and after he had long lyued in rest and prosperitie hee dyed leauing the yong Prince Netrides fiftéene yéere olde and in the custodie of his elder brother Tarisius This Netrides growing in good constitution of bodie and behauiour béeing well beloued generally so gracious gentle and well gouerned he was as the Lords Knights Gentlemen the people of Hungaria esteemed him more then their King Tarisius who béeing crowned after his fathers decease loued Netrides as brotherhoode required till Fortune enuious of this concorde not willing that the vertues of this yong Prince should be there extingushed changed his affection into excéeding hatred by an occasion héereafter following One daie the King Tarisius walking in his Garden to take the ayre left his Brother Netrides in his Chamber accompanied with the Quéene who without imagination of any harme nor that his fatall staâ—s woulde sort him anie mis-fortune sactte downe in the Kings chayre as he talked with the Quéene and continued there so long till Tarisius came vp and founde him there sitting which he tooke in such ill part as in a great rage he thus begaâ—me Who made thée so audacious and presumptuous to sitte in my seate against thy duety and my liking By mine honor thou hast doone more then thou wéenâ—st and if I sée the like againe or I may but heare thereof thy heade shall pay the price of thy folly Netrides who of his owne nature was humble and gentle fell downe on his knée intreating the King his Brother to pardon him for what hee had doone was not with any intent to displease his Maiestie but an ouersight and that so he would permit it to passe The King made him no aunswere because hee tooke Netrides reasons for no payment but conceiued a secret hatred in his minde by this occasioÌ„ of so slender moment which increased thence forward as the matter prouoking a fierie Meteore so that he did repine at his Brother so much as he would not speak to him nor affoorde him a good countenaunce Then called he to remembraunce the loue of his people towardes hys Brother and if this hatred should come to their knowledge for so small a cause he imagined they woulde displace him and make Netrides King For which cause hee intended to haue him slaine and the execution â—â—reof hee committed to one of his Archers but God who is euermore the preseruer of the innocent would not suffer such a damned déede of paracide to take effect Which Tarisius perceiuing and finding one day his Brother alone enflamed with this dyscontented humour sayd Netrides thou hast offended mee more then I will now stand to argue on I therefore banish thée my Court and Kingdome and looke that within three daies thou get thée hence and on thy life not to discouer it to any man or take any one with thée to beare thée coÌ„pany The yong Prince obedient to his Brother made answere that he wold accomplish his charge and so withdrew himselfe into his Chamber not declaring to any one hys cause of heauines Then willing one of his Squires to saddle hys Horse departed so closely as he coulde forbidding anie of his Seruaunts to follow him and such expedition he made as not resting but one night in any lodging he left his brothers kingdome wandering without anie care of himselfe or which way he tooke but went héere and there as fortune pleased to guide him Hauing long time trauailed in Alâ—lemaigne his money fayled him in that at his departure hee was but badlie prouided yet could not his priâ—celie minde abase it selfe to begge so yâ— béeing without meate or drink or anie place to rest himselfe in ashamed of himselfe hee sought to shroude him where none might discrye him and so entring a great Forrest very thicke set with Trées shrubs and bushes hee estéemed this a conuenient place to rest in wherefore alighting from his Horse and turning him to féede layd himselfe downe at the roote of a Trée and thus began to breathe foorth his complaints Ah inconstant Fortune and to me most of all inconstant didst thou erecte me so high and reiect mee nowe thus lowe well then may I saie that more wrong thou doost a man in one houre then right all his life time for it héeretofore thou diddest lende me pleasure and delight thou nowe makest me pay for it and that with vsury too rigorous not leauing anie hope to comfort mee Ah tirranous King cruell and vnmanlike Brother thou hast with shame banished me and brought me into this poore estate wherein I must die Oh happy if I might rather then to liue in the vile estate of beggery So saying he layde him downe among the Hearbes and was supprised with such extreame féeblenes as he fell into his lamentations againe thus Ah my Lord and Father too soone diddest thou leaue me woulde God I then had borne thée company or that at this instant I could come to thee Ah men of Hungâ—ria I am well assured knowing the loue you euer bare me that you will pittie when you heare my afflictions and calamities alas I neuer deserued this vnhappy ende And béeing vnable to continue longer spéeche he there determined to finish his life But better fortune befell him then he expected by the meanes of an auncient Knight named Lombardo who béeing néere hearde all his dolorous complaints This Knight béeing rich and of noble blood had neere that Forrest a strong delightfull and sumptuous Castell and delighted to walke among the woods for his recreation as good hap it was fore Netrides that he walked this euening He hearing these sad and sorrowfull regrets pittie so touched his hart as the teares bedewed hys â—héekes yet would he not trouble him while he continued his mones but afterward came and tooke him by the hand saying Arise my Freende and take courage for you are in the place where you shall finde more good to benefit you then harme to offende you therefore cherish your spirites and forget this heauines which may endaunger you beyond recouerie Netrides séeing this honourable Gentlemanne with his bearde so white as snowe hearing his courteous offer and for him nowe so necessary with ioy feare bashfulnes all coupled togeather accepted it and humbly thanked him albeit quoth he a contented death is better to me them a miserable and dispised life The Knyght comforting him aunswered that it was not in his power to chuse lyfe or death but the founder of the heauens reserued that authoritie in his owne handes With these wordes hee tooke him by the hand and conducted him to his Castell where he was worthilie entertained by the Knight himselfe his Ladie and her Daughter one of the fairest Uirgins in all that Country Lombardo hauing heard all his mis-fortunes and hard aduentures in the night discoursed the whole to hys Ladie wherefore good Wife quoth he entertaine him so well as may be for I assure you he is discended of high degrée and if his manners and vertues bee
and brought him into so weake estate as the learned Phisitions coulde not deliuer the cause of his sicknes to the no small gréefe of the Emperour but especiallie of Caniano yet for all this woulde not the Empresse at anie time visite him because shee woulde hinder the occasion of her Daughters séeing him remembring what spéeches had past betwéene him and the Emperour And albeit Griana made no outward shewe thereof yet in her harte shee was greatlie displeased at her Mothers dealings so that one day when her Brother Caniano came to sée her to recount vnto her in what extreamitie he had left his fréendlie coÌ„panion and what gréefe it would be to him if he died as he greatlie doubted What my Lord quoth she it is not so I hope Yes certainlie quoth he and I feare he will very hardlie escape this day At which wordes the water stoode in her eyes yet so well as she coulde shee dissembled her passions neuerthelesse she could not holde it in but said I meruayle much that the Empresse my Mother makes so slender account of him as since his sicknes shee woulde not vouchsafe once to visite him I feare she hath forgotten what good hée 〈◊〉 for vs that day when he valiantly slew the Turke Gamezio Beléeue me my good Lord and Brother I am harâ—â—lie sorrâ—e for his sicknes for if he die as heauen forbidde quoth shee secretlie the Emperour my Father shall loose more then hée thinketh on the great seruice hee hath doone for him already may giue instaunce of my words and more he béeing the Sonne of so great a Prince as he is By this time had such extreame gréefe ouerburdened her hart as she was constrained feigning to goe to the Empresse ChaÌ„ber to leaue her Brother that she might alone by her selfe bemoane her fréends hard fortune CHAP. V. Howe Griana sent a Ring to the Prince Florendos by Cardina her Mayde desiring him as he loued her to comfort himselfe and of the aunswere he sent her SO soone as Griana hadde left her Brother she went into her chaÌ„ber where more and more shee lamented for the sicknes of Florendos and with her teares shee coupled these discourses May it be that anie liuing creature can deserue so gréeuous punishment as I doo that endaunger the life of the woorthiest Knight in the worlde Unhappy that I am that loue yea the loue he beares to mee should bring so braue a Gentleman to so hard an exigent but if he die such iust vengeaunce will I take vpon my selfe as I wyl not remaine one howre aliue after him and let our ghostes seeke their owne quiet in death that Fortune would not affoorde vs in life Yet will I thus farre first aduenture and that before any sléepe enter these eies of mine try if it consist in my power to ease his extreamitie that buyes my loue at too déere a price And in this anguish of minde she called one of her Damoselles the Daughter of her Nurse named Cardina whom aboue the rest she trusted most and to her she began in manner following Cardina thou knowest the loue I alwaies bare thy Mother and for her sake howe well I haue thought of thée I haue knowne thée long time a true and faithfull Seruaunt but nowe Cardina is a time beyonde all other to make tryall of thy truth and to witnesse thy loyaltie to me onelie as thou art sure so to bee secrete and so secrete as I must put my life and honour into thy secrecie Cardina who was wise and of good gouernement hearing Griana vse such earnest spéeches imagined that she would commit no commoÌ„ matter to her trust with such coniuration whereuppon she modestlie returned thys aunswere Madame rather had I be torne péecemeale in sunder then anie thing you commaunde for secrete shoulde by me be reuealed without your licence and so assure your selfe that while I liue you shall finde mee as faithfull in déede as I promise in worde I neuer hitherto quoth the Princesse had other opinion of thée listen nowe therefore what I shall commaunde thée I haue vnderstoode for certaine Cardina that the gréeuous sicknes of the Prince Florendos is caused by verie earnest loue which hee beares to me for I account it great pittie to loose so good a Knight doo so much as take the paines to goe to him from me and saie I desire him to bee of good chéere and if there bee any thing in my power may doo him good I will gladlie accomplish it as she that loues him as her own selfe and to assure him thereof saie I sende him this Ring which I wyll him to kéepe as a pledge of my loue Madame answered Cardina Fortune spéede me so well as my paines may giue ease to both your passions and might my sentence like you Madame I knowe no Knight so worthy your loue as Florendos Goe then sayd Griana and returne againe so soone as thou canst So went Cardina straite to the lodging of the Prince Florendos at the entraunce whereof shee met the Prince Caniano so heauie and pensiue as might be because he perceiued his Fréend to consume awaie euerie day more and more But Cardina who had well learned her lesson stept aside and would not be séene of Caniano who beeing gone shee went vp to the Chamber where when shee was readie to enter she hearde the Prince coÌ„plaine in this sort Ah poore wretch must thou néedes die without anie hope of remedie And as he would haue procéeded on Cardina stepped to him and after she had saluted him said to him secretelie that the Princesse Griana had sent her to him to vnderstand of his health and beléeue me good Prince quoth she I neuer sawe Ladie so sorrowfull for your sicknes as she is She commendeth her selfe to your honour most hartilie and hath sent you this Ring as an earnest of the looue she beares you desiring you to bee of good chéere and comfort your selfe because she desires to sée you to confer with you of matters that concerne you bothe néerelie These wordes so rauished the spirit of Florendos as a good while he doubted whether he dreamed or that hee might giue credite to what he hearde for albeit he knewe the messenger so well as anie in the Courte yet coulde he not perswade himselfe that hee was so fortunate At length betwéene hope and dispayre he tooke the Ring which he entertained with manie deuoute kysses and embracing Cardina so well as hee coulde thus answered Alas my swéete fréende may it bee possible that my Ladie hath such regard of him who neuer was able to doo her anie seruice Doubt not thereof my Lorde aunswered Cardina and if you will declare your loue answerable to hers in vertue you must giue testimonie thereof by comforting your person that she may sée you so soone as may be Ah fayre Uirgin quoth he let my whole life be imployed in what shall like her diuine nature to coÌ„maunde
howe he excused his consent by the promise he had made before to Tarisius through the dailie and earnest perswasions of the Empresse Notwithstanding quoth he in respect you haue not consented thereto I hope they shall finde themselues farre beyonde their reckoning Nowe for the Princesse she neuer knewe that Tarisius had laboured to haue her to hys Wife because she made so light account of him as she wold rather die then consent thereto whereuppon shee returned Florendos this aunswere The Emperour my Father hath reason to thinke hardlie of my Mother and great discredite will it be to her to procure my mariage against my wil for neuer shall I consent thereto and therefore my Lord I desire your aduise how I may preuent this ensuing daunger Madame answered Florendos my deuise is layd already so please you to accept thereof I will conuey you hence secretlie and before the Emperour or any one know of it into my Countrey of Macedon where I and mine shall entertaine you with great and reuerend honour and you shall be our gracious Lady and Princesse Beléeue me sayd she it is doubtfull in such a iourney what daungers may happen notwithstanding hauing vowed my selfe onlie yours be it to the lyking or dislyking of my Father and Mother I had rather breake through the straights of a greater hazarde then be forced to marrie him whome while I liue I can not like therefore doo you expecte the aduauntage of the time and I will aduenture with you whether you please Madame answered Florendos continue you this resolution and referre the rest to my charge which you shall see effected ere thrée daies be past in the meane while I entend to take my leaue of the Emperour your Father with this excuse that the King my Father commaundeth my returne home for which cause I will sende my traine before reseruing onelie but tenne of my best Knights to accompany me For that quoth Griana doo what you thinke best without anie further expecting me in this place certifie me how things happen by your Cozin Frenate or my Maide Cardina But nowe you sée the daie beginnes to breake wherfore let me desire you to depart that no sâ—andall or suspition arise of our méeting Florendos kissing the Princesse hand though longer hee woulde haue stayde humbly tooke hys leaue and by the helpe of Lerina hee got ouer the Wall againe where Fâ—enato stayed his comming to whâ—m when he was entred his lodging hee imparted the appointment betwéene him and the Princesse desiring him to discharge his trayne except ten of his best approoued Knights to help him if any hinderance preuented his intent as for the rest they should be going on before and stay his câ—mming at an appointed place thrée daies iourney from Constantinople In the morning he awaited the Emperours câ—mming abroad to whom he said that he had receiued Letters from yâ— King his Father with expresse commaundement to make spéedy returne home therefore my good Lord sayd hee I desire to depart with your fauourable lyking and in respect I may not contrary where I am bounde to obey I intend to morrow to set forward on my iourney assuring your highnesse that in what place I shall chaunce to come I am yours in loyall and faithfull seruice My good Cozin aunswered the Emperour I giue you thankes with all my hart for yâ— honour you haue doone me with your gentle presence and if you haue occasion to vse mâ—e in ought you shall perceiue howe highlie I loue and estéeme of you My Lord said Florendos I desire to deserue the great kindnes I haue found alreadie so taking his leaue the Emperour embraced him and as he issued forth of the Chamber he met the Prince Caniano of whom he tooke his leaue likewise who desired him to staie thrée or foure daies loÌ„ger In which time there came to the Courte certaine Ambassadours which yâ— Kinge of Hungaria had sent to the Emperour to conclude the mariage betwéene his Sonne Taâ—â—sius and the Princesse Griana the Duke of Gramay béeing chéefe in this Embassade who was accompanied with manie Knightes and Gentlemen of name and account to whom the Empresse gaue verie gracious welcome in that shee had priuatlie procured this their comming As these Ambassadours entred the great Chamber Caniano and Tarisius who accompanied them perceiued Griana to withdrawe her selfe aside very sad and mellanchollie whereupon Caniano came vnto her greatlie abashed at her angry countenaunce and thus hee began Fayre Sister at this time when you ought to shewe the moste cheerefull countenaunce you are more sadde then of long time I haue séene you me thinkes you haue good occasion to be merrie séeing the Emperour my Father hath prouided you so braue a Husbande as is my Cozin the Prince Tarisius who I am sure loues you as his owne life Ah brother quoth she I knowe not what should mooue him so to doo séeing I neuer thought so well of him and more gladlie could I entertaine mine owne death then bee constrained to loue where I cannot These words did Tarisius easily vnderstand notwithstanding he made shewe as though he did not but going to the Empresse he desired her to stay there with the Emperour séeing the Ambassadours were come from the King his Father that what was begun as concerning him and Griana might nowe be finished according to her promise Uppon this occasion the Empresse called Griana aside and with smoothe and swéete spéeches began to breake with her howe for her good shee had induced the Emperour to giue her in marriage to her Cozin Tarisius and what honourable aduantage she shoulde receiue thereby wherefore faire Daughter saide she resolue your selfe with childlike obedience to thinke well of that your Parents haue determined All these perswasions coulde not drawe one pleasing word from the Princesse but shee excused her selfe still by the desire shee had to remaine as sâ—ee was and rather then to marrie shee would take a religious life vpon her with which words she brake into such teares as the Empresse was constrained to leaue her alone not doubting to finde her the next time in better tune Griana then considering with her selfe how she shoulde be enforced at length to yéelde whether she woulde or no if Florendos did not the sooner accomplish his enterprise called Cardina vnto her and sent her with this charge to Florendos that that present night he shoulde not fayle to méete her in the Garden where she would be readie to depart with him otherwise he should neuer gaine the like opportunitie with which message Cardina departed CHAP. VII How Florendos came that night to the Garden to conclude what he and Griana had intended and what happened to them FLorendos vnderstanding the will of his Mistresse with great dilligence laboured to execute what they had intended and taking his leaue at yâ— Courte feigned he woulde returne no more but take his waie straight towards Macedon Tarisius whose iealousie increased
