saying Sir Knight doo you not knowe mee No in good sooth aunswered Palmerin Beléeue mee quoth the Damosell then hath my seruice béene euil imployed which sâ—metime I did you and whereof I am sure you haue heard good account Then Palmerin knewe her she bringing the Shéelde and the Helmet when Florendos knighted him whereuppon he rose from the Table and embracing her said Faire Damosell and my fréende I pray you pardon me for the length of time since I first saw you did quite exempt you from my remembrance pleaseth it you to commaunde me anie seruice Sir Knight said the Damosell when I presented you the Helmet and Shéelde wherwith you tooke your order of Knighthoode you promised mee if you remember that you would vse it with right good will in anie affaires the Knight had that sent it you and when he should require such performaunce nowe is the time to confirme your déede with your worde for hee hath sent mée to you with humble intreatie that without anie staie you goe where I shall conduct you otherwise you are the onelie cause of his death God shéelde me froÌ„ such mis-fortune said Palmerin rather woulde I goe with you presently from the Table So doo I pray you quoth she for I haue hast Then he called for his Armour and the table withdrawne he went into his Chamber to arme himselfe and so dyd Ptolome also returning they tooke their leaue of the Ladies and mounted on horsebacke the whole companie béeing so sorrie for their departure as Esmerinda came to the Damosell saying I promise you Damosell you haue doone vs wrong in mine opinion to hinder vs of the presence of so good a Knight Ladie aunswered the Damosell thinke you he was borne for you onelie content your selfe with the good you haue receiued by him and suffer such as haue néed of his prowesse to receiue his assistaunce as you haue doone And good reason saide Esmerinda if it be to so good an end that no resistaunce bee offered when helpe is required So departed the two Knights with the Damosell which waie she guided them and verie desirous was Palmerin to bee with the Knight that sent to seeke him because hee would gladlie know of whence hee was that wyshed him so wel as his message declared by the Damosell the same daie hee was Knighted CHAP. XXIIII Howe Palmerin and Ptolome arriued at the Courte of the King of Bohemia where they entred Combat against the Countie of Ormeque and his two Cozins who accused the Knight and his Son of treason that sent to seeke Palmerin MAnie miles had these Knightes ridde with the Damosell when Palmerin at length desired her to tell him what hee was that sent him yâ— Helmet the Shéeld whereto she aunswered that séeing he was so desirous to knowe listen ê™ she and I shall report the whole vnto you The Knight we speake of is disceÌ„ded of verie royall bloode béeing Uncle to the King of Bohemia that raignes at this present as also to the Empresse of Allemaigne the verie best séene in Nigromancie this daie liuing This noble man is named Prince Adrian who neuer liked to liue in the Court of the King his Brother but contented with what patrimonie his Father left him at length maried with a verie beautifull Ladie of whom in time hee begat a Sonne named Dyardo which Sonne his Brother the King of Bohemia nourished vppe in his Court with his owne Sonne So mutually in loue agréed these two yong Princes as after the death of the aged King the yong Dyardo should ioyn the rule with his Cozin the King who tooke to Wife the Daughter to the Duke of Lorayne bringing her with him into this Countrey in companie of her Sister a Princesse so wise and vertuous as euer liued It so came to passe that Dyardo my Lords most noble Sonne framing his thoughts to the inspirations of loue affected so highlie the other Sister as he determined neuer to haue anie other to his Wife if he might compasse what he intended For her good Ladie he coulde not be deceiued in his amorous desires he found her loue so equall with his yet did they shaddow their affections so discreetlie as none coulde perceiue them but Domarto the traiterous Countie of Ormeque one of the best Knights in all this Country were he as familiar with vertue and honestie as he is with mallice and disloyaltie This Traytour enterprised to match with the Queenes Sister beloued as you haue hearde by my Lordes worthy Sonne and thereuppon after manie sollicitings made knowne his intent vnto her whereof she made so slender account as shee forbad him any more to trouble her Domarto séeing my Lorde Dyardo his onely hinderaunce in loue intended a mallicious villainie and on a suddaine accused the Prince that he intended to poyson the King so to obtaine the Crowne as discended of a neerer coÌ„sanguinitie And as it often falleth out in such cases when one séekes to crosse an others fortune there is no time flacked in following such drifts euen so this Traytor finding the yonge King alone began his matter in this coullorable sort My gracious Lord the faith and allegeaunce I owe to you highnesse bindes me to make your princelie cares acquainted with such newes as God is my witnes said the Traitour lifting his eyes and hands to heauen mine own death were more welcome to me such is the loue I beare them whom it concernes béeing al so neere allied to you in birth as sorie I am they shoulde bee detected but in your regarde my gracious Lorde the action touching you in such sort as it dooth let me die rather then spare any liuing creature no not mine owne Sonne had nature giuen mee anie This néedelesse exordium haue I made to so foule an occasion albeit truth néedes no coullers or eloquent figures and therefore in bréefe my Lord this is the summe I am crediblie enformed that your highnesse Cozin the Prince Dyardo and Madame Cardonia Sister to the Quéene haue laid the platforme to poyson your Maiestie and this haue they attempted by the procurement of olde Adrian your Uncle who pretends that the Crowne of Bohemia is his I knowe not whether it be for want of discretion or no but howsoeuer it be my Lorde you shoulde not leaue such a villainie vnpunished The King began greatlie to meruaile at these newes and knewe not well what to think whervpon he aunswered the Countie that he coulde not beleeue this accusation But the Traytour set so smoothe a countenaunce on the matter and did auerre it still with such stout protestations as hee induced the King to beleeue him so that a daie or two after the King béeing walking in hys Garden séeing Dyardo Cardonya at the Quéenes chamber windowe secretlie conferring of their amorous affections commaunded them bothe to be carried to prison The Countie glad thereof prouoked the King still with such anger against them as immediatlie he woulde haue theÌ„ bothe doone to
and brought him into so weake estate as the learned Phisitions coulde not deliuer the cause of his sicknes to the no small gréefe of the Emperour but especiallie of Caniano yet for all this woulde not the Empresse at anie time visite him because shee woulde hinder the occasion of her Daughters séeing him remembring what spéeches had past betwéene him and the Emperour And albeit Griana made no outward shewe thereof yet in her harte shee was greatlie displeased at her Mothers dealings so that one day when her Brother Caniano came to sée her to recount vnto her in what extreamitie he had left his fréendlie coÌ„panion and what gréefe it would be to him if he died as he greatlie doubted What my Lord quoth she it is not so I hope Yes certainlie quoth he and I feare he will very hardlie escape this day At which wordes the water stoode in her eyes yet so well as she coulde shee dissembled her passions neuerthelesse she could not holde it in but said I meruayle much that the Empresse my Mother makes so slender account of him as since his sicknes shee woulde not vouchsafe once to visite him I feare she hath forgotten what good hée 〈◊〉 for vs that day when he valiantly slew the Turke Gamezio Beléeue me my good Lord and Brother I am harâ—â—lie sorrâ—e for his sicknes for if he die as heauen forbidde quoth shee secretlie the Emperour my Father shall loose more then hée thinketh on the great seruice hee hath doone for him already may giue instaunce of my words and more he béeing the Sonne of so great a Prince as he is By this time had such extreame gréefe ouerburdened her hart as she was constrained feigning to goe to the Empresse ChaÌ„ber to leaue her Brother that she might alone by her selfe bemoane her fréends hard fortune CHAP. V. Howe Griana sent a Ring to the Prince Florendos by Cardina her Mayde desiring him as he loued her to comfort himselfe and of the aunswere he sent her SO soone as Griana hadde left her Brother she went into her chaÌ„ber where more and more shee lamented for the sicknes of Florendos and with her teares shee coupled these discourses May it be that anie liuing creature can deserue so gréeuous punishment as I doo that endaunger the life of the woorthiest Knight in the worlde Unhappy that I am that loue yea the loue he beares to mee should bring so braue a Gentleman to so hard an exigent but if he die such iust vengeaunce will I take vpon my selfe as I wyl not remaine one howre aliue after him and let our ghostes seeke their owne quiet in death that Fortune would not affoorde vs in life Yet will I thus farre first aduenture and that before any sléepe enter these eies of mine try if it consist in my power to ease his extreamitie that buyes my loue at too déere a price And in this anguish of minde she called one of her Damoselles the Daughter of her Nurse named Cardina whom aboue the rest she trusted most and to her she began in manner following Cardina thou knowest the loue I alwaies bare thy Mother and for her sake howe well I haue thought of thée I haue knowne thée long time a true and faithfull Seruaunt but nowe Cardina is a time beyonde all other to make tryall of thy truth and to witnesse thy loyaltie to me onelie as thou art sure so to bee secrete and so secrete as I must put my life and honour into thy secrecie Cardina who was wise and of good gouernement hearing Griana vse such earnest spéeches imagined that she would commit no commoÌ„ matter to her trust with such coniuration whereuppon she modestlie returned thys aunswere Madame rather had I be torne péecemeale in sunder then anie thing you commaunde for secrete shoulde by me be reuealed without your licence and so assure your selfe that while I liue you shall finde mee as faithfull in déede as I promise in worde I neuer hitherto quoth the Princesse had other opinion of thée listen nowe therefore what I shall commaunde thée I haue vnderstoode for certaine Cardina that the gréeuous sicknes of the Prince Florendos is caused by verie earnest loue which hee beares to me for I account it great pittie to loose so good a Knight doo so much as take the paines to goe to him from me and saie I desire him to bee of good chéere and if there bee any thing in my power may doo him good I will gladlie accomplish it as she that loues him as her own selfe and to assure him thereof saie I sende him this Ring which I wyll him to kéepe as a pledge of my loue Madame answered Cardina Fortune spéede me so well as my paines may giue ease to both your passions and might my sentence like you Madame I knowe no Knight so worthy your loue as Florendos Goe then sayd Griana and returne againe so soone as thou canst So went Cardina straite to the lodging of the Prince Florendos at the entraunce whereof shee met the Prince Caniano so heauie and pensiue as might be because he perceiued his Fréend to consume awaie euerie day more and more But Cardina who had well learned her lesson stept aside and would not be séene of Caniano who beeing gone shee went vp to the Chamber where when shee was readie to enter she hearde the Prince coÌ„plaine in this sort Ah poore wretch must thou néedes die without anie hope of remedie And as he would haue procéeded on Cardina stepped to him and after she had saluted him said to him secretelie that the Princesse Griana had sent her to him to vnderstand of his health and beléeue me good Prince quoth she I neuer sawe Ladie so sorrowfull for your sicknes as she is She commendeth her selfe to your honour most hartilie and hath sent you this Ring as an earnest of the looue she beares you desiring you to bee of good chéere and comfort your selfe because she desires to sée you to confer with you of matters that concerne you bothe néerelie These wordes so rauished the spirit of Florendos as a good while he doubted whether he dreamed or that hee might giue credite to what he hearde for albeit he knewe the messenger so well as anie in the Courte yet coulde he not perswade himselfe that hee was so fortunate At length betwéene hope and dispayre he tooke the Ring which he entertained with manie deuoute kysses and embracing Cardina so well as hee coulde thus answered Alas my swéete fréende may it bee possible that my Ladie hath such regard of him who neuer was able to doo her anie seruice Doubt not thereof my Lorde aunswered Cardina and if you will declare your loue answerable to hers in vertue you must giue testimonie thereof by comforting your person that she may sée you so soone as may be Ah fayre Uirgin quoth he let my whole life be imployed in what shall like her diuine nature to coÌ„maunde
so amorous of my Daughter as hee requested his mother to demaund her of me for his Wife but when I heard thereof you may well perswade your selfe that neuer woman disliked any thing more and yet to this time doo as much as I then did so that I made her answere howe I would rather desire my Daughters death then so to dishonour her because he was altogether vnworthie such speciall fortune Notwithstanding this sharpe repulse he continued his amorous desires to my Daughter so that he earnestly perswaded his mother to permitte him to take her from me perforce to which suite the vndiscréete mother consented either mooued with pittie or ouercome by the importunate solliciting of her so that one day vnder colour of a friend méeting me to be merry he robbed me of my Daughter This wicked traytor hadde long before that time intended this trecherie compacting the matter secretly with villaines and théeues by whose assistance he carried away my Daughter shutting her vppe in a strong Lower whereof I told you And because he feared I would gather some strength to reskew her considering how well I was beloued of my neighbours hee preuented mée by a strange enchauntment enuironing the castle and the tower with such a maruailous water as no knight shoulde enter vppon them without their consent Now that themselues might come forth and returne againe at their pleasure they deuised a little Boate which is guarded by two fierce Lions and a puissant knight that hath charge of them so that none comes to them but whome they list Since this vnhappie time did I neuer sée my Daughter whom this damnable villaine which most of all gréeues mée immediatly violated and rauished at his pleasure swearing now neuer to take her as his Wife but to vse her as his Concubine and beside all this the Traitour in despight of mee and to reuenge the words I gaue him doth monstrously abuse her and vnmanly whippeth her dayly with Roddes which my Sister hath often intreated to be spared but he by no meanes will be perswaded Thus séeing my selfe out of all hope to recouer her againe haue euer since continued in earnest inuocation to Heauen that some notable vengeance might punish this villaine and such fauour haue I founde in my deuout imprecations as first his mother was chastized with a disease called Saint Anthonyes fire in one of her legges which so gréeuously torments her as no remedie can bée founde to asswage the vexation Her Sonne vnderstanding héereof would haue slaine my sister accusing her to procure his Mothers infirmity by her learned knowledge whereuppon my Sister feariâ—g her life and watching time conuenient for her purpose escaped from the villaine hither to mée béeing sorrie that her Aunt should thus iniuriously deale with me and promised to worke the meane that I should recouer my Daughier These wordes not a little pleasing mée I would néedes knowe howe I should come by my Daughter againe whose misfortune had béene so yrksomâ— to me where to she thus answered It is so good Sister that I cannot nowe reuerse the enchauntments I haue alreadie made for your Daughter though gladly I would if it lay in my power wherefore you must attende the comming of a Knight who excéedeth all other in vertue and prowesse for he shall passe the water kill the Knight enter the Tower and deliuer my Niece your Daughter againe into your custody As concerning the Knight good Sister that shall so hardly passe the water without feare and fully accomplish my former enchauntment for him will I leaue with you a Sworde a very sumptuous armour and diuers other gifts to bestowe on him because my selfe shall not liue to sée him which came to passe for very shortly after my Sister died Nowe know you Sir Knight what matter is preordained for you therefore take pittie on mée a poore desolate Mother and aduenture your selfe in this cause of honour as bounde héereto by vertue and néedefull occasion Beléeue mee Madame saide Palmerin your discourse hath béene strange and good reason mooues you to request vengeance because your wrong is the greatest that euer I heard of which may sometimes perswade you that the offender cannot long escape without shame aunswerable to his villanie for Heauen will not suffer it by assistance whereof I hope to reuenge your Daughters rape And trust mee Lady I am sorrie I came not in your Sisters life time because shee coulde haue resolued mee in a doubtfull matter neuerthelesse I will doo so much for you as if she were liuing But I maruaile what is become of the knight that slewe my horse and the Damosell that conducted me hither As for the Damosell quoth the Lady she shall come anone to attend vppon you but the knight was onely a matter of enchauntment deuised by my Sister to discouer the man that should ende this aduenture And the Damosell whereof you speake hath brought hither many knights to the Lake but when their horses were slaine none of them durst be so hardy as to enter the water but onely you beeing predestinated of thâ—s aduenture In this and other such like talke they spent the day till Supper time and afterwarde was Palmerin câ—â—ducted â—o his Chamber and béeing in bedde hee could take no rest first for gréefe that he hadde not slaine Frysol then againe by the strange tale the lady tolde him wherefore rysing the sooner in the morning hee went with the Lady to seruice in her Chappell where hée dâ—sired of God that hée might preuaile against thâ—se coâ—â—uraâ—ions and vanquish the Knight that had so much abused his order Returning from the Chappell the Lady among other talke thus saide I sée Sir knight that your Armour is broken and much defaced that one may iudge you haue not kept it idle in your Armorie wherfore I thinke you met not with your friend when you were enforced to so dangerous tryall but as I vnderstande by the Damosell that was your guide hither you returned him good payment for his paines To supply your want I will bestow an Armour on you which my Sister long since prouided for you and with careful regard kept close in her Chest therfore let me intreate you not to refuse it in respect it was not prouided but for speciell purpose beeing néedfull for the present occasion you must nowe enterprise Palmerin would not refuse her offer wherefore opening the Chest there lay the Armour couered with white Taffata whereon was wrought in letters of Golde this inscription These Armes were made for the good knight Palmerin D'Oliua Sonne to the most royall King that â—his day liueth in all Greece That woorthie present greatly delighted Palmerin because héerein his desire was somewhat satisfied which was to knowe the estate of his Father wherefore in midst of this pleasing humour hee saide to his Lady I perceiue faire Madame that your sister knâ—w more of my destinie then any other for séeing she could so truely describe my name I néede
