through many perrillous aduentures calls me to discourse of them awhile Oliuanto who left Constantinople when his Father Florendos and he seuerally intended to trauaile in the recouerie of the faire Argentina trauailed through diuers strange Countries without stay or contradiction in any part til at length he happened to the place where the Adamant Castle some-time stoode and because that Field was vnfurnished of trées the Sunne at mid-day shone so hotely on him as it scalded him through his Armour Heereupon hee alighted from his horse and shadowing himselfe among the stones of the ruined Castell hee found himselfe drawne and knit thereto with such violence as hee could by no meanes get from thence whereat he meruailing not a little stroue to créepe from the stones by his vtmost strength but he found himselfe bound thereto the faster Béeing vexed in minde at this strange accident and studying how he should accomplish the rest of his intended trauaile a Swaine of the country passing that way when he sawe the Knight fastened to the stones in such sort with his Mattocke on his necke hee came to him saying Sir Knight you can neuer part hence except yee put off your Armour for this is the Adamant stone which drawes all kinde of yron to it Now was his griefe far greater then before when hée heard that he must needes leaue his Armour behind him which was to sted him in all perrils whatsoeuer and looking better on the place he perceiued that the same tower or Castell had stoode there wherein desiring the Peazant further to resolue him he told him Howe Drusa Velonna by magicall arte had built a Castell there on a Rocke of Adamant and kept therein a Lady of the Grecian Court whom a Knight of the same Court had deliuered and borne thence Héereby Oliuanto conceiued that doubtlesse the Ladie was Argentina for he knew of the fréedom of the other two before but he could not imagine who the Knight should be and séeing he must néedes part with the losse of his armour he asked the Country-man if there were no way to gette loose without losse of his Armes At that very instant one of the Ladies who had beene prisoner in the Castell with Argentina riding by the place and séeing the Knight so fastened by his Armour trotted her Palfrey thether saying The curtesie of Prince Florian in fréeing me and other Ladies out of this ruined Tower where wee were enchaunted with faire Argentina bindes mee to lend yee such assistance as you shall follow your knightly affaires and yet not leaue your Armour héere So alighting frō her horse shee tooke a Crimosine Mantle which was wrapt about her and spreading it ouer Oliuanto and his Squire the Adamant immediatly yéelded and lost his vertue whereby they were at their former libertie As they rode thence in company of the Lady shee told Oliuanto at large in what manner Florian had ended the aduenture and because his thoughts were altogether addicted to sée his déere affected Auriana who gladly would haue stayed him from pursuing this aduenture but that hée presently told her how a Knight should shunne no occasion whatsoeuer whereby to rancke him-selfe among those of greatest merrit séeing the Lady ready to ride from him at a crosse-parting way right curteously he tooke his farewel of her with hartie thanks for stedding him in so vrgent an necessitie And béeing come to the Sea-side he was soone prouided of shipping sayling in short while to Constantinople where he was honourably welcommed especially by his Ladie Auriana as one right ioyfull of his high good fortunes and hoping of spéedie attainement of their long desired ioyes In this time of generall contentation the Emperor had sent tidings through most parts of the world to aduertise his Knights that the thrée Ladies stolne from the Courte by Drusa Velonna were againe recouered and therefore they should repayre to his Court because hee would haue none absent at such a meete time of ioying wherby it happened that many were come in againe in very short while The first was Berolde King of Spayne who hearing of his Daughters deliuerance poasted with spéede toward Constantinople meeting by the way with Caro and Armindo who had lost much labour in search of the Princesse hearing now such gladsome tydings returned with Berolde without staying any where till they came at Constantinople Berolde reioycing not a little at the sight of his Daughter Soone after came newes how in one Ship were come together Don Rosuell Francian Fortenbracio and Orino but because Don Rosuell was of especiall estéeme in the Court many Lords Knights rode to welcome him bringing him to the Pallace very honorably As they were entring the gate they beheld a Knight who had come by Land and staying to be further resolued who he was when he came neerer them his Caske being open they knew him to be Forcino the sonne of Dragonalte who by his owne guiltie destenie was the amourous seruaunt to faire Spina of Fraunce but shee beeing proude and curious would neuer acknowledge any of his knightly seruices wherefore he liued in very desperate estate for her loue These youthful gallants being thus come to y e Court the Emperours ioyes excéedingly encreased to sée them in this noble manner about him whom they loued as if hee had beene their Father While the Court was in this ouer-flow of pleasure one day as they sate in the Hall together there entred a Damosell attended on by two comely Squires who hauing doone dutious reuerence to the Emperour deliuered him a Letter which beeing read by Palmerin appeared to come from Don Edward the King of England importing a further message to be deliuered by the Damosell the Emperour commaunded her to speake her minde where-vppon she began in this manner High and mightie Lord King Edward of England in loue salutes yée with all this gallant and knightly assembly entreating your Maiestie to pardon the offence of his graund-sonne Leonato in presuming to beare hence the beautifull Candida toward whom he hath demeaned himselfe like a vertuous Knight married her in the presence of King Edward and his Quéene The Emperour who since the comming of Aliarts Letter had heard no other tydings of this matter but doubted least some mishap might betide Candida though not by Leonato of whose honour and good cariage he neuer doubted yet by some other sinister meanes when he heard of their happy beeing in England and that King Edward spake in theyr behalfe whom he could not with honour any way contradict he thus replied Say to our louing Lord friend that Leonato may returne to Constantinople safely at his good pleasure since his behauiour hath béen so noble and knightly assuring him we are no way displeased with him wherefore we commit you Lady to your good rest allowing your returne to England when it shall please your selfe I desire no rest at all quoth the Damosell till I haue deliuered in your
