sonne likewise who was called Leonato Claricia wife to Gracian Prince of France brought foorth a sonne hee had to name Caro. Onistalda wife to Berolde Prince of Spaine was brought to bed of a daughter who was named Argentina in beauty shee seemed another Miragarda but for honest curtesie much more affable Bernarda wife to the Prince Francian and daughter to Belcar had a sonne who was called Belcar after his Grandfather Sidelia Platirs wife and Primaleons daughter brought foorth a sonne named Estrellant Denisa wife to Belisart had twinnes a male and female the sonne was called Fortenbracio the daughter Candida This Lady grew so faire that she excelled all the dames of Greece and made the minds distracted both of Palmerin and the Emperour Primaleon because each of them for this rare and singuler beauty without regard of honour or kindred made choyse of her as their chiefest Patronesse Clariana wife to Dramian she had a sonne named Orino Leonida daughter to the Duke of Pera wife to Frisoll brought a sonne called Arguto This was no lesse an enemie to Primaleon the second then was Frisoll his Grandfather who was named in those times the Knight of the Sunne to Palmerin d'Oliua according as in fit place shall be declared Arlencea brought her husband Dramusiande a sonne of great stature who had to name Franardo excéeding his father in valure and dooing seruice like him to the Empire of Constantinople Cardigea daughter to the Giant Gatarin and wife to Almaroll had likewise a sonne who became no lesse faithfull and valiant then his father and therefore after his name was called Almaroll Florenda daughter to Arnedes King of Fraunce and wife to Germaine of Orleaunce had a daughter named Spira who was so faire but yet arrogant withall that not contenting her selfe with any Knights offer to her seruice thinking her selfe to be the onely woman remayned without a husband as shall be declared when we come to speake of her Clariana brought to Guerin a sonne who was called Armindo The ioy was great through the whole Iland for these Princesses good successe in child-birth and when the children came to be christened they were all named as ye haue heard alreadie but as for those Ladies whose husbands were dead they remayned in griefe as they had good cause For the kinde harted woman being bereft of her husband can take no true delight in any thing else what so euer CHAP. V. VVhat happened for the buriall of the dead Princes bodies ALiart beholding the wounded Princes so well recouered presently began to bethinke him on buriall for the dead that due honour might be done to each one to remayne for all their succéeding posterity And that the Ladies might not knowe whether he went hee secretly tooke shipping and so passed to the place where the dead bodies were Comming néere the shoare he espied Argentao with others accompanied who noted the Ships making thitherward hastning to the Port and there they met together euen as Aliart landed Argentao with a loud voyce told him how Satrafort Gouernour of the Castle had taken into his custodie the Princes dead bodies by reason of a strange accident there happening in this manner The day before in the chamber where Aliart found the bookes of the skilfull Vrganda was heard a wonderfull noyse and going to know the reason thereof they beheld round about the chamber many faire Toombs equalling the number of the dead Princes whereby they found themselues disburdened of their former care which was how they might finde meanes to interre the Princes with such honour as they had all highly deserued And holding this aduenture to be very important they stoode conferring héereon with Alfernao at the Castle euen as they beheld this Shippe comming vnder saile when Satrafort meeting Alfernao on the bridge and ioying to be accompanied with so wise and woorthy a Lord as Aliart began to acquaint him with the whole accident It nowe remayneth sir quoth Argentao to Aliart that your arriuall héere in so happy an houre may thoroughly resolue vs in many doubtfull cases because though all these Toombs are of most beautifull Marble yet know we not how to appoint each Prince the place best beséeming him As for you my Lord to whom farre greater aduentures then this are reserued in knowledge you can best appoint how matters shall be ordered in that you are to dispose both of them and vs. Aliart very ioyfull of these good newes perswading himselfe that whosoeuer prepared these Toombs so ready had likewise appointed them to the dignity of each person without shaping them any aunswere at all entred the Castle where being conducted to the Toombs and assaying to remooue them thence but could not he meruailed not a little thereat and standing in a solemne conceite héereon he bethought himselfe that it were necessary to haue al the other liuing Princes there in defence of whom all they had lost their liues but especially the wiues of these slaine Knights that they beholring their honourable buriall should take their losse the more contentedly Héere-vpon he dispatched thence Satrafort by whom hee aduertised Primaleon Don Edward and the rest that with conuenient spéede they should come thither and bring with them all the Princesses Within two dayes following they had there personally present the Emperour Don Edward Florendos Palmerin of England Platir Gracian Berolde Floraman Francian Dragonalte Blandidon Pompides Dramusiande who now began to walke a little leaning on a speares trunchion and Dirdan with him But Almaroll could not be there by reason of his weakenes marrie all the Princesses were there together with ioy and great kindnes did Aliart welcome them that all their passed gréefes were vtterlie forgotten and each had their lodgings seuerallie appointed that such as were not soundlie healed might haue the better attendance CHAP. VI. How the seuerall Tombes were made manifest with the Epitaphs belonging to each of them THE Ladies whose husbandes were dead did not as yet behold where they should be buried but imagining it would be in y e Castle grewe into the greater pensiuenes and wept as women in like case will doo Which when Aliart perceiued hee gaue order the next day that all the Princes with the Ladies should come into the chamber where hauing caused the dead bodies to be brought they flocked all together to beholde the euent No sooner were they there assembled but appeared foorth of the wall the figure of an old woman who holding a rod in her hand made signe by her lookes bent on Aliart that he should commaund to bee brought into the midst of the Chamber the bodie of Arnedes king of Fraunce which no sooner was done but a goodly Tombe like a bed presented it selfe vnto them which was bedect with flowers of golde so curiously formed as it was most meruailous to beholde and in the midst of a cloth rarelie wrought thereon was written this Epitaph The honour of Fraunce is not heerein enclosed Which nor to
frindged with gold and such were the hangings about the Chamber in signe of chéerefull ioy and gladnes Into the richest bedde was Florian layde and his wounds right carefully drest by the Lady who was strangely altered frō her former condition when at first shee fought against the Prince for she appeared now to be of incomparable beautie and also of right royall behauiour Soone after were the dog and Monster brought likewise into the same chamber where before theyr eyes they both suddenly changed the Monster to a man of forty yeres age and the dogge to a youthfull gallant about foure and twentie the one wounded in the throate the other in the breast and both so féeble that they began to lye downe The Lady expressed no pitty at all toward them albeit the olde man called her Daughter and the youth Louer but bending all her care to the cure of Florian cheered him kindly with hope of his health and made no account of the two other at all CHAP. LV. VVhat and who the Monster the dogge the wounded Knight and Lady were and how the enchauntment was fully concluded THE day ensuing Florian felt his hurts lesse painfull to him and the Lady with the Knight standing by his bed holding familiar discourse with him hee earnestly entreated them that they would tell him of whence they were and the reason of the strange estate wherein he found them The Lady béeing desirous to doo him any honourable seruice saide Stay my Lord a little And going to a corner of the Chamber opened there a little doore out of which came a Serpent some fiue foote long of a very fresh gréene colour and when it drew nere the bedde it leapt vpon it putting the head therof néere to Florians face thinking to terrifie affright him but hée who was neuer capable of feare mooued not at it but taking it to be some house Serpent began to stroke it with his hand and looke where his hand had toucht the Serpents skinne immediatly fell off and humane flesh beganne to appeare so that by passing all thorowe his hand the Serpent altered to a very beautifull Lady but younger then the other yet very like in countenaunce to her No sooner was this strange mutation made but the first Lady thus beganne Understand thou perfect mirrour of honour and Armes that I and this my Sister are daughters to the King of Carpatia which is the olde man that lieth there and by our guilty destenie it was appointed that we should both become enamoured my selfe of this Knight named Cauno and my Sister of him lying by my father called Spinalo folly loue and ignorance so farre preuailing with vs that to them wee were not sparing of our honour and persons Two yéeres together our practise continued but with such secrecie as no eye could blab our sweete felicity till Fortune the common enemie to happy quiet made Spinalo grow regardlesse of my Sister and with such fierie temper become affected to me that he sought all meanes possible to compasse his desires I who had dedicated my whole loue to Cauno and held it as woorse then abhorred sacriledge that one man should haue knowledge of two naturall Sisters with discontented lookes and thoughts as spléenfull thus aunswered him Thou shouldst Spinalo remember how furtherous I haue beene vnto thée in the silent possession of my Sisters loue of whom beyonde opinion thou didst séeme enamoured but now I see thée so farre different from thy selfe that contrary to all law of honour and respect thou labourest to make me turne traytour to mine owne déere-reckoned delight distast not thy reputed good iudgement with such inciuilitie nor suffer thy earst-moderate temper to be swayed by so base and vnmanlike behauiour but kéepe thy faith vnstaind to my Sister Silinga whose esteeme of thée is beyond my weake ability to expresse so shalt thou iustly performe the office of manhood we without impeach still enioy the benefits of that which Fortune priuately hath enriched vs withall These honest and effectuall perswasions might haue remooued him from so vile a sinne if but with discretion hee had ballaunced his owne woorth or ours but they rather spurd him on to a more violent prosecution exceeding the limits of any respect at all so that turning to me with an ill-appearing countenance he sayde Imagine not that thou canst escape me so or that my desseignes will brooke this anticipation rather will I aduenture the King thy fathers indignation by beeing the trumpet of our secret stolne pleasures to inflict the heauier punishment on thee and Cauno Now thinke gentle Knight what extreames assayled me eyther I must doo a déede of damnation or loose louer life and honour together héere-vpon I flung from him and went to acquaint Silingo with these vnwelcom newes appoynting time place and apt conuenience when her owne eares twixt him and me should drinke this balefull potion When shee too euidently perceaued howe farre Spinalo was become estraunged from her hauing hid her selfe in a litle thicket while thus the traytor assaild my cōstancie he gone she issued forth and came vnto me with a minde so shaken as very little differd she from the pale Image of death One conclusion was to aduertise Cauno thereof that hee might the better forestall his perill but this course of ours prooued as for the most part womens counsels doo woorse and woorse for Cauno who in his Loues priuation could cary no patience made his iustly-conceaued displeasure knowne to Spinalo charging him to desist from so vnhonourable a pursuite But he who aymed still at his purpose with me made no outward note of any such prohibitiō but goes and works with my Sister Silinga that she should labour me on his behalfe vowing neuer to forget so great a kindnesse protesting withall it was but a capricious humour that thus ouer-ruled him which if but for once onely hee might enioy he would neuer mooue it after any more where contrariwise if shee could not winne me to affoorde him this grace he would publish our stolne sports to the King our father The miserable young Mayden beset on each side with such weighty oppression promised to vndergoe so vnkinde an office and awayting fit opportunity prooued so preuayling an Oratour alleadging the vnauoydable perill wherin we both stoode that as heauen knowes with mighty vnwillingnes I yéelded to her importunate perswasions Behold into what state loose loue now brought me my Sister gaue intelligence to Spinalo that at her entreates I had condiscended and he not a little proud thereof thought euery minute a moneth till the time which was concluded to be the morning following when Cauno had appointed to ride on hunting The houre being come a most vnhappy houre for vs she brought Spinalo by an vnusuall passage being a priuate way thorowe my Garden and then Silinga whose loue I know not how iustly to tearme that for his sake would so highly thus offend her selfe hauing likewise accompanied me to the