saying Sir Knight doo you not knowe mee No in good sooth aunswered Palmerin Beléeue mee quoth the Damosell then hath my seruice béene euil imployed which sâ—metime I did you and whereof I am sure you haue heard good account Then Palmerin knewe her she bringing the Shéelde and the Helmet when Florendos knighted him whereuppon he rose from the Table and embracing her said Faire Damosell and my fréende I pray you pardon me for the length of time since I first saw you did quite exempt you from my remembrance pleaseth it you to commaunde me anie seruice Sir Knight said the Damosell when I presented you the Helmet and Shéelde wherwith you tooke your order of Knighthoode you promised mee if you remember that you would vse it with right good will in anie affaires the Knight had that sent it you and when he should require such performaunce nowe is the time to confirme your déede with your worde for hee hath sent mée to you with humble intreatie that without anie staie you goe where I shall conduct you otherwise you are the onelie cause of his death God shéelde me froÌ„ such mis-fortune said Palmerin rather woulde I goe with you presently from the Table So doo I pray you quoth she for I haue hast Then he called for his Armour and the table withdrawne he went into his Chamber to arme himselfe and so dyd Ptolome also returning they tooke their leaue of the Ladies and mounted on horsebacke the whole companie béeing so sorrie for their departure as Esmerinda came to the Damosell saying I promise you Damosell you haue doone vs wrong in mine opinion to hinder vs of the presence of so good a Knight Ladie aunswered the Damosell thinke you he was borne for you onelie content your selfe with the good you haue receiued by him and suffer such as haue néed of his prowesse to receiue his assistaunce as you haue doone And good reason saide Esmerinda if it be to so good an end that no resistaunce bee offered when helpe is required So departed the two Knights with the Damosell which waie she guided them and verie desirous was Palmerin to bee with the Knight that sent to seeke him because hee would gladlie know of whence hee was that wyshed him so wel as his message declared by the Damosell the same daie hee was Knighted CHAP. XXIIII Howe Palmerin and Ptolome arriued at the Courte of the King of Bohemia where they entred Combat against the Countie of Ormeque and his two Cozins who accused the Knight and his Son of treason that sent to seeke Palmerin MAnie miles had these Knightes ridde with the Damosell when Palmerin at length desired her to tell him what hee was that sent him yâ— Helmet the Shéeld whereto she aunswered that séeing he was so desirous to knowe listen ê™ she and I shall report the whole vnto you The Knight we speake of is disceÌ„ded of verie royall bloode béeing Uncle to the King of Bohemia that raignes at this present as also to the Empresse of Allemaigne the verie best séene in Nigromancie this daie liuing This noble man is named Prince Adrian who neuer liked to liue in the Court of the King his Brother but contented with what patrimonie his Father left him at length maried with a verie beautifull Ladie of whom in time hee begat a Sonne named Dyardo which Sonne his Brother the King of Bohemia nourished vppe in his Court with his owne Sonne So mutually in loue agréed these two yong Princes as after the death of the aged King the yong Dyardo should ioyn the rule with his Cozin the King who tooke to Wife the Daughter to the Duke of Lorayne bringing her with him into this Countrey in companie of her Sister a Princesse so wise and vertuous as euer liued It so came to passe that Dyardo my Lords most noble Sonne framing his thoughts to the inspirations of loue affected so highlie the other Sister as he determined neuer to haue anie other to his Wife if he might compasse what he intended For her good Ladie he coulde not be deceiued in his amorous desires he found her loue so equall with his yet did they shaddow their affections so discreetlie as none coulde perceiue them but Domarto the traiterous Countie of Ormeque one of the best Knights in all this Country were he as familiar with vertue and honestie as he is with mallice and disloyaltie This Traytour enterprised to match with the Queenes Sister beloued as you haue hearde by my Lordes worthy Sonne and thereuppon after manie sollicitings made knowne his intent vnto her whereof she made so slender account as shee forbad him any more to trouble her Domarto séeing my Lorde Dyardo his onely hinderaunce in loue intended a mallicious villainie and on a suddaine accused the Prince that he intended to poyson the King so to obtaine the Crowne as discended of a neerer coÌ„sanguinitie And as it often falleth out in such cases when one séekes to crosse an others fortune there is no time flacked in following such drifts euen so this Traytor finding the yonge King alone began his matter in this coullorable sort My gracious Lord the faith and allegeaunce I owe to you highnesse bindes me to make your princelie cares acquainted with such newes as God is my witnes said the Traitour lifting his eyes and hands to heauen mine own death were more welcome to me such is the loue I beare them whom it concernes béeing al so neere allied to you in birth as sorie I am they shoulde bee detected but in your regarde my gracious Lorde the action touching you in such sort as it dooth let me die rather then spare any liuing creature no not mine owne Sonne had nature giuen mee anie This néedelesse exordium haue I made to so foule an occasion albeit truth néedes no coullers or eloquent figures and therefore in bréefe my Lord this is the summe I am crediblie enformed that your highnesse Cozin the Prince Dyardo and Madame Cardonia Sister to the Quéene haue laid the platforme to poyson your Maiestie and this haue they attempted by the procurement of olde Adrian your Uncle who pretends that the Crowne of Bohemia is his I knowe not whether it be for want of discretion or no but howsoeuer it be my Lorde you shoulde not leaue such a villainie vnpunished The King began greatlie to meruaile at these newes and knewe not well what to think whervpon he aunswered the Countie that he coulde not beleeue this accusation But the Traytour set so smoothe a countenaunce on the matter and did auerre it still with such stout protestations as hee induced the King to beleeue him so that a daie or two after the King béeing walking in hys Garden séeing Dyardo Cardonya at the Quéenes chamber windowe secretlie conferring of their amorous affections commaunded them bothe to be carried to prison The Countie glad thereof prouoked the King still with such anger against them as immediatlie he woulde haue theÌ„ bothe doone to
togeather and séeing the time readie to countenaunce theyr enterprise tooke eache of them a rich Mantle and wyth theyr Swordes vnder their armes went out at a windowe vppon the walles and albeit the passage was somewhat daungerous yet loue had so encouraged them as without regarde of daunger or fortune they came to the windowe which the Dwarffe shewed them not séene by any Polinarda who was most attentiue hearing the trampling of theyr feete sayde to Brionella Is not this Palmerin So opening the Casements they sawe Palmerin and Ptolome attending like dilligent Seruants If then bothe parties were pleased it is not to be doubted nothing in the worlde more contenting them then the sight of each other And truelye Palmerin and the Princesse had great reason for beside that their fatall destenies did so prouoke them theyr equal natures were so commendable and correspondent as though they had neuer séene yet were they borne to loue togeather Now was Polinarda very brauely accoâ—stred in a gorgious night Mantle and such soft white silkes as the shewed more bright then the morning Starre her firie pointed lookes so wounding Palmerin as rapt vppe as it were into a second heauen he remayned silent a long time not able to speake a worde The Princesse was likewise in the selfe same conceit and so ouercome with regarde of her Paramour as she continued mute and was loth to giue the onsette Palmerin ashamed to accompany his Ladie with such silence beganne thus mildlie to courte his Mistresse I did neuer thinke faire Madame that Fortune woulde honour mee with such extraordinarie fauour directing my course to your noble Fathers Courte to bee thus entertayned into your gracious seruice hauing no deserts in mee to induce you to your choyse but it may be in respect of some good report by such to whom I account my selfe highlie beholding hauing thus founde the place where I was prâ—ordained to loue my Starre hath appointed it and withall to make me the happiest man liuing And it may be Madame that such as enâ—ie not my happines haue acquainted you with some of my exterior actions which God not I hath brought to passe but they ignoraunt of the intire and feruent loue I beare you coulde make no iust report therof to you béeing a secret so speciall and not to be comprehended beside the depth and wonderfull nature thereof not to bee measured therefore to be buried in your heauenly opinion which howe ample so euer you please to graunt me the more am I bounde both in duetie and affection which in despight of enâ—ie and his confederates shall remaine immooueable and pleade the continuall loyaltie of your Knight and Seruaunt And if I shoulde reporte howe manie times your diuine personne hath béene presented me in sléepe I shoulde therewithall discourse infinite passions which I endured séeing my selfe frustrate of that I nowe beholde How many Countries and Citties what perrils and daâ—ngers haue I past to finde you prouoked on still with neuer chaunging loue If this then were sufficient to make me run through a worlde of daungers I leaue it to your iudgment sweete Madame what it may doo nowe séeing with myhâ—â—yes what I dreamed on before and may with â—â—fetie saie incomparable beautie Héerehence proceedeth that my extreame affections haue ouercome all other parts in mâ— not able to imagine howe manie reuerende opinions I vse of you which must intreate you on my behalfe that your accustomed clemencie will pardon my preiudicate conceiâ—e because béeing not mine owne but yours onelie I may easilie offende These spéeches moistened with the teares of his eies and like-warme blood of his hart deliuered manifest euidence how truelie he loued the Princesse who bearing him companie in all arguments of loue thus answered I doubt not Sir Palmerin but the looue you beare mee is excéeding great noting your earnest affections and the great trauaile you haue sustained in searche of me and no other certaintie doo I request to be perswaded by béeing as vehement in affection towards you as you are to me for proofe whereof this attempt maie suffise that against my duetie I should be séene thus secretlie in a place so suspicious and time so vnnecessarie But if I haue offended héerein accuse those séemelie perfections which I haue regarded in you and the confidence I repose in your good conceit coupled with the honourable estimation yâ— is generallie reputed in your vertues Pardon me swéete Ladie saide Palmerin if by my longing desire to speake with you I haue in anye thing displeased for earnest good will to doo you seruice constrained me to be thus importunate The matter is far from anie desert of offence quoth the Princesse for hither are you come by my commaundement to the ende that wee might sée one another and talke of such thinges as neerest concerne vs and therefore resolue your selfe good Knight that I esteeme you aboue all other and promise you by the faith of a Princesse and loyall Fréende to die rather then anie other shall be Lorde of me Which verie words so rauished his sences as verie hardlie he could sustaine himself whereuppon Polinarda put her hande out at the windowe which he in often kissing well marking behelde the Charracter thereon as you haue hearde before Ah Madame ê™ hee this is the token that makes me the happiest man liuing As howe I pray you saide she what know you héereof Then Palmerin discoursed all his dreames and visions and bréefely ranne thorow repetition of his whole life how the wise Adrian had sent him the Shéelde of Sable wherin in was figured a hand fast closed togeather signifying the same hand I holde at this present because this hath the same marke the other had in figure In trueth said the Princesse I was desirous to know the meaning of that Sheeld wherin I sawe a Siluer hand closed which you bare the first day of the Tournament béeing nowe not a little glad that you haue so satis-fied me Afterwarde Palmerin made knowne to her the marke himselfe had on his face which agreed with hers in perfect likelihoode O God quoth she happie be the time of this meeting blame me not my Lorde to bee thus supprised with your loue séeing our fatall desteâ—ies haue so appointed this will cause mee to liue in more hope of good successe then before I did and that our amitie will sorte to such ende as our two harts shall bee combined in one yet let mee sée I beséeche you the marke on your face howe neere it resembles this on my hand She fetching a Taper which burned in the Chamber lifted vp his comelie locks of hayre and sawe them bothe shaped in one forme wherefore suddainly setting awaie the light shee embraced Palmerins heade in her armes and sealed many swéete kisses on his amiable Charracter The like louing salutation passed betwéene Ptolome and Brionella at another Casement of the Windowe with sollemne vowes and protestations neuer to faile in their loue and this to
