thing was so desired no man coulde bee better contented especially the Damosell who leaping froÌ„ her Palfray came and kissed Palmerins féete saying And may all happines repay this gentle déede faire Knight for but by you my death had béene best welcome to me Dâ—mosell quoth hee sée héere the Casket according as I sounde it I know not whither they that tooke it from you haue abused it or no. No no saide shee they could no way wrong it the Sword béeing heere that belongs to the best Knight I praie you quoth Ptolome let mee make tryall of my strength albeit I know my selfe no such man as you speake of so taking the Casket offered to begin when the Damosell desired him to forbeare for quoth shee you must first graunt me one request What ere it be saide Ptolome I graunt it and so set all his might to his intent but coulde not accomplish it wherefore quoth he to the Damosel Beléeue me Lady he that wrought this enchauntment dyd more by his arte then I can by my cunning and in my opinion you may trauaile long enough before you finde him that shall quit your expectation The more wil be my trouble quoth the Damosell béeing tyed by necessitye to such a Knights fortune When Palmerin sawe that his companion had failed he doubted whether he should take it in hand or no yet séeing hee coulde spéede no worse then other had doone he said to the Damosell will you any thing with me before I aduenture my selfe for my Fréende shall not bee mal content for a fellowe Gentle Knight quoth she I wyll nothing but that you make me the like promise your fréend did Of that doubt you not saide Palmerin so laying hande valiantlie on the Sword without any great labor he drew it foorth béeing the richest and goodliest Sworde that euer was séene Ah good Knight sayde the Damosell happy bee the day of thy natiuitie for thou hast deliuered me from incredible labour The Sword is yours but by your promise you stand bound to goe with me where I shall conduct you to doo that shall please my Lady to commaund you Leade the way Damosell quoth Palmerin and be sure we wil not leaue thy company So mounted the Damosell on her Palfray and tooke the way towardes Rome where she that deliuered her the Casket remained in deuotion and with such spéede they dispatched their trauaile as they arriued at the Gate of a strong Castell where the Damosell alighted desiring Palmerin and Ptolome to expect her returne awhile The Gate being opened she went straight to her Mistresse and her Sister who béeing gladde of her comming demaunded if she had found the man shée went to séeke Ladies ê™ she I haue and hither he is come with me but this I daâ—e assure you before hande that a more goodlie and valiant Gentleman liues not this daie for in my presence he vanquished three Knights who perforce tooke the Casket from me and for the Sworde he drew it foorth so easilie as it had béene that he weareth by his side Goe said the Lady and cause him come néere and come Sister let vs goe to the Gate to entertaine him Then was the Draw bridge let downe when Palmerin and Ptolome riding to the Gate met there the Ladies whom they saluted with great reuerence and each Ladye leading a Knight in by the hande conducted them to their Chambers to be vnarmed CHAP. XXII How the Lady of the Castell declared to Palmerin what mooued the Gyant Darmaco to take from her her Daughter and her goods whereuppon Palmerin promised to enter Combat with the Gyant as much for pittie as to acquite his promise made to the Damosell that brought the Casket and the enchaunted Sword OUr two Knightes béeing thus entered the Castell and vnarmed the Lady brought each of them a rich Mantle of Crimson Damaske imbroydered with Golde and pearle to couer them and so came with them into the Hall to meate where wanted no choyse of dainty delicates so after yâ— Tables were withdrawne and manye other spéeches passed betweene them the Ladie thus began to Palmerin Sir Knight as nowe I am a poore and disinherited Gentlewoman that sometime was Wife to one of the welthiest Knights in this Countrey with whome I long time remained not hauing anie Childe till at length it pleased God to sende me a Daughter so faire a creature as euer nature framed who at my Husbands death was left with me but fiue yéeres aged My Lorde and Husbande learned in the arte Magicke and for his skill renowmed in this Countrie the daie before his death hee called mee to him vsing these spéeches Déere Wife let if suffise thée that I knowe what shall happen to thée after my death and that one shal take perforce from thée not onelie such goods as I leaue thée but also thy faire Daughter to helpe which extremity I haue somewhat prouided for thée before my departure Thou shalt finde in my Cabinett a Sworde which I my selfe haue enclosed in a Casket and haue sette so manie inchaunted spels on that Sword as no man shal be able to drawe it out of the scabbard vnlesse he be the best approued Knight in the worlde and he it is that must giue thée succour and helpe to recouer againe thy losse Too true fel out my Husbands spéeches for soone after Darmaco the Gyant came hither and as his custome was to abuse whome hee listed so tooke he from me the best of my Castelles and in despight of me tooke my Daughter from me saying that he would giue her to one of his Sonnes in marriage a villain far more vicious then the Father so deformed as nature standes ashamed at her owne workmanship Nowe in respect I would not consent to this vnséemely marriage such goods as was left me hee violentlie tooke from mee thys Sworde onelie excepted which you haue worthilie conquered and that had gone with him too but that my Sister hid it verie secretlie Now woorthie Knight if euer pittie tooke place in thy gentle hart reuenge me on the villaine the hath thus robde me of my goods and my Daughter whose youth béeing as yet but tenne yéeres olde is the cause that the Giant hath not consumated the marriage And if it shal like you to doo thus much for me you shall not onelie fulfil your promise to the Damosell that brought you hither but you shall doo a déede acceptaple to God profitable to me comfortable to my poore Childe and honorable for euer vnto your owne selfe Madame aunswered Palmerin it is no meruaile if Darmaco haue doone you this wrong in yâ— Giants doo take a habit in trecherous dealinges wherefore did not my promise binde me to your Damosel I would not passe so lightlie out of this Countrie ere I compelled him somewhat to recompence this iniurie and this shall I God willing doo to morrowe so please you I may bee conducted to him Ah gentle Knight saide the Ladie what I am
