with one not so worthie as the Lord Cariolus And yet Nay Madam quoth the King leaue not off so abruptly with an aparentizes your words are doubtfull Tell mée therfore is there any other before me if there be and thou hast made choyce and you both agreed I will not gainsay it nor tye thée to any other then thy owne content in mariage Therefore say what those words and yet imported Pardon my ouer boldnesse gracious Lord answered the Lady which vnaduisedly ouerpast those spéeches and credit my word which haue no loue fixed in my heart but will endeuour my selfe to the liking of him whom you shall commaund me yet will I answer your demaund and meaning of those words taken so by your grace at rebounde though I must and will frame me to the loue and liking of the Lord Cariolus Yet had the noble Generall bene pleased and with that a déep sigh staid her tongue in such wise as she could go no farther The King vnderstanding which way the winde of her desire blew though he could haue bene better content with her choyce yet to put her from other thoughts and to haue his sute take effect he perswaded her to let slip such fonde imaginations for that he had placed his loue on a Ladie of his Country whom he would not leaue for all the world With these happie tidings for the Lord Cariolus after some other kinde spéeches to y ◠Lady the King departed so ioying in his good successe y ◠he could not rest vntill he had comforted the Lord Cariolus with his answer whose mind egged on by the Mayden Knight was so fixed on the Lady that she was become the mistresse of his heart and he ioyed in nothing but in contemplating of her loue thinking euery day a yeare and euery houre a month vntil he heard the Kings answere musing thus on his Loue tossing with a minde disquietted from one side the bedde to the other his Page brought him word that a Gentleman from the King attended to speake with him which sodaine newes reuiued so his spirits as made his heart more light then long time before it had bene hoping to here such happie tidings as his louing sute required The Messenger hauing deliuered his messuage iudge you that be louers whether you could slack any time vntil you heard the doome of your mistresse which he was assured to do by the King vnto whom he hasteneth with such spéed as he could To whose presence being come the king as ioyful for his good successe and his sisters grant as the Lorde Cariolus to heare it with a smiling countenance which shewed the ioy of his heart said My Lord though my skill in wooing be but small hauing neuer accustomed my selfe to any such practise yet haue I playd the cunning Aduocate for your Lordship and will assure you so you holde your word and promise the Princesse shall be yours and thereon take my word of honour Cariolus so ouer ioyed at these tydings could not well tell whether he heard the King speake or dreamed of this happinesse But standing a while in an extacie his sences being come againe with eyes gastly beholding the King thus said My honourable and gracious Lord what may I doo to requite your Princely fauour who hath vouchsafed me so great honor not onely to bestowe your onely sister on me but to become my honorable soliciter what I would say modestie compelleth me to conceale Only this I assure your Maiestie my loyall seruice shall euer be ready at your commaund in such dutifull maner that your Maiesty shall haue no cause to repent you of so great a good done vnto a stranger Inough my Lord fewe words doth suffice among friendes wherefore forbeare these spéeches loue my sister and for her sake thinke of me as a friend which will be euer ready to do you what pleasure I can To giue you some interest of my faith appoint the marriage day at your pleasure and for her dowry accept this kingdom of Egypt which shall remaine to you and your heires for euer onely this homage shall you yearely tender in my Court of Thessaly two swift running Coursers of this Countrey and so God make you happie in your loue and a ioyfull father of many children With this the Mayden Knight entered his presence vnto the King what man so welcome his dutie done the King louingly imbracing him said Sir Knight I haue not long sithence comforted your friend with my happie tydings and not onely assured him of a wife which I hope will prooue louing and kinde vnto him but haue inuested him with the tytle of King of Egipt of both which I wish him so much ioy as I desire to haue ioy his wedding day let him appoynt at his pleasure which shall with the greatest honour I can be performed Most gracious and dread Lord quoth the Knight how this your honourable curtesie haue tyed mee vnto your seruice I omit that at my request hath thus fauoured my deare friend whose good I estéeme as mine owne and euer will be readie with my best endeuour to serue at all times and places where my force or seruice may do either your Maiestie or my Lord Cariolus good And séeing it is wrought to his content and your Graces good lyking let mée intreate this fauoure of you both that the wedding may sodainly be solemnized for that my staie may not be long here such desire I haue to sée my soueraigne Lorde who I am sure exspecteth my return long before this time Sir quoth the King did you knowe how displeasing those spéeches of your departure were to me that desire nothing in the whole world so much as your company you would neuer harpe so much on that string But how long so euer your staie shall be this day eight dayes I doo appoint for the wedding so my Lorde Cariolus be agreed and say Amen Neuer quoth Cariolus let him be allowed for Clarke which refuseth to say Amen to such a parson the Orizons bringing such content séeing your Maiestie referres it to me Amen say I and humbly thanke your Grace for your honourable fauour The wedding day appoynted and assigned the King sent for the Princesse who that night supped all togither which being ended the Princesse in presence of many of the Lordes of Thessaly and Egypt was betrothed vnto the Lord Cariolus and the marriage day appoynted against which time were all the nobles sommoned to be at Court to attend the King by whose commandement all the preparation for honour of that day might be deuised was ordeined the time of night being spent sommoned their watchfull eyes to sléepe wherefore after many solemne adues taken one of the other they hastened on all sides to their rest onely Cariolus and the Princesse best content shée ioying in her Loue and kingly brothers lyking and he blessing a million of times the day wherein he first saw the Prince procurer of his so great good What
