and as good luck serued hoising vp his saile-yards a prosperous and fauorable gale blew them so far that in few daies they came to surge in the coast of Tubanta and afterward to cast anckers in the same port There went the Turkish mariner a shore to giue order to prepare a chamber for the knight and finding not his father at home aduertised his mother and two yonger brethren he had who shewed themselues very glad of his returne but far gladder was Marcomyr séeing himselfe in so secret and remote a place moreouer néere the castell of Albase wherein was captiue the king of Thessaly whom he sought Orican was the Turkish mariners name who hauing told his mother of the great fauour that the knight whom he conducted had done him returned aboord presently praying Marcomyr to come a shore to refresh himselfe a little in their house which he willingly did being wearie and annoied with the pestred aire of the ship after that he had equipped himselfe with his rich blacke armor which the Fairies left him in the castell of Carderie and with the sword which had force to enchant and cast in sléepe whomsoeuer he would by vnsheathing it It was a large one and short like a cemitorie but grauen very artificially and guilded garnished beside with thrée sorts of adamant whereof she sheath was made of the one the hilts and the pommell of another and the handell of a most rare and pretious Calamite that might be found the blade of most pure and fine stéele and the best temper that was euer giuen to a sword in briefe it was iudged the rarest péece of worke that euer was séen in that kind Oricans mother receiued Marcomyr and Ozalias with the greatest entertainement and welcome she could deuise and in the euening came home the old fisherman who was very glad to sée his sonne whom he accounted forlost and forlorne notwithstanding he was much abashed to sée what companie he had gotten and made to come ashore to entertaine them after marriners manner in so poore a house as his And as he began to aske of his wife whence procéeded this good fortune Marcomyr demanded of him from what part he came whervnto the good man answered him very courteously from a cittie sir not far distant whether I went this morning to sell some fish which I made away quickly because there is assembled a great number of knights to be present at the mariage of the daughter of the lord thereof whom he marieth to the sonne of the captaine of Albase there I staid some what the longer to the end to sée the bridegrome and a sister of his which he brought with him who is estéemed the most beautifull and the finest yong Damsell of all the round world The which is of very many great lords demanded in mariage but she will not accept of any saying that she wil neuer marie with any but with him who shall deserue her by his Prowesse and dexterity of armes so that many braue and valiant knights are come to sée her for this intent and haue ordained vpon the third day of the feast a triumph for the loue of her who in the mean space goeth so pompously attired that she draweth into great admiration all those who looke vpon her I tell you sir there is such a concourse of people that it séemeth to be the court of the great turke with his bassoes and Ianissaries Marcomyr who listened to him most attentiuely remained some little while pensiue and afterward bethought himselfe if he might but once by his subtil deuises enamor this Damsell he might easily at his pleasure enter into the castell of Albase where he should haue better meane to set abroch his statagems â—or the deliuerance of the king of Thessalie for this cause he purposed to bée at the Triumph and in going to his bed he imparted all this affaire to Ozalias who commended and liked highly his politick inuention The morrow morning Marcomyr made the fisherman know he would be one at the triumph by reason whereof he bestowed something on him in gift praying him to haue in speciall regard his ship and mariners then departed accompanied with Ozalias and Orican who was his guide and did him much seruice in his practises about this busines They were not far gone before they met by the way one of Leifidaes pages so was the Damsels name who was daughter to the lieutenant of Albase for whom they should Ioust who was sent from his mistres to goe sée a sister of hers maried there néere at hand lying then in childbed Marcomyr comming towards him gaue him a courteous and affable salutation demanded of him if the triumph were held the next day following Yea verily quoth the yong youth at least they haue all so agréed and if you come thether you shal find many hardy knights within the palissadoe but I beléeue the partakers of Ripolo so is the name of the bridegrome wil cary away the honor of the tourney because many hardie and valiant champions are come to this feast for the loue of Lefida his sister my mistresse and to the end to find better meane to present him their seruice would take his brothers part being one of the chiefest in the triumph Then the prince recalling in mind the perfections of his Celestina breathed forth a déepe fetcht sigh and on the other side was maruelous glad to haue met with the messenger of this damsell wherefore by this meane to win his acquaintaÌ„ce he procéeded thus with him Gentleman I may déeme the excellent graces of your mistresse to bée so amiable that in an instant they will captiue and entrap those who doe behold it but I can well assure you there is one readie with his entire will and most sincere affection to serue her who neuer yet appeared before her face which I speake for my selfe who abandoning the place of my natiuitie haue trauersed wish almost insupportable trauell many and diuers countries to come hether to make her vnderstand the extreame deuotion I haue to be her perpetuall and faithfull seruant Wherevnto only the renowne of her excellent beautie which I thinke hath pierced thorow the whole circuit of the earth hath induced me And séeing my good hap is so fauorable at this present as to méet you so fitly albeit you know mée not yet and that I haue towards you merited nothing I would neuerthelesse of fauor entreat one thing of you which you should doe for me by the effect whereof beside you shall purchase notable reputation of courtesie and gentlenes which all noble borne of your age ought to haue in singular recommendation I hope to make you know it is no ingratefull person whom you shall gratifie with such a pleasure and that you should not repent to make me your debter in a far greater good turne What would you haue me to doe quoth the yong man For as much as you séeme to me vertuous and a
offered him many presents but he would accept none thanking him much for his good will especially of the assurance he gaue him not to depart any way from the Emperours court vntill he arriued there for hée made him a promise before many daies were past he would appeare there in person as he requested him to giue the Emperour to vnderstand then bidding him adiue entered aboord his ship commanding his maister to lanch out a contrary way CHAP. XII How Abenunq arriueth in Constantinople at whose comming the emperour is very glad and Esquiuela his daughter most ioifull and how Linides the lord of the island Liquia and the County Pelides his cousin ioust against the knights of the court and win the best ABenunq maruelous glad of the good succour which came at such a pinch sailed with a fauourable wind till he came to Constantinople where as soone as hée was arriued he commanded king Ocurites and all the Christian slaues to be landed in skiffes whom he appointed to march towards the Emperours pallace to acomplish the message which Marcomyr had giuen him in charge whereof the emperor being aduertised demanded what meant this troupe of prisoners when one of the principal knights of Abenunq who went before to make them march in order answered in this sort If it please your maiestie it is the king of Culaquin sonne in law to the great Turke who departed his countrie with a puissant and huge armie to endomage and ruin your empire By this traitor had the prince Abenunq son to the Souldan of Babilon your nephew and all his traine ben put to sword or to the chaine had it not ben for the succour of a knight called Marcomyr second to none other who rescued vs and hath now sent him prisoner to you These good newes much pleased the Emperour thinking Marcomyr had béene come with Abenunq neuerthelesse as soone as he vnderstood he had left him beehind at the streight of Sestos and Abidos he was wroth and sore displeased surely quoth he albeit it gréeueth me I cannot haue him in my house to recompence him as his prowesse and courtesie deserueth yet hereof may the king Ocurites well vaunt himselfe for were it not for respect of the knight by whom he is vanquished and sent vnto me I should torment him all the daies of his life with sharpe and cruell punishment to make him call to mind the fellonie he hath heretofore shewed towards my vassals freinds and confederats Neuerthelesse séeing I receiue him from the hand of so valiant a man as Marcomyr he shall be committed to safegard vntil his comming Then sent he to lock him vp in a high tower commanding he should want nothing