with the same no man was able to compare with him neither in happines nor valour one day perceiuing the King to be walking alone in a pleasant delightfull Garden adioyning to the Pallace came vnto him and falling into some conference with him at last intreated his Maiestie to grant him leaue to proclaime a Turny which hee and some certaine number of Knights of the Court would defend against all commers for the space of 3 daies And that after by the space of sixe dayes more hée himselfe would kéepe the field and defend against all commers his Mistresse the Princesse Emilia to excell all others in beautie whatsoeuer The King hearing his demaund and considering the great danger which thereby might happen to him disswaded him from it assuring him that it would be impossible to continue against so many as would hazard themselues in that enterprise and that although he by his valor might ouercome many hardie and gallant Knights yet at length béeing wearie tyred with ouermuch labour might peraduenture be vanquished by one inferior to those whom before he had subdued whereby hee should lose his former reputation gotten with no small perrill and danger This and many other matters did the King alleage vnto him to cause him to giue ouer that enterprise But hee béeing as is before said so puffed vp with a selfe conceit assurance of Fortunes fauour imagining that on whom Venus smiled Mars would not séeme to frowne continued still verie importiue till at length the King béeing ouercome by his earnestnesse granted to his sute Presently causing Heraults and messengers to be sent abroade into diuers places to giue notice thereof that euery one which desired to try his fortune in his Loues commendation might be there to make triall at the day appointed In the meane time the Duke ordained a place for the Tylt-yard which was hard adioyning to the Pallace which he caused to be inuironed in with railes of great height appoynting at each end a large gate or entrance that tenne Knights on horsebacke might enter in front The space within the rayles was of that bignes so that 5000 knights might well turny togethers round about were scaffolds erected for the beholders to sit on sauing that part next to the Pallace which was open for the King the Quéene and their Lord Ladies who standing in the windowes and battlements of the Pallace might with more safety behold the Turny Likewise he caused another place to be inclosed with onely one gate or entrance hard adioyning to the part of the Pallace where the King with the rest might more conuenietly stand to behold the single combats which by him should be foughten and at the other end he caused a rich Tent to be pight which was of Blew veluet sette thicke with starres of gold and Flowre-deluces shewing that he was descended from the blood royall Vpon the top thereof stoode Cupid all naked with his bow and arrowe in his hand ayming directly at a faire picture of Marble which stoode fast by the said Tent on the top wherof was placed the portrature of the beautifull Princesse Emilia which was so artificially made that it séemed to be the princesse herselfe vnder whose féete were diuers places made for placing of their pictures whose Knights should be ouer come by the Duke In this sort was all things ordained against the turnie when the Lord Menew Sir Henault and diuers other Knights came into the Cittie some two dayes before the Turny began where they tooke vp their lodging in an honest Burgesses house making preparation for such things as they should want against the day CHAP. XII How the Duke and the rest of the Lords and Knights bare themselues in the Turny and how Prince Edward the last day bare away the Prize THe day béeing come that the Turny should begin and many Knights and great Lords of diuers Countries come thether some only to sée others to prooue themselues therin The Duke of Orleance as chéefe Challenger accompanied with the Duke of Aniowe the Lorde Mompenscer the Duke Robert of Normandy the Marshall de Berone Francis the yong Prince of Condy together with two thousand other Knights entred the Lists at one end at the other entred Charles the young Prince of Spayne accompanied with Edward Prince of England the Duke of Yorke the Lord Mowbray the lord Dowglasse of Scotland the County of Zeland the lord Mongomery the young Henry of Burbon two French lords who because they were not intreated by the Duke and partly by reason they meant to prooue themselues against him in the behalfe and triall of their Mistrisse beauty entred the field against him with the number of two thousand taking their places as he before had done The King and Quéene béeing placed all the other princes Lords and Ladies tooke also their places where Emilia sitting amongst the rest séemed like Cinthia placed amongst the lesser Starres béeing in the fulnes of her power or like Diana following her chase thorow the woods and launes accōpanied with her traine of Nimphs whose paine in pursute had raised in her Alablaster chéeks a liuely vermilion die so séemed the beautifull Princesse hauing in her well proportioned face the louely rose and lilly striuing for maisterdome which caused the lustie young Duke to be of such a couragious mind that not beeing able longer to desist from the battaile desired the Duke of Brittaine and the County Palatine of Rene who were appointed Iudges of the field to cause the signall of battaile to begin which was presently done by the sound of a trumpet and the Heraults crying to the Knights euery man to doe his best Then ranne together the Duke of Orleance and Edward Prince of England and met so fiercely together that the Duke breaking his Launce on his enemies shield caused him to stagger and had hee not taken hold by his maine hee had gone to measure his length on the ground but the English Prince met him with no lesser might for piercing his shield his Launce lighted on his Gorget causing him to loose both his stirrups with his head almost to touch the pummel of his saddle which being séene by the King was greatly commended the Prince Charles of Spaine and Robert of Normandie met likewise and breaking their speares past on without once moouing on the other the Marshall of Berone was dismounted by the Lord Mowbray but rescued by the Duke of Aniow and others By this time were the greatest part of the Knights met together so that the cloudes séemed to be couered with the splinters of the Launces which were broken many on both sides were vnhorsed and againe remounted by their fellowes there might you haue séene some vsing swords other maces of Iron twise that day was the Prince Charles beaten from his horse and againe remounted by the Duke of Yorke and Henry of Burbon The Lord Douglas this day showed that the Scots were not much inferriour vnto any
Nation for feats of Chiualrie for beeing acompanied with the Lord Montgomerie the Lord of Menew Sir Henault the Countie of Zeland and some tenne or twelfe other Knights beate downe all those which put themselues against them which being séene to the Duke of Orleance was worse thē death who being held very short by Prince Edward the Lord Mowbray and others so that he could hardly helpe any others yet séeing the hauocke which was made by the Scot and his companie fearing least they were preuented he should loose the day set spurres to his horse and with his sword in his hand made such way that at last he came where they were and lifting vp his sword gaue the Scottish Earle such a blow that brusing his Helme caused him to fall besides his saddle which blow beeing séene by Sir Henault was likewise partly reuenged for with one blow which he strake hee cleft the Dukes shield and sliding downewards wounded his horse in the shoulder In the meane time the Spanish and English Princes with their companie were like to haue wonne the day for that the French no longer able to indure their extreame blowes began for to turne their backes which being perceaued by the Iudges they foorthwith caused the retreate to be sounded thereby to saue the Challengers from shame Then departed euery man the Lists for that night returning to their lodgings to refresh themselues against the next day the King to showe the more honor vnto the strange Princes sent for them desiring them for that night to sup and rest themselues in his Pallace vnto which many of them cōsented where at supper they were roially feasted and welcomed by the King and Quéene And after the Tables being with-drawne they fell to dauncing masking and courting of the Ladies and damsels where the young Prince Edward dallying with the fire was scorched by the flame for taking the Princes Emilia by the hand to daunce after they had ended their measure fell to court her with pleasant spéeches which shee still most wittily answered which Cupid beholding wounded his hart with a poisoned shaft of loue turning his iest into earnest thus past they away most part of the night in dauncing and reuelling vntill such time that Ioue his eternall lampes wherewith hee lights the nether world were halfe spent and Atlas moist daughters stroue into the Ocean déep to driue their weary droue then departed these to their beds where euery one quietly tooke their rest except the English Prince who of all the night could not inioy any sléepe so sorely did the remembrance of his new loue torment him sometimes determining to aske her of her Father then thinking the Duke to haue a former promise of her séeing hee vndertooke the defence of her beauty was minded to fight with him for her hoping either to kill him and so to get her or else by vanquishing him to winne away her loue With these and many such like imaginations past he away the wearisome night vntill about the breake of the day Somnus seased on his ouer-watched eies so that he slept vntill the sunne was two degrées from the earth ascended then rising vp hee apparrelled himselfe and went downe into the great Hall where he found the King withall the other Princes and great estates ready to goe to the Chappell to heare diuine seruice whether likewise hee accompaned them afterwards returning to the Pallace they found the Tables couered for dinner where they were all serued according to their estates with most costly and daintie cates Dinner being ended euery one went to arme themselues for the Turnie where the strangers bare themselues so valiently that they wonne the honor from the Courtiers which was such an extreame griefe vnto the Duke of Orleance that for that night hee would not come to the Pallace vowing the next day to be reuenged especially on the English Prince and his companie who twise that day had beaten him from his horse Most part of the rest spent the time as they did the night before in dauncing and such like pastime where againe the English Prince found meanes to Court his Ladie declaring vnto her his loue affection but she who as yet was another waies minded made small account of his prattle scarce belieuing any thing that he sayd touching loue The next day the trumpets sounding warned the Knights to prepare for the Turnie euery one desirous to showe himselfe valiant and hardy when entring the Lists at the first encounter the English Prince séeing the cheefe Challenger comming against him and looking vp to the window where Emilia sate calling to minde his former determinations was resolued to doe him the greatest disgrace he might the Duke on the other side was of the same opinion for hee greatly feared least the Prince would prooue his coriuall in loue by the ofen casting vp of his head to the window where shée sate Thus being both resolued they met together so furiously that the Duke was forced to forgoe his saddle and measure his length on the grasse the Prince passing forwards sorely shaken hauing lost both his stirrups at length recouering himselfe entred the prease where on all sides he beate downe Knights and vnbarred Helmes making such way where he went that he might easily be followed of his companie especially the Prince Charles Henry of Burbon Sir Henault the Lord of Menew the Lord of Yorke the Lord Mowbray and others who following the young Prince ouerthrew all they met causing the French to giue backe and retire euery man thinking himselfe happiest when he was farthest of On the contrarie side Robert of Normandie the Prince of Condie the Duke of Aniow and the Marshall with the aide of their followers made that part where they were very hote and dangerous to the strangers vnhorssing and beating downe many The Duke of Aniow with his Launce before he brake strake downe thrée Knights to the earth at last being incountred by the Lord Douglasse was dismounted and taken prisoner in dispight of all his company The Duke of Orleance being againe remounted went raging vp and downe séeking for the English Prince and comming to the Lord of Menew gaue him such a blow that hee draue both horse and man to the ground which being séene by Sir Henault like a man inraged rod to him and gaue him such a blow that he caused him to bow his head to his brest But the Duke recouering himselfe returned him the like payment Thus continued they two laying the one on the other like two Smithes striking with their sleadges on an Anuill till such time as the English Prince with a mace of stéele in his hand returned gaue the Duke so puissant a blow therewith that breaking his shield in péeces so amased him that his horse carried him from place to place in a sound which being séene by the King and thinking the Duke to be sore hurt imagined likewise that it was impossible for any man to indure those mighty blowes
