this wound yet must it néeds marueilously offend and displease me that so good people by a false and miscreant Dog should be so outraged Neuerthelesse séeing I can no other way redéeme it I sweare and protest before yée all hereafter to be a cruell and capital enemie to these harbarous and vnbeléeuing helhounds making them dearely to buy before hand the infelicity destinyed to this moane-worthie countrie And euen so it came to passe in that both he and Palmendos in his Kingdome of Thessalie did great and infinite dammages to the Turkes for euer after there was continually open warres betweene those Nations But the Emperour then somewhat mittygating hys choller with a more pleasing countenance and milder tearms thus spake to them about him Wherefore should I offend my selfe wyth such things as we shall neuer behold I pray yée for all this let vs not leaue the fruition of such pleasures as God hath sent vs at this instant for séeing it is hys will that happy successe shall betyde the affayres of my time and they that follow of my posterity likewise I haue no reason to passionate my selfe but rather to repute me the most happy Prince that thys day inhabiteth betweene the two Poles Therfore I pray you quoth hée to the Messenger on my behalfe thank the Lord of the enclosed Isle your Maister for putting mée out of those doubtfull imaginations striuing to vnderstand what these two figures shoulde signifie assuring him withall that he hath no friend in this world who can make more account of his goodwill than I doo nor shall hee finde any iot lesse in me towards him when pleaseth him to make any triall therof so breaking off the Gentleman went a little lower toward Primaleon who likewise was there present thus spake to him Happy fortunate Prince the Lord of the enclosed Isle my master who louer you as himself hath sent yée this good sword and rich shield the two best and most exquisite weapons that at this day are to be found in all the world and them hee thinks méete for so valiaunt a Knight as you will prooue aduertising you that the clouen rock being thus separated as you may beholde héere figured in this shield signifieth the partialitie and little looue betwene you and her who in after time shall make one sole heart of twaine so that on the day of this riciprocation hapning betwéene you this impregnable rock shall then remaine intyre closed againe and without any impeach to testifie your reconciliation Tell your Master from me answered Primaleon as one abashed to heare such spéeches that as it hath pleased him to send me this fayre present which I shal wel carefully hope for his sake so wold I haue him commād me any thing wherin I may do him pleasure when he shall aduertise me as the mā that may command my vttermost whom I highly thank for his curtesis albeit I cannot but remaine in pensiuenes 〈◊〉 I vnderstand more clearly the matters you haue told mée The time will come replyed the yong Gentleman when you shall knowe them sufficiently although at this instant they séeme so hard and obscure to yée and then shall ye recompence the seruice which now yée receiue from my Maister Then commaunded Primaleon that one should fetch a rich present for the Lord of the enclosed Isle in requitall of the excellent Armes he sent him and another in like manner for the Gentleman that brought them which immediatly was perfourmed in euery respect when the youth with great reuerence taking his leaue returned presently towarde the Isle leauing all the Court meruayling at the newes before rehearsed The Emperour and his Barrons long looked on the weapons each one commending the artificiall workemanship of them meruayling what the strange seperation of the rocke should meane being thus foretold that one day it should ioyn together againe which made the Emperour deliuer these wordes before all there present I am perswaded wee shall behold great matters of importance when this halfe deuided Rock shall knit together againe So that as séemes to mee my Sonne speaking to Primaleon for thée are reserued many aduentures which none but thou canst effectually finishe Wherein I pray God to bee thy directer enduing thée with such strength and hardines as thou mayest honorably make an end of them So doe I deuoutlie pray my selfe answered Primaleon els shall I repute all my life verie careleslie bestowed and I vnworthie to come in companie of so great personages if I shuld not resemble in some good part or other the noble Lord that begot me and that I may attaine thereto it is necessarie I should passe through many perillous tranayles knowing that without excéeding endeuour it is impossible to reach such honour as doth for euer make men to be estéemed For this may serue me as a most worthie crample yea and an infallible mirrour of all vertues proceeding from your excellencie so great a president as not onely hath sweetly conquered the loue of your subiects but gayning likewise a priueledge of euerie ones good will hath beside constrayned the enemie and most barbarous Nations to admire and honour yée for al perfections being the cheefest peece of workemanshippe that euer Nature made These gentle and gratious speeches of the Prince Primaleon made the Emperour his Father so pleased as possiblie might be hearing from him such honest commendations yet collourably ayming at a third person as thence forth he reputed him verse magnanimous and remembring Achilles Alexander Themistocles and other such valiant Champions which Greece in former time had brought forth he began to conceiue some hope that one day he should see him go beyond all other of his time Whereupon hee gaue commandement that the weapons sent from the Lorde of the enclosed Isle should be verie charilie layde vp and for this cause if afterwarde in any place Primaleon would not be knowen he named himselfe the knight of the clouen rocke From that time all the whole day there passed no other speeches among them but of the meruaylous knowledge of this great Magitian the Emperour entring into so good opinion of him as he could neuer forget that the Empire of Greece should be sackt by the Turkes which was a continuall griefe to his heart yet would hee not outwardly deliuer any show thereof but with Princely iestures shadowing them still seemed as pleasant as euer be was before Primaleon likewise on the other side was very pensiue desiring also to know her name who already by the very words of the yong Gentleman had inflamed his thoughts with the heauenlie fire of Venus for till this houre hee had no knowledge of amourous passions but now his heart was so liuely touched therewith as there they had taken a perpetual dweling place as yee shall perceiue by the following discourse of the Historie But now he fell to make prouision with the other knights giuing order that all thinges might bee readie against the
