pynche prycke him so That in his mynde he did endure such preuie payne That then repentyng him he would haue ben right glad and fayne The deede had ben vndone and dayntie for to fight He seketh still delayes and fyrste vnto the Spanishe knight He sendes a messenger of hym to aske his name To whom Mandozzâ— â—toutly sayth he shall not knowe the same But sure for all the rest what power in hym doth lye He shall it know and fecle forthwith if then he lyste to trye The Iudges theare also affyrmed in the same How that their statutes do not bynde him for to shew his name And further in the case the Lawyers all do saye How that thaccused partye ought to see the fyght alwaye And reason yelde not for because theyr bookes so be But in Fauorem vitae was the cause of that decree Which when the Countie heares althoughe he dyd dystrust His parte yet of necessitie make manhode now he must And beinge vsed to suche skirmishes before He armes him selfe forthwith and feareth lesse therfore And settynge vp his brystels then lyke as the forest Bore Unto thappoynted place he comes and theare doth see His foe in Armoure blacke well harnessed to be In sygne of combate then he semes alustie knyght And brauelye prauncyng vp downe he feareth not to fyght So then the Duchesse fayre was sent for out of hand Whiche is not sorye sure inoughe these newes to vnderstand Yet in her ioyfull mynd alwayes much museth shee FroÌ„ wheÌ„ce thunhoped help doth cum or who that knyght should bee That then had promised to do so muche for her So she is caryed to the feyld within an horselytter Beyng couered with tylt of Blacke Accompanyed With number great of Ladies sayre and damsells by her syde Attired all in blacke they bryng her to the place Whear as the people the knightes did tarie for her grace Thus then shee mounted is vppon a litle stage Sreight waye the Iudges which the fell â–ª appointed weare to gage Demaund of her sith that she is accused by The Countie Pancalyer as gyltie of adulterie And sith the custome is that you a champion maye Prouide bi fight to proue your right Within a yeare and daye How saye you now thearfore Madame do you agree By this same knight your innocence approued nowe maye be Will you that on his force alone your right shall lie If you by him wyll wage your lawe your fautlesse truth to trye Speake now what you thinke best And theare on shall the issue rest ¶ The Duchesse answereth I do repose my ryght In God which knowes the same in the manhode of the knight To him my cause coÌ„mit do I Indifferent to liue or dye ¶ But tost in troubled mynde she thinketh sure that hee A stranger neuer knowne to her sum captaine stoute should bee So on her knees she falles and lyftyng vp her eyes O Lord that art on highe saith she in throne aboue the skies Thou knowest the truthe vntryed O Lorde maintaine my part Pleade thou my cause for y u doest see the secretes of my hart No cloked craft so close â–ª that anie man can hyde But vnto thee discouered the same is well espied Let not this tyrant fearce which thriffes my blood to spill Triumphe on my simplicitie confound him in his will O Lorde which thy poore flocke from Wolues defendest still Let not this blooddy butcher nowe thy selie Lambe heare kyll O Lorde looke downe at laste turne not awaye thy face From sinners poore Bestow on me the tresure of thy grace Thou seest my innocence thou knowest the payne and smart That I endured hope to thee I do commit my part As Hester thou didst helpe when shee did make her mone So Lord helpe mee for why my hope remaynes in thee alone As Susan fayre thou didst delyuer in her woe And Iudith from the myghty hand of Holoferne also From this same Centaure fearce saue me O Lorde I praye Which of myne honour so dyd seeke to beare the spoyle awaye And then with fixed eyes shee still behouldes the ground With looke amased staryng lyke as shee weare in a sounde Mandozze now no more the Countie can abyde But raigyng then wyth countnance fearce to him forthw t doth ride And sayth Thou Traytour I do now most playnlie see Thy accusacion agaynst this Pryncesse falce to bee Inuented for dispite most wicked man alyue And as I saye the truth of it so God graunt me to thryue And that thou her belyest I will the same mayntayne Euen in thy hart right falslye thou this vylanie didst fayne And wretched Parrycyde thou hast deserued to dye For murdrynge of thy Nepheu pore whose gyltles blood doth crye For vengeance iust before the face of God to paye The due deserued hyre furthwith and this which I do saye By force in fight I will approue it by and bye Thy wicked breath infectes the ayre thy lyfe offendes the skye The light doth loth thy looke tis time for thee to dye But now by dint of swerd with thee the truth heare will I trye Hee had no soner saide but strayght with courage stowte The Countie fearce as Forest bore these wordes hee blustred owt Defamed villayne thou which nowe hast hid thy name Lest y t thy filthy faultes they might be vttred with the