last they fell on a heape together when either being carefull of his best aduantage recouered footing quickly againe and fell to the combate as freshly as before making the fielde to ecchoe with the clanching of their weapons and both of them were wounded very dangerously sorting néere to Velonnaes damnable intent that they should haue bereft each other of life but that by good hap it came to passe when they were able to welde their swords no longer a friend came and kindly parted them Dramufiande beeing the man who after his departure from Tubante to goe for the aduenture of Carderiaes Iland where he heard so many famous Knights were imprisoned Franardo his sonne being one among them hearing the noise of this fight a farre off followed the weapons sound till hee came to the place where hee found the Knights at handie gripes together vsing all their skill and strength to ouerthrow each other and seeing in eythers Shéelde the deuise of Fortune albeit with the blowes they were pittifullie mangled hee presently knew Palmerin but hauing no guesse or apprehension of the other he spake thus aloude to him Beleeue me Sir Knight you may well presume on Fortunes kinde inclination toward ye that ye haue outstoode the valour of noble Palmerin of England Primaleon who could not denie within his own thoughts but that he knew his Vnckle well enough hearing the Giant thus to name him let fall his sword and offering to kneele humbly desired pardon for his ouer-bolde transgression but Palmerin sustayned him in his armes and as they grew lauish in complement and courtesie they felt themselues so faint and weake by the ouer-prodigall expence of their blood that they were constrayned to sit downe together Palmerin falling into a straunge swound or traunce Dramufiande with his owne Squire and the other twaine belonging to the Knights had quickly got ready two comlie Beeres whereon very softly they laide the wounded Knights and hauing bound vp their hurts so well as they could guided them to the neerest hospitable part of Macedon where they remayned aboue twenty dayes before they could be able to beare Armes againe CHAP. LXI How Florendos with Oliuato returned to Constantinople where hee found remedy for his lamenesse And how the other Knights betooke them selues to seuerall parts finishing diuers strange and memorable aduentures among vvhich is expressed vvhat happened to Arguto in his trauaile AFter Primaleon was departed from the I le of Carderia his Father Florendos hauing heard by him of the soueraigne oyle or vnguent would néedes returne to Constantinople to recouer his â—amenes Oliuanto was desirous to beare him company not altogether so much for his sake but rather to see faire Auriana to tell her the successefull aduenture of the King and the Lady whereby he should be the more welcome to her Franardo with Forzato and Almaroll would néedes iourney toward the bottomlesse Lake to conquer that Iland because his father Dramufiande could not compasse it being interrupted by Palmerin of England who made an end of the aduenture Don Rosuell Florian and the rest went whether themselues pleased and Dramufiande after he had accompanied the Knights foure dayes together in which time he sawe the dread of perill to be past he iourneyed thence to see his sonne and kéepe him company along in this conquest because his desires were thereto inuited Thus so many Knights strayed after aduentures encountring with diuers Ladies and Knights that endured wrongs in many seuerall kindes and were by their prowesse right happily deliuered But as the thrée Giants rode thorow a Forrest they held an earnest discourse to each other about a noyse of hammers which they heard and laboured by separating themselues to finde out the reason thereof but all their endeuour was to no purpose because this aduenture appertained to neither of them Franardo not knowing whether he went turned directly backe the same way he came and meeting with his Father the sudden ioy in either at their encounter smothered spéech a while in dumbe embraces and riding to meet their other companions to take the course before concluded on they chaunced to heare the voyce of Almaroll and so in short while met altogether But speake we now of Florendos againe who méeting by the way with no notable aduenture arriued in a morning with his sonne Oliuanto at Constantinople where the Emperour Don Edward and diuers Knights being in company welcomd them with no meane ioy and feasting Florendos perceiuing the Emperour his Father and Don Edward of England to be both in sound estate was exceeding glad in regard of the loue he bare to them good hope he had of his owne recouery Passing on along the Pallace his Mother Grydonia the Empresse Miragarda his wife and fayre Polynarda his sister came all and embraced him each contending who shoulde expresse most affection in theyr kinde embraces These curtesies being growne to a milder kindnes Florendos entreated the Empresse his Mother that shee would vouchsafe to annoint the place where the nerues of his leg were contracted numly together which was no sooner bathed with the oyntment but his legge became as nimble as euer each one reioycing at so pleasing an accident After that Oliuanto had tasted the kindnes of his grandmother and the other Quéenes hee went and fell on his knee before Auriana who nothing ashamed of the honest loue she bare him made the lesse outward spare of her inward affection When he had tolde her his mighty labour at the enchaunted Pallace she fetched a déepe inward sigh as knowing that such an enchauntment was neuer begun the King beeing a Magitian of so great experience and able still to renew it at his owne pleasure but that hee purposed seuere reuenge vpon Oliuanto Nowe come we to Arguto who was ready to die with very enuie because so many famous occasions fell to Primaleon and stil were concluded by his princely valour hée happened into the Woode so soone as the thrée before named Giants were departed thence on theyr iourney and hearing what a noyse the hammers made drew directly toward the place but euer as he attained neerer and néerer so much the louder and more violent he heard the noise making the very earth to tremble vnder him yet his bold courage could not be dismaied but still guided him onward til hee came where hee might beholde a goodly Sepulcher or Tombe which appeared by the principall image or figure made in the midst thereof to be prepared for some King there to enioy his royall enterment Now by reason the hammers noise exceeded in violence his horse by no meanes would endure it whereby he was constrained to allight and going néerer found the place hemd in with a wall thrée pearches high but not any doore to be discerned as he stoode musing heereon a while to himselfe vppon a suddaine a great gate opened in the Wall whence issued foorth a Knight armed from heade to foote in blacke Armour
promises by whose direction he was altogether guided But as we said before Aliarte hauing an eye vppon all her procéedings sent first aduertisement thereof to the Emperour and afterward ordained that the Knight of Fortune should haue newe Armes made him wrought all of Diamonds with sharpe Ponyards sticking foorth quite ouer it the better to breake the Knights blowes when they came to combate and that the Griffon which we spake of before being naturall and not magicall might not so easilie seaze vppon him And because by subtile meanes they must enter the Iland where all the worlds strength would nothing auaile them they made a little Barque séeming to be one whole peece of wood and closed ouer in such sort that Primaleon being in it could no way be offended by the water and when it was lanched into the Sea it appeared not like to the forme of a Barque but rather like a huge vnweldie péece of Timber béeing driuen by the waues violently vpon the Iland where suddenly it opened and Primaleon stept foorth vppon the shoare armed as hath béen alreadie declared and with a kéene edgd Axe in his hand Drusa Velonna hauing espied him imagined herselfe now quite vndone but to let nothing lack of what she could doe she ranne to her spells and raised such a hellish mist or fogge as the Pallace by no meanes could be discerned in which time shee caused the Knights to arme themselues and sent them forth against him perswading them that hee was no man but a huge monstrous enchaunted Hedg-hog WheÌ„ Primaleon saw so many armed Knight come against him and all of them well knowne to him by their impreses he grew doubtfull what his successe would sort vnto yet prepared neuerthelesse to assaile them CHAP. LXVII How and what the wizzard Aliarte wrought against the enchauntment of Drusa Velonna and what ensued to Primaleon THe learned Aliarte standing inuisible on the shore of the Iland and perceiuing that these valiant Knights knew not Primaleon whereby might ensue the death of one another threw likewise a Magicall fume vppon the I le which béeing carried by the wind vppon the Knights faces wrought this effect that they discerned him to be a man and not a Hedg-hogge as before he séemed where-upon they went toward him with theyr swordes drawne But Arguto Floraman and Florian suspecting that hee came for the rape of Victoria as by the enchauntments force they were verily perswaded beganne furiously to assaile him and hee well auoyding their blowes with his Axe returned them such sharpe repayments that they finding theyr swords ouer-weake for resistance vsed what skill they could for theyr owne defence Now it happened that Arguto shunning a blow of the Axe ranne vpon Primaleon and giuing him a thrust ful in the sight of his Helmet made it flie open that his face was seene whereupon Florian knowing the Prince and howe déerelie he affected his Daughter desiring to make her his wife in mariage gaue backe offered no more resistance But Arguto and Floraman respecting him as theyr riuall in loue ranne both very violently vpon him and had handled him hardly but that Primaleon passing his sword quite through Floramans Beuer wounded him in the fore-head and the blood running downe into his eyes so hindered his sight as he was constrained to retire and leaue Arguto alone with him hand to hand The battaile betwéene