approching to the Pillers impossible With Brauorant closed Lyrianas Louer crossing his sword on high nimbler he was then Scythian and so with all his strength before he could warde it he discharged a furious blow on his helmet the which had it not bene of such force euen with his head it had bene cleft yet he forst him two steppes backe Into his Barke he would haue leapt but the Pagan inured to such blowes although it much gréeued him returned and with a thrust droue him backe againe as fast as he came forward Fewe blowes like vnto these had the Britaine felt but séeing the Ladies looked on him and also his Father and Graundsyer that were come thither returned vnto his place where he began one of the fearcest Combats of all that day For against the other Barke wherein Bembo was came Don Eleno no lesse furious then Mars and Brufaldoro was confronted by the Emperor Alphebo He the first executed his blow was hasty Dacian so close grapled were the barks that they could fight as sure as on land and therefore Rosamonds beloued with Brutus sword flourished it twise aloft Well perceiued Bembo his intent wherefore leauing his Helme bare gaue him a strong thrust on his amourous breast the which taking him as he stifly stood and with his minde another where it was a great chaunce he ouerthrew him not but made him stagger into his Barke After him would the Pagan leape but as swift as a Leopard returned the Louer and ere he could doo it with both hands he discharged his sword in such manner on his helme that he thought he sawe more starres then the heauens contained and bore so heauily on the one side as he set his left knée vppon the ground Another seconded the Dacian a little lower descending downe the shoulder a better blowe was not giuen in all the Battle for it cut away all his Vanbrace with his sléeue of Male and somewhat wounded him The Pagan trembled at the blowe and knowing that was he which ouerthrew him in Grecia he animated himselfe for he was greatly vexed to sée his crosse fortune and beganne to shewe he was no lesse then Bembo Prince of Achaya The Emperour Alphebo that knewe his enemy warily assayled him although he quickly broke off order for the Moore remembring him will not vse trickes of defence but giue and receiue without pitie So at once they laid on their helmes Both kist the ground the Emperour with one hand but the Mauritanian with both and both knées The Gréeke seconded another bearing his sword outwards which offer he had scarce made when turning his hand with all his strength he thrust at his breast thence the poynt glaunced to indaunger the Moore more for if he had not yéelded to the thrust cleane through he had bin thrust for happening twixt the buckles it ranne to the other side None sawe the blowe but iudged either the Moore to be dead or deadly wounded Who hauing escaped that great daunger became more furious then fire smothered within a Basseliske charged with powder And recouering his former place casting his Shield at his backe beganne so with blowes to weary the Lorde of Trebizond that almost hée could not fetch his breath yet not in such sort but he often astonished the Moore and made him to féele his strength and fury of his armes All this while was not Trebatios Nephew ydle with Brauorant the flower of Paganisme for their fight is woorthie the sight of the towred Ladies It was more dangerous for the Moore because the Louer supposed his Ladie had knowne him He neuer shewed himselfe more skilfuller nor fiercer Many particular battels were left onely to beholde that of the sixe Both are well armed and sure from beeing wounded which made them fearelesse abide one anothers strokes Like a chafed Bore fomed the Scythian séeing so many aduersaries to resist him and more they that could hazard his battel as he that then was before him who refusing no labor entred and retired at his pleasure Nimble and actiue was the Pagan and so helping himselfe therewith before the Brittaine youth could turne about he executed a blowe vpon the rich helme which Eufronisa gaue him whose fine temper saued his life for else it had diuided him in two yet it made him set his hands to the ground ere hee rose the Pagan discharged againe a flourish on him nothing inferior to the other It was somewhat besides his head and not able to make impression it glanced away without more harm although it had done ynough to inrage him With more furie issues not the Tyger from his denne to seeke his pray then he returned vpon the Scythian with Hectors sword strongly clasped in both hands Aboue foure lost the vermillion of their faces seeing the feareful blow descend whose noyse was heard ouer all the armies his helme sounded like a bell and he voyded much blood through his mouth and nostrels and staggerd vp and downe not knowing where he was With such another hee helped him which forced him in amazement to set his hands and knées on the hatches of his barke wherein he would haue leapt if the two brothers Don Celindo and Floraliza had not there arriued At once they both eagerly discharged two blowes on him that hee was constrained to bow lower then he would Quicke and bolde was the Ladie so would she haue wonne the entrance of his vessell but shée had like to ouerthrowne her selfe for the Emperors Admirall béeing neare thereto and the haughtie Rosicler knowing his braue sonne and séeing him so ill vsed like an Eagle leapt into his boate saying Courage braue Prince for your father is with you With the blowe he gaue she was forced backe and for feare of falling into the sea shée withheld her selfe His son could not answere him so inraged he was imagining some shew of cowardise had made his father come to succor him And his blood repaired to his heart the which burning like fire and closing barke to barke leauing his father with Don Celindo he turned his reuenge wholly vpon the Ladie whose beautie deserued no such requitall Camillas armie may she thanke for her life else this had béene her last battell and terme of breathing Thrée steppes he made her stagger backewards and followed her with so strong a thrust that hee thrust her so farre within the barke that easily he wonne the entrance in despight of the Pagans Excéeding danger doth Meridians daughter incurre fighting with Rosabell with whom no Lyon may bee compared Againe before the Ladie recouered her selfe hee gaue her another that had almost felled her Neuer was she in such perill but he that loued her as his soule Don Clarisell that long had sought her came thither in such good time as it was worth no lesse then her life to her who seeing his Ladie so handled let flie a cruell thrust at him Against him that had strooke him turned the Brittaine youth giuing the Ladie leaue
you would easily forget whom you left in prison that I thought best to get company to séek you abroad if you ouerlong should tarry and with my owne hands take my reuenge which should not be litle rigorous Had I bene happie diuine Ladies said the Prince as to haue knowne this resolution to féele the pleasure that wounds giuen by those your sacred hands doo yéeld I would not haue so soone returned But yet knowing the falling into any forgetfulnesse in you seruice how litle soeuer was paine intollerable inforced me so soone to hasten my comming to be resolued of your will the which those Princes nor my selfe wil in nothing contradict I loue so truly to kéepe my word inuiolate heroicke Prince of Grecia answered the Ladie that I know not what more to say sauing this I doo altogither submit my fortunes to your order which during life I wil obserue assured that such a knight wil respect my poore immaculated honour the which although in some respect I doo repugne yet to frustrate my intended marriage I wil venture my person in any peril you shal vndergo therefore in this there is no more to doo but plot it as you thinke best for that is our determination And since the Gods haue in all things made you so absolute doo not gréeue if I take this Ladie in my company For shée will in no case remaine any longer in my Fathers Court whilest I absent my selfe In charge had I that you last spake of saide the Prince from my Lord and Vncle the Prince of Dacia but séeing she is pleased with what we al desired let vs no longer procrastinate our iourney making all things readie for the same two daies hence in which time you may send to our lodging those things you shall bee best pleased to take with you Be it as you haue said soueraigne Prince said Venus for hauing