where she had but begun to like him before Cupid that commandeth the mightiest began most furiously to assaile her that her tender heart vanquished therewith was enforced to yéeld her selfe a slaue to his deitie and giuing ouer other courtlike delightes bend her whole studie in séeking which way to win her best beloued to her liking for the accomplishing of which many waies were deuised but none thought sufficient so that resting in a laborinth of confused thoughts commanding her attendants from her she said Nutania what wretch that liueth enioyeth not more swéet content then thy selfe who yéelding to follow the follies of thy youthful mind hast planted thy loue thou knowest not on whome a straunger and of no more reputation then a Merchant a base Trade and most frawdulent as I haue heard many Nobles discusse whereby they obtaine to great wealth and by their extraordinary meanes wring such yoong Gentlemen as are forced to haue to doo with them from their auncient Patrimonies making of Noble men Gentiles of great worship beggers and their owne base-born brats to become yoong maisters which in time and small time consumeth that in ryot which their miserable fathers by extortion false reckonings vnsatiable vsery and other loose dealings sold their soules the precious Image of our Sauiour to the diuel But wretched wretch whither wandrest thou these be no points for thée to stand vpon thou hast now vied the game and art bound by such a band as there is no remedie but sée it thou must therefore leaue to discourse what he was or hath bene Thou hearest by generall report of all men he is honorable in wars valiant bountifull and endued with all maner of Gentilmanlike conditions which argueth him descended of better parentage then he will acknowledge And therefore cease not to loue him who by all coniectures if outward shewes procéede of the motion of the heart regardeth thy honour then requite his seruice Nutania and séek in time to quench that flame which beginneth but yet to warme lest encreasing by litle and litle it consume thée In extremes the Noble mind is best knowne happie are they accounted which forewarned can eschue a mischiefe If thou canst win thy Loue what creature may be compared with thée for happie content Be resolute Nutania feare no colours thy loue is planted on such a one who for his vertues may be mated with the greatest Princesse on the earth then stand not on termes of his being but determine to loue him faint hearted souldier neuer gained conquest if he be base thou maist aduance him Thou art heire to the Crown of Thrace and thy fathers sole delight who then should gainsay thy will herein fathers sole delight said I yea there Nutania lieth a block which thou canst hardly remoue Thy father what will he aged King say when he shall heare of thy loue so basely planted which hast refused to be wife to two famous Kings requiring thée with great sute in marriage Refraine fondling from this rash determination let thy fathers loue be a raine to hold thy vnbrideled will feare his displeasure which gaue thée life and séeke not by thy folly to bring his head with sorrow to his graue which if thou persist will be such a corasiue to his heart and such a staine to thine honour as the memorie of Nutanias disobedience will neuer be raced out With these and such like motions of good she sought to withdraw her loue from him that for birth and other noble actions deserued her better albeit vnknowne to her but what euer hée be the more shée sought to suppresse the flame of her loue the more it encreased that without regard of fathers good or her own honour she determined to loue him yea the Mayden Knight with his Prize was arriued at the Court whom the King and Nobles welcomed with all curtesie they could shewe as ioyfull of his safe returne who had so honourably borne himselfe in that action as if he had conquered Europe which kindnesse to the knight was recompence sufficient for all his charge and hard aduenture The Princesse who was awaked from her studies by report of the knightes comming sumptuously attired as she could as beséemed her estate accompanied with all her troupe of Ladies and maides of honour came vnto the Presence who no sooner approached the place where the knight was but beholding the exquisite perfection of her bewtie which he so much delighted in was sodeinly bereaued of his sences so that he stood as a mā which had lost himselfe yet reuyuing loath to make manifest what with great griefe hée had consealed so long humbly on his knées presented the glorie of his enterprise vnto her saying Most gracious Princesse as by your moste excellent hands I receiued my first steppe to honour and fighting for your Graces and Kingly fathers sakes it hath pleased God to prosper me with a happy victorie for which good hauing nothing worthie to present your Grace as I desire yet in knowledge of my dutie to your Exellence to whom my life and seruice is deuoted I humbly beséech you accept this Gentleman my prisoner and your Noble fathers mortall enemie The Princesse to whom nothing could be more pleasing thē the sight of the beloued knight graciously accepted the prisoner rendering great thankes for the same as also for his valour shewed in their defence And then turning to the captiued Prince she said My Lord you sée the chaunce of Fortune and how mutable she is in all actions sometimes fawning sometimes frowning but whether by your fortune or cowardise or both you are now at their mercy whose ouerthrow you assured your selfe of and which you more desired then all territories of the earth but our God which neuer suffereth his seruants to perish hath mightily defended vs it is not your mightie powers can daunt the hearts of Christians whose God is their guide neither regard we them at all as a matter of any trust your eyes can witnesse who hauing an Army able as you thought to haue vanquished all Christendome is by a handfull to your multitudes surprized Yet dismay not my Lord a Maiden is your Iaylor who wil vse you more honourably then you can imagin or your hard threats deserueth The Prince which saw the bewtie of the Princesse whom he so earnestly vpon reports had desired was astonied greatly holding the fame that was bruted to be nothing to her worthinesse therfore accusing himselfe of great impietie that had borne Armes against the onely Paragon of the earth and not by curtesie haue continued his loue begun ashamed of himselfe he saith Renowmed Lady Fortunes darling Bewties chiefe pride though mishap hath made me of a Prince and heire to the mightiest Potentate of the earth a captiue and that by thy champion I am dishonored and my power vanquished crosses which may cause the stoutest that euer liued to cry out on Fortune to curse the Destinies yet am I comforted in y
had hée ended this his tedious premeditation when worde was brought vnto him by one of his Pages that the Lorde Cariolus was come to visite him which did put him from all further imaginations at that time Cariolus no sooner come to his presence but Dionicus with a blushing countenance bad him welcome ashamed of his rash suspition yet concealing the same as he might framed such kinde spéech as he best coulde the better to assure his welcome not sparing oftentimes to render great and hartie thankes for his kindnesse in comming to visite him and more to shewe how glad hée was of his companie hée called to rise which he had not done long before but for necessitie making his bed Thus when long time was spent betweene them discoursing of manie matters to both their contentes Dionicus called for meat where to accompanie Cariolus he receiued more sustenance than he had in manie dayes before to the great ioy of his attendant Barnardine who by messengers certified the King and Quéene thereof who ioyed and were not a little comforted at this report Dinner ended Cariolus with the Prince deuising to beguild y e time loth suddenly to leaue him called for a Chésse boord wherwith they sported a while Dionicus whō griefe of minde procured soone to melancholy loosing two or thrée faire games became verie impacient to agrauate whose chollor and make his furie the more Cariolus playing for cunning to make game tooke his quéene and gaue checke to his king whereat the Prince forgetting both himselfe and other those motions so lately by him minded first violently striking him with the board ranne fiercely on him and taking him by the throate cried mainly out thus Villaine quoth he shamest thou not to robbe me of my Ladie my Loue my life and soules comfort but to my téeth must check me therewith in my owne Country base fugitiue thou shalt beard me no more therewith for by thy miserable death will I recouer to mine owne possession my loue my Ladie my Quéene yea in despight of thy head Nutania shall be my mistresse swéete Princesse the onely soueraign of my thoughts Barnardine and his Noble attendants séeing this friendship lately profest so suddeinly forgotten taking him with much adoo from Cariolus were not a little perplexed but as men past themselues hauing neuer séene the like could imagine no cause greatly doubting that suddeinly he was growne lunaticke Cariolus vexed at this hard vsage of the Prince was no sooner freed from him but in great chollor would haue departed Protesting to be reuenged for this discurtesie offered him Affrming that his entising spéeches in cullour of kindnesse was to no end but to draw him from his honorable friends to murther him Barnardine carefull what might ensue hereof weighing each occasion which might hereat be taken besought Cariolus of that loue he beare the King his maister which had vsed them honourablie of his loue to his owne King and all that might be imagined to conceiue of this wrong offered as of no such pretended matter as he supposed but rather with patience to consider the long extreame sicknes of the Prince and how subiect by reason of his infirmitie he was vnto melancholy vndertaking on his faith and honest reputation how euer the occasion grew it was not in mallice assuring him the Prince when he should call to mind this vnkind action would with griefe lament it and sorrowing for the same submit himselfe crauing hearty forgiuenesse for his rashnesse Barnardine vexed at the heart for this vnkind dealings of the Prince entreating his associates to perswade Cariolus went himselfe to the prince and after dutiful speach to his grace recounted vnto him in what euill part Cariolus tooke this abuse by him offered humbly beséeching him as he estéemed the loue of his Princely father and the honour reputation of his country to acknowledge in some curteous maner the wrong committed and so reconcile himself Dionicus whose passion had not it left him albeit in his health none might more perswade him then Barnardine yet hearing him preach repentance being in this humour forgate their passed friendship and moued with his talke albeit it was vsed for his good with a looke as gastly as a ghoast risen from the graue drew neare Barnardine and laying hands on him had like to haue mischieued him had he not made the more spéed away Cariolus vnderstanding what had bene offred the aged man and hearing in what regard the Prince held his loue passing by his chollor began with great heauinesse to lament the Prince his agonie and sorrowing for him besought the heauens creature so to comfort the Prince as himselfe would wish in the like extreame And so leauing Barnardine and the Nobles to their charge departed The Nobles whose griefe was not little with hearts ouer charged with sorrow thinking it not conuenient to leaue him alone doubting som worse matter shuld happen vnto him went to visit the Prince chéerfully enquiring of his welfare which with so good countenances as he could vse was kindly answered of the Prince who hauing past the extremitie of his fury calling to minde those notable abuses offred his friends greatly lamenting his folly therin he said Where where my honourable friends may I hide my head to shelter me from the worlds reproach who voyd of all reason more brutish then the sauage beast haue sought to murder my dearest friends Oh how might I blush with shame and ashamed of my euill committed neuer behold the faces of those whom I haue so euill entreated what fury bewitched me to this mischiefe Or what diuellish sorcery enchanted my spirits and captiuated my sences so to offend thée Lord Cariolus who of thy zealous affection and curtesie came to visit me delighting so greatly in thy company as I did And thou the father of grauitie my greatest hope in the world Barnardine thou whose honest care and loue to me hath bene euer showne from my Cradle Oh Barnardine how vngratefull haue I bene rewarding thy good with the hazard of thy blood Woe is me vnhappie and thrise vnhappie that I haue liued to behold the light of this day wherein past my self I haue so highly offended Pardon pardon my Lord Cariolus as thou art honorable and thou Barnardine whose aged yeares I haue so highly offended Forgiue my misse and remit that euill I haue committed against thée or let me neuer behold the dayes light againe Why should I liue whom mine owne conscience so highly accuseth of such impietie Will not the fowles of the aire soaring ouer thy head as thou walkest cry out vngrateful Dionicus that wouldest haue murdred thy frends each creature that God hath made wil exclaime against thée for this euill following thée with cries of horror to thy euerlasting reproach Therefore vnhappie Dionius since by thy owne doings this reproach is happened vpon thée whereby for euer thou art dishonoured and no man hereafter will dare to vse any familiaritie with thée no
â— swéetnes of your words which disdaineth to vse the vtmost cruelty you might or take his life that had vowed to vse you with more extremes then if by the greatest torments I could haue afflicted you withall I had caused you die many thousand deaths if it were possible so many could â—e incident to one bodie Had I preuailed of thy curtesie famous Princesse I cannot say what I would but vow vnto thée by the honour of my fathers Crowne while I breath to remaine a true liegeman vnto thée vertuous Nutania whose curtesie hath subdued my chollor and put my oppressed heart from a million of cares wherewith it was opprest My Lord quoth the Princesse your Lordship is merily disposed indéed women are gods children wonne with a toy such fooles they are yet my Lord I wold you did know how litle I estéem the flattery of men of what estate soeuer they would spend their friuolous spéech elsewhere for your Lordship though you please to iest I thanke God you haue such cause so to do whom I praise for the victorie receiued and next his dutie my seruant for his paines imployed for our safetie And with these words she gaue him so gracious a looke as well might the standers by sée it was not feined but that her spéech spoken in his praise procéeded of the inward motions of the hart which of the captiue Prince was not vnperceiued which caused him to replie thus Madame for auoyding of that odious sinne of flattery which my heart hath euer contemned I dare not say what I would yet séeing the destinies are so pleased to yéeld me a prisoner to my enemie I reckon my vnhappinesse the lesse which haue so gracious a Ladie for my kéeper of whom expecting no better then death I am by your comfort quite depriued of that feare And for this noble Gentleman how Fortune and the Fates hath fauoured him in this victorie wherein I am so dishonoured euery man cannot conceiue But were the honor therof a million more yet not to be weighed in the ballance where your Grace doth counterpease the same which is more to be estéemed then the worlds good how you hold him in regard I know not but if an enemies praise may any way honour him I say and with my blood wil auouch that for his valour none liueth on the confines of the earth his equall wherefore madame boast you of his worthinesse which is péerlesse and worthie for all perfections to be honoured of the mightiest Monarke that liueth Thankes my Lord quoth the Princesse for your good opinion of my seruant I doubt not but he will say as much for you when opportunitie shall serue who I assure you is as curteous as otherwise honourably endued While they were thus pleasantly discoursing word was brought the King that Theophilus Prince of Thessaly who by the outrage of a cruell storme had suffered shipwracke was found on a raft driuen a shore vpon the farthest parts of his confines where being vnknowne to any his subiects but by his owne report was by the Gentlemen of his country entreated as beséemed his estate and accompanied with a princely traine was within halfe a dayes iourney of the Court The sodaine report whereof brake their talke the King commanding his traine presently to be readie horssed to accompany him who with diligence failed not to obey his commaund and so orderly marching through the Citie they ryde easily paced vntill they méete the straunger King betwéene whom great curtesie was vsed The King gaue thankes and louing countenance to the Gentlemen who had to their great cost so honored him by enterteining this straunger whereby his countrey was made famous Thus with diuerse discourses they passed the time till they came to the Court where a stately lodging was puruayed for him and Officers appointed to attend his person as royally as if he had bene in his owne Pallace where solacing with the King and his Nobles we leaue him to return vnto Pheander the Mayden Knight whose entrailes frying with the scorching flames of his mistresse bewtie had so much changed his colour and impaired his strength that enforced by great griefe and extremitie of his loue he withdrew him to his chamber where casting himselfe on his bed with a million of carefull thoughts eftsoones determining to séeke the Princes fauour And then by contrarie motions fearing the successe of his sute carrying the report of no better then a Merchant which might giue cause of great dislike and disparage his sute he saith miserable Dionicus whom the Fates continually causeth by their hard hap daily to complaine cursing the time of thy natiuitie and the starres which gouerned thine aspects which neither time or place can remedie faint hearted wretch that séeking thy owne ouerthrow encreaseth thy griefe by consealing the cause Leftes not thou thy Princely father to come hither where thou mightest enioy the presence of thy beloued mistresse and in doing her seruice to acquaint her with thy loue and coward like shamest thou to let hir know thy zeale whose curtesie is without compare and euerie way sheweth in what regarde shée holdeth thee that hath procured her libertie in aduenturing thy life a pleasure that of a thankfull minde can neuer be forgotten What knowest thou whether her loue be as much to thée whom womanly modestie denieth to reueale else mightst thou happily knowe it No no fondling thy fortune is not so happie which euer hath liued in vnhappinesse yet dispaire not nor like a wretch die in thy Cabenet Rowse thée and consider what thou art giue not ouer thy desires to miserable death without acquainting her with thy loue spare to speake and spare to spéede A Prouerbe not so old as true which if thou follow will either giue thée comfort by her curteous grant or by deniall hasten thy death by which thou shalt be freed from these torments enioying life and liuing enioy thy swéete delight or by death endâ— these torments In this resolution hauing banished dispaire arming himself with hope of good successe stretching his weake limbes he hasteneth to the Presence whose absence had bene noted of moste Courtiers attendant there but especially of the Princesse who albeit found the companie vnfurnished wanting his companie yet durst not enquire of him doubting the suspition of iealious eyes But Fortune who had so long spurned at him with her foote gaue him this opportunitie to raise him whome she had like to haue ouerthrowne chauncing to looke out of a windowe which opened into a Parke belonging to the Court hée espied the Princesse pleasantly passing the time with her Traine of Ladies which opportunitie hée was not willing to lose but with all such spéede as his fainting legges could make reuiued by the sight of his swéete chase with all sayles spread in short time hée recouered his wished desire who was no sooner of the Princesse séene his humble dutie done and she hauing requited the same giuing him the time of
