his Father had done in his youthfull time Thus continued he sixe or seauen moneths in this desire not daring to aquaint the King his Father therewith least he should refuse his request in respect of his yong yeeres but the destenies who foresawe the maruellous déedes of Armes he should accomplish and the straunge enchaâ—â—â—ments that should be finished by him would not suffer 〈◊〉 remaine long slothfull in his Fathers Court among 〈◊〉 Ladies and beautifull creatures but bringing his 〈◊〉 to perfection found the meane that he should be Knigâ—â—â—d by the King his Father as héereafter you shall readâ— more at large CHAP. V. ¶ How the Duke Temoreo of Millaine sent his Sonne Manteleo into England to be made Knight with the Prince Palladine and how Manteleo became enamoured of the Princesse Marcelina DUring this time the Duke of Millaine had a Sonne named Maâ—â—eleo a yong Prince and of vertuous nature brauely disposed to Knightly resolutions and being aged about eightéene yéeres He hauing oftentimes heard the famous report euery where bruted of the Prince Palladine of England and what a strange aduenture happened at his birth which could not as yet be ended by any was very desirous to go see him that he might be aquainted with the Prince so renowmed And one day finding the Duke his Father walking in his Garden he came and knéeled before him desiring licence for three or foure moneths to trauaile into England that he might be aquainted with the Prince Palladine of so especiall report as also the wise and debonaire King Milanor his Father with whome quoth he all Kings and Princes louers of vertue haue euermore desired fréendly allyance Witnesse héerof is the King of Portugall the Kings of Scots and Norgalles and diuers other Princes straungers by his hand my Lord so it stand with your liking would I receiue my order of Knighthood which he I hope will not denie me in respect of his owne gratious humanitie and the consideration he will haue of your person when he shall vnderstand that I am your Sonne The Duke hearing his Sonne in these tearmes was well pleased to behold him of so good a mind and contented likewise to graunt what he demaunded saying In sooth my Sonne seeing Fraunce and England are now in peace together the lesse do I doubt of thy going thither and boldly mayst thou assure him that he hath a perpetuall fréend of me determine then to depart when thou wilt foorthwith shall I giue order for thy prouision in trauaile but returne not till thou hast tried the aduenture so renowmed which hapned before the Kings Pallace on the day of his Sonnes birth and if thy good fortune may bring it to an end well mayst thou intreate the King for thy Order in that thou shalt well deserue thy Knighthood seeing so many haue fayled in triall thereof Manteleo hauing humbly thanked the Duke his Father for graunting him the thing he onely desired said I promise you my Lord that I will not returne thence without proofe of my fortune albeit I were sure to be repulsed more sharply then any hath béene heeretofore yet since the aduenture is so ordeyned let me dye ere I be dishonored with feare or dismaying Héereupon the Duke called the maister of his Horsse to whome he gaue charge to prouide his Sonnes estate toward England and that all things might be readie for his departure within thrée daies following which was accordingly perfourmed and so the Prince Manteleo with his trayne set forward from Millaine in the wéeke next after Pentecost making such expedition in trauaile as hauing passed the fairest Cities in Fraunce which he was desirous to see he came to Bullin where he tooke shipping and with a merry gale of winde in lesse then eighteene houres he landed in England The King Milanor aduertised of his arriuall was greatly contented therewith commaunding in all the Townes where-through he should passe that he should be receyued and intreated honorably And when he drew néere London the Gouernours were charged to méete him on the way the Prince Palladine likewise to welcome him at the Citie gates and the King with his Quéene and Ladies remained at the Pallace to entertaine him Euerie thing thus perfourmed in greatest maiestie the Prince of Millaine was receiued with generall ioy of the Citizens and the Prince Palladine accompanied with many great Lords of England to whome Manteleo behaued himselfe with honorable modestie as well he could his Courtship in those affayres and riding along with the English Prince he entred into these speeches The fame of so many lawdable vertues accompanyed with heroicall prowesse and magnanimitie which amply are discerned in your dayly cogitations hath earnestly prouoked me good Prince to be aquainted with you for which onely occasion I left my natiue Countrey to see this Realme euery where named happie by the honorable regiment of the King your Father whose vertues you imitate so effectually as you remaine a wonder to them that neuer saw you And long may good successe attend your dayly actions heauen making me so fortunate to winne acceptance in your eyes in that I haue deuoted my selfe to estéeme of you aboue all other Sir Manteleo answered the Prince Palladine as I knowe my selfe farre vnworthie these titles of prayse so am I perswaded that your speeches proceed of good affection towards me flying reports are oftentimes found vntrue yet do not I mislike your opinion of me which hath sorted out the meane to sée and knowe you in this Countrey as our honorable and well wishing fréend Of the King my Father haue I heard of your parents and good acquaintance hath he had with the Duke your Father when as a Knight errant he sought after aduentures assure your selfe therefore right welcome hither and gladly shall I accept of you as my freend and companion Thus beguiled they the time til they came to the Pallace where the Prince of Millaine stayed to behold the Statues reading the deuises he had so long desired to see whereat not able to maruaile sufficiently they went on into the great Hall where the King embraced him verie louingly the Princes and Lords likewise present entertained him with excéeding kindnesse and humanitie in that they had heard the King many times report the worthie chiualrie of the Duke of Millaine his Father After the King had welcomed this stranger with manyfold courtesies and had vnderstood the cause of his comming to his Court he sent him with the Prince Palladine to salute the Quéene and her Daughters But loue whose puissance as yet he had neuer felt finding time and opportunitie so conuenient when Manteleo had done his reuerence to the Queene comming to the Princesses that attended on her hauing kissed the first named Marcelina he found his sences so strangely inueigled as he stoode silent before her a prettie while being not able to deliuer one word so was he rauished with contemplation of her beautie Which the Princesse well noting and imagining this