THE FIRST BOOKE OF PRIMALEON of Greece Describing the knightly deeds of Armes as also the memorable aduentures of Prince Edward of England And continuing the former Historie of Palmendos brother to the fortunate Prince Primaleon LONDON Printed for Cuthbert Burby and are to be solde at his shop by the Roiall Exchange 1595. The first Booke of Primaleon of Greece Describing his Knightly deedes of Armes as also the memorable aduentures of Prince Edward of England And continuing the former History of Palmendos Brother to the fortunate Prince Primaleon c. CHAP. I. How the Ambassadours of Fraunce came to Constantinople where they were Honourablie receaued by the Emperour who hauing heard the effect of their Ambassage and conserred theron with the Prince Arnedes affianced him immediatlie to his Daughter Philocrista by whose hand the Ambassadours presented the Letters of credence from the King their Maister IN the Historie of Palmendos after which this Booke of Primaleon followeth you haue hearde of the Loue betweene the Prince Arnedes 〈…〉 Philocrista Daughter 〈…〉 Emperour Palmerin and 〈◊〉 a Courtier was sent to aduertise the â—ing his Father thereof That hee might â—nâ—ay the like good fortune â—s Palmendos had done with his mistresse Francelina and thereby confirme a generall reioysing The messenger béeing carefull to dispatch this businesse made such haste in his iourney as in short time be arriued at the famous Cittie of Paris where the King vnderstanding the will of his Sonne quicklie resolued to conclude these assures Electing as chiefe in this Ambassage the Duke of Orleaunce a verie wise prudent Lord commanding also that the Marquesse of Oliuet the Countie Peter one of the bost knightes in his Court should be are him companie with manie other Barrons so sumptuouslie accoustred as euidentli declared how far the French excéeded al other Nations in magnificence and good partes whereof at this time wee haue no leysure to speake The King hauing giuen them his Letters of credence and instructions concerning the summe of their charge he deliuered them sundry precious gifts which he sent to Philochrista and the Prince Arnedes But before their departure there came a Knight to the Court from the King of Castile to aduertise Recinde howe his Brother béeing deceased without issue all the people verse much reioyced that the Scepter of the Kingdome should fall to a Prince so valiant When the King of Fraunce heard these newes by the gentleman of Spaine named Pinedo be made answere how Recinde was gone with his Son Arnedes to Constantinople where as hee heard by credible intelligence hee daylie wonne great honour and renowne Hereupon Pinedo determined to passe into Greece with the Ambassadors and comming to Tolloain Prouence they embarqued them selues on the Mediteranean Sea where sayling with winde at will it was not long before they arriued at Constantinople euen at such time as Arnedes was in his wonted passions of loue No sooner were they entred the Porte and bad cast Anker but the Duke of Orleaunce commaunded a generall iouysance in applauding heauen for their happie nanigation whereof the Emperour béeing aduertised he sent to know the cause of this reioysing When he heard the arriuall of the French Ambassadors he was right glad thereof hoping Arnedes woulde now recouer health by some good tidinges and therefore sent spéedily to acquainte him therewith intreating him to bee of good courage séeing the Lordes of his Countrie were come so happilie It were needlesse to demaund if Arnedes were wel pleased with these tydinges considering the present cure hee found in one moment hée reby which shewed that herein consisted the onelie medicine for his malladie this made him leaue his bed and goe with Primaleon to the Emperour who séeing him come so 〈…〉 was not a little glad of his good recouerie and said Me thinks Sir Arnedes that the arriuall of these French Gentlemen hath reuiued and verie well strengthened you Well haue you saide my Lorde answered Arnedes because it is the onlie meanes of my restoring Philocrista who knew full well the depth of his amorous desiers reioyced maruellouslie at this fortunate occurrence so that by outward view of her countenance might easilie bee discerned the inward content of her bart and whence procéeded this alteration wherein by silence shee bewrayed to the French Prince what boldlie she durst not vtter in spéech and whereof he néeded no interpreter but with like signes returned thankfull requitall minding to goe presentlie to the Porte to sée by whome the King his Father had sent this long expected message The Emperour commaunded manie of his Barrons with him for more Honourable accompanying the Ambassadors to the Pallace and in signe of greater fauour Primaleon himselfe went with Arnedes who sent his divarse before to let them vnderstand his comming to the Porte Whereupon the Duke of Orleaunce with his company immediatly laÌ„ded where first beholding their yong Prince they ran hare-headed to kisse his hand when he haning seuerallie embrased the thus spake to the Duke of Orleaunce My noble Cosen how many