PHEANDER THE MAYDEN Knight DESCRIBING HIS HONOVRAble Trauailes and hautie attempts in Armes with his successe in loue Enterlaced with many pleasant discourses wherein the grauer may take delight and the valiant youthfull be encouraged by honourable and worthie aduenturing to gaine Fame Written by H. R. LONDON Printed by Tho. Creede dwelling in Thames streete neare the old Swanne 1595. To the Right worshipfull true professor follower of Armes and marshall discipline the Renowmed Captaine Thomas Lea Esquire H. R. your worships faithfull wel-willer wisheth aboundance of all worldly happinesse with hâ—rts desire in all your attemptes and after death the ioyes eternall MAny Poettes Right worshipfull Captaine haue written the honours of such Noble and bewtifull Ladies as they adore applauding in heroicall verse and most eloquent prose their worthinesse some vnder one title some another each one in his seuerall humour as their Patronize doth merit to those whose quaint conceits and wittie inuentions are such I leaue those amorous Subiects singing in my harsh Tunes the honours of a Souldier a Prince borne and a Noble professour of Armes which I boldly offer vnto your worship that is a Patron to all professing marshall discipline and woorthily is so called in all places where your forward seruice hath bene approued but especially registred for a mirror of gentilitie and honourable Souldier of our time amongst the Irish Nation and inhabitants of that land where your name is both feared and beloued the one for your resolution the other for your vertues bountie and clemencie whereof daily they reape the benefit The due consideration of all which hath halled me on thus farre to aduenture hoping your accustomed fauour shal be a protection to this straunger whose honours if you vouchsafe at such times as your serious affaires shall permit leisure to peruse I hope somthing therin may moue your delight which I hartily wish If happily it so proue I shall hereafter be imboldned to shew my slender skill in explaining the honors and vertues of our home-born aduenturers whose honourable actions are not the least in account nor ought to rest in obliuion Till when and euer amongst those which your worships fauours haue tyed in true loue vnto you I will offer my vnfeined and dutifull seruice Your worships in all dutifull affection euer ready to be commanded Henry Robarts To my beloued Country men the curteous Readers GEntlemen after many bloudie bickerings and daungerous hazards in great perils on the seas I haue recouered the hauen of my desire and haue brought for your delighte this strannger Knight a Prince borne endued with much honour who being a man famous as his actions importeth Albeit my skill is not such as is required yet haue taken vpon me a Pilots charge and in safetie haue set him a shoare where his desire led him vnto whom Gentiles my hope is your accustomed fauour to all strangers shall not be denied being a Cauilere of fame how plainly so euer you see him attired yet accept him and as a Traueller comming of good will bid him welcome and with fauour peruse his honours in Armes gained which I hope may in some sort delight you if happily it prooue as I desire he hath his wish But how so euer discountenance him not altogither whose will is to deserue well Abrupt faultes he may vnwillingly coÌ„mit many which if according to your accustomed curtesies you vouchsafe to pardon and after his long trauaile with careful trouble to delight you receiue but the least shewe of good liking it is all he exspecteth your curtesie is more then the cost from which as you are English men and Gentiles allianate so shall hee endeuour to deserue better and shall in his trauaile hereafter report of you as you are and binde me his carefull Pylot your Country man through whose procurement hee is come hither to your humble seruice Yours euer H. R. Pheander The Mayden Knight describing his honorable Trauels and haughty attempts in Armes wtih his successe in loue WHat time Manpelious raigned king in Numedia as their ancient annuals record Thelarchus likewise swayed the Diademe in Thrace a Prince so highlie renowmed for all honourable actions as few such in his time liued This Thelarchus in the blooming of his Princelie yeares desirous to leaue issue to his Noble house ioyned in marriage with Alinda daughter and sole heire to Constantius Emperour of Germanie by whome in short time after their Nuptials he had issue one daughter who was named Nutania This princesse as in comelinesse of person shee exceeded so for her beautie wisdome and other good graces there liued none her equall the reporte of whose excellence as Fame aduanceth with her loudest trump the honorable especially such péerelesse creatures as this Princesse yea so highlie stood-shee graced in the Gods fauour that none but Nutanias beautie was remembred in most Princes Courts both Christian and heathen The renowme of whose peerelesse beautie so often blazed came to the hearing of Dionicus son and heir apparant of the Numidian King who vpon the surpassing praises by euery one giuen of this Lady begun more and more vpon hearing such seuerall reportes to conceiue an inwarde ioy of her diligently hearkening to each stranger which should recount her vertues and honour by vertue gayned Long had not this humour followed the louely Prince Dionicus but loue the soueraign guide of mens thoughts had so enthralled him that all his delight was in contemplating of this Princesse beautie yea so was he ouertaken in loues snare that nothing was pleasing vnto him but the swéete remembrance of Nutania so much was his delight in her that oftentimes in the midst of his pastimes calling the Princesse to minde he would as one past himselfe altogether ouercome with melancholy abandon the coÌ„pany of his most familiars séeking froÌ„ their pleasing pastimes some solitary place where he might vnheard or séen recount w t large amplificatioÌ„s the Princesse beauty whose seruant in mind he was wholly vowed Thus dallied Dionicus so long with beauties flame that ouertaken with the vehemency therof he fell into an extreame feuer which in such strange maner assayled him as the learnedst Physitions could not find any reason of the disease much lesse procure his health who laÌ„quished in loue not daring to disclose his grief to any or acquaint his trustiest coÌ„panion with his loue This sudden alteration of the Prince in whose welfare the comfort not onlie of his companions in Court but generally of the commons consisted mooued them al to such excéeding griefe that in short time their louely countenances were so much altered that neither pleasing looke nor chearfull word was to be obtained from them The King whose aged life depended on the happinesse of his son as fathers how base soeuer delight in vertuous offsprings much more the Noble whose honors are to bee mainteined by their progeny the aged king whose greatest felicity was in the prince was with such infinit griefs oppressed that
bed as his weake limbes would suffer him hee gaue them such harty welcoms as highly contented them beséemed their estates These Nobles when they had made their eies witnesses of what report had so often bruted rather accused report of great wrong in not giuing him such due as hée deserued then of ouer much praise for that the fame bruted of him was not to be valued with his woorthinesse The time of dinner passed they with many glaunces on the Prince noting his curtesie but euer lamenting his griefe wishing his health framing them selues to pleasant discourses to put him from those melancholie thoughtes wherewith hée was ouer much burthened Thus with much diuersitie of table talke consumed the time the grauer sort of matters for benefite of the state the gréener heades whose yeares required no other cares of their pleasing pastimes and pleasure the managing their horses commending the statelinesse of their bodies their sinenesse in careyring their brauerie in their Coruet and excellent swiftnesse in their gallop their readines in hand and their courage in the face of the enemie not omitting the gallant cryes of their hounds nor forgetting by which and which such a bucke was slaine and such a Stag puld down passing not without high commending the soring of their hawkes nor forgetting their statelinesse in flight with their fearce seazing on their game And then for variety as occasion is ministred Carowse a health to their Mistresse and Loues in their country The Prince as louely as the best in his health as wel able to performe whatsoeuer had his greatest comfort in listening to the talke of Cariolus and Octauius two noble men of Thrace which accompanied of pleasure Atlautus the chiefe in commission for their king Dionicus earnestlie noting these two Nobles of Thrace as most delighted with their persons and pleasant parlie heard Cariolus carowse a health to the Princesse Nutania whose name the distressed Prince no sooner heard vttered but the remembrance of that swéet obiect his liues sole health and mistresse of his fancies so reuiued his dying spirits that suddenly the beholders might wel perceiue his wan cullour which argued a troubled shirit to vanish and those vermilion died roses the woonted badges ornaments of his swéet face challenge their former intrest and for a time possesse them restoring vnto Nature her due making his louelie countenance as chearfull to the beholders as the glorious Sun to the captiued whose liberty being depriued haue long bin debarred of al worldly delights seldom receiued comfort from that heauenlie essence This chearful alteration in the Prince was noted of diuers whose eares albeit busied in listening to the discourses of these strangers yet the eies of his own attendants with dutiful care gaue héede vnto the Prince Amongst those vnto whose gouernmeÌ„t the care of y e princes health was committed Barnardine a man for his arte famous and learned in his profession which was physick who somtime was tutor vnto him noting this sudden chaÌ„ge in the Prince supposing verily by his countenance that some of their speeches did mooue him to content comming suddenly to him and grasping his arme felt his pulses beat so fiercely as in long time they had not done the like which made him more consideratly search to find the cause of this motion enquire it he durst not doubting to mooue him to melancholie hauing so often bene denyed but resting by him a while continuing with his arme grasped hee felt the pulse more and more to worke which gaue him the more cause to finde if hee might the originall from whence it came and noting diligentlie vnto which of the companie he most inclined his eyes hee might perceiue Cariolus and his Octauius earnestlie bufied in their former talke which was I dare say neither of religion nor of gouernment of the State yet was it such as Barnardine perceiued hightie contented the Prince and desired it might long continue so it were for his Lords good Manie pretie questions passed betweene them and much varietie in whose prattle many a faire Ladie was commended by one and for argument as highly of the other discommended in which humour were diuers of the Nobilitie of the countrie and Ladies of woorth by name questioned of and many a youthfull praâ—ke by themselues committed yet all in friendship and kindly taken though harsh frumpes passed somtimes betweene them which mooued them to much myrth But when in earnest Octauius forgetting himself falling from one matter to another and that there should be a iudgment giuen who for beautie was the onlie paragon Octauius for affection commended Brionella daughter and sole heire of Constantine king of Boheme in whose fathers court he had long bene trayned vp giuing the prize from their owne country Ladies Whereat Cariolus as if hee had bene the sworne Champion of their Land mooued at his rash censure forgetting the reuerence of the place tolde him flatly his iudgement was false and that he would auow offering his gloue in combate to maintaine that the Princesse Nutania and none but she deserued y e name of beautiful whose wisedome and other good graces in any one was not to be found in the circuit of the earth and therefore Octauius quoth he thou hast done ouer much wrong to derogate the honour due to Thracian Dames especially our péerlesse Nutania whose face it beauteous Helena liued for whome so many thousands lost their liues shée might well resigne that title of the onely faire to her and none but shee whose like liueth not Octauius who was wise and well demeaned perceiuing this parlie begun in iest likely to end in quarrell noting likewise how the rest of the company ceased their serious talk to attend them with a smiling countenance as one not possest with choller brake off his talke thus Why my Lord shall matter of so small moment cause friends to iarre What is beauty whereof we haue so long disputed and so highly of vs regarded nothing but a fading pleasure an ornament of the face which maketh the heart proud and draweth the mind from euery good motion to manie odious offences whereby the honorable in committing dishonourable actions are so blemished that they become a common by-word to the veriest drudge that Nature hath framed Helena was faire and accounted the onely of her time yet who so much scorned Cressida beautiful yet who more false If beautie be attended on with such shame as these two famous women gained why should wee care who is beautifull My swéet Cariolus mistake me not if I haue passed my iudgement rashly for neither care I whose fame in that case is estéemed or defamed but passe them by as things of no regard onely for argument I haue spoken more then either I regard or account of therefore let not this be any breach of our friendship for I protest if thou shouldst say the white Swanne were as blacke as the rauen the Ocean drie and shippes floting on the maine I
play tell of me Ile tell of thée Well watcht my Lord Octauius quoth the whole company but my Lords let the further hearing of this matter rest till better opportunitie least your tediousnesse bréed trouble to my Lord the Prince whose quiet I would not willingly offend My honorable Lords answered the Prince if these discourses of those noble men be pleasing to your honours assure you they are no way offensiue vnto me I haue troubled you from your better cheare to accept of a sicke mans pittance whereunto you are all so heartily welcome as to your owne Pallaces and welcome saith our Countrey housholders is the best dish at their feasts if therefore my Lords you accept my welcome I am the more honoured by you which haue so graciously vouchsafed me your companies Then turning to the Lord Cariolus he said for you my good Lord how much I acknowledge my selfe indebted to you I omit and yéeld you as many thousands thankes for your pleasing spéech as there were sillibles in your words you haue like your selfe defended the weaker sexe for the which were I the Princes Nutania your challendge made in my cause should be bountifully rewarded I am sory my good Lord my bad hap was such that I knew you no sooner But if it shall stand with your Lordships pleasure that during the time of your abode here to vouchsafe me your company so it may be no disparagement to your serious affairs perswade your selfe your welcome shall be no better in anyplace then vnto me for which kindnesse you should hinde me vnto your friendship Gratious Prince answered the Noble Cariolus thanks for your Princely fauour and gracing me thus which am not any way to do your maiestie seruice but wherein your highnesse shall commaund I shall be readie with all dutifulnesse to accomplish Leaue these spéeches good my Lord quoth the Prince and offering dutie where friendship is requested and granting my sute let me enioy thy companie so shalt thou command Dionicus for euer as a friend The grauer sort of those Noble strangers whom matters of more importance called away after humble thanks giuen for their royall entertainment wishing health and all happinesse vnto his excellence they commit him to his rest Barnardine which had endured the end of all these prattles and perceiuing that this talke was altogither friuelous and not worthie the hearing moued him to delight he began diligently to enter into each perticular discourse of Cariolus and Octauius and considerately to note each seueral passion of the Prince so farre searched this skilfull phisition into euerie particular that caâ—â—asing it throughly he noted his speciall iesture and how his colour came and vanished yea how much his heart was possessed with ioy when he heard the Princesse Nutania named the working of his pâ—â—ces made Barnardine imagine the cause of his disease yet had no assurance thereof and to enquire it of the Prince was in vaine for that he had so often denied the same wherefore he consealing his thoughts in hope to worke meanes for his recouerie And finding those cynders which were like to com 〈…〉 e him and the rather if he could procure Cariolus to accompany him Thus leauing the Prince to his quiit and Barnardine to his care for recouering his health returne we so the aged weake King The King whose long sicknesse and care of his wife and sonnes health whome he loued most zealously being extreemly vexed and greatly weakened of his 〈…〉 when Phisicke had done what was possible and small hope to recouer him in the midst of his passions when all hopes was past but onely the comfort of him who by his word rayseth the dead from the graue so this Manpelius receiued comfort by his kingly neighbours friends whose letters when he had by his Councell perused and with regard and aduise noted each kinde offer with their persuading reasons albeit he could hardly â—â—gâ—st the â—ame yet considering how fraile men are and that our cares of Terraine ioyes are to be fa 〈…〉 d to that Celestiall commander which reléeueth all those that seeke him he reuiued himselfe and like a faithfull souldier taking holde of the promise in holie writ so often repeated he cast care of wâ—â—â—â— childe and kingdome vppon him that first gaue it him and by whole prouidence he so long enioyed theâ— â—aking his chiefest care to gra 〈…〉 thoâ—e his friends by whoâ—â—â—â—â—â—sell he was vrged to the heauenly comfort And those honourable Nobles for their paines who wishing to be with their friends in their owne Countries attend his highnesse pleasure for answere which hée tooke order should with such spéede be dispatched as possibly might 〈…〉 way be vsed Dionicus whose heart was on his halfpennie vowing his loue whollie to the Princesse Nutania was so delighted in recounting hee praise as nothing could be so pleasing but as all sorts of men infected with that agâ—â—â—e iâ— their loue be faithfull are enclined to some iealousie so this monstrous Basalicke whose poyson infecteth the vaiâ—es and consumeth the heart without wisedome gouerne the minde as by this Prince notably appeared who in his idle thoughtes calling to minde the praises of Cariolus and the challenge made in defence of the Princesse Nutania as loue endureth no arriual so Dionicus striken wtih the sting of ielousie began to conceiue manie vnhonourable thoughtes of Cariolus supposing Nutania was was his Loue and that by Cariolus his ioyes in her loue and hope of fauour should bee frustrate and of no account with much matter more then euer was by Cariolus imagined how largely so euer his spéech was vsed in the Princes behalfe to procure their delights and mooue Octauius to chollor notwithstanding no reason might perswade where iealousie had giuen iudgemeÌ„t for the Prince in this ielousie fought no meane but reuenge of him that neuer committed the least thought of euill against him When reuenge in this Princes heart was thus imprinted and rage and ielousie set downe his death an honourable motion more befitting his grace then rigor moued by the inspiration of the eternal God withdrew him from this base attempt he called to mind the honour of his house the loue of those Princes their bordering neighbors by whose command Cariolus came into his Country the Scandall so bloodie a fact deserued what continuall ignomy would redownd vnto him and his progeny for euer accusing himselfe of great impietie he exclaimed on his follies in this maner Blush Dionicus at thy base thoughts and so much sorrow for thy pretended mischiefe against this noble straunger as if thou hadst shed the bloud of a thousand innocents hast thou from thy Cradle disdained to offer wrong to the most inferiour and wilt now begin with murther of a noble man Knowest thou not that to adde to his head one haire is more then the greatest Prince can doo And wilt thou séeke his life that neuer had thought of il against thée Hath thy father liued so many
