in the monasterie with the Nuns they giuing them most harty thankes for their friendes vsage set forward on their way with the Knight of the Sauage man who now would haue his Shield no longer couered The foure Ladies bare them company a little way on their Palfreys being glad they could let the King knowe what hee was and very faine they would haue had him with them to the Court but when they perceiued their labour was all in vaine Torsia smiling spake to him thus Trust me sir by the teâ—tes which fall from mine eyes me thinkes you take your parting heauâ—ly or euery teare is as bigge as a Milstone Lady quoth he the fire that is kindled in my stomach by your loue is of such nature as the water cannot quench But seeing you make so light account of him who hath humbled himselfe 〈◊〉 much to you I will despise Loue who is the occasion of such a misfortune And this you may assure your selfe I will gage the heart which once did present it selfe to you in another place to trie if I shal be better entertained then I haue beene at your hands So parting from them he set forward on his iourney desiring to attaine the Citie of Constantinople CHAP. XLVII How the Knight of the Sauge man arriued at the Court of Constantinople And how Dragonalt and Arnalte the Queene of Nauarre came likewise to the Emperours Court. LOng trauailed the Knight of the Sauage man till at last hee came into a Forrest somewhat néere the Citie of Constantinople where he espied a number of Knights Ladies and Damosels which made him presently suspect the Emperor to be in their company as he was indéede for he had béen abroad with them to sée his falcons flie and for that age would not suffer him to ride on horsebacke he was in a Coach accompanied with the Empresse and other Princesse of the Court who peroeiuing the knight of the Sauage man comming and fiue Damosels in his company they knew him so soone as they beheld the deuise his Shield Then came they togither to méete him in such a troupe as the Knight of the Sauage man was very ioyfull to see himselfe so welcome to his friends amongst them was his Brother Palmerin of England who came and embraced him with excéeding humanitie Arlencea being alighted from her horse he tooke her by the hand and brought her before the Emperour and when he had kissed his hand he desired his excellencie that it might be his pleasure to remember how much he was beholding to that lady who saued him from falling into the handes of cruell Collambra her mother Arlencea humbled her selfe to the Emperour her huge stature being much wondred at of all the Ladies but the Emperour shewed himselfe very gracious vnto her in like manner did the Empresse and Gridonia But Leonarda the Princesse of Thrace suspecting the Knight of the Sauage mans minde was not on her entertained Arlencea but euen so In the meane while these Ladies were thus ioyfully entertaining Arlencea the knight of the Sauage man was aduertised of the death of King Fredericke of England his Grandfather at which tidings he was so heauy as he was enforced to forsake their company and rode into the Citie before them And after he was come to the Pallace he consumed certaine dayes in mournings vntill the time compelled him to goe visit the Princesse Leonarda his Lady The Emperour caused Arlencea to be mounted on horsebacke againe making very especiall estimation of her for as she was endued with exquisite beautie so was she adorned with very gratious maners which liked euery one well that beheld her especially Dramusiande who was now so farre in loue with her as he had quite forgotten Latrania As the Emperour was about to returne into the Cittie he espyed come riding along the Forrest diuers Ladyes and Damosels accompanyed with diuers knights who were offered the Ioust by them attendant on the Emperour Which the principal knight in the company perceiuing and desirous beside to try his valour before such an assembly tooke a strong Lance and clapping downe the Beuer of his Helmet came and presented himselfe to the Lady in the company who had the authoritie to command all the other And hauing taken his leaue of her he gaue his horse the spurs and was so fortunate in the encounter as he sent Bellizant out of his saddle Afterward with another Lance which one of the Knights gaue him in his hand he sent foure more good and especiall Knights of the Emperours Court to the ground whereat the Emperour maruelled and noting the braue behauiour of this Knight he caused to be sent him certaine Lances but before they could be receiued a Damosell came and saluted the Emperor from the knight in this maner Renowmed Emperour Dragonalt the King of Nauarre being desirous to content the Princesse Arnalte his Quéen and wife hath thus presumed to Ioust with your Knights but when he vnderstood your Highnesse was in place he commanded me to infourme your Maiestie how he hath left his owne realme to offer