then cried the old woman in presenting him the sworde against this Knight who will take from mee by force the rarest Iewell in this world which hee is not worthie so much as to looke vppon Whereuppon he began to speake vnto the Prince in this manner Knight let that good Lady alone to deale with me who hoping to chastice you quickly for this great presumption by which you haue beene so hardy and bolde as to enter within this place in despite of me I am verie glad quoth Prince Edward to haue to doe with thée séeing the small honour a man may purchase to vanquish women beeing but feeble creatures by nature and of small resistance After these speeches they beganne a terrible skirmish in the which albeit the Prince charged his enemie with many fell strange knockes for the ardent zeale hee had to finish this aduenture his aduersarie neuerthelesse hauing in his hande the best sword which was to be founde in the circute of the earth deliuered fewe blowes but made the maile of his harnesse or shield vpon his arme flie in péeces By reason whereof Prince Edward seeing his life ineuident perrill knowing not well what to doe resolued to put this Battaile in hazard so that couring himselfe as well as he could with his buckler he cared not to endure two or thrée blowes of his enemie to come to gripes Which he did when the Knight which founde himselfe a little wearie hauing not strength enough to holdeing with him was constrained to fall with him to the grounde where it fell out so well on the English Knightes side that he was vppermost Notwithstanding béeing out of breath hee could hardlie winde himselfe from his aduersarie Who by reason of his lumpish heauie fall sounded vnder the Prince who séeing him in that passion would not wrong him further than to ceaze vppon his sworde then looking rounde about him hee perceaued at that instant how the old woman vanished away behinde a little yron doore He resolued to follow her to know what might be the pursute of this aduenture séeing by the cleare brightnesse of a cleare glasse windowe some light within the next Chamber which did prouoke him the rather vppon this occasion clasping on the vanquished knights Armes to play the surest part they fitted him so iust as if they had bin forged for his backe Moreouer he tooke his shield which he beganne to be hold with great admiration and féeling afterward his force and courage to encrease double entred without feare into the next roome In the middest whereof he was a ware of a faire Sepulcher of Marble whose couering was so high and so much separated from the sides that a man might easily behold all that was within In this place hee heard some body make such a 〈…〉 noyse that approching softly néere it to know what strange matter it might bee he sawe two armed Knights 〈…〉 couched flat vpon their bellies did cruelly wound one 〈◊〉 with daggers whch each one of them helde betwéene their handes Whereupon hauing compassion of so much blood inhumainely spilt vnder them by the wounds which they giue themselues without ceasing remained a while perplexed what he should best doo in so tragicall a spectacle In fine beséeching the diuine prouidence to aide him to pacifie them he pushed the couering of the Sepulcher off with such a violence that it remained vncouered which of a â—roth had neuer any other Knight béene able to doo but hée or Primaleon who was more valiant than himselfe The two Knights séeing the heauy Marble throwne downe which had a long time kept them locked fast in that Sepulcher rose vpon their féete incontinent and after they were come foorth they call themselues downe at Prince Edwards feete saying Praised â—ee she incomprehensible goodnes of God who hath endowed you with such prowesse and magnanimity which deliuereth vs now at the last from this intollerable martyrdome which we both did endure the which we know right well coulde neuer be brought to ende but by the vertue of the best Knight who was euer borne in the house of England and the one of them procéeding did Know faire Lorde it is a long time that wee were in this paine that we descend of the most Royal bloud of the English Nation as I will recount vnto you seeing you haue deliuered vs out of this torment At this strange accident the Prince much merualled especially for that these two personages as soone as they were out of the Sepulcher had receaued the perfect healing of their woundes and that of so cruell enemies they were so soone become peaceable friends so that taking them both by the hands hee made them stande vp saying my deare brethren happy may I tearme my selfe at this present to haue freed you from this mortall passion offering my selfe beside to pursue your entier deliuerance if peraduenture any further encumbrance molest you Likewise to continue your perpetuall friend in all places where you shall know my small power may stand you in any stéede beseeching you to make relation to me of your hard aduenture the History whereof I would willingly enioy Then began one of them we are brethren and sonnes to the Duke of north-North-wales and to the sister of the King Prince Coward in the house of whom for he loued vs both as his owne children we were brought vp from our infancie But afterwards as our euill fortune would knowing nothing one of anothers loue wee were both enamoured onely by the same and renowne of the Duke of Borsaâ—s Daughter estéemed at that time the fayrest and most vertuous Lady of the westerne world Now in a Tourney being helde at a certaine time in preheminence of her at this Dukes principall Pallace we purposed both to bee present at it in good equâ—page of furnitures to the ende the better to enter in grace of this Princesse So that her father being a wise and learned Magitian knowing our néerenes of lignage with the King entertained vs most honourably into his house And after that we had séene the Damosell in face the flame which from day to day consinned the force and vigour of our vitall spirites did augment in such strange manner that had not the hope béene which fed vs with future fruition of case wee had made both some lamentable and tragicall ende beeing ignorant one of anothers pursute and aduising it for the best neuer to make priuy to one another of our loues Both of vs perfourmed maruelous seates in this Tourney to incline this Princesse to loue vs the more wherein I exceeded my brother because I was his elder by byrth So that hauing by this meanes more opportunity to speake vnto her I made her prmy to my desire whereupon there succeeded such a conclusion betweene vs that shee assured mee to bee content to accept mee for her husband Then I aduentured my selfe to speake vnto the Duke her father who answered mee hee had already promised her to the
