Princesse Lindabrides receiued cannot be expressed for that the day approched nigh in the which hir welbeloued knight shall be giuen hir to husband so that ther were no ioy nor pleasure that might be compared vnto hirs â—…or that as then she was voide of all feare in great security of that great doubt which the presence of the princesse Claridiana did put hir in So the dext day was come in the which the great triumphs feasts should be celebrated for that the next day following they should be maried in which day the emperour in a fresh gréene garden which was ioyning vnto the pallace did inuite all those mighty kings princes estéemed knights that were ther present for to dine with him the which was done with great solempnitie and great store of musick of diuers sorts The dinner was ended somwhat betimes all those knights which would enter into the 〈◊〉 went to arme themselues the â—…mperour put himselfe in his royall place appointed to bée holde all that should passe accompanied with such ancient kings knights that for their age they could not weare armour nor â—…ust And straight waiâ—…s the faire princes Lindabrides who was so brauely richly apparailed as neuer the like was seene came foorth accompanied with more then two hundreth of ladies damsels which were very faire of high estate anâ—… lignage and were carried vnto a place of estate that was very richâ—…y hanged and was appointed for them on the one side of that mighty court So when that all the windows 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all other places were â—…urnished with people knights began to apeare in the court a great number Then the knight of the Sun being armed with his rich armour that he had of Meridian mounted vpon his light horse hée came foorth into the place all to he trapped with cloth of filuâ—…r wrought with beaten gold set full of precious stones 〈◊〉 which was worth a whole â—…ingdome He likewise had a 〈◊〉 of blew silk wrâ—…ught with gold which the princes Lindâ—…brides did giue him did become him meruailously well for that he came foorth accompanied with many princes knights with the sound of many instruments it gaue him so great maiestie that it well seemed that he was the most highest prince in all the world And all men receiued great contentment of his mighty proporcion for that he was the best made knight the comeliest both on horsbacke en foote armed vâ—…armed that was â—…o be found amongst all 〈◊〉 pagans And the most excellentest painâ—…ers in Grecia did send his picture for a mâ—…ruaile into all y e worâ—…d and was no lesâ—…e wondred at of all 〈◊〉 that did see it So when the knight of the Sun was entâ—…ed into the great place he rode round about the same being done he put himselfe at his 〈◊〉 with a mightie great speare in his hand 〈◊〉 pulled downe â—…is beuer straight waies they began to 〈◊〉 vnto the Iust. It was not long after when ther came foorth against him a pagan knight and prince of Cambray a young man very desirous to get honor who was armed with 〈◊〉 ry rich armour mounted vpon a great Horse who 〈◊〉 against the knight of the Sun who likewise came foorth 〈◊〉 receiue him and made their encounter with so great force 〈◊〉 strength that the prince of Cambray all to bée shiuered hiâ—… speare vpon the strong armoâ—…r of the knight of the Sun with out doing him any oâ—…her harme but he made his 〈◊〉 with so great force y t as though he had ben a child he 〈◊〉 him out of the sadle vnto the ground he passed 〈◊〉 on as thouâ—…h he had done nothing And for that they had the prince in estimation of a valiant knight they were all very much amazed to see him so quickly ouer throwen TheÌ„ straight waies after him came foorth Bracazar king of the Sandalos with a crowne of gold vpon his helme which did signifie him to be a king who was very proud and a knight very much feared amongst the pagans comming against the knight of the Sun they made their encounters in such sort that when the pride of Bracazar did mast increase he found himselfe ouerthrowen vnto the ground vnto his great reproch the knight of the Sun without any moouing with great furie of his horse did passe forwardes on without receiuing any harme So straight waies ther came foorth another pagan vnto the encounter called Gebreo king of the Teras one of the principalest in all y e court of the emperour who thought at the first encounter to ouer throw the knight of the Sunne with great fury went against him strok him such a blow with his speare that he made him somwhat to decline backwards vpon his saddle But the knight of the Sun made his encounter with so great strength that he ouer threw him his horse vnto the ground Then without any further tarying ther came foorâ—…h other three strong and valiant pagans whom he ouerthrew at their first encounters to the ground 〈◊〉 so great wonder vnto the emperour vnto all those that did bâ—…hold him that they could not beléeue that in any humane knight should remaine so great force or the like were able for to doo But much more they were amazed wheÌ„ that the most part of the day he passed away in that sorâ—… had 〈◊〉 to the ground more then one hundreth of pagaâ—… knights of kings other mightie lords without any shew of wearinesse in him or receiuing any damage at all but as one that â—…ad done nothing Then the 〈◊〉 Oristedes who was néerâ—… vnto the â—…mperour saâ—…d Of truth I cannot beleeue but all the Gods in the heauens did ioâ—…ne to gether at the making and â—…ngendring of this knigâ—…t and did vse him in all their powers and strengthe for that comming bether to be lord ouer all these thy countries kingdomes ioueraigne Emperour to be equall with them Then the emperour saide I doo verâ—…ly beleeue the same for as the high gods hath brought me hether this knight for to marie him with my daughter to be lord ouer this my high estate euen so had they great care consideration for to make him of so gâ—…eat courage aboue all them that are in the world And I so glad for to receiue him to be my son that ther is no other ioy that I doo dâ—…sire nor looke for So whilest that the emperour the Troian Onstedes was talking haereof there entered into the great place twelue giants all together of so huge bignes that they seemed to be towers all mounted vpon mighty elephants armed with armour made of scalles bones bordered with with fine gold precious stones with crownes of siluer very curiously wrought vpon their helmes their elophants were couered with skins lined with very fine white 〈◊〉 which did become them very
prayse and extolâ—…ing him vnto the heauens in such sort that he was ashamed to heare himself so praysed But as it is a thing most common that against prosperitie of the vertuous there doth not lacke malicious and enuions persons who neuer resteth to procure the execution of their venimous stomackes it so fell out amongest the Knights that were there present there was Florinaldus hée which the Knight of the Sun did ouerthrow at the bridge before Albamira who for that he was a stout and gallaunt Knight receyued great griefe that the Knight of the Sunne should ouerthrow him and especially béefore his Lady and mistresse and therefore hée was very destrous to séeke to haue opportunitie wherein he might bée reuenged make satisfaction of the shame and rebuke which he had receyued by him many of those nobles and Knights that were present were his parents and kinsfolke And I know not whether it was with the great hope hée hadde in his owne strength or in the confidence of his kinsfolkes and friends which were verye many hée determined with himselfe to séeke some occasion of contention with the Knight of the Sunne Now at such time as these Knights were praysing him and giuing him his deserued commendation for the good hée had done vnto the Emperour Florinaldus replyed vnto them and with a loude voyce that he might be heard of all that were there present hée sayde The Knight of the Sunne cannot in any wise excuse himselfe of a great offence in that he did not aduertise my Lord the King Tiberio that the Emperour Trebatio would secretly carrye awaye his Daughter contrarye vnto his will And for that he hath ben hetherto in his company it is to be supposed that he was acquaynted with the Emperors determination and if it please my Lord the King to giue attencion vnto my words he should commaund him for the same to bée accordingly punished for that in no place ther ought to be giuen any credite or trust to traycours and therfore much lesse in the court of high and mighty Kings When the Sonne of Trebatio heard these wordes his coulour chaunged and with very anger he gnashed his téeth together striuing to mittigate his cholarike ire by reson and to answere Florinaldus with patience but yet this valiant Del Phoebo could not execute his vertuous desire for that his wrath and cholar did much more surmount his calmnesse which did procéede of his worthy vexed hart in such sort that he could not find which way to compasse the same without the great abusing of his honour especially to â—…eare so infurious and vile words spoken against him but with a surious and frowning countenaunce which séemed to terrifie all them that did behold him he replied vnto Florinaldus and sayd These words which thou hast spoken Florinaldus be villanous and not to be suffered Therfore vpon the same if thou wilt goe forth into the field with mée I will giue thée to vnderstand that thou doest lie falselie for that I was neuer traitour to King nor to any other creature When this stout gallant Knight heard these words his youthfull bloud being moued being politike and nimble with a trice he wrapped his cloake about his arme drew out his sword with the which he would haue striken the Knight of the Sun who was vnarmed but giuing the enterprise against the flower of all knights before his sword could descend to execute his will with a light leap more then thrée paces he auoyded drew out his sword which was a heanie and sorrowfull drawing out vnto many And for that Florinaldus had there many kinsefolkes friends and likewise of his owne squires and seruants they altogether drew out their swords some against the Knight of the Sunne and other some to make peace betwixt them so that there was not any in all the hall but hee hadde his sword readre drawen Now at such time as the Knight of the Sunne would haue stroâ—…en his first blow at Florinaldus a brother of his called the Troyan Earle with his sword in his hand put himselfe forwards and thought to receiue the blow which descended cutting the Ayer with great fury lifting vp his sword with pretence rather to hurt the Knight of the Sun then to make peace his misfortune