Palmerin D'Oliua The Mirrour of nobilitie Mappe of honor Anotamie of rare fortunes Heroycall president of Loue VVonder for Chiualrie and most accomplished Knight in all perfections Presenting to noble mindes theyr Courtlie desires to Gentles theyr choise expectations and to the inferiour sorte howe to imitate theyr vertues handled vvith modestie to shun offence yet all delightfull for recreation Written in the Spanish Italian and French and from them turned into English by A. M. one of the Messengers of her Maiesties Chamber Patere aut abstine At London Printed by I. Charlewoode for William VVright and are to bee solde at his Shoppe adioyning to S. Mildreds Church in the Poultrie the middle Shoppe in the rowe 1588. To the right noble learned and worthie minded Lord Edward de Veâ—e Earle of Oxenford Viscount Bulbeck Lord Sanford and of Badelsmere and Lord high Chamberlaine of England A. M. wisheth continuall happines in this life and in the world to come AMong the Spartanes right noble Lord and sometime my honorable Maister nothing was accounted more odious then the forgetfulnes of the seruaunt towardes his Maister which made Mucronius who had beene seruaunt to Hagarbus a poore Arteâ—an and for his vertues afterward called to the office of a Senatouâ— in all assemblies to reuerence his poore Maister so that he would often say It was honour to Mucronius that he had beene seruaunt to Hagarbus Though this example my good Lord be vnfit for me in what respect beseemes me not to speake Yet that excelâ—lent opinion of the Spartanes I count it religion for me to immitate For if this vice was so despised among such famous persons what reproch wold it be to so poore an abiect as my selfe beeing once so happy as to serue a Maister so noble to forget his precious vertues which makes him generally belooued but cheerfâ—ly mine owne dutie which nothing but death can discharge In remembraunce therfore of my officious zeale I present your Honour the willing endeuours of your late seruaunt howe simple soeuer they be right perfect shall you make them by your fauourable acceptaunce this being added that were I equall in ability with the best all should be offered to my noble Maister If Palmerin hath sustained any wrong by my bad translation being so worthely set downe in other languages Your Honour hauing such speciall knowledge in them I hope will let slip any fault escaped in respect I haue doone my good will the largest talent I haue to bestowe And seeing the time affordes me such oportunitie that with ending this first parte the olde yeere is expired I present it my noble Lord as your seruauntes New yeeres gift and therewithall deliuer my most affectionate dutie euermore ready at your Honours commaundement Needelesse were it by tediousnes to growe troublesome when a woord suffiseth to so sound iudgement I submit my selfe and my Booke to your gracious conceit and the second part now on the presse and well neere finished I will shortly present my worthie Patrone In meane while I wish your Honor so many New yeers of happines as may stand with the heauenly appointment â—nd my modestie to desire Sometime your Honours seruant yet continuing in all humble duty Anthonie Monday To the courteous Readers WHen I finished my seconde parte of Palmerin of England I promised this worke of Palmerin D'Oliua because it depended so especially on the other to discharge that debt for promise is no lesse accounted with the new yeere I send him abroad a freendly companion for the long euenings and a fit recreation for other vacant times But because some perhaps will make exceptions against me that being but one Booke in other languages I now deuide it twaine my aunswer is that to glut men with delight may make them surfeit and so in expecting thanks for my paynes I should remaine condemned by generall misliking Beside a Booke growing too bigge in quantitie is profitable neither to the minde nor the pursse for that men are now so wise and the world so hard as they looue not to buie pleasure at vnreasonable price And yet the first parte will entice them to haue the second when it may bee alleaged the cost is as great as though it had come altogether yet Iâ—am of the minde that a man grutcheth not so much at a little mony payd at seuerall times as he doth at once for this aduauntage he hath in meane time he may imploy halfe his mony on more needful occasions and raise some benefit toward buying the second parte Againe the other part will be new at the comming forth where now it wold be stale for such are affectioÌ„s now a daies that a booke a sennight olde is scant worth the reading Thus no iniurie is offered by deuiding my Booke but profitte both to you and me yours I haue rehearsed and mine is that a little pause dooth well in so long a labour beside this aduauntage would I take that if my first parte deserued no liking you should neuer be offended by me with the second Yet heerein I am encouraged that what hath past with so great applause in diuers languages can hardly merite to be despised in England being matter altogether of delight and no way offensiue for noble and Gentle mindes are farre from iniuriâ—g the Historie that hath so highly pleased Emperours Kinges mightie potentates if then the inferiour sorte mislike it is because they are not capable of so especiall deseruinges And yet I am perswaded that both one and other will freendly entertaine Palmerin D'Oliua because his History iâ— so plentifully stored with choyse conceit varietie of matter and exquisit conueyaunce as nothing can be reprooued but my simple translation yet that I hope will be pardoned too in that to translate allowes little occasion of fine pen worke The second parte goes forward on the Printers presse and I hope shal be with you sooner then you expect In the meane while let this haue fauourable acceptaunce and that wil be a spurre to hasten the other Yours to his vttermost A. Munday The first parte of the auncient and honorable Historie of the valiant Prince Palmerin D'Oliua Emperor of Constantinople Sonne to the King Florendos of Maccdon and the fayre Griana Daughter to Remicius Emperour of Constantinople a History full of singuler and Courtlie recreation c. CHAP. I. Of the secrete loue which the Prince Tarisius bare to the yong Princesse Griana and the arriuall of the Prince Florendos at Constantinople THe auncient Histories of the famous Emperours of Constantinople doo record that the eight Emperor succeeding Constantine the founder of that auncient and famous Cittie was named Remicius who gouerned so iustlie and with such excéeding honour as not onelie his Subiectes intirelie looued him but of the kingdoms about him he was so feared and reuerenced that his Empire increased more large then in the time of his Predecessors This Remicius was of such a princely and munificent minde that
and after he had long lyued in rest and prosperitie hee dyed leauing the yong Prince Netrides fiftéene yéere olde and in the custodie of his elder brother Tarisius This Netrides growing in good constitution of bodie and behauiour béeing well beloued generally so gracious gentle and well gouerned he was as the Lords Knights Gentlemen the people of Hungaria esteemed him more then their King Tarisius who béeing crowned after his fathers decease loued Netrides as brotherhoode required till Fortune enuious of this concorde not willing that the vertues of this yong Prince should be there extingushed changed his affection into excéeding hatred by an occasion héereafter following One daie the King Tarisius walking in his Garden to take the ayre left his Brother Netrides in his Chamber accompanied with the Quéene who without imagination of any harme nor that his fatall staâ—s woulde sort him anie mis-fortune sactte downe in the Kings chayre as he talked with the Quéene and continued there so long till Tarisius came vp and founde him there sitting which he tooke in such ill part as in a great rage he thus begaâ—me Who made thée so audacious and presumptuous to sitte in my seate against thy duety and my liking By mine honor thou hast doone more then thou wéenâ—st and if I sée the like againe or I may but heare thereof thy heade shall pay the price of thy folly Netrides who of his owne nature was humble and gentle fell downe on his knée intreating the King his Brother to pardon him for what hee had doone was not with any intent to displease his Maiestie but an ouersight and that so he would permit it to passe The King made him no aunswere because hee tooke Netrides reasons for no payment but conceiued a secret hatred in his minde by this occasioÌ„ of so slender moment which increased thence forward as the matter prouoking a fierie Meteore so that he did repine at his Brother so much as he would not speak to him nor affoorde him a good countenaunce Then called he to remembraunce the loue of his people towardes hys Brother and if this hatred should come to their knowledge for so small a cause he imagined they woulde displace him and make Netrides King For which cause hee intended to haue him slaine and the execution â—â—reof hee committed to one of his Archers but God who is euermore the preseruer of the innocent would not suffer such a damned déede of paracide to take effect Which Tarisius perceiuing and finding one day his Brother alone enflamed with this dyscontented humour sayd Netrides thou hast offended mee more then I will now stand to argue on I therefore banish thée my Court and Kingdome and looke that within three daies thou get thée hence and on thy life not to discouer it to any man or take any one with thée to beare thée coÌ„pany The yong Prince obedient to his Brother made answere that he wold accomplish his charge and so withdrew himselfe into his Chamber not declaring to any one hys cause of heauines Then willing one of his Squires to saddle hys Horse departed so closely as he coulde forbidding anie of his Seruaunts to follow him and such expedition he made as not resting but one night in any lodging he left his brothers kingdome wandering without anie care of himselfe or which way he tooke but went héere and there as fortune pleased to guide him Hauing long time trauailed in Alâ—lemaigne his money fayled him in that at his departure hee was but badlie prouided yet could not his priâ—celie minde abase it selfe to begge so yâ— béeing without meate or drink or anie place to rest himselfe in ashamed of himselfe hee sought to shroude him where none might discrye him and so entring a great Forrest very thicke set with Trées shrubs and bushes hee estéemed this a conuenient place to rest in wherefore alighting from his Horse and turning him to féede layd himselfe downe at the roote of a Trée and thus began to breathe foorth his complaints Ah inconstant Fortune and to me most of all inconstant didst thou erecte me so high and reiect mee nowe thus lowe well then may I saie that more wrong thou doost a man in one houre then right all his life time for it héeretofore thou diddest lende me pleasure and delight thou nowe makest me pay for it and that with vsury too rigorous not leauing anie hope to comfort mee Ah tirranous King cruell and vnmanlike Brother thou hast with shame banished me and brought me into this poore estate wherein I must die Oh happy if I might rather then to liue in the vile estate of beggery So saying he layde him downe among the Hearbes and was supprised with such extreame féeblenes as he fell into his lamentations againe thus Ah my Lord and Father too soone diddest thou leaue me woulde God I then had borne thée company or that at this instant I could come to thee Ah men of Hungâ—ria I am well assured knowing the loue you euer bare me that you will pittie when you heare my afflictions and calamities alas I neuer deserued this vnhappy ende And béeing vnable to continue longer spéeche he there determined to finish his life But better fortune befell him then he expected by the meanes of an auncient Knight named Lombardo who béeing néere hearde all his dolorous complaints This Knight béeing rich and of noble blood had neere that Forrest a strong delightfull and sumptuous Castell and delighted to walke among the woods for his recreation as good hap it was fore Netrides that he walked this euening He hearing these sad and sorrowfull regrets pittie so touched his hart as the teares bedewed hys â—héekes yet would he not trouble him while he continued his mones but afterward came and tooke him by the hand saying Arise my Freende and take courage for you are in the place where you shall finde more good to benefit you then harme to offende you therefore cherish your spirites and forget this heauines which may endaunger you beyond recouerie Netrides séeing this honourable Gentlemanne with his bearde so white as snowe hearing his courteous offer and for him nowe so necessary with ioy feare bashfulnes all coupled togeather accepted it and humbly thanked him albeit quoth he a contented death is better to me them a miserable and dispised life The Knyght comforting him aunswered that it was not in his power to chuse lyfe or death but the founder of the heauens reserued that authoritie in his owne handes With these wordes hee tooke him by the hand and conducted him to his Castell where he was worthilie entertained by the Knight himselfe his Ladie and her Daughter one of the fairest Uirgins in all that Country Lombardo hauing heard all his mis-fortunes and hard aduentures in the night discoursed the whole to hys Ladie wherefore good Wife quoth he entertaine him so well as may be for I assure you he is discended of high degrée and if his manners and vertues bee
were well worthy to be reputed among the number of most harâ— harted and ingratefull Ladies if I shuld not loue the prince Trineus were it but for the danger he remaines in for me and the vnfaigned loue which you say he heares mâ—e And thus farre I presume my Lorde on your credit that if it were otherwise you would not disguise the 〈…〉 this â—â—ner much lesse deceiue such a Lady as I am which notwithstanding would bee to you but a slender conquest Therefore you may assure him on my behalfe that the loue I beare him is more then he thinks and very far excéedeth his iudgement as the proofe hereof in time shall deliuer true testimonie Madame quoth Palmerin his onely desire in this world you haue faithfully vnderstoode in you then it consisteth to preuent the contrarie by mercifull regarde of his afflictions and your presence will appease the anger of the Emperour your father in that so nobly he would enterpriseâ— though against his will to ayde the King your Father onely for your loue And this will be the meane that the conceiued pleasure of the Fathers shall concluâ—e in the happie coniunction of their Children My Lorde quoth the Princesse I wil do what shall please my father and mother to command me and no otherwise considering the danger I may fall into by yéelding my honour to any preiudiciall occasion Palmerin who had no other feare but to bee knowne what himselfe was thus answered I am perswaded madame that your iudgement is so perfect that to attaine a place of such dignitie and a husband so royall as the Prince Trineus you will not stand 〈◊〉 friuolous tearmes nor be carried away with any light or feminine feares séeing that setting apart these doubts you shall worthily accoÌ„plish the thing which shall make you the most renowned Lady vnder the Occident I pray you Sir Palmerin quoth she referre this talke to some other time for the answere of such a high and weightie matter deserueth to be excogitated with leysure for oftentimes we sée that such actions sodainely and slightly performed causeth more repentaunce afterward then is expected Yet thus farre I venture and so faithfully perswade him that he is the onely Prince in the world I would accept for my husband if they were so agréed to whom God nature and dutie hath bounde mée and to let him vnderstand my wiliing desire towardes him I will speake to him my selfe as soone as the Quéene is departed Not long after the Quéene returned to the King leauing her Daughter with two of her Ladyes to comfort the prince whereupon Palmerin taking her by the hande brought her to the bedde side where Trineus lay to whome she made very curteous reuerence trembling with modest bashfulnesse said How fare ye gentle knight trust mee your hard fortune doth greatly displease mee and if I could beare part therein beléeue me I would gladly endure the paine for it is good reason that the caâ—ser of the harme should haue a portion of the torment gratifying you with a Maidens thankes for your good assistance without any desert Trineus was so rauished with her presence and hearing her speake so friendly in whom consisted the safetie of his life as hee could not vtter the ioy hee conceiued which the Princesse well noted and Palmerin likewise who aunswered her in this manner It cannot be madame but my Lord Trineus will soone amend hauing the sodaine medecine so néere him that is onely able to helpe him and with these wordes he left them both together to acquaint each other with their secret afflictions when the Prince giuing a gréeuous sigh saide Faire madame to accomplish what you commanded the first day I sawe you I did my beuoire to execute the effect of the charge albeit not so sufficiently as I could wish yet since that time I neuer enioyed one minute of rest till this instant when mine eyes delighted with your swéete presence gaue hope to my heart of further comfort For this onely cause faire mistresse haue I forsaken my Parents and countrey regarding nothing more then this present happinesse whereby my woundes are cured my spirit contented and my heart from all daungers sufficiently recouerâ—d so that no gréefe can now molest me when your gracious fauour thorowly confoundeth all And nowe might I imagine my misfortune beyonde all other were not this fearefull doubt left to crosse it that scanning disdaine should be hid in such rare perfections as oftentimes it commeth so to passe therefore I beséech you Madame may it stand with your liking to resolue all doubts by your direct opinion and héerein shall I account my selfe more honoured then were I monarch of the whole worlde Loue hauing then so wounded the princesse as for a while she was driueÌ„ to silence at length withdrew the passioâ— and caused her returne this answere Alas my Lord I was ere this so certaine of your affection towardes me in respect of the dangerous trauailes endured for my sake as you néede not séeke any other prooues then what mine owne hart was fully resolued on and so I continue still expecting the day to make vs both fortunate which I would haue you as yet dissemble least crooked mishap any way preuent vs. As she was procéeding in her discourse the Quéene entred the tent againe by which occasion Trineus could not say what he intended wherefore taking her secretly by the hand wrong her fingers with such a trembling passion as all the night following he lay meditating on his gooddesse Agriola and the comfortable answere shee gaue him If the young prince were in such torments his Lady beare him companie thinking on the spéeches past betwéene her and Palmerin and this euening the Dwarfe not compassing before to speake with Agriola presented her with the Emeralde from the Prince which she kindly receiuing in recompence thereof sent him a fayre Diamond rewarding the Dwarfe liberally for his paines who among the rest of his talke highly commended the vertues of the Prince which increased her loue so confidently as she assured him of the Princesse loue that death could not change her setled affection Trineus fully resoluing héereon gaue such chéerefull phisicke to his heart and the Chururgions such dilligence to his woundes as within seauen or eight daies he was able to beare armor whereupon the King departed thence towardes London where the strange knights were entertained with meruailous honor the Lords Knights Burgesses Officers and other Citizens welcomming them with great â—ampe and royaltie saying Welcome are the knights that deliuered the Quéene and her Daughter from the cruell Giant Franarco with diuers other salutations whereat Paâ—merin and his friendes were greatly abashed Passing on to the Pallace all the way they were still presented with rare shewes and deuises and the Knights lodgings were appointed in very stately Chambers in the Court causing open Court to be kept for eight dayes space for the honour of these knights and entertainement of all