his humble dutie to your excellencie The Emperour and the Empresse hearing the Damoselles words were supprised with vnspeakeable pleasure entending to entertaine Dragonalt with as much honour as could be deuised as well for knowing him to be the Sonne of a valiant Prince and Nephew to King Frisoll as also to mooue the affection of his Queene Arnalte in more ample maner to him and so without any further stay they went to meete them Which when Dragonalt and the Queene Arnalte beheld they alighted from their horses and holding one another by the hand went to meete the Empresse who likewise to do them the greater honour came on feete accompanied with Gridonia Polinarda Leonarda diuers other Ladies each of them imbracing them with their humanitie letting them vnderstand how the emperors court was highly honored by their presence After they had on all sides sufficiently welcomed these princes Dragonalt and Arnalte mounted on horsebacke but Palmerin alighted and taking the bridle of Arnaltes horse in his hand so walked on til he came to the pallace wherat the princesse Polinarda beganne to waxe somewhat iealous Arnalte well noting the beautie of the two Princesses Polinarda and the faire Leonarda of Thrace began to thinke that they which enterprised the Combate in Spaine for the fairest in the world did witnesse their manhood in a iust occasion albeit next to these two her selfe was esteemed the third for beautie in the Emperours Court but when the Princesse Miragarda came thither she was constrained to be the fourth in number Dragonalt and the Quéene Arnalte were lodged verie neere the Empresse Chamber and Arlencea and her Damosels were guests to the Duchesse of Lubicall the chiefe Lady about the Empresse The Emperour caused dayly Iousts and Tournements to witnesse
terrifie the Enemie then all they were able to doe Vpon this determination they were agréede and the Emperour was brought in his Chayre into the great Hall where the Embassador stayed who hauing viewed the strength of the Citie knew well they should bestow good labour before they could conquer it The Emperour according to his milde and Noble nature receyued the Embassador from his enemie very gratiously and after the Kings and Princes were in theyr due and appointed places and a generall silence amongst them all the Embassadour began in these speeches Illustrious and most puissant Emperour I could wish to sée thée in the Flourishing estate of thy yeares as well to be a participate of many troubles imminent to them that dare take vppon them to defende thy Empyre as also to enlarge the contentment of them who shall be so happie as to gaine the victorie in the fielde of Battell which is now presented to thy Maiestie I am to let thée vnderstand that Albayzar the great Soldan of Babylon and Prince of Turkie accompanyed with other Soldans Kings puissant Princes hath sent me to thée to let thée know that they are determined with theyr strength and power to besiege this Citie to reuenge the death of manie theyr especiall Friendes who receyued their dishonour before this Cittie Neuerthelesse the Soldane Albayzar hauing not forgotten the gracious courtesie thou didst sometimes vse towards Oloricque Alchidiana and the Princesse Targiana hath thus concluded fearing to be noted of ingratitude to make thée this offer eyther to surrender the Cittie of Constantinople and the knight of the Sauage man King of Thrace thy Nephew into his hands or depart leaue thine Empyre subiect to his power without offering any resistance to his determination On this condition hee will not bring his Armie into thine Empyre and hée thinketh it more necessary for thée rather to loose one Cittie then the whole Empyre and better it were for thée to deliuer one man into his hands then to sée the death of a number thy especiall Friends To which words the Emperour thus answered My Friend I can hardly endure to let thée passe any further in spéeches but I must néedes answer you thus that I account it well for my profite to follow his counsell in this matter if by the sending him one man I may make sure account of the safetie of the rest But if that one man be found so good a Knight as his Valour is sufficient to redeeme the Captiuitie of all the other I must not be so forgetfull of my honour as to render a State of assurance to your Lordes mercie Besides it were a thing much against reason and duety to yeelde that Cittie into the hands of Heathen Infidells where the true God is to be worshipped in spirit and truth And truely I cannot but maruell much that hée should offer to come thus into my Empire considering what promises hath past betweene him and mée for I was of the opinion that I should rather be furthered by his aide and assistance then hindered or impeached thus maliciously But for all this my trust is in GOD that I shall prepare his graue before the Walles of this Cittie as I haue done alreadie