wife faire and softlie after but when he beheld this woful spectacle and what a butcherie Palmendos Sworde had made his Serâ—…aunts seared he woulde haue followed in this harde fortune Nor can I heare set downe the rufull mones which Ripole made ouer his Father Mother Sister no doubt they were aâ—… strange and yrkesome as this accident but when they had searched through the Castell and foundâ—… nothing wanting but the King of Thessalie they iudged the Authors of this tiranniâ—… to be Christians and that they likewise had caried awaie the Queene Marencida After he had taken order for interring the deade he rode immediatlie toward the great Turke hauing heard of Iffidaâ—…s Nursse all that had past betweene her the two Knights and beeing come before the Emperour he fell at his feete deliuering the signes of an afflicted spirite which onelie sought for grace and mercie At length he declared the subsâ—…aunce of this wreakfull occurrence as well that of Marencida his Maiesties Daughter as the other of hys Fathers death and deliueraunce of the King of Thessalie afâ—…rming his Sister Iffida as onely cause thereof by what traynes she had béene beguiled himselfe béeing altogether innocent of the treason notwithstanding hee freely offered himselfe at his gracious disposition to abide whatsoeâ—…er he would assigne him These wordes so wounded the Turke to the hart as hee remained silent a great while anger had so locked vp the passage of his speeche yet furiously at length starting from his Chayre hee rayled on the Gods starres deuils and all the infernall powers Aâ—… Mahomet quoth he doubtlesse thou art angry with mee or els dost take but little care of thy seruaunts that euermore haue extolled thee aâ—…oue all other Gods and Prophets but much I wonder thou woldest thus forget me vnleâ—…se thou wilt haue mee thinke thée extreamely offended or that the hope is vaine and frustrate which is reposed in thee You starres not inclined to fauour me but rather affecting my totâ—…ll ruine wherin haue I so haynouâ—…y â—…ffended that you shoulde take so sharpe and rigorous vengeaunce on me what may this presage to me héereafter but some great mis-fortune suddaine mutation in Asia yet will I so carefully foresée these affayres as the sedicious performers of this villainie shall not cary it away so lightlie Like sorrowes made this Infidell for his mishap when many of his Knights without attending other commaundement got ready Foystes Gallyes other vessels for warre to pursue the causers of this tragicall accident but their labour was spent in vayne albeit not long after they hearde the trueth of all which procured such hatred betweene the Turkes and the Grecians as they ceased not till with hostilitie they had inuaded Greece But it was not during the raigne of the Emperour Palmerin or anie of his race or next posteritie for while they liued y â— Turkes durst not stirre against them yet long time after when Ottoman a fierce and proude Prince gouerned inâ—…nite â—…uilles happened in Europe where he tooke and sacked many good Cities Townes Castels Now would the great Turke not suffer Ripole to bée further tormented because he was found altogether innocent in y â— action but sent him back to the Castel of Albayzo making him Captain therof as his father was before And long time continued he sad mellanchollie thinking hee had reciued wonderfull dishonour by the losse of his Daughter Marencida nor shold he euer recouer the same til Greece were beaten flat to the grounde and the Emperour Palmerin with all his kindred vtterly destroyed where in these ragings we wil leaue him and returne to our purpose CHAP. XXX Howe Palmendos with his company arriued at Constantinople where the Emperour came receiued them at the Porte VV hat speeches hee had with the Queene Marencida after they were come to the Pallace howe ioyfully likewise the Queene of Thessalie and Francelina her daughter welcommed home the King her father THe Marriners chéerefully hoysing their sailes left the coaste of Turkie and launched into the maine Sea hauing the winde and weather so fauourable as without anie impeachmeÌ„t they attained y â— Bosphor of Thrace where Palmendos sent