is to performe any strange aduenture were it neuer so hard and difficult My deare Cosen replied Palmendos béeing very glad to heare him selfe giuen this honest conunendation by so good a Knight as Belcar you are as much bounden as my self to the Princesse Francheline for séeing the desire to conquethes caused you in the garde of the bridge to win the honro which shal for euer immortalize your fame Where I was verie happy not to meete with you auoyding great danger thereby of loosing my life which God hath preserued me hither to Further would they haue prosecuted these gratious spéeches when Arnedes who approached with his Cosen saide Seigneurs leaue off these matters now séeing that all men sée the valour and dexteritie of you both wherewith you Brother Palmendos do make many sicke through your beauie and puissant strokes whereof I shall all my life beare good witnes by that which hapned to me once which I account no dishonour séeing it hath pleased God to accomplish you in all Martiall perfection At these lawdable reproches blushed Palmendos a little when be answered them both in this manner My Lords let vs not talke of things that are past among vs when we knew not one another albeit therby is clearely séene with what valour Chinalry you were both endued enriched so deuising together of manie aduentures they returned to the Emperour who made them kinde entertainment like wise King Frisoll béeing not able to satâ—ate himselfe with the â—ight of his Sonne So that the feast was much encreased by their arriuall in this Court where we will leaue them attending the comming of the King and Quéene of Macedon whome the Emperour vnderstood would bee there within foure dayes to recount you what Tyrendos did in the Duke of Borts house CHAP. X. How Tyrendos reuenged the Ladie clothed in black who came into the Duke of Borts house of an iniutie that was dâ—â—e her by a Knight named Alegon and how by his meane the Duchesse and Tyrendos attayned to their hearts desire THe Knight Tyrendos desiring with an incredible affection to doe some pleasurable setuice so the Dutchesse of Bort made tariance with all his heart in her Castel hoping to bring quickly some end to his amorous passions During which he declared once more to her how since his first arriual in the plame he was so eâ—flamed with hir loue that he pretended neuer to forsake her whereof shee was a meruailons glad woman a much more when hee manifested vnto her his race By meanes wherof making more account of him than shée did before they determined together to giue some solace to their desires after he had accomplished the promise which hée made to the Dameâ—â—ll clothed in blacke so that to dispatche quickly he departed thence a ioyful man on the next morning not without the great intreatie of the Duke to repasse by his house if his way didlye any thing that way In the meanâ— time the Dutchesse gaue one or two presents to the Dameâ—â—ll and discouering vnto her the loue which shée bare Tirendos desired heâ— to be carefull of his health and that she would requite it which the good Lady promised her frankly so that taking her leaue of her and her husband shee went her way with the Knight who demaunding her afterwarde wherin she had need of his aide she answered him thus Know faire Knight that two of my Sons being this other day at the mariage of a sister of a naughty Knight called Alegon they got there so great honor in a fortresse that the Bridgroome many others defended against al others that the wife of Alegon some little kin vnto them did cherish them the more for that especially the elder who was a spruce youth well experienced in feats of war For this occasion her trâ—yterous husband conceiued in his minde a deadly grudge against him which encreasing more and more at one time among all other when he espted him deuising with his wife he fell into a furious choller that without any word speaking he came vppon him with his naked sword and slew him easily My poore sonne beeing disarmed and taken at vnawares And afterwards running vppon my other sonne with his Catchpoules put him incontuient into prison for feare lest he should reuenge the death of his brother saying further he would put him to some cruell death within the prison But I sorrowfull and heauy Widdowe voyde of kinred and friends who may for medem â—â—d Iustice for this iniury done hearing the same of your Prowesse built some hope to be reuenged by your mean bâ—ing as assured as I am to dye my sonnes were innocent and intured without any reason and therefore would I most humbly pray you faire Syr according to the promise you made me to goe bid him deâ—â—ance in his Castell telling him if he refuse the Combat you wil accuse him of treason before the Emperour If such be quoth Tyrendos the disaster and misaduenture of your children as you tell me the homseide it selfe crieth vengeance against the trayterous and fellon murtherer who hath perpetâ—ated it which I hope by Gods aide to make him confesse promising you to employ my best â—orces thereâ—â— with such a courage that I will either dye or els you shall â—emaine satisfied The Damsell gaue him great thanks for his good will â—nd taking two Squiers for guide and company 〈…〉 they arriued the third day after about sixe a clocke bâ—fore thâ— Castell of Alegon Where Tirendos â—â—d the Porter 〈◊〉 his Master there was come thither a Knight from the Emperour Palmeâ—uâ— Court who would speake with him Whereof the â—eigneur beeing aduertized steyâ— to a window ouer the Caâ—â—â—â— gate demaunding what was his eâ—â—aâ—â— I would willingly desire you answered Tirendos to â—urcease the inhumanity which you vse toward a poore widdow restoring her youngest sonne to her whom you detaine in prison vniustly and if you will so doe I promise to obtaine you pardon for the death of her eldest whome you slewe against all right and reason otherwise I denounce you the Combat saying that you haue wronged your honour Truely I had not thought replyed Alegon that at the perswasion of a woman who complaineth without anie cause a Knight had beene so credulous whom I may suspect of cowardize assuring you that I haue done but what I ought in reason to doe towards her Children who sought to dishonour mee so that I thinke you will gaine more to be gone againe vnto the Emperours Court where you shall finde opportunitie at this present to shew your prowesse and to braue your bellie full rather than to enterprise here any thing which might peraduenture cost you deare With that hee got him from the window ouer his portall when Tyrendos in a marueilous rage began to speake many haynous villanies to him reproching his cowardlinesse and assuring him if he would not Combat against him to accuse him of fellonie before the Emperour soueraigne
consort The Knights surely tooke great recreation and pleasure surpassing almost the capacitie of their spirites in the which if the handes and mouth of the Duchesse were occupied to make such melodie their eyes did no lesse omit their office to beholde Tyrendos and by that they had well beheld and admired him at that instant was there a sodaine change made within her hart of the loue which she bare to Dirdan with that which Cupido presented her vnexpected on the behalfe of Tyrendos And as she well sawe how shee perseuered a great while in this contemptation the excellence and singularity of her graces pleasing him verie much on the other side was as prompt an she to giue essence to this bargaine of chaunge During the accomplishment wherof the Duke reasoning of many things with Belcar demaunding him in the end who Tyrendos was perceâ—uing nothing the prime wound hee had 〈…〉 made in â—he heart of his wife Wee are quoth hee Knights of the King of Macedons Court who go to the 〈◊〉 which is 〈◊〉 Constantinople I beléeue replied the Duke in all the assembly which shall bee seene there will bee found fewe men at Armes who can come neere this for as much as I can presage by the proofe I haue seene him make to day You say true quoth Belcar and yet you would say more if you knewe who he is The Duchesse who making no semblance heard all these discourses passe imagined presently Tyrendos must bee some Knight of great and illustrious blood therefore shee made greater account of him than before béeing thrice happie to haue chaunged Dirdaâ— for him whome shee loued alreadie so ardently that before they parted company shee whispered vnto him verie softly these wordes so that no body heard her Faire Knight you must repaire the sorrow and griefe you haue procured vain vanquishing these Knights of our countrie whom we must estéeme of God forbid replyed Tyrendos I should be borne into this worlde to worke you faire Lady the least sparke of displeasure and miscontentment that any humane spirite may lightly receaue Neuerthelesse if the Plannets haue so much dissaâ—â—red me that I haue giuen you any cause to be sad I beséech you Madame to appoint me any pennance as you shall know may suffice to blot out this offence which against mâ— will and before I was aware I haue committed thereby then saide the Duchesse I verilye beléeue you will not faile to accomplish that which your hart commaundets you to speake the generousnes whereof I know alreadie I pardon as willingly this ouersight as I hope you will accomplish hereafter the liberall offer you make me to 〈◊〉 it according to my discretion I thanke you most humblie quoth he then to graunt me so quickly pardon in so great â— misdéede as to prouoke the choller of Ladies which shall 〈◊〉 me to say euer hereafter to haue found in you curtesie and â—â—manitie surmounting the forces of my tongue In recompence whereof assure your selfe Madame in all occasions presented to me for your seruice I wil imploy my selfe with 〈◊〉 sinceritie of denotion as I desire to be made known vnto 〈◊〉 when it shall please you to giue me full fruition of that 〈…〉 which I shall repute second to no other in retayning mee for your Knight so much I neuer offered yet to any Lady liuing for that I acknowledge my selfe farre vnworthie to serue any Ladie If so it he replied the Duchesse I may well glorie to haue made this day so precious and inestimable a purchase gayning him for my Knight who is a verie peâ—rle and representation of Mars wherein I finde my selfe so much beholding vnto you that I see my selfe out of all hope to be euer able to cancell towards you the Obligation of my spirite if of your fauour and grace it do not please you to accept in part of payment and satisfaction thereof the extreame desire which I haue to shewe you in effect I loue you euen as the same soule which giueth mee comfort and good hope that you shall reape condigne recompence for the paines you offer to endure for my sake These last wordes she spake so softly that none but he could heare them and so faire and softly prosecuting their matter Tirendos told her that his heart would be verie well content if any accident did fall out to constraine him to make some abode to doe her humble seruice there That would bee answered his louer the most agréeable thing which I could desire so that I beséech you depart not hence yet these two dayes during which time peradventure some opportunity may serue to bring about this businesse Tirendos promised hee would when the Duke praied them altogether because hee was come in talke to the same points with the others they wold not