be the place for conuersing on their desires till Fortune affoorded theÌ„ better opportunitie and longer would they haue there coÌ„tinued but that the Dwarffe came to his Maister in this manner My Lorde I thinke you can neuer finde time to make an ende will you haue the day light preuent yee and so discredite you all in sooth it is time you were in your Chamber Palmerin who was lothe to depart from the pleasure of his thoughts made small account of the dwarffes words and continued on in amorous deuises but the Princesse a litle more fearefull then he seeing the Dwarffe said true and lothe to be séene suspitiously said My Lord it is time to breake off but I pray you faile not of your promise let vs visite one another now you knowe the way and place So Palmerin and Ptolome tooke leaue of their Ladies passed to their Chambers without suspition the successe of their loue you shall vnderstande héereafter as time place shall fitte for the purpose but nowe to satis-fie you with choyse of delights wee will returne a while to another discourse CHAP. XXXI Howe the King of Fraunce kept a royall and magnificent Courte and howe his Sonne Lewes became enamored of the Duchesse of Burgundie DUring the time that the Emperour of Allemaigne liued in this happines accompanied as you haue hearde with manie hardie Knightes there raigned in Fraunce a mightie Prince named Agariell valiant wise and vertuous hauing thrée Sonnes whereof the second was the hardiest Knight at Armes being named Lewes This King Agariell the more to honour hys Knights and noble Gentlemen abyding in his Realme determined to keepe open Court for all â—â—mmers as none of his predecessors euer did the like before him and therefore sent abroade his Heraldes Gentlemen of his escuyrie and others to summon his Lords and Barrons of Fraunce that on a day appointed they would all méete at the Court. And because none shoulde be ignoraunt what hee intended he requested that all Gentlemen professing Armes at the feaste of Easter following shoulde repaire to Parris beeing the heade and cheefest Cittie of his Realme The Queene likewise aduertised al Ladies and Gentlewomen at whose commaunde euery one obeyed so that in fewe dayes the Courte was furnished with Lordes and Lâ—dies nothing nowe intended but delights and courtlie pastimes which made the Duke of Burgunâ—â—â— likewise repaiâ—â— thither Now was the Duke aged a man of good prouidence and a tryed Knight hauing matched in marriage with the King of Denmarks Sister a yong beautiful Ladie and of vertuous education the Duke hoping to haue issue by her because by his first Wife he could not haue any The King aduertised of the Dukes comming commaunded his Son Lewes with an honourable traine to goe entertayne him which he did so that many solemne reuerences passed betweene the Duke and him as also to the Duchesse whom as he welcomed with manie salutations so did he earnestle coÌ„template her excellent beautie reputing her fairer then the fayrest and on a suddaine became amorous of her such a violent breach made loue into his hart at the very first sight of her In this great and vnlooked for vexation hee conducted her to the lodging was prepared for the Duke dissembling so well as hee coulde his newe desire but so vehement was his oppression as without returning againe to the King he went to his Chamber Prince Lewes béeing thus alone by himselfe Loue not a little tryumphing of his new pray tormented his thoughts with so manie conceits as all the night he spent in sighes and dolorous laments his mind stil trauailing by what meanes he might compasse his intent Sometimes he thought it vnpossible in respectet of yâ— Duke then againe as easie because of his age a contrarie too yâ—ksome in his eyes for the sweete florishing youth of the Dâ—chesse all which imaginations wrought so diuersly in him as his spirite forsaking counsell reason made him breake foorth into these exclaimes Ah heauens haue you beautie with such excellencie as to cause me endure a torment more then mortall Ah mine eyes too lauishe were you in beholding her who cannot chuse but vtterly disdaine thée thou hast no acquaintaunce with her and therefore let thy death chastise thy boldnes Yet mayst thou bee deceiued in thine opinion foolish man perhappes in offering her thy seruice she may accept it for the Duke is old and likelie to die howe happy were it for thee to be his executor for his Ladie Dispayre not then man for things thought impossible are easiest oftentimes in performance In these and such like tearmes hee spent the night and séeing the fayre morning salute him at his Chamber windowe he arose intending that day to bewray his passions to the Duchesse and knowing that the Duke would goe visite the Quéene accompanied with many Knights he came to bid him good-morrow which the Duke taking very kindly requited him with many thankes ignoraunt that for the faire Wyfe he was so courteous to the olde Husband The Duke hauing taken his way to the Queene Lewes kept company wyth the Duchesse very mannerlie wayting oportunitie to dyscouer his affections and reuiewing her beautie so perfecte and rare not able longer to hold beganne thus It is maruaile Madam if fayre beautie should be so bitter as a man cannot surfette but hee must néedes die The Duchesse not knowing of whom the Prince spake nor as yet regarding that he was in loue aunswered In sooth my Lord the Ladie hath small reason that shee shoulde vse you so hardlie yf you meane it by your selfe In bréefe Madame quoth hée it is you haue wounded me and none but you can ease my afflictions if then swéete Lady you retaine such pittie as all your other excellencies shewe you to haue you wyll not disdaine to giue me remedie which if you doo for euer I remaine your Knight and loyall Fréende And in mine opinion Madame you can not well refuse me séeing Fortune hath béene such an enemie to you in marriage the Duke beeing olde and full of mellanchollie you yong tender and daintie as may be hee more méete to kéepe companye wyth Atropos the mortall Goddesse then liue with a Saint of so rare perfections But had my luck beene such before you were espoused to haue knowne you I woulde with valoure haue hindered your briding so or Fortune should haue foullie denied me for such is my religion in looue as better death then discontent and had I béene Lord of Europe you had béene Ladie Notwithstanding Madame so like it you I may be your Freende and knightly seruaunt for Loue wants no wyles to compasse desire and my sute is modest if you count it not vnséemely The Duchesse whom swéete loue could easilie entice to folly hardly might resist a present conquest wherefore chaunging countenaunce and not daring to reueale what she gladly would sayd Trust mee my Lorde your speeches are not comely to violate chaste wedlocke is so monstrous
And though I vanquish one Knight it shall not be lawfull for me to rest a minute space but presentlie take him in hande that shall followe and bee it my fortune to bâ—â—oyled by him he shall kéepe the fielde in manner as you my Lord deuised And to the ende all may be the better executed pleaseth you yâ— in such places where your intelligencâ—rs shall come my enterprise may likewise bee declared in respect I hope to behaue my selfe so well as my Ladie will make speciall account of me The Lady for whoÌ„ the Duke of Sauoye thus attempted was Daughter to the King and Sister to Lewes named Lucemania whom he loued intirelie and aboue all thinges desired in marriage which to compasse and to honour his Ladie he thus offered the Combat against all Knights These Princes intending to goe thorow with their intent concluded betwéene them that the Duke of Sauoye shoulde breake it to the King to gaine his good-will whereuppon the Duke departing towards the Quéenes Chamber to finde the King espyed him aâ— very good leysure walking in his Garden to whome hee went in all haste and on his knee thus began So please it your highnes to graunt me oneâ—boone I shall be bounde to continue the â—oue I haue borne your Maiestie which is to prolong my life in your seruice as the most forwarde Knight in your royall Court The King who had long time fauoured the Duke 〈◊〉 him by the hande thus aunswered Demaâ—nde my good Cozin what you please and it shall bée graunted Then the Duke deliberatelie discoursed what the Prince Lewes and he had intended for the loue of theyr Ladies wherwith the King scant content and mâ—ruailing at this hastie enterprise said Why Cozin do you imagine your selues able to maintaine so hard a taske in resâ—â—â—ance of so manie hardie Knights wherewith the worlde is now plentifullie stored Beléeue me in maine Countries are Ladies of greater beautie I doubt then is at this 〈◊〉 in our Realme of Fraunce I promise you I hardly like what my Sonne and you attempt but seeing my worde is paste you shall not nowe be hindered doo â—herefore what your thinke expedient with this consideration alwaies that the ending of matters is greater then the beginning The Duke humbly thanking the King aunswered Wee doubt not my Lorde but by the hope of God and fauour of our Ladies to ende our affaires with fortunate successe but if nowe we should giue ouer and not goe forward with our promise we might woorthily be reprooued of shame cowardise the most villainous reproches that can be to any noble hart The King perceiuing the earnest affection of these two yong Princes and that to denie their request would be more hurtfull then to graunt commaunded him againe to procéede with their intent with such suretie against all strange Knights as what losse or victory happened to them they must be content with all that fell out The Duke not a little ioyfull kissing his highnes hande departed and immediatly acquainted Prince Lewes therewith but nowe the Queene vnderstanding her Sonnes enterprise sent for him and with sad countenance thus spake I would my Son that the intent of you and the Duke of Sauoye were eyther awhile deferred or vtterly forgotten because I greatlie doubt that the ende will bring a further consequence then you expect For thinke you that by all your forces and Chiualries the beauties of your Ladies shal be any iote increased no beléeue me but if they loue you as loyall Freendes ought to doo as greatlie wil they dislike your enterprise as feare the daunger whereinto you may fall a matter causing other desire then you thinke on more offensiue perhaps to them then anie honor you may winne can please them Lewes who by no meanes would be disswaded from his conceit aunswered Good Mother if for no other feare this matter shal not be reuoked in regard of the shame neuer dying dishonor I shall gaine thereby which makes mee desire a thousande deathes then not to bee so good as my worde therefore perswade your selfe good Mother that albeit her beautie for whom I enter the Combat cannot bee more perfect hereby in that it is without imperfection yet such is my resolution in a matter so certaine as her sweete lookes shall deliuer me strength enough to ende my taske without dreade of any inconuenience yâ— may happen The Duchesse enflamed with loue hearing these wordes on her behalfe must needes speake and thus began I knowe not my Lorde who is the Ladie you loue nor what are her vertues but heereof I can assure you that she is highlie beholding to you and except great reason to the contrarie ought to loue you considering what perill you thruste your selfe into for her beautie Madame quoth the Prince the trauaile I shall take and the bad fortunes may befall mee are little of no account in respect of her gracious deserts therefore for her honour I will beare my inwarde paines with secrete content and attempt these outwarde actions with the greatest courage I can possible desiring no other recompence then her fauourable conceit whereof once assured nothing can seeme difficult to me no were it to dye in her diuine seruice And as he would haue continued longer the King not yet thorowlie content with his promise past to the Duke of Sauoye entered the Chamber by whose countenaunce Lewes wel knewe he was mal content wyth him wherefore falling on his knée hee saide My Lorde no one is ignoraunt how all my welfare and reputation consisteth onelie in your Maiestie as a Prince and Father the most vertuous that I know which great good in some part to recompence I haue enterprised a matter vnwoorthie of dislike so please your highnes of your accustomed bountie to excuse accept it in good part in respect that such as are borne to the highest places of dignitie ought to bee more prompt and readie to all magnanimious actions then theyr inferiors chéefelie in prowesse chiualry and deedes of estimation What brought such renowne to Horatius Mutius Scaeuola Marcus Curtius Manlius Torquatus and a number more of Romaine Knights if not the couragious folowing of occasions offered What made for euer immortall the fame of Marius the Romaine Cittizen Hanniball the Carthaginian and Agesilaâ—â— the Greeke if not the vndaunted valour of their minds deliuered in their déedes of kinglie consequence Assuredly I beleeue that their Fathers Uncles and auncient progenitours neuer made them noble or ought renowmed what then onely vertue the very formatrix of all nobilitie For this cause my good Lorde and Father hauing now oportunitie as my Cozin yâ— Duke of Sauoye hath informed you may it please your grace to permit my endeuours with fauour to the ende I may deliuer perfect testimonie that I no whit degenerate froÌ„ your heroycall and kingly vertues The King somewhat moderating his former opinion answered Trust me Sonne full well you know howe to disguise and couer your follye
in a fayre Medow neare a Bridge and there placed twelue knights the most hardie and valiant men in all his Dukedome who should maintaine this order that no Knight shoulde passe ouer the Bridge vnlesse hée entred Combate with those twelue Knightes one after another and such as were vanquished shoulde submitte themselues to the Dukes mercy eyther for their deliueraunce or to remaine his prysoners and the horsse of the partie foyled should belong to the conquerer but if they were dismounted the passenger shoulde go on his iourney and take theyr Horsses with him Thys aduenture thus established many good Knights were ouer come because it was a verye harde matter to vanquishe twelue Knights and yet escape But the Duke tooke no little pleasure heerein who detained Frysol more by constraint then otherwise for his anger so vehemently encreased against Palmerin as no delight or pleasure coulde expiate his reuenging desires Chap. LV. How Palmerin went with the Damosell to accomplish the promise he made her and what befell him PAlmerin as you haue heard departed from the Damosell in a rage because he coulde not execute what he intended wherefore hee deuised to deale some other way and to single foorth Frisol in such conuenient place as one of them should dye before they departed And as he was imagining some other way to ouertake Frysol the Damosel had now againe recouered his company saying I pray you Sir Knight conceiue no il opinion of me for hindering you from killing your enemie whome you haue left in very great ieoperdy considering what bountie and courage is in him and which your selfe perhaps will bee sorye for Wherefore I pray you forget this displeasure determinâ— to fulfill what you haue promised which if you will doo you must go with me Beléeue me Damosell saide Palmerin you shewed but little courtesie so often hindering me from the thing which aboue all other in this worlde most tormenteth mée What vnhappye bodye are you but more vnhappye the houre I mette with you but séeing it is reason I shoulde kéepe my promise leade the way and I will not faile to follow you So rode they on and for foure dayes space hée woulde not speake one word to her and fayne he would haue left her company but that he could not with honor forsake her The next daye as they rode by a Riuers side Palmerin espyed a Knight standing with a Bowe and arrow in his hand which he let flye at his Horse killed him Palmerin impacient by remembraunce of Frysol and angrye that the Knight had thus killed his Horse made towardes him so fast as hee coulde but the Knight was suddainlye gotte on the further site of the Lake and Palmerin vppe to the middle in Water before hée was ware of it and nowe hee could neyther sée the Knight that slewe his Horse nor the Damosell that came in his companie Palmerin béeing in great perplexity when he sawe nothing but water rounde about him and féeling he was vpon a Bridge behelde a meruailous déepe streame running vnder it and at the ende thereof a goodly Castle Walking along the Bridge toward the Castle amazed at this contrary aduenture hée espyed a Knight on the battlements of thÌ„ Castle who sayde Staye a while Syr Knight one shall come presentlye and open the Gate Palmerin knewe not what to say but determined to defende himselfe if any came to assaulte him so the Castle Gate béeing opened hée entred with his sword drawne yet was there no man that displeased him but euery one made him humble reuerence with very good wordes and gentle countenaunce declaring by their behauiour that hée was more then welcome thither Thus walking on to the inner Court there came towardes him a Ladie accompanied with manie Damosels and Knights all shewing chéerefull gestures and the Ladie taking Palmerin by the hande sayde Ah gentle knight right welcome are you to this place and heauen bée praysed for the good it dooth mée to sée you here that is able to aâ—complish the thing which no other as yet coulde bée able to finish enter hardily in good assuraunce for you will wee make all the honour wée are able Palmerin beléeuing the Ladie was brought into a maruailous goodly Chamber where certaine Squires holpe to vnarme him bringing him a gorgeous Mantle to wrap about him This done he was conducted into a large Hall where the Table was couered the Ladie entertaining him so nobly as in the King of Englands Court hée coulde not be better The feast ended and the Tables withdrawne the Ladie beganne to deuise with Palmerin saying Long time my Lord haue we desired your comming as the man in whome our onely helpe consisteth for by your valour we are perswaded to be deliuered from the miserie wherin I and mine haue too long time béene detained I beséech you Madame quoth Palmerin to tell mée your affayres as also what the Knight meant to kill my Horse and why you entertaine mée with so great kindnesse If you wil promise mee saide the Ladie to accomplish a néedfull occasion and which I thinke is destinied to you I will resolue you otherwise I shall but loose my labour If it bée a matter reasonable quoth Palmerin and that a knight may compasse spare not to tell mee for I will do my endeuour therein Gramercies gentle knight sayde the Ladie the circuÌ„stance of the occasion followeth in this sort This Castel my Lord sometime belonged to my noble Father a Knight so hardie and valiant as any in these parts in whose yonger yeares loue so ouerruled him aa he affâ—cted a lady of no lesse quanlitie and condition then himselfe by whom he had a â—aughter at whose birth his Lady and Wife deceased My Father being yet in the flower of his youth matched the second time with a Lady of very honourable and auncient discent by whom he had me the first Childe My Sister come to fourtéene yéeres of age my father oftentimes would haue richly married her whereto she béeing vnwilling by my Fathers consent shée remained with her mothers Sister whose skill was very great in all sciences by whose counsel my sister caused a goodly Pallace to be edified and a strong Lower in an Isle on the other side of this Castle where afterwarde they made their continuall abiding During this time my father louing mee déerely matched me with a wealthie and noble knight excelling in all perfections but chéefely in chiualrie by whom I had a Daughter a yéere after our espousall but the more my gréefe my Husband and Father both died within little space after my Childs birth My Daughter being come to the yeeres of marriage her beautie made her desired of many noble Lords but because I still reputed her too yong I denied all her suteâ—s which afterwarde turned me to verie great detriment For my Sisters aunt had a sonne the most mishapped deformed and worst conditioned knight as all the Countrey could not shew such another yet became he