néedfull for his life and ease But to return to Abenunq after Diocles and the other lords had with al courtesie entertained him and welcommed them al more quaintly for his owne part he conducted him before the emperour of whom he was receiued most honourably who caused him to lodge in his pallace in a lodging néere his son Diocles who as yet was vnknighted as was he himselfe whereby grew a great loue and acquaintance betwéene these two hoping both one day to be companions in arms together Abenunq discoursed then the summe of Marcomyrs message and could neuer satisfie himself with sufficiently commending his liberall bountie and vnspeakeable valour so that the good prince was stil inflamed more and more to sée this knight for whom he blessed and praised God who had infused so many perfections into him the which Rifaran and Lechefin did confirme by this little word that there can neuer be so much good and honour spoken in his praise but the merit of his vertues would far excéed the capacity of the most learned and eloquent tongue which should bée emploied to that purpose After that Abenunq had deliuered some other matters of his embassage to the Emperour he went to sée the Empresse in her chamber and as he would haue bowed himselfe to kisse her hand with the more reuerence the honourable ladie rising vp from her seat to saue him that labour receaued him wonderfull courteously and at large demanded him the newesfrom Archidiana his mother whom the prince answered in al points very sagely as from his childhood he had ben learned to doe then came to embrase him swéetly the infant Philocrista and Esquiuela her companion who could not tell what countenance to make for the extreame ioy shée felt in her mind hauing before her eies the second highest hope of her heart and albeit she did all she might to dissemble it she was constrained notwithstanding in the end to fill the eares of the assistants with these spéeches My dearest brother I know not what greater conteÌ„tment might happen to me at this present then to behold your presence in the assemblie which shall be here one of these daies holden for me where séeing our parents cannot be present it hath ben their pleasure to honour me so much as to send you in their place who I know are as wel welcome to euery one as all our company of ladies is glad to bid you welcome Sister quoth Abenunq the Souldan our father hauing vnderstood the honour which the Emperour doth you in matching you with the prince Ditreus his nephew hath sent me to giue him heartie thanks and to offer on his part vpon conclusion of the articles of contract such agréements as shall like him well being assured these things so well handled by him cannot chuse but be acceptable to both parties contracted As for madame Archidiana our mother she presenteth you by me many Iewels rich stuffes and other exquisite singularities sutable to a princesse of so great a house as you are to the end on your mariage day you may shew the maiestie of the race whence you are descended hereof Esquiuela and Ditâ—eus rested well pleased and satisfied and now they did but long for the happie hower which should bring them that ioy and contentation which they had so long in heart desired In the meane time the Emperour he caused a triumph to be published thorowout all Gréece and vpon the fiftéenth day following should the marriage be solemnly celebrated so that you might haue séene what an infinite number of knights flocked daily to the court from all parts Amongst others thether came Linides lord of the island Liquia he that had done more valiant acts in the aduenture of Celestina then any other aduenturer And of a truth was thought to be one of the best men at armes at that time in all the Empire thorow the which was already spread the fame of this feast This knight tooke with him in companie only his cousin the County Pelides a hardie gentleman and so estéemed and accounted of all in martiall affairs albeit he was yoonger then Linedes When they were both arriued at Constantinople they would not enter into the cittie but encamped themselues in the plaine a great way from others and néer
on the one side on the other side washeth and watereth it a floud which dischargeth it selfe in the salt water very néere the castle at the foot whereof is built a bridge by meruellous architecture whilome accessible to all wandering knights But since Celestina was there shut vp and enclosed within the great dungeon no stranger might euer enter in there those of the Isle only doe goe and come all other not Upon this bridge are placed thrée litle turrets one in the middest the other two at both the ends In the first is a knight surpassing the common measure and proportion of men so fierce hardy and valiant that since the beginning of this enchauntment hath not any one looked him in face who could euer take any aduantage vpon his Prowesse except onely the lord of the Isle Liquie his sonne whom the emperour Marcomyr vanquished at the Iust when he conquered the Sagittarie He being called Linedes by name was so magnanimious and laborous that hée fought against the knight of the bridge from morning to night and albeit the battell were rough and cruell yet was there neuer perceiued any want of courage or fear at all in him which happened not to him of the bridge for that the bloud which he lost did make him so féeble that his heart began to faile him But a crumpshouldered and ilfauoured dwarfe who stood sentinell in the top of the first towre to discouer the knights who came a farre off along the fields winding then swéetly his enchanted horn which he weareth at his necke in a skarfe did so restore him all his force that he séemed euen then to haue entred fresh into the combat In this manner held he out till the sun setting when Linedes his enemie beganne to be weakened in his strength by meanes whereof before the dwarfe returned to sound his horne he gaue the knight of the towre such a girde that he made him saue himselfe on the ground with his hands Then running swiftly along the bridge got quickly to the middle turret the gates wherof standing before wide open shut themselues at his comming with so fearefull â—reaking and trembling of the wholâ— bâ—â—lding that Linedes fell to ground in a sound yet for all thâ—t hâ—e was quickly vp againe A good part of the night was already slipt away before he came to himself out of his sound whereby his Squiers thinking verily he was dead did make the most gréeuous complaints that might be when he was come again to his former senses he â—ound himselfe so giddy and frushed that he remained more then â—oure houres before he could recouer his spéech In the meane while he was borne into a bed which his squiers had set vp for him in a tent where he soiorned thrée daies and neuer went abroad the fourth day féeling himselfe strong inough to endure horâ—eback for that he sâ—w there was no way for him to returne once more to prâ—â—e this aduenture hée departed thence sad and in greaâ—â—holler And I tell you Sir for a certaine that when the dwarâ—e who sâ—ood sentinell in the top of the fâ—â—st â—urret saw the knight of the bridge waxe faint and to haue the worst of the battell sounding but his horn he put him again into his former strength whereby it commeth to passe that no man can stand out long time against him séeing then such an enterprise bringeth great danger and sometimes death with it mine aduise should be that no man henceforward would come to aduenture it any more You count me meruelous things then quoth Belcarin sure the Fairies were very wel learned y t deuised this enchantment wherefore I thinke they haue not shut in the damsel there without great occasion being assured some Knight must exploit this aduenture towards the which euery one presuming a little of himself may march couragiously with a hope that it is he for whom it hath ben reserued Wherevpon I do not wonder if many fall into this errour séeing that for my part I wil not refuse to go for any thing whatsoeuer may befall me Iâ— peraduentuâ—e I die in the conflict I shall augment only the number of those who cannot attaine the purpose of their enterprises without receiuing any 〈◊〉 â—â—shonour thereby Lipâ—â— intreated him of all loues to forbear the voiage and so did his sisters in like maner in the swéet acquaintance good fâ—uor of whom he was entred very far already especially of the yonger very faire and courteous aboue the other but little auailed them al their persuasiue reasons propounded to turne him for that Belcarin being come expresly frâ—m a far country would not for any thing in the world haue failed to make some assay of his prowesse and valour in thaâ— so famous aduenture When Lipeâ— saw him so resolute in his opinioÌ„ he offred to bear him company were it but to shew him the way which courtesy Bâ—lcâ—rin accepted most willingly by this good occasion getting to horsebacke the morrow morning very early they were in the isle about noon For that day y e yong prince pleased to rest himselfe a little within a rich tent which thrée squiers had already reared there who were sent thether before by Lipeâ— sisters with necessary prouisioÌ„s for such a purpose so soon as they vnderstood the resolution