was such that the blow descending with so great fury stroke the sword out of his hand the sword of the Knight of the Sun lighted vpon his head so that hée claue it to the shoulders and he fell downe dead vnto y e ground which was great griefe to Florinaldus and vnto all the rest of his kinsfolkes friends that dyd sée him fall who with great desire to reuenge the death of their kinseman did put theyr liues in great daunger with the perill that was before them And procured all that euer they could to wound the Knight of the Sunne And being many and he vnarmed he found himselfe in the greatest danger that euer in all his life he had béene in Yet for all that in this desperate conflict he did plainely show that he was the most couragious Knight of all his predecessours and of all that followed after him So that in all the twelue parts of this great historie as Trebatio they haue no small cause to mencion this mighty Alfebo more theÌ„ any other Knight for that this strong Knight dyd thinke nothing impossible vnto him that consisted in fâ—…ates of armes and where so euer he came ther was nostrength nor courageable to make resistauns against his fury Now when this couragious Gentleman dyd sée him selfe inclosed with his enemies and so many comming together to discharge and execute their fury vppon him his wrath and courage increased in such sort that in leaping forwardes and forwardes striking about him on euery side hée chaunced on two of them which came before him being seruants vnto Florinaldus so that with an ouerthwart blow he cut the one of them cleane a sunder by the middle chaunced vpon the other in the same place that his sword entred into his bowells both of them fell dead to the ground And not staying he layd about him on euery side so that no man dyd endure before him that was vnarmed but hee ouerthrew him vnto the ground and all that euer he dyd was little enough for that with the great violence and furie which they vsed without all feare pressing vpon him in such sort that they hurt him in thrée or foure places wher at their issued very much bloud Notwithstanding what with the great fory hée had and his exxéeding lightnesse and deadly blowes that hee stroke hee made the most part of all them for great feare to put them selues apart from him And hauing space that hée could turne and winde his sworde about him there was none that was so hardye for to assayle him but that he cut him a sunder in the myddest There was at that time many nobles and Knights that would
we may well dessemble the great loyalty that it told of other knights for that it is to tell of things surmounting nature or els it is so â—…ar to extoll knights for to make them to beare off to be men So that if the knight of the Sun with the presence of the princesse had forgot himselfe to the contrary the princes with the presence of him was the pleasantest lady in all the world receiued great contentment onely in thinking that at their comming vnto the court of the emperour hir father their marriage should straight wayes be celebrated So after that they had trauailed one mooneth in the mighty Asia they entred into the second Scithia wheras they saw so many so strange formes of people and customes that the Knight of the Sun went very much amazed and although many things worthy of telling hapned vnto them in this iourny yet this history doth leaue them for that if he should detaine himselfe in telling of them he shuld leaue off to declare the principall for that the greater part is vntold To conclude in the end they entred into the country oâ—… the gran Cataia Then the emperour when he vnderstood that they were within a daies iourney of Neptaia whereas hée was hée went foorth to méet them accompanied with morâ—… then fiftie kings lords his subiects euery one a crowne 〈◊〉 gold vpon his head and more then a thousand knights thaâ—… went in gard And when they came whereas they met thâ—… triumphant chariot they alighted from their horses wenâ—… kissed the hands of the princes Lindabrides embraced thâ—… knight of the Sun hée receiued them with great ioy coâ—…tentment when the emperour drew nigh the knight of thâ—… Sun knéeled downe before him for to kisse his hands but thâ—… emperor with great pleasure meruailed at his mightie prâ—…portion gallant semblance would not consent therevntâ—… but embraced him with great loue kissed him saying dooe desire the high mighty gods my sonne to graunt you health that you may enioy many yéeres your youthfulnesse for that your comming into this country hath made me very glad ioyfull And I doo desire them my good lord said the knight of the Sun to preserue your person emperiall estat for that all we your subiects may doo our duties in your seruice Then Oristedes the troyan came vnto him as one that had a great desire to see him the knight of the Sun embraced him with great loue all those kings knights meruailed much at his mightie proportion musing how that 〈◊〉 knight of so few yéeres should consist so great force streÌ„gth So after that all had giuen him entertainment the emperour went vnto the triumphaÌ„t chariot ascended vp into it the faire princes did fall downe vpon hir knees kissed his hands the emperour likewise kissed hir receiued hir with great loue passing béetwéene them many words of great pleasure he set himself downe in the triumphant chariot in the midst betwéene the princes the knight of the Sun all the other kings lords mounted vpon their horses compassed the Chariot round about taking their iourney towards the mightie Citie of Neptaya whereas of an infinit number of people as well women as men with great solempnitie they were receiued being all much amazed at his gentle and gallant disposition Likewise the knight of the Sun did very much meruaile at the mighty greatnes of that citie and of the great abundance of people that were therin and saide vnto himselfe that not without great reason the Emperour was estéemed for the mightiest Prince in all the world So likewise when they came vnto the mightie pallace he was no lesse amazed to sée the great sumptuousnes and riches thereof for that in all his life hée neuer saw the like no not by a great deale for that it seemed â—…o bée a citie compassed about with verye strong walles and high towers When they came thether they all alighted from their horses entred into that mighty pallace whereas they passed away the rest of the day that remained all that night in great solempne feasts And it was concluded amongst theÌ„ all that within fifteene daies they should begin to make the great triumphs feasts for the mariage of the knight of the Sun the princes Lindabrides at the which triumph shal be present the most strongest king and knights in all the pagan country for to see by experience the great bounty that hath ben published of the knight of the Sun who all this time receiued great ioy contentment for the time drew on to finish his great desire although the loue of the princes hir great desert were the principall occasion that he should bée desirous to marry with hir Likewise considered he might thinke himselfe happye to haue to wife the daughter of so mightie an emperour heire vnto so high estate With this determination firme loue he passed away that time verie much honored of the emperour respected of all those lords kings his vassailes for that they all had a great delight pleasure in him Whom the historye doth leaue at the present to tell of other things that hapned in the meane time ¶ How the two Princes Brandizel and Clauerindo departed from the Court of the Emperour Trebatio what happened vnto them being at the sea Chapter 62. AFter the departure of the knight of the Sun the two princes Brandizel Clauerindo did a bide certaine daies in the court of the emperour Trebatio of whom likewise of all his knights they were honoured esteemed by reason of the great loue which the Prince Brandizel bare vnto the princesse Clarinea she could not take any rest nor be at quiet Sâ—… vpon aÌ„ day béeing in conuersation with his friend Claueryndo hee sayd That for so much as the Knight of the Sunne was not there with them mée thinckes it should bée good in the meane time till hée returned agayne to fly from this idlenesse in the which wee are and to go and seeke some aduentures for to increase our honour and to exercise militarie Knighthood The which counsayle lyked the Prince very well and vnderstanding the will of Brandizell hée strayght wayes sayde that hee should dooe all that his pleasure was for that hee should receyue great contentment therein So both of them asked lisence of the Emperour for to depart promising him to returne againe so soone as they heard that the Knight of the Sunne was returned agayne So the Emperor although very much against his will and by theyr great importunancie did grant leaue vnto them So these two perfect friends departed from Constantinople and when they came vnto the waters side they entered into a ship which they found readie to depart towards the kingdome of Polonia After that they were departed had sayled on theyr voyage foure dayes there beegan to