same Darest thou to warrant her which thus hath forfaited By whordome vyle for to defile the Duke her husbandes bedâ— Afrayd for vilanye though knowne y e woldest not bee Yet may thy shamelesse wordes declare so muche of thee That thou sum Ruffian one of her mates mightest seme A vakabound dispysed knaue whom no man doth esteeme And therfore with dispite to thee I will maintaine That thou doest sasâ—ie speake of mee and so I do againe Dofte thee as a slaue whose due desertes require No better but with her to bee â–ª burned within one fyre Or at an Horses taile for to be drawen about The towne to thend all wanton ladyes still maye stand in doubt To do the lyke as well as ruffians such as thou Which dailie do entise to ill they care not whom nor how So then the Heraulde did begin to make the crye For so the custome did require the knightes imediatlye Sets 〈◊〉 eares into the reste and â—rth on breathed â—â—â—se They run till ioining both theyr sheldes their speares w t such a force â—nto their Gauntlets broke â—heir bodies metyng so â—â—at both to gether tusklyng downe â—â—to the ground do goe 〈…〉 holdeth fast 〈…〉 aynes within 〈…〉 ch beate in hartes they haue 〈…〉 sire to win 〈…〉 nge vp agayne 〈…〉 to fight 〈…〉 swerdes a Combate then 〈…〉 to â—â—yght The one doth thyrst alwayes the others blood to spyll No blowe was yet not lent but it was well repayed styll And so longe tyme they fyght and still the victorie Doth seeme betweene them both with dowtfull wynges to flye The peoples gasing eyes do looke for suche a blow By Lord Mandozze his hand y t might the Câ—â—ntie ouerthrow The 〈◊〉 lyfe and death in 〈◊〉 euen doth lye Sumtime more like to liue shee is somtime she lookes to die It was right hard that whyle the heauyer payse to know The wayght is lifted vp and doâ—â— it turneth with a blowe For now must manlyke 〈…〉 Discerne the better rig 〈…〉 ¶ Not heare the truth by 〈…〉 but by the swerde the 〈…〉 And he must keepe his 〈…〉 that would not lea 〈…〉 Such lawe at large 〈…〉 they pleade and 〈…〉 The Captaines Oration to Souldiers Added by the Translaetour The letter of the Duchesse to Lord Mandozze Exhortacion to pa 〈…〉 Translatâ—or A â—ump by the Translatâ—or The Prayer of the duchesse by the translatour The orâ—der of the Coâ—bat 〈◊〉 bâ— the 〈◊〉 flaâ—our
sent From God â–ª Not come by chaunce no byrd is caught in net But by the prouidence of God which doth not it forget The Prophete Amoâ— saith theare neuer chaunce the ill Within the citie but the same â—he lord doth send it still And that by holye Iob. appeareth verie plaine On whom the deuell had no power till he did leaue obtaine Of God â–ª You must besure that tribulacions are The tokens true which plainly doe the lected flocke declare It shewes a certaine sygne that Gâ—d regardeth vs. Read al the holy scriptures through and you shall fynde it thus To drinke in cup of his passion he doth prepare For them whom he doth loue as such as his â—â—eâ—cted are Since that by Caim fyrst Abell aâ—licted was And Isaake by Ismaell his brother in like case And Ioseph iuste whom his owne brothers once did sell Loke on the Lordes elected flocke children of Israell Whom vnder the Aegiptyan kynge The Lord did vnto bondage bringe ¶ And led them thence againe Through Seas in midst deuyded To happy land at last Which for his people he prouyded Consider this also the which saint Paule doth saie That if we had not hope in Chryst but for this lyfe alwaye We myght account our selues most wretched wightes to be The very beastes that fead on grasse weare nothinge worse then we Our greife is small to that which Christ for vs dyd beare The myghty god which of the worlds dyd make the goodlye spheare And all thearin to whom bothe heauen and earthe â—bayes Which fixed starres in skies hath set and axe of heauens stayes Did suffer to be called sonne of a Carpenter A dyuelishe man a glotton and of sinners fauourer And falce seductour Then consider heare vnto That we myght better clothed be how barely he did goe A prysoner also he was content to bee That we from hel Sathans bands for euer myght be free Hym selfe a sacryfyce on alter of the crosse Was offered also for to repayre ould Adams losse Remember then that from his griefe proceades our ioye And froÌ„ his paynes our perfect bliâ—â—â— the ease of our anoye The cause why he sustained greyfe Was certaynely for our releyfe ¶ Then we shoulde be ashamed so dayntye for to be A crowne of thornes to beare a whilâ— wherfore madame sayth he Euen in the name of God take comfort nowe I praye Dispise this death arme your selfe with pacience alway For God hath force full soone the furie of your foe To tame for to suppresse his rage doth not the Lorde also Regarde thaflicted flocke respect the people poore He whiche doth raise the fallen folke can you agayne restore To greater ioye and ease then that you had before The waylinge wretches woe hee sees with piteing eye And heares the mournfull mone of them that liue in myserye He is the happie Hauen