in our defence the mightie Alphebos sonne it is nothing wee haue vndertaken were it farre harder Occasion they had to demaund for the Persian which being not omitted things passed so plainly that the Gréeke reioyced to sée his friend so well imployed Any ones good would glad him though hée himselfe did want it He tooke his leaue of the Ladies with a thousand imbracements that had not Archisilora gouerned his soule and the reason of his thoughts it were no wonder had he stood a while ponderating the content thereof but he with one ordinarie courtesie in liew of so many fauours left them of themselues iealous with feare of that they should do although their comfort was that such Princes had vndertooke their safetie They straight beganne to order the preparations for their iourney from Xantho While the valourous Gréeke returned to the Princes that receiued him with excéeding ioy relating to them all their conference with the Ladies resolution which not a little contented them and moreouer said And I haue newe commends to the haughtie Bransiniano Prince of Persia for the Ladies demaunded for none but him and I am glad in my heart to knowe how matters passe and in faith I had not thought the Dacian Lord to bee so warie Valiant Gréeke said Don Eleno knowe that in matters of Loue the greatest concealement is greatest fire for nothing contents Cupid more then to sée how by the sole motion of the eyes two agres concluding more with the sight then others in an age in present daily continual discourses For nothing better blazoneth the soules newes then the eyes and if they so could no maruell they be agréed and greater matters can Loue so effect So with great content did they all expect the second day to take the Ladies from the Pallace for the men they sent for were by that come to the place appoynted The next day Fausta sent thrée or foure of the Ladies chests and the one and the others awaited the darknesse of the approaching night wherin befell them what the next following Chapter doth resite CHAP. VII How the Princes conueyed the Ladies out of the Pallace The battell they had about them with the Kings Knights and what more happened ALreadie had the starrie canabey of heauen darkened the earth with clowdie blacke obscuritie when the foure mightie valiant warriours clad all in rich and strong abilements of warre accompanied with the two fierce gyants and twentie knights leauing the rest to guard the Ladies Coffers and to aduertise the armie of their approach arriued closely at the Garden gate and making the accustomed signe Fausta with more courage opened where they found the Ladies so amazed with feare that they had no power to vtter one word It was no time for ceremonies so Claridiano taking Venus in his armes carried her out of the garden and deliuering her to the Prince of Croatia said Receiue this gift sir knight for by doing it I can-cel the bonds of my ingaged word He could not answer being ouercloied with ioy nor yet could she do otherwise He returned like the winde for Laissa that more courage had then the other hauing indured many perils and gaue her to the Prince of Persia whose gladnesse did excéed the greatest in the world He forgot not Palisandro for almost he plainly conceiued what happened in the Tower so deliuering Fausta vnto him spake Since thou canst so well dissemble thou deseruest to haue her in kéeping The Damzell was wittie and so replied I would not sir knight that after you haue played your owne parts you should thus ill rewarde me The want of power to care for so many kinde Fausta hath forced mee to commit you to his guarding that knows what torments do possesse me Therevppon Don Elenos Dwarffe stept in with these words I faith Prince of Grecia if you vse to pay all your Squires in this manner it will make mee rebell against Don Eleno my Lord for he liuing secure remembers not vs that be so destitute of fauours The Dacian made answere The not knowing thy minde friend Lesbio was cause I procured not thy remedie but now I knowe thy will I will ere long satisfie thy content With many iestes at length they arriued at their armie where after they rested the Gréeke would discharge his soule of part of her cares wedding the beautious Venus to the gallant Pollidolpho with such content of all the hoste that feared they not to be heard had exprest it with applauding shouts Here me thinkes said Eleno all the world flies from farther toyle which being so I will also do it by leauing the protection of this soueraigne Ladie so bestowing her to the Persian he saide To you sir Knight must I deliuer her being destitute of strength to guard her So well did Venus plead knowing how the Persian was affected that foorthwith they were both espowsed to their admirable ioy Content in pleasant chat were these Princes and also beeing night it was not much if they enioyed any secret ioyes I knowe not but to increase their pleasure the sencelesse trées were
sonne Rosuler that at Oliuas intreaties did stay Also the furious Brandafidel was with him on whose strength he reposed much hope The Gréeke Alphebo had no néed of aduertisement for the generallitie of the warres was come vnto his eares and so with the greatest power he could vnite withdrew himselfe to Tribizound accompanied with Braminoro and Tefereo who most gréeued at the Princes absence was the beautious Archisilora attributing the lacke of Claridianos presence to her owne strangenesse her sorrow was easily discerned by her outward semblance No lesse was Rosamondes to sée her so knowing the cause it so tormented her that for feare it should be perceiued she resolued to absent her selfe for commanding the Gouernors of her kingdome should with all conuenient spéede conduct the greatest power of well prouided men they could select â—ut of her Kingdome to Constantinople and there to rest vnder the Emperours gouernment They accomplisht their Quéens beheft for then she no Princesse was more with loue respected of subiects sending when time serued fiftie thousand of well armed men The day before her departure shee tooke her leaue of Rosamond with no fewe teares for neuer betwéene two Ladies was such simpathie of true amitie Very importunately she offered her coÌ„pany but as any good societie wold but aggrauate the Quéenes euill shee would not admit it saying shee might not leaue Greece and the Emperour in such necessitie Then her armes being the best the world contained she presented her Them shee also refused for Lirgandeo had prouided her with such as were requisit for safegard of her person which were of the same colour as Claridianos sauing that the sable barres were filled with flames of fire on her shield was a gallant deuise for out of a field full of odoriferous flowers a Ladie séemed to go in search of a knight after whom she in great haste ascended vp a craggie rocke from whence she looked after the content she lost and the Motto betwéene them thus Little hope of ioyes abide That leaue knowne ioyes for ioyes vntride Alone would the warlike warriour néeds go thinking her gréefe a sufficient company all the Court sorrowed for her absence but Lirgandeo assuring them of her safetie their discontent was lessened mounted on a lustie Courser shee crost the woods of Greecia thinking on her Lord calling her selfe a thousand times most cruell for that in being so shee had lost him and by the losse obtained so great torments Shee shipt her selfe in a barke bound for Alexandria resolute to trauell the whole world in pennance of her folly One night among the rest while the warriours slept she walked as she vsed on the hatches with her lameÌ„ts to make the watrie dwellers partakers of her gréefes at such time that another barke sayled by hers from whence might be heard some entermingled grones with sighes She could not knowe what it was so swift it went away After it with all possible spéede with ores and sayles she commaunded hers should followe it was done with such diligence till shee ouertooke the barke wherein shee sawe a Knight complaine of Loue and Fortune thus Ay me vnfortunate Prince said the knight is it possible there should be no euill but the extreamest sower it containes my perplexed soule shuld féele Why should I hope for any good when with mine eyes I sée it flie from me There is no inconuenience but haunts me except death with whom I cannot be acquainted Oh Gréekish Prince how happily mayest thou call thy selfe happie by being in thy infancie brought vp with the soueraigne of my life and