they had receiued at his hands but offred vnto him all that they had And for that he found in them so great good will hée determined to way there certaine dayes to comfort and ease himselfe for that hee found his bodye in many places brused ill intreated with the battailes which he had with the Knights of the King Tiberio the Gyaunt and with his Knights when he set at liberty the Quéene Augusta for although his good armour did defend him from being wounded yet his body could not but receiue great damage hée tormented by the heauy waight and strength of the blowes which he receiued he felt himselfe vory sore therwith in such sort that he had great néede to be cured therof All which he declared vnto the lord of the castle vnto his sonnes who were very ioyfull receiued great contentment at the same as those who were very desirous to serue pleasure him in all that euer they could So the knight of the Sunne remayned ther certaine daies in which time he was meruailously well cured of his bruses by the gentlewoman who was cunning expert in chirurgery did it with a very good grace The Gentlewomans name was Oliuia and hir fathers name was Onorio and his sonnes names were Aurellio Binnano and they all did loue him very much and would that he should neuer depart from thence from their companie But at such time that hée would néeds depart the father requested the Knight to graunt him a bowne which was that he should receiue into seruice his two sonnes and cary them with him for his pages The Knight of the Sun knowing them to be young men of great vertue well proportioned and couragious in what so euer necessitie should happen hée tooke them with him and they did serue him for pages And time did serue that they did very well serâ—…e him and their Father and mother did recompence the loue which they bare vnto him as shall bée told you in the second part of this History So at this present wee wil leaue them departed from the Castell to tell you of other things which chaunced in this time Of the great triumphes which were made in Constantinople for the comming of the Emperour Trebatio and how the death of the Prince Edward was bruted in great Britaine and of all that happened Chapter 11. THe great sorrow and heauinesse which the Grecians receiued for the losse of their Emperour Trebatio was not so much but that the ioye and pleasure was much more which they possessed for his vnlooked for retourne and that was well séene and perceiued generally in all estates the knights in ordeining and making great Iustes and Tourneies and other militarie exercises and others in inuenting new deuises of playes and occasions of ioy and pleasure in such sort that throughout all the whole Empire they practised no other thing but pastimes and pleasure as well in the one sort of people as in the other that which was most to bee considered of was that this mightie Emperour the more for to reioyce and pleasure his owne subiects dyd commaund to bée proclaymed a solempne Iust not onely in the Countries bée longing vnto the Empire but also in all the Kingdomes and Prouinces thereto adioyning giuing and graunting safe conduct to all that euer would come thether as well Pagans as Christians of what kinde of law and sect so euer they were and for that these Iusts were published in many parts and that the Emperour gaue frée and safe conduct what with some for to sée what passed and other some to proue themselues in the iusts there came so many knights that it was a straunge thing to beehold and euery day there was great Iusts and 〈◊〉 in the mightie Citie of Constantinople whereas the worthy and valiant knights dyd giue testimony of their great bounty and either of them did labour and trauaile for to get honor but they which did shew theÌ„selues most gallantest and valiant in those iusts were Rodamarte Pâ—…ince of Sardenia sonne vnto Alselo who was one of the twelue that went with the Emperour Trebatio to the Monasterie of the riuer Alpino Lord of Lemos and Rodofeo Prince of the Rhodes Artidoro Prince of Candia all yong men and amoroâ—…s who for their great knighthood dyd get exceeding same at these feasts and iusts In these pastimes ther passed many daies and euery day there came new and strange knights vnto whom y e Emperour Trebatio did much honour and did spend liberally amongst them a great part of his terasury and for that these feasts pastimes did indure very long that ther succéeded in them many strange things as shal be told you in this History let vs leaue them new béegun and tell of other things that succéeded in this tiâ—…e which is very needfull for this present Historie for as much as the returne and comming of the Emperour Trebatio was published in all places and that the manner of the death of prince Edward was knowen The newes of all this came vnto the eares of the king Oliuerio who although hée had almost forgot the losse of the Prince by reason of the long time passed since it happened yet these new news of his death was so dolorous that it did renue within his thought the great loue which hee bare vnto him as vnto his sonne that in a small time they thought verely hée would die with very sorrow but the principal remedy that he tooke for his comfort was to determine himselfe to take reuengement for the Princes death vppon the Emperour and although hiâ—… power was not so great as the power of the Emperour yeâ—… hée thought that the king Tiberio to fulfill the great oblygation in the which hée was bound vnto him would giuâ—… him aide and succour and againe the Prince Don Silueriâ—… would likewise succour him with all his power which waâ—… very great giuing him for spouse his daughter the Prince Oliuia according as he had determined And besides this the king of Spaine who was his very friend would succor him all that hée could héere with he might very well reuenge himselfe vpon the Emperour and destroy all his Empire All this the king determined in his thought the great passion and griefe which hée had for the death of his son would not suffer any other thought to enter in his breast with this determination he sent messengers vnto the king Tiberio to giue him to vnderstand how hée was determined to hée reuenged for the death of his son desired him of al friendship to aide him in his determination knowing how much hée was bound therto for that he was slaine in his seruice And touching all his determination he did write him a letter at large of the which he had an answere againe to his desire for that y e king Tiberio acknowledging how much hee was bound vnto him could doe nothing to the contrary but
enimies come forth of the citie thou all these knights shall haue no other charge but to take the three knights which went from hence and bring them prisoners before mee for that I doe sée that in those three onely resteth the force strength of our enimies The Gyant who was no lesse wrathfull then the King with a very good will did promise to accomplish all that he had commaunded And so he departed from the king began to choose out the knights that should serue his turne for that attempt and vnto euery one perticularly he gaue his charge what he should doe So they were all in a readinesse tarying the time when their enemies should come forth And all the rest of the souldiers were continually in very good order verye destrous to be reuenged of the harme which they had before receiued When the next morning was come these thrée Princes had great desire to finish that which they had béegunne for that they would follow proserute their enterprise wherfore they determined to goe forth of the citie as they did the day before And for the same purpose they gathered together the best souldiers that were in all the citie and commaunded the gates to be open they issued out in very good order Now when they were passed the bridge they set vppon their enimes whom they found not vnprouidâ—…d as the day béefore but in a readinesse tarrying their comming so that beetwixt them there beegan a very stout and well foughtâ—…n battaile and there these three princes went all together béefore working wonders wounding killing and ouerthrowing all that euer they met in such sort that they made large way whereas they went In this sort indured the battaile more then one houre and all things went well with them of the Citie but sodeinly came vpon them the Gyaunt Fulgoso with his thousand knights and for that they hadde no other charge but to take these thrée Princes they straight waies compassed theÌ„ about in such sort that not one of their companie could come nigh them by a great space Then this mightie Gyaunt béegan the battayle alone with these three knights for that according vnto his force and strength they had mough to doe with him in the meane time that they were in battaile with the Gyaunt the knights of the Gyaunt did kill their horses and in falling vnto the ground they all together charged themselues vpon them and with the help of the Gyaunt they were not able to make any resistance neither was theyr great prowesse and strength sufficient to defend themselues but that they must néedes bée taken prisoners When they tooke away theyr swords and pulled of their Helmes and carried them béefore the king who was in his Tent very ioyfull when hee saw them brought prisoners And by reason that the three princes did lack in the battaile those of the Citie could not make any farther resistance against their aduersaries and therefore they did retire in the best wise they could into the Citie and when they found missing in their companie the thrée knights and vnderstoode that they were prisoners I am not able to declare their great sorrow and griefe which they receiued for that béesides the loue they bare them they hoped also by their help to make defence against theyr foes and if theyr absence and lacke was left amongst the common people much more was the griefe that the Quéene Laâ—…ima and hir Daughter receiued when they heard that sorâ—…owful newes so that it seemed that they were past all hope of remedie for that they had lost those thrée knights which caused them to bée verie heauie and could dooe nothing but weepe And now to returne to them that were in the camp the Historie sayth that the King and all the rest were very ioyâ—…ull for that hée had in his power the thrée knights and thought that hée could not reuenge himselfe vppon them to commaund them straight wayes to bée put to death but would vse some other straunger reuengement intending to kéepe them prisoners in such cruell prisons whereas they should by little and little bee consumed and die and to giue them euery day torments béecause their ende should continue long and would not suffer that at once they should bée slaine and therewith hee commaunded the Gyaunt Fulgoso that hée should take vnto him twentie knights and carriâ—… them vnto the castle of stone which hée had taken that was but thrée miles from that place and straight way the giant put all things in a readinesse and bound fast the hands oâ—… the Princes and so put them vpon their Horsses and with twentie Knightes they tooke the way towards the Castle whereas the king had commaunded to carrie them When these thrée Princes saw themselues so carried with their hands bound like vnto malefactors they were very heauie and sad with themselues knew not what to do but to haue patience at that sodaine chance and mis fortune not hauing any other comfort but to receiue their death with a verie good courage in what sort so euer they would giue it them The loue of these Princes was so much the one vnto the other and their great valour and bountie was so apparant amongst them that they receiued as great griefe the one for the other as though it had béene perticularly to each of theÌ„ and either of them desired to dye for to saue the other two of his companions So when they had trauailed from the campe the space of two miles they passed by the foote of a smal mountaine and when these thrée Princes lift vp their eyes for to béehould that Mountayne they saw descending from the top thereof a knight of a mighty stature of his bodie and of a good disposition verie well armed and mounted vpon a good Horse who séemed by his demeanour to bee a knight of estimation who descended the mountaine a resonable pace and came towards them and for that this History héer after will declare vnto you who this knight was hée doth leaue all at this present till time doe serue to tell of other matters How the Knight of the Sunne going towards the Empire of Grecia should haue been taken by treason at a Bridge and of all that passed therein Chapter 15. THE Historie sayth that the knight of the Sunne remained eight daies in the Castle of Onorio at such time as he found himselfe whole and sound and felt no griefe of his great trauaile which hée receiued with the Gyant his knights so hée tooke his leaue of the Lord of the Castle and of his daughter Oliria carried with him his two sonnes Aurelio and Bynano whom hée gaue vnto him for to bée his Pages and after hée had a long time trauailed it happened vpon a day somewhat late towards the euening they came vnto a Bridge which was vpon the riuer Danubia vpon the which there was a mightie great and well towred Castell one of the most