THE FIRST BOOKE OF PRIMALEON of Greece Describing the knightly deeds of Armes as also the memorable aduentures of Prince Edward of England And continuing the former Historie of Palmendos brother to the fortunate Prince Primaleon LONDON Printed for Cuthbert Burby and are to be solde at his shop by the Roiall Exchange 1595. The first Booke of Primaleon of Greece Describing his Knightly deedes of Armes as also the memorable aduentures of Prince Edward of England And continuing the former History of Palmendos Brother to the fortunate Prince Primaleon c. CHAP. I. How the Ambassadours of Fraunce came to Constantinople where they were Honourablie receaued by the Emperour who hauing heard the effect of their Ambassage and conserred theron with the Prince Arnedes affianced him immediatlie to his Daughter Philocrista by whose hand the Ambassadours presented the Letters of credence from the King their Maister IN the Historie of Palmendos after which this Booke of Primaleon followeth you haue hearde of the Loue betweene the Prince Arnedes 〈…〉 Philocrista Daughter 〈…〉 Emperour Palmerin and 〈◊〉 a Courtier was sent to aduertise the â—ing his Father thereof That hee might â—nâ—ay the like good fortune â—s Palmendos had done with his mistresse Francelina and thereby confirme a generall reioysing The messenger béeing carefull to dispatch this businesse made such haste in his iourney as in short time be arriued at the famous Cittie of Paris where the King vnderstanding the will of his Sonne quicklie resolued to conclude these assures Electing as chiefe in this Ambassage the Duke of Orleaunce a verie wise prudent Lord commanding also that the Marquesse of Oliuet the Countie Peter one of the bost knightes in his Court should be are him companie with manie other Barrons so sumptuouslie accoustred as euidentli declared how far the French excéeded al other Nations in magnificence and good partes whereof at this time wee haue no leysure to speake The King hauing giuen them his Letters of credence and instructions concerning the summe of their charge he deliuered them sundry precious gifts which he sent to Philochrista and the Prince Arnedes But before their departure there came a Knight to the Court from the King of Castile to aduertise Recinde howe his Brother béeing deceased without issue all the people verse much reioyced that the Scepter of the Kingdome should fall to a Prince so valiant When the King of Fraunce heard these newes by the gentleman of Spaine named Pinedo be made answere how Recinde was gone with his Son Arnedes to Constantinople where as hee heard by credible intelligence hee daylie wonne great honour and renowne Hereupon Pinedo determined to passe into Greece with the Ambassadors and comming to Tolloain Prouence they embarqued them selues on the Mediteranean Sea where sayling with winde at will it was not long before they arriued at Constantinople euen at such time as Arnedes was in his wonted passions of loue No sooner were they entred the Porte and bad cast Anker but the Duke of Orleaunce commaunded a generall iouysance in applauding heauen for their happie nanigation whereof the Emperour béeing aduertised he sent to know the cause of this reioysing When he heard the arriuall of the French Ambassadors he was right glad thereof hoping Arnedes woulde now recouer health by some good tidinges and therefore sent spéedily to acquainte him therewith intreating him to bee of good courage séeing the Lordes of his Countrie were come so happilie It were needlesse to demaund if Arnedes were wel pleased with these tydinges considering the present cure hee found in one moment hée reby which shewed that herein consisted the onelie medicine for his malladie this made him leaue his bed and goe with Primaleon to the Emperour who séeing him come so 〈…〉 was not a little glad of his good recouerie and said Me thinks Sir Arnedes that the arriuall of these French Gentlemen hath reuiued and verie well strengthened you Well haue you saide my Lorde answered Arnedes because it is the onlie meanes of my restoring Philocrista who knew full well the depth of his amorous desiers reioyced maruellouslie at this fortunate occurrence so that by outward view of her countenance might easilie bee discerned the inward content of her bart and whence procéeded this alteration wherein by silence shee bewrayed to the French Prince what boldlie she durst not vtter in spéech and whereof he néeded no interpreter but with like signes returned thankfull requitall minding to goe presentlie to the Porte to sée by whome the King his Father had sent this long expected message The Emperour commaunded manie of his Barrons with him for more Honourable accompanying the Ambassadors to the Pallace and in signe of greater fauour Primaleon himselfe went with Arnedes who sent his divarse before to let them vnderstand his comming to the Porte Whereupon the Duke of Orleaunce with his company immediatly laÌ„ded where first beholding their yong Prince they ran hare-headed to kisse his hand when he haning seuerallie embrased the thus spake to the Duke of Orleaunce My noble Cosen how many pleasures hath your art shall héere inriched me withall in sooth farre more than you can easlie thinke on But tell mee I pray yée ere we passe any further how sares the King my Noble Lorde and Father So well as your heart can desire my Lord answered the Duke and as one wounderfull longing spéedilie to sée you wherefore his will is that making so little stay héere as possible you can you vse some hast in returning to your Countrie of Fraunce Herein shall I most gladlie obey him replyed Arnedes ere many dayes after this hée expired in meane space giue honour to Primaleon here the Emperours Sonne who hath vouchsafed to come in person to welcome yée Primaleon maruelled that these French Lords and Knights so humbled themselues to Arnedes which made him imagine that he was Sonne to their King in regard whereof vsing the greater kindnes to the Duke of Orleaunce and the other Ambassadours he desired theÌ„ to resolue him concerning the estate of Arnedes who hitherto had not disclosed himselfe to anie one My Lord said the Duke this yong Prince is out Soueraignes Sonne who in respect of his earnest desire to be seruice to the Emperour your Father thought it méetest for him to come vnknowne to this Court and héere to remayne so concealed till hee should perceiue his priuate deseignes fall out to his owne contentment Concerning which the present message committed to our trust by the King his Father I hope will sort to good and successefull end with the help of him whome I pray so spéed vs as herein our enterprise may not be disappointed In good faith said Primaleon turning himselfe to the French Prince I haue very great reason to complaine of you Arnedes that you would thus long hide yourself from me for although you resolued in comming hither that no one should know ye yet you might haue exempted me from that vniuersall number considering the
this profounde contemplation shee could not countermaunde her spirite but her eyes must shedde same teares for gladnesse when she thus brake foorth Lord God now let mee leaue this mortall world when it shall please thee seeing thou dooest mee this Grace to represent before mine eyes the thinges which I so extreamely destred to sée Scant had she finished these few words but the enchaunted bird who was within the auncient chamber of the Emperor sent forth two most lamentable scréeches and had not at their comming shewed any signe of gladsomnes as shée was alwaies accustomed to doo at the arriuall of the Emperours fauourites So that the Emperour who was very sorrowful for this presage gaue great héede vnto it with many other Seigneurs who knew the nature of this animall beléeuing verily by her hoarss chattering some siniser accident was presaged But he dissembled it as well as he might without shewing any outward appearance but said incontinent to the Queene Madame I beseech you most humbly let vs not talke in this happy time of recreation of any thing which may driue vs into melancholly seeing you being yet farre from death shall see your selfe long time serued and reuerenced of all these who are assistant before you and therefore doo not dismay your selfe by any thing which may bring you into a vaine and fantasticall opinion My sonne replied the Quéene then Death hath this by nature that there is none liuing in this world who can stew himselfe so strong against it that he may anoyde it our predestmation being such we cannot prolong or abridge it one little minute whereby ensueth that for any thing I haue now saide I can neither retarde