to many of his Predecessours who without regarde of theyr owne Honour or my courtesie haue come to assaile me in this manner I perceyue then my Lord answered the Embassaâ—our that because Fortune hath daily fauoured you to this present you will not dreade the misfortunes whereinto you may suddenly fall therefore I intend to returne with this answere to my Lord who sent me So taking his leaue he returned to his Galley where it lay at Anckor being accompanyed with many Princes and Lords of the Emperours Court and after they had giuen him a very friendly Farewell his Galley set forward with such expedition as in short time it came to the rest of the Armie CHAP. LV. ¶ How the Armie of the Great Turke arriued in the Port of Constantinople and of the noble and valiant prowesse of the Christians before they would suffer the Pagans to take Landing THe Embassadour from Albayzar to the Soldane of Babylon being thus departed the Emperour Palmerin called together all the Princes and Nobles in his Courte to giue present order to euery one that they should with all the best spéede possible prouide themselues in Armes to forbidde the entraunce of the Enemie and to haue good regard to the affaires of the Citie and safety of the same which was committed to the Guard of the Emperour Vernar and the King Polendos accompanyed with a thousand fiue hundreth Knights on Horsebacke and foure hundreth Footemen King Edward of England was chosen by Generall consent chiefe Captaine and Gouernour of the Fielde hauing vnder his conduct two thousand Knightes beside the Giant Dramusiande who by his Noble behauiour in that expedition wonne very great estimation Maiortes Pridos the Duke of Galles Don Rosiande de la Bronde his Sonne Argolant the Duke of Horten Pompides and fifty Knightes that were come in theyr company So diuiding theyr Knights into foure parts they were in number eight thousand to euery thousand was a Generall Captain Arnedes King of France had the ordering of fiue hundred being attended on likewise by his Sonnes Gracian Guerin and Germaine of Orleance beside fifty good and hardy French Knights A thousand fiue hundred more were conducted by Recinde King of Spayne the Princes Berolde and Onstalde his Sonnes awayting on him with the Giant Almaroll and one hundreth Spanish Knights The Soldane Bellagris was Captaine ouer foure hundred Knights being his owne Subiects and for the guard of his owne person he had prouided one hundred of the chiefest knights of his Court among whom was his Sonne Blandidon whose noble behauiour deserued commendations To Belcar Duke of Pontus and Durace was committed the like charge as to the Kings Recinde and Arnedes hauing for the Guarde of his owne person Don Rosuell and Bellizart his Sonnes To the King Tarnaes of Lacedemonia who was an Ancient and noble Prince was giuen the Guard of the Pallace and for the more security of the Empresse the other Queenes and Ladyes hée had attending on him two hundred Knightes Primaleon was chosen Lord Generall for the Cittie hauing in his charge seauen hundred Knightes wherewith he had regarde as well to the Field as to the Cittie Palmerin Florendos Platir and diuers other Knights had the charge of the vtter wings of the Armie as lost children to giue succour where they perceyued most necessitie Thus was the Emperours Court well stored with noble and renowmed Knights yet his Maiestie and King Edward greatly desired the presence of the Prince Florian of the Forrest in whose absence both the Horsemen and Footemen were ordained as I haue alreadie declared On the next morning King Edward commaunded to strike vp Allarum for hee was giuen to vnderstand that the Enemie was within halfe a league of the
the City which was committed to the charge of the King Tarnaes of Lacedemonia and the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley they hauing their conduct fiue hundred Knights on horsebacke and foure thousand able footemen and for the rest of the Christians they were deuided into sixe seuerall Bands The first was conducted by the Prâ—nce Primaleon who had atiending on him two thousand and fiue hundred Knights The second Band being of the same number was committed to the Prince Floraman of Sardignia The third to the king Estrellant The fourth to Albanis of Frieze The fifth to Drapos Duke of Normandie all these fiue hands being like in number The sixt was vnder the charge of the noble king Edward to whom came all the rest of the Christian souldiers The Soldane Bellagris with his traine had the charge of the vtter wings to giue ayde where he saw néede required When these Knights departed from the citie toward the field they were all in blacke Armour and their shields of the same colour without any deuices their horses were likewise trapped in blacke and the more to expresse their inward heauinesse they would haue neither Drumme Trumpet nor any kind of instrument vsed in