yeares honourably reputed amōgst them euer in tranquilitie and by thy cruel slaughtering thy friend shall their peace be broken Was it not for his comfort and thy good these strangers came into this country and for their kindnesse canst thou reward them with such despight Thou enuiest the happinesse of a toward gentleman for thou knowest not what say he loued the Princesse what is that to thée intrest hast thou none to debarre him from it Nutania thou knowest not but by hearesay hée a Noble man of her country a toward Gentleman and woorthily may obtaine her Nature hath made him of the mould of the earth whereof thou art framed the begger is as subiect to amorous passions as the prince Nutania is beautifull wise faire and in the principall time of her flourishing estate louely as the dewe on the swéete Roses Cariolus valiant well featured wise and toward in all honorable actions all which are load-starres to draw ladies to loue and Nutania is but a woman though a princesse If then thou hast neither feare of God or lawe of humanity to perswade thée from so great a mischiefe yet let his kindnesse offered thée which hath bene as much as euer thou requiredst be of some regarde The fiercest beast seldome harmeth those whose societie they vse and wilt thou be found more cruel then vnnreasonable creatures No no Dionicus let die thy malice to Cariolus who is innocent and far from any thought of pretended euill against thée for so much the more shall his blood with extremitie be reuenged by how much the more thou vniustlie iniuriest him yea rather choose to die a thousand deaths if euerie life were a legion of liues then holde so base a minde Thou hast long though to thy great griefe and much sorrow concealed thy loue to Nutania now wilt thou murther him that wisheth thée wel for her loue No no Dionicus let honor be the marke whereat thou aimest account death more precious then life with ignominie honour by murther blemished is such a staine as can neuer be raced out but the continuall ignomine thereof will remaine while there is any being Yea and what is more to bee regarded the welfare of thy subiectes on whom the bloud of so noble a man wil be with great effusion reuenged thy country like those ruinous monuments of Troy laid waste and desolate which was spoyled for a fact nothing so odious Sithence thou hast all these reasons to reduce thée from this vile thought dally no longer with thy shadowe as in the tale of Esope thou maist read of y ◠dog who mooued with enuie of anothers welfare not only hazarded his life but what els he had in possession Though the comparison bée ridiculous yet the example may mooue thee to feare thine owne fall For if the goddes be so iust in punishing such offences in vnreasonable creatures howe much more shalt thou bée plagued whom God hath not onley endued with reason but inuested with titles of maiestie and honour whose life should shine on the earth as the glorious Sun and by thy vertues drawe such as liue vnder thy gouernmēt from their desire to commit euil for such as is the Pastor such will be the flocke if the Prince bee vertuous the Subiect will feare to offende if hée bee vicious who will care to liue in obedience of him or his lawes Thou séest Dionicus the peril surcease therfore thy base thoughts and as Cariolus is Noble where thou hast without desert bene iealous become zealous from enuying him that no way wished thée euill admit him to thy friendship to him thy kindnesse may be acceptable and in vsing such fauours maist thou in time learne the trueth of what thou now supposest If Cariolus loue Nutania he cannot be so secrete but in some sort or other thou shalt attaine to the knowledge thereof and as thou shalt in conuersing with him finde his Honourable dealinges so maist thou either trust him or refuse him If Nutania haue vowed her loue vnto him séeke to master thy affection and wish them ioy if not his friendshippe may the sooner bring thée to thy desires by acquainting the Princesse with thy loue in explaining the passions for her thou hast indured Nutania saith the wrolds report is beautifull wise and honorablie demeaned and therfore cannot be cruell her father a king beloued of all y ◠haue heard of him whose kindnes hath bin such to thy father thée as thou canst not deserue if such loue remain in the parents the children shuld not hate then fondling if thou hast wronged thy selfe in concealing thy grief accuse thy owne follies and condemne not thy friends of euil nor let thy iealosie blame Cariolus who neuer had thought of pretēded euil against thée if thou faile in thy loue blame none but thy selfe spare to speake spare to spéed Cowards neuer were Loues champions nor faint-hearted swad obtained Ladies loue women though neuer so base wil be sued sought and courted with manie deuises allured to win them and their loues obtained as sundry means sought to continue it A Nouice art thou Dionicus and neuer came to knowe what many a hardy man at armes hath endured histories are diuers which shewe the extreames of Princes and famous Conquerors that they endured through loue yet hast thou neuer read of any that euer wooed by silence courted their mistresses with imaginations or obtained their loue being mute Longer maist thou smother thy griefe which may cureles consume thée fire suppressed burneth w t more vehemencie and loue concealed consumeth the intrals and slayeth remedilesse How long may thy shoo wring thy foot before any that looke thée in the face can tell where it pincheth thée Many of meane birth haue obtained the loue of Princes and ladies of great woorth by daring to attempt wedded and bedded them If the ignoble haue had such successe in loue Rouse thée dastard from this loathsome cabinet arme thée with hopes of thy Mistresse fauour and with courage séek to obtaine it let griefe no longer oppresse thée but like the sonne of thy renowned father shew thy self let not daring loue which by many good motions may bée vanquished ouerthrow thée by subiecting thy selfe ouermuch vnto it but in the face of the enemie shewe thy selfe and there by prowesse purchase such renowne as the report of thy valour may gaine thée the loue of her thou most desirest Womens loues for the most are setled on the valiant and such as aduenture holding in rgarde such as by their valour can and will maintaine their honours bearing in triumph their fauours in the field and gaining honour in their titles I thus Dionicus should be thy thoughts holde thée there and no doubt of good successe Nutania is but a woman though a Princesse thou sonne to a King and no way her inferiour Then continue this resolution and Nutania may in time aswell séeke thy fauour as the noble Amozonia Alexanders loue Scantly
not one from the Prince to the begger liue not liue not thou Dionicus but let that hand that committed the euill finish thy life which liuing can neuer be vnremembred In this furie resoluing to haue mischiefed himselfe his Nobles taking him in their Armes with such comfortable spéeches as they could pacified him who séeing his sorowfulnesse were partakers of his grief and much lamented his extremitie as men might for their Soueraign Yet casting of care seeking the best for their quiet they could they laid him in his bed where with solemne musicke they procured him to sléepe Where for a time I leaue him Time that finisheth all things hath now wrought an end of the Kings affaires for the dispatch of the Embassadors whome the King with great entertainment and Iewels of high estéeme so rewarded as they all had cause to speake of his royall bountie The Embassadors receiuing their Letters and the time appointed for their departure their ships with victuals at the Kings cost replenished and all other necessaries Cariolus who had bene often solicited by Barnardine to visit the Prince and by his report whose word was of account with all that had knowledge of his simple dealings was perswaded of the Princes sorrow for the wrong offered him Wherefore that it might appeare vnto Dionicus he departed not in displeasure but that he had forgotten all wrongs offered kindly before his departure came to take his leaue Where vpon the curteous demeanour of the Prince who manifested his griefe by the aboundance of sighes which he powred foorth they were reconciled and an inuiolably league of friendship vowed betwéene them which with solemne oathes they protested should neuer quaile in either of them The hast of the noble Embassadors who desired to be with their Loues at home is more now then Cariolus wished But what must be shall be how loth soeuer Wherefore after many friendly gratulations betwéene them and great gifts of the Prince on his new Amico bestowed they take leaue each of other Cariolus solemnely praying for the Princes health and Dionicus wishing him all happinesse Thus all thinges fitted by the King commaund they were honourably conducted vnto the Porte where their shippes readie furnished attended their comming where they had not long stayed but a faire winde to serue their turnes God sent them and they embarqued themselues each one for his seuerall country and the Nobles returned to the Court where to their carefull regard of their king Countries benefite we leaue them to let you knowe further of the Prince whose is troubled as you shall heare The Prince whom Nature had formed so exquisite in lineaments of body as could be required hauing wisdome and valour enferiour to none when he had considered with great wisdome from poynt to point the extremitie of his estate and found that his disease was grieuous and so great that he rather desired death than life in that agonie to bée continued weying all dangers which might befall him in séeking secretly for such helpe as by his owne industrie he could procure with the pleasures and hearts content the obtaining of his loues delight would bring him resolutelie determined as much as he might to cherish himselfe and disguising himself in habite of a traueller vnknowne of any man so soone as his strength would permit him hée departed his Countrie towards Thrace and either gaine his Ladie or trie in shorte time the ficklenesse of fortune hazarding all on this rest he secretely procureth all his Iewels and such summes of money as hée coulde and by little and little recouering himselfe vsed his woonted familiarity amongst the Nobles and Courtiours which did cause no small content and heartes ioye in the King Quéene and Commons yea such was the generall reioycing of the whole people in the Realme for his recouery that there was not one which shewed not some signe of gladnes by his outward appearance As there is not the clearest day which is not ouerwhelmed with some cloud so lasted this ioy amongst these louing subiects not long for Dionicus continuing his determination cōueyed his summes of mony and Iewels into a groue within the Parke neare the Court at such seuerall times as he would chuse to be solitarie wrought so close and with such discretion that he was altogither vnperceiued of any man Each thing wrought to his content secretly in the euening his companions by him appointed to kéep the Courtiers from idlenesse by such pastimes as he had deuised as Masking Barriors Dycing and other recreations whom he refused to accompanie alleaging that he might not be long absent from the King and that his sport determined was to recreate the Quéene who since her sicknesse was verie melancholie which coyned excuse passed for currant as what was it they would not credit which hée should report Hauing thus politikely fitted all things supper ended and euerie one attending the beginning of the sportes and pastimes Dionicus who had more stringes to his Harpe then one had no care but how to conuey himselfe from their presence which hée tooke opportunitie to doo telling the Quéene mother hée had giuen his word to be one of the Maskers which shée being glad of as reioycing to remooue his melancholy by anie meanes suffered him to depart But too soone alas gaue shée credite to his feined spéeches which turned them all to great sorrow and heauinesse for Dionicus minding least what they supposed he most ioyed in conueyed himselfe with all the hast he possibly could into the Parke where his footeman attended his comming with his horse on which hée was no sooner mounted to driue suspition or iealous thoughts of his late trauaile from his man hée commaunded him presently to spéede him with all the haste he might vnto the house of a Knight dwelling not farre off with a deuised message pretending the businesse to be of great waight and importaunce and straightly charging him not to depart from thence before his comming which should be the next night With this commaundement the seruaunt departed least suspecting the losse of so bountifull a maister was so neare But the Prince whose chiefest content was in beholding the Idia of that Paragon whom Fame had so extolled had his heart fired with desire that he thought euerie day a yeare and euerie minute a moneth vntill hée beheld the excellencie of Natures worke the onely performed worke of Bewtie and the soueraigne goddesse of his thoughts of which Dionicus hauing no small regard doubting to be missed of the King and loth to lose that opportunitie poasteth with all spéed vnto the groue where his coyne and Iewels laie where the better to escape the suspition of Officers in his passage crossing the seas he attired himselfe in the habit of a marchant which he had readie prouided for that purpose and so making small staie he ceaseth not his coriours pace nor spareth any hors flesh vntil he came to the port where he pretended to imbarke him selfe No
him to those ioyes which neuer shall haue ende Thus for this time he ended his sorrowfull spéech vttered in great griefe of minde whome carefull for to espie time and opportunitie fit for his departure we leaue for a time And shall tell you further of the Prince Dionicus who long before this time is arriued in Thrace The Prince whome desire ledde to gaine the loue of Nutania not otherwise knowne but for a marchant landed now in safetie after a friendly welcome giuen to his fellow passengers the Maister and Owners with bountifull rewardes bestowed on the Marriners was lodged by the Maister in a Marchants house of great reputation where vnknowne to be any other then he séemed he imployed his stocke by Brokers to great benefite whiche bountifully hée spent whereby he gained the loue of all men that euer had any acquaintance with him so that in short time his fame was so bruted throughout the Cittie that none of anie account but tooke great pleasure in his company and ioyed to recount his many vertues This amorous Prince whose heart was on his halfepenny loth to acquaint any man with his secret loue to the Princes doubting some further perill to his person then hée was willing to hazard would oftentimes intrude himselfe into the companie of yoong Courtiers amongst whome hée so demeaned himselfe and so Courtly in all thinges that all men might iudge from what trée such branches sprung By this often frequenting of the Court in the companie of those to whome he was most welcome hée atteined the sight of his Ladie whose beautie when he had séene so amazed him that if he were before passionate he was now more perplexed iudging her excellent perfection to bee without compare yet not knowing how to make knowne his loue vnto her smothering in silence his affection hée daily desired some occasion might be offered wherein for her safetie and honour of his beloued he might shew some act worthie honour and to deserue her liking which by Fortunes assistaunce thus happily came to passe Mustopha Corienia yongest sonne to Sutton Corienia Emperour of Constantinople burning in loue of this Princesse onely by the rare report of her singular perfections had by Embassadors from his father craued the Princesse in marriage who disdaining his loue being a Pagan although honourable might not be wonne by any entreatie to fancie him how great soeuer his offers and protestations of loue were which refusall the Prince brooked so ill being of such might that determining to gaine her by force for his concubine which in friendship he had so often required to marry he leuied a power of one hundred thousand both on horse and foote and shipping them in warlike maner in Gallies Frigattes Foystes and Brigandioces he arriued by the hard labour and painfull bowging of his slaues before the Citie of Lemonia where Philarchus kept his Court landing the greatest part of his men and horse suddeinly and beleagared the same both by land and sea vnto which he gaue many fierce and hote assaults were as valiantly resisted by the courage of those gallant Cittizens who fighting in right of their Countrey feared not the hugenesse of their Armies nor their force of shipping yet as the extremes of forrain force causeth many troubles so did the Army of Mustapha driue these braue Thracians to many wants whose courage through the lacke of victualls began to quaile that hauing no meane of reliefe neither by sea nor land loth to famish came daily to the court humbly beséeching the King to take pittie of them and not with famine to suffer them die But considering that the Princesse was the marke whereat he aimed would rather deliuer her who should be honourably entreated then suffer so many thousands to perish Philarchus vexed in mind was driuen to a non plus so diuersly perplexed he could not suddeinly answer his child who was his onely comfort and heire either to be deliuered him whose name was odious vnto him or his subiects who loued him no lesse then their owne soules must perish in this extreame Thus doubtfull what to answere he craued respite for two daies which they willingly yéelded vnto albeit their want of victualles was so great they might hardly endure The report of this dolefull sute of the commons comming to the eares of Dionicus who with his attire wee change to Pheander who was not a litle mooued there and the greater was his heauinesse by how much the more his loue was encreased towards the Princesse for whose reléef he sought many deuises eftsoones determining one thing then another presents it selfe which seemeth better at length resoluing least delayes should bréede danger hée determined in that action which was honorable to shew him selfe and eyther by his prowesse frée the King and his beloued from the tyranny of the vsurping Infidell or yeeld his latest gaspe in their defence In this resolution he came to the kings presence vnto whome doing his humble duty prrostrating himselfe he saith Most gracious Soueraigne and liege Lorde pardon the bold attempt of a rude stranger whome dutifull zeale hath bound to your seruice and of your gracious fauour to all men vouchsafe me that honour in this extreme wherin your woorthy citizens stand distressed by this faithlesse infidell who doeth séeke your subuersion and their vtter decay whose presumption if it please your Excellence to giue me leaue shall by mée and such as I can by loue and money drawe vnto me be chastened and made to knowe your Highnesse can expell at your pleasure the power of a more strong and mightier enemie who though you haue of curtesie suffered it hath not bene of cowardize as hée shall well vnderstande In this request most gracious and renowmed Soueraigne if it shall please you to honor me I doubt not by the ayd of the highest of a happie victorie The King which during his long tale had earnestlie noted the countenance and his grace in vttering the same assured himself that the honour of his house which shewed in his courage or the power of the eternal Deity wrought this motion in him and therefore without any longer pause taking him curteouslie from his knées determining to trie the fortunes of this supposed Merchant hee saith What euer thou be that honor vrgeth to this attempt thankes for thy loue wishing my good and forwardnesse in venturing thy life yet before I accept thée for my Champion say gentle friend of what countrey art thou what name and parentage to the ende that I may giue thée honour as thy desertes and bloud do require and answering me truely to these demaundes tell me what mooued thée likewise being so braue a man and in thy flourishing estate to hazard thy selfe in an action wherein so many men of honour and great valour haue lost their liues Know renowmed Lord quoth the Prince Numedia is my countrie my father a Gentleman professing martiall Discipline my name Pheander the youngest of manie of my