for hartes that be opprest The comfort to the comfortlesse the wearye bodies rest To them in darknes â–ª he doth giue the louelie light Repose your hope in him Make him your Champyon for to fight The persecuted poore Saint Mathew sayth they bee The blessed ones which shal of heaueÌ„ the happie kyngdome see And with his godlie talke when that the knight had done The Duchesse was so rauished in contemplacion That then her soule should seeme to tast immediatlye Of ioyes deuine would furthwyth from out her bodie flye Shee feeles her selfe euen then to be aledged so As one in daunger great of late escaped had thearfro And then shee doth confesse her mynde and nothinge leaue Behinde which she remembred then her coscience to greaue But then at last vnto her accusation shee Doth saye I will not aske my God absolued for to bee For anie cryme in deede or thought against the right Of maryage excepted this that to a spanishe knight Once heretofore I wote I was affected so That fayning for deuocion to see him I did goe Wythout that euer he had any thynge of mee Saue that good will alone whearin to him I did agree Whearfore my God displeasd hath suffred nowe I see These accusations false on me so lewdlye layde to be But seynge that it is his will I houlde my selfe contented still ¶ When in this sorte all her confession was done A Diamond ryche from finger fayre she draweth of anon And sayth fayre father I a Pryncesse ryche haue bene But all my goodes and Iuels now from me are taken cleane Saue this fame rynge the whiche the kynge my brother gaue Mee at my maryage daye and for because I haue No other meanes to do you good I geue you this And kepe it wel you know not what the valewe of it is Perchaunce it maye releyfe your Couent at a neade The Kynge receyued is And home the Fryers tâ—udge with speade When they weare paste the place Mandozze by and by With earnest gesture then doth say good father I espy This woman pore is nowe hearein accused wrongfully The CouÌ„ty Traitour vile w t shame deserued hath to die And therfore now I am determined to fyght Untill last breath of all my lyfe for to defende her ryght I feele my selfe at harte to be attaynted so That longe me thinkes the time tyll to the purpose I may go Wherfore if I do fayle by fortune ill I praye After that I am slayne let me be knowen abrode strayght waye And let the Duchesse beare this heauye newes of me But if I skape aliue whiche is vnpossyble to be But by the CouÌ„tie hys death then keape all my affayres In cecret still And so that night being spend in godlie prayers When daye so cleare had maâ—e the darksome cloudes to flye And Horse fuâ—lled with Amrosse drewe Phaebus in the skye He makes him selfe to be in Armour surely â—yght And to the towne on Courser strong furth rydes the valyant knyght And knockyng at the gate with thuneryng voyce doth saye Unto a Porter my good freinde I praye thee go thy waye To Countie Pancalyer and bid him to prepare Him selfe for to maintaine the same which he doth heare declare Against the Duchesse iuste and that heart is a knight Which will compell him to denye the same eare it be night And that I will cut of that vile and trayterous tonge which durst pronouÌ„ce y e wordes to do so noble a Princesse wronge Let him come out him selfe the better to acquite For of the traytour chuffe I thinke it longe to haue a sighte I hope with heaue and how to be vppon â—is Iacke That he shall thinke he beares the diuell vpon his backe These newes are blowen about the Citie by and by And all the paryshe churches full of folkes one might espye Which for their Ladie now to God on high do praye So whilst this ambassage was done Mandozze rydes his waye On lustie fomynge steade vnto the Piller wheare The accusation written was and so abydeth theare To see Thaccuser come but wheÌ„ the Countie this doth kno Remorse of conscience doth
The moste notable Historie of JOHN Lord MANDOSSE Translated from the Spanish by T. de la Peend 1565. ¶ To the ryght worshipfull syr Thomas Kemp Knyght Ryght worshypfull syr wheÌ„ thankfulnes had presented vnto mine eies the bookes whearein the names of my frends are imprynted I founde you for sundrye causes possessyng an high place thearein Whearfore though it fall not to my fortune presently to acquit discharge my duty yet these as certaine signe of my good will to the vttermost of my small powre may grately you in the meane time Which as they are y e simple frutes of my small Orcheyard the trauayle of my rude Muse I to the iudgment of the learned and dyscreate Readers Wishynge to your worshyppe perfeete felicytye From the mydle Temple Your kydesman to commaund T. Delapeend ¶ To the Reader VNto the Iudgement of the wyse and learned I Submit my paynes to pleasure theÌ„ perswaded thorowlye That with aduisement they will speake and reason ryght Shall rule theyr tongues whearfore vnto syr Momus more dyspyte I gyue these same that he a whyle maye gnawe theron To whet his poysoned raÌ„ckling teth I cast