strange Knightes whatsoeuer They not misliking this councell went presently to the Abbey where the Abbot welcommed them as beseemed their estates and while their Supper was prouiding the skilfull man hauing visited their woundes they walked into the faire Orchards and Gardens recounting to each other their seuerall fortunes since they were together in the Court of England Simprinell discoursed his loue to Belanicia of Norgalles and the cause of his comming to the Citie of Varne which when Palladine heard he determined not only to forget his affection to Belanicia but also to assist his freend to his vttermost in obtaining her loue saying My noble fréend I knowe what manner of disease loue is if one haue not receiued the swéetes thereof albeit when I sawe you in England I had no knowledge at all therein wherefore if I shall accompanie you to Norgalles such good speeches will I vse of you to your Lady as she shall not be offended for not bringing her portrait againe or that of the Duchesse which she sent ye for Simprinell thanked the Prince for his offer but he was farre otherwise addicted saying he had promised his Lady a further iourney for her loue wherein he would not haue any companie With this answere was Palladine well contented directing his course another way so hauing stayed two daies at the Abbey and either of them being able to beare Armour he left Simprinell there and courteously taking his leaue of the Abbot set on whither fate and fortune would guide him And after he had ridden fiue or sixe dayes he met a horsseman with whome falling in talke he vnderstood that the great Prince Caesar of Roome had at Paris enterprised a noble Tournament for the loue of the faire Rosamonde of Fraunce a Princesse estéemed incomparable in beautie And I quoth the Courrier am sent to the King of Norgalles Court who hath a faire Daughter named Belanicia before whome I must reueale my message and declare the Prince Caesars challenge in presence of all the Kings Knightes Afterward I must trauaile to Bulgaria and in the Court of the Duchesse Brisalda a Lady likewise renowmed for her beautie I must make knowne of this famous Tournament Palladine glad to heare the Duchesse so commended and that now he had the meanes to see the Princesse Belanicia accompanied the messenger to Norgalles and by the way méeting Belanicia riding in her Litter abroade for her recreation with diuers Knightes that attended on her Palladine was prouoked to Ioust with them by a contemptuous challenge of one of her Knightes But such was their ill lucke as all her champions were dismounted till her brother Landastines tooke the cause in hand hauing left the English Court to come sée the King his father and after they had broken many Launces not being able to preuaile against each other they ended the sport and Landastines knowing Palladine tooke him with him to the Court where he was welcommed honorably by the King as also the faire Belanicia his daughter CHAP. XXI ¶ How Simprinell being healed of his wounds returned to Varne where he vanquished the Prince Alfian of Ireland and brought away the portrait of Brisalda WHen Simprinell felt himselfe well recouered and remembred how he had not onely failed in winning the portrait of the Duchesse but in the attempt had lost y e figure of his mistresse Belanicia he determined not to goe to Norgalles vnlesse he could accomplish his Ladye commaundement Wherefore taking his leaue of the Abbot he rode backe againe to Varne and comming to the place of triumphes found the Duchesse with her Ladyes placed on the Scaffolds and the Prince Alfian of Ireland the Champion for Brisalda who preuayled woorthely against all that encountred with him Simprinell looking on his Ladyes picture and séeing it embased vnder the Duchesse had such a violent impression strooke him to the harte as he intended to recouer her honor againe or else to leaue his life in the feeld And in this resolution he encountred the Irish Prince passing two or three courses brauely the shiuers of their Launces flying vp into the aire but at the third attaint he met Alfian so roughly as both horsse and man were sent to the ground When Alfian had recouered his feete hee drew his Sword and comming to Simprinell who by this time was alighted and prepared for him when they began a fierce and cruell combate whereof Simprinell in the end had the honor Then comming to the Duchesse with courteous reuerence he demaunded of her if she would permit him to carie thence the portraites whereto she made no answere but in a great anger strong from the Scaffold because her champion had defended her cause no better Heereupon the Iudges as the equitie of the case required deliuered the portraites to Simprinell which he giueing to his Squires mounted on horssebacke returning presently backe to the Abbey not alittle glad of his high good fortune At the Abbey he stayed thrée or foure dayes to heale such woundes as he tooke in the last combate and afterward departed toward Norgalles where he arriued without any aduenture by the way to hinder him If he were welcome to the Lords and Ladies I referre to your opinions and how the Princesse Belanicia liked thereof when she sawe her Knight returned with the Duchesse counterfeit let Ladyes desirous of especiall account imagine her content but in requitall of his great paines so confidently did she loue him afterward as by imparting the same to her brother Landastines who highly fauoured his freend Simprinell the King was made acquainted therewith and Ambassadours sent to the King of Scots such good liking thereof beeing found betweene them both as the mariage was consumated and long loue requited with desired recompence Afterward Simprinell imparted to Landastines how at first he was foyled by the Prince Palladine and in his absence had woon his Ladyes credit againe which Landastines tooke so vnkindly as they concluded to trauaile to Paris whither the English Prince was gone before to reconcile this wrong to former amitie And thither are ridden Landastines and Simprinell to the great gréefe of the King and Quéene but chéefely of Belanicia so soone to forgoe her Lord and husband Palladine entised with the report of this braue Tournament held at Paris by the Prince Caesar for faire Rosamonde of Fraunce would néedes be séene in those worthie exploites and landing at Callis loth to be knowne in England least the King his Father should hinder his intended iourney he met with the Duke of Gaule accompanyed with twentie Knightes brauely mounted he likewise riding to the Prince Caesars Tourney by the commaundement of the faire Agricia of Naples whome he honored as his Lady and mistresse After they had saluted each other Palladine presently knew the Duke remembring he had séene him in his Fathers Court yet would not he make any shew thereof because he was so slenderly accompanyed hauing no one with him but his Squire Lycelio and
