Turke and am I now afraide of a little Christian Is this the fruit of a storme at Sea to come into this kind of calme at lande Well what shoulde I talke to the trees that heare mee not or to the birdes that vnderstande me 〈◊〉 or to the aire that helpes mee not Oh Bilanta blessed werte thou borne if thy beautie haue beene the beginning of my happines and happie if thy vertue ioine issue with my affection for though our parentes be at iarre we maie be at one and what anger in them cannot yéeld vnto loue maie effect in vs an ende of heartburning in our patentes and a beginning of quiet in our countries But howe shall I hope of thy loue my fathers displeasure maie brééde a doubt of my loue besides she maie be affected otherwise then I know where at the young Princesse in her close walk replied no. What quothe the young Prince is there here such an eccho The Ladie againe replied oh The young Prince amazed at this eccho went on with this speech Oh that I knew Bilanta indeede would regard my loue she answeared loue Loue quoth the Prince but whome doeth she meane I would I knewe his name she answeared name name quoth the Prince but who maie it be If it be one onelie shee answeared onelie Onelie quoshe hee onelie happie in déede would so were Pinello she made answere Pinello With that the Prince putting the wordes of the eccho together made vp this speech Oh loue name onelie Pinello And musing a little vpon his conceit of this sound looking aside espied the young princesse with her attendant walking out of the Arbour into the Garden whome meeting with at the ende of a crosse alley he saluted with this gréeting Sweete Princesse when there bee two Suns shining at one instant it cannot be but faire weather one in the skie and an other on the earth both which meete so sweetelie in this blessed péece of ground that let him die in his bed that will not walke in such a morning The Lady not fully perswaded of his affectioÌ„ for al his playing with ecche and yet hoping wel of his words till his deedes fell out otherwise with a modest smile made him this answeare My Lord if your spéeches were not so high in the cloudes that poore soules on the earth know not how to gesse of your meaning I shoulde bee the better able to frame an answeare to your salutation but howsoeuer the sun shine in the heauens the shadow of your imagination if it were a substance of that worth that might answeare a far lesse figure then your fauour would be loath that anie fowle weather shoulde hinder the happines of your faire walke but I perceiue such morning Astronomers can plaie prettilie with their owne humors Prettie Lady quoth the prince the best plaie that I know is at be you pleasde where hee that lightes vppon a good carde were vnwise if he woulde change the princesse rouing vnhappilie at his conceit replied againe and yet my Lord to be afraid of good fortune is sometime cause of much losse yea Madame answered the Prince but fortune is so fantasticall that there is no trust to be had in her and therfore I hold my opinion rather to kéepe a good choise then to aduenture a bad change I am no gamster answered the Princesse and therfore can speake but idlte of the sport but they that are pleasde are happie and they will not hold themselues so are vnwise The Prince playing vpon this word pleasde went forwarde with this speech Good Madam mate it then please you to be pleasde with the seruice of my affection which no further then desart will seeke the houour of your fauour The Ladie with a modest smile somewhat concealing her content 〈◊〉 him this answere My good Lord I am glad it pleaseth your greatnesse to be so merry with your poore friends but such seruice as your fauour must be graced with greater honour then my vnworthinesse can accomplish The Prince not a little contented with her spéech replied againe in these words Madam to make a long haruest about a little corne were but a weake piece of husbandrie and therfore not to hold you with a tedious discourse in plaine tearmes you are the card that I meane my plaie is no iest your loue is the stake that I would be glad if I could to win you are the choise that I haue made and that I would bee loath to change and therfore if a souldiers eloquence maie haue fauour in your audience let my heart and hand in your honour speake for my desart in your affection The Ladie not able to couer the fire that was now past kindling brake sodainlie into this answere My Lorde to reape the corne ere it be ripe maie prooue more haste then good spéede and yet to let it grow till it shedde were great losse to the farmer and therfore the taking of time is profitable to the prouident I will not teach your honour what to doe but if my loue be the prize of your pleasure you cannot loose the hope of your patience assuring my selfe that the reach of your conceit excéedeth not the roialtie of your spirit which in the regard of vertue deserueth nothing but honour and for that the heart of a souldier is frée from the tongue of a dissembler I will rather beleeue the truth of valour then giue eare to the falshood of a weaker spirit But for that manie crosse fortunes maie hinder the happinesse of the most honorable resolutions let me intreat your patience to make triall of 〈◊〉 constanciâ—… ere you make my vnworthinesse mistresse of my contentment The Prince nothing disliking this good motion in her good minde kissing her hande made this kinde conclusion Faire Princesse the discretion of your good motion I exceedingly like of for your credit to my truth I cannot but thanke you for the honour wherewith you entitle me I returne it fully vpon you for the nature of my loue let your vertue discerne it and for the faith of my affection I vow you shall command it but as you know I haue resolutely intended to attende the Emperour in his warres against the Turke where if I gaine honor the garlandd shall bee graced in your wearing if I die let it suffice thy selfe to knowe the honour of my loue with whome howsoeuer be my fortune I vow to leaue the faith of my affection and so thinking to procéede in their further conference spying certaine Ladies and Gentlewomen with their friends and attendants comming into the garden they singled themselues one from another hee retiring himselfe to his lodging and she to her close arbour where I leaue them for a while to meditate vpon their muses and I will returne vnto 〈◊〉 late Page vnto the Duke Feronte Fantiro sonne to the Duke Ordillo preferred by the Merchant before spoken of vnto one of the Duke Ferontes Court and after by his Lord and master vnto the
Duke himselfe hauing so well caried himselfe in his seruice that he was not onlie beloued of the Duke his now Lorde and master but of all his whole Court and especiallie of Senilla the onelie daughter of the Prince of whom he had often receiued such secret tokens of honorable fausurs as except he would hide both his eies he must néedes perceiue some part of her affection But among al this was not the least that one daie among other in the afternoone the Duke being disposed to haue some 〈◊〉 and dancing in the presence falling out in a daunce that euery knight was to take his Ladie and euerie Ladie her seruant on whom she would bestowe her fauour in the presence of her father the Duke she tooke Fantiro by the hand and accompanied him in the measure till the dauncing was wholie ended Which was noted of manie especially of one who hauing more wealth then honour thought to buy loue with drosse which ilfauoured dogge vnworthâ—…e to bee called a man yet attended with farre better then himselfe séeking in what hee might to disgrace this vnknowne Prince came one daie by chance into a galleris néere adioining to the presence where he found the yong Princesse walking all alone and vpon the sodaine standing as