the curre a bone Lest that hee seeke to byte my name behynde my backe To saye that here his verse is lame or here good sence doth lacke For I ofte times haue heard the vyle despysed sorte Blynd ignorantes of worthie bokes to make suche rashe reporte That when in order good they could not read the same They doubted not by slauÌ„derous wordes the aucthors to defame That learned men alowe these same it shall to me Suffyse Of Momes I do not seekâ— commended for to be Let them that no tyme spare to speake all that they maye To mee and I will answere them right sone at eche assaye Theyr brutishe braynes vnfit to iudge of melodye Their blinded wittes sences stopt do vnto them denie The vse of reason so that monsters ryght they be Despised dregges of men to them in shape alone agree Or els ryght 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and currysh whelpes they weare Their iudgementes I do now dispise theyr rage I do not feare The Argument THe mercye of God is merueylous VVhich wheÌ„ it pleaseth him to exteÌ„d On men no wile so mischeuous Can it peruert from perfect end As in this worthye hystorye It by a Duchesse maye appeare VVhich faslye of adulterye Accused is condemned heare For to be burned in a fyre As then the custome did requyre But God which still defendeth ryght From deathe hath her delyuered By prowesle of a Spanishe knyght VVhom afterward she maryed The Historie of Iohn Lorde Mandozze WHeÌ„ Enuy blacke doth breed within the boyling brest When rampynge rage of rancour rules wheare reason it shulde rest Then will doth beare the swaye Wheare wyt shuld haue the waye ¶ Syth men of lyke estate and matches meat in myght Within one countrey dwellyng seld agree Syth that despyte Doothe dwell wyth famous men Syth wealth doth worke the woe And plenty placeth pryde oft tymes It is not straunge that so Debate dyd grow betwene The Mandozzâ—s and eke Tolledoes famylyes Moste auncyent noble gentlemen and cheyfest lynes lykewyes In all the prouince theare By worthy workes theyr fame Was blowen aboute All Europe then it dyd resound the same O noble region Spayne for frutes that fertyle soyle And happy with the golden mines for which most men do toyle O Realme more riche when that these houses did agree O happy soyles whearein such men borne or brought vp they bee Of both these famylyes ryght noble Gentlemen There were but yet the lusty Lord Iohn of Mandossa then Dyd farre excell them all in euery exercyse Most valiant most actyue and ryght polityke lyke wyse He was beloued muche of all the coÌ„mons theare Accepted for hys courtesye with prynces euery wheare As Pallas paynted had his minde with lerned arte Euen so dame Nature then in hym ryght well had wrought her parte His lymmes were fynâ—ly framd hys ioyntes so strongly knyt That as the Simphonye alwayes doth please the eares so it The gasyng eyes of men doth still delyght as muche No paynter for his portrature could pycture any suche The Grekishe paynter myght an hundred graces theare haue seene which erst in soÌ„dry shapes he found not any wheare And as hys shape did shew right semelie to the syght So for his force he was well knowne to be a valiaunt knight In auncyent hystoryes his highe renowmed fame Aduaunced hath vnto the skyes the glorye of his name By space of forty yeares these famylyes betweene For sondry causes then dissention great had beene All stoute of eyther parte they wolde in no wise beare Wrong vnreuenged longe wherfore small skirmishes there weare Betwene them often times Alwaies when they might meate With weapons drawne y â— one did vse the other for to greate But once with Armyes great they met theyr myght to trye By dynt ofswerd they wold discerne theyr matters by and by And so the youthly Lord Mandossa then did beare The rule charge as cheiftain stoute of all hys armye theare Though to Minutyus he might be matched well For corage Yet for counsell did not Fabius hym excell When that his foes he vewes in glistring armour dyght His soldiers in such sorte he doth encorage then to fyght Behole my frendes sayth he the tyme approcheth neare This day we must by maÌ„hode great withstand our enmyes heare Our enemyes sayth hee how simply they be guyded How rage rules them reason vs how well we be prouided Of armour good and men though not so many as they Yet such as do not fear to spend their blood I dare well saye Now now this tyme shall trye if such as we appeare We do acquyt our selues lyke men to fyght with lusty cheare Who wold not rather chuse to dye then liue with shame As dastardes for to be despisd to lose the worthy fame Which with their blood before our auncestores haue wonne Shuld we faint hartes not folow theÌ„ to do as they begonne What bondage is so vyle what yoke so hard to beare As for to stoope vnto the foe and styll to lyue in feare Our auncestours with landes dyd leue vs lybertie Shuld we enthral our selues therfore for feare and doubt to dye To beare the blot of blame For euer in our name ¶ Who lookes to lyue so longe in bondage for to bee Can stomakes stout of manlike men to seruyle yoke agree O happy death that doth exempt from miserye The noble Romayne Captaines dyd not double for faine to dye Are we not able now to kepe the worthy fame that earst by blood was won shal waÌ„t of courage lose the â—aine What wolde our frendes say then and all the men that shall Heare of the shame that shuld by cow wardyse vpon vs fall No man theron wold pâ—tye take But euery one wold vs forsake ¶ Our parenies dead and shut in happy feylâ—os â–ª they will For