ignorant of the Ladyes passions deliuered Ptolomes letter to chéere her but wheÌ„ the Princesse saw Vrbanillo comming with the teares in her eyes she ranne apace to méete him and casting her armes about his neck embraced him verie often saying Tell me Vrbanillo tell mee how fares my brother thy Maister Palmerin Madame quoth the Dwarfe so well as your owne heart can wish and will ere long be héere with you Then deliuered he yâ— letter froÌ„ Trineus which certified her of his short returne that hee would bring with him yâ— thing she most estéemed But the wag knowing she expected other matters and that her brothers medicine was not sufficient for her cure he gaue her his masters letter when she hastily breaking open yâ— seale found the ring which her loyal friend had sent her and after she had welcomd it with many deuout kisses she put it on hir finger with these words I charge thée kéepe this token safely in witnesse of the knights gentlenesse that sent it whome my heart hath made speciall choyse of aboue all other Then reading the letter and discréeâ—ly considering not without great eâ—fuse of teares the swéet words humble supplications entire excuses extreame passions that her friend continually suffered for her loue deliuering many bitter sighs she said Ah my true and loyall friend I beléeue wel and take in good part your cause of absence béeing assured that if possibly you could returne sooner nothing should stay you from the place where yâ— only remedie of your dolorous gréefes abideth But séeing for my loue you may not forsake my brother I pray you for your continuall safetie and spéedie conduction to your longing desires that mine eies ouerwatched with tedious expectation my hart néere tired with bootlesse wishings may by your presence be thorowly coÌ„forted Afterward Vrbanillo bréefely reported to her the noble actions of his Lord and maister the loue of Ttineus to the Princesse Agriola discribing her beautie and rare perfections whereupon Polinarda thus answered Beléeue mee Vrbaniâ—lo if the Princesse be so faire as thou saist she is her great vertues and firme loyaltie likewise comparable enuie false report shal not impeach her to be reckoned among the most happie Ladies of the world and her desires wil be as honorably effected as with vertuous thoughts she first began them The like I doubt not will happen to thy maister for fortune hath euermore so specially fauored him as now it were against reason shée should alter her countenance So departed the Dwarfe from the Princesse returning to the Emperor who by no meanes could get any other tidings of his son then what you haue heard which made him doubt the dwarfe iuggled with him The next day the Emperour sent his chéefest Lords and Barons to conduct the French ambassadors to the court which was sumptuously hanged with Tapistrie especially the great hall which was adorned with costly cloth of gold and rich purple as it had béene the Pallace of Salomon The Ambassadours entertained with maruailous royaltie hauing deliuered the summe of their embassage the Emperour answered that hée would conferre thereon with his councel in me any while they might returne to their lodgings After they were departed the hall the Emperour demanded of the princes electours and the rest of his nobilitie if these marriages of his sonne and daughter with the heire and princesse of Fraunce might not be granted as well for the vtilitie and honor of the Empire as for the generall benefit of Christendome commanding them to speake their iudgements without feare The Lords altogether answered that the mâ—tion was so good the aliance so honorable as it was no way to be misliked I will then quoth he talke with the empresse that she may vnderstand hir daughters opinion then my lords of France shal be answered So leauing them hee went to the Empresse chamber to whom he reported his agréement with his councel which pleased her likewise maruailous wel but when shâ— had a little considered on the matter she answered that but little could be said before Trineus returned home againe You reason well quoth the Emperour but in meane time I pray you â—ouÌ„d your daughters iudgement yâ— we may returne our brother of Fraunce some certain answer Which she promised to do so departing froÌ„ her lord she went to her daughters chaÌ„ber where hauing coÌ„manded her ladies aside she thus began Faire daughter it is the emperors pleasure and mine that you marrie with the eldest sonne and heire of Fraunce and your brother Trineus with his sister for hee is one of the most renowned kings in Europe his son recounted among the best knights of the world for which good fortune you may thanke the heauens that so great a prince offers his Sonne to be your husband Aduise your selfe of your answer for by your opinion must the ambassadors be dispatched hence who came to the court for nothing else but to conclude these honorable marriages Polinarda hearing yâ— words of her mother was surprized with such sodain heauines as she could not tel what to answer but fearing the Empresse should perceiue that her loue was already determined with sad countenance thus replied Madame you know what promise I made my brother the day when he departed from the Court in the presenâ—â— of you and all the nobility that I would not marry before his returne and me thinks I were greatly to be blamed and well worthy gréeuous reprehension if I shoulde so falsifie my word which I cannot do without impeach of myne honor And héerein shall I follow the laudable bertue of the Emperor my father who euermore estéemed his promise aboue al earthly possessions Beside I can assure you that my brother wil neuer marry with the princesse Lucemania for he loues one many degrées beyond her and may I speake it without offence one of the most beautifull Ladyes that euer nature framed Thus Madame my Father and you haue excuses sufficient auayleable wherewith to aunswere the king of France It may be quoth the empresse that your brother loues els where but I can tell ye that neyther hée nor you shall do any thing contrary to the Emperors commandement Polinarda séeing her mother persist in her opinyon bit in her sorrowes with many secret sighs yet knew she so wel how to dissemble her passions as the Empresse could not discerne her priuat meaning So returned she to the Emperor aduertising him of hir daughters answere wherat he was so offended as in great anger hee came himselfe to his Daughter saying Why howe now Daughter are you so bolde to disobey my commandemeÌ„t or dare you repugne against my wil al is to no end that you haue babled with your mother for will ye or no it shall bée as I haue appoynted I knowe right well dread Lord and father quoth she that I ought no way to deny your pleasure but rather wil I die a thousand deaths then consent
Ladyes eares Neyther can you in my iudgement honour him sufficiently because my Daughter and mée hee hath shéelded from death expulsed our ignominious slaunder and slaine our false accusing enemy to make vs liue in perpetuall fame and memory The most part of them well 〈◊〉 his words and confounded with the remembrance 〈◊〉 theyr shame when they 〈◊〉 not enterprise the Combat for their Lady knew not what to answere but fearing to grow in further offence sought how to change his minde to some other talke Alchidiana béeing all this while in her Chamber prepared her selfe to goe visite 〈◊〉 not knowing how to shape her 〈◊〉 for fresh bewraying of 〈…〉 for the Goddesse Iuno when shée stoode before Syr Paris for sentence of her beautie was not more sumptuously adorned then the Princesse Nowe be 〈◊〉 shée to dispute in her thoughts the honourable graceâ— of Palmerin his nobilitie so farre renowmed his knightly prowesse and magnanimitie whereof herselfe had so good experience as shée resolued neuer to haue any other Husband Then 〈◊〉 she of her Ladies how she might 〈◊〉 her Knight if her head â—yre 〈◊〉 orderly if her 〈…〉 were tressed as they ought and if her garments were braue enough For conclusion the louely Mayden knew not how to dispose of herselfe to gaine his loue shée so earnestly longed for In this equipage she goes to sée her Friend and in his Chamber shée findes her Mother who hindered her languishing Daughter from discouering her sicknesse to him that onely had the power to helpe her wherefore liuing in hope of some better oportunitie for this time she smothered her gréefes so wel as she could finding other talke with her Ladies least her mother should suspect her Chap. XIII How the brethren of Amarano would haue buried his bodie in the Tombe with Ardemia which Alchidiana would not suffer but constrained them to carrie him home againe into his Countrey AMarano thus slaine his Brethren according to his charge thus giuen them before hée entred the Combat tooke his bodie and with great mourning they brought it to the Princesse Ardemiaes Tombe thinking to burie him there with her but Alchidmia aduertised héereof came presently and intreated her Father that hée woulde sende an Herauld to the Brethren of the vanquished Prince to charge them not to leaue the bodie of Amarano in his Dominions for if they did he would cause it to be burned as a Traytor deserued Moreouer that they themselues should depart within foure and twentie hours on paine of the daunger should ensue by their default For good Father quoth she if you should permitte their boldnesse it will be great blame and dishonour to you in that it is commonly knowne with what great pride and arrogancie he came to your Court thinking to iniurie your good report and eyther to shut mée from your presence for euer or else with open scandale to ende my life The Soldane well regarding her wordes willingly graunted her request whereupon the Princesse Brethren were certified of the Soldanes pleasure by a Trumpet whereat they maruailed not a little but séeing they could no way remedie it they said Herauld it is reason that your Lord should bée obeied within his owne territories neuerthelesse you may say vnto him that the crueltie he shewes to a dead bodie is verie great and against all equitie which he héereafter happilie may repent So opening the Tombe againe they tooke foorth their Brothers bodie and the Princesse Ardemiaes likewise conuaying them into a Litter of Cipres to kéepe them from corrupting and thus returned with them to Phrygia where the Princes death was greatly lamented but chéefly by the aged King his Father who séeing his Sonne dead before him after many dolorous passions thus complained Ah Fortune howe cruell doost thou shew thy selfe to the mightie as well as the meanest Ah my Sonne Amarano too déere hast thou bought thy loue to Ardemia Wretched and dispised olde man howe vnfortunate art thou among all other For when thou perswadest thy selfe to haue ioy and comfort by thy Sonnes thou findest the chéefe cause of sorrowe and discontent O death thou sufferest me too importunate Yet if the Soldane had graunted thée buriall where thou diddest desire it before thy death the lesse had béene my gréefe But soone shall I cause him repent his hard dealing and reuenge thy death with sufficient requitall The second brother to Amarano named Gramiel séeing his father in such extreame heauinesse assayed by all meanes he coulde to comfort him promising in the presence of all his Knights with all possible spéede to reuenge his Brothers death and so did all the sixe Brethren solemnly vowe togither Which spéeches did somewhat comfort the aged King who commaunded the bodies of the two louers to be taken from his presence and for a perpetuall memorie of his Sonnes death he caused a sumptuous monument to be made of marble and Porphire whereon was grauen the cause of their vnhappie death All this while Gramiell who vndertooke his Brothers reuenge gaue charge to the people round about him as also to the Kinges and Princes of Suria who were then enemies to the Soldane to prepare themselues in readinesse so that within a Moneths space hée had assembled a power of fiue thousand hardie Soldiers himselfe béeing appointed leader and generall ouer them In this sort they tooke themselues to the Feelde hoping to ruinate the Soldanes Countrey with fire and sworde but they were better entertained then they expected as hereafter shall bée largely discoursed Chap. XIIII Howe Alchidiana ouercome by vehemencie of her loue offered her selfe to Palmerin as his wife and of the aunswere he made her REmembring what hath past in the chapters before we may not forget how by the message of the Quéene of Tharsus sent to the Soldanes Court Alchidiana who began as it were to despise Palmerin was coÌ„strained to renue her loue thus conferring with her selfe that if so great a person as the Quéene of Tharsus commended estéemed and honoured him hauing neuer séene him the better meane had she béeing dayly in his companie to practise the furtheraunce of her earnest desires Shée therefore continually awayted oportunitie to discouer the fire newly raked from the embers and which day and night consumed her with languishing but so well it came to passe that not many dayes after the Combat with Amarano hee came to visite her in her Chamber right ioyfull of the talke hee had with the Soldan as coÌ„cerning the prouision of his strength to goe ruinate the Citie of Constantinople which gaue him hope of his returne to Allemaigne Alchidiana hauing courteously saluted him and shewing better countenaunce then before shée did caused him to sit downe by her and soone after began in this sort I desire you Sir Knight by the reuerence you beare our Godâ— and the â—ayth you owe to her for whose loue you tooke the enchaunted Crowne from the Prince Maurice to tell me your name what your Parents be and of whence
as in short time he arriued in Allemaigne where hee was graciously welcommed by the Emperour and especially by the Princesse his Daughter to whome he reported the honorable behauiour of Palmerin and howe he was sworne Prince of Greece and Macedon Héereof was she so ioyfull as neuer coulde shée be satisfied with the discourse making many demaunds to the Duke as well of the Tryumphes Tourney and disports as also of the marriage celebrated at Constantinople whereto the Duke returned such fitte aunswers as nothing wanted to extoll her Fréendes honor yet without anye occasion of iealouzie to the Princesse wherto amorous Ladies are commonlie subiect But nowe returning where wee left before you must note that Palmerin béeing departed the confines of the Empire entred his Fathers Realme where in euery Cittie he was entertained with great tryumphing especiallye in the Cittie of Hermida where the Merchaunt dwelt that was Palmerins Maister for whom he sent but hée was aduertised by his Wife that her Husband was gone to the Sea and his two Sonnes with him wherefore he gaue her manie rich gifts and Letters for his Maisters frée enfranchise and libertie At his departure from thence he came to the place where Vrbanillo his Dwarfe was borne whose father was there liuing a poore auncient Knight and his Sister of as tall stature as Vrbanillo whom Palmerin at her Brothers request sent to Constantinople to his Mother And for the honor of the order his Dwarfes Father had receiued hée gaue him the Uillage wherein he dwelt and in the presence of the Macedonians put him in possession thereof who not a little commended the discréete and liberal mind of the Prince From thence he iourneyed to the chéefe Cittie of Macedon where remained the aged King his Grandfather but how the Cittizens entertained him and what honorable Tryumphes were made at the Court I list not héere sette downe because it would be more tedious then benificiall As for his Aunt the Princesse Arismenia shée at his comming mette him in the base Court with all her Ladies and as Palmerin fell on his knée before her to kisse her hande she stayed him in her armes saying God forbid Sir Palmerin that the Knight of the greatest fame in the world should reuerence so simple a Damosell as my selfe but rather am I bound by duetie to honor you as the man by whose especiall vertues our linage is this daie crowned with perpetuall memorie Fayre Aunt answered Palmerin if before I knewe you to be my Fathers Sister I deuoted my selfe to your seruice with much more affection shall I desire to followe it nowe wherefore suffer me swéete Madame to kisse your hand as being the Ladie to whome I rest continually bounden I beséech you my Lord quoth the Princesse to pardon me for neuer shall Macedonian Maiden be so repâ—â—â—ued but that she well knowes her dutie to her betters At these spéeches came the King of Sparta the Dukes of Pontus and Mecaena and the Prince Eustace whom the Princesse welcommed with excéeding honor After all courtesies ended Palmerin said I vnderstand Madame that the king your Father is crazed and sicklie if it be so I am verie sorrie I praye you therefore let vs goe sée howe his Maiestie fareth When you please my Lord quoth the Princesse for I thinke if héeretofore hee receiued health by you Fortune may at this time affoord the like and yet as I haue read there is no remedie for troublesome age but onelie death it selfe which is the Gate to immortalitie and endeth all diseases whatsoeuer So entred they the Kings Chamber and the Princesse going to the bed side to her Father saide My Lorde sée héere the good Knight Palmerin your Nephew may it please you to speake to him and bid him welcome Well know I that he is right welcome to your Maiestie were there no other cause then the happye recouerie of your former health which his aduenturous trauaile héeretofore brought ye The good olde King whome the palsie caused to shake and tremble raysed himselfe vppe a little and beholding Palmerin with weake and féeble voice thus spake Come néere my noble Sonne that these armes halfe deade may embrace thée and my lips now drie and withered may once kisse thée before I die So holding him betwéene his armes and lifting his eyes to Heauen said O my God for euer be thy name honored and praysed in vouchsafing me to sée my Sonne before my death Ah swéete death the ende of all miseries and beginning of felicitie now art thou welcome forbeare not thy stroke in that I haue now séene the honorable defence of my Subiests héereafter yea such a worthie Fréende for them as neuer had they the like Ah my Son howe déerelie ought I to loue thée how gracious hath thy remembraunce béene of mee yet féele I my selfe so weake and feeble as nature cannot prolong my life thrée daies Alas I knowe not which of vs twaine hath greatest cause to reioyce eyther the Father seeing his Sonne euen when he is readie to leaue him or the Sonne finding his Father attending his comming before he giue vp the ghost I hope my good Lord said Palmerin that you shall not leaue vs so soone therefore take a good heart and that no doubt will prolong your life Alas my Sonne quoth the King vnweldie age hath so weakened my body and euen dried vp my vitall blood as longer I may not liue and had not hope to sée thée lengthened my languishing daies thou hadst found my bodie breathlesse which yet sustaineth féeble life onely by thy presence Now that I may leaue this worlde with content and trauaile with better quiet to mine ende tell mée good Sonne the whole matter concerning thy Father Florendos with the perfect discourse of thine owne fortunes Then Palmerin rehearsed euery circumstaunce both of his Fathers deliuerie howe hée had maried the Quéene Griana and in what estate he left them both at his departure Chap. XL. How the aged King Primaleon of Macedon graundfather to Palmerin dyed and how the King of Spaâ—ta espoused the faire Pâ—incesse Arismen Sister to the prince Florendos NOt two dayes had Palmerin stayed in the Court of his Graundfather but the aged king resined his life to the celistiall powers for which cause all the triumphes ceased and generall sorrow entertained for the losse of their good king Arismena who so reuerently loued her father as in his life time she would not match in mariage with any one because it was his will it should be so neuer shewed her selfe disconted therewith but her Father béeing now dead shee committed the whole affayres of the Realme to the Counte Roldin one appointed for that office by generall good liking With such honorable pompe was the funerall obsequies executed and the Princesse gracious behauiour therein so especially commended as the young King of Sparta became amorous of her discouered his mind to Palmerin intreating him so to fauour the cause as he might make
great Turke the Calâ—â—â—â— of Siconia and the heyres to the Prince Amarano of Nigrea not much inferiour in this condition is the Soldane of Babylon whose daughter with her Husband I héere beholde The victorious Ambimar King of Romata and Griscâ— the worthie Maulerino and the puiâ—â—aunt Soldane of Persia my Maister Husbande to the vertuous Quéene Zephira who with their Brother haue sent your highâ—esse thrée Shippes laden with the most wealthie riches their Countreyes can yéeld My Lord and they humbly kisse your Maiesties hande desiring you to forget his disceurâ—â—sie to the gentle Knight Tâ—yneus when hee became â—â—amoured on the Princesse Aurecinda But if their loue then sorted to a philosophicall trope or figure it hath sithence prâ—ued effecâ—â—uall in procreation to the no little ioy of my Lorde and Maister The Princesse was deliuered of a goodly Son growing in such exquisite forme and feature as it is expected hée will one day resemble his Father in châ—ualrie as he dooth alreadie his Mother in amiable perfection Ambassadour quoth the Emperour for the great vertue and nobilitie I haue founde as well in the Princesse Zephira as also her noble Brother I graunt the fréendly allâ—ance thou demaundest Yet heereof am I sorie that the Son to the Prince Tryneus should be nourished and spend his youth among Maâ—umetists without knowledge of hiâ— God and Redéemer for in such sort should hée be instructed after he is come to the yéeres of vnderstanding that all the Alchoran is tales anâ— fables and doubtlesse God will so deale with him in time as hée shall imitate the steppes of his noble Father As for the presents sent Vs by the King Maulerino the Solâ—aâ—e and his Queen Zephira we accept them as from our Fréenâ—s and will returne them some remembraunce of our thankfulnesse His Maiestie commaunded the Persians to bée lodged in his Pallace and continued still their former ioyes and tryumphs but to alter those Courtly pastimes and delights this misfortune happened which héereafter followeth Chap. LXV Howe the great Turke refused to assist Lycado Nephewe to the Admiral Olimaell against the Emperor Palmerin and what trouble happened to Constantinople by the Traitor Nardides Nephew to the King Tarisius Lycado Meuadeno and their father SUch was the humanitie and pittie of Palmerin when hee finished the enchantments at the Isle of Malfada as he gaue libertie to all the Turks and Christians which were before transformed as you haue heard among whom was Lycado Nephew to the Admirall Olimaell hée that at the taking of Agriola had the Prince Tryneus for his prisoner This Lycado séeing himselfe in his owne Countrey and out of daunger where he heard howe the great Turke was slaine and his Uncle likewise hée came before the Sultane that then raigned saying Worthy lord as men are naturallie inclined to bemone their losses so are Subiects bound to aduertise their Soueraignes of any shame or iniurie done to their Maiesties This speak I my Lord because you haue not as yet reuenged the death of your deceassed Brother now sléeping in the Armes of Mahomet albéeit traytâ—rouslie slaine by Palmerin and his Companions at which time my noble Uâ—cle was likewise murthered with many Knights of cheefe and especiall account And least you should be ignoraunt in the truth of the déede and who also â—arryed hence the Princesse Agriola I haue credibly vnderstood that Palmerin is Nephew to the Emperour of Greece one of his companions is the Emperours Sonne of Allemaigne and all the rest were Princes and Lords of Greece onely sent as spyes into Turkie Wherefore séeing you now holde the state in such peace and quietnes it were necessarie you should leauie a mightie Armie and please you to commit the charge thereof to mée I will loose my life or make an absolute destruction of all Greece I remember said the great Turke that your Unckle made like entraunce into my decâ—ased Brothers Courte as you by your spéeches now labour to doo but I will so warilie looke to such intrusions as no Traytors shall rest héere if I can hinder theÌ„ Your Unckle vexed the Christians what followed thereon the death of his maister and a daungerous confusion By you likewise may â—nsue as bad fortune departe you therefore from the Court and but that we are loth to bee noted with tyrannie thou shouldest presently be drâ—wne in péeces with Horses False Traytour thou that commest to counsaile vs in a matter wherein we cannot meddle but with great dishonour it behâ—ues thée first to regard the end of thy intent and what he is that gouerns in Greece Go villaine go and on perill of thy life neuer presume before our presence againe Lycado was greatly astonied at this sharpe answere and séeing he could haue no better successe hee went to his Father the Brother to Olimaell béeing one of the chéefest Magitians in all Turkie to him he made his complaints saying he would die in that resolution but he would cause the Turke to knowe that hee was no Traytour and this quoth he shall be the meane whereby I will compasse it I meane to disguise my selfe and trauaille to the Cittie of Constantinople where priuily I wil murder the Emperor Palmerin so 〈◊〉 my Lorde the great Turke tâ—uch mée with no further suspition but will reward me with greater benefits then euer my Unckle had My Sonne answered his Father thinkest thou that thy deuise will sort to effect thy Brother Menadeno would helpe thée héerein but hée is too yong yet when time serueth for thy departure I will not onely tell thée but conduct thee my selfe I beséech you good father saide Lycado further me in what you may for neuer will my hart be at rest till I haue paid Palmerin with the selfe same coyne the great Turke was In meane while do you studie and search all our Bookâ—s of 〈◊〉 Diuination Magique and Nigromancâ—e as Zabulus Orpheus Hermes Zoroastres Ciroes Medea Alphonsus Bacon Aponius and all the rest that write of the blacke speculatiue reade them againe and againe deuiâ—e such spâ—lles exorcismes and coniurations as the very â—pirits may speaâ—e of the feast I will make at the Cittâ—e of Constantinole Héereupon the olde man made his Sonne Menadeno Knight and with Lycado betooke themselues to Sea saying My Sonnes I will bring ye to Constantinople where by vertue of mine arte we will arriue before thrée dayes be expired remember your vnckles death and behaue your selues in such sort as you may be Registred for euer The time doth nowe fauour you with sufficient reuenge and therein shall you be assisted by a Christian Knight whome we shall finde readie landed there for the same cause Their Ankers being wâ—yed they launch into the déepe and cut through the waues with such violence as if the deuill himselfe were in their sailes so that they tooke landing at the selfe same houre as Nardides arriued at Constantinople As concerning what this Nardides was you remember the two Traytors Promptaleon and Oudin Nephewes
