forward boldly to buckle with him and there they two were at it alone by themselues Dramusiande whose onely desire was Prince Florians fréedome fought with such furie and earnestnes together as within a small while Alfiero was brought into such estate that falling downe ouer-laboured among the horse féete there the huge Giant was troden to death The Persians did what they could to resist this hote assault but what with the suddennes frighted amazement neither could they arme one part of their people nor endure in any degrée against the Christians And which most dismayed them Sucusano who supposed so slender a strength of his enemies durst not thus so haue persued and assailed him could now determine on nothing but flight so causing Florian forthwith to bee horsed with about two thousand of his trustiest followers away both he and they fledde toward a Castell This was not doone with such cunning or secrecie but it was discerned by his owne Souldiers who falling into the like affright as their Lord before had doone and imagining the number of their foes to be more then they coulde possibly withstand began likewise to leaue the field and so the Christians remained victors But when they came to Sucusanos Pauillion founde that hee was escaped and gone they grew very desperate and fearing least they should loose his track pursued immediatly with all possible spéede But to no purpose had thys labour sorted had not Dramusiande by good hap light on a Dwarffe by the way falne into a Ditch whom hee helping out and taking vp before him on his saddle bowe vnderstood by him whether Sucusano was fled Hee aduertising Floraman and the rest heereof without taking any prouision or great part of the Campe with them they spurrd speedily after and came thether at the instant when Sucusano was comming foorth of the Castell with intent to post toward Persia presently But séeing his enemies thus come vpon him hee returned in againe where nowe hee meant to make himselfe strong and send for fresh supply to be his deliuerance But by reason of the Countries barrennes not affording victuall or other prouision they grew to articles of agréement which were that Florian should be rendered safe sound and he passe without molestation into Persia vpon promise neuer to mooue more warre against the Christians nor against the royall Lady Targiana Thus was Prince Florian deliuered and Sucusano departed thence after hee had assembled his scattered forces together CHAP. XIX How Dorina left of her loue to the Prince Florian with intent to aduaunce the honour of Primaleon the second sonne to Florendos not because she bare any immodest affection to him but onely to make him famous through the world DOrina after her departure from the cittie of Tubante for demaund of further helpe when shée was alone within her Barque began to thinke with herselfe that all her labour was but in vaine in séeking to gaine any grace from Prince Florian because beside her beeing farre lesse faire then the Princesse Targiana shee was likewise but poore In thys regard herselfe helde it as a matter most vnreasonable that shée should labour him to anie such indignitie considering his strict bond of affection to the Turkish Ladie wherefore béeing ashamed of what shée had already doone to him and much reprehending her former wanton desires shée altered her thoughts nowe to doo somewhat woorthy good repute without any more subiecting her minde to carnall inclinations And entring into consideration with herselfe vpon what person shee might imploy this industrious purpose immediatly she apprehended that Primaleon the sonne of Florendos was an apt subiect to worke matter of worth vpon Then looking aduisedlie into his natiuitie she saw that hee was borne to finish manie high aduentures and shoulde likewise suffer verie sharpe trauailes for a Ladies loue wherefore being now come to the yéeres of fifteene and the wise Aliart hauing so ordered all matters that all the young Princes should be sent to their seuerall estates Dorina caused a young beautifull Damosell to appeare to young Primaleon in his sléepe and shée taking him by the hand spake in this manner vnto him My beautie if any is onely dedicated to be thine nor can I otherwise choose but loue thée neuerthelesse I haue very many great perrils to passe which because thy valour must be the onely meanes of they shall make thée glorious For proofe héereof thou shalt sée a young Virgine which héereafter shal bring a Monster into this Iland and when thou séest thy selfe crowned with the conquest thereof goe whether shée shall guide thee for my beauties sake and according as thou findest thy desires enflamed with my loue This dreame so delighted the young Princes minde that hee found himselfe presently to be enamoured but knewe not of whom for the Damosell that thus saluted him in his sléepe he could not now discerne waking therefore could not deuise howe to be further satis-fied heerein Heereupon his thoughts became much altered and daily would hee walke downe to the Sea shoare to try if he might gaine a sight of her that should be his conduct to so woorthy an enterprise Not many dayes were past but as he stoode alone vpon the strond hee saw a farre off a little Barque making thetherward whereon imagining that this might be it which should bring the Monster he stayed in further expectation within an howre or little more Dorina put in her Barque to Land and stepping foorth on shoare went vp directlie to the Pallace where was Aliart and all the other young Princes who beholding her there arriued in such sort troopt together to vnderstand of whence she was The Lady falling on her knee before Aliart spake in this maner Mighty most discreet Lord once more am I come hether with my Monster to try if I can conclude an enterprise of mine but nowe I partly repent my comming hether because turning and looking about her I sée none heere likely to conquer the Monster for he that could performe it is to goe with me to a greater and much more honorable aduenture Aliart who was not now accompanied with any Knights likely to vntertake a matter of such moment thus aunswered Good Lady the aduenture of your Monster could not haue failed héere when we had such Knights as your selfe haue made proofe of but nowe you come at a very vnapt time for heere are none now but youthes onely and such as yet haue neuer beene knighted Dorina interrupting Aliarts aunswere said My Lord I am not come hether by chaunce but directed by a vehement desire which I haue to make famous this gallant Infantrie whom Fortune may fauour with vanquishing the Monster And albeit they are not knighted as yet that may very easily be prouided for let them but be had to Constantinople where the Emperour is readie to knight any woorthy deseruer and there they may be ready for all good haps whatsoeuer Aliart who could not wel gaine-say her
gesse that this sight was very pleasing to her especially after so many greefes before endured and béeing entred into the Shyppe againe till newes of this good hap was carried to the Pallace ere long they beheld the Empresse Gridonia Miragarda Bazilia Arnalte and all the other Princesses riding hastily thether to welcome Polinarda The ioy of a Mother for recouerie of his lost daughter I doubt not but you can better conceiue then I expresse as also the mutuall ioy and embracings betwéene newe met friendes after so sad and disastrous a seperation all which on eyther side was effectually performed nothing wanting that might declare the true feeling of affection nor no praises fayling to those Knights for their great deseruings By this time was Polinarda clad in other abiliments and ledd onward by the hand of her Mother exceeding ioyful for her so happy recouerie there met them the Emperour and those of elder yéeres with him among whom was olde Almaroll whose vigour was nowe very sufficiently restored The Emperour embraced Platir Dragonalte afterward beeing a King then folding Leonato in his armes said I now see the fortunate successe of our family since the young men doo not degenerate from the steps of their Fathers and Grandsires So riding on betwéene Platir and Dragonalte Sydelia and Cardigia agreed pleasantly to iest with his Highnesse and putting themselues forward so trauerssed the streete with their lustie Palfraies that hee could by no meanes passe along and béeing disposed to hold on their merry beginning quoth one of them My Lord if we were armed there 's not one of vs but would challenge ye seuerally to the fight and punish yée for vsurping on our prerogatiue The Emperor smiling to sée the Ladies so shut vp the way said Beleeue mee faire soules I le kéepe my selfe well enough from warring with any of you when yée declare so many signes of courage but tell mee I pray yée what prerogatiue of yours doo we vsurpe vpon The Ladies not willing to aunswere him by wordes tooke each of them her husband by the hand and one of thē welcomming hers with kisses and the other with kinde embraces declared that their prerogatiue consisted in those fauours from which they were bard before by the Emperours conuersing with them All the company laughed at the Ladies pleasant disposition and the Emperour confest his errour in kéeping their husbands so long from them but since the faulte grew through the great loue he bare to his Knights hee iudged it might be the sooner pardoned whereon the Ladies resigned them to his maiestie againe saying though he had power to commaunde their presence in the day yet they hoped to desire their company at night whereat such as were maried laughed hartily and the maidens blushed very modestly So breaking wittie iest vpon iest they entred the Cittie Almaroll and Cardigea then riding with their sonne betwéene them and they founde the tables ready couered in faire Fleridaes garden where they dined with great pompe and royaltie But when the tables were withdrawne the Emperour sate in sad conference with Platir and Dragonalte of all the passed accidents at the Citty of Tubante wherein was at large discoursed all matters betwéen the Prince Florian and Targiana what successe the war had as also the sudden flight of Dirdan suspected to vsurpe the kingdome of Niquea adding to fill vp the full compleat honour of their Embassie that all the Knights by them acknowledged their duties to his Highnesse but more especially Blandidon who fearing least Tirenna his bastard Sister intended forestalling of his dignitie would labour his mightines by some meanes for her supporting The Emperour discoursing diuersly on the passed wars was greatly gréeued to loose so good a Knight as Dirdan but much more offended at his giuing this occasion of fresh strife neuerthelesse not forgetfull any way of Blandidons good deseruings to whom in choyse regard of his Fathers faithfulnes and sufficient proofe of his owne vertue the Grecian Empire was so much obliged immediatly he tooke order that good assistance should bee sent him by the same Knights And this occasion very fitly made offer of it selfe for the new created Knights remaining idle at home and displeased at the Knight of Fortunes departure from the Court he altogether séeking honour by search of aduentures and they as willing yet no way imployed they tooke it as a note of shame imposed vpon them and reputed themselues vnworthy of the dignitie they held hauing no meanes to expresse theyr worth of that office and therfore by seuerall wayes they disclosed their discontentments Oliuanto the second sonne to Florendos hearing that ayde was to be sent into Turkie he fell at the Emperours feete holding his vnkle Platir fast by the hand and said High and mightie Prince I humbly beséech you that you kill me not by too much loue of kéeping mee in your Court letting my young yéeres loose the flower of their owne felicitie for were I possessed of my Knight-hood I might share a part of that honourable reputation which makes my companions so famous and glorious and if they make a full conclusion to all actions of merrite what shall I say I was borne for or iudge of mine owne condition The Emperour smiling on Platir who entreated fauour on his Nephewes behalfe returned Oliuanto this aunswere Feare not faire Sonne time falls out fit to thine owne contentment goe and performe your watch for Knighthood and be religiously deuout in your prayers that that sacred order may be woorthily receiued by you to the honour of our Christian fayth and fame of your selfe Oliuanto departed and béeing in the chappell to accomplish his vigill about the midst of night hee heard a voyce procéeding frō the high Altar saying I make thee Knight of the Lyon beeing mine owne Armes and Ensigne thou heereafter shalt be King of Macedon This was supposed to be the ghost of Florendos sometime King of Lacedemonia and Father to the famous Palmerin d' Oliua The voyce was heard of many that were without the Chappell who suddenly entring founde Oliuanto armed and bearing a Shield with the figure of a Lyon in it passant on his feete In the morning the Emperor was aduertised hereof who came with great pompe on horsebacke to the Chappell where a very reuerend Bishop celebrated the Masse and so returning thence to the pallace they heard that Leonato was newly thence departed vnder the title of the Knight of the Sword as the old Knight had béen before called that armed him Knight whereat his Mother was much displeased but the Emperour perceiuing that this was the way whereby his Court should grow great againe in former reputation comforted her thus Grieue not faire Daughter for your Sonne Leonatos departure if you desire hee shoulde resemble his famous Graund-father by whose hands we beleeue he receaued his knight-hoode So taking further order for sending ayde into Turkie made Oliuanto expect his employment thether and within