thearon vp go they by and by Unto the Duchesse then theyr purpose to begyn And to her chamber so when they weare entre◠〈◊〉 He maie perceiue how 〈◊〉 doth hardlye drawe her winde And for the suffocation of her matryce he doth fynde Furthwyth that she would haue a stomoke very weake With dobled tongue w t in her mouth full sayntlye she could speake He doth to them declare what daunger she is in With manie protestations his tale he doth begine Fyrst biddinge euerie one to drawe them selues asyde Whylst he by further talke may fell how she her selfe shall guide And so fâ—rth with they goe awaye And leaue hym there his mind to say ¶ Now that all these afayres the better he myght hyde With him an od perfume he brought the force wherof was tryed To be so strange that by the smell thearof strayght waye The Duchesse in such fyttes lyke one halfe dead long tyme shee laye Tyll force thearof were gone and then to her agayne The 〈…〉 and wonted hue it did fourth with remaine The Duchesse lyked that so well that in her minde She thought all men cold not for her a fytter medcine fynd Amonge them three then is the matter handled so That through y e town y e comen brute From mouthes of men doth go The Duchesse neades wyll dye the Duke doth vnderstand Heareof and sent for all the best Phisicians out of hand That were in Thurin then to this entent that they Shuld looke to her which being cuâ—â— Unto the Duke strayght waye Unto her chamber vp they all together goe The Duke with them desires to here how that his wife maye doe Whose colour in her face was altered so much That shee appeared then as thoughe shee neuer had bene suche And they which her before had seene Oâ—ght doubt if she the same had bene ¶ For why of Appian she tooke perfume before That of her health Phisycians Despayred euer more And so when all they had consulted what they could With maister Appian they doubt what waye thearin they should Take And at last they come the Duke vnto and saie Twere best y t for her soule he should prouyde the best he maye The Duke be yond all mesure aflycted then with greife Sendes for the byshopps suffragane a man of Godlye life That he should her exhort stedfast in fayth to be And of this father olde furthwith confessed then is she With voyce so faint God knowes â—er wordes were vttered As though not of this world she were she seemed then halfe dead Her piteous ruthfull lookes perswaded euerye one That from her senceles corps furthewith 〈…〉 be gone Yet thâ—nkes be vnto God a faythfull soule was she She hopes ere it be longe in shrift with spanishe Lord to be The Bishop in few wordes with her had quycklye done Her nature faylynge sure he thought that death was comminge on The Duchesse gyues him thankes desyrynge that he will Amonge his daylye orisons her soule remember still Then streyght the lustye Lordes and Ladyes do cum in One doth bewayle her wofull case an other doth begin To gyue her counsell that to dye she maye prouide And lykneth men vnto the flower that can not long abyde The Duchesse then begyns in frantike furyous fitts To beate her selfe and taketh on as shee had lost her wysts Amased thear with all as manye as are by Do thinke how y e her life will leaue her corps imediatlye 〈…〉 One wyse amonge the rest Alowd to her both crye O souerayne thinke on christ y e which on crosse for vs did dye Another willeth her on other sayntes to call The noyse is great but Emilie which knowes her counsells all Saynt Iame sayth she from youthe you shorshypped alwaies To heare of him the duchesse streight as in a traunce shee stayes She rules with vylage wan her deadlye downward eyes And tremblyng verye fynelye then with â—â—low voyce shee cryes O gloryous Apostle whych me dydst helpe alwaye If by thy intercession my health this tyme I maye Recouer well to thee due honour for to doe Unto the place whearas thy corps is buryed wyll I goe When fayned prayers she had ended in this wyse To trie if shee can sleape a whyle she shuâ—he 〈◊〉 heauye eyes And 〈…〉 rest she dyd contynew so Then euerye one therfore furth of her chamber straight doth go Exept the Duke alone which could not go awaye But for his louyng spouse her health to God on hyghe doth praie Two howres then beyng past the Duchesse in her bed Doth stirre more liuelie then before and holdeth vp her head That one myght see she was well eased of her payne With strength she casteth furthe her armes plucks them in again The Duke her