successe which she could not but take in good part considering that intire loue couers all occasions of dislike CHAP. VIII ¶ How Manteleo wun the honor of the Tournament and vanquished two straunge Knightes NOw is the day come when the yong Knightes should shew themselues in open féeld except the Prince Manteleo who excused himselfe by riding on hunting and therefore borrowing his freend Palladines hounds left the Court causing his horsse and armour to be secretly conuaide to a keepers Lodge which was a mile and more from the Citie because he would not haue any one knowe what he intended Meane while the Ioustes began the King maruelling at the absence of Manteleo especially Palladin and faire Marcelina who missing her freend at dinner imagined he was gone without bidding her adiew and the occasion thereof to be because he had failed in the aduenture of Cupid The Champions comming into the féeld the foremost were Mustiell of Rostock and Brunifort his brother on the other side came Durandell of Cleue and Orliman of Flaunders with all their companie in séemely equipage When the Heralds had commaunded the Knightes to their deuoire Mustiell and Durandell gaue the spurres to their horsses and after they had broken thrée Launces a peece with braue chiualrie at the fourth encounter they met together so furiously as they were both cast foorth of their saddles to the ground Next followed Brunifort and Orliman who dismounted each other at the first attaint but Brunifort recouered his horsse againe quickly when Sedonis Sonne to the Duke of Suffolke bad him play yet accompanied Orliman in his misfortune Heereupon Grinday sonne to the Duke of Orton reuenged his fellowes wrong and such valour they shewed on either side as the honor of the day was giuen to them the King with all his Nobles being readie to depart when suddenly entred the Lystes two strange Knightes in white Armour resembling each other the one bearing in his Sheeld thrée Griffons Sable volant in a feeld Argent the other three Griffons Argent in a Sable feeld After these Knightes had shewen many carires and braue voltages with their horsses before the Ladies one of them encountred Brunifort with such courage as he was throwne to the ground with his heeles vpward the like successe had Mustiell Orliman and the rest to the no little admiration of the King and all the Ladies and great vexation of Palladine who would not Ioust because his companion Manteleo was not there As the King was about to depart giuing the prize to these two strange Knightes there entred the Lystes another Champion in white Armour bearing in his Shéeld a Hart Guelles bound with a golden chaine and without making any reuerence or shewing any brauadoes with his horsse he met one of the strange Knightes so roughly as he was sent to measure his length on the ground The other strange Knight to reuenge his fellowes iniurie came couragiously against this new-come Knight and after the breach of two or thrée Launces was sent to kéep his fréend companie whereat not alittle enraged he drew his Sword and comming to the Knight said I confesse Sir that thou hast the maistrie ouer me at the Launce let me now try my fortune better or worsse in Combate Whereto the other willingly consented but the King intercepted them saying Not so Gentlemen I will not that any Combate shall now be fought in respect the Ioust was ordeyned for pleasure and to exercise our Knightes to delight their Ladies enough therefore is done for this day let anger ceasse betwéene yée and fréendly embrace each other letting me vnderstand of whence you are that I may doo you the honor you haue deserued With right good will my Lord aunswered the vanquished Knight my companion and I are freends with this Knight who deserues great estimation for his worthie prowesse As for our names and of whence we are I am called Landashnes Sonne to the King of Norgalles and my freend is named Simprinell Sonne to the King of Scots When the King Milanor and the Prince Palladine had knowledge of the Knightes they came from the Scaffold and embraced them with excéeding courtesie but when they knew the Conquerour to be Manteleo I leaue their maruellous ioy to your imaginations Is it true my Lord quoth the King haue you stollen such an occasion to expresse your valour Your Maiestie knowes aunswered Manteleo that I am but newly Knighted and therefore but little experienced in Armes nor durst I discouer my selfe before your Highnesse least my fortune should haue prooued as contrary as it did yesterday which you must imagine I tooke discontentedly You néede not feare héereafter said the King to shew your selfe in chéefest places of Chiualrie in that a beginning so good and fortunate must néedes in continuance be as prosperous Heereupon the three Knightes verie louingly embraced each other swearing a perpetuall league of amitie betweene them which they religiously held irreuocable as in the discourse of our historie you may behold Manteleo hauing saluted the Quéene and her Ladyes Palladine came to welcome his freend rebuking him for not acquainting him with his intent which he excused as he did to the King hauing more mind to regard his sweete Mistresse then to be entertained with all these ceremonies And you must thinke her ioyes were beyond common conceit seeing her Knight returned whom she feared was lost nor was she so suspitious at his repulse against the God of loue as she was now â—â—alous of his honorable successe These bien venues and embracings passed ouer the King and all of them returned to the Pallace where the two new-come princes had their lodgings appointed Palladine and Manteleo keeping them companie recounting the aduenture of the two Damosels and the enchaunted Knight with whome on the morrow they were to depart Therefore they spent that night in dauncing and courtlye disports the Princes of Norgalles and Scots deuising with the Ladies wherewith the Court of England was plentifully stored and whome they commended to excell all other nations in beawtie CHAP. IX ¶ How the Princes Palladine and Manteleo departed from London with the Knight that was enchaunted and the two Damosels and what happened to them by the way ON the morrow earely in the morning Palladine and Manteleo armed themselues with the Knight that was enchaunted and the two Damosels they came and tooke their leaue of the King and Queene afterward they went to the yong Princesses chamber when Marcelina perceiuing her Knight would néedes be gone brake foorth into feares and sad regrets What meane yee Sister quoth Palladine is our departure displeasing to you Not so good brother answered she but I doubt least your returne should be hindered by any misfortune for you are as yet but yong and little acquainted with the contrary nature of straunge Countreys I confesse that Sister quoth Palladine but euery one must haue a learning beside you knowe ouâ— promise to this Knight constrayneth vs héereto
set with Starres of gold and in his Sheeld a Lady reskewed from a Giant the other bare for his deuise Fame triumphant in a siluer feeld The Knight in azure Armour made signe to Caesar that he would first aduenture for his Lady yet such was his ill hap in the end as both horsse man were throwne to the ground When the Knight of Fame sawe his fréend dismounted he came to Caesar with these speeches Sir Knight I confesse as well as thou doost that my Lady Rosamonde excelleth all other in beautie but this will I make good on thy body that I am more woorthie to be her seruant then thou art It should séeme then answered Caesar that I deserue not to be so accounted this controuersie shall the strength of my Launce presently discide and thou or I will be her onely seruant Heereupon they encountred verie valiantly breaking many Launces yet neither able to mooue the other whereat they both grew angrie desiring the King to let them haue stronger Launces or else to permit them the Combate with the Sword but the King would not suffer them to meddle with Swords commanding each of them a very strong Launce at which charge the Prince Caesar was brauely dismounted and the Knight of Fame had almost borne him companie A great murmuring presently grew among the people some auouching that because the strange Knight so hardly recouered himselfe therefore Prince Caesar should not be held as vanquished but that they should prooue their fortune once more But the Iudges gaue verdict to the contrarie attributing the conquest to the Knight of Fame which when Caesar heard he went to the King to intreate his Maiestie for the Combate with its Sword but he denyed it him saying that the Ioustes being enterprised for loue ought not to be ended in hatred At these words Prince Caesar went to his Lady Rosamonde who gaue him many thanks for his honorable paines and though his successe happened so ill in the end yet would not she withdraw her loue But now commes Palladine into the feeld being sorie he had not the conquest of Caesar yet determining to end his choller on the Knight of fame to whome he approached saying It gréeues me Sir Knight that I Iousted not with noble Caesar for if I had little praise couldest thou haue gotten to day Your reason aunswered the Knight of fame Because I had woon y e honor ê™ Palladine which thou vsurpest and yet remains in doubt among a number which if thou darest say thou hast deserued I will auouch