the day with a most pleasant and friendly countenance she challenged him of negligence whom she had not séene in two or thrée daies and leading him politikely pretending matter of importance to impart vnto him from the companie she brought him neare the side of a faire Copes which so ouershadowed them that the Sunne beames could not offend them where they might both boldly say whatsoeuer it pleased them without being heard or séene of any which might interrupt them which caused her take opportunitie to discusse with him thus Seruant quoth she I pray thée say of y e duty thou hast vowed thy mistresse and by those swéete thoughts which are best pleasing vnto thée what is the Lady to whoÌ„ thy loue is dedicated for loue doubtlesse thou doest thy countenance bewraieth it which I haue noted with more regard then becommeth a maiden yet of care to thée whose health I tender for thy curtesie good seruice done which I wold requite in the best maner I might and for thy lookes sheweth thy heart craueth to be pitied of thy Ladie let mée know her who may chance stand thée in some stéed for women may preuaile much one with an other The Knight wrapt into a heauen of ioyes hearing the goddesse of his deuotion with such fauour and kindnes to vse him with a blushing countenance standing at the bar before her whose sentence pronounced was either life or death he saith Honorable and gracious mistresse giue me leaue so to call your highnesse since you haue dained a captiue the title of your seruant and pardon my presumption answering your demand that I loue I cannot deny which argueth your skil in phisick great whom my tongue is restrained to reueale but if your highnesse could iudge whose loue I most adore and long haue and iudging ease me I should haue cause to say no phisicke proferer on the earth whatsoeuer might compare with my gracious mistresse for skill I dare say no more fearing to offend The Princesse all this time gazed on the perfection of her seruant as déeply enamoured on his perfection as the Knight inueagled with hers for her eye made a suruey of his excellent feature which shée founde more perfit by how much the more she had bent her liking to loue him Thus loue which had assailed both their harts endued them with such a siâ—pathy of ioy beholding themselues all alone that with ouer much ioy they were striken mute so that how much soeuer their hearts desired to let each other knowe their loues they could not reueale the same In this heauen of happie content they had not long bene Guenelia a Ladie that attended the Princes brought her word the King her father with the King of Thessaly was comming into the Parke which place they had chosen to recreate themselues Where passing on by faire Paris they diligently listen to the swéete recordes of the pritie birds who skipping from trée to trée gaue as well the content beholding it as the eare pleasure in their notes great was the delight they receiued viewing the bewtie of the place which for pleasant walkes swéete groues and fruitfull trées of all sortes was matchlesse into which manie pleasant brookes had recourse on the bankes of which finding the place bewtified with Natures gifts they sat them downe earnestly beholding the pleasure of the fishes how pretely they chased one the other with many a plesant conceiued toy which they noted censuring of each seuerall action as they thought best to encrease their mirth When some time was spent on this pleasant manner Philarcus King of Thrace finding himselfe all alone with the King of Thessaly hauing neuer questioned of him his vnhappie fortune began with him thus Let it not be displeasing vnto thée famous King that I intrude my selfe so far into thy familiaritie to require the cause of your graces trauaile through which your life was so dangered if you vouchâ—aâ—â— me this fauour you shal commaund a matter of more import so please it you at my hands The Thessalian King attending this vn 〈…〉 question was driuen into such 〈…〉 thoughts that his colour showed better his discontent to recount it then his tongue ablenesse to answere the kings demand how willing so euer he was to satisfie him yet after some pause taken he saith Right curteous and mirrour of the world for Nobility though nothing can be more displeasing to my grieued heart then recounting my aduerse fortune yet that your Grace shall not find any ingratitude in me at whose hands I haue receiued such honourable entertainment attende me It is not many yeares since Mantonna my father deceised who left me vnhappie I his successour to inherite the crowne which I did not long enioy before Donatia King of Egypt required of me my sister in mariage who being beautifull and in the flourishing time of her yeares hauing not yet attained to the full of fiftéene yong ynough to be bestowed yet of that wisdome that I referred y e choise of her loue to her owne liking induced thereunto by the many euils happening by such made marriages wher the children are forced by the couetous desires of their parents to ioyne wealth to wealth others for great patrimonies all for lucre fewe or none for loue But whether the beauty of my sister Phedera for so was she called or the desire of her dowrie which was great or either of them or both I cannot say â—ut my sister being made acquainted with his sute I craued her answere for which his Ambassadors attended in my Court with the best entertainment I could giue whome my sister Phedera with her owne mouth answered woe is me vnhappy the tongue that pleaded deniall to his suite but most of all vnhappy the houre when first of all hee determined to craue her at my handes in whose power it was not to graunt no sooner arriued his Nobles at the Court and he scarslie had receiued the sum of her answere but as one bereft of all honour reason and gouernment he vowed reuenge on me and my countrey And leuying a mighty power both of horse and foot assailed me in mine owne territories whome by the mighty power of the Almightie I expelled my lande to their great dishonour and no small losse to my subiectes yet how great soeuer his ouerthrowe was an honourable minde I must say were the cause iust he ordeined a mightie power by seas whereof being by my espyalles aduertised of the time as neare as they could gesse they would be readie with a power well shipped and furnished I met him neare his owne Confines where a mortall fight was begunne and moste valiantly continued neyther side giuing any shewe of fainting But alasse too soone commeth that grief which meiteth my hart into thousands of teares to recount the Admirall of mine owne Squadron being suncke and two others forced by the cunning hand of their Gunners to lye by the Lée the rest fainted which béeing perceiued of the enemie
they boorded and by hundreths entered my shippes and gallies who were valiantly repulsed But men can doo no more then God will giue them leaue so long they continued the fight that the scupars gushed bloud as they had often with the water deliuered by the Pompe And here laye one maimed and there a number slaine This pittifull stratageme when my heart with heauinesse behelde being so hardly assailed my selfe after that I was cleared from the Fléete the winde fauouring mée with a happie gale and my ship being good of saile I forsooke the fight in hope to haue recouered in my owne Countrey and by a new supply haue giuen him welcome thither But my hopes herein deceiued a boysterous storm growing the sea who is mercilesse arose in extremitie swelling with such outrage that my weak barke no longer able to endure her crueltiâ— was put against our wils on thy coast my Pylot vnacquainted with the same and a hoary myst ouer spreading the land sodeinly the ship stucke being neare the shore which draue vs to great terror To remedy the which the Mariners did their best but in vaine striue they that labour against his will that commaundeth all What should I say the outrage of the storm was such as forced the ship vpon the Lée shore which gaue vs all cause to remember our maker and with heartie prayer to craue his assistance but our comfort was comfortlesse our shyp split and we all driuen to make what shift we might my self happening on the main yard after that I had bene gréeuously beaten at sea the whole night was driuen a shore on your Confines I neuer heard of any other that were saued With this the teares restrained his spéech that he could not speake which moued the King to more pittie of his estate and friendly imbracing him he sayd No more my Lord at this time I am sorie that I haue giuen you such cause of griefe thus by recounting so lamentable a state renew your passed griefes But comfort good King when tides be at the lowest they spring againe If the Egyptian King be so extreame reason with curtesie will not content him the cause being no other but to force the loue of a woman vnto him of which perhaps he were better be without On the word of a King and by my honor I sweare I will not leaue you vntill I sée you setled in your kingdome Thus the King whome sorrow had ouerburthened was by the comfort of this noble King his hoast recomforted whose whole studie was now in preparing of an Army to ayde him to which care we leaue them Nutania whose restlesse passions neither time nor place could alter burning in these remedilesse thoughts considering the penance her louing heart was like to endure she fell into this humor Nutania how haue the Fates ordeined to make thée vnhappie that thou being deliuered from an oppressing enemy then steppes in loue to beginne a new Tragedie Thou seest her fawnings is but flattery then séek to eschue them enter not too far in the forde least minding but to wet thy shoe thou plunge ouer head and eares Thy yeares albeit not many with the examples of others whom then hast read may learne thée to be wise if thy fancie be fixed on such vanitie as may bréed thy sorrow expell it as thou maist suffer not loue to harbour in thy heart for harbored he commonly pleades possession and once possest neither force nor entreatie may remoone him so ambitious a tyrant is he that voyd of pittie against law and all hostility he holdeth what hée list Alasse Nutania if thy enemy be such what auayleth thée thou maist wish to be fréed from his tyrannie but canst neuer auoyd it so imperious is hée yet not manly but as a Coward making the breach where the wall is weakest poore women is the marke whereat most commonly he aymeth who being by nature pittifull are easie to beléeue and by â—oo light credite are taken by them they best like of Thus poore wench doest thou nothing but heaue feathers against the winde which returne into thine owne eies thy speaches vttered in loues dishonour will be challenged and like a traiterous Rebel to his Deitie shalt thou be conuicted arraigned and condemned for deprauing his Godhead If it be death fondling to speake against the maiestie of a Prince what is it to contemne the powers aboue The best remedie thou hast is reconciliation wherewith the Gods are pleased and hartily sorrowing for thy misse yéeld thy selfe vanquished yéelding séeke by fauour to attaine the end of thy desires Thy loue is matchlesse and doubtlesse honourable his countenance sheweth the true badge of Nobilitie and his valour and bountie doe answere what his other perfections promise I haue often heard it spoken that womens helpes in extremitie haue bene great if that be true proofe Nutania cal thy wittes together and so end thy tormentes by enioying thy heartes content so much discontent by yéelding to the same Thus resolued without longer stay shée called vnto her Guenela her chiefe attendant who from her infancy had bene brought vp with her In this Guenela she conceiued her greatest hope vnto whome she saide Guenela since I had reason to discerne good from euill thou knowest how I haue tendered thée and how willing I would be to séeke thy preferment make triall when thou please so shalt thou be assured of that which iustly thou maist hold in suspence But leauing these coniuring words I must Guenela commit vnto thy secrets a matter of import wheron my honor and reputation dependeth for I tell thée Guenela I haue made choyce of thée amongest all those which I may command as of her I loue and haue best cause so to do hauing had such societie else should I rather chuse to dye ten thousand deaths then reueale it Guenela which had her whole hope of good from the Princesse hearing her spéeches with teares standing in hir eyes procéeding of ioy for the honor done her by her Lady protested vnto her by heauens maker and what else he framed to be secret in her determinations and do her best endeuour to accomplish whatsoeuer she commaunded The Princesse taking her word for currant in whom she neuer found deceit said Guenela that it is incident to all creatures in their kinde to loue I know thy wittes be not so simple but thou canst conceiue and he that frameth vs directeth our likings as best pleaseth him be it prince or begger from the highest to the simplest and he my Guenela hath linked my liking to a most braue toward Gentleman on whom I thinke if affection which is blind deceiue me not is worthie to be mated with the greatest in degrée on the earth To kéepe thée with friuolous spéech is no time now hauing other matter inough to discourse therefore that thou maiest knowe him to whome my loue is vnited Pheander the new adopted Knight is hée Pheander famous for his valour renowmed for his
for which the thought it not vnfit to vse the help of Guenela wherfore resting from her former studies we leaue her contemplating on her loue til Guenela her returne who séeing her Ladies callour somwhat reuiued began to smile Madame quoth shee though I made a fault in detayning so long the physicke that I promised you yet I hope your Maiestie will pardon that offence considering the good it doth in working howe you disgest it I know not but hée that hath least skill in iudging complexions will say your mariage is mended by twentie in the hundred if you recouer but so much of your losse euery two dayes there are few in one wéeke wil beleeue you haue bene sicke Well wanton well answered the Princesse you haue bene pretily disposed to play your parte and take your pastime in beholding the follie of both our loues which I am the more willing to forget in that thou hast so rightlie iudged of both our griefes But leauing iest I pray thée say my swéet Guenela what sayd my seruant when hée deliuered these letters vnto thée Madame to say trueth nothing touching his loue but imported with such earnestnesse for the presenting them vnto your handes as might haue made many proude to doe so charitable a déeâ—e crauing it with spéech so pitifull and lookes so ruthfull for mine owne part my heart imagining by your affection that the Goddes which caused your grief had fettered him and wel knowing where loue is vnited the ones weal is the others good though I were hardly won to the same I vndertooke the hazard of your good wil promising to returne to him an answere thereof wherein I shall breake promise without you graunt your consent Oh Guenela doubts thou of my consent for answering of his kinde letters which haue endured so many nights of vnrest and carefull dayes for his sake No heauens neuer graunt me good in this world if I séeke not his content that with so good loue and affection as hée offereth his loue and seruice to me vnkind were I els that louing am beloued should suffer my dearest loue to languish who may remedy it Therefore Guenela as thou hast plaide the Aduocate so make I thée my principall and chiefe Secretorie peruse these lines and in right consider if that his griefe deserue not to be pittied then let me sée thy skill in enditing to the which thou shalt haue my helpe Delay the time no longer hunger my Wench is sharp sawce as those say which haue good stomackes and I measuring his desires by mine owne imagine that meate cannot bee more pleasing to the hungry then the vnexspected tydings of consent from his new acknowledged Loue. Soft fire Madame quoth Guenela makes the swéetest Mault say our huswiues your Ladiship is farre wide what no sooner at the style but ouer haste makes waste looke before you leape least a blocke vnthought of chaunce to breake your shins What if these letters impart his loue how are you assured thereof Men are subtil and can cast many cullours to deceiue women all is not gold that glistereth nor al sugar that hath a swéete taste vnder the gréenest grasse lurketh y â— poysoned Adder the Crocadile sheadeth most tears when he séeketh most to deceiue try ere you trust Madam repentance comes too late therefore howsoeuer you affect him conceale it Lightly wonne is as lightly lost The Labourer that gayneth his mony by hard labour is more chary in parting therewith then the purloyning théefe or the ryotous youth which by subtill practises draweth all he can from his kind parents to maintaine his inordinate expences Let him bite on the bridle a while yet gently line his curbe that he galle not a litle thing pleaseth a childe and a good countenance is woorth golde to him that regardeth it as he professeth Weigh your own estate which are heir to this most famous crowne of Thrace with the basenesse of his calling which was no better than a Marchant consider what a corrasiue this loue of yours woulde be to your honorable father should he know it and how your Nobles would stomacke him for his birth grieuing to liue in obedience to one so farre their inferiour The enuious regard not what vertues he is possest with which I must néedes say deserue to bée accounted the man gayning honour by vertue and valour is more woorthy to gouerne the State then the Noble which ignobleth his house by his bad demeanor How many such there bée in this Court I grieue to sée who liuing licentiously abuse themselues in such odious maner that if your Ladishippe heard the pitifull complaints of the Commons crying out on the Prince for iustice against them and how by fauour of their friends ruling both the King and the State they are suborned cleared of the cryme and the poore Complainant returned with a checke able to breake the heart of a simple man abuses which may be more lamented then easily remedied But touching the Mayden Knight from whom I haue digrest I speake not any thing to disparage his loue nor to draw your lyking from the Knight but wish you temper your affection in such sort that you may long enioy it with content to you both and so gouerne your Graces lookes and countenances that the lightnesse of the one nor the liberall bestowing of the other giue iealous heads any cause of suspition For Princes be great markes and haue many eies beholding them and once perceiued what peril it may procure to either part your wisedome can conceiue Thus in dutie haue I spoken and deliuered a grosse aduise which I referre to your Graces better consideration Well hast thou said my Guenela quoth the Princesse but what auaileth counsell to a desperate minde no more then he that séeking to quench the flame powreth Oyle to it I finde thy loue so great towards me that I cannot requite it which with such good regard balanceth each perill incident to both our states if thou canst as well deuise how we may enioy our delight without which we perplexed cannot long endure what is it that Nutania shall euer enioy but Guenela shall command Then as thou tenderest my good bethinke thée of some remedie for my loue to him is such as nothing may extinquish Say my swéet Guenela shall I by writing answere his Letters or no In this I wil be ruled by thée how gladly soeuer I wish his comfort in whom of al earthly creatures consisteth my most comfort Experience is the best wisedome quoth Guenela who would euer haue beléeued loues power to be of such effect how imperious soeuer he séemed had they not séene and heard what I doo through which I am compelled to recant my heresie and say Loue is a God or how is it possible he could command Princes But to your Graces request wheras you haue referred the answere of Pheanders Letters to me I was neuer so voyde of reason nor so desirous to be counsellor to your