doo not finde the meane to helpe mee By my fayth my Lorde quoth the Dwarffe so please you to tell me howe and wherein I may helpe you let me die a thousande deathes if I doo it not Understande then my good Vrbanillo sayd Palmerin that this strange alteration procéedes froÌ„ the diuine lookes of my péerelesse Mistresse Polinarda whose fiery beames haue searched so narowly euery corner of my thoughts as I must die because I loue too déerlie But couldest thou make knowne to her the least parte of my insupportable vexations may bee shee woulde haue some pittifull remorse of my martirdome for well may it be iudged that a Lady accomplished with so many vertuous perfections must néedes bee stored with sweetnes fauour and pittie Not vnlike my good Lord said Vrbanillo but doo not you remember how I was punished when in the like case I ventured to sollicite your looue to Laurana Daughter to the Duke of Durace by my fayth my Lorde I shall not forget it while I haue a day to liue and am afrayde to fall againe into the like daunger And this spake Vrbanillo with such a grace as Palmerin coulde not but laugh noting with what feare the deformed felow gaue it foorth whereupon he sayd Thou needest not be dismaid if she that smote thée in thy sléepe bee that Polinarda for whose loue I am thus tormeÌ„ted for whom I was borne as many haue enformed me I pray thée therefore speake to her and dreade no coullers It is good saide Vrbanillo that you woulde haue mee more hardie then you are your selfe speake to her your selfe if you dare for I dare not aduenture it for feare of my life If thou doost it not quoth Palmerin assure thy selfe thou shalt neuer henceforth serue me Nay then quoth the Dwarffe I will rather put my selfe in ieoperdy to be better beaten then I was the last time before I will loose so good a Maister I pray thée doo sayde Palmerin in respect thou séest the earnestnes of mine affections Feare not quoth the Dwarffe albeit you were a great deale more fit to breake the matter then I but I wil gadge my life to gaine you the Ladie and héereupon they rested till the next morning CHAP. XXVIII Howe Polinarda desired Palmerin to giue her his Dwarffe and of the speeche which she and Vrbanillo had afterward togeather EArly the next morning Palmerin arose and hauing walked abroade to contemplate his desires returned into the Chamber of presence where he founde Trineus the Emperors Sonne conferring with the Ladies at which very instant the Dwarff entred whose badde shaped body and face made them all fall a laughing so that Trineus came to his Sister Polinarda saying Sister did you euer beholde a more proper Page to attende on Ladies then this gaunt Squire that serues my Lorde Palmerin In good â—ooth Brother quoth she hee is farre vnlike his noble maister yet wold I like well enough if he were mine I beséech you Sir Palmerin said Trineus bestowe your Seruaunt on my Sister Polinarda Madame quoth Palmerin were he better hee is yours and his Maister likewise then called hee Vrbanillo who knéeling to vnderstand his Maisters pleasure hee saide Vrbanillo I haue giuen you to my Ladie Polinarda as her man will you not serue her honourablie and truelie aboue all other Yea my Lorde quoth he next after you but you will I not leaue while I liue although you woulde disdaine my seruice Good reason hast thou said the Princesse and wel am I pleased it shold be so yet during the time of his stay heere you shall forsake him and abide with mee For yâ— Madame quoth the Dwarffe I am well contented Then looke you faile not said the Princesse hencefoorth to giue your attendaunce These spéeches were thus vsed as it were for pastime that shee might thereby deceiue the iudgments of other but her whole intent was to know of Vrbanillo if his Maister were affected to any other Ladie by whose meanes her loue might be frustrate For as you haue heard a little before that loue had brought her vnder such obeysaunce as did not the regarde of honour with-holde her her selfe would first breake the Ise of her vexations rather theÌ„ Sâ—aie too long and not be solicited Many other deuises had the Ladies with Vrbanillo who knewe so well howe to behaue himselfe as from thence forward he grew so familiar amongst them as he woulde enter their Chambers when himselfe pleased vnder couller of attendaunce on the Princesse Polinarda from time to time to mooue his Maisters messages But at length she preuented him in this sort for béeing alone at a windowe in the presence Chamber shee called the Dwarffe and making her entraunce by other occasions she asked him whose Sonne Palmerin was God knowes Madame quoth hee for I doo not nor himselfe neither but of this I can assure you yâ— neuer was Knightlie Chiualrie better imployed by any then by him for since the time of my knowledge he hath doone such noble acts as it is not remembred that â—uer Knight in this age did the like And then from point to point he discoursed all yâ— Palmerin had doone since he came to him and can you thinke then Madame quoth the Dwarffe that he is not dâ—sceded of noble linage Trust me Ladie I haue my self heard by manie learned Magitians and other that their diuinations were no lesse then I saie When Polinarda heard the Dwarffe thus speake on his Maisters behalfe if before his loue had kindled her liking no meruaile if hart and spirite were nowe enflamed so that nowe she could no longer coÌ„ceale what she had hetherto couered and therefore sayde to the Dwarffe I beséech thée Vrbanillo by the faith and duetie thou bearest to thy Maister tâ—l me one thing that I desire to knowe of him which shall bee nothing but to his honour and aduantage You haue so coniured mee faire Madame quoth the Dwarffe as death shall not make me hide what you please to command if it lye in me to resolue you Knowe then Vrbanillo said the Princesse that I looue thy Maister as well as my Brother Trineus and am desirous to knowe of thee what Ladie it is hee estéemes aboue all other because when I knowe her I may loue her the better for his sake withall that I may commend the Ladies happines whose fortune is to be loued of so braue a Gallant Well perceiued the Dwarffe that now or neuer was the time to bestirre himselfe according to the promise he made his Maister wherefore hee aunswered the Princesse in this manner Beléeue me Madame were it to anie other I would not reueale such secrets of my Lorde as you desire to knowe but to you that are his Lady Mistresse I am content to bewraie the whole Suffiseth then Madame that he loueth in such sorte as if the heauens sende him not remedie the sooner vnpossible is it that his life should long endure for I sée him so far beside
he thinking to reueÌ„ge the reproch of his felow hath followed me to performe what they were not able Then Palmerin sodainly clasping on his helmet mounted on horsback and taking aduantage of the plaine field because it was most conuenient for the combat which Frisol perceiuing scornefully sayd I think Sir knight you are some kinde of prophet because you deuine so wel the cause of my comming vnhappie was it for you to preuaile in such sort against the duke of Gaules knights which you must now pay for with too late repentance If I did them any harme sayd Palmerin it was their owne séeking and by your arrogant spéeches it may be presumed you are one of the same company but yâ— loue of the Dukes sister cannot shéelde you from your deserued recompence At these words Frisol well perceiued that this was the knight he so much doubted Neuerthelesse his courage was so good as remembring the promise he made to his Lady gaue spurres to his Hose and they encountred with such braue chiualry as yâ— shiuers of their Launces flew vp into the aire and then they assaulted each other so roughly with their Swordes as well they might bée estéemed right valiant Champions No mercy was intended on either side for Frysol was determined to die or conquere and Palmerin held the same resolution so that the ground was coloured with their bloud their armour and shéeldes battered in péeces and no hope left on either side of life But as alwaies some mischance or other followes a noble mind so fel it out with Frisol for in their close buckling togither Palmerin had got sure hold on his shéeld which Frisol striuing forcibly to recouer the bucklâ— brake in sunder and with the sodaine breach therof he fel down backward when Palmerin leaping from his horse said And let me neuer hereafter bee called Palmerin if now I do not reuenge my selfe sufficiently Which words when Frisols squire heard he came hastily and fell at his féete saying Noble knight I beséech you for the honour you beare to arms to pause a while tel me if you be Palmerin D'Oliua for if you be I am your brother who haue suffered great paine and trauaile to finds you out Palmerin presently knew Colmelio the sonne of Gerrard his foster father whose sight was so ioyfull to his as casting away his sword he ran and embraced him about the neck saying My déere friend Colmelio the most welcome man in the world to me How happie may I account my selfe quoth Colmelio to finde you when all hope was past hauing trauailed so many countryes and al 〈◊〉 â—aiâ—e if then you loue me as you make protestation let me intreate one fauour at your hand that you forget your anger towards my maister Frysol and giue ouer your fight for long time haue I serued him as my Lord and well hath hee deserued much better seruice then mine Colmelio sayde Palmerin the thing thou demandest is meruailous great neuerthelesse such is my comfort hauing met with thée as I graunt thy request and happily hath he now escaped with life coÌ„sidering what occasions haue past vs héertofore So taking Colmelio by the hand he said to Frisol Sir knight at your squires intreatie I suffer you quietly to departe and méete with me againe at any time you thinke good but you shall go looke another Squire for Colmelio at this time goes with me Frisol who was wouâ—ded in many places very faint with losse of his bloud might eaâ—â—ly be induced to this agréement of peace but coÌ„ming to Colmelio he said Wilt thou forsake thy master and go with his enemy Trust me sir quoth Colmelio you must néeds pardon me if in this matter I chance to offend you for to séeke him I forsooke my fathers house haue continued a verie laboursome search If thou wilt néeds go said Frisol and that my intreaties may not dissawde thée I will pray for the successe of thy desires and thy aduancement to honour and while I liue will I account of thée as my fréend and brother So returning as he came he began in this manner to exclaime against Fortune Ah cruell inconstant Lady sufficed not thée to dishonour mee before mine enemie but thou must rob me of my squire I loued â—o deerely but so hast thou dealt with them of highest calâ—â—â—g for infinit kings and potentates hast thou deceiued â—nd before their very chéefest enemies dishonoured such hath beene thy trecherye to me at this instant that I may iustly coÌ„plaine of thée while I liue As he continued these complaints he met diuers armed Knightes that came to assist him and the duke himself in company among them who demanded of Frisol whither his enemie were slaine or sent away vanquished Uanquished sayd Frysol thinke you so good a knight may be so easily vanquished Then he dâ—â—â—â—â—rsed his whole successe which the duke hearing exclaimed on his huÌ„ting that he was not present when Palmerin passed wherefore he would néeds followe him but that Frisol intreated him to the coÌ„trary because the night approched so néere as it was impossible for him to ouertake Palmerin The duke in a maruellous rage for yâ— his enterprise fell out no better returned with Frisol and an houre within night they came to his Castell where hee called for his chirurgiâ—â—s charging them to giue diligent attendance â—n Frisol When the Dukes sister heard the misfortune of her friend she came hastily to him in his chamber after many swéet kisses said I beséech you my lord fâ—rget my folly for I was yâ— cause of your mischance Madame said Frisol where no offence is coÌ„mitted what néeds any remission If my fortune haue béene ill it is not for mée to complaine on you for your request tended to mine owne honour but I must be content with my hap though it hath sorted to so bad effect and this doth yet comfort me that I receiued my foile by the onely Knight in the worlde And if the heauens please to lengthen my dayes I shall be desirous to do him seruice for there is no man liuing to whom I could better affoord it Now néede I not mislike hauing tried him so often if he be worthy the loue of diuine Polinarda for he beyond all other doth best deserue it Why how now quoth the Lady are you so vnwise to honour him so much that hath so iniuried you and which is most childish to desire his seruice Goâ— then and séeke him whom thou so louest for by mine hâ—nour I more despise thée now then any man in the world thou making such reputation of him whom thou oughtest to pursue with mortall hatred Frisol smiling hereat said Madame I must néeds say so séeing no ill wordes can amend my mischaunce so without any aunswer she â—â—oong foorth of his Chamber The next day the Duke called all his Knights commanding them to restraine the passage â—o longer at the bridge intending to go to the Court sâ— soone as
opinion that when the fayrest were present beautie would then bee most spleâ—dant For this cause hee sent to Prince Guilharaâ— Sonne to Polidia her mothers sistâ—r that he should bring his Sister Ardemia to the Court who was counted the Paragon through all the Monarchie of Babilon 〈…〉 and defende thy selfe so woorthily as thou hast done Then was shée certifyed by an auncient Knight that one of the squyres of her Chamber smote him as he lay a sleepe which he reuenged in such sort as she had séene Trust me quoth she the dumbe man did as well be seemed him wherefore in respect of his ciuilitie and that he can so well correct the ouerboldnesse of fooles I will intertaine him as one of our Court forbidding any to wrong him as they â—ender my fauour and their owne liues So commaunding buriall for the dead and prouision for the wounded shée went to her Pauilion which was not farre off willing Palmerin by signâ—s to go with her deliuering him his sword again and saying he should he her seruant Humble graces did Palmerin requiâ—e her withall and in signe of his obeysance offred 〈…〉 would not permit him and taking 〈…〉 Looke that hereafter thou go not from me whereto by signes be consented knowing that by heâ— meanes he 〈◊〉 be safely protected 〈…〉 Princesse Pauillion but the Greyhounde 〈…〉 pace as he caught her in the presence of Alchidiana 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 owne handes tooke her from the Dogge and gaue her in kéeping to one of her Pages By this tyme it 〈◊〉 towards night wherfore each one mounting on their Palfrayrs set forwarde to the Cittie the two Princesses hauing no other talke all the way but of the singuler behauiour of the 〈◊〉 Knight They riding faire and easily because Palmerin trauayled by them on foote Ardemia beholding his goodly Sworde demaunded of him if hée werâ— a Knight which he by signes made knowne vnto her wherof Alchidiana verie ioyfull sayde that shée woulde present him to the Soldane her Father and for this cause the more she beheld him the greater pleasure shée conceyued in him Beeing nowe come to the Gates of Calpha there stood manie Knights readie with lighted Torches to conduct the Ladies and their traine to the Pallace which was so rare and sumptuously edifyed as Palmerin was amazed to 〈◊〉 such royaltie All the way Alchidiana had the dumbe knight by her site giuing him her hand to alight from her Palfray which hée did with excéeding reuerence and nothing discontented with his office but manie Kings and Princes there present murmured thereat thinking him not worthie to come so néere her nor might he so be suffered but that the Princesse somewhat 〈◊〉 of him would suffer none to contrarie her pleasure and leaned on his arme al the while shée went vppe the stayres of the Pallace to giue the 〈◊〉 euen to the Soldane who stayed his Daughters returne in the great hall Still leaned shée on Palmerin till she came to her Father who 〈◊〉 in a magnificent Chaire of estate hauing the resemblaunce of the firmament ouer his heade after the Turkish maner so garnished with Rubâ—es and Dyamonds which with the lights of the Torches shined most gloriously whereat Palmerin wondered 〈◊〉 the Princesse with so braue gesture as many reputed 〈◊〉 some noble person and other 〈◊〉 thought the woorst of him The Soldane who loued his Daughter as you haue heard before arose from his Chayre to welcome her home demaunding what sport shée had on hunting and if shée had brought any venison home with her Certes my Lord quoth she we haue had better fortune then you thinke on but before I declare the manner thereof to you will it please you to giue mee what I haue found this day The Soldane not able to denie his Daughter any thing liberally graunted her request A thousande thankes good Father quoth shée this dumbe Knight hath your Maiestie giuen me who in his owne defence hath this day slaine certaine of your Knights and hereof you may assure your selfe that hee is one of the most hardy Gentlemen that euer came into these partes Séeing it is your request Daughter quoth hée I coulde hée well contented to graunt it but how shall I aunswere â—he Fréendeâ— of the murthered to whom I haue alreadie promised that for his offence he shall be deliuered to the Lions So which of these graunts ought best to bée kept yours béeing my Daughtâ—r wherein nature ruleth or theirs béeing my Subiects which the Lawe commaundeth I may not bée iâ—dge herein sayde the Princesse notwithstanding me thinkes vnder your highnesse correction that you haue béene but 〈…〉 to giue a sentence so cruell hauing not heard or séene the partie And albeit hée were guiltie of blame as heâ— is not yet before his condemnation hée ought to bée heard howe hée could cléere himselfe but if hée must die I hauing assured him life and taken him into my defence the disgrace is so great to mée as mine honour must remaine for â—uer condemned And you my Lord and Father whose authoritie may discharge me of this reproch if you refuse now to assist me the gréefe hereof will bée my death Thâ—se words she spake with such affection and so heauily wéeping as woulde haue mooued a 〈◊〉 heart to pittie her whereâ—â—â—â— Mâ—uliâ—us touched with naturall remorse sayd You shall peceyue Daughter what I haue deuised to the ende my worde may not bee impeached He shall be put into the Lyons Denne and suddenly taken out againe by this meane I shall kéepe my promise to his accusers and satisfie your earnest desire And the better to content you herein his enemies shall bee perswaded that he escaped the Lions with life and then will I giue him safetie thorow all my dominions The Princesse fearing the bloodthirstie desire of the Lions coulde not so content her selfe which Palmerin perceyuing that the Father and daughter thus contended for him fel downe on his knée before the Soldane making signes that hee should accomplish his promise for hee feared not the daunger of his life Maulicus maruailing hereat perswaded his daughter that being so hardie hee might escape therefore to content her selfe for thing should bee handled in such sort as the Knight should no way be endangered These words somewhat contented the Princesse causing Palmerin to be conducted to his chamber charging him that was appoynted to attend on him to sée that he were very honourably vsed and in the morning to bring him againe before her father The Soldane and his Knights spent all that euening in diuerse iudgements on the dumbe Knight each one being glad of the Soldanes sentence but Alchidiana was so pensiue considering the dangerous hazard he should passe as she 〈◊〉 to her Chamber refusing all sustenaunce and spending the time in â—oloroâ—s complaints desiring rather her own death then the dumbe knight should be any way harmed Chap. V. How Palmerin is put into the Denne among the Lions and Leopards and hauing killed three of them