his Cozin Ozalio before to the Emperour that the King of Thessaliâ—… might bee entertained with honour beséeming so great a Prince Ozalio making spéede in a swift little Pinnesse béeing landed went directly to the Pallace and finding the Emperour in the great Hall conferring with his Lordes â—…bout the enchaunted Birde which that morning had deliuered manie pleasant notes wherfore hee expected some comfortable newes when Ozalio falling on his knée began in this manner Dread Lord I am the seruaunt and freend to the noble Palmendos whose renowne hath héeretofore béen blazed in this Court and he humblie intreateth your highnes by mee that you woulde entertaine the King of Thessalie whom he hath brought from Turkie with such grace and honour as beséemeth his dignitie By this time I thinke they are entred the Hauen in that they were not farre off when I left them I beeing sent before to acquaint your Maiestie heerewith The Emperour excéeding ioyfull at these newes rose and embraced Ozalio very graciouâ—…i and causing all his Knights and Barons to prepare themselues said he would goe to the Port in person to welcom them Right soone were these tydings bruted through the Court wherwith the Empresse her Ladies were highly pleased especially the mourning Quéen of Thessalie for her Husbands returne and faire Francelina for her loouelie freende whose absence made her imagine euery howre a yeere wherfore in haste they got them before to y â— Porte attended on by their Ladies and Gentlewomen where Palmendos being new come on shore with the King thus spake to him Behold my good Lorde your Queene and Daughter who are ioyfullie come to salute your arriuall but when he looked on Francelina the whole quire of heauen was present in his thoughts The Queene verâ—…arnestlie beheld the King her husband when séeing his haire and beard so strangelie ouer-growne beside his skyn and complexion so wonderfully altered as doubtfull in minde she came to him with these wordes Are ye my Lord the king of Thessalie for whom my hart hath suffered excéeding greefe I praie ye resolue me presentlie without holding me in longer suspence in that your deformed estate hath greatlie peruerted my remembraunce Madame aunswered the King it is no meruel though you know me not considering the long time since ye sawe me last which the integrity of our loue hath made vs imagine of greater compasse although the accustomed reuolution of yéeres neither deminish or increase one moment in their naturall course notwithstanding I am the same King your Husband who haue felt more passions for your absence then anguish or torment in my miserable captiuitie But seeing the immortall bountie hath suffered mee once againe to sée you before my foule forsake this passible bodie which was my continuall desire
seate wherat Palmendos and his Lordes meâ—…ie laughed but theye pastime was soone altered into admiration for after the Woman arose againe shee séemed of such huge deformed stature as eache one was amazed that had beheld her before and turning her selfe angeâ—…lie towardes the Prince vsed these spéeches Ah Palmendos little regardest thou to resemble the Emperour of Constantinople thy Father whose gentlenes and swéetnes stretcheth as wel to the meanest persons as them that are Lordes and of great account What gaineâ—…t thou in reioycing at the iniurie doone mee by thy Knight I pray that the great imperious Monarch Cupid ê™ shee with lifting her eyes and handes to heauen may so cruellie wound thy hart with the looue of faire Francelina and cause thee to conceiue such gracious thoughtes of her as thou maist leaue this idle and delicious life thou leadest to winne the honour that is got with paine and trauaile So did thy Father heeretofore for the Princesse Polynarda whom he loued so religiously as with the dexteritie and strength of his bodie he assaied to gaine y â— reward which Fortune prouideth for her cheefest fauourites whereon imperially he is now amounted accompanied with y â— greatest felicitie that can happen to anie one vnder this Hemisphere Leaue then these wanton and Courtlie surfettings wherein thy Mother laboureth to containe thée and noâ—…e beginne to 〈◊〉 