When it grew late Belcarin went to vew the isle and beholding the towre wherein Celestina was he praied vnto God in his mind to giue him so much force that he might deliuer hâ—r out of that place and purchase aboue al others the honour to haue happily atchieued such an aduenture So déepely wâ—s his mind occupied in that thought that of all the night hée could not put it away but said often in himselfe Ah Belcarin God forbid thou shouldest suffer thy heart to abase it selfe delay not to plonge thy selfe manly in the execution of this enterprise for albeit courage and strength fit for so worthie Prowesse should faile thée yet ought onely to pricke thée forward the renowne and generositie of thine auncestors being the sonne of one of the best knights who is this day vnder the Zodiake and nephew to that great Emperour with whom none can euer make compare Thus discoursed hée in his mind ouercome with amourous fancie tâ—â—l the breâ—â—e of day when he began to arme himselfe leisurely at all points then went he towards the bridge where in a little place right before the first Turret waited for him the knight of â—he guard so huge and fierce that although Belcarin were hardie and valiant he was notwithstanding somewhat afraid albeit he shewed no signe thereof outwardly but couering himselfe brauely with his sheild hardie past wonder marched on forward to enter the bridge when the garder came to debar him saying very proudly Stand backe knight if you will not haue the combat against me for this step I forbid all those that are like you For none other end am I come hether quoth Belcarin but to â—ight with
necessarie for â—o long â— voiage he tooke his congie honestly of all his vassals and 〈◊〉 after of the Quéene his mother who felt a great heartbreaking at this departure then came she directly into the hauen with the ring and letâ—â—r whose tenâ—â—r ensueth The queene of Tarsus letter to the Emperour Cleodomyr The Superscription was this To the most illustrious and generous Cleodomyr Emperour of Constantinople the most loiall of louers the most accomplished of knights and the most high of princes who inhabite the Center of the world the queene of Tarsus his entire and perpetuall louer kissing the hands of his Imperiall maiestie sendeth salutation IF the heauens had ben in my behalfe so happy and liberall distributours of the gifts and perfections requisite to an accomplished ladie as fortune was to me afterward fauourable and genâ—â—e adorning my head with the roiall crowne of Tarsus I had neuer had no recourse to charms nor Magicke my deare louer and most fortunate Prince when I sought to haue your acquaintaunce in the kingdome of Pasmerie But for as much as with the neuer so little of these so highly estéemed graces of nature as I possesse the fatall destinies made me bow to your loue after I saw you in the towne of Alfarin my former vertue could not so preuaile against the ardent desire which the renowne of your praise had before liuely imprinted in my spirit but my chastitie in the end there remained without recouerie defiled Neuerthelesse I neuer accounted that any disaster nor mishap in my behalfe séeing the celestiall bodies were so mercifull as they suffered to deriue of that act Marcomyr our common sonne to whom albeit I had euer concealed you were his father neuerthelesse by Deuine Oracle not long since he hath béene aduertised thereof and since hath so cunninglie wrought his matters that he hath constrained me not without mine extreame griefe and vtter mistrust euer to sée him againe to giue him leaue to go to visit you Wherevnto verie hardlie had I condescended were it not the confidence I haue that you will send him me againe so soone as you shall haue séene and recognished him for your sonne And of this accident I assured my selfe you would not be displeased if you consider how you haue aided to bring into this world a young man the beginning of whose towardnesse good manners and honest behauiours doth presage hope of his laudable and future valiauncie I send you him then thus accompanied onely with one of his cosins for that herein such was his aduise shewing mée in all resolute sort how when you trauelled the world it was for the most part alone and as a simple wandering knight And to the end you make no doubt to recognish him for your sonne besiâ—â—s the coniectures that his Phisiognomie proportion of members and the proper hâ—w of his bloud may naturally enforme you I send you by him a ring like vnto that which I gaue you the very day you departed from the towne of Alfarin mine Admirall in which the night going before you begate this child of mée the which if you compare together you shal find the words I spake to you in taking leaue one of another not to haue béene vaine nor lying Praying you once more by the honour and reuerence of the firme and loiall amitie which you haue alwaies had in so-great and singular accompt towards the only mistresse of your heart it would please you to sende our sonne backe againe to vs as soone as may bée To the end we may passe together ioifullie the rest of this short life wherewith it shall please our Gods to enrich vs with hereafter in this base region wherein wée liue The most humble of your louers The queene of Tarsus CHAP. VI. How Marcomyr was by tempest of weather driuen into the isle of Delphos where after he had vnderstood of the aduenture of the temple he determined to take harbor how afterward he vanquished the son of the giant Baledon who kept this isle then by force SO soone as Marcomyr was come to the hauen where he should embarke with many iewels and many other things necessarie for such a voiage he was the fourth man who went aboord And causing them to set saile commanded his pilots to stéere towards the coasts of Thrace where he had hope to learne some newes of Celestin â—herfor whoÌ„ yet could not he tell any cause he felt his hâ—rt before cruelly wouÌ„ded plonged in a most passionat agâ—â—y Scant had he put out froÌ„ shore when began to blow a contrary flaw of wind which altred his course pretended for Constantinople for there fell so terriâ—le a storm that he abode thrée daies and three nights fâ—oating among the waues where his marriners themselues knew not on what coast they were At last the tempest being ceased he commaunded the maister to cast the plummet to the bottome of the sea to know in what countrie they were He knew strait they were sailing in Europe and in the Mediteranean sea very néer the 〈◊〉 of Dâ—lphos by meanes whereof Marcomyr purposed to make in with the island to refresh himselfe a little But into this island were the Pagans weent to come very often in ancient time to visit the temple of Apollo and to consult w t his Oracle wherein at this time was Lord a giant called BaledoÌ„ the most cruell greatest tyrant who then liued in all the thrée parts of the world This giant who had a son no lesse valerous in armes then himselfe after by force he had ceized this isle caused a strong castell to be built vpon a little promontorie which reached far into the sea where it was diuided into two maine rockes hidden within the waues And would not permit any other port in all the isle but that which he appointed betwéene these two rockes at the end and extremitie of either wherof he commaunded to make â—ast a great chaine of yron to run a crosse which lay commonly very low within the water But when any vessell was come in to come to an Anker in the hauen two meÌ„ who waâ—thed for the purpose vpon the top of a towre néere hand did hoise it vp in sucâ— sort that he might not put out againe without the good will of the giant Who pillaged in this manner and greatly domaged all those who arriued there and if peraduenture he found any knight that did resist or would not obey his will he ouercame them by force of armes and then commanded to thrust them into a stinking and darke prison The marchants and others traffaking by sea spoiled of all they caried he caused them cruelly to be put to death so that all who had notise of this tyrannie did shun this road as a daungerous quicksand or gulf In this Isle was there moreouer a greater aduenture for in the time of the Gentiles there was a rich priest a great Magitian and a searcher out of secret things high priest of