shéeld couered ouer with leather painted with a Kite and an Eagle flying after a Doue with this word Not to obtaine he entred the lists euen at such time as the Duke had ouerthrowne an Enlish Knight which put himselfe against him CHAP. XIIII Howe Prince Edward ouercame the Duke and afterwards continued in the Listes the rest of the time ouercomming diuers Knights and of his declaring his loue to Emilia THE Prince béeing entred as afore is declared gaue cause of admiration vnto all beholders as well by reason of his furniture as also the deuice of his Shielde yet was he by the King and diuers others much commended for his cunning proportion gallant managing of his horse the King saying vnto the Quéene the Duke of Brittaine that hee much feared least that Knight would beare away all the honor frō the Duke which in the two former daies he had wonne But the Duke himselfe béeing puffed vp with the former victories nothing at all estéemed him and comming vnto him demaunded for his Ladies picture for whose fauour he was to vndertake the Combat The strange Knight replied that her pieture was inclosed in his hart and trauailing through that Country hearing of his Challenge came purposely thother to try his fortune against him not hauing the time to prouide any other portrature then that which hee had already told him of The Duke made aunswer that then he could not combat against him in regard that ouercōming him hee should loose the guerdon of his Conquest But yet séeing hée had such an earnest desire he should in stéed of her picture leaue behind him both his Ladies name and his shield to be placed at his disposition The Prince héereto willingly consented and casting his eye to the place where the Ladies were standing after a little pause sayd Know then Sir Duke that the Ladie whom I so much loue and estéeme and whose vertues and graces are so déeply fixed in my hart that naught but death can extinguish the same is the most exquisite beautifull Princesse Emilia héere present The Duke beeing no longer able to harken to his spéeches being his coriuall answered no doubt but thy folly hath ouercome thy braines rightly doth the figure on thy shield signifie thy madnesse which is the selfe same Kite there represented which séeketh before the Eagle to obtaine the Doue but thou shalt presently féele the reward of thy folly if thou abide but the stroke of my Launce Then turning about his horse not staying for any farther reply went to fetch his course the other doing the like and setting spurres to their horses placing their staues in their rests they ran together furiously like two fierce rammes striuing for superiority leauing a great distance betwéene them that with the more might they may come together with their horned heads so met these worthy Knights causing their Launces to flie into the aire being broken into a thousand shéeuers and méeting together with their bodies causes their horses to réele backwards to the wounder of the beholders but quickly recouering themselues they beganne to assault the one the other séeking by all meanes either how most to indanger his aduersarie and to saue himselfe at length the English Prince lifting vp his sword aloft starke the Duke directly on the vpper part of his shield so strong a blow that cleauing it into two péeces his sword passed forwards wounding him in the left thygh but that blow was not long vnreuenged for lifting vp his sword with both hands raising himselfe in his stirrups gaue the Prince such a blow on the head that had he not taken it with his sheild that blow had ended the battaile but neuerthelesse passing through both shield and Helme he gaue him a small hurt in the head causing him halfe astonied to réele from side to side but before he could deliuer another blow the Prince had recouered himselfe and comming in more fiercely then before strooke at his head but by reason of the starting of his horse the blow lighted on his shoulder breaking the buckles and reuits of his pouldron and sliding downe gaue his horse such a wound that being no longer able to containe his Maisters weight fell to the ground which the Duke perceauing made the greater spéede to auoyd his Saddle and cléering himselfe recouered vpon his féete which the Prince séeing alighted also then taking their swords and shields in hand they beganne a most cruell and dangerous foote combat to the amazement of all the beholders who neuer had séene the like for being both inraged with enuy and disdaine like Lions méete or Bulls or Tigers fierce prickt on with hungers rage finding a pray or booty to their minds fall out and striue and both with téeth horne and nayles wound one the other renting their entrailes and dying themselues and grasse with bloud so stroue these two and with their continued equall fight their stéely Armor being not able to hold out the blowes nor defend the thrusts wherewith the one still wounded the other no man being able to iudge to which side the victorie would incline euery one meruailing who the strange Knight should bee at last the Duke beganne somewhat to shrinke backe and to bare the remnant of his shield very low which the Prince perceauing séemed to increase his strength and followed him more fiercely then before driuing him from place to place till at last comming before the window where Emilia stoode the Prince casting vp his sight towards her imediatly stood as one in a traunce which the other perceauing beganne againe to gather courage and gaue him two or thrée mighty blowes telling him that hee would bring him out of his dumpes T is true replied the Prince being halfe ashamed at his folly but to your paine Then plucking vp himselfe they renewed their battaile which séemed like to the burning of some hidden flaxe hauing a while escapt the extremitie of the fire which had before consumed great woods trées and séeming to be extinguisht presently renewes a flame againe and so goes out Such was their latter strife for the Prince being rowsed from his slumber persued him with so many waighty blowes that the Duke being no longer able to hold out fell to the ground in a traunce which the Iudges perceiuing came spéedily vnto them fearing least the strange Knight would haue proffered him farther violence but he putting vp his sword demaunded whether there was ought else to bee doone The County Palatine aunswered nothing but to defend the place as the Duke had before Then the Duke was conuaied away and being vnarmed was dressed by the Surgians which found no dangerous wound but that his great losse of bloud caused him to bee extreame weake and faintie The Duke beeing couayed away the King was very desirous to know who the strange Knight should bee and being about to send one vnto him to that end The Prince presented himselfe before him and pulling of
his Helme desired his Maiestie to grant him leaue to continue the Dukes challendge when the King beheld him and saw that it was the Prince who had subdued the Duke his griefe for his hurts and ouerthrow was somewhat eased Then speaking to the Prince hee sayd my Lord I did not thinke you would haue thus delt with vs as vnknowne thus to haue put vs into such griefe as you haue doone by the wounding and vanquishing of the Duke our Cosin yet seeing it was his owne folly in making the challendge it doth the lesse grieue vs. But for your request in continuance thereof I would wish you rather to giue it ouer then to indanger your selfe therein but if so be you are so minded we fréely grant you leaue praying to God send you better hap then the Duke hath had before you The Prince humbly thanked his Maiestie and then turning to the Princesse Emilia intreated her likewise to graunt him leaue as her father had doone to defend her beautie séeing that it was his hap to obtaine the same by his good Fortune The Princesse being before hand a little touched with his loue and now séeing the paines and danger which he vndertooke for her sake was altogether ouercome wherefore dying her chéekes with a maidenly blush she told him the paines which he already tooke and that he would againe indure for her sake was vnknowne vnto her yet because she would not prooue discurtious nor ingratefull séeing the King her father had thereto consented she was content to accept him for her Knight and to alow of that which he requested The Prince héerewith beeing meruailous contented returned her harty thankes and so departed againe to the Tent where hee was met by the Spanish Prince the Duke of Yorke and Sir Henault and many others and was by them disarmed and after dinner his wounds being bound vp hee armed himselfe againe in a most costly Armor set all with true loue knots wrought of pure gold and beeing attended by the foresayd Lords he entred the Lists where hee had not long remained before such time that there came a Knight of the Kingdome of Naples a man in those parts famoused for his valor and hardinesse and being inamored on a young Damsell of that Country promised her to come into France whereby his valor hee would cause her to bee for euer famoused but his hap was so hard that at the first encounter he was sent to measure his length in the ground not being able to combat After him that day and the next day he vnhorsed to the number of 40 Knights the last day there came very fewe to try themselues the most part hauing in the fiue former daies béene by the Duke foyled by meanes whereof he past away the time in companie of the Spanish Prince and other great Lords vntill it was almost Sun set at which time there entred an ill fauoured withered face fellow something heigher then thrée horse loaues by birth a pagan but brought vp by the Quéene of Portugall as her Dwarfe this proper aplosquire falling in loue with a Damsell almost as hansome as himselfe being likewise attending on the Queene and hauing obtained her good liking on that condition that he should in all places maintaine her beauty desired the Quéene that hee might be made Knight assuring her that he would so behaue himselfe that thee and all others should thinke the order well bestowed vpon him The Quéene séeing his earnestnesse yéelded vnto him and caused him to be Knighted who no sooner hauing receaued the order and hearing of the Duke of Orleance challendge but he determined to fight against him and cause him to confesse his peate to more beautifull then Emilia Continuing in this imagination he caused her Picture to be drawne and therewith came vnto Parris entring the Lists at such time as the Prince with the other Lords were ready to depart and comming vnto the Spanish Prince demaunded which was he that had ouercome the Duke The Prince meruailing to sée such a gallant in that equipage demaunded what he would with him marry quoth the Dwarfe fight with him and cause him to confesse that the Damsell which I loue doth excell in beauty all others the Prince smilling hauing much adoe to containe himselfe from laughter demaunded who was his Lady and where her Picture was Hee aunswered she was attending on the Quéene of Portugall and therewith drew foorth her Picture at sight whereof euery one burst foorth in a great laughter The Dwarfe being héerewith angry asked the Prince whether it were he or no that he had inquired for the Prince aunswered no but showed him the English Prince withall telling him that the time was past whereby hée had lost his labor vnlesse hée could intreate him to Iust willingly Then the Dwarfe comming vnto him intreated him if the time were past that yet in courtisie he would breake a Launce with him he smilling aunswered that betwéene that and Sunne set hee was bound to Iust with any that should come wherefore he was contented Then taking each of them a Launce they ranne together the Prince missing his course of purpose but the Dwarfe with much adoe brake his Launce almost dismounting himselfe with his owne stroke The King Quéene withall the Lords and Ladies laughed hartily héereat the Dutches of Burbone telling Emilia that now her Knight was like to loose all his former honor The Dwarfe had no sooner broken his Launce but presently he drew forth his swoord but the Prince intreated him to runne one course more which he easily yéelded vnto then taking a new speare they ranne againe the Prince taking him in the midst of his Shield bare him out of his saddle a whole speares length not béeing able to rise from the ground Then was sent vnto him by the King the young Prince Phillip his sonne to intreate him to come to the Pallace whether he went béeing accompanied with diuers great Lords and Knights and was very roially receiued by the King the Quéene and their fayre daughter and feasted with many sumptuous and rare sorts of viands after supper they fell againe to theyr wonted sports of dauncing and masking where the English Prince againe made his loue knowne vnto Emilia assuring her that vnlesse shée pittied his estate he was but dead for without her he was but as a shadow without substance or as a body without a soule The Princesse who by this time was as much scorched with the flame as hee and did féele as great force of loue knew not well what to aunswere but at last yéelding to loue she told him that if he loued her as hee made shew of shée had no reason but to requite him with the like but as yet shée was young and at her Parents disposition without whose consent she could not make her owne choyse but if he could obtaine her Fathers consent shee was likewise contented to accept of him as her Lord and husband Héere will we leaue