hearts direction since that was an occasion for the obtaining of those rights solely due to to me Oh Liriano thy name being sufficient to asswage the gréefe that me torments who might by sacrificing my life into thy hands assure thée in faith thy Louer deserue not comparison with me To you to you Sea-Gods do I complaine Oh you I pray that séeing her celestiall habitation is in your vaste confused watrie kingdome a little intreate her for the vnhappie Bembo Oh Loue how rigorously hast thou in all things shewen thy crueltie against me Wherein haue I offended thée when disobeyd I thy commands when violated I thy lawes abolished thy rights or when did my painfull thoughts harbor or conceiue the least imagination against thy honour or deitie If this be so and not vnknown to thée why doest thou wound him with tyrannie that is orborne with weaknesse and thy disastrous chaunces Oh how many any pardon me faire Ladies be hereafter confident on your perfections your crueltie being as great as your beauties are incomparable if you reward him that can loue like him that onely liues to hate No more could the Ladie heare for the barke was guided by Lupertio but what she heard was ynough to increase her paine and raise some doubt that the named Prince was he whom she loued Oh generall plague said the gréeued Lady none canst thou forgiue shewing thy care in most tormenting them that are most carelesse of thée A shower of infinit teares rained the Quéene downe her pearled théekes procéeding from the extremitie of loue hauing so done séeing her selfe comfortlesse and not knowing whom to aske for hauing no notice of the Gréekes deuise she began to giue vent vnto her swelling thoughts singing these verses My heart will burst except it be discharg'd Of his huge load that doth oppresse it so Streames stopt oreflow the bankes if not enlarg'd And fire supprest doth much more fiercer grow Great woes ript vp but halfe the woe remaines But paines concealde doth aggrauate the paines Sing then my soule the storie of my losse Forme in sweete words the anguish of my minde Yet doo not singing ill becomes a crosse Rather sigh out how hard Loues yoke I finde Loue is a sicknesse singing a ioy And pleasure is no pack horse for annoy And must I then knowing Loue a disease That fils our soules with strang calamities Spite of my heart enforc'd my selfe to please And in mine owne armes hug my miseries And seeing still my state waxe worse and worse Must I of force embrace and kisse my curse I must I must Cupid hath sworne I must And t' is in vaine and bootlesse to resist Then be not Loue oh be not too vniust I yeeld me to thy rule rule how thou list For my reclaim'd rebellion shall bring foorth A treble dutie to thy glorious woorth Oh Loue sweete Loue oh high and heauenly Loue The Court of pleasure Paradice of rest Without whose circuit all things bitter prooue Within whose centure euery wretch is blest Oh graunt me pardon sacred deitie I do recant my former heresie And thou the gearest Idoll of my thought Whom loue I did and do and alwaies will Oh pardon what my coy disdaine hath wrought My coy disdaine the author of this ill And for the pride that I haue shew'd before By Loue I sweare I le loue thee ten times more Hast thou
Eagle with two crowned heads the selfesame they had In signe of peace and message the Tharsians hung out a white flagge So they were suffered to passe among their ships whose numbers of men and fierce Gyants amazed them They boorded the Admirall from whence two ancient Knights of Argentaria were in a Barge conducted to the royall Galleon where they deliuered their embassage vnto a mightie knight that little wanted of a Gyants heigth telling him how in their fléete were the kings of Tharsis and Argentaria from whom hauing séene their armes they came to know whether they were on the part of Grecia vnder whose standard they also fought These newes excéedingly gladded the gallant youth being no lesse then valiant Abstrusio who would néeds expresse his thankfulnesse for what Rosabell had done for him hauing through his valour and strength obtained his faire Syrinda who knowing that her Abstrusio went to Grecia would not stay without him dreading the want of his presence And so to conduct her with more safetie hee had mustered togither from both kingdomes and all the Ilands he had conquered by his valour 300. thousand Combattants the skilfullest in Nauigation in all the wide world besides and he himselfe excelling all others therein because with aduantage to giue a battell on the seas hée seemed to haue bene onely borne thereto hee brought with him 500. puissant giants his friends that to please him with many of their knights accompanied him in that voyage And in his ship to guard his deare lady were twentie proportioned like to plesse pynes Now séeing the Nauie he had reputed to be against him came on the â—ehalfe of his honoured Prince he declared who he was and how he reioyced to haue met such friends vnto the Gréekes and Rosabell Presently they sounded in signe of peace yet many of Abstrusios followers and Argentarians gréeued thereat because they first desired to haue made tryall of theyr persons but long was it not after that they had occasion to do it By this was it knowne to Lysart who his reputed enemie was and so to shew him extraordinarie courtesie he and his sonne with foâ—â—e Lords of estimation went to visit him whereof Abstrusio being aduertised expected their comming on the hatches of his Galleon commanding as they passed by they should be welcommed with a generall peale of Ordinance from all his ships which was performed in such good sort that the haughtie Lysart much commended their good entertainment who with all his company went aboordâ— of the Galleon and most kindly the two lustie warriers embraced one an other And so being knowne how they were all voyagers for one enterprise and eyther relating how much they were bound to Rosabell the mightie Abstrusio burst forth into these words Oh Ioue now I am fully assured how effectually thou dost impart thy fauours to the Gréekes and I nothing wonder at the lamentable desolation of ruined Troy since al the good aduentures of the world are soly reserued for theÌ„ as due to their worths And your Maiestie hath reason mightie king of Tharsis to shewe the office of a friend vnto so braue a Prince and as for me were I not he I am shuld I denie what I owe since through him I enioy my life possesse my kingdome and that which is more and I most estéeme is the happie fruition of my deare wife And then he told him all that hapned with him to Rosabels immortall glory So Lysarte requited his discourse with an other of his Loues and that therefore hee brought that Nauy to ayde them It is no more then due said Abstrusio to helpe him that helpes so many to obtaine their ioyes in whose pursute let vs spend our liues to make him happie in content And so ioyning both fléetes togither by the Tharsians direction they set forwards for Lysarte was best acquainted with those seas and knew where the enchauntment stood hauing bene at it when he freed Rosabell from it Who desirous to honor the Pagan with more then ordinarie courtesie commanded to be proclaimed throughout his Fléete that euery one should obey the mightie Abstrusio as their Captaine Generall Who taking some offence thereat said Since our amitie must be of such force and continuance I wold not mightie Prince you wold vse these ceremonies with me I do but what I know you deserue and is your due Braue Prince replyed Lysarte and therefore do but commaund and we will all obey for now and at all times we entend to be your souldiers and so hée intreated him to passe into his Galley but not able to obtaine it hee and his sonne were faine to stay in that Galleon With the noise of many instruments the two puissant Nauies began to shape their course towards Nyquea They had such faire weather and prosperous winde that on the fourth day of their Nauigation they discried the flames of fire that issued from the Tower Thither they turned their course sending forth sixe swift sayling Gallies to discouer their way The which were so neare the Tower that they sawe a most daungerous battell fought betwéene the Arches The reason was for that the mightie Brauorant making his abode there would suffer none to prooue the ascending vp Some about it had lost their liues and many their honors They so long tarried that from the South they discried before they went away such an infinit number of