Tharsus and the other sporting in the Court at Constantinople not daring to sette foote in the stirroppe after Knightly exercises til they heare how their Father speedes If he haue that fauour his deedes deserued then on goes their Armor and in the cheefest places of Christendome wil they shewe themselues with repetition to the world of wonderfull aduentures But while they expect good newes or bad I will hasten on the translation of the third part of this most famous Historie which beeing of some great quaâ—titie wil aske the longer time eâ—e hee can enioy the benefit thereof bee therefore kind to these two former Bookes and that will be the better meanes of hastening the third Yours to his vttermost Anthony Mundy The second part of the auncient and honourable Historie of Palmerin D'Oliua Continuing his rare fortunes Knigâ—tly deedes of Chiualrie happie successe in loue and how he was crowned Emperour of Constantinople Herein is likewise concluded the variable troubles of Trineus and faire Agriola of England with their fortunate mariage c. Chap. I. How Olimael presented the Princesse Agriola to the greaâ— Turke who immediately became amorous of her and what rewardes and preferment the Pyrate receiued for his gift Aâ— yet I am sure you remember in the first part how the Pyrate Olimael 〈◊〉 his prisoners reseruinâ— for 〈◊〉 none but the King of Englandes daughter hopâ—ng in time to 〈◊〉 her 〈◊〉 An béeing alone 〈…〉 in the fayrest Cabin in the 〈…〉 hée could to comfort her but 〈…〉 were bestowed in vaine for shée woulde receyue no kinde of sustenaunce desyring euerie houre to die hauing so lost her Lord Trineus He séeing that fayre spéeches offers gifts and other inticements proper to perswasion could not compasse the thing he desired he grewe into choler intending to gaine his pleasure perforce so that after manie threatnings with rough violence hée woulde néedes rauish her Agriola séeing that her féeble strength coulde not long withstand the Turke albeit she stroue and resisted so well as shée coulde therefore with deuout prayer shee called on God desiring him to take pittie on her and not to suffer that villainous Ruffian to dishonour her Her prayer béeing ended Olimael beganne in such sort to tremble as hée staggered backe warde foure or fiue times and so excéedingly was hée surprised with feare as hée was constrayned to leaue her and withdraw himselfe into another place The Princesse though shée were amazed at this suddaine chaunge noting with what terrour the Captaine departed yet was she greatly comforted by her deliuerance imputing the whole worke thereof to the Almightie prouidence and the vertue of the Ring that Palmerin gaue her wherefore with thankfull heart and eleuated eyes to heauen shée sayd O celestiall Father howe great and infinite is thy goodnesse howe happie is the creature whom thou regardest with the eye of pittie assurdly I nowe perceyue that such as in extremitie haue recourse to thee shall no waie perish Then taking the vertuous Ring and kissing it many times sayd Unualuable Iewell giuen me by the best Knight in the worlde howe carefully will I kéepe thée howe true is that saying That great persons giue great presents Hencefoorth shalt 〈…〉 bee kept for the loue of him that gaue thée and for thy singular vertue in the place where I vsually store things of greatest price So taking a little Chayne of Golde which serued her as a Bracelet shée fastened this 〈◊〉 Iewell thereto and put it about her necke so that the sumptuous Stone laye glistering betwéene her 〈◊〉 white breasts a prospect so rare and delicate and of no lesse power to drawe the beholders eyes then the Aâ—amant the Amber or the Ieate can by their vertue beside so woonderfully repleat with swéete regard as I dare affirme that the most cruell Tyrant in Turkie would stand amazed at those two daintie Mountaines more mortifyed and humbled then the aged Hermits of Thebaida Olimael yet quaking at his suddaine aâ—teration durst presume no more to offer her villaynie but by rich gifts and presents sought to perswade her all which auailed not for as hée got but little profit by his violence so wonne he much lesse by his trecherous offerings So sayled they eight dayes togither Olimael not able to compasse Agriolas loue nor hearing anie tydings of the vessels that were lost neyther of his Cozin who had Trineus captiue which grieued him as nothing could do more in that he was so vnprouided as well he could not present himselfe before his Lord to whom hée had promised to bring store of Christian prisoners and now hée had in his bootelesse loue so lost his time as either the tempest or shipwracke had spoyled him of his owne companie In this doubtfull opinion he debated with himselfe that the great Turke did earnestly affect fayre Ladyes so by the meane of his beautifull prisoner he imagined to bée entertained with good countenaunce and his losse woulde be past ouer with forgetfulnesse wherefore hee commaunded the Pilot to make toward the port of Ottobant where as then the great Emperour of Turkie soiourned and 〈◊〉 they came in short time after Notwithstanding as a Seruant well instructed not daring to abuse the familiaritie of his Lorde hée sent one of his Knights to excuse his cause and to report that by casuall mischaunce he had lost his men and Gallies but if his Maiestie pleased to forget his misfortune and receyue him into his accustomed fauour he would bring him one of the fayrest Ladies in Chriâ—endome and discended of most royall percentage The Emperour béeing lasâ—iuions and more addicted to vnchaste desires then any in his Realme hearing this message was so supprised with the onely report of her beautie as immediately he became passionate for her loue sending the Pyrate worde that hee could not bring a more desired present 〈◊〉 therfore remitted all his offences promising him greatter fauour then euer he had And because no contrarie occasion may hinder his comming quoth the Emperour thou shalt carrie him this Letter sealed with mine owne signet that hée may no way â—oubt of his assurance The Knight taking the Letter and kissing the Emperours feete according to the cuâ—â—ome returnâ—d to his Maister deliuering him the aunswere hée had receiueâ— Olimael ioyfull thereof caused Agriola to cloath her selfe in her most sumptuous garments and so with alâ— his men sâ—t forwarde towarde the Court. Nowe although the Prinâ—esse was all blubbered with teares and halfe deade to see her selfe in the power of these Straungers professed anâ— sworne enemies to hâ—r faith and religion yet could not the rare perfections of her beautie be shadowed but the glimse thereof set euery eye to wonder And as she lookes about her to sée if any of her companie were landed with her she espied Ptolome whom they minded secretly to conuey from her but shee beholding him so sad and sorrowfull stept towards him saying Ah my déere fréend Ptolome what wreakfull chaunce hath Fortune throwne vppon vs
opinion that when the fayrest were present beautie would then bee most spleâ—dant For this cause hee sent to Prince Guilharaâ— Sonne to Polidia her mothers sistâ—r that he should bring his Sister Ardemia to the Court who was counted the Paragon through all the Monarchie of Babilon 〈…〉 and defende thy selfe so woorthily as thou hast done Then was shée certifyed by an auncient Knight that one of the squyres of her Chamber smote him as he lay a sleepe which he reuenged in such sort as she had séene Trust me quoth she the dumbe man did as well be seemed him wherefore in respect of his ciuilitie and that he can so well correct the ouerboldnesse of fooles I will intertaine him as one of our Court forbidding any to wrong him as they â—ender my fauour and their owne liues So commaunding buriall for the dead and prouision for the wounded shée went to her Pauilion which was not farre off willing Palmerin by signâ—s to go with her deliuering him his sword again and saying he should he her seruant Humble graces did Palmerin requiâ—e her withall and in signe of his obeysance offred 〈…〉 would not permit him and taking 〈…〉 Looke that hereafter thou go not from me whereto by signes be consented knowing that by heâ— meanes he 〈◊〉 be safely protected 〈…〉 Princesse Pauillion but the Greyhounde 〈…〉 pace as he caught her in the presence of Alchidiana 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 owne handes tooke her from the Dogge and gaue her in kéeping to one of her Pages By this tyme it 〈◊〉 towards night wherfore each one mounting on their Palfrayrs set forwarde to the Cittie the two Princesses hauing no other talke all the way but of the singuler behauiour of the 〈◊〉 Knight They riding faire and easily because Palmerin trauayled by them on foote Ardemia beholding his goodly Sworde demaunded of him if hée werâ— a Knight which he by signes made knowne vnto her wherof Alchidiana verie ioyfull sayde that shée woulde present him to the Soldane her Father and for this cause the more she beheld him the greater pleasure shée conceyued in him Beeing nowe come to the Gates of Calpha there stood manie Knights readie with lighted Torches to conduct the Ladies and their traine to the Pallace which was so rare and sumptuously edifyed as Palmerin was amazed to 〈◊〉 such royaltie All the way Alchidiana had the dumbe knight by her site giuing him her hand to alight from her Palfray which hée did with excéeding reuerence and nothing discontented with his office but manie Kings and Princes there present murmured thereat thinking him not worthie to come so néere her nor might he so be suffered but that the Princesse somewhat 〈◊〉 of him would suffer none to contrarie her pleasure and leaned on his arme al the while shée went vppe the stayres of the Pallace to giue the 〈◊〉 euen to the Soldane who stayed his Daughters returne in the great hall Still leaned shée on Palmerin till she came to her Father who 〈◊〉 in a magnificent Chaire of estate hauing the resemblaunce of the firmament ouer his heade after the Turkish maner so garnished with Rubâ—es and Dyamonds which with the lights of the Torches shined most gloriously whereat Palmerin wondered 〈◊〉 the Princesse with so braue gesture as many reputed 〈◊〉 some noble person and other 〈◊〉 thought the woorst of him The Soldane who loued his Daughter as you haue heard before arose from his Chayre to welcome her home demaunding what sport shée had on hunting and if shée had brought any venison home with her Certes my Lord quoth she we haue had better fortune then you thinke on but before I declare the manner thereof to you will it please you to giue mee what I haue found this day The Soldane not able to denie his Daughter any thing liberally graunted her request A thousande thankes good Father quoth shée this dumbe Knight hath your Maiestie giuen me who in his owne defence hath this day slaine certaine of your Knights and hereof you may assure your selfe that hee is one of the most hardy Gentlemen that euer came into these partes Séeing it is your request Daughter quoth hée I coulde hée well contented to graunt it but how shall I aunswere â—he Fréendeâ— of the murthered to whom I haue alreadie promised that for his offence he shall be deliuered to the Lions So which of these graunts ought best to bée kept yours béeing my Daughtâ—r wherein nature ruleth or theirs béeing my Subiects which the Lawe commaundeth I may not bée iâ—dge herein sayde the Princesse notwithstanding me thinkes vnder your highnesse correction that you haue béene but 〈…〉 to giue a sentence so cruell hauing not heard or séene the partie And albeit hée were guiltie of blame as heâ— is not yet before his condemnation hée ought to bée heard howe hée could cléere himselfe but if hée must die I hauing assured him life and taken him into my defence the disgrace is so great to mée as mine honour must remaine for â—uer condemned And you my Lord and Father whose authoritie may discharge me of this reproch if you refuse now to assist me the gréefe hereof will bée my death Thâ—se words she spake with such affection and so heauily wéeping as woulde haue mooued a 〈◊〉 heart to pittie her whereâ—â—â—â— Mâ—uliâ—us touched with naturall remorse sayd You shall peceyue Daughter what I haue deuised to the ende my worde may not bee impeached He shall be put into the Lyons Denne and suddenly taken out againe by this meane I shall kéepe my promise to his accusers and satisfie your earnest desire And the better to content you herein his enemies shall bee perswaded that he escaped the Lions with life and then will I giue him safetie thorow all my dominions The Princesse fearing the bloodthirstie desire of the Lions coulde not so content her selfe which Palmerin perceyuing that the Father and daughter thus contended for him fel downe on his knée before the Soldane making signes that hee should accomplish his promise for hee feared not the daunger of his life Maulicus maruailing hereat perswaded his daughter that being so hardie hee might escape therefore to content her selfe for thing should bee handled in such sort as the Knight should no way be endangered These words somewhat contented the Princesse causing Palmerin to be conducted to his chamber charging him that was appoynted to attend on him to sée that he were very honourably vsed and in the morning to bring him againe before her father The Soldane and his Knights spent all that euening in diuerse iudgements on the dumbe Knight each one being glad of the Soldanes sentence but Alchidiana was so pensiue considering the dangerous hazard he should passe as she 〈◊〉 to her Chamber refusing all sustenaunce and spending the time in â—oloroâ—s complaints desiring rather her own death then the dumbe knight should be any way harmed Chap. V. How Palmerin is put into the Denne among the Lions and Leopards and hauing killed three of them
his departing time being come when the Prince attiring her selfe in her wâ—nted mourning garments and shaping her countenance to her former sorrow throwded her pleasures past and thus we will leaue them returning to our Affirianâ— sayling on the Sea Chap. XXIIII How after the tempest was past the soldans Armie assembled togither came against Constantinople where by the Emperours power they were discomfited the King of Balisarca his sonne Gueresin and 〈◊〉 other great Lords of Turkie slaine THe tempest which had thrown Palmerin on Hercuâ—es pillars after many loÌ„g and contagious stormes began nâ—w to cease the Sea béeing faire and calme and the windes very quiet whereupon the king of Balisarca General of the Armie in short time assembled togither the most part of his Fléete and came vpon the Coast of Natolia where hée attended the rest of his Foystes and Galleyes And hauing there â—â—ayed about fifteene dayes among all the Shippes that came hée could heare no â—â—dings of Palmerins Carrick the long slay wherof caused him to doubt least he had vnhappily 〈◊〉 in the Sea and ouercome with excéeding gréefe hee thus began Ah gentle Palmerin the flower of all Chiualrie in lucklesse howre didst thon betalâ—e thy selfe to the Sea what answere shal I make the Soldane for the 〈…〉 the Prince Olorico béeing so especially committed to my trust Nowe cannot Fortune 〈◊〉 so fauourable to vs as she would for by thy losse I vtterlye despayre of expected victorie To cut off these 〈◊〉 complaints he was counselled by the Lords Knights and auncient Captaines to sette forward to CoÌ„stantinople to discharge themselues of their promise to the Soldane least in returning without dealing with the enemie they should be reputed for fearefull faint-harted â—owards Setting their sailes to the wind at length they came to the Bosphor Now was the Emperour veriâ— aged and sickly hauing altogither committed the superintendaunce of the Empire to his sonne Caniano who had a son aged â—eaurntéene yéeres named Cariteos And being aduertised of the comming of so manie Assiriâ—ns Turkes and Moores hée sent to all the Christian Princes for succour the greater parte whereof was there as nowe arriued with resolute determination to welcome these Infidels When the Emperours scoutes had espied the enemiâ— to enter the straight yong Cariteos beholding the Knightes on all sides some on the walles and other in the Fielde came and knéeled before his Graundfather earnesâ—lye desiring him to graunt him his Knighthood For my Lord quoth he a better time and occasion cannot be then newe The aged Emperour graunted his request and with the teares in his eyes said In the name of God my Sonne maist thou receiue thy order and to the glorious maintenaunce of the Christian faith albeit thy youth forbids thée to venture so soone Presentlye arose the yong Knight Cariteos and clasping on his Helmet was the first that went foorth of the Cittie accompanied with tenne thousand Horsemen and twentie thousand Footemen to hinder the landing of the enemies which a great while hee did with such valour as the Hauen was channged with the bloud of the slaughtred The King of Balisarca hearing thereof commaunded his Archers to their taske 〈◊〉 shafts 〈◊〉 so thicke in such multitude as it were the Hayle that falleth from the Cleudes and on the other side hée gotte thiâ—tie thousande men on land who assayled the Christians so 〈◊〉 as yong Cariteos was slaine and a great 〈◊〉 of noble personages which was the cause that the Christians retired to the verie Gates of the Citie The Prince Caniano aduertised of his sonnes death