did cause me in sort to imagine that you were somewhat intangled in those nets But now to the purpose as she is my daughter so doe I thinke shee will not make her choise without my consent neither I being her father will force her consent where she doth not loue but if by faire meanes shee may be wonne héereunto assure your selfe that the house of Fraunce is most willing to linke it selfe in loue and amitie with the Prince of England whose noble vallour deserues to bée highly had in estimation The Prince for this his kinde graunt would néedes haue kist his royall hands which the King would not suffer him to doe but imbracing him in his armes departed immediately into the Pallace and comming into the Queenes chamber of presence called for the Princesse Emilia and willing all saue the Quéene and her to a voyd the presence hee demaunded of her whether there were any loue betwéene her and the English Prince at which demaunde she dying her Princely chéekes with a maidenly blush and falling on her knées aunswered Most gracious father considering that in concealing the truth from you being therof demaunded I shall not only breake the bounds of duty by being disobedient but also offende God in making of a lie know therefore that since the day wherein he ouercame the Duke of Orleance I haue so intangled my selfe in his loue which before being by him sued vnto I made scorne of that I can finde no way to alter the same but by death only which rather then it should be to your dislike I would willingly indure were it neuere so cruell The King beeing ioyfull héereat yet séeming to be discontented said In faith and is it possible that thou most fond and foolish gearle shouldest so much forget the bounds of dutie and vertue as without my consent so to settle thy fancie on a stranger but I doubt not but thou wilt as soone repent thy choise as thou hast forgotten thy duty in choosing for who knowes whether he being a young amorous Prince hath not made some other choise already where then are thy hopes or what will become of thy loue The Princesse hearing her father in these tearmes knewe not well what aunswere to make but at length with teares in her eies and fetching a déepe sigh from her hart shée besought him to consider she force and power of loue which was of such might that who most sought to striue against it was the more cruelly therewith in the end wounded and that as yet her loue being knowne to none séeing it so greatly disliked his Maiestie she would for euer kéepe close although it did cost her her life which shée was sure it would doe séeing it had taken already such déepe rooting in her hart The King séeing her constancie loth to grieue her any farther tooke her by the arme raising her from the ground bid her to be of good comfort for séeing that her affection procéeded from vertue and not of any wanton or lustfull appetite hee did both alowe of it and yéeld consent vnto the choise which she had made willing her farther to estéeme of the Prince as one who not only déerely loued her but also was worthy to be beloued both for his vallor magnanimitie of mind of the greatest Lady in Christendome Thus leauing her not a little comforted he went to impart the same to the Prince vnto whom this newes was more welcome then to haue béene made Lord of the greated Kingdome of the world And taking order with the King for the day of their marriage against which time there should be prepared a great Turny hee also sent ouer into England the Duke of Yorke to certifie the King his father héereof which was to him most welcome newes béeing now greatly striken in yeares Also there were many Heraults sent foorth to proclaime this great Turny which should beheld in the Citty of Parris at the nuptials of the Prince of England and the beautifull Emelia against which time there came daily many braue and gallant Knights from diuers Kingdomes as well Christians as Sarasines for that the King had graunted by his proclamations a safe conduct for all commers Now in this meane time the Duke of Orleance being throughly recouered of his wounds which he had receaued against Don Edward and finding that with the losse of his honor he had likewise lost his loue grew therewith into so great rage that he would haue slaine himselfe had it not béene for some of his seruants who alwaies gaue dilligent attendance vnto him and deuising with himselfe on reuenge at last resolued by vnknowne trechery to bring it thus to passe There was in this his Dukedome a great Inchaunter who with his accursed spells was able in a manner to pull the starres out of their places to this man the Duke resorted and making him priuie to his intent desired him to deuise some meanes how vnknowne hée might be reuenged on the English Prince The Inchaunter willing to showe his loue vnto the Duke immediately deuised a meane how not only to be reuenged on the prince but also on as many as were welwillers vnto him which he did bring to passe in this sort There was in the Kingdom of Fraunce some tenne leagues from Parris a great Forrest in which this Inchaunter by his deuilish art erected a stately Castle inuironed about with high walls déepe ditches so as it séemed one of the strongest and fairest Castles of the Kingdome likewise he inchaunted it in such sort that though a thousand Knights had sought for it yet notwithstanding there should none haue found the same but such as they thought should not be of such force as to conquer the gardants who were two fierce mighty Gyants farre excéeding the common stature of others of that kind Also there was a Knight a kinsman of the Dukes who being accōpanied with 20 or 30 attendants alwaies remained héerein the Giants who kept the gard the one of them was called Brandofell with him first must those Knights haue to doe that came to make triall of this aduenture the other was named Furioll excelling in strength all the Giants of his time to him belonged the combat with those Kinghts to whom fortune was so fauorable as to ouercome Brandofell In this manner hauing prouided for the garde of this inchaunted Castle they deuised a meane by which to bring the Prince vnto the same which was in this manner The Inchaunter Ligustargo for so was he called had a daughter indifferent faire who in dissimulation was as skilfull as her father in the art of Magicke for she had her teares at commaund and could so well frame her countenance to sorrowe that there was none but would haue taken her to be very sorrowe it selfe to her was referred the meanes to seduce the Prince who comming vnto the Court with her haire disperssed about her shoulders her garments rent and torne and beeing conducted into the
vaine for them euer to expect deliuerance Now had Adresto and the Giant continued theyr battell by the space of halfe an howre on horsebacke both of them hauing receiued many wounds but especially the Giant who for want of skill receiued many more then otherwise he néeded to haue doone which caused him to fret and chafe excéedingly And béeing minded to delay the fight no longer he raised himselfe in his stirrups and deliuered a full blow at his enemies head who séeing it comming and béeing afraid to take the same hee lightly raind backe his horse so that the Giant missing his marke was not able to recouer his blow which lighted so fully on his owne horse head that he cleft it in two and therewithall tumbled himselfe to the ground but as great hap was he fréed himselfe so well in the fal that before Adresto could take any aduantage against him he had recouered his féete which he perceiuing likewise allighted and addressing himselfe they began a more fierce combat then that on horsebacke the Giant still hauing the worst till at last Adresto stepping backe to auoyde a blow which the Giant made at him hée vnluckily stumbled and withall fell to the ground receiuing in the fall a great wound on his right thigh which the Knight of the Lyons perceiuing and fearing the death of his friend he leapt lightly from his horse and came to saue him which was doone with such spéede that the Giant could not execute the crueltie which otherwise he would but was forced to turne about to defend himselfe from his newe aduersary who beganne to deliuer him such blowes as made the beholders soone iudge who should haue the victory For he gaue not one blow in vaine but it did eyther breake in peeces his Armor or wound his body which now through losse of blood began to grow weake On the contrary side his blowes which he gaue vnto the Knight had not the force so much as once to pierce his shielde so impregnable was the strength thereof which caused the Giant to curse and blaspheme his Gods who were not able to deliuer him frō one alone Knight And béeing in this rage he thought with one blow to haue finished the battell wherefore vniting all his forces together he strake the Knight such a blow on the shield that had it béen of any other mettell he had cleft it in the midst but to this it did no harme at all but with that blow he brake his Semiter causing the Knight to set one knée to the ground but béeing againe recouered hee pursued the Giant with such fierce blowes that soone he caused him to fall at his féete which Furioll perceiuing cryed vnto him to saue his life but the Knight not séeming to harken vnto him cut off his head The Giant Furioll séeing his companion slaine drew forth a mighty broad Fauchon and running at the knight said Villaine wherfore hast thou slaine him that was not able to defend himselfe I hauing likewise cryed vnto thee to haue spared him but séeing thou hast so cruely dealt with him I will send thy soule for a sacrifice vnto him Doe thy worst replyed the Knight for I slew him because I did not feare thée and if thou looke not the better to thy selfe I doubt not but to send thée to beare him company with the dead whom liuing thou hast béen a companion vnto in many mischiefes then hurling together they beganne a cruell combat The Knight hauing borne some two or thrée of his weitie blowes which although by the goodnes of his Armour did not wound his body yet were they of such force that they did compell him to bend with his knées to the ground and now minding with himselfe to auoyde the same began to round trauerse his ground often auoyding his enemies force indangering his huge body both with blowes and thrusts which hee gaue with such good and skilfull knowledge that the blood issued foorth abundantly to the great ioy and admiration of the English Prince and the rest of the prisoners who in a manner héereby were in assurance of their deliuery wondring in theyr minds what he might be that with such force was able to cōtend with the Giant Furioll Thus continued they fighting by the space of two howres not so much as once taking breath whereby the Knight had the aduantage as béeing more vsed to such combats then the Giant who now was in a manner cleane wearied and so farre out of breath that he did nothing but pant and blow which the Knight perceiuing pursued him the faster dealing such blowes with the trustie blade of Adriano that caused his body to lie open to the keene edge thereof so that the grasse wheron they fought was cleane couered with his blood himselfe not hauing giuen any woūd to his aduersay although in many places he had brused his Armor and now béeing ouercharged with his enemies blowes and growing faint through his great phlebottomy fell to the ground in a swound The Knight thinking to haue slaine him was called vnto to hasten vnto the wicket which if he did not make the greater spéed would be closed against him wherefore leauing the Giant sweltring in his owne blood he ranne vnto the gate and finding one closing the wicket against him he gaue him such a blow that he cleft him to the breast and entring in hee began to deale his dole amongst thē that made any resistance which were not many Then came vnto him the English Prince Don Iago and the rest giuing him infinit thankes for his great paines which hee had taken for their deliuery desiring him to put off his Helme that they might see his face and knowe him who had so nobly wrought their deliuerance The Knight beeing loth to deny their request especially that of the Prince Iago whom hee perfitly knew and of whose being there he did not a little meruaile whithout any more ceremonies put of his Helme But when the whole company beheld his young yeares and great beauty which by his heate was the more augmented they did greatly admire his rare prowesse but what man liuing is able to expresse the excéeding ioy which the Prince Iago inioyed when hée beheld him who running presently vnto him imbrast him in his armes saying O brother how happy am I so inioy this your presence in a time so néedfull whose absence hath béen a greater griefe vnto me then my tongue can expresse The Knight of the Lions being as glad to sée him vsed him with the like kindnesse demaunding by what aduenture he came thether and how the Duke his father his Mother and the Princesse his sister fared all which was deferred vntill a more conuenient time Then was hee imbraced of the Prince Edward and the rest at whose intreaty he pardoned Sir Pestrell the Dukes Cosin and for the courtisie which hee had showed them during their imprisonment they vsed him very kindly Then the Knight of the Lions commaunded