vnto himselfe did arise out of his bed imagining whether it should be a dreame or some other fantasie which had entred into his thought and he had such great desire to haue the day come that he might returne comfort himselfe with the Angelicall vision that he thought euery houre to be a whole night But it was not the knight of the Sun alone that was troubled in thought but also the princesse Lindabrides tumbled tossed in hir bed as one to whom such amorous thoughts passions was very rare for she had hir hart out of quiet could not sléepe one houre in all the night but alwaies had in hir remembrance hir new gest which was lodged in hir Chariot his straunge meruailous countenance was so printed in hir mind that she did verilie beléeue the Gods had sent him vnto hir as a thing of their owne choice for that he was in all points agréeable vnto his valour strength In this sort did the one the other passe away that night till the next day was come then they did as shall be told you in this next Chapter following How the Knight of the Sunne and the princesse Lindabrides trauailed towards Constantinople sent messengers to the Emperour Trebatio to giue him to vnderstand of their comming Chap. 24. WHen the next day was come the knight of the Sun did arise from his bed his Pages did help to arme himselfe with that gallant and strong armour of the prince Meridian likewise did gird about him his rich sword and when he was armed it was straunge to bée séene how well it did become him And when he vnderstoode that the Princesse Lindabrides was vp ready and that she would come forth he went towardes hir chamber doore but when he should come before hir presence his flesh trembled as though a whole armie of knights would assalt him And when he was entered into hir chamber he found the faire Princesse accompanied with hir damsells ready to come forth shewing vnto him great curtesie whom the Princesse was not a little ioyfull to see she spake vnto him said Sir Knight how hath it ben with you all this night in your new lodging Uery well faire Ladie answered he I could well haue slept in that rich soft bed which I had if other occasions had not troubled my mind caused me to watch thē according vnto your saying sayd the princesse you haue not slept well No forsooth Lady sayde the Knight for that cares be enemies to rest sléepe doe bannish away all ease especially when they be new conceiued The Princesse did very well vnderstand to what intent their words were spoken and it did nothing grieue hir to heare them rehearsed yet because she would not make any outward shew that she vnderstoode them she saide Unto all sorts of men it is naturall to be carefull ther is none that can liue with so great felicitie in this life but at one time or other he shall be troubled with carrs therfore let vs goe vnto our seates and commaund that the chariot may goe forwards on our iourney for that it is time And in saying these words she went forth of hir chamber and the knight of the Sun did take hir by the hand they went together till such time as they came vnto their seates wheras they sate downe vnder the arks of that triumphant chariot straight waies the Damsells mounted on their Unicornes the gyants did put themselues in order in the same maner as when the knight of the Sun did see them the day before straight way they began to take their way towards Constantinople So when this Alphoebo did sée himselfe set downe by that precious faire Princesse he was as one in an extasie with the great ioy pleasure that he receiued it séemed vnto him that his ioy was equall to the celestiall glorie which the faithfull inioy after their departure out of this world And this faire Princesse did as greatlie reioyce to haue by hir him whom she loued with all hir heart but hir great maiestie that she shewed in outward appearance was such that the knight of the Sunne durst not be so bold as to make manifest vnto hir his loue but rather had hir in estimation as though there had ben present Iuno his principall Goddesse In this order they trauailed certaine dayes till such time as they came within one daies iourney of Constantinople and then the knight of the Sunne said vnto the Princesse that it should bée good to send some messengers vnto the Emperour Trebatio to giue him vnderstanding of their comming for that hée was a Prince that would very much reioyce and haue great pleasure therein Which thing séemed good vnto the Princesse and she called straight way béefore hir foure of those Gyaunts which were on Horsebacke who were Kings and had crownes of siluer vpon their heads and dyd informe them what they should say and sent them vnto the Emperour Trebatio So these foure kings went vnto Constantinople and they entered into the great Court at such time as it was full of diuerse armed knights for to celebrate the Feastes and triumphes which were there ordained And at such time as the Emperour Trebatio and the Empresse Briana were at the windowes of the pallace beholding the great feasts and Iourneyes which were there made And when these foure Gyants did enter into the great Court all people dyd very well beehould them and made them way that they might passe whether they would So they demaunded for the Emperour who beeing certified what they were they went vnto the Pallace gate and did alight from their Horsses and went vp whereas the Emperour was and much people followed them to know wherefore their comming was béeing so sodaine And when they came béefore the Emperour one of the Gyants saide these words following Most high and mightie Emperour you shall vnderstand that in the Orientall regions of Scythia the diuine Gods dyd create a Damsell who is endued with so great grace and beautie that shée is had in no lesse estimation then a celestiall creature who is daughter vnto the mightie Emperour of the Tartarians King of kings and Lord ouer all the Lords in the Orient This Damsell is called Lyndabrides and shée hath a brother called Meridian of so great bountie and strength that it is to bée béeléeued in all the whole world his equall is not to be found and by reason that both these Princes were borne together at one birth there hath growen a great controuersie as well béetwixt the Emperour Alicandro and the Empresse as amongst all his subiects which of these two should bée sworne for Prince successor of all those kingdomes And in the ende of many and diuerse iudgements of prognostications and deuination it was concluded that these two Princes should come into this thy Empire of Grecia in such triumphaunt
boat by Florion And in â—…aying these words he did open his shirt at his breast dyd how the signe of the Sun which was vpon his right side So when Rosicleer had well vnderstood what the worthy Knight of the Sunne had sayde and knowing him by his face and by the signe of the Sun on his body He saw before him the present romedy of all his sorow which was such of so great force that neuer in all his life he receiued the like And againe in knowing his brother the knight of the Sun he receiued so great ioy and pleasure and was so glad that as one halfe amazed and from himselfe he imbrased him and so remained a good while without any power to speake not knowing whether it was of a truth that which he had séene or some false vision with the which many times he hath beâ—… deluded But after many amorous and comfortable words of the knight of the Sun he was fully certified and put out of all doubt returned a new to embrace him shedding many salt tears which distilled downe his brest he said as followeth Oh diuine power maiestie of him that the heauens and earth doth gouerne how haue I deserued so great merite that at such time as I was in the greatest fauour of fortune I was vpon a sodaine brought vnto the estate to be ouer throwen downe into the pit And by thée I am reserued comforted haue attained to know him to bee my brother which is the most famous knight in all the world whom I thought to be my great and mortall enemie Oh my Lord and knight of the Sunne acknowledge this knight of Cupid which is the same Rosicleer who you going in the small bark at the Iland of the gyant did deliuer froÌ„ death although I doe not deserue so great a benefit yet I giue you to vnderstand that I am your brother and both borne at one time at one byrth of the high mighty empresse Briana at such time as she was at the Monestary of the Riuer being with childe by our high mighty father the Emperour Trebatio And by a misfortune which happened vnto the nurse who did nourish bring and vs vp for hir owne children you were lost in a small boate which by the furious force of a mighty deepe perillous Riuer and with the swift course therof you were caried into the maine sea and ther was tossed vp downe till such time as you were found by Florion the Prince of Persia. The two pages which was in another quadran hard by to watch them with the noise which the Knight of the Sun did make at such time as he arose out of his bed they did awake heard all that passed betwixt the two Knights who being almost from themselues with the great ioy pleasure they receiued they toke a torch that was light in that quadran without making themselues ready they went running vnto the place wheras the Emperour Trebatio the empresse Briana lay were a sléepe And neuer rested knocking giuing great blowes at the dore till such time as they were answered by the gard that kept them And the pages in great hast willed them to open the dore for that they brought vnto the Emperour the most ioyfullest newes that euer in all his life he receiued The gard