them lasted aboue-two houres with very great disaduantage to Arguto because Primaleon shrewdly mangled his Armour with his Axe and in the end had staine him but that Oliuanto Florian and the rest stept between them causing them to giue ouer the combate when presently they felt themselues freed froÌ„ the enchantment which before had restrained them to y e place Whervpon the wise Aliarte beeing still inuisible wrought so by his learned skill that diuers Ships closed immediatly on the Iland and Arguto suddenly would haue stept into one of them in rage spléene to haue parted thence as hee did before at the I le of Carderia but Aliarte perceiuing his enuious intent shewed himselfe to him and suddenly stâ—yed him when taking him aside from the rest he thus spake to him My Lord you are too froward and malicious and hether am I come onely for your good for by mine Arte I fore-saw that Primaleon would giue end to this aduenture as in right and reason it belongs best to him and that Victoria should loue him beyond all other by whom she enioyeth the benefit of libertie wherfore neuer pursue that obstinately whereto the heauens are no way agréeable Bâ—t because your loue shall receiue some answerable requitall and to continue kindnes between men of so high deseruing Primaleon hath a sister named Concordia of no lesse beautie then her Mother Miragarda whom leaguing your selfe in loue and friendship with Primaleon you may the easier obtaine in mariage Arguto being both wise and valiant and no fault in him but only emulation in matter of honour tooke no little pleasure in Aliartes friendly aduise and albeit his loue to Victoria presently ceased as reason respect thought it most conuenient quickning his desires to see faire Concordia yet prizing his Knightly repute before the weight of affection he returnd him this aunswere Discreete learned father it can be no disparagement to me to accept Primaleons faire sister as my wife but rather therby my state shal be aduanced in being thought worthy of so rich a beauty Neuerthethelesse because Frysoll my grand-father would neuer giue superiority to Palmerin d' Oliua vntil he had made proofe by chiualry which of them deserued to be accouÌ„ted worthiest I sée no reason why I may not hold the same opinion concerning him whom I hold as my honorable enemy Therfore graue father vntill I haue tried by euident proofe whether he or I am the ablest man at armes I will not graunt to loue his faire Sister or any other Lady whatsoeuer in which humor I am determined to part hence to expect apt occasion for the combat betwéen vs since Fortune hath fauoured him with the end of this aduenture Aliarte perceiuing the scope of his purpose accompanied him to the Barque where commending him to God Arguto departed much troubled in his minde For albeit hée would not as yet resolue to affect the fayre Concordia yet her beautie and honour caried so generall commendation as he iudgd it no meane grace for him to enioy her in marriage and these thoughts wrought more and more with his stronger purposes in which humour let vs leaue him to his trauaile till more needfull time require to remember him againe The other Knights Florian onely excepted beeing deuoted in their loues to diuers Ladies finding themselues fréed froÌ„ the force of the enchauntment after kind thanks to Primaleon Aliarte departed whether themselues best pleased Primaleon staying as reason required behind theÌ„ to performe a further seruice depending on the aduenture Drusa Velonna to supply the cast so
of Niquea because a bastard sister of his by the fauour of some Barrons confederating with her one whereof expected her to be his wife were practising how to enioy it And this vision was not a dreame by reason these affaires were there in good forwardnes but the young Lady named Tirena would not consent to any Barron of that Kingdome because she was déepely enamoured on Dirdan sonne to Maiortes the great Cane and meant to deny her faith so lately receaued thereby to make him Soldane of Niquea Nor was this hidden from Dirdan who because he was young and amorous likewise looked not so much at the friendship of a Christian Princesse for satisfying her loue as perhaps he did to the ioyning of so great a neighbouring Signorie to his owne Kingdome Blandidon giuing credite to his dreame and perceauing if hee slackt the redresse héereof hee might remayne still a priuate man as he was began to consider aduisedly thereon for he knew right well that albeit he was sonne to noble Don Edward yet coulde hee expect no gouernment in England therefore he tooke truce with his thoughts and attended his health CHAP. IX How the Knight of the Sauage man following aduentures there happened to his hand a Letter with a Ring TArgiana and the Armenian Princesse who attended no other oportunity but howe to write concluded to put in trust therewith a young mayden daughter to one of her néerest kindred who at this time should serue insted of a Squire she hauing good knowledge of Targiana yet fained not to know her for feare of Ristorano But on a day following when the Matrones were busily bathing themselues they called her a-side and Targiana at full disclosed herselfe and what shee sought to compasse by her promising her no meane aduauncement if by her meanes she might recouer her liberty and Kingdome The Mayden who was discréete and so loued her Lady as for her helpe shee would make venture of her life made ready one euening such a kinde of wine that distributing it frankly amongst the Matrones they all went to sléepe and not one of them boudged till the next morning Targiana setting her selfe to write among many other made choyse of sending her Letter to Florian because shee loued him before Albayzar and bestowing the flower of her honour on him it could not be that in this her great mishap he would forsake her albeit the vertue of the Ring shold faile her Beside she conceited another helping hope that Leonarda might be dead because Drusa Velona when she enchaunted her into the Serpent said withall that Florian should not long time enioy his faire Leonarda according as the constellation gouerning at her birth declared that she should liue but a little while and when that happened she might promise her selfe Prince Florian to her husband in that she could not beléeue that her curtesies vsed toward him were vtterly forgotten On this conceite she framed the Letter and folding the Ring therein the Princesse of Armenia commaunded it to flie to the hand of Florian of the Forrest and opening the window the Letter with the Ring mounted in the ayre betaking it selfe as it was directed Florian as you haue heard being parted from the Iland with intent to come in no place of humane resort sought with his Shippe to kéepe aloofe from land where he might discerne either Citty or Castle and holding on a solitary course of Nauigation he came to a desolate and ruined Hauen so vnfrequented in his owne opinion as he imagined himselfe highly beholding to Fortune for bringing him to a place so fitting his desire Héere going on shoare he left the Ship and because he coueted to be alone walked on into a Wood where ouer-taken by the night weary troubled and burdened with many thoughts he lay downe vnder a trée to repose himselfe Héere redoubling gréefe on gréefe because he had so soone lost his faire Leonarda at length toward morning his eyes ouer-charged with watching began to folde downe their lids yet still dreaming on his conceites waking but pausing a while he felt him selfe lifted from the ground and inwardly touched somewhat amourously This was by a Néece of Eutropa Aunt to Dramusiande who when Florian combated with her brother became so enamoured of his valour as euer afterward she laboured to get hold of him and make him tractable to her desires She being som-what skilfull in Magicall sciences knowing thereby that Florian after the death of Leonarda was in desperate humours departed from the Perillous I le by her cunning conducted him to this vast Desert meaning thence to guide him to a Pallace of hers which stoode somwhat further within the Land Florian féeling himselfe lifted vp in such manner as hath béene declared said what mayst thou be that thus troublest my quietnes thinke not that any amorous thought hath power to enter my breast Then Dorina for so was the mayden called that burned thus in loue forgetting to helpe her selfe any more by Art came in person to be séene and said Sir Knight take pitty on the loue of a young Damosell who not able to repaire the hurt by thine eyes and her owne committed desires to bestow her selfe on thée not as a Louer but to be thy Seruant At these swéete spéeches which auaile very much in generous minds and could not be quite extinct in Florian who was by nature to women enclined he began some-what to yéeld not as one disposed to graunt what she requested but with an intent to hold her in some hope till he could better compasse to be rid of her whereon hée thus replied Such are my fortunes faire creature as my heart can hardly yéeld to loue any woman neuerthelesse your passions haue vrged me to some pitty and makes me willing to depart hence with you hoping that when your selfe shall behold me in like manner afflicted and with such amorous torments as I now behold in you you will the sooner desist from this ouer-fond humour The Damosell being wise was highly contented to haue him with her perswading her selfe that hardly could hote young blood defend it selfe from the swéete enticements of an amorous Lady So taking him by the hand shee conducted him to her Castle where he was so gallantly entertayned by light of Torches as scant could he imagine how to deny loue to so gentle a creature Being entred a goodly hall he was seated at a table right against Dorina who séeing him so often looke babies in her eyes supposed him thorowly vanquished by her loue making the lesse account to vse any more enchauntments The houre being come of going to rest a chamber most sumptuously adorned was prepared for Florian where by reason the night was very far spent he laid him downe and slept right soundly Dorina eyther weary with so long watching that night or making her selfe certainly assured to be beloued where she thought her selfe neuer enough pleased would not then goe sée him in bed because she imagined not that