countenaunce to her then hee was accustomed but shee good Lady in his excuse conceiued better opinion then she had cause yet as it euermore falleth out in loue that when Ladies sée themselues but slenderly courted by their Fréendes they growe importunate in their amorous desires so came it to passe with Laurana who perceiuing herselfe not solicited by Palmerin as shee was wont one night somewhat late shee called the Dwarffe and thus began Howe comes it to passe my good Fréend that thy Maister is not of so pleasaunt disposition as heeretofore he hath béene it may be thou hast not let him vnderstand my last salutation or els feare with-holdes him from following his determination I pray thée doo the message of my earnest good will to him and tell him that I long to impart our affections togeather to the ful resolution of our desired thoughts which I haue found the way vnsuspected to accomplish so please him to come to my ChaÌ„ber to morrow at night where I shall not faile to expect his presence When the Dwarffe heard Laurana vse these words thinking his Maister was still in his former cogitations thus aunswered Trust me fayre Madame within these fewe dayes my Maister is become so mellanchollie as I haue manie times feared his death and I am sure hee hath no other cause to torment him so but onely the fury of the extreame loue he beares you yet séeing you haue promised him such gracious fauour let me alone to change this vnpleasaunt humour Fayle not then quoth shee to let him know my minde I goe presently said the Dwarffe to acquaint him with these long desired tydings So taking his leaue he went to his Maisters Chamber whom he founde fast a sleepe when not daring to awake him let stay hys message till the next morning and so laide him downe to rest at what time sleepe had thorowly possessed him he began to cry and complaine so loude as his Maister hearing him arose and demaunded of him the cause of his lament Alas my Lorde quoth he neuer in all my life was I so affrighted me thought that one of the fayrest Ladies that euer eye lookt on helde a naked sworde against my throate saying Uile and villainous creature as thou art darest thou presume so much to offende me as to make thy Lorde and Maister amorous of Lady Laurana and to forsake me iustly doost thou deserue to dye on this weapon for thy paillardise and if héereafter thou carry any message to preiudice my right assure thy selfe that I wil chastise thée in such sort as all deformed villaines shal receiue example by thée I tell thée Traytour Palmerin his fortunes climbes higher then the name of Laurana and where he is more looued for the royaltie of his linage then for his base and Pastoral education With which wordes shee gaue me such a stroke on the heade with her sworde as I fearefull of my life cryed so loude as you say you hearde me This motioÌ„ made Palmerin easily perceiue that Polinarda had made thys threatning to the Dwarffe for Laurana which concealing to himsâ—lfe he said in laughter I think thou diddest forget to drinke when thou 〈◊〉 to bed and so thy hart béeing drie conceiued this fonde vision I praie thée sléepe trouble me no more with such idle passions The Dwarffe betooke him to rest but Palmerins thoughts all night were hammering on this Dreame so that he resolued to departe thence the next morning and séeke els where his aduentures séeing hee was admonished by so manie aduertisements So at the daie rysing he called the Dwarffe and commaunded him to prepare his Armour for hee intended to take his leaue of the Duke Ptolome hearing this and hauing noted beside all that the Dwarffe tolde his Maister in the night Dissembling the matter as was his manner he came and bad Palmerin good morrowe who aunswered Ptolome in this manner My déere Fréend I haue concealed none of mine affaires froÌ„ thée since the time we receiued our knighthoode and parted togeather from the Courte of Macedon nowe therefore shall I impart to thée what I haue determined It is so that vrgent occasions constraines me presently to leaue this Countreie and henceforth to frame my course which way Fortune will direct me by which occasion I see we must be enforced to leaue each other notwithstanding let me intreate that our absence may no way impayre our fréendshippe not doubting but in good time we shall meete togeather againe In meane space if you sée the King or Prince Florendos forgette not the humble duety of theyr vowed Seruaunt I beséeche yée who dedicates his life and honour in all attempts to their gracious fauours By God said Ptolome let who will doo the message for me for neither death nor daunger shall seperate me from you but I wil beare you companie while life and soule hold together If you be so resolute said Palmerin shame were it for mee so to refuse you Set forward then when you please quoth Ptolome for we neither must nor will depart that 's flat So béeing bothe armed they came to the Duke who meruailed much to sée them so prepared and therefore demaunded whether they went My good Lord answered Palmerin in that your Countrey is nowe quieted wee must intreate you for our departure because waightie affaires in other places doo so commaunde vs. How happens it fayre Fréendes saide the Duke that you will so soone leaue mee My Lorde quoth Palmerin wee are so enforced and therfore we humblie intreate you not to be offended If your affaires bee such saide the Duke lothe am I to hinder you commaunde of me and mine what you please for all remaineth at your disposition Most humble thanks did Palmerin and Ptolome returne the Duke and ere they went to horseback they came to take their leaue of the Duchesse Laurana who was well nie deade séeing her hope deceiued for she expected the night comming when shée and Palmerin should conferre togeather of their loue but séeing him now departing she was out of all hope to sée him againe the extreame gréefe whereof so ouercame her as giuing a greate shrike shee fell in a swoune The Ladies and Gentlewomen in great amazement came about her ignoraunt of her euill but onelie Palmerin and his Dwarffe which hee likewise woulde not reueale to anie for the reason you hearde discoursed before and rather would she entertaine her own death then make knowne a secrete of such importaunce wherefore hauing somewhat recouered herselfe and not able to conceale her anguish with an extreame sigh she thus breathed foorth her sorrow Ah Palmerin easilie hast thou kindled the fire which with great shame thou leauest consuming vnquenched Who would haue thought such treason coulde harbour where faire conditions and honourable valour shined so brightlie Well may I condâ—mne al men of disloyaltie séeing thou hast failed resembling so excellent Beléeue me Knight thou hast doone mee great wrong and thy selfe much more
saying Sir Knight doo you not knowe mee No in good sooth aunswered Palmerin Beléeue mee quoth the Damosell then hath my seruice béene euil imployed which sâ—metime I did you and whereof I am sure you haue heard good account Then Palmerin knewe her she bringing the Shéelde and the Helmet when Florendos knighted him whereuppon he rose from the Table and embracing her said Faire Damosell and my fréende I pray you pardon me for the length of time since I first saw you did quite exempt you from my remembrance pleaseth it you to commaunde me anie seruice Sir Knight said the Damosell when I presented you the Helmet and Shéelde wherwith you tooke your order of Knighthoode you promised mee if you remember that you would vse it with right good will in anie affaires the Knight had that sent it you and when he should require such performaunce nowe is the time to confirme your déede with your worde for hee hath sent mée to you with humble intreatie that without anie staie you goe where I shall conduct you otherwise you are the onelie cause of his death God shéelde me froÌ„ such mis-fortune said Palmerin rather woulde I goe with you presently from the Table So doo I pray you quoth she for I haue hast Then he called for his Armour and the table withdrawne he went into his Chamber to arme himselfe and so dyd Ptolome also returning they tooke their leaue of the Ladies and mounted on horsebacke the whole companie béeing so sorrie for their departure as Esmerinda came to the Damosell saying I promise you Damosell you haue doone vs wrong in mine opinion to hinder vs of the presence of so good a Knight Ladie aunswered the Damosell thinke you he was borne for you onelie content your selfe with the good you haue receiued by him and suffer such as haue néed of his prowesse to receiue his assistaunce as you haue doone