excellence to take so great a matter vpon me yet shal I so please it you to heare me deliuer my simple opinion as I would do my selfe in the like action The olde wiues say they that féede with the deuill must haue a long spoone and they that goe about to master Loue had néed of manie good precepts disswade your Grace I will not to forget it for I sée it is vain neither would I wish you to answere by writing for a paper is soone lost and lost to whose finding it shall come tis vncertaine as soone to some enuious enemie as a wel-willer in which some word simplie meant of you or me may be construed by them at their pleasure whereby your name may be brought in question and a slaunder raised is not so easily suppressed writing is a specialtie whereof the subtill Lawyer takes no small aduantage to auoyd all which casualties this may you doe pretend some matter of conference with him and appoint the time when hée shall attende your pleasure at your lodging comming secretely vnto you and at such time as the King your father shall bée employed in serious affaires so may you vse your spéech at your pleasure this would Guenela doe your Grace may vse your discretion I like thy deuise wel good wench and giue thée manie thankes quoth the Princesse therefore faile not to méete him for thy promise what els I refer to thy best indgemeÌ„t Nowe in faith Madame quoth Guenela you haue made a good choyce for a solliciter but take me as I am this is the first suit that euer I was retained for nor I doubt not if I spéed well now of manie elpantes As they were thus pleasant betwéene themselues they heard a trumpet sound to horse which caused the Princesse to sende her Page to enquire the cause who returned her answer that the king with his traine were setting forward to hunt a wilde bore which his Forrester had roused this newes gaue them cause of ioy hoping that Fortune fauoured them with a happy time which they were both loth to omit doubting the like opportunitie the Princesse especially who coulde not be quieted in minde vntill shée heard her Knight aunswere for himselfe wherefore a Page was presently commanded to search for y e Knight willing him with such conuenient spéed as hee could to meet Guenela in the garden the Page vsed such diligence y e soone he was brought vnto the Knightes presence whome he found solitary as a holie father at his Orizons whome the Page awaked with his ioyful message which was welcom vnto him albeit doubtfull whether of weale or woe either to augment his sorrowes or vtterly to extinguish them The sudden hearing of which caused him to pause a while when hauing determined curteously returned answere to the Gentlewoman that he would attend her he rewarded the Page so bountifully as he had cause to boast him of his wel employed seruice Guenela hauing receiued his answere by the Page aduertized the Princesse thereof who commaunded her to haste least she gaue the Knight cause of discontent by her long stay but for al her spéed Pheander was long there before atteÌ„ding her comming who was no sooner of him perceiued to enter the place but his heart prâ—â—aging some good was more delighted thereat theÌ„ all the motions that could be imagined after his curteous salutations done thus said Swéet Guenela I know not what to imagine of thy sudden message yet willing to be resolued as one that by thy answer exspecteth his doome either of life or death I attend thy pleasure say therfore swéet Lady what faith the Princesse to my letters with whom Guenela purposed to be somthing pleasant not to cloy his stomacke with such plesant confections that he should surfet therewith and framing a countenance to her spéech she said Sir Knight of all the Gentlemen in the Courte of Thrace my good opinion was such of you that on your word I durst haue hazarded my greatest credit which expectation thou hast farre deceiued and therefore not worthie to be accounted among such honorable men at Armes which take their principall honor holding their word with Gentlewomen At the deliuery of which spéech he that had tooke regarde to the Knightes countenaunce might haue thought him past phisickes recure And withall standing so mute it verely perswaded Guenela that he was readie to deliuer his interest of life whiche made her alter her rough words and with a smoother methode new file them doubting that her Comedie begun in mirth should prooue a Tragidie to the great grief of the whole Country which generally honored him Wherfore taking him by the hand she sayd Sir Knight I am sorie I haue charged you so far what cause soeuer I had but tis womanlike to be slaine with words and no fit passion for a man of your profession That you may comfort your selfe I first pardon the offence against me committed and enioyne you as you tender your credit with the Princesse Nutania that you faile not to repaire at such conuenient time as you best can to her lodging where if you hold your word you will excuse your messenger Oh Guenela how haue thy spéeches tormented me filling my entrailes with suche a confusion of comfortlesse thoughts as haue ouercome my senees Yet Guenela if thou be curteous or haue any sparke of gentilitie abide in thée Say my good Lady what countenance gaue the Princesse to my bashfull paper Vouchsafed she the reading of them Or how to discomfort you good Knight quoth Guenela it were pittie being alreadie at so low a datum which pitieth me to behold Comfort can I giue none to thy desires but this thy sute is loue as your Letters import in which dispaire not for thy mistresse is a woman though a Princesse and how pitifull our sexe is I will not boast but wish thée not dispaire If thy birth were as great as thy vertues thou mightst boord and bedde as good as the Princesse Nutania vnto whom I wil be a faithfull soliciter Mistake me not Pheander I speake as a friend and so leaue thée vntill thy comming to my Lady which detract not for time lost is such a precious thing as can neuer be recalled Before whom when thou shalt come pleade thine owne cause and discouer thine owne grie And so farewell Pheander which had some greater hope by Guenela her last spéeches was so ouer ioyed that he could not bid her farewell yet after his memento past he saith farewell the faithfullest friend in my distresse that euer I founde Oh Guenela happy maist thou be in thy loues and highly honored amongst men by whom my cares are thus comforted faithfull Guenela the worker of my hearts happie content by whom past all hope I am by thy faithfulnesse and trueth in deliuering my message freed of so heauie a burthen as was likely to haue torne my poore oppressed heart in a million of péeces Thus vplawding Guenela he had almost
I the Physitian that could cure his maladie and had so good iudgement of his affects as of mine owne charity would I shoulde minister vnto his disease what effect soeuer the potion would worke prouided this that he disclosed his griefe in time mistake me not Pheander and pardon mée if I conceale what I would vtter my thoughtes are mine owne Trueth Ladie quoth the Knight neither was y e same demaunded to vrge any thing more theÌ„ standeth with your good liking yet for the prince this I say it were pittie he shoulde die for loue So say I quoth the Princesse for few men ther be of that condition and as seldome is such a one séene as multitudes of blacke Swans Your errour is great Madam quoth the knight for many haue bene with loue so ouercome that Kinges haue bene enforced to stoop to their subiectes and the greatest conquerours whose valour many volumes recorde by loue compelled to forsake themselues taking sundrie shapes and many toyles to gaine the loue of their Ladies I speake now Madam for the Prince whom I loue well and challenge your charity may bee to him continued for your loue is the only physick that must cure him or els all other helps are friuolous in hope wherof he breaths a lingring life til your gracious consent finish his griefs yéelding to his desires in whom it resteth to restore him banished to his regal dignities who is y â— cause of his exile dastardnesse hath caused him to conceale it bearing the extremitie of his passions with intollerable pain whose flames encreaseth by viewing your exellent perfections The want of whose grace haleth him on to desperation not able any longer to resist loues assaults which with such hot allarmes assaileth him that longer he cannot endure them The Princesse hearing her Knight pleade for the Prince with such earnestnesse leauing his owne sute to draw her to loue him of whom her thoughts were least on thought it some pollicy of the Knight which imagined loue had vanquished her swelling with anger at these new imaginations heâ— colour changed into so many formes that the least child which had séene the same might easily haue gest what small content those last vttered spéeches wrought But doubting least with silence it should be perceiued with a heart full fraught with fury she sayd Deceitfull wretch vnworthy the fauour of the simplest drug that by thy subtil practises hast sought to insinuate thy selfe into my secrets was it not false varlet sufficient that I forbeare the punishing of thy own bold writings but to my face in colorable maner deludest me with tales of I know not what Haue I euer graced thée since I first sawe thée and requitest thou my fauour thus dallying with me as with thy inferiour or some of thy base Trulles No no vse thy ieast with such that can better disgest them and from henceforth be warned and warned take héed how thou dare either by word or writing vse any like motions least I acquaint y â— world with thy impotent dealings and by death thou receiue the guerdon of thy ill and so fare as thou maist for neuer expect farther fauour at my hands The Prince hearing this finitiue sentence from her whose tongue was to pronounce his life or death thought it high time to speake for himselfe before she departed and staying her as she would haue gone he humbly besought her not in displeasure to leaue him but with patience endure what he could say which albeit she might hardly be wonne to grant yet her former affection banished chollor in such wise that he had libertie to speake saying Gracious Lady that I offended your Exellence whom of all earthly creatures I most honor I hartily sory for it iudge me not so impudeÌ„t or senslesse to moue matter without some reason especially enduced therunto by your exellent fauour and charitable pittie of the wretched estate of that vnhappie Prince who hath vowed to loue your grace to the death and by granting him your loue you shall draw him from death thereby not onely restore him but fill the hearts of many thousands with ioy which with teares continually lamenteth his losse which is lost to them for euer and shortly will be losse to himselfe the whole world Vnhappy Prince why name I him Prince whose miseries is more theÌ„ the most wretched slaue that liueth who not able to endure the force of loue hath forsaken himselfe to follow his own affectioÌ„s without knowledge of father kin or subiects Muse not Madam at the straungenesse of the Tale I haue to deliuer nor let it séeme incredible that I am that vnhappy Dionicus lawfull heire of the Numedian Crown that Prince through whom so many miseries is befallen his country his fathers care cause of his careful mothers vntimely death who fettred in loues bands by report of thy péerlesse bewtie vertues hath drawne me to take the habit of a merchant vsurping the name of Pheander the more vnsuspected to attain the sight of thée whom my heart so desired whom if thou pitie liueth by thy loue to do thée honor and without thée may no longer inioy this life in pursuit of whose loue if I die my ghoast among the rest of louers shal sing hymnes in laude of thy péerlesse bewtie The Princesse as one in a trance could not tel whether she heard him speak or dreamed yet noting his countenaÌ„ce which shewed a troubled spirit tickled with a sodain ioy as women be proud in their Loues that her loue to Pheander was methamorphosed to Dionicus the Numedian Prince of whome her fathers Courtiers reported such honours she sayd Pheander or how I shall call thée I know not thou hast filled my sences with a world of coÌ„fused thoghts in recounting the straungenesse of thy fortunes which I can hardly be drawne to beléeue nor is it possible that the Prince Dionicus could liue in the Court of Thrace so long concealed without knowledge of some one if I might by reason be induced to beléeue the same I would say more Madam quoth the Prince howsoeuer I haue disguised my selfe heretofore as loth to be dishonored yet beléeue me in this that I said no more then is truth Therefore if thou couldst not loue Pheander being a merchant for ignobling thy noble house yet as I am Prince of Numedia vouchsafe me thy liking by whome thy honor can no way be disparaged but by exchanging loue for loue with him aduance thy honor far higher Say nâ—w Madame all nicenesse set apart can you loue The Princesse whose loue was equall though willingly she would haue coloured the same yet moued with a pitifull desire to ease his griefe which farre surpassed as also to ease her owne heart which was not a litle infected with the self disease their welfares depending both on her grant or deniall After she had deliberated a while fixing her hand in his which she easily grasped and leaning her head on his shoulder to
couer y e blushing of her face as ashamed of what she had to say vnto him in reuealing her owne griefe she said Famous Prince whome the world applaudeth and our Courtiers of Thrace with wonder do admire that I loued thée being Pheander I cannot deny and how many iarres I endured for thée I omit each particuler wringing tears from my heart which how willing so euer it was to haue made the same knowne modestie restrained laying before me many wrongs offred in Ladies loue by such periured knights as haue profest with their toongs what their harts neuer ment wherby diuers Ladies of honor haue bene dishonored sundry lost their liues which considered blame me not if I rather chuse to die then passe the bandes of modestie so farre as seeke thy loue or knowing thy grief to blame mine yéeld before I heard thée auow on thine honor what thy letters imported But gentle Prince that thou maist better beléeue what I report how much soeuer my heart hath denied to reueale perswade thée if I loued thée being Pheander and a counterfeyt merchant assure you I cannot hate thée for that thou art Dionicus the one a Prince the other an inferiour of whose loue were I assured and that his tongue and heart agreed in one Dionicus should be in loue so requited as neuer any should haue interest in Nutanias heart but the péerlesse Prince of Numedia At vttering of which teares restrained her spéech which y e Prince noted and perceiuing that she spake what her heart thought he â—omforted her thus Faint not Madame neither sorrow for those comfortable confections bestowed on a dying creature whose fauors hath haled him from the graue whereunto he was like to haue bene swallowed had not thy comfort reclaimed mée who liuing died for thy loue which grace shall neuer be forgotten And that you shall assure you my faith and loue is firme and honorable I protest by that honor that euer the Numedian Prince hath regarded that my loue to the Princesse Nutania is no other but honourable nor neuer none hath had any interest in Dionicus or euer shall but the onely bewtifull and verteous Princesse Nutania and on that take here my hand and with my hand the heart loue and honor of a Prince Guenela lending an eare to this prattle hearing them so earnest to put them from their melancholy tooke the word at aduantage and comming sodeinly to them said Madame at finishing of bargains they shake hands if there be any exchange betwéene your knight and you you were best to take witnesse least disliking the match he recant his word Guenela quoth the Prince your Lady is beholding to thée for thy care and I your debter challenge it when you please Sir quoth Guenela I thank you but wilt please you remember your promise excuse Guenela quoth the Princesse without my Lord y â— Prince his further intreaty I pardon al faults committed against me for confirmation of which get your Lawyer to draw an acquittance generall from the beginning of the world and I will signe it Nay Madame answered Guenela it were an euil seruant that will not take her mistresse worde for a dozen or two of stripes which I am sure had bene the most and if they should light on my ribbes might well grieue me slay me they could not my heart is of more valour then so But Madame shal Sir Pheander marie the Princesse Nutania that you call him your Lord the Prince if that be the bargaine I feare there is some fire in the strawe And howe then quoth the Princesse Nay Madame quoth Guenela nothing but I pray God giue you much ioy and make you happy in your loue While they were thus pleasant a page brought word that diuers Ladies were come to visite the Princesse which caused them how loth so euer after manie swéet imbracings and louing kisses betwéene them enterchanged to giue each other the farewel parting better content then they came together hauing vnburthened their heartes of much griefes giuing content to both by yéelding to loue which vanquished both whome to their pleasing imaginations I leaue to recount the Kinges of Thrace and Thessalie their pastimes in hunting These Kinges following the chace with great pleasure as pastime they greatly delighted were so wearied with the same and toiled with the extremity of heate which made them choose some place vnder the shadowe of the spreading trées to refresh themselues where they had not long rested but they were espied of an ancient woman the widdow of good yeâ—man and her sonne who hauing workmen not farre from thence were carrying them victuals The poore aged woman hauing séene as she thought vnséene the kings doubting they were some of those robbers that haunted those mountains woulde haue shifted from them another way but were interrupted of the King who suddeinly calling them draue them both into such a shaking feare as they which are ouerburthened with a feauer The King who graciously regarded their timmorousnesse comforted them with all the fauourable spéeches he could vse protesting vnto them that in their company they should receiue no discurtesie by none if the King himselfe were present and therefore willed them to set feare apart and to tell them what they were the cause of their feare and their businesse they had that way These honorable spéeches of the King mildly vttered comforted them wherefore in such blunt manner as her bringing vp required shée sayd Gentlemen for so you séeme if your inward conditions answere your outward habit as many in this age doeth whose garments might become men of great worth if apparell may make a man more worthie yet diuerse times couer those carkases voyd either of worship honestie or other good condition Pardon my harsh behauiour gentle sir and blame me not for auoiding the way experience haâ—â— taught me to eschue harmes who to my cost haue dearly paid for my learning hauing my goods spoiled at home and my self family dangered abroad and without offence may I speak it by such whose countenance and attire might wel haue deceiued them of more iudgement then my selfe The King delighted with her plaine spéeches demanded where she dwelled and whether she had a husband or liued a widow Oh sir if any gentilnesse abide in you quoth she vrge me not to deliuer a tale of such ruth as your questions import The remembrance of my passed pleasant life when I call to minde with the cares I now am combred with many sundry wayes are so displeasing vnto my gréeued heart as I may not without many teares shed recount the same These words spoken in heauinesse noted of the King made him more importunate to heare the rest and therfore willed her all feare set apart to reueale vnto him what estate she liued in and if any wrongs were offred hir he protested by oathes which might haue bene well beléeued to remedie it yea if it were the King himselfe The carefull widow encouraged by