there might happen some matter well worth the noting went on feeling for his way thorow a darke passage and came at last into a faire Cabbin or Chamber the walls whereof was richly hung round about with cloth of golde all the roofe or vpper part was of Crimosin silke very curiously embroydered with siluer Starres and the Sunne and the Moone therein wrought so artificially as they gaue a shyning splendour to all the Chamber In one part of the roome stoode a goodly bed hung round with purfled curtaines of gold and silke wherto presuming to aduaunce his steppes and drawing one Curtaine somewhat aside with his hand he saw there lie sleeping a Lady of such wonderfull beautie that albeit his loue was deuoted to Victoria yet this faire face séemed so highly pleasing to him as if they both had stoode in person before him hée could hardly determine where he should place his election Standing thus transported in his sences for a long space he grew so desirous to behold her bright eyes open as touching lightly her snowie breasts with one of his hands hée made her to start awaken but then her heauenly lookes did so mightily preuaile with him as hardly could hee abstaine from that which honour forbad him till remembring himselfe that thether he was brought about some aduenture of moment which made him modestly refraine and lending her his hand to helpe her rise thus he spake to her Beautifull Lady I wonder as much at your rare perfections as the strangenesse of my aduenturing hether therefore so pleased you I would gladly know of whence and what you are and why among Lyons you haue made choyse of dwelling thus on the Sea The Lady seeming no way discontented with his demaund replyed in this manner Aduenturous Knight whose vallour hath ledde thée to what others durst neuer attempt but when they haue seene the Lyons bring the boate to the shoare would cowardlie flie away into the Woods I account you the onely man who dreadlesse of any perrill whatsoeuer in the aduenture are desirous to vnderstand the full nature thereof wherefore if Fortune be so gracious a Mistresse vnto you you shall finish the onely aduenture of regard that euer anie Knight alone accomplished Know then faire Knight that I am the daughter to king Frysoll who sometime gouerned the Morning Ilands til age setting heauie foote vppon his backe made him elect a seruaunt of his owne education whom he had made Lord of the Flowrie I le and in whom hee reposed speciall trust and confidence to his care and custodie was I and my brother committed with such allowance of subiects homage and other dignities beside as might well suffise to haue made him very respectful of vs. All matters beeing so established that when death was controuler of the King our Father my brother should remaine vnder his protection till such time as by benefite of yéeres hee coulde lay claime to his kingdome and then hee should haue it honourably resigned to him Garnides for so was y e Knight put in trust called promised much more then our dying father could vrge so giuing him the Ring and Staffe of Protectorship the King our Father closed his eyes and died Nowe was Garnides in full possession of the gouernment hauing at his commaund all the Forts Castels Treasuries and euery thing there wanted nothing but the title royall and thereto ambitiouslie he began to aspire My Brother being the maine sâ—umbling blocke in his way within few dayes hee was bereft of life and then in all the hast he would call himselfe king but séeing things not succéede yet to populare satis-faction but that more eyes and tongues went on his procéedings then he willingly would haue then woulde hee haue mee ouer-young in yeeres as then to be his Wife to sette a more substantiall ground on his tirannous vsurpation yet happily when time serued to rid the world of me to An Earle named Bernuccio in whose Castle I was at that time kept by the vsurpers appointment wheÌ„ he heard that Garnides laboured to make himselfe King and knew himselfe ouer-weake to vse any resistance he béeing a meruailous expert Magitian thought y t the best way to keepe me from the Tyrant wherefore he brought me hether in this Shyppe enchaunting héere likewise the foure Lyons which conducted you aboard limitting his Arte to such proportion that none should be so bold as to come to this ship except his courage serued him to vndertake a great aduenture vntill which be ended I cannot be married and Bernuccio fearing least Garnides for this would put him to death enchaunted himselfe in his Castell in a very strange manner and he must combate with variable shapes that shall be his deliuerance At this instant Sir there remaineth nothing else for you to doo but to fight with those two Lyons on the prowe of the Shyp nor is there any necessity of their death but onely to binde them fast which perhaps will appeare so toylesome a taske vnto you as may make you repent the vnderstanding of the enterprise But that once doone the other two Lyons will be obedient vnto you and keepe yée company thorow a Wood which we are to passe and they will stand vs in very great sted kéeping vs from being deuoured of strange wilde beasts