And good reason saide Esmerinda if it be to so good an end that no resistaunce bee offered when helpe is required So departed the two Knights with the Damosell which waie she guided them and verie desirous was Palmerin to bee with the Knight that sent to seeke him because hee would gladlie know of whence hee was that wyshed him so wel as his message declared by the Damosell the same daie hee was Knighted CHAP. XXIIII Howe Palmerin and Ptolome arriued at the Courte of the King of Bohemia where they entred Combat against the Countie of Ormeque and his two Cozins who accused the Knight and his Son of treason that sent to seeke Palmerin MAnie miles had these Knightes ridde with the Damosell when Palmerin at length desired her to tell him what hee was that sent him yâ— Helmet the Shéeld whereto she aunswered that séeing he was so desirous to knowe listen ê™ she and I shall report the whole vnto you The Knight we speake of is disceÌ„ded of verie royall bloode béeing Uncle to the King of Bohemia that raignes at this present as also to the Empresse of Allemaigne the verie best séene in Nigromancie this daie liuing This noble man is named Prince Adrian who neuer liked to liue in the Court of the King his Brother but contented with what patrimonie his Father left him at length maried with a verie beautifull Ladie of whom in time hee begat a Sonne named Dyardo which Sonne his Brother the King of Bohemia nourished vppe in his Court with his owne Sonne So mutually in loue agréed these two yong Princes as after the death of the aged King the yong Dyardo should ioyn the rule with his Cozin the King who tooke to Wife the Daughter to the Duke of Lorayne bringing her with him into this Countrey in companie of her Sister a Princesse so wise and vertuous as euer liued It so came to passe that Dyardo my Lords most noble Sonne framing his thoughts to the inspirations of loue affected so highlie the other Sister as he determined neuer to haue anie other to his Wife if he might compasse what he intended For her good Ladie he coulde not be deceiued in his amorous desires he found her loue so equall with his yet did they shaddow their affections so discreetlie as none coulde perceiue them but Domarto the traiterous Countie of Ormeque one of the best Knights in all this Country were he as familiar with vertue and honestie as he is with mallice and disloyaltie This Traytour enterprised to match with the Queenes Sister beloued as you haue hearde by my Lordes worthy Sonne and thereuppon after manie sollicitings made knowne his intent vnto her whereof she made so slender account as shee forbad him any more to trouble her Domarto séeing my Lorde Dyardo his onely hinderaunce in loue intended a mallicious villainie and on a suddaine accused the Prince that he intended to poyson the King so to obtaine the Crowne as discended of a neerer coÌ„sanguinitie And as it often falleth out in such cases when one séekes to crosse an others fortune there is no time flacked in following such drifts euen so this Traytor finding the yonge King alone began his matter in this coullorable sort My gracious Lord the faith and allegeaunce I owe to you highnesse bindes me to make your princelie cares acquainted with such newes as God is my witnes said the Traitour lifting his eyes and hands to heauen mine own death were more welcome to me such is the loue I beare them whom it concernes béeing al so neere allied to you in birth as sorie I am they shoulde bee detected but in your regarde my gracious Lorde the action touching you in such sort as it dooth let me die rather then spare any liuing creature no not mine owne Sonne had nature giuen mee anie This néedelesse exordium haue I made to so foule an occasion albeit truth néedes no coullers or eloquent figures and therefore in bréefe my Lord this is the summe I am crediblie enformed that your highnesse Cozin the Prince Dyardo and Madame Cardonia Sister to the Quéene haue laid the platforme to poyson your Maiestie and this haue they attempted by the procurement of olde Adrian your Uncle who pretends that the Crowne of Bohemia is his I knowe not whether it be for want of discretion or no but howsoeuer it be my Lorde you shoulde not leaue such a villainie vnpunished The King began greatlie to meruaile at these newes and knewe not well what to think whervpon he aunswered the Countie that he coulde not beleeue this accusation But the Traytour set so smoothe a countenaunce on the matter and did auerre it still with such stout protestations as hee induced the King to beleeue him so that a daie or two after the King béeing walking in hys Garden séeing Dyardo Cardonya at the Quéenes chamber windowe secretlie conferring of their amorous affections commaunded them bothe to be carried to prison The Countie glad thereof prouoked the King still with such anger against them as immediatlie he woulde haue theÌ„ bothe doone to
doo not finde the meane to helpe mee By my fayth my Lorde quoth the Dwarffe so please you to tell me howe and wherein I may helpe you let me die a thousande deathes if I doo it not Understande then my good Vrbanillo sayd Palmerin that this strange alteration procéedes froÌ„ the diuine lookes of my péerelesse Mistresse Polinarda whose fiery beames haue searched so narowly euery corner of my thoughts as I must die because I loue too déerlie But couldest thou make knowne to her the least parte of my insupportable vexations may bee shee woulde haue some pittifull remorse of my martirdome for well may it be iudged that a Lady accomplished with so many vertuous perfections must néedes bee stored with sweetnes fauour and pittie Not vnlike my good Lord said Vrbanillo but doo not you remember how I was punished when in the like case I ventured to sollicite your looue to Laurana Daughter to the Duke of Durace by my fayth my Lorde I shall not forget it while I haue a day to liue and am afrayde to fall againe into the like daunger And this spake Vrbanillo with such a grace as Palmerin coulde not but laugh noting with what feare the deformed felow gaue it foorth whereupon he sayd Thou needest not be dismaid if she that smote thée in thy sléepe bee that Polinarda for whose loue I am thus tormeÌ„ted for whom I was borne as many haue enformed me I pray thée therefore speake to her and dreade no coullers It is good saide Vrbanillo that you woulde haue mee more hardie then you are your selfe speake to her your selfe if you dare for I dare not aduenture it for feare of my life If thou doost it not quoth Palmerin assure thy selfe thou shalt neuer henceforth serue me Nay then quoth the Dwarffe I will rather put my selfe in ieoperdy to be better beaten then I was the last time before I will loose so good a Maister I pray thée doo sayde Palmerin in respect thou séest the earnestnes of mine affections Feare not quoth the Dwarffe albeit you were a great deale more fit to breake the matter then I but I wil gadge my life to gaine you the Ladie and héereupon they rested till the next morning CHAP. XXVIII Howe Polinarda desired Palmerin to giue her his Dwarffe and of the speeche which she and Vrbanillo had afterward togeather EArly the next morning Palmerin arose and hauing walked abroade to contemplate his desires returned into the Chamber of presence where he founde Trineus the Emperors Sonne conferring with the Ladies at which very instant the Dwarff entred whose badde shaped body and face made them all fall a laughing so that Trineus came to his Sister Polinarda saying Sister did you euer beholde a more proper Page to attende on Ladies then this gaunt Squire that serues my Lorde Palmerin In good