Verses and Sonnets féeding his humors with such vaine toies to the great griefe of all his subiects and how in all that time he neuer had sufferd any one to come into his presence or to speake with him sauing a smale company of his attendants which remained there with him When Martinus had heard all this he determined the next day to goe thether and to make knowne vnto him those things which should soone put him out of his melancholy dumpes The next morning very early he was rissen vp and comming to the King told him how that hee had some occasion of busines in the Country which would cause him to be away a day or two wherefore hee was determined in the meane time leauing him behind him to cause him once more to sweare vnto him to remaine vntill his returne which if hee refused that then he would commit him vnto some prison within the Cittie whereas hee should bee alwaies foorth comming at his pleasure The King listning attentiuely vnto his speech was driuen into a thousand imaginations not knowing what was best for him to doe at length considering his former oath which rather then he would violate he would chuse to indure any death whatsoeuer so much did he estéeme of his Kingly oath hee answered him thus I knowe not what your meaning may bee in this sort to doubt my former promise and to goe about by a new oath to assure your selfe of me if to set me to ransome I heere fréely proffer my selfe to goe a long with you into any place out of this accursed region and there to remaine vntill such time that the same bee payed vnto you although it should amounte vnto an hundred thousand pounds rather then that you should deliuer me into the hands of the Gouernor of this accursed Country who is my mortall enemie Nay nay replied Martinus being blinded with couetousnes and hoping for a greater summe of monie there is no such matter ment but I haue not farre off a friend whose councell I minde to followe heerein in the meane time chuse whether you will remaine in prison or vppon your oath The King séeing no remedie sware vnto him againe to continue his true prisoner although it cost him his life Then departed Martinus towards the Dukes lodge where béeing arriued and desiring conference with his grace touching such matters as néerely concerned him he was at length brought into a garden in forme much like vnto an endlesse laborinth so many were the diuers and sundry walkes and allies couered with many kinds of trees which yeilded such a close shadow that the Sunne with his splendant beames could scarse shinne through and passing thus from one walke into another he came at length where the Duke sate in an Arbor of Baies beeing clothed all in blacke signifying his great sorrowe which he sustained and hauing a Lute in his hand was playing a mornefull dittie which he euen then had framed to which Martinus and his guide a while listned vnséene by reason of the thicknes of the Arbor At length comming néerer and with reuerence saluting his excellencie Martinus spake as followeth Most mightie and puissant Prince I cannot but wounder that you who heeretofore were wont to spend your time in most honorable exercises as Tilt and Turnie and following hautie déedes of Chiualrie should so giue your selfe ouer vnto this solitarie kind of life neither regarding your owne estate nor the estate of your louing subiects and Country which would spend their very liues to worke your content But if I bee not deceaued this strange humor wherewith you are possest procéedeth from contrarie occasions the one is the extreame hate you beare vnto the King of Denmarke the other ouer much loue towards the beautifull Quéene his wife not knowing with your selfe what way to be reuenged of him nor how to regaine her loue But suppose most mighty Prince I should worke the meanes of your reuenge by deliuering him into your hands would not it content you yea would you not more reioyce thereof then to haue gained the greatest Cittie in Christendome and likewise reward him that should effect the same to his content speake O worthy Duke were not these the occasions of thy griefe and would not this likewise be the chiefest medicine to sease thy sorrowe Scarce were these last words vttered when the Duke starting vp and staring him in the face as one wakned out of sound sléepe thus replied Friend whatsoeuer thou art that séekest by a fayned and filed tale to driue me out of my sad passions knowe that to iest with Princes is not tollerable But if thou canst performe that whereof thou hast made showe of I will not be slacke in rewarding thée for thy paines though thou shouldest demaunde halfe my Dukedome Therefore tell me by what meanes this may be accomplished then effect and bring it to passe and I will reward thée to thy owne content Worthy Duke replied Martinus if I performe it not then let my head bee striken from my shoulders conditionally that if I doe deliuer into thy hands that vnhappie King I may haue for my reward the Citty of Hanstance during my life with the profits thereof and this confirme vnto mee before your Nobilitie and then I will deliuer him into your hands within this eight daies next comming The Duke being filled with ioy with this his so comfortable newes consented vnto whatsoeuer he demanded and calling for a Knight which was néerest vnto him willed him to sommon his Counsell the next day to bee attendant to heare a matter of importance which he would show vnto them which was foorthwith accomplished euery one the next day at their houre appointed beeing ready in the Counsell chamber to heare what should be their Princes will euery one greatly meruailing what soden motion was entred in his head considering that by the space of a yéere before he had neuer conferred with them of any matter no nor once suffered them to come into his presence They being as I haue sayd gathered together in the Counsell chamber the Duke leading Martinus by the hand came vnto them where he declared his intent with the promise of Martinus all which was consented vnto by them hoping thereby to haue their Prince in his former estate of content Assuring vnto Martinus vnder their hands and seales that whatsoeuer the Duke had made promise of they would see it performed so soone as hée should deliuer the King of Denmarke into their hands Héere will I leaue them to tell of the great griefe made through all Denmarke for the losse of their King and Quéene CHAP. III. How the King and Queene beeing found missing were sought for and how the Lords and Ladies that were with them were found THe same morning that the King and Quéene went to recreate themselues in the forrest as is before declared they were not foūd missing till such time as the tables being spred for diner and many Lords and Ladies
knowledge what was become of him thinking that if the Out-lawes had kept him aliue that then they had sold him to some Prince who would be content to put him to raunsome Others held that to send foorth spyes which by diligent inquirie might heare of him would be the best course Thus diuers men were of diuers minds sitting a long while in counsell to no end neither determining any order for the gouernment of the Common-wealth nor meanes to find out their King and Quéene But at length by the meanes of the Archbishop of Maiance who desired change and alteration they grew to determine of their gouernment which should be in this manner following First they should chuse of the most sufficienst of the Nobilitie and Laitie of the Realme the number of sixe-score out of which number by lot they should chuse tenne and of the Clergie thirtie out of which nūber likewise they should chuse two by lot so that of the Nobility there should be alwaies tenne and of the Clergie two which twelue so elected should haue the gouernment of the whole kingdom for a yéere and at the yéeres end to giue vp an account vnto the other sixe-score and eighteene of the imployment of the treasure belonging to the Crowne and then other twelue to be chosen in the same manner for the next yere And this order and manner of gouernment to be kept inuiolate vntill such time as they should heare some certaine newes either of the Kings death or returne To this they all consented setting thereto their hands seales presently making choyse of those whose happe should be first to gouerne this their new deuised state The Lots béeing cast the first twelue to whom the gouernment lighted was of the Clergie the Archbishop of Maiance and the Bishop of Odelstoe and of the Nobilitie the Duke of Louenborge the Duke of Newmister the Lord Harding the Count Hermes the Countie of Mildorpe the County of Opencade the Lord of Londen the Lord Itzenho the Lorde of Newstat and the Lord of Rensborge These twelue according to former agréement tooke on them the gouernment of the kingdome first setting all things in quiet within the kingdome and making diuers lawes and statutes for the preseruation thereof And then made preparation for the defending of the same if so be that any neighbor Prince should now in the alteration of their gouernment make any war or inuasion vppon them thereby not to be taken vnprouided They therefore fortified diuers Castles and strong Holds vppon the borders of the Kingdome repairing those that were weake and erecting new where they thought any néede to be placing garrisons in them all for the defence thereof Likewise they tooke order for the defence and sure kéeping of the Country of Flaunders in their subiection fearing least vppon the report of the losse of the King and Quéene there might be some alteration mooued either by some neighbour Potentate or the inhabitants themselues who at that time were giuen altogether to desire change and alteration Now amongst all these discourses wee must not forget the Lord Gwaltero the Lord Menew and Sir Henault whose heroicke mindes not being able to bee contained within the confines of Denmarke missing their onely comfort and solace their noble Prince whose presence was more déere to them then any thing in the world besides prouided according to their former determinations to trauell in his quest throughout the whole world but that they would either find him out or heare some certaine newes of him which being made knowne to diuers other Lords and Knights there were to the number of a hundred all of the minde bent either to find him out or neuer to returne Thus euery one in the best manner they could made preperation for their iourney fitting themselues both with armor and store of money for their néedefull expences in their trauell And being all in a readines to depart they deuided themselues some into one Country and some into another appointing where many times to méete being in strange Countries where wee will leaue them to declare what befell to the King and Martinus being in his enemies Country as is before mentioned CHAP. V. How King Fredericke was deliuered by Martinus into the the hands of Griffory by whom hee was imprisoned and how Martinus by the Duke was afterward put to death YOu haue heard before how Martinus had agréed with Griffory of Holland for the deliuery of the good King Fredericke in recompence whereof he should haue for tearme of his life the Cittie of Hanstance withall the customes and profits thereof The next day after this conclusion the Duke going along with him to Hanstance where being ariued was by Martinus brought into the Burgesses house where he left the King who according to his oath he found there still remaining little fearing that which suddenly hapned vnto him for Martinus comming vnto him and taking him by the hand as if hee would haue conferred with him about his raunsome brought him at length into a chamber whereas he had left the Duke accompanied with some few of his nobillitie vnto whom Martinus spake as followeth Most high and mighty Prince according vnto my faithfull promise made vnto your excellencie I héere before these your nobillity deliuer vp into your hands this vnfortunate and vnhappie King of Denmarke of whom you may now at any time be fully and sufficiently reuenged of any former wrong by him committed against you or of any displeasure which worthily you haue conceaued against him and likewise so clip his wings for euer héereafter being able to doe you the least offence whatsoeuer When the Duke had heard him speake this his pleasing and to him most delightfull speech scarce suffring him to make his conclusion hauing also in the meane time throughly viewed the King whom by diuers signes he verily knew to be the same he could scarce content himselfe but would immediatly haue slaine him with his owne hands so deadly was the hate he bare him and such the inciuillitie of his churlish and reuengfull nature yet being stopped by some of his nobilitie from killing him hee fell out into these or such like rayling speeches O thou most accursed and vild caitife whom were it not that I meane to put thée to more extreame paine torments I would with these my hands rent that detestable body of thine to peeces and with my téeth teare and gnaw the flesh from thy bones so endlesse is my malice against thée and so many thy wrongs and villanies committed which causeth me to muse and inuent what or how many kind of torments I might inflict vpon thée But would to God that disloyall strumpet that infernall Quéene the causer of all my miseries yea she whose bewitching beauty thou so much and with such a gréedinesse hast desired yea and by thy comurations and other thy detestable and execrable meanes thou hast hetherunto to thy content inioyed O that she were héere present to behold