it were in a muse looking vpon a picture of an Ape playing with an Owle where smiling to her selfe which was the best shaped creature shee sawe comming towardes her the onelie hobby horse of a man that euer disgraced a coate of veluet whome rather for the fauour that he helde with her father then for anie affection that the had reason to carrie him she for ill fashions sake thus saluted Signor Sperto for so was hee called whether christened or no I know not God giue you good morrow The flouch of a slouen with a slauering smile vpon a slubbered conceit after manie good 〈◊〉 began to trouble her with this tattle Truely 〈◊〉 I am glad it was my good happe to méere so conuenient 〈◊〉 lie with your 〈◊〉 as well for the honour that I wish you aâ—… for the seruice I would be glad to doe you for though a Quince bee a tree of no straightnesse yet it beareth a faire 〈◊〉 wholesome fruit the fallow 〈◊〉 is rough yet it beareth the best 〈◊〉 and the Ore hath but an ill hue yet is there pure golde to be had in it so maie it bee that in me you maie uÌ„nde some cause of discontentment 〈◊〉 you haue made triall of more then I will protest but emploie me in your seruice consider of my desart and doe me iustice in your fauour Let your fathers loue be an ingression into my Grace and the endeuour of my dutie the encrease of my good for tune The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is commended for shining as well vpon the valleies as the mountaines the sea is beloued as well for a Pinnis as a proud ship and is not the pearle in a shell more worth then the oyle of a Whale then thinke it not vnpossible to find that spirit in me that you maie perhaps finde in a fairer faced ereature a Diamonde is the brighter for his foile a faire horse is the more beautifull by the deformitie of a fowle iade and how can you bee better graced then in fauouring the disgratious for my loue I will compare it with anie liuing and for my seruice I would it could expresse my louing Good Madam pardon my boldnesse in acquainting you with my suit which hath no life but in the onely fruit of your good fauour The Ladie so little liking the outward dogge that shee had no patience to thinke of the inward Deuill little studying for an answere brake of a sodaine into this spéech Sir for your kindenesse I thanke you but for your paines I would be loath to trouble you for though your eloquence be great yet all is but a sound and when the stringes are once slipt the lute is but a piece of wood the Diamond is to be loued for his fire not his fotle a comelie horse with a iade will make an â—…lfauoured coniunction 〈◊〉 to grace the vngratious is against the haire of a good wit My fathers loue and my liking maie differ vpon causes and your seruice and my command not méete in anie occasion of emploiment for the sunne shining on the valleies it is a blessing of the heauens and for the Pinnis sayling thorough the seas it is by the bearing nature of the water but for the pearle in the shell indéede I must confesse it is farre better out of it then in it and to conclude for the inwarde sharpenesse of your witte if it were not in so grosse a person I could perhaps take patience with my fauour to make some emploiment of your seruice but for that I would not féede you with vaine hopes to hang vpon the skirtes of my faire spéeches let 〈◊〉 suffice you not to abuse you that I could bee content of ten to heare you but neuer to see you Whereat the wicked wretch like a galde horse kicking at the noise of a currie-combe fretâ—…ing at his owne deformitie where a squinte eie a halfe nose and a wrie mouth had no grace in a great rage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his cold entertainment went awaie with these wordes Well if you like not that you see you maie pull out your eies and softlie muttering to himselfe I will méete with you ere you be aware and crosse you in your most comfort meaning with Fantiro her loue now in that Court called Rantifo But I will leaue the wretch to his wicked inuentions going from the Ladie to the Duke her father and I will tell you a fewe wordes of the Lady and her louer whose good hap it was presentlie after the departure of this sweete Gentleman to come into the gallerie where his Ladie and mistris was verie solemnlie walking but fearing that he had offended her fauour with pressing into her presence begaÌ„ to retire himselfe towards the doore as not willing further to moâ—…ue her patience which the Ladie espying and willing a little to embolden his dutie in her fauour called him vnto her with these wordes My good seruant what meanes this too much good manner or shall I call it strangenesse or found you them not here that you looked for or are you displeased with them that you see Truely I wil not hurt you and to put you in further comfort if you haue any suit to my father or affection to any friend of mine assure your selfe I will not hinder you though how much I will further you I will not tell you The young Gentleman in this Court vnknowne what hee was and therefore carrying no greater title not a little glad of this kinde gréeting made her this humble answere My gratious Ladie and mistris I feared nothing but your displeasure nor ioie in anie thing vnder the heauens but your fauour my suit to your father is but his imploiment of my seruice and for my affection to your
THE STRANGE FORTVNES OF TWO EXCELLENT PRINCES IN THEIR liues and loues to their equall Ladies in all the titles of true honour Imprinted at London by P. Short for Nicholas Ling. 1600. To the woorshipfull my verie good friend the fauourer of all good actions and nourisher of good spirits Iohn Linewray Esquire Clerke of the deliueries and the deliuerance of all her Maiesties Ordenance and other munition as well within and out of the Tower of London as all other her Highnesse Stores within the Realme of England health happines and heauen SIR vnthankefulnesse is so neare to vnhonestie as to auoid the touch of both I haue been often desirous of some good meane to deserue some one of your many receiued fauours which loath to burie in such oblâ—…ion that I should be thought vnworthie the regard of so good a minde I haue thought good to acquaint your kindnesse with such occurrents as haue lately come to my hands though they bee no matter of this state yet were they such tracts in the fortunes of two Princes as being read with that discretion which in your good leasure can iudge of the labour of wit in the honour of vertue I doubt not but that you will fauourablie patronage this first apparant proofe of my loue till in some better occasion of employment you maie haue a more sufficient triall of my affection The substance of my historie being loue the subiects Princes the nature honorable the aduentures dangerous the fortunes strange and yet the ende happy will suffice I hope to perswade the wittie to reade the wise to fauour the learned to allow the honest to commend and your good mind to accept of which being no more then I desire nor lesse then I hope of leauing my booke to your kind patience with my selfe to your commandement I rest Yours very much in assurance N. BRETON TO THE READER COurteous Reader for so I hope to find you or else shall I bee sorie to haue bestowed so good a tearme vpon you Writers in these dayes haue so manie humors to censure their laboures that it is easier to runne mad with seeking to please euery body then to be wise with displeasing of any but since this is nothing to that which followeth let me tell you that if you will kindlie reade that is friendlie offred you and part with a little mony for a matter of more worth it maie be you shall haue more contentment then you looke for in briefe you shall reade of much varietie of matter the fortunes of Princes the true honour of Ladies the