spéed he might carrying with him his owne Surgion and such as professed phisick doubting the griefe to be more dangerous then it proued whereof albeit the report was first offensiue to him yet was comforted in this comfort the wounde not mortall they regarding it as nothing when the Generall had carefully séen the wound searched and drest enquiring what they were which he had taken he caused all the chief of them to be called vnto him who on their examinations would confesse little which forced the Generall to put one of y e inferiors attendant on Phidamia the Egyptian kings brother to be tortured who forced with the crueltie thereof confessed what they were and how their going for Babylon was to intreate a peace with the Emperour who as they were informed leuied a power to subuert their countrey in reuenge of the wrong offered Phedera sister to the Thessalian King slaine in a battaile fought at sea by the Egyptian King This newes was not sooner reuealed then welcome for hereby they were assured of an expected frend yet enquired the Generall whether their King had married the Princesse Phedera or no and where hée liued Sir quoth the Egyptian after the victory obtained wherein the Noble Theophilus perished the King my maister furnished for suche an attempt without further staie or suffering them to gather head which he was sure they would doo hearing of their Kings ill successe to preuent which he framed his course thither where they suddeinly arriued and by their power and pollicie subdue the chiefest of the Nobilitie who hauing them sure they easily and in short time ouercame the rest where he was by generall voyces though against their liking Crowned King of Thessaly How hée punished the Nobilitie I omit embacing them and raising in their places them farre vnworthie such honor and reputation so that neither Gentleman or other of account but liueth in great seruitude and slauery glad to be reléeued with néedfull vyands and apparrell at their handes which themselues haue often fed The Princesse for all the perswasion he can vse he cannot in loue obtain yet hath he vsed the good Lady more cruelly then I would willingly report the strangenesse of her tortures being such as fewe but doth greatly pitie And now as our last Poastes imparted vnto vs he hath appointed a time wherein she must resolutely answere him to his content or ende her life in fire The which crueltie to her vsed reported by Merchants of Babylon with the vertues of the Princesse and comming to the Emperors eares being now in the prime of his yeares either of pollicie being mightie to release her or whether to make her his Ladie and wife I cannot say but hée hath required her in marriage pretending great loue vnto her which the King will not graunt vnto But in words of great despight hath answered him in such manner as hée greatly disliking hath with fire and sword defied him who being a Prince of very great might and force our nobles of Egipt haue thought good rather to ioyne with fauourable showes of friendship then abide the extremitie of his furie Loe sir quoth hée thus haue I satisfied your request which is all I can doo And for the same quoth the Knight receiue thy libertie with what other fauour I may do thée These newes was as pleasing to the Mayden Knight as if he had bene possessed of the Crowne and hauing such aduantage holding it small pollicie to loose any time comforting Cariolus emmitting the charge of his prisoners vnto his good regard hée hasteth to his owne ship where vnto Theophilus King of Thessaly hée recounted what hée had heard desiring that order might be presently taken whereby the enemy might be surprized at vnawares so might they finish their intents with lesse danger and more honour on which they agréeing they summoned their chiefest vnto whome the Knight recounted what the Egyptian had declared beséeching the King whose cause it was to speake his minde then the rest to giue their aduise what they thought was best to be done for accomplishing their desires and planting the King in his owne Countries These questions propounded each particular perill with each aduantage and occasion which offered good successe was throughly debated when they had each one deliuered their minde Pheander whose honor was now in the Balance as one that desired no worldly possessions so much as the reputation with his mistresse and the King saide Noble Gentlemen you haue all like resolute braue hardie men at Armes shewed in your spéeches the desire you haue to do this noble King that seruice for which we come if therfore you wil encline your eares to my opiniō among the rest I shall acknowledge my selfe greatly fauoured by you The whole company which by curtesie was drawne to his loue was easily wonne to this request and willed him say on which he did in this maner My Noble Lords and friends in Armes touching these motions made for our procéedings it hath bin by the Egyptian reported whom we do credit the King is in possession of Thessaly which Crowne we know all he doth dishonorably vsurpe The Princesse she in such extreme that by his cruell censure is not long to liue vnlesse against her will she grant to loue him who is loathsome in her eyes To preuent which it behoueth vs to search the best meane that we can and for that euery one hath giuen his censure this is my aduise that hauing these Nobles in our possession in whome consisteth the strength of his Realme our company being lustie and strong we wil raunge their confines where finding place opportunitie we may surprize them at vnawares who being subdued his force shall be the more impaired That done we will with all conuenient spéed passe for Thessaly where I doubt not but to come before the time limited the Princesse for her answere and to reskew her deliuering the possession of the Crowne into the Kinges hand the Knight hauing said presently it was confirmed and each Captain departed to his charge according to directions giuen entered the confines of Egipt where they wrought by such pollicie and directions of the Mayden Knight that they landed in the dead of y ◠night the greatest part of their Armies marching in warlike order towards the Citie of Buckelia where the king kept his chiefe Court and where their greatest force was But before they could recouer the walls or come to view the same for any aduantage they were descried and the gates shut against whom the Citizens made such power as they could for their defence which vnexspected of the Knight caused him to staie vntill himselfe went to knowe their pleasures and to deliuer his owne intent And mounting himselfe onely accompanied with his Herald and one Trumpet hée came before the walles sommoning them to parley which was answered againe by an other Trumpet and such of the nobilitie as was within shewed themselues vnto him demanding a cause
first séemed hard yet of two euils the least is to be chosen as these Nobles of Egypt who séeing their liues wiues children and what they possest to be in the hands of strangers whom they could not withstand making a vertue of necessitie were the rather wonne to yéeld themselues vnto the Kings pleasure at the intercession of their wiues whose teares shead in abundance moued them to ruth in such wise that subiecting on these conditions to his Exellence they proclaimed him king of Thessaly and Egypt swearing fayaltie vnto him and deliuering hostages for their loyaltie This done the king with generall consent Crowned the Commons gan conceiue an especiall hope of his honorable loue to them whose kindnesse was such that hauing the Citie and whole kingdome at his pleasure would not suffer his souldiers to imbeasell or purloyne in any sort but rather made choise to reward the Mercenary men out of his owne treasury which honourable beginning gained their especial lyking when order was taken for the gouernment of the state Pheander who was mindfull of the Princesse Phedera hasted the King on for Thessaly often putting him in mind what daungers the good Lady was likely to abide if she consented not to the King who was more cruell then curteous wherefore taking their pledges he left the noble Cariolus his Vizegerent to take the gouernment vpon him in his absence and with the next fauourable wind they set saile for Thessaly where to their good successe wée leaue them to tell you more of Mustapha the Heathen Prince who was in the Princesse Nutania her custodie The mightie Emperour of Constantinople vnderstanding the ill successe of his sonne with the great slaughter of his men was moued at the first to such chollor that he had determined for euer to abandone his sonne and neuer to haue knowne or regarded him but being perswaded by his nobilitie which tenderly loued the prince he was at length by their motions wonne to conceiue how vnstable fortunes chances are and how victories sometimes happen as well to the coward as the valiant not forgetting to vrge vnto him how dishonourable it were for a Prince to leaue the meanest subiect he had at such an exigent that should aduenture his life in his seruice much more was his Maiestie bound by natures lawes to reléeue his sonne and not suffer him as one forsaken to remaine in the handes of his enemies vpon which motion of his Bashawes the King caused two Gallies to be rigged and furnished appointing of his chiefest Nobles too for that voyage to Thrace as wel to aduertise him of his sonnes welfare which he fauoured as also to agrée vpon the summe of his ransom all things furnished for the voyage the Bashawes hauing taken leaue of the Emperor and the rest of their friends fauoured with a happy gale they shortly arriued in Thrace of whose arriual the king by his messengers was aduertised who being of nature honourable and curteous in behauiour caused a sumptious traine of Courtiers with all the honorable maner they could to receiue them at their Port of landing taking lyke order in all lodgings and places of repast his Officers at his charge to attend them which in such exquisit manner was performed as the Bashawes with their retinue admyred their entertainment Thus by easie iournies came they to the court where the king with the princesse gaue them many welcomes enquiring kindly after the good health of the renowmed Emperour their maister whome hée maligned no whit at all how hardly so euer he had measured his friendship with him when the King and these Nobles had spent some time in discoursing they enquired of the welfare of their Prince Mustaffa whome the King caused to be sought and brought to their presence before whome they bowed themselues in all humblenesse as to the sonne of their soueraigne whom he againe with all kindnesse imbrased passyng the time with much pleasure ioying in the welfare of his friendes The King dooing them all the honour that could bee deuised passing the time with suche recreation and gentle sportes as the Countrey affoorded at length a summe of money for the Princesse raunsome was agreed vpon to their content for that it was reasonable and the cōditions honorable which obteined their vittailes by the king was reléeued all necessaries at his charge purueyed in such maner and with so much bounty as they had great cause to report honorably of the kyng Long had they not tarried but a winde pleasant and fauourable presents it selfe which good time they neglected not but taking leaue of the king their prince princesse Nutania who accompanied them onwards to their gallies thrée whole daies iournies they leaue them to the care of their iourny who being imbarqued in short time arriued at Constantinople where how welcom they were to the Emperour his Nobles I omit to let you vnderstand of y ◠honorable reports made of their entertainment in Thrace and the welfare of the prince whose company there were fewe but desired The strangenes of this report made of Philarcus was excéeding admirable in the Emperors eares who wondered not a little that a king whome he had so much wronged should vse such kindnes to his son and curtesie to his messengers extolling highly the honourable condition of the king and much lamenting his owne follyes so rashly without any occasion offered to iniury him so farre as to spoyle his Countrey and to robbe him perforce of his onely child his sole delight comfort To recompence all which and to kéep his friendship he presently elected other nobles for Thrace to be employd which with the princesse ransom and many rich presents to the king and his daughter were dispatched with Letters of loue and desire of amitie all which comming to the Thrasian king were so heartily accepted as they could wish and in presence of the nobles and states of both Realmes was the peace concluded and a band of euerlasting friendship promised to all their ioyes Thus with great delight at the earnest intercession of the king spent those Turkish nobles sometime in Thrace till their prefixed time ganne drawe to ende when receiuing their Prince with great rewardes and many thankes for their paines they put to Sea and were not long before they recouered theyr famous Cittie of Constantinople where they were most royally welcommed but especially the Prince for whose safetie many pastymes was ordeined with Iustings Turneyes Barriers and other pleasing delights wherein the Prince honorably bare him selfe to the great ioy of his father and pleasure of the whole state who gloried greatly in him which was likely to proue a most honorable Prince and their ensuing comfort But while I digresse let it be considered that y ◠Mayden Knight who thirsted to sée the ende of his desires slept no time but made all possible meanes he could as winde and weather would giue leaue vntil he arriued in Thessaly which he recouered in so good
such there is which shall be found by thee Keturne thou then â—â—â—e dread thy guiltlesse blood Whose life preserued is for thy Countries good When the aged Pilgrime had perused thâ—se lines musing at the darknesse of the same which he construed many wayes yet had no certaintie wherefore resoluing on the mercifull fauour of the God which had so pittifully heard his prayer he passed on his iourney in search for those princes which hée hoped was liuing whom to his trauaile we leaue to returne vnto the Princesse Phedera who hauing the company of the Mayden Knight had sundry motions of desire to enioy his Loue euermore applauding his person curtesie and valoure which so farre excéeded all mens in her iudgement that shée honoured him for the Paragon of the world holding her for the most happiest Lady on the earth which should enioy his loue wishing that she were worthy of his loue and framyng her selfe by all meanes that modestie would permit to gaine it But hée whose heart was fixed on his Lady had no motion of any other onely wished to bee with her whome hee so much honoured whose presence he more desired then all the riches the worlde could offoord Tormented with these restlesse passions which was of the King and Courtiers noted especially of the Lady Phedera many imagined the cause yet none so good a phisition to finde the truth or cause thereof as continuall care weakeneth the bodie and causeth many extreames so Pheander féeling in himselfe a weakenesse of nature and looking for some disease through his melancholy to ensue finding the king at conuenient time he humbly besought him of fauour to depart alleaging that the aire and contagiousnesse of those Confines was nothing agréeing with his body and that his longer staie might be by his confusion The king which loued him as his owne soule and tendered his welfare more then the wealth of his kingdome whom he had found so kinde and forward aduenturing his life for his good in many broyles though loth to leaue him in whome so much he delighted yet noting his melancholike humours which had much altered his complexion imagined it was no excuse and therefore the rather condescended to his request appoynting a time as he desired when if God sent winde and weather to be readie with their shipping to conduct him to Egypt whither the king promised with his sister and nobles to accompany him for which iourney a strict commaund was giuen to all Officers to sée each thing necessary puruayde which with such diligence was performed as in short time all things was as they could wish or desire furnished onely attending a faire winde to set sayle which they stayed not long for But a gale fitting their purpose the kyng with his sister the Mayden Knight and their train embarqued themselues for Egipt where by the good furtherance of him that commaundeth all they shortly arriued in safetie whose comming being knowne vnto the Vizeroy Cariolus with such prouision as they could make on the suddaine repaired vnto the place of landing where the king ioyfull to sée the good recouery of Cariolus in most kinde maner imbraced him And so generall welcomes being giuen on all sides by the Nobles they passe on towards the Pallace of the king who with a generall loue of his Commons was to his great delight welcommed with such shewes of ioy as on the sodaine they could prepare Thus after some time spent in banquetting and other pastimes for their welcomes to beguile the time the better the Mayden Knight standing on thornes vntill he might behold the swéete content of his liues comfort finding Cariolus in place where they might discusse at large theyr mindes The knight not forgetting his promise made to Cariolus in his own country and willing to make amends for the wrong he had there thus said My Lord what I haue to impart vnto you as one that wisheth your good is such as becommeth a friend vowed to do your Lordship what seruice my abilitie can stretch vnto onely I beséech you promise on your honor to conceale what I shall discouer Cariolus who both honored and loued the knight musing to what these spéeches tended relying on the fidelitie of him whome he neuer had heard or séene to commit any dishonorable action gaue him his word and honor to be as secret in all things as he could desire which the knight accepting thus said My Lord first I humbly beséech your fauourable loue to be continued and pardon my great offence committed against you in Numedia where not being my selfe I committed a most hainous offence and dishonorable for which I am willing to make such satisfaction as you can require Cariolus hearing the knight vse these spéeches of submission noting them well and bethinking himselfe what had fortuned being in Numedia could not call to minde any vnkindnesse offered him by any inferiour person neither did he well remember the princes discurtesie yet leauing nothing vnsought calling his wittes togither bethought him of the prince whom they forbeare to answeare vntill he had with earnestnesse noted the phisnomy of the knight whose face with long sicknesse wherewith he was at that time possest was quite altered from the forme it now had which made him more to admire But calling to mind the resemblance of the aged king he conceiued by some signes of his fauour that it was doubtlesse the prince yet doubtfull he was for that being so nobly borne he came to the Numedian Court with no better countenance then a Merchant After many thoughts not willing to offend through rashnesse or to offer any vnkindnesse he humbly besought him in true friendship which he had found to pardon him which could not call to minde no wrong done him nor any familiaritie that euer had bene betwéene them Well my Lord quoth the knight I sée your minde is frée from reuenge that know not those that haue endaungered your life and therefore am the more willing to reueale my selfe to cleare you of this doubt Know that I am Dionicus the vnhappy Prince of Numedia who in my fathers Court so much abused you whereof I repent me and haue sorrowed for it But pardon me good Cariolus and accept that friendship I vowed vnto you which wil endeuour to deserue thy loue in all occasions wherein true loue consisteth To giue you some cause to credit what I say I haue thought good to find this opportunitie not onely to reueale myselfe to you whose fauour I desire but to doo my best indeuour to deserue the same and to aduance thy estate if so you can lyke of my offer Cariolus amazed at these spéeches after he had with more aduised eyes beheld the Prince was assured it was he prostrating himselfe on his knée humbly besought his grace of pardon which had so vnreuerently behaued himselfe But gratious Prince quoth he faultes vnwillingly committed deserue the lesse punishment I speake for my selfe which am ready to make amendes in performing