depart on the morrow wherunto they consented to the great contentment of the Duchesse who shewed by all signes shee could deuise to make knowne the extreame loue she bare Tyrendos And as she â—nsred her selfe the day following to druist some inuention to prolong the soiourning of her louer behold there entred into the Pallace a woman clothed in blacke who demanded of the Duke if the Knight vanquister of Dirdan and his companions were in his house who béâ—â—ng sheweâ— vnto him she fell prostrate at his féete praying and coniuring him by the thing which he loued best in this world that hee would graunt her one boone The knight hauing accorded this womans request she began againe after humble thankes to say in this manner Faire Knight you haue now promised to goe into a place with mee where I hope by meanes of your valour and prowesse whose fame yesternight came vnto my eares to finde mee remedie for a wronge which the worst of all Knightes caused me wickedly these last dayes to endure Tyrendos promised her againe to employ himselfe for her so that she should remaine content and seeing he must yet haue another Combat in that quarter he liked verie well his occurrence which was a meane for him to stay longer nere his deare Mistresse who thereupon was almost rauished for ioy but if they two were well pleased Belcar and Recindes who would not soiourne there anie longer to the end they might come before the King Florendos to Constantinople were as much displeased when they vnderstood of the iniured Gentle woman that Tyrendos must néedes abide about ten or twelue daies in that place Wherefore hee prayed them to be going alwaies before saying that be must néeds stay there to exploit some act which might make more famous the reputation of his person Assuring them hee would not be long after them that the great desire which hee had to be at the Triumph woulde kéepe him from soâ—ourning long in any other place His companions séeing they could not get him along thaÌ„ked the Duke the Duchesse for the good vsage honorable entertainment they had made them leauing Tyrendos in Bort being a little
himselfe and his traine hée thus imparted at large his minde Madame to the ende you should not bee ignorant of the chiefest cause of my comming into this Country knowe yée that I being prouoked with an incredible desire to doo you seruice am departed the Kingdome of Bohemia the proper place of my natiuity where the King my father happily swayeth the Scepter at this present day and this vpon confidence that you shall know the sincere affection which I haue to obey you in all things you will not refuse to accept me fréely for your sonne in Law And albeit that I doo not repute my selfe at this present very rich in earthly riches hauing as yet my father liuing yet may I well vaunt to bee in bart and good will to serue and defende you from your enemies a man more forward than any other Prince of Europe For this occasion I pray you graunt mee in marriage your Daughter Gridonia whome I shall bée able to vpholde in her honours better than any other Knight that at this day liueth Faire Knight replyed then the Duchesse to giue you my Daughter to wife could I well be content if by any meanes it might bée knowing very well the illustrious bloude from whence you descende Notwithstanding shée hath sworne neuer to marry with any but with him who for the Iewels of her marriage shall first present her with the head of Primaleon of Greece sonne to the Constantino Politane Emperour This is no small demaund quoth the Knight againe albeit when I shoulde haue some iust and reasonable occasion I would embolden my selfe so farre as to dare to goe to deâ—â—â— him at his owne home to effect the same I will tell you occasion good ynough said the Lady then you shoulde knowe that in a Tourney which he caused to be published at the Nuptials of his sister Philocrista hee gaue safe conduct to all commers when for all that he slew felloniously as if it had béene in a mortall Combate fought at all destance Perrequin of Duas sonne to the King of Polland my Brother who entred the Lists onely to the ende to assay himselfe against him So that by good reason you may vppon this death accuse him of fellony and disloyalty Madame answered hée that is not sufficient to vrge this euill act vpon him because the Knight who entereth into a Tourney is as the man that playeth at Dice who before hée sit himselfe downe to play must make account that hée may sometimes loose and sometimes winne Euen so the true Knight should appeare within the Lists in hazard to leaue his life there behinde him as soone as to bring it away with him againe Notwithstanding séeing that I haue no better occasion I will combat him alleadging that hée slew him in anger and mallice which prouoked him thereunto Whereuppon I doo assure thy selfe that hee trusting in Prowesse and reputation will answere me arrogantly and prouoke mee with some iniurious wordes which will giue mee more apparent reason to combat him And to the ende that you shoulde knowe I speake nothing with my mouth which my heart forethinketh not I promise to depart incontinently hence and to take my voyage to Constantinople where if I dye in the battell it shall be for me a perpetuall honour and praise to dye for so perfect a Lady as Gridonia is and if I chaunce to vanquish mine enemy I shal purchase the most exquisite and rare treasure that Nature might present me on this earth True it is Madame that I would greatly desire that it would please you of curtesie to let me sée the Princesse your Daughter before my departure for that hauing once imprinted her liuely beauty within my hart shée shall double augment my force and courage That will I not refuse you said the Duchesse but I accorde it vnto you with all my hart yet not without aduertising you before hand that you shal put your selfe in great perrill of your life by reason of a Lyon which gardeth her continuallie the which wareth fierce and cruell so soone as hee perâ—â—aneth anie Knights come neare my Daughter For all that will not I let to go see answered then Valido hoping I shall well enough defend my selfe if the beast come to assaile me Hauing then taken this resolution the Duchesse sent with him one of the Gentlemen of her house with expresse commandement not to suffer any other to enter within the Castell but this Knight onely where when hee came afterwards and that Gridonia knew that it was the King of Bohemiaes Sonne who would go to combat Primaleon for her Loue she commaunded to bring him vp into her chamber Which the Prince vnderstanding hee tooke brauely his buckler in one hand his naked sword in the other then entred â—â— without any feare like a hartie and valiant Champion But the Lyon séeing him approch in this equipage beganâ—◠〈◊〉 and narre lifting vp his head furiously out of the Damosels lappe where he was wont for the most part to repose it Neuerthelesse she held him backe by great force by a lease made of gold-twist which held by a rich coller buckled to his necke for that Gridonia was not strong inough to stay him Valido came full vppon him with his brandished sword to strike hym but she cried vnto him that he should not doe it except he wold die and that he should depart onely out of the Chamber and they would finde meanes to speake together The Bohemian did doe so much willinglie and much â— doo had the Insant to kéepe her Lyon foom running after him yet by stroaking and making much of him shée shut him â—â— within a great Chamber wherein séeing himselfe thus imprisoned he began to roare in so strange manner that hee made all those who heard him fore afraid Whereat Gridonia was so vered that going out of her Chamber to speake with the Knight shée spake but thus much Fayre Knight my mishap and disaster will not permit mee at this present to haue any long talke with you therefore I beséech the Almightie so to strengthen your Arme against Primaleon that you may make him pay dearely for his treason wherein I remayning satisfied shall repute my selfe a most Fortunate woman to bee reuenged by meanes of the best knight who euer put foote in stirrop So much astonished and ranished with her great beautie was Valido that hardly could be answere one only word neuer fearing to be accounted lumpish and of small discretion he hazarâ—â—d to breake silence in this manner Madame sore shuld the heauens punish mee and Fortune should shew hir selfe too too mutinous against mee if séeing so rare and perfect a Paragon as is your personage I should not employ my body and soule to their vtter mostâ— to reuenge you of the wrongs which are offered you for that hee should be very blinde and deuoide of naturall reason who hauing once séene your selfe if he shuld not iudge you vnworthie of aduersitie and for
to the whole stocke of mine ancestors The king hauing giuen good eare to the spéeche of the Lady perceiued the Knight whome she brought thether came to defend her in a good and iust combate if she should stand in néede and forasmuch as he knew the braue and valiant Knights by their countenance this séemed vnto him a very resolute and sufficient man to maintaine her quarrell which was not grounded of her part vpon any light occasion by reason wherof he some what repented himselfe in that he had caused her to be summoned vpō that businesse albeit to sée what the Knight would say be made her this answer Lady it néedeth not too many words to you determine you to render into my hands speedily your towne or else I will send to surprize it by force and will giue you no other recompence but that peraduenture which your Sonne hath inherited from his father which is to be a disloyall traitor to his King O immortall God then exclaimed the Lady what is that which these mine eares haue now heard Surely sir you may do and say of vs your pleasure because you are our Prince and liege Soueraigne but if I were as good a Knight as I am a woman I would make good against the hardiest Knight of your Court that my deceased husband neuer committed any treason in his life Moreouer if my Sonne be wrongfully depriued of the citie which by hereditary succession appertaineth vnto him we shall haue force and not iustice offered vnto vs. I will do iustice and that which I ought to do replyed he and I will sée who will contradict me therein Then Prince Edward who had hetherto remained silent without any worde speaking aduanced himselfe towards the King saying I cannot sufficiently maruell of you O King of Hungarie hauing heard heretofore the renown of your valiant and maruellous feates of armes blowne abroade into the world with perpetuall fame and praise that yée will now vpon so small an occasion obscure and dim it For vnderstanding well the discourse of this affaire it séemeth to me that rather vpon some malice and grudge which you may haue conceiued against this Lady than otherwise vpon any iust and apparant reason you will put her from her owne good In so much that I must of fauour intreat you that you will not suffer your selfe to be caried away with enuy nor be blinded by couetousnesse séeing she will sweare vnto you to be for euer hereafter your loyall vassaile as heretofore she hath euer béene and to keepe so strong a guarde within Arriace that you shall not néede to trouble your selfe but remaine content in assurance of all tranquillitie and peace so that if you refuse this reasonable