encounters they were both dung downe to the grounde where Ferdinand his horse vnhappily falling vppon his Masters leg so brused it as hee was not able againe to recouer his saddle but was conueyed thence which when the young Soldan perceaued stoutlye triumphing in his valiant victory gins saucely to proclaime aproud challenge against all Christians for the reuenge of those fore punished Pagans which vaine glorious vaunt so stirred vp the neuer vaâ—â—quished valour of valiant Lancelot as that addressing him to the fight gins shew himselfe at the other ende of the Listes as ready to recouer the almost lost Honor of his Christian Countrie whome so soone as the Soldan had espied spreading his winges like a gréedy Goshauke houering ouer a fearéfull â—ouie of cowardly Fowles gins addresse himselfe to his former demeanor whome Lancelot with such courage encountred as bearing downe both horse and man to the ground astonished the vnchristned slaue with so fearefull a fall as almost quite expelled the vitall spirits from his bigge swollen breasts But yet féeling himselfe in so great a daunger of deuouring death out of all hope of the pittifull compassion of his eager enemie beganne againe to rouse himselfe and spéedily preparing his strong fencing furniture so assay the fortune of a furious fight casting ouer his shoulder a large sheltering shield and brandishing in hys hand a kéene edged Turtle-axe gins no we a foote to assayle him that before on Horse backe hee did assault When Lancelot perceaued it he prouided himselfe for the like purpose and couragiously encounters this harme hammering Heathem where betwixt them againe beganne a farre more fiercer fray on foote then was cruell encounters before with their Horse which continuing very long on both sides confirmed with the fierce falles of their vnwildie weapons makes at length Sir Lancelot du-Lakes armes weakned with the issue of much blood that the Pagan had spilt with his blowes almost to faile of his former forces which béeing espied of the Christians and especially of the King who aboue all other despised a Pagan should possesse so Princely a Prize as they had there prouided gins euery where to enquire of that Knight on whose strength almost nowe depended their whole estate to whom at length word was brought that it was a Knight of King Arthurs round Table whose name was Sir Lancelot du-Lake to whome all the Confines of Christendome hardly in Chiualrie afforded a fellow which stroke such a dismall dumpe into the moodie minde of this discontented King to sée the Champion of Christendome so néere vanquished vnder the pittilesse power of a most hellish heathen as almost driues the bright Rosiall colour from his afore well coloured Chéekes Till when this still triumphant Knight shakeing himselfe as from a sluggish slumber reaches at the Pagan with such power as that at one blow with his well tempered sword hee quite cuts a sunder the strong turret that hemmed in his head settling further downe to his harmefull head batters a sunder the siluer wall that shieldes the principall partes of soule seruing sence and the rest remayning remnants of that little world wanting the direction of their greatest guide altogether faile any further to sence their fainting fellowes from his battring blowes which sight bred no small content to the almost sickly soule of the King who expected nothing lesse then the so spéedy death of his spitefull foe who béeing by the conquered disarmed of his rich habilliaments was by the rest of his company quickly conuaied to his curions Tent and all his attendants sent home with sorrow that whilome flourished in such hope for felicitie After this approached many other Knights to trie their fortunes in that fight from whence Sir Tristram du-Lions won the honor of that day still working for greater glorie with more manlike demeanor Till when the nights blacke shadow ginâ— set an end to that dayes bright showes and so euery one expecting the end of their aduentures thronged to heare the iust iudgement of that sure censuring Senate forepointed by the King to determine of this doubt who with one assent after they had highly commended the many valerous déedes of diuers couragious Cauiléers did aboue all wholly attribute the honor of that dayes dutie to Sir Lancelot du-Lake as one that had best deserued it of them all and so putting him to the King at whose hands he was to receaue this renowned reward he there with no lesse pleasure to heare the murmering noyse of the muttering multitud buzsing the report of his valerous déedes then with the hope of those rich rewardes appointed for the Conquerours méed receaued at his Kingly hands al those robes of more than estimable estate and whatsoeuer by due was sitting his desert Amongst which was that more than faire Celestina for whom rather than the rest was assembled such and so many mightie men euen from the furthiest Coasts of al the Esterne Kingdomes to the Westerne Iles bound vp in the Oceans bosome but for that himselfe had before setled his seruice to honour that Saint whose Idea grauen with the Diamond points of Christall caruing eyes in the impregnable table of his secret heart whence no furie of newe assaulting force can euer wash it away determines in this to winne to himselfe the report of more worth than by his former acts he had fully atchieued and therefore with many thankes to his Maiestie receauing the rewardes of his honour which nowe lay all in hys power to dispose after some conference such as to like affaires are most fit calling for Sir Tryamore of whome we before told you that he was sonne heire to the Brittaine Duke gins thus discourse his honorable intent Since quoth he the vnmerited mercy of euer helping heauen from the great attemptes of many more mightier than my selfe hath attributed the honour of this day to the vndeserued dutie of my deedse By the censure of which sentence I am to enioy the possession of all this pleasure whose especiall good rests in the glorie of this more than a Goddesse yet since my minde not cappiable of her loues impression because alrerady it retaineth the beautie of another in such sure possession as that no time can trie it no beutie blot it nor other loue with languishment lauish it away to thée will I giue what I might by right take away and so gaine more honour by the voluntary release of her loue to thee then I should get fame by the forceable detayning of her affections to my selfe In which I shall binde thy loue to me as to a friend her liking as to a fauorer of her fortunes and further the faire fruite of a yet scarce blooming bud in the blessed bosome of anothers beautie so deliuering her fréely ouer to Sir Triamore twixt whome there had béene afore such settled likeing of likely loue to the Kinges great content the louers full consent and his owne more furthered intent he disposed of the greatest part
