I imagine my self fortunate having such a precious gage from a Knight so perfect nor shall she be worse intreated then mine own self Marencida hearing these gracious spéeches and what courtesie Palmendos used to the Princesse perceived that she was the Emperours daughter wherefore she gave her many thanks shewing better countenance then before she did to any which Philocrista took very kindly and mounting up the steps with her into the Hall she came to Francelina with these words This Lady Madam doth now supply your place séeing Lord Palmendos is returned for now your company with me must discontinue because reason and your fatal love doth so command me notwithstanding I hope our amity shall continue Fair Princesse answered Francelina we are both so far yours and so good part have you in my Lord as you shall find your self no lesse contented then abashed when you know all therefore fear not that I will forget your friendly familiarity rather will I continue your loving sister as our further assurance of our mutuall agreement Sundry other spéeches passed betwéen the two young Ladies in mean while Marencida looking about her and remembring the great pomp state and riches of her father she made but slender account of the Emperours Court which was not at this time so well stored with Knights as it was wont to be whereupon she giving a great sigh thus uttered her mind You know Emperour of Constantinople that the sumptuous royalty of my fathers Court doth exceed the greatest Princes in the whole world as also how many mighty Lords serve him with homage and fealty because heretofore you have seen the same where if you were so adventurous and hardy as to kill without fear of them as the whole world knoweth the mighty Emperor mine Vncle think I pray you what miserable case the Lady is in so trayterously brought from her own Country and now delivered captive into your custody wherein me thinks in respect of the renown spread abroad of you you should take example by my adversity and rather grieve then glory therein as I sée you do considering that inconstant Fortune is still variable and doth not always allow men felicity This I speak not whereby to gain the more favour or honour in your Court because death would be much more welcome to me then to live in the vexation of mind I do wherefore I intreat you again if intreaty may beseem an adversary hereafter to conserve your reputation in such sort as I may receive no impeach to mine honor and you shall comfort me better therein then all the commendation of your fame can do To these words she added many â—ufull complaints as the Emperor being therewith moved to compassion replied in this manner I understand Madam full well what you have said and know beside that the feminine choler which governeth your spirit maketh you use such kind of language as is clean exempt from all the rules of womanly modesty nor am I now to learn that the strength of earthly Kings and Potentates is less then nothing when God is bent repugnant against them whereby we are all to resolve that we can do no good act without his assistance According to his direction came I unto your Vncles Court before whom I protest and crave no mercy in the day of vengeance if I slew him or ever thought to do it being too far carried away from minding any such intent by the honor I had before received at his Highness hands Yet was I privie to his forcible detaining of the Lady and laboured to restore her to her Lord and husband she being daughter to the renowned King of England and wife to the now famous Emperor Trincus of Almain herein me thinks I committed no offence he kéeping her most unjustly profaning thereby the sacred Laws of royal equity And because the wise have evermore patiently endured their fortune being either good or bad I verily perswade my self Madam that you will forbear to complain and lament in this unséemly manner knowing your self to be conquered by the most courteous and debonair Knight that this day liveth in Europe even he that in Hellespont overcame the King Ocurites your husband These news so grieved Marencida to the heart when she heard the Emperor say that the King her husband and she her self were both taken captive by one Knight as frantick-like she could have eaten her flesh with anger but the young Princess Philocrista conducting her to her chamber appeased her fury with divers friendly spéeches and courteous behaviour But let us now return again to the Prince Palmendos who in this time unarmed himself that the Emperor might at more pleasure behold him CHAP. XXXI What courteous conference Palmendos had with the Emperour the Empress and Primaleon And how being afterwards baptized he was affianced to his Lady AFter that Palmendos had put off his Armour he threw a rich Turkish robe about him embroidered all over with Oriental Pearls which he brought from Tharsus with him according to the modern custome used among the most magnificent Kings of Asia intending to wear it when he should come into the Emperours presence Being returned into the great Hal and each one covetous to understand his Original Primaleon took him by the hand and sate down when the Emperour began in this manner My noble friend Palmendos longer must you not conceal your self your renown being so lavishly bruited through all Countreys tell me then I pray you of what parents you are issued as also what you think else convenient to acquaint us withal Gracious Lord answered Palmendos with you whom I so reverence by honour I may not dissemble in any point for that I were unworthy your presence if I should deal double with so great a state Know then mighty Emperor that I am son to the Quéen of Tharsus the affectionate servant and vowed friend to your Majesty forsaking my Country by a strange occasion so soon as I understood where my father remained which long before was concealed from me The cause of my comming into your Highness Court was the fame and praises I heard of Francelina to whose service the fatal destinies enjoyned me at my very essence in that I never affected any other Lady yet reputing my self unworthy of her grace and favour or to be seen in this honourable Court. To this he added the discouse of the old woman that appeared unto him in the Pallace at Tharsus and how she blamed him for his idle and slothfull life yet hiding how she assured him to be his son because further opinion should pass till that were discovered But quoth he as hitherto I have lived according to the Law of Mahomet so now would I willingly receive Christian Baptism which I faithfully promised for my good success when heaven made me able to deliver this worthy Princess When the Emperour heard these things he presently judged Palmendos to be his son by the sudden and summary supputation