â—ooth Brother quoth she hee is farre vnlike his noble maister yet wold I like well enough if he were mine I beséech you Sir Palmerin said Trineus bestowe your Seruaunt on my Sister Polinarda Madame quoth Palmerin were he better hee is yours and his Maister likewise then called hee Vrbanillo who knéeling to vnderstand his Maisters pleasure hee saide Vrbanillo I haue giuen you to my Ladie Polinarda as her man will you not serue her honourablie and truelie aboue all other Yea my Lorde quoth he next after you but you will I not leaue while I liue although you woulde disdaine my seruice Good reason hast thou said the Princesse and wel am I pleased it shold be so yet during the time of his stay heere you shall forsake him and abide with mee For yâ— Madame quoth the Dwarffe I am well contented Then looke you faile not said the Princesse hencefoorth to giue your attendaunce These spéeches were thus vsed as it were for pastime that shee might thereby deceiue the iudgments of other but her whole intent was to know of Vrbanillo if his Maister were affected to any other Ladie by whose meanes her loue might be frustrate For as you haue heard a little before that loue had brought her vnder such obeysaunce as did not the regarde of honour with-holde her her selfe would first breake the Ise of her vexations rather theÌ„ Sâ—aie too long and not be solicited Many other deuises had the Ladies with Vrbanillo who knewe so well howe to behaue himselfe as from thence forward he grew so familiar amongst them as he woulde enter their Chambers when himselfe pleased vnder couller of attendaunce on the Princesse Polinarda from time to time to mooue his Maisters messages But at length she preuented him in this sort for béeing alone at a windowe in the presence Chamber shee called the Dwarffe and making her entraunce by other occasions she asked him whose Sonne Palmerin was God knowes Madame quoth hee for I doo not nor himselfe neither but of this I can assure you yâ— neuer was Knightlie Chiualrie better imployed by any then by him for since the time of my knowledge he hath doone such noble acts as it is not remembred that â—uer Knight in this age did the like And then from point to point he discoursed all yâ— Palmerin had doone since he came to him and can you thinke then Madame quoth the Dwarffe that he is not dâ—sceded of noble linage Trust me Ladie I haue my self heard by manie learned Magitians and other that their diuinations were no lesse then I saie When Polinarda heard the Dwarffe thus speake on his Maisters behalfe if before his loue had kindled her liking no meruaile if hart and spirite were nowe enflamed so that nowe she could no longer coÌ„ceale what she had hetherto couered and therefore sayde to the Dwarffe I beséech thée Vrbanillo by the faith and duetie thou bearest to thy Maister tâ—l me one thing that I desire to knowe of him which shall bee nothing but to his honour and aduantage You haue so coniured mee faire Madame quoth the Dwarffe as death shall not make me hide what you please to command if it lye in me to resolue you Knowe then Vrbanillo said the Princesse that I looue thy Maister as well as my Brother Trineus and am desirous to knowe of thee what Ladie it is hee estéemes aboue all other because when I knowe her I may loue her the better for his sake withall that I may commend the Ladies happines whose fortune is to be loued of so braue a Gallant Well perceiued the Dwarffe that now or neuer was the time to bestirre himselfe according to the promise he made his Maister wherefore hee aunswered the Princesse in this manner Beléeue me Madame were it to anie other I would not reueale such secrets of my Lorde as you desire to knowe but to you that are his Lady Mistresse I am content to bewraie the whole Suffiseth then Madame that he loueth in such sorte as if the heauens sende him not remedie the sooner vnpossible is it that his life should long endure for I sée him so far beside
as you can haue no priuiledge to aske nor I to graunt and therefore content ye This aunswere albeit it was sharpe and scant pleasing to the Prince yet loue so perswaded him that the Duchesse had another meaning then she bewrayed for nothing her countenaunce so full of change he gessed that sâ—me sparks had fallen among her affections wherefore he began againe I beséeche you Madame accuse Loue if I haue spoken to your dislyking yet hope I to sée the time when I shall make knowne howe great my affection is to doo you seruice and continuing this talke he brought her to the Quéenes lodging Loue following them bothe so narrowlie at the héeles as the Duchesse was no lesse affectionate then Lewes was passionate Which when he got some light of in hope to purchase hys his desire he sollicited her in more secrete manner then hee was wont so that being one day in place where they might familiarlie talke Lewes perseuering in his enterprise declared what torments he suffered for her loue whereuppon the Duchesse not onely by the Princes reasons which were perswasiue but as well to mittigate her owne oppressions thus aunswered Great is the force of your perswasions my Lord but greater is yâ— of looue which hath made me yours so that what you request I cannot denie and though it stand not with mine honour yet such is my fortune Let me intreate you therefore to conceale this loue so discréetlie as none may knowe of it especially my Lord the Duke and expect the day that shall yéelde you content and make mee happy This aunswere so highly pleased the Prince as neueâ— man thought himselfe in greater felicitie and rendering her manifold thankes sayd I sweare to you Madame by the diuine force of loue that gouerns vs bothe to bee for euer your Knight and neuer shall any other desire abide in me then you shall like and well allowe of for otherwise I were not worthy this speciall fauour The Duchesse thanking him departed and thenceforth so secretly shaddowed their loue as none suspected that the Prince loued the Duchesse CHAP. XXXII Of the enterprise of Lewes the Prince of Fraunce for the loue of the Duchesse of Burgundie LOng continued the King of Fraunce this state in all magnificence there méeting many noble personages as well Straungers as of the Realme that it was meruailous to behold as also the Ladies and Damosels that accompanyed the Quéene who on a day in the presence Chamber among many Knights conferred of the bountie and prowesse of the florishing braue yong Courtiers among whom the Prince Lewes making one eache one spake in behalfe of his Ladies beautie yet concealing their names to themselues till better occasions might cause theÌ„ deseruedly to be known Al this talke the Prince well marking who for the Duchesse loue was depriued of libertie threw many swéete glaunces at the Mistresse of his affections perswading himselfe that nature neuer made a more perfect creature and not able to make her like againe burst her molde whereupon hee said Lordes and Ladies who with such aduauntage haue chatted on beautie vnderstand that such as you haue yet spoken of or seuerally in your owne thoughts shall thinke vppon may not be equall with one that I knowe euen she that is Ladie and commaunder of my hart whose beautie is so far beyond all other as bright Cynthia from the goodliest star in the firmament And because that none shal imagine how being carried awaie with priuate opinion I vse these spéeches I will make good my words by deedes of Armes against anie Knight whatsoeuer that dare saie the câ—ntrarie Nowe in regard that none shall pleade ignoraunce I will aduertise all Knights howe the first daie of Maie next ensuing and