THE Famous Historie of Chinon of England with his strange aduentures for the loue of Celestina daughter to Lewis King of Fraunce With the worthy Atchiuement of Sir Lancelot du Lake and Sir Tristram du Lions for faire Laura daughter to Cador Earle of Cornewall beeing all Knights of King Arthurs round Table By Chr. Middleton AT LONDON Printed by Iohn Danter for Cuthbert Burbie and are to be sold at his shop by the Royall Exchange 1597. To the right worshipfull Master Edward Stanley Esquire SIR were I not more comforted with assurance of your Generous disposition than perswaded of anie merit on my part by offering the Patronage of this Historie to your hands I should as certainly dispaire of the acceptaunce as I am vncertaine whether it bee worthie to bee accepted From the time of my first entraunce in Printing till now it is the first Booke of this kinde I euer had power to dedicate from my first yeres of capacitie to read anie printed thing my affectionate dutie hath to your W. been dedicated Enisham one of your Lordships was my birth-place and as my Frends there pay dueties for the place they liue in so tender I this here as part of my duteous loue The Authour of the Booke hath left it to the wide world without a Patron perchance esteeming it vnworthie protection neyther doo I thinke it in the least part worthie your protection before whose excelent iudgement so daily conuersant among the most iudiciall it cannot but vanish like light smoake before a bright flame All my excuse is loue all my request is pardon which as I first inferd your noble disposition assures mee of On which foundation building I cease now to bee more bold Your VVorships most dutifully affectionate Iohn Danter The famous History of Chinon of England Sonne to Lord Cador Earle of Cornewall with his rare atchiuements for faire Cellestina daughter to Lewes King of Fraunce CHAP. I. How Chinon the Earle of Cornewalles Sonne was borne a foole and of the excellent ornaments of nature wherewith his faire Sister Laura was beautefied IN the beginning of this flourishing Kingdome when Arthur then Monarch of this little worlde with his attendant Knights whose valorous exployts euery where acted for theyr Countries honour hath eternized their euerliuing names euen in the farthest coasts of the barbarous Pagans where yet in despite of consuming time liues their eternal Trophies as spectacles for all posteritics In this time liued there in England an auncient Knight whome this famous king for his many merits and well deseruing déedes had installed in the Earledome of Cornewall a dignity as hee thought fitting the deserts of this famous man that had so often vndergone the furious attempts of the vnciuill Pagans enemies to God foes to his countrie and great hindrances to the then but young plants of springing Christianity as also endeuoring himselfe euery where to defend the fame of his countrie then of all other only fame worthy the Honour of his order euery where honored and the dutie belonging to his Knighthood which hee alwaies performed till at the last when the waight of many wearie yeares gan bow his declining bodie downe to the lowly earth making his oft tried Armour too heauie a burthen for his now war weakned body his brandishing sword beating downe his age fallen armes and euery supporter of his lustie limmes beginnes to faile of their former force he determins to end his life in peace at home whose beginning he had spent in warres abroad incouraging younger men with the spectacle of his former valours couragiously themselues to attempt the like indeuors In which time of his home aboad the heauens blessed him with two goodly Children a Sonne a Daughter but yet as it is the continual course of al ruling fortune to mixe with euery good some ill with euerie swéet a sowre with euery sunshine show of promising hap a tempestuous storme of ill boading hurt so fared it in the issue of this yet vnhappie Prince for when the stealing houres of all ripening time had brought them from their Infant Cradelles to some participation of sencible knowledge his Daughter whose name was Laura so forwardly prospered in euery Liniament of her beautifull bodie all eternall quallities of a vertuous minde so that in short time she became the censured subiect of all wise iudgements in determination whether nature had better beautified her bodie where indéede shee had excéeded her self or the Gods quallified her mind wherin they had made her the only similitude of themselues No penne that was not busied in painting her praises though all too little for that purpose and no tongue but was still telling her perfections though they neuer could attaine them for too bright was her beautie to be shadowed in the couloring cunning of a mortall capacitie and too high her heauenly minde to be enstauld with the earthlie wéedes of mans base wit that as the toile some Sailers in the dangerous Seas watching the misfortunes of a tedious night doth with themselues mightily admire the gorgeous state of many twinckling stars till when the siluer Moone proudlie rising from her glorious bed drawes backe their daseled eies to behold her more than common countenance so fares it in this age of