which he continually saw the Prince to giue caused the Iudges to make an end of the battaile which was presently doone euery one attributing the chéefe honor to the English Prince especially the King causing foorthwith a Herault of Armes to proclaime him the cheefest Knight in the asembly and being brought to the windowe where the King saie by the Iudges of the field had a Garland of flowers set vpon his head by the faire Emilia Which as she was doing vnawares was something touched with loue towards him which being by her then suffred to kindle afterwards grew into a great flame Thus being crowned as King of all Knights hée was conducted with great honor to the Pallace the Duke of Orleance being mightily grieued with his disgrace as also fearing the dislike of Emilia retired to his Tent minding not to come foorth of the Listes till such time as hée had recouered some part of his lost honor CHAP. XIII How the Duke defending his Ladies beautie ouercame diuers Knights how the English Prince being disguised entred the Lists THe next day no sooner had bright Aurora vnbard her christall gates and bridgrome like stept foorth the glorious sunne spreading her siluer raies on old Neptunes face but that the lusty Duke prickt on with his former dayes disgrace hoping to recouer his lost honour was all armed sitting on horseback with his Launce in his hand causing the trumpets to sound to summon vnto the battel those who in defence of their Ladies beauties would hazard thēselues to try the doubtfull verdit of angry Mars The Duke bare in his shield the portrature of a man with the one hand renting his owne bowels and with the other presenting his hart to a fayre Lady which séemed little to regard or to estéeme the same with this word or motto written ouer their heads I liue through hope all the rest of his Armor was set full of flaming harts which séemed very liuely to burne Hee had not long remained on horsebacke before such time that the King and most part of the Lords and Princes hauing taken their places to behold the issue of his enterprise there entred the listes a gallant young Knight sonne vnto the Marcus of Ferara his Armor all gréene and in his Shield he bare two harts combind in one with these words Nil timeo Hée brought likewise a small chest couered ouer with thinne plates of siluer in which was inclosed the liuely portrature of his Lady who was daughter vnto the Duke of Millaine In this sort comming vnto the Duke he told him vnlesse he were misinformed the contents of his Challenge was that those Knights that by him were ouercome should leaue behind them their coate-armors and also their Mistrises portrature to be placed at the féete of the fayre Emilia and so to depart but whosoeuer should ouercome him should likewise haue the desposing of the portratures that there were hanging and to defend the Challenge the rest of the time except he hapned likewise to be vanquisht The Duke aunswered that the same was his Challenge but the coate-armors were to be put of presently if they were vnhorsed and afterwards if they would hazard the Combat with him they should And as for the portratures hee hoped his should be the first which should be placed séeing the difference of their beauties did already manifest it Then departing the one from the other they placed their Launces in theyr rests and setting spurres to their horses they met together so fiercely that their Speares flew into the ayre and comming together with their bodies they strake one the other so rudely that the Duke lost both his stirrups and was forced to stay himselfe by his horse neck but the other was ouerthrowne horse man to the ground and by chance not able to cléere himselfe was sore brused by his horse not beeing able to get vp againe then the Duke dismounting holpe to get him from vnder his horse which curtesie the other perceiuing presently put off his coate-armor and departed the Listes béeing by reason of his bruse not able to combat Then the Duke caused his Ladies picture to be placed at the féete of Emilia and calling vnto him one of his Pages sent her the Coate-armor which she receaued willing him to tell his Maister hee had doone more then she desired Next vnto him of Ferrara entred the Lists that day the Lord of Montgomery bringing with him the picture of the Duke of Poyters daughter whom he earnestly loued and was likewise at the second course vnhorsed to his great sorow but yet not minding to hazard the Combat because the Duke was accounted the best combatter on foote in all Fraunce departed After him came diuers others who were all serued in the same sort for that day he vnhorsed in all the number of 22. Knights placing their Ladies Pictures according to their deserts The next day came into the Listes young Henry of Burbon very desirous to be reuenged for the disgrace of the Lord Montgomery his cosin yet also bringing with him the picture of a Damsell whom he somewhat loued but his comming was more to winne honour on the Duke then to obtaine his Mistrisses fauor He bare in his Shield Paris and the thrée Goddesses but giuing the Apple to neither with this motto Cuique nescio signifying therby the vnconstancie of his mind in loue At the first course they brake their Launces to their hands not so much as once moouing one the other then taking new Launces they met againe so furiously that Henrie had much to doe to keepe his saddle and the Duke loosing one of his stirrups and his raines of his bridle past on likewise and making an end of their carreare Henry returned with his sword in his hand which the Duke perceiuing drew forth his also beginning betwéene them a right fierce and dangerous conflict But the Duke béeing better experienced fought with the greater aduantage giuing Henry leaue a while to follow the rage of his furie thereby the sooner to weary himselfe Which indéede he did when the Duke more fiercely then before assaulted him causing him to séeke how to couer and defend himselfe vnder his shield At length béeing wounded in many places and hauing lost very much blood he fell from his horse in aswound to the great griefe of the King all the beholders who greatly feared least he had béen slaine But béeing conuayed out of the field and his wounds bound vp and stanched hee was soone brought to himselfe After him the Duke ouercame twelue other Knights not any of them béeing able to indure against him so intollerable were his blowes which the English Prince perceiuing and grieuing to behold the next day determined vnknowne to any one to enter the Listes disguised where he did not doubt but hée would soone abate his pride and resoluing hereof the next morning he armed himselfe and béeing mounted on a good horse his Armor séeming all rustie and his
of to speake of these Louers and returne a little to speake of the Gentleman of the Forrest and his education CHAP. XV. How the young Princes of Denmarke and Saxonie beeing brought vp together were so like that they could scarce be knowne one from the other of theyr mutuall loue YOV remember how the Duke of Saxony bringing with him the young Prince of Denmarke into his Dutchie caused him to be brought vp with his own sonne calling him by the name of the Gentleman of the Forrest because they knew no other name that he had The Dutches partly by the commandement of her husband partly for the beautie shee beheld in him made great account of him vsing to play and dandle with him as much as with her owne sonne by meanes whereof in short time he beganne to recouer a fresh and liuely colour and still the elder they grew the more like the children séemed the one to the other and as in likenes so also grew they in loue one to the other delighting alwaies to be together And béeing but children if any one had hapned to wrong either of them the other would alwaies helpe to be reuenged which bred in the Duke and Dutches so great content as might be But comming to the age of 7. yéeres they were instructed in the Latine and Gréeke tongues by a Tutor whō the Duke had appointed them for their bringing vp Hée béeing a very wife and discréet Knight who in former time had spent his youthfull dayes in traueling strange Countries and seeking after aduentures as was the vsage of Knights arrant hee hauing as before is said the charge of education of the two Princes committed vnto him instructed them so well that in short time they profited very much in those languages especially the Gentleman of the Forrest as béeing of a more quick and readie wit but otherwise theyr dispositions constitutions both of mind and body were so like that the Duke was forced to set marks whereby to know them and theyr loue in like manner was so great that had the one béene sicke or ill at ease the other séemed to be a partner in his griefe if the one laughed the other was ioyfull if the one wept the other must néedes mourne to bare him company such a simpathy of loue had Nature infused in them that it was almost impossible for the one to liue without the others company And comming to the age of twelue yéeres they were instructed by theyr Tutor to ride and manage horses wherin they so much profited that in short time they wexed very skilfull especially the Gentleman of the Forrest who both in aptnes of mind and agilitie of body passed the most exquisite of his time which caused the Duke so much the more to loue and estéeme of him hoping that in time God would manifest from whence and of what parentage he was discended imagining as well by his beauty as also by his rare forwardnes that he must néedes be issued of noble blood The Dutches likewise grew into so great a liking of him for his diuers rare and singuler vertues that she many times deuised with herselfe how and by what meanes she might cause him to loue her daughter whom hee estéemed as his Sister a Lady for beauty excellent and for the perfections of the mind able to compare with any then liuing Shée I say béeing of this mind oftentimes resolued to motion the matter vnto him and to discouer vnto him the manner of his finding which vnto him was vnknowne by reason he was alwaies held and accounted as their naturall Childe yet thinking that course might be a meanes whē he should come to age for to forsake their Court to séeke for his true Parents shee gaue ouer that determination minding to conferre with the Duke her husband thereof And finding him one night very merry and pleasantly discoursing and commending of both the young Princes vnto her shee declared vnto him her mind and affirmed that in her conscience there could be no better match for her daughter séeing his vertuous behauiour which was more to be estéemed then my riches whatsoeuer The Duke did not greatlie dislike héereof but yet thought it fitter to bee left alone vntill such time as both of them should attaine to a more riper yeares for as then he was but 12 yeares old and shée nine yeares old Héere againe will we leaue them to speake of the Lord Gwaltero and his companie who after they departed from the Ladies Castle tooke their waies towards the confines of Germanie CHAP. XVI How the Lord Gwaltero trauelling through Germanie arriued in the Citty of Viena in Austria where hee vndertooke the defence of a distressed Lady wrongfully accused THe Lord Gwaltero departing from the Ladies Castle whom he had rescued at time such as he parted from the Lord of Menew and Sir Henault being accompanied with Sir Cadrus Sir Brewes and his Squire rode on a long time without finding any aduenture worth the remembrance euer inquiring after Sir Henault and the Lord of Menew with the rest of their companie At length passing through many Townes of Germanie they arriued in a Citty of the Dukedome of Austria called Viena bordering almost on the confines of Hungaria being as then the chiefe Citty of that prouince and as then vnder the gouernance of a most stirne and rigorous Prince named Duke Otho Who for his tiranous cruelty was greatly feared of all his neighbour Potentates and scarcely beloued of his owne naturall Subiects hee was a man for vallor and hardinesse greatly estéemed and had not his outragious crueltie and beastly sensuallity stayned his Vertues hée might well haue béene compared with any Prince then liuing within the confines of Christendome but rage and sensuall appetites doth commonly so abound especially in the harts of great men whom God hath giuen ouer to themselues that vertue is altogether choked and swallowed vp in vice as might well appeare in this Duke Otho Who so he might haue cared not by what meanes he came by it as by the sequell of this Chapter you shall more plainly vnderstand This Duke had within his territories a most gracious and vertuous Ladie beeing sole heyre vnto her father who was a man of large possessions and greatly beloued in his Country for his vertuous and vpright dealings to euery man This noble Gentleman dying and leauing his daughter about the age of 15 or 16 yeares was sought vnto of many great and mighty Lords some for her lands and liuings others for her beauty and vertues and diuers for both But to make short this discourse shee was at last wooed and wonne by a Knight of that Country called Hostinius a man who for his vertues and vallor in Chiualry might be thought equal with any Knight in Austria and being married vnto the young Lady Vitella they so well loued and liked together that they scarce one euer gaue cause of dislike to the other which caused