thy beautie of such value that the Knight to whome my Father and I haue doone so great honours would leaue vs and depart with thée trust meâ— thou art farre from thine account for if thou vauntest to doo him such honor in thy Fathers Courte as his nobilitie deserueth it consisteth in my power to exalt him more in one howre then thou canst doo in a thousand yéeres mightest thou liue so long I did neuer thinke that such audacious and incontinent tempting a man could any way enter thy heart but if such bee thy disposition thou oughtest rather to abide in thy Fathers Courte where thou maist haue leysure to followe thy base affection with some of the 〈◊〉 or youthes attending on thy Father then to offer the 〈◊〉 héere in my Chamber Hence hence foorth of my presence for I will not kéepe company with such an intemperate Woman What regard hadst thou of thy great linage or the place from whence thou art discended Yea what comfort will it be to me when I shall heare that a Ladie issued of the blood royall should bée more shamelesse and impudent then a 〈◊〉 a villaine or an high way begger Many other such like hard spéeches vsed Alchidiana all which gréeued her not so much as to 〈…〉 of him whom she reputed as passionate for her loue as shée was for his These high words of the Princesse caused the Ladies attending on Ardemia to enter the Chamber which maâ—e her then breake off because she woulde not haue euerie one knowe the matter and they séeing their Mistresse so sad and discomforted brought her to her owne Chamber where on her bedde shee sorrowed so impatiently as each one 〈◊〉 she would 〈◊〉 her selfe and faine shée woulde but that their presence hindered her therefore shee deferred it till better opportunitie And because shee had spent the most part of her yonger yéeres in reading the workes of 〈◊〉 as wel Greekes as Arabians she remembred the mouâ—nfull Tragedie of Biblis which caused her to frame a Dittie that shée had translated from the Greeke 〈◊〉 of Sapho into her vulgar spéech and turning towardes her Ladies and Gentlewomen she began in this maner The lamentable Dittie of Ardemia dying for loue MVsenot fayre virgins at Ardemia Although her end be hard and dolorous For death is pleasant as mine elders say To any Ladie sometime amorous For as the Swan in cold Meander glide By mournfull notes foretelles her speedy death So my complaint doth bid me to prouide For sweetest loue makes hast to stop my breath The ill that endlesse and vncessantly Torments my heart is fayre and choysest beautie And this vnhappie awkwarde desteny Falles to my lot through spotlesse loyaltie For fond conceit that ouer-rulde my wit More wretched then fayre Biblis maketh me And he I loue more stony hard is knit Then Caunus who could ken no courtesie Yet Bibliâ— oftentimes could ease her heart By sweete deuising with her louely freend But he I honor recks not of my smart Nor will vouchsafe one gracious looke to lend And as her sorrowes cheefely did arise Because the secrets of her loue were knowne So I reueald each one will me despise VVhich death can stint ere it too farre be blowne Vnhappie wretch that could not this foresee And be more chary of so choyse a thing But all too late I wish the remedie Therefore my folly doth due guerdon bring if loue that is esteemde a power diuine Vnto his Seruaunts giue so sharpereward VVhat merit may vile hatred then resigne Vnto his vassayles that his Lawes regard Oft haue I heard mine auncient elders say That such as loue not are vnwoorthie life Yet doth my loue imagine my decay And throwes my hope into whole worlds of strife And yet the paynes I wish for my mischaunce May not be valued with my present woe For to compare them is meere dalliaunce And neither sence or reason should â— shoâ—e Life is to me lothsome and burdenous All pleasure seemes to mee tormenting hell Ah poore refused and abused thus Must thou needes die for louing all too well O sacred Venus patrâ—nesse of loue In this distresse wilt thou not pittie me And thy fayre Sonne that thus his shaft did proue VVill he forsake me in this ieopardie If you forsake me in this iust request And will not fauour what you did procure Giue leaue to him that bringeth all to rest And he will ease the torments I endure You fatall Sisters that haue spunne my thred And now thinke good it should be cut in twaine Fulfill the taske as you are destenied And let my heart abide no longer paine Come sweetest death expected too too long Ende all the euils vnhappie loue begun If thou delay I challenge thee of wrong Hast then good death that loue and life were done Her complaints thus finished shée commaunded her Ladies to depart the Chamber and being alone by her selfe shee againe began to consider the rigorous refusall of Palmerin the conceit whereof gréeued her so extreamely as also the reproachfull wordes of her Cozin that making a conscience of her sorrowes and raging with extreamitie of this despight brake the vaines of her heart in sunder and the artiries of her bodie as the bloud issued foorth at many places aboundantly and therewithall in short time she was strangled The nxet morning her chéefest Lady that attended on her and loued her excéedingly came to the bedde side to sée how shée fared but finding her dead and so 〈◊〉 with her owne bloud gaue such a loude shrieke as Alchidiana and her Dâ—moselles affrighted at the noyse ranne in all haste to the Chamber The Princesse knowing the cause of this mischaunce was maruellous sorrowfull assuring her selfe that the wordes shée spake in her anger occasioned this bloudie 〈◊〉 And the â—umor of this mishop was so soone spread through the Palace as all the Ladies Damoselles Knightes Squires and other câ—me to beholde the harde fortune of Ardemia What lamentation was made on all sides is not to be expressed especially the Ladies attendant on Ardemia and her Brothâ—r Guâ—â—haran who brought her with him thither but her Gouernesse not able to endure the burthen of her heauinesse without feare of dread of any thus openly complained Ah swéete Princesse Aâ—demia the flowre of beautie howe deare hast thou bought this precious gift for I knowe assuredly that for this cause onely thy death happened vnhappie was the houre when thou didst leaue thy Fathers Court to accompanie the Princesse Alchidiana After her mones and the funerall pompe accomplished the Soldane erected for her a most beautifull Tâ—mbe with a sumptuous Coronet on the toppe thereof being vpheld by two inestimable Pillâ—rs of engrauen and guilded Alablaster the like whereof were neuer séene since the first King of Greece Yet was hée ignorant in the cause of her death and Palmerin not imagining whence this inconuenience did arise was so sorrowfull for the death of the Princesse as day and night hee mourned for her and
at length remembring her wordes to him and doubting his vnkindnesse to be the cause of her death sayd within himselfe Alas faire Princesse must I at the first motion driue thée to dispaire had I dissembled a little or temporized the matter thou hadst not fallen into this extremitie but my onely wilfull indiscretion is cause of thy losse O Female sexe howe are you subiect to casuall passions Yet néede I not wonder at this present mishappe for from the beginning of the worlde the Woman hath béene so suddein and voluntarie to the effect of her desires were they good or euill but especially in the action of loue as neyther feare honor shame torments no nor death could diuert her from her vndiscreâ—te fantasies Hereof beare record Hypâ—â—mnestra Myrrha Deianira Scylla 〈…〉 Phyllis Salmacis Hero and Dydo whose deatheâ— were procured onely by lauish loue O diuine wisedome that hast suffered me to fall into this lucklesse accident protect mée from any further disaduauntage séeing thou hast taken her hence who gaue some ease to mine 〈…〉 that so liuely shée resembled my swéete Mistresse 〈…〉 desire to serue with continuall loyaltie I nâ—we 〈◊〉 my selfe that this loue was not accompanied with vertue and that for my good it hath so chaunced forgette 〈◊〉 not then but so enable me as in such badde occasions 〈…〉 not from my duetie And such is my confidence in thy promises as no teâ—ptation shall preuaile against mée but this â—aptiuitie once discharged I hope to direct my course pleasing in thy sight and to 〈◊〉 such gracious seruice as thy name 〈…〉 and glorified for euer So long continued he in this silent contemplation as Alchidiana perceiued him which greatlie displeased her but fearing any way to 〈◊〉 Palmerin shée durst not saye what shée thought liuing in hope that her Cozin being dead she should now compasse the effecte of her desires Ardemia enterred in her honourable Tombe Guilharan her Brother with his traine and the Ladies that attended on his Sister returned into Armenia where great sorrowe was made for the death of the Princesse and the renowne of her beautie blazed the report of her death through euery region Chap. IX How Amarano of Nigrea eldest son to the king of Phrygia vnderstanding the death of the faire Princesse Ardemia who was newly promised him in mariage made many greeuous lameÌ„tations for her losse And how Alchidiana discouered her amorous affections to Palmeâ—in SO farre was spread the reporte of the strange death of the Princesse Ardemia as 〈◊〉 came to the hearing of 〈◊〉 eldest sonne to the king of Phâ—ygia the most valiant redoubtâ—d knight of y◠〈…〉 as wel for his great 〈◊〉 and déedes of Armes which he before that time accompliâ—â—â—d in Asia as for his affable nature vertue and courtesie This yong Prince being in the King his fathers Court and hearing commended beyond al other Ladies of the East the faire Ardemia Daughter to the King of Armenia at the verye sounde of the Trompe of this blazing Goddesse and setting the newes downe for true from her affecting spéech he became so amorous of her as he had no content but in thinking on her Héereupon he sent his Ambassadours to her Father to request her in mariage wherto right willingly he condiscended and nowe at the instant when he intended to go visite her newes came to the Court of her admirable death which for a while was 〈◊〉 from him because each one doubted the conceit 〈◊〉 would cause his death For they knowing the loue he 〈◊〉 her to be so vehement as hée vnderstanding her strange kinde of death they thought it impossible but it would 〈◊〉 to very scandalous inconuenience yet in the ende he 〈◊〉 thereof but to sette downe héere the gréefe teares and complaints of this yong Prince is more then I am able 〈◊〉 it therefore suffise you that his sorrowes were such as euery houre his death was likewise expected It was likewise told him howe through the enuie of Alchidiana shée dyed and that for certaintie shee was one of the chéefest causes thereof which mooued him then into such an alteration as hée swore by the great Prophet Mahomet to reuenge her iniurie so that the Soldaâ—e shoulde for euer remember the daunger in suffering so great a treason In conclusion hée intended to take with him two hundred chosen Knights all clad in mourning for the gréefe of their Maister and â—oure of his Brethren Knights of great hardinesse and so well they iourneied as they â—ame within twentie miles of the 〈◊〉 Courte But that wée may not too farre 〈◊〉 from our intent Alchidiana ioyfull as you haue hearde for the departure of Guilharan and his 〈…〉 Palmerin 〈…〉 to all louers such account she made of her beautie and riches as she imagined that Palmerin would not disdaine her but rather would repute himselfe happy to haue that at his pleasure whereof so many Kings and great Lordes had béene denyed And in this opinion the next time that Palmerin came to her Chamber she beganne with him in this manner Now Syr Knight what thinke you of the death of Ardemâ—a who so falselye would haue seduced you to goe with her hence did shée not commit great treason against mee if shée had preuailed but right well is shée rewarded and as I desired Thinke then no more of her presumptuous follie or the ridiculous conceit of her vaine loue which shée made her pretence to cause you forsake my Fathers Court where you haue receiued so many speciall honours chéefelie of his Daughter who loues you déerelie and inâ—â—nds to make you Lord ouer all her possessions Beléeue mee Sir Knight if hitherto I deferred to acquaint you héerewith it was in respect I doubted her but now shée being gone estéeme henceforth of me as your owne and to begin this alliaunce I honour you with all that is mine and my selfe to be disposed at your pleasure For my heart which is onely subiect to you applyes it selfe to your lyking and can wish nothing but what you will 〈◊〉 How long haue I desired this happie day howe often haue I contemned and despised my selfe in not daring to breake the seale of my affections which nowe I 〈◊〉 aduentured to your knowledge As for that which now troubleth mee is the want of your spéech which the Gods haue depriued you off being enuious of your manifolde perfections Alas my Lord why did they not endue â—hée with that benifit that in declaring my desires thy answeres might returne reciprocall pleasure Some in their loue delight themselues with embracing kissing and such ceremoniall behauiour as for mée amoâ—rous priuate and 〈…〉 I repute a 〈◊〉 content Yet hath Loue one shaft in his 〈…〉 then all these béeing the onely argument of each others resolution in respect whereof I commit my honour into your protection prizing estéeming and chusing you aboue all men in the world beside Palmerin exceedingly abashed at these vnséemelye spéeches knewe what signes to make for his aunswere
desired nothing more then the fight that hée might accomplish his promise to the Princesse Alchidiana when hee receiued of her his rich Shéelde and Launce perswaded the Generall that hée should the next morning summon the Bretheren of Amarano that within foure and twentie howres they should depart the Soldanes confines or else endure the daunger of the Sworde The King of Balisarca aduising héereon in counsaile founde it verie necessarie and expedient wherefore calling his Sonne Sir Paâ—merin and the Prince Olorico hee committed the charge thereof to theyr present dispatch They béeing come to the Armie of Gramieâ—l were immediatly conducted to the Princes Tent who was then deliberating with his Brethren and other Captaines of the Armie So soone as he vnderstoode the arriuall of these Ambassadours he caused them to come before him and their message béeing deliuered the Phrygian Princes who were of meruailous haughtie disposition aunswered that they would not obey any such commaundement Moreouer they intended to chase thence the Soldanes Lieuetenant euen to the verie Gates of his owne Cittie for that contrarie to all equitie hée withstoode the buriall of their Brothers bodie in his kingdome Gueresin Sonne to the King of Bâ—lisarca could not suffer such iniurie to his Lorde in his presence wherefore he said that the Soldane had doone them no wrong but receiued their Brother and his traine with greater honour then they deserued and that none of them should haue the like againe So went hée foorth of the Pauillion Gramiell and two of his Brethren following him whereof the one had béene in Asiria with his Brother Amarano who séeing Palmerin that all this while kept himselfe without the Tent and marking his Shéeld wherin mockage was painted his Brothers head he knew him immediatlie and in great rage pulling himselfe by the haire said Uillaine that I am how can I suffer in my presence the Traytour that murdered my Brother Bold and presumptuous catife how durst thou aduenture before mee thus to deride me with thy villainie Trust me saide Palmerin I dare come before thée with better assuraunce of my selfe Then thy Brother had when he entred Combat with me Whereore if thou be such a Gallant as thou wouldest haue me iudge thée by these brauadoes and likewise hast any stomacke to reuenge thy Brothers shame Arme thy selfe and an other of thy Brethren with thée and come to me in place conuenient where I my selfe will iustifie to you both that Amarano was woorthilye slaine and as such a false accusing Traytour well deserued I desire nothing more saide Orinella for so was hée called that gaue these hotte spéeches but my Brother shall not deale with thée till I haue tried my fortune alone and if I faile of my purpose then shall he afterwarde Combat with thée this prouided that thou assure mée from any in thy companie but thine owne person That will I vppon my Knighthoode said Palmerin thou perfourming as much on thy behalfe yet I thinke before the sport be doone that thou wilt wiâ—h thy fellow with thée Thus Palmeriu Olorico and Gueresin withdrewe themselues Orinello and his brother presently going to Arme them and accompanied with manie Knights came into the field Palmerin likewise as readie as the formost came in with a good traine of Souldiers hee had brought with him least any treason shoulde bée wrought against him Olorico shewed himselfe greatly discontented because hée might not accompanie his Fréende in the Combat but Palmerin perswaded him that more néedefull occasions were reserued for him which should returne him greater honour and whom he should court in better sort then euer he did the Ladies of Arabia Gramiell being verie richly armed woulde néedes come see his Brethrens Combat which hée had good hope would sort to theyr honor but Palmerin séeing Orinello readie to the carrire encountred his enemie with such puissance as his Launce passing through his boyd caused him fall dead from his horse without moouing eyther hand or foote Hauing performed his course hee returned to take his Launce out of his enemies body striking him with the great Trunchion ende on the stomacke to sée if any life was left in him but séeing his soule was departed to Lucifers Pallace hée coutched his stafe to receiue the other Brother who met him with such strength as he was well néere dismounted yet in the ende hée was sent after his Brother though manie hardie strokes first passed betwéene them Héereupon was such a suddaine crie on all sides some with ioy and other with sorrowe as made the ayre resound theyr voices And I thinke that the Greekes when they receiued their libertie by Quintus Elaminius made not the like clamour when as Valerius rehearseth the Byrds fell from the ayre with the furie of theyr cries In the meane while the King of Balisarca hauing hearde héereof came into the Fielde accompanied with maniâ— Lords and conducted Palmerin with great honour and tryumphe backe to his Tent especiallie the Prince Olorico who excéeding ioyfull for the good fortune of his companion embracing him saide Ah gentle Palmerin how brauelie haue you accomplished your promise to the Princesse the like successe heauen graunt you in labouring my cause Beléeue me good Prince quoth Palmerin so well will I imploye my selfe in that action as I hope you shall haue cause to thanke me Now to returne to Gramiell he caused his Brethrens bodyes to be conuaied thence and embalmed them in two Chests of leade referring their Funerall till his returne and with the teares in his eyes he thus began to encite his people Not knowing howe my louing Freendes and Countreymen to animate your mindes sufficiently with remembraunce of the tirannie exercised by the Soldane on the bodye of my Brother and your Prince vnhappie occasion presents you with a fresh memory of reuenge séeing these two yong Princes the beloued Sonnes of your King so shamefullye slaine in your presence For this cause déere Fréendes that each of you may take a newe couragious spirite to morrowe to encounter these effeminate Assirians let vs all be resolute togither and cause them to vnderstand that you who haue lead your liues in the Deserts of Affrica much better know how to mannage Armes then such loyterers in theyr Mistresses Chambers who can doo nothing but before theyr Ladies Héerevpon two hundred Knightes aduaunsed themselues before him swearing and vndertaking to bring Palmerins bodie to him the day following and therefore all that might they prepared themselues strengthening theyr Shéeldes and Armour and all other things necessarie for the fight thinking the next morning by Sunne rysing to bid them battaile these knightes inuenting to ambush thâ—mselues as you shall heare Palmerin beeing brought thus honorablye to his Tent called for the Chirurgions to visit his woundes which they founde so easie to bee cured as they assured him of spéedie recouerie Hée then â—mmoning the whole Counsaile togither aduised them that in his opinion hée thought it expedient to dislodge that place
King to sende for two of his Nephewes who were sonnes to the Duchesse of Ormeda his sister the one named Promptaleon and the other Oudin to be his Lieutenants in Hungaria during his absence Upon their presence before the Ambassador of Constantinople the King Tarisius tooke their oathes for their loyall and faithfull gouernment But because we must now reuiue matter long expected as concerning the noble Prince Florendos of Macedon I am loth to spende any further time in vaine and will now report what happened at Buda during the time of this determination Chap. XXV How the Prince Florendos of Macedon accompanied with none but his Cozin Frenato departed from his Countrey in a Pilgrims habit iourneying in Hungaria where he killed the King Tarisius and how he and the Queene Griana were taken prisoners LOrdings let vs nowe remember how after that Palmerin was departed from Macedon hauing recouered the health of the olde king Primaleon Father to the noble Prince Florendos who during the time of Palmerins presence was somewhat more pleasant then of long time he had béene appeasing his complaints for the Princesse Griana by the happie tidings of the ancient knight that sent the shéeld to Palmerin at his knighting But now Florendos hearing no newes of him returned to his former heauines and languished much more then euer he did so that when the Macedonian Princes Lords pressed him with continuall request of marriage that hee might haue issue to succéede in the Kingdome hee was constrained by their importunitie to make them promise of their request crauing a yéeres respite before in which time he intended to make a deuout voyage whereto they consented in respect of his promise Nowe did he not demaunde this time of his Subiects for any desire he had to bée a Pilgrim or any superstitious zeals to the Spanishe Leather Cape Shooes Frocke and such like but for he longed to sée his swéete mistresse Griana whom he serued in heart with such loyall affection as till death he would not marrie with out her consent and licence The day being come that he would depart he tooke his leaue of all the Princes Lords and Gentlemen and accompanied with Frenato Father to Pâ—olome both caped after the manner of Pilgrimes mounted on two Palfrayes of small value and without anie weapons except each of them a little short Dagger departed the Cittie making such haste in their iourney as they arriued at Buda where as then the King kept his Court prouiding to set forwarde to Constantinople There were they lodged in one of the best Osteries in the Cittie and the next morning went to the great Church where the Quéene was euer woont to heare diuine seruice and so well it fortuned that at the time these two Pilgrims entred the Church the Quéene her selfe was in the Chappel Florendos who was maruaileusly disguised stoode not in doubt to bee knowne but séeing the Chaplaine had begunne seruice hypocritically he approched to Aultaâ— with holie deuotion to the ende hee might the better beholde the Quéene Regarding her swéete countenaunce he remembring the courtesies he sometime receyued of her and what excéeding affection as then shée bare him but now being in the custodie of another and he out of hope to haue any more gracious pittie his spirits were so wonderfully troubled and so manie passionate sighes hée breathes from his heart as he fell downe in a swoune that euerie one reputed him for dead The Quéen who manie times had noted his pitâ—ious lookes commaunded Tolomestra one of her Ladies shée that had the charge of her in the Tower of Constantinople that shee should go vnderstand the Pilgrims disease and do the best to recouer him againe which Frenato had done before she came Tolomestra demanded of Frenata the cause of his sicknesâ—â— who answered Madame we are newly come from the holy voyage of Ierusaâ—em and hee who was wont to endure many vehement alterations which the contrary ayres by the waye doâ— bréede féelyng the freshe coolenesse of this Church hath therewit béene ouercome as it should appeare My friendes quoth Tolomestra withdrawe your selues to the Court and enquire for the Gallery in which place the Quéene dooth daily giue her almes there shall be prouided some remedie for you and I will giue you certaine precious Drugges which shall héereafter comfort you when any such humour offendeth you A thousand thankes good Ladie sayd Frenato we will doo as you haue commaunded vs. Seruice béeing ended they went to thâ— Gallery whither soone after came the Quéene and opening the Casement of her Window as shée was wont stood to behold the Almes giuen to the poore Pilgrims Frenato and his companion had gotten so neare the Windowe that the Quéene might easily heare any thing they sayd After most humble reuerence made Florendos thus beganne Most excellent Quéene renowmed beyond all other Ladies among so many of your daily charities may it please you to pittie the most poore and miserable Knight in the world The Quéene at these wordes knewe him and was in such feare least the King should know of his being there as shée could hardly sustaine her selfe but satte downe on a Pallet by Tolomestra who séeing her suddaine alteration sayd What ayle you Madame that your colour changeth in such sort Ah my trustie friende quoth the Quâ—â—â—e the Pylgrime that swouned in the Church is the 〈◊〉 Florendos of Macedon I pray thée goe to him and 〈◊〉 him presently to depart hence for if the King come to the knowledge of him all the worlde cannot shéelde him from death For the rest will him follow no further what he lost by his owne default and that the sauour héeretofore graunted my duetie and honour now forbiddeth mée Tolomestra entring the Gallerie saide the message to the Prince Florendos who vnderstanding this sharpe answere shed manie teares with gréefe saying Ah my déere Fréend Tolemestra desire my gracious mystresse Griana that in requitall of so manie tormenting passions which nowe twentie yéeres I haue patiently endured shée will affoord me once so speake with her and kisse her hand before I depart Tolomestra brought this answere to the Quéene perswading her to heare him speake which shée might do with safetie vnder colour of requesting to know the maruales of Palestine with the precious and worthie monuments of the holie Citie I am content to graunt so much quoth the Quéene but I greatly feare the issue of his spéeches go then and cause him secretly to enter Ah gentle habit where-under many doe often beginne their delight which in the ende proues woorsse then Tragicall The two Pilgrims béeing entred Florendos â—ell on his knée before his Ladie and kissing her hand sayd O my God thy name be praysed through all worldes permitting mee to kisse these handes so long time desired Sée héere swéete Mistresse your Florendos that with such loyaltie hath loued you and hitherto hath kept the fayth which hée vowed to you at Constantinople