somewhat wanton and lasciuious CHAP. XXXVII Of whence and what this King was and what passed betweene Oliuanto the Lady likewise how he accomplished the aduenture THe Indian Histories doo report that a King the graund-father to Tamerco hauing a daughter of excéeding beautie he did not respect her with that care and diligence as was necessary to be vsed to a Lady of such merit and her selfe beeing likewise lesse mindful of her owne reputation then became those perfections wherewith she was endued grewe amorous of a Prince yet a subiect to her father and permitted the follies of idle loue to procéede so farre that the key of virginity being lost shée grew with childe by him but when she could conceale her shame no longer by reason of the apparant witnes deliuered by her grossenes shée concluded to trust a Nursse of hers with this secrete who as shee was willing to pleasure her Lady in such an vrgent necessitie yet shee handled the matter with such indiscretion that when the very exigent came of best stedding the poore Princesse it fell out to be her greatest hurt for the childe beeing heard to cry onelie through the Nursses negligence from diuers parts of the Pallace the Ladies and Gentlewomen not accustomed to heare so vnlookt for an accident came running to the chamber and chaunced to méete the King by the way who demanding the reason of their running so amazedly though they were in a manner much daunted with his presence yet they told him what a cry they had heard whereat hee not a little meruailing offred to enter the chamber where his daughter was yet modestly staying till the Women were entred and standing where he was not easily discerned he heard the Nursse speake as standing nowe vppon her owne iustification these or the like were the wordes she vsed Alas Madame what haue you doone haue you had no more regard of your honour but thus to shame your father and staine your owne credite for euer Hath your priuate conferences with Rouino for so was the other partie offendour called sorted to this ende Why then you may boldly make this conclusion that his shame and lyfe shall end together and your blame and life depend vpon the king your Fathers sentence The King vppon these spéeches vttered by the Nursse became acquainted not onely with his daughters offence but likewise with the man that had so heauily trespassed which made him enter the Chamber with more then common rage and catching her fast by the haire of the heade drew her from off the bead along vppon the ground and so would haue strangled her with her owne locks but that the Ladies by séeing the young Princesse in such a dangerous case cryed all out so loude as their noyse was easilie heard through the Pallace This cry brought the Quéene with all spéede thether where hearing the wretched estate of her daughter she fell into such extremitie of passion knowing well how implacable the King her husband was and pittying the seuere castigation he would inflict vpon his daughter as the verie conceit heereof rent her hart strings in sunder and so shee fell downe and presently died The King confounded with this lamentable spectacle left his daughter and ran to embrace his Quéene comfort her but finding life gone and no hope of recouerie hee appointed his daughter to be presently imprisoned Newes heereof was presently carried to Rouino who béeing in suspect of some strange disaster that might be inflicted on his elected Princesse in rage and mad fury went directly to the Court where beeing foorth-with apprehended he was coÌ„mitted vnto another close prison The next day following the Nursse was brought face to face before the Princesse where shée remaining as the sole accuser at length Rouino was sent for who stoutly denying all matters alleaged was enforced afterward by torments to confesse and the childe béeing brought in publique presence resembled the true father in all such euident manner that as the fault caused in sort a iust detestation yet y e childs goodlie forme and the parents kinde loue pleaded on the other side as much compassion Neuerthelesse the King ouerswayed by too much furie taking the infant by both the feete made it be cleft through the midst before the Father and Mothers face whereon forgetting all dutie of a daughter in heate of blood shee vsed these speeches to her Father Thou monster and murderer of thine owne flesh blood why with life didst thou let me see so inhumane a spectacle In iustice of the cause thou shouldst first haue slaine me rather then after y e death of my infant to leaue me perpetually tormented Rouino likewise séeing his childe thus bloodily disseuered dreadlesse of any extremitie for hee knew some violent â—nd was intended him gaue all the iniurious spéeches he could imagine to the King that hee might â—ashly in his mad moode fâ—â—e vppon him murder him to with the weapon which he held in his hand But the King who coulde not be contented with so speedy a dispatch of them committed them both againe to prison and sent for a skilfull Negromancer which dwelt in a vast place of old ruined Babilon where though hee was enuironed with numberlesse wilde beasts yet liued he securely among them all The Wizard vnderstanding the minde of the King that these two Louers were to suffer a lingering kind of death to y e end they should not endure such implacable torments went thether with the Messenger where béeing by the King entertained with great honour and very serious discourse past betweene theÌ„ vpon the matter already reported the Sorcerers aduise was required concerning the offenders and in his aunswere replied as followeth My Lord if you would punish this offence according as it deserueth yet not to kéep from your sight their bodies in affliction because your spleene will hardly be satis-fied with tormenting them I will enchaunt them in such sort that you shal euer behold them before any punishment be imposed and yet to eithers greefe be with violence endured Your Maiestie is now so aged that I gather by the celestiall aspect at your natiuitie you cannot liue aboue the space of two yéeres yet will I make you suruiue an hundred yéeres by an enchauntment which I will order in maner following Rouino will I first trans-forme into a most fierce Lyon of whom the Princesse your daughter shall euer liue in feare and when time comes that he shal be vanquished by a Knight then shall he assume the shape of a Giant and the Lady be changed into a Vâ—per or Serpent by which meanes they shal neuer haue any kinde community together for altering their shapes so often and then ouercome by that warriour himselfe they shall alwayes liue in such dissimilitude as the one shall euer abhorre the other As for your selfe because you haue no hande in this transgression you shall spend your dayes in this Pallace and in the Garden but when any one comes to
combate with the Lyon you shal be fast a sleepe in your Chayre of estate and the Knight whose fortune shall fauour him so much as to mount the third degree of your throne that man shall giue end to the whole aduenture The King desirous to sée Rouino and his daughter in continuall torment yeelded the more willingly to be thus enchaunted taking hold of his former promise withall to enioy the benefite of life for so long space and leauing the kingdome to a Nephew of his the Graund-father to the Princesse Auriana came thus into the Castel But by reason this aduenture continued long time and fewe Knights were so hardie as to vndertake it he would needes haue all the people of the Castell enchaunted to in such sort that they might sée and negotiate their affaires among themselues yet not to be seene or heard of any but onely by soft murmurings and whisperings which strange kinde of inuisible noyse made many so timerous as when they were engirt with these audible whisperers they would presentlie turne backe againe without attempting the aduenture The Lady that was daughter to the fore-named King endued with exquisite beauty and behauiour hauing seene for many yeeres together no other liuing person but her aged offended Father who alwayes vsed threatnings of worse and worse extremities to her and the fierce Lyon of whom shée liued in continuall feare durst neuer be so aduenturous as to walke about the Castell onely to auoyde the causes of her terror and yet Rouino albeit he was thus trans-formed into a Lyon loued the Lady still exceedingly offering diuers times to sport and play with her but shee would flie from him in regard of feare so much to acquaint you with the whole course of the historie now returne wée to the place where we left before When the Lady had well noted this gallant young Knight seeing him to be of such vertue and admired valour shée grew greatly enamoured of him hoping by his means to get out of that enchauntment wherfore about the midnight houre shée went to the bed where he slept and laying her hand gently vpon his breast awaked him and then vsed these spéeches I come to doo kinde offices to thee fayre Knight whose good starres haue béene thy guide to so high an aduenture which when thou hast finished thy recompence is to enioy me in mariage being daughter to a king and onely heire vnto the Crowne of India Oliuanto who neuer let slippe the least minutes space without continuall remembrance of his beauteous Auriana perceiuing this Lady so much to resemble her grewe halfe perswaded that it might be shée indéede till viewing her more aduisedly and checking his owne error he thrust her aside from him which shée taking very vncurteouslie and hardly restraining her womannish furie beeing likewise now vpon the instant of her trans-formation because Rouino was already become a Giant shée to alter within certaine houres after which happened euen then in this discontented moode for shée felt her necke to shoote foorth in length and her parts to change in aunswerable proportion so that suddainly shée was become a very fierce Serpent when without any intermission of time shee leapt vppon the Knight and doubtlesse had staine him but that by good hap he quickly drew his sword wherewith he deliuered so many strokes at her as shee was glad to shift for her owne safetie without any further damage to the Knight then immediatly hee armed him as expecting to be further assailed The old King and the Giant came running thether vpon this tumult and finding the Knight armed the King stood and leaned himselfe against the doore but the Giant entred with his Mace yet otherwise quite disarmed wherat Oliuanto meruailed not a little but when he came to belabor him with his sword he found his body impenetrable and himselfe very strangely beaten with his Mace because he had not in the beginning well lookt to himselfe Heereon growing some-what doubtfull of his life hée leapt forth of the Chamber to try if in larger compasse hee could better resist his enemie at which instant he bagan to imagine in his thoughts that the Lyon had thus assumed the shape of a Giant which made him y e more diligent and respectiue in what part of his body he might soonest attaine to wound him as not doubting but some place or other was to be offended but the blowes of the Mace so showred vppon him that he needed Argos eyes in attendance to auoid them The fight continued betwéene them about two houres and Oliuanto finding his breath to faile him remembred his former helpe in that case which was to get foorth at the Hall gate then he should be as fresh as euer hee was whereupon he laboured thether so much as he might but the Giant perceiuing it hindered him from it so much as possibly hee could neuerthelesse Oliuanto casting a full thrust at the Giants face by good hap sore wounded him which put him in good hope that the aduenture was finished for the Giant did nothing nowe but stand wiping away his blood which gaue Oliuanto the better meanes to get out of the Hall where hee felt his courage in such sort restored that he thought himselfe able to conquer two Giants Béeing entred the Hall againe hee met the olde King comming towards him with his Scepter and the Viper or Serpent with him which diuers times offered to wind her selfe about him whereby she did endanger him very often but still the young Knight preuented her valiantly and albeit the King gaue many maine strokes yet by his dexteritie he still so auoyded them that hee coulde not fasten one stroke vpon him The Serpent notwithstanding all her subtile slights was yet glad to kéepe off from the kéene edged sword and one blowe happening to strike the Scepter out of the Kings hand he presently vanished whereupon because he would loose so little time as might be he made at the Serpent very resolutely but she leaping vp suddenly at his Helmet byting the laces thereof in sunder grypt him so violently by the throate as his immediat death was much to be doubted Oliuanto seeing himselfe in such extremitie so stronglie gryped her about the necke with his hand that the Viper in humane voyce thus cryed out Put me to no more paine for indeede thou canst not kill me but if thou giue ouer and let me goe the aduenture for this time is concluded By the voyce Oliuanto knew the Serpent was the Lady that was before so enamoured of him wherefore pittying her hard fortune he let her goe when presently the King came with the Giant into the Hall and mounting both vpon the Viper flew altogether foorth of the window but the King first vsed these speeches to him Thinke not Sir Knight that thou hast fully finished with vs nor that our patience can permit that Auriana discended of our Indian blood shall euer be thine if wee can hinder it So