had hée ended this his tedious premeditation when worde was brought vnto him by one of his Pages that the Lorde Cariolus was come to visite him which did put him from all further imaginations at that time Cariolus no sooner come to his presence but Dionicus with a blushing countenance bad him welcome ashamed of his rash suspition yet concealing the same as he might framed such kinde spéech as he best coulde the better to assure his welcome not sparing oftentimes to render great and hartie thankes for his kindnesse in comming to visite him and more to shewe how glad hée was of his companie hée called to rise which he had not done long before but for necessitie making his bed Thus when long time was spent betweene them discoursing of manie matters to both their contentes Dionicus called for meat where to accompanie Cariolus he receiued more sustenance than he had in manie dayes before to the great ioy of his attendant Barnardine who by messengers certified the King and Quéene thereof who ioyed and were not a little comforted at this report Dinner ended Cariolus with the Prince deuising to beguild y e time loth suddenly to leaue him called for a Chésse boord wherwith they sported a while Dionicus whō griefe of minde procured soone to melancholy loosing two or thrée faire games became verie impacient to agrauate whose chollor and make his furie the more Cariolus playing for cunning to make game tooke his quéene and gaue checke to his king whereat the Prince forgetting both himselfe and other those motions so lately by him minded first violently striking him with the board ranne fiercely on him and taking him by the throate cried mainly out thus Villaine quoth he shamest thou not to robbe me of my Ladie my Loue my life and soules comfort but to my téeth must check me therewith in my owne Country base fugitiue thou shalt beard me no more therewith for by thy miserable death will I recouer to mine owne possession my loue my Ladie my Quéene yea in despight of thy head Nutania shall be my mistresse swéete Princesse the onely soueraign of my thoughts Barnardine and his Noble attendants séeing this friendship lately profest so suddeinly forgotten taking him with much adoo from Cariolus were not a little perplexed but as men past themselues hauing neuer séene the like could imagine no cause greatly doubting that suddeinly he was growne lunaticke Cariolus vexed at this hard vsage of the Prince was no sooner freed from him but in great chollor would haue departed Protesting to be reuenged for this discurtesie offered him Affrming that his entising spéeches in cullour of kindnesse was to no end but to draw him from his honorable friends to murther him Barnardine carefull what might ensue hereof weighing each occasion which might hereat be taken besought Cariolus of that loue he beare the King his maister which had vsed them honourablie of his loue to his owne King and all that might be imagined to conceiue of this wrong offered as of no such pretended matter as he supposed but rather with patience to consider the long extreame sicknes of the Prince and how subiect by reason of his infirmitie he was vnto melancholy vndertaking on his faith and honest reputation how euer the occasion grew it was not in mallice assuring him the Prince when he should call to mind this vnkind action would with griefe lament it and sorrowing for the same submit himselfe crauing hearty forgiuenesse for his rashnesse Barnardine vexed at the heart for this vnkind dealings of the Prince entreating his associates to perswade Cariolus went himselfe to the prince and after dutiful speach to his grace recounted vnto him in what euill part Cariolus tooke this abuse by him offered humbly beséeching him as he estéemed the loue of his Princely father and the honour reputation of his country to acknowledge in some curteous maner the wrong committed and so reconcile himself Dionicus whose passion had not it left him albeit in his health none might more perswade him then Barnardine yet hearing him preach repentance being in this humour forgate their passed friendship and moued with his talke albeit it was vsed for his good with a looke as gastly as a ghoast risen from the graue drew neare Barnardine and laying hands on him had like to haue mischieued him had he not made the more spéed away Cariolus vnderstanding what had bene offred the aged man and hearing in what regard the Prince held his loue passing by his chollor began with great heauinesse to lament the Prince his agonie and sorrowing for him besought the heauens creature so to comfort the Prince as himselfe would wish in the like extreame And so leauing Barnardine and the Nobles to their charge departed The Nobles whose griefe was not little with hearts ouer charged with sorrow thinking it not conuenient to leaue him alone doubting som worse matter shuld happen vnto him went to visit the Prince chéerfully enquiring of his welfare which with so good countenances as he could vse was kindly answered of the Prince who hauing past the extremitie of his fury calling to minde those notable abuses offred his friends greatly lamenting his folly therin he said Where where my honourable friends may I hide my head to shelter me from the worlds reproach who voyd of all reason