to the Messenger and withall such an honourable gift for his paynes as well might content a greater personage He returning to Constantinople effectually discharged his aunswere and Palmerin reading his Grandfathers Letters vowed to fulfill his request and afterward to follow the search of Tryâ—eus Now the day béeing come when the Lords of Macedon shoulde set forwarde to Constantinople they came to take theyr leaue of the King who began to them in this manner Ah my good Fréends God is my witnesse with what good will I would beare you companie if my aged yéeres did not forbid me neuerthelesse let mée desire yée to behaue your selues in such sort as if I were in person with ye and honour Prince Palmerin no lesse then my selfe So creating the Duke of Pontus his Lieutenant in this Ambassade because hée was a braue and comely yong Prince bequeathed them to happie Fortune in their iourney commaunding a Knight to poste before them that Palmerin might be first aduertised of their comming On the same day as they should arriue at the Cittie Palmerin accompanied with the yong King of Sparta the most subtill and ingenious Prince of his time as well instructed in the manners and conditions of the auncient Kings his predecessours especially imitating cautelous Vâ—isses and diuerse other yong Princes and Knights rode to méete the Lords of Macedon at the Gates of the Citie There alighted all the Lords to kisse his hand which hée woulde not permit them to doo but casting himselfe likewise from his Horse embraced them all one after another And mounting on horsebacke againe entered the Cittie which was so plentifullie stored with Knights and gentlemen against the tryumph as the Prince Olorico and Frysoll were appoynted by the Emperour to sée the Lords lodged according to their estate and to erect Tents and Pauillions without the Cittie where the rest of their traine might be decently entertained This choyse made the Emperour of these twaine in this matter because in all his Court were not two more courteous Princes beside they were the onely men in the worlde for affable and gracious entertaining straungers All this businesse ended and Palmerin deuising with the Quéene his Mother Frysoll béeing in his companie sawe her enter the Chamber to whom he had vowed his seruiceable deuotions wherfore feigning some occasioÌ„ at the windowe where the Princesse stood he went and stood by her a prettie while and at length entred into these spéeches Madame as yet in all my life I neuer requested any thing of a Ladie and now would I gladly moue one sute to you as to her that is the onely Mistresse of my heart if I should not séeme ouer-bold in this petition assuring you that hauing obtained this fauour of you you shall not commaunde anie thing how difficult so euer it bée but I will gladlie enterprise it for your sake Beléeue me Sir Frysoll aunswered the Princesse you speake but reason demaunde then what you please and you shall obtaine it because I holde this opinion of you that you will not request any thing that shall in ought be preiudiciall to mine honour A thousand thanks good Madame said Frysoll this houre I hope hath boaded mée good fortune and this is my request that you would so much honor me as to permit me enter the Tourney vnder the name of your Knight because I would enterprise nothing but by your commaundement And this in my iudgement is such an especiall â—auour as I durst not presume to solicite you withall without the graunt my Lorde your Brother Palmerin made mée with this addition that according to my deserts in the Tourney if you can so fancie to accept me as your Lord and husband With these wordes the Princesse was touched to the quicke in that her desires were that way addicted and her colour chaunging with her priuate conceâ—te shée shadowed so artificially as shée could and with wordes fearefull and trembling thus aunswered In sooth my Lord neuer was I mooued with any such sute héeretofore but my Brother may so farre commaund mee as what liketh him I would be loth to gain-say As for your demaund to enter the field vnder the name of my Knight with right good will I graunt it assuring you thereof with this Iewell which henceforth so please you to weare shall remaine as a token of my loue to you So taking a goodly Emeralde from her finger kissing it with great courtesie gaue it him Nowe am I sure Madame quoth Frysoll to haue part of the prize séeing I shall aduenture in your seruice nor is this ring of so little value but when in the Combat I shall behold it my forces will be redoubled and newe life enter my fainting spirit Moreouer I dare say that neuer did the Ring of Giges bring him more honour then this will to mée for his could not profite or aduantage him but onely by béeing inuisible On the contrary I haue no pleasure but in your presence nor shall I thinke my selfe at better ease then when among Launces and Swordes I may labour for your loue Then entred the Empresse with other Ladies newlie come to the Court to sée the Iousts which brake of their talke wherefore taking leaue of each other they departed the Chamber Chap. XXXVI Howe the Duke of Mecaena and the Counte of Reifort arriued at Allemaigne at the Emperours Court and after theyr Ambassage dispatched the Emperour sent backe with them to Constantinople the Duke of Lorraine and the Marquesse of Licena as his Ambassadours NOwe is the day come when the Fléete appoynted for the Ambassade to Allemaigne should depart wherefore béeing furnished with all things necessariâ— for their voyage the winde and Sea likewise verie seruiceable came to aduertise Palmerin thereof to knowe if he would commaund them any further seruice Palmerin walked with them to the Hauen and by the way gaue a Letter to the Duke of Mecaena saying Worthy Duke present my humble dutie to my Lady Polynarda and giue her this Letter whereof I pray you bring mee an answere And pleased God that I might go with you neuer could any voyage better please me therefore lette me intreate you returne so soone as possible may be The Duke promised to accomplish his desire and taking leaue of each other they went abroade where hoysing theyr sayles with a merrie wind a way they went and arriued in Allemaigne sooner then expected When they were come on shore they sent a Knight before to the Emperour that hee might bée acquainted with their comming yet could not his Maiestie but maruaile at this Ambassage because in all his time he neuer had the like and therefore thought this strange occasion would sort to as strange an ende At length to doo them the greater honour he sent all his Knights and Gentlemen to receiue them who conducted the Duke of Mecaena and the Counte of Reifort to the Pallace and afterwarde to the presence of the Emperour When the Duke entred the Chamber
Christians so weake as the day was like to prooue dangerous and dismall For the Prince Gamezio was estéemed one of the best Knights through all Asia and that daie hee behaued himselfe so roughlie amongst the Christians as sooth to say they were enforced to retire towardes the Cittie Which when the Emperour behelde who remained with no great strength to defend the Cittie he was not a little gréeued to sée his men turne their backs on their enemies and disperse themselues in such fearefull and dysmaying sorte But Florendos and the Prince Caniano vsed such meanes as they got them soone in aray againe and returned on the enemie with a fresh and hardie charge Tarisius shewed himselfe verie valiaunt aduenturous stryuing by all the meanes he could to equall the Prince Florendos who that daie gaue testimonie of most rare exploits so these thrée noble Gentlemen past from rancke to ranck sending all to the earth that durst withstande them Gamezio séeing his menne so bloodilie slaughtered on euerie side méeting with Tarisius woulde take reuenge on him deliueâ—ring him such a cruell stroke on the heade with his sword as downe he fell to the grounde so astonished as his enemie might euen then haue slaine him and so hee had doone but for the Prince Florendos who séeing the Moore auauncing himselfe on his Styrrops to reach a full stroke at Tarisius on the ground lifted him quite out of his saddle with his Launce and bare him so rudelie therewith to the earth as breaking his necke with the fal he gaue vppe the ghost When the Moores behelde Gamezâ—o their General slaine and the Christians make such 〈…〉 harts fayling them to make further resist 〈…〉 towards their Ships when had not the 〈…〉 them not one had escaped death or taken 〈◊〉 notwithstanding the greatest part were put to the sworde diuers making hast to get awaie by boates were drowned in the Sea and manie of account brought backe prisoners thus with victorie returned the Emperours power to the Cittie So manie of the Moores as escaped to theyr shyps béeing not a little glad they were so farre from their enemies sette sayle and returned towardes the Soldane to whom they declared the summe of theyr mis-fortune as also the death of his Sonne Gamezio which â—idinges made him well nye mad with rage and anger But béeing old and crazed with sicknesse he could not goe in person to reuenge his death which made him vowe and sweare that so soone as his other Sonne came to yéeres to beare Armes he wold sende him with such a puissant strength as easilie he should destroy the Emperour his Countrie in the meane time he sent the raunsome to redéeme them that were taken prisoners where we will leaue the Soldane and returne to Caniano and the other Princes who béeing nowe come againe to the Cittie the Emperour hauing hearde the worthie seruice Florendos had doone that same day and how he had receiued some fewe daungerous woundes in the battaile sent for him in all haste that might bee to his Pallace because his owne Chirurgions and Phisitions shoulde haue care of him So was Florendos brought very honourablie to the Pallace and conducted to a Chamber beséeming hys estate where the Empresse and Griana came presentlie to visite him to whom the Prince Caniano recounted howe Tarisius had béene slaine by Gamezio but that Florendos stepped betwéene his death and him but quoth hee the Moore excused Tarisius for in my presence he gaue his laste farewell to this world so that nowe we may saie the victorie is ours albeit before it hunge in hard suspence While Caniano continued these and such like spéeches Griana cast manie a swéete looke on the Prince Florendos and hee aunswered his obiect with the selfe same messengers of hys hart thus contented they their seuerall passions with such modest and vertuous regarde as none present could suspect their secrete meaning The Empresse and her Daughter courteouslie taking their leaue Florendos and his Chirurgions we leaue a while togeather they to apply medicines to his woundes and he the remembraunce of his Mistresse to his hart On the morrowe the Emperour with his nobilitie rode foorth of the Cittie to sée the slaughtered bodies among whom they founde Gamezio who was easily known by the richnes of his Armour which Caniano caused to bée taken from the deade bodie and brought to Florendos as the deserte of his trauaile when the Emperour himselfe the more to honour him made present thereof to Florendos at his returne with these spéeches My noble Cozin by your valour and Knightlie prowesse haue I had the vpper hand of nune enemies may I but liue to requite thy good desarts I shall account my selfe happie and fortunate notwithstanding account of me as thy Kinsman and continual fréende and bee there ought in my power shall like thée to demaunde on the faith of a King I vowe to giue it thee Florendos most humblie thanked the Emperor as well for the great honour he did him as also for his large bountifull promise wheron he builded so assuredlie as he almost accounted faire Griana for his owne who with the Empresse her Mother came dailie to visite him by which meanes theyr mutuall loue encreased more and more and Florendos recouered his health in the shorter time when he solicited the Emperour with this sute following CHAP. IIII Howe Florendos intreated the Emperour to giue him in mariage his Daughter Griana and what answere the Emperour made him AFter yâ— Florendos was throughlie healed of the woundes which hee had receiued in fight against the Moores finding the Emperour one daie at leysure alone in his Chamber hee began to salute him as after followeth My dread and soueraigne Lorde so princely and gracious haue your fauours béene towards me since first I entred your royall Courte as the King my Father and I shall neuer aunswere such excéeding courtesie And to the ende this kindnes may rather increase then any waie diminish I beséeche your highnesse not to denie me one request which among the infinite number of your princelie graces towardes me I shall account it to excéede all other In bréefe it is the Princesse Griana your Daughter whose loue and honourable fame made me forsake the Realme of Macedon onelie to desire her in marriage if either anie desert in me or your owne princelie good conceite might repute me woorthie so high a fauour And for I woulde not your highnes should anie waie misconceiue of mee as that the motion proceedeth from a youthfull vnâ—aduised heade or that I haue enterprised it without the good liking of the King my Father I humblie desire your Maiestie to reste satis-fied bothe in these and all other opinions in that my Fathers consent brought mee with no little spéede hether and the hope of yours during my aboade héere hath taughte me to place my loue with discretion and continue it wyth honourable vnspotted loyaltie With this
Mother nor any of my kindred notwithstanding mine owne hart makes mee iudge no lesse of my selfe and more gladlie would I die then doo anie thing that were not vertuous and well woorthie the name of a Gentleman And trust me said Florendos I am of the same opinion this night therefore you must obserue the religious watch as is accustomed and to morrowe will I giue you your order and put the spurre on your héele my selfe Palmerin on his knée humblie kissed the Princes hand and continuing in talke togeather Florendos tooke a great delight in beholding him so that hee demaunded his name and Countrey My Lord quoth he they which found me amongst the Palme Trées on y◠Mountaine of Oliues not farre from Constantinople haue giuen me the name of Palmerin By mine honour said Florendos I ought wel to know the Cittie whereof you speake as the place wherein my déerest affections tooke their first life and not long since are bequeathed to death awaiting nowe but the howre to be discharged of the burden Thus hauing in his companie his vnknowne Sonne begotten by him on the Princesse Griana knew little that his loue had sorted to such effect neuerthelesse nature prouoked him to like so well of Palmerin as none in y◠Courte contented him more then he And longer woulde they haue continued their talke but that faire Arismena interrupted them asking Palmerin if he woulde discharge her of the request he demaunded That doo I Madame quoth hee and in requitall thereof dedicate the whole circuit of my life to your gracious seruice and to begin my deuoire on your be halfe so soone as I haue receiued my Knighthoode I wyll take my iourney towards the Serpent in hope to bring the water that must recouer the King your Fathers health Alas good Sir said she God forbidde that you should fall in such daunger by my meanes I know well aunswered Palmerin that I can die but once and if it be nowe then am I dispatched and if I escape I shall doo that whereof many other haue failed and this is my resolution faire Madame Beléeue me said Florendos me thinkes you are as yet too yong to finish an action wherein consists so great daunger I praie you therfore referre it vnto such as haue had more experience in Armes then as yet you haue My Lorde saide Palmerin in other matters I shall obey when you cōmand but this I must desire you not to disswade me from Well then quoth Florendos séeing you will néedes haue it so I am content you shall in the meane while kéepe mee companie as for Sworde and Armour trouble not you selfe to prouide ame because my selfe will furnish you sufficientlie Thus all daie Florendos accompanied Palmerin demaunding of him what things he had séene in Constantinople and falling from one discourse to another he asked him what Esquire he had to attēd on him Thē he shewed his Dwarffe called Vrbanillo such a deformed and euill fauoured felow as euerie one that saw him laughed hartilie whereuppon Palmerin said to Florendos By my faith my Lorde as vnséemelie as he is I thinke so well of him as I should be displeased if he were anie waie iniuried Assure your selfe said Florendos that he will stand you in great stedde when you haue no néede of him and looke y◠you leaue nothing behind you that you néede to fight against the Serpent and trust it in his discretion to bring after you When Vrbanillo perceiued euerie one test so with him he was halfe angrie and in some choller thus said to the Prince I can no waie my Lord better my shape or proportion but if I liue this little deformed bodie of mine shall giue you to vnderstande that I beare so good a minde as where my Maister leaues his life I meane to finish mine and though in meane while I can doo him no other seruice he shal be assured of my trueth and loyaltie But not offended Owarffe my good freende saide Florendos for I thinke well of thée and of thy behauiour And so because the Tables were couered for Supper they brake of talke Palmerin preparing himself to his watchfull deuoire in the Chappell CHAP. XV. Howe Florendos gaue to Palmerin the Armour and Sword of Gamezio whom hee slewe before Constantinople and afterwarde Knighted him and howe a Damosell came to the Court who presented him with a Helmet and a rich Sheelde THe time béeing come that Palmerin should performe his deuonte watch in the Chappel before hee receiued his Knighthoode according to the auncient custome Florendos gaue commaundement that the Armour of Gamezio should bee brought him which the Emperour had giuen him after his conquest of the Soldan of Babilons army on the Sea as you haue heard before and these he shewed to Palmerin saying My fréend this Armour sometimes belonged to the best Knight of his time whom neuerthelesse I conquered béeing then more pleasant ioyfull and at better content then I shal be while I haue a daie to liue And because I haue some speciall opinion of your prowesse and that these ornaments of defence you will better imploy then anie other on whom I shal bestowe them I praie you henceforth to weare them for my sake My Lorde saide Palmerin my desire is that my seruice towardes your honour maie be witnessed in my good imploying of this gentle gift Then Frenato and diuers other Knights did helpe to arme him and afterward accompanied him to the Chappell where all that night hee spent in sollemne orisons that God would endue him with strength to vanquish the Serpent that so the King might againe receiue his health At the breake of daie as Florendos went to the Chappell to giue him his order there entred among them on the suddaine a comelie Damosell bearing a Helmet a Shéeld of Azier the goodliest and most beautifull that euer was séene vpon the Shéelde béeing portraied a Ladies arme hauing her hande fast closed togeather the Damosell comming before the Prince Florendos began thus I pray you my Lord to pause a while till I haue conferred a little with Palmerin Florendos was greatlie amazed at this accident in that he had neuer séene the Damosell before notwithstanding he returned this answere Faire Damosell my Fréende good leaue haue you to saie what you please Then comming to Palmerin and falling on her knées before him she saide Sir Palmerin a Knight that hath authoritie to commaund me and whom as yet you doo not knowe hath sent you by me this Helment and Shéelde wherein you shall find the verie secretes of your hart And if you desire to know whence this honour procéedeth it commeth from him who hath prooued the effect héereof and that knowes more of you néerest affairest then you doo your selfe albeit as yet he hath neuer séene you Damosell saide Palmerin where maie I finde the learned man that hath thus honored mee whō I may remunerate with my chéefest endeuours heerafter You
presented his Cozins the one named Edron proude and arrogant and the other Edward of selfe same qualitie These two tooke their oathes with the Countie that the Princes accused conspired the Kinges death in such sort as hath béene before declared and olde Adrian Dyardo and fayre Cardonya sware the contrary But it is true and I wil not denie it said the Prince Dyardo that I haue and doo loue Ladie Cardonya as much or rather more then mine owne selfe yet neuer did I cary any other intent but to request her in holie wedlocke so pleased the King and Quéene to like so well thereof as we coulde But that euer I intended treason or villainie it is most false and Countie thou liest in thy throate and thy copartners that haue sworne with thee It is sufficient said Palmerin but my Lord ê™ he to the King if wee be conquerers the accused shall bee deliuered and the accusers hanged What saie you Countie quoth the King Good reason Sir the like doo we request if we be victors Will you saide Palmerin that eache shall helpe his fellow as he findes it conuenient What els said the Countie that is expedient While this talke endured Edron regarded so well Palmerin that hee espied the Sworde which the Damosell carried in the Casket and brought to that Courte as she did to others which shewing the Countie he saide out aloude Where did the deuils finde this Knight to giue him this Sworde Belike they gaue him strength to drawe it out els he might haue failed as manie other did the Damosell was vnwise to bestowe it in such bad sorte At which wordes Palmerin beeing angry returned Edron this rounde auâ—swere I see Knight there is in thee more brauery and foolishe glorie then manlie action thou blamest mee before thou knowest me but ere you and I part I le finde better reason to bestowe on you and beate better gouernment into your pate with this sword that likes you not This caused euery one wishlie to beholde Palmerin the King remembring that he had séene the Sworde which none in his Court coulde deserue to conquere whereuppon he estéemed so well of Palmerin as he commaunded Edron to silence and all to goe arme themselues because hee intended that day to see the Combat fought CHAP. XXV Howe Palmerin Adrian Ptolome entered the Combat against the Countie of Ormeque and his Cozins whom they honorably vanquished AFter the King had commaunded the Knights to goe arme themselues he gaue charge to foure of his auncientest Knights to see the fielde prouided and there to place the Iudges according to the wonted custome in Bohemia the Knights béeing careful of the Kinges commaunde had soone prepared all things in readines wherefore the King his Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen went to sée the issue of this valiant enterprise Then was the Prince Dyardo and faire Cardonya brought into the fielde before whom was made a very great fire wherein they should be burned if the Countie conquered Soone after came the sixe Combatants who entered at two places appointed one against the other the Challengers beeing conducted by two of the Iudges to their place and the Defendants by the other two where they were appointed so the Iudges beeing placed the Marshal summoned the fielde and the Heraldes bid the Champions doo their deuoâ—re Palmerin had good regard to Edron whose words sticking on his stomacke called now for reuenge wherefore couching his Launce he encountered him with such a full carrire as his Launce passed through his bodie and Edron tombled dead to the ground In the meane while the Countie and Prince Adrian had vnhorssed eache other Adrian so sore wounded as he could hardlie helpe himselfe as for Ptolome and Edward they had astonied each other with falles from their Horsses but they recouered themselues quicklie and with sharpe strokes beganne to charge eache other valiantly Greatlie ashamed was the Countie to bee vnhorssed and therfore to recouer his honour he came with great furie towardes his enemie which Palmerin perceiuing stept betwéene them saying To me Countie to mee who wil bid more for thy heade then anie in the field With which wordes he reached him such a sure stroke on the head as made the fire flie foorth of his eyes notwithstanding as a man of good courage he stept aside thrusting his sword into Palmerins Horse throate enforced him quickly to take him to his féete but all the worse for him as it fell out afterwarde for Palmerin hauing beaten him out of breath he flong away his weapon and caught him about the middle where they tugged so long togeather that Palmerin getting him downe and his knées on his belly with his sword soone tooke his heade from his shoulders All this while Ptolome had good play with his enemie and after manie daungerous woundes receiued on either side at length hee had the better of the daie by killing his aduersarie Then he and Palmerin went to the Iudges who giuing theÌ„ sentence of honourable victory they tooke of their Helmets came to sée in what estate the Prince Adrian was Euill enough quoth he my noble good Fréends but the lesse account doo I make of my life in that mine eyes haue séene due vengeaunce on mine enemies Then was he nobly borne forth of the fielde the King commaunding to lodge him in his owne Pallace and the Chirurgions searching his wounds founde them mortall which newes did gréeue the whole Court ingenerall the good olde Prince yet béeing of some courage was ioyfull to die in so good sorte hauing defended his owne honour and his Sonnes whâ—me he sent for and in the presence of all the standers by saâ—d My Son séeing it hath pleased God thus to sende for me good reason is it that his will bee fulfilled but ere I depart this I commaunde thée that next God thou truely serue and loue my Lorde the King bearing towards him a hart so faithfull as I haue doone to the hower of my death and conceiue no essence at what hath passed against thée and me hauing come to passe as I iudge more by euill counsel then any setled perswasion against vs. For the rest to thy vttermost remeÌ„ber the good thou hast this daie receiued by yâ— noble Knight who is called Palmerin then calling Palmerin to him hee saide Sir Palmerin death hath seized so surelie on me as I cannot let you know a number of things that concerne you very néerelie I counsell you therefore to trauaile to yâ— Emperours Court of Allemaigne where you shal heare tidings of that you séeke so earnestlie with which wordes hee deliuered vppe his ghost And because it seemeth good â—re I passe any further to let you knowe how the Prince Adrian came by the knowledge of Palmerin thus it is I haue heretofore reported that he was a notable Cabalist or Magitian by meanes whereof fewe secrets were concealed from him so casting the Callender of most honourable byrthes he haâ—pened on Palmerin and