now at some aduantage quickly conduct me into the Castell that I may sette the young Lady Argentina at libertie Velonna fearefullie trembling by teares and intreates laboured to haue him kisse her promising then to performe whatsoeuer hee commaunded but Dorina comming at the instant cryed out vnto him Kisse her not Knight for then she kills thee neyther trust any of the damned Witches promises beware beside thou goe not into the Castell for then thou canst neuer returne backe againe but commaund her that Argentina and some other Ladies enclosed with her may be brought foorth hether then take the chayne-girdle from about her and binde her hands strongly therewith that she be not able to get away from thée Florian commaunded her to haue Argentina and the other Ladies brought foorth which Velonna in very humble manner performed then issued faire Argentina out of the Castell and diuers other Ladies in company with her on whom she had wrought her damnable trecherie they beeing come before the Prince Dorina put her hand into Velonnas bosome and tooke out a booke which was the very deerest iewell for maintenaunce of her Arte wherat she was euen readie to die with sorrow And because this dangerous Castell might be guiltie of no more harme Florian entreated Dorina by helpe of the Booke she had taken from Velonna to confound it in such sort as no other Nigromancer euer after should be possessed thereof Which beeing doone accordingly hee desired Dorina that shee would goe and aduertise Targiana of his fortunate successe in gayning the libertie of faire Argentina and to certifie her withall that he was gone in companie of the young Lady to Constantinople so taking his leaue of her he went to a neere adioyning port of the Sea where finding a Shippe ready for his purpose both he Argentina and Velonna went presentlie aboord CHAP. LXXXII VVhat the Emperour Palmerin and the other Knights did when they founde that Candida was gone away with Leonato ON the next morrowe when Candida was not séene in the Court on whom the Emperor Palmerin hetherto had helde a strict eye now doubting some deceit and she being last séene in Leonatoes companie as also now generally noised abroade how déerely she affected Leonato they must needes gather that shee was gone away with him Hereat y e Emperour shewed himselfe to be highly offended and culloured this discontentment to be in regard of the true zeale he euer bare her Father and Mother and his passions grew to such extremitie as in all hast he called for his Armour and he would follow to recouer her againe But Palmerin no lesse fired with rage though more cunning in kéeping it from publique note being come into the Emperours presence said It is not méet dread Lord that you in person should pursue such an enterprise least giddie-headed censurers thereby coniecture that rather wanton follie induced you thereto then the awfull respect which ought to be in an Emperour This hee spake because himselfe intended to follow them and recouer the young Ladie from Leonato neuer remembring that a Father in such a case should be more mindfull both of his owne honor and his sonnes but it is no rare noueltie when the very wisest men are thus transported with amourous passions Tarnaes perceiuing Palmerin made no hast in giuing him his daughter Fior-nouella thought with himselfe that his best meanes for soonest obtayning her was to hinder Leonato from passing into England whether likewise if Palmerin and his daughter should post after then his loues hope might be vtterly frustrate wherefore very secretely he armed himselfe tooke the way that directed to England Palmerin also purposing to ride after his sonne went and put on his Armour but beeing prettily quipt and taunted by his wife for so manifest appearance of vnmanly behauiour not knowing with what modestie well to excuse it he was not ouer-hastie in arming himselfe Aliarte who likewise was enamoured of faire Candida but made no outward publication thereof beeing alone in the Emperours presence priuately told him that the Empresse Grydonia full well perceiued his fond loue to Candida in these decrepite yéeres when a shéete for the graue were more néedfull to be thought on then such ill-séeming young desires in so olde a body yet had shee borne it with more patience then a womans heated blood is commonlie capable of so that except shee were the sooner visited comforted y e danger of her life stood desperately vpon it These spéeches made the Emperor in a very strange taking whē he heard the weake estate of his Empresse and contrariwise his loue did mightilie torment him but because Aliarte should not repute him as a man quite reasonlesse hee went presently to her chamber and finding her in a verie contagious agonie hee spake to her meruailous kindly when she opening her eyes and looking right sadly vppon him said Goe goe my Lord to the young beautie that hath bewitched your age and leaue mee poore old Woman here drownde in mine owne teares yet you might remember some of your knightly deedes done for my sake when you made me fond credulous foole to beléeue that neuer could any other Lady haue power of your thoughts These words made such a deepe impression in his mind as he presently resolued to shake off this vnbeséeming humour and embraced the Empresse with such signes of true affection that her former dispayring thoughts were confidently reuocated with absolute perswasion that henceforth all such folly in him would be quite abandoned Nor did hee hold any longer spleene against Leonato but the very next day repealed his banishment vnder this promise that hee had doone no act of villanie to Candida When Aliart sawe the Emperours doating loue so well reclaimed he immediatly prouided that Palmerin should no further pursue Leonato and caused a Post to bring a Letter as if it had been written by Leonato himselfe the summe whereof in briefe thus followeth The Letter brought by the supposed Poast to Constantinople as written from Leonato to his Father Palmerin ¶ The superscription To his most noble Lord and Father Palmerin the right royall Prince of England at Constantinople or wheresoeuer GRacious Lord and Father your wonted kind and honorable fauour standing betweene me and my loue-fault committed in the true duty of a sonne I humbly salute you Giuing you to vnderstand that in a mutuall simpathy of our soules desires I haue espoused the beautiful Lady Candida whose loue before I leaue or can endure any riuall in I haue rated it at the deerest droppe of my blood I humbly craue pardon of my Lord the Emperour in my so bold neglect of his sacred worth and please his Highnesse but to remember that it was loues rash presumption and no vnciuill rudenes in Leonato his wrong will the easier be repayred and my trespasse pardoned I am now bound for England to visite my royall Grand-father King Edward and in his Court to celebrate my marriage So with my
of Niquea because a bastard sister of his by the fauour of some Barrons confederating with her one whereof expected her to be his wife were practising how to enioy it And this vision was not a dreame by reason these affaires were there in good forwardnes but the young Lady named Tirena would not consent to any Barron of that Kingdome because she was déepely enamoured on Dirdan sonne to Maiortes the great Cane and meant to deny her faith so lately receaued thereby to make him Soldane of Niquea Nor was this hidden from Dirdan who because he was young and amorous likewise looked not so much at the friendship of a Christian Princesse for satisfying her loue as perhaps he did to the ioyning of so great a neighbouring Signorie to his owne Kingdome Blandidon giuing credite to his dreame and perceauing if hee slackt the redresse héereof hee might remayne still a priuate man as he was began to consider aduisedly thereon for he knew right well that albeit he was sonne to noble Don Edward yet coulde hee expect no gouernment in England therefore he tooke truce with his thoughts and attended his health CHAP. IX How the Knight of the Sauage man following aduentures there happened to his hand a Letter with a Ring TArgiana and the Armenian Princesse who attended no other oportunity but howe to write concluded to put in trust therewith a young mayden daughter to one of her néerest kindred who at this time should serue insted of a Squire she hauing good knowledge of Targiana yet fained not to know her for feare of Ristorano But on a day following when the Matrones were busily bathing themselues they called her a-side and Targiana at full disclosed herselfe and what shee sought to compasse by her promising her no meane aduauncement if by her meanes she might recouer her liberty and Kingdome The Mayden who was discréete and so loued her Lady as for her helpe shee would make venture of her life made ready one euening such a kinde of wine that distributing it frankly amongst the Matrones they all went to sléepe and not one of them boudged till the next morning Targiana setting her selfe to write among many other made choyse of sending her Letter to Florian because shee loued him before Albayzar and bestowing the flower of her honour on him it could not be that in this her great mishap he would forsake her albeit the vertue of the Ring shold faile her Beside she conceited another helping hope that Leonarda might be dead because Drusa Velona when she enchaunted her into the Serpent said withall that Florian should not long time enioy his faire Leonarda according as the constellation gouerning at her birth declared that she should liue but a little while and when that happened she might promise her selfe Prince Florian to her husband in that she could not beléeue that her curtesies vsed toward him were vtterly forgotten On this conceite she framed the Letter and folding the Ring therein the Princesse of Armenia commaunded it to flie to the hand of Florian of the Forrest and opening the window the Letter with the Ring mounted in the ayre betaking it selfe as it was directed Florian as you haue heard being parted from the Iland with intent to come in no place of humane resort sought with his Shippe to kéepe aloofe from land where he might discerne either Citty or Castle and holding on a solitary course of Nauigation he came to a desolate and ruined Hauen so vnfrequented in his owne opinion as he imagined himselfe highly beholding to Fortune for bringing him to a place so fitting his desire Héere going on shoare he left the Ship and because he coueted to be alone walked on into a Wood where ouer-taken by the night weary troubled and burdened with many thoughts he lay downe vnder a trée to repose himselfe Héere redoubling gréefe on gréefe because he had so soone lost his faire Leonarda at length toward morning his eyes ouer-charged with watching began to folde downe their lids yet still dreaming on his conceites waking but pausing a while he felt him selfe lifted from the ground and inwardly touched somewhat amourously This was by a Néece of Eutropa Aunt to Dramusiande who when Florian combated with her brother became so enamoured of his valour as euer afterward she laboured to get hold of him and make him tractable to her desires She being som-what skilfull in Magicall sciences knowing thereby that Florian after the death of Leonarda was in desperate humours departed from the Perillous I le by her cunning conducted him to this vast Desert meaning thence to guide him to a Pallace of hers which stoode somwhat further within the Land Florian féeling himselfe lifted vp in such manner as hath béene declared said what mayst thou be that thus troublest my quietnes thinke not that any amorous thought hath power to enter my breast Then Dorina for so was the mayden called that burned thus in loue forgetting to helpe her selfe any more by Art came in person to be séene and said Sir Knight take pitty on the loue of a young Damosell who not able to repaire the hurt by thine eyes and her owne committed desires to bestow her selfe on thée not as a Louer but to be thy Seruant At these swéete spéeches which auaile very much in generous minds and could not be quite extinct in Florian who was by nature to women enclined he began some-what to yéeld not as one disposed to graunt what she requested but with an intent to hold her in some hope till he could better compasse to be rid of her whereon hée thus replied Such are my fortunes faire creature as my heart can hardly yéeld to loue any woman neuerthelesse your passions haue vrged me to some pitty and makes me willing to depart hence with you hoping that when your selfe shall behold me in like manner afflicted and with such amorous torments as I now behold in you you will the sooner desist from this ouer-fond humour The Damosell being wise was highly contented to haue him with her perswading her selfe that hardly could hote young blood defend it selfe from the swéete enticements of an amorous Lady So taking him by the hand shee conducted him to her Castle where he was so gallantly entertayned by light of Torches as scant could he imagine how to deny loue to so gentle a creature Being entred a goodly hall he was seated at a table right against Dorina who séeing him so often looke babies in her eyes supposed him thorowly vanquished by her loue making the lesse account to vse any more enchauntments The houre being come of going to rest a chamber most sumptuously adorned was prepared for Florian where by reason the night was very far spent he laid him downe and slept right soundly Dorina eyther weary with so long watching that night or making her selfe certainly assured to be beloued where she thought her selfe neuer enough pleased would not then goe sée him in bed because she imagined not that