Kingdome of Spaine a noble man called Segnior Adresto famous for his vertues and Chiualry and hauing passed ouer a great part of the world in séeking and following of strange aduentures alwaies hauing fortunate successe in all his enterprises especially in his loue which hee bare towards a noble Lady of his owne Country called Leonarda daughter and sole heyre vnto the Duke of Tolledo one who for beauty and comlinesse of body was the only paragon of all Spaine sought vnto by many but only inioyed by Adresto betwéene whom there grew so great loue that whosoeuer had séene or knowne the same would haue sworne that then loue there had béene no greater dietie Which when the Duke her father vnderstoode being loth to match her vnto one of so meane estate although for his vertues he might compare with any yet was his liuings very small therefore he often warned her to auoyd his company and at length grew in great displeasure with her threatning to disinherit her if she did not obey vnto his will héerein Which the young Lady doubting at their next méeting made him priuy withall assuring him that for his loue she could be contented to forsake all But yet séeing that in time her fathers good will might bee obtained she would intreate him for a while to absence himselfe assuring him that for her part she would alwaies continue faithfull and constant vnto him and neuer accept of any other husband though thereby she were disinherited Adresto hearing her kind and louing spéeches aunswered that séeing it was her pleasure he was contented although to be out of her presence would bee a hell vnto him and whereas shée had made him so frée a graunt of her loue he protested before the heauens likewise neuer to forsake her and that before he would consent to loue any other thē herselfe he would be torne to péeces with wilde horses then deliuering each other asigne of their passed faiths he departed And within short time after left the Kingdome trauelling many strange and vnknowne Regions till at last comming into the Kings of Ireland hee hapned to fall in likingly with a beautifull Damsell of that Country but of meane parentage her father being but a Marchant of that Country On whom he so doted that he had cleane forgotten and forsaken the chast and vertuous Lady Lenarda although the good Lady hauing intelligence héereof by a friend of hers a skilfull Magitian oft times sent vnto him to cause him to call to minde his former loue At length the Duke her father dying and leauing her sole Mistirs and Dutches of his Dukedome shee hauing with great pompe solemnitie celebrated his funerals one day sent for her friend the Magitian to come vnto hor of whom she demaunded if there were no meanes to recall her louer Adresto againe without whom she was like to spend her life time in care and heauinesse Adriano for so the Magitian was called made her aunswere that he could not directly aunswere her demaunde because that she whom he so loued wore alwaies on her finger a Ring which was the only stay of his loue which except they could get from her it was impossible euer to remooue his affection Also this Ring had one other vertue which was that whosoeuer did weare it should not loose so much as a drop of blood in any battaile whatsoeuer wherefore when he combatted with any one as oft times he did for her loue then had he the Ring And vnlesse there could be found a Knight that might by force conquer him in single battaile and take away the Ring from him it was impossible to get the same by any deceit whatsoeuer Lenarda hearing this was as one halfe besides herselfe but being comforted by Adriano who assured her he would trie the vttermost of his skill to find out the Knight as he had spoken of Then taking his leaue of her he returned home where by his art he framed a most rich and faire sword excellent curious to the eye and to cut the best that was then in the whole world this sword he inchaunted in such sort that no man but hée to whom the conquest of Adresto appertained might drawe the same then bringing it to Lenarda willed her to send one of her Squires therwith to séeke out the Knight who should by his vallor recouer her loue then deliuering it to one of her Squires whom she estéemed for his truth and secricie with this commaunde that whosoeuer should offer to draw foorth the sword should first make promise of a boone which was to goe ouer into Ireland and to combat with Adresto accusing him for falcifying of his faith to Lenarda Thus the Squire hauing the sword trauelled to all the Princes Courts in Spaine and Countries thereabouts then into Fraunce Italie and Germanie neuer finding any one that could once mooue it in the Scaberd although many stout hardy Knights made triall thereof to this great griefe fearing his trauell should neuer haue end nor his Lady ease of her sorrowe In this manner hauing trauelled through most part of Germanie he arriued at the Court of Saxonie desiring the Duke that his Knights might make triall if it were any their fortunes to accomplish that for which hee had trauailed she greatest part of Christendome Then shewing his sword hee declared that bearing the same a whole yeere he could neuer finde any one that might draw the same The Duke wondring héereat immediatly after Dinner caused all his Knights to make triall therof himselfe béeing the first but al to no end applyed they their forces Which when the young Prince Iago and the Gentleman of the Forrest beheld they presently fell on theyr knées before the Duke desiring his grace to grant them the order of knight-hood hoping that for one of them this Aduenture was reserued The Duke béeing vnwilling at the first by reason of their young age that béeing knighted they would hazard themselues in séeking after strange aduentures aduised them to stay a yéere or two more before they tooke so waitie a charge on them affirming that it was vnlawfull to dubbe any one before the age of twenty at which time they would be strong and able to indure the weight of their Armour and trauell and not before All which could not cause them to desist from theyr sute but still more earnestlie they craued the same alleaging many sundry examples of those who at younger yéeres had inured themselues to as great labours as Reynaldo at the age of fiftéene yéeres stealing from his fathers court went into Palestina to the Christian Armie where vnder great Godfry of Bullen he obtained to be the chiefe scourge to the Sarasins and without whom it had béene impossible to haue wonne the holy Citty of Ierusalem This and many other such like arguments they alleaged wherby at length they obtained the Duke to consent vnto them willing them for that night according to the auncient custome to watch in the Chappell Then
turning to the Squire hee intreated him to tarry till the next day séeing the two young Gentlemen were so desirous The Squire to satis-fie the Duke willingly consented although he had no great hope of theyr successe The two Princes carefull of their charge hauing theyr Armor and other necessaries prouided kept theyr deuout watch all night sometimes accompanied by the young Princesse and diuers other Ladies they passed away the time till the morning at what time the Duke cōming vnto them accompanied with many Lords Knights with his owne hands buckled on theyr spurres and then drawing foorth their swords gaue them the gentle Accolado Then raysing them vp desired GOD to make them both good and valiant Knights Then hearing deuine seruice they returned into the great Hall to make triall of the inchaunted Sword where first the Prince Iago as the elder made tryall but by no meanes was able to draw it then taking it to the Gentleman of the Forrest he said Brother God giue you better luck then I or else this Squire is like to indure more labour True replied he I doubt it greatly séeing that you haue mist then putting his hands on the Hilts he drew it foorth as easily as if it had béene an ordinary sword to the great wonder of the Duke and all the beholders Then the Squire falling on his knees tolde him that the boone which he required was to goe into Ireland with him where he should combat with a Knight béeing the falsest Louer that might be and therewith declared the whole discourse of his Lady and Adresto as is before recited Héere wee will leaue the Gentleman of the Forrest preparing himselfe to goe with the Squire into Ireland to combat Adresto concluding the first part of our History FINIS The second part of the famous History of the two Princes Euordanus Prince of Denmarke and Iago Prince of Saxonie with their seuerall aduentures and fortunes in Loue. CHAP. I. How Euordanus called the Gentleman of the Forrest hauing receaued order of Knighthood departed towards Ireland with the Squire of Lenarda Dutches of Toledo YOu may remember how that in the former part of this historie the young Princes Euordanus and Iago hauing receaued the order of Knighthoode and the aduenture of the inchaunted sword being finished by Euordanus he was thereupon to trauell into Ireland to combat with Adresto and now hauing stayed by the Duke and Dutches intreaty some thrée or foure daies in which time there was a small Barke prepared for his better transporting himselfe and such necessaries as in his iourny should be néedefull vnto him and now the winde seruing fitly for their intended course he was hastned on by the Squire to depart who declared vnto him the great griefe and heauines which in this meane time his noble and excellent Lady the Dutches Lenarda indured then which hée was sure there could be no greater torment possible And now all things béeing fitted in readinesse for their departure hee came before the Duke to take his leaue where falling downe on his knées proffering to kisse his graces hands the Duke lift him vp from the ground imbracing him in his armes and with teares trickling downe his manly chéekes commended him to God desiring him that he would returne againe vnto his Court his aduenture being finished with as much spéede as might bee whereas he should be as hartily welcome as his owne natural son the prince Iago These many other such like spéeches the Duke then vsed vnto him which draue the Knight into a great admiration especially of the words that hée should be as welcome vnto him as the Prince Iago By which and the strange name he was called by it was to be doubted whether hee were the Dukes sonne or not which before this time he had neuer heard nor so much as once dreampt of so secret had his finding béene consealed from him And being about to demaunde the same of the Duke he was put from his purpose by a messenger which was sent vnto him by the Dutches to will him to come vnto her in her chamber where hearing of his taking leaue of the Duke she attended his comming being accompanied with her daughter the Princesse Egisena who was now attained to the age of 15 yeares and by continuall frequenting the company of the Gentleman of the Forrest somewhat touched with loue towards him and vnderstanding by her mother who desired nothing more then to sée them ioyned together in marriage that they were no kin had set downe her rest if he thereto consented to accept of no other husband Thus leauing the Duke not a little grieued for his departure he came vnto the Dutches her chamber where as he found both the mother and daughter so ouercharged with sorrow for his departure that of a long time they were not able to vtter a word But at length the Dutches recouering the former vse of her tongue with a déepe sigh procéeding from her hart which manifestly showed the inward griefe she sustained for his departure and with her eyes stedfastly fixed on him spake as followeth Gentleman of the Forrest for sonne I may no longer call you the great loue which I haue alwaies borne vnto you I am sure you know to be no lesse then that either to your supposed brother the Prince Iago or your sister Egisena although as by my former spéeches you may perceaue you were not my owne naturall childe but in your infancy found by my Lord the Duke in a Forrest in the Kingdome of Denmarke of which place you haue euer since béene called the Gentleman of the Forrest no man knowing of what parentage you are discended nor what other name then this which the Duke gaue you to call you by These things I haue now thought good to declare vnto you before your departure that béeing absent you may the better if occasion so happen to find out your true and naturall parents whom I doubt not but to be such as your selfe shall haue no cause to grieue at nor we cause to be sorrowfull for the education bestowed vpon you your vertues already manifesting the same Farther would she haue procéeded but the teares trickling downe her chéekes stopped the passage of her farther spéeches when the young Knight hauing attentiuely listned vnto her former words to the which those of the Duke séemed to concure Replied most worthy Princesse these your spéeches hath strooke such an amazednesse into my vnderstanding that I knowe not well what to speake or thinke but my vntowardlinesse did alwaies foreshowe that I was not discended of so royall an ofspring as my Lord the Duke yet notwithstanding my minde foretelleth me I am not so basely descended but that I may hope for to challendge my selfe to be a Gentleman and make knowne this high order which my Lord the Duke hath bestowed vpon mee of Knighthoode not to surpasse my estate wherefore I vow and protest before God héere in your Graces presence