seauen daies more immediatlie following I will be in open fielde in my Tent where I will eâ—ecte a statelie monument on the toppe whereof shall bee her figure whose Knight I am and there will I defende it in this honorable quarrell against such Knights as will Combat for the beautie of their Ladies I affirming mine to excell all other in perfections This condition must be obserued by such as enter the fielde that they bring the Ladies figure with them whom they honor most and if Fortune frowne on them in such sort as they be vanquished they shall there leaue their Ladies Image to be placed vnder my Mistresse as her subiect Nowe if my vnhappy Starres so crosse me as I loose the credite I would bee lothe the conquerer shall enter in my Tent and in my Ladies place shall his Mistresse bee mounted if he meane to maintaine her with such conditions as I doo mine And hee that last shall accomplishe these eyght daies shall beare away the honour with the portraitures of the Ladies which by him or anie other all the saide time haue béene gained And this libertie shall be granted that he which receiues the foyle with the Launce shall CoÌ„bat with the Sworde if he please before he yéelde Nowe that this mine enterprise may be openlie knowne and put in execution as the vertue requireth I will sende Horsemen through all the prouinces of Christendome that all Knights willing thus to aduenture shall be heere receiued His spéeches ended the Gentlemen present could not maruaile sufficiently at this great and high enterprise of the Prince Lewes and the daunger whereinto he thrust himselfe yet not knowing who was the Ladie he woulde thus aduenture for but she béeing present perceiued that the Prince in honour of her loue tooke in hande this perilloâ—s hazarde wherein she conceiued such secrete content as the passioÌ„s of loue hauing penetrated her hart made her feare his mis-fortune which she would not for her life In this assemblie was present the Duke of Sauoye a yong Prince braue hardie and couragious as might be and estéeming so well of himselfe as he thought no Knight in the world coulde vanquish him who to aunswere the Prince Lewes arose and thus spake My Lorde I would not willingly haue entered the Combat against you but that I heard you so farre outreache your selfe as shee whose beautie you maintaine is more perfecte then all other Ladies but shee that is the commaunder of my hart is such a braue accomplished Ladie as in trueth her beautie may not be matched through the whole worlde And to affirme what I saie I sweare by the order of my knighthoode that the morrowe after you haue finished your eight daies enterprise I will enter the same fielde and auerre against all Knights that the Goddesse to whom I am dedicated excelles all other Ladies in her heauenly gifts and he that dare maintaine the câ—ntrarie vnder my Sworde I will make him confesse it All such therefore as will make proofe of their valour shall find me there in my Tent at my appointed day and nine daies after to sustaine the same quarrell in plaine Combat either at the Launce the Maâ—e the Sworde on horsebacke or on foote at his choise
next morning the Princesse sent Palmerin an arming coate of gréene Ueluet imbroidered all ouer with great Orientall Pearles and verie thicke besett with Starres of Golde and in the midst of each Starre a costlie Emeralde and hee had caused her picture to bee most curiously drawne in Golde her face and hands formed wonderfull neere the life and all her linaments verie singulerlie fashioned and this portrait caused he to bee sette in a fayre Litter couered with Crimson veluet which hee had prouided onelie for the purpose and so set forward CHAP. XXXIIII How the Prince Lewes came to see the Duchesse of Burgundie and what happened SO soone as the Heraldes Horsemen of Lewes of Fraunce and the Duke of Sauoie had dispatched their charge their Lordes gaue order to prepare al things in readines so soone as might bee but yet the Princes affection to the Duchesse so tormented him as he dailie compassed new meanes to conferre with her that shee might knowe the passions hee endured for her sake At length it came to passe that the King the Duke of Burgundie and diuers other Princes rode foorth on pleasure togeather and returned not againe for two daies space which made him thus begin with the Duchesse I néede not tell you Madame for you knowe it well enough howe continuallie I languish in remedilesse afflictions till nowe this opportunitie puts me in some hope of comfort that you performing a sollemne promise will deliuer me out of this extremitie Wherefore faire Mistresse since time and occasion hath pointed it and Fortune by nature forward and inconstant fauours it let mee intreate you to take the benefit of bothe least héereafter we compasse not the like againe My Lorde quoth the Duchesse you must thinke I am more yours then mine owne and make that reckoning of you as no Ladie can the like howe is it possible then for mee louing as I doo to flie from that which loue commaunds me to fulfill Let it suffise you then that the regarde of mine honour defended I am readie to doo ought may agrée with your liking What happened afterwarde I leaue to your oppinions but by the halfe the whole may be discerned notwithstanding vertuous Ladies haue power to resist such motions though time occasion and such amorous sollicitings did offer it them but such may be accounted more diuine then humaine and to them may worthilie be erected a Trophe in disgrace of the temptresse Venus But this little discourse not much dissenting from yâ— matter is written in reproche of such yong daintie wantons that attende on their ouer fonde and vnchast desires and may likewise be a warning to vndiscrâ—et olde men that they choose theyr Panteâ—â—e fit for their foote But nowe is come the first of Maie the daie to beginne the enterprises of the Princes of Fraunce Sauoie Lewes to entertaine the Duchesse loue begun with such aduauntage had greater desire nowe to execute his intent then before Wherefore this daie was his Tâ—nt erected at the Citty Gates béeing beautifull and verie sumptuous and at the enteraunce thereof was placed a goodlie monument of black Marble curiouslie sette foorth w e collombes of white Marble verie thicke imbossed with golde and pearle At the side of his pauillion was placed another monumeÌ„t of gréene Iasper adorned with manie Bases Pillers and antique imagerie of Golde whereon he intended the strange Knights that came should place the figures of their Ladies On the other side was a séemelie place appointed for the Iudges of the fielde who were the Dukes of Orleaunce Burgundie Princes greatlie estéemed for their nobilitie and in theyr time had béene hardie and aduenturous Knights Manie other Tents and Pauillions were that daie there set vppe as well for strange Knights that came as Noble men and Gentlemen of the Realme And nowe comes the Prince brauelie mounted to the fielde accompanied with manie yong Princes Knights and Gentlemen the Heralds and King of Armes ryding before the Drummes Phifes TroÌ„pets and Clarions sounding so gallantlie as made the ayre deliuer a most swéete Eccho Before him in a verye sumptuous Coche was carried the curious counterfeite of the Duchesse so superficiallie sette foorth with such perfection of arte as though it had béene the liuely Duchesse herselfe After followed Prince Lewes in gorgious gilt Armour all ouergrauen with most artificiall flowers and mounted on a Courser of Spaine estéemed one of the best runners in Europe which made waie with braue and loftie voltages as did not a little