the contrary beside y t it appertaines not to thee to be seruant to the faire Lady Rosamonde nor to the very meanest among her Ladies for as I vnderstand she is prouided of one beyond thee many degrees Good Sir aunswered the Knight of fame you are very bold and braue in spéeches What mooueth ye so much to abase me seeing you knowe not of whence or what I am nor hast thou seene any matter in me deseruing these words But I perceiue the cause héereof groweth by the desire thou hast to deale with me wherein thou shalt haue thy desire either at the Launce or Sword so pleaseth the King to graunt vs that libertie Then turning to his Maiestie the Knight of Fame intreated the combate with the Sword if they could not finish their quarrell at the Launce Loth was the King to suffer such danger but the Iudges with many Lords and Barons there present noting the earnest desire of the Knight and that they were both strangers perswaded his highnesse intending to cause them giue ouer if in fight either of them should be in perill of life When they had thus obtained what they would they gaue their horsses the spurres and with a verie rough encounter they were both dismounted whereat Palladine verie angrie drew his Sword and marching against the Knight of Fame such a cruell combate continued betwéene them as neuer had the like beene seene in Fraunce The King beholding their Armour broken and the ground coulored with their scarlet blood sent his Sonne the Prince Lewes to intreate them giue ouer which they immediatly did the Knight of Fame being not a little glad thereof because he was brought into verie great debilitie onely by the exceeding aboundant losse of his blood Lewes bringing them before the King his Father caused them both to be graciously entertained and taking Palladine by the hand sayd Sée heere my Lord the man that slew Brulanfurior and his brother who deliuered me from imprisonment and many Knightes that were held captiue in the Castell The King not alittle ioyfull of these newes arose and embraced Palladine saying Worthie Knight I am more indebted to you then any man else in the world for you alone haue done that to me which neither with strength or pollicie I was able to compasse I enioy my Sonne againe by your meanes and my people are deliuered from those mercilesse villaines whome neyther law nor loue could bridle let me vnderstand of whence you are that I may knowe the man to whome I am so highly beholding My Lord aunswered the Prince my name is Palladine Sonne to the King Milanor of England your louing brother and vowed fréend At these words the King was much more glad then before and casting his armes about his necke with inward conceite of ioy the teares trickled downe his face then came the Quéene and faire Rosamonde her daughter who welcommed the Prince with maruailous courtesie the like did Landastines Simprinell and Lydiseo of Hungaria who was the man that came with the Knight of Fame and at report of these Triumphes trauailed into Fraunce As for the Knight of Fame himselfe he was called Don Robert the Prince of Freeze a stout couragious and hardie champion greatly deuoted to the loue of faire Rosamonde The King presently departed to his Pallace there to honor these braue Knightes as they worthely deserued but Caesar of Roomâ— highly thanked Palladine for reuenging his foyle on the Knight of Fame swearing to him an inuiolable league of amitie which grew to such effect as you shall héereafter behold CHAP. XXIII ¶ How the Princes Don Robert of Freeze and Lydiseo of Hungaria being healed of their woundes departed from Paris and of a letter which the wise Orbiconte sent to Palladine who was passionate for the loue of faire Rosamonde of Fraunce DOn Robert of Freeze hauing kept his chamber certaine dayes by reason of the dangerous woundes he had receiued and Palladine likewise in the selfesame estate yet carefully attended on by the Kings Chirurgions a greater corsey happened to them both then either their woundes or doubt of health For Don Robert séeing he was not regarded of the faire Princesse Rosamonde whome he loued as déerely as his own life thought to haue committed violence on himselfe but that by good aduise he was better perswaded and being out of hope to compasse his desire when he was somewhat recouered he and Lydiseo of Hungaria tooke
Broantine to enquire of whence and what they were Broantine comming to their lodging immediatly knew the Knight without rest being the Knight that accompanyed him into Bulgaria when Dardalon defended the Iousts for the Duchesse Brisalda and brought him to the Citie of Varne as you heard before Sir Palladine quoth Broantine you are hartely welcome hither what cause hath drawne you into this farre Countrey long it is since I was last in your companie The Knight without rest amazed at this acquaintance especially in a heathen countrey where he neuer was before aunswered Good Sir I must desire ye to pardon me for I doo not remember that euer I saw ye till now and it may be you take me for some other body No my Lord sayd Broantine I knowe ye well inough for I trauailed in your companie to the Court of the Duchesse Brisalda at what time you slew the prowd and cruell Dardalon I thanke ye gentle Sir quoth the Knight without rest for your freendly remembrance but may I request the cause of your being in this Countrey In sooth Sir answered Broantine such enemies I haue in the Realmes of Dace and Bulgaria for the death of a Knight whome I vnhappily slew as I am constrained to absent my selfe from thence yet do I hope in time to conquer my troubles and to returne home againe in safetie May I then quoth the Knight without rest desire this fauour at your hands to enstruct me how I shall gouerne my selfe among these people for I would not willingly be knowne that I am a Christian in respect of the danger may happen to me thereby and therefore haue I changed my name calling my selfe the Knight without rest hauing determined to rest in no place till I haue found one I earnestly séeke for Referre your selfe to me said Broantine you shall not be knowne but both you and they that came with ye shall be courteously entreated and the rather because you can speake this countrey language I vnderstand it in deede said the Knight without rest and speake it indifferently as my Squire can doo also but this Gentleman meaning Liboran is ignorant therein and therefore counterfeiteth himselfe dumbe that he might not be knowne nor we by him A good deuise answered Broantine stay héere if you please till I returne I will goe make report of you to the Gouernour and by my spéeches you shall be freendly welcommed So went Broantine to the Gouernour to whome he said that the Knight without rest was of his acquaintance a man valiant hardy and couragious professing the same lawe that he did The Gouernour thinking Broantine was a Pagan and the Knight without rest in like maner was glad of his arriuall and hoping to haue his assistance in the warres which the King had with the King of Panonia sent Broantine to him againe intreating him to dine with him the next day According to the Gouernours request the next day the knight without rest came to the Pallace where he was entertained verie honorably the Gouernour vsing these words to him Sir Knight our Captaine Broantine hath made such report of your forwardnes in Armes as while I liue you must account me your fréend and I will let the King vnderstand of your being heere that he may accept of you as men of vertue deserue My Lord answered the knight without rest I beséech ye thus to aduertise his Maiestie that there is no Gentleman more readie to his seruice then I will be and happie doo I account my selfe if I can doo any thing worthy his good liking In this warres against the King of Panonia will I shew my selfe and this Gentleman pointing to Liboran who long since lost his spéech by a catharre that bred within his throate yet is not his vertue or prowesse any thing diminished for good experience haue I had of his noble chiualrie Liboran gathering by countenance of the knight without rest 〈◊〉 the vsed these words on his behalfe with reuerence to 〈◊〉 Gouernour gaue a signe with his head and hands that he was likewise willing to make one in the Kings seruice which he courteously accepting embraced them both being sorie that Liboran had such an imperfection so that long after he was called the dumbe Knight The Gouernour walking with them in the great Hall declared the whole cause of the warre betwéene the King his maister and the King of Panonia and how within two or thrée dayes he meant to bid him battell As for the matter of their discord it grew by this occasion that the King of Aquilea refused to giue his daughter Nonparelia in marriage to the King of Panonia nor the yong Princesse her selfe could not be perswaded to like of him by reason of the many bad qualities he was endued withall as also he was a man verie much defourmed In déede my Lord answered the knight without rest I haue oftentimes heard that the Princesse Nonparelia is the flower of the world for beawtie an ill match were it then that so sweete a Lady should haue a husband so hard fauoured And the onely cause of my comming into this Countrey was to defend her honor in this enterprised warre as the Lady beyond all other in rare perfections Soone after they sate downe to dinner where wanted