Alfernao you haue brought my déere Friend and Nephew into the greatest danger that euer could happeÌ„ to him and albeit I haue good reason to the contrarie yet not for thine owne deserts I pardon thée but for bringing me so good tydings of him whome the Heauens would not suffer to fall into the hands of the cruell Collambra but trust mee Alfernao your dealing shall remaine to me for a sufficient example how I giue credit hereafter either to teares or faire spéeches especially comming from such a one as you séeme to be As for Arlencea I estéeme maruellous well of her courteous dealings towards my Nephew and if it fortune that she come into my Court I witnesse my good will to requite her honest and vertuous deserts in the meane time you may goe to your Chamber and rest your selfe and if you please to stay the comming of my Nephew and Arlencea you shall beare record of their entertainment in hope of which I remit all that is past I would gladly answered Alfernao go where the Empresse is that the feare which shee hath conceyued by the Knight of the Sauadge-maÌ„s Esquire may be perswaded in hearing the truth While he was thus speaking the Empresse accompanied with her Ladyes came to the Emperours presence whereof he was very glad which made him beginne thus Madame I perceiue that the desire you haue to vnderstand what is become of my Nephew Florian hath caused you to come so suddenly hither which hath saued this man a labour for that he was comming to you The Empresse and their Ladyes being all in their accustomed places he commanded the Nigromancer Alfernao to expresse againe vnto the Empresse his former discourse that shee might likewise be acquainted with his deceytfull treason but the report displeased her very much as also all her Ladyes and Gentle-women raysing such a hatred in themselues against Alfernao as they desired the Emperour they might departe the place The Prince Primaleon séeing the great choller of the Ladies began very pleasantly to smile at them all the Princes in the Hall likewise bearing him company and in the meanetime this laughter lasted they heard a great noyse without in the Pallace diuers running to know the occasion they beheld Albanis the Esquire to the Prince Berolde of Spain to come leading by the hand the Giantesse Collambra the sight of whom made the people to flocke on heaps excéedingly and such wondring as all the Pallace sounded with the Eccho of their noyse Albanis entred the great hall holding Collambra by the hand her face being so fearefull as moued the Emperour to start suddenly Alfarnao had no sooner espyed her but his heart came in a manner dead neuerthelesse he couered his gréefe so cunningly as he could and hauing embraced her began in this manner Madame it should appeare that the same misfortune which hath brought me hither hath had the like authority ouer you wherefore I desire you to take all patiently and commit our vnhappines to Fortunes vnstedinesse When the cruell Collambra who had all this while eyed the Emperor heard the words of Alfernao she began to cry aloud suspecting that she was betrayed as though with her voyce she would haue shaken the Hall in péeces and after she had wept bitterly a pretty space she spake as followeth O Alfernao I sée at this instant thy monstrous and disloyall dealing in that thou hast forgotten the good and kind affection which my husband Brauorant in his life time did alwaies beare thee in that thou hast deliuered me into their hands to whom thou hast also betrayed my daughter thou hauing vsed the matter so as I shall neuer sée her againe Madame said Alfernao I know well the doubt you make of my loyalty and I sée I must be constrained to satisfie you by rehearsing my manifold and extreame mifortunes as well to qualifie your anger towardes me as to cause you sée how equall our vnhappinesse is in that one vnhappy Planet hath stroken vs both Then he began to rip vp the whole circumstance of that which had happened since his departure from her and at the end of his discourse he gaue her to vnderstand that Arlencea her daughter willed her to forget the death of her children and the enuie shee bare to him that had killed them which if she did not agrée vnto she should be in daunger neuer to sée her againe Collambra returned him this answere Credite me Alfernao I am not so much offended at my present misfortune as at these thy wordes wherefore to knitte vp the matter I giue thée this assurance that I die in thinking Arlencea my daughter is so forgetfull of her selfe as to endure the courtesie of him that hath murthered her brethren and the death of them is the more yrkesome vnto me in that she honoreth him who hath so much dishonored me With these words she cast her selfe downe on the ground so furiously as if was a good whiâ—â—â— she would vse any more talke so during yâ— time she was in this rage Albanis the Prince Beroldes Esquire aduanced himselfe to make knowne to the Emperour his message not forgetting to declare the whole circumstance of that which happened in the Perillous Isle both how Palmerin had slaine the Giant Espouuantable and how his thrée Couzins were depriued of their liues by the prowesse of his Lord Berolde Platir and the Sage Aliart These newes did greatly satisfie the Prince Primaleon and Gridonia then further proeeding in rehearsing the dangers which mooued them all to great admiration Vpon this Alfernao declared how the people of the Profound Isle had chosen the Knight of the Sauage man for their head and Gouernour and because he was absent Palmerin had placed Argentao to rule the Isle More quoth hee the Knightes haue left this Island and are gone into the Perillous Isle where they are determined to soiourne for a while and then afterward they will come hither vnto your highnesse Court to this the Emperour answered thus I perceiue that the most noble and knightly aduentures are reserued for my Nephew Palmerin of whose welfare I doubt if he be depriued of the company of the Sage Aliart therefore I would both he and the Prince Florian were here together for that I promise you I doe euen long for their company Then breaking from the maâ—ter he desired Alfernao to tell him if the Prince Florian did intend to tarry long in the Realme of Spaine My gratious Lord answered Alfernao he is not determined as yet to returne vnto your Court before hée haue first showne to Aâ—lencea the Castell of Almaroll These words were not welcome to Leonarda the Princes of Thrace shée hauing already giuen entertainment to the Prince Florian in the chiefest place of her heart for she doubted least the sight of the Princesse Miragarda would quite extinguish the remembrance of her but when shée thought that the Knight of the Sauage man would enter Combate against him that kept the Shield of
of the yong Prince Palmerin But the Emperor was somewhat offended that the two gréene knights were so departed without knowledge from whence they came or what they were but as their courage made manifest they were two valiant approued knights at Armes and deserued the reward of honour â— where euer they came Thus reioyced the Emperour for that in his Court remained the flower of all Chiualrie both in the young knights who neuer tryed themselues before as also the couragious Palmerin whose hardinesse would giue place to no hazard which made the Emperour famous and themselues enrolled in the booke of eternall memory CHAP. XIII How on the next day after the Triumphes a Lady arriued at the Emperors Court declaring of a Shield which was sent from the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley to the yong Prince Palmerin and was taken from her by the Knight of the Sauage man who kept the same in the Forrest of the Cleare Fountaine vntill any Knight durst aduenture to fetcht it from him And how many Knights enterprised to winne it but lost their labour till Palmerin came who brought it away with him ON the morrow after the Tournament the Emperour accompanied with Kng Frisol and all the other young Knights sate in his great hall giuing such coÌ„mmendations to their late taken trauell that they estéemed themselues highly honoured to finde such curtesie at the Emperors hands euery one wishing they might haue gained knowledge of the two gréen knights that behaued themselues so worthily To breake off their talke there suddainly entred before them a Damosell attyred after the English fashion in a Robe of Veluet and about her middle a skirt of Gold and her face endued with no lesse beautie then her garments were adorned with sumptuous brauery When shée had well beheld all the knights and fayling of the person she sought to finde bending her knées to the Emperour thus vsed her salutations Most renowned Emperor whose name is no lesse honored then your déedes held worthy of immortall memory pardon the rude entrance of a bold maiden and attend the discourse I shall deliuer to your Maiestie The great and Sauadge Magitian named the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley who hartily wisheth your continuall happinesse in faithfull oath of his obedience kisseth the hands of your Imperial Maiesty And because your highnesse hath bin lately conquered by much sadnesse to the no small gréefe of your Courtly assistants as also himselfe who is your vnknown subiect he promiseth your losse shall be recouered to your ioy when neither Fortune shall let it nor any mishap auouch the contrary The cause of my comming was to present you with a Shield which by your Maiesties hands should be giuen to the famous yong knight that in your Triumph won the honour of the day and bears the title of perfect knighthood as his iust desert But as I haue often heard yet dare â—cantcy credite A tale of more noueltie then importing any truth that your lawes did reuenge the iniuries of Ladies and that your knights in such causes would aduenture their liues Well it may be so but I finde it not so or perhaps my misfortune denies it should be fo for that I haue safely trauelled through many a fortaine Coast and found rescue of diuers noble Knights in euery straunge Countrey till happening into your dominion where I least suspected doubt and there too soone I fell into extreame daunger which I must eyther admit to mine owne mishap or to such vnkinde Knights as deny to helpe faire Ladies in so great a hazard For the Shield I had in charge to deliuer your Maiestie the reward of that knight whose desert is méetest is taken from me by a Knight in gréene Armor who bearing in his Shield a Sauage man leading two Lyons And thus he willed me to certifie the Knight whose valure worthinesse hath deserued this Shield that he will méete him within these thrée dayes in the Forest of the Cleare Fountaine where if he méete him not or some other knight for him to fetch that away which I haue vnhappily lost vndoubtedly he will beare the Shield away with him For this cause did I so circumspectly behold your Knights to try if any Fortune had beene so good to know that couragious minde for whom I entred my trauayle And thus hauing done my duetie I referre the rudenesse of my discourse to your gratious pardon whose wisedome will accept the simple declaration considering that Maidens are seldome acquainted with eloquence The Emperor pondering on the damosels words with the friendly message of the Sage Aliart whom he neuer heard off before sent her to the Empresse and the Princesse Gridonia who receiued her so honorably as the hope they had in her glad tydings encreased their comfort Vpon these newes diuers of the knights determined with themselues to goe fetch the Ladies Shielde resoluing them thus that if it were their Fortune to winne it the honour were inestimable that they shoulâ— gaine by so braue a victorie Whereupon Clariball of Hungaria Emeralde the Fayre Crispian of Macedon Flauian Rotandor Medrusian the Fearefull Trofollant and the proud Foruolant who were no friends to the Emperour but came to the Tournament to séeke reuengement of ancient malice that they bare vnto his Maiestie for that certaine of their Predecessors had felt the force of his furie And a fresh spight was engendred because the young knights had giuen them such a great disgrace before their Ladies wherefore they would pursue the knight of the Sauage man and win the Shéeld from all the knights that should come after them When they were come to the Forrest of the Cleere Fountaine they beheld the shéeld hanging on a Trée hard by the Fouâ—taine and the noble Knight the Sauage man there ready to defend it Foruolant tooke the courage to giue him the first assault who being set beside his Saddle had his shéeld and helmet hanged on the Trée in signe hée was conquered He had not long staid but Crispian of MacedoÌ„ Clariball Emerald Flauian Rotandor bare him coÌ„pany whose shéelds and helmets were likewise placed as vanquished Trofollant séeing the hard hap of his companions somwhat angry at the hauty courage of the knight of the Sauage mâ—n thought to haue done more then his strength would permit so was dismounted with his horse vpon him Hauing recouered himselfe on his féete he drew his sword and began a fresh encounter At which time Palmerin accompanied with diuers noble knights as Gracian Dramian Florendos Platir the rest arriued there saw Trofollant sent to his conquered coÌ„panions whereupon the Prince Palmerin began in this maner My desire is sir knight neither for gaine or glory but for friendly affection I beare you to bind vp your wounds which are as grieuous to my sight as to you who féele them Yet not respecting more friendship of you theÌ„ I desire to find at the hands of mine enemy The knight