warre with them Neuerthelesse albeit this sad procéeding to the battaile declared their owne heaninesse yet was it likewise a feare and terror to the enemy séeing them comming farre from them and euery man had closed the Beuer of his helmet because the enemy should not perceiue their mournfull countenances When they were come to the place where the Battaile should be fought they spread themselues abread in the field after the deuice of their Captaines without making any maner of noyse at all The footemen came after being all attired in black likewise and without either Drums Phifes or Trumpets wherby they gaue the enemies to vnderstand what vnfained loue and affection they bare to their Emperour and how they could not forget what gracious and friendly entertainement he was woont to make to his very enemies A thing which all Princes ought to haue in regard and in remembring the great vertue of this famous Emperour to gouerne their Kingdomes in such sort as the people may rather know what a gréeuous losse they haue by the death of such a Prince then to behaue themselues in such manner as their Subiects shall reioyce to be rid of their Gouernour The Turks were greatly abashed séeing their enemies come marching in this order they knew well by their mourning habits that they would in this battell make no account of their liues But Albayzar séeing the astonishment of his Souldiers came to encourage them like a noble captaine laying before them the renowme of the victorie which should be the recompence of all their trauailes and a sufficient reuenge for the death of many of their parents and friendes who lost their liues before the walles of Constantinople for which cause this warre was first enterprised When he had a good space vsed these and such like spéeches to them they began to waxe desirous of the battaile and chasing all their formerfeare out of remembrance they marched on after the same manner as they did in the first battaile sauing that they were vnder the charge of other captaines for that they which conducted them before were slaine Their Armour was very much broken and bruised and so died with the blood that issued from their bodies that it was almost as strange a sight in the field as the Christians sad and mournefull habites of blacke King Edward séeing his men placed in decent order and the backwings in such regard as hée thought méetest hée gaue charge to Primaleon to giue the consent with his company for he had with him the noble Palmerin of England Florian of the Forrest Florendos Platir Pompides Blandidon Don Rosuel Bellizart Dragonalt King of Nauarre the Giant Dramusiand and the most renowmed princes of the Court. On the enemies side the King of Aetolia was first in the field because he conducted the formost troupe wherein was the most puissant knights in all the Turkish Armie beside the Giant Framustant who desired aboue all other things to preuaile against Dramusiande The Christians finding themselues in a readinesse the Turkes sounded their Drummes and Trumpets to beginne the Battaile but sodainely came on them so great a tempest as they returned backe againe being not able to ioyne in fight for the space of two houres after In the meane time as this tempest continueth let vs returne to the Citie of Constantinople which as you haue heard before was committed to the chargs of Tarnaes king of Lacedemonia and the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley who finding by his Art that the Cittie of Constantinople would bee brought to destruction and that king Edward of England and the Prince Primaleon with the rest of the Princes Knights that maintained the warre would stand in great hazard of loosing their liues being not able to auoyd the cruelty of the Turks who would get the Cittie into their possession vpon these aforesaid considerations he determined to prouide for the safety of the Princesses and Ladies of high authority who were most of them great with childe and neare the â—ime of their deliuerance Wherefore that the fruit of their bodyes might not perish in this extremity he raised a very darke and obscure cloude which shadowed the light of the firmament in such sort as not onely they in the field were couered therewith but also the Cittie was so wrapt in the cloud as it was not possible for them to discerne it In the meane while both the Armies remained in great amazement by this darkenesse as they had not the power to méete together Aliart conueyed through this daâ—ke Cloud the Empresse the Princesse Polinarda and all other Princesses and Ladyes beside to the Perillous Isle which the Prince Palmerin of England had bestowed on him and he shaddowed the Isle likewise by his Enchantment in such manner that it remained as it were inuisible vntill Aliart conceiued so well of the time and reason as he thought good to discouer it These Ladies were surprised with maruellous admiration