next morning the Princesse sent Palmerin an arming coate of gréene Ueluet imbroidered all ouer with great Orientall Pearles and verie thicke besett with Starres of Golde and in the midst of each Starre a costlie Emeralde and hee had caused her picture to bee most curiously drawne in Golde her face and hands formed wonderfull neere the life and all her linaments verie singulerlie fashioned and this portrait caused he to bee sette in a fayre Litter couered with Crimson veluet which hee had prouided onelie for the purpose and so set forward CHAP. XXXIIII How the Prince Lewes came to see the Duchesse of Burgundie and what happened SO soone as the Heraldes Horsemen of Lewes of Fraunce and the Duke of Sauoie had dispatched their charge their Lordes gaue order to prepare al things in readines so soone as might bee but yet the Princes affection to the Duchesse so tormented him as he dailie compassed new meanes to conferre with her that shee might knowe the passions hee endured for her sake At length it came to passe that the King the Duke of Burgundie and diuers other Princes rode foorth on pleasure togeather and returned not againe for two daies space which made him thus begin with the Duchesse I néede not tell you Madame for you knowe it well enough howe continuallie I languish in remedilesse afflictions till nowe this opportunitie puts me in some hope of comfort that you performing a sollemne promise will deliuer me out of this extremitie Wherefore faire Mistresse since time and occasion hath pointed it and Fortune by nature forward and inconstant fauours it let mee intreate you to take the benefit of bothe least héereafter we compasse not the like againe My Lorde quoth the Duchesse you must thinke I am more yours then mine owne and make that reckoning of you as no Ladie can the like howe is it possible then for mee louing as I doo to flie from that which loue commaunds me to fulfill Let it suffise you then that the regarde of mine honour defended I am readie to doo ought may agrée with your liking What happened afterwarde I leaue to your oppinions but by the halfe the whole may be discerned notwithstanding vertuous Ladies haue power to resist such motions though time occasion and such amorous sollicitings did offer it them but such may be accounted more diuine then humaine and to them may worthilie be erected a Trophe in disgrace of the temptresse Venus But this little discourse not much dissenting from yâ— matter is written in reproche of such yong daintie wantons that attende on their ouer fonde and vnchast desires and may likewise be a warning to vndiscrâ—et olde men that they choose theyr Panteâ—â—e fit for their foote But nowe is come the first of Maie the daie to beginne the enterprises of the Princes of Fraunce Sauoie Lewes to entertaine the Duchesse loue begun with such aduauntage had greater desire nowe to execute his intent then before Wherefore this daie was his Tâ—nt erected at the Citty Gates béeing beautifull and verie sumptuous and at the enteraunce thereof was placed a goodlie monument of black Marble curiouslie sette foorth w e collombes of white Marble verie thicke imbossed with golde and pearle At the side of his pauillion was placed another monumeÌ„t of gréene Iasper adorned with manie Bases Pillers and antique imagerie of Golde whereon he intended the strange Knights that came should place the figures of their Ladies On the other side was a séemelie place appointed for the Iudges of the fielde who were the Dukes of Orleaunce Burgundie Princes greatlie estéemed for their nobilitie and in theyr time had béene hardie and aduenturous Knights Manie other Tents and Pauillions were that daie there set vppe as well for strange Knights that came as Noble men and Gentlemen of the Realme And nowe comes the Prince brauelie mounted to the fielde accompanied with manie yong Princes Knights and Gentlemen the Heralds and King of Armes ryding before the Drummes Phifes TroÌ„pets and Clarions sounding so gallantlie as made the ayre deliuer a most swéete Eccho Before him in a verye sumptuous Coche was carried the curious counterfeite of the Duchesse so superficiallie sette foorth with such perfection of arte as though it had béene the liuely Duchesse herselfe After followed Prince Lewes in gorgious gilt Armour all ouergrauen with most artificiall flowers and mounted on a Courser of Spaine estéemed one of the best runners in Europe which made waie with braue and loftie voltages as did not a little delight yâ— beholders one of the chéefe Princes of the Court bearing his Helmet and another hys Launce What néede I make further reporte of the Princes tryumphe he comming to the fielde in such equipage as well beséemed the house from whence he discended and as beséemed a louelie Knight in presence of his Ladie who as her fauour had sent him that morning a costlie Girdle garnished with Rubies Diamondes great Emeraldes other vnualuable stones with a Sworde so good as euer Knight wore and therewith rode he gyrded to the Fielde Before he went the King his Father thus spake to him My Son this daie and all the other following Fortune speede thee so well as thou maist winne the honour my hart doth wysh thee My Lorde aunswered the Prince I hope before the sennight be finished to accomplish your desire effectuallie so fauour me she that may commaunde me So leauing the King he came to the place appointed for the Combatte the Iudges placing themselues where they shoulde and the Prince himselfe in his Tent where hauing his Mistresse picture set on the appointed place he commaunded the Trompets to sound and a Heralde to proclaime that no Knight bearing Armes shoulde bee so hardie as to enteâ— hys Tent except he first graunted his Ladie to bee the fayrest creature in the worlde and if any were so stubborne not to confesse it by knightly prowesse he would force him doo it The Heralde hauing doone his charge and the Iudges caused the conditions to bee openlie reade the people deuided themselues in conuenient places and the Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen betooke them to their Tents Scaffoldes The first that entered the field against the Prince was the Countie Durcell of Arragon his foure Squires conducting before him in a great gorgious Litter the stature of his Mistresse Daughter to the King of Arragon the fairest Ladie in all Spayne and for whose beautie hee tooke in hande this quarrell After him came foure other Squires the formost leading his Courser the seconde bearing his Helmette the thirde his Shéeld and the fourth his Gauntlâ—ts Launce and comming to the monument appointed for strange Ladies caused the portrait of his Ladie to bee placed thereon then comming to the Princes Tent said I know not Lord Lewes if ouercome with glorie presumptioÌ„ of your streÌ„gth or ouerwéening your selfe you haue made this large enterprise to Combat with the best approoued Knightes in the whole worlde in iudging no fairer
No permission of breathing was suffered betwéene them but blood and death earnestly desired on either part so that the King the Lordes and the Iudges reputed this for the strangest Combat that euer they sawe nor could they say who was likest to winne the fielde but if the one died the other could not escape so that the King mooued with compassion caused them to be seuered and commaunded them to enter theyr Tents Which motion liked well the Knight of the Sun for long he perswaded himselfe he could not hold out wherfore he mounted on horsebacke so well as he coulde withdrewe himselfe Palmerin béeing wonderfully displeased that he could not obtayne the victory of thys Knight Soone after the King and the Prince Lewes came into his Tent and séeing him very sore wounded woulde not let him staye there but sayd Beléeue me Sir Palmerin you haue great néede of rest and your wouÌ„ds I sée are very dangerous you shall therefore be conueyed to my Pallace where all helps that may be deuised shall be giuen assuring you that greater honour could neuer Knight purchase then you haue doone And though this last Combat were not ended you néede not be displeased the issue thereof importing yâ— death of the one or the other and perhaps of both which I would not haue séene for two of the best prouinces in my Realme And me thinks you should content your selfe hauing receiued before such honour ouer so many Lords and Knights of name come you therfore with me and Lord Trineus beare vs company Great thanks receiued the King of them for this honourable courtesie and Palmerin went with him to the Pallace where the Kinges Chirurgions tooke care of his woundes he béeing lodged in the most stately Chamber in the Courte Nowe the Prince Lewes beganne to loue Palmerin so déerely as he coulde not be an howre foorth of his coÌ„panie desiring his health as his owne welfare wherfore all thinges that he imagined Palmerin tooke pleasure in would he performe with his vttermost endeuours and would suffer none to hold him talk but only of matter that might yéeld pleasure and delight Notwithstanding diuers Knights conferring with him that euening as concerning the Knight of the Sunne Palmerin aunswered them that his mind should neuer be thorowly quieted vntil such time as he fought with him againe The Prince who still endeuoured to kéepe him from sadnes saide I beléeue my Lord that he will not easilie be induced to deale with you again for you brought him into such estate as hee will kéepe himselfe héereafter out of your handes and well I am assured that had you continued but a little longer the victorye had béene yours for the Knight was so weakened that he did nothing but defend your blowes It pleaseth you my Lord to say so quoth Palmerin but had he felt such valour in me or such courage as beséemes a vertuous Combatant hardlie coulde he escape as he hath doone neuerthelesse I hope with the fauour of Fortune to méete him once more and then we will trie who is the strongest Much other talke they had but Palmerin intreated the Prince that all the portraits of the conquered Ladies might bee brought him which were aboue an hundred of diuers beauties most strange fashions and among them all could be founde none seconde to Polinarda but as we haue said already that of Agriola the Princesse of England who by the report of a Gentleman present that had séene her was much more beautifull then her figure presented Such spéeches they continued so long of the Englih Uirgin as Trineus albeit he neuer sawe her became amorous of her and at yâ— instant he so solemnly vowed himselfe hers as thence forwarde he swore neuer to loue any but her so yâ— for her sake he thrust himselfe into manie perrillous fortunes as in the folowing discourse of the History you shall reade more at large From whom let vs returne to the Prince Lewes who seeing so many portraitures of Princesses and Ladies would dailie congratulate Palmerins good fortune and embracing him said So helpe me God my noble companion I woulde neuer desire greater riches in the world theÌ„ to resemble you especially in chiualry which in you is so surpassing al other as you haue ended to your honor what a number haue fayled in Oh howe happy may the Ladie account herselfe that hath such a Knight and were not the condition too cruell towards my selfe I could wish I were a Woman in her place to haue so high rule and commande ouer you At which words all present began to smile yet shewing good countenaunce to Palmerin for the affection they sawe the Prince beare him which is yet to this day a common vsage and practise among Courtiers but Palmerin somewhat ashamed of such superstitious prayses aunswered Trust me my Lorde I account my happines the greater that I haue doone seruice to so high a personage and so good a Knight as you are desiring to méete you in such place héerafter where you may perceiue the good wil I beare you not only for this high entertainement which is more then I can deserue as for the pleasure I haue to honour so good a Prince which if the occasion happen you shall perceiue the experience I haue spoken nothing quoth the Prince but what is more acquainted to others then my selfe and if I would conceale them then will they be most openly knowne because vertue doth so apparantlie shine in them Manie other spéeches passed betwéene them and longer had continued but that manie Lords which came to sée the Ioustes were now vpon departing and therefore woulde take their leaue of the King whereuppon they were constrained to breake off the Prince going to the Chamber of presence where hee gaue thanks to a number that honoured the Courte with theyr presence and so one after another all departed the Duke of Sauoye béeing one of the first ashamed God knowes to be so conquered by Palmerin and not bidding his Lady Lucemania farewell But Lewes did not serue the Duchesse so for her loue continued as resolute as before and shee loued him as wel conquered as had he béene the conquerour whereof she assured him by many amorous méetinges by which meanes the Prince stayed the Duke at the Courte longer then himselfe would haue doone Lewes thus loâ—ing Palmerin as you haue hearde intreated the Duchesse to come and visite him which she accomplished the day folowing when Palmerin spent manie discourses with her rather of loue then entring into religion for he perceiued by her countenaunce that she had no will to become a Nunne where we will leaue them togeather to tell you who the Knight of the Sunne was that fought the last Combat with Palmerin CHAP. XL. VVho the Knight of the Sunne was and of his strange aduentures THe King of Hungaria Father to the Prince Tarisius that maried the faire Griana Mother to Palmerin had in his latter yéeres a Sonne named Netrides
himselfe Ah loue hast thou wrought so happily for mée as my Ladie knowes my secrete afflictions shall I be so fortunate as she will 〈◊〉 remorse on my passions swéete hope perswades mee so for the often change of her diuince countenaunce tels me there is some mercie in working The King and Quéene departing into their Pauilion Trineus and Palmerin did the like into theirs the Prince taking Vrbanillo aside demaunded if he had any good newes for him If you will graunt mée one thing said the Dwarffe I will tell you such tydings as cannot but content you Demaunde what thou wilt quoth Trineus and by the faith of a Prince thou shalt not bee denied Then beganne the whole discourse hee had with the Princesse and what deuotion shée had for the recouerie of his health Iudge you in what rare humour the Prince now felt himselfe without question he imagined himselfe in a more beautifull paradise then euer was inuented by Epicurus himselfe and embracing the Dwarfe he said Ah my good fréend what wilt thou yâ— I giue thée tell mée what thou demaundest thou hast my whole life so much at thy command as thou maist liberally share out thine owne recompence but séeing the beginning is so good no doubt much better remaineth behind Why my Lord ê™ the Dwarfe you know I was borne to doo you seruice commaund what you please and I will accomplish it Then shalt thou said the Prince returne to my Mistresse againe and kissing her hande present her from me this Emerald desiring her to weare it for my sake with remembrance to pittie his painfull miseries whose life and death is onely in her hand Vâ—banillo taking the ring Trineus and Palmerin went to passe the time with the King and the Princesse at their entraunce regarding Trineus perceiued by his countenance that he vnderstoode her message for his blood was now risen chéerely in his face which before was suncke downe with too much langushing so that she imagined her selfe more happie in béeing so be loued then to loue and knew not well how to dissemble her ioy Ah poore Trineus the paine thou endurest attending the wished houre to speake with her far surmouneth the torments of Leander awaighting when Phoebus would go bathe himself with Thetis and the Marine Goddesses that he might afterward swim to his affianced Heroe and had not shée giuen thée a better signe by her eye to aduenture I would haue reckoned thée more infortunate then the beâ—râ—thed spouse to the prisoner of Abydos Now had Trineus bashfully taken the Princesse by the hand when vnhappily one came to aduertise the king that the hart he had â—hased the day before was now againe gotten within yâ— toylâ—â— that if it pleased him to hunt in the morning hee should no doubt kill him with little labor These newes were so welcome to the King that because he would the next morning more earlie go to his pastâ—ne hée withdrewe himselfe for that night the Quéene and Agriola likewise departing to their Pauillion so that Trineus encounter was thus preuented and he with Palmerin returned to their Tâ—nt trusting still on the Dwarfes diligence that he should perfect all things to his hearts desire to perswade him the more Palmerin thus began I haue this hope my Lord séeing alreadie so manie good signes that you cannot any way â—ée deceiued in your loue and this I would aduise you Fortune béeing so fauourable assisting you to her very vttermost you should nâ—t hence-foorth shewe your selfe so feminine but in hardie manner reueale to the Princesse when you shall find her at conuenient leysure both howe you loue her and what fauourable grace you expect at her hands I must confesse that Letters and messages are able to doo much but the person béeing present and knowing how to request and how to be answered is more auailable a thousand times and in bréefe no Messenger can bée like himselfe I speake not this as though my Dwarfe were not faithfull but to this ende that shée should receiue no occasion of displeasure In how manie dangers haue Gentlemen béene only by the bad construction of their seruants message the readiest wit that it cannot number them therefore if you find oportunitie attend no other suter but your selfe This councell wel liked the Prince Trineus wherfore he determined to speak to her himselfe so soone as time and leysure woulde permit him and in this resolution they went to take theyr rest but the remembrance of Polinarda would not suffer Palmerin to sléepe comparing his ioy in her presence with his tormeÌ„ting passions nowe in her absence breathed foorth maâ—iâ— sighes â—hed manie teares till at length hee began to slumber wherin he thought he discerned this sight Béeing in coÌ„panie with the King he sawe come foorth of a darke caue a dreadful Lyon who with open throat set vpon him and assayled him in such maner as with his nailes téeth he rent his Armor and put him in verie great daunger of his life so that he stroue in such sort in his sleepe as Trineus béeing in bed with him awaked him deemaunding why he strugled so earnestly Palmerin thus awaked desired God to withstand all his euils and afterward recounted to Trineus the whole effect of his dreame and said It will not bée amisse my Lord that to morrow we ride armed in the Kings companie for such illusions albeit they commonly fall out vntrue yet can presage no good to follow I like your counsell well aunswered Trineus and that Ptolome go armed as well as we In the morning they arose and armed themselues all saue their Helmets and Launces which their Squires caried and in this sort came to bid the King good-morrow who meruailed much to sée them so prepared and doubting they had receiued some occasion of offence demanded what mooued them so to be armed You know my Lord quoth Palmerin that a Knight ought euermore to be ready for all aduentures and not knowing what inconuenience or danger may happen before such time we shall returne againe we haue armed our selues to preuent the worst The King not discontented with this answer mounted on horsebacke comming to the chase had excellent game at Déere Hart Bore and wilde Buffell wherein hée tooke such excéeding pleasure as he determined to stay there fiue or sixe daies longer But in the place where he supposed himselfe safe and frée from all hazard suddainly hée was solicited with the chaunges of fortune for the Quéen and her daughter Agriola were in meruailous danger as you shall reade in the discourse following Chap. LI. How the Queen of England and Agriola her daughter were in danger to be rauished by the giant Franarco and of the succour they had by Trineus Palmerin and Ptolome THe king returning from the chase with his companie little minding any infortunate euent and conferring with Palmerin til they drew néere vnto their Tents at length they heard a great tumult and beheld a Squire making