the affection to Altea hath both ouercharged my minde and cleane dulled my wit so that I neither séeme as I should he nor doe that I ought but sit musing on her loue who hath no life endamage mine owne life by such ouer fond loue And since your Maiestie hath quickened mine idle Nature and reuiaed the dutie which I owe vnto Knighthood I will remember my selfe in forgetting her and though I cannot exclude her Loue on a sudden yet tolleration and perswasion in time may doe something And because the honor of the field can asswage this fondnesse and my dutie commaundeth mee to employ my seruice I will hazard my selfe on my good Fortune to winne as much by strength as I haue lost by yll happe Wherefore desiring that your Maiestie would entertaine mee in your Courte and vnder your noble Name to séeke after Aduentures I am resolued to forsake all follie and pursue that valiantly whereto I haue bene enemie The Emperour séeing the change of Floraman to be as heartily pretended as himselfe desired he thus answered I thinke my selfe both highly Honoured and greatly steéemed in the fauour of Fortune to receyue so good a Knight by whose endeuour I hope himselfe shal be worthily accounted and the Fame of my Courte for euer extolled Then Floraman would haue knéeled to kisse the Emperours hand but hee gratiously sustayned him in his armes with great thanks on eyther side liberally bestowed By this time was the Damosell Lucenda returned to the Court whom the Empresse among hir other ladies came walking withall to the Chamber of Floraman where knowledge was giuen that shee could reueale the Knight who had conquered Floraman The Emperour being very desirous to know willed her to make report of him when she began in this manner The Knight of Fortune who hath accomplished this Noble piece of seruice is the young Prince Palmerin that Polendos King of Thessalie did present vnto you when the Ladie of the Lake sent her Letter to your Highnes For he happening to the Castle of mine Aunt Rianda when with your gratious consents I went to visite her I rehearsed the pensiue estate of our Courtly Ladyes séeing all theyr knights sent to the Sepulcher of Louers vppon which report he came and hath fulfilled that which could not be done by manie And as I returned to the Court againe I mette him very hastily riding yet stayed to desire me on his behalfe to craue pardon of your Maiestie for his so sudden departure not intending to returne vnto the Court till he had assaied the aduenture of great Brittaine wherein he supposed all the famous Knights to be lost Moreouer he desireth your highnesse to bestow the tent of the Knight of Death on her that had the power to staine the beautie of Altea and to whom he is euer dutifull affectioned his Ladie and Mistresse Polynarda which said he departed leauing me to declare what your Highnesse hath heard The Emperour not able to conceale the pleasure which his heart had receiued began thus I promise you faire Ladies my mind did somewhat perswade me that it should bee he although I would not perfectly resolue thereon for in what place so euer he shall aduenture I dare imagine his Fortune such as he shall preuaile both to the comfort of the destressed and to satisfie the longing of our minds As for his Tent it shall bee bestowed according to his desire neuerthelesse I would wish it might be well vsed vntill it shall be his good lucke to returne for I beléeue he will employ it with continuall victorie as hee hath endeuoured to win it by valiancie As for you Lucenda I will not be vnmindfull of your good newes as also estéeme of you as you do iustly deserue So returning into his Pallace the ioy on euery side made apparance of the glad receit of these wished tidings CHAP. XXX How Recamon the Knight of the Greene Tree and Sonne to the King of Bohemia came to the Emperors Court to defend the beautie of his Ladie Lucina against the faire Altea and the Knight of Fortune whom he heard had conquered the Knight of Death And how Tremoran on the behalfe of the Knight of Fortune waged Combat against him NOt long after Lucenda had declared these tidings when the Emperour sate with his knights reioycing in the towardly behauiour of the young Prince there entred in a knight in his presence bearing in his shéetd a Greene Tree and his armour of the like color who after his obeysance made began as thus Let it not enter your-disliking most famous Emperour that I presume so boldly before you insomuch as the cause of my coming doth vrge me to this enterprise I am one whom promise bindeth to conceale my name till I haue tryed the aduenture of great Brittaine wherein if I proue fortunate it will giue me the greater courage to bewray my selfe It hath bene greatly famed abroade that a Iust was proclaimed in your Court for the beautie of a Lady named Altea in which to aduenture my self I haue trauelled hither to maintaine that my Lady and Mistresse called Lucina deserueth the perfect praise aboue all for beautie But since I arriued here it hath bene told me that a knight is departed from your Court bearing the renowne of this Triumph away which newes do not a little displease me in that it was my desire to contend with him or any on my Ladyes behalfe Wherefore if I may desire so much courtesie as to know where he is or whither he departed I shall thinke my selfe continually bound to you in duetie and will search that Knight though it be to the losse of my life Syr quoth the Emperour I would as gladly heare of that knight as your selfe and am as ignorant where hr is at this time as yourselfe but I thinke you shall not trauell very farre but you shall heare such famous report of him as will conduct you to the place where he is because the valour of his behauiour is such as he is vnknowne in no place but to be heard of euery where Neuerthelesse if might counsell you I would wish your minde changed from so fond an enterprise because I can hardly beleeue that the aduenture wil quite your labour The good opinion you hold of him answered the Knight maketh me the more affectionate to séeke him and the more famous his deeds is the greatter estimation shall I conceyue to deale with such a one For if Fortune stand my friend and I conquere him that is so well liked of all I doubt not but the reputation I shall gaine will constraine you to thinke as well of me as now you repose a good affiance in him Tremoran the sonne to the Duke Lecesia and Nephew to the Emperour Trineus hearing the proud wordes of the Knight aduanced himselfe towards him with this greeting Imagine that Fortune hath been greatly your friend to send you hither when he is gone least by misaduenture you should
he was greatly made account of insomuch as euery one thought his labour well imployed to do him seruice and euery one were desirâ—us to question with him how Don Florian was guarantized of his wounds which he had receiued at the Castle of Dramusiande When dinner was ended they went all to the chamber of the Empresse Agriola with whom the Quéene and the Princesse Flerida had dined and the king desiring silence when they were all placed began in this order to the Sage Aliart Let it not séeme displeasant vnto you good Sir that I presume to remember you of a promise made yester-night as also to deliuer me from a doubt that I haue conceiued of your selfe which is if I may request so much fauour to tell me of whence you are because the great cunning and science I haue heard to be in you doth argue you are discended of some noble linage To which demand Aliart presently returned this answer I was determined déere Soueraigne neuer to bewray my selfe to auy but since your Maiestie hath commanded me whose words are more of force to compell me then any prince or potentate may or can constraine me I will certifie you of that which neither friend nor foe could yet get of me This knight whose name you are desirous to know is called Blandidon as concerning his birth and Parentage the Prince Florian can at large giue you to vnderstand for which cause I will passe no furder to discouer what he is But as touching my self this knight here named Pompides and my selfe are Brethren both of vs the sonnes of the Prince Don Edward and Argonida the Lady of the Enchanted Isle as hath béene affirmed to vs by the oath of diuerse Don Edward sitting by his beloued Flerida loath to conceale any thing that might profite in this case humbling himselfe to the King his Father began as followeth Deare father what Sir Aliart hath deliuered to your Grace I must and will auouch to be most true they are both my Sonnes wherefore I desire you to entertaine them as your Nephewes And my swéete Flerida let it not séene as disliked of you because it was long before I entred acquaintance with you and such were the craftie deuices Argonida vsed with me that what with perill of my life and the pleasure I had also in her company these twaine are the fruits of our long familiar labours The King came to them aud imbraced them very louingly when presently Florian at his instant request declared the hautis Exploytes and Knightly déedes hée had both tryed and found in the noble Blandidon Flerida forgaue her Lord Don Edward this offence smyling at the subtill inuentions Argonida vsed to gaine the desire she bare to the English prince when immediately Aliart and Pompides came and submitted themselues to her whom shée welcommed as hartily as had they béene her owne children and so continued pleasantly talking with them till time required they should depart to their Chambers Palmerin of England held yâ— Sage Aliart in great estimation when he perceiued he was allyed to him in kindred so that altogether he framed his delight to be in his company and would not attempt any thing but he should be priuie to it The Triumphes and sumptuous feastes continued daily aboundantly and euery night there was Marking Dauncing rare deuises put in execution so that the Grecian Knights highly honoured the Ladies of England whose braue gesture of Courtly entertainement was not onely estéemed of them but as much commended at their returne in the Court of Constantinople After a long continuance of this excéeding ioy Arnedes and Recinde concluded to depart to their kingdomes leauing their sonnes to accompany the other Princes in their pleasure which the Emperour perceiuing determined to iourney towards Allemaigne also But when they prepared themselues to take their leaue Don Edward and the other Princes desired them to vouchsafe the paines to sée the Castle of Dramusiande wherein so long time they had béene kept as prisoners This request pleased the Emperor very well so that he desired Arnedes and Recinde to beare him company also and then they would depart together Intreaty had quickly wonne them so that on the morrow they departed themselues thither accompanied with the Ladies and Gentlemen of the English Court who greatly longed to sée the Castle so much spoken off that had caused great Brittaine to stand in such feare and by the prowesse of the Noble Palmerin was brought into subiection CHAP. XLIX How the Emperour Trineus the King of England with all the Princes and Ladies rode towards the Castle of Dramusiande where by the way they saw the Caue of the Sauage man wherein the two Princes had beene so long time nourished And how all the way as they rode the Sage Aliart presented them with many rare and braue deuises vntill such time as they arriued at the Castle Where they met with a strange knight who in honor of the beautie of his Lady Miragarda Iusted with diuers of the Princes and departed againe from thence vnknowne to any but the Sage Aliart who discouered to Palmerin of England his name and whence he was IN the morning the Knights who had behaued themselues so worthily in the triumph prouiding them of new and rich Armor made great haste because they would bee ready to goe with the Giant Drausiande onely because they would gratifie their Ladies in bearing them company to sée this Castle At their departure foorth of London the King by sound of Trumpet and Heralde caused them to be proclaimed that no Citizens should offer to follow them because hée had determined being so many of themselues that none should enter the Castle but the Ladies and the Knights For that night hée concluded to lye in the Forrest and therefore sent such prouision of Tents and Pauillions that when they were arriued there they found euery thing to their owne contentment The Princesse Flerida was desirous to sport her selfe about the Forrest and walking By the place where shée had suffered the extreame panges of her trauayle the Sauage man came and humbled himselfe vnto her declaring how in that place he tooke the two Princes from her and nourished them in his Coue which was néere adioyning On this report the knights were desirous to sée his Caue so taking leaue of the Princesse they walked with him thither where after Primaleon Maiortes and the Soldane Bellagris were entred they began euery one to be greatly amazed séeing this Caue to containe so large a breadth and length which made them suppose it to be in manner an intricate De dalus All about on the walles was hanged Tapistrie not of Gold Silke Caddis or such maner of stuffe but the skinnes of Beastes which the two Princes had slaine very finely laboured into an artificiall frame and so decked foorth the Chambers that the Knights marueyled in so desart a place to finde such a fayre dwelling A great while they stood debating with