theirs where no starre may compare with her state no face with her faire fortune nor no grace with the least glimce of her glorie so to leaue to expresse that in wordes which could not bée comprehended in all wits neuer did nature before compose of so rude a Chaos so comely a creature But her Brother whose name was Chynon outwardly formed in as faire a fashion as might well beséeme the sonne to such a fire but in his minde more than a maimed man wanting that portion of sensible capacity which commonly doth accompany euen the meanest seruillitie So that by how much his Sister excéeded in extraordinarie wisedome by so much was hee scanted in ordinarie witte where in stéede of Princely feature was nothing found but foolish behauiour for high atchiuementes boyish follies for that which is required in a man not so much as is commonly found in a childe vncapable of the rudiments of good counsaile and vnsit to conceiue the commoditie of comelie quallitie whence as all men with admiration wondred at the one so none but with commisseration pittied the other that so well fashioned a body should containe so ill formed a minde strongly had nature forged hys limbes which promised his valour but weakely had the enuious Fates framed his mind wher was no hope of better So that heere nature vnnaturally handling so good a subiect had enclosed in the perfecte body of a man little better than the vnperfect soule of a beast like almost the imitating of an apish artificer that in faire showes deciphers a formall substance in curious cunning colours painting a Princely perfection which satisfies the outward sence as the same but cannot content the inward conceit beeing but a
pittiful termes discouers his pure loue Lancelot du-Lake to the Soueraigne of his soule matchles faire Laura LAura pardon my rude proceeding in that I so barely begin with thy naked name for that thou dimmest all accents of fayre and exceedest all Epethites of wit the Poets thought Venus fayrest when she was naked for that her beautie being sufficient of it selfe scorned all the artificiall ornaments of rich apparell And so of thee whose shaddow fairer than her substance canst not bee fitted with any stile which thou doest not farre surmount Looke downe vppon the seruile estate of a subiect slaue that burning in the fierce flame of a neuer dying fire prostrates his sillie soule at thy perfections shrine so deepely imprinted in his hart as but the comfort of thy pleasing selfe no salue may ease his dying smart onely thou hast hurt mee and saue thy selfe none can heale mee Ah doo not then triumph in my tragedie because peculiarly from thee proceedes my remedie nor bee not proude of thine Art because thus piteouslie I implore thine aide but with gentle fauour intertaine what with humble submission I intreat and in requitall of that deede I will impose to my selfe a toile without rest a trauell without end and be a Conquerour without conquest till my ceaselesse paine may deserue thy pittie my toilesome trauell procure our truce and the Trophies of my victorie requite some part of thy curtesie Thus what I doe or what I suffer what I presently possesse or whatsoeuer I shall haue I sacrifice at thy Altar as propitiatorie offrings and with the sad sighes of a sorrowfull hart cense thy sacred shrine still intreating but this that thou wouldest gently accept these rude lines of a rude Louer and when discontented distance shall diuorce mee from thy Angelicall presence thou wouldest at the least pittie my sorrow though thou wilt not salue my sore Thine whilst his owne Lancelot du Lake THis Letter he deliuered to a Page attenâ—ant vpon him and whilst his seruant was gone to conuay it to her himselfe went in to take his leaue of the Duke and the rest of his Noble friends and fellow Knights where with a tedious discourse he discouers the cause of his so sodaine departure vowing his deuoted seruice wholly to her honor for whose loue he was now forced to leaue his Country anâ— séeke straunge Aduentures in forraine Coastes whom they all were sorry to forgoe yet séeing his importance solemnely commits him and his intended enterprises to the good fortune of his still fauourable starres except Sir Tristram du-Lyons who for loue of him and honourable care of his solemne order would néedes in despite of what euer contrarie perswations accompany him in his course whom wheÌ„ Sir Lancelot had with many perswasiue arguments of forceable friendship diswaded from his indeuour laying open vnto him the great cause of his delefull departure which so deuoutly hee had vowed to performe as also what discontent the absence of so many Knights would bréed in their King and Captaine Arthur of England whose royall furnished Table had ransacked the treasurie of the world for to supply his want yet all in vaine stroue his wordes to disswade the other from his will for not all the sugered wordes the others oratorie could afford would anie whit diswade him from his former purpose but in despite of what euer accident should ensue he would needs accompany him in his iournie vowing to sustaine what hardy stormes of abiect misfortune soeuer shoulde betide this thrice famous Lancelot hys vowed brother that neuer should the burning heate of all springing sommer nor the cruell colde of deade killing winter weale nor woe prosperous felicitie nor aduerse extreamitie sunder their soules whilst life did vphold their bodies Whom when Lancelot saw that by no meanes he could diswade hee gentlie admits his so long desired company and with as many thankes accepts it as the other with millions of offers had vrged it CHAP. III. How Lancelot du-Lake and Tristram du-Lions ariued in the French Kings Court how Lancelot du-Lake ouercame Roderigo Duke of Austria and wonne the chiefest prizes in the Turnament with other thinges that hapned THus these two aduenturers for honor after they had solemnly tane their leaues ioyfully set forwarde on their iournie with a prosperous winde quickly cuts ouer the calme consenting Seas vnto the bordering rockes that