tryed in so manie affliâ—tions shall be crowned with his long and desired reward The Emperour amazed at this strange discourse could not imagine what answer to make wherefore hauing â—itten a prettie while silent lifting his eyes to heauen hée thus began O mightie King of Kings onely good and full of mercie I render thy name euerlasting thankes for thy gracious regarde to the distressed Empire of Greece for though in our last warres thou tookest away my Sonne Caniano thou hast at this instant sent me another who well hath learned to defend this state from the proude inuading Gouernour of Turkie Ah my Sonne Palmerin right well doo I beléeue what thou hast said And albeit thou hadst not shewen such probable arguments yet doost thou so perfectlie resemble my Sonne Caniano as easily may be coniectured whence thou art discended Whatsouer thou demaundest my Sonne is already graunted And with these wordâ— the teares trickled downe his milke-white Bearde such was his inward earnest conceyt of ioy and imbracing Palmerin in his armes he called his Lords who maruelled not a little at this euent and thus spake the Emperour Sée héere my Fréendes your liege Lorde and Soueraignâ— the Sonne of my Daughter Griana and the Prince Florendos how may you applaud the bountie of Heauen prouiding for you such a noble Prince The Lords all wondering at these spéeches came and entertained him with manie signâ—â— of honour so that it is not registred in any auncient memâ—rie that euer King or prince had such suddaine and gracious 〈◊〉 By this time these newes were spredde through the whole Pallace and the Empresse â—earing thereof sent one of her Squires for Palmerin when the Emperour taking him by the hand brought him to her Chamber saying Sée héere Madame your Sonne who by your meanes hath long time béene banished our Court héereafter looke hée bée better vsed The Empresse surprised with incredible ioy louingly embracing him said Welcome my Sonne forget my heynous oâ—â—ence when I would not suffer thy Mother to enioy the Prince Florendos which fault Heauen hath reuenged with the death of my thrée Nephewes whereof I nowe make no reckoning séeing God hath sent vs such a gracious comfort The Emperor on the other side welcommed the Quéene his Daughter which as yet hée had not doone since her comming from Hungaria Lay by quoth hée fayre Daughter these blacke garments the witnes of your inward mourning and decke your selfe presently in reioycing habits for now before all my Lords of Greece will I haue you espoused to the Prince Florendos So departed the Emperour and the Princes leauing the Quéene â—itâ— her Ladies who disrobed her of her mourning garments his Maiestie commaunding Palmerin to go séeke the Prince of Macedon his Father accompanied with all the noble men of the Court. In the meane while he caused all the ornaments of black to bée taken downe and the Pallace to bée hanged with sumptuous cloth of Golde and gaue in charge to the Empresse that the Quéene the Princesse Armida and all the Ladies should adorne themselues as to receiue the verie greatest Prince in the worlde Likewise he saide to all his Knights Reioyce my good Fréends with mée for God tooke away my Children and hath double restored them for those that bée dead hée hath raysed vs more Palmerin hauing with him all the Emperours Knights went to the lodging of the Prince Florendos and by the way the Cittizens of Constantinople Nobles Marchants and Artezans welcommed him verie honourablie making bonfires and Garlandes of tryumph in euerie stréete crying Welcome to this noble Cittie our newe Lord and Maister and such chéerefull delights did they solemnize the time withall as though it had béene the feast of Christmasse Palmerin his train being come to the Princes lodging found two squires at the Gate sent thither by the Emperour the one holding 〈◊〉 Horse verie richly câ—parassoned and the other costly garments of cloath of Golde which hâ— caused t◠〈◊〉 brought vp after him into the Chamber where falling on his knée before the Prince he said Nowe come I my Lord to kisse your hande not as I haue done héeretofore but as becommeth a Sonne to his Father for I am your Sonne begotten on the Quéenâ— Griana whom the Emperour will nâ—we bestow on you in marriage Florendos was so rauished with these spéeches as hee was readie to swoune betwéene Palmerins armes but at length â—â—tching a great sigh saide O celestiall Soueraigne what am I whom thou shouldest so respect and lifâ— to such surpassing happinesse Ah poore Florendos not long since the mâ—st wretched among men what man may nowâ— compare with thy fortune hauing such a knight to thy Son and fayre Quéene Griana to thy Wife Go wée my sonne quoth hée embracing Palmerin for it is no reason to stay when such happie newe a hath sent for vs. And credit mée the verie first time I did behold thée my heart was solicited with greater ioy then I am able nowe to expresse which euer since made me coniecture that there was morâ— betwéene vs then fréendly alliaunce Then was hée cloathed in the rich garments sent by the Emperour and his Cozin Frenato in like maner so comming on horsebacke the Duke of Pera rode on his right hande and his Sonnâ— Palmerin on the left with many Princes Lords Knights and Gentlemen ryding both before and behind them In this manner came they to the Pallace where the Emperour himselfe staied their comming at the Gate and after they were alighted the Prince making humble reuerence to his Maiestie thus spake Mightie and redoubted Lord I knowe not how to render sufficient thanks in that your highnes is pleased to honor me with your daughter which is the thing I alwaies desired Notwithstanding I hope to â—â—ew such deserts héereafter as neither shée shall be miscontented nor your maiestie repent your gentle gift Noâ—le Lord quoth the Emperour well haue you deserued her and mine Empire with her in respect of your worthy sonnâ— Palmerin whome all Europe Asia and Affrica honours Wherefore in the presence of all my Lords I will giue her 〈◊〉 you deferring the day of solemnitie vntill the states of Macedon come therefore Sonne Palmerin go for your Mother Presently hee departed the Dukes of Pera and Mecaena with him and soone they returned bringing with 〈◊〉 the Empresse the Quéene and his Sister the yong Princesse Armida whom hee had schooled with such graâ—â—â—s spéeches as she had nowe forgotten her displeasure towardes the Prince Florendos for the death of the King 〈◊〉 Father There openly in the Hall by the Archbishop of Constantinople the Prince Florendos and Griana were â—â—â—iâ—nced together to their no little contentment as also to the good lyking of all the Princes and Lords of Greece who spent the rest of the day in ioyfull disports and tryâ—â—phâ— Chap. XXXIII How Frysoll declared to the Empresse that he was sonne to her Nephew Netrides ALl this pleasure of the Princes
and lords of Greece for so many ioyfull and vnexpected accidents might not be compared with the pleasures of the Prince Olorico and Frysoll who would nowe no longer kéep his bed in respect of his ioy for the good fortune of his friend wherfore putting on his garments and accompanied with Olorico he came downe into the great Hall as the Prince of Macedon was betrothed to his Ladie when Palmerin stepping from al the rest welcommed them with very gracious courtesie After they had béene generally saluted Frysoll came before the Empresse and on his knée began in this manner Most excellent and gracious Madame may it please you pardon mine offence in shedding the bloud of your kinsman Notwithstanding as the Law of iudgement and reason exhorteth me of two euilles I choose to take the least so did I rather thinke it good to bathe my handes in the bloud of mine owne Couzin then permit him by the Prince Florendos offence to suffer open violence This speake I Madame as being the Sonne to your Nephew Netrides whom long since his eldest Brother disinherited and banished him his Countrey to a little Castle where at this time he remaineth in good disposition Now iudge which of these euents is most admirable that of your noble sonne Palmerin or this which I haue now rehearsed But may it be quoth the Empresse that my Nephew Netrides is yet liuing and can it be possible that thou art his Sonne Trust me Madame saide Frysoll I haue tolde you truth and by Gods leaue you shall haue more ample proofe therof within these few dayes Héereuppon the Emperour the Empresse Florendos and Palmerin with inexplicable reioycing embraced Frysoll not a little extolling theyr fortune that such hardie knights were discended of their linage Then Frisol rehearsed before them all the thrée Combats hée had with Palmerin and what great honour he woonne at the Tourney in France which report greatly contented the Prince Florendos hearing the honourable Chiualrie of his sonne nor would hée forget to ioyne therewith his conquest on the Mountaine Artifaeria with his Combats both in Bohemia and Durace At these reports the Emperour somewhat amazed saide before all his Lords I beléeue my Friendes that the maruailous rare fortunes of these two Cozins Palmerin and Frysoll with the strange aduentures they haue finished in their youth promise greater matters in their following yéeres Then an auncient Knight of Hungaria who was named Apolonio said to the Emperour how in time past hee had béene Page to the Father of Tarisius by which meane hee knew Netrides right well if hee might sée him And if he be yet liuing quoth hée in regard of his manifolde princely vertues the Realme of Hungaria néede no better Gouernour nor will the people themselues mislike of so good a change Wherefore may it so stande with your highnesse pleasure to grant mée companie beséeming the cause I wil do my dutie in the search of him and bring him hither with mée to the Court. Willingly the Emperor consented thereto and like order tooke the Prince Florendos that Cardyna with her Brethren and other Gentlemen should go to the Mountaine of Oliues and enquirâ— for Gerrard Palmerins foster-father Marcella his Wife and Dyoâ—ena their Daughter Palmerin séeing all things sort to so good ende falling on his knée before the Emperour and his Father saide Séeing it hath pleased God to make me knowne for your Sonne I will not conceale a matter from you which concerneth mée very néerely and although it be of great importaunce yet will I not further procéede without your aduise So discoursed he all his seuerall apparitions while he continued with his supposed Father whereby he was prouoked to go séeke the lady who by fatall destenie was promised him nor did he hide his troubles in her search but therewith bewrayed that her name was Polynarda daughter to the Emperour of Allemaigne and his Wife by solemne vowes passed betwéene them He declared moreouer how he trauailed to find the Prince Trineus whome hée lost on the Sea with the Princesse of England and them hée would recouer againe in respect of his faithfull promise to his Ladie Notwithstanding quoth he if you thinke it conuenient I would gladly sende to aduertise the Emperour and my Lady his Daughter of my present good fortune that his Maiestie may confirme our priuate agréement because I doubt the Prince of Fraunce whose Ambassadours haue béene there to conferre on the matter may otherwise present me of mine onely choyse In like manner if Netrides shall be founde to bee made King of Hungaria and the Princesse Armida to be bestowed in marriage on Syr Frysoll who is such a Knight in my iudgement as well deserues one of the chéefest Ladies in the world So God helpe me my Sonne quoth the Emperour no reason were it to disappoint what thou hast so well contriued for séeing things haue beene fore-pointed by fortune méere folly it is for men to contrarie them And because I haue héeretofore heard that the Emperours Daughter is the flower and choyse Ladie among all other whose vertues challenge the man beyonde compare in Chiualriâ— I will sende mine Ambassadours to the Emperour as well for the perfection of the marriage as to comfort her in her despayres with certaine assurance of our health and welfare and so shall your intended trauaile not bee hindered Notwithstanding before you begin your iourney you shall receiue the homage of all the Princes and Lords of Greece as their liege Lord and supreme Gouernour which béeing doone I will likewise take order for my Nephew Frysoll so soone as his Father shall come to the Court. Then calling for the Maister of his Horse commaundement was giuen for spéedie dispatch of messengers to all parts So leauing the Emperour busied in these affayres Florendos and Palmerin went to the Quéene who causing them to sitte downe by her after shee had very graciously welcommed them sayde I pray you tell me which of vs thrée is most beholding to Fortune the Father the Mother or the Sonne Doubtlesse who so considereth the condition of our aduenture will â—â—â—nde it such as seldome hath the like béene séene héeretofore And in sooth my Lorde Florendos the gréeâ—ous torments I haue endured since the losse of my Sonne and my great disloyaltie towards you by breach of my promise I iudge may bee equalled with the burthen of mine offence Neuerthelesse if you estéeme not your selfe satisfied let your noble regarde excuse what nature hath perfected which is to endure much more then as yet wee haue done Madame answered Florendos in time of ioy remember not our passed misfortunes but thinke what now is doone our gracious starres haue graciously furthered and limitted to this end that my loyaltie with the bountie and prowesse of our sonne should be laid open to euerie iudgement Héere had the Prince occasion to rehearse his afflictions in loue endured twentie yéeres space and more for her sake which
néedes goe méete him and so went downe into the Court accompanied with many yoong knights lately come to the Emperours seruice Gerrard séeing this goodly troupe among them all knewe Palmerin perfectly wherefore alighting from his Horsse and without giuing him in charge to any Page or Lackiâ— â—an and fel downe at his féete but Palmerin staying him in his 〈◊〉 said Father Gerrard and 〈◊〉 deare friends the Gâ—d of Heauen 〈…〉 praysed in that by bringing me to the knowledge of my Parentes I haue the meane to satisfie your paine and trauaile for me sauing my life in my yongest yeares and nourishing me to the state of discretion Ah my Lord quoth Gerrard I thinke in all the world is no man so happie as my selfe hauing defended from perill so noble a person therefore néedelesse is it to make offer of money for your nurriture in that I prize your golde and siluer lesse then drosse such is my content to sée you so well Palmerin likewise whose match might not be founde in courtesie and nobilitie of heart louingly welcommed Marcella and her daughter Dyofena walking along with them vp into the Pallace where in this sort hée presented them to the Emperour Sée héere my good Lord they that from mine infancie with excéeding kindnesse and loue nourished mée let mée therefore intreate your Maiestie so to conceiue of them as their paines and charges may be sufficiently requited The Emperour taking great pleasure to beholde them saide they should continue in the Court with him commaunding them to bee brought to his daughters Chamber who entertained them verie graciously but when they came to vnfold Palmerins little pack of cloathes hardly can you imagine the inwarde ioyes of the Mother For Tolomestra well knew the Scarlet mantle which her selfe had all embroydered with curious knots of Gold and all the other prettie trinkets saying Doubtlesse Madame it cannot bée but that Palmerin is your Sonne for well I knowe hée was wrapped in these cloathes when Cardyna carried him hence to the Mountaine Then did Gerrard discourse before all the Ladies in what manner hée founde yong Palmerin among the Trées not forgetting to report euery thing from that day till his departure without his knowledge Many swéete smiles did the Quéene intermedle with her forced teares hearing the 〈◊〉 daungers her Sonne had endured and for the great loue shée bare to Marcella she made her one of the Ladies of her Chamber and gaue Dyofena a worthie dowrie to her marriage As for Gerrad himselfe the Emperor made him one of his chéefest Barons and dubbed his Sonnes Knights who proued afterward of hardie courage as héereafter in the Historie you may perceiue This done the Emperour brought Florendos and Palmerin into his Treasurie saying My friends take beare away all is yours dispose thereof as you please furnish your selues with all néedefull thinges against the day of my Daughters marriage Giue bountifully to the poore Knights that they may likewise prepare themselues in readinesse all which will redound to your perpetuall honour In sooth my Lord answered Florendos it is against all equitie and reason that during your life I should presume so farre well worthie were I of the sharpest reprehension to vsurpe that which by right appertaines to him who gaue me life and honour When the Emperour sawe hée coulde not perswade them hée sent a sumpter Horsse loaden with Golde to the Prince Olorico and Erysoll beside diuers other Iewels of inestimable value that they might the better furnish their estate against the solemnitie of the Macedonian Prince On which day these two Knights determined a Tryumyhe at Armes for the loue of their friende and companion Palmerin who the same day should bee sworne Prince and sole heire to the Empire Upon this occasion and by his highnesse commaundement the Heraldes were sent abroad to publish the Tourney which should endure tenne dayes togither with the excellencie of the prize to them that should beare the honour of the Ioust each day These disports so prouoked the Lords of Greece as neither King Duke Countie Barron or Knight that was able to mannage Horsse and Armes but repaired to Constantinople in such troupes as though a new world had bene to be conquered Chap. XXXV Howe the Knight that Florendos sent to Macedon rehearsed to the King Primaleon the effect of his charge and how Palmerin entertained his fathers Princes and Knights FLoreÌ„dos hauing sent one of his knights to Macedon in verie short time yâ— Messenger arriued at a Castle of pleasure where as then the King remayned for his delight with the Princesse Arismena his Daughter to expell such contagious thoughts as daily troubled them for the absence of the Prince of whome they coulde vnderstande no tydings The knight beeing come into the Kinges Chamber where his Maiestie sattâ— deuising with his Daughter and setting his knée to the grounde in this maner beganne his message Right high and mightie King I bring you the very straungest tidings yet repleate with ioy and speciall comfort whereof your Maiestie neuer heard the like My Lorde the Prince Florendos your Sonne with humble dutie saluteth your excellencie and the faire Princesse Arismena his Sister certefying you that the aduenturous knight Sir Palmerin euen hee by whose meanes your health was recouered is his owne Sonne begotten on the princesse Griana Daughter to my Lord the Emperour to whom hee is nowe betrâ—thed by the consent of all the Princes of the Empire and Sir Palmerin your Sonne shall be Emperour after the decease of his noble Grandfather The good king Primaleon olde and decrepite was so surprised with these newes as he imagined he heard some fantastical illuding voice rather then matter of trueth and certaintie with which inwarde oppressing conceite his weake estate not able to support it selfe béeing ouercome with ioy doubt and suspition as hardly could Arismena his Daughter kéepe life in him so often hee swouned with hearing this reporte yet at length taking the Knight by the hande he sayde My good Fréend God I trust will blesse thée with honour and prosperitie for bringing mee the tidings I haue long desired Nowe may I well say that neuer anie Princes age was more beautified with happinesse then mine is hauing my Sonne allyed in such an house and another Sonne excelling all the Knights in the worlde But if the Heauens vouchsafe me so much grace and fauour that I may once sée him before I ende this life it will be such sufficient content to mée as then I force not though I liue no longer Then calling for one of his Secretaries to reade the Letters his sonne had sent him and hauing heard the contents there of commaunded present dispatch of Messengers to aduertise the Lords and nobilitie of his Realme who likewise were so gladde of these newes as each one prepared himselfe agaynst the day appoynted The King hauing written Letters to his Sonne as also to Palmerin whom hée entreated to come and sée him gaue them