him along on the ground whereat Florendos and Albayzar was somewhat afraid to sée him brought into to such daunger wherefore quickly they opened his Helmet but when they had beheld him a while they knewe him to be Syr Albanis of Frise the Prince of Denmarcke the sight of whom made Floraman very pensiue for that he bare him maruellous good will Florendos and Albayzar conducted these two Combattants into the house of a knight whose abode was neare to the mountaine and as they walked together they demanded of Albanis of Frise vpon what occasion he enterprised to gard the passage Worthy Gentlemen answered Albanis I will not defer to tell you the sum of your desire aduertising you that Fortune guided me one day into the Valley where the Princesse Arnalte maketh her present abode I was so rauished in beholding her beautie that I remained her vowed seruant in good will wherevpon she put to me three conditions how I should approoue against all wandering Knights and maintaine it by my prowesse that she was the fairest Princesse in the world assuring you that I came into this place rather for the desire I had to doe seruice to the princesse of Nauarre then for any feare I had of her six Knights But now my desteny is so farre vnfortunate that I am fallen into the hands of Sir Floraman which hath made me loose the hope that till this houre I entertained They which make profession of Armes saide Florendos ought not to be abashed when any misfortune befalles them and I assure you that Arnalte is a Princesse which merriteth very much yet not so much as many others haue deserued who are farre aduantaged aboue her therefore I wish you Sir Albanis to thanke God who caused you to fall into the hands of your friendes perswading yourselfe that we would be loath to sée you any way iniured Continuing this talke they arriued at the house of the Knight who receiued them very gladly for that he was accustomed to lodge all wandering Knightes and such diligent attendance was vsed that in short time the woundes of Albanis were méetly healed and certaine daies he was accompanied by the Prince Florendos who was attached with vnmeasuraable griefe for the desire he had to finde the Castle of Almarol Yet he dissembled his griefe as much as he could possible and forced himselfe to mirth to gratifie his friendes as it is a wise mans part to forget his sad and melancholike affections to content those persons with whom he is ioyned in friendship CHAP. III. How the Damosell of the Princesse of Thrace arriued at the Court of the Emperour Palmerin And of that which happened to the Knight of the Tiger THis Historie maketh mention how the Emperour was in the Empresse chamber accōpanied with the worthiest lords of his Empire when as the Damosell of Thrace chanced to enter the Court which séemed to her much changed because she saw not the Knights which were accustomed to bée about the Emperor at whose féete she failed not to humble her selfe incontinent but hée caused her to be taken vp presently and to be entertained with very gracious behauiour then hée desired to vnderstand how all things happened to his Nephew Palmerin of England in the aduenture he vndertooke for Leonarda the Princesse of Thrace the naming of whom caused the Princesse Polinarda to giue a most swéet and delicate blush in her face in whose presence the Damosell of Thrace began to vse her language after this manner If I should rehearse to your Maiestie the most Knightly prowesse of your noble Nephew I should find my selfe ouerthrowne in a great perplexity for that I know his worthy déedes are reserued to bee deliuered by one of more prompt and discréete memorie then my selfe Neuerthelesse to discharge the great bond of Friendship wherein his Princely courtesie hath so straitly bound mee I will report what I haue séene during the time he was in my companie which when hee tooke occasion to leaue he went to the place where the Princesse Leonarda was Enchaunted and where hee witnessed such Knightly valour as will render to his Name perpetuall honour hauing finished an aduenture so straunge and admirable The whole discourse whereof the Damosell deliuered in circumstance to the Emperour giuing him to vnderstand the hard causes of distresse eftsoones offered to the knight of the Tiger But when she came to report the manner of his passing the Lake wherewith the Isle was compassed about the daunger of the Boate and the fashion how it was drawn with the Cord the Ladyes that were present remained so mightily ouercome with griefe as the swéet and delicate colour wherewith their diuine Faces were most plentifully endued began very sadly to alter thinking on the great perills which the Noble Palmerin of England had passed putting his life to such extreame points of hazard for the deliuerie of the Princesse Leonarda I haue heard reported said the Emperour many strange Aduentures and haue knowne some worthily atchieued in my time but I neuer heard in all my life of any so perillous as this for I know well that the imagination of the King Sardamant was very farre different to any other Kings But well I perceyue that the Prowesse of Palmerin excelleth very farre the valour of all other Knights for I assure you that as yet I neuer saw the Knight that might be equalled with him without great impeachment or that could finde the meane to discharge so great daungers After that the Damsell had sufficiently set to sale the praise of the thrise noble Palmerin in the eares of so many gratious personages she changed her talke after this manner To him that hath thus woorthily deserued I did bestowe my vttermost endeuor to bring him within the compasse of affection to the princesse Leonarda whose good minde was altogether placed on the entertainement into her Princely Fauour the Knight of such a hautie disposition But as it séemeth to me he is either altogether blinded in his owne conceite or else his heart of affectionately placed on some other person for I assure you he made no account of the Crowne of Thrace bnt did flatly refuse it as also to espouse the Princesse Leonarda who was brought into his presence by the principall noble Gentlemen of the Court according as it was ordained by the Testament of King Sardamant her Grandfather By reason whereof the Lords requested the Quéene Carmelia that shee would send to your highnesse their Princesse to remaine in the company of the Princesse Polinarda your Neece and the Daughter of the prince Primaleon as also of other noble ladies wherwith your renowned Court is plentifully enriched whose gratious conuersation may not onely entertaine the heart of Leonarda with the precious dignitie of vnspotted vertue but also by imitating their honourable examples she may the more highly be estéemed in the acceptable fauour of such noble personages as preferre the renowne of Ladies with the felicitie of their owne
to requite your kindenesse Polynarda contented herselfe very well with the gentle aunswere of the fayre Princesse Leonarda as well to be resolued of the speciall entertainment which shee gaue to her Noble Couzin Florian as also to remooue the suspition shee had of her singular Beautie fearing least her most fauoured Friende the Prince Palmerin of England should fall into any lyking to matche with her because she reserued him altogether for her séemely selfe The Prince Florian was not a little prowd of his good fortune and the Emperor would haue called him to him but that he saw how familiar the two princesses were in talk with him whervpon he determined if good hap would so permit to make a marriage betwéene him and the Princesse of Thrace whom he gaue as bed fellow to his Néeâ—e Polinarda assuring you that these two vertuous Ladies liued and loued so intirely together as the one could neuer be without the others company and what occasions of secrete sorrow so euer hapned the one would not 〈…〉 of the other in reuealing their close conceits for they 〈◊〉 of this minde that it could not be called firme and faithful friendship when all kind of such causes should not passe common betweene them At length the Emperor accompanied with the Prince Florian withdrew himselfe into his Chamber where he quistioned with him about the prosperous estates of the King of England his Grandfather and his father the Prince Don Edward not forgetting his deare daughter the faire Princesse Flerida whom he desired if it might be possible to sée before he dyed and after he had communed with him about many matters hee caused the Prince to be brought into his Chamber where the good Knight could not â—â—sse the night so quietly as he was accustomed the 〈…〉 princesse Leonarda was so earnest in his thoughts as 〈◊〉 and tumbled but could not enioy any wished rest On the next day in the morning when the Emperour had béene at the Chappell to heare diuine Seruice the Table was couered in the Princesse Fleridaes Chamber where he dined in the company of the Empresse Gridonia Polinarda and the faire Princesse of Thrace but after that the Tables were withdrawne and they had â—â—tten a prettie while talking together there entered a Damosell attired all in blacke with two séemely Esquiers attending on her she humbled herselfe before the Emperour with kissing his hand and did the like to the Empresse Gridonia and Polinarda who very gently imbraced the Damosell for that she knewe her to be one of the wayting Gentlewomen vpon the Princesse Targiana at such time as she was there abiding in the Emperours Court and before the Empresse shee stayed still when the Emperor hauing knowledge of her came and demanded other as concerning the welfare of her Lady and Mistresse to which wordes she answered in this manner Dread Prince and my most gratious Lord I desire you that you will not receiue any displeasure for that you sée me rather inclined to the Empresse then to your excellencie because the Princesie Targiana commaunded me to addresse my selfe vnto her highnesse as to one whom she vnfainedly regardeth but for your grace desireth to vnderstand how the Princesse my good Lady â—aâ—eth it is so that she neuer came foorth of her Chamber since the day that the Prince Polendos your Sonne and the other Princes and Knights were committed to prison during all which time she hath not ceassed most gratiously to wéepe and lament insomuch as her faire beautie is maruellously altered and chaunged yet hath the Turke her Father laboured as much as may be to disâ—wade her from this mournefull kinde of life but all in vaine he wasteth his endeuor for she tooke her oath in his presence that she would neuer giue euer vexing her selfe with continuall waiting vntill your knights enioyed as frée libertie as they had when they came with her from Constantinople The Turke her father fearing lest her extreame griefe would be a cause of shortning her youthfull time hath promised to restore them for the libertie of the Prince Albayzar whom they of Babilon haue request of him that they may enioy him among them againe for this cause the great Turke hath sent hither an Ambassadour who will be here either this day or tomorrow morning when your Highnesse shall vnderstand the summe of the matter And for that the Princesse Targiana feareth least you