pleasures hath your art shall héere inriched me withall in sooth farre more than you can easlie thinke on But tell mee I pray yée ere we passe any further how sares the King my Noble Lorde and Father So well as your heart can desire my Lord answered the Duke and as one wounderfull longing spéedilie to sée you wherefore his will is that making so little stay héere as possible you can you vse some hast in returning to your Countrie of Fraunce Herein shall I most gladlie obey him replyed Arnedes ere many dayes after this hée expired in meane space giue honour to Primaleon here the Emperours Sonne who hath vouchsafed to come in person to welcome yée Primaleon maruelled that these French Lords and Knights so humbled themselues to Arnedes which made him imagine that he was Sonne to their King in regard whereof vsing the greater kindnes to the Duke of Orleaunce and the other Ambassadours he desired theÌ„ to resolue him concerning the estate of Arnedes who hitherto had not disclosed himselfe to anie one My Lord said the Duke this yong Prince is out Soueraignes Sonne who in respect of his earnest desire to be seruice to the Emperour your Father thought it méetest for him to come vnknowne to this Court and héere to remayne so concealed till hee should perceiue his priuate deseignes fall out to his owne contentment Concerning which the present message committed to our trust by the King his Father I hope will sort to good and successefull end with the help of him whome I pray so spéed vs as herein our enterprise may not be disappointed In good faith said Primaleon turning himselfe to the French Prince I haue very great reason to complaine of you Arnedes that you would thus long hide yourself from me for although you resolued in comming hither that no one should know ye yet you might haue exempted me from that vniuersall number considering the
habitude and secrecâ—s you might boldlie haue reposed in mee that I should not haue continued so long ignoraÌ„t of your royal race My Lord answered Arnedes embracing him herein I beséech you hold mee excused in respect that straying so far from the French Court I determined to doo somewhat in actions of Armes that might be worthie report of my progenie before myselfe were knowne to anie one And béeing concealed I might best doe it considering no way els could I reach the top of my desire but anie thing wherein I employed myselfe might rather redound to my disgrace than commendation Certainely replied Primaleon if by déeds of Armes you desire to publish our name me thinkes you should hasten the day of Turney considering your Royall geniture and thereby expresse your knightly valour and resolution Ah my Lord saide Arnedes interrupting him it pleaseth you to account mee among men of desert though far vnworthie am I to bee seene in anie such assembly Notwithstanding if good will may incite forward a generous minde by puissaunce to witnesse some part of his strength I hope I should not be reputed amongst the weakest No truelie answered Primaleon but rather amongst the strongest where honourable victorie will set on your head a triumphall Crowne But leaue wee these spéeches till some better conuenient time and goe wée to the Emperour who will be most ioyfull hearing these news So mounting on horse backe with the Ambassadors they rode to the Pallace where gratious entertainement was commanded them by the Emperour And in this time Pinedo made knowen to the Prince Arnedes how he past into Fraunce to finde Recinde whome now hee came to acquaint with the death of his Brother and how all the Barrons and people of Castile would willingly accept him for their Lord and King Of these tidinges was the Frenchman not a little glad that his Cosin Recinde whome hee loued as himselfe was heire to the Scepter of Castile But yet was hee as sorie on the other side because he could heare no report of him wherfore perswading Pinedo that hee hoped of his short returne in that the Tourney at his mariage would be a meane thereof which was published through all the parts of the Empire he thought it néedlesse anie further to pursue his search Now the Emperour who in this space had vnderstood the discent of the Prince â— Anedes when hee saw him enter the Hall with his Sonne Primaleon arose from his seat to embrace him saying How happens it my Lord Arnedes that you would all this while so cunningly dissemble with vs in shade wing of whence and what you were wherin you haue done vs gâ—â—at discourtesie and lest such honour as your vertues deserued Tell me I pray you wherefore did yée so conceale your selfe knowing how happie I would haue thought my selfe to haue vnderstood of you with out thee sayning My Gratious Lord replyed Arnedes most humblie I in treate yee vse no such wordes on my behalfe because I know my selfe vnworthie of them much lesse of the honour I haue receiued in your Countrie which a better man than I can no way deserue But neuer could any quiet enter my thoughts till I beheld the Maginficence of your Court and that to my poore power I might do you seruice poore and slender in truth is it in respect of my good will which is equall with the most affectionate seruant you haue among whom I desire your Grace to repute mee as the man whome no one shall out-goe in zeale and deuotion of minde And a great discountenaunce of heauen haue I accounted it that no occasion hitherto woulde happen whereby I might liuelie expresse the true affection imprinted in my heart It suffiseth answered the Emperour what alreadie you haue done proofe enough to giue you the reputation of one of the best Knightes in the worlde And as for me if I be not depriued of the fauour considering the loue I beare yee I shal euermore continue my former opinion and repute my selfe happie in making alliance with you when you shall thinke expedient to yeeld thereto Arnedes who saw the passage open whereby his soule might soonest be conducted to rest and by him likewise that had the onely key thereof was