space he grew so wearie as nothing was to be expected but death if enamored Dorina who had no power to kill him had not at his departure intended especiall care of him And albeit by her arte shée vnderstoode what effect the Letter and Ring had wrought as also that Florian afresh sollicited by his former loue borne to Targiana endeuoured greatly for her deliuerance notwithstanding all hope of euer enioying him the more resolued and soundly grewe her affection to loue him Now seeing in what perrill he was to loose his life by rescuing the Armenian Princesse from the Turkes handes shee changed her selfe into the shape of Palmerin of England his brother prouided of horse and armour accordingly and aloude shée cryed to Florian saying Feare not Brother I am come hether for thy defence so placing herselfe by him performed such deedes of valour as the Turkes began to retyre as resolued that thys Knight would be the death of them all But because Florian had lost much blood she gaue helpe to mount himselfe vpon his horse that he sate behind toward the crupper and so the Armenian Princesse was placed before him and she was so suddainly carried thence into a wood as the Turkish Knights stoode in amazement thereat Dorina when shée had Florian safe from his enemies shewed her selfe to him what she was and perceiuing that hée affected not the Armenian Princesse without any regard of her shee thus spake to him Most gentle Knight loue that hath made mee altogether yours enforceth an opinion contrary to all hope of ioy when no likelihood is that euer it will be for I knowe yee to be enamoured of a Ladie who strictly by enchauntment bindes ye to loue her when perhaps her beautie might faile in other meanes of preuailing all which makes me the more desirous of yee and to witnesse my inward inflamed loue sée heere the wound I gaue on this breast with my knife as willing to haue slaine my selfe vpon your vnkinde departure The Lady was young and beautifull her wordes likewise vttered so effectually as Florian woulde haue yeelded her loue if the other enchauntment had béene no let thereto But he vnable to vse any mercie to her and the Ladie béeing wise considering all this was occasioned by the Ring determined to awaite fitter opportunitie till Florian should be released from that enchauntment and taking order that one of her Damosels should cure his wounds shée thus beganne againe Thou canst not let me from louing thee for euer albeit thou takest no pitty on mine affliction and so she departed Florian without regarding her speeches suffered what soeuer was applyed for his recouerie and by reason Dorina holpe him by her arte in foure daies he was able to sitte his horse againe Then conferring with the Armenian princesse he excused what had béene done in hindering her from her brother Sucusano disclosing likewise what he was as also to what end this iniurie was offered her as not able by any meanes else to redéeme Targiana It displeased the Princesse that thus her returne into Persia was fore-stalled but when shee knew him to be the Prince Florian so farre famed and noted withall his gentle behauiour she accounted her selfe indebted to Fortune for letting her fal thus into his hands with whose loue she felt herselfe suddenly amated Then remembring that she sent the ring in Targianaes name she had little hope of winning him to her loue so long as that enchantment lasted wherfore she pacified herselfe and Florian desirous to returne toward Tubante had newe Armour and horses for conduct of the Princesse all right after the Tartarian manner And this was doone by Dorina that Florian might goe backe to Tubante and was not knowne to be he that fought with the Turkes in rescue of the Princesse whose habite was likewise in such sort trans-formed as none in all the cittie could know her Thus béeing in Tubante often times hee shewed himselfe to Targiana by meanes of his greene plume but hee could no further preuaile because of the watchfull guard appointed by Ristorano for which good Lady shée was euen ready to die And the Armenian princesse so curbd in her gréefe that she might not enioy the benefit of Florians loue as day and night she offered to sléepe by him yet would hee mooue towards her no more then a stone CHAP. XII VVhat Sucusano did when he heard that the Armenian Princesse was forcibly rescued from them that had charge of conducting her to him And further concerning the Prince Florian. THe Turkes that had fought in this manner with the Knight of the Sauage man seeing they had gotten them-selues so farre onward as they needed not to stande in feare of their enemie because they had lost y e Armenian Princesse they made no hast of returning to Ristorano but intended their iourney to Sucusano to let him vnderstand what had happened them in pursuite so to excuse their Lorde who had sent him his Sister Béeing come to his Armie and newes spread that the princesse came not with them it was expected that they should all presently die but yet on more deliberation they were admitted to his royall Pauillion Sucusano séeing them without his Sister with sterne countenaunce demaunded from whom they came They fearefully falling on theyr knees reported their whole successe and in what sort shée was taken from them But it seemed so disagréeing with truth that one Knight alone shoulde performe so much in taking the Lady frō them though néedlesse another came at length to helpe him as it was méerely scoft at but for better assurance héerein he sent many of his owne men to the place where the Turkes declared that their Captaine lay slaine Dorina who marked all these procéedings to binde her louer to her so much as might bee hoping one day the enchauntment should be dissolued and then hee woulde take compassion on her by her arte conuaied all the dead bodies thence yea all signes that any fighting had béene there at all Where-vpon the Persians returned to Sucusano saying they found no shew of any such matter as the Turkes had told him when hee starting vp furiously without admitting any more wordes commaunded them all immediatlie to be hanged and raysing his Campe consisting of an hundred thousand braue Souldiers beside a most gallant troupe of Infanterie went and assailed Tubante so suddenly as they could not prouide themselues of victuals to withstand the siedge though otherwise the Citty of it selfe was strong enough When Florian saw what he desired to take such effect he earnestly intreated the Princesse of Armenia that faining her selfe to be escaped from the Knight who tooke her from the Turkes shee would get into the Castle where Targiana was so might she be out of danger of her owne life and a meane likewise of Targianas libertie The Princesse séeing her brother so neere to deliuer her and louing Florian so earnestly as she did was well contented to performe his request so slipping
of her beautie but there appeared a hande as pointing to her and vnder it was written this motto Proude beautie Thus rode the Knight on his minde still hammering on loue and desire of glory and then he espied Dorina comming toward who before had stoode inuisible by and shee causing him to goe on board againe set sayle immediatlie for Constantinople CHAP. XX. How the young Princes arriued at Constantinople where they receiued their order of Knight-hoode and how preparation was made for a Tournament THe Shyp that was embowelled with the gallant young Princes casting Anchor in the Port at Constantinople they were by the Emperour Empresse verie louingly entertained and vnderstanding by Aliarts Letters the cause of their comming it was appointed that they should be Knighted the Sunday folowing and each one hauing watched in his Armor the night before accoring to the custome in such cases prouided there appeared certaine signes vnto them which gaue notice of important matters to diuers of them Leonato the sonne of Palmerin beeing deuoutly at prayer he beheld an aged Emperour enter the Chappell who laying his hand vpon his breast said Behold I take all feare from thee that may be iniurious or hurt thee in any perrillous enterprise make thee Knight of the Sword which deuise he bare while he liued atchiuing manifold honours thereby and it was imagined that this old man was the shadow of the Emperour Palmerin d' Oliua These spéeches were plainly heard by diuers of the rest and others entring the Chappell founde him both armed and girt with a Sword which made them suppose that hee should neede no doubt of arming by the Emperour To Arguto who was at his deuotions in another place by himselfe appeared a King with a Shielde which had figured in it a goodly Sunne and taking him by the hand said I know that thy fortune will heereafter cause thee to offende one whoÌ„ thou rather oughtest to honour but because thou shalt not be the meanest in those seruices which thou art to vndertake I giue thée my shield of the Sunne which shal be impenetrable part therefore from hence after thou hast thy title of Knighthoode No other hearde what this King had sayde to Arguto but sawe howe hee armed him as a Knight To Tarnaes the sonne of Platir came an old man in verie short garments who wanted one eye and in breefe termes he spake thus to him I giue thee this Armor which once belonged to King Phillip of Macedon which shall make thee famous in all thine enterprises and arming him therewith presently departed Many that saw him at his departure iudged him to be Lycurgus the Law-maker of Lacedemonia In the morning the Emperour not a little wondering at these strange accidents gaue the other Knights theyr degrees whereat Oliuanto the second sonne of Florendos was much discontented because the Emperour had not in like manner knighted him though indeed his young yéeres was his onely hinderance The feasting was very pompous and the Emperour shewed himselfe exceeding ioyfull as beholding his Court now begin to flourish againe which had béene before very sad and solitarie in regard of the mighty losses sustained and the case of Prince Florian caused some discontentment albeit a little glimmering of good hap appeared in that so many Knights was departed in quest of him and doubtlesse would defend him from any perrill of life The new created Knights to giue some presage of their hopefull valour concluded a Tournament among themselues at the Launce onely and it was free for all commers what soeuer onely it was in this manner ordained because if any Pagan Princes should chaunce to be there no treason or villainie could then be offered The fame of this Iousting flew through diuers parts of the world yea euen into Turkie where the Christian Knights were in great ioy and feasting for the happy deliuerance of the Prince Florian. And Targiana omitted no gracious kindnesse what soeuer that might auaile for his delight or contentment so that the Turkes thought shee had made him her husband whereat they grewe sad and much displeased expecting euery howre when they should be forced to deny their fayth and be subiected to a Christian Prince the thought wherof to them was worse then death Very gladlie would these Christian Lordes be present at Constantinople as well to see the behauior of their Sonnes as to make proofe of them by their owne experience for at these yeres men ought endeuour to make themselues glorious and in imitation of their Fathers contend who should be most famous But they could not as yet get away from that Country because Ristorano hauing mustered together many Persian Knights collected from diuers parts of the Prouinces that came not in time for the ayde of Sucusano were reputed to be a very great Armie and they were making speedilie to Tubante hauing foure crowned Kings in their companie who were to be knowne by these descriptions Carino King of Illium was y e first who had with him two huge Giants and thirty thousand armed Souldiours Drago King of Memphis the second who had a Monster in humane shape the very strangest that euer was séene before It went both on two feete and likewise on foure the heade like a Goate with foure long bending hornes two turning toward the face and two forward with the first hée wounded when hee stoode on his two féete and with the other when he went vpon his foure His armes were hairie bristled and more long then they that bore his bodie hauing nayles or talents so sharpe piercing as they woulde enter through any Shielde in all the rest hee resembled a man except his feete and in stature greatly he excéeded any Giant whatsoeuer Vlderino King of Tanais was the third a man very valiant of himselfe hauing twentie thousand followers and two Sonnes of a Giantlike stature The fourth was Stupendo the most cruell King of Scithia with fiftéene thousand of his armed people according as theyr custome is to goe onely with Launce and bow mounted on horsebacke but without any bridle All these ioyned their forces with Ristorano who likewise had an hundred thousand men what with his Persians and those of Turkie who marching disordredly cumbred much ground and were greatly feared all the way they went for now no other newes ranne any where abroade but that their Princesse Targiana was married to Florian King of Thrace and thereby they doubted subiection to the Grecian Empire which was very yrkesome to them but to heare When the Christian Knights heard what a power was comming against them and that so many Kings had ioyned their strength with Ristorano fearing least theyr supporting this present occasion in Turkie might abridge them from euer beholding their owne Countries they dispatched thence certaine Turkes to perswade the Kings that the Christians had no other busines there but onely to seate Targiana their naturall borne Lady in her Kingdome And thâ—s perswasion had past
rode onward so spéedily that Tamerco who had now recouered footing was out of hope to regaine her by pursuing beside the wound on his head was verie painfull to him but there hapned an occasion to hinder these disseignes as shall be declared in the Chapter following CHAP. XXVI How Arguto was assailed by three Giants which tooke the faire Princesse Polynarda from him How she was afterward recouered by the Knight of Fortune and giuen by him to Leonato that hee might goe onward to the I le of Fortune TAmerco béeing set downe in a shade while his seruaunts holpe to binde vp his hurts sawe three Giants comming toward him armed all in blacke with Maces of yron and swordes of huge length these Giants demaunded of him if hee had not séene a Lady of theirs scaping froÌ„ them that way Hée replied hée had séene such a one shee could not be far gone from them but he saw a Knight likewise that offered her defence and it might be he had carried her away behind him This aunswere made Tamerco as well knowing that the Giants sought not after Polinarda but some Ladie to them belonging yet this would serue as two reuenges at once both on the Princesse the Knight her rescuer iudging it impossible for him to escape from men of such might The Giants giuing credite to Tamercoes aunswere seeing the new passed footing of the horse prepared theÌ„selues presently to follow after and running with all the spéede they could make they tore downe the trées that stoode in their way to let them and such a noyse they made all the way they went that Arguto and Polinarda heard theÌ„ more then a mile off Polinarda would faine haue had Arguto put the spurres to his horse for his better escape from so great a danger but Arguto who would not flée if death himselfe had stoode before him by no meanes coulde be wonne to amend his pace where-vpon the Giants still following by the track at length ouer-tooke them and the youngest Giant called to them that they should stay Arguto causing Polinarda to alight couering himselfe with his Shield said If any sparke of true valour doe remaine in yee then let vs single deale man to man so shall your conquest of me be the more glorious These Giants who were of the progenie of the Giant Lurcon sometime reputed a bolde and hardie Knight and was slaine by the Emperour Primaleon hauing well learned all kindes of knightly curtesie thus forth-with