WEll may I curse that Traytor Bernuccio high mightie and most honourable Lord who so long hath beene the hinderer of my happie fortunes shutting me vp in his deuillish and damnable enchauntment wheras els I might haue beene your Queene diuers yeeres since and wee two haue swayed the Kingdome in peace and tranquilitie But nowe there is come a Knight inuinsible who hath finished the magicall charmes of Bernuccio and comes by force of Armes to compell you as at his commaund to deliuer mee my Kingdome which I had rather ioyntly enioy with you making you Lord both of it and mee Hazard not your selfe in a single fight with him but promise him whatsoeuer he shall demaund of you to the end you may the better get possession of him which beeing cunningly compassed you shall afterward heare more from me Yours Filenia the Princesse This Letter was conuaied to Garnides two dayes before Primaleon could get thether and not a little welcome to him I warrant yée but when the Knight came kéeping off from his Castell a bow shoote and more hee sent his faithfull Squire to challenge him the fight Garnides dissembling as if hée had receiued no former intelligence armed himselfe onely and comming into the field gaue faire salutations to Primaleon whose errand béeing other matters then bare talke onely some-what roughly thus hee spake to Garnides I know not Sir what reason you haue to vsurpe anothers Kingdome without any intent me thinks of restoring it againe I am therefore come to tell you that eyther you must winne it or die iustice sits on my sword intending to restore right and punish wrong Garnides pulling off his Gauntlet shewed his naked hand which was a signe that he would peaceably conferre with Primaleon and Primaleon perceiuing it dreadlesse drew néere when Garnides returned him this aunswere With patience Sir Knight I hope you will heare me I haue held the kingdome belonging to Filenia by such order as the King her Father appointed me because her brother dyed by a fatall accident which Bernuccio falsely and maliciously imputing to me as if that I had either done or procured it got hence the Princesse then but very young and enchaunted her in a Ship with certaine Lyons which it should appeare you haue by your vallour ended If then I haue not doone what you déeme expedient herselfe béeing now at liberty I will performe what soeuer you woulde haue mée for by no meanes will I aduenture the combate with you both in regard of your renowned vertues as also because no good successe attends on ill actions These spéeches deliuered with very good lookes calmelie so preuailed in the minde of Primaleon that beléeuing faithfully what he said he went very kindly with him into his Castle though much against Lord Trasinos mind that was there with him neuerthelesse he was very graciously entertained and the Knight expressed equall curtesie beeing glad Filenia should haue her kingdom quietly restored without combatting with a man so ful of affability as Garnides outwardly declared himselfe to be The dinner was serued in most sumptuously and the more to secure him from any imagination of ill meaning hee sent for a Lady his Daughter of very exquisite beautie commaunding her to sit right before Primaleon which so highly pleased him séeing her so beautifull and vertuouslie modest withall as suddainly he became much enamoured of her Dinner beeing ended a fayre Violl de gamba was brought her whereon the Lady so rarely and cunninglie playd and sung thereto with a voyce so sweet and heauenlie that Primaleon though his thoughts forbad him to affect her yet was hee well contented to heare her the better to hold out conference with her oft would hee vrge her to play some lessons twise or thrise ouer and to sing againe diuers of her ditties especially these two following wherin he very much delighted ¶ The first Dittie of Laurea daughter to Garnides sweetlie sung to her Violl de gamba in the presence of the Knight of Fortune In loue there is no greater blisse Then when desires doe kindly kisse EYes and thoughts why doe yee gad From the bounds are you assignde You that made your Mistresse glad Will you now peruert her minde Then my mothers words be true Greater foes are none then you In loue there is no greater blisse Then when desires doe kindly kisse Eyes you first did tell my minde There could come no harme by gazing That my thoughts too false doth finde Madly now they runne amazing Neuer felt I this before I le neuer trust a lyer more In loue there is no greater blisse Then when desires doe kindly kisse Make amends for eithers wrong Eyes when as my thoughts doe sterue Feede your selues with looking long Lend them hope they may deserue So eyther shall prooue others friend And in peace this warre shall end In loue there is no greater blisse Then when desires doe sweetly kisse FINIS †Her second Dittie to the Knight LOue of late lay all alone begging almes at Beauties gate Hee was aunswerd There was none all was gone he came too late Yet hee would not from the doore begging still for pitties sake But the rich vpon the poore would but little pitty take Yet would Loue not so leaue off hoping pitty still to moue Then he aunswerd was in scoffe Beautie had no looke for loue And shee cast him such a frowne as did such a fixing proue her That hee fell in such a swoune as hee neuer could recouer While in silence sorrow cryes in behalfe of his behoue Curssed be those cruell eyes that will hide a looke from loue FINIS With these and sundry other well composed Ditties did the Ladie both please her owne thoughts the Knights attention béeing not onely very skilfull in hand but as excellent and delicate in her voyce and these songs agréeing with her owne conceits soupled also with some perswasion of the Knights affable nature that hee was not made of Adamant but by such allurements might bee drawne to loue caused her to spende the whole day in those amourous deuises hoping to enioy him as her husband At night Garnides lesse aduised then he was aware off suffered his daughter to come againe into the Hall when among other passages betweene her and Primaleon not béeing heard by any she said thus to him If any disaster doo happen to you by my Fathers meanes it shall cost my life before you be iniuried These words mooued some suspition in the Knight that doubted no inconuenience or trechery at all vntil he heard these spéeches from the Lady Supper was prepared with most royall pompe which béeing past ouer and some prettie space spent in Musique songs and other pleasing pastimes Primaleon was afterward conducted to a princelie Chamber where the King purposing to be surely possessed of the Knight stayed holding discourse till he sawe him in bed and then with a dissembled conge departed Primaleon bethinking himselfe of the Ladies wordes lay awake till
the noyse they made The Kings companie hearing the hounds at a bay made hast to the place where Primaleon couching his Launce against Garnides who knew not him pierced quite through his Armour into his shoulder and cast him quite beside his horse The King thus wounded and layd on the ground so amazed all his other followers that séeing Trasino come vppon them with his twentie Knights they betooke themselues to flight leauing their King behinde them who béeing taken by Trasino and bound vpon his owne horse they conducted him safely to his Castell where béeing committed to his daughters custodie for care and dressing of the hurt hee had receiued they would afterward determine what was to be done with him CHAP. XLIII Howe Primaleon caused Laurea to be married to Trasino making him King of the Morning Ilands gaue Filenia likewise to Garnides GArnides séeing hee should be detained as a prisoner in Trasinos Castell to whom he had doone innumerable iniuries thought verily nowe there was no way but death with him but when hee was committed to his daughters custodie hée conceiued the better hope of life importuning her verie often earnestlie to intreate the Knight for safetie of his life The Lady desirous to shielde her Father from death albeit he had most worthily deserued it at night first shewed Filenias Letter to Primaleon wherein was set downe all the treason deuised by her against him and afterward sollicited him very instantlie to spare the life of the King her Father This Letter was highly welcommed to Primaleon as béeing an especiall meanes to further his purpose and to quittance both the Traytors in theyr due kinde euen with such chastisement as hee déemed most conuenient Neuerthelesse hee caused Laurea to dissemble with her Father that he must suffer death according to his treasons deserts The next morning he wrote vnto Filenia that she shoulde come to Trasinos where he held Garnides as a Traytour these newes were nothing pleasing to the Ladie yet imagining that Primaleon knewe nothing of her plotted trecherie and hoping to repossesse her Kingdome againe shée iournied thether securing herselfe with her Lyons but they were no sooner out of y e Castel when presently the Lyons forsooke and left her in regard shee was become a traytresse and broken her princely faith and like entertainement found she there at her arriuall béeing shutte vp like an offendour in a close Chamber and vsed as if she had beene a prisoner Now in the time of ordering these occasions and the Ladies expectation for repossession of her kingdome when Garnides was indifferently recouered Primaleon taking Trasino with him and Laurea with Filenia who gaue the other many a scornfull and iealous looke in regarde of her former loue to the Knight of Fortune they all entred the Chamber of Garnides where suddenly he became so full of gréefe to beholde them in that all his cruell hopes were so crost and ouerthrowne as his sences failing him hee fell downe in a swoune Laurea beeing present at this gréeuous spectacle moued with naturall compassion of her Father went recouered him preuailing so well with diuersitie of good arguments as shée pacified his perturbations in very reasonable manner when Primaleon taking Garnides by the bosome and Filenia by the hand thus spake Let me now tell yee that like two Traytors you ought to be dismembred aliue which the rather I should consent vnto more for obseruation of iustice then any reuenge of mine owne iniuries but confessing my selfe in some sorte obliged to Filenia for her good aduise in the enchaunted Castell of Bernuccio makes me the more willing to saue her life and the debt I confesse as due to Laurea for so kind deliuering me from imprisonment commaunds that I likewise pardon her Fathers life Neuerthelesse because neither of the trecheries may passe without some punishment this is the sentence that I impose on Garnides heere doe I disgrade him of his title and kingdome because hee neuer held possession thereof by any iust claime or right and the like award set I downe for Filenia for in practising to destroy his life who with no meane perrill thereof laboured to regaine it for her shee hath made herselfe vtterly vnworthy of any such dignitie But because in her Letter which he then tooke foorth and openly read shee hath elected Garnides to be her husband shée shall haue her desire and both of them enioy the Castell which was enchaunted by Bernuccio paying yéerely homage to the King of the Morning Ilands Filenia was hardly contented with this deuision but séeing how her liues perrill stoode on vrging the contrarie she willingly condiscended the like did Garnides who thought his desperate aduenture had made a happy returne in gaining faire Filenia whom he déerely loued Héereupon they were immediatly espoused together and sent to the Castell which he had assigned them all which beeing finished hée called Laurea to him saying I will neuer deny but that my life is a due debter to you in any occurrences whatsoeuer but because I cannot satis-fie your harts desire which in plainer termes is to be your husband and a reason of importance doth directly stand against it namely my bounden and dutiful seruice to a Lady long since engaged wherin though hetherto my deserts haue beene slender yet since my fortune is no better I must rest content there-with Notwithstanding because I would acknowledge in part though vtterly vnable to come néere your merrit my forward readines to doe you seruice let me intreat you to accept a person more worthy then my selfe the noble Countie Trasino discended of the royall progenie and for his loyall fayth kept to King Frisoll his Lorde farre better beseeming you then any other with him shall you enioy the faire kingdome of the Morning Ilands and holde me in dutious seruice euer as your Knight so farre as I offende not my gracious Lady and Mistresse Laurea who little expected such an aunswere with the teares in her eyes said My Lorde you haue such power and soueraigntie ouer mee as not daring to deny whatsoeuer you commaunde I rest satis-fied with your appoyntment and albeit your promise gaue me greater hope I will burie all in silence For I know by experience of my owne loues fire that you cannot easily giue ouer affection where the chaine of especiall liking hath intirely lincked you keepe this then in memory that héereafter I may boldly call you my Knight Primaleon was exceedingly contented hearing the Ladie so kindlie to accept his offer because he should now wel reward the Countie Trasino to whom as yet hee had not made this knowne for all the fauour and good wil he had found by him and hauing Garnides his Ring wherby all the Forts should bee surrendred vp they leuied two thousand men with whom they went from Iland to Iland hauing Laurea likewise in their company the people dooing great honours to her because there was neither Citty nor Castell but helde firme remembrance