friendly commers in all which time there wanted no sports delights as such times rnd occasions do necessarily require Nowe came all the Princes Lords and renowned Knights in England to the Court except the Duke of Gaule who excused himselfe by the warre in his owne prouince which yet was not the chéefest cause of his absence but the shame hée reputed to himselfe for his foyle in Fraunce when hée entred the Combatte for the beautie of the fayre princesse Agriola These knights thus worthily intreated they were at no time denied entrance into the King and Quéenes Chambers by which meanes Trineus might when himselfe pleased conferre with the Princesse till this instant among all other the prince thus began to his Ladie and Mistresse You may easily presume swéete madam what secret Conbattes I continually endure for your loue and no helpe is expected but the onely hope of your fauour which as you haue promised to my especiall friend Sir Palmerin I doubt not but you will perseuer in that gracious opinion and what promise hee hath made of my seruice to you thinke not but I obserue with religious care deuotion though not sufficient to equal your deserts yet because ingratitude shal not insult against me So many thanks quoth the Princesse I returne you my Lord as good opinions can bee imagined betwéene vs both and accounting you for my friende which is a higher degrée I héere discharge you of my seruice and mine honour guarded from blame I shall iudge my selfe happie to yéelde you any content which I will fulfill notwithstanding any daunger towardes mee But I praye you tell mée my Lord what is the intent of your loue in this action Madame quoth the Prince Syr Palmerin who is nowe come to beare vs companie shall crediblie enforme you so please you to rest contented therewith Palmerin thus entred and imagined theyr talke was not about affayres of Merchandise wherefore hée sayde to the Princesse God spéede you Madame pardon mée I should call you Ladie and Wife to the Prince of Allemaigne for I doubt not but you haue chosen him your Husband in heart Agriola blushing and smyling â—eereat made no aunswere Wherefore Palmerin went forward in this manner In faith Madame if you haue doone so I would counsell you to accomplish it presenâ—lie and prouide to go with vs to Allemaigne where the Emperour will entertaine you with such gracious fauour as you will not loose if you beare the minde of a Princesse beside you shall be the meane of euerlasting peace betwéene the King your Father and his Maiestie To which wordes Agriola thus discréetly answered I promise you my Lord there is no Prince thys daye lyâ—ing whome I would more gladlie accept for my Husband then the Prince Trineus notwithstanding for mée to departe without the knowledge of the King or Quéene my Parents is an acte in mine opinion farre dissenting from duetie and honest reporte Therefore my Lord louing myne honour as you say you doo I pray you let our behauiour be with better wisdome least we both fall into dangers not râ—couerable Palmerin perceyuing Agriola contrary to the most necessary occasion vsed such arguments and played so well the Oratour that the poore Princesse had no power to resist considering the great loue shee bare the Princâ— Trineus which made her yeelde more easily to his perswasions so that shée agréed to accomplish their determination and depart with them towards the Realme of Allemaigne Tâ—ineus ioyes nowe excéeded measure and Palmerin for his sake was no lesse contented in respect hee should the sooner sée his mistresse Polinarda whose very rememberaunce gaue him life as the ayre doth the Camelion But fortune beholding each thing prosper as liked their fancies woulde nowe néedes beginne to play her Pagant crossing them with the vnhappiest stratageme that euer could happen to so noble Princes as in the sequell shall bée laxgely discoursed They little expecting such a chaunce are earnestly following their serious enterprise which was secretly to carrie Agriola with them into Allemaigne for which purpose they prouided shippes and skilfull Pilots to conduct them conueying all their necessaries abroade at what time this aduenture following happened in the Court of England Chap. LIII Howe in the time of this pleasant and great assembly there came a Damosell to London who desired the king to do her iustice against a knight of his owne Court DUring the time that this royall company continued at London minding nothing but pleasures pastimes and courtly recreations there came a â—amosell so faire as might be accompanied with two auncient knights and a lustie Champion brauely armed with sixe Squires attending on him The Damosell entring the Pallace came before the King and on her knee beganâ—e in this manner Dreade Lorde hauing long time hearde your good iustice towardes your Subiects without any fauour or exception of persons I am the more bolde albeit he that hath iniuried mee is reputed for a Man of good quallity and holdeth place of authority in your Court humbly to craue of your highnesse one request against the most false and disloyall Knight that euer was whom when I but remember more weightie and gréeuous oppressions fall vpon my soule then this wretched body of mine is able to endure Damosell saide the King I shall right gladly reléeue your heauines if it ly in my power to doo it therefore tell mée the cause of your offence and what hée is that hath so wronged you Knowe my good Lorde quoth shée that I loued a Knight so déerelye as contrary to the lyking of my Parents and Fréendes and two much forgetfull of mine owne selfe I tooke him to my Husband thinking he loued mée so faithfully as his shewes and behauiour gaue demonstration But the Traytour had no other meaning then to beguile and falsely deceyue mee for after I hadde made him Lorde of mee mine and brought him to a Castle of mine so strong and fayre as anye in your highnesse dominions the Traytour expulsed mée thence violently pretending that wée were so néere allyed as he might no longer account mee for his Wife Since which time notwithstanding all the humble intreaties I haue made hée will neither restore mée my goods and possessions againe nor yet accepte mee as his espoused Wife Therefore I beséeche you my Lord as becomes a good vertuous Prince for the honour of nobilitie and regarde of womanhoode you will take pittie on a poore distressed Ladye and that in such a rightfull demaunde you woulde doo mée iustice which I had sooner demaunded but coulde not by the occasions of your troublesome warres Ladye sayde the King as yet you haue not named the man that hath offered you this surpassing iniury My Lord quoth shée this is the man in your presence name Miseres a vile Traytour and publique adulterer And if he dare affirme that I haue spoken vntruth I haue héere brought a Knight with mée who by Combatte shall make him confesse his
crauing 〈…〉 〈…〉 well be coniectured prostrated himselfe at Palmerins féete and with vnspeakable ioy thus said Most noble and fortunate Knight how much am I bound and indebted to thée right happie was the howre of thy byrth but much more happie my iourney to see thée let my word suffise I so far deliuer my selfe yours as my selfe my Subiects my possessions or whatsoeuer else is mine I fréely offer to your disposition Palmerin who euer bare the most noble minde of a Knight was displeased that so great a Prince shoulde honour him with such reuerence wherefore with great humilitie hée tooke him vppe in his armes causing him to sit downe where before hée did but the Soldane and all his Lords greatly amazed not so much at his courtesie as his 〈…〉 Chap. VIII How the â—ayre Princesse Ardemia enduring extreame passions and torments in loue made offer of her affections to Palmerin which he refused wherewith the Princesse through extreame conceit of greefe and despight suddainly died EAâ—â—â—ye may be coÌ„iectured the great pleasure of the two Ladies Alchidiana and Ardemia beholding the man 〈◊〉 they loued as their liues to haue the honour of the enchaunted 〈◊〉 for eacâ— of them seuerally perswaded her selfe that he had thus aduentured in hoâ—or of heâ— loue And as they returned from the Hall to their chambers Alchidiana came and tooke Palmerin by the hand and walking on with him thus spake Ah gentle knight how are you to bee regarded aboue all other I knowe not why the 〈◊〉 should depriue you of speeche except that in all things this onâ—lie excepted you should be perfectly resembled to theÌ„ Oh how happie is shee that might aduenture to make you her Seruant doubtlesse if in her appeare so singuler perfections as apparantly shew themselues in you well might it be reputed a rare coniunction when the celeâ—tiall 〈◊〉 gouerning 〈…〉 affections hath vnited you in â—o amiable alliaunce The Gentlemen that attended on the Princesse greatâ—â—â— murmured at this priuate familiaritie but shée 〈…〉 in her affections as virginall 〈…〉 now forgotten and earelesse of regarde openly shewed her desires Thus were these two Ladies now much more amorous of the dumbe Knight then before so that they were not well but eyther in his companyâ— or thinking on him Alchidiana remaining iealous of her Cozin seemed not to loue her as she was woont but deuised all the meanes shée could that she might be sent to her Fathers Court againe yet she that little made account thereof sought opportunitie to bewraye her loue to Palmerin and by hap séeing Alchidiana in the Gallerie conferring with two of her Ladies shée entred alone into her Cozins Chamber where sitting downe on the bedde shée compassed many imaginations howe she might discouer to the dumbe Knight the secrete fire that was kindled in her breâ—â— So long shée staied there till Palmerin came because about that time hée was woont to visite the Prinâ—esse Alchidiana Ardemia so glad héereof as could be possible suddainlie started vppe and saluting him with more then common reuerâ—nce taking him by the hand and causing him to fit downe by her vpon the bedde Then enflamed with wonderfull passions surpassing Pasiphaes desire to the brutish Bull when shée mette him in the wood made by Dedalus shée beheld him with such a piercing countunaunce as the least glimse whereof was able to confounde the reason of the most constant person as the aspect of the Sunne in the 〈◊〉 of Leo dooth the eyes of the beholders and of force to warme the coldest complexion although it were an 〈◊〉 himselfe in her presence Then deliuering thrée or foure bitter sighes fetcht from the verye bottome of her heart as cruell as y◠〈…〉 she tooke a rich Diamond from her finger and put it on Palmerins with these words Swéete Fréends and onely comforte of my soule let me intreate you to weare this as an argument of my loue thereby to knowe howe well you estéeme of mée assuring you that I am so deuoted yours as if you vouchsafe to 〈◊〉 me the fauour and honour by iournying to the Court of my Father with mee I neuer will haue any Husband but you and there shall such account be made of you as wel beséemes a Knight so noble and vertuous Ah diuine defence of my life and more woorthie to bee loued then Loue himselfe misdéeme not of these spéeches so aduenturouslye vttered by a yong Ladie and vnmaried for the loue I beare you is such as I am constrained forgetting the decent regard of a bashfull Uirgin who naturallie is shamefasâ—e to estéeme of you honestlye and as is conuenable to 〈◊〉 estate Then séeing the Gods the place the occasion and the time permits me to bewraye that which I dare not otherwise manifest haue then faire Knight some pittie on mee and let mée enioy assuraunce of grace for which I 〈◊〉 in ceaselesse torments With which wordes shée embraced him and sealed so many swéete kisses on his hand as apparantly deciphered her earnest affection Palmerin amazed at this strange accident because shée was a Pagan and contrary to him in faith that making 〈◊〉 aunswere but following the example of chaste Ioseph who refused Zephira Wife to Putiphar great prouâ—st to the King of Aegipt started from her suddainlie and mooued with displeasure departed the Chamber thinking in himselfe that such occasions more ouer-rule the hearts of men then all other matters that might bée deuised and 〈◊〉 the practises of â—ellish Pâ—uto Then calling to his Ladie for assistance said to himselfe Ah swéete Mistresse succour now your seruant for I rather desire a thousand deathes then to violate the chaste honor of my loue or to giue that fauour to this Lady which is onelye yours Alchidiana by chanceâ— séeing Palmerin when he entred her Chamber and 〈◊〉 him now to depart againe imagined presentlie the 〈◊〉 of the cause wherefore entring the guarderobe which was adioyning to her Chamber shée closely stood and 〈◊〉 all that had passed and at his comming foorth staied him in this maner Notwithout great cause good Knight 〈◊〉 thou take the fatall Crowne from the head of Maurice for in thée is more â—â—rmnesse and continencie then is in the disloyall Ardemia vnchaste desires and villainie but in vnfitte nine did shée rip open her vnmaidenlike affections for I will publish her shame to euery one and cause her to be lesse estéemed then a knowne offender Palmerin fearing that in her choller she would doo no lesse then she said fell on his knée before her intreating her by signes to forbeare otherwise it would be his death She seeing him so faire and gracious and thus to humble himselfe at her feete quallified her displeasure promising to kéepe it in secret So Palmerin withdrewe himselfe to his Chamber leauing the two Ladies nowe togither but Ardemia agréeued at the dumbe Knights refusall woulde not reueale her wrong to Alchidiana who so soone as Palmerin was out of hearing thus began Why shamelesse Ardemia thinkest thou
that he 〈◊〉 spâ—ken 〈◊〉 of her in the presente of the 〈…〉 with maruailous anger and disdaine returned him this aunswere Amarano the most rash and 〈◊〉 Knight that euer I sawe I wonder howe thy folly could make thée so audacious to come and accuse me of treason against all truth before my Father and his 〈◊〉 But thy spéeches well noted and considerâ—â— shew nothing but carelesse youth 〈◊〉 and too vaâ—nglorious conceit chiefly in this that thou armed 〈◊〉 and accompanied with so many well appoynted Knights commest in this sort to molest a poore maiden who neuer to thée or thine committed any offence but all seruiceable honour especially to her on whose behalfe than offerest the combat As for the valour thou reputest in thy selfe that 〈◊〉 which this slaunder doth encourage thée withall 〈◊〉 thy hartinesse and resolution of heart thou oughtest rather oppose against a Knight able to aunswere thée then a siely Uirgin who hath no weapon but her â—onour wherewith to defende her selfe I confesse I am a Ladie but not traiterous or false as thou auouchest yet of so noble courage as were I of thy sexe thou neuer shouldest depart this Hall before I had that conspyring head from thy shoulders to witnesse thy falshoode and maleuolent spirit Notwithstanding as I am so please my Lorde and Father with a Kitchin cudgell I shall let thée know that thou dotest in thy spéeches and against thine owne conscience chargest me with the murder of my Cozin Examine thy thoughts what likely reason might induce mée to such an offence If shée was fayre thanks to our Gods mine owne talent is so good as I néede not enuie her beautie If shée made account of her rich dowrie I béeing sole heyre to the Signories of the Soldane might iudge my selfe farre beyond her being desired in mariage by many Kings and Princes whereof I am well assured shée neuer had the like I knowe not then what cause should anie way induce me to request her death But what néede I make such prâ—â—estations to thée séeing that by some one of my Fathers 〈◊〉 thy pride will bee abated and I reuenged of the iniurie thou hast doone me Amarano not aunswering her a 〈◊〉 spake to the Soldane in this sort It is not decent my Lord that a Prince or Knight of qualitie should stay on the wordes of a Woman so little considerate who more by anger then vertue thinkes to reprooue and annihilate a 〈◊〉 accusation Wherefore according to the agréement 〈◊〉 determined cal for the knight that dare vndertake the quarrell of your daughter to whom I will manifest in plaine Combat that what I haue said is trueth and if hée bée vanquished your Daughter Alchidiana and he shall bée burned togither as the greatnesse of the offence well deserueth contrariwise if Fortune denie mée successe I will request no other iustice then what shall please you to appoynt for me Maulicus séeing that well he could not denie the Prince though to his gréefe pronouced the sentence that his Daughter that day shoulde present a Knight to sustaine her cause according to his conditions alleaged This hard prescription made neuer a Knight willing to aduenture the Combatte so much they feared Amarano for the great report they heard of his prowesse but stoode all silent as though themselues were condemned to death Alchidiana séeing the courage fayle of so manie Knights whom shée estéemed for men of great account knewe not to whom shée should haue recourse and therefore ouercome with excéeding sorrowe but that her Ladies assisted her had twise or thrise swouned before her Father Palmerin beholding her and knowing that his refusall was greater cause of Ardemiaes â—eath then the iniurious wordes of Alchidiana pityed her estate and hauing before his eyes the loue she bare him the great honours was done him for her sake and the pustillanimitie oâ— the Soldanes Knights was so mooued 〈◊〉 forgetting all daunger and his dissembled dumbnesse which hitherto hée had so cunningly obserued as though he had béene borne in that Countrey hée thus began in the Arabian tongue 〈…〉 vnwoorthie hencefoorth the name of Knights how can your hearts endure that a proude and presumptuous Prince shall come into your 〈…〉 to accuse your Ladie and Mistresse and not one of you daring to defende her right By the celestiall powers 〈◊〉 may you bee accounted heartlesse men and in suffering this wrong to be depriued of all noble titles and to bee solde in the market as slaues and villaines Thinke you the Prince Amarano is come hither for anie other intent then to make tryall of his great hardinesse Can you be destitute of reason and so easily abused as to thinke 〈…〉 Princesse Alchidiana whom nature hath so worthily 〈◊〉 with beautie and with whom no other may make comparison could be prouoked to murther Ardemia for this onely occasion because she was faire And you Lord Amarano for a matter so slender haue you enterprised to blame a Ladie so vertuous as is the Princesse Alchidiana I accept the Combat on her behalfe auouching that shamefully and without reason you haue accused her behold me readie likewise to maintaine in open fielde that falsely and maliciously thou lyest in thy throate in witnesse whereof there is my gage and I beseech your highnesse affoorde vs presently Iudges that may discerne the issue of our Combat I take thy offer quoth the Prince and before the Sun set will giue thée the payment that belongs to such a frollickâ— companion Who can nowe imagine the ioy of Maulicus and his Daughter séeing him whome they reputed 〈◊〉 by nature thus to recouer his spéech assuredly they were all so amazed that they thought Mahomet had come from the 〈◊〉 to performe this myracle The Soldane thus surprised with vnspeakeable comfort forgetting the maiestie of his person 〈◊〉 Palmerin in his armes saying Ah 〈◊〉 Knight hâ—we may this bée dreame I or dooth but my fancie delude me with your spéech O Mahoâ—et for euer bée thou praysed for this great grace By the highest God I am more ioyfull of this good fortune then 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 the fayrest Island in the Mediterâ—â—â—ean Sea Nowe will I dismay â—o longer 〈…〉 Daughters fortune séeing that you take her quarrel in hand and for her sake wil comâ—at with Amarano with all my heart I graunt you the Fielde and thinke that my Daughter will not denie it But tell mée noble Fréend howe you haue so happily recouered your speech Palmerin abashed that hee had so forgotten himselfe knewe not what excuse to make neuerthelesse â—éeing nowe there was no remedie and that the 〈◊〉 throwne could not bée recalled imagineâ— some likely â—â—militude of his suddaine spéech saying I promise you my Lord that the cerâ—itude of your Daughters iâ—â—ocencie and the great griefe I conceyued séeing your Knightes so cowardly and faint in courage mooued mée into such choâ—ler as the Catarrâ— which of long time hath hindâ—red my spéech dissolued it selfe and â—â—th giuen my tongue libertie