ordained that the youngest who indéede was the most agill and actiue should first try his fortune against the Knight of the Sunne and so the combate was agréed vpon betweene them The Giant gaue many vnmercifull blowes such as had surely preuailed euen to the death but that the Knight awarded them by dexteritie and nimblenes and wounded the Giant in thrée seuerall places though little to any sound purpose because his Mace brake off their spéede in the fall at last the Knight beeing hardly beset and dangerouslie indeede deliuered such a forcible stroke at the Giant as he cut the Mace in sunder very neere to his hand which made him in a rage draw forth his sword and nowe began the fight to be fierce and cruell on both sides The two other Giants standing by aduisedly looking vpon Polinarda perceiued that this was not shée whoÌ„ they sought but seeing shée was of excellent beautie they became so amourously affected to her as they purposed to be possest of her and speaking in their language to their brother that combatted to leaue off the fight and follow them the elder Giant dissemblingly drawing neere her rapt her vp vnder his arme the other making the way before him for sooner carriage of her to his Caue The third that fought with Arguto turning his backe ranne away with such spéede as the Knight by no meanes could ouer-reach him thus séeing at one instant Polinarda borne away and al the Giants borne quite out of his sight himselfe now ignorant which way he should take he got vp on horsebacke riding as he thought the same way the Giants had taken but in lesse then halfe a myles trauaile hee had vtterly lost the tract of their footing so pacing on carelesly till it was night and yet altogether ignorant whether he went at last hee layd him downe to sleepe vnder a tree all woe begon that he could not recouer Polinarda to whom he had by the small way they rode imparted his loue and receiued likewise a promise from her to doo her vttermost in his behalfe notwithstanding very slender fruite was to be expected by her paines because Victoria in her soule affected young Primaleon But the Knight of the Sunne conceiued such hope by her gentle speeches as he made certaine account to enioy the Ladie hee loued a propertie incident â—o louers to deceaue themselues by beléeuing assuredly the follie of their owne desires Thus all that night he fed vppon those perswasiue hopes not hauing any thing else to satis-fie his hungry appetite withall and in the morning mounted on horse-back againe with intent either to finde Polinarda and be her deliuerer or end his owne life by the crueltie of the Giants The Giants after they had brought Polinarda to theyr Denne were each of them seuerally so enflamed with her loue as each one would haue her alone to himselfe without admitting any fellowshippe in so rich a purchase the elder Giant would haue carried her into the furthest nooke of the Caue there to possesse the benefit of his lasciuious desires but the other two came running vpon him with their weapons and there had slaine him but that hee caught vp Polinarda in his armes as a buckler betwéen them When the two Giants saw they could doo nothing against y e third but that Polinarda was still in perrill of her life they fell to him by handy gripes charging him to let the Ladie goe or els they would kill both him and her together and then the two fell at strife amongst themselues which of theÌ„ should first haue her when shée was frée from the other and being both vnarmed the youngest thrust the other quite thorowe the body that there he fell downe dead at his foote and in the same furie he ranne the elder in vnder the arme-pit as minding to kill both him the woman because hee should not vaunt of carrying her alone froÌ„ him and this his purpose had beene effected if the Knight of Fortune had not euen then arriued at the Caues mouth beeing led along that Coast by his fauourer Dorina without telling him of anie action there to be performed Hee hearing the noyse the Giants made within and lending his listning eare to be further resolued heard the dolourous complaints of some distressed woman which made him suddainly dismount from his horse and boldly enter into the Caue The young Giant beholding an armed Knight thus enter left the other to deale with him and then the elder Giant
eyght dayes tenne great Ships with as many Foystes were prepared whereinto entred fifteene thousand hardie spirits with Platir Dragonalte Oliuanto and Almaroll the younger with his Father who seeing his sonne of so honourable towardlines would needs beare him companie that he might the better learne by him with what discretion to guide himselfe in any dangerous battaile The Shyps put off from the shoare but scantly with the good liking of Auriana who hauing thus long conuersed among the Christian Princesses and learned the misteries of our fayth beholding no likelihood of her returne to India Tamerco her brother hauing committed such an errour as the rape of Polinarda was the willinger to be baptized and so was presented at the holy Font Platir and Miragarda being her sureties Shée béeing thus become a Christian sought how to haue a husband aunswerable to her quality and noting Oliuanto with the piercing eye of iudgement what high and especiall hope was held of him and how in all fayre parts he resembled his mother shee grewe verie much enamoured of him neuer manifesting her loue but now at his departing when the young Knight taking his leaue of her as before he had doone of the other Princesses and Infantries seeming very gracious as hee was on his knee before her the Lady tooke the spirit to speake in thys manner Although I am a stranger yet I may challenge one of this royall assembly whom I may boldly entitle by the name of my Knight Oliuanto remembring howe many times Auriana had affably eyed him and suspecting that loue might be the speciall reason thereof repented hee had béene so slacke in exchange of kindnesse according as such a beauty in dutie deserued wherefore taking her softly by the hand and sealing his affection with a sweet kisse said There is nothing faire Lady by mee more desired then to be called the Knight to so great a Princesse that all my enterprises beeing performed vnder the name of your beauty might proue the more successefull and fortunate So after he had expressed what loue in time might be equally entertained hee arose with a Diamond in his hand which shee had giuen him as a remembrance of her affection but because it was now vpon the very instant of departing and Miragarda had gathered some suspition of this new commenced loue shee pleasantly brake this iest vpon him Alas Sonne you must first make your vertue cleare in Armes and thereby become famous before you learne the idle offices of loue of which frumpe Oliuanto was so ashamed as to cut off further entrance into such imaginations of him hee mounted on his horse and so rode downe with the rest towards the Shippes CHAP. XXVIII How Franardo found Belcar Fortenbracio Forcino hand to hand with three Giants that dwelt at the foote of the Mountaine Arteferia in Macedonia and hauing slaine two of them they went toward the Iland of Carderia ALl the young Knights as wée haue alreadie declared beeing departed from the Emperours Court by deedes of woorth so make themselues famous and amongst them Franardo whose fierie heate could not endure the search of meane aduentures or any slender occasion that might befall him on the way So posting on in hast at last hee came to the Kingdome of Macedon very neere vnto the Mountaine Arteferia musing seriously in his thoughts in what place hee might light on some aduenture which might beseeme his valour he suddainly heard a great clattering of weapons and following directly to the place by his eare he sawe three Knights combatting with three Giants who had with them twenty armed men beside and all they together had set vppon those thrée and doubtlesse had there slaine them but that this Giant by so good hap chaunced to come thether who although hee knewe them not yet seeing they were so villainously intreated hée stept in to assist them and drawing his sword spake thus aloud Knights be of good courage for I purpose to ayde you Fortenbracio béeing neerest him knewe him by the imprese of a Castell which hee bare in his Shield and therevpon said Welcome is my Lord the woorthy Franardo which words cheered the other to haue so good helpe One of the Giants making at Franardo with a great yron mace was so encountred againe by him with his Sword as hee cut off the Mace in the very midst and gaue him a dangerous wound in the breast whereat the Giant beganne to stagger and not knowing which way to betake himselfe made offer of escape away but foure of his Knights rushing in to defend him hee was the willinger to abide by it where the fight continued very sharply for more then halfe an howre and the young Knights who had fought there foure whole howres together were growne very wearie and Forcino hurt to his great disaduantage But Franardo béeing fresh and lustie when he sawe the battaile endure so long said within himselfe If I doe no greater good then hetherto I haue doone I may accompanie these Knights in death Héereon he buckled to y e wounded Giant and making a larger entrance where hee had before opened his Cuirasse at his first hurt he made such a window in his body that his hart might be seene panting for life But minding him no more hee smote off the head of one of his Knights smit two other dead to the ground When the two Giants saw their third companion slaine they stroue to get behind Franardo and there they had slain him ere he could be aware of them if Belcar and Fortenbracio had not runne quickly to resist them for now hee was very narrowly beset and had receiued two blowes beside which did astonish him in such sort as if Forcino had not lightly leapt to him hee could not chuse but must needes there haue falne But hauing well recouered himselfe againe hée looked about him and sawe Fortenbracio runne another Giant thorow the shoulder and afterwarde cleaue him downe to the left flancke which made the third seeing both his companions dead throw downe his sword and gauntlet on the ground desiring truce and mercie at their hands as in like manner did such of his Knights as were left aliue whereon they were afforded grace and fauour The Giant béeing named Forzato humbly embraced Franardo saying Sir Knight so highly hath your vertue pleased me as I meane to leaue a little Castell which I hold in yonder vally pointing to it with his finger and attend vpon you to a very strange enchauntment which I am verily perswaded will be concluded onely by your valour Franardo would gladly haue gone vp the Mountaine Arteferia thinking there to make proofe of himselfe in some hardy aduenture because the place was very famous by high déedes of great honour there doone by noble Palmerin but hearing now of this other aduenture by consent of the other thrée Knights he thus determined that the Giant should first conduct them to his Castell where they meant that their wounds
should be respectiuely cured for Forcino sonne to the King of Nauara not remembred before in the calender of their names borne in the Perilous I le had receiued a dangerous hurt in his flancke Beeing come to the Castell a Sister to the Giant who was named Grandonia hauing heard of the death of the other twaine and fearing least her Brother should likewise follow them was now not a little glad to see him returned and entertaining them very curteously caused them to be vnarmed taking Forcino first to dresse his wound assured them that none of his entrailes were touched Afterward shee dressed the other two Knights but when shee came to tooke on Franardos hurts shee felt a worser wound strike her to the verie hart for the young gallant though the shape and members of his body were as a Giants yet had hee a very gracious and amiable aspect and knew withall so well howe to demeane himselfe as might incite a setled oppinion to grow amorous of him but himselfe hauing not as yet made experience of any loue cases let slip all such occasions in a dreame as it were The Giant Forzato who beganne to affect Franardo in his very soule and grew desirous of accompanying him to the Emperours Court left nothing vnattempted that best might honour him and shewed himselfe very seruiceable to the thrée other Knights likewise vnderstanding that they were Princes of very royall discent Eyght dayes were thus spent in phisicke Surgerie in which time the young Giantesse vsed kinde cherrishings to Franardo and beeing one day alone with him spake in this manner I knowe not Sir Knight what to conceite of my selfe or howe to take this strange alteration of my thoughts except it be thus that Fortune hath béene your conduct to this place onely to make mee so much yours as I can no longer be mine owne Franardos dâ—ll conceits were so wakened with these words that seeing her to be of so goodly a shape and withall so deepely enamoured of him he began to consider with himselfe that when his Father applyed himselfe to marriage he could finde no other Giantesse then Arlencea and when he should intend to take the same course hee knewe not what fortune might betide him if he should now make no estimation of her who he beheld to affect him with such seruencie of loue whereupon he thus replied Lady you are young and I vnwoorthy yet of the estate of marriage not hauing doone any thing worthy the name of a Knight as my Father did before he was married But because you shall not loose the hope of enioying me as your owne if I may remaine as assured of you I promise you héere vppon my faith neuer to match with any other woman then your selfe and taking her by the hand contented himselfe onely with a kisse which perhaps was not so pleasing to the Lady who might expect other kindnes from him for the beginning of loue is neuer firmely suffised without the efficient cause that makes both parties best contented The Lady returned to her lodging gladde of this good fortune since it succéeded no further and Franardo in like manner whose thoughts hammered on the aduenture propounded by Forzato seeing the Knights were now in state to were shortly their Armour tooke his leaue of them and the Lady beeing departed thence before they had ridden any great distance of ground the Giant began thus My Lord Franardo the aduenture whereunto I am your guide is in the Iland of Carderia which the famous King Polendos of Thessalie conquered to obtaine the faire