mangled but yet the hurts not déeply entring by reason their dexteritie and skill much holpe them which is a matter of great consequence in a combate triall where both parts are of equall valour and knowledge Til about mid-day thus lasted the difference their bloode in manie places altering the cullour of their Armour when at last Tarnaes thus spake to Leonato You see Sir in what estate we are both brought yet neither of vs certaine who shall haue the victory therefore so please you wée le pause awhile and putting off our Armour wee shall soone make proofe of the worthier person and let him be renowned according to his merrit Leonato who neuer was capable of any feare or dismay quickly replied that he was well contented with this motion so either of them stepping aside to his Squire in very short while they were both disarmed Then after they had walked and breathed a space they came againe together but in a contrary maner from their first kinde of fight for each opposing the right side of his bodie to his aduersary made defence of his left side breaking many desperate blowes thrusts according as they were diuers times dangerously offered When the Squires beheld their Lordes in so apparant perrill of their liues they intended to make out vnto the roade wayes in hope to find some Knight that might come to pacifie them and pursuing their purpose they were no sooner entred vpon the high-way but they sawe a Knight come riding toward them seeming answerable in courage to either of theyr Maisters to him thus spake one of the Squires Neuer was a Knight met in a more needfull time vouchsafe Sir to goe with vs helpe to saue the liues of two honourable Knights then whom there liues none better in the worlde The Knight who was Palmerin of England imagining that they belonged to the Court of Constantinople went hastily with them and beeing come to the Combattants lifting vp the â—euer of his Helmet hee stept betwéene them saying What fury faire Knights hath made you so cruell and vnkinde to one another let me intreate ye to hold awhile and answere me Leonato knowing it was his Father that spake retired backe and so did Tarnaes where-vpon Palmerin thus began againe Tell me Leonato the cause of your quarrell which I am much afrayde is grounded vpon loue if so or howsoeuer else it be so please you to referre it to my iudgement I doubt not but to satis-fie you both right nobly Leonato declared to his Father that their strife was for the loue they both bare to faire Candida and Tarnaes likewise confirmed the same whereto Palmerin thus presently replied Why my friends you knowe it is a matter meerelie impossible that the Lady should be wife to you both let me then so farre preuaile in your patience that I may nominate wiues for you both such as I dare warrant to eyther of your contentment Palmerin was of such honour estéeme among all such Knights as had knowledge of him as these young gallants could not well gain-say his noble offer but referring themselues to his discretion he thus procéeded My Lord Tarnaes if your thoughts were as agréeable as mine there is a Lady that I could wish to be your wife namely my daughter called Fior-nouelâ—a who although she be ouer-young as yet for marriage yet goes sheâ— beyond Miragarda in beautie the reason why I vse these spéeches is that I wish you a wife of greater degrée then shee iâ— whom my soâ—ee Leonato affects therefore because she is lesse worthy then your selfe let him enioy Candida of meanâ— qualitie repayring that want onely by your kinde brother-hoode Tarnaes perceiuing the honourable minde of Palmerin though it much displeased him to alter his affection yet coÌ„sidering hee impaired not but rather augmented his reputation especially in regard of Fior-nouellas beautie beside great hopes of further aduauncement accepted Palmerins gentle offer and so did Leonato who loued Candida with such intire zeale as her pouertie coulde not be any hinderance thereof her birth and faire vertues onely made his election of her Vpon this agreement Palmerin and they mounted presently on horsebacke and he conducted them to a neere adioyning village where their hurts â—ere well regarded and so soone as they were thorowly recouered they iournied all thrée to Constantinople CHAP. LXXI How Primaleon and Arguto fought together neere to Constantinople and how no man could part them but the Emperour Primaleon AFter that the learned Aliarte had prepared all things in readines hee called Primaleon aside and spake thus to him Thou truly valiant and worthily renowned Knight of Fortune right well I wote that your heart nowe trauailes with no other thoughts but onely how to espouse the faire Victoria whom you haue with such honour and déere paines deserued Yet fauour me to tell you that in respect you are Nephewe to my Lord the Emperour it is necessary that he should bestow so great a gift on you for neither dare her Father nor I deale in the matrimoniall contract before his highnes pleasure be first vnderstood Neuerthelesse assure your selfe that no Knight but you onely shall enioy her albeit she will cost you dearer then as yet she hath done in a matter which you can by no meanes escape wherefore let me perswade ye that hauing taken leaue of her and her father you trauaile alone to Constantinople where it shall not be long before we will méete you there performe your long desired nuptiall Primaleon though but young yet being wise discreete allowed the wizzards counsaile to be sound and good and therefore without dwelling vpon any other doubts he went to the Prince Florian who was reasoning with his daughter concerning Primaleons valour and vertues to tempt and try her disposition toward him because already he had determined in his owne minde frankly to bestow her vpon him in marriage Primaleon being come to him spake in this manner My Lord Florian I am desirous to followe some priuate intent of mine owne which happily may guide me I know not whether but gladly would I encounter some aduenture of woorth before I would be seene in the Emperours presence for hee in his youth ranne through many rare fortunes enough for me to admire at without any vaine opinion of equalling therefore I craue your fauour for my departure and commend all my highest hopes to the gracious regard of this beautifull Princesse When the Lady Victoria heard his kinde spéeches a crimson blush leapt vp into her chéekes and so well as shee could her affliction of mind held excused for his so suddaine departure she formed a pretty kind of wandring discourse intermedled with broken sighes and faint smiles the raine in her eyes being readier then her tongue yet forgot shee not to thanke him for deliuering her from that hellish enchauntment promising to be as mindfull therof as so great a benefit did iustly deserue So Primaleon leauing them went aboorde a
poynts thereof so sharpe and piercing as they were able to enter the very soundest proofe Arguto beeing well skild in such matters of enchauntment perswaded himselfe that with this Beast was the latest trouble he should finde there and therefore resolued to shew his vttermost vallour The Monster was not slow in assayling him with such fury as would haue dismaied any hart to behold it hauing neuer seene so eugly a Monster but Arguto purposing to kéepe off from his tallants and teeth made many faire proffers to cut his leggs in sunder which the Monster still right cunningly auoyding smote one of his long tushes into his Shield and rent it from about his necke so forcibly that he made him fall downe flat vppon his face where he might haue béene prest to death with the Monsters huge weight but that right quickly he recouered footing againe but he could not shunne a sudden gripe with his tallants which piercing through the closing of his Armour wounded him a little in the left flanck This hurt so much displeased Arguto that striking couragiously at the Monster he gaue him a great wound full in the breast for which he receiued an immediate castisement by being smitten into the sight of his Caske with the Monsters tushe which tearing downe the whole Beuer gript his head with such extreame anguish that hee was constrained to cut the laces of his Helmet and let it in that sort be taken from him Being thus without both Shielde and Helmet his life stood on shrewd termes of hazard and doubtlesse had miscaried if he had not laboured to end the battaile in this manner Feigning as if he could hold out no longer he fell downe flat againe vppon his face and the beast intending to teare him in peeces stoode stradling ouer him when stabbing his sword vp into the Monsters belly he made so large an incition that his bowels dropt out vpon the ground and then Arguto crept from vnder him least with his huge weight he should haue queld him Now heard hee the Musique againe but with farre louder and swéeter straines then before as séeming that the aduenture was almost concluded and nowe came the Lady againe vnto him with tenne other faire beauties attending on her all of them together ioyfully saying Welcome the brauest Knight that euer bare Armes So taking him by the hand they guided him thence and brought him downe into a faire square Court where no doore could be discerned for passage out of y e Towre which made him awhile to stand as abashed doubting least the Ladies intended some trecherie toward him but one of them spake to him in this manner Sir Knight doe but lift vp this stone and presently the Towre will vanish and the enchauntment cease Arguto thinking nothing impossible for him to performe went to the stone and putting his hand into a great yron ring which was fastened directly in the midst of the stone he lifted vp the huge stone and threw it a pretty way from him albeit it was so great and weightie that tenne ordinary men could hardly mooue it Out of the place which the stone had couered started vp the least Dwarffe that euer was séene who skipping about very pleasantly tooke vp certaine glasses out of the vaulte and breaking them in péeces one against another vanished out of sight suddenly and with him the Tower and the Wood likewise so that Arguto and the eleuen Ladies found themselues at libertie in a large spacious Fielde There found he the aged Nigromancer and Primaleon calling vnto him with a loude voyce and the Lady knowing her old angry