and the great daunger wherein the 〈◊〉 issued foorth of the Cittie with eight thousande Horsmen and foure thousand hardie Archers who like hungry Tygers ranne vpon the Turkes beating them to the earth in such heapes as twelue thousand of them were slain at this encounter and the rest repulsed backe to their ships where many entred for sauegard of their liues and a great number were miserably drownâ—d in the Sea At this mishap the King of Balisarca was greatly eâ—â—ged who with his power presently went on shore the fight enduring so cruell and bloudie thrée howres space as neyther side could be reputed likeliest of victorie In this encounter ended their liues the King of Balisarca his Sonne Gueresin and a great number of Cailiffes and Taborlanes of Turkie and of the Christians the Prince Caniano with diuers other great Princes and Lords whose deathes are to this day lamented in Greece yet were the Pagans and Christians so animated one against another as darke night was the cause of their seperation When the Emperour vnderstood the death of his Sonne and Nephew hée was readie to die with conceit of griefe but séeing the necessitie of the time required other matter then sorrowing teares and vnprofitable lamentations hée presently dispatched Postes and Messengers to hasteâ— the succour was comming from Christendome In short time arriued a mightie Christian power and despight of the Turkes entred the Cittie when the Emperour presently sent tenne thousand into the Field and prouided a signall for the other to set fire among the Turkishe Fléete at what time they receiued the signe from the Cittie The Infidelles séeing the Christians to sallie abroad left their Shippes and came to méete them whereupon the Christians diuided themselues into squadrons and running furiously on the Moores Arabies and Assirians made such hauocke and slaughter of them as happie was he coulde best defend himselfe Then suddainly was the signall of fire made on the highest stéeple in Constantinople to the Emperours power wasting on the Sea which immediately launching among the Turkish Fléete suncke the greater part of them and burned the rest with their wilde fire When the Turkes beheld this stratageme and that they were now destitute of any helpe they beganne to faint so that at the comming of the Emperour who came himself vpon them with a fresh sallie of fiue thousand men they were all slaine except a fewe that escaped into Galleyes that brake from the rest vpon fight of the pollicie Great was the spoyle gotten by this conquest which the Christians taking with them entred Constantinople where they gaue God thankes for their happie victorie But although the Emperour sawe his enemies vanquished after the Princes were departed that came to his succour right gréeueus was the losse of his Sonnes to him wherefore his Lordes aduised him to send for his daâ—ghter the Quéene Griana and King Tarisius her husband and to commit the gouernment of the Empire to him For the accomplishment of this generall determination the Duke of Pera was appointed Lord Ambassadour being one of the most auncient Princes of Greece who accompanied with many noble Gentlemen made such expedition in his iourney as hée arriued in Hungaria before the King and his Quéene Oriana whose sorrowes may not be expressed for the death of her brother When they vnderstood the Emperours pleasure they resolued on their obedience which caused the
frenzie or wicked iealousâ—ie woulde haue slaine him whereby such fortune fell out as the King receiued what he would haue giuen Nor can Florendos hée worthily blamed for comming to sée me in respect of the long time since our last companie beside hauing not forsaken his Pylgrims wéede wherein hee trauailed to the holie Lande he came to acquaint me with the maruailes in his iourney Sée héere in bréeâ—â— the whole truth of his Historie and if the Kings Nephewes auouch otherwise I say my Lord they lie falsely In this respect as well to proteâ—t mine owne honour as the Princes I humbly desire your Maiestie that our innocencie may be discided by Combate for such is my hope in a rightfull cause as I shall find some Knight to fight for me The Lords of the Empire were altogether of the same opinion and instantly desired the Emperour to graunt his Daughter her lawfull request whereto hee answered that he would take counsell thereon and iustice should be doone her as it ought Héereupon the Emperour went into his Chamber and the Quéene was brought to the Empresse her Mother where the poore Lady was assaulted afresh for shée was no sooner entred the Chamber but her Mother thus beganne I knowe not Daughter how badly thou hast béene counselled that since the day of thine espousall to the Prince Tarisius who loued thée so déerely thou hast continued such hatred against him that at length thou art become the onely cause of his death Madame quoth the Quéene you speake your pleasure but in regarde of my reuerence to you I aunswere that I neuer though it Wherefore I intreate you to forbeare such spéeches and if you consider all things well your selfe will be founde in greater fault then I. For conâ—rarie to my solemne promise which I had made to the Prince of Macedon you compelled mee to marrie with him and if Florendos had the opportunitie and in defence of his owne person hath slaine him ought you then to impute the crime to me With these words the Empresse held her peace and sate conferring with the yong Princesse Armida in meane while came the Duke of Pera who had the Quéene in charge and conducted her to her Chamber and afterward by the Emperours commandement he shut Florendos into a strong prison The next day Promptaleon and Oudin came to the Pallace where with great and audacious impudencie they came before the Emperour saying Why haue you not my Lord prouided the fire to burne your Daughter and her adulterer Florendos Soft and fayre aunswered the good Remicius bee not so hastie I finde them not so faultie as your accusation deliuereth for no other harme was committed then talking together and because Florendos was disguised is that a consequence my daughter must die Nor will I encurre with infamous report in putting such a Prince to death without hearing how he can answere for himselfe you therefore my Lord of Pera go fetch Florendos that hee may answere to their propositions The Duke obeyed his commandement and brought the Prince so spent with extreame gréefe because hee had caused the Quéene into such danger as hardly he could sustaine himselfe but after he had with great humilitie prostrated himselfe before the Emperour he began in this manner Most mightie Loed and Emperour of Greece maruaile not that with such heauinesse I come before your maiestie when in stéede of dooing you seruice according as my dutie commandeth me I bring you cause of offence and displeasure Neuerthelesse I repose my self on your benignitie and princely iustice wherein I must intreate you to haue regard on the Quéene your Daughters innocence for the fault that is committed if it deserue to be called a fault was doone without the Quéenes knowledge or so much as a thought of the matter on her part before it happened Moreouer there is none of so harsh iudgement or reason but will consider what familiaritie and friendship both passe betwéene Princes and Ladies in occasions of honour Which may serue to answere the cause of my comming to sée the Quéen being thereto bound by dutie and honest loue wherewith in my yonger yéeres I faithfully serued her And this I did without any iniurie to her honor much lesse occasion of offence to the King which hee would néedes interprete in that sort when with so good indiscretion hée came and assailed me These are fables quoth Promptaleon for the conspiracie and treason betwéene thée and the Quéene is so manifest as euerie one knowes it And if the Emperour doo not this day consumate your liues both together in one fire he offereth the greatest iniurie that euer Prince did and before the whole world wee will héereafter accuse him Darest thou maintaine by Combate in fielde saide Florendos what thou with such brauerie affirmest in this Hall that will I by mine honour quoth Promptaleon and let the Knight come that dares aduenture on this condition that if I be the conquerour the Quéene and thou may beâ— burned as ye haue deserued and the Princesse Armida declared not legitimate and so disinherited of the Kingdome Now hast thou reuealed thy villany saide Florendos and for the last condition doost thou follow the cause so earnestly rather then by any matter of truth and equitie but thou art deceiued in thine intent and thy death villaine shall deliuer assurance of her succession So please my Lord the Emperour of his grace to prolong the day of Combate till I haue recouered some health my selfe alone against thée and thy Brother will prooue ye false Traytours and that maliciously yée haue accused the Quéene The Emperour seeing the Prince so weake and sickly and yet with so good courage willing so defence his Daughters wrong resolued himselfe that shee was innocent Remembring then his noble seruices in defende of his Empire and how 's iniuriously he denied him his Daughter he was mooued in such sort as he could not refraine from teares thinking for vengeance of that offence that heauen had iustly permitted the death of Tarisius wherefore beholding Floâ—eâ—dos with pittifull lookes pronounced the sentence in this manner You Promptaleon and Oudin Nephewes to our deceased déere and beloued sonne the King of Hungaria shall mainteine your words in open Fielde against two such Knights as my Daughter and the Prince Florendos can deliuer on their behalfe and that within twelue dayes after this instant one of which the Prince himselfe shall bée if he be not furnished with another to his liking alwayes prouided that the vanquished shall be declared Traitors and attainted of the crime of Lese Maiestatis and so punished according to the exigence of the case The two Brothren accepted these conditions béeing so farre ouercome with their owne pride as they reputed themselues the most valiant Knights of the world Florendos féeling himselfe so weake of body would gladly haue demaunded a longer day but the sentence being giuen the Emperour likewise promising to appoint another knight in his
stéede hée was contented and committing all to the Emperors pleasure was carried backe againe to prison in such pensiuenesse as he was iudged not able to liue til the combat day The Quéene likewise was kept in sure guarde despayring howe she shoulde finde a Knight that would aduenture on her behalfe in fight because the strength and prowesse of the Challenger was so renowmed Leauing thus these two louers in doubts and feares let vs returne where we left before to noble Palmerin that hee may bring them some better comfort Chap. XXVIII How Palmerin hauing staid with his Ladie fiue dayes in so great pleasure as his heart could desire fearing to be discouered to the Emperour tooke his leaue of her promising to begin the search of Trineus and Ptolome POlynarda hauing her Fréend in her custodie would not presume so farre vpon her selfe or the faithfulnesse of her Ladies as shée would suffer him to stay there in the day time and doubting likewise least his comming in the night should be espyed committed the whole matter in such trust to Bryonella as they performed their ioyes without any impeachment During these delights and amourous contentments which these timorous Louers passed togither the Princesse among other talke rehearsed to her Fréend how the King of Fraunce sent his Ambassadours to the Emperour to treate on the marriage betwéene her and his eldest Sonne as also her Brother Trineus with his Daughter Lucemania And howe importunate the Empresse had béene with her discouering what honour and felicitie it should bée to her to bée Quéene of so great a Kingdome as Fraunce is And trust mée my Lord quoth shée I know my Parents are so affected to this alliaunce as if my Brother Trineus were come I know no meane whereby to excuse my selfe Alas Madame quoth Palmerin herein you may consider if the Emperour by violent force constraine you héereto what continuall gréefe it will bée to your Seruaunt Palmerin What torment What tyrannous paines of strange conceit may equall themselues with the verie least of my passions nor can I any way bee able to endure them The doubtfull feares of this misfortune strooke to his heart with such an impression as hee fell in a swoune betwéene his Ladies armes shée embracing him with such ardent affection as the soule of the poore tormented Louer séeling with what equall desire his Ladie requited him receiued fresh strēgth into his languishing bodie and béeing come to his former estate the Princesse said Alas my Lord at the time I supposed to be in assuraunce with you and to thinke on no imaginations but new pleasures and delights forgetting the regarde you haue long continued in expectation of the wished fortunate houre will yée bée nowe the cause of my death Thinke you that if loue bée so violent on your behalfe it excéedeth not a thousand times more in mée Beléeue me you men make your vaunts of the great passions feares and doubts you haue to offende your Ladyes whom to serue loyally you haue especially chosen but in no wise may these oppressions be compared to ours Where is hée among ye who hath experimented howe great the paine of dishonor is and can couer his extreame loue with dissimulation What a death is it to constraine violence agaynst it selfe to containe the piercing eye and subdue an heart so affectionate as bringeth death to the rest of the bodie if shee shewe not some part of her desire by lookes the faithfull and secrete messengers to him she hath chosen loueth and wisheth The torment of the will like wise when one dare not come in presence nor behold her fauoured to languish and yet may séeke no meane of helpe all these insupportable miscries we poore Ladies must endure béeing giuen by nature or forced for a custome Wherefore my Lorde present not me with your passions considering each thing as it ought they may not be compared to the least of mine for loue who hath ouermaistred me reigueth with such resolute authoritie as I must sooner die then offer you anie wrong séeing that as my Lord and Husband I haue elected you and bestowed those fauours on you which are most desired to wit willing obedience and that then which nothing is more precious Hauing then made you soueraigne of my selfe the Prince of Fraunce cannot enioy an other mans right And if my Father vsing his authoritie shall enforce mée although it be gréeuous to mée I will tell him what hath happened and no menaces whatsoeuer shall alter mine opinion Palmerin séeing his Ladie so firme and loyall was not a little ioyfull thus answering Doubtlesse my deare and most gracious Mistresse hitherto I durst presume on my selfe that by my manifolde loyall seruices I shoulde one day deliuer recompence for some part of the honours you haue done mée but nowe I perceiue that abounding in your graces you depriue me of all meanes to acknowledge your bountie which commonly men desire to shew by their obedience nor shall I be able to deserue the inestimable value contained in the simplest worde of your last most honorable promise Nowe the Princesse discerning by the Window that Aurora Phoebus his faire Porter began to let foorth the morning light and prouide way for his Maisters iourney withdrew her selfe to her Chamber and quicklie layde her downe by Brionella who the better to hide her Ladies affayres dissembled that she had a feuer Quotidian by which meaue shée compassed to kéepe her Chamber and entertained Palmerin as her selfe desired All this while Vrbanillo brought newes from the Prince Olorico who was so desirous to sée the Princesse againe as hée vowed not to depart the Cittie before hée accomplished what hée intended Palmerin who loued him as his Brother was in great doubt howe hée shoulde safelye bring it to passe till Bryonella whose deuises were euer readyest sayde My Lord the man béeing no way able to hurt you of the lesse importance néede you make the matter will yée sée howe we will a little iuggle with the Emperour Let it be sayd that the Prince is Cozin to Vrbanillo and the cause of his comming into his Countrey was to séeke you then because he vnderstandes how my Ladie loues the Dwarffe 〈◊〉 Maiestie without anie doubt will suffer the two Cozins to take their leaue of her will not this deuise then shadow his séeing the Princesse Without question quoth Palmerin I shoulde neuer haue inuented such a subtiltie be it then as you haue determined but with great politie that the Emperour misdoubt nothing for if he discouer vs we are shamed for euer Referre it to me sayd Brionella if I discribe not their kindred cunningly neuer beléeue that a Woman can inuent a lie without studie Brinella conferring with the Dwarffe layde downe the platforme in such order as the next day the Prince came before the Emperour when Vrbanillo on his knée desired leaue that hée might depart with his Cozin there present to séeke his Maister in whose search he woulde