Armâ—… which may make â—…hy name perpetuall and yeelde the rewarde of immortal glorie for it will redound to thy great shame béeing Sonne to so rare and 〈◊〉 a Knight not this way to imitate his laboriouâ—… dâ—…des And when I shall sèe thee thorowlie wrapped in the passions of loâ—… I will thinke my selfe satis-fied with â—…uenge of the diâ—…honour which thou hast suffered to be 〈◊〉 to me in thy presence The olde Woman so breaking off immediatly vanished away to the great terrour of all the beholders especiallie of the young Prince Palmendos whose sences were for a while eâ—…raunged and walking vppe and downe musing on the olde Womans wordes his hart was so enâ—…amed with the loue of her he knew not as he was enforâ—…d thus to commune with himselfe What may the Ladie be with whom at the report of this Woman I find my selfe so distraughted Daubtles if her words be no Fables â—…t that I am Sonne to the Emperour of Constantinople it behooueth 〈◊〉 to enterprise such actions as I may be iudged soâ—…what to resemble him While his spirit was â—…hus buâ—…ed with diuersitie of these thoughts and no one daring to interrupt him Ozalio went into the Quéenes Chamber and tâ—…lling what had happened she was therewith greatlie displeased Immediatlie she came downe into the great Hall and â—…ding her Sonne thus perplexed tooke him by the hand causing him to sitte downe by her and then began to him in this manner I knowe not my Sonne what follies it should seâ—… the olde Hagge hath trâ—…ubled your minde withall but refraine from giuing credite to them and I shall tell yée the verie trueth of all Madame aunswered Palmendos I am certaine you will not dallie with mee notwithstanding I cannot but meruailâ—… that you woulde all this while conceale the originall of my byrthe for â—…he Emperour Palmerin béeing such a woorthy 〈◊〉 Knight as he is estéemed of eâ—…erie one little occasion haue I 〈◊〉 â—…isdaine to be his Soâ—… and you much leâ—…e to keepe it from me Wherfore I humblie iâ—…reate your Maiestie to resolue me faithâ—…ullie of this present doubt to the eâ—…d if it be so I may â—…e we my selfe forwarde in duetie in â—…sing the bud to floorish that came from such a noble vertuous stalke And feare not that for his sake I will abandon you because it is impossible for me to leaue the Law wherin I haue hethâ—…rto liued for a strange opinion which I am ignoraunt in Ah my Sonne quoth the Queene the Gods so inspire and direct your desseignes that you may perfectlie accomplish what you haue prâ—…mised for the onely feare to loose your companie hath caused me conceale the thing you are so desirous to know But seeing you haue hearde what I can no longer dissemble assure your selfe my Sonne that the olde Woman hath tolde nothing but trueth Héerevâ—…n she recounted the whole Historie howe to haue issue by such a péerelesse Prince imitating Thalestria Quéene of the Amazons who for like cause acquainted her selfâ—… with the valiant King Alexander fhe by the counsell of a wise Magitian amourously beguiled the Emperour Palmerin Lastlie shee intreated him not to â—…orsake her while she liued because her life was onelie prolonged by his presence Great matters haue you tolde me answered the young Prince the Emperour then knowes not that hee â—…ath anie Childe by you No verilie replied the Queene nor would I he should know for the whole world Nor can hee I thinke vnderstand 〈◊〉 by anie saide the Prince yet in mine opinion I count it necessarie that one day I should goe sée my Father but trust me Madame it shall not hée without speedie returne because I am determined not to leaue you or giue ouer with my will the Countrey and Kingdome which the heauens haue appointed me to rule and gouerne Thus reasoned the Mother and her Sonne on diuers matters and hencefoorth the Prince shewed himselâ—…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vâ—…ry shâ—…rtlie to be armed Knight and to be calleâ—… the Knight of Cupid bearing for his deuise an hart 〈◊〉 with an Arroâ—… For 〈◊〉 hee 〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉 as redde as 〈◊〉 anâ—…â—…or Ozalio whâ—… hee loued as his Brother a fairâ—… white Armour and were bothe knighted by Ozalio 