sayles that it amazed their iudgements déeming them to be aboue 4000. vesselles of Ships Barkes and Gallies Neuer did Xerses sée at once so many sayles togither This fléete was the mightie Soldans of Nyquea with whom all his friends beeing ioyned came thitherward couering all the sea of Greece In the Admirall was the two Soldanes of Nyquea and Egypt being a brother of his whom Rosabell slew Who séeing himselfe so mightie resolued with all his strength to reuenge his brothers death and his was the greatest part of that power With them ioyned the Prince of Syconia Venus Louer the Sophy the mightie King of Assyria with the Phenician who hoping there to sée their sonnes as Lupercio tolde them agreed to ayde the Souldan of Nyquea Also very strongly came braue Epirabio with proude Brufaldoro Brauoâ—â—…nts great enemie Many men brought not Bembo Prince of Achaya but without doubt the valiantest and most expert in warre Enuious Lupersio so well pleaded for this braue knight that he caused him to be created Lord Generall both by sea and land hee accepted the honor iudging his streÌ„gth to be sufficient to discharge a greater charge He named for his Lieftenant and Substitute by sea the discreet king of Assyria because he had rather fight by Land that he might order and dispose of the Shippes and gallies least their numbers breaking into disorder might hazard their victorie which otherwise they had assured Euery one highly estéemed him séeing his gallant behauiour and knowing how he was honoured throughout the world So many hundred thousands of men they brought that he
hight Robed with Emperious might Yet she staynes the Lillies white When she had done then the second turning to the Quéene of Lyra sung Earthly thing giues not her name Earth cannot expresse the same Heauenly t is and thence it came The third with no lesse swéetnesse remembred Rosamond in this manner Though last not least but with the best The worldes sweete Rose is well exprest A faire paire-royall euer blest Hauing all ended they recorded them togither with such recording voyces to the consort of their delightfull musick nothing different from Angels harmony And as they went vnder it from the opening of a Cloude spredde vnder the Arch after a tempest of artificall thunder and lightening there raigned downe an odoriferous shewer of swéete water-dewed fragrant flowers whose comfortable odour reuiued all their sea-weakened mindes Before they had passed it from the thickest of the same Cloude there descended thrée mightie Eagles eyther with a coronet of flowers in their billes and whipping the ayre with their great winges they with them crowned the thrée most gallant Ladies So soone as they were gone by and Venus with her company come thither the thrée Syrens to a new dulced tune with one voyce sung this note An other faire payre-royall of like fame That doubtfull t is which hand will winne the game The twelue Gouernors of the Empire with all the courtiers and gallants of the Cittie expected their landing at the shore where twelue auncient Peeres clad in long robes of cloath of Golde trayling on the ground tooke the sixe Ladies vnder a cannabie whose value excéeded estimation and in that equipage marched forward till they stayed to behold a Castle erected and drawne on foure whéeles within they rung a larum bell crying Nyquea Nyquea aduancing on the highest of the same thrée Ensignes with the Ladies armes Then in rich Armour issued out thereof thrée well accomplished Knights who aloude made a challenge to maintaine they were the Paragons for bewtie and fortitude There wanted not enemies to defend the contrarie for from the same Castle came foorth nine knights betwéene whom they began a braue combat at barriers Then beganne the Castle to mooue discharging so many fireworkes as if it were al on a flame The Ladies wold not mount on horeseback because they were very neare the chiefe gate of the Cittie through which the Theban Duke issued foorth with the imperial Ensigne who intreated the Ladies in the Cittizens behalfe to dispose of the Citie as their natural Lords They returnd their thākfulnes according to their states highly estéeming of their solemne entertainment which had so excéedingly contented Lyriana that shee accounted all her forepassed troubles well bestowed since they had brought her to so happie ende In all the Court there was not any but came to sée the arriuall of their Princes In opinion was the Ladies beautie had whether of the thrée was fairest for Lyrianas sight had attracted all eyes And in no lesse admiration were the others had Such presse of people were in the stréetes that had not the Emperours guard gone before they had not béene able to passe But beeing entred into the yard new matters did happen for an alarum bell was with furie rung in Lyndabrides inchantment which ended they heard a most heauenly noyse of swéet musick Ther was none but demanded the cause of that vnaccustomed accident Whereto the wisemen aunswered That by reason of the Nyquean Princesse comming the gates were opened that euerie one that would might fréely prooue the aduenture Very great pleasure conceiued the Emperour Trebatio thereat so did the grand Alphebo imagining the end of the aduenture was at hand so much by them desired I do omit faire Ladies to shunne prolixitie their newe welcomes in the Hall onely remembring Oliuas ioy with the sight of Lyriana and her sonne Rosabell whom also with the other Ladies sonnes and kismē the Empresse Briana most kindly entertained Few daies after was the Brittaine Prince with the Princesse of Nyquea married by the Patriach of Constantinople being first baptized which sacred and diuine Sacrament Rosamond would also receiue for her dear Lords sake New triumphs had béen ordained but that the proofe of the disamorous Tower did intercept them for as the promised reward was so great euery one procured most to shew himselfe most forward in that aduenture Dinner being done there wanted no knights that offered the trial but as it required such great valour ere the sunne setting there was hung about the Tower aboue two hundreth Shieldes euery one placed according to his Maisters deserts Drowne would Apollo his cleare light in Thetis watery lappe when through the place there entered a gallant and well accomplished Knight clad in rose colour Armour and brauely mounted His disposition pleased euery one Who galloping along leaped from his saddle and with admirable brauery passed into the Tower Many suspected he would end the aduenture séeing with what courage hee ascended the defended steps But foure he wanted when vnable to goe any further hee was sencelesse cast from the Tower hauing his Shéelde set very neare vnto the haughtie Troians This knight was a valiant Pagan Lord of Lesbos I le not farre from Troy Who hauing landed a little after the Ladies came thither at such time that he well made knowne the prowesse of his person Scarce had this stout Pagan lost his entrance but Lyriamandros haughtie sonne named Tersildo presented himselfe to be no lesse valiant then frée from the vnweildie yoake of of loue His Armour was of Azure colour with many starres of Golde In the middest of his shield was portrayed a knight treading on Cupid hauing his Bow and Quiuer broken with this Motto Loue resisted is a childe Suffered is a Tyger wilde And a little lower The scourge of heauen and earth hell sea and land Is scourg'd and maistered by a humane hand There was no Lady there but gréeued at his frée deuice nor neuer did they more wish any knights vanquishment as this thinking it was an iniurie vnto their sexe to haue him liue at libertie Quickly was their desire satisfied for proouing the entrance he did couragiously arriue as farre as the Pagan whence with like violence hee was cast forth whose vnhappie chance did greatly please all the Ladies present The nights approach with sable couerture taking her place in Phoebus absence brake off the instant tryall whereupon the Emperour with his company returned to the Pallace where was open reuelling Rosabell daunced with Lyriana and euery Prince with his beloued Lady to their incomparable ioy All which did but more and more gréeue the Quéene of Lyra for wanting her Claridiano she was not capable of the least pleasure so was she there present onely but in person for her soule wandred to séeke him Iust guerdon for her straungenesse which she long time was forced to suffer for although he was in the Gréeke warres none knew him as in the fourth of this part shall be expressed