Ladyes eares Neyther can you in my iudgement honour him sufficiently because my Daughter and mée hee hath shéelded from death expulsed our ignominious slaunder and slaine our false accusing enemy to make vs liue in perpetuall fame and memory The most part of them well 〈◊〉 his words and confounded with the remembrance 〈◊〉 theyr shame when they 〈◊〉 not enterprise the Combat for their Lady knew not what to answere but fearing to grow in further offence sought how to change his minde to some other talke Alchidiana béeing all this while in her Chamber prepared her selfe to goe visite 〈◊〉 not knowing how to shape her 〈◊〉 for fresh bewraying of 〈…〉 for the Goddesse Iuno when shée stoode before Syr Paris for sentence of her beautie was not more sumptuously adorned then the Princesse Nowe be 〈◊〉 shée to dispute in her thoughts the honourable graceâ— of Palmerin his nobilitie so farre renowmed his knightly prowesse and magnanimitie whereof herselfe had so good experience as shée resolued neuer to haue any other Husband Then 〈◊〉 she of her Ladies how she might 〈◊〉 her Knight if her head â—yre 〈◊〉 orderly if her 〈…〉 were tressed as they ought and if her garments were braue enough For conclusion the louely Mayden knew not how to dispose of herselfe to gaine his loue shée so earnestly longed for In this equipage she goes to sée her Friend and in his Chamber shée findes her Mother who hindered her languishing Daughter from discouering her sicknesse to him that onely had the power to helpe her wherefore liuing in hope of some better oportunitie for this time she smothered her gréefes so wel as she could finding other talke with her Ladies least her mother should suspect her Chap. XIII How the brethren of Amarano would haue buried his bodie in the Tombe with Ardemia which Alchidiana would not suffer but constrained them to carrie him home againe into his Countrey AMarano thus slaine his Brethren according to his charge thus giuen them before hée entred the Combat tooke his bodie and with great mourning they brought it to the Princesse Ardemiaes Tombe thinking to burie him there with her but Alchidmia aduertised héereof came presently and intreated her Father that hée woulde sende an Herauld to the Brethren of the vanquished Prince to charge them not to leaue the bodie of Amarano in his Dominions for if they did he would cause it to be burned as a Traytor deserued Moreouer that they themselues should depart within foure and twentie hours on paine of the daunger should ensue by their default For good Father quoth she if you should permitte their boldnesse it will be great blame and dishonour to you in that it is commonly knowne with what great pride and arrogancie he came to your Court thinking to iniurie your good report and eyther to shut mée from your presence for euer or else with open scandale to ende my life The Soldane well regarding her wordes willingly graunted her request whereupon the Princesse Brethren were certified of the Soldanes pleasure by a Trumpet whereat they maruailed not a little but séeing they could no way remedie it they said Herauld it is reason that your Lord should bée obeied within his owne territories neuerthelesse you may say vnto him that the crueltie he shewes to a dead bodie is verie great and against all equitie which he héereafter happilie may repent So opening the Tombe againe they tooke foorth their Brothers bodie and the Princesse Ardemiaes likewise conuaying them into a Litter of Cipres to kéepe them from corrupting and thus returned with them to Phrygia where the Princes death was greatly lamented but chéefly by the aged King his Father who séeing his Sonne dead before him after many dolorous passions thus complained Ah Fortune howe cruell doost thou shew thy selfe to the mightie as well as the meanest Ah my Sonne Amarano too déere hast thou bought thy loue to Ardemia Wretched and dispised olde man howe vnfortunate art thou among all other For when thou perswadest thy selfe to haue ioy and comfort by thy Sonnes thou findest the chéefe cause of sorrowe and discontent O death thou sufferest me too importunate Yet if the Soldane had graunted thée buriall where thou diddest desire it before thy death the lesse had béene my gréefe But soone shall I cause him repent his hard dealing and reuenge thy death with sufficient requitall The second brother to Amarano named Gramiel séeing his father in such extreame heauinesse assayed by all meanes he coulde to comfort him promising in the presence of all his Knights with all possible spéede to reuenge his Brothers death and so did all the sixe Brethren solemnly vowe togither Which spéeches did somewhat comfort the aged King who commaunded the bodies of the two louers to be taken from his presence and for a perpetuall memorie of his Sonnes death he caused a sumptuous monument to be made of marble and Porphire whereon was grauen the cause of their vnhappie death All this while Gramiell who vndertooke his Brothers reuenge gaue charge to the people round about him as also to the Kinges and Princes of Suria who were then enemies to the Soldane to prepare themselues in readinesse so that within a Moneths space hée had assembled a power of fiue thousand hardie Soldiers himselfe béeing appointed leader and generall ouer them In this sort they tooke themselues to the Feelde hoping to ruinate the Soldanes Countrey with fire and sworde but they were better entertained then they expected as hereafter shall bée largely discoursed Chap. XIIII Howe Alchidiana ouercome by vehemencie of her loue offered her selfe to Palmerin as his wife and of the aunswere he made her REmembring what hath past in the chapters before we may not forget how by the message of the Quéene of Tharsus sent to the Soldanes Court Alchidiana who began as it were to despise Palmerin was coÌ„strained to renue her loue thus conferring with her selfe that if so great a person as the Quéene of Tharsus commended estéemed and honoured him hauing neuer séene him the better meane had she béeing dayly in his companie to practise the furtheraunce of her earnest desires Shée therefore continually awayted oportunitie to discouer the fire newly raked from the embers and which day and night consumed her with languishing but so well it came to passe that not many dayes after the Combat with Amarano hee came to visite her in her Chamber right ioyfull of the talke hee had with the Soldan as coÌ„cerning the prouision of his strength to goe ruinate the Citie of Constantinople which gaue him hope of his returne to Allemaigne Alchidiana hauing courteously saluted him and shewing better countenaunce then before shée did caused him to sit downe by her and soone after began in this sort I desire you Sir Knight by the reuerence you beare our Godâ— and the â—ayth you owe to her for whose loue you tooke the enchaunted Crowne from the Prince Maurice to tell me your name what your Parents be and of whence
the deuises shee coulde to please his fancie for so deuoutly did the Princesss loue him as shée rather desired her owne death then to giue him the least occasion of dislyking And Palmerin by fayre and affecting speeches perswaded such setled opinions in her as shee helde his promises with greater pertinacie then euer did any Logitian maintainâ— his Aristotle By this time were the men of Armes come from all places wherefore the Soldane calling to Palmerin beganne with him in this manner Syr Palmerin considering how much I am indebted to you my affections are so resolutely perswaded that I estéeme of you as you were my Sonne and much more then I am able to vtter not so much for seruices you haue done mée from time to time as for the incomparable déedes of armes and chiualrie which makes you honoured through the whole world Hauing nowe determined to sende my forces to Constantinople my onely hope I repose in you and well it liketh mée that you beare the office of my Lieutenant Generall and principall gouernour of the Kings and Princes in this expedition Therefore my noble and approoued good Friend vsing your wonted magnanimitie and discretion my people shal think well of my appointment referring the honor of their victorie to the generall hauocke and confusion of their enemies Nowe I perceiue my gracious Lord answered Palmerin that by your manifolde fauours and courtesies you would depriue mée of acknowledging mine owne dutie notwithstanding in respect it is your pleasure I would aduenture the vttermost of my life for you which I cannot with greater honour loose then in your noble seruice Yet may it be spoken within compasse of your highnesse controll me thinks you should rather giue this charge to the King of Balisarca a man wise experienced and farre more skilfull in Armes then I am Beside your people hauing a man of their owne nation for theyr head will obey him more willingly and serue with much more chéerefull coâ—rage then vnder him whom they know not but onely by your Princely and liberall bountie which hath béene such that from the meanest estate where fortune helde mée as altogether despised your Maiestie hath lifted mee to the highest earthly honour Thus speake I dread Lorde as not gain saying your commaundement but for this consideration that taking this honourable charge the Souldiers may mutinie against me and so your seruice be altogether disappointed And thinke you quoth the Soldane that my people will be more obedient to the King of Baâ—isarca then to you Yea doubtlesse my Lord saide Palmerin that is my opinion Know then quoth the Soldane that for this counsell you haue giuen mée my loue is nothing diminished towardes you for I sée by this noble regarde how deseruedly you gaine the fauours of Kings and great personages it shall be therefore as you haue appointed This counsell gaue Palmerin not for any good he wished to Maulicus or the King of Balisarca but desiring nothing more then the ruine and generall destruction of these Heathen hounds sworne enemies to Christ and his Seruants to ridde himselfe of that charge which would bring him so great and shamefull report to â—ight against his Lord and maker therefore premeditating on all these inconueniences he but expected the meane to gette footing in Christendome againe Maulicus thus contented with his aunswere the King of Balisarca was appointed generall of his Armie yet he gaue commandement that Palmerin should bee reuerenced among them as the second person to himselfe and on paine of death none to offende him As all this strength was readie to take shipping newes came to the Court of Gramiell and his brethren what slaughter and spoyle they made through all Assiria whereat the Souldane béeing greatly offended séeing his prouision against Christendome thus chaunged came to Palmerin and sayde My Sonne what thinke you of our enemies What shall I doo to these followers of their Brother in pride I pray you counsell mée in this necessitie Palmerin perceiuing his desire preuented was ouercome with maruailous passions yet to hide his discontent from the Soldane he thus answered Séeing it hath so fallen out my Lord that without any summons our enemies haue presumed vppon vs I thinke it most expedient that your Armie prouided in so good readinesse beginne first with these arrogant inuaders for I doubt not their attempt béeing so trecherous and the courage of our men so resolute but they shall déerely buy their presumptuous aduenture A matter soone begunne will bee as soone ended and our shipping readie wee may afterwarde set forwarde to Constantinople for this will bee a good whetting to our stomackes to deale with our enemies of greater multitude This counsell was accepted wherefore it was immediatly proclaimed through the field that euery man should be readie to depart within thrée daies Chap. XVI How the Prince Olorico sonne to the King of Arabia came and offered his seruice to the Soldane bringing with him fiue hundred armed Knights and of his entertainment SOmewhat before the Soldanes Armie was readie to departe the Prince Olorico eldest sonne to the King of Arabia came to the Court and with him fiue hundred Knights so hardy braue and comely personages as both for the Court and the war better might not be imagined This yong prince reputed among the most valiaÌ„t of his time hearing report of the rare beauty of Alchidiana vnder colour of offring the Soldane his assistance determined to behaue himselfe so brauely in his court that by his liberalitie and honorable actions he would obtaine the Princesse to his Wife wherefore beeing come to the Court and hauing doone his obeysance to the Soldane hee began in this manner Right mightie Lorde of all Assiria and Palestine hauing of long time heard your great forwardnesse to the encreasing of our faith chéefely of the last honourable councell you held to reuenge the death of your famous deceased Brother Gamezio whom our Gods nowe entertaine at their celestiall banquets I tooke my selfe to trauaile with aduised resolution to doo you such seruice as might stande with my abilitie and your pleasure to command And for I now beholde that my arriuall is in a time so fortunate I celebrate theyr names with immortall thankes assuring your Maiestie so farre to stretch my endeouurs as the sonne that is beunde by dutie to his Father The Soldane who had heard great report of his bountie and valour his Father likewise béeing one of his friendes and confederates after he had made him very gracious welcome thanked him for the succour he brought him and henceforth he would not estéeme of him as a stranger but as his Sonne and most especiall Friende All this while Palmerin noted the behauior of the yong Prince and iudging by his complection that hée was of better nature then the other Assirians began to affect him so that after the Soldane had giuen them all the good night Palmerin accompanied the Prince to his Chamber where they could deuise no
other conference but of this new and warlike enterprise which made Olorico demaunde of Palmerin if hee should go in those affaires That will I verily quoth he if sicknesse or prison do not withhold mee Let me intreate you then fayâ—e the Prince to doo me so much honour as to accept me for your companion Whereto Palmerin right soone condiscended and then began such a league of amâ—â—y betwéene them that it endured to the death as you shall reade héereafter But because it was nowe late they tooke their leaue of each other till the next morning when Maulicus would haue Olorico dine at his Table with Palmerin where wanted no prouision that beséemed so great a person béeing now set foorth in most rich and honourable pompe The Tables being withdrawne the Prince began the daunce thinking to sée faire Alchidiana but hée was deceiued for she kept her Chamber in her amorous opinions and would not be séene till the appointed day when the Armie should make shewe in open field This day the Soldane went to order the battaile and to appoint the wings and squadrons which made Alchidiana likewise take delight so walke abroad with Palmerin who was now in maruailous sumptuous Armour bearing a shéeld of Sinople with a barre of Gold figured therein signifying his inward ioy that in so short time he should get from these barbarous and vnchristian helhounds Before them went two yong Lords bareheaded and behinde a great number of Ladies and Knights so rich in apparrelâ— as could be deuised Beeing thus brought to their Palfrayes Palmerin beganne to carriâ—e and braue with his Horse before the Princesse who tooke no little delight in her supposed louer and riding along with him fell into many discourses nothing tending to Religion as I gesse but such deuout seruice as loue teacheth his Schollers In the midst of their communication came the Prince Olorico so altred with his affection to the Princesse that they which haue felt like assaults might easily iudge the cause of his passions Hauing made two or thrée humble reuerences to her he offered to kisse her hand which shée would not permit him excusing the matter so modestly and wishing his welfare as her owne that he imagined himselfe greatly fauoured Palmerin regarding the afflictions of this new come louer and that hée might giue him the better meane to deuise with her so priuatly as he desired turned his Horse to the other side of the Princesse thus speaking to her What thinke you Madame of the gentle succour which my Lord Olorico hath brought your Father beléeue mée the courtesse is so surpassing great as your selfe ought especially to thanke him if it were but for his forwardnesse in qualifying the haughtie courage of Amaranos brethreÌ„ Doubtlesse quoth she his companie is to be estéemed and among tenne thousand Knights hardly may bee founde so braue men as is in his troupe in recompence whereof I will not denie the Prince any thing that hée with honour will request of me Olorico perceiuing this sodaine inuention of Palmerin returned him many thanks and after the accustomed dissimulations vsed in such causes albeit Loue had for a while depriued him of spéech earnestly beholding the rare beautie of the Princesse he thus began Madame although I should doo to my Lord your Father all the seruices that a Knight is able to yéelde his gracious patrone yet the very least of these fauours which it hath pleased your excellencie to bestowe on mée may bee reckoned for much more then deserued recompence Wherefore béeing perswaded that my seruice is placed in your good conceit I shall not hencefoorth feare to put my life in hazard so much I desire to sée these present promises accomplished whereof you Sir Palmerin béeing estéemed among the most famous persons liuing shall beare mée witnesse when time graunteth conuenient opportunitie I haue promised nothing sayde the Princesse but what I will right gladly accomplish requiring nothing but your good opinion which so many choyse Ladies haue heretofore desired And I demaund no better pay quoth the Prince then her gracious fauour whom I desire to please Thus beguiled they the time till the Armie marched forward in array which they faire and softly followed till tenne Pages belonging to the Princesse leading tenne goodly Coursers most richly caparassoned came before them Another Page brought a séemely Launce the bandrole whereof was the Princesse colours and a Golden Shéeld wherein was portraied the head of Amarano helde vppe by the haire by a Knights hands signifying the victory of Palmerin against him the Shéeld béeing bordered rounde about with Pearles Rubyes Emeraulds Crisolites and other precious stones of inestimable value then beganne the Princesse thus to Palmerin My noble Friend in this warre I desire you to bée my Knight and for my sake to beare this Launce ond Shéeld that the proude Brethren may see the shame of Amarano And such is my hope that as you serued the eldest so will you deale with the other while one of them remains aliue These Horses likewise for the warre I bestow vppon you they beeing accounted the very best in Turkie and these will serue you well when you are in fielde our Gods bearing mée witnesse faire Friend that did not my estate hinder me and the regarde of mine honour withhold me with right good will would I beare you companie to sée your noble and Knightly deedes of armes And this I dare boldly say that Hipsicratea neuer followed her Husband Mithredates with greater affection were he on sea or on lande on Horsebacke or on foote then I could doo the noble Palmerin d'Oliua Notwithstanding though my body may not be there yet shall my spirit bee continually present to comfort my languishing life which will be but a shadow of death to me till your returne But because I sée many eies are fixed on vs all the Kings likewise taking their leaue of my father I will leaue you to the protection of our Gods who send you happily and right soone againe These words were coupled with such sighs and teares as shee had fallen from her horse but that one of her Ladies of honour stayed her Palmerin after hee had with great kindnesse thanked her kissed her hande saying Perswade your selfe swéete Madame your shéeld shall be shewne in such place where his Brethren that deâ—ract your honour shall easily sée it though but little to theyr aduantage Thus tooke they leaue of each other and Oâ—orico likewise had the Princesse farewell then doing their dutie to the Soldane followed the armie leauing him and Alchidiana sorrowfull for their departure Chap. XVII How the prince Olorico being with Palmerin in his Tent demaunded of him if hee loued the princesse Alchidiana and of the answere he made him THese two Princes Palmerin and Olorico conferring still as they rode with what gréefe and sorrow Alchidiana parted from them and falling from one imagination to another they concluded to lodge together in one tent And because