walles their countrie France from the furie of the sometime surging Sea and after their ariual being proudly mounted vpon stately Stéedes stout of courage able of limmes and beauteous in show attended onely with two Pages who for that purpose they had appointed takes vppon them the nearest and directest way that bordered vpon that coast where they lately landed spending the partching heate almost of a whole sommers day wandring through desart woods and manie vnpeopled plaines till when the sweating Horses of the weary sunne swiftly descending from the highest top of that heauenly hill whence in his glory hee ouerlookes the mightiest mountaines that the earth affordes by their fiery tract summoned the silent night vp to her wearie watch they began to looke out where they might espy any conuenient place for their purpose where that night they might repose themselues to rest At last after much curious search descending down into the pleasant bottome of a lowlie dale where by chance ran from forth the bowels of a mighty mountaine a coole fresh spring whose siluer current shadowed ouer with the heat expelling power of thicke tuffted trees refreshes the increase of all adioyning vallies who weary with wandering and willing no thing more than such pleasure as there was plentifully promised they alighted and rayning all their horses to the big bowes of an aged neighboring Oake gins with the fresh coole current of that plesant spring to alay the thirst of their hot stomackes where they had not long solicited themselues in the shade after their great trauaile but that an auncient Hermite inhabiting the desart roomes of that unaccquainted corner walking his accustomed iournie by chaunce lightes vpon these wearie knights as they were cooling their weake limmes in the delightsome depth of that pleasant spring who as ioyfull to see some creature of whome they might be better directed for the furderance of their affaires as the other was willing to supplie their wants with that poore prouision that himselfe wanted not they with curteous salutation entertaine him and hee curteously regréeting them with the like wishes of good lucke requires what whence and who they were that had so farre wandred from the beaten wayes of those wide Desarts to whome Lancelot with reuerent regard to his olde age mildely answers that they were two Knights of the round Table aduenterers in Armes that had for the honor of their order the credit of their countrie the loue of their loue worthy Ladyes vndertaken to trauaile euen as far as sunne and seas the one would giue them light and the other afford
where Chinon casting off his disfiguring maske begins now to shew himselfe in his owne likenes and with a watch word calling for his fellowes brauely sets vpon these their enemies where in short time they had sent to hell all the rest saue the Soldan himselfe and taking him prisoner carries him away bounde when Triamore now once againe reuelling in the treasury of his loue gins with all humble submission attribute to the honour of Chinon all the fore passed proofe of this their fortunate seâ—uice which they had performed But Celestina that nowe like the Thracian Damosell returned with the Lorde of her loue from the dismall Gates of Hell beginnes with the teares of true ioy to prostrate her selfe at his honorable féete whose force had againe restored her from the tedious slauerie of loathsome captiuitie to the pleasant presence of life féeding libertie vowing deuoted seruice for this her second life But Chinon disdayning that the foule faced earth shoulde enioy so much as touch of her heauenly hew with gentle intreatie rayses her vp and thus replied to her suppliant spéech Fairer quoth he than is the common composition of earthly creatures and therfore of more worth than millions if I haue ought done in this that hath bred thy content it is no more than the beséemeth the dutie of my degrée Then doe not thus attribute more honor for my méede than is due by deserts to my deed more is thy smile towards the reward of a well deseruing worke than the rich rewards of many millions of an others vowes more pleasant is the sight of an houres sunne than the show of twenty shadowed daies but thy sight excéeding the brightest shining sunne that day is at the mid dayes height the pearcing beames of euery bright eyes sight more welcome to vs than day to the wearie watch or the repose of a quiet Inne to a tyred trauailer gracest our paines with thy presence More worth is his worke that rifles in the rich bowels of the gold growne earth than hee that drudges in the bottome of a dunghill ditch and yet the last labor is more than the first but that the subiect excéeding in worth excels the reward of his work more than the trauaile graces the thing but the worth of the subiect dignifies the desert of the déede whereby our credit by thee is maintayned and not thy matchles selfe by our might magnified Looke on hym that for thy loue aduentured his life and the rewarde of my paynes is this that they redound to thy pleasure and for thée Triamore fish â—ew againe thou hast thy hearts content remember the estate of thy old father as thou toldest mee is compassed within the circle of yonder beséedged walles still expecting the spéedy help of his forward friends but yet hath this nights worke so weakned hysfues as that there is no doubt of further danger By this with such like that had they chased awaie the sable show of this silent night and next the sunne gins with chearefull countenance to looke vpon the honorable actes of their thrise prayse worthy exployts when by this time they were wandred farre from the place where they first gaue the onset to atchiue this honour where Chinon calling to him his two countrymen giues this carefull charge You two quoth he whose honors accents is euerie where blayed for your valours shal hencefoorth leaue these wandring wayes and returne with me into our Countrie where I will present to my longing Father this Pagan Prince the first frints of my Mayden manhood dooing