answered Tirendos of such as thou art that traiterously murtherest Gentlemen who gave thée welcome beyond thy deserts which I will cause thée buy full dearly That would I fain sée said Belcar if it be in thée to make me confesse that which I never thought much lesse committed Thou liest as a homicide answered Tirendos I will make good what I have said therefore get you to your tools Herewith they gave the spurs to their Horses and met very valiantly together so that with breaking their Lances they gave each other a little wound Belcar losing his stirrops and Tirendos cast forth of his saddle to the ground but recovering himself presently he came against his enemy with his sword drawn saying Alight sir you were best or I shal slay your Horse That will I gladly do quoth Belcar but it shall be to embrace you for I have no will to enter combat with you Alas sir said Tirendos it is no time now to scoff albeit I am from my horse I am not vanquished Great pleasure took Belcar to reason with his singular good friend and alighting from his Horse thus replied I speak for your good sir if you can sée it but séeing reason will not rule you I am content to deal with you a little Tirendos somewhat offended at his fall began to strike at Belcar very reughly but he who was loth to wrong his friend threw his Sword and Shield to the ground and with open arms came to embrace him saying My perfect friend Tirendos I have heretofore had experience of thy valiant behaviour wherefore forgive thy brother Belcar for not acquainting thée with my departure from Constantinople yet was I assured that thou wouldest follow in search of me How now quoth Tirendos are you then my Lord and loving friend Belcar In sooth the errour committed was onely ignorance of you put off your Helmet that I may be resolved for your disguised Armour made me mistak you So casting down their Helmets they embraced each other very courteously when Tirendos thus spake to Belcar Hardly can I be perswaded my Lord that you would consent to such treason as this Damosel hath enformed me withal Declare I pray you quoth Belcar whence ariseth this slander for another Knight who I think I have slain or sore wounded pursued me with the like quarrel doubtlesse this Damosel is some bad woman to accuse me with any such disloyalty She told me said Tirendos that you being honorably entertained at her fathers Castle where one night you were very friendly lodged on the morrow her thrée brethren bare you company on the way and two of them without any cause you did murther leaving the third in very great danger Ah trayterous Damosel answered Belcar what an evident slander hath she raised on me and herewith he rehearsed the whole discourse according as thou have read it in the first chapter of this Book She séeing the two Knights agrée thus friendly with the tears in her eys gave forth these spéeches Miserable and unfortunate that I am what a subtil collusion do I hear This Knight is as false and disloyal to me in not revenging my shame as the murtherer that hath so highly wronged me But séeing I am thus circumvented and he a perjured wretch by breach of his promise unlesse I speedily die I will cause him to repent it and be sufficiently revenged on them both So gallopped she the same way she came and Belcar with Tirendos went into the Tent where they discoursed together on many matters Tirendos declaring how Cardino was the other Knight that fought in the damosels cause for which the Prince was greatly offended with himself and to wear away that conceit acquainted Tirendos with his fortune at the Castle and of the task he had taken in hand which he liked so well as he concluded likewise to bear him company Thus Lypes and they two remained there together oftentimes resorting to visit his mother and sisters who would not suffer them to want any thing And such was the fame of Belcars victories as the whole Realm of Macedon and the Emperours Court of Greece was cloyed with the dayly reports thereof But here will we leave these Champions a while and speak of the good Knight Palmendos son to the Emperour Palmerin and the Queen of Tharsus CHAP. V. How Palmendos understanding that he was Son to the Emperour Palmerin caused himself to be armed Knight And how he intreated licence of the Queen his Mother to go see Constantinople which at length very hardly he obtained and what happened thereon CArefully did the Queen of Tharsus nourish her young son Palmendos whom she had by the Emperour Palmerin when he followed the exercise of Arms and was entertained by the Admiral Alfarano in the Realm of Pasmeria as you may read in his worthy History This child as he grew in years so did he increase in all vertuous behaviour being unable to shadow his royal discent yet to hinder his desire from search after his father the Queen and all the Nobility so entirely affecting him no knowledge might be given him thereof lest by that mean he should become a Christian And that he might be instructed in those heroical qualities which beseem a Prince of so high calling the Queen committed him to the charge of the Brother to the deceased King her husband a Knight of great wisdom and valour by whom he was so worthily educated as he won the love of every one in general Rigour he would requite with mercy and clemency and charity he preferred in all his actions notwithstanding as he shewed courteous and benign countenance towards the good so did he sternly and severely oppose himself against the bad so that by his exquisit prudence and choise care in honourable causes in his youth he would learn to manage the affairs of the Realm wherein he shewed himself so quick of spirit and susceptible as he waxed to be such a politick Oeconomy that the Queen intended to put the Royall Government into his hands If he were thus enriched with all perfect vertues nothing wanted in him for brave constitution of body whereof he made no shew of pride or presumption but became so famous through all the neighbour Marches and limitrophes of Tharsus as the very best would come to offer him their service The Court was filled with resort of Nobles and others for beside the Royal Nature he brought from his Mothers womb according to the Idea and celestial influence of his constellation he was born and naturally inclined to Arms which made him evermore converse with the most skilful in that science But one day before he was armed Knight a very aged decrepit and over-spent woman came and sate down on a step in the Porch of the Palace attired in such poor garments as her naked flesh was seen in many places and there sate she trembling in such sort as though her soul were ready to forsake her body Such as passed