you faire sir to tell me howe the Quéene of Tharsus intreated you and what is your opinion of her In good faith Madam aunswered Palmerin shée is one of the most honest and vertuous Ladies that euer I came in companie withall and to whom I greatly desire to do any seruice You haue good reason quoth the Princesse in that she came so farre to sée you and discouer her loue which other coulde as well accomplish as good or rather in honor beyonde her if they might hope of anie ease in their passionate desires Palmerin feigning to vnderstand her meaning entred into other kinde of talke vntill supper time which finished each one returned to their Chamber when the Prince séeing himselfe alone with his Fréend thus sayd Ah my déere Fréende Palmeâ—in howe worthily may you be sayde to bee without coâ—pare in all perfections that a Knight ought to haue loue onely excepted yet héerein if I be not deceyued you doe for mée agaynst all reason for a thousand times are you more beloued then your selfe can loue anie Notwithstanding for this default if so it may bée named and for 〈◊〉 wordes this day vsed in my presence to Achidinia I remaine vowed to your seruice for in trueth you know not the good you did me supporting my imperfection of speech when I was before my Mistresse Yet know I not whence such imbecilitie should procéede if not by béeing rauished with regarde of her celestiall countenaunce my ouer laboured spiriâ—e forsooke me and béeing too much tormented in this languishing bodie abandoned all the partes sensatiue placing it selfe onely in mine eyes which neuer could imagine themselues satisfied contemplating beautie of so rare and especiall estimation And were it not that my hope onely consisteth in you comparing my small desert and the excellencie of my Ladie long ere this had my soule forsooke her infortunate habitation which so indiscreetlie fell into these oppressing passions And this I earnestly intreate you to let her vnderstand in that I feare least shée impute my happie alteration to want of wisedome and ciuilitie Trust me quoth Palmerin I promise you my vttermost abilitie and so much will I do as one Friend may for another to discharge my selfe of the promise which héeretofore I made you And let me intreate you on mine owne behalfe to remooue that opinion of speciall loue which you report the Princesse beares me béeing not such as you doe imagine for noble Prince and my deare Fréende you néede not despayre of the benefit whereof I haue so solemnely assured you After many other speeches they slept till the next morning when clothing themselues in their richest garments they went and gaue the good morrow to the Soldane who verie honourablie thanked them and Palmerin espying conuenient occasion thus began My Lord you haue sufficient experience that by the bountie and great fauour of the Gods you haue obteyned victory against your enemies to the no little content of your Subiects all which béeing so happily finished base were the thought to feare the perfection of higher enterprises Therefore my Lord I thinke it expedient so it may stand with your good liking considering your prouision for the sea is in such readinesse your people likewise acquainted with your intent before we meddle with the Brethren of Amarano came daily in troupes to offer their seruice that now you send your Armie to Constantinople for your answere once heard right soone will we embarke our selues and set forward on our voyage For the rest I pray you deliuer these prisoners to be vsed as your slaues but as for the Princes I thinke hauing séene the fortune of theyr Brethren and their owne badde successe in Armes that they will serue you with continuall loyaltie My Sonne quoth the Soldane let all bée doone as you haue appointed for such is my confidence in you that your intent cannot but sort to good ende wherefore my Gallies and al things readie furnished depart when you please hauing first sent your Souldiers abroad The Prince Olorico beeing present offered againe to go in this voyage with like number of men as he brought against the Brethren of Amarano for which the Soldane greatly thanked him promising him such satisfaction at his returne as should agrée with his owne content Alchidiana taking in ill part the words of Palmerin on the Prince Oloricos behalfe sent for him to come speake with her which hée did and finding her very sad and melancholy hée demaunded if any one had doone her displeasure and what the cause might bee of her pensiuenesse Ah my déere friend quoth shée how can I but be agréeued séeing no one Lady in the world hath so many contrarie fortunes as my selfe Alas my heart hath chosen you for my onely Lords and Friend thinking to finde place woorthy my conceite and that your loue would answere me with the like but in ought I can perceiue I am too much beguiled for you either as ingratefull or carelesse vse affecting spéeches to me importing no other ende but that in leauing you I should take the Prince Olorico for my Husband Do you imagine me so mutable and inconstant that I will or can loue anie other but you or that my affection intirely setled so high can brooke such a downefall as to like the man so much inferiour to mée And which most of all offendeth me not contented to mocke me in disdaining my knowne loue so discourteously would perswade me to choose another Let all our Gods be iudge if I haue not iust cause to complaine of you albeit I haue greater cause to hate and despise my owne selfe for in that I haue more then deserued your loue yet as too much vnwise I cannot consider that in the heart of an ingratefull person loue hath no place of certaine abyding But seeing our gods haue in such sort subiected mee as against my will I am constrained to loue mine enemie in vaine were it for me to resist against them that they beholding the vnspotted loue of the one may in the ende punish the ingratitude of the other Thâ—s thinking to continue longer spéech so many violent sighs intercepted her as she was not able to proffer one word more whereby Palmerin enforced thus answered I beséech you Madame crosse me not with these néedelesse words for although the Prince is so worthie to be loued as any man that euer I saw yet were I very much vnprouided of witte and a méere stranger of good consideration if I would refuse that speciall felicitie then which I can desire no greater I knowe swéete Lady that you loue mee intirely perswade your selfe then that my loyaltie is no lesse nor can death make mee gainesay the promises I haue made you and were it not to the great disaduantage of mine honour to leaue the honourable warre your Father hath intended which might procure each one to misconceiue of mee assure your selfe that I would forsake dignities Armes and all to do you the seruice you
them home with excéeding ioy but they answered that they ought rather to thanke the Knight in gréene Armour for hee deliuered vs from the Moores and Infidels without request of any ransome Olorico amazed at these signes of ioy as also when hee sawe Palmerin pray knew not well what to thinke which Palmerin presently perceiuing and to resolue him of all doubts whatsoeuer sayd No longer neede I know my good Lord and Friende to hide the affaires and secrets of my heart from you know therefore that I am a Christian and a Gentleman of the Emperours Court of Allemaigne But that which most of all gréeueth me is that I am constrayned to forsake your companie and returne againe to my Lorde for too much should I offend my God to go with you to the Soldanes seruice Wherefore my louing friend let me intreate you to holde me excused swearing to you by the faith of a Knight that whether else it shall like you to go I will accomplish your minde in any thing I intreate you likewise to entertaine al my Squires and Gentlemen into your seruice and among them to share all my treasure in the Shippe because I will haue nothing with me but my Horse and armour And notwithstanding all this feare nor to present your selfe before the Soldane and Alchidiana for to them will I write such matter of you as they shall accept you in my place and with as great honour as euer they did mee If heauen so fauour mee as I may come to the knowledge of my father I will certifie you with the truth of all As for my counterfeiting to be dumbe was onely but to awaite opportunitie when with safety I might escape thence If Olorico at the first was amazed what may be iudged of him nowe notwithstanding hee loued Palmerin so perfectly as hee returned him this answere Although Syr Palmerin wee are of contrary faith and opinion yet hath your noblenesse and humanitie gained such priuiledge ouer me that as you haue long time liued a Christian among the Turks so for your sake will I liue a Turke among the Christians dissembling in like sort as you did and neuer shall any occasion force mée to forsake you till you haue found your Father and know if he be discended of the Soldanes bloud No honour will it be for me nowe to returne again to the Assirian Princes and as for my people I force not though they go backe againe with my treasure for on my Knighthood I will bee no richer then you nor will reserue any thing with mée then what belongs to a Knight errant which is Horse and Armour For the rest let Fortune do the worst she can I hope for all this one day to be King of Arabia Then noble friend be not offended for I will beare you companie if death and strong imprisonment doo not withhold mee Palemrin embraicng him saide Ah worthie Prince so noble is your minde and repleate with fidelitie as perswade your selfe to find me your loyall Brother and fellow in Armee neuer to forsake you while I can lift my Sword so please you to abide with mee So calling the chéefest of them in the ship they sayde as much to them as you haue heard commaunding them not to stir from Arabia before they heard some other tydings As for their strange conceit at these newes I bequeath to your iudgements yet durst they not gainsay their Maisters but launching into the deepe sayled backe again into their own Countrey Palmerin and Olorico for this night lodged in the Cittie to refresh themselues and the next morning after they had taken leaue of the Merchants they deliuered they set forward on their iourney Continuing their trauaile thrée daies together at length they mette a Knight who séeing them armed after the Turkish manner sayde Gentlemen God saue ye if I should not seeme troublesome to you because I iudge you to be strangers I would gladly knowe if you could tell me any tidings of two Knights which long since left this Countrey Howe were they named quoth Palmerin Syr saide the Knight one of them is Trineus Some to our dread Lord the Emperour and the other the most valiant Palmerin d' Oliua Two yéeres and more since they left the Court without any newes what became of them sauing that wee heard they were a while with the King of England and thence they conuayed his Daughter the Emperous continuing so sorrowfull for theyr losse as euery houre his death is expected May it be quoth Palmerin that all this while Trineus is not returned What daunger will noble Allemaigne receiue by loosing their young Prince Ouercome with exceeding griefe and sorrow by report of these vnhappie tidings to himselfe he beganne in this maner What shall I doo dare I be so presumptuous as to present my selfe before my Mistresse what sufficient excuse can I make for the loue of her brother Doubtlesse if it were such a hell to me to finde the meane for my departure from that long captiuitie in the Soldanes Court much more will it be to me now in the search of the Prince for without him I dare not approach the Emperours presence While he thus secretly discoursed with himselfe he became so excéeding passionate as Olorico thought he had lost his sences which was the cause that without any further enquirie the Allemaigne Knight departed from them when Olorico amazed at this suddain alteration said How now Sir Palmerin what hath moued you to this heauinesse I beséech you conceale not the cause from me for if it be by any offence that the Knight offered which spake to you soone shall I deliuer him his penance Therefore tell me I pray you for vndoubtedly I will not suffer you to rest vntill you haue acquainted me with the truth Palmerin knowing how déerly y◠Prince loued him and that for his sake he had left Country parents and friends reposing on his loyaltie imparted his loue to him as also the lesse of Trineus and the Princesse Agriola Olorico then laboured to perswade him aduising him to compasse some secret spéech with his Ladie of whome hée might learne how to recouer her lost brother and the faire Agriola of England againe Palmerin following this counsell pacified himselfe and kept himselfe so closely as he could from being knowne to any Chap. XX. How Palmerin by the meanes of Vrbanillo his Dwarfe spake with his Lady Polynarda with whom he stayed fiue daies to recompence some part of his long absence and to the great contentment of them both SUch expedition in their iourney made these noble companions that at length they arriued néere a castle which was foure leagues from Gaunt where the Emperour as then was disposed to hunting for the delight of the Ladies but chéefely to expell his owne melancholy for the losse of his sonne as also to recreate the Princesse Polynarda who shadowing the cause by her Brothers absence lamented continually for her noble Friend Palmerin of whome
too much their enemie Then declared hée their troublesomâ— time on the Sea in what manner he lost them and how he now trauailed to finde them againe Since fortune hath so appointed quoth Frysoll that this loue and friendship should bee begunne betwéene vs to continue the same I will beare you companie and will not forsake you till yée haue found them may it like you to accept me for your companion If it like mée quoth Palmerin you néede not doubt thereof and rather you then any man that I knowe for which noble kindnesse I thinke my selfe most fortunate In this manner beganne the concorde betwéene Palmerin and Frysoll which continued with vertuous and perfect constancie as in the Chapters following you shal perceiue Thus soiourned these Knights there louingly togither till Palmerin being recouered and able to beare armes they departed thence leauing the poore Lady Leonarda in great heauinesse because her friend Frysol left her so soone Chap. XXX How Palmerin the prince Olorico and Frysoll went to Buda thinking to finde the Court there where beeing arriued they heard newes howe the prince Florendos was taken whom they went to succour with all diligence at Constantinople FFysol because he would not haue his Ladie Leonarda too much discontented made promise of spéedie returne to her which words somewhat pleasing her he departed with his two friendes and such quicke hast they made in theyr iourney and within sixe daies after they arriued at Buda There were they aduertised of the Kings death whereof the Prince of Macedon was accused and the Quéene likewise for which cause they were as prisoners conuaied to the Cittie of Constantinople At these tydings Palmerin was very displeasant wherefore he sayde to his companions Beléeue mée good Friends my heart will neuer be in quiet till I haue beene before the Emperour who ought to bée an indifferent Iudge to Florendos and hée is the onely man of the world to whome most gladly I would do any seruice therefore let vs make hast to Constantinople to the end we may succour him if he stand in any néede of our ayde I am ready quoth Frysoll and let vs sette forwarde when you please Héerewith hee remembred his father to whom the Crowne by right appertayned if Tarisius deceased without anie heire where to by this meane hée might attaine right soone Perswading himselfe with assuraunce héereof hée was now more â—arnest to be gone and hastened his companions in such sort as they came to Constantinople two daies before the appointed time for the Combat As they entred the Cittie they met a Knight riding on hunting whome after they had saluted Palmerin questioned with all if hée knew any thing of the Prince Florendos his misfortune what the Emperor intended to doo with him Sir quoth the knight the Emperour hath resolutely set down that the Prince and his daughter shall receiue their triall by Combate against the two Nephewes to the deceased King and furnished they must bée of their Champions before the limitted time of ten dayes bée expired and nothing else as yet is doone to my knowledge I thank you good Syr quoth Palmerin it is happie the matter is no further forward So leauing the â—â—ight they prauncâ—d merrilie into the Cittie and because it was 〈◊〉 soone to take vp their lodging they rode to the Pallace to knowâ— at full the certainetye of the matter thus beeing all Armed except their Helmets which their Squirâ—s carrâ—â—d after them they made a séemely shew as they rode in thâ—t they were all thrée of one stature and verye beautifull young Princes they were especially noted and followed by many Knights and Gentlemen who imagined suâ—h persons went to the Pallace for other matters then Coâ—â—tlie dauncing These thrée companions béeing entred the great Hall which was hangâ—d rounde about with blacke veluet in signe of mourning â—â—ey meruailed what might bée the occasion thereof wherefore Palmerin falling on his knée before the Emperour and hauing humblye kissed his hande thus spake Most renowmes Monarch of the worlde my Fréendes héere and my selfe within these fâ—we dayes as we trauailed through the Realme of Hungaria were aduertised that you kéepe in pryson the Prince of Macedon whom so please your Maiestie to vouchsafe I woulde gladlie sée in respect that hée is my Lord as for the desire I haue to deale in the Combat appointed if it like him to make choyse of me The Emperour perceiuing Palmerin so faire modest and couragious began with himselfe to conceiue well of him and imagined that his Sonne Caniano was againâ— receiued so néere did he resemble him in countenaunce stature and all proportions of the bodie wherefore hée returned him this answere It shall not in ought displease mée my Fréende to let you sée him to the ende you may conceiue no suspition of iniustice So calling a Gentleman Usher commaunded him to conduct the Knight to the Towre where the Prince Florendos was afterwarde enquiring of the Prince Olorico and Frysoll what the Knight was that so hardily did enterprise the Combat Dreade Lord quoth Frysoll he is called Palmerin d'Oliua a Knight in my iudgment of the verie highest qualitie in the worlde Then hée and the Prince Olorico rehearsed the prowesse and déedes of Chiualrie by him accomplished in France England Allemaigne Bohemia and Turkie which béeing heard by a Bohemian Knight then present he came to Frysoll saying I pray you Sir is this that Palmerin who kild the Serpent on the Mountaine Artifaeria and brought the water from the Fountaine which healed the good King Prymaleon Father to Florendos It is he Sir quoth Frysoll and no other Then dare I say gracious Lorde quoth the Knight that you haue séene the most valiant and vertuous Gentleman that euer came in Thrace Héereuppon he discouered the noble victorie he obtained in Bohemia against the two Gyants Daâ—â—aco and Mordano whome hée slew before his woorthy Combat on the behalfe of Dyardo Coâ—i◠〈◊〉 to the King and fayre Cardonya against the Counte of Ormeque and his Cozins in the Companie of Prince Adrian and Ptolome Héereat were all the Princes and Knights present amazed so that the Emperor himselfe saide Well maye Florendos nowe aduenture the tryall of his rause hauing the onelye Champion of the woilde on his side and in this manner they deuised of him till his returne from the pryson againe Palmerin entring the Tower Florendos was astonied because no person was wont to come sée him but chiefely when he sawe him on his knées to him vsing these spéeches Alas my Lord Florendos how gréeuous to mée is your imprisonment in vnhappie time did you knowe him that hath caused you to bée so ill intreated I pray you my Lord comfort your selfe and take courage for héere may you beholde your Seruaunt Palmerin who will be hewed in a thousand péeces but hée will deliuer you from this miserie Florendos whole eyes and facâ— were greatlie swolne with incessant wéeping onelye with the
him for the paines hée had taken putting his life in daunger for the conseruation of their honors Not to mée Ladie answered Frysol ought you giue these thanks but to him that onelye giueth strength to man and if from my byrth I had continually trauailed in your seruice yet your graces are such as I shoulde neuer deserue to bee reckoned among your meanest fauorites The yong Princesse thinking her selfe greatlie bounde to him woulde not giue him good morrowe with so little talke but sitting downe on the bedde by him taking him by the hand began againe thus I knowe not Sir Knight how the Quéene my Mother will procéede in requitaâ—â— of your noble seruice for mine owne parte not forgetting howe the Traytours threatned me whom to their endlesse shame you haue vanquished and slaine I find my selfe so indebted to you as it far excéedeth my power to guerdon you with answerable recompence Frysol perceiuing the yong princesse affection whom Loue had caught somewhat within his reache knewe immediatlie by her sober bashfull lookes the cause why so manie sighes were coupled with her words himselfe likewise suddainlie sicke of the same disease returned this aunswere Madame if Fortune the Fréend to your happinesse would fauour mée so much as the enterprise doone by your commanding might sorte to an ende fitting my desire I shoulde then accounte my selfe more then sufficientlie gratefied in this that the act is agréeable to your liking and the fauâ—urable countenaunce of such a Ladie is more then so meane a Knight as my selfe can merit Beside from the daye that the high renowme of your prudence and gracious beautie assured me of those exquisite gifts wherewith nature hath plentifullie enriched you I tooke such a religious vowe of bâ—ndage on mée as considering your high calling and my selfe so far inferiour I shall neuer obtaine the fauour of libertie if your â—enignitie excéeding all things else graunt me not that speciall grace The Quéene loth to trouble this forme of confession withdrewe her selfe into Palmerins Chamber where as it fell out shee founde no bodye but himselfe by which occasion remembring the loue she bare to Florendos after shée had humblie saluted him shée thus began Beléeue me gentle Sir your knightlie Chiuâ—lrie hath shewed it selfe of such desert as the Prince Florendos for defence of whose honor you haue not feared to aduenture your life your daungerous woundes well witnessing the same shall neuer deuise sufficient satisfaction For in my iudgement it may well bee said that goods honor and life hath beene restored him by your noble magnanimitie Madam quoth Palmerin these wounds that for thâ—se two daies haue made me keepe my Chamber thankâ—s bâ— to God are not so daungerous as if occasion were offered either for you or my Lord Florendos but full well could I bee seene therein to purchase entertainment into your gracious conceite The Quéene then sitting downe in a Chaire by him and viewing him verie earnestly his lockes of haire kept down by a gorgious wrought Cap embroidered with Saphires and small Emeralds shée behelde the mole on his face like a Crosse which made her remember that her Son had the like and in the selfe same place when Cardyna tooke him from her and caried him to the Mountaine Héereupon she tooke greater occasion to regard his countenaunce and imagining him verie much to resemble the Prince Florendos immediatlie shée perswaded her selfe that hee was her Son Which conceit mooued her to such alterations as of long â—he continued silent though Palmerin in meanâ— while demaunded manie questions of her These changes ouer-ruled by reason and discretion shée commaunded her Ladies to depart the Chamber and to goe accompanie the yong Princesse Armida they béeing no sooner gone but shée began in this maner Let me request Sir Palmerin to know your Parents and the name of the Countrey where you were borne Palmerin somewhat amazed at this demaund was nowe in the midst of his onely desire verilie perswading himselfe that the Quéene was his mother wherefore he thus aunswered Madame I sweare to you by my faith that I knowe no Ladie this day liuing to whom I woulde willinglie reueale more then to your selfe but so contrarie was Fortune to mée in mine infancie that as yet I could not get anie knowledge either of my Father or Mother nor of the Countrey where I was borne Yet thus I haue beene certified that I was nourished on a Mountaine not farre from this Citie which is called the Mount of Oliues where as I haue béene many times tolde my Foster-father founde mée in rich swadling cloathes and more then this so please you to credite mée cannot I bewray of whence or what I am O heauens quoth the Quéene how greatly am I bound to prayse your infinite bountie and pittie for so safe protecting mine infant whom I forsooke so cruelly Ah gentle Knight sée héere thy Mother euen shee that commaunded thou shouldest bée caried to the Mountaine and the Prince Florendos whom so lately thou diddest deliuer from death hée noble Palmerin is thy Father Norwithstanding my Sonne I desire thee by the reuerent loue thou bearest mée to conceale secretlie what I haue sayde vntill I gaine the meane to discouer my shame to the Emperour yet such a shame as neuer came greater good to thy Mother nor can I nowe account the déede sinfull in that my fortune hath brought mée such an honourable Sonne So rauished with ioy was both the Mother and the Sonne as neither coulde expresse their inward contentation for such was their alteration as they reputed for an illusion or dreame what was most certaine indéed such wonderfull comfort brought this vnexpected chaunce wherewith the greatest indowments of honour or riches may not bee compared Béeing in this extasie the Mother for her Sonne and the Sonne for his Mother Palmerin hauing now againe recouered his forces sayd My God I render thy name immortall thanks in that I drewe my breath from so noble and vertuous persons as also for graunting mée knowledge of them in a time so fortunate forbeare then good Mother to misâ—éeme of any thing for I will discourse the matter in such sort to the Emperour as forgetting all things past hée shall receiue both the mother and sonne with greater ioy then you can imagine But to the ende Madame you may be more certaine of your sonne see héere a Crucifixe of Golde which was tied about my necke when I was founde and hath of long time béene kept by the most perfect Lady in the world The Quéene knowing it right well after shee had kissed it manie times answered Assuredly my sonne it is the veriâ— same that my selfe tied about thy necke when I was in the greatest gréefe that euer distressed mother might bée to sée her infant violatelie rapt from her so soone as Nature had brought him into the world But if my mishap as then surpassed all other womens yet now is it recompenced with such a fortunate houre as