condition which she offereth you I shall be constrained to say you do her wrong with intention to make it good by single combate against whomsoeuer would maintaine the contrary Belcar who was of great courage standing then vp with many other Lords who were present answered him as it were in chollar Knight you come very presumptuous and arrogant into this place not respecting in what manner yee speake before a King whome I suppose you gesse hath no children néere him who dare quallifie your pride you shall not be denied the combate if you so faine desire it and the Lady shall sustaine more dammage in this her comming with you in her company for your sake than she shall get profit I know not who you are replyed the Prince who giue so discurteous language vnto Gentlemen being strangers vnto whom ye ought to hearken attentiuely in their demaunds Indéede I heard before I came into this Country that the King was both valiant and actiue in feats of Armes whome his sonnes did second and imitate very néere Nor was I ignorant he had many other braue Knights in his Court which notwithstanding could not debarre me from vndertaking willingly the protection and defence of this Lady so that if yée will vpon her quarrell enter the combat with me I am ready to goe into the field vpon condition if you be by me vanquished the King shall neuer lay further claime to the Lady nor to none of hers for the Citty of Arriace Belcar accepted with a very good will the battell vppon the same condition and gaue him to vnderstande who hee was Whereat the Knight of the Dogge was most glad For all this the King would not hazard his sonne to perrill of death but commaunding him to sit downe againe in his place tolde them he would in no wise accord vnto this battell because hee was already resolued to doo that which the Ladyes Knight had entreated him too remembring himselfe what occurrences he had passed in seeking strange aduentures So that Belcar hauing seated himselfe againe in a great chafe the King turned himselfe towardes Prince Edward with this language Gentleman for your sake haue I released the towne of Arriace vnto this Lady conditionally she shall sweare to kéepe it safe with sufficient gartisons of Soldiours able to defend it that neither shée nor her sonne shall hereafter bee rebels to my Crowne and that you shall doo one pleasure for mee beside Most willing will I employ my selfe in whatsoeuer it shall please you to commaund me replyed the Prince so it bee not to reueale my name otherwise reputing the grace and fauour that you haue shewed to this Lady as if I had receiued it my selfe Then directing his spéech to the Lady bee willed her to kisse the Kings hand the Amstants who saw how secrete hée kept himselfe not bowing to doo the like they preshmed hée was some Knight descended of high Parentage In the meane time Belcar and the Englishman were in some contention but the Quéene who tooke pitty of the Lady of Arriaces teares besought the King not to procure the death of her sonne by this mean so that for many respects he gaue the Lady her content who sware solenmely vnto him to obserue all that hée propounded to her faithfully and to sende him also her sonne vnto his house to be brought vp to serue his Maiesty King Frisol requested the Knight to soiourne in his Court vntill the next sunday to shewe him some Chiualries in a Tourney which should be held there whereunto he answered he would willingly abide with him albeit he had great affayres to doo in another place And hereupon the King commaunding they should goe to disarme him in some good chamber of the Castel the Knight thanked him greatly for that curtesie excusing himselfe that he would not leane the Lady of Arriace Whervpon the King commaunded his Harbingers to sée them very well lodged without his Pallace Euery body stood gazing vpon Maiortes the Dogge which Clawdius lead in a Lease maruelling much at his height and goodly proportion amongst whom wer many which did much desire to haue him and aboue all there was the Earle of Oregua agreat hunter and chacer in Forrests rauished to enioy him Wherefore reputing himselfe
before day which displeased Rifarano verie much for that hee could not take his leaue of the Emperour nor of Palmendos whom he destred to sée aboue all other Wherefore calling to him the Squire of the Countesse who followed him hee commaunded him before his departure from thence he should present himselfe before the Emperour and to tell him that Rifarano recommended himselfe most humbly to the good grace of his Maiestie beseeching him of excuse if he could not come him selfe to doe the message for that by reason of some businesse which was of great importance he was coniured to depart in all haste to the end to arriue with more spâ—d in Germanie and that he would ere long returne to make amends by his humble seruice for the Honour which he had receaued in his Court Then giuing him manie rich presents as well for himselfe as his Mistris commaunded him assoone as hee had discharged his dutie towardes the Emperour he should returne to hir strait to pray her learn him shee should not thinke amisse of him if during his aboue with her he neuer told her the name of his house and linage For which he would come to make amends hauing remayned some few daies in Almaine whether he was going with Ledefin to sée the Emperour Trineus his Father and that in the meane time she should make account of him as of the most affectionate seruant shee might finde in the vniuersall world After these spéeches the Pilot began to cut with his ship the spacious pliane of salt waters leauing vppon the shore the Squire verie pensiue and sorrowfull to abandon thus his Master but after he had called his courage to him he went to do his embassage to Palmendos and the Emperour who was wil sorrie for his secret departure because he would soone haue sent Rifarano home to his Father wish more honour The Countesse of Islande vnderstanding by her Squier that her Paramour was an Infidell and had nâ—â—eadie taken his way towards Germanie shee had almost 〈◊〉 for sorrow So that tooing afterwardes some â—â—llere pennance for her offence after the end of nine Moneths shee brought into this world a goodlie Sonne who inherited the â—arâ—â—dome of Island after the discease of his mother and following military Discipline did atchieue 〈◊〉 many strange thinges in Fraunce whether he went to sée his Father who was Duke of Burgundie as you shall vnderstand by the discourse of our Historie With this Childe the Countesse tooke so great comfort that by little and little she forgot the loue of Rifarano whom ' wee will nowe come to finde making saile in the Adrâ—aticke Sea where he had so happie Nauigation that within fewe daies hee came vppon the coast of Germanie and casting his ankers in a Porte foure dayes iourney distant â—â—om the Emperour Trineus Court they went thither in compleate armes except the head In breefe béeing arriued at the Pallace Rifarano sell on his knées before his Father demaunding his hande to kisse it The good Prince Trineus who vnderstoode long time before by letters from the Emperour of Greece of his Sonnes arriuall in Constantinople which hee then presentlie imparted to the Empresse his wife who greatly desired to knowe what they were séeing these two strange Knightes mistrusted lest the one should be him whereof serued for a good testimonie the gladnesse which hee shewed in his heart when he saide Sir Knight to giue you my hand I may not willingly consent before I knowe who you are My Lorde replyed hee againe in places where I am knowne they call mee Rifarano and this my companicâ— â—echefin Sonne to the Solton of Persia and to 〈◊〉 most affectionate friends O then you are thrice welcome quoth the Emperour into the place where your arriuall ouercommeth mee with gladnes So said he embracing them hauing for very â—ole so râ—re the teares in his eyes that he could hardly abstaine but some one did fall to the ground when he began thus Ah! my sonne happie may I thinke the perill and danger I past to be get you séeing that I see you no 〈◊〉 proued such fruite of my labour that all my life I shall for my part praise God for so great a grace but how could you stay so long away before you would come to see me considering your valour and Chiualrie did much increase my desire thereunto â— Alas It was the heauen which beeing enâ—â—ous and iealous of my blisse could not permit me to enioy your presence Hauing done this speech hee welcomed verie courteouslye Lechesin in the meane time they had this honest and gratious communication came in many Nobles who vnderstood newes of Rifarano to entertaine him the most Honourablâ—â— they could So that the Emperour who knew verie well the Empresse would be most glad of this occurrence taking the two Knights the one in the right hand and the other in the left went to finde her in her Chamber saying Madame these Princes the one who is of the Soldan of Persiaes sonnes and the other ouer whom you haue absolute power to commaund come to do you their humble reuerence and to offer you their seruice in any thing whatsoeuer wherein it shall please you to employ them Then the Empresse rising from her 〈…〉 to embrace them both with great loue especially Rifarano to whome she saide My sonne I haue now good occasion to reioyce mee of your presence and to cherrish you as mine owne Childe seeing you resemble him so naturally who following his destante gaue you your essence among men whome I loue aboue mine owne person with zeale so entire and perfect that it extendeth and redoundeth far ouer yours Madame quoth Rifarano nature hath so fullie accomplished you with all vertues that there can procéed from you nothing but a sincere good will for which I thanke you most humblie in mine owne behalfe albeit it much surpasseth my little merite which shall cause me to put this kindnes into the number of manie others which you haue so well heaped on mee that all my life I shall finde my selfe much boundeâ— vnto you Then bee kist her hand with the honour and reuerence which appertaineth to so high a Ladie and next did embrace Vernan her eldest sonne a Prince surely carefullie instituted in good manners and vertuous education which well hee could shew by the gentle entertainment he made him in recognisance of this new fraternitie albeit he were verie young of yeares Hee held the second place of thrée male Children and of two female which they had at one birth whereof the first liued not long because this was not in age marriageable the alliance of the houses of Almaine with that of Constantinople could not be redoubled giuing him to Philocrista whome the Prince of Fraunce had neuer other wise espoused their eldest Daughter of the age of fourtéene called Bellerisa was verie faâ—re yet not so faire as the younger But the Emperour caused the two Knights to bee disarmed and