no store of costly delicates and the Tables were no sooner withdrawne but there entred the Hall a comely aged Ladie her face all besprent with teares and her sorrowfull lookes bewraying the anguish of her spirit A good while she stoode viewing all the Lords not speaking one word till the Gouernour moued with pitie thus spake Faire Lady full well doth your countenance bewray that something hath happened scant to your liking boldly deliuer the cause of your sadnes and may I in any thing giue you redresse be you assured I will perfourme it Alas my Lord quoth she my case requireth present assistance for my husband comming with his Sonne to this Citie onely to aide the King in his warres foure Knights set vpon them in the Forrest neere at hand and binding them both hands and feete haue forcibly caried them away threatning in most cruell sort to murther them for some priuate displeasure conceiued against them The knight without rest presently offered himselfe desiring the Gouernour that he might redresse the Ladyes wrong and hauing obtained leaue for his departure with Liboran Lycelio and Captaine Broantine went immediatly to horssebacke So riding with the Lady at length they ouertooke the foure Knightes who with great cudgels cruelly did beate the Ladies Husband and Sonne whereat the knight without rest highly offended gaue y t spurres to his horsse to encounter w t them But Liboran by signes and Broantine by intreaties perswaded him to suffer them deale with the foure Knightes which they did verie valiantly and killing them all foure deliuered the Knight and his Sonne safely to the Lady Afterward they rode to the Knightes Castell where their wounds receiued in fight being searched
beside I will procéed no further but heere giue ouer all cause of quarrell And that your desire may be the more satisfyed I will bring ye to the man you imagined me to be and likewise you shall knowe with whome you haue now twise dealt without aduantage My name is Manteleo Sonne to the Duke of Millayne and Brother by marriage to the Prince Palladine of England But the accustomed humours among new married folkes had charmed Palladine in such sort as he sawe not when Manteleo thus ventured before him yet afterward séeing two enemies so louingly embrace he meruailed who the Knight of the Phenix should be at length these two pacefyed came toward the Prince and in offering to salute him this cause of stay hindered them While Palladine was fastening his Ladies Bracelet about his arme a Squire came before him who on his knees presented him a Letter saying Worthie Lord my Lady and Mistresse the Duchesse of the rich Isles whome you verie well knowe commending her selfe to your good grace hath sent you this Letter desiring as the latest good you will doo her to aunswere the same with all conuenient spéed This message chéefely the verie last words amazed the Prince and béeing assailed with diuers imaginations he brake open the Seale and opening the Letter read there these lines following The Letter from Brisalda Duchesse of the rich Islands to Palladine the Prince of England AT what time my Lord I was so happie as to sée you héere in the rich Islands I thought assuredly my good hap had taken such effect as death it selfe could no way bring to end Not so much iâ— knowing my selfe to be your beloued as to remember that my first freend was the Sonne of a King whose good partes I engraued so liuely in my hart as none but he was made Lord therof reseruing to my selfe this onely regard that loue had made me no more yours then dutie had confirmed you mine Considering héerewithall that as a gadge of my good will you being surprized with some part of my graces and passionate beyond measure as your selfe sayd if my liking did not consort with yours I gaue you that remedie for your sicknes which a Lady of such calling as I am would not haue bestowed on the greatest Pritice in the world Notwithstanding our desires had then such a Simpathie of affection as in all matters we were alike hauing each others honor in equall commendation our nobilitie parentage and what else beside combined together in a rich procall knot But so it is come to posse that of our first sight affection and familiaritie such a testimonie remaineth as may not be forgotten for since your vnkind departure leauing me in a laborinth of endlesse greef I am deliuered of a Sonne begotten by you whom I haue named Vnyon now aged twentie monethes who bearing the perfect image of his Fathers graces is the onely comfort his sorrowfull mother hath And heerein you may beléeue me that an hundred times he hath preserued my life hauing so weightie a burthen at my hart as is the small account you haue made of me since your departure and the wrong you doo mée in racing mée foorth of your remembrance not vouchsasing once to acquaint mée with the cause thereof Heerein is my hap so hard and regretable as death were more welcome to mee then life to asswage which insupportable burthen I haue no comfort but your little Sonne whome hourely I hold in mine armes meruailing so swéete a babe should haue so sowre a Father Yet beeing thus cast off and disdained the sorrow can not be so irkesome to me as the blame would to you were your discourtesie openly knowne but such is my loue to you that my nature vanquished none but your selfe shall knowe how you haue wronged me nor further reuenge will I seeke then with mine owne death to burie your shame What would your new loue Nonparelia say if she knew my bed abused by her husband and she wife to him who by flesh and blood is maried to mee she beeing the second might well thinke the first to be hardly intreated But let not any doubt héereof offend you for from her will I safely conceale it not in respect of any loue to her but by remayning euermore Your faithfull and immooueable freend Brisalda Duchesse of the rich Islands After he had read the Letter he was strooken into such â—umpe and oppressed with such remorse of conscience as scantly could he endure from falling beside his horsse the best meane to preuent the same was the arriuall of Caesar and Manteleo which made him quickly change his countenance when the Emperours Sonne thus spake to him Sir Palladine the courtesie showen me by the Prince of Millayne your Brother hath deliuered me from great trouble enforcing me to forbeare armes to entertaine him in stead of your selfe The happie Bridegrooâ—e are you to faire Nonparelia whose praises soare aboue the Eagle in height nor can I forget your famous chiualrie perfourmed in defence of her portrait when you conquered in Fraunce the prowd Zarcanell her vnworthie seruant that brought her figure thether I can not denie my Lord answered Palladine but the representation of my Ladies beawtie hath made me conquerour in diuers slender enterprises woon from such as had no abilitie to keepe them wherein if I haue deserued any reporte as freends are easily intreated to commend one another farre inferiour are they to the faire Rosamonde and those aduentures that noble Caesar hath accomplished for her I see well my Lord quoth Caesar that you will binde mée to you in such sort as I shall haue no meane to compasse y e least part of gratification but let vs end this needlesse talke and goe sée the rare creature whose vertues hath allured hither so many braue Gallants So walked they to the Pallace where the King entertained Caesar verie royally and all the Ladyes with excéeding courtesie Landastines and Zorian dooing the lyke nothing ashamed that the Emperours Sonne had the honor of the Tourney CHAP. XLII ¶ What answere Palladine sent to the Duchesse Brisalda and how Caesar returned to his faire Rosamonde Landastines and Manteleo likewise into their countreys and of the birth of Florano the Prince of England Sonne to Palladine and Nonparelia CAesar being thus welcommed in the Court of England both by the Lords and Ladyes especially Nonparelia Palladine feigning to goe vnarme himselfe tooke the messenger from the Duchesse Brisalda with him saying My freend you must néedes haue a little pacience and according to your Ladies request presently you shall haue a bréefe answere from me Then calling for meke and paper he went alone into the Warderobe because he would not be suspected by any and answered the Letter in this sort The Letter from Palladine to the Duchesse Brisalda MAdame matters hauing so strangely passed hitherto yet without any cause of offence you haue had some occasion to complaine being ignorant of my hinderance in trauaile but