all my humble dutie to hys Honorable age but first in safety let vs conueye these Fayre friends to their fathers Court and set them there safe from further sorrow at home that haue sustained the hard brunt of fell misfortune abroad where may as many pleasures attend them there in peace as honorable accidents happen to me in warres CHAP. VI. Of Chinons returne into England accompanied with Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristram with their most honorable entertainment there AFter that hee had thus aduentured for the recouerie of beauteous Celestina from the handes of the Soldan that had traiterously tane her away from Syr Triamore sent them home to her fathers Court to solemnize their marriage Lancelot Tristram and himselfe tooke the direct way that led then home into theyr own country that there they might in quiet tell those thinges with pleasure amongst theyr friendes which they had in trouble performed with lâ—bour amongst their foes In which iâ—uâ—nie no occasion of further let encountered them anie more but as fareth with ordinary trauailers they peaceablie passe ouer their iournie till they came home into Corne wall to Earle Cadors Court that was not a little glad to sée the returne of his sonne with good hap to answere the long expectation of hys faire hope he entertaines them with such curtesie as commonly passe betwixt lost friends at theyr vnacquainted méetings Chinon discoursing to hys old father the storie of their trauailes whose very wordes bréedes new life in the dryed sinnowes of hys old limmes as deeth the approaching sunne cherrish the decayed winter worne strength of the earths increase Lancelot hee presents to hys loue the Trophies of his victorie with many perswasions how for her loue hee had aduentured his life in winning those Princely Prizes the chiefe wherof whose worth exceeded all except herselfe he had bounteously bestowed vppon sir Triamore Tristram he followes on his friends with the praises of them both first how by their meanes the Lady was atchieued then how by Chinoâ—s deuise she was secondly attained with all the whole History of their former fortunes where what ioy was generally receaued as well of the King himselfe and her that whose life still lasts in the euerliuing acts of succéeding ages famoused as much for the renowne of his round table as Alcides for his twelue labors Iason for hys iournie to Caicos or the Gréekes for theyr triumphes at Troy Hee now in the winter of hys waning age affecting to heare that now of others which before in his youth he had effected the like himselfe welcomes home all these wearie wanderers that had béene so long abroad writing in the Registers of other realmes the courage of their own country as also the poore inhabitants of this pappy Kingdome that ioyed to sée their neighboring lands dispoyled of such riche rewardes as was brought home by their countrymen Thus when euery man had filled his eares with tâ—â— report Aâ—thur willing also to further the courage of this young Caualéer summons a solemne méeting of all the Nobles and Péeres of his country to his Court where when at the time apointed all were gathered together the King at a Royall banket gins to declare the cause of this their calling together that themselues should sée how Princely he had and would still pay the rewards of such deserts as by the aduentures of their yong countryman Chinon had béene prosperously performed and
then with Epethites accents of honour telling the victorious tale of his fight as Aeneas the Tragicke storie of their fight he concludes hys spéech with the performance of hys promise which was the solemne orders he commonly vsed at the instalment of any of his Knights and dubbing him therewithall appoints him his place at the Table where a while he remained as well to comfort the decaying date of his Fathers yeares whome wrestling age had almost now layed along in hys graue and as Mariegold that neuer spreadeth her flowers but against the sunne So he neuer opened his age dimmed eyes to beholde the chearefull countenance of any creature saue his Son Chinon and like the melancholly Turtle when her mate is from her sight So fares it with this aged Earle that neuer sléepes but dreames of hys Sonne neuer is well waking when he sées him not neuer contented with any sounds if he heare him not as also the intire affection of hys King and Captaine Arthur of England that inamored with his curtesie was lost to leaue hys company he was forced a while to refraine his affections whose body thought it was walled in at home yet was his minde wandring abroad which the fates foreséeing as do the careful Parents prouide for their forward children séeke meanes for theyr furtherance in that quallitie whereto they are most inclined loath that so many vertues should be cooped within the compasse of a 〈◊〉 Iland and not spread their braunches abroad to the wide world carefully contriued a meanes to conuaye hym away CHAP. VII How Chinon was by the Fairies conuaied into Egipt THus hee spending the pride of his dayes at home in daliance letting rust eate away his well tempered Armour that warres before had scoured lying one day vppon a pleasant ouerspread banke vnder the couert of a nature framed Canopie bound together with the bowes of swéet smelling roses vpon whose pleasant spraies sate the seuerall sorts of musicke making â—irdes that with theyr naturall notes calles on inchaunting sleep to possesse the quiet organes of his body with all pleasing rest in the midst of a swéet slumber suddainely appeares to the view of his drowsie thoughts two airie bodies such creatures as we call Fairies whome some immagine to be those spirites that fell dawne vpon the earth and since that time inhabit the seuerall corners thereof sometimes deluding mens senses with the showes of that they are not other somtimes showing themselues in the semblances thâ—y commonly accustome to put on dancing roundelayes ouer the plesaunt â—neades searing the secrete corners of euerie shade in which sort it should séeme