marueilously ouercome with thy when taking the Emperour by the hand to kisse it in signe of thankes he said Well may I now vaunt my self to haue attained the height of humane solicitie beeing offered by your Grace an alliance so honourable for which I know not how to shew my selfe thankfull in discharge of the dutie wherein I stand bound but onely by continuing your humble 〈…〉 and day by day to confirme the indissoluble bend wherein I am euerlastingly wrapped by this extraordinarie fauour Notwithstanding if my vnsayned affection to remaine your obedient seruant or dutifull Sonne if you please may stand for an earnest pennie Then intreat I you to accept thereof as I present it to the end I may hereafter be so readie in performaunce as now I am in heart For euen as the greatest clap of thunder followes the fairest day and nothing else in suddennes may be compared thereto as readie shall I be vpon receit of the verie coniectures of your desires to satisfie the same than if I should giue attendance vppon commandement The Emperour beeing maruellous glad to heare him vse such honest speeches gathered very well with what shaft hee was wounded that the matter now opened by conference was but only to seeke a speedie balme or medecine for the hurt receiued Hereby he tooke occasion to let him â—it by him which drew on manie glaunces still to the same purpose but among the rest when the Emperour heard the whole storie of Recinde his Cosen he could not chuse but greatly wonder thereat Hereof was Mâ—lioia ioyfull beyond measure because she intirely loued the Spanish Prince yet could shee not compare with Philocrista in contentment of spirit by reason shee wanted the amorous obiect which she had nor could she participate in those vnspeakeable pleasures wherewith the harts of the other twaine were specially delighted On the morrow the Emperour caused the Pallace to bee richlie adorned with tapistrie of gold and siluer and his most sumptuous Iowels to be placed in open shew that the French Ambassadors should behold his stately pompe they likewise comming into the Hall attired in their fairest and costlâ—est habillimentes were receiued by the Emperour with exceeding Honour and to him by faire Philocrista they presented their Letters of crdence the effect whereof hereafter followeth The Letter sent from the King of Fraunce to the Emperour Palmerin To the most high and magnanimous Prince Palmerin de Oliua Emperour of Constantinople true mirrour of Chiualry Lewes by the grace of God King of Fraunce wisheth health condigne to his excellent mightines THe assurance giuen me of the renowne of your generositie my most deare Brother which is spred to the very furthest most barbarous and hidden regions of
this hemisphere caused mee immediatly dispatch my Ambassadours toward your Maiestie to intreate that you woulde consent to an alliance which I haue purposed if you please betwéene our houses according to the ordenaunce of the last will which the into king of famous memorie my most Noble Father whom God absolue left me when he payd his mortall tribute to nature And because I haue instructed the bearers hereof in all the pointes and articles which on our behalfe you are to bee acquainted withall I shall need to vse the lesse discourse by Letter reposing onely on then sufficiencie Requesting you that in this cause you will giue them credit or what else they shall thinke méete and determine concerning the marriage of Arnedes Prince of Fraunce my Sonne as if I were with you my selfe in person and looke what honor shall be done to them in your Countrie I will account it as receiued by my selfe But least happilie you should repute it strange that thee â—est Sonne of so great a house as this should come to your Court so meanely attended therein I desire yée consider his earnest affection to accomplish some memorable déede vnknowne whereby you may easly gather how gladly he would goe beyond or equall the best Your affectionate and perfect friend The house of Fraunce This Letter béeing read the Emperour tooke the Ambassadours into his Chamber where after hee had heard at full the summe of their message immediatlie hee called together the Princes and Lordes of his priuie Councell to let them vnderstand his intent concerning these affayres This by their aduise was immediatly confirmed for good as well to accomplishe his promise to the deceassed King of Fraunce as also in respect Arnedes behauiour was so generally commended béeing a vertuous Knight and verie forward to Martiall exercise But aboue all the rest Primaleon was most willing and readie in consenting to this alliance knowing the earnest desire of his Sister to sée herselfe the wife of Arnedes another Adonis and for beautie well might Philocrista bée resembled to Psyches or rather if you will a second Venus The mariage béeing concluded on the morrow following they were affianced together with very stately and magnificent triumphes so that both in the Pallace and thorough the Cittie was nothing but disportes and pleasure to the no little content of the Emperour and Empresse as well for the comming and knowledge of Palmendos as for this loue knot betwéene Philocrista and the Royall Prince of Fraunce And now dooth Primaleon arme himselfe for knighthood that hereafter hee may bestowe his time in those commendable occasions Here the French Authour confesseth his fault for hauing intiteled the whole booke the first Booke of Primaleon both that which goes before called by me the History of Palmendos the name agréeing with the discourse and this where Primaleons chiualrie doth now but begin His reason is that the young Prince béeing verie daintylie brought vp and not of yeeres to receiue the order of Knighthood he tooke occasion in meane while to report the braue behauiour of his brother Palmendos But now shall wee speake of the gentle Prince himselfe the onely mirrour of honour and Armes as by reading his History you may perceiue CHAP. II. How Primaleon