had taken hir to wife By meanes wherof knowing there was no better nor more expedient remedie to see her and speake often with her he contracted great amitie with the Duke her husband giuing him to vnderstand he wold be verie glad to espouse his youngest daughter comming once to age it hee might please to bestow her on him in mariage The Duke who smelt his subtilty a little would haue willingly debarred him from his house had it not bin for the scandall which he feared and on the other side the Duchesse who being put to choice would not refuse the yong and vigorous Champion to take an old and decrepit man to her Husband seeing him so passionate as he was albeit she being married before could no lesse gratefie him but must by iust and reasonable guerdon loue him againe with the like which neuerthelesse shee dissembled bidding him manie times not to torment him selfe for her and not to feede his vaine hope which in the ende would deceaue him for it would not haue so good successe as he expected Notwithstanding shee could neuer disswade him from his purpose but resting to the auncient Prouerbe which saith thus All paine deserueth recompence resolued him self that if not verie quickly yet at the lenght hee might gather some fruite of his sweet Ladie which did not frustrate him by some coniecture which he had seene after for that hee hearing hee say shee would goe willingly to see the Triumphs which were to be held at the mariage of Philocrista at Constantinople he purposed to shew her some pastime to the ende to dissware her from that affection and to this end complotted with a Brother and cosen Germaine of his to gard a passage in the wide field before the Citty where the Duke was resident alwaies This Dirdan then hauing vpon this occasion obtayned lycence of him who at the instant prayers of his wife daughters sometime did walke into the plaine began to defend thy passage wherein he gat honor be seeming a good knight 〈…〉 himselfe before her who augmented the forces of his body by the one halfe whose iudgement in his fauour hee estéemed more than that of all the rest of the spectators who held all no other than a good opinion of his deedes so that he loued him more than before But Belcar and his companions passing by the Cittie of this Duke knowing nothing of the Iouste Tyrendos who rode before the other somewhat pensiue looked not abent till he saw a Squier verie nere him who beganne to charge him that he should not passe anie further Wherefore quoth Tyrendos For that replyed hee if you goe on still forward you must Iouste against a knight who will easilie lay you along from your Horse so that by this meane you shall be forced to leaue him behinde because here is established such a law and when peraduenture you should dismount him yet must you encounter two other hardie Knightes therefore you thrust your selfe into great danger For all this quoth Tyrendos I will not ride a steppe out of my way and dashing on he saw the Tents of the Knight also of the Duke who was in them with his wife and his daughters to see the Iouste that day Dirdan who saw him come a farre off stood still minding to giue him the shock and the branado and when hee perceaued him to be â—ere he called vnto him Ho Knight seeing you will passe 〈◊〉 you must Iouste with me for vppon such paste keepe I this strait Seigneur defendant answered Tyrendos nothing but the desire I had to breake a launce with you caused mee to passe this way Assoone as he had said they came so violently to encounter that Dirdan breaking his staff in a thousand shiâ—ers and giuing the Assailant a little wound to the ground fell hee strait where by the grieuous and lourish fall hee had hee sound himselfe frushed with his Harnesse By reason whereof Tyrendos taking his horse by the Bridle saide verie lawde This horse appertaineth to me by reason of his encounter those who were present much marueiled principally the brother of Dirdan who chasing monstrously saide as hee was mounting his horse Knight thinke not to haue done for you must I cust with me who will make you pay dearely for the misadâ—enture of my brother Well may you replied Tyrendos séeke the same if if please the diuine bountie but to sauour mee As he had done this spéech hee gaue into Belcars hand the horse of the vanquished Knight who arriued thether during their altercation ' maruellous apaide seeing his companion be haue him selfe liken valiant and hardie Knight Then running one at another with a right carriere Tirendos sent his Assailant topâ—â—turlie with a vengeaunce ouer his horse taile whose staffe by mishap ranne into his horse head whereby he presently died betwéene his legges which constrayned ryrendos to leape strait out of the saddle to mount vp with a trice vppon him which Belcar held by the 〈◊〉 which the brother of the two vanquished Knights â—â—ing â—an furiously vpon him to charge him in a great rage saying they would die in the place or bee reuenged of them â—or thâ—â— misfortune but it was not long before hee went to kéepe them companie vpon the gréene grasse which was died red with their owne blood in manie places This made the Duchesse then call to minde the Metamorphests of Hyacinthâ—s Recindes and Belcar to receaue great ioy in their spirits Tyrendos then sent by a Page the two Horses of the vanquished to the Duke who was marueilous glad of the Manour that Dirdan lost in the Ionste and the Knight who had vanquisht him séeming to him no lesse coâ—â—tentis and 〈◊〉 than valerous and magnaniunous hee roâ—e out of his Chairs to entertaine him and his companions 〈◊〉 them to refresh themselues in his house By 〈◊〉 wherof when the Duke Duchesse and all the rest were mounted on Horsebacke they rode straite to the Castell where the Duke â—â—â—â—â—maunded that the Knights were quickly disarmed and 〈…〉 that they should with all spéede dresse Tyrendos wounde to whome euerie one did great honour for albeit they knewe his companiens to be verie vertuous beautifull and better proportioned of their persons yet for some respect they did esteeme and presume more of Tyrendos Then supper time approching the Duke commanded they should couer in a pleasant and delicious garden which ioyned hard to the Castell where they were verie honourably serued with diuers dishes of most exquisite and rare viandes and after the repast was taken the Duchesse with her daughters came in singing and playing vpon â—arps Uâ—ols and Lutes with so excellent a grace that to beare the swéet harmonie which resounded as well from their corall mouthes as their cunning touchings with their white and delicate hands playing vpon those lericall instruments the Assistances thought them selues in the Elisâ—an fieldes amonge the nine Muses Apollo and all the rest of the muste all
Seigneur Which beeing well wayed by Alegon was somewhat afraide perswading himselfe it were better to ende that quarrell there than before the Emperour resolued to sally out to Combat him which hee did after hee had well harnessed himselfe with Armes and a good Courser telling his enemie hee made little esteeme of his braues were hee the most redoubted Knight of the Emperour Palmeâ—ius Court Uppon this contention they comming to encounter with a marueylous furie Alegon mist his blowe but Tyrendos pearcing his shield and his â—uy race thrust the pointe of his Launce so far into his breast that he ouerturned him shrewdly wounded to the ground whence the wretch could not so soone rise vp againe but Tyrendos who leapt nimbly from his Horse was at his backe to cut a two quickly the laces of his helmetâ— then setting the point of his sword at his throat saide Thou art dead Alegon if thou causest not presently come hether the Knight with his Armes and Horse which thou holdest wrongfully in prison Gentle Knight cried the vanquished for Gods sake saue my life and I will obey you willingly in what soeuer your pleasure is Then he commaunded his people to fetch the prisoner quickly with all his millitarie equipage so that the Gayler hauing set him at libertie it was not longe before he appeared in the place whereof Tyrendos was glad without measure when he asked him whether hee were him for whome he had Combated I am the man quoth he who will serue you as long as my soule shall dwell within my body which you haue so well reléeued now And as hee had said Tyrendos put vp his sword into his sheath then mounting all three to horse he said to Velican so was the rescued Knight named these wordes Let vs nowe Brother depart this place where I beléeue this false and cruell Tyrant will not commit hereafter so many mischéefes as he hath done heretofore which was most true for his seruants hauing brought him home to his chamber and disarmed to visite him they founde his wound so great and dangerous that he liued but thrée daies afterward and in the meane time Tyrendos Velican and his Mother arriued in her Castell which was a delight full and pleasant house within terme mile of the Cittie where the Duchesse of Bort dwelled But this Damsell shewed such kinde of cherrishing to her Sonne that it were impossible to write them thanking many times the Knight who had rescued him who hauing his spirites occupied in nothing but vppon the Duchesse tooke this Damsell a parte to discouer likewise to her his passion praying her to goe make his excuse to the Duke if hee could not returne onto his house as hee promised him at his departure for that vppon some sodaine newes which were brought him he was faine to make in all haste a voiage to Constantinople Moreeuer prayed her to talke secretely with his wife to know her intention concerning the conserence betwéene them in taking their plot touching the future accident of this occurrence and that in any wise hee would â—â—ay for her answere in that place where he would sollace himselfe vntill shée should doo him that fauour The Damosell assured him to employ her selfe in this so dangerous a message albeit she were certaine to loose her life finding her selfe too much bounden and behelding to him to refuse any thing which he would command or desire by means whereof taking her sonne with her they went strait to the Dukes house who entertained them very amiably enquiring himselfe what was become of the Knight and of the issue of his promise The which Velican told him from print to point and after that which Tirendos would haue saide from him whereat the good Seigneur was not a little displeased for hee woulde willingly haue séene him yet once more in his Castle as being the man whom hee estéemed more than any other Knight of the Countries adioyning to his Duchy But the Lady and her sonne aduertising him that they resolued from thenceforth to liue vnder the protection of his seruice for the little assurance they had else-where because of Alegons kindred whom they feared as death The Duke for fully welcommed the Knight Velican and the Duchesse entertained his mother for one of her Ladies of honour and had a singular pleasure in hearing her recount how Tirendos her loyall Louer vanquished so easily Alegon the murtherer When the Damsell afterward spied a sit time for their purpose she imparted to her the principall point of her secrete Embassage Whereuppon the Duchesse who loued him as her owne soule beganne to make this sodainâ— aunswere Alas deare sister the great valcâ—r and prowesse of Tirendos maketh me commit this errour against the Duke my husband for since I first sâ—we him my heart felt it selfe wounded and inflamed with his loue that it is impossible for me to endure any longer in this ardent flame which bath almost dried me vp and no good humor in me Madame quoth the Damosell it was well foreséene of you to fire your amorous fancie vpon so braue a Knight of whom I can well assure you for the small time I haue frequented him in a better place could you not haue bestowed it and furelie the Seigneur Tyrendos meriteth such reciprocation were it but for the extreame desire he hath to make you know how his deuotion towards you surpasseth that of the most affectionate seruitor of Cupid So cunningly knewe the Damosell to vse her eloquence with the good will that the Duchesse bore the Knight that falling from one matter to another they concluded so soone as it was 〈◊〉 Velican should goe secretly to fetch and conduct him to the dore of a Garden which ioyned fast vpon the Dutchesss lodging by which way hee might easily enter into her Chamber and remaine there hidden as long as they thought good For that the Duchesse had two or thrée fatre Cabinets into which neuer any entred but herselfe in one wherof she made account to kéepe Tyrendos as long as â—he could This determination quickly sorted to effect for Tyrendos pricked forward with such desire as euery one may 〈…〉 an houre before day to the Garden doore where attended for him the Damosell who conueyed him afterward into the chamber of the Duchesse whom hee kist many times swéetly as soone as he was arriued saying Now can I say I haue attayned the height of the blis which loue prepareth for his fauourites and I cannot imagine Madame how I may euer recompence the curtesie and fauour you shew me in receauing me for your seruant If it be not to offer you the sincere and incorruptible affection that I haue to continue your perpetuall â—laue Ten thousand thankes for your good will answered the Duchesse neuerthelesse if you sée now a poore and simple louer forget so much her chastitie as to deâ—â—le her mariage bed I beséech you not to aâ—â—gne the fault vnto me vnfortunate and desolute woman but referre the