Duke her father alwaies shewed vnto him and the kinde spéeches at their last farwell as also the vowed loue betwixt himselfe the Prince her Brother which séemed to promise vnto him an assured obtayning But on the contrary side he would obiect his owne vnworthines as béeing but peraduenture of base or meane Parentage then the great mighty Princes which were desirous of her loue and last and not least that his absence as oft times it dooth in her likewise might breed forgetfulnes Thus reuoluing many things in his mind hee determined if God so pleased after his enterprise against Adresto ended hee would trauell into Denmarke hoping there to learne somewhat concerning his estate or else peraduenture to trauel along with the Squire Adresto into Spaine where he doubted not but that Adriano should resolue him of that doubt In this manner passed hee away most part of the night till towards the morning Morpheus pittying his restlesse estate closed his eyes causing him to inioy a short slumber But long he had not slept before that hee was awaked by a ioyfull cry made by the whole company vppon the sight of Land but the wind béeing come to the Northward they were forced to put in for a harbor called at this day Milford-hauen where comming ashore they determined to rest themselues and prouide such necessaries as they wanted against the winde should serue for Ireland which from thence was but a short cut The next day the Gentleman of the Forrest beeing as is before-said weary of the Sea determined to goe recreate himselfe ashore wherefore taking his horse and armor accompanied onely with his Squire he rode forth to view the Country which he found to be indifferent fruitfull and pleasant but could sée very few or no Inhabitants which caused him not a little to meruaile thus rode he on the space of two leagues beholding many goodly streames pleasant shadowes the delight wherof caused the way to séeme very short At length comming to a small Riuers side hée alighted to rest himselfe and deliuering his horse to his Squire hée layde himselfe downe at the féete of a statelie Béech trée whose thicke branches were a shelter vnto him from the piercing heate of Phoebus golden rayes where he was quickly luld asléepe with the chirping tunes of pleasant birds and bubling noyse of the soft-slyding streame Long had hee not rested in this pleasant place before such time as he was wakened by a pittifull out-cry and starting vp halfe amazed he beheld a most huge and mighty Monster in forme somewhat bigger then a Cammell his head and face not much vnlike a man his mouth very large as about a yard in widenes his téeth vpwards of a foote long his breast and foreféete much like to a Lyon his backe large and long and for his hinder parts they were like vnto a Beare all his body béeing thicke set with bristles so hard as it was vnpossible for any sword to pierce his skin Which at the first sight caused him to stand some what amazed till perceiuing the Monster almost to haue ouertaken his Squire whom he pursued to haue deuoured hee clapt on his Helme and taking his Launce in his hand he ranne to succour him and comming néere vnto him smote the Monster such a blow as well might haue ouerthrowne a good Knight but to him it did no harme at all which caused him greatly to doubt the issue of their conflict the beast féeling himselfe striken behind left the pursute of the squire and turned about to the Knight thinking to haue deuoured him and at the first layd hold on his shield with his two fore-feete and with his mouth seased on his Helme pressing the same with his long téeth to the no small doubt and astonishment of the Knight but as good hap was he might then thank hast for in clasping on his Helme he had forgotten to fasten it which was an occasion that at the first pul it came from his head which otherwise would haue pierced his braines This hapned not a little to the aduantage of the Knight who although his head were vnarmed yet that want of Armor so armed the Monsters téeth that for his life he could not cléere himselfe thereof Which gaue the Knight occasion to make a full thrust at his breast where the skin béeing not so hard as in the other parts of his bodie gaue entrance to his trustie blade which pierced so déepe that it caused great abundance of bloode to follow after it which the beast perceiuing gaue a loude cry and withall let goe his shield and tooke holde on his left shoulder giuing him so kind a salutation with his sharp nayles that he brought away the armor and flesh hard to the bone receiuing in the meane time a sound blow on the deformed head which caused him to réele backwards But his skin was so hard that it pierced no more then if hee had striken vppon an Anuile of stéele Thus continued they a great while the Monster still assailing and he auoyding watching his best aduantage to make thrusts séeing blowes did nothing at all auaile At length beeing weary and something fainting by reason of his hurt hee gaue backe a little to refresh himselfe which the Monster perceiuing lay downe and with his clawes sought meanes to cléere himselfe of the Helme which hung fast in his téeth but before he was able to frée himselfe thereof the Knight who slacked not to take the least aduantage that might be gaue him so sore a hurt in the belly that it caused both his blood guts to issue out together which the Monster féeling and striuing to recouer himselfe on his féete strained so much that hee caused his hellish soule to depart from his damned body The Knight séeing himselfe Victor knéeled downe immediatly on the ground rendring praise and thanks to the almighty GOD for his prosperous and happy successe in this his first enterprise Then his Squire comming vnto him he made hast to bind vp his wounds and to depart towards his Ship where hee might with more ease lesse danger be cured of his hurts which grieued him not a little especially that in his left shoulder But before such time as they were fully ready to depart there came vnto them an old man clothed like a Hermite his head and beard being as white as milke bearing in one hand a small viole of water and in the other a boxe of oyntment and when hee came vnto them he saluted them very curtiously telling the Knight that of long time he had expected his comming into that distressed place The Knight as curteously regréeted him afterwards demaunded if he knew any place where he might be cured of some small wounds which he had receiued so which the Hermite replied that within lesse then halfe a league he had a small Cell whether if it pleased him to goe he would not doubt but within few dayes to cure him in the meane
Castle where he was layd on a good bedde and his wounds carefully looked vnto For Syr Pestrill who vnder the Duke his Cosin was Commaunder of the Castle was a very vertuous Knight and one who greatly pittied the Princes captiuity considering what greefe would thereby rise both to the King and all the Nobilitie of Fraunce He also caused the body of the Giant Brandofell to be brought in and cured whose wounds though they were many and great yet were there none of them mortall The Damsell séeing things sort according to her minde departed away highly contented Now returne we to the Princes Squyre who hauing beheld this vnhappy ouer-throw of his Maister together with his imprisonment not knowing whether hee were liuing or dead fared like a man out of his wits and ran raging vp and downe the Forrest crying and exclaiming against fortune and the destinies which had permitted such great inuistice and at length the morning being come hée determined to returne vnto the Citty of Parris where the next day he arriued and comming vnto the King before him and all the nobles of the Court hee recounted his Masters misaduenture together with all that hapned in the battaile with the two Giants which bred such a griefe and amazednesse in all the hearers as well you may iudge if the like euent should hapen Euery one determining to hazard their liues or to set him frée if he liued all concluding it to be an inchauntment knowing that in that place there was neuer any Castle heard of But when this newes came to the Princesse Emilia you may well thinke her griefe was not smal for falling presently into a traunce her Damsells had much to doe to recouer life in her againe and being in the end recouered bursting foorth into bitter exclamations both against the heauens and powers thereof thus continued shee all that night sounding and resounding in the armes of her Ladies and Gentlewomen the King her father and the Quéene vsing all the meanes they could by perswasions to comfort her Héere will wée for a while leaue them in this generall lamentation for the losse of the English Prince euery one making prouision to goe try the same aduenture and will returne to speake of the Prince Iago of Saxonie CHAP. IX How the Prince of Saxonie remaining discontent in his fathers Court after the departure of Euordanus departed secretly as a Knight arrant to seeke aduentures YOu may remember how discontented the Saxon Prince tooke the departure of his supposed brother the Gentleman of the Forrest who hauing séene him aboord being againe returned vnto the Court beganne to waxe so melancholy that hee séemed to take delight in nothing although the Duke his father perceauing it and for remedy for the same deuised all the meanes he could to worke his content as by proclaming Iusts and turnaments wherein he héeretofore was wont to receaue great content and other times hunting of the wilde Boare and such other exercises still fearing his departure But neither this nor yet the delightfull company of the Princesse his sister whom he intirely loued could in any sort worke him that content which he was wont to receaue in the company of the Gentleman of the Forrest whose want together with the desire of following strange aduentures wherein he hoped to atchieue immortall renowne by his valiant and heroick déedes which hee doubted not but so performe increased in him such an ardent desire to trauell Whereof many times being denaied by the Duke his Father at length hauing resolued with himselfe to depart he called vnto him one of his Squires whom hee intirely loued and on whose secresie and good seruice hee more depended then on any other and declaring vnto him his determination willed him to prouide for their departure which should bee with all the secresie that might bée His Squire hauing vnderstoode his Maisters resolution departed to prouide for the same and comming to the harbor found a ship ready bound for England and agréeing with the maister thereof for their passage the next night conuayed aboord both horse and armor and such other things as should bee requisite for their iourny and hauing informed the Prince héereof the next day the Prince being accompanied only with his Squire as many times he was accustomed departed from the Pallace not suspected of any one hauing left in his chamber window a letter written to his father declaring therein the cause of his departure Thus walking a foote they arriued towards euening at the port where the shippe ancored and comming aboord hauing the winde faire they set saile directing their course for Douer of which harbor the shippe was Thus beeing at Sea and hauing the winde and weather faire the Prince betooke himselfe to sléepe being with cares ouerwatched for in thrée nights before he had not slept so earnest was his minde bent on this his iourny and now being as hée thought in security from being stopped of his purpose hée slept soundly till it was towards the morning when hée thought there appeared before his sight the beautifullest Lady that euer he beheld who comming vnto him cast herselfe into his armes desiring his protection against a fierce and vgly Giant who pursued her The Prince héerewith awaking beganne to ponder with himselfe concerning his dreame musing what it might signifie but the beauty and comly grace of the Lady stucke so fast in his memory that by no meanes he could put the same out of his minde which caused him in the end to conclude that it must néedes bée some Lady whom the destinies had ordained him to loue determined to yéeld himselfe prisoner before the assault should grow too hote thus continued this amerous young Prince intangled in her beauty whom he neuer had séene minding to rest in no place vntill such time as he had found her out whom in his dreame he beheld By this time had they continued at Sea by the space of eight daies not méeting with any aduenture worth the memory hauing the winde faire and the Seas so calme as might bée till on the ninth day comming almost on shore on the caost of Fraunce they perceaued a shippe with sailes and ores as much as they could to make towards them which the Maister and the rest of the Saylers presently knewe to be a Pyrat and calling the Prince vnto them to knowe what counsell hée would giue in this extremitie they all beeing minded to yéeld rather then to fight considering the vnequalnesse of the match and the cruelty the Pyrats commonly vsed to those who made resistance But the Prince not minding to submit himselfe into the hands of such villaines gaue them counsell not to yéeld but to fight it out to the last man and calling for his Armor immediatly armed himselfe swearing them all to performe their best indeuours for to defend themselues By this time was the Pirate come vp with them and warning them to yéelde vnto his mercie the Prince standing aloft vppon
