thing â—he which he cannot obtain to put from him that which is impossible to leaue All creatures borne as wel as those that are to be borne although there be a great 〈◊〉 of liuing of their deaths yet to die is naturall vnto them all What do you thinke to flie from that which your fathers grandfathers their predecessors yâ—â— Emperours kings could neuer escape let vs turne our backes all that euer we can froÌ„ death auoide the perils thereof yet in the end it shall happen vnto vs as vnto hint thâ—â— sâ—utteth his â—ies at the blow of his enimie suffering the griefe thereof because hée would not sée it And whereas you saie that it is good for mée to liue longer and not to procure my death before my time I 〈◊〉 vnto you that there is none that dieth before his time for that all men dieth not at one time and as wise men saie euerie one hath his time appointed the which béeing accomplished hée concludeth his fine and for that wée haue not so much lisence to call time backe againe neither to staie of necessitie wée must procéede forwards No man ran die but at his time appointed sauing 〈◊〉 hee take the time for him that himselfe hath assigned and not by him that dooth assigne nature and fortune It is a small matter touching the immortalitie of the soule some to liue foure score â—éeres and other to liâ—e eight yéeres the time being past it séemeth the one to bée no 〈◊〉 than the other Men do deceiue themselues in many thinges but in especiall concerning their death not for that all men doe thinke to die but because they hope the time will bée long séeming to be farre of that which one waie by the briefnesse of life and swiftnesse of time and another waie by the force of fortune and by the diuersities of humane chaunces béeing alwaies at hand Death vnto a young man should neuer seeme grieuous although he made reckoning of no other goodnesse for abiding the time of auncient yéeres there procéedeth thereof nothing but sadnesse and miseries The young man doth well-knowe what he hath passed in his time but yet he knoweth not what he shall passe if that he endure long In this cruell and inconstant kingdome of Fortune hée that first dyeth doeth deceiue and mocke his fellowe You will now saie vnto me that séeing that death is necessarie and of force it were better to abide the time of naturall death than to goe and receiue it of that diuellish Fauno Then you might well saie if that I were certaine thereof that the death that I shoulde die shoulde bée more happie than fortunate but whosoeuer doth knowe it for that many a one haue hoped to die in their beddes when that afterward they were hanged and some throwne from the toppe of a mountaine some torne with Lions and some eaten with wilde Bores yea that Euripides the light of al great pollicy next vnto Homer was cruellie â—â—rne in péeces with dogges Likewise Luâ—recio Prince of Poets by drinkes that were giuen him by his concubine did raue in such sort that he thought it the best remedie to kill himselfe with a knife with what great good will would the Emperour Adriano suffered himselfe to haue bene torne in péeces of a furious Lion if his people would haue suffered him rather then haue abidden that terrible sicknesse whereof he dyed Many other mo as is well knowen did hope to die of their naturall deathes and yet in the ende they died of verie desperate and cruell deathes and possible before they eschewed farre worse And you who doth giue couÌ„sell for to flie from death I would you would tell mée how farre you are from it your selfe of trueth if you doe consider verie well you shall finde that there is but a thin borde betwixt you and death and not yet two daies past when that you thought the houre was come Oh false and folish world of men that flyeth with great diligence from one little perill on the land in resisting wherof there is no honour to be gotten yet putteth not doubt to put themselues vnto these déepe seas wheras their liues is at the courtesie of the windes to ouerthrow them and of the terrible waues to drowne them they flie from one follie on the land and putteth their liues in foure farre worse vppon the seas in a shippe that is alwaies mouing the mariners neuer in one accord the water that neuer staÌ„deth still and the winde that neuer resteth What Dragon or furie is vpon the land that doth feare vs more then vpon the â—ea whereas it is well knowen an innumerable sort of men hath bene drowned There is no furie nor wilde beast vpon the lande but that it is possible by the force and strength of man to make defence and resistance but vpon y â— sea if you ioyne together all y â— strengthes of the most valiantest men in all the worlde yet are they not able to make any resistaÌ„ce against one storme or teÌ„pest but if they please they may make thrusts with their speares into the water and strike with their swordes against the windes And now séeing that ther is all these perills on the sea wherefore my good friend doe you not take the counsel for your selfe the which you doe giue vnto mée What doe you thinke that it is not more possible for mée for to ouercome the diuelish Eauno then you to haue y â— victorie of two so terrible Elements as is the water and winde Finallie to conclude when that man thinketh himselfe most farthest from death it is then nighest at hande therefore barons that be stout and couragious in nothing they should feare the death wheras they doe venter themselues to get honor and not to apart themselues from perills and dangers for that they be alwaies readie at hand and in the ende when that it shal please God that they shal die it is no other thing but a cléering of the soule out of this miserable captiuitieâ— prison and to leaue this troublesome wearie world where in I doe sée that there is no pleasure without sodaine misthiâ—ousnesse no peace without discord no loue without suspition no ease without feare no aboundance without lacke nor no estate without complaints all doth wéepe all doeth sigh all doth complaine all doth shrike and sobbe and all things doth ende I sée none that liueth content I sée nothing that is firme and stable I sée all in confusion tossed vpside downe as wel in things liuing as insensible as wel the brute beastes as reasonable creatures the high mightie towers be torne and rent with thunderboults walles be ouerthrowen with Canon shot great flouds doth carrie away Cities and townes Trées be eaten with wormes the gréene corne with the Grassehoppers Timber doth rot and moulder away the brute and wilde beastes doth fight 〈◊〉 with an other betwéene the Ownce and the Lion there is great
thereof excéedinglie 〈◊〉 ioyfull beléeuing of a certaine that it was not possible for him to loose his kingdomes hauing so valiant and strong a sonne So at such time as the Letter of the Emperour Alicandro came vnto his hands there was present with him his sonne Bramarant who when that hee heard the Letter read he tooke a great desire for to goe with them into Grecia and thought the time long to sée himselfe on the iourney and requested his Father that hée might goe with him for that hée would that his mightie power were manifest vnto all the worlde Then Bradaman who desired no other thing did graunt him lisence and out of hand they entered their iourney towards the Court of the Emperour Alycandro Bramarant caused to bee made for himselfe armour all of little bones of small fishes that they finde in those seas of so great hardnesse that neither sword nor anie other weapon could cut or breake it it was of the same making that the Princes Meridian his armour was which afterward the knight of the Sunne â—ad yet this of Mâ—â—idian was more â—iâ—er and of greater â—orce Bramarant caused his armour to bée garnished with golde and precious stones wherwith after they were made hée was so proude and furious that hee had neitheâ— seare nor dreade of all the worlde Then Bradaman called before him twelue kings Captaines of his Ilandes who were as the Hystorie declareth great and mightie Gyants and in the companie of them and his sonne Bramarant tooke his iourney towards the Court of the Emperour Alycandio So when they came thether they were of the Emperour meruallouslie well receiued and entertained as of him that séemed to haue great néede of their helpe In the meane time y â— they there tarried till all the whole hoast were ioyned together Bramarant did many mightie feates of armes wherein he gaueâ—ful testimonie who he was putting so great wonder in all them that did behold him that with great admiration they sayd that the Gods did put vpon that knight all their powers and strengths for the punishment and destruction of the Christians Wherewith the Emperour was verie ioyfull and did them all great honour and it seemed vnto him that if they alone with their people should passe into Grecia they were sufficient to destroye the whole Empire and power of the Christians How the Emperour Alicandro did consult with the Nobles of his Court about their iourney into Grecia and what Bramarant did concerning the same Chap. 10. AFter that the Parliament was proclaimed by the commandement of 〈◊〉 Emperour Alicandro there were few 〈…〉 Lordes amongst the Pagans in Asia but came thether and bâ—eing all together in the greate Citie of Neptaya the Emperour entered into the Parliament house with all his whole assemblie of Kings Princes and other noble men wheâ—eas there was placed his Emperiall seate in his roome appointed hangâ—â— round about with cloth of golde and somewhat more below was the places for the rest made of verie fine and shining siluer whereas this mightie Emperour when he was set in his Emperiall seate which was all of fine gold and precious stones and all the other kings and Lords euerie one in his degrée which was to the number of more than one hundreth silence being commanded with great maiestie of his roiall person hée dyd pronounce vnto them these wordes following LOiall subiets true vassalls and my verie friendes immortal thanks I render vnto the high Goâ—s not onlie for that it hath pleased them to place me in this high and sacred estate in making mee Lorde ouer so many Countries and innumerable riches but also for that it hath pleased their ditâ—ne maiesties to consent which is a thing more to bee estéemed than all the rest that amongst so many mightie kings and noble Lordes that are héere present and subiect vnto this sacred Empire there is not one amongst you but hath béene and I suppose will bée loiall and faithfull which is the thing that Princes ought to haue in greatest price for that it is no lesse perillous and daungerous vnto a King that hath a peruerse and an vnreasonable subiect than for a man of meaner or baser sorte to haue a strong and mightie enimie So that now for that I am fullie perswaded and certefied of the great fidelitie truth that you haue alwaies vsed vnto me I haue requested you al to come vnto this assembly Court of Parliament for to communicate with you couching a matter whereof you are not ignorant not for that therein you should do ought to accomplish my will but that you should aide and helpe me with your good counsailes for that in great and profound matters one must propone and many must determine I thinke it is not néedfull to make much relating thereof because it is well knowen vnto you all how the knight of the Sunne and sonne vnto the Emperour of Grecia came into this land and was receiued entertained by vs with so great loue and good will as though it had bene the Prince Meridian our sonne Likewise how that it was our pleasure to marrie him vnto the Princesse Lindabrides our daughter the which was almost concluded and celebrated whether it was his euil hap or vnhappie fortune vpon a night he departed and left our daughter flouted vs astonied ashamed in recompence of the great honour that we did and shewed vnto him All the which doth not grieue vs so much for our parte for the euill sact done vnto vs as it doth for the great offence done therein vnto the immortall Gods beleeuing that a greater could not haue bene inuented vpon the earth nor a thing more contrarie against their diuine maiestie What Emperor King Prince or Knight amongst mortall men that durst be so bold as to refuse or take vnto his wife the Princes Lindabrides being successour descending from the diuine stocke but this onelie knight of the Sunne Of truth and with great reason may the diuine Gods execute their wrath vppon vs if so be that we doe not reuenge this great iniurie done vnto vs and offence vnto their diuine maiesties and with no lesse reason their diuine iustice may fall vpon you if that not onely with your subiects and goods but also your selues in person doe not procure to make this reuengemeÌ„t A man ought to haue a respect vnto the griefes offences done vnto themselues but much more the wrongs which are done against the high Gods We doe well vnderstand that for to take reuengement of the knight of the Sun it cannot be so easilie done but it will cost vs many people and much treasure yea and our owne persons in the performance thereof but yet considering your mightie power strength and valiant hearts we doe beleeue that it doth not astonish you neither do you feare to take vppon you this iourney for that greate delayes doth proceede of little prudence and feare of great cowardnesse but heroicall knightes such
much more the victorie against the Gréekes is so vncertaine and as you may make iust accompt thereof although you think it to the contrarie without any consideration of peruerse fortune which may so fall out that they shall remaine al libertie and you deceiued although the host of men which you may carie wil be a great multitude mightie and strong yet many times it falleth out that the greatest host is ouercome by the lesser as it happened vnto Xerxes and vnto Darius and a great number more who with hosts of innumerable companie of people were destroyed and ouercome Likewise before that this shall come in effect if you doe well consider and haue an eye into the great angers and molestacions presumptions alterations and contrarieties which doth happen daylie in these mightie hostes I beleue that you will think it better to remaine and liue at home in your owne countrie then to passe into Grecia with so mightie an host for that there is no iniuries nor cruelties that may be compared vnto the condicions of men of warre And these which you do think to be your owne it may so fall out that for a little occasion they will change their copie and perhaps betray â—el them so that of knights and subiects they may become thy enimies Behold and consider of that great and mightie Alexander who in his time accompted himselfe of no lesse estate then you doe now at this present yet that which all his enimies could not conclude and bring to passe was finished by his owne knights in killing him by poyson If you wil that I shall declare vnto you many other examples by Emperours of Rome beholde who slew Pertinax and the two Maximos father and sonne Baluino Maximo Probo Graciano Valentiniano the least of all these were good valiant men and yet slaine by the hands of those of their host Likewise I will declare the great perills and misfortunes that happeneth at the sea by y â— which you must of necessitie passe this your great multitude of people I would it were not my fortune to speake but could excuse my selfe for that it is well knowen vnto all men how readie y â— mightie windes are to augment perills the mightie greate and vnmercifull waues the hidden rockes vnder the water the continuall tempests and whirle windes What is that so strong that the power of the heauens and the sea doe not rent and teare all to péeces and carrie awaie by sodaine stormes and tempests of the windes and therefore it is said that the going to the sea is easie but the comming from the sea is perillous but putting all the perills and daungers a parte and that Fortune wil shew her selfe fauourable vnto you in all these affaires and that with prosperous windes and times you are entered into the Empire of Grecia yet I would you should consider and knowe how doubtfull is the victorie at that present for that in all thinges hope is doubtfull and much more in great warres and contentions Uerie prudent and well experimented in armes was hée that saide that there is nothing that hath his ende more vncertaine than the warre and that it is farre better a certaine and sure peace than the hoped victorie One thing all you may beléeue of a certaine that verie few or none entereth into battaile without hope of victorie but yet consider if it bée not a thing that hath often happened the losse of the ouercome to be lesse than of the ouercoÌ„mers How many times doth men goe vnto the warres in hope to haue the victorie and to the contrarie remaines ouercome and that which is worst they remaine dead in the field so that they returne not backe againe to their houses ouercome nor with victorie And yet will I say more in contradiction of your hope that if you did know of a verie certaintie and truth that the victorie should be on your parts against the Gréekes yet for all that I will not let to giue you counsaile for to remaine in quiet at home in your owne Countrie for as the victorie is alwaies doubtfull euen so many times it is sorrowfull bloudie is not got with ease that which is sought with perill of their liues déerelie sold y â— is bought with bloud more deerer if it cost their liues We haue séene many times an host to haue the victorie yet their generall slaine in the battaile this is without all doubt y â— some shal be slaine on your part possible it may be your lot before any other for that your enimies as vpon the principall staie of your host will seeke to procure your death How sodainlie vnlooked for may you méet with the knight of the Sun he that was heere in your court at which tune you would willingly giue all that now you do possesse for to be as farre distant from him as you are at this present Of truth according vnto his furie great worthinesse brauerie stoutnesse the which experience hath shewed me by the incredible things done in sight of al men in this court surelie I shuld thinke no securitie in my life although I were in the middest of your great mighty host if I were certaine that he were against me in the field And héere I do desire praie the almightie immortall Gods to saue kéep thée from his furious hands for surelie my heart doth tremble to heare you saie that you will goe and seeke him to contend with him Héere is now in presence Rodaran king of Arabia and the king of Media who hath proued the experience of his mightie blowes I doe desire your highnesse to aske of them if they haue anie good will to returne and proue them againe as also if Rodaran be in the same opinion that he was before he went into Grecia Therefore O high and mightie Emperour conserue and maintaine this soueraigne estate into the which the high and immortall Gods hath exalted you and leaue off this enterprise for to goe and séeke perilles and daungers in other straunge Countries for that innumerable bée the misfortunes that wée are daylie subiect vnto And you shall not doe little for to conserue and kéepe that which you doe now possesse Wise men in times past dyd not thinke it to bée done with ease who sayde that it was great trauaile to suffer prosperitie and that it was necessarie to learne to suffer hauing Fortune at will for that it is more difficult to gouerne himselfe therewith than in aduersitie Héere therefore I thinke not amisse to staie my talke for that in this which I haue sayde you maye verie well vnderstand my iudgement not onelie that you shoulde restraine from executing your will but also that you should seperate and blot it cleane out of your thought and minde neuer more remember it For that if the knight of the Sun had done vnto you any iniurie as hetherto he hath not for that