separated them as you shall presently heare CHAP. XIX ¶ How a strange aduenture happened in the Citie of Varne by the ending whereof the Prince Palladine determined to depart from the Duchesse Brisalda HEere must I intreate ye to remember the Princes of Norgalles and Scots Landastines and Simprinell whome we left in the King of Englands Court Landastines being enamoured on the Princesse Florea Sister to Palladine as Manteleo was of his faire Marcelina Simprinell loth to part them that agréed so well left his companion in England trauailing to the King of Norgalles Court where he certified his Maiestie of the good estate of his Sonne Landastines Which newes were so welcome to the King as he intreated Simprinell to abide in his Court that he might shew him the pleasures of his Realme whereto the yong Prince right willingly condiscended as one desirous to behold nouelties But rather the chéefest cause was his affection to the faire Princesse Belanicia daughter to the King of Norgalles with whose beawtie he was meruailously enthralled and not daring to acquaint her with his loue he fell into a dangerous sicknes to the great gréef of the King who loued him as he had béene his owne Sonne In the end the Phisitions hauing declared to Simprinell how perillous his case stood by concealing his gréefe made him thus resolued that before he died he would make knowne to the Princesse Belanicia who oftentimes came her selfe to visit him and sent him many comfortable meates in his sicknesse the originall cause of his extremitie And one time among other the Lady that was most vsually sent by the Princesse and in whome she reposed greatest confidence desired him to bewray from whence his sicknesse grew promising withall that she would labour to her vttermost to procure his health The yong Prince very modest and bashfull taking the Lady by the hand thus aunswered Faire freend I thanke ye for your readie good will in séeking my helpe which is a matter not impossible to bee done but as for the cause of my languishing disease I will not acquaint ye therewith vnlesse ye sweare to keepe the same secret not reuealing it to any one but such as I shall name Assure your selfe thereof said the Lady by the faith of a virgin Know then sweete Lady quoth Simprinell that my extreame sicknesse happened by no other cause then the loue and affection I beare to your mistresse and feare to offend her or the King hath by silence of my loue brought me to this daunger Why my Lord quoth she you that are of so high and honorable discent can ye offend my Lady by louing her or you that are as good as she doo not deserue loue for loue she is the child of a King and so are you beside she is humble and gracious as any Princesse liuing then feare not to let her knowe your daunger Alas Madame quoth he neuer shall I dare to speake to her but may it please you to solicite my cause yet with carefull héed of her dislike I shall confesse my life preserued by you And so much will I doo for ye my Lord quoth she without giuing her any occasion of offence but rather shall I doo it in such sort as by a speedie answere you shall perceiue her mind Go then good madame said the Prince and boldly may ye assure her that my life or death is in her hand So went the Lady to her mistresse to whome she imparted what you haue heard wherewith she was so well pleased as she presently sent to him againe this aunswere that she entertained his loue with the like and that as he would witnesse his affection towards her he should practise what spéed he could deuise for his health These words breathed such life into the Prince as within few dayes he was perfectly recouered when after many amorous parlees with Belanicia she to make a triall how his loue was grounded hauing heard report of the faire Duchesse Brisalda desired him to trauell to Varne in Bulgaria carying with him her liuely counterfeit and there to maintaine against all Knightes whatsoeuer that she was fairer then the Duchesse Brisalda on which condition she would accept him as her Knight and loyall seruant Simprinell glad to be so commaunded the next day hee departed with his foure Squires and comming to Varne where the Duchesse remained heard what braue imployment was there in Chiualrie wherefore comming to the accustomed place of the Tourney on a faire Piller he placed his Ladyes picture saying he would maintaine against all commers that his mistresse excéeded the Duchesse Brisalda in beautie The Knightes attendant on the Duchesse were amazed héereat preparing themselues to defend her cause but Simprinell willed them first to bring the Duchesse counterfeit and it to be placed by his Ladies and the conquerour should carie them both with him Right soone was the Duchesse figure set on the Piller and Simprinell this first day dismounted twelue Knights Palladine being ridden abroade on hunting which made Brisalda despaire of her fortune fearing the strange champion would depart vnconquered This dayes good successe emboldened Simprinell to try the second when Palladine entring the Listes among the other Knightes whome one by one he saw brauely vnhorsed he came to Simprinell with these spéeches In sooth Sir Knight I commend your enterprise beeing a cause that maketh many forward in Armes but as for the Lady whome you extoll beyond my Lady the Duchesse héer present I say and will auerre the contrary against you and all other till the houre of death If affection hath blinded your eyes I soone shall alter that opinion when your owne selfe shall confesse that your Lady is no way to be compared with mine I imagine by your words Sir answered Simprinell that you will defend your mistresse by the toong onely but let vs goe to the matter roundly for you are not yet so good an Oratour as to perswade me from a resolued assurance You thinke then quoth Palladine that I thinke to escape the Combate by my words Not so for you shall sée me effectually defend the honor of her beautie who is my mistresse So giuing the spurres to their horsses they encountred with such violence as Palladine lost his stirrops but Simprinell was cast foorth of his saddle to the great ioy of the Duchesse and her freends that his presumptuous arrogancie was so worthely checked Afterward they fell to the Combate with the Sword and long they fought without any aduantage till Palladine by tripping his enemie got him downe and himselfe vpon him when holding his Sword ouer him he sayd Now must thou confesse the Duchesse Brisalda to be a Lady farre excelling thine in beautie elfe art thou not like to sée her again◠Seeing fortune hath throwne me into this extremitie said Simprinell I confesse my selfe vanquished but to say that my mistresse is inferiour to thine I will not though I die therefore nor am I otherwise bound by my owne conditions
thou art Liboran the well aduised who with the ayde of Captaine Broantine deliuered a Knight and his Sonne from death therefore seeke not to hide thy selfe from me When Liboran heard what she sayd he imagined she was some Diuineresse or one that had a familiar spirit who acquainted her with matters of secrecie wherefore in the French toong he replied thanking her for 〈◊〉 excéeding courtesie and offering her his vttermost seruice For which she was not forgetfull to thanke him causing certaine of Gentlemen to conduct them to faire Chambers readie prepared for them and in the Chamber appointed for the Knight without rest was ingeniously wrought in Tapistrie of cloth of gold the adulterie of Venus with God Mars and how lame Vulcane came and found them with diuers other lasciuious Histories to prouoke the Prince to carnall delight After the Knight without rest was vnarmed he came and walked with the wise Orbiconte in her Garden wherin were many beawtifull fountaines and great aboundance of wholesome hearbes wherwith she made precious vnguents which she sent to Knightes errant especially such as defended the honor of Ladies She walked with them likewise into her Parke and shewed them what braue game she had there prouided with all other deuises incident to delight onely to allure the Knight without rest to stay there till she had perfourmed her intent for her Daughters which within few dayes after she cunningly compassed in this manner The wise Orbiconte calling her Daughters to her the first whereof being named Iunona the second Palladia and the third Veneria gaue them especiall charge to vse themselues in such sort to the Knight without rest that he might enter into that familiar acquaintance with them as each thing might sort according to her determination And one night while the Knightes and her Daughters were dauncing she walked into her Garden hauing in her hand a little Booke of parchment couered ouer with black veluet there framed she such spelles and charmes and with secret muttering to her selfe sent such a coniuration abroade as nothing should preuent what she had concluded Now doo the Knightes repaire to their chambers thinking to rest themselues as they did the nightes before and so in déede did Broantine Liboran and Licelio for their chambers were so charmed as they could not awake till the next day was verie farre spent but as for the Knight without rest while he soundly slept and thought no harme Iunona in her night mantâ—e came to visit him and so well it séemed they agréed together as the English Prince had the honor of her virginitie Palladia and Veneria folloâ—ed their Sister in fortune the issue whereof was such as when time came of natures appointment they were deliuered of three goodly Sonnes named Clariseo Clarisaâ—do and Clarisano These thrée children were carefully nourished and in their life time perfourmed Knightly deedes of armes whereof we will speake héereafter as occasion serueth By this time had the Knight without rest remayned héere seuen dayes when Orbiconte knowing by her arte that the King her Brother would bid his enemie battell within foure daies she came to the Prince in this manner Sir Palladine séeing your affection is so forward that you will assist my Brother in this warre against the King of Panonia it is now high time to thinke on your departure for I can assure ye that within foure dayes the fight will begin Nor can I entertaine