vertue of loue and the life of honor the subtlety of a knaue and the rewarding of a villaine the constancie of affection and the ioie of comfort But I feare if I goe a little further I shall tell my storie without Booke and therefore leauing you through a little Doore to go into a great House hoping of your kind patience to take al wel that is ment no worse and to speake as well of my labours as my good will would be glad to deserue I rest Your friend N. B. The Historie of two Princes Fantiro and Penillo IN the Ilandes of Balino neere vnto the Citie of Dolno there liued a great Duke named Firento Sanelli a great Lord I saie for that he was great both in honor and possessions he was wise and therfore much honored honorable and therefore much beloued with his wealth he was full of charity and therfore enuied of none but the courtous hee was valiant and therefore feared of the wicked but couetous and therfore followed with the kinde and vertuous and therfore blessed by the highest This Lord had to wife a swéete Ladie called Merilla a creature of much worth in the best construction of commendation and if a woman might be like an Angell she might be saincted for her vertues her modestie with his grauity her pittie with his valour her loue with his charity her bountie with his wealth and her zeale with his vertue made such a coniunction in perfections as that vnder the heauens there were hardlie found such creatures on the earth This blessed Lord and Ladie had issue male onelie one sonne named Penillo and female one onlie daughter named Merilla the parents of these two children liued till they sawe them both to followe their course in the best content of their affections Penillo was of the age of foure and twentie yeares of stature tall ruddie of colour well complexioned but not too faire his haire not blacke but somewhat-inclining thereto his countenance milde but not effeminate his proportion in no part imperfect for his minde it was of an excellent temper he was silent but vpon good cause and then not to learne what to speak resolute vpon good aduisement but not rash vpon anie aduenture he was well read in histories and well qualified in manie points but especiallie in the varietie of languages wherin he exceeded maine of his fathers court he was stated for his wit gentle in nature kinde with discretion bountifull in rewards not vaine in affection and constant in friendship in somme he was amiable among Ladies affable among Courtiers sociable among souldiers and honorable among all such a one as was a ioie to his Parents a spectable to his Court a comfort to his friendes and an honour to his country Now for his sister as shee was excéeding faire so was shée admirably wise yet with such modest kindnesse that she was so honored for the one that she could not but bee loued for the other For euerie part of her proportion let it suffice that nature shewed her Arte in leauing nothing imperfect for her stature not tall nor verie low but in a swéete meane her countenance sober with such a swéetnesse as rauished the loue of much discretion her spéech not much but vttered with such gouernment as amazed the hearers that could iudge of the worthinesse of commendation her affection chiefely carried vnto vertue and her loue knowne but vnto one of whome dependeth a great part of my historie as hereafter you shall heare But I will leaue further to talke either of her or her louer in this place and onelie entreat of another Duke who dwelt in the Ilandes of Cotasie confining vpon the aforesaid Ilandes of Balino This Duke had to name Ordillo a man famous for much worth as well in wit as valour who in all his warres against his enemies was neuer knowne to turne his backe but with aduantage vpon retire gaue ouer no assault till he had entred the strengths nor surceased his warres till he had the honour of the field he was at home a Lambe and abroad a Lyon where wisedome with clemencie so gouerned the nature of his disposition that his subiectes no lesse loued him then his enemies did honnor him In particular to laie downe his commendation were but tedious and therfore in somme let it suffice that he was a Prince of that worth that made him held
not liue to dilgeste though perhaps such maie bee the mercifull nature of the glorous height of the heauens highest grace as maie fauour thy disposition prosper thy aduentures and blesse thee in all thy actions But as it is ill to distrust God so is it not good to tempt him answere me therefore truly to that I demand of thee whether thy desire be to trauaile or not what are the reasons that perswade thy resolution howsoeuer it be yâ— shalt find in me that kindnes that the condition of thy loue deserueth The young Prince caried no lesse in obedience to the loue of his father then willing to aduenture his fortune to atchieue the honor of his hope in as good tearmes as he coulde vppon the sodaine made his father this answere If it maie become so vnworthie a son as my selfe to so honourable a father as your maiestie to stand vpon argumentes of controuersie for the direction of his course of life crauing pardon for what soeuer I shall speake that maie perhaps be vnpleasing to your expectation I will not only deliuer you the truth of my intent but the reasons that haue induced me into the determination of my resolution I haue heard your maiestie often saie that nature begetteth no deformitie but rather the true image of it selfe and as in outwarde proportion so do I thinke in the qualitie of the spirit the sonne may participate with the father and although thaâ—… vertue be the gift onelie of God yet in the inclination and disposition of the mind the sonne maie take somewhat of the fathers spirit For proofe whereof I haue often heard you saie that yoâ—… were your fathers sonne such was your desire to see the world for till he was maried he had no desire to siue at home harde fare colde lodging bitter stormes sharpe 〈◊〉 in a forreine soile or in the Ocean sea were more pleasing to him then the most daintie banquet the softest bed the calmest weather and the sweetest peace that either his fathers court his own chamber or the most pleasant Paradise that his whole countrie at home could yeeld him and such were your delightes rather to heare a Trumpet in a fielde then a Lute in â—… chamber and to see the assault of a forte then the dauncing of a maske Your maiestie would euer preferre a trotting courser before an ambling lootecloth a peale of ordinance before a ring of belies and a bloudie sword before a painted looking glasse in somme if in alsuch courses of your conceit you followed the inclination of my Grandfather will you think it strange in me to follow the steps of your affection Haue you not allowed my reading of histories and how many of any account are written onelie of home actions Haue you not wisht me to make much of strangers and shall I not studie languages where with to entertaine them I must confesse there is no friend to a father whose loue cannot be separated from the fruit of his own body Home dwelling is full of ease but not of honour which is rather purchased by aduentures then by nature inherited friends are kind so maie strangers be full of courtesse and he that looketh not into the world wanteth much wherein to glorifie the Lorde God My sisters fortune I had rather leaue to the effect of your wisedome then my weaknes and knowing her discretion wil nothing feare the honor of her affection My mothers tender care of me maie be more kind then commodious for though I will not liue but to bee in all humblenes her childe yet mus I haue a care for my countries good not to be a babie to my 〈◊〉 for to reade of the noble aduentures of diuerse honourable 〈◊〉 rits what perilles they passed what conquests they made 〈◊〉 they inriched