whâ—n they found themselues not in Constantinople but in a strange land where they could not haue their company who had endured so many hard and dangerous conflicts for their sakes this aboue all other causes did most offend and trouble their consciences yet at length when they saw no other remedy they were glad to practise and content themselues with often visiting each other in their Chambers to expell all other cogitations that séeme irksome vnto them Thus wil we leaue the Empresse and her ladies in the Perillous Isle and returne to the King Tarnaes at Constantinople who after the cloude was vanished away and the day cleare againe séeing that the Empresse with her Ladies and the Sage Aliart had forsaken his Companie conceyued such extreame griefe within himselfe doubting least some mischaunce had befallen them as amidde his
was such as it cast them into a sound sléepe In the meane while Argentao the Gouernour of the Profound Isle whom the Sage Aliart had commaunded to come arriued in the Porte of Constantinople with foure Galleyes and being come on shoare the Sage Aliart he went into the Cittie and commaunded all the inhabitants to assemble themselues together which they did immediately when hée began to let them vnderstand what small hope was to be reposed on the liues of the Prince Primaleon their Emperour and Florendos his Sonne because they had béene so cruelly wounded in the Battaile desiring them to take their losse so patiently as they could and not to dismay themselues but that they should prouide for the reedifying their Citie not onely to assure themselues from the danger of their enemies but to witnesse to the world that fortune had not the power to roote out quite the name of the noble Citie of Constantinople as she had subuerted the memorie of many other famous and renowmed Citties Beside they should call home againe those Citizens who for feare of daunger had taken themselues to the neare adioyning Fortresses and by a generall voyce to choose them a gouernour for otherwise they should not containe themselues within bonds of assurance And therefore quoth he I am the more willing you should choose you a Gouernour if so bee the Emperour Primaleon and the Prince Florendos his Sonne should finish their liues by the hurts they haue receiued in the Battaile because I would not haue you left comfortlesse but this you must vnderstand that the yong Princesse Primaleon Sonne of the noble Florendos and the Princesse Miragarda must be the next inheritour of the Empire Now for that the Childe is very young and beside hée is a long way hence I would you would get you such a gouernor as might be thought worthy of so great a charge and whom you may be well contented withall vntill the young Primaleon come to sufficient yeares that hee may be able to receiue his royall Scepter of gouernment And this I must desire you that you will not be offended because I kéepe the childe so farre from you for I assure you he shall be daily in the company of other noble Princes with whome hee shall exercise Knightly Armes and learne the rules of discretion and Vertue wherewith it is necessary a Prince should be adorned For your selues I would wish you to order your dealings so well as he that shall succeede this Empire may receiue no occasion to dislike you and that you may continue your course the better I will come diuers times to visite you to let you vnderstand of the welfare of the Emperour Primaleon The Citizens of Constantinople tooke in very good part these friendly spéeches but they were not a little agrieued that there was no greater assurance of the Emperour Primaleons life wherefore seeing the Sage Aliarts excused the matter so well they requested of him that he would tell them in what place the yong Prince was nourished that they might come sometimes to visite him as their Lord and Soueraigne Your request answered Aliart is very great yet will I somewhat content your earnest desire the place where your prince is nourished is called the Perillious Isle which sometime belonged to the Sage Vrganda but at this time it is in my custody for that my brother and the noble Palmerin of England who conquered it with his sword and great losse of his blood bestowed it vpon me After he had thus directed them for the order of their gouernment he tooke his way to the monasterie of Saint Clare where the body of the Emperour Palmerin lay embalmed and the bodies of the other Kings and Princesse which he caused to bée conueyed into one of Argentaos Gallies but Primaleon King Edward and his sonnes Berolde Gracian Floraman of Sardignia and Blandidon who were all estéemed as dead persons for that Aliart had laid them in such a traunce they were laid in another Galley where their wounds were visited very diligently Then the Galleyes departing from the Citie the people began to lament excéedingly because so many noble princes were brought into