any doubt or sorrow for the matter because I haue alreadie foreseene that our enemie will sustaine great detriment losse and destruction onely by your noble and worthie behauiour prepare yée therefore to set forward to morrow Madame answered the Knight without rest if it like you we will depart presently the sooner shall we come to our iourneyes end Not so quoth she you shall be ruled by my direction for you haue time enough to trauaile thither So taking him and his freends into her Cabinet she gaue the Prince a meruailous costly gréene Armour to Broantine she gaue one of Azure couller with a Shéeld wherein was portrayed how he deliuered the Knight and his Sonne from death and to Liboran she gaue a carnation Armour figuring in his Sheeld the Shepheards life he led by the Castell of Brulanfurior As for you Sir Palladine quoth she I will not giue you any Shéeld because that you haue alreadie is better then any one héere yea beyond all other in the world except one that is at London before your Fathers Pallace which is reserued for one as yet vnborne whose Father and Mother I knowe not or the place from whence he is discended After many other familiar spéeches the knight without rest thus spake to the wise Orbiconte Madame because I am loth to trouble your rest in the morning I and my freends will now take our leaue of you requesting you to dispose of me at your pleasure in that I haue dedicated my life to your seruice Sir Palladine answered Orbiconte I know that my longe desires are now sufficiently acquited and your readie good will I haue tried and found depart in the morning what time you please and still will I aduertise ye as concerning my affaires ayding you to my power in all places where you shall come especially to obtaine your destenied honor Thus went the Knight without rest and his fréends to their chambers where passing the night in some sleepes they arose earely in the morning and mounting on horssebacke they rode away merily But the Knight without rest remembred how this night he had not béene visited with his accustomed dreames nor could he forget the words of the wise Orbiconte at his departure when she said that her long desires were sufficiently acquited whereby he began to suspect that she by enchantment had caused him companie with her Daughters but not knowing certainely what to thinke he remoued his thoughts to matter of more valew CHAP. XXIX ¶ Of the cruell battell betweene the Kings of Aquilea and Panonia wherein the Knight without rest Broantine and Liboran shewed worthy and knightly deedes of Armes And what gracious entertaynement the King of Aquilea his Daughter Nonparelia and the Princes her Brethren made them afterward THE day béeing come that she encamped powers of Aquilea and Panoma should méete Akniden and Zorian Sonnes to the King of Aquilea accompanied with the Dukes of Sclauonia and Liburnia raunge their forces in order of battell the King their Father being not able to be present because he lay sicke in the Citie of Aquilea where he was carefully attended by the Quéene and her faire Daughter It was then concluded that the Prince Almiden should leade the auantgard the Duke of Sclauonia and the Prince Zorian the maine battell and the Duke of Liburnia the ariergard then were a legion of Dalmatians and Albanoyses appointed for the wings being expert warriours with their Darts aboue all other nations On the other side the King of Panonia his Sonne the Princes of Misia and
rated at the price of thy life Héerewith his speech failed him and breathing foorth a vehement sigh he yeelded vp the ghost O my God said his Squire what shall I now doo Where shall I bestowe the dead bodie of my maister if I returne to the Court of the King his brother he will suspect that I haue murthered him Ah sweete Lady Minoretta what hart breaking will this be to you vnderstanding the death of my Lord and the occasion thereof The Knight of Fame hearing the sorrowfull words of the Squire and fearing he would depart and leaue his maister came with his Squire from behinde the tree where they were hid and seeing the wofull man holding his dead maister in his armes thus spake to him Tell me good fréend how did this mishap befall thy maister The Squire was so amazed when by the light of the Moone he beheld the Knight of Fame and his Squire with him both their swords being drawne as he was not able to returne any answere whereby Don Robert perceiued that the sudden sight of him affrighted the Squire wherefore he thus spake to him againe Why doost thou not speake to vs my fréend doubtest thou that we come to doo thée any displeasure perswade thy selfe that we will assist thee to our vttermost and therefore feare not to bewray thy mishap The Squire throughly resolued by these courteous speeches casting foorth many bitter sighes into the aire and trembling as the burthen of his greefe gaue cause thus answered Alas my Lord right gladly shall I reueale to you the great misfortune now happened to my Lord who as you sawe gaue vp his ghost betweene mine armes the occasion whereof grew in this manner My noble maister while he liued was bastard brother to the King of Scicilie yet as déerely beloued of his Maiestie as if he had béene his lawfull legitimate brother such was his vertuous and valiant behauiour and for the King would assure my Lord of his intire good will and affection he gaue him the Signorie of Siracusa with all the titles and benefites belonging thereto But my woorthie Lord and maister who was named Don Frionell hauing about sixe moneths since heard commended the excellent beautie of Minoretta Daughter to the King of Portugall became so enamoured of her as to compasse the means that he might sée her he craued leaue of the King his brother to trauaile into Fraunce as a Knight errant séeking after aduentures Hauing obteined licence for his departure in stead of going to Fraunce he tooke the way toward Portugall where being arriued so well he made knowne his prowesse at the Tilt and Tourney which dayly hée maintained in honor of the Princesse as the King entertaining him into especiall fauour all the Lords and Knights of Portugall did the like so that being well estéemed and honored of euery one chéefely of the Quéene and her Ladyes so well he could his Courtship to the Princesse Minoretta that she accepted him as her Knight and fauoured him aboue all other that made loue to her In this time came to the Court Don Galitreo of Castile who no sooner sawe the faire Princesse but presently he was so esprized with her loue as he was readie to die at her foote and therefore diuers times made offer of his seruice to her but she made no account thereof declaring by her gesture and countenance that my maister was the onely man in her thoughts Galitreo from this time forward conceiued mortall hatred against my maister yet 〈◊〉 his villainie with such coullers as though he haâ— beene one of his deerest freends So that my maister being one day commaunded by his Lady Minoretta to goe assist a distressed Lady whome a cruell Gentleman too much wronged the traitour receiued opportunitie to set his mischiefe abroche for he being present when my maister tooke his charge gaue no shew of contraâ—ie meaning but no sooner had my Lord restored the wronged Lady albeit with danger of his person by reason of certaine wounds he receiued in fight and returning to the Princesse againe but this day as we came into this Forrest where I vnarmed my Lord to deeâ—se his wounds the traitour Galitreo accompanied with foure more disguised and well armed awaiting cowardly to take my Lord at this aduantage came to him with these worâ—s Knowest thou me â—rionel if thou wilt saue thy life thou must heere sollemnely sweare to me neuer to serue the Princesse Minoretta longer or héereafter to câ—me in any place where she is My maister knowing the traitour well enough by his speeches yet meruailing to méete him in this place because at his departure he left him in Portugâ—â— notwithstanding he was sore wounded and vnarmed boldly thus answered Rather let me loose my life quoth he and endure a thousand deathes if it were possible then I will forgoe the seruice of my mistresse but while I can lift my Sword will I maintaine her as the onely Goddesse of my heart By God quoth Galitreo but I will make thee sure thou shalt not â—o drawing his Couâ—tiare and my maister being thus naked as you sée because I was attending his wounds he neuer left striking at him till he sawe him fall when both he and his companions gallopped away so fast as they could Trust one answered the Knight of Fame thou hast tolde mee the most monstrous â—â—te that euer I heard of but thou séeing thy maister so misused why didst not thou helpe to defend him Alas my Lord quoth the Squire there wanted no good will in mée but they that accompanyed this traitour held me with such violence as I could not stirre The Knight of Fame beholding the cruell woundes Don Frionell had receiued and what a goodly personage hée had béene in his life time sighing sayd Oh God what two dangerous enemies are loue and iealousie in the world there can not bée any woorsse whereby men may fall into so great hazard Well my freend quoth hée to the Squire héere must wee rest our selues for this night because we knowe not whether else to goe and to morrow shall wee prouide for thy maisters bodie whose death I purpose to reuenge if I may finde the man that so bloodely murthered him Assure your selfe my Lord sayd the Squire that hee is in Portugall with the Princesse because for her loue he slewe my maister who reputed him one of his déerest fréends There neuer were so great freends quoth Don Robert whome loue and iealousie could not moue to discord and so for that night they lay downe and slept CHAP. XXXIIII ¶ How the Knight of Fame hauing taken order for the buriall of Don Frionell trauailed into Portugall where he fought the combate with Don Galitreo of Castile and what was the issue thereof CLéere Phoebus arising from the foulded armes of faire Thetis the knight of Fame awaked and not able to sléepe any longer by reason of his troubled thoughtes leauing the Squires who as yet had not stirreâ— he walked