their countries enlarged their kingdomes â—…nanced their followers increased their 〈◊〉 and left 〈◊〉 to their houses shall I as one dull of witte not to vnderst 〈◊〉 what I réede or fearefull of spirit to followe the pathes of 〈◊〉 passages not like your sonne lie still at home and blowe 〈◊〉 banquet dance in a chamber or tumble in a bed where 〈◊〉 sléepe maie dull my sences musike maie browne my spirite 〈◊〉 suâ—…feiting maie kill my stomacke farre â—…e it from your 〈◊〉 to shew so little of his fathers nature for dangers they are the â—…als of the valiant for aduentures they are the honor of the resoluto and for labours they are the praises of the patient 〈◊〉 where are these at home No by trauaâ—…le is gotten knowledge and to answeare to some points of your propositions 〈◊〉 the same sunne shineth in one place that shineth in another but not at one and the same time men and women are of the same proportion but not of the same disposition which is a note of great regard the diet apparell deineanour and inclination of euerie countrie is to be deserued and the obseruations well taken maie fall out to be commodious so I haue heard you say my selfe haue read and verely beléeue by trauaile I shall learn who are our friendes or foes and so either to estéeme them or beware of them My friendes that you maie spare will followe me in my course or allowe of my content my seruantes will attend the issue of my fortune and my countrey I hope shall be benefited by my trauaile I intend no long voiage nor anie at all without your liking but if with your leaue I might haue my desire I must confesse I would willinglie a little set foote abroad into the world and for that there are as I am certainlie informed a great number of gallant young gentlemen shortlie intending to attend the Emperour in his warres against the Turke wherein who performeth the true parts of valour shall returne with the badge of deserued honour I humbly beséech you with as little charge as it shall please you to furnish me to this piece of seruice from whence I am assuredly perswaded I shall neuer returne with discontentment Now hauing reuealed vnto your maiestie both the nature of my inclination the grounde from whence it grew and the reasons that haue there to induced me I leaue to your fatherly loue to consider of my dutie and your discréete consideration to thinke of my stay or frauaile The good old Duke finding that the colte of a courser would hardly be brought to the harrow a lapwing would runne as soone as it was out of the shell a bird of his own fether would take after his owne slight though it could not but grieue him to haue him far out of his sight yet knowing the quarrell good that he went to fight in with the Emperour against the Turk and that manie princes had sent their sonnes to gaine honor in that piece of seruice after a few words of some vnwillingnesse to want the comfort of his presence was not only contented to like well of his desire but promised with his blessing to furnish him for
she loue of the Emperour and wiâ—…h his kindnesse the good will of all his followers in the predicamenâ—… of which happinesse after his roiall entertainment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…he Court as all other places of the Emperours 〈◊〉 â—…uing receiued from the Emperour two rich iewels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a iewell of great value which the Emperour himselfe 〈◊〉 out of his owne hatte the other a 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 there of 〈…〉 lately taken from the 〈…〉 in that seruice with all humble thankfulnesse 〈…〉 making homewards with all the spéed he could 〈…〉 but that he would take the Court of Ordillo 〈…〉 where vnto his mistris he would first recount the 〈…〉 of his fortune 〈◊〉 sweete soule as one languishing for the lacke of her new loue did in his absence spende the most part of her time in praier for his prosperitie But I will leaue further to teâ—… of their fortunes for a while and I will reâ—… 〈◊〉 now called Rantifo in the Court of Feroute the 〈…〉 of Balino 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hauing set downe his determination for the sending awaie of Rantifo in his embassage according â—…nto the aduise of Signor Sperto walking one date into his garden certaine of his Counsaile 〈◊〉 with him among whome Signor Sperto couâ—… not be spared caused Rantifo to bee called before 〈…〉 with a pleased seeming countenance he vttered this spéech Rantifo the loue that I haue long borne shée the faith that I â—…nd in thy seruice and the much good that I manie waies note in thee haue made me desirous to aduance thee to that honour that I know thou wilt deserue I am determined to send to my vnkinde neighbour Ordillo the Duke of the Ilandes of Cotasi he hath béene long in my debt and I thinke meanes to laugh me 〈◊〉 with my money a million of crowns will maintaine a prettie Armie for a sodaine piece of seruice and since he 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 buâ—… maketh delaies the excuse of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 â—…ende thée to him with this resolution either to 〈◊〉 my money or to 〈◊〉 him know my mind which in briefe shall â—…e this that I will fetâ—… 〈◊〉 perforce or set fire of his pallace nowe â—…hough shou arâ—… a stranger in our Court yet being beloued of oâ—… selues if thou 〈◊〉 take it vpon thée let vs see who dare 〈◊〉 at â—…ur 〈◊〉 Rantifo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to lyâ—…g vnder a pâ—…le the deuise of this plâ—…t in the parke 〈◊〉 the Duke and Signor Sperto séeming not to know any thing thereof and fearing the Dukes displeasure if he should refuse it made him this humble answere My Gratious Lordâ—… though 〈◊〉 of your owne honour proceede so much goodnesse aâ—… 〈◊〉 so â—…xtende your fauour vpon so smal desert as I cannot but blush to confesse 〈◊〉 let not the honour of your fauour towardes me be a cause of your Nâ—…bles â—…eartburning against me â—…for though my studie hath beene somewhat in the languages yet hath my trauaile béene so little in 〈◊〉 so courses as I rather feare â—…o dâ—…eiue your expectation thâ—… iâ—… discharge the desire of my dutie â—…et if it please you to iâ—…ose this charge vpon me though it were with the losse of my 〈◊〉 I would thinke it well laied downe in your seruice Well quoth the Duke let it suffice theâ—… that my loue vnto thee shall put off all causes of discontentment that maâ—…e be in this seruice if I fauour thée which of my Court that will not befriend thee and therefore prepare thy selfe for this iourney for I will make choise of no other and thus ending his speech rose vp from his seate and walking into the garden mâ—…t with his daughter the Princesse Meâ—…illa accompanied with diuers Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court whom saluting very gratiouslie he passed by them and taking his daughter by the hand walking aside with her into an open gréene walke fell into this talke with her Merilla my loue to 〈◊〉 I knowe thou doubtest not and my care of thy well doing is not the least charge of my loue and the effect thereof not the least happinesse of my life thy brother thou knowest is trauailed God knoweth whither 〈◊〉 â—…hen to returne if God blesse him not the better now if the perishe either in the seas or the warres what comfort haue I on the earth but in thee and in thy well doing Thou arâ—… now of yeares to make choise of thy happinesse in placing thy affection and is there none in our Court that can please theâ—… in that pointâ—… make thy choise where thou wilt I will leaue thee to thy selfe and will not crosse thee in thy comfort onely be not base in thy affection and thou shalt be grations in thy kindnesse The Ladie as it should seeme hauing had some priuat conference with her seruant