〈◊〉 Father whâ—… was one of the best Knights in all those parts Hauing thus receiued their order a very sollemne â—…east was made in honour thereof during which time Palmendos gaue away sundry sumptuous gifts yet coulde he not be 〈◊〉 of Francelina or forget one iote of the olde Womans words because he had loâ—…ged them so neere his hart as they were a martirdome in manner to him For â—…ase whereof he minded to goe sée Greece as also to visite the Emperour his Father and learne some tydings of his â—…nknowne Ladie for he perswaded himselfe that the old Womans speeches grâ—…w vpon no small occasion And finding the Queene his Mother one afternoone at good leyâ—…re among diuers oâ—…her prâ—…éedings betwéene them Palmendos earnestlie entreated her to graunt him one requeâ—…t which the Queene who looued him as her proper life and not thinking he wold hauâ—… desired any such thing agréed vnto verie willinglie Then woulde I good Madame quoth he not haue you conceiue anie displeasure if I make a bréefe voyage to Constantinople to sée the Empeâ—…our my Father and the good Knights in his Courte for 〈◊〉 the time you assured mee that I was his Sonne my desires haue beene vnmeasurable to trauatle this iourney Yet I sweare by the sincere inuiâ—…lable â—…aith which the Child aboue all other oweth to his Mother to returne againe with all
bodie of the Image flewe a very strange Byrde all blacke gyuing such fearefull shrykes and cryes as the Prince was thereat amazed and follâ—…wing her out of the Temple he beheld a great many more such like Birds with her they flying altogether with that noyse the same way where Ozalio and the Knights attended whereat they like wyse meruailing were certified by the men of the Islande that this prodigie sigmsted Palmendos entrance into the Temple for they had heard beâ—…ore by sundry learned Nigromancers that these were certaine infernall spirits which should be chased forth of the Countrey when the aduenture of the Temple was fâ—…nished Rifarano Ozalio all the Knights glad of these newes went where they beheld the monstrous wilde Bore and thence to the Temple where Ozalio first found y â— Prince opening a great chest which contained the Priestes principall Treasure consisting of such rare and inestimable Iewelles as it was thought the like was neuer séene before Palmendos beholding his fréend Ozalio ranne and embraced him meruailous kindlie the like did hee to Rifarano Lecefin and the rest all of them extolling the happy starre that guided the Prince and he acquainted them with all things since his departure from them sauing his conference with the Damosel because none of them shoulde suspect his looâ—…e TheÌ„ intreated he Guillador to send for some skilful man who might vndertake to deuise and build the Monastery in short time the greater part of the Clergie was sent for and among them to a vertuous maÌ„ of special knowledge he gaue the charge and superintendaunce of the worke as also bountâ—…full storâ—… of Gold and Siluer which was taken out of the Priestes welthy Chest. All things hee committed to the trust of Guillador that the Temple Monasteriâ—… and waies thereto shoulde be doone in decent order but he whose hart was onelie dedicated to the Ladies beautie which appeared vnto him vnder forme of a bodilie illusion tooke small delight in any thing els but in her gracious and diuine remembraunce Now did he hasten the daie of his departure desiring Rifarano Lecefin to make speede to the Emperour and present the Gyantesse her Daughter and the other prysoners to him as also all the Treasure was found in the Temple from a strange Gentleman religiously vowed to his seruice who in respect of great affaires that called him elâ—… where coulde not comâ—… to kisse his Maiesties hand which he wil doo with all spéed possible Rifarano and Lecefin were lothe to lâ—…aue PalmeÌ„dos but séeing it must needes bee so they sâ—…e after conâ—…aied the Gyantesse and her Daughter on shipboord they making great mone to bee carried from the Ifland In the same Shippe was the Crowne Scepter Imagâ—… 〈◊〉 and all the other Treasure carryed and in an other Ship the prisoners found in the Castell on y â— promontorie with