their health quoth he how are they called The one said the Quéene is named Palmerin the other Trineus And I quoth he am Orzadine King of Galappa to whome fortune hath béene more fauourable in loue then in riches making me Fréende to the faire Oronia Daughter to the Calife of Siconia and Sister to the Prince Donadell who was slaine in the battaile against the King Abimar shée in my iudgement not hauing her second in beautie at whose request I haue trauailed the greatest part of Asia to spread her name and honorable reputation which I haue doone â—o her perpetuall fame and returning to her when my labours were finished in sted of ioy and pleasure I found her sad and pensiue for the death of her Brother These newes were worse to me then death and to comfort her I promised to reuenge her Brothers misfortune and this is the onelie cause of my comming for hauing Combatted with him that slâ—w the Prince her loue to mee will be the greater and mine honour shall be spread with more aduantage I belâ—eue well quoth the Quéene if you escape with life from the Combat but tell me Sir Knight why beare you such ill will to him that slâ—w the Prince considering that it was doon in plaine battaile and he his enemie who would haue doone as much to him if he could Not for this cause alonâ— will I enter the Combat said Orzodine but for I am desirous to let him knowe that I am more fauoured in loue then hee and as I am one of the most happie Louers so am I the best Knight in the world which I will maintaine against anie that dare gain-say it Happy louer Dieu Vous gard said Trineus If the Poets had hetherto spared the discription of Cupid Sonne to the Goddesse of loue now might they iustly haue sette him downe for blind yet is hée worthilie to be condemned that hee would vouchsafe anye fauour to the most foolish among men hée hauing dedicated me to the seruice of a Ladie to whom your gentle Ironia Oronia I should saye dooth not deserue the name of her seruant For the rest where you vaunt your selfe to bée the best Knight in the world your follie is too apparaunt for there are manie Knightes errant in the worlde who can giue you a braue caâ—uazado at the Launce and after they haue foyled you in the Ioust bestowe a little paines to take your gréene head from your grosse shoulders My selfe that flew the Brother to your Goddesse of beautie will doo you so much pleasure as to heale the incurable disease wherewith you are day and night tormented O diuine spirites cryed the Pagan fauour me so much that this Knight may but dare to enter the Fielde with mee Yes I dare sayde Tryneus and before we part I doubt not but to make thée quiet enough Ozodine presentlie threwe his Gauntlet as his gage and Tryneus a Golden bracelet which Aurecinda had giuen him entreating Zephiâ—a to kéepe them which she refused to doo fearing the daunger of the Prince Tryneus Héereupon the Soldane entred the Hall leading Palmerin by the hand but when they sawe the Armed Knight thus contend with Trineus they meruailed greatly what might be the occasion thereof When Orzadine sawe the Soldane was sette he entred into these spéeches Soldane I am hither come to accuse thée of a villainous act which thou hast committed harbouring in thy Court the man that â—lewe the the valiant Donadell whose murther thou canst not so cunningly couer but thy treacherie shall be openly discouered What art thou said the Soldane that darest speake thus presumptuously in our presence Orzodine King of Galappa quoth he of whom thou hast heard heretofore and now haue I presented my gage against this Knight which I will maintaine in despight of the proudest The Soldane abashed at this euent sought to disswade them from the Combatte because hée had heard great spéeches of the Kings prowesse but all was in vaine for Orzodine was so obstinate and Tryneus so earnest to reuenge the Turks proud blasphemie against his Ladie as they would not be pacified till the Fielde was graunted them Let vs haue Iudges presently quoth Orzodine and the Fielde assured for our Combat that I may discipline this glorious straunger Make not such haste sayd Tryneus for I feare thou wilt thinke thy comming too soone Immediately were the the two Combattants Armed the Iudges placed in their Tent when the Soldane and Palmerin with manie Princes went to beholde this exployt But such a mightie man was the King of Galappa as Palmerin feared his fréends successe The Trâ—mpets souâ—â—ding the Knights brake their Launces brauelie and mette togither so furiouslye with their bodies as they were both throwne out of their Saddles but they quickly recouering themselues drâ—we theyr swordes and marched against eache other with lyke courage as did Achilles against noble Hector Long continued the fight with danger on either side but the king of Galappa strooke such peasant strokes béeing a man of equall stature with a Giant as hée wounded Trineus in manie places and such was his ill fortune after long trauersing about hee sette his foote vnwarilye on the Trunchion of a Launce whereby he fell downe backward to the ground Orzodine taking aduauntage of this fall sette his foote on the Princes breast striuing to pull his Helmet from his head but God knowes in what agonie Palmerin was newe when he breathed foorth these spéeches to himselfe Ah Heauens quoth he haue I taken such paine and trauaile to finde my Fréend and must he now die among his enemies Aureeinda likewise readie to yéeld vp her ghost with gréefe seeing Palmerin readie to swoâ—ne as he stood Alas quoth she is it not enough that my Fréend must die but his noble câ—mpanion will beare him companie While this doubtfull feare was among the Courtiers Tryneus had so well scufled with Orzodine as he laye along by him likewise when drawing a pocket dagger he stabbed it through his Helmet into one of his eyes so that he nailed his head to the ground Orzodine féeling himselfe wounded to the death gaue a very loude cry when Tryneus hauing gotten his Helmet off presentlie smote his heade from his shoulders If the Knights of Galappa were now dismaide and the soldane Palmerin Zephira Tomano and all the rest ioyfull I leaue to your iudgements especially Palmerin who reioycing that Trineus had thus conquered his enemie entred the Lystes and embraced him and bringing him foorth of the Fielde â—he was welcommed to the Pallace with wonderfull honor The bodie of the dead King was giuen to them that came with him with meruailous reprehension of theyr Maisters audacious challenge and so with great heauinesse they returned home againe Nor would the Soldane longer stay in his Court the Assirian Ambassadour But excused himselfe to the Babylonian Mysos that he could not giue him anie assistaunce couering this aunswer vnder his vnfortunate battaile against the King Abimar Maucetto
not that the celestiall spirits haue reuenged our wrong with the death of thy people and for my escape I râ—nder thanks to the highest not to thée that gaue my life to the fire yet much better would my death haue contenteâ— mée then to liue without him whose absence is my torment and did not the hope of his life giue mee some comfort thou shouldest perceiue how little I estéeme of my life Then entred the Quéene Zephira and she falling at the Soldanes féete thus began Ah my Lord the dishonour you haue this day done mée is vnspeakeable Haue my deserts béene so simple in your eyes that I might not intreate the libertie of one Knight who this day I feare hath perished by your ingratitude Neuer shall I sée those noble Knights againe whose liues haue béene endaungered for my welfare Ah my Lorde if you looke into the weight of your offence you shall perceyue my teares are not shedde without great reason Madame quoth the Soldane and you faire Sister at this time excuse my fault committed and patientlie beare what hath happened for I vowe to you by the fayth of a Prince that I will make sufficient amendes for my trespasse When hée now thought to bée no further troubled his Sister Lyzanda entred mad and raging and snatching his Fauchion from his side said Sée villaine sée what happeneth by thy commaundement one of thy Sisters is for euer defamed and the other will presently and her life before thée Héerewith shée stâ—â—d the weapon to her heart and felt downe dead at the Soldans féets to the no little sorrow of his Maiestie and all that were present but Zephira causing the bodie to bée taken away the Soldane commanded she should be honourablie buried and erecting a goodlie Tombe of Marble ouer her graue caused the maner of her death to be thereon described Afterward by the counsell of the Lords of Persia hee sent the Prince Tomano and the straunge Knights all the riches and treasure they had left behinde them the Princesse Aurecinda remaining in continuall heauinesse and within short time shée felt her selfe to be conceiued with 〈◊〉 Héere in shée somewhat comforted her selfe though Fortune would not suffer her to enioy the companie of her Fréend yet one day shée hoped to sée his liuely image which at the time appoynted by Nature shée did béeing deliuered of the goodlyest male Childe that euer was séene in Persia naming him Ryfarano whâ— carried the beautifull complexion of his Mother as hee did the hardinesse and magnanimitie of his Father Chap. LVII Howe Palmerin and Trineus hauing soiourned a while at Grisca with the king Abimar departed to the Isle of Malfada where by the meanes of Dulacco and Palmerin all the enchauntments were finished BY the way as the Princes rode towards Grisca Palmerin vsed these spéeches to Trineus Howe happie is the Prince that giues credit to good counsell and will not be led by flatteries or subiect himselfe to his own passions and how vnfortunate are they that fall into the the contrarie Can ye haue a better example héere of then the trayterous Soldane who first causelesse disquieted the good King Abâ—mar and afterwarde at his sisters motion I imprisoned his Friend for your good successe héerein my Lord you must thanke Muzabelino and the Prince Tomano whose power was so readie to defende you Tryneus remembring his follies past was still so ashamed thereof as hee could make no aunswere wherefore Palmerin thus spake againe Why my Lorde hath the imprisonment for fayre Aurecinda strooke you dumbe leaue this bashfulnesse to Women and remember your former courage Stoute Hercules whose honors are yet so rise in memorie did not hée for the loue of Iole weare feminine garments and spin among women Did not Achilles the like when hée was with his faire friend in the Courte of King Lycomedes Marke Anthonie the Romaine Emperor did not he follow Cleopatra before Octauius although his armie on the Sea was two folde the number of his enemies And you for a little familiar loue to a yong Princesse who conquered you onely by 〈…〉 sute remaine thus confounded Doo you imagine your selfe to excell in strength prowesse and knowledge Hercules Achilles and the Emperour Anthonie Alas déere Brother aunswered Tryneus well may you 〈◊〉 of your especiall graces béeing able to tryumph ouer coâ—cupisâ—ence but so yrkesome is my offence in mine owne conceit as I thinke myselfe vnworthie to be séene among men of vertue What shall I say to my Agriola when she shall vnderstand my hainous offence howe shall I dare to present my selfe before her For that saide Palmerin we shall doo well enough but I would it were so welcome to passe that we were with her to abide her censure Continuing these spéeches they arriued at Grisca where the king béeing aduertised of their comming came to méete themâ— vsing these words at their gracious enterâ—â—â—â—ment Righâ— welcome are ye my noble Friendes no maruaile though the Soldane sought to wrong you remembring howe for my sake you vsed him in the battaile In sooth my Lord aunswered Palmerin well doth your nobilitie deserue our seruice and his iniurious dealing sharpe reuenge which happily héereafter hée may féele to his cost vsing strangers so vnhonorably but héere we present your Daughter Belsina to your Maiestie after whose marriage al these troubles began Welcome faire Daughter saide the King much better then my soâ—ne hath béene to your Fathers Court. When my Father quoth the Princesse hath considered his furie doubtlesse he will be heartly sorrie therefore and make satisfaction for any thing misâ—oone till then I beséech your highnesse to conceiue the best And according as the Princesse had spoken it came to passe for within thrée dayes after the Soldane sent Ambassadours to the King Abimar to excuse the imprisonment of Trineus and the sentence of death hée gaue against him sending to him and Palmerin all their treasure and sumptuous presents in signe of satisfaction and to his Daughter Belsina and the Prince Tomano he sent sixe Camelles laden with gold as the dowry of their marriage Nowe are Palmerin and Trineus wearie of theyr so long stay from their friendes wherefore they desired leaue of the king to depart who séeing hée coulde not well intreate their longer aboade right thankfully yéelted to their request giuing them all things néedefull for theyr iourney as Horses Armour men money and diuers other gifts of inestimable value For which kindnesse they humbly thanked his maiestie refusing to trouble themselues with such riches in their trauaile nor would they take that the Soldane sent them or what they brought from the ten Roâ—ks except the Birde and the two Crownes giuing all the rest to Muzabelino desiring him to continue them in remembrance My Lordes quoth he no seruice can bee lost that is doone to such liberall Princes as nowe you giue mée good occasion to confesse and though both I and mine should spend all our following daies in your seruice
〈…〉 and they may come to kisse your 〈…〉 Florendos and the Ladies were 〈…〉 Long liue your Maiestie in health and happinesse here may you beholde the man for whom my Lorde Palmerin your Sonne hath endured such paine and trauaile The 〈◊〉 perceiuing by his spéeches that hée was Trineus the Prince of Allemaigne thus aunswered I hope my Lorde that you will beare with mine age and weakenesse which hinders me from entertaining you as fain I would but I beséech you to aryse for it ill beséemes so great a Prince to humble himselfe in such sort Florendos and Griana in this time welcommed their Sonne Arismena the King of Sparta Armida her Frysoll and the olde Emperour and Empresse graciously entertained Agriola and Laurana each absent Fréend so embraced and welcommed as all the day was spent onelie in those ceremonies The next morning Palmerin dispatched his Dwarffe Vrbanillo to the Emperour of Allemaigne that he and Polynarda might vnderstand these long expected newes and afterward comming to Sir Frysoll he sayd to him Brother our Mother hath eâ—riched vs with a Sister since our departure and my Sister Armida me with two Nephewes I pray you let vs go sée them Héereupon the Nurses brought the yong Princes the â—ldest of them being named Dytrius and the yongest Belear the yong Princesse Daughter to Florendos and Griana was called Denisa so faire and comely were the infants as if Nature had studied to make them most exquisite Beléeue me Sir Frysoll quoth Palmerin if my sister continu◠〈◊〉 she begins the Realme of Hungaria shall hardly want 〈◊〉 what two at a blow hir Ladie it is a â—â—gne of good 〈◊〉 And when you are entred the estate of wedlocke answered Frysoll if your linage increase according to the greatnesse of desire Madam Polynarda shall be as well sped 〈◊〉 her neighbors Thus iested the Princes togither attending â—ewes of 〈◊〉 courrier that went with Vrbanillo to the Emperor of Allemaigne 〈◊〉 at that time was at Vienna Chap. LIX How the Duke of Mensa and the Countie of Redona conducted the prince Olorico into Assiria where hee was espoused to the princesse Alchidiana FOr the space of a Moneth and morâ— Palmerin Trineus and Agriola soiourned at Constantinople till all thingâ— were prepared for them to 〈◊〉 towardes Allemaigne during which time Palmerin shewed such signes of loue to the Prince Olorico as he wold seldome be 〈…〉 that more and more his amourous passions encreased hée sayde Déere 〈…〉 Nor doo I this swéete Prince as enuious of your companie or that I stand in feare of the Soldane but onelie to kéepe my promise which was that I would ayde you to my â—ttermost to accomplish the marriage 〈…〉 for whom I see your 〈…〉 troubled My Lorde aunswered Olorico if euer perfect loue might be discerned in a Princes heart doubtlesse it is most amplie 〈◊〉 in yours Where you can finde in anie Historie seâ—blable affection or that a Christian would so fauour his enemie that is contrarie to him in law and 〈…〉 that so great â— Prince would 〈…〉 to accept as his companion in Armes the poore Sonne of the King of Arabia practising for his good not the suretie alone of the Christians but the alliance of the greatest Lord in Asia 〈…〉 Lorde since of your accustomed good 〈…〉 this offer of simple iudgement should I shewe my selfe to refuse it I accept your gracious kindnesse and assure your selfe of his readie seruice whom 〈…〉 to the Prince of Greece 〈…〉 the Soldane of Babylon in 〈…〉 The Letter of Prince Palmerin to the great Soldane of Babylon 〈…〉 〈…〉 against all your enemies Contrariwise if you will follow your former opinion wee must defende our selues so well as we may And for I can no more with 〈◊〉 forsake my Couâ—trey Parents and friendes to returne againe to your seruice I sende you the Prince Olorico a Knight both valiant and hardie as anie in all Turkie without exception of your Court the great Turks or the Soldane of Persia and he to serue you in my 〈◊〉 Desiring your highnes by that affection which you did beare me whâ—Ì„ the Prince 〈…〉 that you accept him as your Sonne and giue him in marriage your Daughter Alchidiana as the man that hath best deserued her if euer Prince might merit â— Ladies loue by bountie and choyse chiualrie So shall you performe an action of 〈◊〉 honour and 〈◊〉 me continually to acknowledge this kindnesse Your Palmerin d'Oliua Another Letter he wrote to the Princesse Alchidiana the tenure whereof was thus The Letter of Prince Palmerin to the Princesse of Assiria TO you Madam Alchidiana daughter to the great Soldane of Babilon Palmerin d'Oliua your knight sendeth health condigne to your magnificence Madame sending to your Father the Duke of Mensa and the Count 〈…〉 to the Crowne of Arabia You know faire Madame that neuer had he come to your Fathers Court had not the perillous battaile against the proude Brother of Amarano prouoked him nor would be haue aduentured the dangers of the Sea but in hope at length to purchase your gracious loue For these considerations good Madame entertaine him into your sober thoughts who hath no more feared to spend his bloud for your sake and thrust his life into infinite dangers then I haue doone to sette my hande and penne to this paper I know that your grace beautie and great 〈◊〉 commandeth the chéefest Prince on the earth for your Husband and to shéelde my selfe from blame I know that I promised you my seruice When I should returne from Constantinople but how hath it fallen out your Palmerin is knowne by them that haue like authoritie ouer him as your loue hath of the Prince Olorico I am a Christian a stranger Sonne to the simple king of Macedon and the Daughter to the Emperour of Greece beside of verie little or no desert at all Hee is of your Lawe your Neighbour sonne to the rich king of Arabia and a Prince of as high vertue as euer was in my companie witnesse whereof he made on the Phrigians and in an hundred places since in my presence Wherefore Madame if noblenesse of hart and loyall loue deserue so great an alliance I know no Prince this day liuing more worthie then he Assuring you withall that more gladly would I die thâ— death then sollicite the cause of him whome I would not imagine vnworthie my person Your Knight Palmerin d'Oliua When he had sealed these Letters hee gene them to to the 〈◊〉 who accompanied with fiftie Grecian 〈…〉 where their shippes was 〈◊〉 after them followed the King Maulerinos hundred Knights the number being supplied with other instead of them that were slaine and after them went the Knights that came with Ptolome then came the Prince Olorico and Palmerin deuising by the way on manie matters My Lord quoth Palmerin I imagine you nowe remember our taking by the Admirall Olimaell and feare that the like mishappe may againe befall you I therfore as your