it nor hasten it any thing the sooner When shee had spoken these words with a very good grace shee embraced the Infant Flerida who seemed vnto her the â—aprest and gratious creature shee had euer seene in her life before and kissing her sweete cheekes many times shee saide Fayre Daughter I pray God he suffer you to liue so long as your beauty and sweetnes of feature deserueth wherein I thinke well neither maide nor wise can bee founde to come once neere your Paragon Most true was that which the Queene spake for whosoeuer behelde this young Princesse iudged her to be a Venus in beauty and a Pallas in prudency But this day they past in great ioy and sollace throughout all the Court and in the euening Primaleon besought the Emperour againe that hee woulde the next day following giue him the order of Knighthood and the same hee entreated him also to doo for Abenuâ—â—cq and Arnasin Duke Tolomus sonne which be accorded vnto very willingly Therefore on the morrowe euery one doathing himselfe pompeously in rich and sumptuous Habits except Primaleon and his â—ead companions who watched all that night their Armes within the Chappell whether the Emperour comming with his father and the other Kings and Princes there was asolemne Masse begun You must vnderstand since the first time that Abenuncq saw Amand in the King of Spartaes daughter hee was so attainted with her loue that no other thought than of her dwelt within his breast So that in meane time while the Masse was saying hee resolued to become a Christian to shew more euidently vnto his Lady and Mistresse the extreame desire which set him on and especially to enter the Tourney as her onely Knight wherein hee hoped to adde vnto his praise that which he could make good there The Masse beeing ended hee humbly besought the Emperour hée might be partaker of the holy Sacrament of Baptisme before he came to the order of Knighthood For knowing how much the Law of Christ was more sublimate and in blessednes excéeding that of the Mores hee would no longer liue in Paganisme Which the Emperour and all the Assistants hearing were passing glad of his renouncing of Infidelity So that vncouering his head the Patriarck of Constantinople did baptize him presently cheâ—sing for his Godfather the King Florendos who commended him greatly for so vertuous an act For testemony whereof he promised strait to make him so great and puissant a Prince that hee should haue cause to put in obliuion the estate and riches of his father Whereof the new Christian returning him humble thankes the Greekish Monaâ—ke turned himself towards Primaleon saying Sen request of my most honourable father it would please him to arme you Knight with his hand for if I haue purchased some little honour in this world I can assure you all procéeded from him who inucsted mee first with this honourable degrée of Knighthood which I hope will be augmented more in your person if it please him to enrich you therewith Then you shall giue it vnto the young Arnasin and I vnto Abenuncq your companion Primaleon hauing heard what the Emperour his Father said went full ioyfull to knéele before the King his Grandfather beséeching him he would put on his spurre and girde vnto him his sworde of Armes whereof hee excused himselfe saying it were better to bee done by his Sunnes hand But the Emperour himselfe and all the other Princes who were there prayed him so instantly that in the end he was constrained to condiscend thereunto and giuing him as well his fatherly blessing as the militarie acoladoâ— hee soone made him Knight the Emperour armed Abenuncq Knight and afterwards Primaleon himselfe dubbed Arnasin of the same order The ceremonies were done with so great pompe that it was noone before they departed out of the Chappell so that the dinner staying for them after that the Yeomen of the Pantry had recouered the Tables rounde the Squiers of the kitchin were not long before they serued in their first seruice So comming from Church they went strait to dinner where the Emperour sate downe with his father the other Kings and great Lordes beeing serued most honourably and as such a magnificent Feast â—e séemed so Royall a companie of Princes After the tables were taken vp the Quéene Griana and the Empresse whose prouision was no lesse came to them with all the rest of Ladies so richly attired that the onely aspect of them put some gladnes into the Knights heartes who beheld them and amongst the rest filled some of their breasts with such amorous and pricking desires which tooke so déepe roote therein that they could neuer afterwards hee 〈…〉 Then beganne the dauncing and other reuelling in midst whereof thy enter laced interchaunge able talke of many matters Belcar tooke in the meane time Recindes by she hand whome hee brought to sit downe hard by Melissa with this language Deare Sister I must estéeme great and maruellous the felicity which God hath within this little while sent you to make you Ladie and Mistresse of one of the most valiant Knights who liueth vnder the zodiacke besides he is in all other thinges a Prince so accomplished that there are few at this day founde to be his like in valour and worldlie riches He of whome I speake
seeing him in so good disposition and Melissa his Wife so sage be autifull and vertuous So at the first Fatherly embraced them both and after that hée had welcommed them with a thousand welcomes hee ledde them both into his lodgings purposing quicklie to solenmize the marriage in his Court Which he did and after warces liâ—erally bestowed many presentes vpon the Greekes and Hungarians which came to accompany Melissa who returned all verie well pleased from him towards King Frisoll their Soueraigne But the Princesse Philocrista was receaued with no lesse sumptuoslâ—y by the King of France and all other Dukes Marquesses Carles and Barrons of that Kingdome where they helde manye Ioustes and Tournyes for her newe and ioyfull entrance wherein purchased great honour Arnasin Duke Tolomus Sonne and Peynedin hee who reseued so brauelye the French Prince when Lecheâ—â— slewe the Hermite in combatting him as you may yet verie well remember Yet did hee nothing in comparison of Tyrendos who would néedes go along with this new married couple to conducte them into Gaule For that falling there in loue with a verie faire and beautifull Princesse neere Cosen to Prince Aruedes and shee likewise beeing inaâ—â—â—red of him did meruallous thinges in Annes to get her further fauour In somuch that the King and the Prince his Sonne perceauing their Loues married them together soone after and gaue them so great Treasure for a dowrie that the feaste beeing ended they returned all to Constantinople feeling the liberalitie and bountie of the King of Fraunce But to returne to the order of our Historie the Emperour remayned almost alone by reason of the departure of the new married Princes and of somany other Knights which did accompany them Likewise the King of Thessalie tooke his leaue of him to the end to goe visite a little his Kingdome where Palmendos and Francheline were most Honourably receaued with great signes of ioy and gladnesse And the King liued three yeares there onelie after his returne After whose death immediatelie was the Knight Palmendos Crowned who by meanes of his valour and prowesse 〈…〉 greatly the consines and demaynes of his Kingdome waging continuall war against the Turkes hauing conquest in manye battails skirmishes and assaults of Citties Like hostilitie receaued that nation by Belcar who incontinent after the Tourney and all their Feastes were finished in Constantinople departed thence to returne to Dâ—uace where as soone as hee had solemnely