whereof you shall see there such aboundance as els it were impossible to escape with life The Knight of Fortune stoode with great pleasure to heare this strange aduenture and was on fire till he came to try his vallour in it wherefore séeing the Lady in that sort to pause he said Procure swéete Lady that we may be set an shoare againe if I binde the Lyons for I know not how my strength shall preuaile beeing thus on the water Doe aunswered the Lady that which appertaineth to you and leaue the rest to my direction Hée hearing this reply went vpon the decke and ere he was halfe mounted the Lyons on the prow beganne to assaile him one of them catching holde with his teeth on his armes the other grasping his Helmet with his clawes but Primaleon got one of them fast by the legge and puld him in such sort as he made him tumble ouer backward and to the other he gaue such a blow with his left hand as one of his eyes fell out of his head Yet for all this when hee would haue stept vppon the decke where hee was to binde the Lyons one of them caught him fast by the thigh and griped him so hard as the Armour which he wore on that part for his defence was rent in péeces and the paine of the gripe entred to the very bone but to auoyde further oppression by these beasts he caught one of them by the shag-hairde maine and the other by the taile wherein appeared his admirable strength for lifting them both thus from the ground he stept vp with them vppon the hatches and there would haue throwne them into the Sea till remembring himselfe
poynts thereof so sharpe and piercing as they were able to enter the very soundest proofe Arguto beeing well skild in such matters of enchauntment perswaded himselfe that with this Beast was the latest trouble he should finde there and therefore resolued to shew his vttermost vallour The Monster was not slow in assayling him with such fury as would haue dismaied any hart to behold it hauing neuer seene so eugly a Monster but Arguto purposing to kéepe off from his tallants and teeth made many faire proffers to cut his leggs in sunder which the Monster still right cunningly auoyding smote one of his long tushes into his Shield and rent it from about his necke so forcibly that he made him fall downe flat vppon his face where he might haue béene prest to death with the Monsters huge weight but that right quickly he recouered footing againe but he could not shunne a sudden gripe with his tallants which piercing through the closing of his Armour wounded him a little in the left flanck This hurt so much displeased Arguto that striking couragiously at the Monster he gaue him a great wound full in the breast for which he receiued an immediate castisement by being smitten into the sight of his Caske with the Monsters tushe which tearing downe the whole Beuer gript his head with such extreame anguish that hee was constrained to cut the laces of his Helmet and let it in that sort be taken from him Being thus without both Shielde and Helmet his life stood on shrewd termes of hazard and doubtlesse had miscaried if he had not laboured to end the battaile in this manner Feigning as if he could hold out no longer he fell downe flat againe vppon his face and the beast intending to teare him in peeces stoode stradling ouer him when stabbing his sword vp into the Monsters belly he made so large an incition that his bowels dropt out vpon the ground and then Arguto crept from vnder him least with his huge weight he should haue queld him Now heard hee the Musique againe but with farre louder and swéeter straines then before as séeming that the aduenture was almost concluded and nowe came the Lady againe vnto him with tenne other faire beauties attending on her all of them together ioyfully saying Welcome the brauest Knight that euer bare Armes So taking him by the hand they guided him thence and brought him downe into a faire square Court where no doore could be discerned for passage out of y e Towre which made him awhile to stand as abashed doubting least the Ladies intended some trecherie toward him but one of them spake to him in this manner Sir Knight doe but lift vp this stone and presently the Towre will vanish and the enchauntment cease Arguto thinking nothing impossible for him to performe went to the stone and putting his hand into a great yron ring which was fastened directly in the midst of the stone he lifted vp the huge stone and threw it a pretty way from him albeit it was so great and weightie that tenne ordinary men could hardly mooue it Out of the place which the stone had couered started vp the least Dwarffe that euer was séene who skipping about very pleasantly tooke vp certaine glasses out of the vaulte and breaking them in péeces one against another vanished out of sight suddenly and with him the Tower and the Wood likewise so that Arguto and the eleuen Ladies found themselues at libertie in a large spacious Fielde There found he the aged Nigromancer and Primaleon calling vnto him with a loude voyce and the Lady knowing her old angry Father durst not approche néere him fearing least he would againe enclose her in the enchauntment as hauing already tasted his cruell seueritie But Arguto securing her went chéerefully to méet them when being come together the aged Father could not forbeare but very louingly embraced his Daughter the like did Primaleon and Arguto So going along with the olde man to his abyding it drew to Supper time where sitting downe at a Table right sumptuously prepared all the supper while the olde mans Daughter did nothing else but earnestly looke vppon the deliuered Knight and breathed forth many broken sighes whereby Primaleon and Arguto coniectured that the young Lady was enamoured of the Knight so past they the supper time in mirthfull talke and pleasant discoursings CHAP. LXXVI How the aged Magitian shewed the cause wherfore hee had enchaunted the Knight and his daughter confining them to so long a date of punishment QVickly after the Tables were with-drawne the old