all things els expcdient for the voyage then Rifarano and Lecefin taking their leaue of Palmendos Ozalio went on boord where the Gyantesse the Treasure was commaunding their Ankers to be weyed and theyr sailes hoysed the winde then seruing fitte and faâ—…ourable and so are they sayling toward Constantinople As yet abode Palmendos in the Isle of Delphos to sée what Guilladors workmen would compasse in so great a worke as he had giuen them charge of CHAP. X. Howe Rifarano and Lecefin with all theyr trayne arriued in Constantinople where they were honourablie receiued by the Emperour and them of the Court greatly meruayling at the newes hee hearde of Palmendos and what afterward followed AT what time Rifarano and Lecefin should arriue at Constantinople there were assembled manie great Lordes and Barons in honour of a sollemne Feaste which the Emperour made for the marriage of the Hungarïan Prince Ditreus sonne to King Frysoll and twinne Brother to 〈◊〉 Dytreus so sooâ—… 〈◊〉 he was armed Knight went to the 〈◊〉 Court where hee was woorthilie welcommâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…lbeit he was his Maiâ—…ies Nephew yet he looâ—…ed 〈◊〉 â—…th a particuler affection his courtecus and â—…iuill maners ioyned with his forwardnes in Armes gaue hope that he 〈◊〉 prooue a valiâ—…nt Knight heerafter Hée 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 long in the Emperours Court and thorowâ—… 〈◊〉 with euery onâ—… but hee grewe â—…namoured with the 〈◊〉 of Esquiuâ—… Daughter to the Soldane 〈◊〉 Babilon Alchidiana so that béeing one day in y â— Chamber of his Cozâ—… Philocrista eldest Daughter to the Emperour deuising with her and her Sister Melicia hee got such apt time and occasion as hee made his intent knowne to Efquiuela she mâ—…destlie answering him that if he faithfully meâ—…t to make her his wife shee woulde settle her choyse vpon him onelie Dytreus who was thereon resâ—…lned defired the Emperoâ—…r and Empresse to graunt that marriage they béeing willing to gratifâ—…e theyr Nephewe as also to preferre the young Princesse with the consent of King Frysoll affianced them together and Dytreus fearing the mariage would be deferred too long sollicited the Emperour in such sort as hee sent with all spéede to make the same known to the Soldane In meane while his Maiestie snmmoned the cheefest Lords of the Empire to prepare a Tryumphe in honour of this Feaste for the accomplishment whereof nothing wanted saue onely the Embassadours returne that went to the Soldane But nowe are Rifarano and Lecefin entred y â— Hauen of Constantinople intending to lande before the Emperour should knowe any thing of them because they came not in such equipage as happilie he woulde expect Béeing then all Armed except with their Helmets they rode through the Cittie but with two Squires onelie that bare theyr Laâ—…nces and Helmets they béeing wonderfullie noted of euerie one and reputed for some strange Lordes of great â—…irth and in this sort they came to the Pallace wher very boldlie they woulde haue entred but the Guarde stayed them to vnderstand the cause of their comming We are quoth they two Knights of Countreyes far hence distant and hether wee come to sée and serue the Emperoâ—…r Pâ—…lmerin You must then leaue these offensâ—… Armes aunswered the Guard if you meane to goe where his highâ—… is or els declare your proper names to vs that wee 〈◊〉 goe sée if it be his pleasure you shall come in this sorte bâ—…fore him Our Armes we will not leaue said Rifarano because it ill beséemes an honest Knight to doo so but you may goe certifie his Maiestie that heere is Lecefin Sonne to the Soldane of Persia the Princesse Zephira in whose companie is Rifarano Sonne to the Emperour Trineus of Allemaigne who huÌ„blie desire to kisse his highnes hand His Maiestie had no sooner notice of their names but 〈◊〉 excéeding contentation he sent his Sonne Primaleon witâ—… diuers other Knights to entertaine theÌ„ as beséemed anâ—… the Moore Princes séeing euery one giue place to him that came formost immediatlie they reputed him to be y â— Emperours Sonne whereupon they allighted when Primaleon courteously embracing them said My Lordes you are