much indebted for our deliverance as for us it is necessary you should know of whence and what we are that if we should hereafter grow ingratefull for this kindnesse the meanest in the world might justly condemn us This young Prince quoth he is named Lecefin Son to the noble Soldan of Persia and I his unworthy Nephew issued from Trineus Emperour of Almaign brother by marriage to the incomparable Prince Palmerin d' Oliva hereto he added the whole discourse of their trouble which you have heard already In happy time came I hither answered Palmendos to succour so good and noble knights as you are chiefly for your near alliance to the Emperour Palmerin whom I continually desire to serve and shortly shall present my self unto him but first by the favour of Fortune I would have his ears so acquainted with some actions of account as might move his spirit with the more affection to sée me And séeing you go so soon to his Court let me intreat this favour at your hands as to conduct this company with you which I have delivered from prison and present his Majesty with them from me as also the wife and daughter of Baledon the Gyant for it is both just and reasonable to dispossesse this Island of such bad people as have with such horrible tyrannies so long time abused the same For I dare say the people that inhabit this Isle will more gladly submit themselves to the Emperours Regiment then be held in slavery by such Hell-hounds In mean while we will leave some good Knight of this soil as Governour thereof in his highnesse name untill he have disposed thereof as shall séem best in his wisedom Willingly would I make proof before your departure of a strange adventure couched in the Temple that if I die in the attempt you may revenge my death and happily live to finish the same Rifarano and Lecefin made answer that they would fulfill any thing he pleased to command them for which Palmendos requited them with many thanks CHAP. VIII How Palmendos placed in the government of the Isle of Delphos an ancient wise Knight named Guillador by whom he understood the danger and the difficulty of the adventure in the Temple whether notwithstanding he afterward travelled and how he fortunately ended the same AFter all the Knights and Gentlemen had armed themselves Palmendos caused the Giantesse and her daughter to be fastned with a strong chain to a pillar lest they should offer some violence on themselves the chain in the port he comanded to be taken away with all other dangers that might hurt travellers then summoning the people of the Island he thus began to confer with them My Brethren and friends I cannot think but you all rejoice to sée your selves delivered from the miserable servitude wherein the Tyrant Baledon hath long time held you henceforth therefore I intend that you shall acknowledge for your liege Lord and Soveraign the famous and vertuous Emperour Palmerin d' Oliva to whom I will make present of this Island which the God of heaven hath suffered me to conquer for you know the Gyant is slain his wife and daughter likewise remain my prisoners and to his Majesty will I shortly send them Let me therefore intreat you to continue his true and loyall Subjects and I shall so behave my self with his Highnesse as he shall henceforth defend this Island and you for the government whereof in mean while I will leave one that shall be chosen among you who shallswear to resign his office to him whom the Emperour shall please to send hither The Knights and Gentlemen of the Island were greatly contented when they heard Palmendos use such gracious spéeches acknowledging themselves happy to remain the Emperours vassals whereupon they sware fidelity to him and elected a reverend Knight of the Island named Guillador to whom the authority of Deputy was committed and then they caused the Giants body to be burned for the horrible villanies he had done in his life time to which execution all the people of the Island resorted not so much for the sight thereof as to honour the patron of their deliverance Every thing thus wisely and discréetly pacified he determined to try the adventure of the Temple whereupon the new Governour desired him not to hazard himself in a matter so perilous for that many Knights had lost their lives in the attempt which made Palmendos far more desirous to know wherein the greatest danger thereof consisted at whose request Guillador thus began the discourse Know my Lord that the Temple wherein our Priests great treasure is hid is a place now overgrown as a thicket of young trées by reason of the long time since any one durst approach the same and in that wood is a savage wild Boar of more cruel nature certain then that which Hercules slew on the Mountain Erymanthus in Arcadia And when any one doth offer to enter the Temple he commeth forth of his den and maketh him sure for ever returning again In sooth quoth the Prince these news are very terrible in hearing yet never was there any adventure in the world so difficult but one or other hath accomplished it and I trusting onely in the help of God will try if this enchantment were ordained perpetual not fearing all the Boars or divels in the world I am sure my Lord quoth Rifarano that if you finish not this enchantment it will never be accomplished by any other therefore boldly set upon it for gladly would I endure part of the pain and by the faith of a true Knight I shall assist you with my uttermost endeavour No other help do I desire answered Palmendos then the favour of the Gods onely and I hope they will not be far from me if so I stand in néed thereof notwithstanding I humbly thank you for your good will and if I happen to fail in mine enterprize you shall make no better witnesse of your words then courteously to hazard the adventure to recover the honour lost by me for which cause as also to beguile the tediousnesse of travel you shall accompany me to the Temple So willing the Merchants and other prisoners to stay in the Castle Palmendos Ozalio Rifarano Lecefin and the rest of the Knights being all well armed set toward the Temple many of the Island travelling with them to guide them the way and do other néedfull services Now had Palmendos caused to be made by marvellous subtil cunning a coat of Arms composed of wax and other like clammy mixtures wherewith he covered all his Armour that the sharp bristles and tusks of the Boar might have no power to hurt him And in this sort they rode on together Being at length come to a convenient place which was within sight of the Temple he beheld the brushie thornie plain which made him doubt how he should get thither with his horse Yet resolute for all chances he takes an Iron Mace that he