man commaunded the Squires to walke aside and then turning towarde the Knights he thus began Honourable and vertuous Lords I am vndoubtedly perswaded that you repute mee as a cruell vnkinde Father beeing blessed but with one Daughter onely I should be so transported with furie and passion to censure her with so seuere a punishment but if I tell you the strangest case that euer you heard I doubt not but your oppinion will bee so altered as you will wonder I should be so humane and gentle in inflicting no heauier a iudgement on her albeit in the end each fault should merritoriously haue béene doubled on this disloyall Knight well woorthy to endure vnconfined torments so long as this spacious rounde hath continuance Know then faire Lords that this enfranchased Knight named Brunoro redéemed by your manly paines and trauaile was Lorde of a Castell some sixe leagues distance hence who being enriched with countlesse treasure would make no spare of large and liberall summes to haue at his pleasure the fairest maidens dwelling in these parts Hée hearing that my Daughter was ranckt reckoned among those of choisest beautie attempted not by coyne or rich promises to win her to his purpose because he well knew such courses were sillie and very vnsauourie to preuaile with a Ladie of high blood resolution wherfore he practised by more facill and tractable meanes and which much more easilier preuaileth with light-headed Damosels to wit patheticall spéeches quick and queintly couched sealed with sad sighes vowes dissembled attestations that he was truly and sincerely deuoted to her in affection The young virgine altogether vnacquainted with loues idle dalliances casting a rash inconsiderate eye vpon him apprehended ouer-hastilie that hee was a man of comlie personage debonaire well qualitied rich and so worthie in loue to be respected that she gaue him so franck a possession of her hart as there wanted nothing but apt meanes to consort herselfe with him He perceiuing this too suddaine inclination of the Damosell purposed onely to serue his lustful appetite with her then afterward to cast her off as he had in like manner dealt by diuers other and procuring to haue secrete conference with her he compast it so closely as no eye in my house could be guiltie of it At which instant it was my mishap to be farre off from my Country in seruice of the young Soldane of Babylon who
a doore fit for my purpose I sayde Followe mee Gentlemen and I will make you all rich for euer they entring where I bad them were all by me lockt vp in a close prison but my daughter I conuayed to her former place of restraint Early the next morning I sent for my friends the two fore-remembred Knights shewing them howe well I had hunted and what a booty I had caught yet neuer issued forth of my Castell whereat a while they stood somewhat amazed but most of all at the mad and inconsiderate loue which my daughter still bare to so false a tretcher I vrged their aduise whether thus blinde they should die there in prison or haue their heads smitten off for so manifest villanie The Knights studying how to saue Rosellaes life in regard of her wonderfull error in loue after some little conference had together one of them thus spake In our opinion Sir you should not put them to death thus blinde in prison for wanting the sight of their owne misery they shall also giue no example of so monstrous an ingratitude toward a true louing Lady beside they should not escape with losse of their heads onely because a fault of such great quality iustlie deserues an aunswerable punishment Wee rather déeme it more conuenient that discharging all the rest you enchaunt Brunoro and your daughter in two seuerall places with such varietie of chastisements inflicted vpon them as should neuer cease or they be frée from till two of the best Knights in the worlde wrought theyr deliueraunce This sentence pleased me excéedingly so that setting all the rest at liberty I caused Brunoro to be brought bound before me where restoring his sight againe and reproouing his base ingratitude to so loyall a Lady I adiudged him to remaine within the Tower vntill such a Knight should come to redéeme him and there should he continually be hunted by two shée Beares and my selfe to féede mine eyes sufficiently with his affliction enchaunted my owne abiding in the same Tower where you my Lord Primaleon happened to finde me My daughters doome was within the Wood where shee lost the bright beauty of her virgine honour there should a murderous villaine daily cut her throate and afterward she was to liue in the vncouered Tower feeding onely vppon the bounty of the ayre aunswerable to her miserie in the Wood where she was rauished and left so inhumanely naked At these words he began to looke about him and perceauing it wexed late hee would not trouble them with anie further discourse so the Knights prepared to take their rest with intent to pacifie this discontentment and procuring the olde man to be more friendly to the Knight Brunoro CHAP. LXXVII How Primaleon and Arguto caused the mariage to be sollemnized betweene Brunoro and Rosella and afterward iourneyed toward Babylon NExt morning ensuing Primaleon and Arguto hauing cōcluded to quallifie this heauie case of discord came downe into the Hall where they founde the auncient Magitian holding his daughter by the hand and chyding Brunoro for his rigorous crueltie So the Knights giuing them all the mornings salutation tooke Brunoro aside with them and plainly told him that he had verie highly wronged the young Lady knowing her loue so truly addicted to him therefore if he would make amends for his passed transgressions hee must accept her in marriage for her vertues did merrit one of greater woorth then hee Brunoro who by this long time of chastisement had alayed his proud stomack sayde That it was in vaine for him to offer any such attonement when her discontented Father would no way be wonne thereto Then the two Knights tooke the olde man betwéene them