sending for them to the Pallace where Promptaleon and Oudin staied their comming the Emperour himselfe thus began Now Promptaleon héere maist thou behold two yong Knights who speake the contrarie of that thou hast reported wilt thou yet maintaine that my daughter hath committed treason and hath béene disloyall to her Husband thy deceased Unckle I will my Lorde quoth he and sweare by my Baptisme for that cause she shal die the death and if anie dare vndertake the contrarye I am readie to prooue it by force of Armes I thinke it conuenient said Palmerin my Good Lord that no Combat should be graunted without the presence of the accused Immediatelie Florendos and Griana were sent for and being come before the Emperour Palmerin said to the Prince How saye you my Lorde doo you permit in maintenance of your right that I giue these false accusers such discipline as their wicked and treacherous dealings deserue I doo quoth the Prince and Heauen prosper thée in thine enterprise What saye you Madame quoth Frysoll to the Quéene doo you affoorde the like to me Shee aunswered as Florendos before had doone whereuppon Palmerin thus spake to the accusers We two Knights will maintaine that you both are Traitours and that by couetous and gréedie desire of rule and to enioy the Kingdome you woulde against all right disinherit the yong Princesse Armida for which cause you haue shamefullie accused the Quéene her Mother to haue committed murder and more then that charge her with disloyall lubricitie For if the Prince Florendos talked with her when the King founde him in her Chamber it was in no other sort then honor allowed and according to â—he dutie of honest loue wherein all Princes are bounde to their Ladies Beside if your King was slaine by the Prince if was in defence of his owne life and in repelling the iniurious spéeches he gaue him to approoue what I say wée present our gadges to the Emperour so please him to receiue them The like did the too Brethren desiring his highnesse to appoint the Combat presentlie in the wide and necessarie place before the Pallace For quoth they wée will teache these vaine-glorious Strangers the price of such iniurious spéeches spoken to those that know how to correct them I thinke quoth Palmerin thou shalt néede to teache thy selfe but if thou hast learned anie newe dexteritie practise it well thou art best for I can tell thée the time will require it The good Emperour Remicius commaunded silence and taking the gadges of these foure Knights bad them goe arme themselues saying hée woulde sée the ende thereof before he tooke any sustenaunce The Duke of Mensa and the Counte of Redona auncient Princes of Greece were appointed to bee Iudges of the Fielde who commaunded two hundred knights to Arme themselues for assurance of their owne persons Chap. XXXI Of the noble Combat in the Cittie of Constantinople by Palmerin and Frysoll against the two Nephewes of the deceased King of Hungaria whome they vanquished by which meane the Prince Florendos and Queene Griana were deliuered PRomptaleon and Oudin being departed the Hall Palmerin and Frisoll taking their leaue of Florendos and the Quéene whom the Emperour caused to be shut vppe in their prisons againe went to their lodgings to Arme themselues The Duke of Mecaena an honorable prince discended of yâ— most ancient race in al Greece with many other great Lords went after them and when they were Armed the Duke would néedes beare Palmerins Launce and the graund Squire attending on the Emperor caried Frysols In this maner came they to the place appointed for the Combat where the two Brethren were alreadie staying for them the eldest thus beginning in mockage Beléeue mée Knights for men that shewed themselues so hardie in a Hall mée thinks you haue béene very long Arming your selues I thinke you came on your footcloth Mules to the Fields entraunce for feare of felling to hurt your selues but soone shall ye be taught better horsemanshippe I warrant ye If there were in thée so much wisdome and exercise of Armes aunswered Frysoll as are high words and brauing behauiour it would bée a little better discerned then it is notwithstanding ere wee haue doone I thinke they that came first into the Fielde will tarrie last héere vnlesse some bodie for pittie carrie them out before Héerewith the Trompets sounded and the Heraldes commaunded the Champions to doo their deuoire which was the cause that these hotte words were chaunged into déedes and running fiercelie against eache other they encountred with such puissaunce as Palmerin cast Oudin foorth of his saddle with a verie great wound on his left side and Promptaleon was receiued by Frysoll so roughlie as he fell backwarde on the crupper of his Horse because hée was lothe his Brother should fall without companie The two Brethren enraged to bée thus foyled at the first came with their swords drawn to kill their aduersaries Horsses so that they were constrained quicklie to alight when they assayled each other with meruailous furie for either side expected victorie the one in hope of a kingdome the other to saue their Freends liues Strange was it so beholde this violent fight yet the two Brethren seemed vnable long to holde out for theyr Armor was so cut and mangled and themselues so driuen foorth of breath as hardly they coulde sustaine themselues so that Promptaleon desired Frysoll to rest a while who mooued with anger thus aunswered Nay Traytor now shall I teach thée how to defende thy selfe and not one minute will I graunt thee to trauerse with mée but will send thy soule to the Father of thy villaine vnlesse with spéede thou denie thy slaunder With these words he laid so many sounde strokes on him as at length hee fell downe deade at his féete which when Oudin perceiued hee threwe his Sworde at Palmerin and caught him fast about the middle thinking that way to get him downe but Palmerin striking away his féet caused him fal on his backe and without attending for his reuolt noblye stroke his head from his shoulders So comming to Frysol he asked if he were wounded No my Lord quoth he I thanke God the greatest wound I haue cannot with-holde me to doo you further seruice if so be you haue anie néede Then putting vp their Swords they demaunded of the Iudges if any thing else remained to be doone for deliueraunce of the prisoners Nothing worthy Lords answered the Iudges and them will the Emperour nowe deliuer with all possible spéede The good Remicius heartilie thanking God for his victorie sente a Knight to the Champions with request to come and lodge in his Pallace as also that they should presently come speake with his Maiestie yet could not the Messenger make such haste but they were come foorth of the Fielde the Duke of Mecaena and the Prince Olorico bearing them companie When the Knight had ouertaken them hée saide Returne woorthie Knightes to my Lord the Emperour for
and lords of Greece for so many ioyfull and vnexpected accidents might not be compared with the pleasures of the Prince Olorico and Frysoll who would nowe no longer kéep his bed in respect of his ioy for the good fortune of his friend wherfore putting on his garments and accompanied with Olorico he came downe into the great Hall as the Prince of Macedon was betrothed to his Ladie when Palmerin stepping from al the rest welcommed them with very gracious courtesie After they had béene generally saluted Frysoll came before the Empresse and on his knée began in this manner Most excellent and gracious Madame may it please you pardon mine offence in shedding the bloud of your kinsman Notwithstanding as the Law of iudgement and reason exhorteth me of two euilles I choose to take the least so did I rather thinke it good to bathe my handes in the bloud of mine owne Couzin then permit him by the Prince Florendos offence to suffer open violence This speake I Madame as being the Sonne to your Nephew Netrides whom long since his eldest Brother disinherited and banished him his Countrey to a little Castle where at this time he remaineth in good disposition Now iudge which of these euents is most admirable that of your noble sonne Palmerin or this which I haue now rehearsed But may it be quoth the Empresse that my Nephew Netrides is yet liuing and can it be possible that thou art his Sonne Trust me Madame saide Frysoll I haue tolde you truth and by Gods leaue you shall haue more ample proofe therof within these few dayes Héereuppon the Emperour the Empresse Florendos and Palmerin with inexplicable reioycing embraced Frysoll not a little extolling theyr fortune that such hardie knights were discended of their linage Then Frisol rehearsed before them all the thrée Combats hée had with Palmerin and what great honour he woonne at the Tourney in France which report greatly contented the Prince Florendos hearing the honourable Chiualrie of his sonne nor would hée forget to ioyne therewith his conquest on the Mountaine Artifaeria with his Combats both in Bohemia and Durace At these reports the Emperour somewhat amazed saide before all his Lords I beléeue my Friendes that the maruailous rare fortunes of these two Cozins Palmerin and Frysoll with the strange aduentures they haue finished in their youth promise greater matters in their following yéeres Then an auncient Knight of Hungaria who was named Apolonio said to the Emperour how in time past hee had béene Page to the Father of Tarisius by which meane hee knew Netrides right well if hee might sée him And if he be yet liuing quoth hée in regard of his manifolde princely vertues the Realme of Hungaria néede no better Gouernour nor will the people themselues mislike of so good a change Wherefore may it so stande with your highnesse pleasure to grant mée companie beséeming the cause I wil do my dutie in the search of him and bring him hither with mée to the Court. Willingly the Emperor consented thereto and like order tooke the Prince Florendos that Cardyna with her Brethren and other Gentlemen should go to the Mountaine of Oliues and enquirâ— for Gerrard Palmerins foster-father Marcella his Wife and Dyoâ—ena their Daughter Palmerin séeing all things sort to so good ende falling on his knée before the Emperour and his Father saide Séeing it hath pleased God to make me knowne for your Sonne I will not conceale a matter from you which concerneth mée very néerely and although it be of great importaunce yet will I not further procéede without your aduise So discoursed he all his seuerall apparitions while he continued with his supposed Father whereby he was prouoked to go séeke the lady who by fatall destenie was promised him nor did he hide his troubles in her search but therewith bewrayed that her name was Polynarda daughter to the Emperour of Allemaigne and his Wife by solemne vowes passed betwéene them He declared moreouer how he trauailed to find the Prince Trineus whome hée lost on the Sea with the Princesse of England and them hée would recouer againe in respect of his faithfull promise to his Ladie Notwithstanding quoth he if you thinke it conuenient I would gladly sende to aduertise the Emperour and my Lady his Daughter of my present good fortune that his Maiestie may confirme our priuate agréement because I doubt the Prince of Fraunce whose Ambassadours haue béene there to conferre on the matter may otherwise present me of mine onely choyse In like manner if Netrides shall be founde to bee made King of Hungaria and the Princesse Armida to be bestowed in marriage on Syr Frysoll who is such a Knight in my iudgement as well deserues one of the chéefest Ladies in the world So God helpe me my Sonne quoth the Emperour no reason were it to disappoint what thou hast so well contriued for séeing things haue beene fore-pointed by fortune méere folly it is for men to contrarie them And because I haue héeretofore heard that the Emperours Daughter is the flower and choyse Ladie among all other whose vertues challenge the man beyonde compare in Chiualriâ— I will sende mine Ambassadours to the Emperour as well for the perfection of the marriage as to comfort her in her despayres with certaine assurance of our health and welfare and so shall your intended trauaile not bee hindered Notwithstanding before you begin your iourney you shall receiue the homage of all the Princes and Lords of Greece as their liege Lord and supreme Gouernour which béeing doone I will likewise take order for my Nephew Frysoll so soone as his Father shall come to the Court. Then calling for the Maister of his Horse commaundement was giuen for spéedie dispatch of messengers to all parts So leauing the Emperour busied in these affayres Florendos and Palmerin went to the Quéene who causing them to sitte downe by her after shee had very graciously welcommed them sayde I pray you tell me which of vs thrée is most beholding to Fortune the Father the Mother or the Sonne Doubtlesse who so considereth the condition of our aduenture will â—â—â—nde it such as seldome hath the like béene séene héeretofore And in sooth my Lorde Florendos the gréeâ—ous torments I haue endured since the losse of my Sonne and my great disloyaltie towards you by breach of my promise I iudge may bee equalled with the burthen of mine offence Neuerthelesse if you estéeme not your selfe satisfied let your noble regarde excuse what nature hath perfected which is to endure much more then as yet wee haue done Madame answered Florendos in time of ioy remember not our passed misfortunes but thinke what now is doone our gracious starres haue graciously furthered and limitted to this end that my loyaltie with the bountie and prowesse of our sonne should be laid open to euerie iudgement Héere had the Prince occasion to rehearse his afflictions in loue endured twentie yéeres space and more for her sake which
offended yée By our Gods if I knew him presently shoulde he die the death The Princesse trembling with feare séeing Hippolyta was not present spake thus in English What will my Lorde and Husband Trineus say if hee be in this companie séeing I haue so dissloyally forsaken him and thus though God knowes perforce in stéed of him haue taken the enemie to him and our faith Yet one comfort haue I that this Infidell hath not carnally knowne me for which perfection I thanke the heauenly maiestie At these spéeches Palmerin was so glad as the feare of death could not withholde him but in the same language he thus answered Feare not good Madame Trineus is not in our companie but so please you to say I am your Brother you may happily saue my life and practise your deliuerance The Turke misdoubting by Palmerins perswading that hée had caused this sodaine alteration imagining him to be her husband of whom he had heard her talke so often in a great rage said Knight how durst thou presume my Ladies presence knowing the sight of thée would any way displease her By the Prophet Mahomet thou shalt immediately die that all such audacious villaines may take an example by thée Agriola knowing the Turks censures were very peremptorie and commonly no sooner saide then excuted embracing him thus replied Ah my Lorde do not the thing in haste for which afterwarde you will be sorrie for I assure you on my honor the Knight that spake to mée is my Brother and hath left his Countrey onely to finde me and him I do loue so effectually as if you put him to death impossible is it for me to liue afterward When the Turke heard her speake with such affection qualifying his anger saide I promise ye Madame for your sake hée shall haue no harme but bee entertained with loue and honour conditionally that you forgette this melancholy and hencefoorth shewe your selfe more pleasant for in séeing you sad I am more gréeued then if I had lost the moitie of dominions In sooth my Lorde answered Agriola now shall I be merrie séeing you intende to loue my Brother for greater good cannot happen to me then this gentle entertainment and hencefoorth shall I tread vnder foote the sad remembraunce of my Countrey and Parents hauing him with me by whom I hope to gaine my greatest comfort So the Turke arising from his Chayre caused Palmerin and Laurana to accompanie Agriola and the other fiue Knights hauing kissed his hande hee went to his Chamber commaunding Olimaell for his greater honor to vsher Agrola who as she went thus spake Beléeue me Admirall if I was offended when thou broughtest me prisoners hither thou hast now made mée sufficient amendes in that by thée I enioy my Brother whom I was out of all hope to sée againe Alas Madame quoth he little did I thinke him to be such a one for had I his vsage should haue béene much better which fault I hope heereafter to recompence I commend him to thy countesie sayde Agriola let him and his friendes haue all things they want according as my Lorde hath appointed So taking her leaue of them she entred her chamber where she and Hyppolita conferred with Laurana of all her fortunes passed and the aduentures of her Brother Nowe was Palmerin and his companions by the Turks commaundement lodged néere the Pallace and to each of them he sent a goodly Horse with costly furniture thinking by these meanes to conquere Agriola and purchase that of her which he long had desired and talking with Palmerin sayde Right well may you be Brother to my Lady Agriola in that your beautie and complexion deliuers great likelihood séeing then our Gods haue permitted that for her comfort you shoulde be brought hither perswade her I pray yée that she be no longer repugnant to my will for could I haue a Child by her I would thinke my selfe the happiest Lord on the earth Beside I would haue you forsake the follie of your Christianotie and yéelâ— your selfe to our Law which is much better then yours and you shall sée how our Gods will fauour you likewise what great good you shall receiue therby My Lord quoth Palmerin I will labour with my Sister so much as lies in me to doâ— as for your Law as yet I am vnacquainted therwith but when I shall find it to be such as you assure mee easily may I bee drawen thereto and to serue you with such loyaltie as so great an estate doth worthily deserue I confesse my selfe likewise greatly bâ—unden to your maiestie in that you haue accepted my Sister as your Wife and to mee a poore slaue giuen life and libertie which I beséech you also graunt to the Marriners in whose Uessell it was my chaunce to bée taken in so dooing she may be greatly mooued by your magnificent libertie and mercie The great Turke presently gaue his consent causing their safe conduct to bee openly proclaimed so Palmerin and his Friendes humbly departing to their lâ—dging the Turke went to Agriolaes Chamber where sitting downe by her he thus began Now shall I perceiue Madame how much your Brother may preuaile with you for hée hath promised me so to order the matter as you shall graunt my long desired sute My Lord quoth shée my Brother shall command me nothing but I will doo it with all my heart as for your request it is not in my power but in the hande of God who defendeth me as best him pleaseth Nor can I change the opinion I haue held so long though by hauing my Brother with me I enioy farre greater content then I did before It sufficeth me saide the Turke to sée you so well pleased and as for your Brother that you may perceiue howe well I loue him before one moneth be expired I will make him the chéefest Lord in my Court next mine owne person so kissing the Princesse he departed to his Chamber The day following Palmerin saide to his companions You sée my friendes how friendly Fortune smileth on vs but least shee change as euermore she is wont wée must practise some meanes to escape from these Turkish infidels Beside séeing wée haue founde the Princesse Agriola I hope Trineus is not so secretly hidden but we shall heare some tydingâ— of him Of her will I therefore enquire if she know what became of him and Ptolome wheÌ„ we left them in meane while you may closely conclude with our Marriners that they be euer readie at an howres warning for I hope we shall set hence before eight dayes be past Palmerin went to Agriolaes Chamber and there by good hap hée â—ound her alone whome after he had humbly saluted the Princesse thus spake to him My noble friende you must be carefull howe you speake to me especially before the aged Lady you sawe héere yesterday for shee vnderstandeth all languages and if we be discouered there is no way but death therefore when you sée her with me conferre rather with Laurana