celebrated his Nuptiais hée set forth on foote a numerous and bloud Host to goe against these Infidels and to reuenge himselfe for faire Laurena In like maner euery one of the other great Princes which came to Constantinople tooke their way homeward towards their Countries Especially King Frisol and the King of Sparta and very willingly would the King Florendos haue returned into Macedon had it not béene for the Emperour who be sought him humbly to tarry a little longer with him Neuerthelesse many dayes were not come and gone before the good old Prince found himselfe cast downe with a grieuous sickenes wherewith by reason hee was already drooping and decrepit he died within one month afterward The Quéene Griana saing him abandoned by the Phisitions and out of all hope euer to recouer againe fell also sicke with the sorrow and griefe shée tooke for him And a maruelous thing it was that these two both rendring their tribute vnto nature left on one day this mortall and transitory life The Emperour and the Empresse conceiued such inwarde griefe and anguish at this occurrence that thorough the continuall teares wherewith they bewayled them or through the abundance of melancholicke humours which stufft their braines they made account to goe kéepe them company in the other world Yet for all that afterward recomforting themselues as well as they might they caused them to be both buried in a rich and most stately Tombe with great funerall Pompe and Ceremonies And if this Court had a long time before continued in sollace and gladnes yet was it nowe as farre in mourning and griefe after this death without any token of ioy or myrth at all So that Primaleon all this time of tribulation and heauy chears gaue himselfe to nothing but hunting hauking retayning many braue Knights with him who alwaies kept him company which way soeuer he went CHAP. XV. How after that the Duchesse of Ormeda had knowledge of Perrequins death her Daughter Gridonia made anoath neuer to marry with any man if first he did not reuenge her vpon Primaleon of Greece and for what occasion the Castel of the Coc-fendu was builded whereinto the old Duchesse with Gridonia retiring themselues how as they rested themselues hard by a faire Fountaine there issued out of a Forrest a Lion which put all their traine to slight and the Princesses in great feare PErrequin being slaine the greatest parte of the Knightes who behelde him in this lamentable taking being alwaies at his side alighted strait complaining greatly for his so great disaster but knowing his life irreuocable blamed him without any dread who had seperated it from his body the which they tooke vp and conuayed out of the field And after long lamentation and shedding of many teares ouer it they did most honourably bury it in an Abbey that stoode in the suburbes of the Citty Soone after without any long soâ—ourning there they embarqued themselues againe and set sayle to the first Port of Ormeda not daring to returne into Polland so that the Duchesse and her Daughter had the first newes of this mishâ—p At the comming whereof it were impossible to recount the sorrow and wayling that they made but especially Gridonia who loued Perrequin with a most perfect lone Bymeanes whereof shée vowed and sware an oath in presence of many neuer to accept of any other man for her husband but him onely who shoulde giue her for an earnest of her marriage Primaleons heade And if shée and her mother made great mourning for the death of Perrequin their kinsman it was nothing in respect of that of the King his father and of all the Kingdome of Polland hauing knowledge of this mischance It fortuned that many Princes afterward sending to the Duchesse to demaund Gridonia in marriage when they vnderstoode the conditions they doubted greatly whether they might euer be able to accomplish it or no Albeit some surceased not for all that to prosecute their demaunde menacing the Mother that if she would not giue them her Daughter with a good will they would ere long take her away by force And the principall who vsed these threatninges was the Prince of Clarence a most prowd and arrogant knight Insomuch that the good Lady fearing left for this effect he wold come to make warre vpon her sent both her Daughter and the old Duchesse her Mother vnto one of her Castels called the Roc-fendu which the great Grandfather of Gridonia had caused to bee builded informe of a Fortresse for this occasion This auntient Duke had an
doth you wrong and great iniustice to take your Cittie away from you by force and authoritie And if there be anie Knight in his Court will maintaine the contrarie I hope by the helpe of God to make him confesse it by force of Armes Thus much hee said for that he knew before howe Belcar one of King Frisols Sonnes was lately married with Alderine the Duke of Pontus Daughter and brought away his wife into Hungarie whereupon that occasion they held great feastes and Tournies so that growing vppon this quarrell in this contention with him or with the Prince Dutreus and killing him in single combat he hoped to do acceptable seruice to his Ladie Gridonia being this house néere allied to that of Constantinople The Ladie thanking him for this honest and curteous offer tolde him that if it pleased him to bare her companie shee feared nothing and that leauing her Sonne vnder good sure garde shee purposed to depart verie soone with some number of Knights for her safer conduct Whereunto the Knight answered that he was readie at any time when so euer she pleased And therefore shee caused good order to bee taken for all thinges which might be needfull in this voyage desiring before her departure to get into her possession for the Knightes sake the Damsels of Zerphira which remayned still in the Marchants hands paying for euery one of them a reasonable ransome according to their estate All that night was Prince Edward very sad for hee could not resolue with himselfe whether he should first goe to Gridonia to present vnto her the Infant Zerphira or whether he should passe vnto Constantinople to end the Combat with Primaleon In fine after many resolutions he concluded that with himself which he put in execution very early on the morrow morning for hee came to request the Marchant his Hoast that it would please him to commaund a sonne of his called Diazan to goe doo an errand for him as farre as the Clouen-Rocke wherein he was more willingly obayed than hee coulde commaund then went he strait to the Infants chamber whome he told that he would send her to an excellent Lady who wold honour her and vse her with all humanity and hee besought her to bee willing to goe hoping to come to visit her there ere long and to bring her such newes which should giue her no occasion to repent her going thither The yong Princesse albeit this offer went néere her heart answered him neuerthelesse in this manner In good faith it is great reason sir that as your prisoner and captiue I should obay your requestes without any contradiction especially knowing they deriue from the sincere and honest amity which it pleaseth you to beare me albeit I am sure I shall neuer be able to merite it on my behalfe neuerthelesse I beseech you to cause my Damsels to be called hether vnto whome if it please you I will speake some few words before my departure most willingly will I cause it to bee done replyed the Knight So hee caused them to come into her Chamber forthwith where these young Damsels séeing their Mistres in strange manner to hate her owne life in deploring and bewayling her infortunate disaster they began altogether to make such a strange and pittifull complaint that the Knight was constrayned to separate them