liegeman shall I euer continue and be readie at your pleasure to do you seruice Here Gentlemen the story telleth vs that the Thracian King as flesh is mortall vexed with an extreme sicknes was so oppressed therewith that nature failing through weake age all phisicke helpes were friuolous so that perforce he must pay his due to death which commandeth all whose breath failing at the sommon of this tyrant which may not be intreated his soule departed this earthly trunk to sée the ioyes of the euerlasting kingdome whose death his subiects so with pittious plaintes bewailed as might haue changed the most hardest heart into a Caos of lamenting sorrowes beholding their teares whose bodie was most royally intombed amongst his Ancestry But among those which sorrow ouerwhelmed and had like to haue drowned in deaths gulph the Princesse whom nature forced in some sort to lameÌ„t as a child hauing lost her father was so weakened with her plaints and hearts sorrow that long time it was not to be thought she could recouer it so much was her tender heart touched eftsoones bewailing her fathers death and then againe gréeuing for the want of her Loue and Lord the Mayden Knight of whose safetie whom she more desired then to be Lady of the whole earth could not be perswaded Long did she languish in these extreames and could not be comforted in so much that she rather desired death then to liue But he that in extreames is our best comfort preseruing her for the Commons benifit sent her health who being recouered the Coronation finished and the Crown by common consent of the Parliament confirmed vnto her many offers of marriages were made vnto her for which humble sutes of her Councâ—ll were not omitted who desired nothing more then to haue the issue of her noble bodie succeed her But no perswasions might moue her from the Knight who had the chiefe interest of her hart to whom she had vowed her selfe protesting likewise neuer to grant her loue or liking to any one but onely to him This resolution so much gréeued her nobles that nothing could breed more discontent yet as dutie commanded framed themselues to her gouernment who with such wisedom directed all things for the benefit of her common weale that it was admirable to behold that wisdome in one of her sexe But to return to our matter The Thessalian King who minding his honourable word with the noble Pheander finding opportunitie ganne question his sister in this maner Phedera since the decease of our deare parence thou hast bene left vnto my gouernment for whom without boast or desire of benefit of thée or any I haue had that care as of mine owne good and euer will so thou be ruled by me And for I sée thy yeares requireth to be linked in marriage that thou maist participate in loue with thy husband and spend the prime of thy yeares as is fitting thy estate I haue found a Gentleman of honor and valour such a one as on my word loueth thée and I haue cause for his paines in my seruice imployd to honor Therefore good sister if thou loue me as a brother and hast not bestowed thy loue elsewhere in this matter be ruled by mée and in dooing whereof thou shalt finde mée thy brother and most assured friend who will euer be as carefull of thy well doing and honor as of mine good Say therefore thy minde plainly and let me knowe whether thou doest loue or canst loue The Lady whose wisedome was such as balanced her honor not knowing whether her brother were in in iest or earnest thus modestly said Gracious Lord and my dread soueraigne pardon I humbly beséech you your subiect and suffer mée not through my fond answering so friuolous a question which you vrge but for my triall to procure your displeasure or mine owne shame Why Phedera quoth the King you mistake me if you thinke I ieast for on my honor I meane what I say therfore dally not with mée if you hope of my good But tell me if thou doest loue or wilt loue my friend The Ladie hearing the King in earnest although shée could be well content to haue enioyed the swéet pleasures of loue in marriage thus sayd Dread Lord and my most gracious soueraigne sithence it is your pleasure I should answere your demaunde Know that as modestie is the ornament of Maydes and chastitie the garland that bewtifieth all our sexe so haue I carefully weyed mine honor in such manner that I neither loue nor as yet euer made choyce of any in loue but haue eschewed all such friuolous motions of the flesh to my greatest power as beséemeth a Lady of such honor That I may loue I doubt not because it is the commandement of our maker and incident to all creatures who in their kindes make choyce of some one to participate with yet shall my loue neuer be such as may disparage your highnesse loue towards me but such as shall be to your content And for your graces pleasure is to bestow me on a man so honorable so standeth it with your will to let mée knowe him I will answere more directly God a mercy for that wench quoth the King then I doubt not but wée shall haue a match or else thy wisedome is not such as I wish it were But tell mée vnfeinedly my Phedera canst thou loue the Lord Cariolus a man for birth honorable for valour to compare with most aduenturing Knightes in the worlde in person comely and so dibonire in his behauiour as for curtesie hée is to bee matched with the best Hée is the man Madame whom if you can fancie thou honourest mée in thy loue and thou shalt finde mée a brother nay a father if fathers loue may excéed the brothers Say therefore thy minde and let me know thy answere The Ladie whose hope was her brothers sute had bene for the Mayden Knight with whose loue she was a little touched yet modestie mastering such fond motions would not let affection take such roote but that shée could at her pleasure expell it After the Lady had heard her brother whom she perceiued by his earnestnesse in vttering his sute would not willingly be denied she said Pardon me my good Lord if I passe modestie considering your great praise of the Gentleman beléeue me he is much beholding vnto your Grace who could haue thought you would haue prooued so good a soliciter had your studie bene the Lawes of this Realme no doubt but you should haue had many Clyants were the Gentleman here himselfe he could not haue sayd thus much and therefore he may thinke himselfe beloued and honored of your highnesse But for answere as I would not haue you in your first wooing disgraced least it discourage you in your owne enterprises being a batcheler so can I say little of my selfe who is to be gouerned by you to whom in all humblenesse I referre me and shall so you be pleased be content if it were
with one not so worthie as the Lord Cariolus And yet Nay Madam quoth the King leaue not off so abruptly with an aparentizes your words are doubtfull Tell mée therfore is there any other before me if there be and thou hast made choyce and you both agreed I will not gainsay it nor tye thée to any other then thy owne content in mariage Therefore say what those words and yet imported Pardon my ouer boldnesse gracious Lord answered the Lady which vnaduisedly ouerpast those spéeches and credit my word which haue no loue fixed in my heart but will endeuour my selfe to the liking of him whom you shall commaund me yet will I answer your demaund and meaning of those words taken so by your grace at rebounde though I must and will frame me to the loue and liking of the Lord Cariolus Yet had the noble Generall bene pleased and with that a déep sigh staid her tongue in such wise as she could go no farther The King vnderstanding which way the winde of her desire blew though he could haue bene better content with her choyce yet to put her from other thoughts and to haue his sute take effect he perswaded her to let slip such fonde imaginations for that he had placed his loue on a Ladie of his Country whom he would not leaue for all the world With these happie tidings for the Lord Cariolus after some other kinde spéeches to y ◠Lady the King departed so ioying in his good successe y ◠he could not rest vntill he had comforted the Lord Cariolus with his answer whose mind egged on by the Mayden Knight was so fixed on the Lady that she was become the mistresse of his heart and he ioyed in nothing but in contemplating of her loue thinking euery day a yeare and euery houre a month vntil he heard the Kings answere musing thus on his Loue tossing with a minde disquietted from one side the bedde to the other his Page brought him word that a Gentleman from the King attended to speake with him which sodaine newes reuiued so his spirits as made his heart more light then long time before it had bene hoping to here such happie tidings as his louing sute required The Messenger hauing deliuered his messuage iudge you that be louers whether you could slack any time vntil you heard the doome of your mistresse which he was assured to do by the King vnto whom he hasteneth with such spéed as he could To whose presence being come the king as ioyful for his good successe and his sisters grant as the Lorde Cariolus to heare it with a smiling countenance which shewed the ioy of his heart said My Lord though my skill in wooing be but small hauing neuer accustomed my selfe to any such practise yet haue I playd the cunning Aduocate for your Lordship and will assure you so you holde your word and promise the Princesse shall be yours and thereon take my word of honour Cariolus so ouer ioyed at these tydings could not well tell whether he heard the King speake or dreamed of this happinesse But standing a while in an extacie his sences being come againe with eyes gastly beholding the King thus said My honourable and gracious Lord what may I doo to requite your Princely fauour who hath vouchsafed me so great honor not onely to bestowe your onely sister on me but to become my honorable soliciter what I would say modestie compelleth me to conceale Only this I assure your Maiestie my loyall seruice shall euer be ready at your commaund in such dutifull maner that your Maiesty shall haue no cause to repent you of so great a good done vnto a stranger Inough my Lord fewe words doth suffice among friendes wherefore forbeare these spéeches loue my sister and for her sake thinke of me as a friend which will be euer ready to do you what pleasure I can To giue you some interest of my faith appoint the marriage day at your pleasure and for her dowry accept this kingdom of Egypt which shall remaine to you and your heires for euer onely this homage shall you yearely tender in my Court of Thessaly two swift running Coursers of this Countrey and so God make you happie in your loue and a ioyfull father of many children With this the Mayden Knight entered his presence vnto the King what man so welcome his dutie done the King louingly imbracing him said Sir Knight I haue not long sithence comforted your friend with my happie tydings and not onely assured him of a wife which I hope will prooue louing and kinde vnto him but haue inuested him with the tytle of King of Egipt of both which I wish him so much ioy as I desire to haue ioy his wedding day let him appoynt at his pleasure which shall with the greatest honour I can be performed Most gracious and dread Lord quoth the Knight how this your honourable curtesie haue tyed mee vnto your seruice I omit that at my request hath thus fauoured my deare friend whose good I estéeme as mine owne and euer will be readie with my best endeuour to serue at all times and places where my force or seruice may do either your Maiestie or my Lord Cariolus good And séeing it is wrought to his content and your Graces good lyking let mée intreate this fauoure of you both that the wedding may sodainly be solemnized for that my staie may not be long here such desire I haue to sée my soueraigne Lorde who I am sure exspecteth my return long before this time Sir quoth the King did you knowe how displeasing those spéeches of your departure were to me that desire nothing in the whole world so much as your company you would neuer harpe so much on that string But how long so euer your staie shall be this day eight dayes I doo appoint for the wedding so my Lorde Cariolus be agreed and say Amen Neuer quoth Cariolus let him be allowed for Clarke which refuseth to say Amen to such a parson the Orizons bringing such content séeing your Maiestie referres it to me Amen say I and humbly thanke your Grace for your honourable fauour The wedding day appoynted and assigned the King sent for the Princesse who that night supped all togither which being ended the Princesse in presence of many of the Lordes of Thessaly and Egypt was betrothed vnto the Lord Cariolus and the marriage day appoynted against which time were all the nobles sommoned to be at Court to attend the King by whose commandement all the preparation for honour of that day might be deuised was ordeined the time of night being spent sommoned their watchfull eyes to sléepe wherefore after many solemne adues taken one of the other they hastened on all sides to their rest onely Cariolus and the Princesse best content shée ioying in her Loue and kingly brothers lyking and he blessing a million of times the day wherein he first saw the Prince procurer of his so great good What
other imaginations assailed them let those suppose and thinke which haue felt the swéet cōtent in loue To which I leaue them to recount vnto you y ◠sorrow of the Thracian Quéen who ruling with honor beloued both of Pheres and Commons in as much royaltie as might be desired endured so many sundry torments of minde wanting her most desire that the day was irkesome vnto her and the night ordeined for rest restlesse she consumed that with her continual watchings and others passions he◠bodie became weake and a gréeuous sicknesse assailed her the cause none could imagine neither might phisicke minister any cure to her disease so that giuen ouer to the death she lanquished in great extremities not daring for modestie to reueale the cause onely this was her chéefest comfort when she could be freed from the company of such Ladies and counsellers which visited her with Guenela to recount her loue sometime extolling his valour and person and eftsoones accusing him of disloyaltie exclaiming on her hard fortune which had engaged her libertie to a Knight carelesse of her honour and good cursing and accusing Guenela being soliciter for such a wretched Knight whose spéeches oftentimes was so answered by the Mayden Guenela as in iesting wise would she turne her words of despight into laughter such was the sharpnesse of her wit which left no meanes vnsought that might procure in the least maner her content Oppressed with great griefe we leaue the Princes for a while to returne vnto Cariolus whose wedding day being come great was the ioy on his side but more the preparation of al courtiers who were ready with many costly shewes at y ◠Tilt Turney and Barriers to try their valour and fortunes in Armes But as the fairest day is ouercast with cloudes so was their mirth chaunged to great and gréeuous lamentions and their ioy to sorrowfull complaints which thus befell The King now in prime of yeares desirous to try his force at the Tilt with his presence to honour his Nobles and do the Princesse fauoure at her marriage in these pastimes made choyce of the Mayden Knight to encounter him as the worthiest in Armes who being of all others most vnwilling to deale against him humbly besought his grace of pardon and accept of some his Nobles who was more worthier of that honor But the King with whom no intreaties might preuaile wold not be denied which made the Knight with great heauinesse of heart to wish hée had not Armed him that day such was his discontented minde which doubtlesse presaged some ensuing euill as to y ◠great griefe of all the whole company hapned them Thus when no denials might preuail the trumpets sounding a charge they set forward with such swiftnesse as the earth trembled vnder their horses both breaking their staues in such manner as all the company with ioyful shoutes applauded their excellent skill in that exercise But alasse in midst of this pleasing practise how suddainly their ioyes were eclipsed woe is me to recount The King and his elected companion at the trumpets sound setting with courage forward to encounter one the other in braue maner brake again their staues but in an vnhappie time a splinter of the knights staffe by most vnfortunate chaunce entered the sight of the Kings Beauer which pearced the head to the brain in such wise that with the heate of his trauaile and griefe of the wound he was enforced to forsake his horse This suddaine mishap to the company brought such discontent that all their mirth layd apart sorrow was made Lady of the feast But amongst those that most lamented this vnfortunate chaunce the Maiden Knight had his part whose griefe was such that had not the Lord Cariolus bin by fortune present in the extreame of his melancholy passion he had slain himselfe such was the wisedome of the Noble Cariolus as his reasonable perswasions preuailed so with him as he caused him forsake his dolefull Lodge to accompany him to the presence of y ◠king whose masters of Chirurgery had newly ended their trauaile of dressing his woundes them the Knight questioned of the danger therof and besought them in curtesie to acquaint him therewith whether hée held it mortall or no which how vnwilling so euer they were as loath to discomfort the King or those which loued him such was the curteous entreatie of the Knight as he could not conceale the daunger thereof but reuealed vnto him the little hopes they had of his life and the reasons that induced them thereunto which newes was little pleasing vnto the Knight who with many teares lamented that mishap but griefe ministreth no phisicke to the diseased nor sorrow auaileth not to mittigate extreames Wherefore by Cariolus comforted hée ceaseth in so excéeding maner to lament determining to abide the Kings doome vnto whom he purposeth to reconcile himselfe and to that intent awaiteth the waking of his Maiestie who was after his dressing fallen a sléepe whose griefe was such as hée could take small rest But rowsing himselfe awaked from his slumber called for the Lord Cariolus who was wayting for the same purpose vnto whome being come hée saith Cariolus let no man boast himselfe of happinesse which is mortall for that they are subiect to crosses and casual mishaps as thy selfe maist witnesse with me and many others that haue séene this mischaunce befallen mée when I least expected it the originall of my griefe procéeding from my selfe which woulde perforce my good friend to the action whereunto he was so vnwillingly drawne but what heauens haue ordeined what man can gainsay The omnipotent power of the Almightie hath laid his crosse on me for my greater good to call me from these worldes vanities to séeke his euerlasting kingdome Yet ere I leaue this fraile life swéete Cariolus let me sée that honourable Knight by whose hands death sent his sommance deare he was vnto mée and his loue worthie to be imbraced of the mightiest Monarke Oh Pheander couldest thou but imagine with what faithfull loue I loued thée thou maist sorrow for my losse whome thou and all the worlde cannot reclaime from this great hazard wherein I remain With this the knight which was not farre off presented himselfe vnto him who knéeling at his beds side said Most gracious soueraign might my gréeued hart which ouerwhelmed in sorrow is 〈…〉 in a sea of many miseries consume it selfe with griefe for my euill committed against you how happie a creature were I which haue bin the occasion of your highnesse so great vnrest yet how vnwilling heauens record with me And therefore my dread soueraigne pardon my fault so vnwillingly committed against your Maiestie as deare to me as mine owne soule whose life if ten thousands liues depended thereon I wish might be sacrificed for thy health and the louing subiects of of my gracious soueraigne whom by my ouer-hardinesse I haue robbed of so louing a Prince Let me I say chiefe causer of your sorrow reape the guerdon