should denie to graunt what he requireth which may mooue such an inconuenience as your Maiestie would repent the great honour you bestowed on her in your Court she put me faithfully in trust to bring these tydings vnto the Empresse in whose presence I haue made you acquainted with that I had in charge because it teâ—cheth you more then it doeth any other person Moreouer shee carefully pondering euery carâ—e with her selfe and doubting least the mallice which her father beareth to the Princesse of your Court will séeke a secrete reuenge some way as treason intended betwéene him and his Ambassadour towards your Highnesse to preuent the worst that may happen she desireth you to returne her Father good words but not forgoe the Prince Albayzar whom you know her lawfull husband before first your Knights be foorth of her fathers power and that they haue attained such a place of assurance as al deuises notwithstanding no harme may come vnto them but if after their libertie such misfortune happen them as she would be very loath your Maiestie may as you sée cause finde your selfe agrieued with the offenders Faire Damosell answered the Emperour I accept very gratefully the good aduice of the Princesse Targiana and I sée very well that the honour she receiued in my Court albeit it was but small is now double and double rewarded and perswade your selfe that I am determined to follow her counsell The Emperour concluding his minde the Damosell came againe to the Princesse Polinarda to present her with the gratious commendations of the faire Targiana but when she behelde the rare and singular beautie of the Princesse of Thrace which set by her the damosell tooke the hardinesse to demaund and if that Lady were not the Princesse Miragarda for whom and by whom the Prince Albayzar was vanquished In sooth faire Damosell answered Polinarda this is not the Princesse Miragarda but this is Leonarda the Princesse of Thrace whom the noble Palmerin of England deliuered out of the enchantment wherein she remained a long and tedious time at these wordes the Damosell tooke occasion to beginne thus By your fauour Madame I knowe now who this Lady is because I haue not forgotten the straunge aduenture of the Cuppe which was brought by a Damosel into his Court and I assure you that Palmerin of England was of a very strange nature that he could both make so small account of such a faire Princesse as also in refusing the stately gouernment of the Kingdome of Thrace Polinarda desirous to mooue the Damosell from talking in that matter willed that
she would report to her the welfare of the Princesse Targiana that had so friendly giuen them to vnderstand before of the tidings which were brought thither by the Ambassadour who beiug arriued at Constantinople the Emperour sent the chiefest Princes and knights of his Court to receiue him with very friendly and courteous entertainment but when the Damosell heard that the Ambassadour was come she presently departed thence towards Spaine to go find out the Prince Albayzar promising the Princesse Polinarda to returne by Constantinople before she made her returne into Turkie The Emperour dessred the Damosell to present the message of his good will to the king Recinde as also to the Prince Albayzar and after that he had bestowed diuers rich and costly giftes on her she betooke her selfe to trauaile being verie glad that she was espyed by none of them which came with the Ambassadour who as I haue already declared was receiued in very Princely order not as he were an enemie but as became best the estate of him to whom he was sent who in sooth was of such a noble and vertuous minde as when he should deale roughly and extreamely with his enemies hee would entertaine them as his vowed and professed friends and such was his courtesie to this Ambassadour To the Emperours pallace he was conducted very worthlie riding among the chiefest Princes and knights of the Court and the Emperour himselfe to doe him the greater honour came and receiued him at the gate of his Pallace but the proud Turke would not one vouchsafe to vaile his bonnet or offer any honourable signe to the Emperour such was his malicious stomacke towards him who had in no case offended the Turke his Lord. The Emperour perceiued well the small regard he had of him by the words which the Princesse Targiana had sent him by her Damosell but yet he suffred him to do what he thought best vsing still so great courtesie vnto him as at last he was constrained to shew more decent iesture when he presented the Emperour with a letter from his Lord the Turke the seale thereof was of pure Gold and fastened about with a sumptuous Chaine The Emperor receiued it at his hands very gratiously and hauing viewed the tenour thereof he desired the Turke to go take his rest in his Chamber and the next day he would satisfie him in the occasion of his Ambassage I desire your grace answered the Turk that it may so stand with your pleasure as to make me presently answer without deserâ—ing any furder time which when I haue receiued I will goe â—est my selfe in mine owne Tents which I haue commanded to be prouided for me without the walles of your citie for if I should do otherwise the great Turk my gratious Lord would find himselfe much offended with me the Emperour replyed in this fashion You shall doe what you imagine conuenient in your owne conceit neuerthelesse I should not be any whit agreeued if my Ambassadour did lodge in the Pallace of the great Turke that he might the better fulfill his dutie in the charge committed to him I beséech your grace said the Turk to let these néedlesse spéeches goe and remember your selfe of the hundred Knights of your Court which are held as prisoners by my Lord the Turke and sée that you make some prouision for them for my Lord hauing them in his power to reuenge diuers iniuries which he hath receiued by some of your Subiects he determined to put them to death but to witnesse his gratious and noble nature he is content at the earnest intreatis of his daughter the faire Princesse Targiana to giue them their liues and to restore them in change for the Prince Albayzar who is kept prisoner in the Court of the King of Spaine by the commandement of the Princesse Miragarda But trust me you are to thinke your selfe in no small fauour with the Princesse Targiana whose teares were of such power as to sâ—ue the liues of your knights whom my Lord the Turke had determined you should neuer sée againe vntill your Highnesse had sent him the knight of the Sauage man that he might reuenge the iniurie which he too forgetfull of himselfe committed in carrying away by Sea his daughter Targiana a deed truly worthy of sharpe punishment the Turke there pausing the Emperour tooke occasion to beginne thus Certainly I confesse my selfe greatly bound to the Princesse Targiana but farre more to the faire Princesse Miragarda in that had not her wise foresight beene the greater my Knights had suffered the extreame rigour of death but this I assure you that since cruell Fortune had so throwne the Dyce on mee I rather would haue loste twice so many more as they are then to send your Lord the Turke my Knight of the Sauadge man in the presence of whome here I faithfully promise to deliuer the Prince Albayzar prouided alwayes that you make me sufficient assurance of them whome the Turke holdeth in vnkinde seruitude whereof how I may be certainly perswaded I pray you vouchsafe me the knowledge how and in what manner the case must be ordered The course which you must take in this matter answered the Turke is thus your Maiestie must send vnto my Soueraigne and Lorde the Prince Albayzar vppon his inuiolable Oath which by mee he voweth to you and which you may account of so great and sufficient truth and he will not faile by so great a bond to send you the prince Polendos your sonne with the other Princes and Knightes that are in his companie and this you may be bolde of that my Lorde more willingly would loose his life then falsifie his faith towards your Excellencie The Emperour leaning vpon his arme and noting well the words of the Embassador paused a good space without making any answere which the Prince Florian perceiuing being better acquainted with the infidelitie of the Turkes then the Emperour was and fearing least hee would haue giuen credite to this subtill assurance presently started vp and began as thus Most worthy Emperour if you but consider the cause why the great Turke detayneth your Knights in Prison you shall well perceiue the smal trust you ought to repose in him in that the occasion was so little and the assurance of his troth is much lesse Againe if you suffer the Prince Albayzar to escape vpon his worde you may chaunce sooner then you would to repent your selfe For if you remember his vnfaithfull dealing to the Giant Dramusiande in the time hee kept the Shield of the Princesse Miragarda how contrary to his vowed promise he brought it from the Castle of Almaroll in the night and comming with it into the Court did brauely giue it foorth in speeches that he had woon it by his knightly endeuour which dishonourable dealing he found in the end too costly Therefore it is very necessarie that the King Recinde regard him more carefully then hitherto he hath done in that the libeâ—tle of his person will
be the cause of sending home againe your Knights And if this Ambassador will take vpon him to maintaine that this message which he presenteth you from the Turke his soueraigne is onely with regard of royall clemency I will defend the contrary against him yea and I will enforce him to confesse that this proceedeth on the earnest instance made by the subiects of the Prince Albâ—yzar who are importune in sute to haue their Lord and gouernour at libertie for if it so fall out that the Turke doe not satisfie this their continuall request he shall be constrained to guard himselfe from them who were wont to defend him with their especiall aide Knight answered the Ambassadour thou shalt assuredly vnderstand and I promise thee by the authoritie of my ambassage which alloweth me to enter in armes against thée that I will not faile to make thée know with what reuerence thou oughtest to entertaine the vnreproueable word of my Lord and Soueraigne and I doubt not beside but to giue due recompence to thy disloyall and vnseemely dealing whereto the Prince Florian thus replyed It is the most acceptable thing I make account of for thée to enter the Combatte with me in respect of good encouragement I haue thereto and of the small honor that will fall to thy share The Emperour perceiuing his Nephew in so great chollere touched him with the Scepter which he held in his hand to the ende he should procéed no further and he was somewhat inwardly offended that he did giue so hard and rough spéeches but neuerthelesse hee estéemed well of his good Counsell which to maintaine hee came to the Embassadour in this manner You ought not to be offended when my knights assist me with their good and carefull aduise and especially for the Prince Florian my Nephew who is not ignorant long since of the custome maners vsed in the Turkes court And for the great Turke himselfe I haue that opinion of his faith and promise as he hath himselfe beleeuing well that he would not for all the honour he professeth violate or breake his word in any thing but yet I dare not build or assure my selfe thereon lest they who now are prisoners take occasion to complaine of my fond dealing remembring the hard vsage they haue all this while suffered Moreouer if I should presume so venture so rashly the King Recinde I know would not so willingly consent with me whose sonne is amongst the Princes as a prisoner til he haue him in his owne assurance he will not grant libertie to the Prince Albayzar wherefore you may thus giue your Lord to vnderstand that if he will send me home my prisoned knights I will not faile to send him the Prince Albayzar this request is but lawfull and I promise on my honor to performe it But if it so chance that he doubt of any faithfull dealing herein I will giue him a pledge of assurance his owne daughter the Princesse Targiana who I am sure will make answere for me as well for the perfect knowledge she hath of my fidelitie as also for the desire she hath to recouer home her husband the Ambassadour standing a while musing at last replyed thus to the Emperour I see well that by the knowledge of ill doing men attaine to follow that which is good and lawfull and so I take my leaue of your excellency assuring you that the Princesse Targiana wil aduenture her life onely vpon your word and promise in that you withhold him who is her onely felicitie and who hath done such noble seruice to my Lord her Father In so doing said the Emperour