and soone after to send away Diazan with the Infant Zerphira towards the Castell of the Clouen-Rocke to present her to the Princesse Gridonia from a Knight vnknowne with a letter whose tenour followed in these words Prince Edwards Letter to the Princesse Gridonia TO the rarest Paragon of Princesses the Lady Gridonia the onely Phoenix of her time future Quéene of Polonia and lawfull heyre of the Duchy of Ormeda a Knight who desireth to serue her perpetually sendeth gréeting kissing with all curtesie the hand of her Excellency The perfect Idea of your neuer perishing beauty accompanied with so many other singuler gifts of grace which the celestiall prouidence doth distribute equally to diuers persons hath so dimâ—ned the cléere-séeing eyes of her burning and vnquencheable beames that the Artizan in pourtraying of his liueliest péeces helpeth himselfe with your diuine lineatures as it were beauty it selfe descended into these lower Regions to bee séene amongst vs Such an example séene with mine eyes besides the testemony of another strange accident haue as it were a fatall arrow so liuely pierced my breast that I can take no rest but in trauelling to aspire vnto that which shoulde giue mee the swéete fruition of so precious a rarenes of fortune which is onely to reuenge the death of Perrequin of Duas your Cosen vppon the false traytor and fellonious bomâ—â—â—de Primaleon of Greece Continuing which tranquâ—â—lity of spirit by traueile of my body I saylâ—d merrily towards Constantinople and for the same effect when by great fortune I met a Brigandine of Mores tossed by tempest of weather into the North sea which would haue taken me prisoner But the Soueraigne of all Gods constrayning these mine enemies to passe the edge of my sworde hath safegarded and reserued me to the end to be your comforter and the reuenger of your iust quarrell For assurance whereof in attending that happy season I send you in Hostage a Damsell issued of great parentage whom I found within the vessell of those nuscreant Mores whom so I pray you to vse and entertaine as you shall know her vertue and Princely deâ—â—anor doth deserue as well in regard of the anguish which she shall suffer perceiuing her selfe thus captiue as also in respect of the sincere and perfect amity which she will shew vnto you all her life time He who hath not his match in good will to doo your Ladiship all dutifull seruice So then departed Diazan with Zerphira and all her sewels accompanied with many Merchants who conuayed them very willingly and holding on their iourney they arriued at the Castle of the Clouen-Rocke where after they had giuen Gridonia to vnderstand that there was a Damsell which they had brought her in the behalfe of a Knight Incontinent the Draw-bridges were all let downe and the great gates set wide open Then Diazan tooke the Infant by the hand to lead her strait into the Chamber of the Princesse who séeing her so richly attyred and so curteous to doo her honour and reuerence supposed she must néeds be extracted from some high and illustrious Linage wherefore shee came to welcome and to entertaynâ— her honourably and perceiuing that the Lyon which neuer styrd from her began to fawne vpon her she said alowd Sister I cannot beléeue but that this Lyon knoweth you considering the gentle semblant and ioyfull entertainement bée sheweth you which as yet I haue neuer séene him doo to any since he was with me Zerphira vnderstood nothing shee spake but stedfastly beholding her excellent perfect beauty reputing her selfe most happy to become into the power and custody of so gentle and rare a Princesse Neuerthelesse Diazan
to Trioll my Brothers Wherein if my Lorde and father commaund mee any thing farther I shall consent with a verie good will to returne you the guerdon which so good will as yours doth merite wee may well imagine what was the case content of Lechefin knowing there was giuen and that by his verie Lady some refrigeration to the burning of his flame which beganne to liue and kindle so liuelie afterward in Bellarisaes hart that it was within a while no losse vehemente than that of her louer Who by this meane became more hardie and couragious than euer hee was before committing afterwarde nothing which might staine his honour but in Ioustes Tourneyes which were held in those quarters he carried away stil the greatest part of the honour as the best Champion neâ—te after Trioll who farre surmounted all those of that Countrie Therefore both the one and the other were greatly esteemed by the Emperour and the Potentates of Almaine where wee will leaue them a while to passe their time according to the renowne and commendation which they shall win to recount the Cournies and great magnificentes made in the meane time in Constantinople in attending the Courney held at the Nuptials of Palmendos and Franchelina CHAP. VI. How the County Peter one of the French Ambassadors determined to hold eight daies together continuall Iousles against all commers to Constantinople which hee did for the honour and beautie of Ladies attending the opening of the great Tourney which Primaleon caused to be published before And how the Duke of Drante vassall to the King of Thessalâ—â— was the first who entered the listes against him YOU haue vnderstoode heretofore howe the Emperour Palmerin sent to inuite meane great Princes and Signeurs of Greece to be at the Nuptials of his Daughter Philocristat wherin the Posts and Messengers did so well their â—ingenes it as in short time after there arriued the 〈…〉 part of the Barrens stem all Countries vnder his obedience in the best equiâ—age they could Amongst the Princes of â—arque there arriued first the King of Sparta and the Queens Arismene his wife Aunt to the Emperour who brought thither with them one onely Daughter which they had beeing not twelue yeares of age but verie beautifull and of the best grace called Amandria Before whom the Emperour came forth to welcome and entertaine them commanding his Fourriers a Harâ—ingers to marke out for them all the body of the great Serraglia néeâ—rst his quarter But the Emperour had Philocrista and two other yong daughters whereof the eldest who was called Flerida betweene thirteene and fourteene yeares of age certes as fayre as the day resembled very much the Empresse hir mother Shee after the marriage of Plulocrista was put in her place being giuen vnto her many Damsels and the same Estate that her sister had so that shee kept the Empresse alwaies company as did her sister Philocrista before To be briefe as for the graces and perfections wher with nature diâ—med worthy her gentle and diuine spirit she was the pearle of honour the Idea of beauty and the matchles Paragon of all good grace seeing that euen from her infancie shée was reputed in sagesse viâ—acity and quicknes of spirit a new or second Pallas being a Princesse fayrer demeanured and well aduised shée acquainted her selfe and grew into such league of amity and loâ—ing kindnes with her Cosen Amandria that they did neuer part company At the arriuall of the King of Sparta thether the Emperour his Nephewe conceiued a maruellous ioy The which was redonbled when hee vnderstoode that the King his father câ—me accompanied with Belcar and Recindes the future King of Castâ—le whereof Prince Arnedes was not glad a little nor the Spanish gentleman who did attende for him in that Court and the Infant Melissa was most ioyfull of all for thâ— hope shee hâ—d to see him qâ—â—cly her husband From diuers other strange Regions and Countries came euerie day Knights to the Court where they were all curteously reccaued by Primaleon Especiallie a great Eroupe of Thessalian Barrons who came thither