Rantifo of whome she had some notiâ—… of her fathers talke with Signor Sperto about the dispatch of him from the Court made him this humble answere My Gratious father your carefull loue of â—…e doth so farre binde me to you besides the duetie of nature that if I should not be obedient to your will I should thinke ill of mine owne and to bee a discomfort to your kindnesse I wish I had rather neuer béene borne for my brother so long as you heare no ill newes hope of the best of him and for the placing of my affection it shall be onelie gouerned by your fauour But I am glad to heare you giue mee warning to beware of basenesse for Signor Sperto would haue perswaded me not long since that I could not bee better graced then in gracing yâ— vngracious with a world of â—…dle wordes spent to verie little purpose for indéede father his wit maie be full of cunning but I feare he is like a false apple rotten at the heart for assure your selfe he is not â—…ound to you in loue that séekes to robbe you of my seruice but wheresoeuer it shall please your Maiestie to command my content in the heauens and your honour shall be the direction of my affection thus hauing a little quitted Signor Spertocs kindnesse she ended her spéech When the Duke in some kinde of discontentment to thinke of Iacke an Apes his moris dance thus replied to his faire daughter Well Merilla regard euerie man in his kinde and for that I finde him fit for some seruices I will not suddenlie put him out of fauour though I will thinke of him as I haue cause and finde a time to vse him accordinglie in the meane time laugh at his follie keepe thy affection for a better friend I will a â—…le leaue thée here among thy kinde friendes to sollace thy selfe in this garden and I will walke a little about my parke with some of my counfatle So will I leaue him a while gone into the parke till his returne againe into the pallace and I will tell you what fell out with the Ladies in the garden There were thrée young gallantes of the court that had determined to
trie their wits to laâ—…e this ladie aboorde for her loue vpon this agreement betwixt them that he that woon her fauour shoulde commande the other as his seruantes and so euer after should call them Whereupon finding now a conuenient time to trie the fortune of their aduentures singling themselues one from the other one of them â—…hinking himself not the worst witted began thus to salute her Faâ—…re Princesse how well to entitle your worthines I know not but if my vnworthines may haue fauour in your patience my seruice should bee made happie in your emploiment The Ladie not making anie shewe of disdaine with a modest smile made him this answere Truth néedeth no eloquence for your kinde offer of your seruice I wish you a better preferment but if I should be so vaine as to trust you wherein would you giue mee leaue to commande you The gentleman with this sweet seeming speech halfe perswaded of nothing lesse then her fauour with all humblenes fell into protestations so far of his affection that if he disobeied her command or not fulfilled her request let him die with his ill fortune or bee disgraced in her fauour whereupon with great thankes she made him this answeare Syr for that finding the greatnes of your good wil I would not bee thought vnkinde in my requit all marke well what I saie vnto you You shall neither drawe your purse for a penny your sword against an enimy nor your foote from this place so that you shall be neither at cost in feare nor danger for me and yet performe my request and you shall bee assured of my fauour The gentleman fearing that she had mocked him with some matter of small importance made her this answere Madame though by the slightnes of this seruice I feare the weaknes of my fortune yet expresse your commandement and consider of my desert for be it hard or easie I will either die or do it Then quoth the Princesse without further talke you see yonder is a diall vpon the wall of my fathers window you see the shadow vpon the diall stand here till you see the shadow moue and then call me to the sight of it I desire no more for your seruice The poore gentleman there bound by his oth to performe his protestation fell to stare out his eâ—…es and nere the better for his looking whome shee had no sooner left in that poore taking but she was set vpon by the second whome after a great deale of idle talke to little purpose shee tooke vp in this manner If I should thinke that you could not dissemble I should thinke you lacked wit and if I shoulde trust you without triall you might condemne me of follie but if in regard of your protestations I should make proofe of your affection might I presume of your performance in making proofe of your sufficiencie The poore man as proude of his hope as his vnhappy friend would refuse nothing make no exceptions but command and it was doone or let it cost him his life whereupon to abridge the tediousnes of their discourse the put him to this péece of seruice Sir quoth shee you see this Apple-tree before you I praie you watch the ripening of them the heate of the Sun I heare will change their colour and fill them full of redde streakes I praie you when you see them begin to change coloure call me that I maie see it and I will require no more seruice for the assurance of my fauour The poore gentleman sworne to his taske tooke him to his worke where losse of his labour could get him nothing but repentance but in that gazing maze he had not stood long but the thirde followed his fellowes whome after much néedles talke shée put likewise to this seruice Sir quoth shée I am easilie perswaded that vpon easie pointes you woulde performe an easie péece of seruice but had I neede of your helpe in any matter of difficultie I maie perhaps faile of your performaunce hee poore man as well deceiued as the rest in the pride of his opinion making the worlde but a walke the seaes but a brooke and wonders but trifles in respect of that which he would do for her receiued this commandement for his emploiment Sir quoth shée you see here this tufte of grasse watch the shooting of any one of them and call me that I maie see the growing of them and it is all the seruice that I meane to put you to for all the fauour that I can afforde you The gentleman forced either to falsifie his fayth or to prâ—…uâ—… the third foole tooke him to the ground where he sate downe in vaine to see that was not possible But while they were thus standing either in muses or mazes returned the Duke into the garden where marueyling to beholde those gallantes in those tunes hauing heard the cause told his daughter it would be some disgrace to her greatnes to offer such discourtesies as to charge her seruantes with impossibilities yet smiling at their follies desiring her to rolease them which she soone granted he called Rantifo vnto him not far off walking with a gentleman of his chamber to whome being come before him being disposed to be merrie with him tolde him of his danghters handling of her sutors but quoth he let me intreate thee not to make report of this qualitie in her least it bee a hurt to her great happinesse when such as maie be worthie her fauour maie take dislike at her vnkindnesse Rantifo not a little pleased to sée her so put off her gallant suitors and yet much discomforted in conceit of his departure told the Duke that such trials of her wit would encrease the titles of her honour and for himselfe he would not wish to liue but to honour the roialtie of his house which the Duke séeming to take verie well at his handdes after a fewe ordinarie Courte words leauing his daughter with her friends and attendants in the garden retired himselfe into his chamber and so into his closet where I will leaue him for a while at his study and his danghter in the garden faine into some talke with her seruant wherof I will speake hereafter and I will returne to tell you what followed of Penillo and his fortune In this time of Penillo his being vpon the sea comming from the Emperours Court he met with a shippe going for Balino the chiefe cittie of his countrey and in the shippe found one Mario Doronte the Merchant that first brought ouer Rantifo the Duke Ordilloes sonne into that countrey of whom making the shippe a while to attend him after that hee had enquired of him of the health of the Duke Ordillo and his faire daughter the Princesse his mistris writing a few humble lines to his father with a token of kindnesse to his sister giuing somewhat to the saâ—…lers like wise to Mario Doronte making himselfe towards the Ilandes of Cotasi left them to the heauens blessing This