more brutish then the sauage beast haue sought to murder my dearest friends Oh how might I blush with shame and ashamed of my euill committed neuer behold the faces of those whom I haue so euill entreated what fury bewitched me to this mischiefe Or what diuellish sorcery enchanted my spirits and captiuated my sences so to offend thée Lord Cariolus who of thy zealous affection and curtesie came to visit me delighting so greatly in thy company as I did And thou the father of grauitie my greatest hope in the world Barnardine thou whose honest care and loue to me hath bene euer showne from my Cradle Oh Barnardine how vngratefull haue I bene rewarding thy good with the hazard of thy blood Woe is me vnhappie and thrise vnhappie that I haue liued to behold the light of this day wherein past my self I haue so highly offended Pardon pardon my Lord Cariolus as thou art honorable and thou Barnardine whose aged yeares I haue so highly offended Forgiue my misse and remit that euill I haue committed against thée or let me neuer behold the dayes light againe Why should I liue whom mine owne conscience so highly accuseth of such impietie Will not the fowles of the aire soaring ouer thy head as thou walkest cry out vngrateful Dionicus that wouldest haue murdred thy frends each creature that God hath made wil exclaime against thée for this euill following thée with cries of horror to thy euerlasting reproach Therefore vnhappie Dionius since by thy owne doings this reproach is happened vpon thée whereby for euer thou art dishonoured and no man hereafter will dare to vse any familiaritie with thée no
procéed dyed the King and the Prince so of thée honored and through their deaths gan thy trauaile Say swéete father Though the reporting of this dolefull history more gréeuous vnto me then death should finish my dayes yet such is the penance by your maiesties coniuring spéech enioyned me that what griefe so euer I endure I will satisfie your grace The Prince oh my Lord that it would please you to pardon the rest growing to yeares of discretion I know not through what meanes neither could I for all the diligence I vsed attain vnto it but sicke he was and so opprest with such a straunge agony that no phisicke could minister reléefe vnto him or yéeld him any ease so that there was smal hope of his recouery the strangenesse of each maledy being such as sometime faring lyke a man frantike no perswasions of reason night preuaile with him who in his health was to be ruled in all things This passion so long assayled the Prince and so little hope of his recouerie that the extremitie thereof gan touch the King and Quéen mother whose carefull loue was such as nature could not require more in parence whatsoeuer The continuall griefe of the prince wrought such care in the aged King Quéen that it was not to be founde which of them was most gréeued or whose lot it was to giue his due to death first yet as no care is so great but hath some comfort so the commander of men when all hope of life was past hope of men restored the Prince to health and by his health recouered the King and Quéen for whose weale the Commons more reioyced then of their owne good so that a general ioy was throughout the realme tryumphing at this happy recouery of the Prince the King and Quéene But as the fairest day is ouershadowed with cloudes so was the sunshine of their ioy eclipsed through the great folly of the Prince who vnknowne of all men or acquainting any with his pretence left his father Crowne and subiects and liueth no man knoweth how or where for whom the King felt a million of woes griefe so assailing his aged corpes as he was like to rest with death but reason subduing affection he recouered his sicknesse and leauing his land without a gouernour likewise departed whither no man knoweth The mother Quéene being of nature weake resigned her due to death whom as dutie commands me I entombed with such honor as beséemeth the person of a Quéene and so perswaded with the Commons in a Parliament for the same intent called as the gouernment of the Realme was committed to six of the nobilitie who are bound to resigne their authoritie when the lawful succéeded shall require it which done I forsooke all I enioyed and Pilgrime like as your highnesse sées haue trauelled many Countries in search of my soueraign the Prince but for all the diligence I can vse of them can learne no tydings Thus with teares standing in his eyes he ended his lameÌ„table history which the King was assured to be true but least was the thought of Barnardine that he had deliuered this dolefull tale to the Prince which had likewise some cause of griefe which so neare touched him as he could not for teares vtter what he would yet putting by his passions as he could he said Aged father matter of great ruth hast thou deliuered which to heare is most lamentable and may touche that carelesse Prince neare by whom this chance hath chanced his parence and subiects but tell me father all griefe layd apart in what state liueth the subiects of thy King vnder their gouernment which hath the charge yet is your grace not satisfied quoth the Pilgrime but will exact on mee more to encrease my griefe which séeing you delight in I shall vnfolde that which in recounting will finish all yéelding my breath to him that gaue it mee therefore attend Not long sithence vnknowne I chanced to accompany in my trauaile a Gentleman of Numedia to mée well knowne which for I sawe I was out of knowledge with him I questioned him of many matters as your grace hath done me which amongst other his newes of discontent reported that those elected gouernors whose hearts broyling with ambition and desire of the whole authoritie as the title of King to the ambitious is swéete so these couetous wretches taking part one with the other some enclining one way some to the other part that ciuill discention was raised where the father beare Armes against the