nor would he be knowne to any imagining his Lady to bee still displeased with him whose sight did sufficiently strengthen him to tollerate his paines But now we are inioyned to leaue her and the disamorous proofe to explicate the manner how the Princesse Roselia and Arbolinda of Scotland were liberated whome in the Forrest thrée miles from Rome wee left enchaunted CHAP. XXV How Claridiano and Claramant arriued at the Port of Rotta where they founde the straunge enchauntment of Roselia and what haughtie deedes of Chiualrie they there performed in the company of Alphebo Brauorant and Don Celindo PLowing the foming Billowes of the vast déepe sea with their inchaunted barke most bewtious dames we left Claridiano and Claramant with no small ioy for the good successe of the valiant Gréekes and yet much wondred at the litle reason the Nyquean Souldan had not to accept as his sonne in law whom Darius would not haue refused the famous Britaine Rosabell Competitor with Mars himselfe in armes and for state and royaltie equall to the Gréeke Macedonian Alexander Of these such like matters did the two Gréeke warriors discourse admirnig to behold with what swiftnesse their barke cut through the swelling waues And to sée whether they could discern any Hauen or Arbor not long after they descried one the fayrest and safest that they euer sawe the which Claridiano ouerioyed thereat tolde his vnckle it was the famous Port of Rotta thrée myles from the renowned Cittie of Rome whereat they desired to land because they wished to sée a place so glorious as that Theyr will was quickly accomplished for the Barke with incredible Vellocitie came a shore in the same Hauen where the Princes imagined they were to abide whereupon landing and mounting on theyr Horses they tooke theyr best way to Rome which Claridiano partly knew hauing before bene there And crossing a great wood they came into a fayre playne all dyaperd with Floras fragrant Tapestry ouer which an Imperious Castle séemed to commaund whose loftie heigth and toplesse Pyramedes controwled the starry Firmament In middest thereof stood an Alabaster Tower fiue wayes squared the workemanship thereof greatnesse and altitude amazed the Princes At euery edge of the square it had thrée Bulwarkes of finest Iasper so that the middle Tower was incompassed with fiftéen Bulwarkes Round about it was Moted with a broad déepe Ditch ouer which fel a draw Bridge to passe it at the farthest ende thereof there stood a mightie big Christal Piller on which hung by Chaines of gold fiue rich Hornes a litle beneath a Table with Letters that yéelded such splendor as they almost depriued the beholders sight Greatly did the Prince wonder at the straunge rich Edefice and so Claramant said Truly most excellent Prince this séemes to be a most gallant aduenture if we may iudge it by the strong fortefied bignesse of the Castle Tower and Bulwarkes whose like mine eyes til now did neuer yet behold nor is it possible they should againe see such another And therefore I much desire to reade the Letters of the Table if you so thinke it good to be certified therof for least I be deceiued this should be some Inchauntment and if it be of no smal estéeme should the person inchaunted be of Answere would Claridiano when through the aire they heard a hideous noyse by the rising of a sudden whirlewind with such horror that it séemed to leade a Legion of diuels after it leauing the way desolate by which it past renting by the rootes all the pines oakes and elmes it met This sight confounded the Princes who looking to sée the ende they sawe a blacke fogge rise ouer the ditch whose obscure aspect depriued Tytan of his bright rayes but a litle after the Welkin cleared and Apollo being restored to his former light they discerned the Bridge raised aboue ten faddome high hindering the passage ouer and on this side there was placed an other Piller but of Brasse with an inscription of Emerald Letters that signified the aduenture Not speaking one to another they went to the Piller and hauing learned all maner of languages they could reade this in the Germane tongue thus Let none though Mars in Armes be so daring as to pretend the libertie of Roselia vnlesse they be fiue Warriors whose famous deeds haue through the world extended their eternall glorie for till they shall be togither in this Forrest the passage ouer the Moate shall be graunted to none Whereupon Claridiano tooke occasion thus to speake vnto his vnckle I thinke heroicke Prince it is in vaine for vs to offer to proue the aduenture séeing the words say there should bee fiue that must doo it togither Oh how should I reioyce were we now accompanied with the strength of Paganisme Brauorant Bembo and Brufaldoro that we might vndertake this enterprise but séeing the wise men haue thus ordered it let vs if you please go vnto the populous Cittie of Rome where you shall sée such antiquities that without admyration you cannot behold Be it as you haue said mightie Lord replied Claramant for I wil in all things obey you As these famous Princes of Greece were about to tread the next way to the Cittie they heard a great noyse towards the sea coast as if many knights were in battle togither whose horror of vncontrowled blowes was no lesse then that of Vulcans Aetnean worke-house Slow were not they that were borne to fight in pricking their swift stéeds thitherward and hauing crost the Forrest hard by the shore in a fayre plaine they sawe two sturdie knights in Combat one against the other A third of no lesse gallantnesse mounted and leaning on his speare beheld them To him went Mars his Competitors and after due courtesie Claramant thus said You shall not a little fauour vs Sir knight to let vs know the cause of so terrible fight which in mine opinion will not cost lesse then eythers life with such furie they prosecute it So much haue your kinde words bound me Sir knight answered hee that I cannot in honour denie to satisfie all your demaund Know therefore that you bigge knight in Russet armor is called Brauorant one of the strongest that this day breathes who hauing taken part with the Souldan of Nyquea in his last expedition against Grecia where he lost most of his ships and men in the Nauall battell as no doubt you haue heard this knight left him of purpose to sayle vnto his kingdome to assemble new powers against the Gréekes on the Souldans behalfe hauing sworne vtterly to distroy them And I Don Celindo by name desirous to sée the high déedes of this most famous warrier did offer my selfe to associate him which hee refused not So to morrowe will bee eight dayes wee departed from the Souldans Fléete in a well rigged shippe Long sayled we not with prosperous weather but were by a cruell storme cast on this shore where finding this Knight the valiantest as his fame memorateth that euer the
spacious worlde hath known we knew him straight to bee the Emperour Alphebo of Trebizond for treacherous Lupersio had conducted him thither to end his desire Whom Brauorant knowing to haue beene on the Grecians side and remembring the waight of his cruel blowes did on the instant challenge him and for this slight occasion they so batter and mangle one an others Armor and flesh No longer stayed Claridiano but vnderstanding that knight to bee his father drew forth his sworde and stepped betwéene them with these words Withholde braue Knights for so fierce a quarrell is not lawfull on so small occasion since the losse of eyther wil be a noted want vnto the world Whereat the courteous Emperor leauing replied In faith braue Knight were it but onely in respect of your gentle spéech I would haue done it how much the more when I winne thereby wanting an equall estimation with this knights valour How milde the Pagā was being mildly vsed how tractable is alreadie exprest who now hearing his aduersaries gentle words did accordingly make his answer to the Emperor So greatly haue your frendly words inchayned me to your obeysance most mightie Lord that thogh this knight had not requested it I would haue desisted from the combat especially it being my aduantage considering how Fame throgh euerie mouth blazoneth your woorth and my vnwoorthinesse As Claridianas Lord would haue aunswered Claramant intercepted him thus If most valiant knights the greatest part of your rigorous battel hath béene to manifest vnto the world the rarenesse of your vnmatched strength wherewith the heauens hath armed you then go with vs where there