of his master the Duke Feronte her name was Merilla and she was the likest vnto the Page that she lately had from the Merchant that euer she sawe Well quoth the Lady no longer my Lord embassadour but déere brother I am glad to sée thee heere for thou art my brother and that shall my father knowe ere long thy mistris is more worthie of honour then our whole countrey and thy life can giue her and with that worde Page quoth she to the Ladie Merilla I praie thée take thy lute and play and sing thy wish which she being in the chamber vnséene by meanes of a curtein of Crimsin damaske drawn betwixt them tooke her lute and plaied a note to a dittie which she sung as followeth The song I Would thou wert not faire or I were wise I would thou hadst no face or I no eies I would thou wert not wise or I not fond Or thou not free or I not so in bond But thou art faire and I cannot be wise Thy sunlike face hath blinded both mine eies Thou canst not be but wise nor I but fond Nor thou but free nor I but still in bond Yet am I wise to thinke that thou art faire Mine eies their purenesse in thy face repaire Nor am I fond that doe thy wisedome see Nor yet in bond because that thou art free Then in thy beautie onely make me wise And in thy face the Graces guide mine eies And in thy wisedome onely see me fond And in thy freedome keepe me still in bond So shalt thou still be faire and I be wise Thy face shine still vpon my cleered eies Thy wisedome onely see how I am fond Thy freedome onely keepe me still in bond So would I thou wert faire and I were wise So would thou hadst thy face and I mine eies So would I thou wert wise and I were fond And thou wert free and I were still in bond The song was no sooner ended but Fantiro for so wil I henceforth giue him his right name oftentimes changing coloure as one in many passions at the hearing both of her voice which was so like his mistris the Ladie Princesse Merilla as might be and remembring the dittie to be of his owne compiling and that in secret he had giuen it vnto her when hee first perceiued her fauour alter he had commended her voice as he was about to speake somewhat of his passion his sister vppon the sodeine caused the curtein to bee drawne when hee might see in a riche suite of her apparrell the imagined page but in deede his mistris standing by a windowe with her face towards him when his sister seeing him stande as one amazed vsed this spéech vnto him Why how now brother doth thy heart faile thee how dost thou like this sight thou hast I knowe often heard that a girle will turne to a man and is it then vnpossible that a boie maie as well turne to a woman What ailest thou dost thou feare thou seest a shadowe and not the true body of thy mistris or hast thou beene false vnto her in thy faith and therefore art feareful of the heauens displeasure to plague thee with some worse spirit then thine own for shame go to her bid her welcome it is thy mistris I do not dissemble be thankfull for her kindnesse and deserue her loue The young Prince ashamed anie longer to stande in his maze séeing his mistris in little better tune to behold her seruant â—… assured louer so strange vnto her as if he either had not or would not haue known her went vnto her with these words Madame thinke it not strange to see me in this perpleritie of minde that I am in so much is my vnworthines of this and manie your honourable fauoures but especiallie this triall of your affection hath so bounde mee to your seruice as if the aduenture of my life maie make proofe of my loue let me die like a villaine if I do not honour your vertue The sweet Lady with modest kindnes as much as she could concealing the greatnes of her ioâ—…e as well in beholding her loue as hearing his vndoubted true protestations made him this sweete replie My deare loue for so dare I heere tearme you when I had no knowledge of that title of honour that now I heare and am glad to vnderstand dulie belongeth to you my loue was in the same nature that now it is your vertue wonne my affection and your kindnesse continued my content your noble cariage assured me of your constancie al togither haue brought mee hither to receiue my comforte not caring to loose the loue of father brother friend honour wealth ease all other worldes happines that Balino could haue procured me to aduenture the Seaes in the poore habite of a Prentise in the seruice of a poore decayed Merchant to come into a strange countrie to abide what fortune soeuer might befall me onelie to acquaint your kindnes with my loue Nowe if your greatnesse haue not altered your goodnesse nor my immodesty haue withdrawne your affection thanke your honourable sister for her kindenes towardes mee and bee your selfe your selfe vnto me The young Prince with as much adoo as could be to abstaine from teares of kindnes to thinke of this seldome seene faythfull affection in so faire a creature made her this comfortable replie Sweet Princesse in whome nature vnder the heauens hath shewed the pride of her perfections how shoulde I liue to counteruaile the least part of this your exceeding honorable fâ—…uour Had I ten such Dukedomes I would lay them al at â—…our feete and were I the greatest Prince on the earth I would 〈◊〉 gladde to bee your seruant but as in regarde of your first affection I am bounde to honour you with my seruice so for 〈◊〉 your last honour my loue I vow shall euer serue you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 laie by all thought of strangers this land is youres my father I know will reioyce in you my selfe vnder heauen will haue no â—…oie but you for I protest without dissembling my 〈◊〉 ioie is wholie in you And thus will I leaue these louers with the other Ladie in this their secret hinde conference 〈◊〉 I will tell you what followed of Mario the decayed Merchant This Mario the Merchant hearing newes in the Citty that the Duke Feronte was comming from Balino with a great Armie against the Duke Ordillo and his country thought good no longer to conceale the Embassadoure his sonne from him and therefore comming to the Court and hauing obtained meanes to haue some priuate conference with the Duke in fewe wordes deliuered the discourse of all that I before haue recited both of his escape from the intended murther of his malicious Uncle of his carrying him ouer of his preferment in Court by him and of the cause of his comming thither in Ambassage all which recounted truly as it was with the comming ouer of the Ladie Merilla in the attire of a Prentise