to kisse their Kings hand and also to sée Palmendos whome they blessed and by their praiers lodged him aboue the heauens lawding God who gaue theÌ„ such a Prince for Seigneur whom for his part hee cherished and honoured in the best manner which contented them most of all Moreouer thither came the good Knight Frisoll King of Hungarie whether could not his Quéene accompanie him because shee was verie sicks And the Emperour stayd but for King Florendos his Father before he would begin â—â—e feast and solemnitie of the Nuptials when the French Embassadors who were there séeing so manie Princes and braue Knights gathered together pricked forward through desire of glorie determined to enterprise some Martiall excercise to passe away idlenes The formost of whome was the Earle Peter a verie braue and hardie Knight who loued as his own soule Isortine the Duke of Sauoyes Daughter the same man whome the Emperour Palmerin vanquished in Gaule who afterward espoused Lucimine Daughter to the King of Fraunce by whom he had thrée male Children verie braue knights and that only daughter faire in perfction whome hee caused to bee brought vp in the Court of his Father in law The Earle desired extreamely to haue her in marriage and for that purpose did he marueilous deeds of Armes as her Knight for the great loue that hee bare her redoubled his forces and encreased his courage in such sort that hee was esteemed one of the best Champions of the Kingdome which was cause the King of Fraunce those him for second Ambassadour in this treatie of mariage betwéene Arnedes and Philocrista Upon a day whilst the Emperour was conferring with the King of Sparta this French Earle came to beséech him in presence of the assistance to giue him leaâ—c to make a close â—ilt yeard in the great place of the Pallace where if it pleased him also he had enterprised to abide eight dayes together from Sunne to Sunne maintaining Ioust and Combate against all commers who shoulde come to shew their valours in protection of their Ladies For that hee desired to maintaine her who possessed his heart to be one more Accomplished in vertues and graces correspondent to her extreame beauty than any other loued or serued of any Knight except Philocrista and Franchelâ—e the two glorious Startes of their age This did hee establish for a Lawe of the Combate that all knights vanquished by him should leaue theyr coats of Armes behinde them hanged vpon a piller which he caused to be erected at the ende of the Lists hoping to carry them with him away into Fraunce if so it fortuned that hee staid out his eight dayes iourney without giuing ouer his enterprise Contrariwise he would leaue his to his vanquisher who could holde out the rest of the prestred time vnder the honour and defence of the Lady whom he serued The Emperour who heard the County talke thus
Carle of Brabant Which answere made me in such a rage that I had almost run mad for spight Neuerthelesse for the last refuge which I hoped to finde in this my frenzy I prayd the Damosell to beare mee a word or two insecret Whereunto she answered me that I should come the very same euening into her Chamber by a little dore which was seldome times opened where shee woulde bee to beare what I would say vnto her The appointed houre being come I would in no wise permit so good opportunity to slip my hands without reaping that sweete frute which might restore the heart to the which all other liquor seemed gall and bitternesse But soone clasping on mine Armes I went strait to the doore with my priuy watch-word in the most secret wise which might be possible Yet I could not carry my selfe thither so well but my brother who began to mistrust my draft as it falleth out sundry times sealousie causeth to comecture thinges which haue small appearance of truth so that hee arming himselfe in like manner 〈…〉 slily to the very place where I staide for the opening of the doore and without making himselfe knowne vnto me began to let driue at me saying he would take order I shoulde neuer attaine that where unto I did aspire Then seeing to defend my selfe whether I would or not I must néedes in that extremity put my selfe in deuoyre as well as I could and in the meane time the Duke who heard our cople ran vnto vs with many of his seruants erclaiming in a great rage How now disloyall knights goe yee about to dishonour mee with so great an infamie By the liuing God I shall make you dearely buy this so great presumption Hee presently working by his Art of Negromancie made vs both remaine as deade at the very instant and beeing in this traunce sodainely transported into this place hee enclosed vs fast within the Sepulcher with this instance of wordes yee combat to dishonour mee and my Daughter well continue hardly your battell till a Knight of your race may by his generous courage come to part you When he had thus said he vanished from our presence and we remained there in a wonderfull rage striking one at an other as you haue seene euen vnto this present so that wee know not how long this deadly quarrel and mallice betweene vs hath lasted and the extreamest point of the disaster vnto which this sorcetie did binde vs was in that wee could not dye by any of those stabbes and woundes which wee receaued one of another Maruelous thinges are those which you tell mée quoth tho Prince and know that it is nowe a long time since the Duke inchaunted you heere because Prince I dward of whome yée speake was my great Grandfather Neuerthelesse let vs depart out of this place to goe a while some whether else to refresh vs all three together And as he set his soote vpon the threshold of the doore of this Chamber he spied an old woman which thus be spake him Faire knight long time before you were borne did the Duke of Boâ—sa knowe by meane of his knowledge your valour and magnanimity and how you should finish this aduenture therefore left you the sword which you haue gotten and keepe it well as being of that vertue as I assure you hath few fellowes at this day especially for as much as if you shall held it in your right hand no enchauntment shall euer bee able to hurt you In like manner is the shield which you haue there wonne most woonderfull and most rare for that you shall sée the discourses of all your life pourtrayed out most liuely therein the which not withstanding you shall neuer knew but by lapse of time following the desteny whereunto God submitted you euen from your birth day so that hauing now accomplished that which was by great learning foreséene directed in this aduenture you may goe hence when it shall séme good vnto you And for that the two Knights who goe with you cannot long time remayne in this world counsaile and admonish them to remember the mercie of God who by his diuine grace hath giuen you power to deliuer them from the misery and calamity wherein they haue remayned this hundred yeares last past The old woman hauing spoken thus much vanished away whereat the Prince was amazeo when making far greater account of the sworde and shield than he did before hee departed out at the doore with his companions And séeing no more the Pallace wherein hee had sought with the Knight of the Caue nor the Armes which were giuen him at the Monasterie his admiration was much more redoubled Yet as hee came backe hee founde the way to be verie darke and obscure which as hee came was as cleare light some as at the mouth of the hole where being arriued they got out easily without any disturbance and from thence forth was it for euer shut vp the Pallace resolued into smooke and all the enchauntments thereof vndone and brought to finall end Afterwards walking together towardes the Gardengate there met