sonne the sonne against the father and kinsman against kinsman one imbruing their hands in others blood through which many a woman is left a widow and many a swéete Infant fatherles which makes me greatly feare without his help that sendeth all help to the helplesse the land will be impouerished and our King and Prince returning shall from their proper right be debarred by these vsurping vilaines whose hearts my aged téeth in reuenge of their treachery and wrong done the Commons I could teare The Prince hearing that tale of discoÌ„tent was moued more at y â— wrong offered the Commons then all the former history which made his say Father I haue noted thy long talke which hath moued 〈…〉 th to sorrow and desight gréeuing for the Commons 〈…〉 〈…〉 ioying that any Prince should haue a subiect of such woorth as is rare in these times to befound wherfore father that thou maist liue in my Court to draw others to their 〈…〉 iue to their Prince I will here detaine thée and for thou louest that carelesse Prince Dionicus will honour thée 〈…〉 g my life enduing thée with treasure and what else thou shalt at any time commaunde for all I enioy is â—hâ—â—e â—â—â— if hereafter thou shalt think it conuenient I wil with ◠〈…〉 ng power â—â—â—er their distressed Confines and â—h 〈…〉 ing those Rebels leaue thée Regent in their place vntill further tydings shall bee of thy King or his sonne whom I am â—â—re will not abuse them The aged father hearing thâ—se honorable spéeches from the mouth of the King was astonied knowing well that Princes of estéem honor themselues holding their words yet not minded to giue ouer search for his soueraigne he returned the King humble thankes beséeching his highnesse to pardon him which hath vowed to ende his life in performing his vâ—w to the Prince and either heare tydings of him or neuer sée his Countrey the place of the worlde moste pleasing vnto him The King hearing his wordes hauing great experience of his fidelitie coulde conceale himselfe no longer but imbrasing him in his armes â—â—deawing his aged haires with drops lyke raine he 〈…〉 Faithfull Barnardine the mirror of true friendship whose equall in loue is not to be founde what cause haue I to honor thée whose care is such of me that haue so ill deserued but forgiue me Barnardine my misse against thée committed forgiue me noble father and you subiects of Numedia who by me vnhappy creature haue bene so much wronged and thou Barnardine my carefull Tutor forgiue mee I â—ntreate and continue thy loue to mee vnhappy Prince whom
much which goeth from themselues such as they please to bestow it vpon shall be abused Thus haue I heard gentle Knight and gréeue that honour should so vnkindly bée rewarded or that any subiect should forget his dutie so much as for his owne lucre cause those that spende their bloud in their countries defence their landes and possessions with emptie purses and heauie heartes like men forlorne to walke the streets exclaiming on them that should sée their seruice better rewarded to the dishonor of the state they liue in This my Pheander I often recount least in forgetting it I fall to infamie by committing the like but he that gaue me reason to know good and to follow it wil neuer suffer me to fall into so great folly nor let me liue to forget those maimed braue men that venture for my good and my countries weale for while I may breath the souldier shall be honored in Thrace and shall reape the reward of his merites neither shall these Drones which in such times of perils hide their heads suck the hony off my garland Like mindes I wish all princes with carefull eies to looke into the doinges of such who as the moth deuoureth the fine cloth consumeth their princely reputation drawthe commons who by dutie are bound to loue from their alleageance While the king was in this speach worde was brought him that a Heralde from the campe attended his pleasure at the gate requiring parlie which he suddenlie granted commanding him to be broght to his presence this vnhallowed pagan who neuer feared God nor was endued with any humanity come vnto the kings presence with a shameles countenance vsed this peremptory spéech King of Thrace Mustaffa Cela great commander of the empire general of those royal armies sendeth thée by me thy choyce either of wars or peace peace if thou deliuer thy daughter vnto him whom he hath so oftē required yet wheras his loue vnto her hath bene such to make her his wife his noble mind dispiseth her so much as his highnes wil neuer so much honor her but in despite of thée and to abate the pride of that disdainful dame he wil vse her as his concubine when he shal haue taken the flower of her virginity giue her to the basest villain in his camp Thou knowest my embassage deliuer her liue or by me return thy resolute answere for it shal not be many dayes ere thy citie shal flame with fire about thyne eares The king vexed at this vnexspected message could not answer him so mooued was his choller yet with as much patience as nature would permit he saide Pagan I haue heard with great paine endured thy Lordes peremptorie message and that thou that Cur from whome thou commest shal know the great difference betwéen a Christian him that he vnderstand how honorable we hold the lawe of arms I pardon thée thy life which thy presumption doth require sharply to be punished For answere to thy Lord this briefly say his threates I regarde not for my daughter as God hath giuen her me and for she is the onely ioy of my aged life I wil shield her in despite of the Pagan and his greatest power defend her chastity therfore depart and say to thy Lord from me his threates Iwey no more than the words of a child it is not his multitudes can dant me were they ten times more then they are my daughter I wil hold in despite of his beard proud vsurper that hée is Thou knowest my wil make no stay The Herald noting the stern countenāce of y ◠king and hearing his