husbande then with liuely chearfull eye With heauie hue leninge besyde her head she doth espye And then about his necke her heedles armes doth caste And kyssing him she sayd good Lord three howres not fully past I thought I should haue left these ioyes and all with you But thankes to God eke the saynt to whom I made nâ—◠〈◊〉 I fele my selfe so well amended for to be That if I waxe not worse agayne I dare well warrant thee You shall not yet awhyle be maryed anye more But wheÌ„ y e Duke did heare the same he was so glad therfore That then he had no power to speake one word at all But marueylynge doth her behould as one that had a fall Downe from on hyghe and styll lyes gasyng on the ground Not knowing wheare he is lyke one that falleth in a sound This past as sone as of these newes the people knoe Reioysing that the Duchesse fayre was then amended so In theyr procession to God great thankes they gyue As was their woÌ„t For wel they hope the Duchesse now will lyue Eche one did wayle her woe and of her health to heare Eche one was glad within the court theare â—aâ—â—â—ged was the cheare They 〈…〉 to styrre whyche earst did sit full sad The Duchesse was so well beloued that euery one was glad To heare the newes and so the Duchesse takes suche heade That she recouered before shee felt dysease in deade Then in her hart began anoter kynd of playe That same dysease she could not help by anye kynde of waye For Lord Mandozze then that fytt continewed so Untyll the Ladye Isabell homeward returned fro Her voyage and forthwith vnto the Duchesse came For that at her departinge thence she promysed the same â–ª So when with other talke the Duchesse fayre and shee Protested had how thone was glad the other for to see To tell her then at last the Duchesse doth not staye How that sore sycke she kept her hed styll sence shee wen◠〈◊〉 Fro thence Nor then shee 〈◊〉 forget to tell her how By grace of God good Saint Iames to whom shee made her vow Her health thearby she hathe recouered aganye If of the Duke her husband then such leaue she may obtaine She
heare to The shifte whiche one could not out find we all may chaunce to do This daunger may perswade you corage for to take Now let vs see what shyfte all wee at such a pynch can make Assaie if you can finde the meanes furthwith to sendâ— Good maister Appian in haste to goe vnto your friend The Lord Mandozze whose so much renowmed fame for force aboue all knights of spaine aruaunced is his name And therfore I would wyshe â–ª you for to wryte a letter To him in louing wordes that hee may lyke of it the better For I knowe no man sure that would aduenture nowe His life so straungelye if that hee do not so much for you Consideringe â–ª the prowes of the Countie so too knowne y e souÌ„diÌ„g trump of fame with praise his name abroade hath blowne You wotte how that he is reported for to be Most valyant and couragious knight in Sauoye â–ª Who â—ut hee The Duchesse then doth bid her doe euen as shee will For I sayth shee am comfortlesse and hardned in myne ill To lyue or dye to me the choyse dothe seme alâ—ne Sithe euery waye my honoure thus for euer more is gone How euer it be no boâ—e I see Both ills do come alyke to mee ¶ Madame saythe Emelye let God therfore prouyde And let vs handle this so well that we be not espyed So Inke and paper she furthwyth to her doth brynge And sayth madame let not your hart fayle you in any thynge The Duchesse drawes asyde perusynge in her spryght The longe dyscourse of all the loue betweeene her and the knyght To whom in fourme as foloweth her letter she dyd wryte ¶ My Lord Mandozze I wryte not on hope to haue Suche remedye by this that you m selye lyfe myght saue Nor feare of dreadfull deathe dothe moue me heare vnto â–ª The zeale of my good will to you doth make me thus to do The soâ—owes sonke â–ª within my heauye harte do now Compell me to declare my carefull case to you Thys stile so rude perchaunce at fyrste may make you muse From whence the letters cum but if it please you to peruse The same you shall perceiue how that your louing friend If you vouchsafe pore freÌ„ds to haue thys greetyng now doth send The same whych you sumtime a princesse â—lad did see A prisoner to shamefull death condemned for to bee You scantly will beleue but yet I feele it so Though you perchaunce may much distaine a captyue for to kno Sith â—â—cklesse starres enforce and â—oo he doth permit Thys same to be sith Fortune now consenteth vnto it Contented I must take good corage vnto me Knowynge the graue a fortresse and a castell stronge to be Whearas agaynst such harde assaultes we saufely may Take rest and yet from fortuÌ„es force defende our selues alwaye Whearfore with fyxed eyes I do behoulde the graue Alwayes the onely hope for helpe and comforte that I haue Thys onely fault I do in this my death espye That by the treason of my foe I am condemde to dye And thearfore thoughe theat by desert I can not craue Sum grace of you though I can loke nâ— helpe of you to