she shall very highly please me and for the good will I beare her I pray you on my behalfe and with my heartie commendations to kisse her Princely hand for such is the estimation I haue to her as she hath power to dispose of me in anything she taketh pleasure to imploy me The Ambassadour made promise to fulfill his commandement when with a courteous obeysance he tooke his leaue and departed from the Emperor who after his departure sate and conferred with his Knights commending greatly the wisdome of the Princesse Miragarda in sending the Prince Albayzar to the King Recinde for whome it would so come to passe that he should yet againe recouer his Sonne Polendos and the other Knights CHAP. XII ¶ Of an Aduenture which happened in the Courr of the Emperour Palmerin and of that which followed afterward THe next Day after the Embassadour from the great Turke was departed the Emperours Court the same day in the afternoon as the Emperour sate accompanyed with diuerse and sundrie of his Princes Lords and Knights he perceiued to enter the great Hall a bigge and goodly Aged man so much weakened and ouer-spent with yéeres as it séemed hee was ready to fall to the Earth The Emperour iudged him a person of some Authoritie by reason of his goodly gray-locks and his faire long-milk-white beard for he thought that such a séemely and Fatherlike man would not deceiue the World with falshood and dissembling The Princes and others that kept the Emperour company desired very earnestly to vnderstand what he would say oftentimes beholding him very aduisedly who when he was come before the Emperour offered to stoupe downe to kisse his Highnesse hand but he taking pittie on him would not suffer him so to doo then did he make such humble Salutations as he could when the Emperour demaunded of him for what occasion he was come My gratious Lord said this Aged man with a voyce so fainte and lowe as very hardly he could be vnderstood for that your Court is alwayes so fortunate as to entertaine Noble and aduenturous Knightes who are euer ready to succour them that be destitute of their aide and assistance I had good hope that they would not refuse to affoorde mée theyr fauourable refuge in deliuering me out of the great daunger whereinto by misfortune I am suddenly brought These heauy and sadde spéeches he accompanyed with such aboundance of teares as hee mooued the heart of the Emperour to great compassion then pawsing a prettie space with a déepe and dolourous sigh hee began thus againe I most humbly beséeche your Maiestie that you would at this time comfort me with your gratious aide to reuenge the iniurie that is extreamly offered mee which in sooth is so great and grieuous and commenced by such personages as I cannot reporte the summe thereof without excéeding sorrowe which might much offend your Highnesse Wherefore I pray you to bestow on mée such a Knight on whose good Fortune I may liue in some hope of ease and I will bring him into the place where hee may atchieue such rare Renowne as in all his life time he can neuer attaine the like to which wordes the Emperour replyed thus Albeit in such perillous affaires it is not necessarie to sende a Knight without I were first acquainted with the cause yet such is the great and
fancie preuailed so much with her as he changed her angry moode wherevpon he began as thus You haue no accasion Madame to feare that the knight wil escape from you hauing brought him into such an extreame alteration wherefore I pray you to change this sharpe and seuere humor and reserue his life till you haue brought him vnto your Mother who will take pleasure in séeing him die that hath cut off the flowres of her honourable linage and that we may deliuer him the sooner I thinke it best that wee doe imbarque our selues to goe séeke the Island where she remaineth Albeit my minde was otherwise bent answered Arlencea yet will I not refuse to followe your counsell wherefore I desire you to goe to morrowe morning very earely to the Port and there sée prouided for me a proper Ship for I cannot enioy any quietnesse in that I feare to loose this Knight againe So breaking off her minde Arlencea and the Damosels left the Prince Florian in the Chamber brought into such vnhappy subiection as to suffer and endure the sharpe sentence of his enemies CHAP. XIII Here shall be discouered what and who the Damosell was that thus had gotten the Prince Florian and of that which happened to him during the time of his voyage REmembrance is made in this history that Collambra had no sooner intelligence of the death of the Giants Brocalon and Baleato her Sonnes whom the Prince Florian of the Forrest had slaine but she concluded to couer her griefe practise all the meanes she could deuise or that fortune would present onto her whereby she might be reuenged on him that had done theâ—e muâ—ders for such was the earnestnesse of her damnable and wicked minde as the compassed a thousand horrible inuentions but the immeasurable rage wherein she was continually would not suffer her to determine certainely of any thing Herevpon she came into an Island somewhat nearer where she had good hope to finde succour and aide in her preâ—ent purpose by the meanes of an auncient Knight named Alfarnao who had béene nourished long time by her husband and made his aboade within that Island hauing very great knowledge in the acte of Nigromancy and a man altogether brought vp in subtill and craftie deuises hée hearing the continuall complaints that Collambra made was mooued to take compassion on her so that he promised to helpe her in any thing hée could possible to take reuengement on the knight of the Sauage man whome hée knewe by his arte to be in the Court of Constantinople wherevpon he came to Collambra vsing to her these spéeches Madame if so be it shall like you to follow my counsell I dare promise to make you forgoe this extreame griefe wherewith you are accompanied wherto Collambra thus replied I would not haue come to you from so farre off if I had not perswaded my selfe on your assured friendship for the good opinion I conceiued of you did cause me to addresse my voyage hither being altogether minded to follow your friendly counsell Since I perceiue good Madame said Alfernao that you repose so great assurance on my fidelity you shall perceiue what a platforme I haue laid for you It is so that the knight of the Sauage man is at this present in the Court of the Emperour of Greece his grandfather where he is growne so amorous in loue that he intendeth not to depart of a long time from Constantinople and he hath made himselfe so aduenturous in promise onely for the loue of his swéete Saint as he will not forsake the greatest danger wherein any one shall haue occasion to vse him Vpon this I am determined to goe to the Court where hée now remaineth and there prostrating my selfe before the emperour in spéeches very sad and pittifully couched beside no teares shall want to grace the matter I will earnestly request of his Maiesty that it may be his pleasure to succour me in affaires of great importance whereout it is impossibly for me to escape or also helpe my selfe whereout the aide of one of his best Knights euen he that is esteemed the hardiest amongst them all I wil desire that I may haue no other but onely him This request I know hée will not denie me shaddowing my intent with such behauiour of vertue as I can well enough so that he will present mée his Nephew Florian in that he is estéemed the most Noble and valiant amongst you all and hauing once gotten him I will conduct him to a Castle which is vpon the frontiers of Greeece and Hungarie where abydeth the Ladie Arlencea your onely Daughter vnto whom I wâ— make knowne the horrible shame which this Knight hath doone her and that shee ought to take sharpe vengeance on him who hath offered her so great and famous iniurie for without her aide I shall not so easily execute the summe of my enterprise But you must not forget to deliuer mee your King which hath the power to depriue the sences of any man if once he put the â—ame vpon his finger and this King will I cause one of the Damosels attendant on your daughter to put into the hands of this Knight which he will presently put on his finger and then will not I faile to bring him to you to receyue such due reward as you shall thinke your selfe sufficiently contented withall Collambra ioyfvlly returned this answere My deare friend Alfernao I know well that the remedy of my passed trauells and the vengeance for my children lyeth altogether in you which if you accomplish as I know you can I shall thinke my selfe for euer beholding to you and well you may perswade your selfe that you doe bestow your paines for her who will not shew her selfe ingratefull towards you but as I intend to follow your aduise so will I compasse some meane or other that may declare my thankfulnesse Then Collambra did presently prepare a Ship wherein her Daughter was embarqued accompanyed with foure Damosells and as many Knightes the Winde and Sea seruing them so well as in fewe dayes they tooke Landing on a plaine not farre from the Castle which the ancient Knight Alfernao had named to the Damosell Arlencea wherein hee left her with her companie and tooke his way to the Court of the Emperour of Greece from whence by the subtill meanes you haue hearde before hee brought the Prince Florian of the Forrest whome hée deliuered into the Castle where this Arlencea the Damosell Giant made her abode and how hee was vsed there you haue hearde declared alreadie Nowe come wee to the place where wée left giuing to vnderstand that the Auncient Knight on the next morning had prouided a Coatch wherein with as much speede as could be they poasted to a Porte of the Sea fearing least by the way the Knight of the Sauadge-man would be knowne of some but after Arlencea was imbarqued with this good Knight the Marryners hoysed theyr Sayles and hauing a pleasant gale of winde they
Miragarda she quite and cleane forsooke her former opinion and lauded Fortune in sending her so good 〈◊〉 for her seruant Polinarda perceiuing the troublesome thoughts of her especiall friend very softly gaue her this comfort Madame and my swéete friend suffer your Knight to frequent those places where his own affection serueth him for I dare assure you that the beautie of neuer a Princesse in the world can attaine the power to change his fancy and therefore I pray you be not discouraged by the beauty of the Princesse Miragarda your owne being so sufficient as I am perswaded she will not be hired to contend with you Madame answered Leonarda I am not able to iudge how much I am indebted for your gratious fauour and séeing loyall friendship commandeth nothing should be concealed betwéene vs I will let you vnderstand thus much that your present comfortable words hath brought me out of a tedious coÌ„ceit wherein my spirit was grieuously passioned The Emperor commanded the Magitian Alfernao to comfort Collambra and to assure her that for her daughter Arlenceas sake hée did affoord her his fauourable welcome into his Court and if shée would consent to be baptised euery one would so greatly honour her as she should quickely forget the death of her Children Collambra séeing Alfernao comming could not suffer him to declare what the Emperor had assigned him but as a woman mad and desperate spake vnto him in this order How dost thou Alfernao recompence the good déeds thou hast receiued at my husbands hands to render thy selfe so willingly on my enemies side and by the perswasion of them thou commest to will me forsake the law wherein I haue bene nourished and brought vp all my life time I promise thée I will both finish my life and thy treasons together to the end it may be an example to them who enterprise things against their dutie and specially dealing with me who rested my hope the fidelity whereof thou madest me assurance by promise With these words she ran to one of the great open windowes of the hall and before any one could get to her to succor her she threw her selfe headlong downe into the Court and Alfernao comming as though he would haue hindered her threw himselfe likewise downe after her Collambra sell so waightily on the stones which were sharpe as she was brused all in péeces not hauing the remembrance to speake one word afterward but Alfernao liued vntill the next morning The Emperor and Primaleon were sorry to sée such a desperate murder but the Emperor and the other Princesses reioyced that they were so well deliuered of the cruell Collambra yet did they gréeue to sée such a bloody stratagem and being not able to endure this pittifull sight they withdrew themselues into their Chambers The two yong Princesses Leonarda and Polinarda passed away the time