giant and his son was slaine there was all as many as they could finde within the prisons of the castell their sorrow was turned into an vnspeakeabe ioy Moreouer the Prince commaunded to be brought before him the armes of all the knights to the ende euery man might recognish his owne to arme themselues quickely therewith who then perceiuing this man should set them frée from so miserable slauerie fell downe all at his féet to thanke him euery one praying his God to guerdon him for so great a benefite as hée did tâ— them all But amongst the rest there were two yong men very proper and well fauoured for they were but arriued in that place not long before who shewed by their Physiognomie to be descended ofsome illustrious and heroicall race both of them said they were Moores the one was Rifaran son to Trineus Emperour of Almaigne and of the Infant Aurencida the other Lechefin son of the Soldan of Persia the youngest of the thrée which the Princesse Zephira had by him These yong gentlemen were both two brought vp together by the Soldan because he knowing the doâ—ilitie and good inclination of Rifaran did hope to sée him one day a valiant knight Therefore being both the son ofhis sister and of the Emperour Trineus his great freind hée loued him as if he had ben his owne child This Rifaran béeing come to the age of ten or twelue yéeres became so studious of all vertuous actions that vpon a time talking with his mother he praied her to shew him plainely the cause why she was alwaies lockt vp and clothed in mourning wéeds whereof she made him the whole discourse deciphring in few words vnto him his genealogie assuring him the prince Trineus Emperour of Almaine was his father When Rifaran vnderstood he was sonne of one of the principall houses in Christendome he began to make better estéeme of himselfe and to shew himselfe in all things more sumptuous then before so that being come to the age fit to receiue knighthood he besought the Soldan he would honour him therewith who gaue him willingly the acolladoe and for the same occâ—sion was there made a great and magnificent feast in the which he alwaies won the honour and price of many Iusts that were held there Afterwards he left the court life and continuing militarie profession he did so great and maruellous actes in armes that he was much renowned and hath his neuer dying praise spread thorow all the Marches and Prouinces of Persia whereof the Soldan was so glad that he sought many times to marrie him with the only daughter of king Maulerin But he would neuer heare on that eare for he had concluded in his mind first to goe visit the Emperour Trineus his father the which Aurencida his mother who died not long afterward did of all loues persuade him to to the end the emperour séeing the fruit of his loues by the obiect of his person might know they were not vaine in the time they were acquainted together Wherevnto agréed most willingly Râ—faran and after he had finished the obsequies and funerall pompes in such sort as the greatnesse of so high a princesse did require it for he would neuer breake her coÌ„mandement he demaunded license of the Soldan to passe to Constantinople there to sée the court of the Emperour Cleodomyr from thence to take his iourny to that of his father in Almaine The Soldan gaue him license albeit sore against his will but yet more against the will of Lechefâ—n who loued Rifaran as his owne soule therefore besought he most humblie his father to let him goe with him for companie for by this meane quoth he I shall quickly moue my cosin to returne which pleased wel the Soldan wherefore incontinently he knighted him although he were yet very little and yong in yeares Beside before their departure he bestowed on them goodly presents and Zephira his wife gaue them both letters directed to the two Emperours Cleodomyr and Trineus after wards when they were gone to shipboord with thirtie knights well furnished and equipped with all necessaries for them there aroâ—e a mightie storme at sea which forced them to anker in the goulfe of this Isle of Deâ—phos where being lockt in with the chaine and made fast by the giant being all weatherbeaten they saw no other remedy but to goe on land to refresh themselues there And being freindly entertained by the giant as soon as they were disarmed he caused them immediatly to be both put in prison then going strait to their ship sâ—ue twentie of the knights who came with vs sauing the life of the other ten to sâ—rue them with the same sauce as they had serued their masters whom they made kéepe companie in the prison so sóone as they had pillaged all that was within the ship Then were presented before him all the arms of the knights who had ben taken prisoners in that hauen out of which Rifaran and Lechefin did presently choose out theirs so did in like manner the other ten who remained of thirty that came thither who armed all themselues albeit they were brought very low and féeble thorow the long imprisonment they had endured vnderthe giant CHAP. VIII How Marcomyr establisheth a verie sage knight for gouernour of the isle of Delphos of whom he vnderstood the great danger and difficulty of the aduenture of the temple which hee performeth by slaying the enchaunted wild boare and vanquishing the knight of the horne MArcomyr then causâ—â— the people of the Isle to bée assembled to whom hée made this oration My freindes and brethren I beléeue you are all ioifull to sée your selues frée from the miserable slauerie in the which Baledon did detaine you you shall be content to hold hereafter for your liege Lord the iust and good prince Cleodomyr whom I will intitle vnto this Isle which I haue now conquested by force of armes for you know the giant is alreadie out of this world his wife sonne and daughter are my prisoners and tied here in chaines to that stonepiller before your eies whom I meane to send shortly to the Emperour for a present I pray you in the meane space to liue peaceably vnder the gouernement of this venerable knight Guilladoâ— by name whom I haue for his singular wisedome chosen for ruler amongst you vpon condition hee shall at the Emperours pleasure consigne it ouer into his hands Unspeakeable was the pleasure and content they all receiued to become the Emperours vassals wherefore he caused them all presently to sweare allegeance to him and then to burne openly the bodie of Baledon for the most enorme and cruell aâ—â—es he had committed in his life time To behold which execution came in all the people of the island and also to know the knight Marcomyr vnto whom they brought many presents and gifts who hauing pacified all things in good order purposed now to trie himselfe in the aduenture of the temple but the new gouernour dissuading
could telling him it was nothing the worst was past and none of the wounds found to be mortall how the Emperour had sent him excellent Phisitions and Chirurgeons who promised to set him quicklie on foot againe Were it Gods will quoth Bruquel it were so and that my maister might once find the meane to sup vp the Antidote which alone might corrupt and annihilate the so penetrating force of the swéet poison which was lately giuen him and then leauing this circumstance of words he fetcht a déepe sigh almost from the ground for hée had very short legs and would vse no more circumelocution but followed this point in this sort Ah my lord Arnedes how dearely doe you buy her beautie for whose sake you departed out of your countries Where the only reputation of your high estate and illustrious linage whence you are extracted did suffice to obtaine her without euer comming so fâ—rre to expose your selfe to so many perils dangers Amâ—nada maruelled much at these spéeches and presently had a curious desire to know who this knight might be Wherefore she praied Bruquel of all fauours to tell her to the end they might shew her ladie Philocrista who had an extreame desire to vnderstand of what race he was descended I will doe willingly for you all things I may quoth the dwarâ—e except this which without his commandement I dare not enterprise for I should doe that I am forbidden I will make you this promise to speake to him hereof and according to his wil and intention will I satisfie your desires Melissa also who desired with a singular affection to know who Recindos her louer was hauing séene these two Myrmidons prate together and vnderstanding some inkeling of their talke in passing by them so soone as they were retired into their chambers demaunded Amenada what were the matters debated betwéene her and Arnedes dwarfe Wherevpon the dwarfesse made her a long discourse whereof Philocrista was wonderous glad hoping thereby to vnderstand something of the French prince And as she heard say he was departed out of his house for the loue of a Damsel imagined this imediately meant by her selfe for it falleth out alwaies euery one best fauours himselfe in iudgements relying vpon bare coÌ„iectures for this cause she bid Amenada that she should cal vpon Bruquel to performe his promise The dwarfe as soone as he had opportunitie to speake vnto his maister made him vnderstand at length all which had past betwéene himselfe and the dwarfest of Philocrista whereat he was the gladdest man in the world and gaue him now a great charge to be carefull to bring this practise to a good end The next day when the Emperour and Diocles dined together Amenada went to take Bruquel in his lodging who séeing her come began thus to prattle aloud madam I haue giuen order for that I promised you the last night Notwithstanding before I can satisfie you in your desire I must craue one thing at your hands demaund hardly whatsoeuer you please quoth the dwarfesse for of nothing which is honest shall you of me be denied I haue then obtained of you replied Bruquel you shall not manifest to any liuing creature but to Madame Philocrista that which I am now about to tell you it is that for the loue of her only my deare lord and maister the first borne son of the king of France is departed from his house for the fame of her vnspeakeable beautie which hath alreadie pierced beyond those countries did on a day so cruelly