delight yâ— beholders one of the chéefe Princes of the Court bearing his Helmet and another hys Launce What néede I make further reporte of the Princes tryumphe he comming to the fielde in such equipage as well beséemed the house from whence he discended and as beséemed a louelie Knight in presence of his Ladie who as her fauour had sent him that morning a costlie Girdle garnished with Rubies Diamondes great Emeraldes other vnualuable stones with a Sworde so good as euer Knight wore and therewith rode he gyrded to the Fielde Before he went the King his Father thus spake to him My Son this daie and all the other following Fortune speede thee so well as thou maist winne the honour my hart doth wysh thee My Lorde aunswered the Prince I hope before the sennight be finished to accomplish your desire effectuallie so fauour me she that may commaunde me So leauing the King he came to the place appointed for the Combatte the Iudges placing themselues where they shoulde and the Prince himselfe in his Tent where hauing his Mistresse picture set on the appointed place he commaunded the Trompets to sound and a Heralde to proclaime that no Knight bearing Armes shoulde bee so hardie as to enteâ— hys Tent except he first graunted his Ladie to bee the fayrest creature in the worlde and if any were so stubborne not to confesse it by knightly prowesse he would force him doo it The Heralde hauing doone his charge and the Iudges caused the conditions to bee openlie reade the people deuided themselues in conuenient places and the Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen betooke them to their Tents Scaffoldes The first that entered the field against the Prince was the Countie Durcell of Arragon his foure Squires conducting before him in a great gorgious Litter the stature of his Mistresse Daughter to the King of Arragon the fairest Ladie in all Spayne and for whose beautie hee tooke in hande this quarrell After him came foure other Squires the formost leading his Courser the seconde bearing his Helmette the thirde his Shéeld and the fourth his Gauntlâ—ts Launce and comming to the monument appointed for strange Ladies caused the portrait of his Ladie to bee placed thereon then comming to the Princes Tent said I know not Lord Lewes if ouercome with glorie presumptioÌ„ of your streÌ„gth or ouerwéening your selfe you haue made this large enterprise to Combat with the best approoued Knightes in the whole worlde in iudging no fairer
looke Which discourtesie hath well nere driuen me to dispayre in regarde of her slender opinion of mee as being so hindered onely through your absence Often I determined with Ptolome to leaue the Courte and followe you in trauaile but the King by no meanes woulde permit mée sending many of his owne Knightes because I shoulde not go yet was I resolued that had you not come no displeasure whatsoeuer shoulde haue helde mée héere but to finde you I intended or loose my life This falles out very harde quoth Palmerin for by these meanes we shall stay héere God knowes how long beside Hermes knowes my name which makes me doubt least we shal be reuealed the Emperour likewise may be offended at our long tarriaunce In regarde of all this good Prince I thinke it best that we sende your squire and Vrbanillo my Dwarffe to aduertise his Maiestie of our affaires and how by reason of the tempest we were cast quite out of course so far as we could not by any meanes assist his Armie not doubting but to sée his highnesse in very short time In the meane while we may practise meanes to win the Princesse fauour againe and so in good time departe hence with the honourable prize that we came for Trineus was newlye reuiued with these spéeches wherefore he desired that betimes in the morning hée would dispatche theyr Seruauntes towardes Allemaigne Which Palmerin fayled not to doo in respect of a dreame he had the night before for he imagined that he sawe his Lady Polynarda in meruailous heauinesse and that she sayde to him Alas my Lord what shall become of me for I am narrowly sought to be seperated from you This fearefull vision so discouraged him as he sent thence his Dwarfe to shewe her what trouble he hadde with his dreame and how constant he remained in his loue to her Chap. LXI How Palmerin promised the princesse Agriola to conâ—ay her out of England with his friendes which he performed to the speciall content of the prince Trineus EArly on the next morning Palmerin arose and wrote a letter to his Lady Polinarda wherin he secretly put a ring which shee gaue him when he departed from her straightly commaunding Vrbanillo that hee shoulde diligently attende on the Princesse till hee came which should bée with all the spéede hee could possible Ptolome likewise wrote to his Ladiâ— Brionella and these Letters dispatched the Messengers immediatly sette forwarde on theyr iourney From this time Colmelio was Palmerins Squire which pleased him very well because hee knewe that Palmerin was nobly borne so that by his meanes in time hee should rise to preferment This day the king would ride abroade a Hunting which gaue Palmerin occasion to sée the Faulcon fliâ— béeing reputed by the king and all his traine to be the best that euer flew In this time of recreation Hermes reported to the King that the knight so long absent was named Palmerin and the same knight that woonne so much honour in Fraunce which so well contented the king as he more and more desired his companie summoning all his Barons and Lordes to his Courte where hee made such feastes triumphs and other sportes for the honour of the noble Palmarin and his companions as the like had not béen of long time before At night when the Maskers Mumeries and Moriscoes were in presence that Palmerin espied conuenient time to talk with the princesse he tooke her aside to a window and thus began Madam before I begin what I haue to acquaint you withal I must giue you this ring as I was commanded by the lady of the castel in the lake the singular vertues thereof are such as I intreate you to kéepe it coÌ„tinually on your finger which Agriola receiuing with a curteous reuerence faithfully promised to accomplish his request then Palmerin with earnest affection on his friends behalfe thus continued his discourse I cannot but maruell fayre Princesse you being a Ladie of so speciall qualitie renowmed among the most vertuous creatures in the world for your rare integrity profound iudgemeÌ„t that you will be gouerned by the vnaduised perswasioÌ„s of other which I would not beléeue had not the Prince Trineus certenly assured me how since my departure in stéed of fauorable countenance and the intreatance beséeming so great a Lord he can haue nothing but frownes disdaine coy regard which is as easy for him to indure as a thousand deaths one after another Assure your self so farre beguiled as your councellers disswade you froÌ„ your chéefest good desirous to withhold you from the height of honour wherof you cannot faile being matched in mariage with the most vertuoâ—s Prince Trineus Make you no small account that he being one of the most noble states on the earth hath left his parents his friends and countrey hath past so many strange vncouth regions hath aduentured the iniurie of the seas bâ—aten with so many bitter blastes and raging billowes euerie minute in daunger of Shipwracke all for your loue Thinke you that he being son to the Emperour of Allemaigne attending euery day the rule of the Empire that he came hither to you in hope of your rich dowrie No trust me Madame and I thinke your own conscience doth so resolue you that néerer home he could