in discoursing seuerally the valiant prowesse of their knights vntill such time as they were called to Supper CHAP. XXI How the Princes and Knights which were Prisoners to the great Turk arriued at the Court of Constantinople wherupon the King Recinde deliuered out of prison the Prince Albayzar ON the next day the bodies of Collambra and Alfernao were buried and the Emperour sitting conferring with Albanis the Prince Beroldes Esquire about many matters of the Profound Isle an ancient Knight whom his Maiestie had giuen charge to guard the Port of Constantinople entred the great Hall and being come into the Emperors presence he kneeled downe and spake as followeth Inuincible Emperour if these newes which hath béene rehearsed of your noble Nephewes did moue content amid your manifolds discontents the tidings which I bring you at this present will be no lesse welcome to you then the former for I aduertise your Highnes that within your hauen is entred foure Gallies from the great Turke wherein are Polendos Belcar and all the other Princes and Knights of our Court which haue bene kept thus long in prison by the Princesse Targianaes Father I came to let your Maiestie vnderstand hereof before they were landed because it is mâ—ete you should be acquainted therewith before any other The Emperour remained so ioyfull of these tidings as possible might be and without making any answer he departed forth of the Hall so rauished inwardly with ioy and gladnesse as he could not tell for a prettie while whither to goe in like manner it happened oftentimes to them who haue newes brought them of those things which they are most desirâ—us to haue At length he came downe the staires into the open court where he sate downe in a chaire vntill he might sée them come in at the gates in the meane while many knights of his Court came to tell him of the arriuall of his sonne Polendos but he did not make them any answer for that his minde was busied in remembring how many misfortunes had come to him one in another necke and yet notwithstanding they haue all come to a prosperous end whereupon he humbly desired the heauenly Powers to continue him still in their woonted fauourable protection for it is the nature of men of good iudgement to doubt of danger after they haue once receiued good successe for that it hath bene euermore séene that felicitie and miserie doe not equally happen but a dram of pleasure hath commonly a pound of paine In this maner the good Emperour discoursed secretly with himselfe and comparing euery cause ioyntly together the teares did plentifully run downe his white beard thinking how Fortune fauoured him in his Age when hee was worst able to witnesse his dutie to her Neuerthelesse he feared he should not long enioy the company of his Knights their imprisonment had gone so néere his heart as hee feared betwéene two extreames to be suddenly rapt away While the Emperor was thus winding vp the endlesse bottom of vncertain thoughts the prince Primaleon his soÌ„ne came and knéeled before him giuing him to vnderstand how the Galleys whre arriued wherevpon he commanded his Horse shuld be brought him so presently he tooke his way to the Port accompanied with his sonne all the Princes of the Court and the chiefest inhabitants of the Citie each one greatly desiring to sée the prisoners When the Emperor came to the port he saw on land Polendos Belcar Onistalde with diuers others that he might the better welcom them he alighted froÌ„ his Horse being very much abashed to sée his Knights in such order theyr Faces pale black their strength weakened and their boards and haire growne so long as they which sawe them when they departed froÌ„ Constantinople in the company of the Princesse Targiana began now scantly to know them when they were all come on shoare the Emperour contained them with the selfe same courtesie and his mild nature did dayly afford towards his especiall friends The Prince Belcar presented himselfe to the Emperour offering to kisse his highnesse hand but he receiued him in his armes imbracing him
the Quéene Arnalte that her presence was very agreeable to him Dramusiande was so conquered with the loue Arlencea as he could rest in no place neither enioy any quietnesse Palmerin who liued now in more content then he had of long time before did not yet thinke all things sound and sure for that Lone presenteth daily some occasions of feare to amorous persons vntill such time as their desires are perfectly contented In the meane while this great ioy continued Pompides King of Scottes with his Queene arriued at the Emperors Cour who were receiued with maruellous great pompe and honour The Prince Primaleon desirous to shewe himselfe thankefull for diuerse occasions had passed betweene the Prince Don Edward and himselfe ledde the Queene of Scottes Palfray by the bridle till she came to the Pallace Gate notwithstanding the intreatie of Pompides and her selfe very often to the contrarie The Quéene of Scottes was lodged with the princesse Polinarda who held her selfe greatly contented because shee was so neere in alliance to her most fauoured friend Palmerin and Pomp des went to comfort the Knight of the Sauage man in his chamber where he kept and would not as yet goe abroad so heauily he tooke the death of King Fredericke his Grandfather The Court of Constantinople was in short time so well furnished with Princes and noble Knights as they were iudged more then needed to entertaine the whole puissance of the Pagan Kings CHAP. XLVIII How Arnedes King of Fraunce and his Queene Recinde King of Spaine and his Queene accompanied with the Princesse Miragarda and the Giant Almaroll arriued at the Emperours Court of Constantinople THe Emperour séeing himselfe brought into the extremity of age thought good to enioyn his Nephewe in marriage and also the other Princes and Knights that had béene nourished in his court and that he might mooue a generall good liking by so doing he imparted his intent to the Empresse and his sonne Primaleon When hee vnderstood how well they thought of the matter hée writ presently to Arnedes King of France his sonne in lawe that he would doe him so much honour as to come with the Quéene to his Court. In like manner his Maiestie dispatched letters to Don Edward King of England and Flerida his daughter to Recinde king of Spaine desiring him and his Quéene to come to his Court and bring the Princesse Miragarda in their company The Emperour Vernar was sent for likewise and Tarnaes King of Lacedemonia with his Daughter Sidelia whose beautie caried some credit at that time and the Soldane Bellagris with Maiortes and many others the Emperour by his Letters inuited to his Court But the first that came to Constantinople were the Emperour Vernar and King Edward of England soone after came the Soldane Bellagris and Maiortes their entertainement being according as their noble estates deserued Then came the King Tarnaes with his Quéene Sidelia his Daughter and the sorrowfull Lady Pandricia whom the Empresse lodged in her owne Chamber The two Kings Arnedes and Recinde arriued with their Shippes at the Port of Constantinople and sounded their Trumpets and Drummes so gallantly as the people were afraide in the Cittie fearing left their enemies were come but the Princesse came to receiue them with great ioy where they might behold the King of France in a sumptuous Galley couered with cloath of Golde of great value wherein was himselfe his Quéene Florenda and Graciana his two Daughters with many Ladies and Knightes beside In another Galion was the King Recinde and the Quéene with a number of Knights for his Guarde Before them in another Galion was the fairest Princesse Miragarda the Giant Almaroll the Prince Florendos and many other knights The King Recinde being aduertised that the Emperour intended to marry the Princesse to his Nephewe Florendos with the King Arnedes consent to doe them the more honour caused their Galion to march formost as the Captaine ouer all the other Vesselles The Emperour was so glad of these tydings as hée forsooke his Coatch and was brought in a chayre to the place where these Princes should land and the Empresse with the Quéenes Princesses and Ladies mounted on their horses which were clad in most rich and costly harnesse and so they ridde to the Port of the Citie very stately There was the Emperour accompanied with his Sonne Primaleon king Edward of England the Emperour Vernar of Allemaigne Soldane Bellagris Maiortes Ternaes the king of Lacedemonia Polendos Estrelant Pompides and Dragonalt and no little ioy it was to him in his aged yéeres to see himselfe so beloued of the most puissant Princes that were in the whole world but albeit the presence of these great personages was veâ—y pleasant to him yet could hee not choose but take it heauily séeing the preasse so fore vppon him as long hée could not bée a companion for them The kings Arnedes and Recinde and the Prince Florendos being all come on land they knéeled downe to kisse the Emperours hand but he imbracing them in his armes would not suffer him to honour him so much then came the Quéene of Spaine and the Quéene of France with her two daughters whom his Maiestie welcomed very familiarly And when the Princesse Miragarda came into his presence he accepted of her maruellous graciously entring into these spéeches to her I am very glad Madame that you would vouchsafe to come hither where I may requite the great gentlenesse I haue found at your hands in prouiding to detaine the Prince Albayzar in so good securitie The Princesse Miragarda made no other answere but with a milde and Princely courtesie made showe how well shee tooke the Emperours words and I assure you her presence abashed the iudgements of a number in whose eyes she seemed the faicest creature on the earth The Giant Almaroll was likewise very welcome to the Emperour and when the Princesse Polinarda had courteously saluted Miragarda she shrunke aside to her Brother Florendos entertaining him with this language I perceiue new wel my Lord and Brother that you haue good cause to thinke your labour well bestowed in that you haue trauelled for a Lady of so singular beautie I would with all my heart good Sister answered Florendo that I had the due recompence my labour hath deserued so might I be in the better assurance Oh Brother said Polinarda the Giant Almaroll hath no authoritie to shut the doore against you here therefore I promise you the Princesse of Thrace and I will not â—orget to enterprise the meanes whereby you shall no doubt finde fauour The Emperour would delay the time no longer but to the Pallace they rode altogether the Prince Primalcon leading the Queene of Spaines horse by the bridle albeit the King Recinde was very loth to suffer him The King Polendos did as much honour to the Queene of Fraunce and King Edward of England afforded the like to the faire Princesse Miragarda as well to content the aged Emperor as to honour his