So hauing verie good entertainment by the knightes that were in the shippe one of them asked him of whence hée was and he sayde that hée was of Grecia and for that he sayde no more vnto them there was not one of them that asked him anie other questian although it séemed vnto them by his semblance that there was some thing that did trouble and grieue him verie much hée was so heauie Thus they trauailed two daies together with prosperous windes passing awaie the time in the best manner hée could but the third daie there arose a greate torment in so terrible sorte that the shippe wherein they were was in great perill to bée lost The windes dyd increase euerie moment more and more in such furious sort that all the cunning of the mariners did not serue for the gouernment of the ship but were driuen of necessitie for to yéelde her vnto the curtesie of the winde and seas driuing wheresoeuer it pleased them In this sort were they tumbled and tossed with that tempest all that daie and the night following without anie semblaunce of calmenesse and looked euerie minute for to bée cast awaie which put greate feare amongest them all sauing vnto the knight of the Sun who séeing the Sea so troubled and the mightie waues caused by those terrible windes fighting one with another he was not alonelie without all feare but also dyd lyke well thereof and it was agréeable vnto his minde as vnto one that was wearie of his owne lyfe but the next daie following at such time as they were without all hope to escape that danger fortune dyd so serue them that the storme beganne to asswage in such sorte that the Mariners might gouerne their shippe but they found that they were put a great waie leward from the place whether as they were determined to goe and sailing forwards on their iourney they discouered a farre off an Iland and out of the middest thereof they might perceiue ascend vp into the aire at times great flames and sparkes of fire with a terrible darke and thicke smoake as though they hadde béene burning of some drie things And when they came nigh vnto the same Ilande the knights were all desirous to goe there a land for to ease and refresh themselues for that they were out of quiet with the storme passed but the Marriners knowing the Iland haled iackes aboord and ran of from the land all that euer they could crying out saying they would not go thether for that it was the Iland of the diuell called the solitarie Iland and how that if they went thether they should all die the death When the knights of Candia heard these wordes they were all greatlie amazed for they hadde heard before time verie much of that Iland But the knight of the Sun who was inclined by his valiant heart to attempt high mightie things with great desire for to sée what it was that they so greatlie feared he asked of the Mariners wherefore they called that the Iland of the Diuell and why they feared so much the death if they should go thether And although all the knights that were there present had heard verie much of the great perill and daunger of that Iland yet there was none that could declare the certaintie thereof but an olde Pilot that came as passenger in the same shippe who had heard the whole truth thereof by certaine men which lefte the sayd Iland in respect of the great daunger and he séeing that the knight of the Sunne had great desire to knowe the mysterie therof in the presence of all the knights that were there present began to declare the same as followeth YOu shall vnderstand gentle Knight that this Ilande was called in times past the Ilande of Artimaga for that it was gouerned by a woman so called who was so abhominable and euill that neuer the lyke was séene nor heard of amongst women for that after she came vnto the age of fiftéene yéeres vntill the time of her death which was more than thirtie yéeres shée neuer beléeued in God but in the diuell and there was no daie that passed ouer her head but she sawe the diuell in the figure of a man and had talke and conuersation with her as though he had bene her husband and she did euerie daie twice humble her selfe vnto him and did worship him The father and mother of this Artimaga were verie euill and peruerse being Lords and gouernours of this Iland at their death they left this Artimaga of the age of ten yéeres little more or lesse and for that there was no heire male at their decease she was forthwith accepted for Ladie and gouernesse of the whole Iland who when she sawe that she was absolute of her selfe and all in her disposition she gaue her selfe so much vnto all the 〈◊〉 and viâ—es of this worlde that for her abhominable sinnes and wickednesse God dyd permit that when this Artimaga came vnto the age of fiftéene yéeres shée was deceiued with the diuell and would neuer consent vnto marriage for that shée would not submit her selfe vnder the obedience of her husband but yet she had more than thirtie gallants at her commaundement and had a great delight to chaunge euerie yéere so many more and with the greate conuersation that she had continuallie with the diuell she came to bée so wise and cunning in the art Magicke that there was none in all her time although hée were neuer so cunning that might bee compared vnto her Shée vsed so many and diuerse sortes of inchauntmentes that all those of the Iland dyd feare her verie much and although her abhominable and horrible liâ—e séemed verie euill vnto them all yet durst they doe no other thing but to obey her for their Ladie and gouernesse It so fell out that this cursed woman was neuer brought to bedde nor neuer was with childe although in consideration thereof many times shée woulde not for the space of two or thrée moneths together vse the companie but onelie of one man for the which shée receiued great sorrowe and griefe at her verye heart in séeing that shée coulde not haue anie issue of her bodie that might succéede her in the Lordshippe of that Ilande and many times when shée was in companie with the Diuell shee dyd complayne verie much thereof praying him earnestlie with greate deuotion to doe so much for her that she might haue a sonne with whom she might comfort her selfe and put some remedie vnto the great sorrowe which she receiued at her heart for lacke thereof Then the deceitfull diuell full of pollicie enimie vnto all humaine generatioÌ„ hauing great desire to bring vnto ende that euill fortuned woman the more surer to make his pray vpon her soule bethought himselfe of a meruailous euâ—ll and sayde that vnto that time he would not consent that she should haue any generation in consideration that she loued him so wel he wold not that she should conceiue by
she had left y â— knight of the Sunne this thought was not 〈◊〉 considered of but straight waies she put it in vre and departed from thence and tooke her iourney towards â—ropisionda comming 〈…〉 sea side she with her Damsells embarked themselues in a good shippe and made saile towards her owne Empire not without great sorrow and griefe to sée that her knight was departed fâ—om the court of the Emperour Trebatio there was no newes heard of him since the time that he made the battaile with her which gaue her to vnderstande that that should be the â—ust occasion of his departing as one desperate for that vnknowne he made that combat he would departe thether whereas they should neuer thâ—re heare any newes of him at this time was abated y â— great anger that she had against him and her selfe was determined to goe and séeke him if that her damsell Arcania did not fullie satisfie her of that confused hope that she had With these other like thoughts they sayled foure daies with faire winde and wether in the ende whereof there arose a gâ—eat and furious tempest by 〈◊〉 whereof the good ship was put in great hazard to be lost if God for his infinit mercie and goodnesse had not deliuered theiâ— and hauing no gouernement in the shippe by forâ—e of that great tempest they were driuen to sea a great 〈◊〉 distant from the place whereas they desired to goe and the storme endured thrée daies and thrée nights without any 〈◊〉 but caùsed the seas to arise vp in so furious sort that the marriners could doe no good therein but yéelded themselues and the shippe vnto the mercie of the wyndes seas and fortune who in the ende séemed to shew her selfe fauourable The fourth day théy were launched into the great and sure port of the kingedome of 〈◊〉 wherein they saw other two shippes y â— were driuon thâ—ther by force on the same storme and by the 〈◊〉 of the sanguine water she saw the conclusion of a great battaile that was béetwixt the people of the saide two shippes likewise she sawe in the shippes that there was dead knights and heard the shrikes and 〈…〉 of Ladies and Damsels the which being heard by Claridiana she commaunded her ship to be grapled vnto those two where by she might be fullie certified what it should be and she found that there was a knight of a verie bigge bodie and well armed and in his companie other tenne which séemed to be his vassalls subiects that came in one of the two shippes and by force made a conquest of the other shippe slew diuers that came therin and toke prisoner the principal that was amongst them with a very faire damsell other thrée ladies that were in her companie whome they had in their armes for to put them into their owne shippe And these ladies séeing themselues to be carryed in that forcible sort began to giue great shrikes and cryes lamenting in such sort shedding manie teares that it moued the Princesse Claridiana vnto great compassion And as she would haue demanded of that bigge knight who séemed to be the chiefest amongst them what should be the occasion of that their great lamentation he straight waies came against her putting him to the shippes side and willed her to yelde her selfe prisoner soft said the we are not yet come vnto that but tell mée wherefore dost thou apprehend them as thy prisoners Then the great knight aunswered with great wrath and anger the mightie Cleonidas should séeme to haue great space leasure if that at euery ones demaund he should staye for to giue him an accompt wherefore he doth apprehend and take his pray Thou shalt vnderstand that I am a sea â—ouer and I neuer as yet met with shippe that I could ouercome but I did take it and dyd apprehend all that were therein and if they be Christians I doe sell them vnto the Pagans and make them slaues and if they be Pagans I doe sell them vnto the Christians make them likewise slaues so that I am friend to none of them both and in all the ports and hauens of the Mediterraneo sea they are in confederasie league and friendship with mée and doe suffer mée in great quietnesse to make sale and the best of my marchandise And I doe tell thée that I doe more exteme and haue in greater price this damsell which this daye I haue taken then any prise that euer I made in all the dayes of my life for that I hope to make a present of her vnto a mightie pagan Lord who will giue me for her all that euer I wil demaund And now séeing I haue told thée that which thou diddest request to know doe now out of hand that which is my pleasure for that the ritchnesse of thy armour and thy gentle disposition doth giue mée to vnderstande that thou wilt be vnto mée as precious a prisoner as euer came to mée since I vsed the sea You shal vnderstand that all was trueth which in this Historie hath bene declared for that this â—ouer was called Cleonidas and with great reason he tooke to himselfe this name for that he was no lesse a rouer then that famous Cleonidas which was in the time of king Tolomeo who did take the king and commaunded him to be glystred or boxed with bagges of scalding oyle for that he dyd the lyke vnto all such as he dyd take This was called the second Cleonidas he continued more then fiftene yéeres vpon the Seas and neuer went a land but tooke and robbed all that euer he met with all and vsed no other office but as afore is declared He went not alone with one shippe as he was at that present but alwaies had with him more then twentie that were verie good and fortified with all necessaries and people but by fortune of a great tempest they were scattered abroade and seperated the one from the other into diuers parts and his ship alone chaunced into that porte whereas he met with the other shippe and made his prise as before hath bene tolde vnto you Then Claridiana when she heard of the euill lyfe of this rouer and how without all shame he did boast and aduance him selfe of his ill doing she was very glad and ioyfull for that it was her fortune to come thether at that time and drawing out her sword she sayde these words following CALL to remembraunce Cleonides that an other of thy name and aunswerable vnto thy conditions who had a greater power at the Sea then thou hast with a cruell and desperate death he receiued his paiment a lande for all his euill déedes done likewise that Dionides who was also a rouer in the Leuant seas of great power in the time of Alexander and Darius yet in the ende was taken prisoner and punished for his euill deedes by Alexander Also Eâ—tilcon was a famous rouer yet was he taken and put to death by king Demetrius But
dyd ioyne in battaile with vs and hauing slaine the most part of those that came with vs this knight béeing so sore oppressed with them in the end was taken prisoner with mée and these women that came with mée according as you Sir knight dyd finde vs. This is all that I can declare for aunswere vnto your demaund and the occasion wherefore wée departed out of our Countrie The Empresse Claridiana reioyced verie much at the good discourse of the damsell and meruailed not a little of that which she heard told of the caue of Artidon and as one that desired no other thing to the intent she might bée fullie certefied of her knight shée requested the Ladie once agayne to certefie her of that caue and to giue her to vnderstande what is the reason that they that entered in shoulde knowe all that they demaunded Then Elisea for so the Damsell was called who knew verie well the whole aduenture of that caue declared it vnto her peticularlie in such order as it was and passed saying that the sayde Artidon was thâ— wisest that was in all his time and hetherto could neuer bée found the like he did inchaunt that caue in such sort that all persons may knowe what they will desire and this was of a verie truth for that shée hath béene certefied by them that haue béene at the same place and there made the proofe When that Claridiana vnderstoode verie well the aduenture of the caue she straight waies had a great desire to goe thether as well to sée a thing of so greate meruaile as also for that it séemed that by that meanes she might come vnto the knowledge of that she desired so much to knowe of the knight of the Sunne And so she said vnto the damsell and vnto the knight that she would goe and beare them companie onelie for to sée that meruailous caue of Artidon wherat they were verie gladde and ioyfull thinking their iourney to bée made with more securitie And therewith they all went a shoare together and beganne to trauayle by lande and passing by the skirt of the kingdome of Balachia they entered into Russia and trauailing towardes the caue of Artidon the Hystorie doeth leaue them for to tell you of the Pagans that in all this time were mustering and gathering together of their people for to goe towards Grecia How the great and mightie armie of the Emperour Alicandro were ioyned together in the port of Tenedon and of diuerse varieties of people that there were ioyned to go into Grecia Chap. 17. IN all this time was not idle the great and mightie Emperour Alycandro for that after he had concluded vpon the voâ—age into Grecia he made so great spéed in the ioyning and gathering together of his people that in a short time all his Captaines had in a readinesse what hée shoulde haue on his charge Likewise such kinges as were his subiectes hauing the charge for to ioyne and gather together in their kingdomes all the people that possible they coulde so that they obserued the time appointed and met in the kingdome of Phrigia whereas is the great and mightie Port of Tenedon The number of people were infinit that were therâ— ioyned together of diuerse nations so contrarie the one to the other that it séemed all the people in the whole world to be there assembled and if euerie Nation had not ben diuided and separated the one from the other in verie good order they should not the one haue vnderstoode the other which would haue bene the occasion of a great confusion amongest them by reason of the diuerâ—â—tie of their spéeches And for that the wise Lyrgandeo would declare some of the Nations that were héere met in this mightie armie which was the greatest that euer was made in all the world as he that knew it verie wel he hath named some of them in this Hystorie and faith that there came first thether the Emperour Alycandro King Lorde ouer theÌ„ all who brought with him fiftie thousand knights of Tartaria and thirtie thousand knightes of the Scitâ—s and twentie thousand of the Orientall Indias he brought in his companie the faire Princesse Lyndabrides for to crowne her Empresse of Grecia who came with no small contentment for that it séemed vnto her by that order shée might with great facilitie haue in her companie the knight of the Sunne There came also the mightie and worthie Gyant Bradaman Campeon Lord of the Orientall Ilandes who brought in his companie that most valiant and proud youth Bramarant with two thousand of his Gyants all mounted vpon Elephants for that in those Countries they doe vse them for their necessities as in other places they doe horses Also the king of Seras with twentie thousand on horseback all warlike people and gallant souldiers Also the Prince of Cambray and in his companie other fâ—ue kings of the Medias with an infinite number of people Also the King of the Palibotos who as it is affirmed by many authors and writers that at all times when he pleaseth he bringeth into the field one hundred thousand foote men of warre and thirtie thousand on horsebacke eight thousand Elephants Also the stout Rodaran king of Arabia and with him the Quéene Carmania with each of them fiue thousand knights Thether came the king of Media the king of the Paâ—tos the king of the Arrianos the king of the Sandaros the king of the Pariâ—anos the king of the Bastros the king of the Sugianos the king of the Suspios the king of the Masagetas the king of the Corsitas the king of the Paristeos the king of the Rifaces y â— king of y â— Mardos Also the king of Arcania the king of Yuoria the king of Armenia and all the Nations of the riuer â—anges and of the mount Tauro Also the king of Trapabona and the king of Aegypt and the king of Aethiopia and the Prince of Candoria and the olde king of Gedrosia onelie for to sée himselfe reuenged on the Emperour Alycandio who did not estéeme but set at naught his counsaile and also of Bramarant who slew the good knight Graco his sonne To conclude there came these many other nations mâ— which he let passe for to auold â—ediousnessâ— but yet one thing in all this great armie is as greatly to be lamented as noted and that is y â— being there ioyned together more than the third part of all the world yet was there not amongst so many thousands of people not one that dyd beléeue in God nor obserued his lawes for that they were all Gentiles some worshipped Estatuas other some the stars and there were many amongst them that did worship verie foule beasts and for their principall Gods Oxen and dogs a very lamentable thing yet God did permit suffer it for the great and abhominable sinnes of man Thus when that all these people were in a readinesse the great Nauie wherein they shoulde be imbarked was assembled altogether
that they would be the first that should enter into the battaile So he that came the formost of the Gréekes was that good knight Rosicleer and next vnto him the stoute Oristedes with the good king Sacridoro with them twentie thousande of Greeke knights who vpon a sodaine did set vpon a great bushment of Pagans that tooke the fore frunt of the host in the which was more then fortie thousaÌ„d knights of the Seras of y â— Medos who had for their captains y â— king of Seras the king of the Medos both of the which were young men and verie valiant knightes and in their companie came Bradaman and Bramarant in the foreward the one mounted vpon his Elephant and the other vpon his mightie horse and either of them a speare in his hand so great that it séemed the mast of a ship who pricked before their company and made great hast towards the Gréekes Then came there forth to receue them Rosicleer and his good companions in such sort that he made his encounter with Bramarant and the good Troyan with the king Sacridoro made their encounter with Bradaman so that all fiue together made so strong mightie an encounter that the noise thereof made a terrible sound throughout all those broade and wide fields as though some thunder bolt had fallen when their Speares were broken they remaining all firme in their saddles passed the one by the other forwards neuer staied till they put themselues in the â—ace of their enimies and with so great fuâ—ie they entered amongst them that they couered the fields with dead knights and the dust that arose into the aire did câ—uer all the whole hoste that they could scarce sée one another and the horse ran masterlesse about the field which was a show how manie they had ouerthrowne 〈◊〉 that their first entrie At this time those two furyous Pagans being somewhat wery in killing of their aduersaries retourned back to séeke out them who had iusted with them and they sawe them in the midest of their aduersaries enymies all to berayed with bloud kylling and ouerthrowing all that they could méete with all and when they came nighe vnto them Bramarant went against Rosicleer and Bradaman against his two companions so that betwixt them there began such a battaile that many y â— were there dyd leaue of their fighting onely to behold them for that their blowes which they did strike did make them all to wonder and there was no man that did behold them but receiued great feare dread Here in this conflict might be séene how necessarie is the armour vnto good knights such as are made and forged by maisters of Arte Magicke for if they were not forged with their compositions subiections according vnto Arte then were the best knightes in all the worlde as readie and as subiect to be clouen in y â— middest vnto their wasts by y â— terrible blowes of these monsters as any other simple wretch and feble person for whan their armour is not good many times in the breaking they loose an arme and some other ioynt or receiue some great wound whan that at all times at their néede they shall not finde a Surgeon â—o cure heale them Therefore such as were good knights in those dayes and desired to put themselues in mightie perills dangers did more procure to get their armour made by arte then to get a kingedome and in this sort they did defend themselues the one from the other assuring their owne persons in such sort that all the condition of their battailes did depend in their great force and stregth and in him that most mightely and worthely with dexteritie did strike and deliuer his blowes So that in this conflict although the blowes of Bramarant were wonderfull and terrible yet dyd Rosicleer receiue abide them on the finenesse of his armour which were of the best that was in all the whole world likewise in the valiantnesse of his courage which was not onely for to make resistance against that furious Pagan but also he did so furiously and so strongly charge him with his blowes that many times he made him astonied and to sweat drops of bloud for that of trueth Bramarant thought before hée made a profe of this knight that in all the heauens and vppon the earth there was not to be found one that durst abyde his importunate furie wherewith he receiued so great courage and anger that with an infernall stomacke he redoubled his blowes against the strong worthie Rosicleer in such sort that his owne flesh and bones dyd ake it séemed that the other was all on fyer with the great quantitie of sparkes that he made flie out of his fine forged armor Likewise was no lesse rigorous the braue stout battaile the which Bradaman Campion had with the two valiant knights for that the Gran Campion next vnto his sonne Bramarant was the most mightiest and strongest that was in all the whole Orient whome the stout Troyan and the valiant King Sacridoro together dyd so stronglie charge with their blowes that it could not be better executed iâ— that he hadde bene assauted by the two worthie Troyans Hector and Troylus In this sort was these two so stoute captains matched with their contraries the other knights and souldiers did all that euer they could for to driue theyr enimies out of the field but by reason that on the Pagans part there was that stout and valiant knight Rodaran the King of Media and the King of Seras and on the contrarie part there was none for to make resistance vnto those they made great slaughter vpon the Gréekes by reason whereof as also for that there were twise so many of the Pagans as they were they began to retyre to lose ground the which being perceiued by the Emperour Trebatio he would not detaine himselfe any longer in the Citie but taking in his companie those high and mightie Princes the king Florion and Brandizel his sonne the Tartarian Zoylo Bargandel Liriamendro with Don Lucindo other mightie princes and knights the most principal of all his court he issued out of the citie and had with him thirtie thousand knights verie good and chosen men and so entred into y â— battaile with great furie deuiding themselues into two parts that what with killing wounding and slaying they oppressed so much their enimies that they forced the Pagans to retyre into their trenches whereas the Gréekes in following of them ouerthrew many tents but straight waies ther came forth against them more then fiftie thousande Pagans with valiant and stout captaines made their encounter with the other that came vppon them a fresh in such sorte that the battaile was renewed and waxed verie bloudie Here was to be séene y â— great meruailes done by the Emperour Trebatio in distroying and killing all that was before him for some he cut a sunder in the middest and other their