shewing him how hee might in one instant make firme his daughters lost honour and his owne by graunting to a conuenable marriage betwéene her and Brunoro who had now entertained a more milde and obedient spirit and by the feeling sence of his passed miseries had hūbled his proud thoughts to a more gentle temper The aged Magitian confidently crediting what they said and that they would not report it except it were so indeede was contented to giue his daughter in marriage to Brunoro but first he desired to see some proofe of him for the better clearing of all doubtes to come where-with the Knights could finde no mislike wherefore they called him before the olde man and thus Primaleon spake in the presence of Rosella Brunoro this auncient Lord is very well pleased that this faithfull Lady his daughter shall be your wife prouided you doo vndertake some glorious enterprise which may wipe out the scandale of your passed offences I will performe quoth Brunoro what soeuer it shall please him or you to commaund me although I were assured to loose my life which truely in iustice I haue woorthily deserued This aunswere was of such powerfull efficacie that the aged Magitian as one sufficiently perswaded already would haue him to aduenture on no further perill but Brunoro to let the Knights sée his forwardnes and valour would néeds performe what he had intended When he was armed and mounted on horse-backe Primaleon loth to make any longer aboade there caused him to be called when to the good liking of the aged man but much more of Rosella they ascended the staires and Primaleon holding the Lady by one hand and Brunoro by the other crauing fauour of the Magitian began as followeth Your present behauiour Sir Brunoro with no doubt of your after progression in all honour hath made Rosellaes father to forget all former dislikes giues you his dearest daughter as your wife with absolute promise that after his death his wealth and possessions remaine wholy yours as a dowrie in mariage with his beloued child Then causing a religious Priest to bee called which liued secretly among some fewe Christians in that Countrey he prayed the olde man that Rosella and Brunoro might be baptized as Christians according as he promised him when he brought him forth of the Tower The Nigromancer beeing somewhat obstinate in his owne errour would gladly haue denied it but not daring to contradict Primaleon in any thing expressed an outward willingnes so being baptized they were then espoused together and sollemne feasting was there performed such as the time and place could affoord When our Knights had remained there two whole daies they called the old Magitian aside and demaunded of him a plaine information concerning the procéedings of Albayzars sonne that they might the better prouide for any harme to ensue Of him they vnderstood how this Prince had stird vp the Soldane of Persia sonne to him that dyed before Constantinople with the Kings of Tartaria and Armenia the Emperour of Trebisonde and other Princes with them also was a younger Brother of Ristoranoes The reason why hee gathered such a puissant strength together was to be possessed of so many of the best Christian Knights as he could come by not to put them to death but as hoping to
was in her Court. Thence was shée conducted by the people to her Pallace and béeing placed in the royall seate of her Father was publiquely proclaimed and confirmed theyr Queene Sucusano glad for recouerie of his Sister and that hee had doone so speciall seruice to Targiana without the losse of any of his people entred that night into the Citty with an hundred of his worthiest Barons and because it was late as then hée could not goe to sée the Ladie by reason Targiana had withdrawne herselfe aside none in her companie but Prince Florian as not béeing able to satis-fie her selfe with embracing him and yéelding him thanks as his great paines had well deserued But thus far they procéeded that promising shée would become a Christian they were affianced together in presence of the Armenian Princesse and the Damosell that holpe her when she wrote the Letter Afterward by other kinde of ceremonies in such cases required they so ratified theyr marriage as it was past recalling but nowe returne wee to the Perilous I le CHAP. XIII How the Princes in the Perilous I le beeing recouered to their former health would haue returned thence to their seuerall estates but they were stayed there for a while And of a newe accident that suddainly happened THe Emperor Primaleon beeing thorowly healed of his wounds had yet his right arme benummed in such sort as it was great paine to him to vse his sworde and little helpe any way coulde it yeeld vnto him Don Edward by meanes of a wound receiued through his necke held his head awry leaning to one shoulder so that it gréeued him to beare armour thereon The other were well recouered and of indifferent strength except Florendos who went some-what lamely on his right leg and Dramusiande who was as it were beside himselfe although of his hurts he was very wel amended Almaroll could not be throughly sound in a long time Floraman was better recouered then all the rest because nowe he had lost the remembrance of his former earnest affection to Altea finding himselfe quite deliuered from that vaine humour yet soone enough ouer-taken with another when casting his eyes on the widdowed Ladies he most regarded Clariana who in his conceite was a thousand times fairer then any other amongst them all But afterward his silent thoughts shewed him much more enamoured on Victoria daughter to Prince Florian but because he might not enioy her he desperatly slew himselfe as shal be declared in place conuenient Aliart séeing these Lordes so mindfull of their seuerall homes sitting one day conuersing with them hee entred into these speeches Great Princes I reioyce that mine own arte hath so deceiued me which made me beléeue that all you should die in the passed warre and Constantinople fall into the