wound his heart that forthwith he resolued to make a voiage into the leuant sea to sée whether such bruit did egall or surpasse the fame spread abroad of her And hauing afterward well beheld it he found nature had so cunningly embellished this perfect piece of worke that she hath taken away the power from any humane tongue were it neuer so eloquent and fluent to accomplish euer the entire praise of her desert by means whereof he hath written by a post sent of purpose to the king his father that he would send Embassadours hâ—ther to the end to conclude the articles of mariage with the Emperour to whom vntill he sée the commissioners of this embassage appeare he will not make himselfe knowne nor to any other person liuing but to her only And requireth her in the humblest manner he may she would vse with some little courtesie and benignitie the heart that she hath so secretly rauished from him and if in the meane time she wil employ his bodie in any other then familiar and domesticall affaires it would please her to send backe his heart with some comfort accepting the offer which it hath now lately made her so shall he repute himselfe the most happie and fortunate champion that euer entered battell in the seruice of any ladie moreouer should find himself quicklie recouered and healed of all his wounds otherwise should not be able to liue foure twentie howers in this world which were a way to purchase the death of infinit others besides his especially that of Recindos his cousin sonne of the king of Castile who louing him as himselfe would néeds beare him companie in this voiage and be partaker of the same trauels and diseases he endured for the great amitie and néere parentage betwéene them So cunningly could this Pigme file his language to second his maisters intention that it reaped that fruit to these two yong princes as hereafter you shall heare which might well be compared in loiall and perfect amitie to the two pithagorean companions Orestes and Pilades or to Nisus and Eurialus who would die the one for the other Greatly wondred Amenada hearing him tell how so high and illustrious a prince had thrust himselfe into so many trauels and dangers for the accomplishment of this mariage which he might haue effected by his agents emploied therein Then she made this answere Assuredly if I had not promised to tell my ladie and mistresse this I should not dare for any thing in the world aduenture my selfe to discouer or manifest so great matters as these for I should neuer be able to shew her the one halfe but Melissa who neuer stirreth farre from her would vnderstand or presume something It skilleth not for Melissa quoth the dwarfe I care not if it were done in her presence for I estéeme her so modeste and sage a princesse that she will shew her selfe rather silent to disclose it then inconsiderate and giddie headed to reueale it to any and I assure my selfe she will but take all the matter in good part This spake he to the end she should be an act or in the comedie for the loue of Recindos and if peraduenture Philocrista were slacke and backward in her loues she might counsell her not to refuse this good fortune offered her breifely they should reciprocally take aduise the one of the other as hauing both their hearts pierced with one dart for it falleth out many times two
will conduct you my selfe foreséeing already the extreame anguish my heart shall suffer finding it selfe in exile from your presence but I must tollerate for a while this violent and bitter passion in the which the hope I haue to enioy hereafter the happy and perpetual fruition of you shal warrant me from death Be you hereof most assured quoth the damsell I will neuer loue other then your selfe to whom the irreuocable fates haue destinated me that during your absence I shall féele no lesse torment then your selfe so that haue me whether it shall please you For when I would I could not mislike of it hauing alreadie translated the conquest of my heart into your frée will and gentle disposition Iudge you whether Marcomyr were glad of this answere or no for the continuall chaunging of his countenance with many other tokens procéeding from a vehement flame of loue were true witnesses of the ioy which seized all his vitall spirits so that this ioy striking into him a suddaine courage he imbraced Celestina gratiously protesting to her he would neuer disobey her commandements but from thence forward did pretend to beléeue and reuerence them as if they were the deuine Oracle of Apollo So he led his eies with the obiect of this princesse at the light of those burning torches which were there and iudging her beautifull aboue all creatures whom he could call to mind he had euer séene by reason of her liuely purple coulour that the heart which felt it selfe constantly loued of so perfect a knight sent often into the surface of her chéekes more whiter then alabaster he was more then before inflamed with her loue So that from point to point he began to discourse vnto her all which had happened to him in the temple of Delphos where he saw if not her proper person yet at least her true shape and representation with the which he assured himselfe he talked a long time whereat the Damsell greatly admired praising vnto the skies the wisdome of the thrée Fairies whom she thanked sincerely for procuring her such a knight to be her husband Then she praid him with a singular affection to tel her who he was which he did most willingly recounting vnto her the history euery word without dissembling or disguising any thing at all vpon promise neuertheles she should not shew it to any creature before he was returned from the conquest and rescue of her father the king of Thessalie And then he gaue her a swéet gratious kisse with a faire ring which his mother the quéene gaue him at his departure from Tarsus praying her to kéepe it carefully because he said she charged him to present it one day into the hands of the Emperor Cleodomy◠his father as in very déed it was the true token whereby he was recognished to be the Emperors son as hereafter you shall heare CHAP. XXII How Marcomyr and Celestina going towards the queen of Thessalie who was yet at the end of the bridge met at the issuing out of the castle many ladies and knights of that isle who attended there for them and how the lord of the same island after he had done great honour and reuerence to them brought them to the queen who carried them backe to lodge within the castell and of the sequel SO great was the ioy of Celestina hearing her future spouse to say he was son to the Emperour Cleodomyr that all that night no sléepe nor any desire to sléepe could enter into her head by meane whereof she and Marcomyr past it away in deuising together what they had best to doe and in the end laied down the plot which liked them best After the cléere morning had chaced away the darknes of the night and spread ouer the horison his blew and azured mantle to prepare a passage for her swéet louer Titan against he left his ruddy couch they both together went into the dungeon of the castle where Marcomyr wondred greatly at the riches and magnificence of the lodging of his lady Celestina There would she néeds search him to sée if he were wounded in any place dangerously and finding none but brusing blowes she caused him to be bathed diligently with swéet hearbs to be comforted with many sorts of fomentations and to put on a rich blacke armour which the Fairie left there expresly for him with a sword by which he might cast a sléepe whomsoeuer he would the helmet and lance were born by two damsels then descending out of the tower passing thorow the gréene garden they came away by the bridge holding all hands together Celestina was finely tricked vp with a carcakenet full of great collets set thick euery where with carbuncles diamants Rubies Emerawdes and Orientall saphires clothed in cloth of gold cunningly wrought ouer with many litle pretious stones embossed in figures set like vnto Silenes or little apothecarie boxes whose fashion and rare artifice surmounted far the valour of the things In one whereof was séen so great quantitie that you would haue iudged nature had bestowed in that place the most excellent and rarest gems of her treasure Hauing moreouer wich a fillet garnished with great pearles quainlie attired her haire yellower then the gold-twind hanging round about adowne her shoulders and vpon her two little apples on her breast more to be desired then those of the garden Hesperides thus she marched with a grace no lesse gratious then beséeming a Uirgin who saw at her side so valiant and magnanimious a knight to defend them better then any dragon could doe As they then came forth in this pomp and ioy second to none other they found many gentlemen and ladies of the island who attended there for them in great deuotion and among the rest one faire and very braue knight kin vnto the Fairies whom they did inuest with the siegniorie of that place after their death he bowed himselfe very low and set one of his knées to the ground before Marcomyr and Celestina vttering with a verie good grace these spéeches Aduenturous and most fortunate knight benigne and happy was the planet which raigned at the hower of your birth séeing by your Prowesse and inestimable valour you make now accessible and in his proper nature the place whether we could not goe and come well at our ease Sir quoth Marcomyr it hath pleased the deuine bountie to doe you this benefit thorow my meane and for that I repute my selfe a man much fauoured of the planets to haue set foot within the castle if you be by any way of parētage allied to these noble ladies who haue by their knowledg wrought we so much good being not able to rēder such personagesthe guerdō méet to recōpence the good will they haue shewed me since the enchantment in this isle I giue you all the right which I may pretend in conquering of Caelestina I thank you most humbly quoth the knight of the isle for so great a benefit and courtesie which it pleaseth