armes and other their heads in such sort that who soeuer had sene him with that impetious furie they could not haue iudged him but to be either his sonne Rosicleer or y â— knight of the Sunne and in his mightie déedes he did demonstrate that there was not a Christian prince that with more reason did deserue to beare the name to be father of so excelent sonnes He did not content himselfe to kil destroy meane knights but did séeke out the principall captaines knowing them by the richnesse of their armour he would assalt them making rekoning that in ouercomming them he ouerlayed the whole state and force of the battaile and there with he met with the king of the Seras and knowing him by a riche crowne of Gold and precious stones which he had vpon his helme he tooke a speare from one of his knights and ranne at him therewith making his encounter in the middest of his brest that the speare pearsed through his bodie and he fell dead to the ground this being done he made an other encounter against the king of the Balibotros who receiued little benefit of his thirtie thousand knights and eight thousand Elephants which he brought out of his countrie for that at one thrust with a speare his heart was clouen a sunder and the head appeared all bloudie at his backe and he tumbled to the ground likewise with another blowâ— with his sword he cloue the head of another king of the Nidias which had his healme more furnished with golde and precious stones than of strength In this sort he passed into the battaile doing such meruailes that whereas he passed they all made him roome and gaue waie Then the Emperour Alicandâ—o who saw all that passed from his triumphant Chariot sayd vnto many kings that were with him Without all doubt this is the knight of the Sun and new come into the battaile and of truth his power is verie great and he would giue â—s the repulse if there were not so infinit a number of knights in this my armie to make resistaunce Tarrie a while sayd the olde king of Gedrosia for that is not the knight of the Sun as you do saie but it is the Emperour Trebatio his Father who when that he himselfe in the middest betwixt his sonnes and accompanied with that bushments of knights which now are with him he wil not feare all the whole world if they were all together against him At this time who so had séene the great slaughter which that valiant Florion his sonne Brandizel did as also the Prince Clauerindo with the Tartarian Zoylo and all the other precious and worthie knights surely they would haue saide that by experience of the great slaughter which they did they had ben sufficient to haue destroied a great armie that although the Pagans were almost twice so many as they were yet by their occasioÌ„ they lost continually ground and if there had not béene amongst them one Bradaman and one Bramarant that did incourage them they shoulde haue had inough to doe to haue defended themselues from them with whom they were so earnest in battaile withal for that it was good two houres since they first began fight and at that time there was no more aduantage to be knowen than at their first beginning at the which these braue Pagans were so furious that it séemed that they threw out smoake from the beauers of their healmes and béeing verie desirous to satisfie their hungrie wrath with the bloud of the others Bramarant dyd leaue Rosicleer with whome he dyd combat and like a diuell of hell hée put himselfe into the battaile destroying and killing all that euer hee met with so that before him hée made a broade lane and sayd within himselfe that Rosicleer was verie valiant and strong and could not beléeue that the knight of the Sunne had so much strength but yet if that he might haue him in place whereas they might haue more roome and time for to finish their combat hée would be wholie reuenged of him according vnto his will and desire Likewise at that time Bradaman his Father with his sword in both his hands stroke so strong a blow at the good Troyan vpon his helme that béeing all amazed and from himselfe his horse carried him round about the field and turning himselfe about hée stroke another blow at the king Sacridoro that hée fell backwardes vpon his horse crouper and had fallen to the ground if that he had not béene succoured by the Gréekes and without making anie more account of them hée put himselfe into the battaile after his sonne and béeing both together they made so great slaughter that all did flie from that part whereas they went It dyd not much grieue Rosicleer nor his companions to sée themselues separated from those diuells yet with great furie they put themselues into the battaile killing and ouerthrowing all that euer came into their waie in such sorte that it went euill with a great number for that they were separated from the battaile which they had with those stout Pagans At this time the Emperour Trebatio met with that strong knight Rodaran king of Arabia and knowing him by the deuice of his armour with great anger that hée had against him for the treason hée vsed hée made towardes him and for that Rodaran was one of the valiantest Pagans that was in all the whole armie it was the occasion that betwixt them there began a stout and braue battaile that many had inough to doe to behold them and the rest of the daie was almost spent before that they were parted asunder and for because there were at that present in the battayle few principall Knightes in parte of the Pagans and on the Emperour Trebatio his side there were a great number and it séemed vnto the Pagans that the Gréekes got much ground on them The Emperour Alâ—candro straight waies commaunded the two thousand Gyantes of Bradaman for to enter into the battaile who obeied his commandement with so great impetuositie and furie that many of their aduersaries they â—â—ew and ouerthrew vnto the ground At this present were to be séene the great meruailes done by Rosicleer and by all the other worthie Princes and knightes who being ioyned together with the number of one thousand of their knightes did put themselues to make resistance against all those Gyants and with their strong and worthy armes did resist that impetuous companie who were sufficient to put them all to flight Héere did the stout Oristedes verie well shew his manhoode and the valiant worthie Clauerindo the Tartarian Zoilo and the king Sacridoro the Prince Don Lucindo Liriamandro Bargandel the king Alamades Rodamarte Rodafeo euerie one of these did so much that the reader thereof may coniecture of their great bountie but yet in the end by reason that the Pagans were double as many as they and againe those two diuells the Father and the sonne against whom
would haue entered thereinto especiallie the kings and Gyants that were there present who had a great desire for to shew themselues Thus this challenge being concluded amongst them it was consented to send for messenger vnto the Emperour Trebatio the king of the Gandaros a young a valiant knight who at the commaundement of the Emperour Alycandro straight waies departed being verie richlie armed with a crowne of golde vpon his head in token that he was a king When that he came vnto y â— trenches of the Christians saying that hée was a messenger they dyd let him passe till hée entered into the mightie Citie and then was carried vnto the royall Pallace whereas hée alighted from his horse and leauing him with a page that came with him he mounted into the great hall whereas he found the Emperour accoÌ„panied with all his Princes noble men valiant knights in great counsaile for to giue battaile vnto the Pagans but when the Pagan king entered they all held their peace tarried to sée what was his demand who without doing any reuerence said THou shalt vnderstand Emperour Trebatio that I am a messenger of the diuine and consecrated Emperour Alicandro Lord of the mightie Asia who doth send me vnto thée to giue thée to vnderstand that certaine knights of his camp being verie desirous to proâ—ie their strengthes with thy knights hath ordained a challenge and to be vsed ordained in this sort that the gran Campeon Lord of the Oriental Ilands his sonne Bramarant doth challenge eight knights of the principallest and stoutest that are to be found in all thy hoast and they two wil maintaine the battaile against them all likewise our precious and most renowmed Prince Meridian and the stout Brandimardo and Rodaran king of Arabia with the king of Media and the mightie Zoroastes king of Traprobana doe challenge as many more of thy knights as they be to come forth and battaile with them Al these doe â—aie that to morrow being past they will prâ—sent themselues in the middest of this great field with their â—orses and armour and abide the comming of those that will come forth against them and the Emperour my Lord saith for that all people with their ease at their wils may behold what shal passe in this battaile he concludeth a truce for two daies in the which time all such of our campe as are disposed without armour may fréelie enter into the Citie those of thy part likewise in the same order may enter into our trenches This is the effect of the message that I do bring therefore giue me answere what thou doest pretend héeren also these thy knights to answere me vnto the challenge The Emperour who verie well vnderstoode the greaâ—e pride of the Pagans at the request of them all answered as followeth Of truth King the power of these two Pagans Bradaman and Bramarant is verie great but yet their pride is much more as it séemeth vnto mee for that they are not content to challenge other two knightes but will that they be eight it doth well appeare that although they haue proued the force and strength of some of these knights yet doe they not knowe the valiantnesse of their hearts Thou shalt returne vnto the Emperour thy Lord and declare vnto him and vnto them that sent thée hether that I haue heard thy Embassage and the answere of these knightes is that to morrow at their houre appointed they shall finde vs armed in the field no more but one to one as is the vse and custome amongest vs and this vauntage which they doe offer vnto vs wée doe release and pardon them of the same and giue them thankes and in all things touching the truce let it bée done as he wil command it for I shal receiue great contentment therein With this answere the king would haue departed but first he desired to know the names of those knights y â— would go out vnto the battaile and called to haue a sight of them and for that there was no agréement who they should bée many of the most valiantest that were in the hall arose vp and offered themselues vnto the battaile amongest them was Rosicleer the strong Oristedes the prince Clauerindo the king Sacridoro the Tartarian Zoilo the king Florion y â— Prince Brandizel his sonne the Emperour Tâ—ebatio in person the worthy knight Flamides the two vâ—liant knights of Spaine Don Claros Arcalus the Prince Don Siluerio and the Princes Bargandel Liriamandro 〈◊〉 Rodamarte euerie one of these requested the Emperouâ— to 〈…〉 thâ—m vnto the battaile who séeing that they were so many and so worthie it séemed vnto him that it should be a great deâ—asing of their honours to choose some leaue other some which caused him to ordaine the matter in such sorte that none should remaine discontent Wherevpon he sayd vnto the Pagan king that forsomuch as there were so manie stout and valiant knightes in their armies that they should let the battaile of challenge â—efiance be fiftéene to fiftéene then shall it be better and the more to bée looked on Then the Pagan king said that he wâ—uld returne with that message vnto the Emperor his Lord and before night he would bring him answere thereof taking in writing the names of the fiftéene knightes he departed out of the Citie and returned vnto his campe and finding the Emperour in his tent accompanied with his nobles in the presence of them all did declare the answere that he brought the which was straight waies accepted of them all sauing of Bramarant who knowing that there should come forth against him but one alone knight he refused to be in that battaile and sayde Let not the Gods permit that I go forth vnto the challenge against one alone knight into the field for that the victorie that should growe thereby should be more vnto his shame than to his honour But when that excellent vâ—liant and couragious knight Meridian heard him saie so he could not 〈◊〉 himselfe but to saie Of truth Bramarant others as good as thou art hath gone forth and doe goe forth vnto the battaile one for one and it doth well appeare that thou hast not experimented the force and strength of the Gréekes for if 〈◊〉 didâ—est knowe them so well as â— thy greate pride would 〈◊〉 be so great 〈…〉 to the which likewise sayd the stout 〈…〉 there is one that I know and preued my selfe with him 〈◊〉 thou didest enter with him into battaile before two horses were finished hee woulde make thee to sweate droppes of bloud and to loose the most part of thy brâ—uerie At whose wordes this brâ—ue Pagan receiued so greate ire and wrath that 〈◊〉 of fire seemed to flie out at his eyes and many times he was moued to buckle with them but considering the presence of the Emperour with whom he had great friendship and againe for that he was vnarmed fearing the great number that would ouercharge him he refrained
himselfe and kept his furious wrath in his heart for to reuenge y â— same when that time would serue And although that many that were there had great dread to sée Bramarant so furious and angrie for his eyes lightened like burning torches yet the two valiant and worthie knights Meridian and Brandimardo made no rekoning thereof for that either of them were of as valiant a courage as he and as stoute Then straight waies ther arose vp many other knights that would be in the battaile fiftene to fiftene amongst all at the request of the Emperour although his will was to the contrarie was the gran Campion and the two worthie princes Meridian and Branbimaâ—do and the stout Rodaran the king of Media Zoroastes king of Taprobana the prince of Cambray the king of the Gandaros that was the messenger and the prince of Aegipt all these were verie stout valiant knights and for to make vp the number of fiftene the Emperour commaunded that sixe of the most strongest giants that were to be found in all the whole armie should goe with them they were all bretheren and Lords of the Ilandes Diamantinas and are so called because there are found in them more Diamonds then in any other part of all the whole worlde they were all sonnes vnto the gran Thition the most famous giant that was in all Asia and for the great friendship that their father hadde with the Emperour they came for to serue him in those warres with a great number of their owne knights When that it was fully ordained and concluded who should goe forth in this challenge the king of the Gandaros straight waies departed and went to carie the aunswere vnto the Emperor Trebatio whereas the Historie doth leaue them till time serueth for to tell you of the faire Empresse Claridiana who went in the demaund of the caue of the wise Artidon ¶ How the Empresse Claridiana came vnto the caue of Artidon and what happened there Chap. 27. WIth great desire to come vnto the Caue of Artidon trauiled the royall Empresse Claridiana through the mightie kingdome of Russia in the companie of Elizea and her knight thinking the time verie long till she came thether for to know the trueth of that which had brought her into so great care and heauinesse the Caâ—e was greatly mencioned in all those parts and by reason of the great hast that they made within few daies after that they had entred into the kingdome of Russia they attained to the caue but when they came vnto the entrie thereof they were greatly amazed to sée the wonderfull fire that came foorth thereat which séemed to be some infernall thing But when they had read those letters and vnderstoode the propertie of the fire they straight waies entred in thereat but gaue the preheminence of the first entrie vnto the royall Empresse so after that they had passed the narrow lane they came into a faire great court whereas they were strangely amazed as wel at the greatnesse the which séemed to be in that great work as also at the mightie force which the bull séemed to show being fastned vnto the piller who in that order as they saw him began to giue such terrible and wonderfull brayings that all that mightie worke séemed to shake thereat And if it had not bene for the Princes who dyd animate and comfort them Elizea and her knight had retourned backe againe with the great feare the which they receiued after a while that they had beholden the great fiercenesse of the Bull sodainly 〈◊〉 their eyes aside vpon an other wal almost right against the same the which was vnder the gallerie of the pallace they saw grauen in the same verie naturallie the whole historie of the mightie and perillous battailes there done by Rosicleer and of all that had happened vnto him in that Caue the which being well vnderstoode by the roâ—all Princes and greatly wondered at those worthie actes not without shedding of a few teares which trickled downe her rubicall chéekes sayde Oh high and happie Emperour â—rebatio in how much art thou bound vnto God that out of thy noble loynes hath come foorth those that hath â—â—lled all the whole worlde with the fame of their wonderfull and immortall déedes Oh that my destinie would permit and my fortune be so fauourable that our blouds might ioyne together that some part of those worthie deeds of thy posteritie might be allotted in mée Therefore come that come will for that I cannot perswade with my selfe that from the descent of so cléere and worthie a stock may be comprehended so blind a iudgement but that they doe vnderstand the great valour of my desert And in saying these words she went forwardes and Elizea and her knight followed her and went all to gether vp the staires into the gallâ—â—â—es whereas a new they began to meruale at the strangenesse of that worke as also at the delightfull gardaines and orchards which they sawe out at certaine windowes after a while that they had well perused the same they proceded forwards with the great desire which the Pâ—inces Claridiana had to sée her selfe with the wise man she neuer rested till she came vnto the dores of shining 〈◊〉 that were shutte which was the entrie into the inchaunted hall but so soone as she had layd hand on them for to open them they straight waies opened of themselues with so great a noyse that all mightie woorke séemed as though it woulde haue sonke when the royall Princes entred in thereat whereas she saw the high and rich throne and thereon the wise Artidon with his breast all open shewing forth his heart which was a verie pitifull and lamentable thing to behold at which time there chaunced a great meruaile â—â—e which was neuer séene béefore but at suche time as Rosicleer entred into that inchaunted quadran and it was that when the royall Princes béeganne to enter in at the hall doores there began so swéete and peaceable Musicke that it rauished all the hearers of their sences and they semed as though they had bene transported into an other world and Elizea and her knights who were without at the swéete melodie thereof were likewise rauished and it séemed vnto them to be some celestiall noyse they would not presume to enter into that inchaunted hall till such time as the princes came forth for that they might haue space for to aske and know that which was their desire After that the princes had a while beholden the great wonders and straunge things of that inchaunted quadran she straight waies conceiued that the swéete Musicke was made which was the occasion that from that time she had a better hope then she had before of a good resolution of that she so long desired for wheras with such Musicke she was receiued she hoped her answere at her departing forth could not be but verie good So with the great desire she hadde to talke with the wise Artidon after