them the Abbesse and her Nunnes who entertayned the Prince with ioy and the greatest gratulation that might bee maruelling much at the two companions whome hee brought with him which caused the Abbesse to demande who they were and who had giuen him the â—â—ch Armes shee saw him being on his backe out of the Caue Madame quoth hee these two Gentlemen say they are two Brethren and Knights descended of noble race who by the great skill of the Duke of Borsa were enclosed fast in the place from whence I haue nowe deliuered them out of a torment farre worse than the cruellest torture which they might endure The Armes which you sée I haue conquered from a Knight who woulde haue kept from mee the entrance of a Pallace where combating with him vpon that refusall I changed mine Armes being bewed and péece meale broken for these which you sée but in stéede thereof will I leaue you my sword for a testemony of the affection I haue to giue you far greater thinges when the time shall come for that sworde which I haue gotten of the old woman will I carry with mée vnto the Kings Court whether I hope by the helpe of God spéedily to conduct these Knights That may you not well doo quoth the Damosell who garded him into this place before you accomplish first that which you haue already promised me Well may these two Knights in the meane time in this place attende your returne which will be in very short space as I hope Prince Edward answered he would goe with her willingly into what place soeuer it shoulde please her to bring him Neuerthelesse being already late in the euening they departed not that night out of the Monastery Where the Lady Abbesse and her sisters could not satisfie themselues to feast the Prince and the two Knights the which at their instant prayer made once more
vnto them the whole discourse of their History after that they had all supped most daintely The morrow morning Prince Edward rose at the point of day-breake and departed alone with the Damosell leauing the two brethren among the Nunnes in the Conuent where the Abbesse made them good cheare for his sake and kept very carefully the sword which he gaue her whereuppon it fortuned afterward that he being King he augmented much the reuenues of this Nunnerie remembring the promise which hee had made to the Abbesse and to all the religious Nunnes her sisters CHAP. XX. How Prince Edward was brought by the Damosell into the house of the Duke of Borsa where her sister thought to enchaunt him to make him marry a Niece of hers beeing Daughter to the Duke who was inamoured of him onely by the great fame which was bruted of his valour and what ensued there upon THis Damsell who guided the English Prince wayted in the house of the Duke of Borsa Nephewe to her for whom her father enchaunted the two brethren within the Sepulcher the which was afterward married with the Earle of Brabant vnto whom he had promised her as ye haue read before But this Duke had onely one sonne and one Daughter which was his eldest excelling farre in beauty all others of that country for which cause hir father loued her a great deals the dearer so that more carefully to haue her nuctured in all feminine ciuility hee caused her to bee brought vp in the house of a sister of his being a widdow a most prudent Lady beeing well aduized and verye well seene in the Arte of Magicke and secret Philosophie a Profession very peculiar to the most part of their familie This Dukes Daughter called Rene hearing the famous report of the generous valour of Prince Coward so publikely talked of in the mouth of all men tell so farre in loue with him without euer séeing him that she became wonderfull pensiue and melancholly and by reason of the continuall teares and complaints which without ceasing shée powred out to the winde when she could secretly retire her selfe into her Chamber apart to ease the passion of her minde a little shee so defaced her beauty in fewe dayes that the Duke her father was aware thereof Whereupon seeing her sometimes to fetch déepe sighes déerely requested his sister for he loued his Daughter entirely to sound by some subtle meanes from whence this her melancholly sadnes might proceede Whereunto the good Lady made reply how she had not as yet perceiued any such matter notwithstanding shée woulde worke so wisely that shée woulde learne the truth And from thence going strait to her Néeces Chamber shée found her continuing her daily complaints So that sitting downe by her she began to pray and to coniure her that shee would no longer conceale from her the cause of her griefe then the young Damsell with a bashfull and blushing countenance answered to her with these words Madame I knowe not what to answere you in this case but that I am the most wicked and most disastred Damosell that was euer borne vnder the celestiall Spheares séeing that I haue imprinted in my heart a thing which redoundeth more to my totall ruine than to the least lote of any contentment whose â—sâ—ue shall be my spéedy death which shall bring an ende to my detestable and too too languishing life Then shée proceeded to tell how she loued with a most vehement and excessiue flame Prince Edward of England who would be the onely cause that shee shoulde speedily sée her selfe dissolued to dust and ashes forasmuch it séemed altogether impossible euer to haue any fruition of her desire because the Prince and she were not of equall estates The Aunt who sawe her in such a pittifull taking would not prolong her furthee torment but presently began thus vnto her Deere Neere I pray you gouern your selfe with some constancie of minde in this passion and in the meane time blotte out of your minde this impossibilitie which you alledge for the principal point of your anguish for I promise you so to imploye my Art that the Knight who will loue ere long more than anie liuing creature shall arriue in this place to espouse you So great and vnspeakable was the ioy of Rene that taking her Aunt about the necke shee embraced and kissed her manie times saying O my swéete Aunt if you procure me now this blisse and felicitie inferiour to none in this world you may well vaunt and say you haue deliuered a sorrowfull and desolate Niece of yours out of the most inâ—â—icate Laborinth which euer was deuised in this earth yea if it were that which Dedalus inuented so artificially in Crete to include the infatiable Minâ—taure My louing Niece take you no care replied the Lady but haue a little patience that all things may be done in these due time With that shee departed from the Chamber to conferre this busines with the Duke her brother with out whose priuy consent she would in no wise begin to set this worke abroach and discoursing to him at large the whole matter told him what hope shee had to carrie this businesse to circumspectly that ere long Prince Edward shuld wed his danghter so that after their conclusion she went to turne ouer hir bookes of Negromancie where she found that the Knight was sure in loue already of Gridonia Notwithstanding hoping to crosse and reuoke his affection by her Magicke shée dispatcht away immediatly the Damosell of whome you haue vnderstood before to bring him vnto Borsa True it is shée commanded her not to leade him vnto the aduenture of the Cloyster but thether she conducted him her selfe because of a sister of hers who was a Nunne in that place from whence departing together as ye haue read before in the former Chapter in two dayes he arriued at the Citty of Borsa But before the Knight did enter into the Citty the Damosell prayed him to stay for her a while in a Hermitage neere the Suburbes till shée returned from dooing a message to her Mistrisse who was very willing so to doo And abiding with the Hermit shée went to the Infant Rene who right glad of his â—â—rsual trickt vp her selfe most richly to entertaine her Louer sending backe with spéede the messenger to conduct him secretely into her Chamber Shée being quickly arriued at the Hermitage sayth thus to the Knight Syr you must leaue your horse here and come on foote with mée who will bring you into a place whether you shall finde your selfe a glad man to bée arriued I pray God quoth the Prince then that I be not deceiued nor circumâ—uented by you in any thing Alas That God whom you haue innocated forbid that I should euer seeke to entrap my Liege and soueraigne in any Ambush I pray you onely come with mee assuredly and without any feare of ill encounter vpon condition if it shuld fall out otherwise by my meane I will bee reputed the most