therefore was content to be esteemed but as a poore Knight errant The Duke merily demaunded of Palladine whether he trauailed and about what affaires My Lord quoth the Prince my iourney is to Paris and no other busines haue I there then to make one in the famous Tournament ordained by the Prince Caesar of Roome for loue of the faire Rosamonde of Fraunce But will you quoth the Duke aduenture your selfe against a Prince so magnanimous In sooth aunswered Palladine I will try my fortune both against him and other if I may Alas said the Duke scoffingly your courage excéedes your abilitie if you desire the combate as you professe I would aduise ye not to meddle with Caesar for if ye doo you will hardly deale with any other afterward Let that fall out quoth Palladine as my fatall Starres haue appointed if I be vanquished I must put it vp with patience for I am as all men are subiect to fortune You are then said the Duke the Knight of fortune and she your mistresse yet can I scant thinke it vnlesse that is she which is painted in your Shéeld Palladine seeing the Duke so scorne him angerly aunswered In truth my Lord your lips hang in your light in taking the God of loue to be fortune I see I am deceiued quoth the Duke for Cupid hath made you a louing Knight by the faith I beare to Chiualrie me thinks amorous conceites doo ill agrée with so yong a countenance I scant thinke said Palladine that your elder countenance can disgrace mine so yong Be not angrie Gentleman quoth the Duke the tune is dangerous for diseases and if you chase your selfe too much you may chance to be beguiled of all your wit If I happen héereafter said Palladine either to borrow some wit of you or to lend you more then you seeme to haue thinke a yong man as able as he that lookes more auncient and for your scoffing floutes the next time I meete with yee you and I will try who is the better man So taking a Scarffe from about his arme he threw it to the Duke saying In witnesse of my words there is my gadge which I will fetch againe before I will forfeit it and pay you vsurie inough for your taunting speeches With which words he galloped an other way the Duke in great laughter bidding him adiew but Palladine rode on verie paciently minding to be reuenged on the Duke when he came to Paris But it fell out contrarie to his expectation for the Duke and all his Knightes riding toward Paris were taken by two cruell Outlawes that kept a strong Castell they beeing named Brulanfutior and Frucidant who likewise kept the Prince Lewes of Fraunce prisoner because Brulanfurior sought to marie with his Sister Rosamonde and béeing denyed as vnworthie so faire a Princesse hée and his Brother left the Court alluring with them the yong Prince Lewes and there led a most hatefull and despised life emprisoning all the Knightes they could get and stealing all necessaries from the poore countreymen By this Castell Palladine chaunced to ride when he saw the seruants to these cruel men take violently a great heard of Sheepe from two poore Shepheards which he got them againe by killing the theeues and afterward vnderstanding the thraldome of Prince Lewes disguised in Shepheards habits he and Lycelio entred the Castell where by pollicie they slew Brulanfurior and Frucidant with all the villaines that attended on them Then searching the Prisons they found the Prince Lewes the Dukes of Sauoy Gaule and Guienne the Countie of Champaigne and many other great Lords prisoners there to whome he gaue libertie and so the Duke of Gaule confessing his former folly was freendly pardoned by the Prince Palladine and there stayed three or foure dayes in companie with the Princes while Lycelio annointed his woundes with the precious vnguent so that they were sound and perfectly healed CHAP. XXII ¶ How the Princes Palladine and Lewes of Fraunce arriued at Paris and of the noble deedes of armes accomplished by the Prince Caesar in the Ioustes which he maintained for the loue of faire Rosamonde of Fraunce QUietly remained the Princes in the Castell of Brulanfurior and beguiling the time with repetition of many Knightly aduentures till féeling themselues in good plight to trauaile and knowing the day was now at hand when y e Prince Caesar would begin his enterprise for faire Rosamonde when Lewes committing the Castell to the custodie of a trustie Gentleman and what prisoners remained to stay the censure of the King his Father with Palladine he set forward to Paris Loth was the English Prince to be knowne as yet to the King of Fraunce vntill he had tried his fortune against Caesar of Roome wherefore he intreated Prince Lewes and the rest to conceale his name and for I would not be knowne quoth Palladine by my Shéeld I beséech ye good freend Lewes to lend me yours which I will imploy with such chiualrie as you shal not be dishonored therby Prince Lewes graunted Palladines request and comming to Loâ—â—re where the King then lay no little ioy was made for the returne of the yong Prince And when the King demaunded for the Knight that slew Brulanfurior and Frucidant the Prince aunswered that he was gone to Paris but would not be knowne till he had Ioâ—sted with the Prince Caesar. On the morrow the Tournament began and the Knightes entring the Lystes the King and all the estates placed to regard the sports Prince Caesar verie brauely came foorth of his Tent and the first that made offer to runne with him was the Duke of Gaule who bare in his Sheeld for his deuise a Knight fighting with a Lion Whereby was figured the noble assistance he gaue to his Lady Agricia who had beene deuoured by a Lion had not he defended her whereupon she entertained him as her Knightly seruant commanding him to trauaile to Paris and to maintaine her beautie against Prince Caesar of Roome as farre excelling faire Rosamonde of Fraunce For this cause he entred the Listes and comming to Caesar thus spake Hither am I come Sir Knight to iustifie that my mistresse faire Agricia of Naples exceedeth Rosamonde in all perfections of beautie And I quoth Caesar will maintaine the contrarie that the Lady thou hast named deserues not to be equalled with my diuine Goddesse So coutching their Launces they met together with exquisite chiualrie and at the second encounter the Duke of Gaule was vnhorssed when being caried into his Tent by his Squires verie sore hurt and brused with his fall he entred into many dolorous complaints because he had so lost the honor of his mistresse Landastines of Norgalles and Simprinell of Scotland being come thither to finde the Prince Palladine determined to make proofe of their valour against Caesar but they accompanied the Duke of Gaule in misfortune and so did diuers other Knightes after them Then entred the Listes two braue gallants the one in azured Armour thick