a little while that she had there staied she mounted vp the siluer staires y â— carryed her vnto the throne whereas shaking with all parts of her bodie for the sorowfull or heauie newes which she looked to receiue she plast her selfe before the wise man who being in obedience of her soueraigne maiestie did somewhat decline his head whereat the princes receiued great admiration then she humbling her selfe vnto him saide these words following MOst mightie and famous Artidon the high fame of thy great wonderfull meruailes hath brought mée into these strange countries so farre of from mine and if it doe so fall out that I carrie from hence no more then I haue brought yet shall I think my trauaile well bestowed and my selfe verie well rewarded in that I haue séene and vnderstood thy great wisedome for as Plato the Philosopher saith for to sée and know a wise man a man ought for to trauaile throughout all the whole world which was the occasion that many times he passed from Athens vnto Sicilia for to sée his friend the wise and prudent Focion Apolonio Thianeo departed from Rome and trauailed through all Asia sayled through the Riuer Nilus sustained the cold of the mount Caucasus suffered the great heat of the mountaine Rifeos and crossed ouer the whole countries of the Masagetas till such time as he entred into the great India and all this trauaile and pilgrimage was for to see and communicate with the famous wise 〈◊〉 How much more would those haue passed greater trauailes for to haue séene those his meruailous workes if that in their daies and times they science and great wisedome had bene manifest I cannot say that this is the onely cause of my comming for to see thée as it is manifest vnto thee yet I doe say that if there were no other occasion this should bee sufficient for to come and see thée The great care which hath ben the occasion of my comming hether although I doe beléeue that thou doest know it yet will I declare it vnto thée for that he that loued so faithfully and firmely in his time will not meruaile at any force whatsoeuer it be that loue doth vpon humaine hearts I loue the knight of the Sunne aboue all other things in this world so that if my fortune and euill destenie doe permit that he take an other to be his wife I desire to know the trueth thereof for that I may remember my selfe take order what is best to be done It hath bene told mée that he is made sure vnto the princesse Lindabrides and that he loued her with all his heart therefore for that there is nothing hid from thée I doe desire thée for to tell mée if it be true and put me out of all doubt for whatsoeuer that thou shalt tell mée I shall beléeue it to be true and conformable therevnto I wil take order with my selfe what is best to be done This being saide the royall princes held her peace abyding the answere which should be pronounced by the wise man who as then opened his eyes which before were shut and saide as followeth OF trueth soueraigne Lady and Empresse for that your highnesse doth verie well employ the great trauâ—ile the which you haue passed in this your long iourney onely for the sight of those my workes much more may I thinke these my trauailes better imployed the which I had in making of them I being now gratified with so high a reward in that you are come for to sée them And I doe not meruaile that loue hath had so great power for to ouercome your highnesse for that alwaies against the most highest most worthiest of courage there doth he vse the greatest force but in especiall with the knight of the Sunne for that his fortune and destinie doth promise him vnto you as vnto her that in all the whole world doth best deserue him and for you alone is he kept and defended And touching the trueth of this which you haue demaunded of mée I tell you that the knight of the Sunne was neuer made sure vnto the princesse Lindabrides neither hath he hadde any more to doe with her then he hath had with you although the great and mightie Emperour Alicandro her father dyd giue her to him for wife and left vnto him his high mightie Empire of Tartaria with an infinite number of other kingedomes with the which he should be made the mightiest prince and lord in all the whole world And for that he would not receiue her and all the rest cleane contrarie vnto his will secretly in the night he departed and left the gran Cataia almost distract of their wits with great desire for to enioye the sight of your soueraigntie the which time he thought long and after he came to Constantinople and had that rigorous battaile with you the which contencion was so cruell vnto him after that he knew you that desperate and wearie of his life he would goe seeke his death to cléere himselfe out of this worlde So he departed out of Constantinople and went into the wildernesse of Grecia whereas he had battaile with one of the most valiantest and stoutest Pagans that was in all the Paganisme and yet in all that rigorous battaile he would neuer strike him with his sworde for that he hadde smitten you with the same And from thence he departed and went to sea whereas by a rough great tempest he was driuen vnto the Iland of the diuelish Fauno where as one desirous to dye and receiue the death he went a shore and had a meruailous battaile with two legious of infernall diuels and afterward with the diuelish Fauno wherein happened verie strange things as is apparant if you please to goe thether to sée where you shall finde him all alone without anie other companie more then his horse neither is there in all the Iland any other beast or foule There doth he leade and passe the most sharpest and asperest life that euer was holden by man with desire there to ende his dayes and neuer more to retourne and weare armour All this he doth for your occasion and you are in a great fault before God if you doe not finde remedie in the recouering of him againe for that by your occasion there doth languish and dye the best and worthiest knight in all the whole world and one that doth loue you better then any thing therein therefore it doth accomplish your highnesse out of hand to goe and sée him for it is so that if your succour doe stay long it may so fall out that after he shall haue no néede thereof for that at this present his life is in great perill In concluding of these words the wise Artidon closed his eyes againe did put himselfe as he was before without aunswering or speaking any word leauing the royall princes one way with so great ioy and pleasure that she almost knew not her selfe her comfort was so great
neither was there any prince in all the whole world that had the like the sight whereof dyd so trouble and amaze her that she was in 〈◊〉 dumpe with great meruaile knew not what to saye neither whether she should reioyce or be sorowfull for that one way she saw plainely that to be the Ilande whereas the knight of the Sunne ariued and an other waye those tokens with the wonderfull things which she hadde heard of that diuelish Fauno did put her in great feare that he was slaine and it séemed vnto her a thing impossible that any humaine creature could bring in subiection so diuelish and misshapen a beast Being in this thought for feare and griefe of the worst she shed so manie teares that they ranne trickling downe her faire chéekes that she was all to be bathed in them so after a while that she had bene there she mounted againe vpon her horse and went forewards but she had not gone farre from that place when as she saw the good horse Cornerino who was loose anâ— at his libertie in the fielde who like a wilde beast came running towardes her like vnto a whirle winde leaping and frisking in the ayre and neighed as though he receiued great ioye and comfort at the companie of the other horse as one that manie dayes before had bene there all alone but when the Princes sawe him and knew him verie well she thought verilie that her heart would haue burst with sorrow where with her eyes burst out with teares and hauing no power to speake one word she sayde with in her selfe Oh good horse how is it that thy maister hath left thy companie surely it cannot be well with him séeing that he hath left thée for thou art so good a péece that thou art to be estéemed of all the Princâ—â— in the world and neither thy maister nor thy selfe doth â—eserue to dwell in deserts But alas what shall I saye I am she that hath bone the occasion of all this and I beséech the soueraigne creator of all the worlde that it fall not out that I am the occasion of his death for if it be so that I haue ben y â— author and chiefe instrument of his death I will also with these my handes be reuenged on my selfe with cruell death and neuer depart from out of this Ilande but make it my sepulture for that one countrie shall possesse the bones of vs bothe so shall we remaine in death together although that cruell Fortune and my euill destinies would not permit and suffer that in our liues we could enioye the one the other In saying these words to her selfe the Princes procured for to take the horse somewhat for to comfort her selfe with his companie for that the knight of the Sunne manie times dyd ryde him but by no meanes she could not doe it for that the horse was fierce and couragious and would not suffer himselfe to be taken of anie other but of his maister the knight of the Sunne whome he dyd visit manie times and fedde diuerse and sundrie times before him in the place whereas he abode This séeing the royall Princes all to be bathed with teares which for her knights sake she shedde passed forwards on her determined iourney but she hadde not trauailed farre when as she came vnto the craggie and hard Rocke that he hadde so cutte and sheuered to péeces but yet such was his force and strength of his arme and the goodnesse of his sworde and vppon the toppe of the same shee sawe where hunge the rich sword of the knight of the Sunne with the scabbard and the hangers which were wrought and embrodered with gold and set with precious stones and knowing it verie well she was at that present more astonied amazed then she was before and comming nigh vnto it she reade that which was written in a plaine place of the same stone but when she had well understoode the effect thereof it cannot be rehearsed what she felt at that time at her heart considering of â—hrée strange meruailous things that was represented there of the knight of the Sunne The one the great loyaltie and reuerence that he had vnto her insomuch that he had stroke her with his swoord yet in the time of that great necessitie he left the same because he would not defile it with any other bloud An other in the great and soueraigne force and courage which he had for to goe fight with that diuelish Fauno without any sword The third in the great and incredible strength which he had for to cut and cleane that cragged and hard Rock sheuering of such greate péeces as verie plainely it might be séene that euerie sheuer was a blow with the sword all the which béeing by her considered the great ioy and pleasure which she should receiue in acknowledging the great loyaltie of her knight was tourned into great anguish and griefe in seing the rewarde he receiued at her hands in recompence of the great loue fidelitie he had borne vnto her And the more greater his wonderfull and excelent déedes séemed to be so much more she waxed penitent and repented her selfe and with so great griefe that it séemâ—d her soule would depart her bodie she saide as followeth OH my verie good friend if you be a liue how dare I presume to come into your presence that in recompence of so great fidelitie and loue which your déedes doe make manifest you had vnto mée and I to haue showed my selfe so cruell and contrarie vnto you And if it be so that you be departed this world what reuenge may I take of my selfe to make it equall vnto the great errour which I haue committed of trueth no other but with this thy sword I will open my entrailes and take out myne owne heart that ioyntly it may remaine in this solitarie and vnfortunate Iland as a signe and token of thy great fidelitie and faithfull good will vnto mée and contrariewise my great crueltie towards thy guiltlesse person and yet this wilbâ— but a small reuenge for so great an euill committed for the death of so high and eâ—cellent a Prince cannot be reuenged by my death In saying these words and other more of great dolour griefe and in shedding great abundance of teares she ouerwept her selfe and was verie desirous to proceede forwards to knowe what was become of the knight of the Sunne leauing the sworde hanging whereas shee found it shée departed from thence and as she trauailed for a great space with a sodaine feare that came ouer her heart in such sorte that all her members shaked that shée coulde not almost go forwardes still misdoubting the successe of the knight of the Sunne Then after a while hauing not trauailed the full quantitie of a mile a great waie before shée came whereas the Fauno was slaine shée sawe from a farre off the great bulke of the monstrous and mis-shapen bodie which seemed to be a great house ouerthrowen
and beare you companie and will not departe from hence till that death doth conclude and make an ende of one of vs or both together The Knight of the Sunne was greatlie amazed as well at the gentle disposition of the Princesse as also at the great bountie and curtesie which shée offered vnto him and beléeued verilie as well in the riches of his armour as in all other thinges that hée shoulde bée some knight of highe estate and beeing verie desirous to gratifie his wordes hée sayde Sir Knight I doe giue you great thankes for this your curtesie and great good will which you doe offer vnto mée and I woulde if it were Gods will that my fortune might bée such that I were able to doe you anie seruice or pleasure but my fortune hath béene so contrarie and my euyll destinie hath brought me vnto this estate that I cannot affoorde my selfe to leade anie other lyfe than this which I doe now leade neither haue I remaining in mée so much power and libertie for to accomplish anie thing of this which you haue spoken vnto mée off for that according vnto the greate fire wherewith I am tormented I haue not anie more hope of my life neither haue I anie more certaine continuance than the flame that in hast consumeth a candle and he that hath his end so nigh at hande to what purpose I praie you should he goe and séeke his owne naturall Countrie for to die there for that it is death to leaue both both the one other and as wise men haue sayde That vnto man there is no Countrie proper but all the whole world is a common Inne touching this misâ—rable life and for that Grecia is my naturall Countrie in no part in all the world can the death be more grieuous vnto mée than there the lamentations of my parents the teares and wéepings of my brethren the complaints of my friends the cryings of my subiects all the which will be an occasion to me of greater torment and the griefe much more greater vnto them so that for to excuse all this I am determined to die there whereas nothing else but my sorrowful death shall be grieuous vnto me and there whereas I shall alwaies haue it in memorie and now séeing that my fortune will not suffer nor consent to anie other remedie I do most heartely desire you gentle knight to returne againe vnto the sea vnto your owne companie from whence you came and let mée remaine héere alone in this Iland and although it be solitarie yet am I accompanied with so many sorrowes griefes and tormentes that I haue no néede of anie other companie Héere the Princesse could not choose but féele at her hart verie grieuous the wordes of her knight but of his greate fidelitie she was verie glad and ioyfull and had great pittie of his sorrow and griefe and willing to proceede in farther talke with him she said Of truth worthie Prince I doe not knowe what euill this of yours should be so great and so stranâ—e that in this sort hath taken awaie your stâ—â—ngth that all the power you haue is not able to resist it if it bée not that the which could tame the mightie Samson the most strongest of all men and that Hercules that had so greate power and force against the Centauros which is Loue that did bring these in subiection and many others moe in the world if it be this which hath brought your life into this estate I knowe not what she shoulde bee that against you should shew her selfe so cruâ—ll except it be such as wâ—ll peruert the courses and naturall mouings for being as you are amonst Princes the most highest and amongst the most excellentest and inducd with all goodnesse of nature I doe beléeue that there is no damsell in the worlde of what estate and beautie so euer he be but would receiue great contentment and thinke her selfe happie to bée of you beloued knowing the loue that you beare vnto her to bée perfect and â—oiall and if it fall out not to be such beléeue mée for that I knowe thus much of women that first they will consent themselues to die burning in amorous fires than to make anie shew of loue vnto them that they thinke to haue their thoughtes occupied in other partes and so farre foorth as I can see they haue great reason for that the heart of a man being set vpon more than one there is none that hath anie parte in him neither can his loue with anie bée perfect the which you maye verie well iudge by your selfe in thinking of that which you would do if so bee that you did sée this to bée in her whome you at this present doe so earnestlie loue Ah good knight sayde the knight of the Sunne this is the hidden fire wherewith I am scorched and that wherewith the bones of this my mortall bodie doth consume This is that which hath me prisoner and hath inchaunted me and that to whom all my force and strength is yéelded without hauing anie other thing in mée to make anie resistance but to doe that which hée desired and suffer with a good will all such paines and tormentes as hée giueth mée estéeming much of the wound making poison to bée sauourie bitter swéete paine delectable torment ioy and pleasure and finallie death to bée verie swéete and easie And if that loue hath shewed her selfe so cruell against mée good knight doe not meruaile thereat for that that high and soueraine Damsell the which my fortune and destinie dyd permit mée to loue is of so greate valour and high desert that héere I doe confesse that I am not worthie of her for that fortune amongest humane creatures did exalt her most highest and nature did painte her in such sorte that putting a parte the power of God I am perswaded that there was to bée done no more on her This waie hath shée bene cruell vnto mée and not that waie Sir Knight which you haue giuen mée to vnderstand for that shée it is alone whom I loue and my heart is fixed vppon no other but onelie vpon her It is not néedfull that I saie anie more heerein for that my lyfe doth beare witnesse of my greate fidelitie for iâ— so be that I had my thought fixed in anie other place then should not my disfauour haue so much force and power ouer mée as to cause mée to receiue suche mortall griefe Then shée sayde of my faith Sir Knight according vnto your wordes and as you haue giuen mée to vnderstande by them it can bée no other for whome you doe suffer this sorrow and griefe but Claridiana the Empresse of Tâ—apisonda for that shée is a Damsell as well in highnesse as in beautie and gifts of nature that doth surpasse all other that be in the world and if this bée not true I tell you that you doe iniurie mée in this which you haue sayd for that I haue séene her and I doe beléeue that
she hath not her equall in the world The great sorrow and griefe of my heart said the knight of the Sunne vnto her alone I wold that it were manifest but for that I will not doe so great iniurie vnto so high a damsell aâ— you haue héere mentioned and again because you shall not saie that I lack reason in this which I haue said I giue you to vnderstand of a truth that she is the partie and now seeing y â— I haue tolde you I most heartelie desire you that so long as you do liue you keepe it secret for that séeing I must die for her sake yet I would not for all the worlde that she should be accounted culpable of my death Now wil I giue you to vnderstand said the Princesse that there is remedie put in all this your sorrow and griefe and that your fortune is much better than you did make reckoning of for that I doe know this damsell and am certaine that many daies since she hath trauailed in your demand with greate sorrow and care for to finde you and according vnto the wordes which I heard and the profound sighs which I haue séene her vtter I doe beléeue of certaintie that she doth beare you as much good loue as you doe beare vnto her if it bée so that you haue receiued anie disfauour or discurtesie at her hands it is not vnknowen that ouer much loue many times is the occasion of iealous thoughts conceiued against them whom they loue the which she might well haue in seeing you in companie with some other faire damsell afterward being certefied of your fidelitie repented her selfe and then the loue which before she bare vnto you to be a new redoubled in her for that there is nothing that doth inâ—ame and kindle the amorous hearts so much as dâ—th a false iealousie when that faithfullie they are certefied to the contrarie for then all wrath and anger is turned vnto loue and is the ocsion the more to augment and increase and so it may be now in Claridiana that if so be that you alonelie doe loue her then was it not possible the truth to be hid and now she being repented of that which is past it doth cause her as I haue tolde you to goe in your demand and with no other intent but to aske you pardon for that which is past the which you ought out of hand for to pardon and to go séeke her for that there is nothing more worthie to be pardoned than those errours which are committed by ouer much louing Then he said Ah sir knight tell me I praie you where you did see my Ladie and mistres the Empresse Claridiana and how you doe vnderstand y â— she trauaileth in my demand for that of truth if it be true I wil presentlie depart and go séeke her vnto the worlds end onelie for to sée her wherein there shall bée no man in all the worlde so happie as I. I will tell you how I doe know it said the Empresse for that it is not many daies since that I saw her and if thou wilt that I shal tell thée true not many hours and you shal vnderstand that yesterdaie shée ariued in this Iland in your demand and shée is a aland and not farre from you and I doe beléeue that that is shée that commeth yonder This she sayd pointing with her hand towards one part of the Forrest that waies which shée came Then the knight of the Sunne all amazed and ameruailed as of a thing in mockage and impossible did looke towards that part in the meane time the Princesse pulled her gantlets froÌ„ her white hands and tookeâ—off her helme wherewith all her rubicond haire which séemed to be skaines of golde spread abrode vpon her shoulders of so great length that it reached vnto the ground and shewed forth that faire face with so great strangenesse and maiestie that there was nothing in the worlde that might bée compared therevnto and the more her beautie shewed for that shée was hot in trauailing a foote by reason whereof her coulour was in her face and it séemed in the middest of her white chéeks to be two fragrant red Roses her faire and rowling eies glistered like vnto two verie fine and greate Emerodes glittering with a gréene cléerenesse in so profound wise that in them it might be naturallie sayd whosoeuer did beholde them to bée conuerted into stones for that all humane vnderstanding they did amaze and leaue as astonied But to conclude the soueraigne Princesse in all pointes séemed rather to bée a diuine thing than humane but the knight of the Sunne who with great attention was looking towardes that place whereas shée tolde him that shée was comming had not as yet seene the Princesse in that order till within a while after séeing that hée could sée no bodie comming hée tourned his head about for to aske the Knight where hée hadde séene and lefte her but when he sawe her healme off and knewe her by her fayre face it cannot bée sayde and tolde what that worthie knight at that instant felt within himselfe but remayned wonderfullie amazed and meruailing more than anie man in the worlde without anie power to speake one worde neither mooued hée anie eie lidde but stoode still beholding that seraphicall face out of the which he receiued so many dazeling sightes and glittering cléerenesse as though he had continuallie looked vpon the Sunne in the morning at such time as he spreadeth his golden beames abroade vpon the earth Then the royall Princesse séeing him in that greate perplexitie with the excéeding ioye and pleasure shée receiued clasping him about the necke and embracing him shée sayde Iust true and good knight séeing that I am shée alone that haue committed this errour and hath bene the onely occasion of all this your sorow and griefe I am héere come in presence to make a meanes for the same and to craâ—e pardon at your hands for all that is past for if I haue committed any offence beleue mee it was by the ouermâ—ch loue which I did beare you and your troubles and sorowes hath grieued mée as much and gone as nigh my heart as mine hath bene vnto you in such sort that if God of his infinit mercie and goodnesse had not permitted mée to finde you here of trueth I doe tell you that I would neuer haue departed from hence aliue for that I was determined to ende my dayes leading the most strictest sorowfull life that might be immagined in recompence of my great error In the meane time that the Princes spake these words the knight of the Sunne receiued so great ioye and pleasure in séeing him in the presence of his so desired mistresse that he embrased her excusing himselfe with such amorous swéet words that he thought himselfe transported into an other world and knew not whether he was in heauen or on the earth And comming vnto himselfe after that he had receiued