guarde giue you the hundred Knights I had of the King Maulerino and fiftie Knights naturally borne in Greece as able in Armes as any other whatsoeuer intreating you to holde me excused if I giue you not such estate as 〈◊〉 your nobilitie Woorthie Palmerin answered the Prince the greatest Lord that is might well content himselfe with the honourable companie you haue giuen mee And did not extreame passions ouer-rule me and call mée hence to her seruice whom I haue onely chosen I woulde renounce Arabia and the Lawe of Mahomet onely to liue in your companie But in what place my fortune guides me héereafter neither Parents or Friendes shall hinder mee to saie that I am your vowed and affectionate seruaunt The like doo you conceiue of me sayde Palmerin So with teares they left each other Olorico and all his companiâ— béeing aboord such fauourable winde and weather they had as without any danger they safely arriued where the Soldane lay and first the tenne knights went â—n shore they that were left of the companie which the Princesse Alchidiana gaue to Ptolome and comming before the Princesse saide Madame your Knight sir Ptolome humbly saluteth you by vs sending your excellencie this Letter Beside there is nowe arriued at the porte the Prince Oâ—orico and certaine Ambassadours from the valiant Palmerin Prince of Greece and Macedon who come on his behalfe to kissâ— your hand The Princesse hauing heard these newes and read the Letter which Ptolome sent containing the great 〈◊〉 fortunes of Palmerin was inwardly so rauished with delight as a long space she remained silent but at 〈◊〉 brake foorth into these spéeches Ah Fortune how well thou knowest to change matters which way thou pleaâ—est not according to the wil and desire of passionate minds but on the behalfe of the highest in perfections Ah Palmerin the man whom my heart shall euer loue howe may faire Polinarda iustly tearme her selfe happie hauing thee for her Lord and loue considering that the beautie and graces of so manie Ladies conquered with thy deserts nor the sumptuous riches continually offered thée could once diuerâ— thee from thy first affection Ah Alchidiana that which hath made so many Ladyes and knights fortunate in compassing the onely issue of their desires dooth now remaine for â—hy torment alone making thée the most vnhappie creature vnder the Sunne Agriola Griana Arismena Armida and Zeplura are they swéete Knight by thy meanes in assuraunce of theyr loues Trineus Frysoll the King of Sparta Maulerino Abimar Tomano and â—iuers other are their Realmes quieted and their Ladyes triumphing in their ioyes onely by the price of thy bloud and daunger 〈◊〉 thy life And must I alone remaine disgraced for euer 〈◊〉 hauing lost the knight I loued aâ— my soule While the princesse continued these complaints the prince Olorico and the Ambassadoures were come before the soldane and beâ—ng entertained by him with verie gracious 〈◊〉 they presented the Letters from Palmerin which béeing read in presence of all his Lords the Soladne thus answered My Friends I will impart these 〈◊〉 to my Counsell and my Daughter and afterwarde make you answere as I may Héereuppon the Duke of Mensa the Counteâ— of Redona and the Prince Olorico 〈…〉 and soone after the Soldane sent for his daughter thus speaking to her Daughter our Princes thinke good and haue counselled mee to make peace with Palmerin who at 〈…〉 of Greece and requireth in 〈◊〉 of our truce that I should giue you in marriage to the renowned Prince Olorico Aduise your selfe hereon for Palmerin hath earnestly intreated it by writing and héere I haue a letter for you I think to the same effect The Princesse hauing read the Letter returned this answere It is verie true my Lord his request to mee is for the selfe same cause séeing therefore it liketh you and the Princes of our Realme think it conuenient in respect of the common profit and good may ensue thereby it is not for me to make deniall Right glad was the Soldane of this aunswere wherefore he saide go then faire Daughter and 〈◊〉 your selfe accordingly for after Diâ—ner in the presence of the Ambassadours you shall be affiaunced to the Prince Olorico since his arriuall had talked but little with his Ladie wherefore hée nowe determined to go sée her and meeting her as she returned from the Soldane he saluted her with great reuerence but the Princesse â—eigâ—ing that she knew nothing yet of their marriage thus spake to him I vnderstand my Lorde that your companion Palmerin hath altogether forsaken vs. Madame quoth the Prince if hee haue abandoned your companie it is onely by the fauour of Fortune who hath béene a greater Friend to him then any man beside yet cannot the great honours and possessions he now enioyeth make him forgette you in that at my departure he said for eâ—er he would liue and die your knight God kéepe him said the Princesse where euer he is for still is my heart vowed to his remembrance and gladly can I doo as 〈◊〉 for him as for my Brother though his present 〈…〉 from my seruice Such is his trust 〈…〉 present you my heart that neuer since the day of our departure from Constantinople hath enioyed any rest béeing absent from the onely meane of my comfort If then I haue liued all this while in some hope by remembraunce of your excéeding graces and courtesies beyonde all other should I account my selfe in happinesse if now at length you receiue me as your Seruant I receiue you saide the Princesse for Palmerins sake and for your owne deserts which haue béene so worthie requiting you with equall affection so that you denie mée not one request Nothing shall you bée denied swéete Princesse quoth hée if by my life it may be compassed Nor will I demaunde any thing of so great value said she this is the fauour you shall graunt me héereafter when time shal serue that you wil conduct me to Constantinople there to behold the faire princesse Polynarda and the magnificent Court of noble Palmerin in recompence whereof I giue my selfe to be your wife and accept you as my Lord and Husband If Olorico was now well pleased I referre to your iudgements wherefore confirming their promises by kisses and embracings with solemne protestations and irreuocable vowes they departed thence to their Chambers After Dinner the Princesse attired in most sumptuous garments came into the Hall with her waiting Ladies when the Soldane sent for the Ambassadours and thus spake to them My Friendes I now perceiue the man to bee ouer foolish that trusteth in himselfe I thought by my power to destroy Greece where on the contrarie my people are destroyed I thought to continue vnquenchablâ— hatred toward your Maister and now I am constrained to graunt him peace yet not constrained but by the worke of the greatest God I am mooued so to doo which in the presence of all my Lordes I protest and with as good will as hée â—ooth dâ—maunde
great Turke the Calâ—â—â—â— of Siconia and the heyres to the Prince Amarano of Nigrea not much inferiour in this condition is the Soldane of Babylon whose daughter with her Husband I héere beholde The victorious Ambimar King of Romata and Griscâ— the worthie Maulerino and the puiâ—â—aunt Soldane of Persia my Maister Husbande to the vertuous Quéene Zephira who with their Brother haue sent your highâ—esse thrée Shippes laden with the most wealthie riches their Countreyes can yéeld My Lord and they humbly kisse your Maiesties hande desiring you to forget his disceurâ—â—sie to the gentle Knight Tâ—yneus when hee became â—â—amoured on the Princesse Aurecinda But if their loue then sorted to a philosophicall trope or figure it hath sithence prâ—ued effecâ—â—uall in procreation to the no little ioy of my Lorde and Maister The Princesse was deliuered of a goodly Son growing in such exquisite forme and feature as it is expected hée will one day resemble his Father in châ—ualrie as he dooth alreadie his Mother in amiable perfection Ambassadour quoth the Emperour for the great vertue and nobilitie I haue founde as well in the Princesse Zephira as also her noble Brother I graunt the fréendly allâ—ance thou demaundest Yet heereof am I sorie that the Son to the Prince Tryneus should be nourished and spend his youth among Maâ—umetists without knowledge of hiâ— God and Redéemer for in such sort should hée be instructed after he is come to the yéeres of vnderstanding that all the Alchoran is tales anâ— fables and doubtlesse God will so deale with him in time as hée shall imitate the steppes of his noble Father As for the presents sent Vs by the King Maulerino the Solâ—aâ—e and his Queen Zephira we accept them as from our Fréenâ—s and will returne them some remembraunce of our thankfulnesse His Maiestie commaunded the Persians to bée lodged in his Pallace and continued still their former ioyes and tryumphs but to alter those Courtly pastimes and delights this misfortune happened which héereafter followeth Chap. LXV Howe the great Turke refused to assist Lycado Nephewe to the Admiral Olimaell against the Emperor Palmerin and what trouble happened to Constantinople by the Traitor Nardides Nephew to the King Tarisius Lycado Meuadeno and their father SUch was the humanitie and pittie of Palmerin when hee finished the enchantments at the Isle of Malfada as he gaue libertie to all the Turks and Christians which were before transformed as you haue heard among whom was Lycado Nephew to the Admirall Olimaell hée that at the taking of Agriola had the Prince Tryneus for his prisoner This Lycado séeing himselfe in his owne Countrey and out of daunger where he heard howe the great Turke was slaine and his Uncle likewise hée came before the Sultane that then raigned saying Worthy lord as men are naturallie inclined to bemone their losses so are Subiects bound to aduertise their Soueraignes of any shame or iniurie done to their Maiesties This speak I my Lord because you haue not as yet reuenged the death of your deceassed Brother now sléeping in the Armes of Mahomet albéeit traytâ—rouslie slaine by Palmerin and his Companions at which time my noble Uâ—cle was likewise murthered with many Knights of cheefe and especiall account And least you should be ignoraunt in the truth of the déede and who also â—arryed hence the Princesse Agriola I haue credibly vnderstood that Palmerin is Nephew to the Emperour of Greece one of his companions is the Emperours Sonne of Allemaigne and all the rest were Princes and Lords of Greece onely sent as spyes into Turkie Wherefore séeing you now holde the state in such peace and quietnes it were necessarie you should leauie a mightie Armie and please you to commit the charge thereof to mée I will loose my life or make an absolute destruction of all Greece I remember said the great Turke that your Unckle made like entraunce into my decâ—ased Brothers Courte as you by your spéeches now labour to doo but I will so warilie looke to such intrusions as no Traytors shall rest héere if I can hinder theÌ„ Your Unckle vexed the Christians what followed thereon the death of his maister and a daungerous confusion By you likewise may â—nsue as bad fortune departe you therefore from the Court and but that we are loth to bee noted with tyrannie thou shouldest presently be drâ—wne in péeces with Horses False Traytour thou that commest to counsaile vs in a matter wherein we cannot meddle but with great dishonour it behâ—ues thée first to regard the end of thy intent and what he is that gouerns in Greece Go villaine go and on perill of thy life neuer presume before our presence againe Lycado was greatly astonied at this sharpe answere and séeing he could haue no better successe hee went to his Father the Brother to Olimaell béeing one of the chéefest Magitians in all Turkie to him he made his complaints saying he would die in that resolution but he would cause the Turke to knowe that hee was no Traytour and this quoth he shall be the meane whereby I will compasse it I meane to disguise my selfe and trauaille to the Cittie of Constantinople where priuily I wil murder the Emperor Palmerin so 〈◊〉 my Lorde the great Turke tâ—uch mée with no further suspition but will reward me with greater benefits then euer my Unckle had My Sonne answered his Father thinkest thou that thy deuise will sort to effect thy Brother Menadeno would helpe thée héerein but hée is too yong yet when time serueth for thy departure I will not onely tell thée but conduct thee my selfe I beséech you good father saide Lycado further me in what you may for neuer will my hart be at rest till I haue paid Palmerin with the selfe same coyne the great Turke was In meane while do you studie and search all our Bookâ—s of 〈◊〉 Diuination Magique and Nigromancâ—e as Zabulus Orpheus Hermes Zoroastres Ciroes Medea Alphonsus Bacon Aponius and all the rest that write of the blacke speculatiue reade them againe and againe deuiâ—e such spâ—lles exorcismes and coniurations as the very â—pirits may speaâ—e of the feast I will make at the Cittâ—e of Constantinole Héereupon the olde man made his Sonne Menadeno Knight and with Lycado betooke themselues to Sea saying My Sonnes I will bring ye to Constantinople where by vertue of mine arte we will arriue before thrée dayes be expired remember your vnckles death and behaue your selues in such sort as you may be Registred for euer The time doth nowe fauour you with sufficient reuenge and therein shall you be assisted by a Christian Knight whome we shall finde readie landed there for the same cause Their Ankers being wâ—yed they launch into the déepe and cut through the waues with such violence as if the deuill himselfe were in their sailes so that they tooke landing at the selfe same houre as Nardides arriued at Constantinople As concerning what this Nardides was you remember the two Traytors Promptaleon and Oudin Nephewes
good chéere as if you were now in Assyria And although we cannot compare with the Court of Babylon yet théere shall you be vsed as be séemes so great a Princesse I doubt not thereof good Madame said Alchidiana the more am I indebted to the Emperour and you yet can I not forget the absence of my Lord beeing separated from him in a place so vncouth He that â—s the defender of the iust quoth the Empresse will send ye to méete againe in place more comfortable in that hope I pray ye to perswade your selfe laying aside these moutning garments the very sight therof cannot but affend yée These gracious spéeches somewhat contented her and expelled all priuate conceit of sorrow yet would she not chaunge her habite till she heard either good or bad newes of the Prince Olorico Chap. LXIIII. Howe the Prince Olorico was reskewed from the Moores by the yong Knights that the Emperour Palmerin sent in his search and what ioy was made at Constantinople at his arriuall VPon the Emperours resolution for the search of Olorico the Dukes of Mecaena and Saxon with each of them fiâ—tie Knights were prepared to see with two Gallâ—â—s and Colmelio Bellechino Sergillo Sonne to Gardino and the Marchant Estebons two Sonnes whom the Emperor had newly knighâ—edâ— with thirtie hardie Souldiours departed in an other Eight other vessels were sent on the Coast of Propontida and the Bosphor to séeke the Prince It so cause to passe that the same day Alchidiana was preserued from drowning Alibarbanco a Pirat was sayling towardes Natolia and passed verie néere where the Princes Carricke was split and him did hée espie floting on a Chest which was filled within with Martin skinnes being then mooued to behold him in such daunger hée caused his men to take him into the Shippe who readie to yéelde vp his ghost hée was so â—â—â—â—mmed with colde When Aliâ—arbanco sawe him so richly apparâ—lied and the Chest stuffed with thinges of such value hée imagined him presently to hée some great Lorde for whom he shoulde haue some large raunsome wherefore he vsed him verie courteouslie Olorico seâ—ing he was so happily escaped lifting his eyes to Heauen sayd Great is thy mercie O God that hast so fauourablie vouchsafed to regard thy poore creature nor were losse woorthie reckoning so my Ladie Alchidiana were safe in Assyria What angrie planet raigned when we be tooke our selues to Sea what answere shall I make to the Soldane your Father that gaue me such charge of your person at my departure hardly may I dare to come before him any more Alibarbanco hearing these complaints reioiced thereat By Mahomet quoth hée to himselfe nor shalt thou sée him anie more if I can hinder it for I will present thée to the great Turke his mortall enemie and for thy raunsome I shall receiue a bountifull recompence So thinking to strike toward Natolia he happened among the Emperours yong Knights ere hée was beware wherefore hée thought to takeÌ„ their ships likewise yet therein hée â—ound him selfe greatly deceyued For Bellechino knowing them to bée Turkes by their Banners said to his companions We are now I feare in the daunger of Turkish Piratâ— let vs therfore with courage winne our deliueraunce Héereuppon they fiercely assayled Alibarbanco and buckled so closelie that in the ende they hoorded him making such a slaughter among his men and throwing him likewise slaine into the Sea as none were left to resist their further entraunce where they found the Prince Olorico and béeing not a little glad of their good successe they each one embraced him with gracious courtesie Alas my Fréends quoth the Prince how knew you my béeing héere who gaue you in charge to séeke mée forth who hath béene the Messenger of my misfortune My Lord the Emperour Palmerin aunswered Colmelio vnderstoode thereof by your Ladie Alchidiana whom hée founde by good happe as hée râ—de on hunting But may I giue credite to your woordes said the Prince is my Ladie with his Maiestie at the Court Shée is in trueth my Lorde sayde Bellechino and the Mariner likewise that saued her life whome the Emperour hath highlie recompenced for his faithfull seruice I beséech you quoth Olorico let vs hoâ—â—e â—aile presentlie towarde Constantinople for my heart cannot bee perswaded till I haue séene her â—so great is my doubt considering our vnfortunate separation Neuer may I beare Armes in Knight-hoode sail Bellechino or lift my Sworde in honourable Chiualrie if Alchidiana be not at Constantinople where I both sawe her and spake to her before our departure So taking the vessell that belonged to the Pirate Alibarbanco with them in short time after they arryued at Constantinople where their chéerefull sounding of Drums Trumpets and Clarions at their landing deliuered testimonie of their good successe If the Emperour was glad for the recouerie of his Fréend the Princesse Alchidiana of her Husband and euerie one generallie for the man lost by such mishappe I leaue to your iudgements that can censure the rare ioyes of loue and fréendship What Triumphes Tournamentes Bonfires Maskes Momeries and other delightfull exercises were performed for ioy of the Prince Oloricos safetie whome the Emperour made account of as you haue heard before it would demaunde a larger volume to set downe you must therefore héere imagine that you behold his Maiestie highly contented Alchidiana thorowlie satisfied and the whole Court well pleased by this happie event giuing themselues to expresse the same in open manifest signes beséeming so great estates to prosecute and therefore of as great honour as may be deuised The yong Knights are especially welcommed for their woorthie seruice the Dukes of Saxon and Mecaena likewise though they failed of bringing the Prince yet they brought two Foystes belonging to the Pirate Alibaâ—banco richlie laden with manie wealthie spoyles which were giuen among the yong Knights in recompence of their paines During the time of these surpassing pleasures and delights there entred the hauen of Constantinople thrée shippes laden with meruaâ—lous sumptuous gifts and presents from the Quéene Zephira and her Brother the King Maulenno beeing sent to the Emperour Palmerin and his Empresse Polynarda by two great Lords Ambassadours from Persia to request familiar loue and alliaunce with the Emperour the Soldane confessing his iniurie to Trineus while he was in his Court When the Persians came before the Emperour who was honourably accompanied with Kings Dukes Princes Counties and many braue Ladies they were grâ—atly abashed yet thinking on the argument of their Ambasâ—ade one of them began in this manner It is no maruell redoubted Emperour and Monarch of Greece if thy subiects both loue thé◠and â—site thee when thy behaâ—â—our hath conquered the mindes of forraine Poteâ—tates who to enter aâ—ititie and peace with thée some haue left their Countreys to sende their Ambassadours hither other dare not stirre or assemble their men in warlike manner so is the name of Palmerin feared thorowe all Asia Hereof beare witnesse the