his head from his shoulders In bréefe he was so fauoured of Fortune as hauing vanquished all the tenne Knights he passed the tenne Rocks and no sooner was he mounted on the foremost but a darke Clowde compassed him about so that the two Princes Zephira and their Knights to theyr great amazement lost the sight of him yet his former victorie exempted all feare from them of bad successe There 〈…〉 Palmerins returne till Sunne setting when the two Princes demaunded of Zephira if shée woulde depart thence or stay there all night Depart quoth shée no by my life héere will I abide the good knights returne from the Castell wherupon her seruants hauing erected theyr pauillions they there tooke vp their lodging for that night By this time Palmerin was come to the Castell Gate where looking on his Armour which was â—acked in péeces his flesh cut and mangled in manie places breathing foorth a bitter sigh sayd If yet this trauaile may availe the Prinâ—esse and my noble companions that are enchauâ—ted let happe to mée what please the Heauens for theyr libertie is more déere to mée then life Then looking on his Dog who all his while held the Horses bridle in his mouth hée remembred that he had not demaunded of Muzabelino anie thing concerning him wherefore he said Ah gentle dog yet no Dog I thinke but rather some Knight thus transformed howe forgetfull haue I béene of thy seruice in my necessitie why did I not demaund the trueth of Muzabelino what thou art But mayst thou prooue to be my good Fréend Trineus when all the enchauntments of this Castell shall bée ended thy former shape I hope shall bee restored So striking at the Castell Gate to sée if anie way hée could get it open at length hée looked vppe to the battlements and beheld an auncient Knight with a long beard so white as snowe who furiously thus spake to him Proude Knight who made thée so bolde thus to beate on the Gate enter vnto thy further ill I hope with these wordes the Gates opened of themselues when presently Palmerin with his Dog entred and the olde man who séemed ouer-spent with yéeres and weaknesse méeting him in the Gate taking him by the arme threw him violently agaynst the ground saying Thou that hast ouercome the ten Knights yong and armed what canst thou doo to an olde man without defence Wretched villaine aunswered Palmerin wherefore hast thou strooken me by the liuing God did not thine age excuse thée soone should I lay the breathlesse at my foote Soft and faire said the olde man thou shalt haue work enough to defend thy selfe So catching Palmerin about the middle he wroong him so cruelly as one might heare his bones cracke O my God cried Palmerin defend me against this cursed diuell At length hee forced the olde man to let goe his holde when began such a furious fight betwéene them as neuer was Palmerin in such daunger in that eueriâ— blowe was giuen him hée thought did breake all his bones in péeces The â—og séeing his Maister in such extremitie caught the olde man by the throate and neuer left tugging till he got him downe when suddenly he vanished away and was no more séene afterward For this victorie Palmerin thanked God and hauing cherished his Dog entred further into the Castell Where he behelde most stately Galleries erected on great colombes of Porpherie and Alabaster as neuer did hée beholde a more sumptuous spectacle In the middest of the Court was a goodly Tombe enclosed with barrâ—s of beaten Golde and ouer it stoode a goodly Table of Christal vphelde by foure Satyrs of Agatha and on the Table was pictured the personages of a Ladie drawne by such curious arte and woorkmanship as hardly could it bée equalled through the world Palmerin approched to behold the counterfeit which helde in the one hande a Booke fast shutte and in the other a Key of Golde poynting with the Key towarde the Gate of the Pallace whereupon he imagined that this was the Tombe of the Ladie Enchauntresse whereof Muzabelino had told him before and putting his hand betwéene the golden Barres the Image presently offered him the Key Héereat béeing some what abashed he iudged that this happened not without great cause wherefore taking the Key hée went and opened the Pallace Gate and entering the great Hall hée founde it so richlie paued and garnished rounde about with such costly Tapistrie as the greatest Monarch in the world had not the like Looking behinde him for his Dog he beheld him suddainlie chaunged to his former shape and running to embrace Palmerin said Happie be the houre of thy comming déere Fréend to whom I remaine for euer bounde in acknowledging the speciall graces and fauours receiued But Palmerin deceiued with so manie illusions before woulde hardlie giue credite to what he now behelde reputing him rather sâ—me he 〈◊〉 furie so disguised onely to entrap him with further danger which Trineus perceiuing spake againe Ah my noble Friend Palmerin for Gods sake doubt no more I am thy Brother Tryneus who since thy comming from Elain followed thée in the enchaunted forme of a Dogge reioyce then with me for since thy long desired hope hath now so good an ende doubt not but the residue of thine affaires will prooue as fortunate Palmerin béeing nowe thorowly resolued I leaue to your iudgements the kinde gratulations betwéene them who well can conceiue the wonderfull ioy of longabsent Friendes especally of such as liue and die for each other Ah my Lord quoth Palmerin why did I not sooner acknowledge thee the great succour thou gauest me by theâ—way might well haue perswaded me yet though I still imagined thee my friend transformed hardly could I resolue thereon till further experience Aâ— fortune if héeretofore thou hast béene enuious towardes mée yet now hast thou recompenced me in such sort as now I haue no cause to exclaime on thée So sitting downe together Trineus reuealed the manner of his taking and all that befell him till his transformation Which Palmerin to requite discoursed the knowledge of his Parents how he was betrothed to his Lady Polynarda and howe he recouered the Princesse Agriola who afterwardâ— was likewise enchaunted in the Isle of Malfada 〈◊〉 at these newes was readie to die with gréefe but Palmerin perswaded him of the wise Muzabelinos promise that shortly hee should returne againe to the Isle and there finish all the enchauntments whatsoeuer While they thus conferred together they sawe sodainely sette before them a Table furnished with all kinde of meates and a hand holding two great Golden Candlesticks wherein burned two faire waxe Tapers beside they heard a trambling of their féete that brought the meate to the Table but they could not discerne any liuing creature Trust mee quoth Palmerin I thinke some bodie knowes I haue an hungrie appetite â—itte downe with me good friend for these two moneths had I not a better stomacke After they had well refreshed themselues the table was
maie be good because his desire is to make staie with vs and for your owne part looke that you intreate him well with this request that you accept him for your seruaunt and he shall be your Knight And are you bothe agréed Ladies said Palmerin Heauen forsake me if I refuse honour of so high account And as they woulde haue procéeded on the Emperor came in and brake off their talke and comming to the Empresse saide Madame I beséeche you haue good regarde to the health of this Knight and let our Chirurgions not trifle the time with him for I perswade my selfe that the enchaunted Knight with his venomed arrowes hath wounded him with great daunger inwardlie and hath besides sore brused his bodie with the weight of his Mace But Palmerin hauing Polinarda so néere him neither minded his woundes or what the Emperour had spoken his obiect more delighted then his woundes gréeued him then the Emperour taking him by the hande saide I pray you my déere Freende to bee of good comfort dispayre not for anie thing I beseeche you and bee aduised by them y◠haue care of your health for you shall want nothing if my Crowne will purchase it So departed hee and the Empresse with their Daughter Polinarda whome loue had already so inueigled that she béeing yet but tender of yéeres found her selfe so restrained of her libertie as scant she knewe howe to dissemble this suddaine affection and from that time forward she became so sadde and pensiue as one of her Ladies the most fauoured and familiar with her named Brionella Daughter to the Duke of Saxon well perceiued it yet durst shee not presume to demaunde whence procéeded this strange alteration but so circumspectly did she regarde the Princesse as she well noted the grounde of her gréefes Whereuppon it happened that one time amongst other they two béeing alone togeather Brionella iudging that her Ladie delighted to heare spéeche of Palmerin nowe to hitte the nayl◠on the heade she thus began What say you Madame by your fauour of the newe come Knight did you euer sée a brauer and more accomplisht Gentleman Upon my faith Madame in mine opinion I thinke that nature hath wrought all her perfections in him and fauoured him aboue all other Knights in manhoode and Chiualrie Ah Brionella aunswered the Princesse thou art not alone of this opinion for I euer thought as much though I kept it in silence would God I had as great authoritie ouer him as he alreadie hath gotten ouer me Is the matter so with you saide Brionella it shoulde séeme you are in looue with him then To tell thée the trueth Brionella quoth shee I am and did I not doubt foure other hath preuented mee I would aduenture to make him mine In good sooth Madam said Brionella you two béeing vnited togeather in one reciprocall league of loue well might it bee reported the most honourable match and of the two noblest yong Princes through the whole worlde and séeing you haue made a choyse so worthie dismay not good Madame but proceede in your determination Thus deuised the two Ladies together on Palmerin who was no lesse in affliction for the looue of Polinarda whom hee had searched with so gréat payne and trauaile and had nowe founde with so high good fortune If loue was so earnest with him before in his sléeping visions hauing not séene her much more vehement was the impression nowe hauing her in presence Whereupon the day folowing he called for his garments and as he was making himselfe readie the Emperour by one of his Gentlemen sent him the good morrow desirous to vnderstande in what plight he felt himselfe Good Sir aunswered Palmerin to the Gentleman I beséeche you doo my humble dutie to the Emperour for this great courtesie and you may thus assure him that heauen be praised I féele my selfe in so good estate as euer I did Which the Emperour hearing was highlie contented and sent to desire his companie to the Chappell where Palmerin neuer before so throughlie touched with the forcible assaults of looue glaunced so manie swéete lookes on the Princesse Polinarda and breathed so many sighes the secrete Ambassadours of his harte as it was a heauen to him to be in these passions The Emperour and all the traine returned from the Chappell they went to meate and Palmerin beeing placed right against Polinarda was in such fits as hee knewe not what countenaunce to vse for his couller went and came in such manner as the Princesse might easilie iudge the cause of his dolour wherupon she presentlie presumed that she had more interrest in his thoughts then ere she looked for The like opinion conceiued he of her yet was no other testimony deliuered on either side then sad countenances the reuealers of a tormented spirite Thus continued these two louers till the Tables were withdrawne and then the Lords and Ladies fel to dauncing in which delight and diuers other the whole day was spent till the Empresse and her Ladies departing to their Chambers the good night on all sides was reuerently giuen when Palmerin went to his lodging in such an agonie as more likelie to die then liue hee threwe himselfe on his bedde where hauing sighed and sorrowed long time gréeuously at length hee brake foorth into these tearmes Ah Palmerin vnhappy wretched and moste miserable nowe art thou entred into such a Laborinth as impossible is it for thée to get out again with life but what shoulde mooue thee to so high an enterprise béeing no way able to equall her that is second to none Alas nowe doo I plainlie sée the small credite is to bee reposed in Dreames and that the visions I saw in my Father Gerrards house on the Mountaine Artifaeria and els where are friuolous illusions and of no account with them may I ioyne the promise made mee by olde Adrian who boasted to knowe so much of my fortunes for looue is not of such power on my behalfe that faire Polinarda either can or will make anie reckoning of me Then Palmerin resolue thy selfe suddainlie to die that this inuisible and consuming fire which by little and little melts thée away may bee extinguished and thy selfe eased With these wordes he breathed foorth such an extreame sighe as Vrbanillo the Dwarffe being néere hearde him who doubting least any newe mischaunce had happened by the priuie woundes she enchaunted Archer gaue him made hast to know the cause of this euill Ah Vrbanillo quoth Palmerin I finde my selfe farre worse then deade What my Lorde sayd the Dwarffe now you ought to be of best disposition will you deceiue vs with this alteration The Emperour neuer gaue you bad countenaunce since your comming whence then shoulde procéede thys straunge conceit No no Vrbanillo quoth hee it is not the Emperor but a Lorde of greater power then his Maiestie It is Looue my Lad the strickt commaunder of the stoutest mindes he hath conquered mee and well I knowe I shall die if thou