Rosicleer Against the prince Meridian the valiant prince of Fransia Against the stout Brandimardo the mightie Troyan Oâ—stedes Against the stoute Rodaran king of Arabia the Emperour Trebatio Against the king of Media the couragious Floâ—â—on for that it was giuen 0him to vnderstand that he was a valiant knight Against Zoroastes king of Trprobana was placed Bargandel Against the prince of Cambray Liriamandro Against the king of the Gandaros Don Siluerio Against the prince of Aegipt Rodomaâ—te Against the sixe most valiant Gyants sonnes vnto the gâ—an Tâ—iteon was placed the prince Brandizel the king Saâ—ridoro the Tartaria Zoylo the stout knight Flamides with the valiant knights of Spaine Don Claros and Arcalus who according vnto the great strength and power that was in the Giants had néede of no small courage and valour for to counteruaile with them And of trueth you may be leeâ—e 〈◊〉 before that the battaile was 〈◊〉 there was not two amongst that great number of thousand of Pagans that was in the whole Campe but thought surely the victorie to be on their part for that the fifitene PagaÌ„ knights next vnto Bramarande was the whole 〈◊〉 and strength of all the Paganâ— Being all in a readinesse and the people in quiet the Iudges commaunded the Trumpets to â—ound in sâ—gne and token of battaile and all these knights sette spurres vnto their light horses who ranne with so great force and furie that all the earth whereas they were séemed to tremble when they came to make their encounter the noyse was so great of their sheuered speares as though they had shot of great ordinance and surely in many dayes before in that countrie was there not seene the like encounter of so many worthie and valiant knights the good Emperour Trebatio made his encounter against that valiant Pagan Rodaran whose encounter was such that they sheuered their speares in small péeces and passed the one by the other but by the force thereof Rodaran lost his stirrups and the raynes of his bridle fell out of his hand and complained very much of that encounter The like dyd the two most valiant Princes Meridian and Brandimardo making their encounters with their two strong and stout aduersaries Clauerindo and Oristedes they passed all foure the one by the other in gallant maner sheuering their speares into small péeces but no vauntage perceiued of the one part nor of the other in this their encounter Then the sixe sonnes of the gran Titheon made their encounter againste those sixe valiant knights that came against them and the strength was so great which they vsed in their encounters that if their armour had not bene verie good all twâ—lue together had bene thrust through and through but by reason that the force of their armour was a deâ—ence against the sharpnesse of theyr speare poynts there was no more harme done but the one and the other with their horse betwixt their leggs foundred backwards to the ground but straight wayes they recouered againe and began their battaile with their swords The like dyd the stout king Florion and the king of Media and the foure princes Bargandel and Liriamandra Don Siluerio and Rodamarte who made their encounter against their aduersaries in such sort that without mouing in their saddels they passed the one by the other with a gallant demeanâ—r and stout courage But now hearken and be attendant howe that the gran Campion as bigge as a tower vpon his Elephant â—ade his encounter with that strong and mightie knight Resicleer who lyke vnto a whirle winde with all the furiâ— of his mightie horse Rondarte came against him and in the middest of his course made so strong an encounter that although their Speares could not pearce their fine armouys yet the stout Rosicleer béeing astonied by the forcâ— of that encounter lost the raines of his bridle out of his hande and if hée had not well staied himselfe by the pommell of the saddle it could not haue béene otherwise but of force hée must haue fallen vnto the ground but firming and staying himselfe verie stronglie hée passed forwardes on greatlie tormented therewith but this gran Campion receiued so strong an encounter of Rosicleer that his mightie force was not sufficient for to holde him but doubled his backe in such sorte that hée fell ouer the crouper of his Elephant vnto the ground If the fayre Princesse Oliuia who dyd sée and beholde all that passed from the windowes of the Pallace receiued anie ioy and pleasure at that gallant and stronge encounter I reporte â—ée vnto your iudgement and on the contrarie the griefe and anger which his sonne Bramaranâ— susteined to sée his mightie and valyant Father by the encounter of one alone knight to bée ouerthrowen vnto the ground and hauing no patunce in himselfe neyther coulde his couragious hear◠〈◊〉 him to bée silent but in a rage he â—urst out and said It is not possiblâ— but that the Gods béeing 〈◊〉 against vs and our great strength 〈◊〉 ioyne 〈…〉 in a conclusion and sheâ— forth 〈◊〉 strengths against vs in this stout and valiant knight for otherwisâ— to the contrarie therâ— is no humane force that is able to 〈◊〉 the strength of my Father Bâ—adaâ—â—â—â— but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 séeing it is so that they will shewe themselues so contrarie against vs from this time forwardes I doe renounce them and blaspheme them and 〈…〉 to take mee 〈…〉 enimie and if so bée that this knight maye fall into my handes there shall be no sufficiencie in his greate force bée it either humane or diuine for to withdraw me to giue him the death Then the Father with no lesse furie and brauenesse than his sonne arose vp from the ground proclaiming no lesse iniuries against their false Gods for that in such sorte they shewed themselues so contrarie against them and therewith hée drew out a mightie greate and heauie fauchon which hée hadde and with a hastie pace hée went against Rosicleer thinking in a short space to hew him to péeces with his variable and mortall blowes but there was thrée thinges in this battaile cleane contrarie which was the occasion that hée coulde not execute his furious and angrie desire the one the great lightnesse that Rosicleer had that béeing on foote his Brother the knight of the Sunne had no aduauntage on him so that it was a great meruaile for the gran Campion to fasten a blowe vppon him in anie respect the other was the finenesse of his armour which was made by the wise Artemidoro of so great valour that no humane force nor edge of anie sword was sufficient for to cut or buckle them the third was the great dexteritie and strength wherewith Rosicleer did strike him and so thicke that he did not let him rest one minute of an houre neyther gaue him anie aduauntage for to profit himselfe of his great strength and although that Rosicleer had these thrée things on his parte for to make his defence against his aduersarie yet could
theyr high knighthoode and meruailous feates of armes were without comparison Truth it was for that knight which at that time combatted with Bradaman was Rosicleer who being aduertised by a knight howe that he sawe the Gran Campion depart out of the Campe he hauing a great desire to make an end of their former battaile begunne verie secretlie without giuing anie knowledge vnto the Emperour Trebatio went forth of the Citie and rode so fast vpon his horse Rondarte that hée ouertooke Bradaman as hath béene tolde you before How the knight of the Sunne without knowing Meridian or Brandimardo made battaile for them with the stout Pagan 〈◊〉 Chap. 33. WIth great desire for to know those two worthie and valiant knights Meridian Brandimardo with the mightie Pagan Bramarant was the knight of the Sunne and the Princesse beholding the strong and rigorous battaile that was betwixt them and they séemed vnto them to be the most strongest valiantest knights that euer they sawe in all their liues and for that hée was fullie perswaded that he who made the combat with the gran Campion was Rosicleer so likewise he thought that it could not be otherwise but those who dyd combat with Bramarant must néeds be of his companie and possible to bée those two Princes Brandizel and Clauerynâ—o or that mightie Troyan Oristedes for that they â—id resemble verie much those knights Then the worthie knight of the Sunne being verie desirous for to make peace and quietnesse betwixt them for that they were all valiant and strong knights as also for to know who Bramarant was left the Princesse and went vnto them and putting himselfe betwixt them he sayde Sir knights I shall receiue it in great curtesie if that at my request you will leaue off this battaile betwixt you for that it is a great griefe vnto me to sée such worthie and valiant knightes as you are contend to kill one another without hauing anie iust occasioâ— therevnto Then the two worthie Princes Meridian and Brandimaâ—do séeing the gentle disposition of the knight of the Sun the great curtesie hée vsed in his wordes straight waies withdrew themselues a part in saying that they were verie well content at his request so for to doe for that as then they themselues knew not for what cause they dyd make that battaile But this proude and fierce Pagan Bramarant who was verie furious and wrathfull with a great desire to reuenge himselfe vpon them with a proude disdainefull and horse voyce faming at the mouth sayde Knight get thée away straight waies from that place and so that thou speakest no more vnto mée of that matter for if thou dost I doe sweare vnto thée that in concluding of the battaile with these two I wil begin it with thée and then thou shalt quickly pay mee this anger and griefe which thou haste giuen mée And as the knight of the Sunne did reply in requesting him againe to accomplish his request He verie furious and angerie lift vp his heauie sword and stroke him such a blow vpon the healme that he daseled the sight of his eyes and saide now come you all thrée against mée for I will reuenge my selfe on you all Then the knight of the Sunne who receiued not so much griefe in receiuing that blow as in the discourtesie of Bramarant in drawing out his good sword sayde here I doe promise thée proude and discourteous knight that this which thou wouldest not accomplish nor doe at my request this my mortall battaile shall make thee to doe by force and concluding these words he tourned vnto the other two knights desiring them to let him deale alone with him But they for that they did not know him and had felt by experience the mightie power of Bramarant would not consent thérevnto for that they thought it a thing impossible for him to make defence against that mightie and fierce Pagan halfe a quarter of an houre â—ut yet in the ende he did so much importune them that they were constrained therevnto with condition that they should succour him when that they did see that he stoode in anie néede of either of their helpes Here was the stout Pagan Bramarant greatly amazed to sée how that knight durst venter to combat with him alone and to refuse the ayde of the other two good knights could not immagine who it should be but iudged rather that his bouldnesse should procéede more of folly then of â—orce but he was put quickly out of that doubt foâ— that 〈…〉 as the battaile was begun betwixt them he quickly vndâ—rstoode stoode that he was the most brauest strongest knight that euer he had proued for that many tâ—mes he dyd depart him of his sight and made him to decline his head to the horse necke making him to puffe blow lyke a Lion who waxed therewith more wrathfull and furious which cauâ—ed him with mortall yre to strike such blowes vpon the knight of the Sunne that he gaue him well to vnderstand how great mightie was the power of Bramarant who mused greatly who that mightie knight should be In this sorte was shere betwixt them the brauest battaile that euer was senâ— fought betwixt two All this while were the two Princes Meridian and Brandimardo in great admiration wheÌ„ that they saw the great worthinesse of the knight but the princes Claridiana who also dyd beheld them dyd nor meruaile at that which her knight dyd for that she had before time knowen his great bountie but yet she greatly wondred to sée how strongly Bramarant dyd combat with him who although more then two houres before he hadde maintained battaile against the other two knights yet at this time ther appered no point of wearines in him but rather he shewed himself to be more brauer furious then at y â— beginning Then after when that the knight of the Sunne began to be kindled in wrath and that his yre increased was the battaile worthie to be loked on to sée what he did therein for that his terrible blowes were such that eueâ—iâ— one of theÌ„ was sufficient for to haue clouen an armed knight from toppe to toe if they had not bene defended by their inchaunted armour great aboundance of sparkes of fire flew out of their armour and slew vp a great way in the ayre before they lost their light and with the great noyse which they made in striking theyr blowes all that wildernesse did ring there with and Meridian and Brandimardo that were talking together could scarce heare the one the other but had their eares 〈◊〉 with the noyse thereof 〈…〉 with mortall furie and diuelish wrath stretched vp himselfe in his stirrups on his mightie horse and tooke his sword with both his haâ—ds and stroke this good knight such a blow vpon his left shoulder which glaunced downe from his healme that he thought verâ—ly he had bene clouen in péeces the paine was so great he folâ— and agine if he haddâ— not embrased himselfe about his
Alicandro could not doe and according therevnto they answered and said Of truth Sir Knight your great bountie and courtesie is such that we should accompt our selues for happie for to know you and therby to serue you and to haue you in that estimation as your great worthinesse doth deserue and wée doe giue you great thankes for the trauaile and perill from the which you haue deliuered vs. Your bountie and worthinesse is such so farre forth as I haue seeme saide the knight of the Sunne that of your selues you are a sufficient securitie to deliuer you from all perill neuerthelesse if I haue done any thing it was nothing but by vertue of your great courtesie considering the great villanie vsed by that knight And in that you doe require for to know my name I doe most heartely desire you that for this present you would not request the same for that it is not in my power for to declare it vnto you till such time as I haue accomplished and perfourmed a promise the which I haue made vnto yonder knight who came with mée Then they séeing that he hadde no will for to declare who he was but to kéepe himselfe in secrete would not importâ—ne him anie more for the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 themselues that it could be 〈…〉 the knight of the Sunne and that constrained through some great occasion he would not suffer himselfe to be 〈◊〉 and the more to prouoke him therevnto they â—fted vp the beauers of their helmes in such sort that the knight of the Sâ—nne did knâ—w them and was verie glad thereof for that hée had them in great estimation although at that time he woulde not giue them â—o vnderstand in anie wise that he dyd knowe them In all this time the Princesse Claridiana receiued great contentment in that which the knight of the Sunne hadde done and all foure together did put themselues to beholde the cruell contention and rigorous battaile that was betwixt the valiant knight Rosicleer and the gran Campion who at the great noise of the last blowe that the knight of the Sunne gaue vnto Bramarant did aparte themselues from their battaile to sée what it shoulde bée and they sawe the mightie Pagan cleane voide of anie remembrance and his horse carrying him into the thickest of all that wildernesse Then Rosicleer meruailing greatlie at that knight for that he had so great power for to bring him into that perplexitie made no more a doe but retourned vnto his battaile whose blowes were so many and of great force and strength that it was a wonder to beholde and for that it was more than foure houres since the battaile was begun the graâ— Campion waâ—ed wearie and it séemed that Rosicleer had somewhat the vantage of him but yet with y â— exceding great griefe which he receiued to sée his sonne Bramarant carried by his hoâ—se in that sorte he waâ—ed therewithall so wrathfull and furious that he neither felt trauaile nor wearinesse and charged Rosicleer with such a multitude of blowes that many times he did astonish and amaze him but yet in the ende the cruell destinie of this Gran Campion was such and againe for that his cruell death was ordained from aboue the ire of that worthie and valiant Rosicleer so encreased in him that with a mortall furie he stroke so mightie a blow at Bradaman ouerthwart his wast that he made him decline on the other side almost from himselfe and being in this sorte almost out of his saddle his euill fortune was such that in his stouping he discouered a naked place vnder his arme whereas was no other defence but his shirt of mayle the which being séene by Rosicleer being very desirous to make an ende of that long contencion he thrust at him with the point of his good sword with so great force and strength that he made his sword to enter vp to the harde hiltes and pulling it out all blodied the Gran Campion fel from his Elephant downe to the ground and within a little while after he yelded his soule vnto the Diuell who had deceiued him in the blinde law of his false gods Oh false and weake foundation of man for that they which are most endewed with corporall force doth thinke their liues in most securitie without respecting that contrarie vnto the confidence which they haue in their great strengthes fortune doth double hers and that many tymes with great anger for that he doth finde no equall contemner And for to shew what a weake animall man is with an vnsemely weake and hidden euell be the mightie great Gyants ouerthrowen As he that slew Hercules was very little who was he that had the victorie in all things Likewise Milo the stoutest amongst men an Oke dyd staye him so that he was torne in péeces with wilde beastes so that wée may saye that that force the which was without comparison was lesse then a clouen Oke what doeth he think then to doe that is but of a meane strength what doth he think to haue his lyfe in more securitie and to be more aparted from the lyght and mouable whéele of Fortune then was this stout and fierce Bradaman Campion the most valiant and mightiest of all Gyants one that hadde force and strength for to bringe in subiection those fierce and indomable people of the whole compasse of the Orientall Ilandes and yet at this present he lacked strength for to defend himselfe from one alone knight of a great deale lesse stature than he was of who with one alonelie blow he slew him and dyd abate his pâ—ide the which many thousands of Gyants could 〈…〉 Likewise mortall men doe thinke and doe boast themselues more of vertue than of valiantnesse or strength for that alone the force of the soule in that which receiueth no strength cannot be ouercome neither hath fortune anie power against it and as it is placed in the soule it hath no néede of anie corporall strength and according vnto the saying of the wise Lyâ—gandeo and Artemidoro they were not so much moued by the high knighthood and mortall conflicts of these two so worthie Princes for to write this mightie Hystorie as they were by their great vertues and excellencie of courage and gallant demeanours the which in all their life times did shine in them for which cause saie they they were more esteemed and had greater fame than for the great force and strength which they had and alwaies they did estéeme themselues and delighted more in vertue than in their strength and therefore these wise men saie that if this mightie Hystorie be pleasant and delightfull vnto the readers so shall it be no lesse profitable vnto them that with great care and diligence will note and consider well how these knightes were giuen vnto vertue all their lyfe times Thus as it is verie profitable and necessarie for the taking out of anie worke to haue a patterne before him euen so likewise it is no lesse necessarie and