haue found other endued with larger possessions then this Realme affords you But hearing the fame of your manifold vertues rare life choise beautie and all other good gifts he was willing wtout regard of his owne estate to thrust himselfe in daunger yea to forget himselfe for your loue which hitherto he hath with religious seruice intreated and except you intertaine him with more gracious fauour he is in danger of life Which if it should happen by your occasion for euer you shal be noted of monstrous ingratitude and Christendome should sustain a losse vnrecouerable How far such a thought ought to be froÌ„ you I leaue to your own coÌ„struction If hitherto you haue knowne me a knight readie to support the causes of Ladies far beneath your height thinke you I haue not greater reason to honour you yea not a moue you with any request but what may euery way aduance your credite And though my lord Trineus were not of the blood imperiall yet might his gentle heart vnfeigned loue and â—urpassing humanitie cause you to make choyse of him aboue all other whatsoeuer they be But séeing it so falles out that you will not regard good counsell following rather the perswasion of mean capacities whose iudgemeÌ„ts may not reach to so high occasions continue in your obstinacie and marke the end of such indiscréet consures I sée that our company is yrksome to you therfore sooner then you imagin we will remoue that occaâ—â—on I knowe well enough that you intend to match with the duke of Gaule who is but your fathers subiect so refusing yâ— degrée of an Empresse you shall tarry in England and be a Dutchesse Thinke you that if my
no Ladie may comparâ— her felicitie with mine Ah my sonne by thée are my sorrowes chaunged into ioy my dispaire into content and from death it selfe am I brought againe to life for if my husbands hard hap made me dâ—spise life now may you be assured how much I desire it Then declared shée how to saue the Prince Florendos life whose faithfull loue brought him to such extremitie by sicknesse she aduentured her honor for his safetie and entering the paradise of loue bestowed that iewel on him which she most of all estéemed And so maist thou quoth shée report to the Emperour yet in this manner that not by carâ—all impudicitie I so consented for God is my witnesse that notwithstanding the perill wherein I sawe him no perswasion could cause me yéeld him that especiall remedie before he had first solemnly vowed marriage to mée which against all right was broken by the Emperours commaundement Madame quoth Palmerin Florendos is of such valour and his honorable actions so well receiued among men that albeit he had made you no such promise yet reason may excuse you in this matter But if by promised faith and to saue the life of so gentle a Knight who happilie by your refusall might haue miscaried you honoured the Temple of Loue with so swéete an offering among people of good minde it ought rather to bée tearmed a vertue then anie bad affection or vnlawfull lust And therfore Madame comfort your selfe for shortly I hope to assure your peace with the Emperour and séeing I haue you for my mother and the Prince Florendos for my Father I féele my selfe frée from any gréefe or vexation assuring you that I will driue it to no further delay but this morning will I confer with his Maiestie The Quéene béeing fearefull that her long stay should cause anie bad opinion hauing kissed her sonne gaue him the good morrowe and so went to her Chamber where shée found Cardyna her Gentlewoman to wâ—om she shewed the Crucifixe her sonne had giuen her saying Tell me I pray thée Cardina doost thou remember that heeretofore thou hast séene this Crucifixe and in what place Beléeue me Madame quoth shée I thinke I haue seene it before nowe but in what place I am not certaine Why forgetfull creature knowest thou not that this is the Crucifixe which was tied about my sonnes necke when thy selfe did carrie him to the mountaine In gooâ— faith the Knight is hée who fought the Combate for my Lorde Florendos Nowe sée the great mercie and bountie of our God who preserued his life then and from infinite daungers hath defended him hitherto Notwithstanding bee thou secret and on perill of thy life reueale it to none vntill the Emperour my Father be acquainted therewith Cardyna was so ioyfull héereof as shée must néedes goe presently to sée Palmerin and finding the Chirugions with him visiting his woundes shée fetched a gorgious Mantle of purple Ueluet broydered round about with Pearles Diamonds and Rubies as wel might beséeme the greatest Monarch to weare As Cardina holpe him to put on this Mantle she noted the marke on his face which she remembred since thâ— time of his birth and in this maner goes Palmerin chéerefully to the Emperour whom he founde conferring with his Lords and Barons but his presence caused them breake off talke imagining him the comeliest person that euer they sawe The good olde Emperour Remicius reioycing to sée him in so good and able plight demaunded of him howe he fared Right well quoth he I thank God and your highnesse readie to aduenture on any occasion shal like you to commaund me and now am I come to aduertise your Maiestie of such matters as will not a little glad ye in the hearing so please your grace to vouchsafe me priuate audience Hereupon the Emperour commaunded euery one to depart the Hall and they béeing nowe alone Palmerin thus began Dreaâ— Lord and mighty Emperour till this time haue I frequented the Courts of manie Kings and Potentates without desire of requesting anie thing vntill this present when faine would I request one boone of your Maiestie the grant whereof shall returne you both profit and honor My noble Fréend Palmerin aunswered the Emperour what euer thou pleasest demaund and on my worde it shall bée graunted Palmerin with humble obeysaunce kissing the Emperours hand sayd In sooth my Lorde all that I haue to request is onely to desire your highnesse that all offences committed by the Prince Florendos and Madame Griana your Daughter may not onely be forgotten but also forgiuen For thy sake Palmerin quoth the Emperour I forgiue all their offences whatsoeuer May it then please your Maiestie quoth he to remember howe when Florendos came to doo you seruice during your warres agaynst Gamezio because you denied to giuâ— him your Daughter hée was so sicke as euerie howre his death was expected It then so fortuned my Lord the Princesse your Daughter acquainted with the cause of his sicknesse to giue him some comfort as also to defend so good a Prince from death by gracious spéeches shée gaue him such hope of her loue and such for trueth as before they parted a solemne promise of marriage was concluded betwéene them I know not the conditions of their agréements but it séemed the Articles consisted on no difficult accorde for each receyued of other the swéete desires of loue in so much as that night was I begotten And for a trueth my Lord I am the Sonne to the Prince Florendos and Madame Griana your Daughter who as I vnderstand by the Empresse perswasion against all right you compelled to marrie with the Prince Tarisius Florendos notwithstanding my Mothers wrong was verye great hath continued so loyall as hée would neuer accept anie other for his Wife nor as yet will but onely her Nowe my Lord that this matter may not séeme a fantasticall inuention I can resolue you of the place of my byâ—â—h which was in the Tower where my Mother remained prisoner by your commaundement vnder the charge of a Ladie named Tolomestra who to defende your daughters honor caused me to be carried to a place not far hence which is called the Mâ—unt of Oliues from whence my surname is likewise deriued in that place was I â—ound by a Countrey pesant vnder a Palme Trée who in signe thereof named me Palmerin d'Oliua My sorrowfull Mother hoping one day to sée me againe diligently noted diuerse markeâ— I haue and hung about my necke a golden Crucifixe which this day I gaue her againe and by this marke 〈…〉 like a Crosse shée well remembers me to be her Sonne In this respect my Lord that your Daughters offence was occasioned by true and faithfull loue and hauing likewise promised to forgiue all causes of displeasure graunt my father nowe at length to enioy his lawfull Wife that I béeing their Sonne may not bée estéemed as illegitimate the dâ—â—ing whereof will renowme your name for euer and loue