doo not finde the meane to helpe mee By my fayth my Lorde quoth the Dwarffe so please you to tell me howe and wherein I may helpe you let me die a thousande deathes if I doo it not Understande then my good Vrbanillo sayd Palmerin that this strange alteration procéedes froÌ„ the diuine lookes of my péerelesse Mistresse Polinarda whose fiery beames haue searched so narowly euery corner of my thoughts as I must die because I loue too déerlie But couldest thou make knowne to her the least parte of my insupportable vexations may bee shee woulde haue some pittifull remorse of my martirdome for well may it be iudged that a Lady accomplished with so many vertuous perfections must néedes bee stored with sweetnes fauour and pittie Not vnlike my good Lord said Vrbanillo but doo not you remember how I was punished when in the like case I ventured to sollicite your looue to Laurana Daughter to the Duke of Durace by my fayth my Lorde I shall not forget it while I haue a day to liue and am afrayde to fall againe into the like daunger And this spake Vrbanillo with such a grace as Palmerin coulde not but laugh noting with what feare the deformed felow gaue it foorth whereupon he sayd Thou needest not be dismaid if she that smote thée in thy sléepe bee that Polinarda for whose loue I am thus tormeÌ„ted for whom I was borne as many haue enformed me I pray thée therefore speake to her and dreade no coullers It is good saide Vrbanillo that you woulde haue mee more hardie then you are your selfe speake to her your selfe if you dare for I dare not aduenture it for feare of my life If thou doost it not quoth Palmerin assure thy selfe thou shalt neuer henceforth serue me Nay then quoth the Dwarffe I will rather put my selfe in ieoperdy to be better beaten then I was the last time before I will loose so good a Maister I pray thée doo sayde Palmerin in respect thou séest the earnestnes of mine affections Feare not quoth the Dwarffe albeit you were a great deale more fit to breake the matter then I but I wil gadge my life to gaine you the Ladie and héereupon they rested till the next morning CHAP. XXVIII Howe Polinarda desired Palmerin to giue her his Dwarffe and of the speeche which she and Vrbanillo had afterward togeather EArly the next morning Palmerin arose and hauing walked abroade to contemplate his desires returned into the Chamber of presence where he founde Trineus the Emperors Sonne conferring with the Ladies at which very instant the Dwarff entred whose badde shaped body and face made them all fall a laughing so that Trineus came to his Sister Polinarda saying Sister did you euer beholde a more proper Page to attende on Ladies then this gaunt Squire that serues my Lorde Palmerin In good â—ooth Brother quoth she hee is farre vnlike his noble maister yet wold I like well enough if he were mine I beséech you Sir Palmerin said Trineus bestowe your Seruaunt on my Sister Polinarda Madame quoth Palmerin were he better hee is yours and his Maister likewise then called hee Vrbanillo who knéeling to vnderstand his Maisters pleasure hee saide Vrbanillo I haue giuen you to my Ladie Polinarda as her man will you not serue her honourablie and truelie aboue all other Yea my Lorde quoth he next after you but you will I not leaue while I liue although you woulde disdaine my seruice Good reason hast thou said the Princesse and wel am I pleased it shold be so yet during the time of his stay heere you shall forsake him and abide with mee For yâ— Madame quoth the Dwarffe I am well contented Then looke you faile not said the Princesse hencefoorth to giue your attendaunce These spéeches were thus vsed as it were for pastime that shee might thereby deceiue the iudgments of other but her whole intent was to know of Vrbanillo if his Maister were affected to any other Ladie by whose meanes her loue might be frustrate For as you haue heard a little before that loue had brought her vnder such obeysaunce as did not the regarde of honour with-holde her her selfe would first breake the Ise of her vexations rather theÌ„ Sâ—aie too long and not be solicited Many other deuises had the Ladies with Vrbanillo who knewe so well howe to behaue himselfe as from thence forward he grew so familiar amongst them as he woulde enter their Chambers when himselfe pleased vnder couller of attendaunce on the Princesse Polinarda from time to time to mooue his Maisters messages But at length she preuented him in this sort for béeing alone at a windowe in the presence Chamber shee called the Dwarffe and making her entraunce by other occasions she asked him whose Sonne Palmerin was God knowes Madame quoth hee for I doo not nor himselfe neither but of this I can assure you yâ— neuer was Knightlie Chiualrie better imployed by any then by him for since the time of my knowledge he hath doone such noble acts as it is not remembred that â—uer Knight in this age did the like And then from point to point he discoursed all yâ— Palmerin had doone since he came to him and can you thinke then Madame quoth the Dwarffe that he is not dâ—sceded of noble linage Trust me Ladie I haue my self heard by manie learned Magitians and other that their diuinations were no lesse then I saie When Polinarda heard the Dwarffe thus speake on his Maisters behalfe if before his loue had kindled her liking no meruaile if hart and spirite were nowe enflamed so that nowe she could no longer coÌ„ceale what she had hetherto couered and therefore sayde to the Dwarffe I beséech thée Vrbanillo by the faith and duetie thou bearest to thy Maister tâ—l me one thing that I desire to knowe of him which shall bee nothing but to his honour and aduantage You haue so coniured mee faire Madame quoth the Dwarffe as death shall not make me hide what you please to command if it lye in me to resolue you Knowe then Vrbanillo said the Princesse that I looue thy Maister as well as my Brother Trineus and am desirous to knowe of thee what Ladie it is hee estéemes aboue all other because when I knowe her I may loue her the better for his sake withall that I may commend the Ladies happines whose fortune is to be loued of so braue a Gallant Well perceiued the Dwarffe that now or neuer was the time to bestirre himselfe according to the promise he made his Maister wherefore hee aunswered the Princesse in this manner Beléeue me Madame were it to anie other I would not reueale such secrets of my Lorde as you desire to knowe but to you that are his Lady Mistresse I am content to bewraie the whole Suffiseth then Madame that he loueth in such sorte as if the heauens sende him not remedie the sooner vnpossible is it that his life should long endure for I sée him so far beside
but well may I content my selfe for this is a iust scourge for mine offence and vndutifull obedience to the King my father Ah my Lord and loyall husband Trineus neuer shall I sée thée againe for God dooth know whither these villaines hath sâ—nt thee Ah noble Palmerin who was woont héeretofore to comfort me too much hast thou failed vs all thy former promises are nowe altered for in steede of imperiall soueraigntie pleasure anâ— honor I am requited with pouerue greefe shame and mockerie Ah death sweet death too long desired â—rath why commest thou not to end all these miseries But God will not permit thée because by my torments and afflictions I may féele the weightie burthen of my offences and large bountie of his mercies Ptolome séeing her in this mournfull vexation sayde It is no time nowe Madame thus to offende your selfe but rather as wise and well gouerned is beare these aduersities euen with as great content as your former prosperities taking in good part whatsoeuer shall happen for I am in good hope and my minde perswades me that wée shall be deliuered by noble Palmerin who I am sure endureth greater gréefe in his libertie hauing left vs 〈◊〉 wee can doo in our imprisonment Olimael excéeding angry to 〈◊〉 Agriola wéepe violently puld Ptolome from her charging his men not to suffer him once to come in her sight which he suffered patiently because he saw it was in vaine to kicke against the pricke When they were come to the Pallace and admitted to the Emperours presence Olimael knéeling downe and kissing his foote presented Agriola to his maiestie who séeing her of such rare and wonderfull beautie said to Olimael This present my Fréende is of such surpassing value as thou couldest neuer honour me with the like good reason is it therefore that a gift so precious should be rewarded with like recompence and so perswade thy selfe I will and thou shalt say the Emperouâ— is bountifull As for the Ladie thou hast giuen me I â—â—â—ceiue her so faire and gracious as I inteâ—d neuer to haue any other wiâ—e and that I may espouse her with the 〈◊〉 magnificence I will stay till the hallowed day 〈…〉 â—â—ronation when all my Princes Barons and 〈◊〉 wil be héere assembled and then in their prsence shal our nuptialles be solemnized Nowe had the Emperour a Woman captiue named Hippolita who was a Marchantâ— Daughter of Scicile and better skilled in all languages then anie Ladie in the Court for which he made speciall account of her reposing great confidence in her and acquainting her with his chéefest secrets wherefore hee sent for her before Agriola and sayd Hippolita I giue you this Ladie in kéeping commanding you to intreat her as our owne person and that all meanes may be practised to cause her forsake this sad mellancholy In conference you may shewe her what honour and happinesse she shall receiue by falling into our hanâ—es and what incomparable fortune it is to her whom we shall please to accept for our Wife All which Hippoâ—ita with great humilitie promised to accomplish and so conducted her into a maruailous princely Chamber the floore couered all ouer with cloth of Tissue and hung about with such sumptuous Tapistrie and bloth of Golâ— as hardly might the richnesse thereof be valued There Hippolita caused the Princesse to fitte downe in a Chayre of state which was purposely prouided for her demaunding her name and of what countrey shee was The Princesse answered that shee was of England but further of her state shee would not bewray Hippolita speaking perfectly the English tongue tooke great delight daily to commune with her and because Agriola should the better like of her conuersation she tolde her that she was like wise a Christian but by constraint she followed the Law of Mahomet and his Alchoran In further spéeches shée acquainted her with the estate of the Sultanes in the Court of the great Emperour of Asia which communication serued well to weare away the time albeit the Princesse tooke small pleasure therein Olimael in consideration his noble present was created high Admirall of the Mediterranean sea and furnished with greater store of Foystes and Gallies then 〈◊〉 before Chap. II. How the great Turke summoned all the Kings and Princes his Subiects because hee minded to hold open Court and howe he married with the Princesse Agriola his prisoner HIppolita daily conuersing with Agriola â—ecause shee could not so well speake her language at length the Emperor came to her chamber and because he might the better behold the princesse hee sate downe in a Chaire opposite to her anâ— there he sate a long time not able to coÌ„tent his eyes with looking on her for speake to her he could not because shee vnderstood not the Turkish language Wherefore he commanded Hâ—ppolita to request her name and what her Parents were which to satisfie his maiâ—stie shee did Agriola thus answering her In vaine Lady séeke you to know of me the thing which death cannot force mée bewray let this suffice you that I am a poore Gentlewoman the most infortunate that euer liued with which words shee wept very greeuously The Emperour moued with pittie departed to his Chamber so surprised and enflamed with her loue as hée could take no â—est one minute 〈◊〉 the night considering with himself that seeing she estéemed so little of the riches she sawe in his Pallace and refuseâ— the offers made her by Hippolita that doubtlesse shee was extract of sâ—me noble Image The next morning he called his foure Secretaries commaunding them to write to all the Princes of his Empire that they should not fayle to honour the day of his coronation with their presence and to bring with them theyr Quéenes and Daughters and this they should do on paine of displeasure all which was performed with present expedition In the meane time hee caused sundrie sumptuous ornaments to bee prepared with all manner of precious Iewels could be deuised and these he daily sent to Agriola but all these presents promises and munificent entertainment could no way mooue her not so much as to grant him a gracious countenance He likewise sent for the brauest Ladies in his Court that they should kéepe the Princesse companie but she would be conuersant with none but Hippolita of whom she had so prettily learned the Arabian tongue as many times she could indifferently answere the Emperour But when he behelde her continually so pensiue and that by no meanes shee would bee comforted hée doubted least his presence did offende her and therefore hée forbare so often to visit her For so déerely he loued her as for the halfe of his Empire hee would giue her no occasion of discontent hoping in time which is the Lorde and conquerour of all things to alter that humour and purchase her loue which he desired with earnest affection But now at this day where may we find a Lady so vertuousand wel gouerned being captiue as Agriola was that could
not be woon by such a mightie Emperor considâ—â—ing her youth and beautie and the wonderfull riches incessantly offered her Yet the highest Lord so protected her that the more liberall the Turke was in honors and perswasions the more loyall continued her loue to Trineus whose perfect image was engrauen in her heart And not fearing torments or death she boldly answered the Emperor that he trauailed in vain for she might not loue him in that she was married to an husband more noble euery way then he and none but him shée would loue while she liued yet made he no great account of her words considering what frailtie commoâ—ly is in women The day being come of this great preparatioÌ„ and al the Princes present to vnderstand their soueraigneâ— will he béeing placed in his imperiall seate said That hée intended to take to wife one of the most beautifull Ladyes in the world for that cause he sent for them to vnderstand 〈◊〉 they liked thereof Their aunswere was that they liked well thereof and would gladly honour her as wel beseemed them Then sent he for Agriola and before them all saide vnto her that it was his pleasure to accept her for 〈◊〉 wife and therefore shee should prepare her selfe on the 〈◊〉 to be married The Princesse abashed at these spéeches fell downe before him in a dead traunce where vpon by the Quéenes and Ladies present shée was conuayed into her Chamber where béeing againe reuiued she began most pitifull and dolorous lamentations so when all the companie had left her that shée was alone with Hippolita falling downe on her knées at her beds â—â—ete shée thus began O my God and benigne Father pittie thy poore distressed creature and forget the offences I haue heretofore committed for what is a sinner vnlesse thou in mercie suffer her to come before thée Wilt thou then vouchsafe O wonderfull wordeman of the whole worlde one eye of pittie vpon thy humble forsaken seruantâ— and suffer her not to fall into subiection to the vewed enemie of thy holy worde arming me so strongly in this temptation that I no way iniurie my Lord and husbande Trineus but rather graunt this desolate spirit may leaue this bodie and the worlde togither Ah my honourable Lord Trineus where art thou nowe that thou art not héere so defenâ—e the shamâ— and wrong this Tyrant offers thée What art thou dead or hast thou forgâ—tten me No no so well am I assured of thy fidelitie as no forment can diuert thée from mée Yet if I knewe directly that thou art not liuing the lesse woulde â—ée my feare to follow thée for then the greatest pleasure this Pagan could doe 〈◊〉 were to make mée happie onely by death But for the matter is vncertaine and that I liue in hope once more to see thée I will patiently endure all afflictions whatsoeuer for so swéete a reward as is thy louâ— These sorrowes of the Princesse so gréeued Hippolita as one coulde hardly iudge who was most passionate yet at length shée thus spake to Agriola I beséech you good Lady to leaue these gréeuous lamentations and regarde the high estate honour and dignitie that you shall haue in marrying with my Lord. Neuer perswade me quoth the Princesse to manifest disloyaltie for such preâ—erments if they bée not gotten iustly and by vertue they ought not to bée coueted but to be shunned as diuelish Serpents Thus spent they the whole night and in the morning came the Quéenes and Ladies newlie come to the Court to bid the sorrowfull Bride good morrow in her Chamber attyring her in wonderfull gorgious vestures after their Country maner farre beyonde the royaltie of Helena after her arriuall at Troy Betwéene foure Kings shée was brought into the greate Hall and from thence conducted to the Temple where they were espoused by the Mosti To recount here thy royall solemnitie in the temple the Maiestie and vnspeakable dignitie at the pallace the excellent Comedies rare triumphs Maskes Momeries Moriscoes and such like courtly pleasures would bée a matter too prolixious for they are not to our purpose Let it then suffice yee that after they were magnificently entreated at Dinner and Supper the daunâ—ing began and God knowes how the Turks Moores Arabes and Medes set foorth themselues in thâ—ir dâ—uises and sports before their Ladies much lyke the Satyres and â—orned Faunes giuing new inuasions on the Nimphes of Diana But all these maruayles ioyes and follies coulde not chaunge the Princesse countenaunce for shée continuing in her penâ—â—uenesse these sports were worsse to her then the tormentâ— of death aboue all fearing the losse of her chastitie which was a Iewell neuer to be recouered The Pastimes ended by the Quéenes and Ladies shée was conducted to the nuptiall 〈◊〉 so braue and â—â—ately as the Prince Aeneas when he came to Quéene Dido of Carthage and there was the vnfortunate Bride committed to her rest Soone after came the hastie Bridegroome calling for Torches that hée might be holde the Goddesse hée honoured and as hée was preparing himselfe to bed he was troubled with such feares passions and apâ—plexie as nowe he séemed more lyke a ghost then a man Perforce hée was constrained to forsake the Chamber when the extremitie of the fit somewhat asswaging and his former louepassions freshly assayling him comming to the Princesse againe heauily hée thus spake Ah Agriola Ladie and sole Mistresse of my heart I thinke thou art some Goddesse or at least excéeding all humanitie so strange is this aduenture as neuer any man I thinke heard of the like Alas cannot thy anger be appeased nor thou induced to loue him who for thy sake endures most horrible torments I pray thée bée not the cause of my death or if thou néedes wilt suffer mée first to eniâ—y the fruites so my desires Know my Lord answered Agriola that with my will yoâ— neuer shall enioy it and if perforce you séeke to dishonour me assure your selfe I am resolued rather to suffer endlesse miseries then to violate my faith to my loyall Husbande for such is my trust in God that hée will not forget such as call on him But in respect thou hast not béene cruell to mée nor hast exercised mée with any tyrannie I shall suffer thée to lye vpon the bed by mée as my Brother might doo and sometime though it be more then modestie embrace thée in mine armes but if fartheâ— thou presumest thou mayst not bée permitted but shall loose that fauour thy selfe and mee togither Madame quoth hée in graunting mée that courtesie you saue my life for I haue many Concubines to qualifie those passions and neuer will I attempt your dishonour while I liue if I but offâ—r the motion refuse mée foreuer I shall therefore account of you as my Sister and death shall not make me doo contrarie to your appoyntment The yong Princesse glad of this solemne promise gaue him a kisse or twaine and suffered him to embrace her but other kindnesse could be neuer obtaine