meanes possible to change him from this conceite but séeing his labour was bestowed in vaine he returned to the Emperor certifying him of the griefe wherein he had left the prince Floraman at which newes both the Emperour and his friendes were heauily passioned and they continued in commending the Prince Floraman till the Gentlman Vsher called to supper When the supper was ended and the Tables withdrawne these new merried Princes began to dance after the Greekish manner and when all the maskes and pastimes were done for that night each one went to his Chamber to receiue content with them who had caused them to endure so long trouble CHAP. LI. How the Queene of Thrace was conueied away by a strange aduenture while the Knights continued the pleasure at Constantinople EAch of these Princes delighting himselfe with his sweete Lady for whose sake hee had endured many sharpe trauailes at length determined and so did diners others though they had not attained the â—ame felicitie yet to witnesse their good will and affection to their friends to ordaine a generall Tournament whereto came many strange Knights who laboured as much as in them lay to shew their hardy valour to those Princes that appointed the Triumph In the meane while this sport continued there arriued a Knight armed all in blacke bearing Deadly Hope figured in his sheeld his coate Armour blacke and his horse and Lance of the same colour by which sad habite euery one coniectured the small ioy this knight had of himselfe neuerthelesse such was his great fortune as for three dayes together he remained victor against all that dealt with him At length because he would not discouer his name to the Iudges of the field Florian and Florendos went to arme themselues being very desirous to try the Combate with this Knight But Dramusiande perswaded them to the contrary giuing them to vnderstand that it was the Prince Floraman whom king Edward his son Palmerin brought at last to the Emperor when his excellencie began to comfort him saying that it was against reason he should afflict himselfe in such sort especially for the thing he could not remedy Moreouer by leading his life so pensiuely he should in the end not onely shorten his owne time but also offend the iudgements of his especiall friendes who would euerie one be glad and faine to disswade him from the greese that did torment him to which words the Prince Floraman thus replied I know well my gracious Lord that the honour it pleaseth you to vse me with all can neuer be recompenced by my deeds much lesse can any satisfaction be made in words but this I beseech your Maiesty consider that the faithfull loue I haue alwayes borne to my Lady Altea hath such soueraigne power ouer me as it will not suffer me to change this humor And albeit I know she is dead to my no small greefe and continuall vexation yet either shall my teares reuiue her againe or bring my ghost to keepe her company Thus am I resolued to remember my losse in that my true loue ought to remaine to the end and in the end otherwise it is to be iudged but light and vnconstant therefore I beseech your Maiestie to suffer me in my complaints for I am so well inured with them now as it is impossible for me to liue any otherwise The Emperour and the Princes saw they trauailed in vaine in perswading Floraman to forsake his sorrowfull kinde of life who taking his leaue of the Emperour accompanyed with king Edward and the Prince Primaleon went to his Chamber but they bring not able to endure the sight of such heauinesse returned presently to the Chamber of presence And after these Iousts and triumphs were ended these Princes would ride abroade with their Ladyes into a Forrest néere the Cittie where they might chase the wilde Bore the Hart and other beastes for their recreation whereof the Emperour was very glad and taking his Coatch he tooke his way to the Forrest in their company where against their comming were set vp very faire Tents and the Tables being couered and all things ready for dinner they sate downe to take their repast before they went to their sport Dinner being done the Hunters came and certified the Emperour how they had found the mightiest wilde Bore that euer was séene vppon which newes the Princes immediately arose from the Table and mounting on their horses they rode with the Hunters to finde the gaine and beginning to follow the Chase of the Bore euery one liked of the pleasantnesse of the pastime but this suddaine delight was mingled with a suddaine mischance as you may reade in the discourse following The Prince and Knights earnestly pursuing the 〈◊〉 the Heauens began on a suddaine to be troubled and is of darknesse came vpon them as they could not discerne oâ— other so that their horses fumed and fretted excéedingly veing afraide by the thundring and lightning in the Ayre as their Maisters were glad to forsake them and walke on foote Beside in the Emperours Tent was such a maruellous bruite and noyse as Heauen and earth would haue gone together but that which did most of all abash them in the Tent was the wailing and pittifull voyce of a woman who was heard to crie very gréeuously calling for ayde to the Knight of the Sauage man At length it was knowne to be the Queene of Thracc who could not be succoured by any of the knights present with the Emperour because the darkenes was such as none could sée her It was not long before this darke cloude amounted to the Skies againe making such a noyse at the departure as Florian riding vp and downe maruailing hereat was at length aduertised of the losse of the Quéene wherevpon he tooke his way to the Emperours Tent finding his Maiestie there in great feare and heauinesse yet would he not giue it ouer so but rode presently into the Citie and hauing armed himselfe he concluded to search thorow all Countries and not to rest in any place whatsoeuer vntil he might heare some tydings of her for whose losse his heart was extreamely passioned Many of his friends presented themselues to beare him company in trauaile but the Emperour would not agrée thereto fearing least the Turkes would visite Constantinople before they returned againe The Knight of the Sauage man in as great griefe as could be imagined set forward in his iourney and stayed not till hée was hindered by the darke night which hée was glad to passe at the roote of a Trée in a Forrest but in the morning hée mounted on Horsebacke and many dayes hee wandered vp and downe in strange Countreys yet not hearing newes of her whom he would gladly méete withall at which froward chaunce hée was maruellously abashed so that he intended to 〈◊〉 shipping to try if Fortune would that wayes spéede him 〈◊〉 better After hee had embarbued himselfe putting himselfe euen vnto the mercy of the Seas and so trauailing to
terrifie the Enemie then all they were able to doe Vpon this determination they were agréede and the Emperour was brought in his Chayre into the great Hall where the Embassador stayed who hauing viewed the strength of the Citie knew well they should bestow good labour before they could conquer it The Emperour according to his milde and Noble nature receyued the Embassador from his enemie very gratiously and after the Kings and Princes were in theyr due and appointed places and a generall silence amongst them all the Embassadour began in these speeches Illustrious and most puissant Emperour I could wish to sée thée in the Flourishing estate of thy yeares as well to be a participate of many troubles imminent to them that dare take vppon them to defende thy Empyre as also to enlarge the contentment of them who shall be so happie as to gaine the victorie in the fielde of Battell which is now presented to thy Maiestie I am to let thée vnderstand that Albayzar the great Soldan of Babylon and Prince of Turkie accompanyed with other Soldans Kings puissant Princes hath sent me to thée to let thée know that they are determined with theyr strength and power to besiege this Citie to reuenge the death of manie theyr especiall Friendes who receyued their dishonour before this Cittie Neuerthelesse the Soldane Albayzar hauing not forgotten the gracious courtesie thou didst sometimes vse towards Oloricque Alchidiana and the Princesse Targiana hath thus concluded fearing to be noted of ingratitude to make thée this offer eyther to surrender the Cittie of Constantinople and the knight of the Sauage man King of Thrace thy Nephew into his hands or depart leaue thine Empyre subiect to his power without offering any resistance to his determination On this condition hee will not bring his Armie into thine Empyre and hée thinketh it more necessary for thée rather to loose one Cittie then the whole Empyre and better it were for thée to deliuer one man into his hands then to sée the death of a number thy especiall Friends To which words the Emperour thus answered My Friend I can hardly endure to let thée passe any further in spéeches but I must néedes answer you thus that I account it well for my profite to follow his counsell in this matter if by the sending him one man I may make sure account of the safetie of the rest But if that one man be found so good a Knight as his Valour is sufficient to redeeme the Captiuitie of all the other I must not be so forgetfull of my honour as to render a State of assurance to your Lordes mercie Besides it were a thing much against reason and duety to yeelde that Cittie into the hands of Heathen Infidells where the true God is to be worshipped in spirit and truth And truely I cannot but maruell much that hée should offer to come thus into my Empire considering what promises hath past betweene him and mée for I was of the opinion that I should rather be furthered by his aide and assistance then hindered or impeached thus maliciously But for all this my trust is in GOD that I shall prepare his graue before the Walles of this Cittie as I haue done alreadie to many of his Predecessours who without regarde of theyr owne Honour or my courtesie haue come to assaile me in this manner I perceyue then my Lord answered the Embassaâ—our that because Fortune hath daily fauoured you to this present you will not dreade the misfortunes whereinto you may suddenly fall therefore I intend to returne with this answere to my Lord who sent me So taking his leaue he returned to his Galley where it lay at Anckor being accompanyed with many Princes and Lords of the Emperours Court and after they had giuen him a very friendly Farewell his Galley set forward with such expedition as in short time it came to the rest of the Armie CHAP. LV. ¶ How the Armie of the Great Turke arriued in the Port of Constantinople and of the noble and valiant prowesse of the Christians before they would suffer the Pagans to take Landing THe Embassadour from Albayzar to the Soldane of Babylon being thus departed the Emperour Palmerin called together all the Princes and Nobles in his Courte to giue present order to euery one that they should with all the best spéede possible prouide themselues in Armes to forbidde the entraunce of the Enemie and to haue good regard to the affaires of the Citie and safety of the same which was committed to the Guard of the Emperour Vernar and the King Polendos accompanyed with a thousand fiue hundreth Knights on Horsebacke and foure hundreth Footemen King Edward of England was chosen by Generall consent chiefe Captaine and Gouernour of the Fielde hauing vnder his conduct two thousand Knightes beside the Giant Dramusiande who by his Noble behauiour in that expedition wonne very great estimation Maiortes Pridos the Duke of Galles Don Rosiande de la Bronde his Sonne Argolant the Duke of Horten Pompides and fifty Knightes that were come in theyr company So diuiding theyr Knights into foure parts they were in number eight thousand to euery thousand was a Generall Captain Arnedes King of France had the ordering of fiue hundred being attended on likewise by his Sonnes Gracian Guerin and Germaine of Orleance beside fifty good and hardy French Knights A thousand fiue hundred more were conducted by Recinde King of Spayne the Princes Berolde and Onstalde his Sonnes awayting on him with the Giant Almaroll and one hundreth Spanish Knights The Soldane Bellagris was Captaine ouer foure hundred Knights being his owne Subiects and for the guard of his owne person he had prouided one hundred of the chiefest knights of his Court among whom was his Sonne Blandidon whose noble behauiour deserued commendations To Belcar Duke of Pontus and Durace was committed the like charge as to the Kings Recinde and Arnedes hauing for the Guarde of his owne person Don Rosuell and Bellizart his Sonnes To the King Tarnaes of Lacedemonia who was an Ancient and noble Prince was giuen the Guard of the Pallace and for the more security of the Empresse the other Queenes and Ladyes hée had attending on him two hundred Knightes Primaleon was chosen Lord Generall for the Cittie hauing in his charge seauen hundred Knightes wherewith he had regarde as well to the Field as to the Cittie Palmerin Florendos Platir and diuers other Knights had the charge of the vtter wings of the Armie as lost children to giue succour where they perceyued most necessitie Thus was the Emperours Court well stored with noble and renowmed Knights yet his Maiestie and King Edward greatly desired the presence of the Prince Florian of the Forrest in whose absence both the Horsemen and Footemen were ordained as I haue alreadie declared On the next morning King Edward commaunded to strike vp Allarum for hee was giuen to vnderstand that the Enemie was within halfe a league of the