haue Yet will I now present before your eyes how I Forsoke my contrey whear so longe I lyued dayntelye In honour great and ease to put my selfe vnto So many peryle as but fewe of myne estate would doe Chaungyng my life which I before that tyme had styllâ—â— Enioyed in happy quietnes with pleasures at my wyll To take on me the attyre a Pylgryme pyld to be By hyls and dales on foote to goe the wayes vnknowne to me For passynge feruent loue which I dyd beare to you Whom theÌ„ I had not sene wherfore me thinkes these same may now Your conscyence assault so sore that thys may make Your gentell harte on my ill sucke sume pitie for to take For I not onelie in a paynfull prison lye But to a cruell Tyrantes power a subiect nowe am I. And more then that eche howre in daunger for to lose My lyfe which I full sone to do with all my hart wolde chose Whearto I had my selfe aduaunced longe agoe To haue rested in another lyfe saue that by doynge so I should myne honour lose and leaue vnto my name An herytage of infamye for to dyscend with shame And therfore syth that loue Doth beare wyth it no pryce Nor can not pay it selfe exceptâ— the trybute do aryse From other loue yet paye the auncyent frutes most due Unto my loue so shall I saye I found your promyse true So shall you paye the hyre Which frendshyp doth require ¶ And sythe to Paradyse that pytie is the gate Behould a wofull Pryncesse now a wretche most desolate Which looks for nothinge els But latest destenie For to be burnd as selye lambe prepard to sacrifyce And that I thinke you would be very lothe to see Or els dessembling wordes ere this haue muche beguyled me The rest this bearer now by worde of mouth maye tell Whom as my selfe you maie be bold for to beleue him well And so accownt of him in euerye case I praie And saufelye vnto him commit your counsells styll you maie Yf it shall please you so and thus I make an end Desiringe God good life to you to me fayre dethe to lend The letter sealed vp fayre Emelie doth take It sone And willeth Appian all speade thearwith to make And to thintent he should consider that the better A dosen kisses sweete also she geues him with the letter And neade inoughe For he poore soule was shronke awayâ— For thought she gaue hiâ— not so much before then manie a daie Well cheared vp is he more gladder muche he is Then if an hundreth pounds of coine he had in place of this Within his face againe appeareth liuelie blood The blessed lyps of Emelye had done him so great good That his purgacions and paâ—trye physike suche For his disease by twenty partes could not auayle as muche He trotteth now about his busines by and by He pratleth to hym selfe apace as pleasant as a Pys. And sondry notes he tuneth to the name of Emelye He passeth not a whyt in anie place to goe Sith that his mysterysse he may get out of a prison so He was so glad and fayne her hest for ot obaye That he to trauaile ceased not as well by night as daie Till that aryued in Spayne neare to the place 〈◊〉 he Did knowe the Lord Mandozze erst was wonte most times to be So theare he askes his host both how and in what place That Lord was theÌ„ â–ª which tould him how he was in very ill case As any knyght mygth be â—yr why of late saith he ¶ Hys auncient ennemies Tolledoes whom before In euerie skirmishe he was wonte to vanquishe euermore With such an armye they are entred on his lande That Lord Mandozze was to weakâ— theyr force for to withstande For once discomfayted his souldiers fled awaye Unto a
clewe to bygge dispatche â— dolefull â—estenies Make hast that this your stint weare done shut vp my wofull eyes You mournefull damned spryghtes and Furies systers lad Cum sit w t me my mates most meet in wofell weades iclad Singe to my mourning songe with dreadâ—ull shrekinge crye Syth giltlesse I condemened am a shamefull deathe to dye But now the Duchesse in her dumpes we leaue alone In sondry raginge fyts as she contineweth in her mone Tyll-time may weare her woe and qualifye her greyfe â–ª Or god which doth the trueth well know shall send her sum releife Mandozze now this whyle restes not by nyght or daye But thinketh on the Duchesse and her woefull case alwaye At last him selfe dothe see that hee vnworthy weare The worship of a knight to haue or noble armes to beare If he for feare to helpe the afflycted shoulde denie Especyalye such Ladye fayre whose force alone dothe lye In teares theyr wretchednes alwaies to wepe and wayle And with him selfe by thys at last so much he doth preuaile That he disheryted to dye wolude rather chose In honour then to liue longe tyme and his good name to lose For want of corage so remembringe with the same How that in hys prosperitie to hym the Duchesse came How can I now sayth he forsake her in her woe Ten deathes to dye more lefe had I then once to sayle her so Thus sone he order geâ—es for all thinges neadfull to Defence of such a towne And doth furthwith to Thurin goe With horse and harnesse good as anye man myght neade And so