Pagans power but most of all this deceite delighteth me that I behold yee so well recouered and the Grecian Empire yet at libertie Therefore you shall doo verie well that each of you returne to his proper state to giue order for prouiding men in readines and fortefying your Citties because it may so fall out that the Heathen renuing their forces will on a suddaine seeke your endamagement The Emperour Primaleon very glad héereof caused a Galley to be made ready when calling all the Princes and widdowed Ladies with large protestations hee gaue them thanks for the losse they had suffered to maintaine his estate offering himselfe for euer a Father to the widdows as also a defender of them and their children So embracing altogether hee went aboard with Florendos Almaroll Dramusiande and their Ladies who greatly desired to visite their owne homes and to be in their former estate of dignitie As they were setting off from the shoare they descryed a little Barque a farre off which as swift as a byrd came flying toward them they expecting what it might be beheld it no sooner néere neighboured with them but thereout leaped the most mishapen olde woman that euer in anie time had béene seene shée making toward the Emperour who as yet stoode vpon the decke thus spake Most powerfull Lord meruaile not that I appeare so spent with yéeres and yet at this instant hazard thus the perrill of my life for the cause of my present comming hether is to make proofe among thy Knights of an aduenture which holdes these conditions that who soeuer can finish it shal haue promise of a boone from mée but attempting failing is presently to goe along with mée The Emperour who was loth to see any of his oppose themselues to perrill being not yet so strong and lustie as when they attempted the last dreadful battaile thus answered Perhaps the late vnfortunate battaile is not knowne to thee wherein the most woorthy amongst all Christian Princes haue perished and wee that yet remaine are in so weake estate as I could gladly wish thee chuse some other time both more fit for thee and them in this case The old Woman very disdainfully and with a countenaunce seeming none of the best thus spake to the Emperour Blessed for euer be the constancie of the royall Emperour Palmerine that neuer made shew of any basenesse albeit himselfe past through many miseries These words so pierced the Emperours princely minde that his choller arising he craued pardon of the old woman for his vnkind aunswere desiring her to declare the aduenture Then she withdrew herselfe toward the Barque shewing as if shee were gréeued beyond comparison for not hauing founde what shée sought in so many Princes Courts yet beeing still mooued by his highnesse intreates and Don Edwards likewise who would not leaue her shee drewe the small Barque alande vsing certaine wordes to her selfe when suddainly issued foorth a Monster of very strange shape hauing the head of a Serpent the necke of a Lyon the bodie of a Bull the feete of a Horse and the tayle deuided in two parts so piercing withall as it woulde passe through anie Armour With this beast quoth the hagge must thy Knights combat vnder condition before expressed so many as shall be vanquished by it must goe with me to an enterprise as honourable as pleasing to themselues The Knights whose spirits were heated with high resolution cōtended amongst themselues who should be first but the Emperour willed that Don Edward who coulde make no proofe of himselfe by the reasons before rehearsed should nominate them after his owne liking Don Edward highly thanking the Emperour for this great honor not to shewe himselfe ouer-ruled by affection as might be iudged if hee should name anie of his owne Sonnes gaue the first battaile to Dyrdan in honour of his Father Maiortes so faithfull alwaies to the Grecian Empire The young Lord glad of so speciall a fauour hoping beside of glorious victorie came foorth armed with his sword ready drawne and drawing neere the Monster smote him ouer the heade with his sword but he found it so impiercible and rather damageable to his weapon as he grew doubtfull of the honour
mangled but yet the hurts not déeply entring by reason their dexteritie and skill much holpe them which is a matter of great consequence in a combate triall where both parts are of equall valour and knowledge Til about mid-day thus lasted the difference their bloode in manie places altering the cullour of their Armour when at last Tarnaes thus spake to Leonato You see Sir in what estate we are both brought yet neither of vs certaine who shall haue the victory therefore so please you wée le pause awhile and putting off our Armour wee shall soone make proofe of the worthier person and let him be renowned according to his merrit Leonato who neuer was capable of any feare or dismay quickly replied that he was well contented with this motion so either of them stepping aside to his Squire in very short while they were both disarmed Then after they had walked and breathed a space they came againe together but in a contrary maner from their first kinde of fight for each opposing the right side of his bodie to his aduersary made defence of his left side breaking many desperate blowes thrusts according as they were diuers times dangerously offered When the Squires beheld their Lordes in so apparant perrill of their liues they intended to make out vnto the roade wayes in hope to find some Knight that might come to pacifie them and pursuing their purpose they were no sooner entred vpon the high-way but they sawe a Knight come riding toward them seeming answerable in courage to either of theyr Maisters to him thus spake one of the Squires Neuer was a Knight met in a more needfull time vouchsafe Sir to goe with vs helpe to saue the liues of two honourable Knights then whom there liues none better in the worlde The Knight who was Palmerin of England imagining that they belonged to the Court of Constantinople went hastily with them and beeing come to the