resolution thought it not good to stay a replie least his tongue swelling in his mouth might not be eased without losse of his head but glad to escape his furie conueyed him from his presence with al speed he could posting to the pauilion of the prince vnto whome he deliuered the kinges resolute answere which hee no sooner heard but like one besides himselfe he vowed in three dayes to be reuenged of y ◠old churle who should fast the bitternes of his youthful furie Litle knoweth this proud enemie the preparation made to bid him welcome or that his own destruction was so néere as after it prooued The Maiden Knight which with no smal grief had endured this proud demaund of the herald whose whole request was for dishonor of her he so much honored awaked from melancholy as out of a sound sléep prostrating himself before the king he saith renowned Soueraigne with what grief I haue endured the presumption of this vsurper my heart denieth my tongue to vtter neither shal I haue ioy of any thing til I reuenge the wrongs offered your M. your princely daughter vpō that dog Wherefore dread Lord grant me licence to issue out of the city with my companies in the silent of y ◠night I hope ere long to returne his proud challenge with my sword in his throte Thanks good knight quoth the King I accept thy offer as much as if thou hadst giuē me the whole world in possession yet would I not so forward a man shuld aduenture himself without my company whose cause it is my selfe will accompany thée in the fight and by my herald bid him battell in which I doubt not of successe The Knight was not a litle mooued to hear his suit take no better successe yet not willing to endure any competitor in the honour he hoped of humblie besought his Maiestie of the honour he bare to Armes in this attempt to giue him leaue the rather for the reputation of the Princesse which had geuen him his first honor The king which saw by his countenance how malecontent he rested at this deniall howe loth so euer he were to graunt the same yet yéelded to his desire and taking him from his knée louingly embracing him he saith Braue man at armes take not in ill part that I haue denyed neither thinke that it was in any sort to disparage you or the hope I haue of your forwardnes but for maintaining my owne honour yet séeing your will is to aduenture for mée goe in Gods name and he be your defence that euer comforteth his distressed and so pulling his signet from his finger he gaue it him willing that it bee deliuered to the Gouernour of the citie let him vnderstand his Highnesse pleasure was that he with his armie passe at his pleasure and so taking his humble leaue of the king and gracious mistresse which affecteth him more then he could conceiue he departeth more ioyful of this honor then to be richlie endowed No sooner parted he the kings presence but slacking as litle time as was possible he summoned his captaines and officers straitly charging thē with al the diligence he could vse to gather their companies to attend him in the market place in which charge no negligence was vsed so that by shutting in of the euening ech captaine
with grief WheÌ„ they had passed some time in parley about their affaires and that some offers were made by these Nobles of their ayde and assistance a generall Councell was called where by consent of such as had gouernment vnderstanding the power of Donatio the vsurper was no more but such as guarded his holdes it was determined after the army had refreshed themselues two or thrée daies to martch forewarde to the Cittie there to beleager the King and cut off from them all supply of prouision for victualles whereof they had small store In the meane time the Lordes of Thessaly to giue notise to all their friends with all spéede as they tendered their owne liberties to repaire with such power as they could make vnto the Campe. This deuise was no sooner determined on but the Noble Mama Bacha without returning to the King spared not his paines and all others which hée could command or entreate proclaiming in euery place as they passed Theophilus their lawful king straightly charging all naturall subiects of Thessaly to make repaire vnto the Campe. These tydings at first were hardly beléeued yet such was the rumour of a forreine power landed that all which could beare Armes repaired to the King whome they founde at the assault of the Cittie where the vsurper kept such was the multitudes of people which from all countries in his Regions came vnto him that in short time he had power sufficient to ouerrunne a kingdome The vsurper Donatio who had least thought euer to heare or sée the Thessalian King when the report of his being in the Campe was brought vnto him his courage quailed and his hope of enioying the Crowne was quite extinguished so that dispairing he became lyke a man lunatike that nothing whatsoeuer might moue him to any mirth or content so that giuing ouer all he cared not what became of himselfe or his yâ—t was he carefully counselled by his Nobles who regarded both his honour and their owne safetie but whatsoeuer they might counsell or determine was ill imployd at his hands was nothing to be had wherefore after they saw his small care and that he was not to be aduised they determined either in field with vnappoynted battell to try their fortunes or by some such composition as might be for their Courtries safetie and their reputation to giue ouer their tytle pretended to the Crowne of Thessaly Before that any thing was of them resolued the Mayden Knight which had his minde on his Lady as well as of other affaires could not rest in content vntill he had finished and either gained what they came for or séene the euent of fortune Wherefore to auoyd further delaies hée summoned the Citie to parley wherein he required their answere whether they would receiue their lawfull King or no if yea they should suffer him in peace to enter or otherwise vpon