such dangerous estates yet durst they not shewe any kind of feare or dismaying least they should chance to displease their friend the Sage Aliart Within fewe dayes the Gallies arriued at the Perillous Isle where their Ladies receiued them very worthily and the Sage Aliart shewed himselfe so diligent towards the recouery of thier health as they remained on all sides greatly contented FINIS To the courteous Reader THus Gentlemen I haue finished the second part of this most famous History desiring you to beare with the rudenesse in the translation and to esteeme of my good will which farre more then my cunning will stretch vnto As for the the History of Palmerin d'Oliue which contaiueth three seueral parts and should haue bin translated before this or Prmaleon of Greece because they are the originall of all the other stories after I haue ended the third part of this worthie Historie God aiding me you shall haue them very speedily with any thing else that I desire you to accept of this and to consider how highly it hath bene and yet is esteemed in diuers countries being first written in the Spanish towgue next in Italian and afterward in French and how it hath bene countenanced with the titles of Princes and Personages of great dignitie which may moue you to allow it the better acceptation in that it is to the honour of our countrey of England and deuised by strangers to honour it the more Thus not doubting of your fauourable iudgement I humbly take my leaue wishing you all good happes that is meet for all such gentle and friendly mindes to haue Yours A. M. A Table for the more ready finding of euery Chapter contained in this Booke OF that which happened to the Prince Florendos after that he had left the Castle of Dramorant the Cruell where he vanquished Astribor chap. 1. Of that which happened to the Prince Florendos after that hee departed from the castle of the Prince Arnalto chap. 2. How the Damosell of the Princesse of Terace arriued at the Court of the Emperour Palmerin And of that which happened to the Knight of the Tiger chap. 3. Of that which happened to the Knight of the Tiger against those that were in ambush to take the Damosel chap. 4. Of that which happened to the Knight of the Sauage man after he departed from the Court of the Emperour Vernar chap. 5. Of that which happened to the knight of the Sauage man before he had taken his farewel of the Damosell chap. 6. How the knights which belonged to the giants Brocalon and Baleato surrendred vp the Castles vnto the noble knight of the Sauage man and of that which happned to the prince Florendos c. chap. 7. Of the combates that the Prince Florendos fought the second day after hee
enterprised to guard the Shield of the Princesse Miragarda chap. 8. Of a strange aduenture which chaunced before the Castle of the Giant Almarol and what happened to the Prince Florendos chap. 9. Here shall be declared what and who the Knight was that came in the company of the Princesse Arnalte for what cause he and she trauailed to the castle of the Giant Almaroll and of the great entertainement that was made in the Court c. chap. 10. How the Emperour with his noble company entred the city of Constantinople of the gracious entertainment which was made to Leonarda c. chap. 11. Of an aduenture which happened in the Court of the Emperour Palmerin and of c. cha 12. Here shall be discoursed what and who the Damosell was that had thus gotten the Prince Florian c. chap. 13. Of that which happened to the knight of the Tiger following the search of the prince Florian c. cha 14. Of that which happened to the Knight of the Sauage man c. cha 15. Of the aduentures which chaunced to the Knight of the Sauage man conducting these Ladies to the king of Spaines Court and of that which happened to the knight of the Tiger c. cha 16. Of the combat betweene the Giant Espouuantable and the noble knight of the Tiger and of the battaile betweene Berolde Plaetih and the Sage Aliart c. cha 17. Of that which happened to the noble Prince Palmerin of England c. cha 18. Here is yet conteined what happened to Palmerin of England c. chap. 19. How Alfernao arriued at the Emperours court of Constantinople c. cha 20. How the princes and knights which were prisoners to the great Turke arriued at the court of Constantinople whervpon the king Recinde deliuered out of prison c. ch 21. How the knight of the Sauage man accompanied with the damosels arriued in the king of Spaines court and of that which hapned to him there against the P. Albayzar ch 22. How the Damosels knight and Albayzar iousted together chap. 23. Of that which happened to the Damosels knight in going to the Castle of Almaroll cha 24. How Trafolant and these other three knights yeelded themselues in the Spanish court And how the damosels knight arriued at the Castle c. cha 25. Of the Iousts which were enterprised betweene the Damosels knight and him that kept