a word or two of the Duke Ordillo and his sonne Fantiro The Duke making preparation for the next daie to answere the enemie both horse and foote and after good order taken for euerie thing according to his desire calling his sonne vnto him with certaine of his Lordes and principall men of Armes vsed this roiall speech vnto him My good friendes and followers the matter that we haue now in hande is of no little moment when the liues of our selues wiues and children our libertie our landes and goods and our honour and reputation for euer in this worlde standeth vpon the issue of one daies seruice wherein the triumphant shall bee blessed and the vanquished in a manner vtterlie confounded our enemie is angrie and fâ—…erce now it becommeth vs to be patient and valiant for nothing more daunteth furie then the banishment of feare which in a fielde is commonlie the cause of the ouerthrow Rashnes maie be hurtfull but cowardise is the shame of reason Let vs therefore put on resolution to be readie vpon the first summon to answere the enemie ours is the better quarrell hee would haue that he hath no néede of and we cannot spare that he will commande now our pouertie hath made his pride to swell to such a height as I hope will come down for if euerie one be of my minde he shall haue a sharper breakfast then he had a supper which if hee disgest not the better maie happe sticke in his stomacke till his heart ake our strengthes are well fortified but shall we looke on him a farre off and be afraid to take him by the hand no I am olde and first to thee my sonne I speake so to all my friends I will neuer returne to my Court without great contentment to my countrey and he that loueth me or himselfe let him laie downe his life with me in this seruice I will leade you follow me that will and let him die quoth his sonne that will not to which praier was such a generall Amen that with the cheerefulnesse of euerie one it séemed they rather thought of a banquet then a battaile But not long they were in this resolute consultation but the two Ladies before spoken of nowe armed at all pointes like souldiers were brought before the Duke and his sonne who after the reading of the letter and deliuerie of the chaine of pearle with much adoe obtained 〈◊〉 â—…t suite without the companie of anie more then themselues to trie their fortune in gaining honour vpon the enemie who leauing the Duke with his sonne in their tentes in the dim night marched towardes the enemie and vpon the sodaine fearing to be descried by some sooâ—…te ambusâ—…aded themselues in such sort that they would be sure of their purpose ere they would put their honours in aduenture where they had not long rested till they mette with the happinesse of their whole hope but I will leaue them there close waiting for their fortune and tell you a fewe wordes of Penillo the young Prince sonne to the Duke Feronte This roiall spirited youth euer spurring for the best fortune and hauing that night obtained of the Duke his father the charge of the watch for that night and the leading of the vanguarde the next morning looking rounde about him and seeing no cause of feare or doubt of enemie the moone though dimlie shining yet giuing so much light as might deserie a lesse shadow then a souldiers with his trunâ—…enin his hand and his rapier at his side walking as it were carelesse of all fortune thinking none within the hearing tell thus to talke to himselfe Oh poore Penillo the most vnfortunate man liuing to come with honour from the seruice vpon the Turke and nowe to make a quarrell with alas too weake a Christian what shall I doe I must followe my father to fall out with my friende Ordillo vsed me like himselfe and shall I be vngratefull in the greatest vnkindnesse but Bilanta my loue what will she thinke of my faith to she we such fruites of my affection Oh I am not my selfe that cannot be hers and yet in my heart I am hers howe harde soeuer be my happe but I must not be vnnaturall and I would not be vnkinde what is to be done Oh heauens doe that which I cannot deuise loue is diuine and as the stature is of my affection so let me prosper in my fortune Which word was scarcelie out when the two vnknowne souldiers laied hold of him and carried him prisoner to the Duke Ordillo before whom 〈◊〉 they had brought him the Duke had them for rewarde of their seruice aske anie thing whatsoeuer his court or countrey could affoorde them with protestation vpon the sword of honour not to denie nor to delaie them but before the demâ—… of the souldiers for their promised rewarde passed these fewe words betwixt the two Princes Fantiro the yoong Prince seeing the sonne of his enimie prisoner the more to abate as he thought the pride of his spirit entertained him with this welcome Your fortune is like your quarrell no better then I wish and as it beginneth so I hope will bee the ende disgrace at the first thinke what will bee the last Well quoth Penillo I am nowe not my selfe had not fortune thus throwne me into thy handes thou wouldest neuer haue dared to haue vttered one of these wordes and had I my libertie I would make thee shake for this presumption Who â—…e quoth the Prince Fantiro Thou art deceyued thou shalt see howe little account I make of thy too great minde go take thy libertie see what thy second fortune can do vppon mee but hadst thou me at this aduantage what wouldest thou do to me Use theeâ—… quoth the Prince nowe prisoner as thou dost mee giue thee thy libertie for charitie At which wordes the young Prince Fantiro smiling at the greatnesse of so roiall a spirite with better wordes perswaded him to patience When the two Ladies taking off their Burgonets descrying themselues to the great admiration of the Duke the young Prince and the prisoner and all the beholders neere them demaunded their rewardes in this manner Merilla by her traâ—…e through the Seaes losse of her fathers loue her brother friendes and countrie desired to haue for her rewarde the young Prince Fantiro whome the Duke with no little gladnes was content to yeeâ—… vnto Bilanta in the aduenture of her life in yâ— atchieuing of this honor pleaded a blessing of the heauens for the enioying of her loue which was the prisoner The other young Prince whoseeing his fortune no worse then to fall into such faire hands was nothing vnwilling to haue the Dukes worde performed But I will leaue them awhile determining of the euent of these fortunes and I will speake a little of the duke Feronte and his passions Nowe the morning following the duke expecting his sons comming to his Tent to take the charge of the vanguarde for that daye in the seruice intended but neyther seeing nor hearing of him soo long that he grewe into some feare least some mishap or other was come vnto him fell at last into this speech with himself Oh Feronte vnder what planet wert thou born or what offence hast thou committed against the heauens to haue these heauie fortunes befall thee in thy aged yéeres thy onelie daughter as full of vertue as honour could wish to bee stolne from thy Court by a stranger and perhaps thine enimie thy sonne more deare to thee then thy selfe hauing wonne honour in the seruice of the Emperour to loose it in the gouerment of a meane Prince naie more dost thou not rather doubt of his deathe then hope of his life hauing no notice what maye become of him Oh too much valour I feare hath made thee too forwarde Is it possible that thou liuest if thou hast lighted into the hands of thine enimies No thy spirite is so great that it will not let thée yéelde but to death and if thou dost liue howe canst thou hope of anie thing but 〈◊〉 knowing the condition of my comming Well all thinges are at the heauens disposing to whome I will referre the hope of my comfort Iâ—… thou liuest Sonne I will redeeme thée and if thou diest I will follow thée And thus in extreame passion determyning the aduenture of his owne life to take reuenge of his sons fortunâ—… vpon the sodaine canâ—…e a Herauld of Armes from Ordillo the Duke with this Ambassage vnto him that if it woulde please him to remit all iniuries and to accept the submission of much loue the intended warre should turne to a continuall peace he shoulde haue the demande of his desire and more contentment then he could expect This message in the midst of his manie griefes so pacified his wrath that he â—…ad yâ— Herauld tell his master that his words were currant weight with him and that if he would in person meete him betweene both the campes he should see what comfortable effect his kindnes had wrought with him with which wordes and a bountifull rewarde for his good message hee returned to the Duke his master who vpon the receit of the message came presentlie out of his tent met with yâ— Duke Feronte according to appointment to whome after akind of humble greeting he recounted all that happened of both their children and that in regard of the debt that he confessed due vnto him he would if with his fauour hee might endowe his daughter with his whole Dukedome which discourse and profer so pleased his much appawled mind that causing al the children to be brought togither on either side in steede of sharpe intended war made so blessed a peace that the houses vnited in mariage liued euer after in much loue the souldiers al commanded to laie by their Armes after much feasting and manie triumphes returned home with no little ioie FINIS