he sent his son Primaleon with divers other Knights to entertain them as beséemed and the Moor Princes séeing every one give place to him that came formost immediately they reputed him to be the Emperours son whereupon they alighted when Primaleon courteously embracing them said My Lords you are more then welcome to my fathers Court his Majesty being not a little glad of your arrival so taking each of them by the hand he conducted them into the great Hall where the Emperour sate in his chair attending their comming and then approaching the state made offer to kisse his Highnesse hand but he took them in his arms and would not suffer them saying Know my good cousins that I account my self greatly indebted to you in that you would forsake your own Countries to visit me so far off and that I may not fail in the use of your names let me understand which of you is Rifarano albeit you both stand equal in my grace and favour yet being singularly desirous to continue my love to the Princesse Zephira I must consequently esteem and affect all that come from her On the other side as well for the indissoluble amity intirely grounded in our young years betwéen the Emperour Trineus and me as also in regard of the alliance united betwéen us I am constrained to love his linage and posterity and thus I would have you both perswaded that greater good could not happen to me then the sight of them they estéem so dearly Heaven so prosper and favour you in all things as they have throughly comforted my spirits by the very hearing of my good friends and confederates the Soldan and Zephira whose health I pray you resolve me of for it is long since I heard any thing from them My Lord answered Rifarano at what time we departed Persia we left their persons in most safe disposition and they by us humbly kissing your Majesties hand have sent this Letter in sign of the reverence and love they bear you now for they could not themselves come so far they have sent this Prince their son named Lecefin in their stead to do any serviceable duty in your royal Court· As for my self I am Rifarano son to Aurecinda expresly leaving my Countrey to have knowledge of your excellency and with my uttermost indeavours to follow your service craving this licence that I may go see the Emperour Trineus my father whose son I account my self not onely happy to be but greatly accuse my self of ingratitude that I have so long time deferred this voyage Lecefin kissing the Letter upon his knée delivered it to the Emperour which he commanding to be opened took and read as followeth The Letter of Zephira wife to the Soldan of Persia to the Emperour Palmerin To the right happy and most fortunate Prince Palmerin d' Oliva mirrour of courtesie and surpassing all good Knights Zephira wife to the Soldan of Persia perpetual vowed friend to your imperial Majesty kisseth your Higness hand wishing your increase in all felicity KNow most noble Emperour that the long and vehement affection of my son Lecefin to see Constantinople onely to offer you his service and behold the magnificence of your Court hath caused the Soldan my husband and me now to send him in company of Rifarano Sonne to the Emperour Trineus to satisfie the desire they had in visiting you on our behalf And albeit they deserved greater royalty for such a voyage yet would they have no other company then thirty Knights knowing that ostentation in shew would not purchase them the more estimation at your hands and therfore they come no otherwise accoustred Notwithstanding if the sincere amity you evermore shewed me hath acquainted you with the inward integrity of my heart whereby you have deigned me place among your most affectionate friends I desire you in regard of that zeal to entertain these two and accept of this present as comming from the hand of her who hath not her equal in good will to your excellency And to witnesse my bounden duty in acceptation hereof I vow both me and mine evermore to your obeysance perswading my self that your wonted debonair courtesie will not suffer me disdained in the offer I make The most obedient of your friends Zephira Soldanesse of Persia For this gentle Letter from the Soldan and Zephira the Emperour gave Lecefin their Son many thanks again and again welcomming him to the Court then turning to Rifarano he said I well perceive my Lord Rifarano that you are the undoubted Son of the Emperour Trineus because you so lively resemble him in face well have you done to come see so good a father and the more do I thank God for your arrival here at this time when we intend to hold open Court to honour the approaching marriage of our beloved cousin and so please ye to stay the intended Triumphs here shall you see good store of worthy Knights that mean to tempt Fortune for the Garland of honour This news dread Lord answered Rifarano are not a little welcome to us in respect that next the principal point of our voiage which was to kisse your Majesties hand we were desirous to behold the valour of your Knights for their renown is spread through the whole world and now we shall well witnesse the same comming at a time so apt for the purpose Nor can we forget a worthy Knight whom we met in our journey being named Palmendos without his second or match in martiall affairs and I think there is no one man living except your Highnesse the mirrour and Paragon of chivalry that worthily may be equalled with him Right sorry are we because we can deliver no better knowledge of the man by reason of his desire to passe unknown and therefore concealeth himself in all places where he travelleth This famous man right noble Lord humbly kisseth your highnesse hand having sent you such rare and inestimable riches as when you have séen them you will judge that the like present was never given to any King or Emperor as we are to present your Majesty withal from this unknown Knight The charge of this message we undertook in that our selves with divers other Knights were delivered from the cruel bondage of Baledon the Giant in the Isle of Delphos where we endured miseries not fit to be recounted in this gracious assembly Yet the heavens gave Palmendos power to kill this Tyrant After which victory he hath seized the Island subject to your Majesty until you send some such Governour or Lieutenant as best liketh you wherewithal as testimony of his honourable victory he hath sent you the wife and daughter to the Giant to dispose of them as shall séem best in your wisdom Hereto he added the whole discourse of the Temple and how Palmendos had ended the enchanted adventure thereof Without doubt quoth the Emperour being driven into great admiration I cannot imagine who this worthy Knight should be for if he have ended such