sorrowful newes vnto all them especiallie when they vnderstoode of the death of the Gran Campion and how that their valiant and worthie knightes did euerie daie decrease and waxe fewer in number on their part and how that on the part of the Emperour â—rebatio they dyd increase euâ—rie daie more more yet was all this nothing in comparison vnto that griefe which the fayre Princesse Lyndabrides felt when she vnderstoode how that the knight of the Sunne in companie with the Princesse Claridiana was come into Constantinople vnderstanding verilie that he was continuallie with her in presenceâ— all the time that he was absent out of Grecia and how that he had taken her to be his wife It cannot bée heere rehearsed the greaâ— griefe and exceeding anguish the which the felt within her selfe in such sort that many times shée was readie to die therewith and putting her selfe in a closet by it selfe in her tent she dyd nothing but wéep complaining against her selfe and fortune and after that many contrarie thoughtes had occupied her minde and senses fighting one against an other without finding anie comfort or case in thinking of them with great wrath and anguish of heart shée tooke paper and Inke and with her owne hand shée wrote a Letter vnto the knight of the Sunne the contents were as followeth A Letter written by the Princesse Lyndabrides vnto the knight of the Sunne IF the diuine Gods and my cruell destinie had permitted that as I am constrained to loue thée I might I 〈◊〉 had so much libertie for to forget thée then had not I returned againe into Grecia neither had consented that the Emperor my Father with so infinite a number of people had enterâ—d into this Countrie for to be reuenged of thée for that it had béene a sufficient reuengement and satisfaction vnto mée for to leaue thée and not to thinke that I was shée that was of thée forgotten but to leaue thée as one â—nworthie of my great beautie not deseruing to inioy my emperiall and consecrated estate But oh my euill fortune and mishap which caused mée so firmlie to loue and beare thée good will that there remaineth no part within mee but it is yeelded to bée all thine neither haue I so much power as for to put thée one moment out of my remembrance I knowe not what cruell and vniust lawe is this of Loue for the more that thou diddest vnderstand and know that I did loue thée thou haddest the greater libertie for to forget mée and the more that thou wert cruell and forgetfull of mée the more did my loue and good will increase towardes thée I am aduertised that thou and the Empresse Claridiana are come together to Constantinople the companie of so worthie a Damsell is not to be left neither is there anie reason to speake euill of her but for her that doth loue thée as I doe it cannot bée without suspition for that my sorrowfull heart hath deuined it and mine eyes doth now sée that thou doest desire her to bee thy wife and shée is not displeased therewith but when that I doe imagine with my selfe what thou hast bâ—ne and consider lykewise what thou nowe art I cannot thinke anie other thing but that there are two knightes called of the Sunne in this world and that thou art another and not the same that was wont to bee all at my commaundement Is it possible that thou art hee who at the first time that thou diddest beholde mée in my triâ—mphant Chariot â—ert troubled in such sort that if thou haddest not been succoured by thy Page and my Damsell thâ—u haddest follen from thy horse vnto the ground Art thâ—u by fortune that same knight of the Sunne that for to defende my iustice thou tookest vpon thée that strong and perilloâ—s contention with the Prince Meridian 〈◊〉 brother 〈…〉 not bee that thou shouldest bee that knight of 〈◊〉 Chariot that diddest so long time defend the great and singular beautie of the Princesse Lyndadrides in the Court of the Emperour Trebatio Of truth it must néedes bée some other that did shew so great and entire loue vnto mée and so absolutlie dyd publish himselfe to bée all and whâ—lie at my commaundement What is become of those amorous and swéete wordes that thou wert wont to vtter and speak vnto mée and those deepe and profound sighes with the which thou gauest mee to vnderstand the greate griefe that thou receiuedst for my loue Is it possible that thou hast forgot thy selfe or hast thou lost thy wits and memorie With what great ioy and contentment thou wentest in my companie towards the gran Tartaria hoping at thy comming thether to be married vnto me and how many times I was required of thée in that iourney Hast thou forgotten that for the celebrating of our nuptials thou diddest cause in the gran Catâ—ya to bée ioyned together all the kings and mightie Lords almost all the Pagans how that my father the Emperour Alyâ—andro had receiued thée for his sonne and all his subiects for their Lorde Of truth I doe verilie beléeue that all this thou hast forgotten and doest not remember anie of these things of the which I doe not greatlie meruaile for that hee who did forget the lawe of the diuine Gods and doth renounce the same it is not much that hée doe forget and denie all this that betwixt him and mée hath passed My verie heart doth cleaue and part a sunder and my soule is readie to depart my bodie with great griefe when that I doe thinke thereof and the great abundance of water that dailie distilleth from my eyes doth declare and testifie that it cannot indure long but that my life will likewise distill and consume awaie the which I do beséech the immortall Gods that it might shortlie come to passe for it shall bée vnto me a great glorie to lacke lyfe rather than to féele such excéeding great anguish and mortall paine I woulde write vnto thée more at large for according vnto the great reason the which I haue to complaine my selfe of 〈◊〉 although I dydde nothing else in two dayes yet should I haue matter inough against 〈…〉 thinges which doth withdrawe my handes and my will not to consent that I shall doe it the one is that they who haue borne thée so much good will and loued thée as I haue done it is not good for to inlarge much with anger for that vttering with passion causeth for to saie that which after doth repent them the other for whereas doth lack loue and good will many times briefe reasons doth séeme large and prolixious the third is for that I doe know that all whatsoeuer I shall write vnto thée thou wilt stoppe thy eares thereat so that all my writing shall bée in vaine and therefore I am determined to bée quiet and holde my peace and conclude with this that either the bones of this sorrowfull and vnfortunate Princesse Lyndabrides shall remaine in Grecia or else
with him who went forth and met with them a good mile off The manner which they vsed for to giue his sepulchre with more honour according vnto the vse of their Countrie was that they laide the dead corse vpon a verie broade and smooth marble stone all white whereas they burned and consumed the bodie all to ashes and in the meane time that hée was a burning all the principallest of the whole armie were placed round about the fire all couered with robes of Sackcloth so long that it trailed vppon the ground and made great sorrow and lamentation and praied vnto their Gods to receiue him into their companie in which time all the praiers which his sonne Bramarant made was no other but blaspheming against all the Elements and against nature for that they had power for to consume and burne the bodie of the Gran Campion his Father Thus when that the bodie was all consuned and burned the ashes remaining vpon the Marble stone the which was taken and put in verie rich vessells of golde wherevnto they put water and stirred it together and put the vessells vpon a faire Table Then the Emperour Alycandro the more to honour the Gran Campion beganne first for to drinke of the same mixture and after him Bramarant and after them in order all those Kings Princes and worthie Knightes that were in the Campe till such time as they left no mention of the water and ashes so the mightiest Lords that were in all the Paganisine made their bodies the sepulchre of that mighty Pagan and this they had amongst them for the most honorablest burying that could be With these and many other thinges moe which the Emperour Alycandro commaunded to bee done for the Gran Campion making great lamentation for his death Bramarant was somewhat appeased and lost great part of that outragious furie and wrath which he had conceiued and vnderstoode and procured no other thing but onelie how and by what meanes he might make terrible and cruell reuengement for the death of his welbeloued Father Then after certaine daies were past of the truce which was taken with the Gréekes they beganne of all partes to prepare and make themselues in a readinesse against the battaile that was determined and was thought to be of both partes the brauest and most cruellest and bloudie that euer was séene vpon the earth for that the Emperour Alycandro had commaunded that the first daie that the Gréekes should come forth for to giue them battaile that all the people of their Campe shoulde procéede against them for that they wold at once conclude that enterprise and not to leaue their aduersaries anie force and strength at all for to return againe vnto the fielde for although there were many battailes betwixt them as the Hystorie hath shewed you yet there went not forth the third parte of the people that was there with them which were so many in number that there might well bée made of them thrée mightie armies and of truth there was neuer séene in all Asia nor buropa so many and so valyant stout and worthie knightes gathered together as were at that present in the fields of Constantinople Now let vs leaue the Pagans in readinesse for the battaile to come and let vs veturne vnto the Gréeks that were in the mightie Citie of Constantinople What the Greekes did and how the king Liseo and the faire Queene Radamira came to aide the Emperour Trebatio and what happened besides Chap. 37. IT was a thing of great wonder vnto the Gréekes to sée themselues closed within the Citie and so compassed about in their owne fields for their enimies were so great and infinit a number of Pagans that it might well be sayd that they had against them all the whole force of the world for there were in the field an infinite number of barbarous people of different and diuerse Nations and the most part proude and terrible Gyants that the like were neuer seene in all the world but God of his goodnesse created such heartes in that mightie Emperour Trebatio and in his worthie proicnie as also in those high Princes and stout worthie valiant knights that were in his companie that not onelie they were without all feare and dreade but also had great force and courage for to destroie and ouercome all those that had compassed them about and there were few or none amongst them but receiued great contentment to be there at that present for that the Emperour Trebatio séeing with him his sons and so many worthie Princes knights receiued so great ioy and pleasure that he thought himselfe to be the most happiest and fortunatest Prince in all the world And of the knight of the Sun of the faire and soueraigne Empresse of Trapisonda it may wel be said that ther was neuer sâ—â—ne two hearts with so great contentment for that hauing one the other in presence either of them thought themselues in paradise although you must vnderstand that in all this time the knight of the Sun could neuer bring to effect his desire with the roiall Princesse for she was of so high a courage y â— the knight of the Sun neuer durst in heart cause her to receiue anie anger neither woulde shée consent to anie thing that was against her honour the which she had alwaies before her eies more than anie damsell in her time With no lesse ioy than they liued those two faithfull and perfect louers the faire Princesse Oliâ—ia and Rosicleer who being in presence together thought themselues cléere of all sorrowes and griefes the which the one had sustained for the other whereat the king Oliuerio receiued no small glorie and contentment for y â— it séemed vnto him y â— with no other Prince in all the world he could not haue married his Daughter so highlie and worthilie as he had married her neither coulde she haue bene exalted to no higher estate So that he all those that came with him from great Britaine were wonderfullie amazed to sée the mightinesse of the Emperor Trebatio the highnesse of his Court so furnished with a greate number of worthie Princes and valiant knightes as also with so many faire and precious damsells that of truth it might be spoken that there was neuer seene so great highnesse and maiestie in the court of anie Prince before y â— time And the Pagans that came forth of Persia with the king Florion meruailed greatlie to see the orders of the Court of Grecia for by the sacrifices ceremonies of the Christians for that they did see and behold them euerie daie to be done with great iumptuousnesse reuerence they were partlie inclined to thinke well of the lawe and faith of Iesu Christ true God and man and trucâ—â—e although there were many that died for this loue which the knight of the Sunne had wich the 〈◊〉 Lyndabâ—â—les yet grew there not so little effect 〈◊〉 of these famous wars but that by occasion of 〈…〉
seemed not to be anie humane creatures But now was the time come of the good fortune and destinie promised vnto the Emperour Trebatio to shewe it selfe fauourable and the Prophesie before sayde by the olde king of Gedrosia to worke effect and accomplish the truth thereof in confirming of the same for that the Pagans began to retire and night drew on and it wared darke they receiued great feare in such sorte that they put themselues vnto flight and ranne awaie with great shame so that a little before the shutting of the euening the Pagans put themselues in such feare and hast in running that there was no force of resistance in them but to be all slaine by the Gréekes who followed them at their héeles And the Emperour Alycandro when that he sawe himselfe left alone without his strong gard and mightie kings his vassals that were wont to kéepe and beare him companie and all his people to run awaie before him ouercome and cleane without anie hope of victorie he larged the raines vnto his horse and ranne about the field complaining verie much against the Gods whome he tooke to bée his parents and kinsfolke as also against Fortune for shewing her selfe so contrarie against him but most he complained against himselfe for putting so great confidence and trust in his owne power in that hée would not giue anie credit vnto the good and true counsailes of the olde king of Gedrosia and going in this sort he came vnto his Tents and taking the faire Princesse Lyndabrides and the rest of the Ladies and Damsels that were with her with other such things as conueniently he could hée fled downe vnto the sea side whereas was all his whole Fléete whereof the Christians had burnt a great part of them such as were at the Sea for although the saide ships of the Christians were but few in number yet when that they sawe the great destruction that was made on the land they recouered great courage â—or to assault them that were at the Sea in such sorte that they set fire on manye shippes that were in the Fléete in spite of them that were there for that they found small resistance Thus as I haue saide before when the Emperour came vnto the Sea side there was so great hast of embarking that with great trauaile hée embarked himselfe into a shippe with those that came with him and being embarked yet he thought not himselfe in anie securitie but in great hast caused the Sailes to bée spread abroade and launched themselues into the Sea leauing all this troupe and power ouerthrowen in Grecia Then the Prince Meridian and Brandimardo when that they sawe how that the people were dispearsed and that by no meanes possible they coulde not staie them from flying and running awaie Then went they from one place vnto another séeking of the Emperour Alycandro but could not finde him till such time as they came vnto the Sea side whereas it was tolde them how that hée was embarked into a shippe and departed with the Princesse Lyndabrides and the other Ladies and Gentlewomen that were in her companie amongst whome was the faire Princesse Floralinda spouse vnto the Prince Meridian who when that hée vnderstoode of their departure dyd straight wayes embarke himselfe in another shippe and followed after them In all this while the Gréekes vnderstoode in no other thing but in killing and slaying of Pagans as they ranne awaie and made such slaughter as in all the daie before was not the lyke at which time all the water in the Tirreno sea from the â—geo vnto the Euxino was redde and turned into the coulour of bloud with the great quantitie that were slaine as well on the sea as on the land which was a thing of great terrour and wonder to beholde But the knight of the Sunne when he sawe that the battaile was dispearsed and how that the Pagans sledde before them hée made no farther account of them but went and sought for the Emperour Alycandro and the Princesse Lyndabrides fearing that in the moouing and running of the people they should receiue some damage or harme The which he would not that it should so fall out for anie thing in all the world for that hée considered verie well in his minde how much he was bound vnto them for the great loue which they bare vnto him And when he came vnto the Tents he went from one vnto another enquiring for the Emperour and it was tolde him how they were fled and gone wherewith he gallopped his horse till hée came vnto the sea side whereas hée sawe the Pagans making great hast for to embarke themselues and many of them did swimme aboord because they would not abide the furie of the Greekes a land Then the Knight of the Sunne came vnto one of those Pagans and put the point of his sword to his face and sayd that hee would kill him if hée dyd not tell him newes of the Emperour Alycandro Then the Pagan who sawe him depart for feare of death tolde him how that he was departed from thence in a ship with the princesse Lyndabrides and all her Ladies and gentlewomen Whereat when the knight of the Sunne heard of their departure he was verie sorrowfull as well for the perill in the which they put themselues as also for that hée would haue done vnto them the honourâ— and seruice that they deserued and for that his valiant courage could not suffer that they should depart in such sorte with a setled purpose and determination full of vertue he put himselfe into a Boate and caused the Marriners to rowe him vnto a good ship that was there at hande whereas he found certaine knights that did resist him at his entrie whom he slew and threatned the Maister and Marriners that he woulde lykewise kill them if they did not gouerne the ship right that waie which the Emperour Alycandro was departed and gone Then they who sawe the great destruction that hée had made in so short a time being greatlie amazed thereat and with great feaâ—e did obey all that he commanded so that in companie with the other ships they hoised saile and departed through that bloudie sea whereas we wil leaue them in their iourney and returne vnto them that were left in the field At this time the good Emperour Trebatio when he saw the night come on a pace and that it waxed darke being verie wearie he all his companie in killing of pagans began to blow and sound his rich horne which lyke a good Captaiâ—e he carried alwaies about his necke and he dyd sound it iâ— such sort that in all those broade and wide fields it was heard at which sound all his people dyd obey his commandement and gathered themselues together But yet in all this time the battaile betwixt Rosicleer and Bramarant neuer ceased but rather as then was more furious and kindled in wrath and they did no other thing but procure to charge the one the other with