whose presence the former feareful and vncertaine doubts were somewhat calmed in that he certified the Emperour how Florian would not be long absence from thence which newes did much ioy his Maiestie as he caught the Sage Aliart in his armes and embraced him with a gracious countenance Then came the Empresse to entertaine him with the same fauour the like did Bazilia the Empresse of Allemaigne Gridonia Polinarda and the other princesses and Ladies among whom the Quéene Flerida was most glad of his presence as well to perceiue the loue King Edward her husband bare him as also because he had sundry times preserued the liue of his Children by his knowledge The same day came to the Emperours Court the Prince Floraman who trauailed to finde the Prince Florian of the Forrest and being aduertised how the enemies had laid siege at Constantinople he left his Realme of Sardignia giuing charge to the Gouernours he had left there that they should leuey a great Armie with all expedition and send them after him to Constantinople as you may read more at large hereafter The same day likewise there arriued King Estrellant of Hungaria accompanied with two thousand horsemen and tenne thousand footmen being vnder the conduct of the Prince Frisoll his Sonne Albayzar was greatly grieued at the losse of his men wherfore he gaue charge to his Chirurgions in his campe that they should bee carefull and respectiue to them which were wounded and commanded the â—laine to bée buried And when all things were accomplished that he thought expedient he called the principall estates of his armie to councell with whome hee concluded that all persons should be vigilant and carefull of themselues that night because the next morning he should take landing at a certaine watch-word he would giue them The day had no sooner chased away the vncomfortable and obscure night but the Ships Gallies Brigandines Gaâ—â—ots and other prouision for war tooke landing about a league distance froÌ„ Constantinople being not hindred or forbidden by any whereupon they sounded the drums trumpets cornets clarions and other instruments wherewith they made such a triumphant noyse as the people in the Citie were much amazed thereat The Sage Aliart and Floraman desiring to sée the Campe of the enemie requested the Emperour that he would lycence them to goe thither which his Maiestie would not graunt to any yet had hée such assurance in the knowledge of the Sage Aliart as in what place soeuer he was he néeded not to feare him These two knights thus departed the Citie being armed with no other defence but onely their swordes and because the day was faire and cleare they betooke themselues to a little hill where they might at pleasure discerne the enemies Armie Diuers thought it good to scout out and take them because by them they might vnderstand the strength of the Citie but Albayzar would not grant it should be so wherefore he sent an Esquire vnto them who attended on him when he was in the Emperours court to let them vnderstand that if they would come néere and see his Campe he who was then in authoritie to commaund them was such an indifferent friend vnto them as they might come and depart without any danger These two knights gaue such credit to the message Albayzar sent them as they went in the Esquiers company which Albayzar perceiuing he came forth with two Pages in very rich apparrell attending on him to receiue them Afterward hee went with them thorow the Campe because they should sée the mightie strength thereof and he declared to them the names of the Princes in his companay among whome were verie many Giantes as terrible and ouglie as they which were slaine by Dramusiande and Palmerin of England All this while Albayzar had diligent regard to these two Christian Knights to sée if all this sight he had showne them could discourage them with feare or doubt of theyr Wellfare but they contained such a stoute and vndaunted countenaunce as they seemed to disdayne those occasions which Albayzar thought should most dismay them whereat he did not a little maruaile After they had séene the whole Army Albayzar accompanied hem very neere the Citie desiring them to salute the Emperour and Empresse from him then taking his leaue courteously of them he returned â—o his Campe and they walked on very sadly especially the Sage Aliart who hauing foreséene what would happen could not hide the sorrow hee conceiued in his minde Neuerthelesse they behaued themselues pleasantly at their entraunce into the Cittie because they would not discourage the mindes of the people but when they were come to the Pallace into the Emperors presence the Prince Floraman by the commaundement of his Maiestie entred into these speeches My gratious Lord the riches which your enemies hath brought before your Cittie were incredible in rehearsall for if I should take vppon me to make rehearsall thereof I should wast a great deale of time which I may apply to better purpose in certifying your excellencie of your enimies strength wherefore this is to let your Maiestie vnderstand that your enimies can be no lesse in number then two hundred thousand the very simplest whereof carryeth such a brauerie of minde as he will abide the Féeld to the latest houre of death The King of Aetolia being thirtie yéeres of age hath the conduct this day of them which are vnder his charge being tenne thousande Horsemen and fortie thousand Footemen so brauely armed as surely I must of necessity commend them But aboue all the rest the pride of the Prince Albayzar doth much amaze me for no small estimation he made of your puissance as himselfe gaue vs the sight of his whole Armye graunting the like assuraunce to any of your Court as hee did to vs if so be they will desire to sée his Garrison a thing which I haue diligently noted and which cannot greatly profite himselfe as for the rest whereof perhappes I may be forgetfull my good Lorde the Sage Aliart can at large discourse vnto your Highnesse You haue behâ—ued your selues so well my Friends sayd the Emperor as it is not possible for any other to bring vs a more certaine assurance in this cause wherefore it is necessarie that we enter into councell how we may auoyd the enterprise of Albâ—yzar and his Souldiours And I am content that he shall likewise sée our Cittie so that charge be giuen to our Captaines to behaue themselues with such circumspection as our Enemies may not get any sudden aduantage against vs. When the Emperour had set downe this for a determination the Princes betooke themselues to their seuerall charges that they might better respect the practiâ—es of the Enimie CHAP. LVII ¶ Of that which Albayzar did after he had well prouided for his Armie and of the succour which came to the Emperour Palmerin ALbayzar prouiding for the strength of his Armye caused such Trenches and Rampiers of Defence and Fortification to bee made round about
which are no other but shapes without substance for in the beholding these you do but mispend your time looking for that recompeÌ„ce which they haue not the power to giue you And therefore it shall be more necessary for you to goe to them whom the Pictures represent who in time will more sufficiently content your hearts then your eyes receiue pleasure in looking on these toyes which Vrganda giueth you to see at this prefent by her Enchauntment Palmerin hearing the words of his Brother the Sage Aliart returned to him with this answere Doe you maruaile Syr Aliart if they which behold the liuely presentations of so faire and beautifull Goddesses finde good cause to busie their braines and receiue their memories Credite me I thinke no man but would be rauished in delight to sée things of so rare and excellent importance Palmerin spake in this manner because he would not haue his friends suspect his amorous thoughts so departing thence they went againe to the Castle where prouision being made they sate downe to dinner which being ended they concluded to depart from the Island wherevpon Palmerin caused Satrafort to be called into his presence with the other Gentlemen that came in his company when Palmerin speaking to his Brother the Sage Aliart began to vse his spéeches thus If I should not consider with my selfe my noble friend and Brother which way Fortune might aduance me to such estate as I should be able to recompence the manifold courtesies I haue receiued at your handes you might repute mée of a most base and ignoble minde wherefore to witnesse to you the great feare I haue least I should be condemned amongst the vnthankefull I here frankely and fréely giue you the Perillous Isle which I haue conquered with great trauaile and losse of my blood desiring that you would accept thereof in that it ought rather to be vnder your gouernment then any other that I know Wherefore I pray you not refuse my gentle gift and I would it were of such estimation as I could finde in my heart to bestow vpon you for I perswade my selfe that it was the will of Vrganda it should be reserued for you And for Satrafort I perceiue he is as willing hereto as my selfe desiring you that you would account of him as his noblenesse and vertue requireth that you may discharge the duty wherein I am greatly bound to him My Lord answered the Sage Aliart they of this Island haue good occasion to be offended séeing you will commit it into the handes of him who is not worthy to come within it neuerthelesse the earnest desire I haue to doe you seruice willeth me not to make refusall of your gratious offer and I accept Satrafort not as my fubiect but as my louing friend and companion as well for the valour of his person as likewise to let you perfectly vnderstand that I am he who vowes himselfe alwayes at your commandement Thus concluding his spéeches he offered to take she Prince Palmerins hande to kisse it but the courteous Prince would not permitte him then taking the Sage Aliart in his armes he beganne againe as followeth My louing Brother if Fortune rayse me to any such preferment as I may finde somewhat worthie your good desertes you shall well peceiue the affection I beare you in the meane while imagiae the best of mee The Prince Berolde and Platir commended marueilously the liberalitie of Palmerin whose presence was more acceptable to Satrafort then the Sage Aliart so that he would gladly haue changed his maister neuerthelesse he concealed his mind closely to himselfe doubting least he should purchase the displeasure of his new Lord to whom he aduaunced himselfe to giue him his faith for his dutifull obedience praying the Knight of the Tiger that he would continue him in his woonted noble fauour Palmerin vsed such friendly behauiour towards him as he remained well content withall and hauing left the Sage Aliart to giue order about the customs of the Isle he imbarqued himselfe in the ship with Argentao being desirous to goe on firme land so soone as he could possible considered also that hee would haue Arganto returne to his gouernment And because he would the more commodiously rip vp his secret griefe to Siluian he tooke his leaue of the princes Berolde and Platir giuing theÌ„ to vnderstand that he must of necessitie goe alone by himselfe for that hee had an aduenture assigned him where he promised to be on the day ensuing These three thus parting Platir and Berolde being glad to please the Prince Palmerin in any thing he thought méete they entred the same Foyst wherein they were brought thither and so humbly taking their farewell of Palmerin they sayled towards Constantinople the wind and weather seruing them so commodious as in few dayes they attained the firme land In like manner did the Prince Palmerin in another Countrey after he had taken his leaue of Argentao who likewise returned into the Profound Isle where his Subiects receiued him very â—â—atiously accounting them highly bound to the Prince Palmerin in ordaining them such a Gouernour who would in no case suffer the people of that Island to be so cruelly dealt withall as they had béene before of the bloody Giants CHAP. XX. How Alfernao arriued at the Emperours Court of Constantinople and of that which happened to him NOt many dayes after the Knight of the Sauage man was departed from the Citie of Constantinople the Emperor was aduertised of his losse by the Prince Florians Esquire which caused no small griefe thorow the whole Court but it came so to passe that Alfernao arriued there vpon the sudden euen as the Emperour sate leauing on the Table lamenting for the want of his Nephew Florian and when he had caused him to come before him Alfernao fell downe at his féete with these words Illustrious and most gratious Emperour I humbly desire your maiesty that you would thinke of me in your woonted fauour clemency not remembring my passed transgressions for if your Grace looke into the depth of them I shall be found worthy of most grieuous punishment which your royall clemency hath power to moderate in that you are accustomed to vse mercy to them whose offences deserue rigorous intreating I am dread Prince that ancient man who came and requested your highnesse assistance and dissembling with teares and faint spéeches which were nothing else but méere deceite that I had great néede of the ayde of one of your Knightes wherevpon you granted licence to your noble Nephew that he should leaue your Court and goe in my company but I intending deceit was deceiued my selfe and could not execute on him what I had determined Then began Alfernao to discourse to the emperor the whole successe of his Nephewe Florian of the Forrest who had sent him to informe his Maiestie of all that hapned to him that the report of the Esquire might be the better belieued whereto the Emperour thus answered Certainly