intreated the Emperour Palmerin his Father in the presence of the French Ambassadoures who prepared themselues to the Grecian portes that hee would giue him the order of Knighthood And how the Lorde of the enclosed Isle sent him a Sheeld and a Sworde wherewith hee tooke his order And what hee sent to the Emperour which he afterward sent to the King Florendos his Father requesting his presence at the mariage of faire Philocrista TO begin the narration and discourse of the déeds of our Primaleon who in his yongest yeares exercised himselfe so well in vertuous Disciplines whereof according to his verie naturall inclination and desire he declared himselfe a studious louer as one might iustly name him the true miracle of perfection So among other endowments for the spirite of wisedome he might be compared to Salomon for beautie both exteriour and interiour to the gentle Gréeke Alcibiades and for magnanimitie councell millitarie strategemes and such like to valiant Scipio the African or the subtill Hanniball of Carthage especiallie in this time of his youth when he had not receiued his order of Knighthood But now fit time therfore being come hée sell on his knée before his Father armed with a light Câ—â—ret which had no other beautie or brauerie then the plaine fashion which most he affected for his help in fight and with humble gestures hee intreated one request The Emperour very willingly made him graunt thereof as the like hee did to diuers others who this day demaunded his gratious fauour seeing him so bountifull in honour of this feast My Lord saide Primaleon the request which at this instant I desire your Grace not to denie mée is that I may be armed Knight by your hande in this armour on the day of the feaste for the nuptialls of Philocrista my sister for to make the same the more magnificent I hope to prouide a Tourney worthy the view of your Maiestie wherto I beséech you graunt me licence of safe conduct for all Knights whatsoeuer because I intend to haue it published in diuers Countries This had I graunted quoth the Emperour with all my hart albeit thou hadst not bound mee thereto by promise because these are the thinges that highly please me and very honorable is it to sée such solempnities at mariages especially of such a Princesse as thy Sister is My Lord sayd Abenunco to Primaleon I humbly beséech you to preferre me in this action in that I likewise earnestly desire to receiue my order of Knighthood with you so please the Emperour to honor mee with so much fauour The like request made Arnasin sonne to Duke Ptolome who was equall with them in youthfulnes of yeares wherwith Primaleon was not a little content Immediatly were Heralds of armes dispatched into diuers Regions to publishe the Tourney and the day purposed for the beginning of the sportes which shoulde continue during the feast with Court royall openly kept at the mariage of the Princesse Philocrista assuring all knights that pleased to shew themselues there to bee entertained with honour euerie way equall to desert Meane while was Arnedes seated by his affianced Mistresse more faire and brauer adorned than the daughter of Tindarus when Paris Alexander was euercome with her loue they bothe ioying yet with modestie and bashfulnes as neither durst enterprise the hardines to speake the first woord in which mute passions they rather resembled the two beautifull starres Castor and Pollux than humaine creatures possessed of life and moouing whereuppon Melicia smiling thus spake to them Ah that mine eyes were so happie that they coulde now behold him for whom my heart indures most passionate martirdome I would not show such pusillanimitie as you doe séeming as though you scantly knewe
soone as he had promised and that in there hee would for â—Word hir For when a thing is farre out of â—ight it is the sooner out of remembrance And she good Ladie the digger she self her selfe with 〈◊〉 so much more did her sorrow redouble therefore with a verie seeble voice which did sufficiently demonstrate the trouble of her minde she praide him of all loues hee would sometimes remember her whome his departure lest in a weartsome distresse Against the which I cannot long time holde out quoth she but death will preuent me vnles you purpose spéedylie to make your returne and thereby shall I know if you desire to prolong my life or no which I put altogether into your handes Madame aunswered Rifarano too insupportable a paine would it be to me if I should frustrate you of my speedy returne for in steede of one onlie torment which per aduenture I should suffer more easely making mine absence but of small continuance too intollerable a â—art sorrowe might suffocate my soule hearing say you should conceiue some misconceit against mee so that I pray you beleeue no obiect whatsoeuer which may present it selfe before mine eyes shall euer be said or seene that therefore I will deface your Image so I fuely figured within my soule which sufficeth many minde to take away the scruple you may alleadge that I 〈…〉 you willingly For I assure my selfe you doo not 〈…〉 knowing well the testimony of my loyaltie and perpetual 〈…〉 towards your excellence shall alwaies put you out of 〈◊〉 feare The Prince hauing vndoubtedly assured the Countesse to return as spéedily no he could possibly she was a little 〈…〉 thereby and giuing him for a present a most 〈…〉 coate of Armes of greene colour praide him to weare it for her sake Likewise to take one of her Squires with him to the end she might at all occurrences vnderstand 〈…〉 him for she misdoubted much he would not 〈…〉 as she would haue him as hereafter you sshall heare so that many times she was purposed to take away her owne life as did sorrowful Phillis seeing there arme expired that Demophon should espouse her Rifarano beeing departed from the Countesse he rode thrée dayes without finding any aduenture and on the fourth passing verie early néere vnto a Castell bee saw before the Gate the Lord thereof dead vpon