creature as he saw her painted coloured in that place that from thenceforth he fell into a more vehement alteration For that the little 〈…〉 who lay in ambush for him during this his contemplation shot off out of his Quâ—uer so sharpe and piercing an Arrowe against him that wounding him to the heart this wounde caused him so strange a Passion that for to finde remedy for it hee purposed to seeke all meanes which might take away his paine and to eschewe no trauell whatsoeuer in gaing to that place where he thought he might recouer her The Prince then considering that to purchase this Lady he must needes combat with Primaleon thought he should commit too sowle an ouersight seeing the amity so long continued betweene their Fathers Neuerthelesse for all that hee thought with himselfe he should not surcease Palmerin hauing heretofore taken away by force from his Grandfathers house the Princesse Agriola his Aunt and that vnder the pretext of reuenging that iniury after the example of the taire Troian who insteede of Hesione his Aunt stole away the wife of King Meuelaus in Greece hee had good occasion to goe to combat the Constantino Politane Uppon this conflict of opinions which came to trouble his minde hee cast himselfe vppon a bed where sighing without ceasing he thus complained to himselfe Alasse Gridonia how much had it beene better for the ease of mine afflicted heart neuer to haue heard thee named nor seene the Pourtrait of thy face before my eyes whose sight hath into small time penetrated so deepe into my breast and weakened my members in such sort that they cannot well preuaile to perfourme the onely of their office Wherein if by the onely obiect of thy 〈◊〉 I feele to exceeding torment what will it then doo when I shall indéede see the naturall and liuely composition of such a pierelesse Paragon of Nature Ah! it is expedient for all that that I put my selfe in search to finde thee out to the ende that in seeing thee in deed I may giue some refrigeration to this my burning and newe flame For if the sauage and inhumane creatures forgetting their fiercenes yeelde themselues so meeke and gentle in thy presence what shall hee doe who hath some knowledge of humane reason Certes albeit I were sure to end my life yet must I employ for thy sake my person with all the goods and estates that God hath giuenâ—nes seeing thou art so worthie a creature which I thinke the heauen hath reuealed vnto mee as it were by a fatall oracle to the end that thou shouldest bée mine and I shine perpetually To atchieue vnto which point I promise thee to refuse no aduenture nor perillons attempt which may present it selfe to make mee refuse it Considering that by how much more Knights are issued of noble blood and illusterous linage by somuch more it behooueth them to enterprsse more generous and heroicall actes And to this may inuite thee the example of Arnedes Prince of Fraunce who for the loue of Philocrista Daughter to the Emperour of Constantinople departed from his Fathers Kingdome and in like manner Recindes Prince of Spaine for Melissa the King of Hungaries Daughter I then beeing of no lesse house than the one or the other of these two Princes my neighbours it behooueth mee to followe their steppes in the like enterprise So long time was the spirite of this yong Knight so occupied in making such like discourses that beeing not able to forbeare hee lost not onelie all appetite to eate and desire to sleepe but also therewithall all pleasure of hunting wherin hee had so much delighted before In such sorte that hauing none occasion neyther to heare no to see any recreation hee shunned the companie of those whome hee knewe desierous to bee neare him to make him merrie and pleasant One onely content hee enioyed during these his anguishes which was to finde himselfe before the Image of Gridonia whose infinite beautie so rauished the vigilance of his eyes that it did constraine his tongue to reason with it euen as if he had beene hard by her proper person beeing otherwise neuer satisfied to deuise with the painter of the graces of this Princesse It chances vpon a day that being wearied with this storme and wauering of minde he went forth into a wood which ioyned hard vppon the ditches of his Pallace where hee passed the greatest parte of the time of his passion without taking with him any other weapons but his rapiâ—r by his side So that walking vp and downe he sate him downe vnder abroad and thicke beech trée to discourse as his fancie shewed him of some thinges which might giue him some contentment And after hee had long time mused with himselfe bethinking by what meanes hee might best goe see Gridonia bee fast vp his eyes which he had before fired on the ground as it falleth out manie times to a man that is perplexed irresolute in minde to doe Wherby he espied neare him a wood man who would binde a burden of wood together in a little string so that beeing vexed with some thing els and to see him loose his time be said So God helpe me villaine I perceaue it procéedeth of thy great blockishnes or froward nature that thou dost labour in vaine after this impossibilitie whereuppon it séemeth to me that thou shouldest leaue the wood behinde or els if thou wilt carrie it away to haue a longer corde to binde it withall The pesant who heard himselfe miscalled turning himselfe and looking behinde him answered Prince Edward thou dost behold verie neare my follie who canst not take béede of thine owne which toucheth thee a little nearer I tell thee that euen as thou seest me looke my labour in binding this burden of stickes euen so iust shall it fall out with you in all the trauailes that you shall vndertake for her who reserueth her selfe for a better knight than you When the prince heard these spéeches setting hand to his sword he can incontinent after this wisard saying in a great cage In an euill houre for thy part great clowne caâ—â—st thou euer to publish so neare me so soule a lie For that in the circuite of the rounde world is there no Prince who doth deserue her better than myselfe who loue her so perfectly that no liuing creature is able to attaine to the height of my loue The woodman who heard him speake in such a rage ranye away as fast as hee could through the woods and Prince Edward after him with spéede Notwithstanding hee was not farre gone before an Armed knight came right vppon him being mounted vppon a verie lustie and braue Horse saying vnto him thus Gentleman let the villaine goe otherwise you are but a dead man Rather shall thou loose thy life answered the English man than I will not be reuenged of him who hath iniured mee thus villanouslie Now aduise thy selfe if thou wilt defend him Yes indéede replyed the Knight and yet
woulde come thither ere it were long to marrie her In the meane time her Aunt went to speake with the Duke her Brother with whome after shée had giuen him to vnderstand that â—ot knowledge was not to 〈◊〉 to work Prince Edward to this passe she aduised him to go accompanied with twenty Knights Armed into his Daughters chamber Where sayning himselfe ignoraunt of the matter and shewing himselfe fore displeased against them hath hée should â—eaze vppon his body and put him in prison and so they might worke their matters as they lifted The Duke than putting in prâ—â—tize this stratageâ—â—e came with twenty men all in Armes who the chamber dore wherin he 〈◊〉 entred all alone 〈…〉 â—ignes of adâ—â—cation began thus to say Alas my God what a bayâ—â—â—â— case â—â— Isle Am I awake or doâ— I meaning beholde this 〈◊〉 Ah! I should haue thought to haue had a vertuous 〈◊〉 and chast â—â—â—den to my Daughter more 〈…〉 than any other in these Northen Regions and 〈…〉 I trustrated of mine opinion for I sée before mine owne eyes she is more vitious and corrupt than euer was 〈◊〉 as Messalina Truely I may well vaunt my selfe to make thâ—â— both dye in prison by the most 〈◊〉 torment that may bee 〈◊〉 séeing they haue shamefully dishonoured 〈…〉 all my posterity Enter then and come in my Knights to â—â— handâ— vppon this murthering Palliaâ—d to the ende I may know who be is and who hath counselled him to enter to râ—shly into my house for all those who are culâ—able and in any 〈◊〉 consâ—crate in this misdéede I shall make them pay deareâ—â—â— for it by a most 〈…〉 shamefullend of their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that hee â—ept out of the Chamber doore to â—et â—â— his 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 come in did nothing animâ—â—â— nor terrifâ—e the English Prince who setting band to his sword and with an inuincible 〈◊〉 putting his shield on his arme 〈◊〉 them thus Come now hardly who 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 and I shall shew him 〈…〉 from all 〈◊〉 this 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 gathâ—ring 〈…〉 〈…〉 â—et for all thâ—t 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 about him so 〈◊〉 thâ—t he 〈…〉 them all 〈◊〉 not the 〈◊〉 after gone to worke with her magicke spels as you shall heare Shée forsooth darkened all the light of the Chamber making a sulphurous and obscure ayre 〈…〉 darke than hell itselfe in stéed therof then deliuering forth the Knights with the Infant◠〈◊〉 who would willingly haue bin in his place who was dead she shut Prince Edward fast within the Chamber vntill the morrow morning when she saw seuen of the Dukes Squiers lying along on the ground one staine outright and other 〈◊〉 sore wounded Now could not the Duke tell what it were best to doo with him because if he should deliuer him it séemed to him but to hasten too shamefull a death for himselfe and if hee should kéepe him any longer in his house it should but encourage him to forethinke all meanes to put him to more cruell torment