Father durst not approche néere him fearing least he would againe enclose her in the enchauntment as hauing already tasted his cruell seueritie But Arguto securing her went chéerefully to méet them when being come together the aged Father could not forbeare but very louingly embraced his Daughter the like did Primaleon and Arguto So going along with the olde man to his abyding it drew to Supper time where sitting downe at a Table right sumptuously prepared all the supper while the olde mans Daughter did nothing else but earnestly looke vppon the deliuered Knight and breathed forth many broken sighes whereby Primaleon and Arguto coniectured that the young Lady was enamoured of the Knight so past they the supper time in mirthfull talke and pleasant discoursings CHAP. LXXVI How the aged Magitian shewed the cause wherfore hee had enchaunted the Knight and his daughter confining them to so long a date of punishment QVickly after the Tables were with-drawne the old man commaunded the Squires to walke aside and then turning towarde the Knights he thus began Honourable and vertuous Lords I am vndoubtedly perswaded that you repute mee as a cruell vnkinde Father beeing blessed but with one Daughter onely I should be so transported with furie and passion to censure her with so seuere a punishment but if I tell you the strangest case that euer you heard I doubt not but your oppinion will bee so altered as you will wonder I should be so humane and gentle in inflicting no heauier a iudgement on her albeit in the end each fault should merritoriously haue béene doubled on this disloyall Knight well woorthy to endure vnconfined torments so long as this spacious rounde hath continuance Know then faire Lords that this enfranchased Knight named Brunoro redéemed by your manly paines and trauaile was Lorde of a Castell some sixe leagues distance hence who being enriched with countlesse treasure would make no spare of large and liberall summes to haue at his pleasure the fairest maidens dwelling in these parts Hée hearing that my Daughter was ranckt reckoned among those of choisest beautie attempted not by coyne or rich promises to win her to his purpose because he well knew such courses were sillie and very vnsauourie to preuaile with a Ladie of high blood resolution wherfore he practised by more facill and tractable meanes and which much more easilier preuaileth with light-headed Damosels to wit patheticall spéeches quick and queintly couched sealed with sad sighes vowes dissembled attestations that he was truly and sincerely deuoted to her in affection The young virgine altogether vnacquainted with loues idle dalliances casting a rash inconsiderate eye vpon him apprehended ouer-hastilie that hee was a man of comlie personage debonaire well qualitied rich and so worthie in loue to be respected that she gaue him so franck a possession of her hart as there wanted nothing but apt meanes to consort herselfe with him He perceiuing this too suddaine inclination of the Damosell purposed onely to serue his lustful appetite with her then afterward to cast her off as he had in like manner dealt by diuers other and procuring to haue secrete conference with her he compast it so closely as no eye in my house could be guiltie of it At which instant it was my mishap to be farre off from my Country in seruice of the young Soldane of Babylon who
a doore fit for my purpose I sayde Followe mee Gentlemen and I will make you all rich for euer they entring where I bad them were all by me lockt vp in a close prison but my daughter I conuayed to her former place of restraint Early the next morning I sent for my friends the two fore-remembred Knights shewing them howe well I had hunted and what a booty I had caught yet neuer issued forth of my Castell whereat a while they stood somewhat amazed but most of all at the mad and inconsiderate loue which my daughter still bare to so false a tretcher I vrged their aduise whether thus blinde they should die there in prison or haue their heads smitten off for so manifest villanie The Knights studying how to saue Rosellaes life in regard of her wonderfull error in loue after some little conference had together one of them thus spake In our opinion Sir you should not put them to death thus blinde in prison for wanting the sight of their owne misery they shall also giue no example of so monstrous an ingratitude toward a true louing Lady beside they should not escape with losse of their heads onely because a fault of such great quality iustlie deserues an aunswerable punishment Wee rather déeme it more conuenient that discharging all the rest you enchaunt Brunoro and your daughter in two seuerall places with such varietie of chastisements inflicted vpon them as should neuer cease or they be frée from till two of the best Knights in the worlde wrought theyr deliueraunce This sentence pleased me excéedingly so that setting all the rest at liberty I caused Brunoro to be brought bound before me where restoring his sight againe and reproouing his base ingratitude to so loyall a Lady I adiudged him to remaine within the Tower vntill such a Knight should come to redéeme him and there should he continually be hunted by two shée Beares and my selfe to féede mine eyes sufficiently with his affliction enchaunted my owne abiding in the same Tower where you my Lord Primaleon happened to finde me My daughters doome was within the Wood where shee lost the bright beauty of her virgine honour there should a murderous villaine daily cut her throate and afterward she was to liue in the vncouered Tower feeding onely vppon the bounty of the ayre aunswerable to her miserie in the Wood where she was rauished and left so inhumanely naked At these words he began to looke about him and perceauing it wexed late hee would not trouble them with anie further discourse so the Knights prepared to take their rest with intent to pacifie this discontentment and procuring the olde man to be more friendly to the Knight Brunoro CHAP. LXXVII How Primaleon and Arguto caused the mariage to be sollemnized betweene Brunoro and Rosella and afterward iourneyed toward Babylon NExt morning ensuing Primaleon and Arguto hauing cōcluded to quallifie this heauie case of discord came downe into the Hall where they founde the auncient Magitian holding his daughter by the hand and chyding Brunoro for his rigorous crueltie So the Knights giuing them all the mornings salutation tooke Brunoro aside with them and plainly told him that he had verie highly wronged the young Lady knowing her loue so truly addicted to him therefore if he would make amends for his passed transgressions hee must accept her in marriage for her vertues did merrit one of greater woorth then hee Brunoro who by this long time of chastisement had alayed his proud stomack sayde That it was in vaine for him to offer any such attonement when her discontented Father would no way be wonne thereto Then the two Knights tooke the olde man betwéene them shewing him how hee might in one instant make firme his daughters lost honour and his owne by graunting to a conuenable marriage betwéene her and Brunoro who had now entertained a more milde and obedient spirit and by the feeling sence of his passed miseries had hūbled his proud thoughts to a more gentle temper The aged Magitian confidently crediting what they said and that they would not report it except it were so indeede was contented to giue his daughter in marriage to Brunoro but first he desired to see some proofe of him for the better clearing of all doubtes to come where-with the Knights could finde no mislike wherefore they called him before the olde man and thus Primaleon spake in the presence of Rosella Brunoro this auncient Lord is very well pleased that this faithfull Lady his daughter shall be your wife prouided you doo vndertake some glorious enterprise which may wipe out the scandale of your passed offences I will performe quoth Brunoro what soeuer it shall please him or you to commaund me although I were assured to loose my life which truely in iustice I haue woorthily deserued This aunswere was of such powerfull efficacie that the aged Magitian as one sufficiently perswaded already would haue him to aduenture on no further perill but Brunoro to let the Knights sée his forwardnes and valour would néeds performe what he had intended When he was armed and mounted on horse-backe Primaleon loth to make any longer aboade there caused him to be called when to the good liking of the aged man but much more of Rosella they ascended the staires and Primaleon holding the Lady by one hand and Brunoro by the other crauing fauour of the Magitian began as followeth Your present behauiour Sir Brunoro with no doubt of your after progression in all honour hath made Rosellaes father to forget all former dislikes giues you his dearest daughter as your wife with absolute promise that after his death his wealth and possessions remaine wholy yours as a dowrie in mariage with his beloued child Then causing a religious Priest to bee called which liued secretly among some fewe Christians in that Countrey he prayed the olde man that Rosella and Brunoro might be baptized as Christians according as he promised him when he brought him forth of the Tower The Nigromancer beeing somewhat obstinate in his owne errour would gladly haue denied it but not daring to contradict Primaleon in any thing expressed an outward willingnes so being baptized they were then espoused together and sollemne feasting was there performed such as the time and place could affoord When our Knights had remained there two whole daies they called the old Magitian aside and demaunded of him a plaine information concerning the procéedings of Albayzars sonne that they might the better prouide for any harme to ensue Of him they vnderstood how this Prince had stird vp the Soldane of Persia sonne to him that dyed before Constantinople with the Kings of Tartaria and Armenia the Emperour of Trebisonde and other Princes with them also was a younger Brother of Ristoranoes The reason why hee gathered such a puissant strength together was to be possessed of so many of the best Christian Knights as he could come by not to put them to death but as hoping to