aryued at Thurin he enquyred theare with speade If anye Spanyardes be in towne And so he heares But of one olde relygious man which theare this twenty yeares Had ben An holie man and eke beloued well Of all the Cytezens Whych then without the towne did dwell Alone in cottage lowe that he might so eschew The loue lust of worldly thinges his flesh for to subdew Such is relygious lyfe he lyued not in ease Lyke epycures in houses bye such places as myght please A Prince ryght well as they which sumpteouslye did fare And lyue in rest neade who so lyst they take no kynd of care The myghtie God doth see theyr lothsome lustes at last And Baals prestes prophane he doth from out his temple cast But now the Spanyshe knyght hath learned the nearest waye Unto the ould fathers house to whoÌ„ good man he fyrst doth saye I am a Spanyard borne and cum this countrey into For certaine my affayres wherfore I praye thus much to doe On charitie as heare to let me lodge with you These thre or els foure daies at most desyringe nothinge now But lodginge at your hand my seruaunt which you see All other my necessities He maye prouide for me The good ould man at fyrst dyd gladlye graunt him this And masynge at his semelie shape when that his seruaunt is Gone furthe into the towne to bye Sâ—ch thinges as should theyr neade suply ¶ He asketh him his name and of what shire in spayne He is All which the gentle knight to him confesseth plaine The good ould man with teares that fast fall from his face Doth sate O God I geue the thankes which hast geuen me the grace In this mine ould age now to see before I die Within my house so great a Lord whose seruaunt poore am I. And so this father oulde in longe dyscourse doth tell Of many matters past And how be knew his grandsyre well And further him be doth desyre as bouâ—oâ—â— theare For to coÌ„mâ—and his â—ousâ— as thoughe within his owne he weare So then Mâ—â—dozze tells how that he came from Spayne Entendinge into France to goe a while theare to remaine And how that passinge furthe by Liâ—â—us he did heare Thill fortune of the Duchesse whom if that he wâ—st she weare Ungiltie of the cryme he saith he wold defend Her right Or thearin euery drop of his hart blood to spend But in no wise he wold aduenture anye time His lyfe and soule for to defend an other bodies crime All which the good ould man then lyked verie well And saithe my lord I thinke it sure no one alyue can tell The truth hearem except the Duchesse poore and he Which hath accused her But sure as farre as we could see She hath bene euermore a Princesse good and iust But for the Countie Pancalyer which by our â—oustom must Approue the same by fyght beleue me if you lust But sure methinkes you are to younge his force to abyde His manlike might courage stout hath often tymes ben tryed Of all men heare he is estemed for to be Most hardye and redoubted knyght that is in Lomberdye But yet the victorie in God his handes doth rest And that he wyll dispose alwaies as it shall please him best Euen as by Dauid it appeareth verye plaine Which then a boye Goliah great the Giant fearce hath slaine The knight doth answere him a waie I haue found out To satisfye my conscience and to dissolue my doubt But I heare to small good can doe whearfore I must heare in Be bould to craue some ayde to haue of you eare I begin Under the colour to confesse the Duchesse I The truth maie know and so if you thinke good imediatly I will be polde and haue my beard cleane cut a waie And get me garmentes like to yours for so me thinkes we maie Be suffred sone vnto The Duchesse for to goe ¶ I thinke we should haue lycence sith that the time drawes neare To exorte her styll with pacience her troubles for to beare The good ould father glad to him doth then agre As well for zeale as reuerence to his nobylitie And so prouision made for all thinges fit thearto Like freirs to the castell of the Duchesse streight they goe He that the noble knight attyred so should see Would skantlie then haue taken him so great a Lorde to be What with the iestures sâ—tt which he so well could faine And greyfe for wars at home al with the Duchesse woes againe Made him to looke more like a Pylgrim porely fed Which lyke S. Iohn in wyldernes his lyfe alone had lead Then anie lustie Lord. when to the Castell they Weare cum the good ould man vnto the porter sone doth saye My masters seing that the time doth drawe so nye Wheaâ—in the Duchesse as I heare â—ndemned is to dye We are come now thearfore to exhort her patiently To take her death that she may gain eternall lyfe thearby They to her chamber are admytted to goe in And then Mandozze friâ—r fayre to her doth thus begin The peace of God with you the Duchesse then doth saie Good father why speake you of peace and I in stryfe alwaie Abyde bereft of â—oye gyltlesse condemnde to dye A shamfull cruell death also to heape my myserye Mandozze then which had his youth in learning spent Madame saithe he you knowe right well afflictions all be