his bed couered and cloathed with many clothes of stike at whose beds head sate a yong Damsell making most strange and pittifull lamenting that the verie panting breath of her sighes did well shew in what manner her hart did beat within her breast All about her were many Damsels and others whose countenances and piteous cries which they powred forth into the ayre did plainely bewray the great griefe they had to sée this dead corpes the which they made as though they would carrie to buriall wheÌ„ Rifarano approached to know what mooued them to lament so much promising them for recompence to work his reuenge according to his power if in case there were anie néede to doe it Then the Damsell thanking him much for his so gratious and courteous offer began in this manner to be speake him Faire knight although my misfortunes be so extreame that I cannot well imagine whether I liue or no yet the assurance which I conceiue that you haue taken some pittie of my mishap will giue me argument to deliuer you the whole discourse albeit it would bee better peraduenture I shoulde conceale it to the end I may no further stirre vp the sorrow heauines seated in my soule Know then my Lord that this my dead husbaÌ„d going yesterday abroad on hunting â—â—t by the way a Knight whome for his curtesse sake hée brought home to lodge here all night for his better entertainment commaunded me to doo him all she seruice I might deuise in that he séemed to him to bee discended of some great house albeit hee knew him not before for he would neuer tell his name nor whence hee was I hauing therein fréely accepted the commaundement of my Husband did him all the honour I could druise so that we supped together in great ioy and content but afterward I perceiued be neuer remoued his eyes from off me which made my hart as cold as ice when I saw no bodie about vs for all our seruantes were gone to Supper so soone as they had done feruing vs. Then the Traitor began to giue some enterprise to the dislanie which he deuised forthwith saying he was going to the Court of the Emperour of Constantinople to present himselfe at the magnificent Tourney which was prepared for the Nuptials of his Daughter This was the cause that my husband for he loued greatly the exercise of Armes rose sodainly from the table to commaund his Squiers to haue all his equipage in a readinesse to depart the morrow morning with him by this occasion the disloyall man shiding the tune and place bite for his purpose vsed vnto mee these speeches Truely saire Lady paragon of the most perfect Damsels I thinke it had beene far better for mee neuer to haue entred into your house than to remaine long time in the paine which I féele for your excellent beautie hath so rauished my hart that if the balme wherein consisteth the onely cure of this wound be not quickly applied there unto I must néedes dse through the violent and too excessiue heate which hath set it on fire Further did he prosecute his sugared and deceaning language when I who could not endure to hearken to it was very wrath with hun saying It seemeth faire sir you are a Knight little curteous and wanting good manners seeing you will vse such an act against him who hath done you so much honour Madame quoth hee againe thinke not I am come to displease you nor to procure you any damage but to sauegaide my selfe from the variable and periltous accidents into which the burkenes of the night doth expose sometime these who are wandring out of their waies so that I pray you not to blame me nor reprehend me therin of indiscretion but rather accuse your own Graces which haue prouoked nay 〈◊〉 me to vse these tearmes vnto you no reason béeing able to sway ouer the impatient desire which tormenth me when he had thus said he put forth his arme to embrace me whom I resisted withall my might and being inflamed with an insupportable choller I rose vp from the table crying 〈…〉 In an ill houre camst thou hether yesterday fellon to commit so great a contempt in these Countries I spake theeÌ„ words so loud that my poore and infortunate husband hearde mee easely who perceiuing the treason of this treacherous wretch as an in raged person ran furiously to his Armes menacing him that he would make him dearely buy his villanie not withstanding the wicked villaine who had then his weapon at his side hearing him make these threates set hand quickly to it to stand vpon his guard and before
shall you neuer vnderstand by my meanes quoth the Spaniard hereof can I well aduertise you that happen to mee what may I will not couch my Launce against you You will tell mee then a reason quoth Arnedes or you shall presently die of my hand Such inhumanitie shall I neuer sée in you replyed Recindes albeit I had no will to desend my selfe By the liuing God said Arnedes hastily you wil constraine me to bée discourteous indéede and therefore at your owne perill be it I can no longer forbeare quoth the Emperour then who heard this controuersie but I must néedes knowe who are these two Knightes nowe in fielde for me thinkes I see none other than the true representation of Belcar and Recindes When he had thus saide he descended with manie Nobles after him and finding the two Combattants yet in dispute the one séeking to knowe why his aduersarie woulde not encounter him the other excusing himselfe that hee might not tell the cause willed Arnedes to goe aside And taking Recindes Horse by the Bridle hee prayed him of all loue that hee woulde satisfie the great desire hee had to knowe him My Lord quoth he I cannot doe it without insâ—â—â—ging my faith therefore I pray you vrge mee not to be perâ—urde Assure you replyed the Emperour you shall neuer sée me depart from hence before I knowe and looke you in the face so that by excuses you may not preuaile Therefore I pray you put off your helmet and thinke in so doing you shall not breake your faith and promise For Gods sâ—ke replied Recindes do not offer to force me in your countries This force