they found thys Knight to whom they gan shewe a rich embrodered armour curiously carued and richly set with all manner of precious stones and a faire sword with all the formall furniture thereunto belonging faire passing that which before he had pulled out of the Rocke and there withall ginnes féed his fancie that they nourished his imagination in the perfectest ioye of all naturall delight with the show of a faire Virgin whose rare countenaunce promised more than her outward colour of attire for that meake were her wéeds such as commonly we read of the Arcadian Shepheardesses whose perfectioÌ„s haue put to silence so many pens in labouring to portrait their picture But her selfe more than a mortall Maid looked vppon with the impartial censure of a iudging eye might draw into an endlesse Laborynth the labouring thoughtâ— of an iâ—â—euoring wit striuing with it selfe to picture forth her worth Where a while we must leaue him 〈◊〉 like spending his time in this swéete speculation and for a time talke of this rare fight here showed hym in his sléep This Ladie was daughter to an ancient Lord named Bessarian cheif Counseller to â—gbaâ—aâ— then King of Egypt and was thâ—re earnestly beloued of a noble Man named â—â—â—osin who for that he saw by no way he could compasse hâ—â— desire neither by amorous demeanor of himselfe instance of his frends nor earnest soliciting deserts of his dumb intermissiue gifts could-preuaile to drawe towarde him the dutye of her loue he determining by another drift ether to win her to himselfe or to wâ—are her out of conceit with all other â—â—â—reâ—ly 〈…〉 â—e with an old Witch whose name was Eurropa who hyred by him hammered about to work some meane how she might change the setled affections of her maidenlyke minde somwhat to encline themselues to his intent which when by no meanes she could bring about she straight works a way to remoue her quite â—rom all companie to liue on the vnpeopled Plaines among â—rute beasts and to that ende aiming her actions by meanes of an ayrie Spirit attendant vppon her suddenly conueyed her from the Courtly presence farre off to an vnfrequented Plaine scitâ—â—â—te by the â—tiuer Nylus where shee percesuing her â—â—lâ—e displaced but séeing no reason of her remooue straitwaies begins to consider with her selfe what luckles occasion might thus crosse her in her hopefull course and when after long search in the selfe knowen recorde of her inward conscience shée could finde no readie reason how her offences should anie wayes haue procured so great a punishment as this vnnaturall diuorse not onely from the comfort of her kindred but â—ll other â—â—â—nds 〈◊〉 with all humble dutie alwaies honoreâ— her superiâ—is wyth carefull turtoâ—â—â—intrâ—aâ—eâ— her inâ—â—â—wâ—â— beeing euer held as the myâ—rrcâ—â— of good demeanor 〈◊〉 thus findiâ—g her selfe as cleâ—â—e â—rom those vengâ—â—uncâ— meriting â—â—nes that â—â—â—wes doâ—â—â—â— the heauie wrâ—â—h of all-iudging Gods so sharply with such seuere plagues to punish the oâ—â—â—â—ces of men shedding manie showers of aâ—ber wareÌ„s whose power were able to haue drawne pittie from the stéely hearts of hâ—ll-holden fuâ—ries â—â—ts her downe by the side of that siluer streame that with his seauen heads still sends freâ—â— supplie to the all eating sea and tuning her voice to the bubling musick of his gliding course to the flocking sortes of sundry-fishes that â—â—ke the dancing Dolphins at the swéete sound of Arions Harpe gather themselues together She singes this Dittie Ye free borne people from th' inthralling bâ—nds That we poore soules perforce are subiect to You glide with pleasure ore these golden sands And feeles no hope of weale nor hap of woe Time fortune foes nor any other power Changes casts downe or turnes your sweet to sower But we whome nature wrought vnto the best Triumphant time still tosses vp and downe And they whome former fortune whilome blest Cruell misfortune with a suddaine frowne Casts from a throane where sur'st we seeme to dwell To worser woes than death dispaire or hell Thus whileâ—â— with this song â—â—ee sought to please her sorrow sodainely this wicked woman by whose meanes shee was brought thether carried through the emptie 〈◊〉 in â—â—erie flaming 〈◊〉 such as was that secret searching Medea 〈◊〉 the sable shadow of the â—â—ilent night ouerrâ—â—â— so many toys of hilles to â—â—â—ade those hearbes that in the age worns
limmes of a bloodles man cals backe fresh spring to kéep againe his residence in that body 〈◊〉 presenting her selfe vnto her in the accustomed shape at other times shée vsually shewed her selfe begins at her first entrance to disclose vnto her the manner of translation from her father and friends vnto these peopleles plaines confessing her selfe both to be Author and actor of this diuellish deuise where quoth she for the coy countenances that so oft thou haste repayed to the pitty moouing perswations of him that for thy loue well nie 〈◊〉 weares out in woe the dayeâ— and watches with tirrible torments the night that in euerie sentence he speakes so oft cites thée by thy proper name and himselfe with bare conceit that hee hath thee whom by consent he rightly should haue had pines awaie poore soule in the phisicke fits of a passionate louer In whose reuenge quoth shée I haue here seated thée by thy selfe far from the resort of men where desolation shall here teach thée to tell thy selfe that thou art now worse than wilde beastâ— that before estéemest of thy selfe better than faire framed men where quoth she till thou canst call backe thy proude presuming thought to pitty his case that for tâ—ée spends his life in such care here shalt thou haue thy abode and be as far from any con â—â—â—ation of others as then art from comforting of him and so sodainely leauing her againe to her selfe â—he departed At which abrupt Oration the maid séemed at the first dismayed yet at length comâ—ortes somewhat maâ—e her conceit in that she knew the meanes of her reâ—â—â—â—â— and â—â—at last after shee had long remained 〈◊〉 in that