thou art Liboran the well aduised who with the ayde of Captaine Broantine deliuered a Knight and his Sonne from death therefore seeke not to hide thy selfe from me When Liboran heard what she sayd he imagined she was some Diuineresse or one that had a familiar spirit who acquainted her with matters of secrecie wherefore in the French toong he replied thanking her for 〈◊〉 excéeding courtesie and offering her his vttermost seruice For which she was not forgetfull to thanke him causing certaine of Gentlemen to conduct them to faire Chambers readie prepared for them and in the Chamber appointed for the Knight without rest was ingeniously wrought in Tapistrie of cloth of gold the adulterie of Venus with God Mars and how lame Vulcane came and found them with diuers other lasciuious Histories to prouoke the Prince to carnall delight After the Knight without rest was vnarmed he came and walked with the wise Orbiconte in her Garden wherin were many beawtifull fountaines and great aboundance of wholesome hearbes wherwith she made precious vnguents which she sent to Knightes errant especially such as defended the honor of Ladies She walked with them likewise into her Parke and shewed them what braue game she had there prouided with all other deuises incident to delight onely to allure the Knight without rest to stay there till she had perfourmed her intent for her Daughters which within few dayes after she cunningly compassed in this manner The wise Orbiconte calling her Daughters to her the first whereof being named Iunona the second Palladia and the third Veneria gaue them especiall charge to vse themselues in such sort to the Knight without rest that he might enter into that familiar acquaintance with them as each thing might sort according to her determination And one night while the Knightes and her Daughters were dauncing she walked into her Garden hauing in her hand a little Booke of parchment couered ouer with black veluet there framed she such spelles and charmes and with secret muttering to her selfe sent such a coniuration abroade as nothing should preuent what she had concluded Now doo the Knightes repaire to their chambers thinking to rest themselues as they did the nightes before and so in déede did Broantine Liboran and Licelio for their chambers were so charmed as they could not awake till the next day was verie farre spent but as for the Knight without rest while he soundly slept and thought no harme Iunona in her night mantâ—e came to visit him and so well it séemed they agréed together as the English Prince had the honor of her virginitie Palladia and Veneria folloâ—ed their Sister in fortune the issue whereof was such as when time came of natures appointment they were deliuered of three goodly Sonnes named Clariseo Clarisaâ—do and Clarisano These thrée children were carefully nourished and in their life time perfourmed Knightly deedes of armes whereof we will speake héereafter as occasion serueth By this time had the Knight without rest remayned héere seuen dayes when Orbiconte knowing by her arte that the King her Brother would bid his enemie battell within foure daies she came to the Prince in this manner Sir Palladine séeing your affection is so forward that you will assist my Brother in this warre against the King of Panonia it is now high time to thinke on your departure for I can assure ye that within foure dayes the fight will begin Nor can I entertaine any doubt or sorrow for the matter because I haue alreadie foreseene that our enemie will sustaine great detriment losse and destruction onely by your noble and worthie behauiour prepare yée therefore to set forward to morrow Madame answered the Knight without rest if it like you we will depart presently the sooner shall we come to our iourneyes end Not so quoth she you shall be ruled by my direction for you haue time enough to trauaile thither So taking him and his freends into her Cabinet she gaue the Prince a meruailous costly gréene Armour to Broantine she gaue one of Azure couller with a Shéeld wherein was portrayed how he deliuered the Knight and his Sonne from death and to Liboran she gaue a carnation Armour figuring in his Sheeld the Shepheards life he led by the Castell of Brulanfurior As for you Sir Palladine quoth she I will not giue you any Shéeld because that you haue alreadie is better then any one héere yea beyond all other in the world except one that is at London before your Fathers Pallace which is reserued for one as yet vnborne whose Father and Mother I knowe not or the place from whence he is discended After many other familiar spéeches the knight without rest thus spake to the wise Orbiconte Madame because I am loth to trouble your rest in the morning I and my freends will now take our leaue of you requesting you to dispose of me at your pleasure in that I haue dedicated my life to your seruice Sir Palladine answered Orbiconte I know that my longe desires are now sufficiently acquited and your readie good will I haue tried and found depart in the morning what time you please and still will I aduertise ye as concerning my affaires ayding you to my power in all places where you shall come especially to obtaine your destenied honor Thus went the Knight without rest and his fréends to their chambers where passing the night in some sleepes they arose earely in the morning and mounting on horssebacke they rode away merily But the Knight without rest remembred how this night he had not béene visited with his accustomed dreames nor could he forget the words of the wise Orbiconte at his departure when she said that her long desires were sufficiently acquited whereby he began to suspect that she by enchantment had caused him companie with her Daughters but not knowing certainely what to thinke he remoued his thoughts to matter of more valew CHAP. XXIX ¶ Of the cruell battell betweene the Kings of Aquilea and Panonia wherein the Knight without rest Broantine and Liboran shewed worthy and knightly deedes of Armes And what gracious entertaynement the King of Aquilea his Daughter Nonparelia and the Princes her Brethren made them afterward THE day béeing come that she encamped powers of Aquilea and Panoma should méete Akniden and Zorian Sonnes to the King of Aquilea accompanied with the Dukes of Sclauonia and Liburnia raunge their forces in order of battell the King their Father being not able to be present because he lay sicke in the Citie of Aquilea where he was carefully attended by the Quéene and her faire Daughter It was then concluded that the Prince Almiden should leade the auantgard the Duke of Sclauonia and the Prince Zorian the maine battell and the Duke of Liburnia the ariergard then were a legion of Dalmatians and Albanoyses appointed for the wings being expert warriours with their Darts aboue all other nations On the other side the King of Panonia his Sonne the Princes of Misia and