friendes it shall be wholie in the honour of your vertue Now therefore I humblie beséech you pardon but my truth and regard my triall which shall make me nothing my selfe more then I shall be happie in your seruice Oh seruant qd the Princesse I sée you study not for nothing I beleue you read Ouid you would séeme to make such a Metamorphosis of your self of late a soldier altogither in the field â—… now a louer fall to courting in a chamber Rantifo not vnprouided of an 〈◊〉 replied in this manner Good Madam my affection is no fiction what soeuer it maie please you to thinke of my studie but when the honour of a souldier is the fauour of his mistris giue me leaue to serue your father in the field and honour you in the Court and though the meanenesse of my estate make the vnworthinesse of my fortune yet thinke a star in his right place maie hap to prooue to be a planet The Princesse of the sodaine began thus to replie for starres 〈◊〉 planets I leaue the proprietie of their places to the studie of Astronomers but if your minde be heauenlie the highest prosper your humor and as she was going onwards with her spéech vpon the sodaine she espied certaine Ladies comming in to entre at her companie into the garden wherewith leauing her praier to her seruants Amen with a fauourable glaunce she left him to his muses with the Ladies that came to her went downe into the garden where I will leaue her in the pleasant walkes to take the benefit of the sweete aire and I will tell you what did follow of Fantiro and his fortune Fantiro now called Rantifo no sooner had left his mistris but with a concealed â—…oy gat him presently to the Dukes chamber where taking his place of attendance espiâ—…d comming from the Duke Signor Sperto the swéete gentleman that I before spake of who comming by Rantifo with a fleering laughter as one that had plaied the Iew with him behind his back gaue him a wrie mouth good morrow which he taking verie kindlâ—…e not yet knowing his cunning practise returned him very humbly but after his departure finding the Dukes countenance as it séemed to him vpon the sodaine somwhat altered from his former kind of kindnesse began so suspect that Iacke an apes was not without his trickes and that his being with the Duke had done him no good as hee did shortlie after perceiue for within few daies after it was his happe lying vnder a pale of the parke néere vnto the pallace where the Duke with this wicked horseleaâ—…h was walking to heare the talke that passed betwixt him and the Duke which was as followeth My gratious Lord quoth this vngratious lubber the many fauours where with your highâ—…es hath bound me vnto you in al the sernice that I can deuise to 〈◊〉 you will not suffer 〈◊〉 to conceale the least cause that I knowe 〈◊〉 bée an occaâ—… of your discontent and in what I can humblâ—…e to aduise your fauour in the preuenting of al that may endanger the iust weight of your displeasure The Duke better acquainted with his wit then his conscience minding to make vse of the one 〈◊〉 soeuer he should finde of the other replied vnto him with thâ—…se words Good Sperto thy carefull regard of my content I cannot but kindlie thinke of and thy prouidence in preuenting all occasion of my dislike I will not let passe vnrewarded and therefore I praie thee playnelie deliuer mee thy minde in euerie pointe of thy meaning Signor Sperto hauing studied vpon purpose to plaâ—… she dâ—…laine in his kind began thus to vtter his 〈◊〉 My gratious Lord for that you shall sée how indiffer entlie I will deale in giuing reason his due as I would bee no aduancer of pride so woulde I not be anie backe friende to the honour of vertâ—… in the skie you see there is but one Moone which hath her light from the Sun now on this Moone attendes a number of stars but if anie one shoulde presume past his place to step within the circle of the Moone thinke you not the higher powers woulde not thrust him quite out of the heauens I am no Astronomer quoth the Duke but I thinke it were â—…it it should be so but I praie thee trouble me not with figures while I would haue thee more plainelie tell thy mind Then answeared Signor Sperto maie it please your grace by the skie I meane your court the Moone your daughter and the Sunne your selfe from whome and the Almightie she taketh all the vertue of her honor Now if any attendant in your courte shoulde presume further then your pleasure to presse into the fauour of her affection were he not worthie to be banished your court Yes and shall quothe the Duke whatsoeuer he be without exception Then my gratious Lord said Sperto you know you haue long fauoured and by your fauour aduanced Rantifo a stranger in your countrie and such a one as though I must confesse by his much worthe manie waies deserueth no little honour yet if for your fauour â—…ustlie extended vnto him he will presume to wrong your kindnes in 〈◊〉 at your Crowne or robbing you of your chiefe comfort I leane to your wisedome to iudge of his reward The Duke marking well euerie part of his spéech and withall â—…ing to minde the open shewe of her fauour in taking out of Rantifo from all the companie both of friendes and strangers to leade her in the measâ—…re of her dance thinking well both vppon the man and the matter made him this answeare Signor Sperto I sée well thy watchfull care of my comforte and do suspect no lesse then perhaps thou dost better perceiue but to preuent all mishappe and giue no cause of offence let vs adâ—… what is to be done The man hath serued faithfullie and in manie good seruices hath deserued honourablie our friendes in a manner all do loue him I heare almost no man speake ill of him and if our daughter affect him shall we therefore hate him God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vertue will haue honour in despight of fortune and loue hath caused princes to fauour verie poore people I speake not this either to pardon his presumption or to fauour his procéeding for I will deuise in what I can to remoue him farre enough from my daughter howsoeuer my selfe shall regard him But let me haue thy aduise how so to worke it that he maie rather be glad of our countenance then mistrust our discontentment Signor Sperto fearing to be thought malicious and yet not able to couer the â—…llanie of his humor made this answeare to the Duke Maie it please your highnesse to consider of what mâ—…le 〈◊〉 out in â—…he euent of this fortune if it wore not fore seen If your daughter shoulde â—…o disgrace your â—…hole Court as to cast her affection vppon a stranger and leaning to looke vppon manie noble per 〈◊〉 shoulde fall in liking with I knowe not whome