people wanting world to eschue the ecâ—â—â—â—◠〈…〉 and the effect of idlenes shée be tooke 〈…〉 careâ—â—ll kéeping of some â—â—imple natured â—â—â—â—pe whereof that place was stored oâ— whose wooll â—â—e now â—â—giâ—â— to spinne her â—â—â—e some homely atire that was wont to be robed in â—he richest aray that nature and Arte could aâ—â—ord and in the meane time the weary workes preuenting all occasions of further misfortune that might els in the continuance of time haue crossed theyr intent work or meaâ—eâ— to disert it her wofull Father who now destitute of all his children his daughter the hope of comfort to hys diclining age and hauing three gâ—â—ly sonnes whome nature had euery way furnished with gifts â—itting their degrees whose names â—ere Michander Terpander and Theonas all those had hee employed in the quest of their sister when as his foes taking the aduantage of their time Perosus that was also a Counâ—â—ller gins secretlie to informe the King of certaine treasons pretended to his life and land by Bessarian father to thys new shepheardesse of whome before wee tolde you to the end that hauing vnfâ—â—â—ished him of the Kinges fauour himselfe might the easâ—ier effect what occasion soeuer should be offered and the poore father left destitute of all meanes to â—â—â—thrâ— his sonnes affaires which the king at the first was â—oâ—th to beléeue both for that he had had so long tryall of the faithfull seruice old Bessarian had alwaies performed as also that hee supposed that such subtiltie could not harbour in a siluer coloured heare for that quoth he Serpents alwaies lurke in young gréene tufftes not in winter wythered grasse â—age abolishes deceits as it abandons daine delights as the bodie waxes weake by so much more doth the minde waxe strong as being nowe freed from all the intisin â—â—â—â—eniâ—ns in 〈◊〉 age whereunto the vaine pleasures of this wickâ—â—â— world did still intise him to in hâ—s yâ—◠〈…〉 the other ready so replie with freâ—â—◠〈…〉 â—â—â—â—ment shewes straight to the King the intermissiâ—â—â— letters that so long had passed to and fro betwixt Bessarian and many of his Maiestieâ— enemies for the effecting of their treasons to which he had so cunningly counterfetted the oldmans hand as if himselfe had substantially set it downe and the better to proue euery seuerall circumstance of this his surmised tale hée presently produces two or thrée periured companions who for that purpose hee had subborned whose substantiall tale tooke such effect and so farre incensed the King that in all haste sending for the old guiltlesse soule who was so farre from pretending this ill that notwithstanding all the crosse occasions that so vnluckely had hapned vnto him he spends all his time intending still naught but hys Soueraignes good where when hee came the King breaking foorth into impatience beginnes with traiterous names to vpbraid him who God knowes was so farre from inuenting it that he studied nothing more than the preuenting it and then vntipping vnto him the forged treason shewing him the counterfet letters signed by his own hand the seuerall circumstances prooued by such sufficient witnesses as there pretended themselues to be impatient of excuse and therefoâ—e vtterly denying to heare his further answere still vâ—gâ—d by the enuious inuented perswasions of his subtill enemie gins thus to be wray his hatred Experience quoth he hath taught vs and the dayly proofe of still present time offers occasions to our â—â—es of new examples how in brute beasts the countinaÌ„ce of long time groundee perfect loue as the silly degâ—e that brought vp at hys Masters trencher in his â—inde remembers his curtesie and whiles nature lends him libertie of life indeuâ—rs himselfe still in all duty to requite iâ— and shall thâ—n man their reasonable ruler be worse than these â—easonâ—â—s thinges by him so ruled herbs trées and other vegitable creatures increasing from the eaâ—th to them that with care manure their roots pruâ—e their braÌ„ches render fruit for a reward the beastes they in their sundrie kindes requites their owners cost as one with his skinne another with hys fléeâ—â— one with his â—uffe and another with hys horne one with hys labour and another with hys louâ— and shall not then he whome God hath made as Master of all these creatures excéede them in his reasonable raign that subiect theÌ„selues reasonles to be ruled Since first I came to sway the heauie Scepter of this great Kingdome and tooke into my hands the tuition of so many people as inhabite these spacious plaines of wide west â—gipt haue nourished thée euen in my bosome nearest haue I kept thee to my selfe because I would draw thy affection from all other haste thou now with â—â—opes vngratefull snake stinged him in the breast that so carefully sought to preserue thée in his bosome Can it be that vnder the reuerend show of such honourable age should rest the vndeserued thoughtes of vnreuerent reuenging rage Is there founde foule drosse in faire gold bad showes on good substances can there be such hatred in sure hearts I I I sée the fayrest sÌ„omer shine hath his sodaine shower she best blossome is oft times sâ—â—ne â—â—blaâ—â—ed the truest frienâ— prooues oft the most trecherous foe But as no man coÌ„mends the sunnie morning nor the showrie night the frustrate