is occasion offered whereon you may more securely imploy your redoubted valors in lawful attempts of brauest armes which may be vndertaken with more sufficient reasons then you began this your slender quarrell For know that at the end of this Forrest in the middest of a faire plaine we found a Fortresse which we iudge to bee the strongest on the earth and reading certaine letters insculped in a Table we perceiued it to be the inchauntment of the Princesse Roselia daughter to the Emperor of this land and more that none but fiue knights togither whose fame the world should report to be admirable should prooue the aduenture Wherefore since you be they according to the conditions required it were vniust we should neglect the libertie of so great a Princesse And although my companions merits and mine owne be not in the least degrée such as the aduenture challengeth it shal satisfie vs to march vnder the shadow of such woorthies to end a more harder enterprise Whereto Alphebo replied I am content to offer my person to the proofe although in me there bée nothing meriting your praise but the controuersie had with this knight hath béen ynough to teach mee to imitate his valor I to haue stolne some part thereof from him to incourage me to this attempt It shall not be left for me said Don Celindo for in the company of such knights the hardest is the easiest to be atchiued Then Brauorant it is not lawfull the libertie of so great a Ladie should be remitted through my meanes although my fame nothing deserues your estimation Then let vs no longer delay the triall of so happie a proofe said Claridiano who presently spurred his swift Courser leading the way vnto the braue inchauntment Followed he was by the flower of armes that altogither in short space arriued at the déepe mote where they admired the greatnesse and exquisit workmanship of the Castle whose like they accorded the world contained not especially when Alphebo saide it excelled that of Lindaraza where he disinchanted his father as in the first of the first part of this great Historie No sooner were these valiant warriors arriued when the draw-bridge that yet stood on high was let downe which hauing past they stept to the Piller whereon the hornes hung The ingrauen scrowle of the Table they thus read When the fiue warriours the aduenture doth require shall bee here togither if they be of such daring hearts as to prooue it let each of them hang one of these hornes about his necke and winding them the Castle gates shall be opened and they may enter In performance thereof these mightie Princes were nothing slow but euery one louingly imbraced one another they each of them presented themselues before either of the Castles whose gates presently flew open at the shrill founding of the hornes the eccho whereof was also heard within the Citie of Rome Throgh the doore that befel vnto the inuincible Alphebo issued a deformed vgly big Gyant mounted on a lustie Courser with a strong knottie lance in his hand hauing a pike of well tempered stéele aboue two handfuls in length Him Alphebo receiued with the swiftest running of his horse the like did the Gyant with such furie as the earth could scarce beare them They met so strongly that the gyants big lance flew in péeces against the inpenetrable shield of the knight of the Sunne whose shiuers hissing through the ayre mounted higher then the proude toppe of the inchantment The Gyants mightie speare was not of strength to pearce Alphebos thield the which was resisted by the magicke spelles wherewith Lyrgandeo had forged it yet was hee cast backwards ouer his saddle bowe loosing the raines out of his hand I know not to what I shall compare the Emperour of Trebezounds incounter for hitting the gyant in middest of his shield he pearced it togither with the plates of stéele and priuie coate whose inchaunted power vnable to defend the lance guided by so braue an arme he ran it through his left side mortally wounding him directly on his heart against which the strong speare bending he broke it and leauing a péece in the wound the rest flew into the middle region of the ayre So passing forward they met with such a shocke that it deserues eternall memorie for as the two warriors incountred shield against shield and bodie with bodie the haughtie knight of the Sunne first ranne against the Gyant vpon the speares trunchion which hee so vehemently thrust through his bodie that it cleft into his miserable heart yet he scapt not so frée but felt himselfe so brused on his Corneryno that the poore horse was driuen to strike his buttockes on the ground along whose backe his Maister fel in such amazement that he knew not whether he was in heauen or on earth But recouering himself and iudging it cowardise he set spurres vnto his horse which made him fetch light carreirs vppon the ground And looking after his aduersarie he sawe him lie vpon the earth voyding his blood as through a riuer by him lay his horse with his shoulder broken and both at one instant accompanied each other in death A little reioyced not the courteous Emperor at his spéedie good successe and after his due thankes to God for his victorie would not procéede vntill the end of Brouorants battell whom hee
their hopes erected these foure Arches there to Inchaunt those mightie Warriors that none might end the aduenture they being the sole Pillers of humane strength Twentie yeares they purposed the Inthauntment should stand finding by theyr Art that after that time Greece would flourish with most happinesse by a contracted League with the greatest Potentates of the world But the supreame King of Kings hauing otherwise disposed of those affayres frustrated as you shall sée theyr toyles bringing thither at that time Alphebo sole Phoenix in armes vallor and all bountie So much the longer he staied vntil his armor was coole and then buckling it on past the last Portall comming to the Arches at the very instant the Lady had done inchaunting the knights and lighting on the Piller he thus read the inscription Let none though he be Mars in Armes pretend to passe forward for what is done is nothing comparable to what is to do seeing he must Combat with the Myrrors of Chiualry Claramant Claridiano Brauorant and Don Celindo The Trebezonian Lord did feele his blood fréeze in his bodie hearing his strong Companions were there inchaunted and among them his sonne for whose sake he greatly dreaded the fight fearing some ill mischaunce either to him or his sonne for he déemed none equalled Claridiano Oh Claridianas Lord wisht his sonne thence and in his place the whole world for that power vnited he not so much did doubt As he was thus considering with himselfe he heard a voyce that by Selagios procurement said What doubts thou Illustrious Emperor Consider it is not worthie thy great valor to refuse these Combats for theyr endes shal conclude the famousest déeds in armes that was euer heard of Altogither did these words put him from his pensiuenesse iudging his delaie to procéed from base cowardise wherfore as swift as a Roe he went towards the first Arche when he heard the noyse of certaine voyces that said Leaue leaue this accursed enterprise thou mightie Alphebo for with the blowes thou giuest to one knight thou woundest Bryanas soule and with those thou dischargest on the other thou doest split her heart to whom thou owest all content thy deare Clatidiana we meane Backe stept the Emperor not in feare of the Battles for his heroicke mind was not vsed to it but to haue vnderstood those words yet supposing they were vttered only to threaten him rather desiring to die oh admirable courage then to be tainted with cowardise recommending himself to his true God he began to march towards the first arch being nothing hurt by the Inchantment for the vertue of his King defended it the which he alwayes woare wherewith he freed his Father from Lyndarazas imprisonment where he atchiued immortall fame He had no sooner entred it but like a blazing Commet Claramant issued to entertaine him vnknowne to his brother by reason of the inchantment At that time a gallant window opened where appeared two ladies whose bewties stained Venus in her pride there come to beholde the battels At length togither met the two haughtie combattants either receiuing the other with the puissance of their strong terrible blowes They discharged them on the toppe of their heads so rigorously that squadrons of sparkles flew from their helmes Either did set one knée on the ground