who did know the pages by their speach béeing very much amazed therat did open the dore and they without any staying went in with the burning torch in their hands wheras the Emperour the empresse were a sléepe and with a high and loud voice they sayd Oh high mightie Emperour Trebatio and you soueraigne Empresse Briana arise vp from your beads and you shall sée the knight of the sun and the knight of Cupid aliue And by the great prouidence of God they are knowne to be bretheren The one is the gentleman of the Sunne and the other is Rosicleer both your lost sonnes So when the Emperour Trebatio and the Empresse Briana heard that newes of so great ioy and pleasure without any more tarrying they arose out of their beds and couered them selues with certaine mantells which were very rich and in great hast they forthwith went â—…nto the quadran or lodging whereas they left them So when the Empresse came vnto their lodging she did behold â—…he christalline face of Rosicleer who did know the same although she had not séene him of long time againe hée was very much growne in bignesse of his body person But when she was fully certified that to be most true which was told hir without tarrying for the Emperour she ran vnto him did imbrace him with great loue ioy and toke him out of the armes of the knight of the Sun who was in his shirt embraced with him But the great ioy which the Empresse receiued to haue him in hir armes was such that she had no power to speake in a great space But in the end with shedding of great abundance of teares she did reprehend him for being so long away from hir In this time the Emperour came did imbrace the knight of the Sun with so great pleasure that scarcely he could kéepe himselfe vpright Who when he saw the Emperour he kneeled down before him asked of him his hands for to kisse them said It may please your highnesse to giue vnto me your hands as vnto the knight of the Sun your faithfull seruant where with I may wholy intirely reioyce my selfe enioy that great benefit which the high gods this night hath permitted that I should know for father him whom vnto their diuine power doth make equall The knight of the Sun had noâ—… more time for to speak for that the Emperour did embraceâ—… him made him to arise from the ground kissed him with great loue as much for that he was the knight of the Sun as for that hee knew him to bee his childe And in shedding many teares which ranne downe by theiâ—… chéekes for great ioy he embraced him again said Oh 〈◊〉 loyall faithfull friend and louing sonne with what wordâ—… shall I giue thanks vnto my soueraigne Lord god for thâ—… great benefit which he hath shewed vnto me this night tâ—… acknowledge my selfe to be father vnto him who is the flâ—… wer of all knighthood in the world without knowing hiâ—… to be sonne is the onely person that I most loued anâ—… made accompt of in all the world Surely I know nâ—… what to say but to receiue it for so great a merit that it séemeth vnto me that I doe lack force and strength for to conceiue it In this time the pleasant amorous words which passed betwixt the faire Empresse Briana hir son Rosicleer was with so great ioy pleasure they receiued so great contentment that I know not wherto to compare it but vnto that ioy which the Emperour Trebatio the
Empresse Briana receiued when they met together in the monestarie of the Riuer after long time that the Emperour was absent So with this soueraigne ioy the Empresse did not remember the knight of the Sunne till such time as Rosicleer said May it please your highnesse to speake vnto my brother the Knight of the Sun to acknowledge him for the best son that euer was borne of mother Then the Empresse all astonyed amazed as one awaked out of hir sléepe vpon a sodaine she left Rosicleer went vnto the knight of the Sun who was still in his shirt at the opening of his shirt béefore she did sée the signe of the Sunne that was on his brest wherat she receiued so great ioy pleasure that if the Emperour had not ben who did sustaine hir she had fallen down vnto the ground Then the knight of the Sun did knéele down before hir toke hir hands kissed them very often till such time as she being rauished with ioy threw hir armes about his neck fell downe vpon him and kissing him on that faire face with a terrible sigh of great loue she said Oh Knight of the Sunne the loyall and perfect friend of my Lord the emperour Trebatio how shall I now reioyce my selfe in this great benefit which my Lord God hath shewed vnto mée to haue the knowledge of so worthie a sonne if the feare which I haue of Fortune doe not disturbe me in remembring the solitary life which I lead and reloycing my selfe in your childhood and with what sodayne chaunge Fortune did carrye you away from me Likewise the great sorrow and griefe which I receiued for your loue was such that as yet I am not perfect in my selfe neither can I beléeue that in one who was inuironed with so great sorrow bitter anguish should receiue so great mirth and ioy so that in the remembrance of all troubles past if it should not be reioyced with this present ioy to mitigate the fury therof my feminine force strength were not iufficient to suffer the fury of this great pleasure the which is come vnto me in acknowledging such a valiant worthy knight to be my sonne Oh how now doe I giue great thanks vnto my God for the trauailes troubles which your losse the absence of my Lord the Emperour hath caused vnto me seeing that I am now paied with so high a gift ioyfull reward Saying these many other words the Empresse Briana had the knight of the Sun so fast imbraced in hir armes with hir face ioyning vnto his that hee had no power to make any answere And for that these two bretheren were still in their shirts the pages which were nigh them in the quadran had belonging vnto them two mantels wherwith they did couer themselues the Knight of Cupid with the greatest pleasure that euer he felt in all his life went kneeled down before the Emperour said Let it please your soueraigne highnesse to know mée the Knight of Cupid who hath not receiued small trauaile for your absence for the losse of my brother the Knight of the Sun in séeking of you both in strange Countries very far aparted froÌ„ these countries although it was not in so ample maner as was requisite to the seruice of my Lord the Emperour Trebatio for that at that time we had him rather for an enimie then for a Father but for the accomplishment of that which I was bound vnto my Lady the Empresse And for to know who was the occasion that my Lady the Empresse should lead so straight solitary a life which she maintained in the monestarie of the Riuer which was a thing that touched me very much But now knowing the occasion ground therof I doe not meruaile so much but onely how she could sustain hir self liue one moment without his presence And againe if she had not said that he was called the prince Edward I doe beleeue that she wold not haue ben deceined being innocent she did not mistrust any such deceit So vath no lesse ioy and pleasure then vnto the knight of the Sun the Emperour did imbrace him made him to arise from the ground said Oh my son Rosicleer how it seemeth vnto me that you were not content neither receiued any pleasure at this deceit or pollicy as you doe say I vsed with the Empresse your mother but in consideration of the fruit that I receiued in doing the same I may compare it vnto your loâ—… suffering being quiet delating of the time that I could not receiue the great ioy pleasure that I should in the acknowledging of such a Sun Tell me for Gods loue what hath béene the occasion that you haue refrayned your selfe so long time delated to giue me this soueraigne ioy which now I do receiue if it befor the deceit pollicy which I vsed with the Empresse your mother The fruit which procéeded therof is sufficient to excuse that errour done if it had ben of greater importaunce but what reason haue I to excuse my selfe from the occasion that made me to doe it Then Rosicleer not a little abashed at that which the Emperour had said vnto him answered If the ouer-plus oâ—… the reason which I haue to reioyce mee in the acknowledging of such a father I had to incourage mée to publike my selfe for his sonne Then had your highnesse reason to blame mee in the detayning my selfe so long héerein And because I doe find my selfe not worthy to deserue so great a benefâ—… I did make detraction thereof till this time should supply the great lacke which was in my valour So that your highnesse may of truth vnderstand that all that which happened vnto me by the Knight of the Sunne my brother had beene done by some other Knight First I would haue consented to the death then with so great shame to haue acknowledged my selfe to bée sonne vnto such parents The Emperour would very â—…ayne haue aunswered Rosicleer but that the Empresse and the knight of the Sun came vnto them altogether they did a new embrace each other in such sort that they had no time for to speake the ioy pleasure was so much in the Empresse Briana that shée was almost from hir selfe could not well satisfie hir eies in the beholding of hir sonnes shewed vnto the emperour the signes tokens which they had vpon their brests brought them into the world at their birth So that betwixt them there passed a great discourse of many things which did greatly augment their ioy pleasure of all that had happened vnto theÌ„ that if I should héere make perticuler relation I should neuer make an end therfore to auoide tediousnesse I doe let it passe it is sufficient that the readers heere of doe vnderstand the great reason as well of the parents as of the children for to recoice themselues of this new sodaine