â—hee saluted his Maiestie with great reuerence yet not kissing his hande because he came from as great a state as hee was afterwrd he beganne in this manner Mightie and redoubted Monarch of Allemaigne the most high and excellent Emperour of Constantinople my Maister vnderstanding the losse of your Sonne Trineus gréeteth you with health and continuall happinesse Giuing you to vnderstande that within these fewe daies such good fortune hath befallen him as in all his life time hée neuer had the like And albeit in his last warre with the Turkes and Moores he lost both Sonnes Nephewes and many great Lords of his kindred and since that time hath béene troubled with the hard â—ap of his daughter Griana Quéene of Hungaria and the sodaine death of her Husband the King yet hath his Maiestie changed all these gréefes into ioy by knowledge of the good Knight Sir Palmerin whose renowne liues as wel in Heathenesse as in Christendome béeing now found Sonne to my Lord the Emperour and therefore created sole heyre to the Empire And the noble Prince Palmerin on his behalfe humbly saluteth your imperiall maiestie béeing the Lord to whom he is most affected in seruice so that to finde out your Sonne Trineus and the faire Agriola Daughter of England whom two yéeres since and more hee lost in the East Seas he abandoneth all honorable preferments vntill his trauaile shall be finished and he hath brought him hither before your highnesse And hauing alreadie searched in many Kingdomes at length hée vnderstood that they were liuing and in health also that himselfe should in the ende recouer them hée thought it necessarie to acquaint you herewith because he doubted of your extreame sorrow and heauinesse The Emperor astonied to heare the good fortune of Palmerin as also the losse of his Sonne Trineus could not subdue his passions which mooued the teares to trickle downe his chéekes with conceit of ioy and gréefe together yet shadowing his alteration so well as he could thus replyed In truth my Lorde Ambassadour I alwaies imagined by Palmerins woorthie actions that he was discended of noble or royall linage and greatly it contenteth me that he so happily hath founde the house of his discent expelling altogether considering his promise and prowesse what hath béene long imprinted in my heart considering the losse of my Sonne Trineus For so fauourable are the heauens to Palmerin in all his enterprises and admirable aduentures as one may imagine that déeds of honor and account are reserued onely for him chéefely the recouerie of my Sonne which I hope hee will effectually bring to passe And trust me not without great and sufficient reason doth the Emperour your Maister repute himselfe happie this onely good fortune béeing of force enough to discharge his mind of all sorrowes and cares that former occasions mooued him with all Now know I howe to recompence his princely kindnesse honoring me with so good and happy tidings but that it may please him to accept of mee héereafter as his louing Brother and faithfull Friend No other thing my Lord quoth the Duke dooth his Maiestie desire and to beginne this amitie and alliance betwéene you hee requesteth that if his Sonne Palmerin hath héeretofore founde such fauour in your eyes you would now confirme it by giuing him to wife the Princesse Polynarda your Daughter whom he will not marrie vntill he haue brought home your Sonne Trineus As for the other conuentions of the marriage this Letters shall certifie you so kissing them hée deliuered them with very great reuerence And her shall he haue with right good will sayde the Emperour for a fitter husband can shée not haue I thinke likewise her selfe will consent thereto for the good opinion she had of him while he remained in our Court But because I will not displease the King of Fraunce who in like manner requesteth her for his Sonne and heyre I will conferre with the estates of the Empire and then deliuer you certaine answere So the Ambassadours withdrew themselues to their lodgings and the Emperor caused the Letters to bee read before all his Princes and Lordes who could no way mislike of this marriage and therefore great ioy was made through the Empire in hope the Prince Trineus should soone be recouered These ioyfull newes soone spreading through the Court at length were brought to the Princesse Polinarda in her Chamber who not able to conceale her sodaine ioy ranne to Bryonella saying Swéete friende nowe maist thou reioyce with me in that our loues are nowe assured vs whereof before wée vtterly despayred Ah my Brionella Heauen hath now confirmed our fortunate successe in that my Palmerin is founde to bee the Emperours Sonne of Constantinople whereof he hath certified my Lord and Father by his Embassage and howe Palmerin hath heard tydings of my Brother Trineus whom shortly he will bring home againe yet not without thy Ptolome I hope Therefore my onâ—ly copartner in loue and feare let vs abandon all gréefe and sorrow which greatly may preiudice our health and welfare and nowe dispose our selues to a contented resolution of life attending our long desired fortune God graunt it may be so quoth Bryonella yet my minde perswades mee that wée shall not sée them so soone as you wéene The Emperour hauing conferred with the Lorde of Allemaigne who very well allowed the marriage of his daughter with Palmerin determined to send to the Emperor of Constantinople ambassadours for perfect confirmation of the marriage And by generall consent the Duke of Lorrayne and the Marquesse of Licena were chosen for this present Embassage Which being doone the Emperour went to the Empresse Chamber and sent for his Daughter Polynarda who was so ioyfull of these happie newes as she could scant imagine how to dissemble her content when shee should come in her Fathers presence yet shadowing it from any open suspect after shee had saluted her Father with great reuerence the Emperour thus spake Daughter you haue hitherto refused so many noble offers as hardly can I permitte to mooue you with any other yet once more will I trie you againe in hope you will stand vpon no more refusals but ioyne with me in opinion as beyonde all other best beséemes you The man of whom I speake is noble Palmerin of whose honourable behauiour you haue some knowledge and for no other cause hath the Emperour sent his Ambassadours aduise your selfe then what you answere for all our nobilitie allow the match and thereto haue generally subscribed their consent The Princesse couering her inwarde ioy with modest bashfulnesse thus answered If héeretofore my good Lorde I excused my obeysance to your commandement especially for taking a husband it was onely for the promise I made to my Brother Trineus but nowe seeing it is your pleasure and the good lyking of al the estates as also that the marriage shall not be solemnized till my Brothers presence I will not disobey your commaund assuring your Maiestie that more content am
Arismena his Quéene Palmerin verie ioyfull of the Kings motion in that he was one of the chéefest estates of Greece acquainted his Aunt with the Kings request and what an honor it was to her to be so matched Nor was the Princesse heart so colde by her Fathers death but séeing the yong beautifull King loued her so well it began to warme againe so that considering her owne estate béeing nowe in yeares past foure and twentie shée made some excuses by her Fathers late â—eceaâ—e But Palmerin perceiued by her modest yeâ—lding lookes that the heart consented although the mouth was loath to vtter it Wherefore the next day they were espoused togither by which meane the King was more affected to follow Palmerin as he determined before hée came from Constantinople as well for the great kindnesse he found in him as for his fauour in furthering him with the ende of his desires Now was the King more importunate on Palmerin to accept him for his companion in his trauaile who at length condiscended although he imagined that his Aunte had rather haue her newe Husbande â—arrie with her The day béeing appoynted for their departure Palmerin concluded with the King of Sparta that hée should sende Arismena to Constantâ—nople there to stay his returne wish her Brother Florendos For her safe conduct thither all the chéefest Knights that came thence with him where chosen except the Prince Eustâ—ce Son to the duke of Mecaena And Palmerin fearing his voyage woulde be longer then hée expected commaunded Vrbanillo his Dwarffe to returne to the Quéene Arismena and if I â—â—ay quoth hée longer then a yeare from Constantinople go then to Allemaigne with this Letter to comfort my Ladie and take with thée thy Sister whom I sent to the Quéene my Mother The Dwarffe although he had rather haue gone with his Maister then attend on Ladies not daring to gain-say him returned with Arismena who in short time after arriued at Constantinople where the Prince Florendos very ioyfully receiued her béeing not a little contented that shée was ioyned in marriage with the King of Sparta yet his Fathers death hée tooke verie heauily How welcome she was to the Emperour the Empresse and Quâ—â—ne Griana I doubt not but you can sufficiently imagine who contâ—â—â—allie comforted her till her Husbands returne Before Palmerin departed from Macedon he established all things in due and decent order creating the Counte Roldin Lieutenaunt generall for the Realme commaunding as dutifull obeysaunce to him as to their souereigne Lord the King his Father Afterward hee tooke order that his shipping might be ready because he would delay no longer the search of Trineus Chap. XLI Howe Palmerin and his companions sayling on the Mediterranean Sea were taken by Olimaell Admirall to the great Turke and their fortunes in Greece where Palmerin saued Laurana the princesse of Durace ROldin established in the gouernment of Macedon and the Ship readie which Palmerin had appoynted hée went aboord with his vowed Fréendes that would not leaue him vz. Frysoll thâ— Prince Olorico the Duke of Pontus the King of Sparta and Eustace sonne to the Duke of Mecaena These sixe hauing sworne the search of Trineus committed themselues to the mercy of the winds and Seas not knowing where they should first take landing Hauing thus sayled sixe or seuen dayes togither and the Seas nothing rough or tempestioâ—s they went vp on the decke to see if they coulde descry any shore And as they were deuising merily togither they suddainlie espyed a great Fléete of Ships which with wind at will made apace towards them but because you shall vnderstand of whence and what they were attend the sequell and you shall be resolued The Moore Olimaell as ye haue read in the former part of this Historie after he had giuen the Princesse Agriola to the great Turke entred into so great credit as in recompence of his gift 〈◊〉 was made high Admirall of Turkie so that béeing renowmed for a Knight of Péerelesse desert the Turke gaue him the charge of his great Armie where with he shoulde continually disturbe the Christians This Olimaell was Generall of this huge Fléete descried by Palmerin wherat somewhat amazed he called one of the Pilots demaunding if hée knew the ensigne of whence they were The Pilot had no sooner behelde them but hée presently saide they were Turkes and no way there was for themselues to escape because he saw sixe light Gallies were made out to hem them in and the rest came mainly vpon them But Palmerin as a Prince experimented in daungers thus spake to his companions Noble Fréendes where Knightlie force or beâ—â—tie cannot auaile it were méere follie to vse it we are but sixe and all in one vessell and farre wee caâ—not â—lie before we shall bée taken I thinke it best therefore that wâ—e vse â—ound dissimulation and so expect when Fortune will better teach vs the way to recouer our losse and reuenge vs on our enemies to their confusion Withdraw your selues and leaue me alone to talke with them because I can well speake the Arabian language Yet thinke not that â—owardise or feare of death makes mée vse these spéeches for in an action inuincible hardinesse and knightly prowesse will bée estéemed as follie and indiscretion Haue then patience my good Fréendes I hope that all shall turne to our good No sooner had he ended his spéeches but hée heard the Captaine commaund them to yeeld or else they should dieâ— Die quoth Palmerin that goes verie hard assure vs our liues and we yéeld otherwise not I promise thée said the Captaine neither thou nor thy companie shall haue any harme So seazing vpon the ship they brought it to the Admirall Olimaell presenting to him all the Knights they tooke therin for which he hartily thanked them saying Tell me Gentlemen and dissemble not are ye Turks or Christians Sir quoth Palmerin séeing Fortune hath béene so contrarie to vs you shall vnderstand truly what we are We are Christians and poore Knights searching aduentures to gaine honour and profit in some Princes seruice be he Heathen or Christian. And because we can not now shew you what we are able to doo so please you to suffer vs enioy our libertie and graunt vs the benefite of our Armour we will promise you loyall and faythfull seruice Olimaell who was by nature sterne and austere séeing these sixe Knights so yong and braue accomplished persons imagined theyr assistaunce woulde greatlie auaile him wherefore he thus answered Gentlemen if you wil sweare to me by your fayth that you will not depart from me without my licence but will loyally imploy your selues in what I shall commaund you shall haue your Armour againe and I will not vse you as my slaues and prisoners but as my honest companions and Friends Which oath they all tooke to him wherefore they were immediately armed againe and remained in the Galley with Olimaell who séeing their armour so rich and costly estéemed them to bee of
all his enemies Moreouer within two Moneths hée would deliuer tenne thousand talents of Golde and two millions of Seraphes in recompence of his wrong doone to the King Abimar All this my Lord quoth the Soldane will I faythfullie performe and all the Kinges my Subiects shall subscribe thereto on this condition that you accompanie the Princesse to the Cittie of Harano there to honor with your presence our espousall where your sonne Tomano shall likewise match with our Daughter To this the King willingly consented whereupon the Soldane sent his Seneshall to cause his Armie march homewardes into Persia except sixe thousand men at Armes to guard to Soldanes person then openly in the field was the peace proclaimed and the Captaines on either side fréendly embracing each other Afterward the soldane comming to the king Abimar and in the presence of Palmerin and Trineus thus spake Néedlesse were it now my Lord to remember our passed displeasures but generally to conferre of warre and peace yet hereof I can assure you that the Princesse Zephira and these two strange Knights preuailed more agaynst me then all the rest of your Armie But least your people should thinke that our concluded peace is not thorowlie grounded to morrowe will I bée openlie affianâ—ed to the Princesse Zephira and afterward set forward to Harano that my Sisters may bée present at our nuptials in the meane while our Seneshall and sixe other noble Lordes shall remaine with you as our hostages These determinations fulfilled the Soldane passed to Harano where hée heard of the death of the Prince Donadel and the Kinges sonne of Rosillia with diuerse other Princes of his kindred â—â—aine in the battell but the heate of his newe loue caused him to make small account therof preparing all things readie for the solemnitie of his marriage Chap. LIII The conference that the Soldane of Persia had with his Sisters thinking by theyr meanes to stay Palmerin and Tryneus in his Court and the honourable entertainement hee made them at the arriuall of the Princesse Zephira And how by good fortune Palmerin recouered his Squire Colmelio from the Ambassadour Maucetto NO sooner was the soldane come to Harano but hée presently dispatched Messengers to his sisters that they might bée present at his honourable marriage and calling for his Daughter the yong Princesse Belsina he thus began Faire Daughter I thinke you are not ignorant for report fâ—â—eth quicklie fâ—r that I haue promised you in mariage to the Prince Tomano therefore I account it verie requisitie that your solemnitie bee done on the same day when I shall espouse the Princesse Zephira My gracious Lorde and Father quoth shée I remaine altogither at your highnesse direction and if for conclusion of peace you match with so faire a Princesse as is Zephira it were agaynst reason I should refuse the worthie Prince Tomano of Romata When hée perceyued the readie good-will of his Daughter and his two sisters by this time were come to the Court. After hée had welcommed them in most gracious manner hée entred into these spéeches I thought it verie expedient fayre sisters since you vnderstand the peace concluded betwéene the King of Grisca and my selfe to acquaint you with other matters greatly concerning you There commeth hither in the companie of the Princesse Zephira two strange knights of very rare perfections to whom I would willingly haue you vse such especiall behauiour as wée might purchase the meanes to enioy them continually in our Court for no other intent I promise you but onely that they may match with you in marriage You sister Lyzanda quoth hée to the eldest I commit to the cheefest Knight the verie same man that most valiantlie tooke mée prisoner in the battaile and you Arecinda for so was the yongest named I bequeath to the other who is one of the goodliest personages that euer Nature framed Héereunto they were right soone entreated especiallie Aurecinda who though her elder sister were graue and well aduised yet was shée pleasant quaint and so subtile as easily could shee practise the meane to deceiue the wisest man whereof she made some experience as you shal hereafter perceiue in the Chapters following The Soldane hauing sent for all the Kings Princes and Lordes his subiects to bée present on the day of this great solemnitie the Prince Tomano earnestlie desâ—ring to sée his best beloued desired Palmerin Trineus and the Princesse Zephira that they might set forwardes to Harano But Muzabelino who knew what troubles would succéede the marriage aduised the King Abimar not to goe and counsailed the two Princes Trineus and Palmerin to kéepe themselues continuallie Armed because the Soldane was a man continually subiect to incertaine chaunces So giuing of each of them a Cote of Armes of Crimson Ueluet most curiousâ—ie embroidered with Pearles hee departed from them returning backe againe to the Citie of Grisca Nowe ride these Princes ioyfully to Harano where they were receiued by the soldane with wonderfull pompe and honor each one admiring the rare beaâ—tie of the Princesse Zephira who was conducted with such a royall traine as neuer was the like séene before in Harano At the Cittie Gate the Soldane mette them and in a sumptuous Câ—â—che accompanied them to the Pallace where after many solemne curtesies on each side deliuered and such magnifical royaltie beséeming the time and place the Soldane came to his Sisters who had not yet talked with the two strange Knights and thus spake Sisters to the eâ—de that héereafter you shall not be beguiled the Knights that accompanie my Ladie the Princesse and whome I haue so much commended to you are Christians notwithstanding they bee such as they twaine deserue greater honor then I am any way able to expresse As for their comely stature after that your â—ye hath conferred with your heart I referre my opinion to your iudgement regarde then that they bee loued and estéemed as their perfections doo worthily deserue Aurecinda the yongest and most voluntarie Sister hauing her eye continually fixed on the Prince Trineus thus conferred with herselfe My Brother verie lightly commaundeth vs to loue these strange Knights I knowe not what my Sisters opinion is as for mine owne the beginning alreadie of my loue is such that if I do not quickly obtaine my desire I feare that my affection is rated at the price of my life The time is passed ouer with many delights and daily pastimes after the Persian manner but all this while Lizanda and Aurecinda are tormented with loue so that all patience was vtterly denied them yet bearing this waightie burden so well as they coulde at length the two Sisters came to the Princesse Zephiraâ—s Chamber where they founde Palmerin and Trineus conferring together feigning the cause of their comming to bid the Princesse good morrow Palmerin perceiuing that Lizanda sodainely chaunged her colour imagined the cause of her secret disease and béeing loth to bée tempted with anie such occasion dissembling that he sawe her not tooke