times Lord Marcomyr qd the quéene then I will with all my heart doe that which you prescribe me yet would I faine know whether you meane to goe against the Turke with a puissant armie for as much as if the case stand so I will send into Thessalie for as many companies as you will haue and for a néed will demaund aid at the Emperours hand who will succour mée willingly with so many legions as I would demand Madame replied Marcomyr my mind is to take none other companie with me then such as I brought hether considering this busines shall be brought to an end rather by aduenturous hazard than by any forces which I may march into the field and were all those of the Emperour vnited together they shall not be able to bring it so quickly about Neuertheles sée here my resolution You must vnderstand how I met not long since at sea with the king of Culacin son in law to the great Turke beating vp downe the coast of Thrace accompanied with many other Rouers and a great consort of like faction that with all his power he might endomage the Empire I tooke him by faire war and sent him forthwith fast bound and manacled as an arch pyrat and king of Rouers vnto the power of the Emperour If perhaps I cannot by my carriages and secret drists preuaile in mine attempts being in that countrie I will politickly séeke to make exchange of these two kings vnder pretext of some good and colourable practises In bréefe I will worke as the occurrences of time and place will giue me leaue wherein I beséech the diuine bountie to shew me the spéediest and directest course whereby I may quickly bring to a fortunate end this my so affectionat desire Excéeding glad was the Quéene to heare of the exchange of the king of Culacin so that being put in great comfort through this hope she hastened with al diligence the departure of Marcomyr thinking euery day as long as a thousand yeares till she saw at libertie the king her husband the same thought Celestina also who with her amorous becks and signs shewed vnto her louer al the fauour she could deuise for that neuer going from her mother they could not giue such contentment to their hearts as they desired in amorous talke and deuise only more priuie habitude then kissing had not as yet bene permitted in their sportings nor did it happen at all till the day of their mariage when Marcomyr vndid the impolluted girdle of hir virginitie which till that day she had euer worne vntouched CHAP. XXIII How Marcomyr and Ozalias accompanied the Queene of Thessalie and Celestina her daughter departing from the isle of Carderie halfe a daies iourney and how after they had one taken their leaue of another the Queene and her daughter went to the Emperors court whether they were most welcome and excellently wel entertained THe quéene of Thessaly considering Marcomyr would neuer depart first she and her daughter Celestina tooke their leaue in good sort of the lord of the island giuing him many rich presents for the great benefits they had receiued of him the like liberality felt he from the prince of Tarsus who bidding him adieâ— as well as the ladies would néeds beare them companie halfe a daies iourney But before their departure the spirits of this trinitie could not contain but they must poure out a great streame of tears which was so tossed by the wind of their sighes that the storme did depriue their tongues of their office and especially that of Celestina Wherewith Marcomyr had his heart so griped that he could not endure to sée her in such paine but departed without further adieu and tooke his way with his cousin Ozalias towards the seacoast of this isle where he had commanded his marriners to attend him with his ship All that day did Celestina nothing but sigh and sob and for ought her mother could doe she could not be merrie but so well as they could they continued on their way in the which they had euery where great honour done them all along as they passed for they knew before who they were and the occasion of their voiage to Constantinople By meanes whereof the people ran out before them to sée Celestina who had remained so long prisoner within the enchanted castle and euery one said if the knight who set her frée were adorned with so high valour she did not appeare to be indued with lesse beauty and that it should be a paire as rare in all perfections as euer nature might couple together in matrimonie Then being arriued at the last néere Constantinople the quéene sent before one of her knights to aduertise the Emperour of their comming who meruelling much therat demanded the name of him who had conquested Celestina My lord quoth the knight he is called Marcomyr one of the most valiant and courteous knights who liues this day vnder the firmament You say true replied the Emperour but commeth he now with the quéene Surely no answered the knight for that the future deliuerance of our king hath constrained him to passe into great Turkie Then the Emperour commanded Diocles and all his Barons to goe forth to méet the quéene and her daughter which they did most gladly for vpon the famous renown alreadie spread of her euery where thorowout all the regions of the leuant euery one was enflamed with a great desire to sée her Amongst the rest would néeds venter out to behold her Arnedes who began but â—o recouer of his wounds notwithstanding he found himselfe much perplexed because he thought his fathers Embassadours staied a little too long as also for that he heard no newes of his cousin Recindos And if those of the court were all richly araied the Quéene and all her ladies on the other side came in clothed in blacke and mourning wéed except Celestina onely who by the knights entreaty must enter into Constantinople in all her gorgious attire and in her haâ—â—â—ments of most exquisite and costly stuffe As â—oone as Diocles had giuen first entertainement to the queene he came next towards Celestina laying his head vpon the bridle of her palâ—rie the like did Amedes to the quéen being both astonished at the excellencie of Celestina when Diocles began thus Madame it séeme to me the Fairies committed a great ouersight to emprâ—â—son thus long so liuely and admirable a beauty as yours considering euery gentle heart should rather endeuoured to haue gone to deliuer the king of Thessalie in séeing you then depriued of your presence séeing you are the guerdon of his exploit whereof indéed may Marcomyr estéeme himselfe fortunate if he deliuer out of prison the good prince your father So also am I most fortunate qd Celestina winning by this meane the most valiant and gentlest knight who marcheth vpon the surface of this habitable earth wherein were many learned Fairies who shut me vp fast within the castel for that a few exposed
themselues into perill of death hauing once séene me abroad openly whereas to win honour many haue proued themselues in the aduenture which was destinated to Marcomyr as to him who surpasseth them all in Prowes and brauenesse of Chiualrie God forbid quoth Diocles then I should gainesay you therein séeing the vertues graces of Marcomyr are such as well merit the felicitie wherewith the deuine prouidence would make him happie now in all fulnes And you haue iust reason to loue him as indéed he loueth you but séeing her so firme and constant in her affection albeit her beauty had almost made a wound in his heart he would not parly with her any longer of that matter The Emperour and the Empresse came forth with Philocrista as farre as the pallace gate to goe méet them where the Quéene and Celestina her daughter alighted quickly from their palfries to doe them honour and reuerence but the good prince Cleodomyr and his honourable wife Griana welcommed them and entertained theÌ„ most courteously Then they lead them along into the great chamber where the Quéene began to the Emperour in these spéeches most happy and illustrious prince Marcomyr the choice Paragon of knights who humbliâ— kisseth the hand of your emperiall maiestie by vs sendeth you this damsell my daughter praying you to kéepe her vnder pour protection vntill he returne from Turkie with the king of Thessalie my deare spouse if God giue him leaue to frée him out of the hands of the Infidell the which I pray deuoutly with all my heart he briefly permit him as wel for the extreame desire I haue to sée the king my lord as for the great desire I haue to come to doe you seruice which he hopeth in short time