your faithful friend hath sent vs to seeke you out praying you to come and beare him company to reioyce in that he hath knowen the knight of the Sun to bée his brother and son vnto the Emperor Trebatio which is that knight of the Chariot with whom he made the battaile the day past What is this that you doo tell me said the king Sacridoro that the Knight of the Chariot is brother vnto the Knight of Cupid Yea surely that hee is said the knight but and you will not beeléeue mée lift vp your eyes and looke towards the Citie and you shall sée the great Feasts and triumphs which are made therein for the acknowledging of theyr new Princes The king Sacâ—…idoro who was no lesse amazed then ioyefull at those newes looked towards the Citie and saw that with the cressets fires and other lights as though the Citie had béene on fire In great hast he arose vp and the knights which came to seeke him fetched his horse who was loose in y e field and bridled him theÌ„ they all together leaped vpon their horses and went towards the mighty pallace and met with so many maskes and other kindes of pleasure that almost they could not passe through the stréetes And when they came wheras the Emperour the Princes were this good king was knowen by them straight by the deuice of his armour hée who first went foorth for to receiue him was the Emperor Trebatio who clasping his armes about his neck saide Now is all my desire accomplished worthie King for that I am come to the knowledge of him who for that hée would not loose the knight of Cupid his faithfull friend did abhorre his life sought his owne death in the deepe fountaine of the Sauages wheras he could haue no other hope but to die the death Oh happy and fortunate son Rosicleer that could obtaine so high and faithful a friend And more happy are you worthy King that in dooing of this worthy act of friendship you haue filled all the whole world with y e fame thereof in such sort that it will neuer decaie nor bée forgotten so long as the reason of man doth endure The king kneeling downe would haue taken his hands to haue kissed them but the Emperour did cause him to arise from the ground and would not consent therevnto Then did all the rest come and imbrace him and did him great honour for that it was knowen to them all what hée had done for Rosicleer by the other Princes which came thether as you haue heard in the Historie So for a perpetuall memorie héerof béecause that such a worthie déede should not bee forgotten the Emperour commanded that it should bee portrayed in the fore front of his mightie Pallace nigh vnto the aduenture of Lindaraza which made all them that did béeholde the same to meruaile much thereat When Rosicleer came to embrace the king Sacridoro theyr ioy and pleasure was no lesse at that time then if they had not séene one another in twentie yeares In this time the good Pages of the Knight of the Sunne who neuer departed from theyr Lord from the time that the battaile was finished vntill the time that the worthie Knights were knowen for Bretheren and the great sorrow and griefe which they receiued for that which was past was nothing in comparison so much but their ioy and plesure was much more in that they saw béefore theyr eyes and thought all theyr labour meruaylouslie well béestowed which at all times they well accustomed to doo in ample manner vpon so worthie and valyant a Lord. And as they did partly vnderstand the loue that theyr Lord the Knight of the Sunne had to the Princesse Lindabrides and remembring that shée remayned in a great sound at such time as the battail betwéene the two brethren was ended Aurelio sayd vnto his brother Bynnano that hée should remaine there with theyr Lord and that hée would goe and carrie these newes vnto the Princesse Lindabrides for that possiblte shée had no vnderstanding thereof So hée departed out of the Pallace and wâ—…nt vnto the triumphant Chariot whereas hée found the Gyants in theyr watch verie heauie and sorrowfull for that all of them thought verily the Princesse Lindabrides had béene dead for that shée neuer returned nor came vnto hir selfe from the time that they carryed the Knight of the Sunne out of the iusting place and for that Aurelia was knowen of all the gards hee went vp into the Chariot vnto the chamber whereas the Princesse was layde vpon hir bed and hir Damsells round about hir as though shée had béene dead who were very much comforted when they saw and knew him and with the great desire that they had to know what was béecome of the knight of the Sunne they asked of him where hée was Let vs doo so much that wée may bring the Princesse againe vnto hir remembraunce said Aurelio for that I doo bring newes that shée will not a little reioyce â—…ir selfe at And therewith hir Damsels hee tooke the Princesse by the hand made hir to sit vpright vpon hir rich bed threw on hir face meruaylous swéet waters vsed such remedies that shée somewhat came againe vnto hir selfe that séeing Aurelio with a merry and chéerful voice he said What is this Lady that in the time that your highnesse ought to bée most merry and glad in helping to celebrate the great ioy pleasure which my Lord the Knight of the Sun doth receiue in acknowledging himselfe to bée son vnto the Emperour Trebatio and brother vnto the Knight of Cupid with whom yesterday hée made that rigorous battell now you to bée so sorrowfull sad and out of all remeÌ„brance as yet the newes is not fully knowen abroade You shall vnderstand that my Lord the knight of the Sun is very well thanks be to almighty god And for that the Emperor Trebatio his father the Empresse Briana his mother will not giue him leaue to come see your highnesse he doth send mée to desire you to pardon him for this night till to morrow it bée day At which newes the great ioy pleasure which the fayre Princesse receiued was such that if the Page had not béen so well knowen as he was shée could not haue béeléeued it but béecause hée was knowen to bée so faithfull a seruant vnto the knight of the Sun shée was fully perswaded of the truth and arose vp from hir bed as merry as ioyful as euer she was in all hir life said that by no means she would remaine there but goe sée the knight of the Sun and speake vnto y e Emperour Trebatio vnto the Empress Briana and help them to reioyce the acknowledging of their lost sons therwith shée called hir damsels to help to make hir ready to trim hir in the best and richest manner that was possible calling to remembraunce how the Princessâ—… Claridiana was in
people doth permit many continuall persecucions done by the vnbeléeuers vpon the Christians to make them the better to know him to leaue all their euill wickednesse 〈◊〉 to returne vnto him Yet for all that hée neuer doth so abhorre leaue them for to bring the Christians vnto vtter confusion end as it hath apeared in the old and ancient times amongst the lawes customes of men nor neuer will so long as this world shall endure You doe well remember how that in this history hath â—…en told you that at such time as the worthy knight of the Sunne did first sée the Princesse Lindabrides hee did partly vnderstand of the mighty power of the emperour Alicandro hir father how that he was king ouer the Scithians emperour ouer the Tartarians Lord ouer all the Indians Regions orientals from whence it grew that he was had in reputation of the greatest mightiest prince in all the world Likewise he was lord of the great Cataya wheras is that mighty citie which is of one hundreth miles compasse of all the rest that is in the Orientall India in that part wheras amongst all his subiects he was called the mightye king of kings Emperour of the Tartarians the Lord of the Orientall Indians son heirs vnto the high Gods This title they gaue vnto him because the people of these countries had it for a law custome amongst them alwaies had in reuerence his predecessours which were Emperours before the emperour Alicandro to be sons heires of their false gods in whom they did all beléeue worship Besides all this this mighty emperour had in his subiection all the kings lords that were in the orientall part of the Indians vnto the meridionall which are nine kingdomes all very great mighty and full of great riches so that with great reason they might say that he was the mightiest emperour king in all the worâ—…h Heere the History saith that many â—…e deceiued to thinke that this mightie empire should be christians for although they haue amongst them some part of the law which God gaue vnto that great Captayne Moses yet theyr law doeth differ very farre from the true and perfect law of Iesus Christ for that they bee all Idolaters and euery one of these kings doeth béeléeue in that which seemeth vnto him best for that there is no law nor commaundement to make them incline to anye kinde of goodnesse for the sauegarde of their owne soules So it happened on a time as this mightie Emperour Alicandro was in his great city of Neptaya which is in Cataya the great very pensiue sad for that hee could héere no newes of the children y e Prince Meridian the Princesse Lindabrides reprehending himselfe very much for hee had so sent them foorth into the world One day béeing accompanied with all his mightye Knights lords his subiects he receiued so great sorrow and griefe in the remembring of his children that it caused him to wéepe And leaning his chéeke vpon one of his hands hée shed forth many salt teares which ran down vpon his white face The which being séene by those péeres his subiects they were all very much amazed what should bee the occasion that the Emperour should wéepe So before that any did arise vp to demaund of him the occasion ther arose vp amongst them a king who was king of Gedrosia an old man of more then one hundreth yeares who amongst all the rest present was estéemed to be the wisest in Astrologie deuination that could be found in all Asia And all they did giue so great credit vnto that which he did tell them should happen as though it had ben all ready accomplished the which king dyd wéepe very bitterly with so great sorrow that almost he could not speake but yet he said Oh high mighty king of the Scythians Emperour of the Tartarians if you had as good iudgement of the knowledge of things to come héere after as now to conceiue in matters present then woâ—…ld you leue of this great wéepings for your children who are very well in health in place whereas they are very much honored and had in estimacion as they doe deserue For that the time will come y t thou shalt wéepe and bewaile thine owne losse and desteâ—…ction of all thy vassalles and subiectes with whose blood all the féeldes of the mightie Empire of Greece I doe see be sprinkled and yet I cannot atchiue to know how nor the occasion therof but onely I doe sée by great signes and notable tokens of the colestiall influences and my knowledge doth so farre extend that I doe know that my daies doth draw vnto an end and I cannot endure long In the grecian Empire he that is the most mightiest king Emperor greatest Lord in all the world shall loose his great strength haâ—…ing lost his owne liberty the most valiantest worthyest knights that shall be ther at that present shall loose their liues and the quantitie shall be so great that the waters of Inno shall loose their christallyne colour and shall be changed into red blood which shall giue testimony of the greatest destruction of Knights that euer hath bene in the world The which I cannot by my knowledge atchieue nor thinke to fall vpon any other but vpon thée for that at this present thou art the most mightiest Emperour in all the world And if it bée so that vnto my words you or any of yours do giue any credit procure out of hand with great wisdome to seeke remedy to preuent the same and to cut off so great an euill as is prognosticated against vs. And if vnto these my words you will giue no credite the time it selfe will giue a perfect testimonie of this that I haue said when that you shall haue no time nor space for to giue any remedy at all vnto the same Without saying any more this old king of Gedrosia did set himselfe downe againe in his place leauing this mighty emperour all the other kings and Knights that were in that great hall very much amazed at the words which hee had spoken knew not what to say but being amazed they did looke one vpon another spake neuer a word But this mighty Emperour who alwaies found the prognosticating deuining of this old king to be true yet he thought this to bée a thing impossible not to giue any credit thervnto but yet to heare farther what he would say after a certaine space that he had bethought himselfe he said The great wisedome which I doe know to bée in you good king of Gedrosia and the truth which you haue sayd that the cause of my wéeping was the remembraunce and talâ—…ing to minde my louing children and the great sorrow and griefe which I doe receiue by their absence is a sufficient peswasion that I all that be heere present should giue wholy credit