but yet kéeping his saddle they met together so furiously with their bodies that they were both horse men tumbled to the ground to the great meruaile of the prince Don Edward and the other Knights which were standing on the battlements of the Castle beholding the same who greatly commended him in their harts then quickly recouering themselues they drew foorth theyr swords and comming together they began a most cruell and dangerous combat the Knight still fearing his mighty blowes did often voyde the same by the quicknesse of his bodie but yet many times receiued wound vppon wound himselfe likewise giuing many Thus continued they the spare of two howres without any great aduantage to be discerned betwéene them the Giant at length beginning to be out of breath beganne to giue back a little which the Knight perceiuing folowed him the faster and the Giant still giuing back hapned to stumble on a péece of the Knights Launce wherewith he fell to the ground so that before he could recouer himselfe he had receiued two great wounds the one in his thigh the other in his right arme whereby béeing againe gotten on his féete he could not so well handle his Semiter as before hée did which was soone the occasion that the Knight of Fortune got the victorie yet very déerly for hauing the Giant at this aduantage he determined to end the Combat quickly and croching neere the better to giue a full blow at his head he performed the same with such force that hée caused him to tumble to the ground receiuing withall so mightie a blow from the Giant on the right side that cleauing his shield in two he was thereby sore wounded in the shoulder and in his arme But euen as he was going to be reuenged thereof by cutting of his head the Gyant Furoll came vnto him and by force taking him in his armes doe what he could he carried him into the Castle where being disarmed he had his wounds very carefully looked vnto at the intreaty of the Prince who greatly liked him for his vallour which he had showed in the combat with Brandofell And beeing cured of his wounds was alwaies by the Prince held as a companion vnto whom hee declared the deliuery of his daughter from the Gyant Latron and of the great sorrow which the Princesse Emilia indured for his imprisonment All which was a great increase of the loue and amity béetweene them whereby they passed away the time of their imprisonment with the greater content which was not now very long for God pittying the losse of so many braue and hardy Knights sent not long after the imprisonment of the Knight of Fortune the Knight of the Lions and Adresto as you shall heare héereafter But first we will speake of the sorrow of the Court of Saxonie for the sudden departure of their Prince CHAP. XVII Of the great sorrow that was made by the Duke of Saxonie the whole Court when the Prince was found missing and how by finding a Letter in his chamber window it was knowne what was become of him I Haue a long time forgotten to declare vnto you the great sorrowe and griefe which the noble Duke Mauris the Dutches and all the rest of the Court sustained when the Prince Iago was found missing which was the next day after his departure for the Duke his father finding him wanting the next day demaunded where he was as being giuen to vnderstād that his Squire Stephano only in his companie departed towards the Sea side that since they were not returned Wherefore the Duke caused inquiry to be made for him and hearing no certaine newes thereby hee grew meruailous discontented therewith and comming into the Dutches her chamber hée found both her and her daughter in as great perplexity not knowing what to coniecture of his absence and demaunding whether they knewe the cause thereof the Dutches told him that since the departure of the Gentleman of the Forrest she had neuer séene her sonne to showe any content being denied often to follow him in séeking strange aduentures her minde did giue her that hee was now departed by stelth to follow that which otherwise hée could not be permitted to doe The Duke being almost of the same opinion beganne to rent his haire from his head and to rage and take on mightily the Dutches his daughter and all the rest that were present bearing him compapany in his griefe but euen as they were in the midst of this sorrow the Prince Iagos Chamberlaine came and brought a letter which the Prince had left behind him in his chamber windowe the contents whereof followeth To my Soueraigne and louing Father the Duke of Saxonie MOst high and mighty Prince and louing father let not I beséech you this my sudden and disobedient departure any way vex or trouble your noble minde but consider and iudge of the same not with this your ripe and stayed grauitie but looke into the same with a remembrance of your more young and youthfull yéeres when by your noble prowesse heroyick déedes of Armes you caused all the Regions of Europe and Asia to resound with the eccho of your name consider I beséech you what a griefe it is to a noble and vallerous minde to be kept alwaies in the bounds of his owne natiue Country yea like a Hauke to be as it were cubbed vp in a mewe and thinke withall I beséech you what the world doth already and will héereafter say of me if I should still spend my daies in this easie kind of life will they not say that I doe degenerate from being sonne vnto so noble a Sire as your selfe and that this effeminate bringing vp vnder the winges of my mother and in a Court giuen altogether vnto pleasure and idlenesse will in the end be the only subuertion of this florishing estate when it shall please God to call you hence vnto a more happy and delightfull life Call to minde I beséech you the florishing state of the Romane Empire and consider how many noble youths rose to honor by sloth and idlenesse nay rather were not by those meanes the ouerthrow of their families What thinke you of Tarquinius Superbus was not his sloth and effeminate liuing in his youth the cause of his inordinate lust and his lust the cause of his ruine What shall I speake of Nero Commodus and diuers others whom I could recite that only by effeminate ill education degenerated from their noble predicessors on the contrary side looke into Caesar the Catoes yea and the Scipioes who not lying at home but euen in their childhood as it were followed the warres to their great immortall fame What shall I say farther to commend the following of strange and hard aduentures considering that you already know the same better then I can discribe wherefore pardon I beséech you this my departure which I doubt not will be prosperous vnto me and to the future benifit of your Country I
Adresto to be sent for and his wounds to be dressed declaring vnto the Prince Iago that it was the same Knight for whom he left Saxonie to goe into Ireland to combat with all Héere after they had rested themselues by the space of fiue daies hauing sent word of this fortunate deliuerance to the Court of Fraunce they determined altogether to ride thether where in thrée daies they arriued with easie iournies by reason of the wounds of Adresto And at their comming foorth of the Castle with a mighty clap of thunder the Castle and dead bodies of the Gyants were vanisht cleane out of sight to the great astonishment of them all And now being as I haue sayd come to the Citty of Parris they were royally welcomed and intertained by the King the Quéene the Princesse Emilia Oliua and all Nobles of the Court vnto whom the Prince of England declared the whole discourse of euery particuler accedent touching their imprisonment and deliuery Which when the King had heard he made a solemne vow to be reuenged on the Duke of Orleance and his whole family but at the intreaty of the Prince he pardoned Sir Pestrell who afterwards prooued a good and hardy Knight Thus passed they away the time in the French Court by the space of thrée wéekes each friend recounting to other their seuerall aduentures and making preparation for the solemnizing of the marriage betwéene Prince Edward the Princesse Emilia in which time Adresto was fully recouered of his wounds and being desirous to see his old loue the Dutches Lenarda hastned on the Knight of the Lions to depart whereunto he was very willing by reason of the desire he had to speake with Adriano CHAP. XIX How the Knight of the Lions departing from the French Court with Adresto landed in Holland where comming to the Castle of Coruew hee deliuered the King his Father ANd now beeing ready prouided to depart they came both into the great Hall where with many ceremonious courtisies they tooke their leaue of the King the Quéene the Princesse Emilia and Oliua with all the rest of the Nobles of the Court The two Princes Edward and Iago séeing they would néedes depart accompanied them two daies iourny onwards on their way during which time the Prince Iago desiring pardon of his brother for not bearing him company made knowne vnto him his loue to the Princesse Oliua which by his abode in Court he doubted not but to obtaine considering the great loue and amity which was betwéene him and her father The Knight of the Lions being well contented héerewith desired him at his returne or sending into Saxonie to remember his duty to the Duke and Ductches and his beautifull sister the Princesse Egisena whom hee intirely loued assuring him that as soone as he could learne any certainty of that which he now went to séeke for he would returne thether likewise which hee did not doubt but would hapen very shortly Then taking their leaue of each other with many kind imbracements the Prince Edward most earnestly intreated him to sée him at his returne out of Spaine at the English Court to which he easily consented Thus they departed the two Princes towards the Court the Knight of the Lions Adresto towards the Sea-side where their ship remained for them where béeing arriued and setting into Sea they sailed merrily by the space of two daies but on the third day the wind altring and the Seas growing very foule they were forced to put to hull and being thus tost to and fro by the wind and Seas by the space of fiue daies they were at last put on shore on the coast of the Dutchy of Holland where going on shore and taking their horses and Armor minding a little to take the aire after their storme at Sea they rode onwards in a narrow way fast by a pleasant groues side where they heard one very pittifully weeping and listning attentiuely they might heare these few words pronounced And is it possible that God will suffer such cruell and iniust customes to continue to the destruction of so many braue and hardie Knights as haue béene by this wicked custome of Coruew destroyed O false and disloyall Griffory that fearing to shew thy malice openly hast ordained so vild a custome The two Knights hearing this complaint and imagining thereby that there was some cause extraordinary which mooued the party so to complaine alighted and went into the Groue where they found a Squire lying on the earth his face all blubbred with teares and demaunding him the cause of his sorrow was giuen by him to vnderstand of the custome of Coruew where not long since the Duke of Litsenburge his Lord and Maister hauing bin by the space of 20. yéeres trauelling in search of his soueraigne the noble King Frederick of Denmark during which time he had accomplished many great and hardy déedes of Armes and now returning home into his owne Country with intent no longer to séeke after the which was impossible to be found trauailing along by a Castle not passing a daies iourney hence where the Duke of this Country hath erected a custome that no Knight shall passe that way but first he shall leaue his horse and Armor behind him vnlesse hee conquer the Gardants which is a thing impossible because of the number and then he declared the fame as it is more at large expressed in the first part of this history The Knight of the Lyons and Adresto hearing of this custome and greatly pittying the losse of so many hardie Knights as were there daily imprisoned beganne to grow into a great longing to make triall of the same wherefore sending backe Gillimo vnto the ship for such things as they wanted and to giue direction to the Marriners that if with in ten dayes they did not returne that then they should direct their course for Spayne whether they would peraduenture trauell by Land and willing Gillimo to follow them with as much spéede as hee could they departed towards Coruew that night lying at a Village not passing a league and a halfe from the Castle And the next day early in the morning hauing heard Diuine seruice and taking a small repast they rode directly towards the Castle Adresto hauing desired to make the first triall of his vallour and now beeing come vnto the place where the Shield hung at the bridge-foote Adresto strooke the same so hard and rudely with the blunt end of his Launce that he caused the whole Vally to resound with the noyse thereof Presently issued foorth one of the Knights gardants and mounting on his horse came vnto Adresto demaunding what hee sought Entrance aunswered Adresto which if it be denied I will purchase with my sword Then setting spurres to theyr horses they met together with such fury that the Knight of the bridge was sent headlong to the ground and after him came foorth another who was likewise sent to beare him company breaking his necke with the