Dace with the Duke of Dardania their confederate hauing passed the Albane Mountaines were encamped within a league of Baldina And of this Armie the King himselfe was the leader hauing in his companie a Giant named Muzimalde the mightiest man in stature that euer was séene who bare a huge mace of stéele twelue foote in length being answerable in weight to the greatnes thereof The Princes of Misia and Dace had charge of the maine battell and the Duke of Dardaniâ— the ariergard with two thousand Thracians ordained in the wings which were newly come to giue them succour Thus doo these Armies with furie encounter together and great hauock is made on either side especially the Aquileans were in greatest ieoperdie But now the Knight without rest Broantine Liboran and certaine Gentlemen appointed by the wise Orbiconte to accompanie them arriue in the féeld and séeing that side goe to wracke for whose assistance they trauailed thither like Lyons and no men they thrust among the thickest where breaking the aray of their enemies no one durst stand before them but paid his life for ransome of his boldnes At length the Knight without rest encountred the huge Muzimalde and though the weightie strokes of his mace did often put the Prince in danger yet by pollicy and fine chiualrie in the end he got the better of the Giant sending his soule to the Deuill whome he resembled The Panomans at this fight were greatly dishartened finding themselues vnable to hold out any longer so the Dukes of Sclauonia and Liburnia tooke many noble prisoners among whome were the Princes of Dace and Dardania the Duke of Misia being slaine by the hand of the Prince Almiden and the rest of the Panonians with shame driuen to â—light When the honor of the day was thus fallen to the Aquileans the two Princes Almiden and Zorian sent for the knight without rest and his companions whome after they had embraced they desired to goe with them to the King their Father who should remunerate the great paines they had taken And that his Maiestie might vnderstand their good successe a Courrier was sent before in all haste and being brought into the Kings chamber where the Quéene and Nonparelia were present he deliuered his letters wherein the Princes had not spared to report the worthie déedes of the knight without rest and theirs likewise that came in his companie so that the King demaunded of whence and what the Knight was who in his cause had behaued himselfe so brauely whereto the messenger thus answered My Lord it is as yet vnknowne of whence he is yet this I can assure ye that he is one of the most goodly Gentlemen that euer I sawe And in the Armie it is reported that had not he come when he did and your Captaine Broantine with other in their companie your Maiestie had lost the day for our auantgaid being broken the Giant Muzimalde laid on such load as horsse and man he strooke to the ground But at the arriuall of this Knight euen as some God had taken humane shape vpon him our courage encreased the huge Giant by his hand was slaine and all the rest stood amazed as doubting to fight or turne their backs When the King of Panonia who was in person in the battell sawe the onely man he trusted in thus confounded with his Sonne and fiue hundred men he set furiously vpon vs meaning to reuenge the Giants death if he could but this heate lasted not long for our men séeing the incredible magnanimitie of this Knight and his companions followed him with such alacritie of courage as the King and all his men were driuen on a heape and had not a sudden winde and extreame storme fallen among vs the King and his Sonne had béene slaine or taken But the weather beating vpon our faces we could not discerne which way they fled till we espied them on the tops of the Mountaines whereupon this Knight and his companions made after them killing many of them among the hilles and brought backe with them fiftéene prisoners For conclusion I thinke our great Prophet sent this Knight by whome the Princes your Sonnes and all our liues are saued The good King was so glad of these tidings as he tooke â— rich chaine from his arme and gaue it the messenger earnestly desiring to sée the Knight without rest that hée might account of him as his vertues deserued and foorthwith he commaunded through his Realme a generall reioycing should bée made for this happie victorie with bonfires ringing of belles and such like signes of gladnes The Princesse Nonparelia hearing the messenger so highly extoll the knight without rest became immediatly amorous of him longing for the returne of her Brethren that she might sée the image of her desire On the morrow the King commaunded all his Estates to goe méete his Sonnes and the Knight without rest charging them to honor him as they would doo him selfe which they fulfilled effectually as in the Chapter following you shall behold CHAP. XXX ¶ How the Aquilean Princes and the Knight without rest arriued at the Court and their gracious entertainement by the King Queene and faire Nonparelia GReat haste made the Princes of Aquilea to the Courte that they might present the Knight without rest to the King their Father and when they drewe neere the Citie such a multitude of people met theÌ„ on the way to sée the Knight so highly renowmed as they could not ride on for the prease throng At the Citie gates they were welcommed with many learned Orations all the stréetes being hanged with costly Tapistry as it had béene to entertaine the greatest Monarch in the world And the good old King very weake and crazie by reason of his late sicknesse came in person to the Pallace gate accompanyed with all the Princes Lords of his Court when his two Sonnes hauing humbly kissed his hand the Knight without rest would haue done the like but the King would not permit him wherefore he embraced him in his armes as though he had béene as great a state as himselfe Gentle Knight quoth he welcome and frollick in our Court for such report haue I heard of your vertue and prowesse as neuer was I more desirous of any thing then to see that worthie man who with honorable paines laboured in my seruice hazarding your life and person for him that neuer deserued such fauour and freendship My Lord answered the Knight without rest this gracious kindnesse exceedeth all report in deigning to accept of me so honorably I being but a poore and simple Knight errant readie to passe straights of death in your seruice Ah my Sonne sayd the King death hast thou alreadie aduentured for me for which I cannot returne sufficient recompence yet if I cannot requite you effectually my good will shall not want wheresoeuer you be in meane time aske what you will and be assured to speede So taking him by the one hand and his Sonne Almiden by