bowing their heads with such low congies as if they had knowne themselues to be brothers Both remained angrie and fearefull of the others strength so rising they gaue beginning to the hammering of their bodies as if it were a battell of twentie knights The Emperors new wonne armor did well defend his flesh from the cutting of Theseus axe Neuerthelesse within an houre of their fight he felt his bodie sorely brused yet he comforted himselfe séeing his aduersarie besmeared with his owne blood hauing his armor rent and torne in many places but yet as lustie as when he beganne and raising his axe he laide on the others shoulder The inpenetrable armes he may thanke for his life the which they saued though not him from touching the earth with his hands And so the valiant Prince seeing this good occasion closed with him that either cast his strong armes about the other to procure eithers aduantage Soone got Claramant ouer the Emperor because he assaulted him with a suddaine aduised charge But Claridianos Louer hauing recouered his foyle made him loose his ground and so ouerturned him of one side that crossing his legge with his he tript his brother who fell vnder him yet as swift as an Eagle he got vp and grappling togither they tumbled vp and downe the paued earth Where séeing they could not so vanquish one another let go repairing to their weapons with such mightinesse heauie blowes wounding their bodies that none saue they in al the world could suffer them yet did not they faint nor loose no whit of their fierce courage whose furie being throughly heated séemed to increase their strength and ardinent becomming so nimble and quicke in assaulting and retiring offending and defending that their féete séemed to be winged Greatly did Alphebo wonder at his aduersaries fiercenesse iudging him one of the best in the vniuerse calling to remembrance the battell he had in Constantinople with his brother Rosicler about the Princesse Lyndabrides He could not deuise how to get from him that arch supposing his victorie consisted thereon Committing himselfe to God and trusting to his forces auoyding a thrust he closed with Claramant and before he could preuent it he hoysed him from the ground who vnable to forbid it he carried out of the arch but with excéeding labour for Claramant with the vtmost of his power striued to let it He was no sooner thence when as one dead he remained in the Emperors armes who laying him downe imagining hee would reuiue with the ende of the aduenture he past that till he entred the second arch where against him came the Mirror of courtesie fortitude the magnanimious Claridiano Almost did his father knowe him by the maiesticke gate comelynesse wherewith he made against him giuing him so suddain a blow that ere he repaired to the defence hee seconded two thrusts which sorely vexed Trebatios sonne making him stagger thrée steppes back and before he recouered himselfe he gaue him a downe right blow on the helme which made him sée many millions of firie sparkes It greatly inraged the péerelesse Alphebo who séeing himselfe so handled forgetting that he was his father and he his sonne did most terribly discharge his rich blade vpon his shield It yéelds no defence against the best arme in the world for in two péeces it was throwne to the ground and descending to the helme finding there more resistance it made his head bend with an awfull congey due to his authoritie and kisse the earth with his hands and as he rose with a strong poynt he was ouerturned to the ground Long was he not so but rising like the winde blinde with rage he tooke his sword in both
happie presence I neuer haue séene tokens of a perfecter Louer in my life said Claridiano and as I am a Knight if it lie in mee to helpe him I will doo it to the daunger of my life Of this and more is the Louer worthie of answered his vncle but I would not haue had you bound your selfe vnto so much wherby you should omit your iourney to Constantinople the which would gréeue my very soule especially loosing your company To doo so would increase my sorrow in the highest degrée said the Prince because our loue bindes vs to gréeue at others absence yet will not I remit to procure his coÌ„tent that know how to loue so intierly and it may be I shall this way find some measure for my torments knowing that her sight Commandresse of my soule will but augment my paines by being in disgrace and what great glorie it were to bee imbraced in her grace But go we to him that learned to loue and not feare the plague of absence for neuer yet did any féele it but iudged it woorse then death Let vs go replied the frée youth for it is charitie to helpe him in al thinges Wherevpon they made a little noyse that the carelesse shepheard might heare their going With some alteration he did rise supposing some other matter But when by Mooneshine hee fawe those two knight the riches of their armour and so gallant disposition hée went to méete them beeing no lesse courteous then any and saide What is it you this way séeke braue knights for although Fortune hath brought me to the last poynt to make me dispaire of my selfe so I may in any thing worke your contents beléeue mee I will be glad shee should for that time lengthen my despised life then which I could not be more plagued Whereto Claridiano made answere Wee come this knight and my selfe to offer our persons to procure your content courteous sheppheard if your necessities requires them the which we shal hazard with more will then you to imploy them There is no satisfaction nor yet gratefulnesse sufficient to ballance your most kinde offer gallant Knights replied the shepheard but in doing it you haue made known the valor and magnanimitie of your heroicke minds whereto by bountie you were bound Oh may Loue recompence it if it hath not bene possible to denie his soueraigntie with more ioyes then I at his hands haue receiued but now any comfort whatsoeuer will but augment my gréefe the which hath so far extended it selfe that no remedy nor salue can cure it Then Claramant tooke occasion thus But althogh phisicke doth not alwaies whole cure the inueterated Mallady yet many oftentimes it preuents and expelles many dangerous accidents that would else excéedingly aggrauate the infirmitie and so for all it may not now please you to communicate it to those that will féele your sorrow it will be some consolation to sée theÌ„ pittie it were it but to be answered with take comfort for others haue bene vsed with like crueltie and you are not alone despised in the world It is euen so said the amorous shéepheard for amongst all the greatest consolations inuented to mittigate the paines in loue to communicate them is the cheefest yet in me to discouer them it is an offence against the partie I loue But to tell the torments I haue endured and what happinesse they had obtained and my extreame fall from that high felicitie were to wrong my selfe in the recitall for it will be but an argument of little sufferance in me séeing that the least of my suffered paines was sufficient to withstand a thousand deathes But now to consider they haue let me suruiue oh there is no euill comparable to it nor none can I deuise worse For had I then bene depriued of my abhorred life I shuld not haue bene so familiar with sower gréefe yet to sée that after the loosing of that soueraigne good my life doth still persecute me with woes that death fearing to come neare them flyes from me when I most do call him oh there is no patient that can endure this nor I haue power to tollerate it but with millions of continuall teares to bewaile this losse and my misfortunes Farther hée could not proceede for his teares interrupted him which so mooued the tender hearted Prince that they intreated him to make them pertakers of his gréefs that they might iudge whether he haue reason so to gréefe Then the shéepheard said I am sure it is good to relate the tenor and processe of my woes vnto such Knights yet my distressed soule refuseth to refresh the memorie with so many euilles but that you may know how small this my languishment is sit you down and you shall heare the greatest iniustice that euer was vsed towards any he being assured of my faith that doth reward it not as it deserues but according to his pleasure as a Tyrant They all sate them downe vnder the couert of a spreading Oake where the Gréekes put off their Helmes whose bewties admyred the shéepheard who with some sighes moouing them to silence he began Since