so that he passed the night in this conflict vntil the morrow morning when an auntient Knight reprehending him sharpely because he suffered himselfe to be gouerned by women counselled him to cause Prince Edward to bee secretly conuayed out of his house by the same Damosell which giuded him thither The Duke who liked well of this aduise caused the Damosell who had béene the messenger to come before him vnto whom after he had shewed some signes of great heauines his made this spéech It grieueth me much that my sisters pretence hath not sorted to so good effect as she expected and for so much as you are the cause hauing conducted the Knight into the aduenture of the Cloyster where hee hath conquered such a it well which safe-gardeth him from all her enchauntments néeds must you your selfe get him by subtle meanes from hence saying you onely haue meanes so saue his life and for you should thinke your selfe greatly culpable of his death if it should chaunce to happen vpon the assurance which you gaue him bringing him into my house you will willingly set him frée from hence into the fields if hee will promise you neuer to séeke any reuenge of the Duke nor of any of his family Hereunto willingly condescended the Damosell when departing from the Duke troubling like an Daken lease shee came to the Chamber where Prince Edward was who studied already how he might breake open the doore to sackage them who would come against him Shée prostrating her selfe before him with the teares in her eyes beginneth thus the â—enour of her words Fayre Prince great is the occasion which I haue nowe to complaine of fortune for I hauing brought yâ—u into this house vnder a protext of the extreame loue which my Mistris beareth you they haâ—e deuised a spéedy and most shamefull death for vs all thrée for you especially whome the Duke hath surprised with his Daughter whom albeit he should pardon the vainousnes of the case which hee supposeth falsely to haue béene aâ—â—â—â—knowing you should 〈…〉 will 〈◊〉 ther owne bosome with some sword or 〈…〉 some nowe kinde of death as did â—ortia the Daughter of Cato where shée heard of the death of her husband Brutus As forme you may well thinke my Lord the Duke 〈◊〉 of the sourâ—â— of this occurrence as he beginneth already to doo most tractly finding out at last my priuy practiâ—es which I protest before God I neuer went about to carry to any euill end I shall be most sharpely punished of vs all thrée Neuertheles yet iâ— I dye will I not surcease as being the person of this Trinity which know I haue best deserued as wel I know I must die for it to employ my self in some subtle inuentions to make vs escape this imminent perrill so that ye will aâ—â—are mee neuer to séeke any reuenge for the offence which hath béene offered you in this place Wherefore I beséch you fayre Lord most humbly to graunt me generall remission to the ende that declaring it to the Duke at the article of my death hee may bée moued to compassion to pardon me also himselfe and this is the meanes whereby wee may peraduenture saue our liues from the mortall punishment which they prepare for vs euery day So well knew the Damsell to colour her spéeches that she wone the mercy of the Prince who answered her thus Fayre maiden for the loue of Rene who surely meriteth much more at my handes I haue willingly pardoned this iniurie to the Duke and to all his familie albeit it is one the most vilest touch and outrage which might bee offered to any Knight And albeit the death which they determine to make vs die be horrible and cruell yet I shoulde take mine in very good part if I might execute vpon those vaâ—less who woulde lay hands on me such a massacre as they deserue Neuerthelesse séeing the occasion presents it selfe to auoyd this scandall I am content to followe it so that no greater dammage may
ensue Ah my Lord replied the Damsell I giue you leaue to shew your surie on me the very first of all if euer I bring you into any further perrill with that shee kist his hande and letting him forth by the same doore hee came in at shee conducted him to the Hermitage where taking leaue one of another the Knight tooke his way toward the Cloister being most ioyfull of the vertue of his sword which he had purchased there but very sorrowfull and pensiue for the wordes which the Dukes sister told him which hee also saw so haue some relation to the Presage of the figures painted vpon his shield Afterwardes beeing arriued at the Abbey after the entertaimnents and welcommings accustomed taking the two Knights whom he had deliuered along with him in company he returned strait vnto the Court of the King his father who for that hee could heare no newes of him was in great heauines and melancholly the which at his arriuall was all changed into extreame ioy and gladnes when embracing him hâ—â— thus began to welcome him My deare sonne I cannot sufficiently woonder how ye departed without making me any thing at all priuy to your intent My Lord and father answered the young Prince I beséech you to pardon me for so much as I was forced sore against my will so to doo and then hee recounted vnto him the brauadâ— of the Damsell in the woode who carried him afterwards to prooue his valour in the aduenture of the Numâ—ey where hee deliuered also these two with the whole discourse of their History Whereat all those who heard him wondred greatly and espeacially the King his father who beeing filled with an vnspeakeable ioy welcommed them in the best manner vnto his Court and with kinde spéeches embraced them whereby they thanking him in most humble manner bowed themselues verie low to kisse his hand so that after this Royall entertainment they had great honor done them by al those of the Court who could not be satisfied with beholding them but did extoll vnto the heauens the inuincible valour of their deliuerer The Duke of North-Wales the verse same who was at that time Successor to their Father came to visite them as his néerest kinsmen with many other Knights and Lordes of his blood whereof they were wonderfull ioyfull especially to see themselues in the place where they were brought vp in theyr tender age and yet not knowing any one body of all those whome they beheld there And after they had made some abode in this Court for the loue of the King and of Prince Edward his Sonne so soone as he departed they went their waies also to yeeld themselues religious men within the Monastery of the Caue where they vowed the small residue of their liues vnto the seruice of God The King and all the great Lordes of his Court beheld with much admiration the rich sworde and all the rest of the Princes Armes estéeming the knowledge of the auncient Duke of Borsa to be most wonderfull who had â—â—â—ented so cunning matters in his house where to returne to the Infant Rene after shee saw her hope desperate shee besought her Father to make her a Nunne in the Monastery which had béene cause of her disafter protesting neuer to loue any other Knight but he Whereunto her Father easily condescended because this Ahbie was within the Country vnder his obedience and long since founded by his auncestors In this place the Damsell liuing at her great case felt cuerie day more and more some accesse of the languishing passion which shée indured for her deare and perpetuall friend Prince Edward who after hee was Crowned King of England knowing of the austere life she lead after his refusall came to see her as farre as the Connent was from him where hee bestowed great riches on it for the loue of her and of the Abbesse who by meanes of his sword which he left there remembred his promise The English Prince then being greatly estéemed of his father and of all the Lordes and Barrons of his Realme hée made small account of that reputation for that his spirit was rather occupied to séeke out the meanes how hée might secretly depart to goe followe straunge aduentures by the which hee might finde out her whom hee loued more entirely than himselfe In the meane time hee tooke his chiefest delight to visite many times her image and representation vnto the which hée discoursed and recounted the extreame affection be bare her as if he had beene in presence of the liuing creature and by this meane tooke he some comfort when vppon a day fortune presented before his eyes a fit opportunity to depart and to goe into any part of the world whether so euer he desired which was in this manner When he was walking vpon the bankes of the Thames mere London be spied a vessell laden with merchandize ariue which a rich Merchant of Hungarie accompanied with diuers others had laden together to sell and to traâ—sique by whom vnderstanding whence the ship was for he knew long before howe the Duchy of Ormeda bordered vpon the kingdome of Hungarie aduised himselfe that hee might secretely depart with this ship when it should bee ready to set sayle towards the North. By this occasion beeing returned into his Chamber purposing to get his equipage in a readines calleth aside a Page of his who was very faithfull named Clawde of whom hee demaunded if hee knewe not the Master of the shippe with whom he had spoken Who made answere he did then hée tolde him further howe hee must néedes make a voyage into Hungarie and to Constantinople about matters of great importance And because this shippe sayled directly into those Countries hée commaunded him to certefie the Pilot how a Knight who desired to passe into Hungarie would giue him willingly what he would demaund if hee would spéedily make for those parts The Prince made no creature priuy to his departure for that he meant to carry no more company along with him but his man Clawde only and Maiortes for to make him pastime by the way Claudius hauing thoroughly vnderstood his Masters mind went incontinent strait to the Hauen where hee concluded with the Master for the time of their embarkement and deliuering him a good summe of money to prouide necessary furnitures returned backe to his Lord and told him all who was very ioyfull of this opportunity And as secretly as hee could by night time be caused his Armes to be carried a boorde the shippe with such sea prouisions as were necessary for this voyage and after that the Merchant had made good trafficke of all his merchandize Prince Edward embarked himselfe with his man Clawde and his Dogge Maiortes onely The King and the Quéene missing Prince Edward at his vprising as he was accustomed to salute them were in great he aâ—nes for him and yet supposing he had but absented himselfe from the Court for a while they comforted themselues herein