punishment The two Damosels glad of this happie victorie humbled themselues before the Prince Lydiâ—eo thanking him for this gratious assistance the like did Palladine and Manteleo confessing their liues preserued onely by hys meanes Afterward he requested to knowe the cause of their fight which the Knightes Sister effectually discoursed wherevpon they went to â—â—â—he the Lady that was imprisoned whome they could not tell where to finde tell a poore old Gardiner came vnto them saying that the key of the dungion where the remained his maister alway kept at a string fastened about his necke not trusting anâ—one to see her but himselfe Lydiseo coomming to the Gentleman found that he had some life left in him wherefore taking the key from about his necke and causing his men to bring him into the Castell that further iustice might be showen on him for his offence by the old Gardiner they were brought to the Ladyes dungion where they found her so spent with greefe and her farre face so martired with great effuse of teares as would haue moued a stony hart to pittie her How ioyfull the Knight was to see his Lady how glad she likewise was to behold her husband I leaue to the opinion of long absent true louers yet this was her cheefest comfort that her husband enioyed her againe free from any spot of dishonor and though she had endured long miserie yet could not the villayne abuse her chastitie Lydiseo sent the trayterous Gentleman to the King his Father and with him other of the chéefest offendors with Letters describing their notorious villainie wherevpon they were drawne in péeces by wilde horsses as such a notorious offence full well deserued CHAP. XIII ¶ How the wise Orbiconte appeared to Paâ—ladine in his sleepe and what talke she had with him LYdiseo the Prince of Hungaria hauing heard by the enchaunted Knight and the Ladyes the noble vertues of Palladine and Manteleo remained still in the Castell with them vsing them with verie kinde and princely courtesie being sorie for certaine dangerous woundes they had receiued in fight which he caused to be tended with carefull dilligence The enchaunted Knight likewise told his Lady the successe of his iourney into England how he receiued the Swords of the wise Sorceresse and how the two Princes by drawing them ended his enchauntment they hauing at his request trauailed so farre onely for her deliuerance from the cruell Gentleman Now thankefull she shewed her selfe for their honorable paines her great care in curing their woundes and readie seruice to supply all wants declared the vertues of so good a minde Needlesse were it to tell ye how Lydiseo procured from the King his Father many presents of good will to the Princes and dayly accompanied them with his owne person as the men in whome he most of all delighted I shall therefore reueale what happened to Palladine while he attended the cure of his woundes in this Castell As one night the Prince lay soundly sléeping in his bed the Lady that before had appeared to him presented her selfe now to him againe speaking to him in this manner Know Sir Palladine that I am a Pagan named the wise Orbiconte who through the assertion thy vertues cause me beare thée am come to aduertise thée that I framed those two Swords which the Knight enchaunted brought to thée and Manteleo that you twaine might helpe him to recouer his lost Lady And because I haue fore-seen by my magique and hidden knowledge that by thee I shall one day attaine to high estate of honor I will not conceale from thee that the destenies haue reserued onely to thée the atchiuement of many great and braue enterprises as also the finishing of rare aduentures and enchauntments wherein thou shalt endure much paine and trauaile Beside I am to let thée vnderstand that fortune hath sorted thée out a Lady who at this day is estéemed peerelesse in beautie whome to finde thou shalt trauaile many strange regions with labour that will be long and troublesome yet shalt thou still be protected by me and comforted by the great fame thou shalt heare of her beautie surpassing all the Princesses in the world Begin the search of her so soone as thou canst possible and thinke not my spéeches friuolous for thou shalt finde them vndoubtedly true So vanished away the wise Orbiconte leauing the Prince in meruailous doubts what this Pagan woman might be that seemed to beare him so great affection In the end such deliberate aduise he tooke of her words perswading himselfe of their truth and certaintie as he concluded to seeke the Lady the onely Phenir among the fairest in beautie Of her immediately he became amorous determining to depart from the Prince Manteleo because he would haue no competitour in his loue But before we passe any further and to bewray the cause of this aduertisement by the wise Orbiconte you must note that she was Sister to the King of Aquilea hauing béen espoused to a Duke one of the greatest Lords in that Realme by whome she had three faire Daughters All her life time she spent in the superstitious sciences of Nigromancie and Geâ—mancie and casting the reuolution of her daughters natiuitie she found by her arte that 〈◊〉 the Prince Palladine might be brought into that Countrey each of her daughters should haue a Sonne by him that should in chiualrie surpasse all the Knights of their time the one of them being destenied to be an Emperour and the other two to be Kings of wonderfull possessions Now to compasse the meane whereby Palladine might be brought to this farre distant Countrey you must likewise note that the King of Aquilea brother to Orbiconte had the fairest daughter that euer was seene by which occasion this enchauntresse appeared to the Prince inciting him to follow the search of the fairest Lady in the world promising him to enioy this rare virgin named Nonpareha And when he should be thus brought into that Countrey she deuised to exercise her arte in such sort as he should haue the honor of her daughters to the ende she might expect the fortune of the children who were appointed to so high dignities Resolued on this intent she betooke her selfe to dwell among the mountaines where she framed the two enchaunted Swords as the first motion to draw Palladine toward Aquilea where at the time appoynted he shall arriue But now he is with the Prince Lydiseo at the Castell where he and Manteleo hauing their woundes healed the enchaunted Knight with his Lady and Sister returned to their owne home the vision of wise Orbiconte calleth Palladine thence and faine would Manteleo returne toward England because he liued by the onely remembrance of his mistresse Marcelina so comming to Lydiseo Palladine thus began Worthie Prince your care for our health hath excéeded our deserts yet we remayne with humble dutie to make requitall hauing accomplished our promise to the enchaunted Knight who with his Lady and fréends are safely where they would be