their answere to abide the hazard incident to Armes which he protested should be voyd of all fauour if he preuailed and they refused this offer of his These summons caused the Nobilitie to looke with better aduise into their estates and with consideration to wey each particuler perill which they found to be very many and daungerous especially séeing the multitude who were naturall subiects and did rather affect their owne King how so euer they professed in outward appearance then the vsurper which made them the more earnest with their King vnto whom they declared the offers made by the Maiden Knight with y â— doubts they had of his successe who were nothing in number to the Kings power which daily increased and contrary his decreased wherfore they aduised him to yéeld vnto such Articles of honour as they would require which should be both for his honour and safetie of him and his The vsurper hearing these perswasions from them wheron his chéefest hope consisted forgetting all former friendship and loue to any of them with most odious words reuiled them calling them traytors dastards and vpbraiding them with cowardise which were neuer founde but euer forward in all his actions onely this excepted wherin was no hope These spéeches moued his Nobles to such furie that departing from him in discontent they resolued for their owne safetie to séek what means they could and not by delaies to incurre his displeasure whose friendship they were by all meanes they could vse to intreat Wherfore in name of all the rest the Lord Philiago principall Treasuror vnto the King by whose direction the rest would be gouerned sent for the Princesse Phedera from prison whom he vsed with honorable spéeches comforting her with hope of her kingly brother who liued and was in person come with a strong power to deliuer her from that captiuitie which so long she endured humbly beséeching her grace to become a fauourable soliciter to his Highnesse for them who were to be commaunded by their soueraigne whose subiects they were protesting that neither for enuy to him or his they vndertooke the action but at commaundment and to auoyde the ignomious tytle of cowardize which all of honorable birth or mind ought to detest The good Princesse which could not tell whether she might giue credit to his words or no answered him thus My Lord Philiago vnder the gréenest grasse lurketh the most perillous poyson and experience hath taught me in my durance the knowledge of friends these sodeine offers of loue to my brother whom you all know is long sithence dead causeth me the more to dread I am going to him and that your proffered friendship is but to that end to bereaue mée of that which long since I wished to leaue if it bée so good my Lorde hyde not the truth thereof from mée for therein shall you shewe your charitable minde to a distressed Captiue Farre be it from my thought Noble Ladie quoth Philiago that I should any way delude you or moue you to credit any thing other then truth whom I haue my greatest hope of good to assure you of which so pleaseth your Exellence I will my selfe bring you to his Maiesties presence When the Princesse heard him make these proffers of fauours and perceiued by his iesture he did not counterfeyt ouercome with ioy she was in a traunce from which reuiued by the carefull industry of the Lady Vrania wife to the Lord Philiago shée gaue the Noble man great thanks for his tydings assuring him on her word that she would so recompence that good as hée nor his should haue any cause to complaine of her vngratefulnesse Vrging him with her curteous spéech to detract no time but to bring her to the Campe where the King was which he willingly yéelded vnto and causing a stately Charyot to be ordeined and richly apparrelling the Princesse as befitteth her accompanied with his Ladie and two daughters of rare bewtie himselfe wayting on her disrobed issued out of the gates and in short time came neare the Campe and were by the Sentronelles discouered and brought to the
sauing such of his priuy Councell which were attendant at Court The Noble Pheander was now to take his leaue the very remembrance whereof was more offensiue to the King and Quéen then al their former troubles Bootles it was to intreat his longer stâ—y who standing on thornes til his desire was obteined in beholding the most beautifull Princesse might no longer be persuaded wherefore the King to honour him the more by whom he was for euer honoured caused a Fléete to be prepared of twentie Gallies whom by his strict commandement was most royally furnished with all néedfull vyands and other necessaries for his voyage which on such sodain was purueyed as might well shew their diligence to whom that great charge was committed All things readie for his departure and a faire winde blowing a freshe and comfortable gale these friendes were nowe to depart After leaue taken of the Princesse who with many brinish teares bewailed the same the King with his Pheres accompanied him to the water side where his company appointed to attend him awaited his comming where after heauy parting on both sides and many teares spent of the commons which beheld their sorrowes he imbarqued him selfe and by the good fauour of the windes and diligent industry of his Marriners sodainly losâ— sight of land and had the winde so fauourable that in short time they atteined sight of the high land of Thrace with which they beare all that they might yet could not possibly recouer their Port that night This Fleete of Gallies being on the shore descried none could imagine what they were or should be to preuent the worst the Councell carefull of their own safeties and commons good assembled the power of their Citie making prouision for defence what euer happened The maister of the Admirall not daring to enter the harbourght by night laie off again into the sea hulling vntill the day watch was in hand at which time they set saile