his King enquired for to enrich himselfe with the promised reward hee went and declared to the Soldane that the Knight after whom his highnesse sought lodged as a guest within his house Corcuto not a little iocond at this good happe gaue the Host what was promised by Proclamation and consulting of this matter among his Barons the conclusion was this that certaine Spies should be sent thether and finding him to be a Christian immediatly to surprize him thereby to weaken the glory of the Christian Court but beeing a Saracen then highly to honour him and giue him the rich prizes ordained for the tournament Election was made of such men to be sent thether as had béene diuers time at Constantinople and other places of great concourse in Christendome among whom was a wealthy Merchant that had often sold Iewels to the Empresse Grydonia and likewise to the Princesse Miragarda by meanes whereof he had diuers times séene both Primaleon and Arguto and remembring them very perfectly hee quickly returned to the Soldane and tolde him that these were two of the most esteemed Knights among the Christians and making seazure on them he might the easier reuenge his iniuries sustained Corcuto calling the Kinges and Barons to councell shewed them what a good beginning had happened to theyr proceedings whereby they might the more assuredly perswade themselues of victorie and among the diuersitie of oppinions it was thus determined that they should be peaceably taken to returne in exchange for some of them if any should happen to be taken as prisoners because there were many other worthy Knights in the Christian band at whose hands they expected scarce kinde entertainment This being resolued on Corcuto gaue y e Hoste in charge to serue them at Supper with a commixed Wine purposelie prepared to cause heauinesse of sleepe so to be possessed of them without any furder danger which beeing accordingly put in execution in the night time they were taken and strongly bound without any further knowledge in the Cittie On the next morrow when they sawe themselues thus taken prisoners they made vndoubted account to loose their liues but when they were brought before Corcuto who with a chéerfull countenaunce embraced Primaleon their hopes were some-what better reuiued and Corcuto being of a very honorable respectiue nature spake to them in this manner Albeit I haue iust reason to hate you as the enemies to my blood and fayth yet am I not any way cruellie enclined toward yée wherefore let me tell yée that you must remaine with mee so long as I thinke it conuenient and you shall be serued as in your owne Christian Kingdomes wanting nothing else but libertie of departing hence at your owne pleasure Our Knights who lookt for far worse entertainement right humbly thanked him for this royall kindnes wherevppon they were discharged of their bands and permitted to walke about the Cittie and Pallace but alwayes with a good guarde attending on them whereby theyr hopes grew desperate of euer parting thence Now come we to the aged Nigromancer againe who as hath béene already declared had a daily respect to what they did as fearing least some disaster might befall them when he found by his Arte that they were imprisoned hée presently purposed to set them at libertie in respect of the honourable benefit which he had receiued onely by them but yet hee intended to doe it so secretly that the Soldane should not at any time impute it to him so without imparting his purpose to his Daughter nor yet to his Sonne in Law hauing prepared two excellent Armours and two gallant Coursers he departed toward Babylon There hee arriued at the instant time when Albayzars sonne the Soldane of Babylon had secretly determined the death of our Knights in reuenge of his Fathers death among the Christians beeing thereto prouoked by the importunitie of his Barons which greatly repined at the fauour hee shewed them and therefore though they had wone him to it yet they meant to performe it when he least dreampt of it The Magitian perceiuing their imminent perrill that very night entred into the Cittie and going to the Chamber where they were safely guarded hee awaked them out of a very sound sléepe making himselfe knowne to them told all the treason intended against them then gaue hee them a certaine roote where-with rubbing theyr faces they should be altered in so strange a maner as no man possibly could haue knowledge of them Then did he appoynt a place for their meeting where he would prouide them of horse and Armour and afterward guide them til they were in sound assurance they thankfull for so great a courtesie and loth to be murdered there so inhumanely made vse of this good hap in such an vrgent necessitie The Magitian beeing gone very early in the morning Primaleon and Arguto feigning an accustomed sléeping much longer then before they had beene wont to doe séeing the Guard and seruaunts with-drawne to theyr breakefast put on nothing but theyr shirts and cullouring theyr faces with the roote they became all black as any Negro which changing them strangely from their former appearance they wondred at one another and assured themselues that no man could know thē So passed they out of their chamber and by the Guard being taken by them verily for Indians whereof there vsed many to the house that attended on the strange Kings then there being In this sort passed they by the Pallace gate and walked vnsuspected forth at the Citty port reputed still to be Indian noble men and such as were alied to those black Princes Being come to the place assigned by the Nigromancer he was right ioyfull of their so safe escape and washing them with a water which hee had brought for the purpose their countenances receaued their true complexion When they were armed and had thanked the Magitian for his faithfull kindnes with promise neuer to forget so great a benefit they rode on a while together and when they were far enough from the Citty he tooke his farewell of them and they rode away as best them selues pleased leauing no little noise and disquiet in the Citty when it was known that the two Christian Knights were escaped and no man could imagine how or in what manner or whom to holde guilty of their close departure CHAP. LXXIX How the mariages of Candida with Leonato and of Tarnaes with Fior-nouella being further conferred on in the Court of Constantinople there happened a suddaine and vnexpectrd alteration VIctoria and the young Concordia expressed by sad lookes their hearts discontentment for the suddaine departure of their estéemed fauourites neuerthelesse hope gaue them comfort that promises would one day be performed the like was else-where expected concerning Palmerins passed worde for his sonne Leonato and Tarnaes of Lacedemonia to enioy the seuerall Ladies where-with he had agréed them But Palmerin began to repent his promise because him selfe doated extreamely in affection and intirely loued the faire
dead by the bodie of her husband Bellagris BEeing all of them greatlie gréeued for the death of so many woorthy Lords Pandricias sorrowes grew to extreamity for she béeing hidde among the Sepulchers with resolued minde to pursue her intent and weeping to die ouer her husbands dead bodie when shee perceiued that by the time of night they were all asléepe she came to the bodie of Bellagris and ouer it made the most wofulst lamentation that euer did woman for her husbands death Recounting the tedious time of misery wherein not long they had liued which béeing ouer-blowne with a little better comfort had now so small continuance Then remembring Blandidon her sonne whose life she likewise feared because his great expence of blood still made him keepe his bed this double corsiue of gréefe so laboured her thoughts that ouer-come there-with closing hand in hand shee fell downe dead ouer her husbands body CHAP. VIII How the other Princes were buried the day following YEt was not Blandidon so greatly weakened but that he remembred his mother who was wont to stand very pensiue by his bedde side but séeing all had betaken themselues to rest loth was hee to trouble so honourable a companie and therefore passed ouer this night suspecting what he found too true in the end The morning following they rose not ouer-earlie by reason of the Princes weake disposition and the greefe they endured the day past in burying the dead Aliart who stoode pondering with himselfe where the Princes of greatest merrite should be interred because hee sawe no Sepulchers as yet there appointed for them earlie that morning went where the other had béene buried and beheld all the chamber was changed into the forme of halfe a Theater with degrées and pillers of Alablaster so beautifull as at midnight cléere day might there be discerned and the Tombes which had béene vsed the day before aunswered in order to the persons enclosed in them Now in the midst of a place more high and spacious and vnder the féete of Polinardas figure was a Sepulcher wrought into the wall held vp by pillers of Porphirie and arched ouer the head most richlie where on the couerture stood in pure golde the statue of the Emperour Palmerin holding Fortune by the locks and out-brauing her power as seeming to threaten her if she parted from him On the side before was engrauen in Letters of golde these verses following By valour and good hap I ouercame All mine attempts To kindred of my name Leaue I perpetuall memory and fame On the right hand was another Tombe little lesse differing in beautie béeing placed vnder the féete of Agriola and in the midst thereof was two Epitaphs the first was thus The state I ioyde made mee not feare to die Because I knewe that shame and infamie Followeth a life not led heroycallie The other which was some-what lower and written in lesser Letters was thus T is endlesse death to liue without content Die then like me who will the same preuent This second Epitaph made knowne that Polynard was buried with the Emperour Vernar his Brother whereat they all meruailed Now on the left hand of the Emperour Palmerin was another Sepulcher richlie adorned hauing this Epitaph thereon Yeeres did not let me from desire to die Wanting the life my father got thereby The description thus engrauen on this Tombe made it apparant to euerie one that therein lay enclosed Polendos King of Thessaly Then vnder that of Palmerin there was another of redde Marble but the Epitaph thereon was written in Gréeke and is thus interpreted It was ill hap for me to end my daies Not spending of my blood as others haue To guarde the walls and gates got me no prayse They did me wrong that sent me so to graue Euery one gathered that this was King Tarnaes who in regard of his graue yéeres was left to guarde the Citty of Constantinople Nowe stande all the Princes and Lords dumbe as it were at so many meruailes and nothing else coulde bee heard but earnest and profound sighes sent from the melting harts of the widdowed Ladies And Aliart to knowe certainlie whether the bodies which were not buried the day before remained as they had beene left went to the chamber and finding that of Bellagris as also Pandricia lying dead by it he stoode as one agast thereat the Princesses likewise when they beheld her in that case deliuered forth such lamentations as might easily be heard thorowe the whole Castle which raised such admiration in them that lay wounded as made them forsake their lodgings to the great perill of their liues especially Blandidon whose mind misgaue him of some ensuing ill not hauing all that night seene his wofull mother Aliart by his words could not pacifie their complaints but worse was like to haue ensued thereon if the olde womans figure had not made a suddaine noyse with her rod where-with they all turned about to vnderstand the cause thereof and beeing in a generall meruaile immediatly they behelde a goodly Sepulcher woorthily wrought hauing two Epitaphs engrauen thereon the first in this maner I liu'd a Pagan but for truth I know That following time will blisse on me bestow The other which was fastened to this former with many braunches as it were was thus Life full of griefe with little ioy or none Welcome sweet death that knits two harts in one For with Bellagris is my hope alone In this Sepulcher were they both layd together without any one putting hand thereto it was taken vp and placed vnder that of King Tarnaes for Pandricia albeit she was nominated amongst the fairest in the world yet was she not pictured in this chamber the reason was she led such a sorrowfull kinde of life as hindred the perfection of her beauty from sight These Princes buried thus with such glory as the wise Vrganda in her prouidence thought méete preseruing by her in readines so many Toombs as might serue such great Princes to take their latest rest in Aliart hauing brought thither from the Profound I le diuers Priests and religious persons caused their obsequies to be celebrated as in a Countrey so farre from Christendome could be performed Which being done he brought them all back to the Pallace hauing first séene the old womans Image take her leaue who with her wand made certaine signes to them which séemed by Aliarts signifying the same that that Theater of Toombs should there continue while any of Palmerins blood should suruiue whose race and fortune for euer should be most famous and to the very last not vtterly abolished Blandidon in whom could not be hid the sad hap of his Mother vsed such passions of griefe as séemed to menace him with death but that Aliart got some mittigation thereto by his Art causing him in sleepe to see his father Bellagris who spake to him that he should abandon all other thoughts studying onely to recouer his health that so he might goe gouerne the state