woulde come thither ere it were long to marrie her In the meane time her Aunt went to speake with the Duke her Brother with whome after shée had giuen him to vnderstand that â—ot knowledge was not to 〈◊〉 to work Prince Edward to this passe she aduised him to go accompanied with twenty Knights Armed into his Daughters chamber Where sayning himselfe ignoraunt of the matter and shewing himselfe fore displeased against them hath hée should â—eaze vppon his body and put him in prison and so they might worke their matters as they lifted The Duke than putting in prâ—â—tize this stratageâ—â—e came with twenty men all in Armes who the chamber dore wherin he 〈◊〉 entred all alone 〈…〉 â—ignes of adâ—â—cation began thus to say Alas my God what a bayâ—â—â—â— case â—â— Isle Am I awake or doâ— I meaning beholde this 〈◊〉 Ah! I should haue thought to haue had a vertuous 〈◊〉 and chast â—â—â—den to my Daughter more 〈…〉 than any other in these Northen Regions and 〈…〉 I trustrated of mine opinion for I sée before mine owne eyes she is more vitious and corrupt than euer was 〈◊〉 as Messalina Truely I may well vaunt my selfe to make thâ—â— both dye in prison by the most 〈◊〉 torment that may bee 〈◊〉 séeing they haue shamefully dishonoured 〈…〉 all my posterity Enter then and come in my Knights to â—â— handâ— vppon this murthering Palliaâ—d to the ende I may know who be is and who hath counselled him to enter to râ—shly into my house for all those who are culâ—able and in any 〈◊〉 consâ—crate in this misdéede I shall make them pay deareâ—â—â— for it by a most 〈…〉 shamefullend of their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that hee â—ept out of the Chamber doore to â—et â—â— his 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 come in did nothing animâ—â—â— nor terrifâ—e the English Prince who setting band to his sword and with an inuincible 〈◊〉 putting his shield on his arme 〈◊〉 them thus Come now hardly who 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 and I shall shew him 〈…〉 from all 〈◊〉 this 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 gathâ—ring 〈…〉 〈…〉 â—et for all thâ—t 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 about him so 〈◊〉 thâ—t he 〈…〉 them all 〈◊〉 not the 〈◊〉 after gone to worke with her magicke spels as you shall heare Shée forsooth darkened all the light of the Chamber making a sulphurous and obscure ayre 〈…〉 darke than hell itselfe in stéed therof then deliuering forth the Knights with the Infant◠〈◊〉 who would willingly haue bin in his place who was dead she shut Prince Edward fast within the Chamber vntill the morrow morning when she saw seuen of the Dukes Squiers lying along on the ground one staine outright and other 〈◊〉 sore wounded Now could not the Duke tell what it were best to doo with him because if he should deliuer him it séemed to him but to hasten too shamefull a death for himselfe and if hee should kéepe him any longer in his house it should but encourage him to forethinke all meanes to put him to more cruell torment so that he passed the night in this conflict vntil the morrow morning when an auntient Knight reprehending him sharpely because he suffered himselfe to be gouerned by women counselled him to cause Prince Edward to bee secretly conuayed out of his house by the same Damosell which giuded him thither The Duke who liked well of this aduise caused the Damosell who had béene the messenger to come before him vnto whom after he had shewed some signes of great heauines his made this spéech It grieueth me much that my sisters pretence hath not sorted to so good effect as she expected and for so much as you are the cause hauing conducted the Knight into the aduenture of the Cloyster where hee hath conquered such a it well which safe-gardeth him from all her enchauntments néeds must you your selfe get him by subtle meanes from hence saying you onely haue meanes so saue his life and for you should thinke your selfe greatly culpable of his death if it should chaunce to happen vpon the assurance which you gaue him bringing him into my house you will willingly set him frée from hence into the fields if hee will promise you neuer to séeke any reuenge of the Duke nor of any of his family Hereunto willingly condescended the Damosell when departing from the Duke troubling like an Daken lease shee came to the Chamber where Prince Edward was who studied already how he might breake open the doore to sackage them who would come against him Shée prostrating her selfe before him with the teares in her eyes beginneth thus the â—enour of her words Fayre Prince great is the occasion which I haue nowe to complaine of fortune for I hauing brought yâ—u into this house vnder a protext of the extreame loue which my Mistris beareth you they haâ—e deuised a spéedy and most shamefull death for vs all thrée for you especially whome the Duke hath surprised with his Daughter whom albeit he should pardon the vainousnes of the case which hee supposeth falsely to haue béene aâ—â—â—â—knowing you should 〈…〉 will 〈◊〉 ther owne bosome with some sword or 〈…〉 some nowe kinde of death as did â—ortia the Daughter of Cato where shée heard of the death of her husband Brutus As forme you may well thinke my Lord the Duke 〈◊〉 of the sourâ—â— of this occurrence as he beginneth already to doo most tractly finding out at last my priuy practiâ—es which I protest before God I neuer went about to carry to any euill end I shall be most sharpely punished of vs all thrée Neuertheles yet iâ— I dye will I not surcease as being the person of this Trinity which know I haue best deserued as wel I know I must die for it to employ my self in some subtle inuentions to make vs escape this imminent perrill so that ye will aâ—â—are mee neuer to séeke any reuenge for the offence which hath béene offered you in this place Wherefore I beséch you fayre Lord most humbly to graunt me generall remission to the ende that declaring it to the Duke at the article of my death hee may bée moued to compassion to pardon me also himselfe and this is the meanes whereby wee may peraduenture saue our liues from the mortall punishment which they prepare for vs euery day So well knew the Damsell to colour her spéeches that she wone the mercy of the Prince who answered her thus Fayre maiden for the loue of Rene who surely meriteth much more at my handes I haue willingly pardoned this iniurie to the Duke and to all his familie albeit it is one the most vilest touch and outrage which might bee offered to any Knight And albeit the death which they determine to make vs die be horrible and cruell yet I shoulde take mine in very good part if I might execute vpon those vaâ—less who woulde lay hands on me such a massacre as they deserue Neuerthelesse séeing the occasion presents it selfe to auoyd this scandall I am content to followe it so that no greater dammage may