hands of any Knight who were issued out of that so noble and generous race of Palmerin de Oliua Notwithstanding séeing without doubt it is an inâ—uitable extremity I must patiently yéeld my selfe his humble captiue beséeching God I may finde so much curtesse in him as once did my mother in the like accident receaue of the so redoubted Prince Palmerin de Oliua Prince Edward afterwardes hauing vnderstoode by the More the interpretation which the Infant had accompanied with so heauy a sigh he would take the charge of her himselfe saying to the Master of the shippe that of all the booty they had taken he demanded nothing els for his share but this Damsell So Prince Edward lead away into his Chamber the Princesse Zerphira with fower of her principall Damsels onely who carryed with them theyr rings and iewels giuing the rest of the pillage to the Merchant and his companions then procéeding in theyr voyage the Knight called to minde how there were diuers Christians within his shippe who did him seruice with great reuerence whereupon mistrusting lest they should know him he tooke aside a little the Master of the Shippe saying thus vnto him my friend I perceaue you know who I am whereby men may thinke great simplicity in me to conceale my selfe hereafter Understand therefore that I departed out of the King my fathers Court with an vnspeakable desire to come to sée as well the good Knights which are in the Court of King Frisol as also in that of the Emperour of Constantinople therefore I must request you not to manifest mee to any one considering that what I doo now is but for some good respect And â—o the ende wee may auoyde the inconuenience which might ensue by the enquiry made of mée you shall doo mee hereafter the least honour you can reputing me but for a simple and poore wandring Knight whom you shall call the Knight of the Dogge and say I am of some farre Nation to you vnknowne who wandring thorough the world to séeke strange aduentures and arriuing at the King of Englands Court soiourned there a while with Prince Edward his sonne with whome I was so well acquainted that he would haue kept me there a long time with him whereby it procéedeth that I can better speake that language than any other yea than mine owne naturall tongue And if yee doo so and God giue mee grace to liue the age of a man I will reward you so that you shall thinke it a blessed hower wherein you first met me Syr replyed the Merchant you haue already done me more grace than I shall euer bee able hereafter to deserue at your hands which may well assure you I shall neuer dare disclose you seeing the great care and dilligence you your selfe vse not to bee descried of any whatsoeuer and whereas there is others beside in this vessell who knowe you as well as I doo I will make them all come before you to the ende they may promise not to make knowne your name but when and to whom you shall please So it fell out when they arriued afterward with great gladnesse at Arriace which was the place of the birth and dwelling of the chiefe Merchant who was owner of the ship Being a Cittie verie strong and of good defence situate in the Kingdome of Hungarie on the one side confining with the Countries of the Soloan of Nicea There came they into a Hauen and for the Merchant was rich and had a faire lodging hee tooke the Knight with him into his house who would néedes bring along Zerphira with him leading hir by the arme where they were Honourably entertained by the Merchants wife who at their arriuall vnderstood secretly by meanes of her husband the discourse of this Nauigation But all those of this ship hauing purchased by the helpe of the Knight of the Dogge great riches from the Instdels the brute thereof came quickly to the eares of this Ladie who found her selfe at that instant in a wofull case because King Frisoll went about by his Soueraignâ—ty to take from her this Cittie to fortesie it as beeing the next frontier to the Mores Country And also because her deceased husband had rebelled in his tune against Netrides his Father when after the conquest of this Kingdome hee sought to inuest himselfe with the principall Citties wherein no man gaintsaide him but he onely who died in this reuolte Under this pretexte then sent King Frisoll for this Lady to come vnto him so dispossesse her of the Cittie promising neuerthelesse to recompence her in good sort But shee who had but one only Sonne as yet a tender pupill vnder age would not exchange it for any other Cittie of his Kingdome as well by reason that hers was well seated for all kinde of commodities as also for that she saw all her subiects and inhabitance growne very rich and wealthy So that this Lady had no more but eight dayes of tearme remayning when she was to appeare before the King when also Prince Edward arriued at Arriace and hauing not as yet found out any that durst appeare to answere for her so that she wared very sad beeing in perplexety knowing not howe to resolue what was best to be 〈◊〉 in this cale when she vnderstoode of the prowesse and magnanimitie of the Knight of the Dogge bruted abroad in her Cittie Whereuppon it fortuned that shee sent incontinent for the principall Merchant to come to her Castell who arriued there soone after with two handmaides of Zerphira which fell to his share whereof he made a present vnto her and declared vnto her as much as yon haue read before wherewith thee had her minde so troubled that she lost almost both her sence and reason and therefore she prayed him to moue the Knight to haue some compassion of her woefull distresse Whereuppon he protesting vnto her of a troth the great curtesie and generousnes of Prince Edward shee made no farther enquirie but beeing accompanied with the Marchant with some one of her Damsels she went presently to him and falling downe prostrate before him thus she began Braue Knight if the affliction of any poore desolate widdow hath euer found place of pittie in your noble minde I beseech you most humbly you will now vouchsafe to regard mée in the necessitie wherein I am And after shee had vnfolded the whole matter vnto him the Prince made her this aunswere Madame I am verie sorie and sore displeased at your sadnesse and cause of melancholie on the other side I am verie glad that so good an occasion doth offer it selfe now to make you knowe the desire I haue had euer since mine Infancie to helpe and succour to my small power all Ladies who would employ mee and especially those who feele themselues oppressed and destitute of aids and counsell And for this cause will I willingly present my selfe before your King making him to vnderstand that corrupting the inuiolable lawes of Iustice he
doth you wrong and great iniustice to take your Cittie away from you by force and authoritie And if there be anie Knight in his Court will maintaine the contrarie I hope by the helpe of God to make him confesse it by force of Armes Thus much hee said for that he knew before howe Belcar one of King Frisols Sonnes was lately married with Alderine the Duke of Pontus Daughter and brought away his wife into Hungarie whereupon that occasion they held great feastes and Tournies so that growing vppon this quarrell in this contention with him or with the Prince Dutreus and killing him in single combat he hoped to do acceptable seruice to his Ladie Gridonia being this house néere allied to that of Constantinople The Ladie thanking him for this honest and curteous offer tolde him that if it pleased him to bare her companie shee feared nothing and that leauing her Sonne vnder good sure garde shee purposed to depart verie soone with some number of Knights for her safer conduct Whereunto the Knight answered that he was readie at any time when so euer she pleased And therefore shee caused good order to bee taken for all thinges which might be needfull in this voyage desiring before her departure to get into her possession for the Knightes sake the Damsels of Zerphira which remayned still in the Marchants hands paying for euery one of them a reasonable ransome according to their estate All that night was Prince Edward very sad for hee could not resolue with himselfe whether he should first goe to Gridonia to present vnto her the Infant Zerphira or whether he should passe vnto Constantinople to end the Combat with Primaleon In fine after many resolutions he concluded that with himself which he put in execution very early on the morrow morning for hee came to request the Marchant his Hoast that it would please him to commaund a sonne of his called Diazan to goe doo an errand for him as farre as the Clouen-Rocke wherein he was more willingly obayed than hee coulde commaund then went he strait to the Infants chamber whome he told that he would send her to an excellent Lady who wold honour her and vse her with all humanity and hee besought her to bee willing to goe hoping to come to visit her there ere long and to bring her such newes which should giue her no occasion to repent her going thither The yong Princesse albeit this offer went néere her heart answered him neuerthelesse in this manner In good faith it is great reason sir that as your prisoner and captiue I should obay your requestes without any contradiction especially knowing they deriue from the sincere and honest amity which it pleaseth you to beare me albeit I am sure I shall neuer be able to merite it on my behalfe neuerthelesse I beseech you to cause my Damsels to be called hether vnto whome if it please you I will speake some few words before my departure most willingly will I cause it to bee done replyed the Knight So hee caused them to come into her Chamber forthwith where these young Damsels séeing their Mistres in strange manner to hate her owne life in deploring and bewayling her infortunate disaster they began altogether to make such a strange and pittifull complaint that the Knight was constrayned to separate them and soone after to send away Diazan with the Infant Zerphira towards the Castell of the Clouen-Rocke to present her to the Princesse Gridonia from a Knight vnknowne with a letter whose tenour followed in these words Prince Edwards Letter to the Princesse Gridonia TO the rarest Paragon of Princesses the Lady Gridonia the onely Phoenix of her time future Quéene of Polonia and lawfull heyre of the Duchy of Ormeda a Knight who desireth to serue her perpetually sendeth gréeting kissing with all curtesie the hand of her Excellency The perfect Idea of your neuer perishing beauty accompanied with so many other singuler gifts of grace which the celestiall prouidence doth distribute equally to diuers persons hath so dimâ—ned the cléere-séeing eyes of her burning and vnquencheable beames that the Artizan in pourtraying of his liueliest péeces helpeth himselfe with your diuine lineatures as it were beauty it selfe descended into these lower Regions to bee séene amongst vs Such an example séene with mine eyes besides the testemony of another strange accident haue as it were a fatall arrow so liuely pierced my breast that I can take no rest but in trauelling to aspire vnto that which shoulde giue mee the swéete fruition of so precious a rarenes of fortune which is onely to reuenge the death of Perrequin of Duas your Cosen vppon the false traytor and fellonious bomâ—â—â—de Primaleon of Greece Continuing which tranquâ—â—lity of spirit by traueile of my body I saylâ—d merrily towards Constantinople and for the same effect when by great fortune I met a Brigandine of Mores tossed by tempest of weather into the North sea which would haue taken me prisoner But the Soueraigne of all Gods constrayning these mine enemies to passe the edge of my sworde hath safegarded and reserued me to the end to be your comforter and the reuenger of your iust quarrell For assurance whereof in attending that happy season I send you in Hostage a Damsell issued of great parentage whom I found within the vessell of those nuscreant Mores whom so I pray you to vse and entertaine as you shall know her vertue and Princely deâ—â—anor doth deserue as well in regard of the anguish which she shall suffer perceiuing her selfe thus captiue as also in respect of the sincere and perfect amity which she will shew vnto you all her life time He who hath not his match in good will to doo your Ladiship all dutifull seruice So then departed Diazan with Zerphira and all her sewels accompanied with many Merchants who conuayed them very willingly and holding on their iourney they arriued at the Castle of the Clouen-Rocke where after they had giuen Gridonia to vnderstand that there was a Damsell which they had brought her in the behalfe of a Knight Incontinent the Draw-bridges were all let downe and the great gates set wide open Then Diazan tooke the Infant by the hand to lead her strait into the Chamber of the Princesse who séeing her so richly attyred and so curteous to doo her honour and reuerence supposed she must néeds be extracted from some high and illustrious Linage wherefore shee came to welcome and to entertaynâ— her honourably and perceiuing that the Lyon which neuer styrd from her began to fawne vpon her she said alowd Sister I cannot beléeue but that this Lyon knoweth you considering the gentle semblant and ioyfull entertainement bée sheweth you which as yet I haue neuer séene him doo to any since he was with me Zerphira vnderstood nothing shee spake but stedfastly beholding her excellent perfect beauty reputing her selfe most happy to become into the power and custody of so gentle and rare a Princesse Neuerthelesse Diazan