to goe for their harbourght and by fauourable assistance of the windes recouered the same After the Sunne had shewed her selfe in her bewtie two houres to suruey which power and to giue notise to the Quéene what they were the Lord Amintaâ— Lord high Admirall of the lande was in a Frygotte sent who bouging as much as the force of his staues would permit him being a man honorable and venterous not knowing what they were whether friends or enemies came vp with the Admiral and laid her aboord of whose comming the Mayden Knight being aduertised doing him dutie caused his Flagge to be furled and his Auncient to be taken downe whose order the whole Fléete followed When the Admirall saw the Knight Pheander whose welfare they greatly doubted betwéene them was much reioycing and many imbracings as friends ioyfull to see one the other Passing in pleasant parley the time they came to Ancor at which time according to directions giuen by the Knight all their ordinance was discharged with their smal Artillery reioycing according to the sea maner for their safe arriuall to the great admiration of all the beholders which could imagin no certaintie what they were no sooner was the Ancors ground but the Lord Admirall causing his Frygot to come aboord entered the same accompanied with the Mayden Knight and other Nobles of Thessaly and Egypt which came to accompany him as Embassadors from the King who were all most royally entertemed of the Nobles which attended their landing and were conducted to the Court where according to their estates they were sumptuously lodged in the Court and like order taken for purueying for their traine Amongst others that had enquired the newes of these strangers and what they were Guenela by chance as women are inquisitiue of nouelties had with diligence learned what those Nobles so royally enterteined were with the arriuall of the Mayden Knight who was no sooner knowne vnto the ioyfull Mayden made more ioyfull by these happie tydings but standing en thornes vntill shée came to the presence of the Quéene doubting least her news should be so stale before she came as it wold be scares worth the carriage she omitted no time To whom being come and finding the Quéen in her accustomed melancholly passions though new some way otherwise imployed about the imaginations of these straungers to put her from her study thus said What Madame euer in your memento in faith were I of your priuie counsâ—ll and might perswade with you I would wish your Maiestie become Lady of some Nunnery where you might haue companie since nothing may delight you but contemplation Guenela quoth the Quéene cease thy fond talke at this time and giue me leaue who haue matters of waight to imploy me on If it be so Madame quoth Guenela I am to craue pardon for my boldnesse otherwise if it might not haue bene offenciue I could haue acquainted your highnes with some newes of the Mayden Knight which because I sée it is troublesome vnto you hauing businesse I beséech your grace licence me to depart vntill it shall please your Ladiship to finde leisure to heare me The Quéen hearing her name the Mayden Knight was so waked from her dumps as she called Guenela and with earnest intreaties besought her to let her know what news she had heard of those straungers and what moued her to name the Mayden Knight Madam quoth Guenela if your Ladiship would haue permitted me to speake I had without farther delaies acquainted you with such news of these strangers as I hear and haue diligently enquired who are Nobles of Thessaly in Embassage for y â— King accompanied with the best welcomed Knight in Affrica The péerlesse Pheander your graces sworne seruant the naming of whom so reuiued the Quéene that he that had the worst sight might haue perceiued how pleasing these newes were vnto her yet doubtfull of her Maydens spéeches which often had deluded her to moue delight the said Guenela thou hast had more pleasure in féeding me with vaine hopes then hath contented me yet haue I borne thy follies imagining in what sort they were vsed But now Guenela leaue thy Iests least they grow odious and moue me to chollor against thée which would not willingly be drawne vnto Therefore tell me without dallying is my knight arriued with these Nobles or is there certaine tyings of his good health by these strangers Madame quoth Guenela if my ouer-boldnesse haue incurred your displeasure I humbly craue pardoÌ„ who had no intent to offend he witnesse with me which searcheth my déepest secrets but to assure you of what you so much desire know Madame the Mayden Knight is with Nobles arriued who as I heare are come from the Lord Cariolus who by procurement of the Mayden Knight is maried with the Princesse of Thessaly and is royally Crowned by consent of both Realmes lawfull King of Thessaly and Egypt the one his Quéenes lawfull inheritance the other the late Kings bequest who by vnhappie fortune hath left this life Thus Madame haue I acquainted
her selfe that with those comfortable confections her Doctors prouided and receiuing such vyands as phisicke thought most méetest shée beganne to recouer her decaied colour and her faint limbs ouer weake with forbearing such sustenance wherewith nature should be reléeued recouered their strength in such wise as it ioyed her subiects to heare of her recouery Time which ouercommeth mightie things hath brought the Quéene to that good estate as finding a day wherein the Sunnes power vanquished the ayres rumaticke coldnesse the walked into the gardaine where shée solaced her selfe beholding Natures abiliments which beautified the earth in such manner that the pleasantnesse thereof with the swéete smelles bredde her great content The Mayden Knight which had desire to shewe his dutie in attending her royall highnesse hearing this happie tydings hasteneth to the gardaine whome the Quéene no sooner sawe but calling him vnto her after his dutie done and her