Princesse Francellina but to him remained no more then what onelie serued for purchase of the Lady Nowe concerning this matter of honour reserued for you let me tell you that it is a wondrous enchauntment wrought by a wise Enchauntresse second to none for her excellent Arte and one of the Fairies of the Mount Arteferia but withall so dreadfull and horrid in effecting that many Knights haue lost their liues in triall of the aduenture and if any haue hapned to returne backe aliue hee hath béene so forgetfull of what soeuer he there sawe as hée could giue no information at all of dangers nature therefore such as are minded to try it by their vertue must goe without direction of what may betide them Franardo whose bolde hope perswaded him able to finish the greatest aduenture made no reckoning at all of the Giants spéeches and ryding on foure dayes together at last they came in sight of the I le Carderia to the high contentment of Franardo for vnexperienced young men are fearelesse of perrills but when they haue passed thorowe some proofe of such cases they then are content to proceede more considerately let it then suffise that his late arriual there allowed him no other lodging then vnder a trée for that night expecting what might befall him in the morning CHAP. XXIX Howe Arguto arriued at the I le of Carderia and combatted with Franardo and how they were seazed on by an enchaunted Knight NOt long had the faire morning saluted the worlde before an armed Knight mounted vppon a pied-roane Courser came riding toward the Giant and saluting him curteously receiued backe from him the like forme of kindnes demauÌ„ding afterward what they did in that place When Franardo hearing with what humanitie hee mooued the question returned him this aunswere Sir Knight for lesse you cannot be by your outward appearance this place is called y e Iland of Carderia where is said to be a very perrillous enchauntment and hether came I to make proofe of my courage That shall not you doo replyed the Knight because I intend my selfe to aduenture it first By reason quoth Franardo hee shoulde be first that first was possessour of the place Words aunswered the other serue not to try that lawe by but weapons and they will quickly discide thys controuersie While thus they parled together the day grewe out brighter so that they had knowledge of one another which was as much as nothing because in disputation and strife for honour a priuate Knight respects neither King nor Emperour whereon béeing both mounted they gaue the carrire and met together Arguto who was the other new-come Knight beeing some-what disdainfull failde in the encounter but Franardos Launce met him so stronglie on the breast as he was tumbled ouer the crupper of his horse and had not his Shield béene impenitrable this encounter had slaine him Arguto highly displeased with this bad successe came vpon him quickly with his sword drawne and wounded Franardo in one of his armes but hee whéeling about his ouer-long weapon glided in such sort downe his Shield as lighting vpon his pouldrous it made a little entrance and slightly hurt him When each of them had felt the waightie strokes of his aduersary they began to order themselues with more discretion managing the fight with such regard as they might the better vndertake the aduenture of the Iland yet held the battell
right ioyfully met him onely Arguto excepted who had rather haue ended his life there in prison then to acknowledge any such benefite at the hand of his enemie therefore very sadly he kept behind the rest and while they were busie in their salutations and embraces hee slipt by ouer the Bridge and so departed thence These newes were highly displeasing to Primaleon and in all hast he would haue followed him but for his Father Florendos and his Brother Oliuanto who forcibly kept him backe with mightie perswasions Florian Forzato Franardo Almaroll and the rest could neuer enough expresse theyr kindnesse to him but béeing all conducted to a ready prepared Table Don Rosuell who was next in yeeres to Florendos desired the Enchauntresse to acquaint them with the originall of this enchauntment which had so distracted the Emperour Primaleons thoughts and left his Court emptie of so many gallants to which request she aunswered as followeth héereafter CHAP. LX. The reason why this enchauntment was first framed And how Primaleon going to set the VVizzard Aliarte at libertie entred the combate with Palmerin of England and howe they were parted by Dramusiande THE Enchauntresse hauing assumed her Fayerie shape againe abandoning nowe her spells and exorcismes turning to her knight who was Lorde of the Iland said Let it not séeme offensiue to you if I discouer the secretes of this soyle to this Knight whose honour and vertue so woorthily deserues it beyond all other that yet haue come hether so sitting downe with the two young Ladies shée commaunded the elder of them to tell y e whole storie whereto she obeying began in this manner Sir Knight the hard allotted destenie to this Damosell my Sister whom you deliuered out of the Temple hath beene the cause of your so late-passed trauaile to frée her frō the I le of Francelina which albeit in some sort it was wel procéeded in when Polendos gaue beginning to the enterprise yet neither did his worth extend so farre nor her fortune merrite so much happines as that all his paines could conclude a matter so important such was the weight of her transgression and such the penaltie thereon imposed For her ouer-fond transgression in neglect of her honour first gaue beginning to the enchauntment as briefely I wil tel you the manner how The Knight whom you beheld in the shape of a Beare became so deepely enamoured of her that in hope of friendlie aduise and furtherance he disclosed his affection to another Knight béeing the same with whom you lately combatted During the progresse of this amourous purpose wherto my Sister gaue kind cōsenting the second Knight that knew his friends election in loue neuer minding the faith and obliged dutie in such a case required became himselfe extreamely affected toward my Sister and because he was better practised in loues negotiations and could handle queint dalliances with more pregnancie then his friende he preuailed so farre that shée like a light-headed wench as for the most part young Damosells are no other wanting the experience in so dangerous a kind of traffique left off her first Louer and gaue entertainement to the second Héere now Sir is a little leysure admitted ye to spend some smal yet néedfull consideration in imagining the iust griefe of the Knight reiected hauing before receiued so manie faire promises and goodly instances of her loyall meaning that now the day of marriage beeing appointed for farre were his thoughts from any other base purpose to behold his hopes so apparantly abused his intire affect despised his true meaning bafled and his choyce now so readie at anothers commaund euen his in whose trust he had reposed his loue and life gesse I say but the sorrow of so highly a wrongd soule Yet neuerthelesse bearing all this with more then manly patience he dissembled his distemper and kept outward appearance of his loue as earnest as euer onely to sée what it would sort vnto The other false and periurd Knight his ayme was onely at base lubricitie contaminating the fayre and spotlesse chéeke of chastitie without regard of my Sisters honour or any due respect to his owne life Shee continuing in this haplesse kinde of course affecting earnestly the one and feigning cunningly with the other vppon a certaine day when the Enchauntresse had betooke herselfe to reposed thoughts after some former serious imployment my Sister went with her Louer into a little thicket where being set downe together and shee crowning his temples with a flourie chaplet they fell to amourous purposes pursuites and enterchange of faith beeing equally plighted action confirming theyr former arguing the first Knight chaunced to steale vpon them where seeing his simplicity so haynously iniuried in a violent fury he would haue slaine them both but the false Knight escaped with a hurt in his breast onely and she making away so fast as she could was narrowly pursued by him with his Rapier drawne The people knowing her to be their liedge Lords Daughter arose in her defence and while they layd hold on the Knight she got with safety into the Castell Now did the rude multitude so threaten the Knight with death y t he more ouer-come with true sence of his wrong then any terrour of theirs could any way else mooue him fell mad and franticke byting euery one that held hand vpon him and they likewise became mad by ranckling of his byting The rumour of my Sisters feare and the Knights madnes awaked the sléeping Sorceresse and she comming foorth at the gate of the Castell euen as my Sister was passing by commaunding her to stay woulde néedes know of her the cause why she fledde which she either could not or would not manifest as lothe to blabbe her owne shame or else ouer-poysed with so desperate an affrightment Whereupon the Enchauntresse going in with her caused the frantique Knight to be brought before her beeing strongly fettered with cordes manacles least any more should be bitten by him there did hee reueale his true loue to my Sister and how immodestly hee found her with the false Knight to whom hee had imparted his affection and said though not so sufficiently reuenged as he could haue wished himselfe yet had hee left him wounded to death in the Garden No sooner had hee thus spoken but the wounded false Knight was brought before the Sorceresse and to appease the confusion of iudgements in this case to three distinct seperate places the offenders were appointed vntil the morning of the next day ensuing which beeing come the Enchauntresse pronounced this sentence folowing First that my Sister for hauing no more respect to her female dignitie should be confined to burne in a quenchlesse fire as a iust punishment to the heate of her loosenes and her wounded false Louer should so continue without any cure As for the poore wronged and distracted Knight who mooued by the méere iustice of his loyaltie was falne into this miserable frenzie past any present recouerie because his
enioyed his full fréedome and libertie in lesse then foure houres shee conuayed herselfe to the Perillous I le where shée beheld him to be newly arriued with Primaleon who hauing put off his Armour because his hurts were greatly offensiue to him by Aliarte hée was layd in a sumptuous Litter and so carried along toward the Citty Velonna to crosse them in theyr course and to kéepe Aliarte from comming where his bookes were wrought a very strange stratageme for shee slung a certaine powder among the people which droue them into an immediat error of oppinion that Aliarte and Primaleon were two huge fierce Giants and came trechorously to take seazure on the Iland which made them fall to furious resistance there they had béene murthered among them but that Serasto the Sonne of Argentao who with diuers other that had felt none of this hellish powder and therefore were frée from so grosse a conceit came and appeased theyr violence shutting vp many of them in a new erected Tower and safelie conuaying the other from them When Drusa Velonna sawe her last hope thus frustrated fearing least Aliarte should seaze vpon her shée speedily fledde thence to Paraz where shée attended for the Childes creation in the Kingdome shee béeing thus gone thence the enchauntment of the powder ceassed and the people plainly perceiuing theyr errour humbly desired pardon of theyr Lord who well vnderstanding what had béene done could not but hold them iustly excused Primaleon béeing brought to the Cittie such soueraigne medicines were applyed to his woundes as within tenne dayes he was perfectly cured in all which time Aliarte intreated him right nobly and kindly knowing how helpfull his valour would prooue to all Christendome During these dayes of theyr repose Aliarte perusing his Bookes of arte vsed a little more circumspection then before hée had doone and perceiuing that Primaleon desired nothing more then his help in the fréedome of his faire loue Victoria hee resolued to assist him but hée did not remember that the time yet was contrary to such an attempt which should with greater care haue béene respected But leaue we them awhile and come nowe to Floraman who intending to worke wonders for the loue of Clariana became on a sudden quite changed and altered CHAP. LXIIII. Howe Floraman seeing himselfe but slenderly regarded by Clariana became enamoured of the fayre Princesse Victoria concluding to goe deliuer her out of the enchaunted Pallace FLoraman hauing recouered at one instant both his hurts receiued in the fore-remembred battailes and also forgetfulnes of his fruitlesse loue to Altea perceiuing him-selfe to be despised by Clariana who was alreadie married to Guarino became as a man méerly desperate and suddenly departed with Dragonalte from Constantinople but vsed not one word all the way as he rode whereat Dragonalte meruailing not a little and wearie of so vnsociable a companion letting him alone for the first day in this sullen humour the next morning he began with him in this manner Lord Floraman what the reason may be of your mindes molestation I can neither gesse nor doo couet to knowe onely this I am certaine of that if any amourous passion haue surprizde yée another mans company will scarce be pleasing to yee therefore when it shall seeme good to you to trauaile alone I will shape my course some other way as lothe to impeach your amourous priuacies Floraman because he would not be offensiue to his friend hauing vnwillingly endured the King of Nauaraes companie so long returned him this aunswere Royall Lord my hard fortune is such as I cannot kéepe euen quarter of kindnesse with my friendes onely through an inward secrete vexation therefore not to be burdenous to you or my selfe you may at your pleasure dispose of your owne trauaile and let me and melancholly wander alone together Dragonalte being of good apprehension quickly conceaued the intent of Floraman where-vpon turning his Horse and bidding him very kindly adiewe he rode away from him crossing many Countries and Prouinces without any accident worthy rehearsall till at length he came home to his owne Kingdome of Nauara Floraman seeing him selfe left thus alone alighted from his Horse and sitting downe vnder a faire spreading Oake commaunding his Squire to walke