yet can wée not recompence the verie least of your courteâ—â—es recommending my sonne Bellechino once more to you my Lorde in hope he will prooue a loyall and faithfull Seruant otherwise I could part his head from his shoulders in your presence And because the way you brought Madame zephira is verie long trouble some and dangerous I 〈…〉 Shippe for you which without any perrill shall spéedily carrie you to Malfada and a yong Knight my brother haue I appointed Pilot therein who 〈…〉 you howe to finish all the enchauntments in the Isle 〈◊〉 I desire you to order the matter with the King Maulerino that my Brother may haue the gouernment thereof after your departure Beâ—éeue me noble Friende aunswered Palmerin your Sonne will I intreate as well beâ—éemes him and your Brother shall not onely haue the charge of the Isle which I will fréely giue him but I will so worke with the Brother to Zephira that he shall endow him with greater possessions So taking theyr leaue of all the Courtiers Mâ—zabelino brought him to the Shippe wherein they were no sonner entred but it presently cut through the waters with such violence as they were verie quickly come to Malfada They going on shore Dulacco Brother to Muzabelino demaunded of the Prince Trineus if he had the Ring he founde in the Cuppe at the Castle of the tenne Rocks I haue it on my finger sir aunswered Tryneus Let vs thrée enter the Isle saide Dulacco as for you Bellechino and Colmelio stay you in the shippe till you heare the sounde of a Cornet and then may you safely venture on the land Dyardo standing in one of the Turrets in the Castle sawe when the shippe came and cast Anker wherefore hée expected if any durst come foorth thereof on the shore and so amazed hee was that the thrée knights were not transformed as till Palmerin spake to him hee knewe not what to imagine but afterward he made hast downe and letting downe the Bridge came and embraced him saying Welcome is my noble Lorde to Malfada haue you learned or brought any remedy with you whereby to recouer your Friendes héere enchaunted in happie houre did you bestow your labour if so it came to passe but what may these two knights â—ee that come in your companie The one is the Prince Trineus quoth Palmerin whom I so long time sought for and the other is the man that must giue vs assistance After many friendly embracings Palmerin demaunded what was become of the two 〈◊〉 he left there My Lord saide Dyardo they remaine prisoners 〈…〉 for the hard spéeches they gaue you So went they all to the prison where Palmerin demanded which of them had the Key of the enchaunted Tower but they continuing in their former obstinacie and mallice would not aunswere one word False harlots quoth Palmerin why speakâ— ye not if you giue me not the Key quickly all your forcerie shall not saue your liues Then béeing fearefull of death presently fell on their knées and one of them taking the â—ey foorth of her pocket opened the 〈◊〉 of the Tower 〈◊〉 Enter Knight I hope thou wilt repent thâ— hastineâ—â—e Palmerin and his thrée companions went in where they behelde a huge I doll of 〈◊〉 holding a Bowe with an arrow readie 〈◊〉 to shoote by him hung a 〈…〉 and on the other side a faire Booke My Lord said Dulaceo we must haue both the Cornet and the bookeâ— and if you 〈◊〉 in getting them no one aliue can ende the enchauntments my God will strengthen me sayd Palmerin so 〈◊〉 his Sword and couering himselfe with his 〈…〉 〈…〉 Afterward hee went to bid Agriola and Laurana good morrow and then comming to Frysoll the king of Sparta and Olorico who were all pleasantly discâ—ursing together in their Chamber hee saide to them Assureâ—ly my good friendes if fortune had béene so aduerse to me that I could not haue found Tryneus or the meane to deliuer you from the enchauntment I had giuen my farewell to Armes riches and honor and would haue haunted those paths where neuer 〈…〉 For with what face could I approch the presence of my sister and Aunt hauing lost them whome they liue onely to loue And you noble Prince Olorico haue iust occasion to complaine on me that haue caused you to endure such paine and trauaile but in recompence of this ouer great wrong I will cause you to enioy her whom you haue so long faithfully louâ—d and so soone as I am arriued at Constantinople I will send Ambassadours to my Lord the Soldane that he may accept you as his sonne in my stéede My Lorde aunswered Olorico the honour you haue doone me in accepting my companie I account to excéede al other curtesies and though for a time I haue béene vnfortunate I take it patiently assuring you by the word of a Prince that I imagine the man not woorthie to taste the swéete that cannot abide to féele the sower By this time are Palmerins Letters come to the King Maulerino who hauing vnderstood their contents ioyfull of Palmerins returne and of his good fortune in finishing the enchauntments hee came presently with his traine to Malfada where to discourse the pleasure on each side conceiued the honourable and gracious curtesies bestowed with all the especiall fauours beséeâ—ing a king and so woorthie personages is farre beyonde my capacitie and therefore I referre it to your gentle consideration But at Palmerins intreatie Dulacco was made Lorde and chéefe Gouernoâ—r of Malfada and diuers other territories néere adioyning which mooued Palmerin thus to thanke the King Séeing your maiestie for thy sake hath bestowed this Istance on my woorthie good friende to the ende that the name of the wicked Malfada may be vtterly raced forth let me intreate that it may 〈…〉 in the ende to their nâ— little comfort Let it be quoth the King as you haue appointed and whosoeuer hencefoorth 〈…〉 After warde the King accompanied Palmerin and his friendes to their Shippes and there committed them to their prosperous voyage so Palmerin his seauen 〈◊〉 the two Princesses with his Squires Bellech 〈◊〉 and Colâ—â—elio 〈…〉 other shippe well appointed so hoysing saile with a merrie â—ale of winde they 〈…〉 Chap. LVIII How Palmerin and his companions sayling on the Sea met with Ptolome and of the honourable entertainment the Emperour Florendos and the Ladies made them when they arriued at Constantinople THrée dayes sayled our Knights without anie aduenture and on the fourth as Phoebus gan enter his Chariot to display his golden beames on his Uncle Neptunes regions Palmerin standing aloâ—ton the decke espied a great Carricke which with full saile made haste towards them and by the Banners he discerned that it was of Turkie wherefore he cried to his companions to arme themselues Suddenly were they all come aloâ—t armed and the hundred knights in the other ship were likewise in reaâ—inesse when the Carricke being come néere them they might behold the Turks strongly prouided and Ptolome
of so straunge and variable fortunes said I thought my Daughter had learned more modestie then leauing her Fathers Court to followe a Knight vnknowne to her in straunge Countries but séeing the ende hath fallen out so well hencefoorth I shall remaine in better contentment séeing a Prince of so great renowne hath now espoused her While this conference endured the Duke earnestly beheld the Princesse Sabinda Daughter to the Prince of Sansuega and Néece to the Quéene and of such excellent grace and beautie he estéemed her as forgetting the death of his Father who deceased since his departure from Allemaigne hée became so amourous of her that he demaunded of the Quéene if shée were her Daughter Shée is not my Daughter quoth the Quéene but the Daughter of my Brother the Princes of Sansuega Right glad was the Duke thereof and resolued to request her of the King in marriage who knowing the honourable place he held among the Prince of Greece and what account Palmerin made of him consented thereto so that within fewe dayes after they were espoused togither Herevpon to accompany the Princesse and to confirm the peace the King sent the Duke of Gaule and another great Lorde with them into Allemaigne the Quéen likewise sent twelue English Ladies to attend on her Daughter Thus returned the Duke of Mecaena to Vienna where 〈◊〉 was worthily welcommed by the Emperour Palmerin and Tryneus especially the yong Duchesse and the Ambassadours of England by whom the peace was faithfully ratified and confirmed Chap. LXII How Palmerin and Polinarda departed from Vienna toward Constantinople where after the decease of the aged Emperour Remicius Palmerin was crowned Emperour of Greece and what ioy was made at the byrth of Polinarda her first sonne AFâ—â—er the Ambassadours of England were returned home Palmerin pereciuing the Empire of Allemaigne was in quiet tooke his leaue of the Emperor minding to conduct his Polinarda to Constantinople not without manie sorrowfull lamentations of the mother to forgo her daughter and faire Agriola her new acquainted sister yet the Emperour pacified them well inough by shewing what benefit this contract would be to Christendome and so procéeded to his daughter in this maner Thou goest Polinarda to the séate of a great Empire but more pleaseth mée the péerelesse name of Palmerin d'Oliua thy husbands then the regiment of such a mightie Monarche Farewell faire Daughter continue in faithfull loue and obedience remembring the reuerende honour a Wife oweth to her Husband Polinarda hearing with what earnest affection her Father spake was so ouercome with modest duetie of a Childe to her Father as shée was not able to aunswere one word which Palmerin beholding kissed the Emperours hande embraced Tryneus and tooke a courteous farewell of all the Ladies commaunding the Pages presently to bring away the Princesse 〈◊〉 saying to her Madame the longer you staie héere the greater will be your conceit of sorrow by absence the griefe will be forgotten let vs then merely iourney to the Cittie of Constantinople where they that neuer sawe you wil reioyce more at your comming then all the Allemaignes can sorrow for your departure With like comfortable spéeches Palmerin frequented his Ladie by the way till at length they entred the Realme of Hungaria where Frysoll with his chéefest Lords attended their comming to whom Palmerin in iesting said Brother I haue aduentured to bring your Sister Polinarda into your Kingdome take héede if you laie claime to her now as sometime yée did for I am readie to defende her against whosoeuer dare I perceiue my Lorde quoth Frysoll that you will haue my follie generally knowne I pray 〈◊〉 let no such youthfull pranckes be nowe remembred for as you are the chéefest in chiualrie so haue the destenie giuen you a Ladie whome no one in the whole world may paragon Well may it be said that God and Nature fore-pointed this match nothing inferiour to louelie Paris and faire Helena or puissaunt Hector and wise Andromacha Frysoll accompanied them so farre as Alba where courteously parting from each other Frysoll returned to his Kingdome and Palmerin soone after came to Constantinople where no litle ioy was made for his safe arriual especially for the Princesse Polinarda who was a right welcome Ladie into Greece the olde Emperour prouiding such deuises and tryumphes as the Chronicles to this daye recorde the memorie thereof About tenne or twelue Monethes after Polynarda was deliuered of a goodly Sonne who was named Primaleon whereat the good olde Emperour so inwardly reioyced as his spirit onely comforted in the good fortune of his Sonnes and fearing afterwarde to sée anie sinister chaunce fall to them departed this fraile and transitorie life whose death was signified thrée dayes before by the enchaunted Bird. His Funerall was performed as beséemed so great an estate and faine woulde Palmerin haue had his Father the King Florendos crowned Emperour earnestly labouring the Princes in the cause But he desiring them to holde him excused returned them this answere Great offence were it to God my Friendes that the honour due to him who gaue me libertie defended my renowne and saued my life shoulde bee taken from him and giuen mée for if vertue authoritie and good fortune are the properties whereby to make choyse of an Emperour Palmerin is verie many degrées before me As for his generositie it is so well knowne to you that it were but lost labour to make report thereof For his authoritie the â—arbarous nations among whome hée hath liued and conqueringly controlled deliuer sufficient testimonie And for his high good fortune in all his enterprises where is the man that may bee equalled with him or what hath hée at anie time attempted but he hath finished the same with wonderfull honour I could name Kings and Princes that raign onely by his meanes To speake of the victories he hath obtained either in battell or single Combate your eyes haue beheld and the whole worlde apparantly witnesseth This dare I boldly say and some of you doo know it better then I that his onely name will be more feared in Greece then all your fore-passed Emperours haue bene by their greatest puissance So well did the people like what the King Florendos had sayd as immediately was the Prince Palmerin proclaimed Emperour of Constantinople and the same day he was crowned according to the accustomed rites and ceremonies Not long afterward did the King Florendos stay with his Sonne but returned with his Quéene to Macedon where hée goueâ—ned in loue and iustice among his Subiects daily sending Messengers to Constantinople as well to vnderstand the health of the Emperour and Empresse as also of yong Prymaleon who daily increased in strength and beautie Chap. LXIII How the Prince Olorico and Alchidiana thinking to trauaile to Constantinople to see the Emperour Palmerin and the Empresse Polinarda strayed on the Sea And what sorrowful mone she made and how she was found by Palmerin IN one of the Chapters before you
to the King Tarisius of Hungaria whome Paâ—merin and Frysoll slew at Constantinople hée was their Brother and Sonne to the Duchesse of Ormeda Shée vnderstanding the death of her two Sonnes could not conceale it from the Duke her Husband who presently died with very conceit of gréefe whereuppon shée to reuenge this mishappe caused by her report as also the death of her twâ— Sonnes made promise to Nardides then béeing eightéene yeeres olde that so soone as hée was knighted hee should go to Constantinople and there if it were possible to murder the Emperour and Frysoll All this he â—owed to performe and two or thrée dayes after hauing married the Kings Daughter of Polonia hee embarqued himselfe with â—orty Knights determining by a Combat for treason to compasse his intent These wreakfull aymers at reuenge landed all in one instant at Constantinople when the old Magitian calling to Nardydes sayde hee would gladly sprake with him in secret as concerning matters greatly for his auaâ—le Hereupon they went all closely together into one of the Cabins and the olde man entred into theâ—e spéeches Sir Nardides néedelâ—sie is it for you to hide your affaires from mee for I knowe that you depart from Poloma with fortie Knights disguised like Merchants onely with this determination to destroy the Emperour in reuenge of certaine iniuryes done to your Brethren But if you will giue credit to mée and go to worke in such sort as I shall aduise yée yée shall happily obtayne the end of your desire By God sayd Nardides you 〈◊〉 mée wonders there is not one in the shippe that knowes mine intent yet you haue sayde the truth whereat I cannot maruaâ—le sufficiently Seeing then you know so much it were but follâ—e to dissemble say then your minde and I will heare yée This night sayd the old man the Emperour wil suppe in the great Hall with the Prince Olorico and the Princesse Alchidiana the King of Sparta and his Queene with many other great Princes and Lordes so that such store of people are in the Pallace as little regarde will bee had of strangers or housholde sâ—ruants You then with my Sonne Mâ—nadeno beeing Armed as beseeâ—es a cause so 〈◊〉 shall sodainely enter and â—ill the Emperour my Sonne Lycado and I will stay your returne heere and I that can commaunde the winde and weather will carrie ye hence without danger of following And true it is that there is a Bird pearched in the Hall which the wise Muzabelino hath so enchaunted as neither good or ill tydings can come to the Emperour but she bewrayes the same by her song or fearefull crie yet doubt not you thereof strike boldly there will be none Armed so that you departe againe at your owne pleasure My Friend said Nardides happie be the houre I â—ette with thée assure thy selfe that if I can kill the Emperour and thou afterwarde deliuer me safely such recompence will I bestow on thée as both thou and thine shall for euer remember me Other recompence I demaund not sayde the olde man then the death of the Emperour prepare thy selfe therefore so follow thine intent The night béeing come these Traytors Armed themselues and casting their mantles about them entred the Pallace were among the Pages and seruants without suspition they came into the Hall leauing Lycado and his Father at the Port where hée threwe abroade such enchauntments that all such as came foorth of their houses presently fell downe a sleepe in the stréetes No sooner were the Traytours entred the Hall but the Bird gaue a horrible and fearefull crie beating her beake against her breast with such furie as though shee would haue rent foorth her heart My God sayd the Emperour in mercie behold mée for the cry of this Birde dooth foretell great misfortune Looke about my friendes quoth he to his Guard and sée if any Stranger or vnknowne body is entred our presence Nardides by these spéeches knew hée was the Emperour wherefore drawing his Sword hée thought to haue cleaued his head yet hée fayled of his intent for the Emperour séeing the blow comming with a great Golden Cuppe awarded it indifferently notwithstanding the Sword in slipping from the Cuppe gaue him a â—ore wound vpon the head Olorico sitting on the other side the Table ranne at the Traitour but the Emperour had receiued two strokes more ere he could come at him so that his maiestie fell from his Chaire as he had béene dead As the Prince Olorico held the Traytor Nardides by the armes Menadeno strâ—oke at him so rigorously as if Ptolome had not borne off the blowes with a great siluer plate Olorico there had lost his life Duke Eustace séeing this shamefull outrage wrong the Sword out of Nardides hande and gaue him such a sounde stroke therewith on the head as made him tomble his héeles vpwarde and by the helpe of Bellechino who founde the meanes to gette off his Helmet hée smote his head from his shoulders Bellechino who had béene newly baptised loued the Emperour as hée had béene his Father and comming to Menadeno whome Duke Ptolome strongly helde in his armes gaue him so many stabs on his throate that he likewise fell downe at his féete The Empresse séeing her Lord so wounded rent her garments tore her comely locks of hayre and smote her faire face with maruailous violence Ah my Lord quoth shée thou art not wounded alone for if thou die as God forbid right soone will my ghost follow thée Cease Madam your complaints saide the Emperour and comfort your selfe so wel as you may for this is the houre wherin I must leaue you I haue lost such aboundance of my bloud as longer may I not liue with you O my God forgiue my sins and receiue my soule In vttering these words he swouned againe and the Empresse with him for companie to the no little amazement of all the Lords and Ladies who were well néeâ—e at their wits ende to be holde this vnexpected alteration Alchidiana likewise was in wonderfull perplexitie fearing also that her Lord was wounded to the death but to comfort this sorrowfull and desolate Court good fortune sent this helpe ensuing CHAP. LXVI How the wise Muzabelino knowing by his arte the cruell treason doone to the Emperour came to succour him and of that which followed MVzabelino the Nigramanâ—er of whom we haue alreadie spoken by chaunce this day was turning ouer his Booke and â—ound the dangerous stratâ—gâ—me deuised by these Traitours and calling his familiars together demaunded the danger that would ensue by this treason whereto one of them replied that if hée went not spéedily to Constantinople the Emperour the Prince Olorico and their Ladies would hardly escape that day with life Then armed he himselfe in the selfe same maner as he was when he succoured the Prince Tryneus and calling two spirits of the ayre resembling Giants their faces so vglie and fearefull as no humane creature durst beholde them them hee commanded to carrie him to
his departing time being come when the Prince attiring her selfe in her wâ—nted mourning garments and shaping her countenance to her former sorrow throwded her pleasures past and thus we will leaue them returning to our Affirianâ— sayling on the Sea Chap. XXIIII How after the tempest was past the soldans Armie assembled togither came against Constantinople where by the Emperours power they were discomfited the King of Balisarca his sonne Gueresin and 〈◊〉 other great Lords of Turkie slaine THe tempest which had thrown Palmerin on Hercuâ—es pillars after many loÌ„g and contagious stormes began nâ—w to cease the Sea béeing faire and calme and the windes very quiet whereupon the king of Balisarca General of the Armie in short time assembled togither the most part of his Fléete and came vpon the Coast of Natolia where hée attended the rest of his Foystes and Galleyes And hauing there â—â—ayed about fifteene dayes among all the Shippes that came hée could heare no â—â—dings of Palmerins Carrick the long slay wherof caused him to doubt least he had vnhappily 〈◊〉 in the Sea and ouercome with excéeding gréefe hee thus began Ah gentle Palmerin the flower of all Chiualrie in lucklesse howre didst thon betalâ—e thy selfe to the Sea what answere shal I make the Soldane for the 〈…〉 the Prince Olorico béeing so especially committed to my trust Nowe cannot Fortune 〈◊〉 so fauourable to vs as she would for by thy losse I vtterlye despayre of expected victorie To cut off these 〈◊〉 complaints he was counselled by the Lords Knights and auncient Captaines to sette forward to CoÌ„stantinople to discharge themselues of their promise to the Soldane least in returning without dealing with the enemie they should be reputed for fearefull faint-harted â—owards Setting their sailes to the wind at length they came to the Bosphor Now was the Emperour veriâ— aged and sickly hauing altogither committed the superintendaunce of the Empire to his sonne Caniano who had a son aged â—eaurntéene yéeres named Cariteos And being aduertised of the comming of so manie Assiriâ—ns Turkes and Moores hée sent to all the Christian Princes for succour the greater parte whereof was there as nowe arriued with resolute determination to welcome these Infidels When the Emperours scoutes had espied the enemiâ— to enter the straight yong Cariteos beholding the Knightes on all sides some on the walles and other in the Fielde came and knéeled before his Graundfather earnesâ—lye desiring him to graunt him his Knighthood For my Lord quoth he a better time and occasion cannot be then newe The aged Emperour graunted his request and with the teares in his eyes said In the name of God my Sonne maist thou receiue thy order and to the glorious maintenaunce of the Christian faith albeit thy youth forbids thée to venture so soone Presentlye arose the yong Knight Cariteos and clasping on his Helmet was the first that went foorth of the Cittie accompanied with tenne thousand Horsemen and twentie thousand Footemen to hinder the landing of the enemies which a great while hee did with such valour as the Hauen was channged with the bloud of the slaughtred The King of Balisarca hearing thereof commaunded his Archers to their taske 〈◊〉 shafts 〈◊〉 so thicke in such multitude as it were the Hayle that falleth from the Cleudes and on the other side hée gotte thiâ—tie thousande men on land who assayled the Christians so 〈◊〉 as yong Cariteos was slaine and a great 〈◊〉 of noble personages which was the cause that the Christians retired to the verie Gates of the Citie The Prince Caniano aduertised of his sonnes death and the great daunger wherein the 〈◊〉 issued foorth of the Cittie with eight thousande Horsmen and foure thousand hardie Archers who like hungry Tygers ranne vpon the Turkes beating them to the earth in such heapes as twelue thousand of them were slain at this encounter and the rest repulsed backe to their ships where many entred for sauegard of their liues and a great number were miserably drownâ—d in the Sea At this mishap the King of Balisarca was greatly eâ—â—ged who with his power presently went on shore the fight enduring so cruell and bloudie thrée howres space as neyther side could be reputed likeliest of victorie In this encounter ended their liues the King of Balisarca his Sonne Gueresin and a great number of Cailiffes and Taborlanes of Turkie and of the Christians the Prince Caniano with diuers other great Princes and Lords whose deathes are to this day lamented in Greece yet were the Pagans and Christians so animated one against another as darke night was the cause of their seperation When the Emperour vnderstood the death of his Sonne and Nephew hée was readie to die with conceit of griefe but séeing the necessitie of the time required other matter then sorrowing teares and vnprofitable lamentations hée presently dispatched Postes and Messengers to hasteâ— the succour was comming from Christendome In short time arriued a mightie Christian power and despight of the Turkes entred the Cittie when the Emperour presently sent tenne thousand into the Field and prouided a signall for the other to set fire among the Turkishe Fléete at what time they receiued the signe from the Cittie The Infidelles séeing the Christians to sallie abroad left their Shippes and came to méete them whereupon the Christians diuided themselues into squadrons and running furiously on the Moores Arabies and Assirians made such hauocke and slaughter of them as happie was he coulde best defend himselfe Then suddainly was the signall of fire made on the highest stéeple in Constantinople to the Emperours power wasting on the Sea which immediately launching among the Turkish Fléete suncke the greater part of them and burned the rest with their wilde fire When the Turkes beheld this stratageme and that they were now destitute of any helpe they beganne to faint so that at the comming of the Emperour who came himself vpon them with a fresh sallie of fiue thousand men they were all slaine except a fewe that escaped into Galleyes that brake from the rest vpon fight of the pollicie Great was the spoyle gotten by this conquest which the Christians taking with them entred Constantinople where they gaue God thankes for their happie victorie But although the Emperour sawe his enemies vanquished after the Princes were departed that came to his succour right gréeueus was the losse of his Sonnes to him wherefore his Lordes aduised him to send for his daâ—ghter the Quéene Griana and King Tarisius her husband and to commit the gouernment of the Empire to him For the accomplishment of this generall determination the Duke of Pera was appointed Lord Ambassadour being one of the most auncient Princes of Greece who accompanied with many noble Gentlemen made such expedition in his iourney as hée arriued in Hungaria before the King and his Quéene Oriana whose sorrowes may not be expressed for the death of her brother When they vnderstood the Emperours pleasure they resolued on their obedience which caused the