you be pleased Sir knights to haue me recount the Pilgrimage of my oppressed life and who I am so that séeming to receiue content thereby I shall not néed to intreate you to yéeld me that attencion my manifold sorrowes do deserue Know therefore most Noble warriors how that imperiall power that doth command both Gods and men pardoning none of no kinde I meane Loue soueraigne of all soueraignes hath inforced me into this disguised habit And yet when I ponder how extreamely the blinde Goddesse is bent against me I finde my selfe not secure therein for I haue ere this bene honored and as a Prince acknowledged vntill my â—â—arre-crost loues exilde me through the world This heart-infecting Deitie gallant Knights when in greatest pompe and iollitie I liued in Apulia whereof the Heauens allotted me Prince sent and conducted thither those whose tongues were tuned with the dulced notes of the gallantnesse and bewtie of the Princesse of Lucania With such déepe roote did her faire name insert it self within my frée thoghts that it is now impossible to leaue to loue her in that both she and I haue by a hidden grace accorded in one thing But I doubt it is the nature of our climate or they that breathe therein by custome to bee subiect to like misfortunes What shall I remember Hanniball who had hee not knowne Apulia then had hee not beene insnared in this passion but béene Lord of Rome and not through loue ouerthrow his eternall honour wonne with such losse of his owne blood Yet was not this example of any force to diuert me from my new imaginations but rather in greatest haste I prepared my iourney towards Lucania whither I went onely with a Page my horse and Armour soly to sée Pollinarda and if her perfections equalled the fame of her bewtie I arriued in time when it most florished because the
Knights I remembred the things she did most loue and hate she shewed no whit of alteration but returning my ponyard said Little néed had you Florisiano to alter your name for any such feare knowing that onely for it the first of the same had bene forgiuen Farther shee did not procéede nor more openly bewray her affection I dissembled my ioy sharing it with Iaroe whom now me thoght began to bee forgot I would therein recompence him for his former kindnesse towards Florisiano The time would no longer permit vs to chat for the houre of my departure being come I was constrained to tell her so She was content aduising me to be secret because shee would that way often visit me I imagine Sir Knights that you thinke both tongue and soule swore a solemne performance of her deare commaund and if you so thinke I assure you your thoughts deceiue you not for my soule that still hanged vpon her lips receiued her command with no lesse sentēce of the Delphian Oracle then rising with a pleasant smiling she said I pray Lord Florisiano let vs entreate your Turkeship Christianly to conduct vs to our lodging and then wée le license your departure All rauished with ioy not able to speake a word I went with her to her chamber doore and then falling on my knées and kissing her hand desiring her to account me hers I tooke my leaue leauing my soule in her bosome and returned to my Lords lodging where we prepared our selues for our walke He did an act that I iudged most kinde for he gaue me a garment that had bene mine saying Hold Iaroe for since Fortune robbed mee of his owner none hath better deserued it I put it on and greatly wondred how he knew me not Away we went arriuing to the window where his Lady expected him I stayed to guarde the passage with such resolution that all the world yea Florisiano of Apulia had not passed there with the first and with the fauoured last was Iaroe now in disgrace séeing the alteration of his fortunes So if with patience you will attend me the next Chapter shall vnfolde what else happened CHAP. XXIX How the Prince of Apulia ended the discourse of his amourous life to the Greeke Princes and how Claridiano pittying his estate departed with him WHat strong residence the power of Loues affection hath within an amorous brest faire Ladies the beawteous Pollinardas suddain and vnexpected change which Agesilao bought full dearely doth amply shew for not remembring how greatly she had loued him how bitterly she had taken his death and with what rigor she procured his reuenge she recanted and without consideration of her honours blemish doted on a slaue A iust guerdon that séeing she would not affect the Knight that with such firme proofes had approoued himselfe to be hers and by his déeds worthy of her estimate she now beheld the subiect of her ioyes with slauish markes and that her blinde and vaine passion might so far excéed as to say that for the second Florisianos sake the first had bene pardoned There is none that may safely build his assurance on such effects if once he haue opened his doores to Loues flatteries In pensiue imaginations had the Louer put the Gréekes with his amorous Historie that they would not so soone haue it end But the youth that aggrauated his woes with repetition of his former gréefes abreuiated saying There stayed I Heroicke knights gazing on the vesture that belonged to the Apulian till that my Lord Lysander hauing excused himselfe to his lady of certaine obiections layd against him I thinke it was but some iealous imagination they would assure all inconueniences by an espousall contraction especially befitting them both So hee came for me to be a witnesse thereto but ere he discouered himselfe he would néeds try the vygor of my armes comming an other way disguised for the purpose and being neare me he drew saying What madnesse hath brought thée to so suspitious a place where thy boldnesse shall reape no other againe then a remorcelesse death I was so carefull to let none passe nor to disclose who I was that without more ado or other answere I set vpon my dearest friend In faith I reioyced to sée how wel he behaued himselfe although I knew him not but I being throughly incensed I began to follow him in such sort that I droue him among the hedges of the Orchard faithfully discharging my dutie It behooued him to speake least some danger had happened so he raysed his voice miscalling me therewith which more gréeued me then if he had mortally wounded me for séeing me with eager furie presse to take aduantage at full to hit him he said Oh Turkish dog what doest thou I knew my Lord Lysanders voyce and beléeue me Noble warriors I was neuer more vexed but that I tendered him as my soule Iaore had surely kept him from enioying his loues yet I stayed my hand considering his friendship towards the Prince of Apulia So I tooke my sword by the poynt and intreated him to pardon me for my not knowing him had forced mee to commit that fault The faith answered he wherewith friend Iaroe thou backest thy Maister brings with it thy excuse for neuer had any knight a better seruant thē I But that thou mayest know how I estéeme thée come for I will haue thée be a witnesse to the faith I will plight vnto Solecia to bee her firme Louer Hee bounde mee eternally by the act And the Moone then shyning bright it shyned iust in the middest of the Ladies windowe where she stayed and credit mee shee séemed bewtifull Shee had so affected Florisiano Prince of Apulia that séeing mee with his owne garments shee could not but pittie him calling mee to memorie With my hatte in hand as a seruant ought I stood still but she called me saying Come thée hither friend Iaroe for I will haue this assurance passe in thy presence and my ioyes should I account compleate were the owner of thy apparell in thy place Oh if that were so my deare espouse sayde my tender-hearted fréende what greater content could wee more desire Towards whom might the blinde Goddesse shewe her selfe more fauourable then to vs had she now sent vs that valiant knight crost with so many troubles Some teares did I espie in their eyes which so greatly moued me that I could no longer dissemble and going more neare them I thus spake My very soule would ioy most soueraigne Princes although I lost this good to sée that knight here who is the happiest in the worlde to be beloued of such Princes for then should fortune neither bereaue Iaroe of this content oh Gods I could scarce make an end nor yet should the dispairing Knight be so persecuted by her as not to enioy your happie presence by experience sée with what faith he is affected And if you regard him behold me here for more troubles yet reserued And since I am eye