to compasse With these words she consigned vp her daughter into his hands whom the Emperour receiued very amiably and shewing himselfe most ioifull of their arriuall offered them frankely all thinges which might be necessarie for the content of their spirits Moreouer praied God he would so well direct all the actions of Marcomyr that he might quickly set frée the king her husband out of his long captiuitie assuring her if the knight had ben willing to haue had forces along with him in this enterprise he would haue aided him with a huge armie Then the quéen answering he would haue no other companie with him but that of God and of his cousin the Emperour began again to pray in form like vnto this He which maketh me liue in great desire to know him for the good seruices I haue receiued at his hands by his diuine power happilie conduct him and after his exploit reconduct him hether againe then taking Celestina as his daughter saith To you Philocrista doe I giue the charge to guard this princesse till the returne of her knight My lord and father qd the Infant I will obey with all my heart all your commaundements and beside I shall make deare estéeme of so good companie nay I shall be passing glad to sée a damsell néere me for whom so many excellent exploits haue ben worthily atchieued The Empresse tooke the quéene by the hand and Philocrista Celestina then they went to sit down together vpon the rich seats of tapistrie which were in the presence where the knights beholding these thrée ladies thought there should be amongst them a second iudgement of the apple of beautie And who had taken Arnedes for the gentle shepheard Paris Alexander his deare ladie Philocrista should full soone haue ben in possession of him because loue did so sway his heart that he found her the perfectest of al though Celestina excelled her in some gifts of fauor so that all the assistants concluded by a coÌ„mon resolution they had neuer séen a fairer lady except the Empresse wheÌ„ she was in flower of her yong yeares And a thing most true it was Philocrista neuer attained to the perfection of her mothers beautie but she had two sisters named Flerida and Basilia which resembled her very much especially Flerida which was iudged the fairer as you shall heare hereafter The emperour intreated Celestina to tell him who this Marcomyr was if she could shew him so much whom the princesse answered very modestly If it please your grace I cannot giue you any thing to vnderstand of him but this he commaundeth a kingdome and many other seigmories of very great estate and when I should know of him more yet were I to be excused though I did not discouer so much for it is his pleasure to conceale it till he come himselfe in person to manifest his countrie and his progenie For this modest answer was Celestina greatly commended of the emperour who iudged her to be very wise and well aduised when he began to behold héedfully her gestures so that spieng on her finger the ring which her louer gaue her to keepe in testimonie of his seruice he déemed it presently to be much like that whereof the quéene of Tarsus made him a present at his departure from her Therefore he could not chuse but demaund her in what place she had recouered so rare a ring and so néere resembling one which he estéemed the fairest of his Cabinet The damsel answering him Marcomyr gaue it her at her deliuerie out of Carderie he much maruelled therat imagining in his spirit whether the knight might be sonne to the same quéene of Tarsus or no wherefore from thenceforward he doubled his great desire to sée him hauing not beside forgotten the good turnes he receiued at her hands in the kingdome of Pasmerie so that causing his ring to be brought and matched with Celestinas he found them so like one another and conformable that putting themboth together you could not discerne the one from the other as also in very déed it was all one making and so cunningly wrought by art Magicke to serue for the true token and cognisance of the paternall stocke of Marcomyr whereby the emperour began to thinke he might wel be his sonne calling to mind the secret sport the quéene and he had together when she first practised to come by his acquaintance yet he neuer imparted so much to any body but did daily greater honour then before to the quéene of Thessalie for her daughter Celestinaes sake to whome hée did shew like loue as to Philocrista so that the Empresse séeing the great coÌ„tent and pleasure she receiued passed the greatest part of her time in great ioy and solace with the quéene and Philocrista with Celestine who began to loue together with a loue more then common In fine the emperour was very glad hearing Belcarin was not in gaâ—d of the bridge when Marcomyr ariued there as being also very sorie for Tiraquels misfortune albeit he estéemed the knight courteous that would not further aggrauate the ill successe of the prince of Micene and to say truth of his nature he made little account to kil or wound any knight after he had once brought him to the ground
hither fatally wherein his eloquent and fluent tongue shall witnes sufficiently the rest of his vertues whereof you shall find your â—elfe so well satisfied as he may not require that thing at your hand which you can well denie him How can I speake vnto him quoth Leifida theÌ„ without incurring blame and wronging mine honor which I haue hitherto carefully preserued if it be not by your meane in some secret place whether he may be brought to take away all suspition from people who are now adaies so prompt and readie to make the very innocents examples of their mallice I will tell you quoth the yong man you remember that my lord your father praied you the other day to returne to him as spéedily as you might possiblie that will serue you in stéed of a good occasion to take your honest leaue of this companie and if you will depart too morrow in the late of the day you shall goe to bed to my mothers house whether I will goe before you with the knights to entreat her to say they be her two nephews who come thether oftentimes to visit her So may you at your discretion deuise and parly together You say well replied Leifida neuertheles you must looke you be very discréet herein least our deuise be discouered This plot being taken and concluded vpon for good the yong man went the morrow morning to be with Marcomyr at his vprising and hauing made him a glad maÌ„ with this newes they mounted incontinent on horsebacke to get betimes to his mothers house being seated in a verie pleasant place iust in the halfe way betwéene Tubanta and the castell of Albase néere which streamed a fresh riuer whose bankes were planted with many goodly trées whereof al that countrie therabout was abundant which appertained to the father of Leifida who was lord therof when the good gentlewoman saw the two cousins she was greatly abashed but her son had aduertised quickly how she was to behaue her selfe in that businesse and well might she call such knights her nephewes béeing that she was a stranger and of a country farre distant from this place The mother hauing had her sons instruction how to gouerne her selfe herein said only this one word God grant this busines come to a good end Doubt you not thereof mother quoth the guide but it will succéed euen as you and we would wish for this gentleman is one of the honest and best gouerned knights that I euer saw in my life Marcomyr and Ozalias liked maruellous well the situation of this place where they tarried alone with the good gentlewoman of the house for that the messenger was gone backe to his mistresse who made such diligence to depart that the new maried couple could not get her to stay a day nor an hower longer for she thought the time so long before she was with him for whom her heart felt so extreame passion that by no mean he could be remoued out of her fantasie Therefore taking her congie of al the companie she would take along with her but foure of her Damsels and two of her fathers squiers And she tooke the time of the day so iust that she came about sunsetting to the place appointed from whence her pages mother who had made good prouision of all things she thought might séeme necessarie against her comming went to meet her with shew of maruellous gladnes the entertained her with no lesse ioy and welcome then she would haue done her owne daughter because that in her infancie she suckled her alwaies with her breast and after many welcomming and entertainments Leifida demaunded her who might these two knights be who had saluted her so graciously They are quoth she two of my nephewes who come oftentimes to visit me to know if I néed any thing that they may doe for me and likewise to present their seruice to my lord your father if he may please to employ them They are very welcome quoth the Damsell and for my part I thanke them with all my heart for the good wil they beare to my lord and father by means whereof and of the néere affinitie betwéene them and you I shall loue them no lesse then mine owne proper brethren and kinsmen Then Marcomyr bowing himself towards her with a lowly reuerence thanked her courteously for the honorable offer she made him and so entring into further talke