Knights that he should present them to his Majesty and being come into the Emperours presence the Knight delivered these speeches High and mighty Monarch of the world behold here the King of Culaquin son to the great Turk who keeping the seas with a great power to endamage your Empire our Master the Prince Abenunco and we fell into his danger from which a worthy Knight named Palmendos by deeds of rare and haughty Chivalry delivered us in a time most needfull and therefore hath sent both us and him to your excellency desiring that Ocurites should be safely kept till he come himself These sundry good turns received from a Knight unknown drove the Emperour into a wonderfull admiration and because he could not imagine whence they should proceed therefore he was the more desirous to behold the Knight whereupon he committed the King to a strong Tower commanding he should have all things necessary for his health and a Page to attend on him lest he should offend himself But now is Abenunco by Primaleon and the other Princes brought to the Emperor who embracing him very honourably in his arms gave him such entertainment as beseemed his estate and because he was not yet knighted he willed that he should be bedfellow to his son Primaleon which united a faithfull League of Amity between them hoping one day to travel as companions in Arms together Abenunco having likewise told the Emperour of his good successe and wonderfull deliverance by the means of Palmendos gave no little contentment to Rifarano and Lecefin who imagined themselves as much beholding to the Prince as any Afterward he was conducted to the Empresse chamber where she and her Ladies graciously welcomed him but especially the Princesse Esquivela his sister because he came to confirm what she most desired My Lord and brother quoth she nothing could happen to my greater contentment then to have your presence in the honour prepared for me whereto séeing our gracious parents could not come they have for my sake sent you in their place and doubt not but your entertainment shall be such as shall agrée with their expectation and your own worthinesse Fair sister answered Abenunco the Soldan our father hearing of the honour the Emperour intended by giving you in marriage to the Prince Ditreus his Nephew hath sent me to thank the Emperour on his behalf offering for this contract to articulate with his Majesty in all such things as with honour he shall demand As for our gracious mother Alchidiana she hath sent you by me jewels and treasure beséeming your degrée that on your marriage day you may witness the royal race from whence you are descended not doubting but before you depart this court to make the magnificence of the Babylonian Prince so famous as the most opulent Lord of Asia shall not compare therewith Divers other spéeches passed betwéen the brother and the sister till the coffers of treasure were brought and delivered to the Princesse which when Ditreus behold he judged them to excéed the limits of all frugality might full well beséem the greatest state in Christendome Now did the Emperor cause the Tourney to be openly proclaimed and the fifth day following the marriage was solemnized great store of worthy Knights resorting day by day to the Court that all the field appointed for Triumphs was covered over with Tents Among other came thither Lynedes the Lord of Lique he that hazarded himself so far in the adventure of Francelina being in sooth reputed one of the most valiant men at Arms in all Greece and the renown of this marriage drew him from his Castle accompanied onely with the County of Pelada his cousin who albeit he was younger then Lynedes yet was he thought little inferiour to him in Chivalry This County had espoused a Lady of great parentage and loved her with such singular affection as he brought her in company to sée the Iusts at Constantinople Being there arrived they would not enter the City but set up their Tent far distant from all the rest and afterward sent a Squire to the Court to publish that whosoever would hazard himself in the Tourney should find two Knights there ready in the field that would Iust with any one that durst enter the Lists such therefore as were minded to make proof of their valour might be entertained for thrée or four courses These spéeches being heard by the Duke of Pera he stept to the Squire and thus answered You may my friend return to your Masters and say that such as are minded to Iust will not stay long before they enter the field Then turning to the Knights of the Court he procéeded in this manner Doubtlesse these Knights are valiant and hardy that are loth to shew themselves slothfull in any vertuous exercise With this answer the Squire returned back to the Tent and the two Cousins being satisfied therewith prepared strong Lances at the entrance of their Pavilion for all such as should come to Iust against them But the County intreated Lynedes to suffer him to make the first tryal of his fortune which he did in regard of his love to his Lady who had caused the Tent to be so commodiously placed as she might at pleasure behold al the pastimes docking herself in most gorgeous attyre and bravely attended on by her waiting woman to out countenance such as came against her Lord and husband The Emperor understanding what message the Squire had brought imagined that these two Knights were Palmendos and his Cousin Ozalio for when one thing continually beateth on a mans conceit he imagineth every thing conformable to the same Wherefore he told his opinion to the Prince Rifarano who could not think them to be the Lords of Tharsus yet to satisfie the Emperours mind he mounted on horseback and being accompanied with other Knights of the Court rode to the Tent where the two Cousins remained Saluting the Squires he entred finding Lynedes unarmed but his Cousin was provided at all points except his helmet whereupon he demanded if they were the Knights that sent the challenge to the Court To whom the Lord of Lique answered that they were Then Rifarano procéeded thus Gentlemen ye have attempted a thing in my opinion but little for your ease but I think you did it to this end that you might méet with some one to abate your pride and presumption When that commeth to passe answered Lynedes we shall but accompany many others who unable to effect their haughty enterprizes have remained frustrate in their designs in vain therefore shall you take any further care for our affairs but if you will go arm your self return and prove what this Knight can do who is more desirous to sight with his sword then with his tongue otherwise you offer injury to the order which every noble mind preferreth as his proper life Rifarano somewhat moved with these words took his leave and returned to the Emperor assuring him that these Knights