thereof In truth said the Quéene I see the Letter imports great matter let vs vnderstand what is contained therein Palladine not daring to denie this commaundement causing the Gentleman that brought the Letter to withdraw himselfe thus answered My gracious Lord and Father this Letteâ— deliuers none but good newes the Sister to the King of Aquilea and faire Nonparelia his Daughter are come to visit your Maiestie Right welcome are they said the King and I will doo them all the honor I may but what may be the cause of this kindnesse séeing our Realme is so farre from Aquilâ—a Then Palladine declared the whole discourse of his voiage how by the aduise of the wise Orbiconte he had promised the Princesse Nonparelia after she had receiued her Christendome to take her in mariage in that she was accomplished with as rare perfections of beawtie and vertue as any Princesse in the world beside You place that formost quoth the King which you loue best preferring corporall beawtie before vertue but héerein you are to be pardoned for loue and affection so alter the sences as makes men put one word in anothers place I spake of that first my Lord quoth Palladine which I first sawe in so faire a creature namely a choise grace of corporall beawtie and hauing afterward by frequenting her companie gathered sufficient knowledge of her inward endowments I placed them as they came to my acquaintance And such is my hope good Father that your selfe wil iudge no lesse then I doo when you haue seene her For the rest Madame Orbiconte her Aunt shall resolue ye giuing you to vnderstand matters of weight and such as you will thinke your selfe happie to knowe this being the meane to bring to the Christian faith the great and mightie Kingdome of Aquilea Thou tellest me wenders my Sonne quoth the King but why didst thou not sooner acquaint me heerewith Because I feared answered Palladine that misfortune on the Sea might alter my intent or the promise of Orbiconte might be preuented by some other sinister meane Well my Sonne quoth the King I pray that thy desires may haue a fortunate end and such things as thou speakest of may come to passe meane while let vs prouide to receiue these two Princes and make them such entertainement as their calling deserues Foorthwith he commaunded that the Pallace should bee adorned with most sumptuous Tapistrie and calling for the Uiceadmirall willed him to prepare certaine Ships that might go meete the Ladies as they came wherein Palladine Zorian Manteleo Landastines and many other great Lords were embarqued And béeing come to the Ile of Tennet they espied the Ships sayling amaine toward them and entring among them Palladine seeing Orbiconte aloft on the deck knew well where the Princesse Nonparelia was wherefore going aboord that Ship catching Orbiconte in his armes he thus spake Welcome good Lady into this Countrey this day doo you giue me life and the onely comfort I desire in this world for had not your assurance at my departure from Aquilea perswaded me I had ere this beene consorted with the dead As he was thus embracing Orbiconte the Princesse Nonparelia came foorth of her Cabin and with a sweete smiling countenance came to him saying Haue you not doone yet my Lord I am not content that you giue all the welcome to mine Aunt and allow me no portion thereof I thinke I haue deserued some part At these words he suddenly leauing Orbiconte embraced his mistresse with such zealous affection as neither of them were able to speake one word in which time Zorian and the other Princes had leisure to welcome the wise Orbiconte During this time of greeting and salutation they sayled on with so good a winde as in short time they entred the Port of London where this honorable companie were receiued with great magnificence the Citizens conducting them thorough the streetes with such pompe and sumptuous deuises as neuer was the like seene in London before The King and Queene for the greater honor of their Sonne came to the Court gate to welcome the Princesse at whose rare beawtie as they did not a little wonder so there wanted no kinde of courtesie whereby their good will might at large be expressed So walking on into the great Hall there began againe new shewes of entertainement whereby both Orbiconte and her Niece perceiued that the Court of England was incomparable for gracious behauiour While the King and Queene were conferring with Orbiconte Palladine tooke his Lady aside to the windowe where she at large declared to him the dangers sustained in their voyage and their good deliuerance by the Admirall of England and Broantine Héerof sweete Lady quoth Palladine your Aunt already hath aduertised me and I knowe assuredly that you haue escaped greater perill then you can report to me all for my loue wherein I am religiously bound to you while I liue yet heerewithall consider that you haue endured all this for your faithfull freend and husband who now bids you welcome as his loyall and espoused wife Alas my Lord quoth the Princesse you well knowe that I haue no other intent and the sooner our nuptials are solemnized the better shall I be quieted least any dishonor should ouertake me in respect of what hath passed betweene vs heeretofore Madame answered Palladine this â—ace concerneth me as néere as your selfe and to preuent such danger we must héerein be aduertised by your Aunt Orbiconte the rest shall be accomplished with all possible spéede In all this time Orbiconte had so preuailed with the King and Quéene declaring that this mariage was forepointed in their infancie and should by her meanes be â—atâ—fied by the King of Aquilea her Brother as they both promised that so soone as the King of Portugalâ— was arriued who was sent for to the mariage of his two Nieces the wedding should be sollemnized at that instant likewise Untill which time the Princesse should be enstructed in the Christian faith and be made partaker of that holy Sacrament which is the badge and cognisance of all Christians so should her obscure thoughts be cléerely illuminated and the mariage would be more acceptable in the sight of God The Kings deuise was generally well liked and the Princesse her selfe willing to vnderstand the rules which were so farre different from her Pagan profession in which exercise she had her whole studie and delight till the time came that she should be Baptized CHAP. XXXIX ¶ How the Princesse Nonparelia and all her Ladyes were with great pompe and solemnitie Baptised and all the honorable mariages afterward finished BY paineful diligence of diuers learned Diuines the Princesse was wonne to receiue the faith of a Christian and all her Ladies likewise that came with her from Aquilea so they being all attired in white garments were conducted to the Cathedrall Church in London with such royall pompe and magnificence as euery eye was set to wonder Such was her stately maiestie in going and
caused such a laughter among the Ladies as if they had séene a spectacle of greatest meriment Erinnea Duchesse of Rimandria and wife to Liboran with Doronea wife to Broantine newly created Duke of Bastanella in their triall the Images turned their backs to them Graciana Marcelina and Florea had but little more credit sauing that the Images mooued not from them But now came Nonparelia to her turne and her behauiour procured a generall contentment for Venus let her touch the Torche and set the Crowne on her shoulder but tooke it back againe immediatly thereby prefiguring that she being had now lost her libertie When they sawe the aduenture could not be ended the Ladyes betooke them to their Scaffoldes and the Knightes entred the Lystes to make better proofe of their fortune by Chiualrie Landastines accompanied with Broantine Mushell of Rostock Brunifort his Brother and Orliman of Flaunders with an hundred Knightes more first entred the féeld On the other side came the Prince Zorian with Liboran Durandell of Cleue Grindâ—y of Orton and Sedonis of Suffolke with an hundred braue and couragious Knightes who at the sound of the Trompets encountred each other with meruailous valour Landastines and Zorian Iousted together beeing of such equall strength and hardy courage as the victorie could be gained on neither side to cut off which controuersie a new assayâ—and entred the Lystes bearing in his Shéeld a golden Phenix and vpon his Armour a coate of Crimosin Uelnet whereon these two letters SS were verie thick imbroidered in Gold and Pearle the sight of this Gallant gaue cause of admiration and matter of valew was expected to come from him CHAP. XLI ¶ Who