will I offer you answered the Emperour for that in my mind it stayneth neither your honor nor mine The Knight in a perplerity not knowing what to say further seeing it was a matter of constraint held his peace and not a word Then Belcar who had verse well heard all the whole circumstance seeing hee coulde no longer conceale himselfe threwe incontinent his helmet to the ground and went to fall on his knees before the Emperour in kissing whose handes her saide My Lord pardon vs if it please you if wee haue not béene so prompt to obey you as your greatnes requires for wee determined at our departure out of Macedon to come vnknowne into this place to exployte before your eyes some honourable attempt wherein you might take some delight pleasure Notwithstanding seeing wee are frustrate of one intention hauing perfourmed nothing worthie to giue you contentment it is the verie reason why wee dissembled our selues vnto your Maiestie of whom both the one and the other of vs two reputeth himselfe a most happie man to haue receaued so great honour Ah my deare friends quoth the Emperour then you be exceeding welcome into my Court wherein I may well assure my selfe cannot be founde two Knighte in whom can be found so much anâ—â—rosity as in you onely but tell mee I pray you whether the King my most honourable Father will come speedily vnto this Cittie My Lord answered Belcar I am sure it wil not be a wéeke before he arriue here For he was readie to depart when I entreated him to let vs goe before to bring you newes thereof The Emperour maruellous ioy full of this aunswere turning himselfe with a laughing countenance towardes the King of Hungarie saying to him Brother receaue to you Belcar your Sonne whose vertues and good manners make him so amiable that euery braue man of good iudgment wold be to him in steede of a Father in this behalfe As the Dominators of Greece spake these words Belcar falling vppon his knees kissed honourably his Father King Frisols hand who embraced him with great loue the trickling teares standing in his eyes and at length the French Prince seeing his Cosen Recindes in face ranne vnto him with open Armes to giue him the accolladâ—e and could not almost speake for extreame gladnes which seazed his heart in recognising him Which the Spaniard perceauing alighted quickly from his Horse to embrace him and after they had shewed manie familiar louing cherrishings one to another he went to doe his dutie to the Emperour who receaued him most ioyfullie as did likewise all the â—eigneurs and Barrons of the Court whereof the greatest part esteemed themselues verie happie if they might come next to offer them the gentle welcome and if all the beholders were very glad of this sodaine and inexpected ioy whereof euerie one had a good share that of Pinedes was so abundant that it could not be expressed hauing seene him perfourme the valiant and famous acts which you haue to fore vnderstood Then tooke the Emperour Recindes by the hande and the King of Hungarie his Sonne Belcar whome they lead straite to the Pallace where beeing disarmed they went honourably to kisse the Empresse hand who entertayned them with most kinde spéeches During which Melissa who heard them by the only instinct of the vnspeakeable ioy which she felt in minde reuested in the superficies of her face such a naturall beautie that it was an admirable thing to behold Full well did the two knights marke it when they came to doe reuerence to Philocrista Francheline and to her who represented the third Goddesse So that thinking her selfe thrice happie to haue bin knowne worthie the presents of two worthy and excellent Princes embraced many times her brother Belcar amiably Neuerthelesse with more than a singuler affection and without any meane as it falleth out manie times to those who are striken with the same Dart that shee was shee entertained Recindes her loyall and perfect louer And beleeued firmely by that which her Brother sent her when the youngman brought her the first coate of Armes that shee knewe indéede the whole discourse of their secretes wherein she found great consolation shewing oftentimes to her louer by many signes gratious aspects and other duâ—â—â— Embassages of loue what was her intention which Recindes did the like for his part toward her In this meane time Belcar was busie in beholding the extreame beautie of Franchâ—line whereof he was greatly astonished not without thinking Palmendos a most happie man to haue won so much honour in winning her for his wife And albeit hee was well contented with Alderine the onely Lady of his heart yet hee could haue wished to haue had this for his Mistresse which passion could not be so well dissemble but in embracing Palmendos hee must néedes tell him in smiling manner Truely Sir it was for my great good I was not present at the bridge of Carderie when you arriued there for obtayning nowe so caste victorie of me what would you haue done when your heart was so much pricked forwarde to purchase so rich a treasure as Francheline is No marueile then if you haue shewed that prowesse vpon me which euerie man hath manifestly knowen in you seeing before your eyes a beautie sufficient to make able the most coward and faint harted knight that