forward in order to the Temple the Empresse with Philocrista and her other daughters accompanied the Bride with all the Ladies of bloud royal in the Court so that if one should sit down to decipher their sumptuous attire or else in speeches to commend their beauty it would over-travell the eloquence of Demosthenes or Cicero But Philocrista was the fairest star amongst them all which drew the Prince Arnedes mind into such admiration as had not his eys been witnesses of the same hardly could report have induced him to believe it For even as the Sun the most excellent of all the Planets shewing it self in the Horizon doth confound the brightnesse of all the stars together and dazels their eys which long gaze thereon even so resembled the princess Philocrista whose celestial portraiture disgraced all the other Ladies and altred the judgment of Arnedes in such sort as he reputed her far beyond the Goddesse that appeared to the shepheard Paris on the mountain of Ida when of him she was judged to be fairest of the three The Empresse and her Ladies all mounted on their palfrays with such pomp and state as was never seen the like Primaleon on a lusty courser of Barbary with rich caparisons after the Turkish manner conducted the Bride and Abenunco her brother rode with the Princesse Philocrista Lecefin who loved her more advisedly rode on her other side for companies sake but Arnedes whom love impatiently overmastred used such means by managing his horse as he got the Prince of Babylon out of his place moved thereto by earnest desire that he might contemplate her beauty more easily whereat Lecefin was marvellously offended conceiving a mortal hatred against him perceiving he had a rival in his love Recinde accompanied the Princesse Melicia who in his eye seemed both fair and modest Rifarano telling her by the way that this Knight came with him that conquered the County and for his laudable vertues deserved estimation whereupon she began to confer with Recinde which she could do with singular regard in respect of the rare gifts bestowed on her by nature In brief this royal train is come to the Tâ—mple and there is the marriage solemnly effected returning to the Pallace with the self-same majesty they went thither What should we wast time in speaking of the feast when there is none so simple but considereth that the feasts of Emperours exceed common repetition then may we repute this solemnity answerable to that of the Gods made at the nuptials of Peleus with the Goddesse Thetis After dinner the Lords and Ladies fell to dancing a fit occasion for Lovers to commune with their Ladies yet dissembled with such cunning modesty as the eye and action were chief messengers of the heart each Lady holding such opinion of her beloved as their several hopes was for the honour of the Tourney The time being so passed over as the new married couple must to the place of amorous contentation the Empresse with her daughters brought Esquivela into the bride chamber leaving her in bed attending for the comming of the bridegroom who was soon after honourably conducted thither by the Emperour and so committed to enjoy her whom he had so long desired Now are the Knights close in their chambers when Aâ—nedes thus communed with Recinde What think you cousin of the beauty of Madam Philocrista did you ever sée a more rare and perfect creature right soon must I give ease to these urgent affairs and ease the burthen of mine over-charged spirit therefore will I presently dispatch a Courrier to the King my father that he may with spéed send honourable Embassadours to the Emperor whereby this desired marriage may be concluded Mean while I will found the bottome of this amorous flood and try if the judgement of fair Philocrista be answerable to her excelling beauty and if the inward vertue agrée with the outward singular perfections I may repute my self the happiest Knight in the world in compassing the love of so inestimable a jewel In sooth my Lord answered Recinde great cause have you to commend the Lady and I desire that the like fortunate success may befall me as I doubt not but will spéedily happen to you for on mine own behalf the grace and courtesie of Melicia hath given me a favourable entrance which if it procéed not to my hearts desire much better had it béen that I never had séen her With these words Arnedes embraced his cousin saying How swéetly do these spéeches sound in mine ears séeing thereby thou art my trusty companion in all things let this hope perswade thée that he on whom all actions do depend will by his divine bounty so direct our course as we shall enjoy a successfull end If I speed according to my hearts intent in thy cause will I endeavour my self to the uttermost therefore let us continue our resolute courage and make the Grecians understand that France yeelds as good Knights as any Countrey else And thus concluding then slept for that night On the morrow the Emperor the Empresse the Bride and the young Princesses went to the scaffolds richly prepared for the sight of the Tourney where no void place was left but every where filled with Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen Wonderful was the resort of Knights and hardy Champions each one in Armour very costly and curious having their feathers pendants and favours decked with the devises and colours of their Ladies as it was a most beautifulâ— spectacle to behold them yet hereon consists not the substance of our History Now strive Lynedes and the County his cousin like two furious Lions to recover the foyl they sustained by Arnedes who perceiving this was the time to win him honour when the Goddesse of his thoughts sate to behold him welcomed the challengers as he had done before In like sort did Rifarano behave himself for he unhorsed every Knight that ran against him But by this time is Ozalio got in through the throng and he begins to deal with the Courtiers very roughly which made the Lords and Ladies wonder what he was And then Palmendos seeing his friend well wearied comes bravely prancing into the field so disguised that Abenunco and Rifarano could not know him A while he stood regarding the Emperour his father so honourably placed with his noble Lords and Barons on the scaffolds Then viewing the Empresse with her gracious train of Ladies he wondred at such pomp and magnificence thus speaking to himself Soveraign Creator and director of all things how am I bound in duty to thy Majesty having made me the son of such a father as not onely is reputed the best Knight under heaven but is also the mightiest Prince on the face of the earth Seeing then thou hast bestowed on me such grace and favour as that I should issue from such an excellent personage I must endeavour my self to resemble him and by something declare that I am his son for although now I go against the