was the new Knight of the Phoenix and of a Letter the Prince Palladine receyued concerning his fyrst loue REason requireth that this new assaylant should be knowne and the cause of his comming least otherwise you should misconceiue of the matter and so be depriued of the delight promised thereby Know you then that the Knight of the Phenix was the Prince Caesar Sonne to Othon the Emperour of Roome then reigning and husband to the faire Rosamond of Fraunce who hearing of the honorable Triumph at the marriage of the Prince Palladine and the aduenture of the Statues before the Court at London trauailed thither to win the conquest of the one and credit of the other that at his returne to his best beloued he might obtaine the greater grace and fauour Caesar beeing thus entred the Lystes and noting the braue chiualrie shewen by the Princes stood still a good while till he sawe both the sides make offer of departure But fearing to be reprooued for his long stay as though by cowardise he durst not trie his fortune he first encountred one of the Prince Zorians Knights and threw him to the ground with his héeles vpward Seauen or eight more of them he serued in the like sort till Landastines would néedes deale with this Champion but Caesar met him with such violence as both horsse and man was sent to the ground The Prince of Norgalles desirous to reuenge this shame called for a fresh Horsse and a Launce and calling his enemie to Ioust againe as he made proffer to begin his carire the Prince Caesar thus spake to him Good Sir be not offended with him who hath saluted you with a courtesie common among Knightes errant but enduring the same with pacience giue the like to such as hazard them selues against you I feele no taste of courtesie quoth Landastines in such gréetings and thou mayst happen to confesse the same with him thou next assaylest notwithstanding all thy brauerie in speeches By proofe said Caesar I shall be made perfect a fierce assaylant shall be assured of a braue defendour So breaking off this contention he gaue the spurres to his horsse against Zorian giuing him such a vough charge at the encounter as he was cast quite out of his saddle At this sight were Palladine and Manteleo greatly displeased whom the King for the earnest loue he bare them would not permit to beare Armes in this Tourney but caused them to accompanie their Ladies on the Scaffold and to giue iudgement who best deserued they as I said mooued with the behauiour of the Knight of the Phenix came to the King with great reuerence Palladine deliuering these spéeches My Lord the reuerence and dutie that children owe to their Parents hath made vs remaine idle among these Ladies during the honest exercise of our fréends and companions estéeming to contradict your commaund were an offence more then presumptuous But now are our desires so stirred and prouoked as we can no longer containe our selues in slothfulnes but are enforced humbly to intreat that your highnesse would giue vs leaue to Arme our selues onely to teach this newcome Gallant who thinks alreadie he hath made a conquest that in England are Knights sprung from the race of the chéefest of the round Table who are not to be feared with seeing thrée or foure men vnhorssed My Sonne quoth the King my commaund was to no other end then to withhold ye from the thing you haue now desired because assayed new Combates without Armes you should not be endaungered by two trials together considering how the one may be a hinderance to the other and so doubtlesse would it come to passe at this instant were I not fully perswaded that honor neuer breakes companie with true loue but more and more aduanceth his titles to the great encouragement of all noble mindes Therefore my Sonnes doo what you please I will not hinder ye go in Gods name and returne with the full of my desire Hauing thus obtained what they would they departed to their lodgings returning soone armed and well mounted and passing by the Scaffolds Palladine intreated his Nonparelia to giue him one of her Bracelets wherewith he might enter the Ioust vnder her fauour In which time Manteleo went to trie his fortune with the Sonne of Othon and many Launces were broken betweene them yet neither able to dismount the other Wherewith Manteleo beeing angrie and seeking polâ—icie to preuaile against his foe Lord Caesar lifting vp the beuer of his helmet imagining by the rich armes of Manteleo that he was the Prince of England with courteous reuerence to him thus spake Sir Palladine perceiuing that you knowe me not nor the cause of my comming into this Countrey and séeing you would procéed to the Combate the loue I beare ye constraineth me willingly to discouer my selfe beside verie loth am I to loose the credit I haue wonne alreadie and so prouoke you to displeasure against me I am your fréend Caesar Sonne to the Emperour as readie to be commaunded by you as any other of your Knights in England Of this peace was Manteleo not a little glad yet brauely dissembling the matter he thus answered Lord Caesar I am not the man you take me for but in respect of this excéeding gentlenes and the reuerent dutie I owe
we craue licence for our departure to our Countries where our parents expect our comming continually Many gracious spéeches were vttered by the Prince and many liberall and bountifull promises onely to cause them goe with him to the King his Fathers Court but all was to no purpose they promised to visit the King at more conuenient leysure because very vrgent occasions did now hasten their departure When Lydiseo sawe he could not perswade them he gaue to each of them a verie sumptuous armour and foure of the best horsses in his stable with diuers other giftes of inestimable valew so after many courtesies and kind embracings Palladine and Manteleo set forward on their iourney and Lydiseo hauing seazed the Castell to the King his Fathers vse on the next day following rode to the Court where he acquainted the King with al that had happened The Princes hauing ridden most part of the day came at length to a faire fountaine standing in a fresh coole shadowe of trees where they alighted minding to dine with such prouision as their Squires had brought with them Afterward they lay downe in the shade to sleepe a-little which Manteleo and the Squires did very soundly but Palladine not able to forget the words of the wise Orbiconte arose and being loth to trouble them that slept tooke his helmet and his sword intending to walke among the trees till they awaked He had not gone from his companie the space of halfe a bow shoote but he espied a goodly plaine in the middest whereof stoode a faire pauillion with two or thrée bundles of Launces erected at the entrance Maruailing what the meaning heereof might be he kept himselfe still hid among the trees to see if any one would come in or out of the Tent. At length he beheld come riding on the plaine two Knightes with a Damosell that bare a goodly Shéeld which with the beamâ—s of the Sun dazeled the eyes of the beholders These two Knightes and the Damosell would haue passed the Tent but hée espied one came suddenly foorth and stayd them saying You may not passe by Gentlemen so easily you are well armed for the triall of the Launce you must therefore make some proofe in this place of your chiualrie else must you leaue your Armour and Horsses behinde yee And first of all you Damosell must deliuer me the Sheeld you cary for it liketh me well and I shall best deserue it I may not doo so aunswered the Damosell because you are not the man it is sent vnto and for whome it was purposely made Whether I be he or no quoth the Knight of the Tent haue it I will with which words he offered to take it violently from her but the two Knightes stayed him with these spéeches Sir Knight we neyther refuse the Ioust or Combate with thee but in presuming to take the Shéeld perforce from the Damosell we iudge it rather the behauiour of a shéefe and robber then sitting with the credit of a Gentleman or one that by brauerie of minde desires to trie the courage of Knightes errant Are you offended quoth the Knight of the Tent at any thing I haue sayd or done beléeue me I will haue the Shéeld and cause you to repent your audacious folly Come foorth queth he to his Knights in the Tent and teach these lustic companions a little better dutie Presently issued foorth two Knightes on horssebacke and coutching their Launces they â—ncountred them that defended the Damosell who threw them from their Sadles with such violence as they lay not able to stirre any limme Two more came foorth of the Tent and followed their companions in fortune whereat the Knight was so angrie as he mounted on horssebacke himselfe calling sire more foorth to take part with him Sâ—e my freends quoth he foure of our men are slaine or in great danger let vs alltogether run on these villaines that so vsed them for man to man I see they are strongest such therefore as loue me follow me So by their furious assault the two Knightes were dismounted and by the tune the other had finished their course they drew their Swords and buckling on their Sheelds came with resolute courage to meete their enemies Right sorrowfull was the Damosell to see the Knightes that defended her cause in such daunger but Palladine beholding the valour of the twayne and the cowardly villaime of the other came