so hardy and bolde for to publish himselfe to bee yours for that it séemeth vnto him not to deserue to inioy so great fauour and renowme and as I am now a Christian and doo béeléeue in the law of the true God whereas I was wont to bée a Gentile then might you bée well assured that in no other God in heauen or on earth would I béeléeue in but onely in you neyther would I recommend my soule and bodie vnto any other and as I am perswaded that in thinking héerein much more in speaking cannot be without great offence vnto God yet if it were before his diuine Maiestie I might make any excuse I would performe this that I say and héere I giue many and infinit thanckes vnto the soueraigne creator that not onelie hath brought me out of that blinde custome and law of the Gentiles and hath giuen mée the law of grace but also hée hath sustained mée vntill this time for to behold your soueraigne beautie that onely therein I may also know his great might power God also made the heauens the earth and the starres and endued them with greatnesse and lyght of great beautie but yet ob diuine clemencie in you alone iâ—… more to bée seene then in all them I will not declare vnto you royall Princesse how that singular beautie and fairenesse haue béene the occasion that my heart dooth receiue sorrow and griefe yet I may say that it is rather glorie then payne for that without it I am not able to liue one moment And héere I doo giue you to vnderstand that I am so much yours that so long as this soule dooth sustaine my body my heart shall not neyther cannot but continually haue you for my Lady and mistresse Therefore soueraigne Princesse I doo most hartely desire you to shew so much fauour vnto the Knight of the Sun as to graunt him lisence to bée yours for that without it hee liuing cannot choose but serue you and for that with my life I will noâ—… offend you if you doo not receiue contentment héerewith I will giue my selfe the death The royall Princesse at these woords receiued neyther anger nor griefe but beeing very pleasant and merrie for that hée had sayd vnto hir with an excellent grace great humilitie shée answered him and saide Knight of the Sunne who for his name which is the name of so high a prince by desert deserueth to be lost and in how much is this name amongst the most estéemed Knights in all the world had in estimation I doo not know by what reason hee should so little esteeme himselfe and so far exalt mee that for to publish himselfe to bee mine hee saith that hee lacketh courage and bouldnesse heere I giue you to vnderstand that I haue in such estimation your mightie déedes and the great worthinesse of your person that for to receiue you to bee my knight I am therewith very well content and with all onely this I doo béeleeue that in all the world there is not a Damsell that is equall vnto my highnesse And farther you shall vnderstand gentle knight that the great fame of your high Knighthoode was the occasion that I came out of Trabisond onely for to sée you therefore my good Lord from this day forwards procure that wée may returne thether with as much speed and in as short time as may bee for that I desire very much that in the Court of the Emperour my Father so high a Prince and so worthie a Knight as you are might bée knowen Then the knight of the Sunne with more contentment then euer hée receiued in all his life knéeled dowen béefore the Princesse and would haue kissed hir handes for the great curtesie shewed vnto him but shée in no wise would consent therevnto but caused him to stand vp and tooke him in hir armes wheras grew beetwéene theÌ„ so great loue that nothing was to seperate them but onely death and although these louing words passed betwéene them seemed that there was no conclusion of any thing yet in their harts there was so strong a knot â—…ade that beefore it should bée vndone it should bée greatly amented So they passed the time in these other resons in the which time theyr Ship dyd nauigate with prosperous windes and the fift day after theyr departure from Lidia they ariued in a port or hauen of Grecia whereas they dyd disimbarke themselues and went a land from whence they had not trauayled far when they met many Knights who went séeking of Rodaran meruaylous sad and heauie for the imprisonment of the Emperour and all the other Princes and knights that were with him who when they knew the Emperour and the rest so fast as theyr horsses could runne they went vnto Constantinople to carrie the newes And as soone as it was knowen throughout the great Cittie there were very few that remained but they went forth to méete theyr good Lord the Emperour and his sons and receiued them with so great ioy and pleasure as though they had béene theyr owne kinsfolkes or children and had béene very long absent from them So they entered into the great pallace whereas of the Empresse they were receiued with that ioy and contentment as in such like absence may bée conceiued and with no small complaining of the Empresse vnto the Emperour for that hée all alone and without giuing hir to vnderstand would goe foorth and put himselfe into so great perill Straight wayes it was knowen throughout the whole Citie all that had passed and the great deceit and treason that Rodaran vsed for to take prisoners all thâ—…se Knights Then the Emperour the more to extoll and make manifest the worthie déedes of the Knight of the Sunne commaunded to bée paynted all that euer had happened from the first time that Rodaran came vnto the Court vntill such time as hée departed after the battayleâ—… in Lidia to bée done in the fore front of the great pallace nigh vnto the aduenture of the Iland of Lindaraza and for that it was done by the hands of excellent workmen and very naturall it did not a little amplifie set foorth the greaâ—… bountie of the knight of the Sunne So in this sort with great ioy and pleasure they remayned a good while in the Court without happening anâ—… thing worth the telling but the knight of the Sun receiued not so great ioy contentment in finding himself in the presence of his ladies as the princesse Lindabrides receiued sorrow griefe to sée the great conuersation which the knight of the Sun had with the princesse Claridiana the great perill which hir presence might cause vnto hir which was the occasion that she receiued no pleasure but was alwaies very sad perisiue caused vnto the Emperour and Empresse great sorrow griefe séeing hir in that case thinking that she receiued some displeasure in his court which greatly discontented hir because she did not as she was wont
errour for that my dutie in the which I was bound by mine ancestours to maintaine this custome as also lacke of knowing you was the occasion that I haue committed this ouer-sight and for that Oristedes dyd know of the demaund that the Prince Meridian did bringe out of his countrie he demanded of the Princesse for him And shée tolde him how that the Knight of the Sunne had battell with him of all that passed betwixt them both The which when Oristedes vnderstood hée dyd comfort himselfe very much for that it séemed vnto him to be no reproach for to be ouercome by so valiant a knight by whom Meridian was first ouercome who thought that ther was not a knight in all the world that could match him So receiuing great contentment for the acknowledge of the Princesse as also to know that shée should bée married to so valiant a knight with great ioy plesure hée said For that which vnto so high a princesse as you are is due I think it is no reson that in this sort alone you shuld enter into the gran Cataia wheras are assembled y e mightiest lords in the world in the emperors court therfore if you please I will go before and carry them the newes of your comming that they may receiue you as your high estate dooth deserue for that I am sure that the Emperour wil bée as glad as euer hée was in all his lyfe with the newes and I shall receiue great contentment to finde my selfe present in the Court of the Emperour Alycandro at the celebrating of so high a marriage and at the great triumphs feasts as shall bée there made as also for my bounden dutie for the great good will which alwayes the Emperour bare vnto mée The Knight of the Sunne would very fayne haue disturbed the voyage of Oristedes for to haue excused the great trauayle which hée should receiue in that iourney for that it was very long and needes must passe through very strange Countries but hée offered this with so great good will that it did profit nothing all that euer he could doo for to disturb him of his iourney So for that day they all went vnto the Citie whereas they were meruailously wel receiued and were serued of al things very abundantly Then the knight of the Sunne lookeing out of a high window of the pallace hée saw péeces of walls and towers of old antiquitie which was a memorie of the great Citie of Troy and round about the same the wide and broad fields whose sight caused the teares to fall from his eyes when hee remembred the great number of worthy knights as wel Greeks as Troyans that were there slaine and béehoulding the great circuite thereof which dyd extend from the one side vnto the other foure miles the smalnesse