intent and seeing him so pensive she immediately interpreted this Saturnine taciturnity to her own advantage thinking it proceeded from the ravishment of her beauty as her Embassadour had before perswaded her herewith she judged in him more elegancy of form and sweetnesse of complexion then in any other Knight whatsoever which made her so esprised with his attracting regard as to allay the extremity of this heat she desired nothing more then to speak with him that she might be resolved of whence and what he was Palmendos stirred not from his place nor thought he long of his stay there because he hoped to gather some fruit thereby but warily marks the amorous looks of Iffida and how her eye was the messenger of her inward desire all which he covertly imparted to Ozalio who moved not one foot from his dear friend They fearing lest their long stay would cause suspicion went their way which made Iffida likewise repair to her chamber and calling the minister of her love aside began in this manner Ah Page how truly didst thou discover the perfections of the strange Knight whose behaviour and discréet modesty joyned with his rare and martial prowesse makes me repute him for the chiefest man that ever came into this Countrey Madam answered the young Councellour if you would sée innumerable vertues conjoined in one body I beseech you hasten your speaking with him and let not the happy hour miscarry through your default which the fatal destinies have so graciously appointed his lovely spéeches shall acquaint you with his indowment which you may behold so correspondent in every point as you can wish 〈◊〉 nothing but is to be found in him How should I speak with him said Iffida without impeach to my honour which hitherto I have carefully regarded unlesse it be by thy means in some secret place free from the hurt of suspected persons wherewith the world is now mightily stored I shall tell you how Madam answered the page you know my Lord your father willed you the other day that you should return to him with all possible speed which will serve as a fit occasion to take your honest farewell of this company if then you will depart hence to morrow toward evening you may lodge by the way at my mothers house whither I will go before with the two Knights and cause her to say that they be both her Nephews who now are friendly come to visit her so may you confer together at your pleasure The invention is good answered Iffida yet must you be very circumspect herein that the drift of our intent be not discovered The complot thus concluded the Page went in the morning to Palmendos and making him not a little glad with this news caused both the friends to mount on horseback and set forward with him to his mothers house seated in a pleasant place between Tubant and the Castle of Albayzo When the Gentlewoman saw the two Knights she was much abashed but her son soon resolved her in every point and that she might boldly call them her Nephews her self being a stranger born far from that country The mother being throughly instructed by her son desired their intent might take good successe whereupon the Page returned to his Mistresse who had in this while so well ordered her departure as the new married nor any other could gather suspicion then forward she sets for her journey had hast so surely had love seized on her heart having no other company with her then her four waiting damosels and two squires of her fathers Nâ—w is she come unto the long desired place where being very graciously entertained both by Palmendos and Ozalio as also the Pages mother Iffida being not to learn her lesson desires to know what Knights they were that so friendly saluted her They are quoth the Pages mother my two Nephews who having not seen mo of long time are come to know if they may stand in any stead as also to offer their service to my Lord your father if in any thing it shall please him to imploy them Right heartily wellcome are they answered Iffida and of duty I must needs thank them for the good will they bear my Lord and father for which cause as also their near alliance to you I love them as they were my proper brethren Palmendos coming to her with great reverence gave her humble thanks for her honourable kindnesse and while they spent the time about other familiar conference supper was set on the table in a pleasant Arbour where Iffida could digest no meat her eies were so busied in beholding her champion afterward they walked up and down the garden and she seeing the pages mother was deep in talk with Ozalio as one loth to lose so good an opportunity she beginneth with Palmendos in this manner I cannot but marvel at my self Sir Knight that being nothing touched with the love of sundry Gentlemen which heretofore have divers times offered me their service my heart should by you whom I never saw before these two days past so vehemently be provoked to love so that I cannot hear or think on any thing but it is broken or rejected by the remembrance of you let me then intreat you not to repute me as carelesse of my chastity or forgetfull of the modesty beéesming a Virgin For the worthy behaviour I sée couched in your incomparable personage hath fatally depeived me of my formen liberty and yielded me wholly you captive not doubting but you will so estéem of your conquest as not to impeach the same by any dishonorable attempt considering my noble birth and parentage And to satisfie my earnest longing desire onely abouted to have further knowledge of your estate acquaint me with the secret considerations of your heart and what you will command me in guerdon of the pains you have taken for my sake wherein my honour defended I will yéeld that willingly to you which none else but you can have of me Madam answered Palmendos I cannot expresse my high good fortune finding such grace and courtesie at your hands being on my part no way as yet deserved but time may yéeld the due to every gentle mind and make me able to requite such extraordinary favour And think not sweet Goddesse of my heart that in pittying the unsupportable burthen of my oppressions you shall any way incur the detection of lightnesse but rather of honourable and well-governed care when you shall behold the place whereto I hope safely to bring you for Madam setting aside my simple outward appearance I am a King born and Governour of sundry famous Provinces and this attempt proceeded onely of religious zeal to make you Lady of me and mine as your wondefull fame at first took the soveraignty of my heart How can I worthy Lord quoth Iffida but stand amazed that you being a King and a man of so rare fortune in managing Arms should come hither for so simple a damosel as my self