the shield of the Princesse Miragarda and of the combat at which the knight c. c. 26. Of that which happened to the damosels knight as he returned to the Court of Recinde c. chap. 27. What the Prince Florēdos did to the vāquished knight And how those knights whom the prince Florian had conquered c. chap. 28. Of that which happened to the Knight of the Sauage man when he came to the Castle where Arnalte the Princesse of Nauarre c. chap. 19. How the Prince Albayzar embarqued himselfe to sayle into Turkie after he had presented himselfe to Leonarda the Princesse of Thrace c. chap. 30. Of that which happened to the knight of the Tiger after he was departed from the Perillous Isle c. chap. 31. How the Knight of the Tiger tooke his leaue of Meliadus the King of the Scots and of the Princesse Armisia his daughter c. chap. 32. How the knight of the Tiger arriued at Constantinople and of an aduenture which was c. chap. 33. Of the talke which the Prince Palmerin had with the princesse Polinarda his Lady chap. 34. How certaine Knights arriued at the Court of the Emperour Palmerin who were aduertised how the Turks had prouided a great Armie c. chap. 35. Of an aduenture which happened during the trouble at Cōstantinople in the Realme of France and after what manner c. chap. 36. Of that which hapned to certaine other knights who would prooue the aduenture of these c. chap. 37. Of that which happened to the knight of the Sauage man in prouing the aduenture with these foure c. chap. 38. How the strange knight entered the field to Ioust vnder the name of madame Latrania chap. 39. Of that which happened to the strange knight the first day he guarded the passage of the Valley chap. 40. The complaints which the strange Knight made in the night time vnder the window of the chamber where the foure Ladies c. chap. 41. What hapned to the strange knight the second day he guarded the passage of the valley chap. 42. Of that which happened to the strange knight the third and c. chap. 43. Of that which happened to the strange knight this night how the Knight of the Sphere entred the combate the day following chap. 44. Of that which the strange knight did the day following garding the Valley chap. 45. Of that which happened to the strange knight the last day he guarded the passage vnder the name of Madame Torsia chap. 46. How the knight of the Sauage man arriued at the Court of Constantinople how Dragonalt Arnalte the Queen of Nauarre c. chap. 47. How Arnedes king of France and his Queene Recinde king of Spaine and his Queene accompanied with the princesse Miragarda and the Giant Almaroll arriued at c. chap. 48. Of the conference which the Emperor had with the Princes and how the mariages which he had appointed were now c. chap. 49. How the Soldan Bellagris was baptized and how afterward the Emperor caused him to be marryed to Pandritia and how c. chap. 50. How the Queene of Thrace was conueied away by a strange aduenture while the knights c. chap. 51. How by the ayde of the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley the noble knight of the Sauage man deliuered out of the Enchantment his c. chap. 52. Of that which the Christians did in Constantinople at what time the Princesse Targiana sent tidings to the Court of the Emperour Palmerin of the comming of his enemies chap 53. How the enemies sent an Ambassadour vnto the Emperours Court and of the answer was c. chap 54. How the Armie of the great Turke arriued at the Port of Constantinople and of the noble and valiant prowesse of the Christians c. cha 55. Of the griefe and sorrowe made in Constantinople for the dangerous estate wherein the Giant Dramusiande was brought And how the Turkes placed their campe before the citie of Constantinople cha 56. Of that which Albayzar did after hee had well prouided for his army and of the succour which came to the Emperour Palmerin cha 57. Of an aduenture which happened by the arriuall of a strange knight accompanied with a Lady in the Prince Albayzars campe cha 58. Heare shall be declared after what maner the Prince Florian of the Forrest arriued at Constantinople of many things c. cha 59. How the combate betweene twelue Turks and twelue Christians was begun and how the Ladies caused it to be giuen c. cha 60. Of a noble and valiant combate betweene Dramusiande and the Giant Framustant cha 61. Of the battaile betweene the Turkes and the Christians and of that which happened cha 62. Of the first battaile betweene the Christians and the Turkes and the successe thereof cha 63. Of that which they did in Constantinople before they gaue the enemy the second battaile cha 64. Of the second battaile betweene the Christians the Turks and what happened cha 65. The counsell and aduise that the Sage Aliart gaue to them of the Empire of Constantinople And how he caused the bodies of the Emperour Palmerin and the other Princes c. chap. 66. The end of the Table