Combattants lifting vp the â—euer of his Helmet hee stept betwéene them saying What fury faire Knights hath made you so cruell and vnkinde to one another let me intreate ye to hold awhile and answere me Leonato knowing it was his Father that spake retired backe and so did Tarnaes where-vpon Palmerin thus began againe Tell me Leonato the cause of your quarrell which I am much afrayde is grounded vpon loue if so or howsoeuer else it be so please you to referre it to my iudgement I doubt not but to satis-fie you both right nobly Leonato declared to his Father that their strife was for the loue they both bare to faire Candida and Tarnaes likewise confirmed the same whereto Palmerin thus presently replied Why my friends you knowe it is a matter meerelie impossible that the Lady should be wife to you both let me then so farre preuaile in your patience that I may nominate wiues for you both such as I dare warrant to eyther of your contentment Palmerin was of such honour estéeme among all such Knights as had knowledge of him as these young gallants could not well gain-say his noble offer but referring themselues to his discretion he thus procéeded My Lord Tarnaes if your thoughts were as agréeable as mine there is a Lady that I could wish to be your wife namely my daughter called Fior-nouelâ—a who although she be ouer-young as yet for marriage yet goes sheâ— beyond Miragarda in beautie the reason why I vse these spéeches is that I wish you a wife of greater degrée then shee iâ— whom my soâ—ee Leonato affects therefore because she is lesse worthy then your selfe let him enioy Candida of meanâ— qualitie repayring that want onely by your kinde brother-hoode Tarnaes perceiuing the honourable minde of Palmerin though it much displeased him to alter his affection yet coÌ„sidering hee impaired not but rather augmented his reputation especially in regard of Fior-nouellas beautie beside great hopes of further aduauncement accepted Palmerins gentle offer and so did Leonato who loued Candida with such intire zeale as her pouertie coulde not be any hinderance thereof her birth and faire vertues onely made his election of her Vpon this agreement Palmerin and they mounted presently on horsebacke and he conducted them to a neere adioyning village where their hurts â—ere well regarded and so soone as they were thorowly recouered they iournied all thrée to Constantinople CHAP. LXXI How Primaleon and Arguto fought together neere to Constantinople and how no man could part them but the Emperour Primaleon AFter that the learned Aliarte had prepared all things in readines hee called Primaleon aside and spake thus to him Thou truly valiant and worthily renowned Knight of Fortune right well I wote that your heart nowe trauailes with no other thoughts but onely how to espouse the faire Victoria whom you haue with such honour and déere paines deserued Yet fauour me to tell you that in respect you are Nephewe to my Lord the Emperour it is necessary that he should bestow so great a gift on you for neither dare her Father nor I deale in the matrimoniall contract before his highnes pleasure be first vnderstood Neuerthelesse assure your selfe that no Knight but you onely shall enioy her albeit she will cost you dearer then as yet she hath done in a matter which you can by no meanes escape wherefore let me perswade ye that hauing taken leaue of her and her father you trauaile alone to Constantinople where it shall not be long before we will méete you there performe your long desired nuptiall Primaleon though but young yet being wise discreete allowed the wizzards counsaile to be sound and good and therefore without dwelling vpon any other doubts he went to the Prince Florian who was reasoning with his daughter concerning Primaleons valour and vertues to tempt and try her disposition toward him because already he had determined in his owne minde frankly to bestow her vpon him in marriage Primaleon being come to him spake in this manner My Lord Florian I am desirous to followe some priuate intent of mine owne which happily may guide me I know not whether but gladly would I encounter some aduenture of woorth before I would be seene in the Emperours presence for hee in his youth ranne through many rare fortunes enough for me to admire at without any vaine opinion of equalling therefore I craue your fauour for my departure and commend all my highest hopes to the gracious regard of this beautifull Princesse When the Lady Victoria heard his kinde spéeches a crimson blush leapt vp into her chéekes and so well as shee could her affliction of mind held excused for his so suddaine departure she formed a pretty kind of wandring discourse intermedled with broken sighes and faint smiles the raine in her eyes being readier then her tongue yet forgot shee not to thanke him for deliuering her from that hellish enchauntment promising to be as mindfull therof as so great a benefit did iustly deserue So Primaleon leauing them went aboorde a
informed of an intended war leueyed by Corcuto the sonne of Albayzar now enstalled Souldane of Babilon prepared only against Christians there wil be a better triall of manhood vpon Gods enemie and ours then thus one friend to misentreate another Vppon these spéeches the Knights were pacified and presently two sumptuous Litters were brought from the Court where-into after by the Emperours commaund the Knights had embraced each other and solemnly protested a league of friendship they were softly laide and being brought to Constantinople were lodged in one goodlie chamber wherein two beds were purposely placed Now ranne a certaine muttering among the other Lords which of these two Knights might bee reckoned as the hardiest warriour in regard they were both sore wounded and eythers estate was censured vpon Primaleons greatest harme being thought the bruse of his foote but Arguto had receaued most hurts and his armour was battered farre woorse then Primaleons The Emperour and the other Princes came daily to visite these