know that this is the strong Iland and how that Roboan is Lord of the same who ioyntlie with his sonnes doth maintaine so euill and abhominable a custome that whatsoeuer good knight hée bée he ought for to aduenture his lyfe for to cause the same to be broken as well in the great Idolatrie vsed in the worshipping for God his creatures as also in the great crueltie vsed agaynst all knightes and damsells so that I am come hether and haue so great hope and confidence in the diuine iustice to doe so much that you shall not perseuer with this great violence and if that thou art Roboan or anie of his sonnes determine and put order to amend thy life or else come presentlie with me to battaile Then Langereon with great laughter and disdaine said Of truth Sir Knight thy great boldnesse and courage is the greatest that euer I haue heard or seene that thou hast so valiant a heart for to approch and giue attempt in that which all the whole world is not sufficient but because thou shalt sée and vnderstand that thy attempt is more of follie than of anie valiant courage or feare doe now what thou canst against me for that I am one of the sonnes of Roboan whom thou hast named And in saying these words this worthie and valiant youth did lift vp his great trencheant and stéelie hatchet and therewith went towardes the knight of the Sunne with so terrible and dreadfull semblance that it was sufficient to put great feare in anie good Knight But vnto him who had béene accustomed vnto such lyke enterprises it was not onelie without feare and dreade but also a Spâ—are which hée had in his hand and taken from one of those knightes which hée stew hée threw vnto the ground and drew out his sword and went towardes Langereon who was greatlie amazed at that which hée did so that these two the one against the other charged each his aduersarie with such terrible blowes vpon their healmes that with the great force thereof they caused perâ—orce their horses to stoope downe to the ground and by reason that the healme of the Gyant was not of so fine mettall as it should haue béene it was clouen by the knight of the Sunne in such sorte that hée made a lyttle wounde in his scull out of the which procéeded great abundaunce of bloud that fell in his eyes and about his face the which did disturbe him verie much in this battaile and this Langereon meruailed exceedinglie at that terrible blowe which he had receiued which was the mightiest that euer in all his life he had felt and being verie desirous â—â—raight wayes and out of hand to bée reuenged of the same for that in continuing in battaile it might fall out vnto him verie perillous and daungerous hee flourished with his stéelie hatchet about his head and with it in both his handes hée stroke so strong a blowe at the knight of the Sunne ouerthwart vppon his conâ—â—aled healme that he thought verilie a whole Tower had fallen vpon him it so amazed and astonied him and with a trice hee redoubled another blowe with no lesse force and strength with the which the knight of the Sunne had passed great daunger if that he had stroke it full and right but with the force and strength that hée put in striking of the first blowe the bloud of the wound in his hâ—ad burst out a new and fell with greate abundaunce downe about his eyes in such sorte that whereas hée thought to haue stroken the worthie and valyant knight of the Sunne hée was deceiued and stroke his horse hard by the poâ—â—ell of the saddle that without anie staying hee cut him cleane asunder in the middest so that he parted him in two péeces and hee straight wayes fell downe dead vnto the grounde whereby hée was constrayned to ouerthrowe his Maister but this valiant knight was not so soone fallen but he arose vp againe on his féete and meruailed greatlie at the mightie force of the Gyant and seeing himselfe so intreated he sayde within himselfe that it did well appeare that there was not present his Ladie and Mistres the Princesse Claridiana for that one alone knight had brought him vnto that extremitie And in saying these wordes he did abide the comming of Langareon who approched with his hatchet aboue his head for to strike him another terrible blowe and at such time as he would haue discharged the same he stepped on the one side with so great dexteritie that the blowe fell downe to the ground and as the Gyant by reason of the force wherewith it was stroke dyd bowe his bodie and armes after the same the Knight of the Sunne laide holde on the gorget of his healme with so greate strength that hee brake the lacings and buckles thereof and pulled it from his head and ouerthrew him from his horse to the ground and before that hée could arise hee stroke him with his healme vppon his vnarmed head that hée astonied him and layde him a long vpon the earth and not willing to doe him anie farther euill hée left him and tooke his hatchet and mounted vpon his horse the which was both bigge and verie swift And looking towardes the Castle to see if another did come forth hée chaunced to cast his eyes vp vnto the battlements therof whereas hee discouered the persons of the Emperour Alycanidro and the fayre Princesse Lyndabrides and some of her Ladies and Gentlewomen who were beholding and dyd sée all that passed in the battayle with the Gyant and by reason that all his armour was berayed and imbrued in bloud and neuer made cleane since the greate battayle that was fought in Grecia and againe that he had not his horse Cornerino they coulde not imagine or deuise who he shoulde bée but the Princesse Lyndabrides sayde within her selfe Oh how I would pardon and forgiue fortune all these trauailes and aduersities which she hath giuen vnto mée that my fortune might nowe bée so good and happie that this might be the myrrour of all knights or his brother Rosicleer or some of his friendes that might doe so much in this Iland as to carrie vs prisoners into Grecia But when that the knight of the Sunne dyd sée that faire and rubicâ—nd face of the Princesse he was not so greatlie troubled with the mightie and terrible blowes which he hadde receiued of the Gyant as he was for to see her who some times was gouernesse of his heart in that place wherwith he trembled and shaked striking himselfe vpon the brest as one that walketh by night in securitie and without feare discouereth vpon a sodaine some vision or fantasie before him And being somewhat amased he remained a good while beholding her without mouing of hand or foote that he thought all his sences were disturbed with the sodaine sight of this faire Princesse whose beautie was so rooted within his heart and the olde sore so festered that of truth it was very
that ranne out of their wounds but by reason that they were so boistrous and so stout they so doubled their blowes with so great furie vpon Rosicleer that it had bene sufficient to haue hewen a rocke in péeces so that in a short time they made him verie faint and wearie brusing his flesh and bones although their swordes could not enter nor cut his inchanted armor And of truth if that this battaile had endured long hée had béene brought into the greatest perill that euer he saw himselfe in in all his life for that these two Gyants were young-men and the most strongest that were to be found amongst all Gyants But yet at this instant Acorante was so weak and féeble by the losse of much bloud that he coulde not stand on his féete but fell downe to the ground as though he had béene dead Then he finding himselfe alone with Rubero the battaile was more indifferent the one did charge the other verie stronglie striking whereas they thought they should doe most harme each to his aduersarie but Rubero for the death of his brother was so full of wrath and ire that he made little account of the blowes that Rosicleer did strike him although his â—ine cutting sworde had so sore wounded him in many partes that his death could not bée long dilated by reason of the great quantitie of bloud that ranne out of them These Gyantes had certaine knightes which alwayes went with them who at this verie instant came vnto the same place whereas they made their battaile but yet in anie manner of wise they durst not helpe their Lordes for that many times before they had plagued them and giuen them warning that whensoeuer they were in battaile with equall knightes that none of them shoulde aide or succour them for which occasion they stoode still and were in quiet till such time as they sawe one of their Lordes lie along vpon the ground as though he had bene dead and the other so sore wounded that he could not long indure neither could they anie longer refraine themselues but all together who were more than fifteene all wel armed went against Rosicleer and began to charge him with verie thicke and strong blowes but Rubero when he sawe this did put himselfe before them and cried out that they should departe and let him alone but they would not retire but still pressed on all that euer they coulde Then he returned against them with his sword and did so much that against their will hee made them to retire Then would he haue returned againe vnto the battaile but Rosicleer liâ—t vp the vizor of his heâ—me and sayd God forbid that I should be ouercome at thy hands more than at one time for this which at this time thou hast vsed with me hath rendered mee so much that I will put my selfe wholie into thy power â—or to doe with mée according to thy pleasure vpon this condition that you giue vnto this Damsell free and whole libertie who was the occasion of this battaile which hath béen begun and continued betwixt vs. You shall vnderstand that all the sonnes of Roboan were by nature well conditioned and this Rubero the third sonne was the best of them all who acknowledging the greate vantage that Rosicleer had of him although all the knights had hâ—lpen him and how that his wordes which hee hadde spoken proceeded of great vertue hée then vnlaced his healme and sayd Let not my fortune permit that against him who hath so great vauntage on me as well in vertue as in strength that I make anie more contention or farther 〈◊〉 for that in the ende both in the one and in the other I cannot choose but néedes must bée ouercome and loose the victorie This damsell is thine and thou hast wonne her and nowe looke what is thy pleasure to be done with vs for that all shall be accomplished as you wil command Then Rosicleer did embrace him with great loue and both of them together went to helpe vp Acorante who was so féeble that he could not moue himselfe but when that they had pulled off his healme and giuen him aire hée began to come better vnto himselfe and gather some strength Then the Quéene Iulia with a péece of a vaile which she had bound vp his wounds and stanched the bloud by vertue of a stone which she had in a ring as one that in all things was a damsell verie wise and of great discretion When all this was done the Quéene sayd vnto Rosicleer Happie and fortunate knight if you doe well remember the condition wherewith you got this sword that you now possesse in great Britaine it was that you should combat with two Gyants together for the deliuerie of a Damsell When Rosicleer heard these wordes being greatlie amazed how she should come to the knowledge thereof he said I doe well remember the same Well then said she now may you well vnderstand and sée how that the condition is well accomplished for that you haue had the battaile with these two Gyants for to deliuer me that am the Quéene Iulia she who with her owne handes did forge the sword that you now haue at your girdle hauing experience before how much it should profit you in this battaile for my deliuerie Good Ladie saide Rosicleer what fortune hath brought so wise and high a Damsell in this sorte into this Countrie That fortune sayd the Quéene that could ouerthrowe the mightie Alycandro from the high throne wherevnto he was exalted and bring him to bée prisoner â—oyntlie with the Princesse Lyndabrides his daughter in the power of two Gyants who carryed them yesterdaie vnto the high Castle that standeth vppon yonder mountaine This is shée that no force nor humane wisedome is able for to deliuer from the subiection of her tumbling and tourning whéele And as I came with the Princesse thinking for to escape from the prison whether as they carryed her I ran away secretly and put my selfe amongst these Rocks but yet in the ende I chaunced to fall into a daunger no lesse perillous then that out of the which I thought to haue escaped At which words Rosicleer was greatly amazed and saide is it possible to be true that the Emperour Alicandro and the Princesse Lindabrides are prisoners It is of trueth sayde the Quéene for that two Gyants did carrie them vnto yonder castell Well then let vs goe thether out of hand sayd Rosicleer for with a verie good will I will aduenture my life for to â—et at libertie so high personages It shall not be nedefull said Rubero for that those two who did carrie theÌ„ be our bretheren and sonnes vnto Roboan our Father therefore let vs go straight waies thether for by your intercession they and all those that be prisoners in the castell shal be set at libertie Rosicleer receiued great contentment at that which Rubero had sayde and gratifying him they all together went towards the castell and their knights did carrie Acorante
a knight and a ladie there was neuer so perfect loue as was betwixt these two or that more intirely dyd loue the one the other And yet not being satisfied nor well content with this but the more to be in securitie the one of the other I was as a meane betwixt them that this Lusiano should come on a night appointed vnto a window that had a grate of Iron out of the chamber of the saide dutches whereas he should finde her there the one vnto the other to assure the bands of Matrimonie by word and promise betwixt them in such sort that from that day forwards they might liue in more securitie It fell out that all was done as it was agréed that this gentle Lusiano in a darke night came vnto the windo whereas he found his faire Polisena and betwixt them was concluded the bandes of Matrimonie by word of mouth in my presence and in the presence of an other damsell of the Dutches who I doe beléeue is not cléere of this treason that I will tell you This being done the dutches for that she would not that they should be discouered or spyed dyd desire the gentle Lusiano that he would straight waies depart and she likewise did withdraw her selfe and caused the window to be shoot and being verie feareful that it should be discouered vnto the Quéene she neuer after durst speake vnto her knight neither be with him in companie in any suspicious place as one that was fully persuaded of the loue to be perfect that was betweene them in this sort all things dyd prosper verie well betweene these two louers but yet their loue was not so perfect as their fortune was contrarie to apart them from the ioye and glorie that they hoped to be betwixt them For that Sir knights you shall vnderstand that little more then halfe a yéere past there came vnto the court of the king Tiberio the Duke of Saxonia called Roberto the mightie for that he was so bigge of his bodie that he lacked but a little to be as bigge as a gyant and of so great force strength that there was not a knight to be found that man for man durst enter with him in battaile but alonely this gentle Lusiano who feared not the bignesse of his bodie neither his great fame At such time as this Duke Roberto came vnto the court the king gaue him good entertainment and dyd him great honour as well for y â— he was of high estate as for the great fame the which he had This Duke so soone as he had séene the faire Polisena was so farre in loue with her that straight waies he thought to haue her vnto wife which was the occasioÌ„ that straight waies he laboured all that euer he could to bring his determination to effect But she that nothing dyd more abhorre and hate as well for the loue which shée bare vnto Lusiano as for the boysterous and brauenesse of his person for that he had a fearce face and terrible countenance by no meanes she could not abyde him but dyd refuse his offer and many times she sayde vnto him in my presence that he should not come any more before her for that his presence should be greuous vnto her yet for all that would he not giue ouer his sute but still dyd contende to importune her in such sort that she was determined for to giue the King to vnderstande thereof if that I had not persuaded her to the contrarie Then the Duke Roberto seing that nothing whatsoeuer he dyd profited any whit for the obtaining his purpose and desire determined to séeke some other meanes how and which way he might make the Dutches for to doe by force that which now she would not of her good will I promise you I know not neither can I immagine how and which way the diuell did helpe him for to cause three knights of the court of the king for to suffer themselues and be 〈◊〉 such as were in bountie of armes as also of good crâ—dit 〈◊〉 their persons haue not their equalls to be found in all the land that I promise you the king would put them in trust with all his ritches he and all people had such conâ—idenâ—e in them The one is called Ricardo and Duke of Barbaria the other Anibardo Lord of the Albios and the third Carmelio Lord of Marehomandia all thrée subiects vnto the king Tiberio and norished and brought vp in his court from the time of their tender age Then Duke Roberto hauing these knights on his part watched his time and went before the king at such time as the Quéene was present and made a great complaint vnto them saying that of long time he loued with true and perfect loue the Dutches of Austria and how that by the good will and consent of them both they were made sure together so that he was her husband and she his wife But now since the conclusion of this matrimonie the Dutches doth denye it againe and hath sworne neuer to marrie with him not knowing wherefore she should be thus angrie with him to denie that which she before hath promised requesting him as his king and soueraigne Lord to doe him Iustice therein and to commaund the Dutches to perfourme the matrimonie the which she promised vnto him and to deliuer her into his power for that she was his naturall wife The king receiued no content but was very sorie at this embassage of the Duke for that the king hadde better good will to marrie her vnto the gentle Lusiaâ—o then vnto him but because he loued iustice and was a very good Christian he straight waies commauÌ„ded to come before him the faire Polisena and asked of her if it were true which the Duke had said Then she who vnderstood the diuelish intent of the Duke was so amazed that for a good space she could not speak a word wherat the king and the quéene had great suspicion but when that she came vnto her selfe with great anger she sayde vnto the Duke that he lyed in all that he hadde sayde and how that there neuer passed any such thing by woord nor in thought At which answere the Duke was very angrie furious whiâ—â— was the occasion y â— the king coÌ„manded the faire â—olisena for â—o depart 〈…〉 the Duke straight waies presented before the king the thrée knights before rehearsed who swore in the presence of the King that Duke Roberto and the faire Polisena were made sure together in so ample maner as man and wife ought to be and how that ouer and aboue all this they had bene together and that it was of a trueth for that they were present thereat in a garden that is next adioyning vnto the lodging of the Dutches. Ah lamentable case and a thing neuer the like before heard off that so great falsehood should be found in the mouthes of such thrée knights whose credit is so great with the king that he doth beléeue
thâ—â— more and better then if all the knights in his court had spoken and sworne it And as a thing verified to be most true the King commaunded the Quéene that straight wayes she should deliuer vnto the Duke the faire Polisena for that she had chosen him to be her husband Now sir knights I pray you iudge what the gentle Lusiano might féele in his heart who found himself present at all that passed and had more conâ—â—dence in the loue and loyaltie of the Dutches then of the credit of those knights with great payne did suffer that reproch for that he would not discouer the secret betwéene them But when that he vnderstoode that which the king had commaunded he as then could not suffer it any longer but put himselfe before the king and said Lord and soueraine here I doe saie that all which the Duke Roberto and these knights hath saide against the Dutches of Austria is the greatest treason and falsehood that euer was sayde or inuented For that that shée is my legittimate spouse and she neuer gaue her faith neither her loue vnto any other knight in all her life but vnto mée and this will I proue vpon the Duke or vpon any of these thrée knights This Prince had â—â—arce concluded these words when that the Duke and these thrée knights layde hand vpon their swords against him and he dyd the like against them so that there had bene done great harme if that the king had not put himselfe betwixt them and parted themâ— commaunded that either of them should kéepe his house and not to come abrode Then the king being verie desirous to knowe whether it were true or not which the Prince Lusiano had said commaunded that the Dutches should be brought before him and asked her if that the Prince Lusiano were her husband or not Then she séeing that it was not at that time to kéepe it in silence sayde that it was true that he was her spouse and none other When the king vnderstoode that he commaunded that the Dutchesse should bée put prisoner in a strong tower beléeuing verilie that shée had made her selfe sure and giuen her word vnto both of them and the great good will which shée bare vnto Lusiano was the occasion that shee did falsifie and denie that which shée had promised vnto the Duke Roberâ—o and for that hee would cléere this doubt by iustice he gaue straight waies sentence that the Duke and the thrée knightes that were his witnesses should maintaine and defend that which they had spoken and sworne and that Lusiano and the Dutchesse should in the space of one moneth bring knightes such that vpon their iust quarrell shoulde take and make combat with them in this sorte that if those which are of the Dukes partie doe get the victorie that then the Dutchesse should bée his and straight waies to bee deliuered vnto him and to the contrarie if the Prince and â—is knightes doe get the victorie that then the beautifull and faire Polisena should be his the which sentence being declared vnto them they were all consent therewith for that the Duke thought that in all the whole world there were not to be found foure knights that against him and his companions were able to wage battaile And Lusiano hoping in his iustice as much as in his strength presupposed the victorie to be on his part but alasse Fortune hath fallen out cleane contrarie vnto his expectation for that this is the last daie of the moneth and in all this time he could neuer finde anie knight that durst take his part in the battaile one waie for that the other foure knightes were commended to bée so strong and valiant and féared of all others and other waies for that they thought of a truth that the Duke Roberto had reason for that it was verified and affirmed by thrée knights of so great credit so that now the Prince séeing himselfe al alone is determined all alone to goe forth vnto thâ— battaile this daie against those foure knights for that first he wil suffer himselfe to be slaine rather than to sée the faire Polisena deliuered into the power of the Duke so that this euening the battaile shall be tried the which cannot otherwise bée but that the gentle Lusiano must be slaine whose death vnto all people will be verie grieuous and he shall not bée so soone slaine when that the Dutchesse will kill her selfe with her owne hands for so she is determined to doe if that in the meane time God doth not ordaine some remedie for the same This is the occasion gentle knights of all this my great sorow which causeth me to come forth into these fields and high waies making my cries vnto the heauens and because I doo know the truth héereof better than anie other I cannot suffer to abide in the Citie to sée before my eies slain such two persons by a treason so manifest euill but come to sée if that in this short space I could méete with anie knight that wold haue compassion on them and now séeing God hath permitted that I haue met with two such knights as you doe séeme to bée héere I doe desire you by the great obligation in the which you bound your selues at such time as you receiued the order of knighthood that you would take compassion of that gentle knight Lusiano and of that sorrowfull and afflicted Ladie the Dutches if it so fall out that you shew them anie curtesie they be persons that will verie well gratifie the same and because you shall be fullie certefied of their iustice héere I doe sweare vnto you by that God that created and made both heauen and earth and afterwards by his death and passion dyd redéeme vs that all this which I haue told you is the verie truth of all that hath passed and againe the more to certefie you héerein you haue néed of no other thing but to beholde the ill fauoured face and barbarous countenance of the Duke and the gâ—eat beutie of Polisena whereby you may iudge the great vnlikelihood y â— the dutches should treate of loue with him in secret When the damsell had concluded the whole discourse of this treason the two knightes who were replenished with all vertue were moued vnto great compassion and gaue thankes vnto almightie God that he had brought them thether at that instant and thought it long till they saw themselues in battaile with the Duke and said vnto the damsel that they would goe with her and take 〈◊〉 with Lusiano for to defend his right towards the Dutches. And shée who verie well noted their gentle dispositions and the great riches of their armor by the which she was fullie perswaded with her selfe that they were knights of great estimation that her trauaile and comming thether was well emploied for that there was some hope by their aide on the parte of Lusiano much better than to battaile alone for the which she asked