her selfe that with those comfortable confections her Doctors prouided and receiuing such vyands as phisicke thought most méetest shée beganne to recouer her decaied colour and her faint limbs ouer weake with forbearing such sustenance wherewith nature should be reléeued recouered their strength in such wise as it ioyed her subiects to heare of her recouery Time which ouercommeth mightie things hath brought the Quéene to that good estate as finding a day wherein the Sunnes power vanquished the ayres rumaticke coldnesse the walked into the gardaine where shée solaced her selfe beholding Natures abiliments which beautified the earth in such manner that the pleasantnesse thereof with the swéete smelles bredde her great content The Mayden Knight which had desire to shewe his dutie in attending her royall highnesse hearing this happie tydings hasteneth to the gardaine whome the Quéene no sooner sawe but calling him vnto her after his dutie done and her Maiestie taking him vp from the grounde from off his knée she said My Lord what excuse can you frame now for neglecting your dutie to your mistresse which cannot haue your sight being in Court without a messenger if the sight of any one attending vs be offensiue vnto your Grace wée will remoue them rather then loose your company so wée may know them Noble Princesse answered the Knight that I acknowledge not my dutie as I ought pardon me and weigh in the ballance of your gracious clemencie my zeale and hartie desire to doo you seruice who albeit my heart desireth no such happinesse as your Princely presence yet knowing that Princes haue many eyes to behold them and Enuy lurketh in the hearts of subiects who imagining more then is on either of our parts thought may with their euil spéech raise that scandall as may blemish your renowne being a virgine and procure my greater trouble which am a straunger Clenly excused quoth the Quéene I sée now good seruant you haue not spent your time idlely abroad if I might know your schoole mistresse I would be so bold to thanke her for the diligent applying her scholler Madame quoth the Prince I am glad to heare your grace so well disposed I hope your Maiestie hauing recouered strength and your businesse with these nobles ouer past will thinke of your seruant and remember your word to me which chalengeth the same at your maiesties hands My Lord quoth she had I not held thy loue in regard I could not haue denied the many sutes of my Pheres and Commons which haue besought me and with great earnestnesse entreated me to marriage but so deare hath thy loue bene vnto me that I desired death rather then falsifie my faith to your grace for whom and through whose vnkindnesse I haue endured much hearts discontent No more of that quoth the Knight good Madame expel from your minde passed griefes and thinke vpon the ensuing pleasures which wil excéed all the discontent hath bene to heare your discontent is litle pleasing vnto me who neuer closed these eyes nor neuer beheld the rising of the glorious Sun without millions of times remembring your grace whose presence I more desired then I will explaine Guenela séeing some of the Councell entering the Gardaine gaue them intelligence thereof breaking off their spéech thus Sir if you haue taken orders in holy Church since your departure it is more then is expected of all the court which in time past haue shewed your selfe so worthily in Armes to your lasting honor If you haue and her grace haue chosen you for her ghostly father enioyne I beseech her maiestie to some easie penance for her long sicknes is not to endure much fasting besides here is of the Councel who hath waited to say somthing either to the Quéene or your grace These wordes of Guenela caused them surcease their talke and with shewes of louing countenaunces to giue each other the farewell The Knight framing his talke to Guenela who finding him alone thus said Sir experience of mine owne discontent hath taught me what a corifiue melancholy is to a pleasant minde who in your absence haue endured many sharpe wordes yea and oftentimes those thundering spéeches lighting with blowes either on my ribbes head or face in reuenge of which had you bin present for whose sake I endured them I should haue aduentured the cracking of a sword with your grace or greatly haue wanted of my will Why how now Guenela quoth the Knight art thou metamorphiâ—ed hath the Goddes ioyned thée abiliments of a man as wel as armed thy hart with courage faith wench art thou so valiantly minded to breake a blade take héed tis dangerous for your sexe to deale with weapons but I will desire the Quéene to search you least happily as â—ad a chance befall her maydes as Dania which enterteined Iupiter in likenesse of a Swan If Guenela be likewise by their consents allienated from her sexe it were good to preuent euils in time had I wist commeth too late My Lord quoth Guenela blushing with shame your Lordship hath through my fondnesse taken me at aduantage misconstruing my simple meaning which haue euâ—r honored you Conceale my folly in this good my Lord and forget it and pardon my fond words which haue felt many stripes for you Nay Guenela quoth the Knight I may not with my honour let passe a matter of such importance without reuealing it to her highnesse least your words as you say spoken in ieast turne some of our Ladies in earnest to be beholding to mother Midwife The Quéene which had reposed her selfe with beholding the bewtie of nature and taken y e pleasant aire which did greatly comfort her hauing some conference with her nobles departed the gardein which made the rest withall the spéed they could make to follow whereof Guenela was nothing sorowfull who was thereby compeld to leaue the Knight of whome shee wished long before to haue shift her hands The Quéene gathering some strength was loath to detaine the straunge Nobles longer from her Presence wherefore by her Nobles shee limitted a time to heare them against which day was all her nobles summoned to be at Court with her Ladies and women of account to attend her Maiestie who with the Lorde Stewarde of her houshold had taken such order for all diuersitie of vyandes that might be prouided The day appointed come not vnexspected of the straungers who prouided themselues as sumptuous as they could apparrelled after their countrey maner attended the time of her Maiesties comming forth who being come and in her Chaire of Estate set word was brought vnto the straungers who marching with the nobles of Thrace through the Court was in most honourable maner presented vnto her Maiestie who with countenance debonaire and grace magisticall as became her royaltie bad them all welcome in such curteous and Princely manner that the straungers at this first fight were driuen to great admiration beholding that grace and honor in a woman which they would neuer haue beléeued had not their eyes bene
honor of the day to him whom they all though a stranger highly commended The Knight comming before the Quéen humbly doing his dutie was with his Trumpet sounding ready to depart whom the nobles would not suffer without his knowledge beséeching him not so much to dishonor them of whome he had deserued honor in such maner to leaue them The Mayden Knight who would as willingly haue reuealed himselfe as they desired though he made show of some discontent yet wold not deny their request but calling for his Armourer opened his Beauer who béeing knowne to be the Mayden Knight they were all the more honored taking no disgrace to be foyled of him by whose hands so many had lost their liues which were honorable and expert in Armes Being discouered he presented himselfe to her maiestie who not a litle ioyfull of her seruants good fortune whom the graced in this maner Seruant quoth she thanks for your paines and honoring vs at this time for which I ensure you I thinke my selfe much beholding it had bene pittie truant-like you shuld haue left these honorable Lords your frends without hauing acknowledged your selfe vnto vs them who you shall sée will be carefull to procure a Surgion who doubtlesse shall cure those bleeding hearts if any such there be ofskill in Thrace Honored Lady quoth the knight the well spring of curtesie nobilitie most humble thanks I yéeld your maiestie for this grace without whose fauour and grace to whom in dutie I am so bounden I desire not life This said the Quéene and the straunge nobles departing supper being readie and they set their table talke was of the braue behauiour of the Knight who had all the honor attributed to him that was to be required wherin the strangers were ioyed louing him dearly and to encrease the fame which generally was giuen him they in presence of the whole assembly declared the honors her maiesties Champion had gained in Thessaly and Egipt with the death of their King who of a wound by his hand at the Tilt dyed leauing nothing vnspoken which might any way honor him whereof the Quéene ioyed not a litle though shée concealed the same Supper ended and some part of the night spent in dauncing masking and other Courtlike pastimes the Quéene commending the nobles to their restes bad the company good night who entering her lodging it might haue ioyed the heart of any Lady in loue to heare the generall laude of the Ladies giuen to the Mayden Knight of whom no other talke was to be heard each honourable part in him commended to his desert and of his valour in Armes no praise was sufficient wherewith the Quéene was not a litle pleased nor Guenela discontent to heare the onely Prize of honour giuen her Lord by whome shée had hope for her passed seruice to bee preferred Thus ioying on all parts wée leaue the Quéene with her company to their rests and returne to the Nobles straungers whose commendations and honorable reports of the Knight was such that nothing could be more pleasing vnto them applauding the wisedome and noble demeanour of the Quéene whose lyke in her time was not as they supposed to bee found with such sundry discourses passed these Nobles the night to which wée leaue them for a time These Princely pastimes ouerpast the care of the Quéene was for dispatch of the Nobles of Thessaly whom she was loth to detaine from that desire they had to sée their Countrey Wherefore after some two or thrée dayes spent in discoursing of their countries and state of their realmes with the commodities therof eftsoones enterlacing their discourses with some pleasant parley wherein the Nobles were much delighted the Quéene tooke order with her Councell for their answere limitting a time therefore to the good content of the strangers Against which prefixed time the Quéene hauing care of her honorable word had their Letters all written and signed when omitting them to a banquet shée in such honourable manner deliuered their answere with such words of loue and desire of good to their King as ouercome with ioyes thereof the strangers were not able long time to answere presenting their King and Quéene with gifts of high estéeme and highly rewarding their honourable pains which they gratefully accepted taking order for Gallies with victualls and other necessaries to be purueyed with spéed and beuntie This honourable entertainment of the Quéene to those straungers being in the prime of her gouernment gained her such honour through their reportes that those which heard the same admired her whom they imagined was péerlesse for wisedome bountie and curtesie not omitting the fauour and loue of the Nobilitie of whose worthinesse they could neuer speake sufficient As time finisheth the greatest affaires so the carefull trauaile of those to whome the prouision of the Fléet was commended was such that there was no wants in short time left vnfurnished that lacking nothing but a faire winde which hée that commaundeth winde and seas sent in such happie time as they could with which not willing to loose they commend the health and happie gouernment of the Quéene to him that ruleth all And so accompanied with the Mayden Knight who was loath to leaue them and many other Phéeres of the lande they were conducted each one to his seuerall Gally where being imbarqued their Sayles cut and they affore the winde they gaue their farewell with such a braue ringing peale of great Cannons and then likewise their small Artillery as wonderfully reioyced the beholders which by the Gunners from the Quéenes Forts a shore was as worthily answered Thus parted these nobles who in short time arriued in safetie in Egipt with their King vnto whome hauing deliuered the Princes Presents with their letters they omitted no reports of their honorable entertainment of the Quéene and her nobles in such maner that where they or any of their traine long time after became their table talke was onely of their honorable welcoms in Thrace euer applauding the magnificent grace wisedome bountie of the Quéene whome they gaue the Prize vnto of all that liued in her time leauing nothing vnremembred which might any way impaire the honourable reputation of her nobles which vsed them with al the curtesie bountie becomming their estates but especially the Mayden Knight the discourse of whose valour and maner of behauiour bred more delight then the rest for that the nobles and commons had knowledge of his valour and worthinesse These honorable commendations of the nobles ioyed the King who in his secret thoughts applauded her highnesse fauour and curtesie that for his sake and honour had vsed those his subiects in all Princely manner But amongst those which tooke pleasure in hearing those discourses of the nobles the Quéene enflamed with their reports burned with desire to sée this péerlesse Princesse as the second part of this historie shall shew you Till when leauing the King with his Phéers to their solace return we to Thrace
curtesie to say My Lords all and you of the Communaltie you haue in yéelding to these honorable motions by me made highly contented her whose desire in loue made me not so head-strong to consent without your generall lyking my choise being such as may be mated with the oneliest Lady of highest estéeme in the worlde as I doubt not your selues will confesse when he shalbe knowne vnto you my high estéeme of him laid apart for that you may say affection is blinde And as the Prouerb saith The Negro by nature black and loathsome in our eyes estéemes her Infant faire so Loue which commandeth all creatures caused many Princes and Ladies of worth to submit themselues to base estates Imperious loue so ouer mastering their hearts to assure you that my lyking is not such and to satisfie you which with your curteous consent hath contented me know your so elected souaraigne and he that I haue subiected my loue vnto is of no lesse worth then a Prince royally borne and descended from the loynes of a King famous and a Quéene endowed with much honor himselfe shewing his royall desent by his demeanour which is valiant wise and curteous such a one I know your desires is to chuse for your soueraigne all offection set apart such a one haue I chosen which shal cause al your ioies if you ioy in any good Where breaking off your spéech with other words of curtesie yéelding them great thankes she called Guenela whome shée commanded to send some trustie messenger for the Prince willing him all businesse set apart to repaire vnto her which done framing pleasant discourses which delighted the nobles she sought to their contents to beguile the time vntill the messenger returned which made such haste that he found the Knight vnto whom he imparted the Quéens pleasure which albeit the sodeinesse thereof was troublesome vnto him cloying his head deuising of sundry matters which her hastie sending for him should import yet neglecting no time he spéedeth him to the Presence where to the Quéene he was the welcommest man liuing as her countenance declared who calling him vnto her commanded a chair to be brought and seating him on her left hand to the admiration of all the beholders which done she said My Lords and you our louing subiects muse not at this vnwoonted fauour vsed to this Gentleman nor repine not for that it is your owne choyse This is my choyse and hée that I haue sworne my loue and loyall affection vnto who albeit hath thus long subiected himselfe to our seruice dooing vs many high fauours as your owne eyes can witnesse enduced vnto it by that high commander of men who hath procured many Princes to the lyke for our loue as I am assured he abandoned his Kingly seate disguised in the base attire of a Merchant came to our Court where what honors he hath gained by his valour and curtesie not one of you but know Numedia being his natiue soyle and the kingdome his by lawfull desent from the King his father Let it not dismay you my friends nor iudge my words spoken of him for his honor to be more then truth so shall you wrong him whose woorth you may be by my reports assured off and iniury her which had neuer intent but to deserue well of you all Therefore as you haue your desire knowing him in token of your loue and generall consents by whom hée is your adopted King shewe by your signes of content howe pleasing my choyce and lyking is vnto you The Nobles amazed at the Quéenes spéech although they could hardly be enduced to beléeue what shée had sayd yet such was the loue they honored her with that giuing credit vnto her words without longer pause of the matter that the Quéene might the rather be wonne to credit their former spéech with a vniuersall voyce prostrating themselues before him they cryed God saue the King Quéene vowing vnto him loyaltie and failtie as vnto their King and soueraigne Thanks good my Lords quoth the Prince for your good consents and doubt not of my loue to you which with such heartie affection shall be shewed that my dearest bloud shal be shead ere the least haire of the basest of your heads shall perish Which said the Quéene standing vp requested the Nobles that as they had with consent elected him their King so they would appoynt the time for solemnizing the marriage with the Coronation chaunging his name from Pheander the Mayden Knight to Dionicus the lawful heire of the Numedian Crowne for that was his right and the name of Pheander but vsurped Which request of her Maiestie they easily granted appoynting the marriage thrée dayes following and the Coronation presently to follow which to their great ioyes was accomplished with all the honour might be done by their subiects the costly showes and all maner of delightfull pastimes there vsed I omit albeit it was pleasing both to their King and Quéene and brought great ioy and comfort to all beholders The marriage with the Coronation past the Commons delighted with their King assured his grace to be so honorable as the Quéene had reported him and they found who in that Parlament to honor the Thracians the more and let them know his loue was no whit inferiour to theirs he entailed the Crowne of Numedia to the lawfull heire of Thrace succéeding assuring them that his Nobles and Commons should confirme and assure the same Which curteous fauour the Nobles so gratefully accepted as they returned him for the same many gracious thanks the Parliament proroged according to custome of the Country their dutie in all humblenesse done the Nobles with the chéefest of all parts in the land wished the Quéene and King many happy dayes to their ioy and harts content which they requited with such shewes of loue as might delight them and giue them cause to ioy in their Princes election of whom their comfort was great their assurance of tranquillitie with forraine Princes through his magnanimitie to be such as al true subiects might haue pleasure to recount Their leaue taken euery one departs well content to his home Thus the King and Quéene enioying hearts content their loues more and more encreased that there was no talks but of their faithfull loue and hearts lyking through which the Commons liued in peace praying for their long liues to be continued To which content in loue the story leaueth them recounting the arriuall of the aged Barnardine in Thrace who with his long trauaile came vnto the Court where wandering Pilgrimelike liuing by the deuotion of bountifull people he spent some time in contemplation others in viewing the bewtie of the Court and maners of the people eftsoones commending their religion and seruing their creature taking much pleasure in discoursing with such Pilgrime strangers as he méete of the diuerse conditions of those Nations whose Countries hée had séene which being many he affected no Princes Region as this Country of Thrace