yet his forward endeuour hath alway showne he would much more ere this haue merited had not enuious fortune crost him in this sort To whom the King and all his Nobles present did most willingly condiscend Then calling together al the Knightly companie of his Round Table declared to them Duke Cadors request and his owne readinesse to haue it vndertaken who all were not onely to goe in Quest of Chinon but each man manifested his more than common earnestnes by taking offence if anie one were named beside himselfe To ende this controuersie the King thus prouided that euerie man should drawe his Lot and on whom soeuer it fell that Knight should foorthwith chuse hym two Fellowes from the rest of the Companie and so they thrée shuld take vpon them this desired trauaile The Lots accordingly were made and euerie one of the Knights drew and the Lot fell vpon Sir Calor who was Sonne vnto Sir Lancelot du Lake and the beauteous Celestina Daughter to the King of France whose Parents Chinon before valiantly rescued being betraid and taken in the hands of the trecherous Souldan But before their departure it was thought conuenient for the better furtherance of their Journey to take some counsell of Merlin who then liued accounted as a Prophet in England and by his skill I could tell of secrete things forepast and hidden mysteries to come Merlin beeing sent for by the Kings commandement came to the Court and shewes them in a speculatiue Glasse the manner of his departure out of England the manie troubles hee had endured in hys Journey and now at last opens at large the whole manner of that great miserie whereuntoo he is now brought by the meanes of that subtill Inchauntresse telling them further that except they made verie excéeding great spéed for to procure his release hee was likely to dye there for want of reléefe being there detained from all necessaries fit to sustaine a man or at least hauing of those necessaries a verie short pittance allowed him Merlin hastening them forward on their iourney promised al the cunning he could affoord for their spéedie conueyance which he effectually perfourmed so that in short time they were arriued in this perillous Iland where after long search for the place wherein Merlin did promise they should finde their friend at last they might espie this monstrous man iaylour to that unfortunate Knight stretching himselfe at the mouth of the Caue wherein in Chinon was kept To him they made all possible spéede and first of all Syr Calor addressing himselfe to fight gins before hee offered violence with curteous gréetings to salute hym gently demaunding what he was that liued so desolately in that vnfrequented Iland To whom the detested and currish Carle made this vnmannerly aunswere I am quoth hee as thou séest one within whose clawes thou and the rest of thy sawcie companions haue compassed your selues if therefore you will submit your selues to my mercy then will I thus dispose of you héere within a hollow Caue hewne out of this craggie Rock wherein lyes inclosed a knight such a one as you are who for the like offence that you now haue offered is condemned to the eternall slauerie of perpetuall imprisonment within shall you spend your hatefull liues and when for hunger you are welnie starued fall freshly then to eate one anothers flesh but if you stubbornely stand out against mee thus will I dispoyle you in renting your cursed limmes péece meale a sunder or els fastning you seuerall to the big bulks of some of these trées where when the imperiall punishment of hastning hunger shall seaze vpon your selues you shall there be inforced to eate your owne flesh that might here haue fed vpon another to whome Syr Calor thus answered Foule vglie fiend wee come not to knéele to thée but to force thy subiection to vs and for the release of a Christian Knight thay thou kéepest Captiue within thy power At which wordes the Giant séeing them addresse themselues to fight presently be stirs himselfe and taking an Iron mace which to that ende the Witch had prouided lets driue at Sir Calor with all the might he could from which he nimbly leaping away eschued the force of the fall whē as the other Knights comming in to rescue sir Calor before the Giant could againe get vp his weapon from the grounde they had so mangled hys limmes as he was now far vnable to fight but falling prostrate downe before them humblie intreats for his life which they were willing to graunt as not séeking the losse of him but the life of their friend to whome the Giant gins relate all the manner of the imprisonment of Chinon and at the last opens the doore of the Caue and calles him out to his friends who resaluting one another with such friendly gréetings as are vsuall at such aduenturos accidents take their iournie from thence vp into the Countrie and for that the Giant had told◠them in hys former discouse of the manner of Chinons imprisonment how that Perosus for whose loue all this had come about had in Egipt taken Armes against the King for that his treason béeing discouered he intended to recal old Bessarian from his banishment and that his power so daylie increased as that it was now far greater than the Kings they intended to shape their iournie thetherwards and help the king in his warres against this traiterous rebbell where wee must let them goe forward a while in their iourny and returne againe to our thrée aduenturers for their sisters libertie CHAP. XIII How Bessarians sonnes met with their Father in the shape of a Beare AFter that these thrée yong men were againe restored to their former estate Terpander the first of them trauailing homewards to séeke againe his sister méetes by the way his transformed Father who not a little glad to see his sonne though the other taking him for no lesse than he séemed made some hast to fly from him till looking backe and perceauing the scroule about his necke for the regaining of his harts desire strikes his poore father with such a blow as breaking his sword vpon the scalpe of his head he was forced to flie for want of weapons fearing least the Beare should haue fallen freshly vppon him béeing tyred when as God knowes the sillie man astonished with the stroke was rather afraid of an vnnaturall deaths wound by his sonne then willing to prosecute any reuenge for the same Not long after Terpander had thus hurt his Father comes that way the second brother who in like case méeting with the Beare and hoping by his death to obtaine his desire gins with a Borespeare hee had in his hand eagerly to assayle him in so much shal in short time hee had grieuously wounded hym but the head of his weapon by chance breaking off hee was forced to flie as did his brother to be short the Witch that intended by the meanes of some of these sonnes to make