enquired more of this event In the mean while he sent a Squire to Albayzo Castle to advertise his father of his comming and the Squire prauncing up to the Fortress marvelled to see the gates wide open but much more when he saw the slaughter of the Knights and the Captain himself lie slain among them now was he surprized with such fear as he had not the heart to tarry there any longer but trusting to the speedy succour of his horse legs gallopped with all speed to his Master where standing a while as a man beside himself at length he thus spake Pardon me my Lord in declaring a bloudy and tragical report your worthy father and all the guard of the Castle lie cruelly murthered in the base Court and because I found the great gates open I doubt the treasure and riches in the Castle hath occasioned this massacre by some robbers and thieves Ripole hearing these unlooked for news was terrified in such sort as he could not tell what to say but mounting on a lusty courser he rode to the Castle the Gentlemen bringing his wife fair and softly after But when he beheld this wofull spectacle and what a butchery Palmendos sword had made his servants feared he would have followed in this hard fortune Nor can I here set down the rufull mones which Ripole made over his father mother and sister no doubt they were as strange and irksome as this accident but when they had searched through the Castle and found nothing wanting but the King of Thessaly they judged the authors of this tyranny to be Christians and that they likewise had carried away the Quéen Marencida After he had taken order for interring the dead he rode immediately toward the great Turk having heard of Iffidaes Nurse all that had hapned betwéen her and the two Knights and being come before the Emperour he fell at his feet delivering the signs of an afflicted spirit which onely sought for grace and mercy At length he declared the substance of this wreakfull occurrence as well that of Marencida his Majesties daughter as the other of his fathers death and deliverance of the King of Thessaly affirming his sister Iffida to be the onely cause thereof and by what trains she had been beguiled himself being altogether innocent of the treason notwithstanding he fréely offered himself at his gracious disposition to abide whatsoever he would assign him These words so wounded the Turk to the heart as he remained silent a great while anger having so locked up the passage of his spéech yet furiously at length starting from his Chair he railed on the Gods stars devils and all the infernal powers Ah Mahomet quoth he doubtless thou art angry with me or else dost take but litle care of thy servants that evermore have extolled thee above all other Gods and Prophets but much I wonder thou wouldst thus forget me unless thou wilt have me think thée extreamly offended or that the hope is vain and frustrate which is reposed in thée You stars not inclined to favour me but rather affecting my total ruine wherein have I so hainously offended that you should take so sharp and rigorous vengeance on me what may this presage to me hereafter but some great misfortune and sudden mutation in Asia Yet will I so carefully fore-sée these affairs as the seditious performers of this villany shall not carry it away so lightly Like sorrows made this Infidel for his mishap when many of his Knights without attending other commandment got ready Foists Gallies and other vessels for war to pursue the causers of this tragical accident but their labour was spent in vain albeit not long after they heard the truth of all which procured such hatred between the Turks and the Grecians as they ceased not till with hostility they hâ—d invaded Greece but it was not during the reign of the Emperor Palmerin or any of his race or next posterity for while they lived the Turks durst not stir against them yet long time after when Ottoman a fierce and proud Prince governed infinite evils happened in Europe where he took and sacked many good cities towns and castles Now would the great Turk not suffer Ripole to be further tormented because he was found altogether innocent in the action but sent him back to the Castle of Albayzo making him Captain thereof as his father was before And long time continued he sad and melancholy thinking he had received wonderfull dishonor by the loss of his daughter Marencida nor should he ever recover the same till Greece were beaten flat to the ground and the Emperor Palmerin with all his kndred utterly destroyed Where in these ragings we will leave him and return to our purpose CHAP. XXX How Palmendos with his company arrived at Constantinople where the Emperour came and received them at the Port What speeches he had with the Queen Marencida after they were come to the Pallace how joyfully likewise the Queen of Thessaly and Francelina her daughter welcommed home the King her father THe Mariners chearfully hoysing their sails left the coast of Turkie and lanched into the main sea having the wind and weather so favourable as without any impeachment they attained the Bosphore of Thrace where Palmendos sent his cousin Ozalio before to the Emperor that the King of Thessaly might be entertained with honour beseeming so great a Prince Ozalio making speed in a swift little Pinnace being landed went directly to the Pallace and finding the Emperor in the great Hall conferring with his Lords about the enchanted Bird which that morning had delivered many pleasant notes wherefore he expected some comfortable news when Ozalio falling on his knee began in this manner Dread Lord I am the servant and friend to the noble Palmendos whose renown hath heretofore been blazed in this Court and he humbly intreateth your Highness by me that you would entertain the King of Thessaly whom he hath brought from Turkie with such grace and honour as beseemeth his dignity By this time I think they are entred the haven in that they were not far off when I left them I being sent before to acquaint your Majecty herewith The Emperor exceeding joyfull at these news rose and embraced Ozalio very graciously and causing all his Knights and Barons to prepare themselves said that he would go to the Port in person to welcome them Right soon were these tydings bruited through the Court wherewith the Empress and her Ladies were highly pleased especially the mourning Queen of Thessaly for her husbands return and fair Francelina for her lovely friend whose absence made her imagine every hour a year wherefore in hast they got them before to the Port attended on by their Ladies and Gentlewomen where Palmendos being newly come on shore with the King thus spake to him Behold my good Lord your Queen and daughter who are joyfully come to salute your arrival But when he looked on Francelina the whole quire of heaven