foorth of the wood and taking part with them so much wronged in short time layde foure of them breathlesse on the ground The other three would gladly haue giuen ouersight but Palladine and the Damosels Knightes layde on such loade as two more were sent to accompany theyr fellowes the third to saue hys life yeelded to their mercie CHAP. XIIII ¶ How Manteleo sound Palladine with the two Knightes and the Damosell that brought the Sheeld from the wife Orbiconte IN the time of this sharpe skirmish the Prince Manteleo awaked and missing his companion Palladine called the Squires who were no lesse amazed at the absence of their maister but séeing his horsse and Launce there they imagined he could not be strayed verie farre As they walked into the wood to seeke him they heard the clanching of weapons and entring on the plaine they espied Palladine with the two Knightes and the Damosell and a man kneeling on his knees before him crauing pardon for his life Manteleo being glad he had found his freend came to him with merrie and chéerefull countenance when the two Knightes seeing his face immediatly knew him and casting downe their helmets came and embraced him saying How highly are we beholding to the vertuous Prince Palladine without whose assistance our liues had perished Palladine knowing them to bée Durandell of Cleue and Orliman of Flaunders of whose chiualrie he had heard mickle commendation embraced them with maruelous affection the like did Manteleo and no small gratulations were entercoursed betwéene these foure Princes When the Damosell heard the name of Palladine she alighted from her Palfray and with humble seuerence on her knee thus spake to him Happie and successefull Knight whose vertues are renowined through the wide world the wise Orbiconte hath sent you this Sheeld commending her selfe dutifully to your good grace intreating you to forsake your companie awhile and with me to go visit her that honors you Palladine hearing her speake of the wise Orbiconte who had so often appeared to him in visions was as ioyfull as Manteleo and the other were sorrowfull to leaue the companie of him they loued so well but hee hauing taken the Sheeld returned this aunswere to the Damosell Faire freend I thanke your mistresse and you likewise promising to goe with ye whether you please though leth I am to forgoe the companie of these gentle Princes but seeing it liketh the Lady Orbiconte it should be so I obey her commaund right willingly hoping to see my good freends againe ere it be long As Palladine thus spake his couller altered very pale and
wanne whereby the Damosell judged that he was wounded wherefore she said I perceiue my Lord you are scant well let us enter this Tent I pray ye where you shall be unarmed and these Knightes likewise that I may see what woundes you haue receiued for my Lady Orbiconâ—e gaue me at my departure from her a bore of most pretious and arteficiall ointment so that let your wounds be how dangerous soeuer in four and twentie houres I will awarrant they shall be perfectly healed Upon this aduise they entred the Tent where when they were vnarmed the Damosell verie cunningly dressed their wounds finding these of Orliman and Durandell to be most doubtfull yet her comfortable speeches made them expect speedie recouerie Afterward they sate downe to refresh themselues with such viands as they found there readie in the Tent and Palladine calling for the prisoner said Knight if thou desire the safetie of thine owne life tell me without fabling what the Knight was that first proffered to take the Sheeld from the Damosell and vpon what occasion you kept the passage heere to forbid the course of Knightes errant Nor will I Sir quoth the Knight hide bne iote of the truthe from you Knowe then that he which would haue taken the Sheeld from the Damosell was brother to a Gentleman who not long since by the Kings commaundement was put to a most shamefull death for that vniustly he detayned a Knightes wife to whose Castell came two strange Knightes and by the ayde of Lydiseo Prince of Hungaria they tooke the Gentleman sore wounded who was afterward executed slew many of his seruants as also his two brethren deliuering the Lady to her husband againe who now liue in quiet in their owne Castell This Knight that stroue for the Sheeld was likewise brother to that Gentleman who hearing the misfortune of his brethren vowed to take vengeance on those two Knightes by whose meanes he was now left freendlesse in the world Upon this determination heere caused he his pauillion to be erected sending his espials abroade to allure all Knightes by this passage hoping at length to finde those twayne which I thinke he imagined to be they that conducted the Damosell because he commaunded vs all to assaile them but whether they be the same or no he is now greatly deceiued of his hope and thus haue you heard the verie truth of our being heere Thanks be to heauen sayd the Prince Palladine that kept vs out of this danger for if we had passed this way we had either beene slaine or taken by these viâ—e minded men But my hazard was greatest quoth the Damosell had I not met with these two noble Knightes who in my defence thrust their owne liued into question Damosell aunswered Durandell of Cleue we haue done no more then our dutie and what all true Knightes are sworne vnto After they had stayed so long as them pleased they rode to a Towne not farre distant thence leauing the Knight to prouide buriall for his companions and help for such as yet remained aliue swearing him neuer after to be seene in any such bad action At this Towne they abode two or three dayes to furnish themselues of what they wanted as also to repaire their Armour which was much brused At length the Damosell tooke Palladine aside framing her speeches to him in this manner My Lord seeing you finde your selfe in good estate of health let me intreate ye to bid your freends adiew that carely in the morning we may depart to the place whether my Lady commaunded me to conduct ye because you must be assistant to such a one as shall héereafter doo very much for you Damosell quoth Palladine presently shall you see me bid them farewell for great is my affection toward your mistresse seruice seeing she fauours the man so much she neuer sawe Then turning to the three Princes he sayd My noble companions you knowe my promise to this Damosell to follow her whither she shall guide me now is she importunate for my departure wherefore let me intreate ye not to be offended if earely in the morning I take my leaue assuring you that neuer shall I forget your manifold courtesies And let my solemne promise perswade yée that these earnest affaires once dispatched to you will I presently shape my course meane while commaund me as your freendly seruant My Lord aunswered Manteleo albeit this seperation is gréeuous to vs yet séeing it a cause concerning your honor and may aduantage some distressed person kéep your promise right paciently shall we beare your absence hoping to see you shortly in England at the King your Fathers Court for thither shall we presently direct our iourney Palladine hauing intreated them to doo his humble dutie to the King his Father to the Quéene likewise and his two Sisters embraced them all thrée right louingly each one with teares shewing their gréefe of departure Like courteous farewell tooke they of the Damosell who gaue them many thanks for their fréendly succour and so each one entring their chamber for that night Lycelio the Squire to Palladine prepared all things readie for his maister who determined to be on horssebacke by breake of day CHAP. XV. ¶ How Palladine went with the Damosell that came from the wise Orbiconte and Manteleo Durandell and Orliman trauayled toward England and were seperated from each other by a strange aduenture EArly in the morning Palladine Lycelio and the Damosell set forward on their iourney directing theyr course to the Realme of Ireland leauing the thrée Princes soundly sleeping who the same day rodâ— toward England without finding any aduenture on land or Sea worthie the rehearsall After they had refreshed themselues thrée or foure daies at Douer a Towne that stands on the Sea coast of England they concluded to ride to London where they heard the King as then kept his Court. When they had ridden eight or ten miles they sawe comming foorth of a Forrest two poore men all besmeared with blood and verie sore wounded wherevpon they imagined that some théeues had thus vsed them and therefore rode toward them to vnderstand the cause Good Gentleman cried one of them so wounded for Gods sake helpe vs. Of whence are ye sayd the Prince Manteleo We are Sir quoth the poore man of Bohemia trauailing from the King of Englands Court home againe and to his Maiestie were we sent with thrée young Lions which two Knightes trauailing through our Countrey gaue vs charge to carie thither And as we came through this wood thrée théeues suddenly set vpon vs who wounded vs as you see tooke the money from vs we receyued of the King and haue slaine two of our compaâ—ions Manteleo remembring the poore men how Palladine and he had sent them with the Lions was meruailous sorie to see them so misused demaunding if the theeues were on horssebacke or on â—oote The poore men aunswered that they were on foote and could not as yet be gone verie farre Without any