Palmerin hearing either fearing to offend them or induced by modest bashfulnes he went to his Sister the Princesse Armida whose thoughts hée sounded by such subtilties and dissimulations as he found the effect of her desires which was to enioy Sir Frysoll to her Husband He not a little contented héerewith confirmed her choyse to be commendable sealing the assurance thereof with an honourable report of his knightly déedes of Armes Then the Emperour called for the Duke of Mecaena and the Counte of Reâ—foâ—t as also his principall Secretarie whom hee commaunded to write to the Emperour of Allemaigne touching the marriage of the Princesse Polinarda and his sonne Paâ—merin shadowing the secret agréement betwâ—ene themselues and committed tâ—e rest to the discreâ—ion of the Ambassadours The Letters sealed with his great Signet was deliuered to them that had the charge of this message who could not so spéedily departe from Constantinople because the winde and weather was not nauigable Now had Palmerin promised Frysoll that he would speake to the Princesse his sister and solemnely resolue vpon their marriage wherefore méeting with this earnest Lâ—uer hee thus laboured to please him Trust me Cozin I haue so surely imprinted your especiall generositie in my Sisters minde as the carracters can neuer be defaced but remaine more perfect by your spéedie marriage Frysoll reuiued with these newes as all pretenders of loue may well imagine offered to kisse his hande which Palmerin would not suffer whereupon hée thus procéeded Ah my Lorde howe am I more and more indebted to you right wise was hee which saide that affabilitie and liberalitie are continuall companions with noblenesse and magnanimitie And though by al my seruices I cannot deserue the honour you do mee in accepting me for your Brother yet am I so faithfully vowed yours as the honours of my Father nor loue of the Princesse your Sister can seperate mee from your companie vntill you haue founde your long desired Friende Trineus And for this cause my Lord I earnestly intreate you to hasten Apolonio towards my Father for I will sende him to 〈◊〉 place where he shall be assured to finde him Palmerin accorded thereto immediatly and so labored with the Emperour that the Letters were deliuered and the oathes taken of all the Hungarians they were sent home into theyr Countrey with a Lieutenant appointed to gouerne them vntill the comming of Netrides to whom Frysoll wrote the truth of all his fortunes with earnest request of his spéedie presence And to enduce him to the greater haste hée feigned that many Princes laboured for the Crowne of Hungaria and were in likelihood to obtaine it all which was but to enioy the faire princesse Armida The same day Florendos sent to the King his Father at Macedon that hée should send the cheefest states of his Realme against the day that Palmerin should be sworne the Prince of Greece Chap. XXXIIII How Câ—tdyna the Gentlewoman attending on the Queene accompanied with her Brother and diuers other Squires brought Gerrard his wiâ—e and daughter to the Court and what entertainment Palmerin made them CArdyna with those that were commaâ—ded to kéepe her company in short time came to Gerrards house whom shee found sitting at dinner with his familie The good man was at first amazed séeing such courtly personages enter his house a matter estéemed rare among yâ— persons dwelling on the mountaine but séeing they came in decent and modest sort not proffering any discourtesie he entertained them very friendly when Cardyna taking him by the hande said Good Father are you the man that is called Gerrard I am the same quoth he gentle mistresse You are then the man aunswered Cardyna that I séeke and therefore I pray thée tell me what thou didst with a Childe that twentie yéeres and more since thou foundest in swadling clothes vnder a Palm Trée on this Mountaine for certaine I am that thou didst take him home with thée to thy house Ah mistresse quoth the good old man you haue killed my heart in remembring me of him whom I loued déerer then any of mine owne The infant of whom you speake I founde not farre hence vnder a Palme Trée for which cause at his Baptisme I named him Palmerin From that time forwarde I nourished him as hée had béene mine owne Sonne till hée rame to tall stature and as he grew in yéeres so did hee in vertuous and noble qualities which made him not a little beloued in these parts for when hee attended my Cattell he tooke pleasure to course the Wolfe Hart Beare Bore and Lion and oftentimes would kill them when him listed which none of mine owne Children durst at any time aduenture Ah swéete Mistresse when I remember his many seruices the dutifull reuerence and loue hee bare mée I am readie to die with conceite of gréefe that it was my ill hap so soone to loose him Yet came not this misfortune alone for mine eldest Sonne who loued him as he had béene his owne Brother immediately went after him and yet could I neuer heare any tidings of them Notwithstanding Mistresse if you know of whence hée was I can shewe you all the clothes wherein I founde him I shall be contented to sée them quoth Cardyna but what will ye giue the partie that can tell ye whee he is Cerrard at these wordes fell on his knée before her and with the teares trickling downe his graie beard saide By my troth mistresse if it shall like you to doo me so great pleasure of all my substance I will giue yée the one halfe or all my heard of Beastes which ye saw féeding on the Mountain as ye came beside my continuall seruice while I liue Gramercies Father sayd Cardyna but call for your Wife and Daughter and then shall I tell ye newes that well content you As for him whose friendly Parentes you were so long time hée is nowe at Constantinople and is the Sonne of Madam Griana daughter to the Emperour who commaundeth you thrée to come to the Court that she may content ye for nourishing so well the noble young Prince The olde man excéeding ioyfull without ordering his affaires or appointing his Seruaunts their course of labour saide to his Wife and Dyofena his Daughter Make ye readie presently in your best garments and let vs goe sée that noble Gentleman for all the Golde in the world cannot make me staie nowe I haue heard so happie tidings The good woman and her daughter trickt vp themselues in their countrey fines and taking the rich swadling clothes sette forward to Constantinople so merely as sometime did the foster Father of Paris Alexander his Wife and their Daughter Pegasis when they brought the Cradle and acoustrements of the infant royall to the Cittie of Troy after he was knowne by his Father King Priam and Quéene Hecuba his Mother Palmerin being aduertised by one of the Ladies of Honour attending on the Empresse that Cardyna had brought Gerrard to prouoke greater contentation he would
her hée sent it by one of his Pages to Laurana who hauing it in her hand came laughing therewith to Palmerin saying Howe say you my Lord haue I not handled the matter 〈◊〉 it should be the Turke mooued with pittie of our straite imprisonment hath giuen me the charge of Madame Agriâ—la for by his Page hath he sent me the Key of her Chamber and Hyppolita shall lodge nowe among other Ladies And because this night the action must bee fulfilled doo you aduertise the Duke of Pontus that at midnight he faile not to come to vse drunken Holofernes as hée hath deserued Palmerin and the King of Sparta praysing God that their affaires went forwarde so luckily returned to their lodging intreating Agriola to be ready at the houre that their intent might not be hindered by her Afterwarde they rehearsed to their companions what was concluded by the Princesse Laurana wherefore quoth hée to the Duke prepare to bring your Armour secretlye to Agriolaes Chamber where you shall finde the King of Sparta and my selfe Meane while Frysoll Olorico and Eustace sée that all out baggage be conueyed into our shiâ—pe which may safely be done without suspect considering what great multitude of Souldiours are embarquing and therefore prouide all things readie agaynst our comming The houre being at hand Palmerin the King of Sparta and the Duke of Pontus went to the Princesse Chamber where the Duke was immediately Armed except his Helmet which he left on the Table couered with the Mantle whereof Laurana spake putting on the attyre the Princes wore vppon her heade and so finely was he disguised in those habits as in the dark he might be reputed rather a woman then a man and béeing readie to depart about the practise he saide to Palmerin I thinke it best my Lord that you and the King of Sparta conâ—uct the Ladyes before to the Porte for if in mine attempt I should happen to â—aile yet shoulâ— you loose but the worst in your companie So importunate was hee with them to follow his aduise as he caused them to depart presently to the Hauen where they were ioyfully welcommed by Frysoll and the rest without méeting anie by the way to hinder them When the Duke saw himselfe left alone and now he was to dispose himselfe to his intent falling on his knée he thus spake O my God that suffered the mightie Holofernes to bée be headed by thy Seruaunt Iudith affoorde me at this time the like grace and giue mée strength to worke his death who is the greatest liuing enemy to Christians This said hée went to the Turks Chamber where he found the doore readie open and approching the bed the Turke who verilie thought it was Laurana raysed vp himselfe and taking him by the arme said Welcome swéete Ladie for verie long haue I expected thy comming Ah Traitour quoth the Duke I am not she thou lookest forâ— regarde of honour will not suffer her to sinne in such sort With which wordes hée stabbed him to the heart and smiting off his head wrapped it in the Mantle that Laurana gaue him so going to Agriolaes Chamber and clasping on his Helmet went presentlie to his Fréendes whom hée founde in prayer for his good successe and throwing the head into Lauranaes lappe said Madame hée that was so importunate for your dishonour as a witnesse of his loue to you hath sent you his head here by me wherwith I present you so deuoutlie as henceforth I dedicate my life and seruice to your disposing A thousand thanks my Lorde quoth the Princesse this vertuous act hath made mée so constanlie to bée yours as in anie thing that toucheth not the impeach of mine honour I remaine with my vttermost endeuours to pleasure you As the Duke woulde haue replied the other Knights came to looke on the head which when they haâ— cast into the Sea they presently hoysed â—aile and before day had gotteâ— farre enough from thence In the morning as the marriners came from theyr Gallies towardes the Cittie they espied the head floting on the water and taking it vp shewed it to their companions to know if they could tell whose it was When they be helde it so dreadfull the muâ—â—achoes â—â—routing out like 〈◊〉 bristles and the locks of hayre hang shagging downe they knew not what to thinke and one of them hauing well marked it said By all our Gods if I be not deceiued this is the head of my Lord the great Turke at which words all the other began to scorne and â—ocke Hyppolita séeing faire Phoebus let foorth the morning light came to the Princesse Agriolaes chamber where not finding her nor Laurana the chamber likewise dispoyled of many things she doubted immediatly that they were fled whereof to be resolued she went to the great Turks Chamber and séeing the Pages standing at the doore saide Why enter ye not the howre is past and my Lorde is not yet risen Lady quoth they as yet hee hath not called vs and you knowe as yesternight be forbâ—d our entrance till we were called it may bée hée 〈◊〉 but badly this night and therefore now is contented to take his rest I feare quoth she some other matter then sléepe dooth hinder his calling you so thrusting open the doore and entring the Chamber sawe the bloud dispersed on the ground and the headlesse truncke hanging beside the bed with which sight they made a verie pittifull outcrie whereat many noble men and Gentlemen came who likewise beholding what had happened ioyned with them in sorrowfull complaints Soone was the report of this murder blazed through the Cittie so that Olimaell bearing thereof ranne thither with all haste where he was no sooner preseÌ„t but Hyppolita thus began Ah Olimaell thou broughtest the Traytours hither that haue slaine my Lorde and by thy meanes hath this treason béene committed By all our Gods sayde one of the Turks Nephewes present it is true but because thou hast suffered Agriola her Brother and the other Knights to escape thou villaine shalt abide it déerely So drawing foorth his Semitarie killed Olimaell therewith saying Such be their reward that trayterously betray theyr Soueraigne mine Unckle of a poore Ianizarie made thée his chéefe Admirall and thou for his kindnesse hast requited him with death but now thy villainy is worthily recompenced Olimaell thus slaine his men ranne furiously on the Turks Nephew and â—â—ew him with fiftie Knights beside that defended his quarrell and had it not béene for an auncient Basso who with an hundred Souldiours came to part them they were in danger of a greater sedition because they sawe none pursue Palmerin and his companions The Basso that had thus pacified this tumult by promises perswaded the Ianizaries and preuailed so well with them as the same day he was proclaimed yonger Brother to the Soldane deceased and great Emperour of Turkie Many iniuries did he to Christendome afterwarde in reuenge of his Brothers death which yet we will forbeare to rehearse what
happened to Palmerin and his companions being on the sea Chap. XLIIII How Palmerin and his companions metre two Turkish Ships from whom they deliuered Estebon the Merchant and his Sonnes and came to the Isle of Malfada where Palmerin lost them all and of the sorrow hee made for his mishap LAurana was so ioyfull that shee had so fortunately escaped the Turks hands beside was so reuenged of hir chéefest enemie as nothing could yéeld her greater contentation but howe much more would shee haue reioyced if shee had known the slaughter at the Pallace As she sat discoursing heereon with Palmerin and the Duke of Pontus Frysoll béeing aloft on the deâ—ke espied foure ships comming towards them with full saile whereupon hée called to his companions that they shoulde presently arme themselues For quoth he I see two 〈◊〉 Shippes and they haue taken two other or els my iudgement fayleth let vs therefore labour to withstand them least we 〈◊〉 a further danger No sooner had he spoken these words but they all puâ— themselues in readinesse so that when the enemie closeâ— with them and many entred the shippe thinking it was yéelded they had a sharper entertainment then they expected for not one escaped aliue that came aboord but either were slaine or thrown into the Sea In bréefe they ouercame both the Pirates and left not one aliue to carrie tydings hereof into Turkie Afterward as Palmerin searched the Cabins to sée what prisoners the Moores had taken he espied his maister Estebon the Merchant of Hermida and his two sonnes by him with two other Merchants chained by the handes and necks in like sort as the poore slaues are in the Gallies whereupon he saide Trust mée Maister hee that put this coller about your necke was little acquainted with your honest humanitie So looking vp and downe for the 〈◊〉 that opened the locks of the chaines hee â—spied a Turkish marriner who fearefull of his life had hid himselfe to whom he said By God villaine it thou she west me not quickly where the Keyes are I will sende thy soule after thy fellowes Spare my life most noble Knight cryed the Turke and I will giue ye not onely the Keyes but also shew you such secrets héere within as no other now but my selfe can shew ye wherein is infinite wealth and riches Dispatch then sayde Palmerin The Moore fetching the Keyes opened the locks tooke off their chaines and brake the manacles bounde about their handes when Palmerin lifting vp his eyes to Heauen saide Thanks to my God that so happily sent mee â—o succour Estebon by whose meanes I came to the knowledge of my Friendes and Parents and who first gaue me horse and armour for knightly seruice Estebon hearing Palmerins words maruailing not a little fell on his 〈◊〉 saying I beséech you my Lorde to tell me your name to the ende I may be thankfull to him by whom I haue escaped the cruell Infidels and receiued such an vnspeakeable benefit Why maister quoth Palmerin know ye not me I am your seruant Palmerin who you first prouoked to follow armes by your liberalitie and euer since haue I followed that profession and nowe haue requited some parte of your kindnesse Ah my noble Friende Palmerin said old Estebon suffer me to kisse thy hande for if heeretofore thou didst deliuer me from the Lions throat what may I say of the daunger from which I am nowe defended In happie houre was that knightly furniture giuen and with successefull fortune haue you imployed them but may it please ye to goe with mée I will prouide you of all things necessarie and giue you my Sonnes héere to be your Seruant The King of Sparta séeing Estebon vse such zealous spéeches saide to him Father you are very much deceiued imagine you the sonne to the Emperour of Constantinople a simble Souldier your age Father makes you forgette your selfe At these words the good olde man somewhat astonied excused himselfe to the King and turning to Palmerin saide Alas my Lord in not knowing you otherwise then one of my seruants I haue offered your excellencie very great wrong and great hath béene my desert of punishment vsing the great Lorde of Greece so vnreuerently But pardon my boldnesse noble Lorde and let mine ignoraunce excuse the offence committed for vnwittingly did I fall into this error Content thy selfe good maister quoth Palmerin in nothing hast thou offended mée but it thou wilt returne to thy Countrey these vesselles belonging to the Moores and all the treasure in them will I frankely bestow on thée Ah my Lorde answered Estebon since Fortune hath so happily brought me into your companie so please you to lisence me loth am I to departe from yâ—u for such store of Théeues and Robbers are on the Seas as hardly can I escape their handes aliue And sorrie would I be saide Palmerin that you or these merchaunts should any way miscarrie though perhaps your Wiues would gladly haue ye at home but this I must tell ye that I cannot retuâ—ne to Constantinople I shall be contented saide Estebon to stay your good leysure for a poore life is better to mée in this companie then welthie possessions among mine enemies Héereuppon Palmerin commaunding all the riches in the Moores Shippes to bee conuayed into the other sette are on the vessels and hoising sayle rode on merrily Within thrée daies after arose a mightie winde at Northeast which carried them with such violence as the Pilots â—old Palmerin they were nowe come on the borders of Persia and very néere the Isle of Malfada where they arriued before the Sunne setting They séeing the Countrey so faire and delectable would néedes goe on shore to refresh themselues for the Ladies were so distempered with the rough storme as they were very desirous to recreate themselues a little Palmerin not able to shun this fatall chaunce went on shore with his friendes and the two Princesses all the other likewise spéedily followed them where they had not long stayde but they were all diuersly enchaunted The two Ladyes were transformed into the shape of Hindes the other to Dogges Wolues and Leopards all of them running with such swiftnesse as though the furies had stood to chase them but Palmerin could not be enchaunted by reason of the gift hee receiued of the thrée wise Sisters on the Mountaine Artifaeria whereat hee greatly gréeued for such was his impatience thus to loose his friendes as hee entred into these lamentations Ah peruerse and vnconstant fortune how diuers and daungerous are thy trecheries Ah stepmother too cruell why dost thou not exercise thy rage on simple and forsaken soules but on such as excéede in honour and vertue Doubtlesse my sinne hath caused this mishap when I perswaded my Friendes to goe against their Christian Brethren onely by feare of my wretched life As he stoode thus complayning hee behelde the Ladie of the Isle with her Seruants comming to take the spoyle of their bootie whereof béeing ioyfull and thinking by