to finde his fréend Manteleo there but he was as then newly gone toward Normandie to pacifie a controuersie betwéene his Father and the Duke who was a man well prouided with money and munition for he kept diuers Rouers and Pirates on the Seas that dayly brought him great store of good booties CHAP. XXV ¶ How Palladine met with his freend Manteleo whome he had almost slayne in fight but that a Damosell discouered his name And how Palladine slew the Pirate Dormidon VPon the fourth day after Palladine and his fréends departed from Paris riding through a Forrest they met a Knight and a Damosell and with them a Squire gréeuously weeping the Squire ioyfull to meete these Knightes came to Palladine with these spéeches Help Gentlemen for Gods sake helpe me to be reuenged on this Traitour who hath slaine my maister by the procurement of this Damosell Palladine moued with the Squires teares rode to the Knight and thus spake Knight or paillard rather what hath mooued thée to misuse passengers and to bathe thy hands in innocent blood Knight if thou wilt quoth he with the Damosell but paillard reserue for thy selfe as for him that I haue slaine he was the cause of his owne death because I found him readie to haue dishonored this Damosell It is best for thee to excuse thy déede sayd Palladine in respect heere is none that can contrarie thée but I rather thinke the shame is thine then his that is dead as his Squire hath protested to me Think what thou wilt quoth the Knight but the Squire lieth falsly and I ought to be better beléeued then he if thou didst me the right belonging to Armes but credit as thou findest occasion I haue no leysure to stand chatting with thée And because thou art so lustie answered Palladine thou shalt a little tarie my pleasure So couching their Launces they met so roughly together as they were both cast foorth of their saddles afterward they continued a cruell Combate with the Sword till Landastines and Simprinell stepping to the Damosell demaunded of her what the Knight was Alas Gentlemen quoth she his name is Manteleo the Prince of Mâ—â—â—â—yne whome I sée verie hardly requited for deliuering me from the villaine that would haue forced me Landâ—stines presently stopping betwéene them sayd Giue ouer Sir Palladine for you fight against your déere fréend Manteleo At these words the Princes threw downe their weapons and with all the ceremonious courtesies incident to fréendship they louingly embraced each other whereat the Damosell greatly meruailed and the Squire who was the cause of their fight whereupon doubting a further danger toward him because his maister was slaine in so bad a cause so fast as he could tooke himselfe to flight After the manifold kinde excuses which freendly enemies vse together they rode with the Damosell to her Castell where their wounds being visited they afterward iournyed to Millayne Palladine being honorably welcommed by the Duke and especially fauoured for his loue to his Sonne Manteleo And hauing feasted there certaine dayes the Duke recounted to Palladine his present affaires with the Duke of Normandie who after many dishonorable actions was by his power slaine in a battell whereupon the Normans were content to endure his soueraigntie ouer them and for that cause had they sent their Ambassadors In the end by the worthie aduise of Palladine the Duke tooke the gouernement vpon him sending his Sonne Manteleo to receiue the possession thereof Now thought Palladine he stayed too long remembring the letter from the wise Orbiconte therefore would he presently depart toward Aquilea to the great gréefe of the Duke and his fréend Manteleo being loth to forgoe the English Prince so soone Landastines and Simprinell vnderstanding that Palladine would trauaile alone albeit more willingly they would haue borne him companie rode back to Norgalles againe Simprinell confessing how he had woon the portraite of Brisalda whereof Palladine made little or no account at all because he had now almost forgotten her Manteleo likewise went to Normandie where he was receiued as their Lord and Gouernour and hauing established all matters concerning the common wealth he crost the Seas into England to visit his best beloued Lady Marcelina whome he had chosen aboue all other in the world Palladine thus departing from his fréends hauing none in his company but his Squire Lycelio and the Shepheard Liboran by whose meanes he entred the Castell of Brulanfurior and therefore gaue him the name of Liboran the well aduised tooke Shipping and coasting by Lystria at length they came into Albania where suddenly they met with a Turkish Pirate named Dormidon who thinking to seaze on this christian bootie assayled them yet in the end was ouercome himselfe and he with the most part of his men throwne into the Sea After this sharpe encounter on the Sea Palladine was desirous to take landing at the néerest Island least they should be surprized by any more Pirates and because he thought each day a yéere till he might sée the swéete Goddesse promised him by Orbiconte he determined not to rest himselfe in any place vntill he had found what he so earnestly desired charging his Squires thence forward to call him The Knight without rest and vnder this name héereafter he trauaileth The Pilote did as he was commaunded striking presently to the néerest Island which séemed to them verie beawtifull and delectable but they were no sooner come on land and their horsses brought on shore which immediatly offered to feede on the goodly gréene grasse but a mightie flame of fire issued foorth of the ground and continued before them to hinder their passage any further What meaneth this sayd the Knight without rest to the Pilote what may this Isle be named are we in Scicilia where many affirme there is a Mountaine that vomiteth fire and flame foorth in great aboundance No my Lord aunswered the Pilote we are verie farre from thence Scicilie whereof you speake is in the Mediterranean Sea and we are in the Sea Adriatique a great distance from Aquilea and as my owne knowledge serueth me I thinke this soyle is named The Isle of Fire where hath beene heard and séene matters of great meruaile And trust me said the Knight without rest I neuer sawe the like before I pray ye therefore stay for me in this place while I goe to sée the wonders of this Island and if I returne not when two dayes are expired set Sayle and depart whether ye please Not so my Lord aunswered the Pilote I will not weigh Anker till I sée yée or heare from yée in meane while we will expect a lucky gale of winde that may send vs merily to Aquilea CHAP. XXVI ¶ What strange and fearefull visions the Knight without rest sawe in the Isle of Fire and how he returned in exceeding greefe because he could not finish the enchauntments REsolued thus to sée this strange Island the Knight without rest mounteth on horssebacke leauing Liboran in the