her meaâ—es to finde some succour be ranne apace towards her and falling on his knée thus spake Alas noble Ladie if euer power had pittie to 〈◊〉 ye instruct me howe to recouer my companions and two woorthie Ladies transformed into brute Beasts Malfada swelling with anger to sée that he was not likewise enchaunted aunswered Wretched knight accursed bée their power that defended thée from my incontations liue not thou in hope to finde any remedie héere for these enchauntments are of such strength as they may not be vndane but by the most skilfull magitian in the world which thou art not I am well assured and therefore dost thou but loose thy labour But because by mine art I cannot be reuenged on thée some other meanes will I seeke for thy destruction You therefore my Seruants lay handes on him and carrie him to the darkest of my prysons that his following dayes may be spent in greater miserie Uncourteous and despightfull quoth Palmerin are these speeches especially comming from one that vaunteth of her knowledge nor can they bee measured by loue or charitie and therefore shall I chastise such bad creatures as refuse a matter no way hurtfull to themselues but wherein theyr owne honour might be discerned With which words hée smote her head from her shoulders and valiantly buckling with the other in the ende left not one to carrie reporte of this massacre afterwarde hee fell into this lamentation againe in this manner Infortunate Palmerin séest thou not how mishap will neuer leaue thée for where thou thoughtest with comfort to finde thy Brother Tryneus nowe hath Fortune ouerwhelmed thée with a whole world of mischaunces Ah noble Agriola and gentle Laurana two of the most modest Princesses that euer the earth bare howe may you iustly blame me bringing you from where you liued in honour in this accursed place to bee transformed to brute Beastes Neuer did Circes deale so cruelly with Grillus and other Souldiers to the wise Vlysses as this villainous olde bag hath doone with me Had you yet beene altered to Lyons and Tygers you might haue defended your selues from the cruelâ—ie of other Beasts but this damned Sorceressâ— hath transformed you to the most fearefull and timerous among all other creatures and therefore subiect to euerie inconuenience Ah loyall companions who loued me déerer then your Father or Brother from the Turks which cherished you with such kindnes and loue haue I brought you to the cruell and mercilesse Malfada My noble Friende and Brother Frysoll what now will auaile thy haughty Chiualrie And gentle Prince Olorico who for my sake forsooke countrey Parents Friendes and all how maist thou iustly condemne me of infamous reproach What answere shall I make to mine Aunt Arismena for her noble husbande the King of Sparta And vertuous Duke of Pontus a Knight of high and especiall qualitie greatly maist thou blame thy fortune to bee acquainted with mée Not forgetting the magnanimious Prince Eustace how can I excuse thy hard 〈◊〉 to the good olde Duke of Mecaena thy Father Had it pleased the soueraigne Creator of all things that among you my selfe had taken the strange shape my quiet would haue béene the better to accompanie you with mishappe as I haue doone in good fortune Ah swéete Sister Armyda little thinkest thou what offence thy Brother Palmerin hath committed and gracious Mistresse Polynarda what torment will this bee to your heauenly thoughts when you shall vnderstand the summe of my ill successe Wandering along in these mones he came to the Enchauntresse Castale where at the gate he sawe two Damoselles who humbly saluting him saide Welcome Sir Knight heere may you repose your selfe if you please Alas Ladys quoth be it is nowe no time for me to rest because the Ladie of this place I thinke béeing the most ingrate and despightfull woman that euer I sawe hath depriued mée of all my ioye and comfort but I hope I haue so well paide her for her paines as héereafter shee shall do no further harme Yet if any of you haue béene so well instructed by her as to finish the deuellish coniurations and will accomplish it or tell me if by force they may bee reduced to their former shapes who remaine enchaunted héere in this Islande for euer will I bee her Knight and will preferre her in honour beyond all other of her race The Damosels who thought their Ladies cunning had brought them thither that shee might abuse him and afterwarde transforme him as was her custome béeing amazed at this aunswere thus spake Accursed villaine of an euill death maist thou die whom our Mistresse by her knowledge cannot transforme now knowe we that thou hast murdered her but assure thy selfe to finde vs thy two most mortall enemies and though we can change thy Fréendes to their former shapes yet in despight of thy villainie wee will not nor shalt thou knowe how it may be doone Awaie strumpets quoth hee get yee going or I will sende your soules after your Mistresse and were it not a disgrace to mine honor to defile my hands with the bloode of such wicked creatures by heauen I would cutte yee as small as flesh to the pot Then came a knight foorth of the Castell who embracing Palmerin said My Lord Palmerin what fortune hath brought you into this accursed Iland Palmerin séeing such strange euents succéede one an other knewe not what to imagine but at length returned this answer You must hold me excused Sir for in truth I knowe ye not Why my Lorde quoth the knight haue you forgotten Dâ—ardo whose life you defended in the king of Bohemiaes Court By heauen said Palmerin I could not call you to remembraunce but tell mee good Knight what aduenture brought you hither for my chaunce hath béene so vnfortunate as the rehearsall woulde bee most dolorous Then Dyardo declared howe the King had sent him with some small assistaunce to pursue fiue Foystes of Moorish Pirats who had doone manie iniuries to his subiects And quothe hee after I had long time chased them fiue other Galleyes came and ioyning with them tooke mee and â—â—ue all my men At length by tempesteous wether we were cast on this Isle where we landing to séeke fresh water all the Moores were changed into Harts Dogs and Bores but the Ladie sparing me in regard of amorous desire hath kept mee in this Castle a yéere and more abusing mee at her owne pleasure and neuer could I compasse any meane to escape hence againe for if I had but made offer néere the Gate by forcible strokes haue I béene beaten backe yet not able to discerne who smote me Your hap quoth Palmerin hath béene verie harde but her cursed head lying on the shore side perswades me héereafter she shall doo no more harme But tell me good Dyardo is there no one within so skilfull in her Science as wée may winne to doo vs some good Not one aunswered Dyardo therefore am I lothe you shoulde staie long heere in doubt