who vnderstood her well speaking for her set one knée on the grounde and made this answere Madame in very déede I beléeue your Lyon neuer sawe this Damsell before because shee commeth but nowe from a 〈◊〉 Lande farre distant from these Countries but hée presageth the great desire which the Knight who sent her vnto you hath to doo you seruice and also can iudge of the high choyce of this Princesse beeing Daughter to the Soldan of Persia for so much as the Lyons by nature as being Kings among the foure footed Beasts doo recognize and knowe perfectly the illustrious and royall bloud So hee procéeded to declare the Embassage which Prince Edward gaue him incharge to deliuer by worde of mouth beside the letter which he had already giuen into her hand praysing him in valour and curtesie aboue all the Knights to whom the fower Elements had euer lent any influence of harmonicall constitution And told her moreouer how he caused him self to be called the Knight of the Dogge by reason of a very great and fayre Dogge that he carried along with him which was of so good knowledge that hee ayded and succoured him greatly in his necessities Squire my friend replyed the Princesse Gridonia I make no doubt but that the Knight of the Dogge is both magnanimious and of great Prowesse séeing that without knowing me hee hath had this remembrance of me wherein I pray the Lord God to giue me the fauour that according to his merite I may returne him his due guerdon and rewards and giue him so much power and strength as by his happy victory he may chace from my hart the languishing and bitter sorrow which hath ceazed it a long time And for a testimony of the loue and duety I too owe him reciprocally I take and accept this Infant his present in the place and steede of a sister and a good friend and so will I loue and honour her as if wee were both issued out of one wombe For this acceptation and curtesie did Diazan thanke her most humbly in kissing her hand then did hee interprete to the Infant what she said whereat Zerphira bowing her selfe very low did giue her also thankes for her part and then did Gridonia take her by the hand to make her sit downe by her praying her to be of good cheare and to deuise what pastime shee pleased all which Diazan expounded vnto her as well as he could Then shee who perceiued so much honour was done vnto her in eating and drinking alwaies with Gridonia which made her greatly comfort her selfe and droue away all yrkesomnes of the place but not that she could in any wise altogether forget her aduerse and sinister fortune Neuerthelesse she neuer shewed any euident token thereof but very wisely dissembled it whereat Gridonia maruelled not a little but much more at her great riches and iewels which shée carryed about with her Diazan after hee had rewarded the Merchants of Arriace with some present sent them away home to their houses because hee meant to abide there to serue the Infant Zerphira whom he aduertized by the way to take héede least shée shuld speake any thing in fauour of the Emperour of Constantinople to Gridonia nor to shew by any token or signe that she loued him or any of his stocke or kindred Which shee who was both sage and well aduised tooke for so good a forewarning that shee was neuer heard in her presence to speake any thing by affection of this family CHAP. XXII How the Knight of the Dog presented himselfe with the Lady of Arriace before King Frisol who at his entreaties let the widdow alone with her Cittie and how afterward he got the best in a Tourney which was held in his Court and what fell out by occasion thereof DIazan being departed with the infant Zerphira Prince Edward the Lady of Arriace accompanied with twentie knights whom they tooke for their safe conduct tooke their iourney towards King Frisols Court so that arriuing there the third day afterward about euening praier the Knight being in his complete armour except his head-péece and gantlets onely led the Lady by the hand euen vp to the chamber of presence for in this place did the King recreate himselfe with his children and with many other Lords who were come the ther of purpose to see and welcome Belcar not long time before arriued from Durace and there was besides the Quéene his Mother accompanied with Esquiuela Alderine the wiues of Dâ—treus and Belcar his two Sonnes with many other Ladies deuising and sporting themselues together euery one according to their pleasure The King séeing the Lady come in knew presently she was Lady of Arriace and beholding the physiognomie and honest countenance of the Knight iudged with himselfe he descended from some high and great linnage when the Lady prostrating her selfe at his féete thus began to frame her complaint Sir it hath pleased you to cause notice to be giuen me to appeare before your royall Maiestie to the end that vnder the coulour of fortification and assurance of your kingdome you may dispossesse me of my towne of Arriace because it is situate vpon the frontiere confining vpon the Moores your enemies from whom yée suppose putting therein sure guarde and good garrison to shut vp all passage that way to cut off the hostile inuasion which they might other wise make into your Maiesties dominions wherein I maruell much that you addresse your selfe to me being but a poore widow rather than to any other of your vassalls to vse such rigour extremitie towards them considering if you alledge that my sonne is too yong to kéepe quarter and to hold so dangerous a passage I will answer you this reason séemeth not sufficient to execute iniustice towards him but rather ought you as his King soueraigue Lord to take him into your protection and safegarde Nor can you finde iustly any fault that my citty is not well guarded and fortefited séeing I ordinarily kéepe in pay a great number of Knights and Souldiers who do not neglect their duty and diligence aswell in placing Sentinels and Scouts both by day and night within and without my walles as likewise in maintaining all other things which are requisite for a frontire towne besides euery one may presume that in loosing of it I should most of all be endammaged as being depriued of the principall cittie of my domaine which I will not exchange for any other which you shall offer me in recompence to haue it This is the matter I am come to let you vnderstand hoping to finde some pitty and compassion in a Prince so full of clemencie as you are otherwise I would neuer haue presumed to haue béen so bolde to appeare before your presence assuring my selfe if you cause the charters of your Royaltie to be exactlie looked ouer you shall finde it appertaineth not to you by any vassellage but hath alwaies beene the chiefe citie belonging