Maiestie taking him vp from the grounde from off his knée she said My Lord what excuse can you frame now for neglecting your dutie to your mistresse which cannot haue your sight being in Court without a messenger if the sight of any one attending vs be offensiue vnto your Grace wée will remoue them rather then loose your company so wée may know them Noble Princesse answered the Knight that I acknowledge not my dutie as I ought pardon me and weigh in the ballance of your gracious clemencie my zeale and hartie desire to doo you seruice who albeit my heart desireth no such happinesse as your Princely presence yet knowing that Princes haue many eyes to behold them and Enuy lurketh in the hearts of subiects who imagining more then is on either of our parts thought may with their euil spéech raise that scandall as may blemish your renowne being a virgine and procure my greater trouble which am a straunger Clenly excused quoth the Quéene I sée now good seruant you haue not spent your time idlely abroad if I might know your schoole mistresse I would be so bold to thanke her for the diligent applying her scholler Madame quoth the Prince I am glad to heare your grace so well disposed I hope your Maiestie hauing recouered strength and your businesse with these nobles ouer past will thinke of your seruant and remember your word to me which chalengeth the same at your maiesties hands My Lord quoth she had I not held thy loue in regard I could not haue denied the many sutes of my Pheres and Commons which haue besought me and with great earnestnesse entreated me to marriage but so deare hath thy loue bene vnto me that I desired death rather then falsifie my faith to your grace for whom and through whose vnkindnesse I haue endured much hearts discontent No more of that quoth the Knight good Madame expel from your minde passed griefes and thinke vpon the ensuing pleasures which wil excéed all the discontent hath bene to heare your discontent is litle pleasing vnto me who neuer closed these eyes nor neuer beheld the rising of the glorious Sun without millions of times remembring your grace whose presence I more desired then I will explaine Guenela séeing some of the Councell entering the Gardaine gaue them intelligence thereof breaking off their spéech thus Sir if you haue taken orders in holy Church since your departure it is more then is expected of all the court which in time past haue shewed your selfe so worthily in Armes to your lasting honor If you haue and her grace haue chosen you for her ghostly father enioyne I beseech her maiestie to some easie penance for her long sicknes is not to endure much fasting besides here is of the Councel who hath waited to say somthing either to the Quéene or your grace These wordes of Guenela caused them surcease their talke and with shewes of louing countenaunces to giue each other the farewell The Knight framing his talke to Guenela who finding him alone thus said Sir experience of mine owne discontent hath taught me what a corifiue melancholy is to a pleasant minde who in your absence haue endured many sharpe wordes yea and oftentimes those thundering spéeches lighting with blowes either on my ribbes head or face in reuenge of which had you bin present for whose sake I endured them I should haue aduentured the cracking of a sword with your grace or greatly haue wanted of my will Why how now Guenela quoth the Knight art thou metamorphiâ—ed hath the Goddes ioyned thée abiliments of a man as wel as armed thy hart with courage faith wench art thou so valiantly minded to breake a blade take héed tis dangerous for your sexe to deale with weapons but I will desire the Quéene to search you least happily as â—ad a chance befall her maydes as Dania which enterteined Iupiter in likenesse of a Swan If Guenela be likewise by their consents allienated from her sexe it were good to preuent euils in time had I wist commeth too late My Lord quoth Guenela blushing with shame your Lordship hath through my fondnesse taken me at aduantage misconstruing my simple meaning which haue euâ—r honored you Conceale my folly in this good my Lord and forget it and pardon my fond words which haue felt many stripes for you Nay Guenela quoth the Knight I may not with my honour let passe a matter of such importance without reuealing it to her highnesse least your words as you say spoken in ieast turne some of our Ladies in earnest to be beholding to mother Midwife The Quéene which had reposed her selfe with beholding the bewtie of nature and taken y e pleasant aire which did greatly comfort her hauing some conference with her nobles departed the gardein which made the rest withall the spéed they could make to follow whereof Guenela was nothing sorowfull who was thereby compeld to leaue the Knight of whome shee wished long before to haue shift her hands The Quéene gathering some strength was loath to detaine the straunge Nobles longer from her Presence wherefore by her Nobles shee limitted a time to heare them against which day was all her nobles summoned to be at Court with her Ladies and women of account to attend her Maiestie who with the Lorde Stewarde of her houshold had taken such order for all diuersitie of vyandes that might be prouided The day appointed come not vnexspected of the straungers who prouided themselues as sumptuous as they could apparrelled after their countrey maner attended the time of her Maiesties comming forth who being come and in her Chaire of Estate set word was brought vnto the straungers who marching with the nobles of Thrace through the Court was in most honourable maner presented vnto her Maiestie who with countenance debonaire and grace magisticall as became her royaltie bad them all welcome in such curteous and Princely manner that the straungers at this first fight were driuen to great admiration beholding that grace and honor in a woman which they would neuer haue beléeued had not their eyes bene