aloofe off he began to meditate with him selfe by what meanes he might soonest compasse his owne death but with some high and apparant example that his fatall hap grewe onely by loue Among infinite various discoursings with him selfe at last his capricious humour thus resolued to become enamoured of the faire young Lady Victoria not with any hope of euer compassing his affection but to hasten the spéedier occasion of his death For right well he knew how déerely the second Primaleon loued her and Arguto likewise as vehement in his choise both of which beeing so famous for Armes hee might the sooner be slaine by one of them Vpon this determination he returned secretly to Constantinople where in the Garden belonging to the Princesse Flerida hung the liuely counterfeite of Victoria which he earnestly gazing vpon grew so déepely enamoured of as his former intent of death was quite abandoned and his loue to her so addicted that now in hope of enioying her he more especially desired to liue Thus turmoyld in loues labourinth he closely departed the Citty againe and riding along through vnfrequented Plaines and Forrests at last he came to the Sea side where he espied a small Barque dauncing on the billowes as if it purposely stayed there in expectation of him His melancholly thoughts still guiding him on hee sawe a Lady standing on the Ships beake head whose lookes much resembled his Altea but hee hauing nowe let passe her remembrance séeing her wafting him toward her with her hand made what hast he could thether which shée beholding immediatlie vanished Floraman somewhat abashed at this strange augurie began to imagine that he was called thether to die but his amorous passions transporting him with desire to finde out Victoria quickly rid his braine of this suspition Where vpon aduauncing him selfe néerer to the Barque he stept into it when presently it launched off from the shoare with an easie gentle gale of winde and so struck vp into the maine Sea Then suddainely happened a violent tempest which made him euery minute in daunger of perishing but his minde despising all perill whatsoeuer cheared his hope in the very sharpest agony and the Barque ioyned at length close to a vast mountaine Where stepping forth armed as he was he went on foote vp such an high ascending hill that slipping oftentimes vpon the smooth stones hee slid downe often backward made very slender riddance of his way This kind of labour lasted him all that day with much vexation but to little purpose as séeming that he should neuer attaine the height of the hill so night ouer-taking him he made a better supper of sad conceites then any other viands which could content him his mind still ayming at nothing
it pleaseth my Lord the Emperor and my noble Father that hereafter I must be yours in marriage I accept you not so much for my Knight as for my Lorde and chiefe Commaunder But Concordia béeing slenderly skild in loues affaires knew not what to answere but that she was contented and if her worth might make him glorious she told him plainly he should one day haue it Now because these young and amourous bloods thought time neuer long enough in these kind of purposes y e Knight with whom they were to depart clapping each of them vppon the shoulder said Young Lords so important is the busines which I must bring you to that it will put yée past the remembrance of these faire Ladies The Knights thus awaked from their louely traunce presently arose and taking their leaue went to put on their Armour returning in short while right gallantly appointed Then did y e Knight cause a Ship of Christall to floate about the Hall whereinto he conducted seuerally the Knights presently it mounted vp into the ayre fléeting away with such wonderfull swiftnes as all of them had quickly left the sight of it to the great admiration of the Emperour and extreame griefe of poore Victoria who rather could haue wished with al her hart that her Knight had staied to effect her marriage The Ship in two houres space was gone so farre that the Knights thought they were brought to the furthest part of the worlde when suddenly the Ship falling downe on a great stone séemed as if it was shiuerd all in peeces and they thought themselues likewise to be broken in the same manner whereat the strange Knight laughed hartilie because he knew it was but a vaine apparition So mightie was the fall of the Ship on the stone as if it had béen made of the hardest yron it had béen sufficient to haue broken it but the enchauntment beeing of greater power made it stand whole and sound vpright on the stone when they issuing foorth followed the Knight and he being theyr guide some small distance thence went downe into a Caue that séemed very darke beckning to Primaleon that he should follow him and Arguto to stay till he returned It was not long before he came backe againe and then went toward a huge thicke Wood whereinto hee wafted him with his hand to enter and so Arguto very resolutely did CHAP. LXXIIII Of a strange aduenture which hapned to Primaleon in the Caue vnder ground whereinto the strange Knight had conducted him PRimaleon being thus within the Caue went downward aboue a mile by estimation not discerning any light all the way hee had gone till at last hee came to certaine high windowes whereby some small glimmering entred into the Caue Still past he on along till at length hee espied a Wall which was built with the bones of dead men and beasts and therein was a gate made all with the heads of men serpents horses and Griffons in a cunning diuersitie mingled together whereby he gathered that it had béen the handy-worke of men Boldly stept Primaleon in at this gate but afterward he was sorry he had aduentured so farre for hee saw it was a spacious square plot being round about enclosed with that wall at the further side whereof hee sawe a higher gate where there stoode a beast greater then any Elephant putting his head directly toward him and feeding on diuers mangled bodies which were sliced into so many péeces that he could not gesse whether they were men or beastes No sooner had hee stept a little forward but this hideous beast as if he were extremely hunger-starued came mainly against him when Primaleon as loth to be deuoured by so rauenous a Monster hauing his sworde ready drawne gaue him a mightie blow vppon the head but the sword rebounded back againe vnto him as if he had smitten vppon a hard stone Then lifted y e beast vp suddenly one of his forefeete before Primaleon had sufficiently retired and fastning hold vpon his pouldron rent it quite away mist verie little of wresting the sword from forth of his hand This graspe of the Monster gaue him plainly to vnderstand that hee must not receiue such another gripe from him except hee meant to part with life and all wherefore keeping him off with his weapon so well as he could he gaue the Monster diuers wounds in the midst of his body and albeit the hurts were soundly giuen indeede yet was the beast of such a wonderful grossenes as they pierced not into any of the vitall parts While the battaile thus continued he noated a matter most admirable to be reported for of the blood which issued foorth of the Monsters woundes arose vp sundry strange mishapen beasts beeing some of them which he had before deuoured and they went aside into an angle of the roome menacing Primaleon with their lookes and howlings as if they intended some mischiefe toward him By this time was our Champion so ouer-toyled that being almost out of breath he was glad to shift from place to place yet with a héedfull eye to the Monster inuoking inwardly the helpe of heauen to strengthen him in so great an extreamitie in which meditation of minde hee beheld the Knight which had cōducted him thether enter in at the gate with the hooked Bill on his back and opposed himselfe against the Monster which presently left Primaleon as bearing deadly hatred to the Knight turned furiously vpon him So dexteriously did the Knight handle his bill that he wounded the Monster in many places therwith and stil as blood streamed from him arose sundry kindes of strange beasts all which at one loude groane giuen by y e Monster ran furiously vpon the Knight rent him in innumerable péeces which were al afterward suddenly swalowed by the monster himselfe the bil only left lying on the groūd This sudden death deuouring of the Knight droue Primaleon to some little amazement and perceiuing the monster now to make a fresh toward him bethought him of the bill wherewith the Knight had fought so nimbly and giuen diuers shrewd hurts to the beast that some vertue touching the enchauntment might remaine in it Quickly he caught it vp in his hand and although he had no great skill in the vse of such a weapon because it nothing appertained to Knighthoode yet hee made it to serue his turne in such sort as at euery blow he drew blood from the beast and happening at last to wounde him in the bellie he perceaued the hurt to open so wide that the Knight leapt foorth vpon his féete aliue and well and hee wresting again forcibly the Bill from Primaleon gaue a fresh charge vppon the Monster whose belly immediatly was become whole and sound The other beasts which still rose vp out of the Monsters blood as they had done before tore him againe in péeces and the Monster quickly swallowed him vp when Primaleon recouering the Bill once more defended him selfe there-with
would redound to mine own shame when her death should be reported to happen by my meanes the nature of her offence neuer heard or known They hauing certaine precious confectious about them and wine of rich and soueraigne power by my consent went to her chamber where first cherishing her faintnes with those necessary helpes and addition of apparant likelihoode that my grace and fauour might againe be recouered they won from her the sum of all both by what meanes she came into the Wood and how in that sort she was left there naked which they perceauing to happen onely through fond loues simplicity returned againe to me and tolde me the whole storie of my daughters mis-fortune Then grew I incensed against this trothlesse man calming my kindled rage somewhat toward my daughter considering that a young Ladies first offence should not be so seuerely chastised especially when earnestly one was the cause of her trespasse where-vpon I faithfully promised the Knights that I would not procéede in any further rigour against her But sitting all alone by my selfe I began to practise how I might be sufficiently reuenged on the Knight by whose villanie I was so hainously iniuried and making many plat-formes in my braine thus I concluded that Rosella by writing should certifie Brunoro howe I lay sicke at the point of death so that if he would then come to her he should enioy my money and goods and likewise be possessour of all my bookes whereof a long while he had béene very desirous and offered large summes of money to haue them as for his leauing her so vnkindly naked in the depth of her loue she had buried that blame by no meanes tooke it as any fact of his but rather of some slauish vnciuill seruant who vpon a malicious inclination toward her had contrary to his knowledge so mis-entreated her and hee no doubt in great heauines for lack of her company My purpose heerein was that vppon his comming I might be possest of him and afterward to vse him as I saw occasion so with a Letter or transcript drawne to this effect I entred into my daughters chamber where giuing her good lookes and taking her by the hand thus I began Although the iniurie I haue receaued by thée hath made a large passage thorow my hart yet am I willing to forgiue and forget it so thou wilt pleasure me but in one only matter which shall yeelde contentment both to thée and mee I will doe quoth she whatsoeuer it shall please you to commaund in recompence of the great grace I receaue from you so vnworthily My will is quoth I that thou write this Letter vnto Brunoro and there-vpon I gaue it her to reade The shalow witted Girle whose doating affection would not let her looke into the vnrepairable wrong shee had receaued by Brunoro suddainly thus replied Oh God forbid déere father that I should prooue such a traytresse to him whom more then mine owne soule I loue and estéeme and no sooner had she thus saide but suddainly would haue cast her selfe out at the casement of her window because she would not be guilty of writing such a Letter I who knew too well her firme resolution immediatly became so furiously discontented as had not the Knights stept in suddainly vpon me questionlesse she had there perished by my hand but beeing by them with-helde from my purpose I tolde them the wilfull folly of the wench and how foolish loue quite blinded her iudgement and made her still doat on him that had so vilely abused her The Knights spent some little while in perswading me to more moderation because shee had confidently aunswered that shee woulde endure all tormentes whatsoeuer rather then bee wone to betray Brunoro and they well noting her setled purpose held it necessary that shee should haue her minde I to pardon her cloathe her againe in her owne habite and let her goe at liberty but with a farre stricter eye of care of her then before had béene vsed All which I yéelded to and she as impiercible as the diamond could be drawne to no other beléefe but that Brunoro right déerely affected her whereon she compast the meanes to acquaint him with my determination writing vnto him what I had entended and which was most to my preiudice that my Art failed me and could at this instant doo me no seruice Brunoro being at that time the very arrogantest Knight in all this Countrey grew proude and disdainfull against me and hearing that I practised his death did not determine the like by me but how to bring me into a most wretched condition of life and perceauing it was publiquely bruted abroad what wrong he had done to me my daughter he deuised with him selfe to lay a fresh affliction on me and by trayning her once againe from my house to abuse her more villainously then hee had done before neuer remembring that so rare loue and fidelity in a woman deserued to be matcht with the greatest Prince in the worlde Vpon this vile determination both against her and me hee wrote to Rosella that the third night following hee would come and confer with her in the garden and at the appointed houre the vnfortunate Damosell perceauing him there went simply to him where taking her vp againe behinde him on his Horse vnséene of any one he caried her away They had not ridden aboue two leagues but like a cunning traytour faigning that hee would make amendes for his passed discourtesie he caused her to dismount then giuing her counterfaited kinde kisses and embraces and glutting his lust againe with her dishonour his brutish heate was no sooner alayed but then he manifested his damnable purpose and dragging her along by the haire of the head sayd that he purposed there to kill her Shée silly soule ruing too late her fond credulity entreated him for Gods sake to spare her life whereto he yéelded on this condition that she would procure his entraunce into my Castell and make him Lord of all that was mine The miserable Lady not knowing how otherwise to ransome her life made him promise to performe it and returning with him back to my Castell with thirty attendants all well prouided through the Garden she conducted them into my great Hall where making their passage forward with engines of yron the noyse quickly awaking me I presently conceited who they were and stepping immediatly into my study I found that a Christian wizzard called the Sage Aliarte of the obscure valley had all this while béene the hinderer of my Magick spelles but hauing done what him pleased I was now againe at liberty Héere-vpon out of my chamber window I threw a certaine powder which smote Brunoro blinde all that were with him so that except I pleased to release them they could neuer haue the benefit of sight any more Then stepping downe my selfe among them in a dissembled voyce I tolde them how easily they might come by my treasure and opening