beside I will procéed no further but heere giue ouer all cause of quarrell And that your desire may be the more satisfyed I will bring ye to the man you imagined me to be and likewise you shall knowe with whome you haue now twise dealt without aduantage My name is Manteleo Sonne to the Duke of Millayne and Brother by marriage to the Prince Palladine of England But the accustomed humours among new married folkes had charmed Palladine in such sort as he sawe not when Manteleo thus ventured before him yet afterward séeing two enemies so louingly embrace he meruailed who the Knight of the Phenix should be at length these two pacefyed came toward the Prince and in offering to salute him this cause of stay hindered them While Palladine was fastening his Ladies Bracelet about his arme a Squire came before him who on his knees presented him a Letter saying Worthie Lord my Lady and Mistresse the Duchesse of the rich Isles whome you verie well knowe commending her selfe to your good grace hath sent you this Letter desiring as the latest good you will doo her to aunswere the same with all conuenient spéed This message chéefely the verie last words amazed the Prince and béeing assailed with diuers imaginations he brake open the Seale and opening the Letter read there these lines following The Letter from Brisalda Duchesse of the rich Islands to Palladine the Prince of England AT what time my Lord I was so happie as to sée you héere in the rich Islands I thought assuredly my good hap had taken such effect as death it selfe could no way bring to end Not so much iâ— knowing my selfe to be your beloued as to remember that my first freend was the Sonne of a King whose good partes I engraued so liuely in my hart as none but he was made Lord therof reseruing to my selfe this onely regard that loue had made me no more yours then dutie had confirmed you mine Considering héerewithall that as a gadge of my good will you being surprized with some part of my graces and passionate beyond measure as your selfe sayd if my liking did not consort with yours I gaue you that remedie for your sicknes which a Lady of such calling as I am would not haue bestowed on the greatest Pritice in the world Notwithstanding our desires had then such a Simpathie of affection as in all matters we were alike hauing each others honor in equall commendation our nobilitie parentage and what else beside combined together in a rich procall knot But so it is come to posse that of our first sight affection and familiaritie such a testimonie remaineth as may not be forgotten for since your vnkind departure leauing me in a laborinth of endlesse greef I am deliuered of a Sonne begotten by you whom I haue named Vnyon now aged twentie monethes who bearing the perfect image of his Fathers graces is the onely comfort his sorrowfull mother hath And heerein you may beléeue me that an hundred times he hath preserued my life hauing so weightie a burthen at my hart as is the small account you haue made of me since your departure and the wrong you doo mée in racing mée foorth of your remembrance not vouchsasing once to acquaint mée with the cause thereof Heerein is my hap so hard and regretable as death were more welcome to mee then life to asswage which insupportable burthen I haue no comfort but your little Sonne whome hourely I hold in mine armes meruailing so swéete a babe should haue so sowre a Father Yet beeing thus cast off and disdained the sorrow can not be so irkesome to me as the blame would to you were your discourtesie openly knowne but such is my loue to you that my nature vanquished none but your selfe shall knowe how you haue wronged me nor further reuenge will I seeke then with mine owne death to burie your shame What would your new loue Nonparelia say if she knew my bed abused by her husband and she wife to him who by flesh and blood is maried to mee she beeing the second might well thinke the first to be hardly intreated But let not any doubt héereof offend you for from her will I safely conceale it not in respect of any loue to her but by remayning euermore Your faithfull and immooueable freend Brisalda Duchesse of the rich Islands After he had read the Letter he was strooken into such â—umpe and oppressed with such remorse of conscience as scantly could he endure from falling beside his horsse the best meane to preuent the same was the arriuall of Caesar and Manteleo which made him quickly change his countenance when the Emperours Sonne thus spake to him Sir Palladine the courtesie showen me by the Prince of Millayne your Brother hath deliuered me from great trouble enforcing me to forbeare armes to entertaine him in stead of your selfe The happie Bridegrooâ—e are you to faire Nonparelia whose praises soare aboue the Eagle in height nor can I forget your famous chiualrie perfourmed in defence of her portrait when you conquered in Fraunce the prowd Zarcanell her vnworthie seruant that brought her figure thether I can not denie my Lord answered Palladine but the representation of my Ladies beawtie hath made me conquerour in diuers slender enterprises woon from such as had no abilitie to keepe them wherein if I haue deserued any reporte as freends are easily intreated to commend one another farre inferiour are they to the faire Rosamonde and those aduentures that noble Caesar hath accomplished for her I see well my Lord quoth Caesar that you will binde mée to you in such sort as I shall haue no meane to compasse y e least part of gratification but let vs end this needlesse talke and goe sée the rare creature whose vertues hath allured hither so many braue Gallants So walked they to the Pallace where the King entertained Caesar verie royally and all the Ladyes with excéeding courtesie Landastines and Zorian dooing the lyke nothing ashamed that the Emperours Sonne had the honor of the Tourney CHAP. XLII ¶ What answere Palladine sent to the Duchesse Brisalda and how Caesar returned to his faire Rosamonde Landastines and Manteleo likewise into their countreys and of the birth of Florano the Prince of England Sonne to Palladine and Nonparelia CAesar being thus welcommed in the Court of England both by the Lords and Ladyes especially Nonparelia Palladine feigning to goe vnarme himselfe tooke the messenger from the Duchesse Brisalda with him saying My freend you must néedes haue a little pacience and according to your Ladies request presently you shall haue a bréefe answere from me Then calling for meke and paper he went alone into the Warderobe because he would not be suspected by any and answered the Letter in this sort The Letter from Palladine to the Duchesse Brisalda MAdame matters hauing so strangely passed hitherto yet without any cause of offence you haue had some occasion to complaine being ignorant of my hinderance in trauaile but