wounded Knights of whose liues the Chirurgions as yet stoode in doubt especially of Arguto because hee had a daungerous hurt in his throate to them likewise resorted all the Princesses in the Court of whom the most impatient in gréefe was the Empresse Gridonia and the Princesse Miragarda in their iust compassion of Primaleons perill Notwithstanding they failed not in kinde affabilitie to Arguto likewise who lay for diuers dayes together by no meanes able to mooue him selfe to the great discontent of all the Lordes and Ladies beeing very doubtfull of his recouery but leaue we them in hope of better health and returne we now to the wizzard Aliarte CHAP. LXXII Howe the wise Aliarte and Prince Florian with the faire young Lady Victoria set forward in theyr iourney to Constantinople and of a daunger which happened to Aliarte from which he was rescued by the valour of Prince Florian Also howe Floraman desperately slew him selfe YOu remember that when Primaleon set away for Constantinople we left Aliarte Florian and Victoria stil at the Iland where the wizzard discoursing with the Prince about giuing his daughter Victoria in marriage to the Knight who ending the enchauntment had so highly deserued her and he found him thereto right willingly addicted prouided that the Emperour misliked not thereof So taking with him the booke before remembred which sometime belonged to Quéene Melia they entred into a vessell of larger fruite then the other which he had sent away before as being iealous of some disaster which Drusa Velonna might worke against them Sayling with prosperous winde and weather the first day and night Aliarte somewhat ouer-wearied with watching fell into a sound sléepe as in like manner did the Lady Victoria but Florians thoughts were seriously busied what his wife Targiana might conceaue of his so long absence as thereby no sléepe could fasten on him albeit he was as glad on the contrary part as this amourous affliction made him sad in minde that hee had so happily recouered his daughter As thus he sate transported with varietie of passions he sawe a darke cloud suddainly to engirt the Shippe and out of it dropt a mighty Serpent with a long taile fashioned like a Gable rope which wrapping it selfe about the sleeping wizzard the Serpent had presently caried him away but that Florian quickly snatching foorth his sword ranne speedily to the Monster and smiting a maine stroke close to his rumpe cut the taile quite off so that Aliarte falling awaked there-with and beholding the Serpent knew immediatly this was doone by Drusa Velonna and looking more aduisedly thereon perceaued that it was Velonna her selfe wherefore because she should not easily escape him he drew foorth Queene Meliaes booke wrought so by reading thereon that the Serpent could neither mount vp to the ayre nor diue into the water but houering a little aboue it changed into her owne naturall shape for all her skill failed in the presence of this booke so that Aliarte stepping to her caught her fast by the arme and drew her perforce into the Shippe where so soone as shee was entred he bound her very strongly and clapt her close vnder the hatches because shee should compasse no more trecherie against them and highly glad were they that so wise politique and deadly an enemie to Christendome was in this manner become their prisoner Without any more encombrances they sailed on merily and in short while arriued at Constantinople euen when Primaleon and Arguto were by reason of their hurts in greatest daunger which made the whole Court right sad and pensiue But when they heard that Aliarte was come euerie one reioyced hoping the wounded Knights would now be quickly cured and much more encreased this ioy when they knew he had brought faire Victoria and Drusa Veâ—onna as his prisoner as for the Prince Don Florian hee would not as yet haue him seene there because he was to vndergoe a tedious trauaile for deliuery of the Princesse Argentina daughter to Berolde King of Spayne who as he vnderstoode by Drusa Velonna was detayned in the Castell of â—amant in Persia Heere-vpon desirous also to see his wife Tâ—rgiana he made the more hast in this iourney leauing absolute order with the learned Aliarte concerning the marriage of his daughter to Primaleon committing all to the good liking of my Lord the Emperour The Wizzard Aliarte hauing brought faire Victoria a shoare espied first the Princesse Polinarda and with her was Floraman come to sée the young Lady so mounting on horsebacke they rode into the Citty and being alighted at the Pallace all the Princesses and Ladies descended the steppes to entertaine the beautifull Victoria where past such kisses and kinde embraces as truly reported the affection they bare her Aliarte hauing kissed the Emperours hand was loth to slack time ouer-long for helpe of y e wounded Knights wherefore being desirous to sée them Florendos and Palmerin taking him by each hand they brought him to the Chamber where they languished in paine onely through the small hope they had of amendment but when they beheld the wizzard Aliarte their former doubts were remooued and nowe by his meanes they were halfe perswaded of immediate recouery He going seuerally to the bed of either Knight whispered thus in their eares I am come to helpe your greatest extreamitie to procure your harts long wished contentment This promise so cheered their former drooping mindes that he applying his precious oyles and vnguents to theyr woundes made them expresse the next morning manifest signes of a much better condition and within eyght dayes they were so well amended that they were able to goe kisse the Emperours hand who welcommed them with a chéerfull countenaunce not vnmindfull of the honourable promise he had made them After some priuate conference had with Aliarte his Maiestie sent for Florendos Palmerin Floraman and the rest whom he acquainted with his determination and found each man thereto agréeable except vnfortunate Floraman who perceiuing that