of the Citie at that present and the great demonstration of towers other mightie building hee said within himselfe Oh weake miserable and feeble life of man what confidence or securitie canne mortall men haue in the great riches and pompe of this world considering with great attention the sodaine vncertaine mouings changes of humane things how sodainly they are ouercome destroyed Who had seene the great citie of Troy compassed about with so strong wals and fortified with so high and great towers and furnished with sumptuous buildings full of people gouerned by so mighty a King and defended by so famous captaines who had knowen the King Priamus Lord ouer the principall regions Orientalls and Meridionalls of the great Asia Who had séene his mightie power his great riches his pride and high estate the great number of vassalls and subiects the worthinesse of his Captaines the singular force and strength of his sons and all these vpon a sodaine and vnlooked for the great Citie of Troy destroyed and beaten downe theyr strong walls ouerthrowen with their towers theyr mightie pallaces and buildings flat vpon the ground King Priamus and his sonnes gored to death Hector drawen about the fielde Policena hir throat cut the Quéene stoned to death Andromica with the notable Matrons of Troy defiled the whole Citie destroyed the Citizens 〈◊〉 and their wiues and widowes banished from theyr naturall Countrie with their young sonnes in theyr armes dispearsed throughout the world all is lost and all is goâ—…e and no memorie left but that which is for a farther griefe in remembring that which is past leauing béehiâ—…de that which doth giue vs continuall sorrow and griefe and considering thereof it dooth make vs greatly to mernayle in séeing how that fortune sometimes dooth exalt vs aloft and at other times dooth throw vs downe tossing vs this way and that way lyke a tennis ball Now I know of a truth that with great reason the Marriners doth call â—…he tempest Fortune and not without great occasion wise â—…en dooth say that it is very troublesome to suffer prospeâ—…itie and that it is requist for to learne to suffer the aâ—…undaunce of Fortune for as that wise Poet Lirico sayth 〈◊〉 the high and mightie Pine Trées are oftenest beaten 〈◊〉 tormented with the windes and the highest Towers 〈◊〉 the greatest falls and on the high mountaines and 〈◊〉 dooth the thunder-bolts commonly strike It is said 〈◊〉 the humane highnesse of it selfe is vnquiet and withâ—… securitie for that there is nothing that can bée so secret 〈◊〉 it commeth to bée discouered as care trauayle enuie 〈◊〉 feare wéeping and in the ende death And lykewise I doo now know to bée true that how happy so euer the béeginning is the end is vncertaine and doubtfull for that all humane things dooe turne about lyke a whéele and after a quyet and calme Sea followeth tempests and troubled waters and after a cléere morning a clowdie euening Therefore comfort your selues you Greekes and Troyans that haue béene banished in these fieldes of Troy for that the fame of your mightie déedes is out of the subiection of Fortune and it cannot bée that by hir you bée ouerthrowen so long as the world endure In saying these and many other words the knight of the Sunne remained a good while at the same window with great sorrow and griefe which the remembrance of all those things did cause vnto him So night drew on and euery one went to take their rest after that they had stayed there two dayes the knight Oristedes tooke his leaue of them and tooke in his companie two Pages and departed out of the Citie tooke his iourney towards the gran Cataia and gran Tartaria vnto the court of the Emperour Alycandro which was in the gran Cataia So that at this present the Historie doth leaue him with the Knight of the Sunne and the Princesse Lindabrides till time serueth How Rosicleer and the king Sacridoro came into England and what happened with them there Chapter 56. MAny dayes trauailed Rosicleer and the King Sacridoro towards the kingdome of England with so great desire to find themselues there that
battayle endured more then two houres béetwixt them with so great force and strength that there was no iudgement to bée giuen béetweene them who should haue the victorie All those which béeheld this braue battell were very much amazed at the fury and force of Bradaman and much more at the bountie of that valyant knight how hee could so long endure agaynst him Then the Emperour Alicandro although hee had great doubt of the battaile yet hée meruayled very much and sayd vnto Oristedes the singular bountie of the Knight of the Sunne is to bée wondered at who likewise with words of great prayse sayde that there was not a knight in all the world that in bounty strength was lyke vnto him In this time the fayre Princesse with the out ward shew of hir heauy countenaunce and the going and comming of hir rubicond coulour gaue to vnderstand what great sorrow and griefe hir heart receyued for to see hir welbeloued knight put into so great perill and trouble and occupyed hir selfe in no other thing but praying vnto hir Gods for to giue him the victorie at which time the splendant Sun drew nigh vnto the Occident regions and the sad darknesse of the night began to couer the earth wheÌ„ the furious Bradaman and the good Knight of the Sunne had endured thrée houres in the battayle without taking anie rest yet at that time they stroke so fierce and furious one agaynst an other as though it dyd but as then béegin and Bradaman laboured with great courage for to fasten one sure blow vpon the Knight of the Sunne beeléeuing verelie ther with to make an end of that battayle but all that euer hee dyd procure to dooe was to little purpose for that this worthie knight knowing the great perill and daunger of his mortall blowes dyd procure by all meanes to defende and cleere himselfe froÌ„ them and with great fury and lightnesse hee dyd still strike and wound him on his big legs in such sort that although his armour was made of fine and hard bones of Elephaunts yet when the night drew on hée had more then ten wounds on them whereout ranne so great abundance of blood that all the place was barayeâ—… therwith as though ther had ben two bulls slaine the quantitie was so much by reason whereof the giants force and strength abated in suth sort that he did not execute his blewes with so great strength as he did at the first the which being knowen by the knight of the Sun his fury â—…orce increased the more Bradaman fainted by the losse of so much bâ—…ood being without all power strength he fell downe vnto the ground whose fall was so terrible heauie that it made the whole pallace with all the towers to shake which was as great â—…oy pleasure vnto them that did behold it as it was sorrow griefe vnto all the giants the companions of Bradaman who were ready to burst with pure anger to see their lord to be ouer come loose the victory the knight of the Sun giuing thanks vnto almighty god for that great victory went vnto Bradaman â—… pulled off his helme to sée if he were dead or not and when he saw that he was but in a sound he commanded straight waies that he should be caried from thence wheras he might be cured of his wounds The which was straight way done and his wounds washed and bound vp found that he was in no perill of death although if the knight of the Sun had knowen at that time what would haue hapned with a very good will he would haue câ—…t off his head before he would haue commanded him to bâ—… 〈◊〉 for that euery drop of blood which was ther spilt cost full deerly the emperour of Greece Thus this braue perillous battaile being concluded the horse of the knight of the Sun was straight waâ—…es brought vnto him 〈◊〉 theron all those kings mighty lords came for to beare him company with such gallant noise of musick that it shewed the great malestie of those kings Princes that were ther present In this sort they bare this knight company till hee came vnto the mightie pallace dooing him such honour as the like was neuer done vnto any Prince or Knight and beeing entered into the pallace in company with those Kings â—…ordes and knights the mightie Emperour Alicandro came 〈◊〉 into the galleries for to receiue him embracing him with great loue he 〈◊〉 Oh my doore weibeloued son how happy ioyfull was that day when first I knew you I may accoâ—…nt my selfe happy in that I had a daughter for to deserue so â—…aliant a knight Then the knighâ—… of the Sunne knéeling dâ—…wne before him saiâ—… In this am I onely bound to giue great thanks vnto God to accâ—…unt myselfe happy fortunâ—…te for that I acknowledge for my father so soueraignâ—… a lord And being in this conference the empresse came embraced him with great loue although vntill that time shée did with him euill for the great loue which she bâ—…re vnto hir son the prince Meridian yet hauing seene that day the great meruailes by him done hir mallice was turned into great loue accounted hir selfe happy in obtaining such a son in law Then they altogether entered into a very great quadraâ—… wheras he was vnarmed being supper time the fairâ—… princâ—…s Lindabrides was brought thether with great torch light much musiâ—…ke whereas they supâ—…ed altogether with great ioy 〈◊〉 the knight of the Sun the faire princes Lindabrides were set together whereâ—…s passed betwixt them many amorous questions the which did greatâ—…ye increase their amorous desires by reason of the great quantity of lights that were in the quadran their beauties dyd redouble more then before gaue great contentmâ—…nt vnto all the lookers on So after that they had sâ—…pped began the feasts of dancing in the which the knight of the Sun did 〈◊〉 with the princes with so notable excellent grace with the like disposition that it was a thing worthâ—… of beholding Likewise thâ—…se kings lords did dance with the lâ—…dies and damsells of the princesse who were very faire in the which mirth and pastime they passed away the greatest part oâ—… the night and for that the Knight of the Sunne was verye wearie of his great trauayle the past the Emperour would not that that night they should bée made sure together but commanded it to be referred till the next day following Thus midnight béeing past all men went vnto their rest and the knight of the Sunne at two of the clocke in the morning tooke his leaue of the Princesse Lindabrides with great sorrow griefe for that his desired glorye was put off and delaied till the next day So béeing departeâ—… the one from the other the knight of the Sunne was carryed into his chamber wheras hée euer lay since his comming thether and béeing laid in his rich