Leifida could not hold her eies off him his séemely countenance good grace and naturall beautie did rauish her so much that from thence forward the liuely portraiture of his face was so far imprinted in her thoughts that she did inherite nothing else thereby but an excessiue loue which by this occasion did increase daily more and more in her Whilest they were in treatie of their amours the gentlewoman commaunded to spread the table amidst a pleasant tuft of trées which was hard by the castle wher Leifida did eat very little by reason of the soueraigne pleasure which she toke indeuising with the knight and afterwards séeing they were both by themselues alone because Ozalias and their hostesse were walked together abroad and the rest went to supper presently after the Damsell bespake him in this manner Sir knight I maruell very much at one thing in my selfe that I being neuer moued for the loue of many braue gentlemen who haue heretofore oft times offered me their seruice I féele now for you whom I haue séen but these two daies my hart so wounded with loue that I cannot heare nor thinke vpon any thing but the continuall and vehement remembrance of you doth strait interrupt it Therefore I pray you doe not therin repute me declining â—rom that true chastiâ—y which a pure Uirgin ought to haue aboue all other things in recommendation For as much as the valor and chiualrie which I sée worthily lodged vnder your beauty second to no other hath fatally rauished from me my libertie with the which I knâ—w ful wel how to defend my selfe against the sharpdaâ—ts of Cupid and now since yéelded your handmaid and captiue neuer to striue against the honest affeâ—tions which it shall please you to shew towards your so prompt and voluntarie prisoner Assuring my self you will not offer any thing to me which may hinder me from marching among maidens of honor not ashamed to looke the best in the face And I pray you moreouer to satisfie the extreame desire I haue to know you imparting to me the most secret and inward meaning of your heart and further to tell me what it will please you that I do in recompence for the paine you haue endured for my sake wherevnto mine honour being not trodden vnder foot I will condescend as willingly as for any that liueth in this happy age Madam replied Marcomyr I repute my selfe so much fauoured of the celestiall bodies considering the fauor and piâ—â—ie it pleaseth you to shew me without any merit that I feare me I shall neuer be able to accomplish
alreadie endure wherefore I require you againe if request I must néeds make to such an aduersarie to aduise hereafter to conserue your reputation so that I purchase no blame which may offend mine honour and you shall doe much as well for my sorrowfull consolation as for the increase of your owne praise When she had vttered these spéeches the princesse began to complaine in such strange maner that the emperour himselfe did pittie her and could not chuse but answer her thus I vnderstand very well what you say and I know better that feminine choller which now enrageth your spirit making you transgresse the limits of good manners and modestie not being ignoraunt how the puissance of princes is lesse then nothing when God doth resist and stand against them wherevpon we must make our full resolution that we cannot doe any good act but according to his will by the which I was carried as it pleased him into the Gransiegniors your vncles court and I sweare and protest before him to whome all things are knowne I will not otherwise be saued at the end of my daies if I slue him or euer thought to doe it hauing then intoo too fresh memorie the honour which a little before I receiued of him this indéed I depriued him of the damsell which he detained by force to put her againe into his hands to whome by right she appertained wherein in mine opinion I committed none offence séeing he vniustly withheld her profaning the sacred lawes of royall equitie And for that the sage and wise alwaies take in good part as well aduerse as prosperous fortune I assure my selfe madame you shall haue no more cause to be sorie hereafter when you shall vnderstand you were conquered by the most courteous and braue knight who liues at this day vnder the stars Marcomyr by name the very same who vanquished in Hellespont king Ocurites your husband O thrise accursed that I am exclaimed the damsell then whose rauisher who hath shut me in here by the means of an inexorable gut of sea caused the imprisonmeÌ„t of the king my déere husband Now should I assuredly hasten on the last hower of my life séeing that hauing him in my countrie where by a cruell and shamefull death I might haue bene reuenged of him easily I knew not hée was the rouer and pyrat who betraied my husband O Fortune how dooest thou in all things shew thy selfe too much mine enemie bringing me into such perplexity that I cannot giue my self the mortal attaint to send my soule out of this gulfe of affliction in which I féele my selfe so déepely plunged that I sée no better remedie to get out then to launch my selfe cruelly vpon the dart of the implacable A tropos Surely thou art so spightful against me that I can haue no hope by praiers to mooue thy mercie but may say iustly the heauen hath bene far better aspected towards me then thou prosperous or fauourable and so it is better I resolue to indure patiently my mishaps séeing all things crosse me so that I cannot in them find the least sparke of fauour The end of these words brought downe such aboundance of tears from Marencidaes eyes and so great number of sighs began to rise from her heauie heart that shée remained a long while resembling nothing but some mad sencelesse creature filling the aire with such lamentable cries and sobs as no humaine eare hath heard the like Therewith was Philocrista much mooued to pitie compassion carieng her suddainly into her chamber where she so laboured by all good counsails and consolations to quiet her that she diminished part of her rage and madnesse There will we leaue them togither in this paciâ—ication to returne to the good knight Marcomyr who disarmeth himselfe in the meane time to the end to appeare in presence before the Emperour with such pompe as his roiall excellencie did require CHAP. XXX The honest and gratious conference had betweene Marcomyr the Emperour the Empresse and Dâ—ocles and how afterward he caused himself to be baptized to be fâ—anced immediatly after to his faire ladie Celestina MArcomyr being disarmed he put vpon his backe a sumptuous and rich iacket beset round about with pearles and other rare pretious stones of great inestimable valor the which he caused to be made before he departed out of the kingdom of Tarsus after the moderne and newest fashion vsed then amongst the most magnificent kings of Asia with intention to were it the first day hée came before the emperour such a splendor did this roiall vestement giue to the naturall beautie of Marcomyr that he drew all the beholders into admiration and exactly to remarke the Phisiognomie and lineature of his countenance one might haue easily iudged him to resemble much his father who engendred him but they were out of this thought so that Diocles taking him then by the hand they went and sat downe both so by the Emperour who hearing all the court to speake of nothing but of the extreame desire which they had to know of what race hée was discended began to speake vnto him in this manner Marcomyr my deare friend it behoueth you now no more to couer your selfe from me hauing your famous flourishing renowne pierced so the foure corners of this base and terrestriall region tell me then I pray you of what parents are you issued and all the rest wherevnto you may thinke our eares will be attentiue to hearken Gratious lord quoth he to you whom I hold for my liege sâ—egnior can I not cloake honestly any thing which you may desire to know of me for I should thinke my selfe vnworthie of your presence in dissembling vnto you the sinceritie of my heart Know ye then I am son to the Quéen of Tarsus the most affectionate handmaid and perpetual louer of your maiestie who by a strange aduenture am come fâ—r from the confines of my kingdome so soone as I knew who was my father whereof I was alwaies ignorant before The occasion of my comming into your court was the renowne and high praises of Celestina to whose seruice I firmely beléeue the fatall Destinies haue submitted me euer since my natiuitie for the loue of no other ladie liuing did euer get place in my spirit which hath felt an intollerable passion in knowing it self vnworthie to purchase her grace and lesse to gaine accesse and fauour in your court There made he vnto him the whole discourse of the old beldame who appeared to him sitting vpon the foot of a stone pillar in the cloisters of his palace and what she told him blaming him for the idle and delicious life he led Kéeping silent neuerthelesse how she certified him to be his sonne because he reserued that to manifest it vnto him last of all other matters if he did not sollicite him more instantly He farther procéeded how hauing till that day liued like an infidell and after the Alcoran of Mahomet he did purpose with a sincere