Lady Candida yet to keepe his honour from noted touch thereof hee couerd it very cunningly and seeing that his sonne must néedes enioy her in mariage to crosse the match and compasse his owne hopes in after time hee practised how to hinder their proceeding The Emperour Primaleon in like manner without any regard of his age and imbecilities hee was also ouercome with such amorous passions and so enflamed with loue to Candida that it was hell to him to heare talke of her mariage but Leonato and Tarnaes relying wholy on Palmerins promise were the bolder to breake their minds to the Emperour finding him accompanied with Florendos and the wizzard Aliarte who likewise made loue to the same Candida By the Emperours aunsweres it plainly appeared that he was not willing she should be so maried but said he had purposed in his priuate thoughts to bestow her on Oliuanto young Primaleons brother which he vrged the rather because Oliuanto was not at that present in the Court so the more surely to deferre off the mariage but Leonatoes resolution continued in such sort as the Emperour not knowing easily howe to get him out of Constantinople was enforced to say that it was not meete time to marry so worthie a Lady without performance of some higher attempts for her sake then as yet he or any else had vnder-taken When Leonato saw his hopes frustrated with such peremptorie speeches he stept boldly before the Emperour saying Since I see your highnesse is my onely hinderer in the long expected felicity of my desires which but for you I might now freely enioy were you as other men are I would then tell yée that age will not let you performe the office of a Knight and I will maintaine against him whosoeuer dare combate in your cause that you doo me most vnkingly iniurie Palmerin hearing these proud spéeches of his sonne stept forth and checkt him with a sharpe reprehension for being so carelesse of his duty but Leonato scorning to be baffuld by any man in his loue or that the greatest Monarch on the earth should intercept his desseignes drewe foorth his sword saying Whosoeuer dare denie that beautious Candida shall not be my wife let him come forth of Constantinople there like a Knight will I expect him and there let him try whether I be worthy of her or no. Palmerin called presently for his armour to defend as he saide the honour of the Emperour but indeede hee rather sought to disappoint his sonne and compasse the meanes of his owne fond desires The Emperour who was not wont to beare such an iniurie caused his Armes to be brought with intent to aduenture the combate with his Nephew but Aliarte as forwarde in affection to Candida as any of them albeit he gouernd it with greater modesty falling on his knée before the Emperour tolde him that he ought by no meanes to hazard his person in fight against Leonato because to whatsoeuer issue the combate sorted he could not but repent it beside he would neuer presume so rashly on such an enterprise but that in generall opinion it would passe for currant that he was growne amorous of the faire young Lady which would be a great disgrace to his reuerend yeeres When the Emperour found his gréefe toucht where it pained him indeede he stayed his hastines yet to shew that he was mooude with the zeale of his owne honour he intended to banish Leonato froÌ„ Constantinople holding it as great grace in that hee proceeded with no other seueritie against him yet he determined within a while to repeale his banishment vpon some earnest entreatie of his father Palmerin who verily entended nothing lesse or declared himselfe offended a iote at his sonnes exile but rather was highly contented there-with hoping by meanes of his absence the easier to proceede in his amourous purpose When Leonato heard that the Emperour had banished him he closely went to the lodging of the Princesse Polynarda where he thought him selfe safe albeit the Emperour should vnderstand of his being there and such speeches past betwéene him and his mother who already was iealous enough of her husband that shee hauing sent for Candida into her chamber fell into questioning with her concerning Leonato onely to heare how she stoode affected toward him he standing close hid all the while behind the Arras The young Lady being in his mothers presence whom in her soule she most intirely loued stood not on nice termes or coying ceremonies but plainly declared that none but Leonato was Lord of her desires him had she elected as her harts best choise albeit her hopes stoode nowe on desperate hazards deliuering no likelyhoode that she should euer enioy him because the Emperour had pronounced his banishment euen at the instant when their mariage should haue béene confirmed Polynarda seeing the Lady so firmely minded and that in such discréete modest manner she had imparted her true affection toward her sonne Leonato she said Swéete Lady if I worke the meanes that Leonato shall be your husband and him selfe as ready as you to accomplish it tell me faire soule what will ye say then When Candida heard the Princesse vse these spéeches a flood of ioying teares streamed downe her faire chéekes and reuerently taking the Princesse by the hand spake in this manner I know that your highnesse beeing so néere allyed to my Lord the Emperour will not determine any thing that shall returne to my blame or disparagement therefore if it please you I will assure my selfe in your presence to my Lord Leonato your sonne and confesse my selfe to be his troth-plighted wife committing all my forâ—unes afterward to your gracious direction Polynarda making a signe to Leonato he came foorth to her where after some duty done to his mother falling on his knée at Candidaes foote he caught her hand in his and sweetly kissing it was so strangely transported with an amourous passion as he knéeled there silently a pretty while together but she remembring at last his ouer-fond errour raysing him in her armes said My noble Lord doo not so much wrong your worth and reputation that I being your humble and obedient spouse you should thus humiliate your selfe to me rise therefore I beseech you and doo as your princely mother shall aduise yée Polynarda seeing matters in so good a forwardnes sayde Since you hold both one solemne purpose and that I haue no doubt of my sonne but his behauiour shall be as become a loyall Knight by your hands plight your harts in a religious contract and afterward we will take order for other kinde of proceeding So ioyned they hand and harts mutually together nothing wanting but the ceremonie of the Church to confirme them Such was Leonatoes ioy for this high good hap that speaking somewhat louder then needed he was ouer-heard by one of his fathers followers who presently aduertised his Lord therof which Polynarda perceauing shifted Leonato away into the lodging of Lucilla her wayting Gentlewoman and
loue and dutie generally to all I end Your louing Sonne Leonato Aliarte managed this busines so cunningly that the Letter was deliuered the Princesse Polynarda being by who hearing this Letter to come from her sonne was the more desirous to reade it and hauing thorowly perused it she said My Lord and husband I pray yee much rather for faire Candidaes sake then for our noble sonnes that you would forbeare to follow him to the end no greater disaster may betide the silly Lady but if you will needes be so forward then I pray yée take me along with yée that I may be respectiue of the Ladies honour whatsoeuer happen to our sonne Leonato When Palmerin saw he could by no means recouer Candida without manifest note of being enamoured of her he would giue his Lady no aunswere but a messenger comming for him he went presently to the Emperour and Polynarda not knowing her fathers change from his former affection went after her husband onely to be the hinderance of his iourney Being come into his presence the graue olde Emperour with a smiling countenance spake as followeth Lord Palmerin if both you and I had not committed some errour in our loue I would haue appointed a very seuere prosecution against Leonato but when I call to minde how many seuerall dangers I opposed my selfe against to gaine the loue of my Empresse Grydonia I can but count it iustice hauing my selfe wrongd the péerelesse vertue of her loue to pardon the light transgression of an amourous young man Therefore I will that our sentence of banishment stand no longer vpon Leonato or any of our Court to follow in pursute of him only let it be thus if he demeane not him selfe like an honourable Knight to the Lady a punishment accordingly shal be inflicted on him forbeare then to vndertake such needelesse trauaile and let vs sende for Tarnaes to bestow on him according to our passed promise the beautifull Fior-nouella in mariage These words did wound Palmerin to the very hart especially being spoken in the presence of his wife who marked well his alteration of countenance and there-with gaue Leonatoes Letter to the Emperour which when he had reade and perceaued that Leonato had espoused the Lady he wexed very ioyfull séeing his idle desseigne in loue so well disappointed and his thoughts quite discharged of their former tormentes for should his vaine opinion still haue continued hee sawe no meanes left of euer attaining it When Aliarte behelde all thinges in so good an order for Leonato he purposed to let his owne fond loue neuer be discouered brake off all fruitlesse expectation that way since two so great Princes had brideled their affections And for the more certainty that no mishap might befall faire Candida he wrought in such manner by his Arte that a Squire ouer-tooke Tarnaes in his trauaile and riding a while with him told him that Leonato was returned to Constantinople where by the honourable meanes of Polynarda his mother he had espoused Candida beside quoth he I heard the Emperour make earnest enquirie for a Nephewe of his who was sonne to king Platir of Lacedemonia on whom he meant to bestowe in mariage the daughter of noble Palmerin of England but the Knights name I doo not well remember Tarnaes highly ioyed with these so pleasing and happy newes began to conceaue that if he returnd not the sooner to Constantinople some suspect might be gathered that hee was not willing to accept the Lady as his wife wherefore parting from the Squire pretending to him a very farre iourney he repaired speedily to Constantinople and no sooner was he entred the Pallace but he met with the Princesse Polynarda who taking him very kindly by the hand sayde My Lord Tarnaes your presence hath greatly beene desired in this Court that a royall promise made you might be accomplished Madame quoth Tarnaes I am héere ready at your highnes seruice and some other speeches of courtesie passing betweene them Tarnaes priuatly went to his chamber right glad of the newes he heard by the Princesse Polynarda CHAP. LXXXIII Howe Prince Florian arriued at Constantinople with the faire Lady Argentina and the subtill Enchauntresse Drusa Velonna Heere likewise is declared how Leonato lost his beloued Candida and afterward by what meanes he recouered her againe PAlmerin hauing intelligence that Tarnaes was returned to Court againe hee obtayned a solemne conference with the Emperour Primaleon and his wife Polynarda about the bestowing of Fior-nouella on him in mariage and the espousall beeing fully agréed vppon the learned Aliarte came into the Emperors presence saying Great Maiestie and you the rest héere graciously assembled in performing your passed promises concerning Tarnaes and the faire Fior-nouella it is a case both iust and honourable yet let me tell yée there ought to be no such ceremonious rites performed till first those weightier espousalls be finished of Primaleon with Victoria and Arguto with the swéete young Lady Concordia which once accomplished there are other inamoratoes of this Court that look to haue like grace extended them These spéeches were very pleasing to the Emperour and all the rest in presence and as they further discoursed thereon tidings entred the Hall that Florian was arriued in the Port with faire Argentina and Drusa Velonna as his prisoner which newes were gracde with a generall welcom for all the Lords Ladies gaue a present testimony therof by being at an instant mounted on their Palfrayes riding in comly equipage down to the Port where they found Argentina newly come forth of the Ship whom after they had seuerally kist and embraced she was seated likewise on a gallant proude Iennet and Drusa Velonna bound to her good behauiour vpon an other Thus with Prince Florian rode they along in great state to the Court where being alighted and ascended the great Hall the Emperour gaue them most royall entertainment but when he vnderstood how Velonna had behaued her selfe toward Prince Florian with a frowning countenance he saide vnto her Thou ill naturde woman could not thy secret escape suffice thée in contempt of all our gracious fauours toward thée but still thou must aime thy malice at vs and our Court a more warie respect héereafter shall attend thée and because his words should be sealed with déedes he presently commaunded that she should be enclosed in y e same yron Cage which Palmerin d'Oliua kept his witching enemie in Which being done they sate pleasantly conferring in other matters the Emperour holding Florian by one hand and Argentina by an other highly extolling the Prince for his magnanimous spirit and the woorthy aduentures by him performed But leaue we them in Court thus gladly disposed and come againe to Leonato who hauing trauailed ten dayes together came at last into an euen champaigne soyle very much heated and scorched by the Sunnes power there met he neither with man or woman nor could happen on any water to coole his thirst Thus rode