a hardy Knight bée determined to lay an ambush for Prince Edward to take him away by violence as you shall vnderstand But the Lady being a very ioyfull woman to sée her businesse haue so happy issue would not depart vntil the Tourney were finished which her Knight also purposed to attend who in the meane time was fore offended with himself that he combatted not Belcar because that slaying him in battell hee thought to doo great pleasure to Gridonia who hated mortally the partakers and louers of the Emperour of her capitall enemy But the King and all the Lords there present had no other talke but of him so that Belcar who felt himselfe some what displeased hearing all the praise powred vpon him saide thus much in all their hearings The houre approcheth when we shall see what hee can doo Notwithstanding I maruell much of you my Lorde looking vppon his father that you suffer your selfe so soone to be ouercome with wordes I haue done it sonne replyed the King to preuent the perill of your life hauing no better right on my side and let mee heare no more for good Knights ought to be honoured and maintained by Princes After this commaundement this pleacame no more in question but euery one prouided to make himselfe braue against the Tourney attending with an incredible desire to sir howe the Knight of the Dogge would be haue himselfe Sunday being once come the King went accompanied with his Barrons and the Quéene attended by her Ladies to the Scaffold and presently the place of the Iousts was opened where wer about two thousand Knights what on one side and other and the Duke of Borsa and the Earle of Oregua helde vppon the Courtiers side being both very valiant Champions Aâ— the first encounter many knights were séene goe to the ground then beginning to strike one vpon another â—dgeling â—â—â—â—ling and point wise making such noyse as if a Legion of Smiths had béene beating vpon their Anuiles But King Frisol looked about on euery side thinking to recognize the English Prince who hearing say that the Skirmish was already begun supposing some one or other of the Kings Sonnes would be within the lists he came thether accompanied with the xx Knights of the Ladies so that seeing the courtiers at the point of carying away the victory he purposed to reléeue the féebler side and dashing Spurres to his Horse before he brake his Launce he laide many a Knight along then setting hand to his sword he did maruelous things By this means knew him many Courtiers who came to prooue themselues against him Amongst others the Earle of Oregua comming very neere him lent him two sound blowes with his Mace for which he susteined sodaine reuenge by one blow which Prince Edward crossed him ouer his Helmet wherwith being sore hurt he fell to the ground Surely quoth the King then who beheld the coÌ„flict I perceiue now that which my heart did presage vnto me of the prowesse of the Knight of the Dog to be true things which euery one may iudge aswel as I by his honorable seats of armes which do aduance him far aboue all those of the whole troope And as he vttered these spéeches behold Belcar and his brother Ditreus who enter the lists vnknowne and for they said they would not be séene in the Tourney that day to the end to auoid asmuch as might be the clamor of the vulgar sorte assoone as the Nobility were placed vpon the Scaffolds they went secretly to arme theÌ„selues to thrust in among the crowd as being no better than simple Knights onely where being ariued Belcar ran his Launce cowched with great fury against the Knight of the Dog who seeing him come with such a powder attended him couered with his shield whereupon he receiued one liuely attaint wherewith had it not bin for the band of the Armer or who fatally tempered it Prince Edward had bin in danger of his life Then began they to charge one another with inuincible courage neuerthelesse their conflict continued not long because the Englishman who excelled Belcar in chiualry féeling himselfe somwhat mooued lighted so fell a knock vpon his Helmet that he cleft it a two and wounded him déep in his head so that he was constrained to fall astonied to the ground When the Prince of Hungarie saw his brother Belcar lie so piteously vanquished the Courtiers ouerthrowne he ran as a mad man against Prince Edward with so terrible a furie that his blow glauncing within the plates of his pouldrons vnder his shield he gaue him a little wound in his arme but he went not farre from the place to vaunt himselfe therof for the Knight of the Dog reached him two so sound blowes vpon his left shoulder betwéene his Habergion and his headpéece that he sent him to kéep his brother company Afterward with the aid of the most valiantest on his side he brusht his aduersaries in such sort that he made them all discampe to saue themselues and seeing himselfe victorious being very weary and ouer trauelled he retired himselfe into his lodging where he was by the Lady and her Knights disarmed and his wound carefully looked vnto Meane while the King who knew nothing of his sonnes disafter shewed himselfe to be very ioyfull to see that which he presumed of the Knight of the Dog to be in effect most true and supposed thereby he had done very well not to graunt his sonne Belcar the combate against him neuertheles being arriued at the Pallace and finding them both in so ill pickle he changed his sodaine ioy into sorrow saying Alas I deserue this well who did my self intreate the knight to attend the Tourney to procure me this mischiefe now let him go his wayes on Gods name and that no man be so hardie as to disturbe and vexe him The English Prince vnderstanding how Ditreus and his brother were wonderfull ill at ease through the wounds which they receiued of his hand was the gladdest man in the world for the respect which you haue heard before and considering how it was not very good to soiourne any longer in this court requested the Lady to take her leaue of the King and that it would please him to pardon him if he abode no longer there which she did most willingly not without great enquiry of the King to know who her Knight might be wherein the good Ladie being not able to satisfie him any otherwise but that a Merchant of Arriace had taken him into his ship in England as a passenger He tooke her conge honestly of him to returne home to her own house whether the knight of the Dog would néeds accompany her a good part onward of her way whereof the Earle of Oregua being aduertized who hated him mortallie for that he had béene dismounted by him in the Tourney desiring also with an extreame affection to get his faire Dog Maiortes froÌ„ him encouraged a brother of his who was both a valiant and a hardy
mine to they ye vntill death I yeeld ye a thousand thankes quoth the damsell albeit for my lyfe I should not dare to vse anie commaunde towards you seeing it is I whome it neer â—y commeth to do yee the bast seruice I can Notwithstanding seâ—â—ing aside the circumstances for this present it shall please you to vnderstande how we three haue whilest ye three 〈…〉 resolued and made absolute determination 〈◊〉 that which wee are come to do in this place according to the 〈…〉 which Osmaguin lest vs at his â—â—th And â—â— haue thought iâ— best that Bellager should go attired like a 〈◊〉 vnto 〈◊〉 so â—â— the knight named to vnderstand of him how 〈…〉 behaue our selues to procéede in this busines This aduise was 〈◊〉 best of all by prince Edward therefore Bellager entering into a 〈◊〉 apparelled like a ciuill marchant wiâ—e a Spanâ— went into the towne as farre as Maruins house vnto which euery one he met directed him easily As soone as he was gâ—â—ieu vnto his house after salutations he gaue him to vnderstand how he wold deliuer a secrate message vnto him which no man 〈…〉 but himselfe So with drawing themselues 〈…〉 Bellager râ—â— alâ—â— vnto him who he was 〈…〉 appointment of his brother they came thâ—ther accompanion with a valyant christian knight to recouer theyr estate When Maruin vnderstood the matter sâ—â—ing Bellager so goodly and villane a Gentleman he was maruellous glad and listing vp both his handes to beauens for ioy thus bespâ—ke 〈◊〉 be the 〈…〉 tie God who is mindfull of ye in the end my 〈…〉 soueraigne Lordes heâ— yes most heartily 〈…〉 with that house as those who shall want nothing which I may â—â— for ye to reestablish ye in your owne estate as shine as the euening shall come see that you your sister and all thâ— other who accompanie them come secretly into this place where I wil keep you vntill I impart your arriuall vnto many others who haue lyke desire as I haue to doo you good to the end we may aduise together how to bring this our enterprise best about Bellager hauing receiued this aduertisement went directly towards the companie who attended his comming with great deuotion so that as soone as the houre of the night was come which Maruin and he had agreed vpon they all went ashoarâ— in a place where they found one of his sonnes who waited there for them of purpose to guide them the waie and presently the barke wherein they came vanished out of sight and was neuer seene afterwardes They being all safe ariued at the house and lodged in the most commodious part thereof where none of the seruants did frequent when Maruin sawe his fittest time heâ— went to visite the children of his true liege and soueraigne vnto whom hee wept for ioy in welcomming them thether Then hauing giuen such curteous entertainment to prince Edward as beséemed a man of his calling he vsed such care and diligence in all thinges to doo him good y t within a short space be cured him of all his wounds But let vs suffer them to rest here a little while Maruin worke his comploâ—s with other his conductors to make an end of the first booke of Primaleon whose generous and heroicall â—â—ates of armes are continued in a second parts no lesse profitable than pleasant and full of all sweete recreation to delight the readers with infinitie of amore and martiall discourses the like neuer read of in anie historie before FINIS