presence Lord Leonato and his vertuous wife the Princesse Candida so descending the steppes and passing forth of the Citty in lesse then two houres shee returned againe accompanied with Leonato and his Ladie who entring hand in hand into the Hall each one with chéerefull countenaunce entertained them onely his Father Palmerin excepted who had not yet forgot the iniurious spéeches which his sonne had so rashly giuen the Emperor But Leonato feigning as if he discerned it not stept before the Emperour who taking both him and Candida vp from off their knees kissed both their fore-heads marie he bestowed two kisses on Candida in remembrance of the loue he some-time bare her whereat there grew a generall smiling in regard that his minde still serued him to be enamoured though all the powers else of his bodie denied it The elder Knights betooke themselues to rest but the younger delicate bloods whose soules did liue in the fayre eyes of theyr Mistresses they stroue by all possible meanes to purchase theyr fauours hoping one day with the Emperours gracious consent to enioy them in mariage But leaue we this iocond Court in the height of felicitie and let vs speake now of Franardo and y e other Giants that went to conquer the I le of the bottomlesse Lake tearmed in the former parts of this Historie the Profound I le CHAP. LXXXV Howe Dramusiande Franardo Almaroll and Forzato trauailed to conquer the Iland of the bottomlesse Lake and what happened to them in the attempt DRamusiande beeing first accompanied with his sonne and afterward happening on Almaroll Forzato according as hath béene alreadie declared when they had acquainted him with theyr intention of going to conquere the fore-named Iland hee said That theyr hap was very good to meete with him because if they would goe to the I le of the bottomlesse Lake hee could enforme them of a place there which was onely manifested to him by his Aunt Eutropa For there was a water which might not be passed with any boate or vessell made of wood but it must be hewen out of a stone which is lighter then wood and was made onely by his Aunt herselfe and kept with great circumspection in his Castell and the reason hereof was because they were to passe a certaine water which coÌ„trary to the nature of all other waters sent forth continuall flames of fire and presently consumed any boate of wood Hee tolde them beside that this Iland was possest by a progenie of sterne bloody Giants who had forcibly taken it from his father Frenaque but that which most of all imported their paynes was the horrid and strange enchauntments in the I le which his Aunte Eutropa had not the power to finish but had left certaine aduertisements with him in writing which being coupled with theyr valour would giue them the greater hope of victory and the booke of these aduertisements he kept in his owne Castell These outward appearances of so great difficulty kindled such forward desires in the Giants that they could not be quiet till they came thether wherefore they earnestly entreated Dramusiande not to slowe time in hastening to the I le least some other might rob them of the honour of this aduenture Franardo would gladly haue stolne thether alone to dispossesse the rest of so much honour as in such an high enterprise might well be expected but hearing that the glory deuided among foure in conquering so many Giants and dangerous perrills was as great as if one man should end an enchauntment he yéelded the more willinglie to trauaile altogether So in lesse then foure dayes they came to Dramusiandes Castell where resting them selues one day the boate was made ready for their passage on the fierie water and conuayed to such a place as without any contradiction they might set thence and hauing put vp the booke in his bosome they furnished them selues with the best armour which was to be had because they should stand in great néed thereof The boat being brought to the mouth of the Lake they as yet rode all along by the waters side because them selues being weighty would not endanger it against the craggie rockes which rising somewhat high in the Riuer might the sooner breake it Hauing ridden so farre as they thought conuenient they left their Horses with their Squires and went aboord without any Mariners for the boate only mooued by the words which Dramusiande reade in the booke and flew with such swiftnes as if it had béene an arrowe through the ayre When it came to the flaming Lake the very stoutest among them began to be astonned for the flames did folde about them in such strange manner as if they felt their armour on fire about them and the boate it selfe was so extreamely hot that they could abide by no means to touch it So that they had béene in most miserable estate if the boat had not made such extraordinarie expedition and floating along still through the fierie flames at last it came to a very coole water which was no meane comfort in quallifying their long heate there did they discerne the Iland not farre off and Dramusiande reading in other places of the booke caused the boate to stay a while as meaning not to passe to the Iland till the next morning because being ignorant of the créekes and reaches the Giants might worke some treacherie to them in the night time Abiding there vpon this determination they spent the time in conferring with Dramusiande how they should sort them selues together for the combates because they knew not how many Giants they were to fight withall wherein Dramusiande resolude them so farre as he could saying as he had learned by his Aunt that they vsed not to weare anie strong Armour so rested they for this night without any treacherie or inconuenience In the morning they awaked very early and went towarde the Iland Dramusiande reading such words of Arte as made the boate goe merily thether and there they entended to be the sooner because the Giants might not lay their traynes abroade to endanger their lyues before their landing but rather that they might steale vpon them vnséene At Sunne rising the bâ—ate shot into a little bay of the I le and our foure Giants armed at all points for their purpose with their Shéeldes strongly fastened on and very ponderous Axes in theyr hands went foorth vppon the shoare and espying a great Tower in the midst of the Iland thether they shaped their course directly Not farre had they gone but they were espied by two young Giants who were thus early going on hunting and imagining they would offer them no resistaunce they perceaued presentlie they came to assayle them Franardo desirous to cope with them first stept formost to méete them and receaued two arrowes vpon his Armour which being of sound proofe withstoode their entrance albeit they made an inward denting as if they had beene the pushes of two Launces héereby he perceaued the strength of those
least the worst shoulde happen But by no meanes may we spare young Primaleon from this seruice being so highly fauoured by Fortune as he is and let him still be stored with the water of the Mountaine Arteferia whose vertue strengthens Armour in such sort as the keenest edgd weapon can hardly enter it the rest I refer to his owne discretion This counsell of King Edward was generally allowed of so that with the Emperours consent and all the Princes it was fully ratified and agreed vpon No sooner were they risen from these weightie businesses but Aliarte beeing disposed to set all the Court on a iocond meriment euen as they issued foorth of y e Counsell-chamber caused strange varieties of Musique to be heard and the young Ladies taking theyr Louers by the handes as also the grauer sort theyr honoured Princesses they daunced gallantly thorow the Hall the olde Emperour first with the Empresse Grydonia King Edward and his fayre Quéene Flerida Miragarda with Florendos Palmerin with Polinarda and so the rest in order followed Aliarte being highly commended by thē all for fitting the time with so generall a contentment After the daunce was ended a more martiall noise was heard of Drommes Fifes Clarions Trompets when Aliarte commaunding a way for passage the resemblance of Corcuto the young Soldane of Babilon with his confederated Kings and Princes attending on him all beeing bare-headed carried couered banquetting dishes and vppon each mans dish stoode his owne Crowne thus passed they into the Emperours Gallerie where a faire Table béeing ready couered with great reuerence they placed their dishes thereon which béeing doone they vanished againe and the Emperour with his Lords and Princesses sate downe to the banquet gathering héereby that the war against Corcuto would prooue successeful at which banquet we must leaue them as hauing yet no instructions what further befell them FINIS ⧠The Conclusion HEere Gentlemen fully ends the History of Palmerin of England and Don Florian his Brother without expectation of any other part concerning them albeit this third Booke breake of imperfectly and referres the vvarre and other matters to an after discourse Such a following History indeed my Authour speakes of but tearmes it The Knightly deedes of Prince Pagmalion whereof as yet I can compasse no intelligence neither in the Spanish Italian or French but it is very likely that if any such History were written imprinted it will in time happen to my hands and then your kindnes to this will commaund it the sooner In meane while let me intreate your fauour because some fewe faults haue escaped in this Booke both by reason of the crabbed Coppie not euerie where very leageable and by wordes mistaken that quite alter the sence which such as knowe mee I doubt not but wil sufficiently excuse me of as being subiect I thanke God to no such sillinesse nor willinglie I dare presume committed by the Printer As for my last part of Primaleon of Greece and the third and last part of Palmerin d' Oliua both them I confesse to haue in mine owne custodie and as I perceiue your willingnesse to entertaine so shall I bee ready to hasten them for you but if my paines in this last part of Palmerin purchase your dislike I le keepe the rest to my selfe and offend yee no furder Yours euer A. Mundy A Table for the readier finding of euery Chapter contained in this booke guiding the Reader according to number of the Chapters and Pages HOw the bodies aliue and dead of the Princes Dramusiande and others supposed slaine were conuaied vnto the Perillous I le Chap. 1. Folio 1. What Targiana did after the Campe was dissolued and the Soldane Albayzar her husband dead Cap. 2. fol. 3. What they did in Constantinople after the departure of the sage Aliarte Cap. 3. fol. 5. How the Princes that were in the Perillous I le were nowe recouered past any danger And what happened to Madame Leonarda in child trauaile Howe the other Princesses in like manner were deliuered of children and how Prince Florian of the Forrest departed thence Cap. 4 fol. 6. What happened for the buriall of the dead Princes bodies Cap. 5. fol. 8. Howe the seuerall Tombes were made manifest with the Epitaphes belonging to each of them cap 6. fol 9. How Pandritia hauing hid herselfe in the Chamber among the Tombes was found dead by her husband Bellagris cap. 7. folio 11. How the other Princes were buried the day following cap. 8. folio eodem How the Knight of the Sauage man following aduentures there happened to his hand a Letter a Ring cap 9. fol. 14. What Florian did after his departure from Dorina cap. 10. fol. 15. How Ristorano returning to Tubante prouided good guardance for Targiana deliuering the Armenian Princesse to Sucusano and what Florian did for Targiana cap. 11. fol. 16. What Sucusano did when he heard that the Armenian Princesse was forcibly rescued from them which had charge of conducting her to him And further concerning the Prince Florian. cap. 12. fol. 18. Howe the Princes in the Perillous I le beeing recouered to their former health would haue returned thence to theyr seuerall estates but they were staied there for a while And of a new accident that suddenly happened cap. 13 fol. 21 How Sucusano became enamoured of Targiana and knowing Florian to be Nephewe to the Emperor Primaleon layde hold on him suspecting likewise euill betweene him Targiana cap. 14 fol 24 How Dorina with the foure Knights and Dramusiande arriued at the Cittie of Tubante and deliuered Targiana with whom they entred the Forrest cap 15 fol. 27. Howe the Emperour Primaleon returned to Constantinople with Don Rosuell and what happened to the rest Likewise how the wise Aliarte aduertised Palmerin Florendos other more of Prince Florians case who needes would depart to giue him succour cap. 16 fol. 30 What happened in Turkie when the prisoner dissembled in the sted of Florian was led to death cap 17. fol. 32 How Sucusano raised his Campe to be gone and being followed by the Christian Knights with their power yeelded Florian. cap. 18. fol. 35 How Dorina left off her loue to the Prince Florian with intent to aduaunce the honour of Primaleon the second sonne to Florendos not because she bare any immodest affection to him but onely to make him famous through the world cap. 19. fol. 38 Howe the young Princes arriued at Constantinople where they receiued the order of Knight-hood and how preparation was made for a Tournament cap. 20. fol. 41. How they proceeded to the Tournament wherein Arguto would haue slaine an vnknowne Knight because hee could not endure his company cap. 21. fol. 45. Howe the Knights of Tubante combatted against the Pagane Kings and how the Citty was neere-hand loosing by a trecherous deuise that Ristorano wrought cap. 22. fol. 49 What followed vpon the war at Tubante how the Monster was ouer-come cap. 23. fol. 57 How Dorina presented her