their hands for to kisse theÌ„ for the great curtesie they offered vnto her and therewith she returned with them towards the Citie againe and sayd Oh that it were Gods will Sir Knightes that my fortune might be this daie so happie and prosperous as it was vnto another damsell in times past who brought vnto this Court a strange knight for to defend an honourable Ladie from the power of the stout Aridon who alonelie dyd not kill him in battaile but afterwards had so much power and force for to defend himselfe from all the power and force of the King 〈◊〉 maintaining battaile a great part of the daie with more than two thousand knightes till such time as night drew on and they all thought it best to leaue him so that he went free awaie and none of them all able to hurt or doe him anie outrage who afterward was tolde vs to bée the knight of the Sunne and sonne vnto the Emperour â—rebatio and of the Empresse Briana daughter vnto my Lord the king Tâ—berio and if it were not for the greate warres as is tolde vs that doth detaine him and also for the great 〈◊〉 that the king hath against him the Dutchesse would haue sent vnto him in commending her whole cause in hope that hée woulde haue had some compassion on her All this time Rosicleer and Lyriamandro did greatlie reioyce to heare tolde the wonderfull acts and déedes of the knight of the Sun for wheresoeuer they went they found all the world full of his great fame Thus in trauailing they talked of these and many other things till at thrée of the clocke in the after noone they entered into the mightie Citie of Viana at such time as the great place was full of people tarrying for to sée the battaile that should bee made betwixt the Prince Lusiano and Duke Roberto Then they put themselues into such a place whereas they were verie secret and commanded the damsell to goe forth at such time as the Duke and his knightes were in the place that then she should come and tell them for that they woulde not bée séene till such time as they were in the field and for that in this next Chapter you shall vnderstand the whole truth of all that which passed I doe conclude this and referre mée to the next Of the great treason that the Duke Roberto ordained for to haue the faire Polisena to bee his wife Chap. 44. NOw the Hystorie faith that all that which the damsell had told vnto Rosicleer and Liriamandro was most certaine true but yet there was another secret vnknownen and knowen vnto none but vnto the Duke and another damsell of the Dutchesse which was this insomuch as the Duke Roberto had lost all his hope for to haue at his wil the faire Dutchesse Polisena he determined within himselfe to vse some other meanes which was the worst that euer was procured or done by anie knight for when hée sawe nothing could preuaile him he then laboured with all diligence for to know which of the damsels that waighted vpon the dutches was y â— basest of linage poorest for y â— these two things in inconstant minds be easiest to accoÌ„plish their lusts and desires And when he had learned out this and found that there was one amongest them that serued the Dutchesse which had these qualities or better to saie inconueniences he did secretlie practise to talk with her the which being done what with requests gifts and faire promises in the end he brought her vnto the bent of his bow and hauing her at his commandement as he would wish vpon a night at such time as the Moone did shine most cléerest hée practised with her that she should apparell her selfe with the same apparell attire of her head that the Dutches her Ladie did weare the daie before being so attired shée shoulde come forth into a gallant fresh garden which was vnder the window of the Dutches whereas many times shée would recreate her selfe with her damsells and could not bee seene of anie by reason that the wals were so high being there she should present her selfe to be the faire Polisena and hee would méete with her in the sayd garden whereas betwixt them they would plight their faith troth of matrimonie how that he would take her into his armes as though she were his spouse and lawfull wife When this and all the rest which the Duke requested was concluded with that damsell he then began to increase the friendship which before he had begun with those thrée knighâ—s Ricardo Carmelio Ambardo who were thrée of the principallest knights of most credit that were in all the Court vnto whom many times before because he would haue their friendshippes more surer he did impart the secret great loue which hée haâ— with the Dutches did not onelie declare vnto them the sharpe answeres which she gaue him but rather sayd that he was verie well beloued of her and how that she had promised him many times to receiue him for her husband although shée dyd delaie the time from one night vnto an other Then after a while when that they were partlie perswaded of the truth the daie before the night that he had conâ—orted with the Damsell to come forth into the garden hée went vnto these three knights and in great secret he sayde vnto them these wordes It is not vnknowen vnto you my Lordes how long time I haue trauailed with sorrow for to conclude this loue that I haue alwayes had with the Dutchesse to no other intent and purpose but to marrie with her and to haue her in that honour as her high estate and great worthinesse doth deserue shée hath driuâ—n mée off from daie to daie dilating the time and hindering mée of that great glorie and contentment the which I hoped long ere this to haue inioyed as you doe verie well knowe but now by the good successe that alwayes I hoped for of this my Matrimonie it hath pleased God that the Dutchesse hath now conserted with mée that this next night that commeth she will come forth into a garden that is on the backe side of her lodging where as she willeth me to méete her and there she wil accomplish all that I haue desired and for that I doe know and haue proued by experience the inconstancie and varietie of womens heartes I am verie desirous that you my Lordes would shew me so much pleasure as to go with me thether and to be in secret there whereas you may heare and sée all that passeth because if it shoulde so fall out by my euill fortune that the Dutchesse of Austria for feare of displeasing the king or Quéene or by anie other occasion that shuld moue her now pretended purpose shall denie and flie from this her promise that then you if occasion did so serue as witnesses of that ye sawe may declare the truth of all that which you haue séene
and heard And againe I being in my glorie with the Dutches in the garden should chance to bée discouered and bewraied to haue your helpe and succour as of my verie perfect and good friends When the Duke had concluded this his fained protestation the thrée knightes who were so much his friendes dyd promise vnto him for to accomplish all his request Then when the night was come about twelue of the clock at midnight at such time as the Dutchesse and all the rest were in their found sléepe the Duke with the thrée knights went vnto the garden and although the walls were verie high yet by Ladders they went vp to the top thereof the wall was somewhat broade aboue and on the inside towards the garden hard vnto the wall dyd growe a great number of thickâ— and high Cypres trées which shadowed all the wall in such sort that the thrée knightes might remaine vppon the wall and heare and sée all that should passe in the garden and they not to be séene and discouered of anie In that place did the three knightes remaine and the Duke descended downe by those trées into the garden whereas he remained till within a little while after he heard a little posâ—erne to be opened whereat came forth that false damsell who by reason that the Moone did shine so bright yea nigh hand shée did seeme to bée the Dutchesse for that shee was faire and of her owne stature and was apparelled with a gowne of gréene veluet set full of brouches of golde wherein was set many fine presious stones shée also had her haire hanging about her shoulders which reached downe to the ground and vpon her head a garland set full of Diamonds and rubies of great price with the which garment and garland the thrée knightes dyd sée the Dutchesse the daie before in certaine bankets and feasts that were made and by reason that it was night although the Moone did shine verie cléere yet because shee was somewhat a farre of they coulde not discerne anie other but that she was the Dutchesse Likewise shee had in her hand a bunch of feathers wherewith this Damsell did dissemble and hide her face in such sorte that shée could not bee knowen Then so soone as the Duke had spied her to come forth he straight wayes went knéeled downe before her and sayd Oh my Ladie Polisena what Prince or knight in all the worlde was euer worthie to receiue so great curtesie and fauour as this is Giue mée these your faire and white handes that I may kisse them as one vnworthie to receiue so great honour and glorie and yet I cannot thinke but that it is a dreame My Lord sayde the Damsell giue thanks vnto almightie God who hath done so much for you that you do deserue this at my hands the which I haue done for your sake arise vp from the ground for that your state 〈…〉 courtesie vento any damsell in all the the whole world much lesse vnto the Dutches of Austria who is altogether yours and in saying these wordes she tooke him by the hand and caused him to arise from the ground and the Duke straight waies began to embrace and kisse her and tooke their wayâ— towards a fresh fountaine there at hand compassed rounde about with Iasmires and Muske Roses And before that they could come thether the Damsell sayde My Lord you doe well know that I doe not come hether for any other thing but to plight vnto you my faith and troth to be your wyfe and you my husband and spouse and that to the contrarie I would not come for all the world into this place so much against my honour My desire is that this should bée done out of hand and that we might depart for that I feare to be discouered My good Ladie Dutches sayd the Duke this is that the which I so long haue looked and hoped for And now séeing that we are both agréed and conformable in our good wills now I doe saye that I doe receiue my Ladie the Dutches Polisena for my welbeloued spouse and wife and that I doe renounce all other and cleaue my selfe onely vnto her so long as we shall liue Well then my good Lord sayd the Damsell Héere your true and faithfull Polisena doe receiue and take Roberto Duke of Saxonia for her spouse and will that no other shal be her husband but you alone All this that passed betwixt them was very well heard by the thrée knightes that were in secret and surely they were out of all doubt to the contrarie but that should be the Dutches of Austria For if they had knowen otherwise or had any other thing in their thoughts they were such knights that they would not haue affirmed that which they had sayd for all the kingedome of Hungaria When that this communicacion of matrimonie was concluded betwixt them two the Duke went with the Damsell towardes the Fountaine and at their coâ—ming thether she making the matter somewhat strange so that it might be heard by the thrée knights although they could not sée any thing by reason of the thicknesse of the trées whereas they were there the Duke did accomplish his wil with the Damsell And when it was houre and time for to withdraw themselues they went hand in hand together vnto the posterne where she came forth and there the duke with many imbracings and kissings did take his leaue of her and she entred in and went to sléepe leauing the apparaile of the Dutches in the place whereas she tooke them and was not séene by any And the Duke retourned vnto the thrée knights and departed from thence It fell out within a while after happened all that this Historie hath declared vnto you the which fell out to be vnto the Prince Lusiano great sorrow and griefe for that hée dyd loue the Dutches so entirely and was so fully certified of the good will loue she bare vnto him that it brought him into a great alteration of minde and almost from him selfe to sée the witnesse that was brought against the Dutches by those thrée knights whome he had in estimation to be loyall faithfull and of great credit and beleeued verely that they would not but tell the trueth in that behalfe if that to either of them should be giuen a whole kingdome And to the contrarie he had so great a confidence in his ladie and mistresse that he was fully determined first â—o bée sâ—aine then to consent that any such shame should be offered vnto her But his great bountie did little profit for to deliuer him from the death for that euerie one of the foure were so strong and valiant knights that in all Hungaria was not to be found one that could match any of them But yet for that aboue al things Iustice is of greater force God dyd permit for that Lusiano had Iustice on his part that he should be succoured in this his great extremttie as shal be told you
and Ambardo and offered great curtesie vnto the two Princes who did them great honour and made them friends with Lusiano as persons that were without blame in the treason 〈◊〉 But when these newes were published in the court there came so great number of people to sâ—e Rosicleer Liriamandro y â— the pallace wold not holde theÌ„ al people meruailed at their strange dispositions but in in especiall of Rosicleer for that they sayd that in all things he did resemble the knight of the Sunne his brother he that was so famous and feared in that Court for that they partlie vnderstood and heard of his wonderfull acts and déeds vnto the king it was notorious all the whole Hystorie of Rosicleer from the time of his first creation bringing vp with his daughter the Princesse Briana till such time as hee was knowen vnto the Emperour his father and Empresse his mother Of all the which the king was verie ioyfull pleasant and loued the Emperour Trebatio and his sons as he did his owne sonne Liriamandro and for that he had not vntill that time heard of the successe of the wars that he had against the Emperour Alycandro he was verie sorrowfull and full of care and thought long till y â— hée had heard some newes thereof and if he gaue anie aide succour of knights vnto the king Oliuerio it was not for anie hatred or ill will that he bare vnto the Emperour Trebatio but for to accomplish that wherin he was bound vnto the king Oliuerio because his sonne Prince Edward was slaine in his seruice was fullie perswaded that all the whole armie of the king Oliuerio was not of sufficient power for to doe anie harme vnto the Emperour Trebatio yet afterwards when he vnderstood of the mightie power of Pagans that were come vpon Grecia it grieued and repented him of that he had done so that if it had not bene verie much against his honor many times he was moued in conscience for to go and succour him in person with all the power that euer he could make being verie desirous to know the whole successe thereof in all points he requested the Princesse for to tell him who as those that knew the truth thereof in the presence of the Quéene and all those worthie Princes and knightes of the Court did giue him to vnderstand as well of the successe w t the king Oliuerio as with the Emperor Alycandro y â— which being published amongst them they al receiued great ioy in as ample maner as though it had touched either of them in perticular but in especial y â— king the quéene in y â— they saw how much to their honar they had accoÌ„plished their promise vnto the king Oliuerio as also of the high estate wherevnto their daughter the Empresse Briana was exalted so that they could neuer satisfie themselues in giuing thankes vnto almightie God for those great benefites shewed vnto them When these things were passed straight waies came thether Leonardo and his wife the fained parents of Rosicleer with whom Rosicleer receiued great pleasure as he that had great desire for to sée him for that which he was indebted vnto them the which he did meruailouslie well gratefie in all points their great seruice done vnto them for he carried them with him vnto Grecia whereas the Empresse Briana did make them owners of great possessions so that they were verie well content and thought their trauaile verie well emploied the which they had in the bringing vp of Rosicleer Likewise Rosicleer reioyced verie much with those Gentlewomen with whom he was brought vp in the Monasterie of the Riuer and the most part of them he carried into Grecia whereas he did verie much for them all Then for that the king dyd beare great good will vnto the Prince Lusiano and had him in high estimation he straight waies commanded that his spouse the Dutchesse of Austria should bée deliuered vnto him After this sort within few daies that their nuptialls were celebrated with great honour and triumphs which those knights his friendes dyd ordaine in the which the gentle Lusiano dyd so much that he got vnto himselfe honour for euer after And in the meane time of all these sportes and feasts Rosicleer and Lyriamandro did declare their message vnto the king desiring him in the part and behalfe of the Emperour Trebatio and of the Empresse Briana that he woulde thinke well for to goe with them vnto Constantinople for to reioyie themselues of the victorie and ioy the which the Emperour and the Empresse doe receiue Likewise they gaue great and lawfull excuses wherfore the Emperour Trebatio did abstaine from comming into y â— Countrie for that he had in his court such mightie Princes and Lords that there had ben no reason for him to leaue theÌ„ Then the king and the Quéene as they which desired no other thing coÌ„manded Straignt waies that all things should be put in a readinesse néedfull for their iourney and for that we haue other matters to declare for the conclusion of the first part of this Hystorie there is héere no more to be said but that Rosicleer and Liriamndro did passe awaie the time in Hungaria till such time as they were readie to depart as shall be tolde you in the next Chapter following How the king Tiberio with the Queene Augusta Rosicleer and Liriamandro departed out of Hungaria and tooke their iourney towards Constantinople Chap. 46. WHen the daie appointed was come of their departure the king and the Quéene with all the other worthie Princes and knightes of his Court departed out of Viana tooke their iourney towards the mightie Empire of Grecia in the which they trauailed many daies without happening anie thing worthie the telling in the end whereof they ariued within two miles of the mightie Citie of Constantinople and when the Emperour Trebatio had knowledge of their comming with great ioy and pleasure he and all those mightie Princes and valyant knights together went out of Constantinople with so great maiestie that it séemed all the whole worlde were ioyned together the number was so excéeding great so that the king of Hungaria and the Queene Augusta his wife with all those that came with them were wonderfullie amazed to sée so royall and worthie knighthoode to come forth of Constantinople for of truth they neuer woulde haue thought that so many as there were might haue béene receiued in the court of anie Prince whatsoeuer he were in al the whole world But when the king and the Emperour sawe one an other they both went met together did embrace the one the other with such great loue as ought to be betwéene Father and sonne and as though they had knowen one another long time before And if before the king Tiberio and the Queene Augusta did account themselues happie fortunate to haue so high a Prince for their sonne in law yet now they did much more
would say no more till such time as the Emperour Trebatio who had him in reputation of a man of vnderstanding and greatly meruailed at those his words being spoken at that time asked of him wherefore he spake those wordes I doe speake them sayde the king for that the world doth â—se vs as children at sometimes singing at other times wéeping many times a faire and cléere morning is turned into a clowdie and sorowfull euening And there is no pleasure or pastime can be so great but that sorow and heauinesse doth disturbe iâ— we be like vnto the ayer that being so cleare and faire that we cannot almost discerne it from the firmament vpon a sodaine with a little wind that doâ—h arise is troubled and darkenot so likewise when that vnto our iudgements we are most ioyfull and merrieâ— vpon a sodaine not knowing from whence it commeth we finde our selues put in great sadnesse and teares This doth procéede for that all our felicitie and prosperitie we doe build vpon things that of themselues doe perish and decay We are also like vnto trauailer 〈…〉 Seas whose faire and calme wether is vpon the 〈◊〉 who of it selfe is moueable and of small foundation and looke so many times as they be assalted with the winde so many times their pleasure doe abate and their sorrowes double Euen so doe we put all our felieitie in thirgs wherein is no stabilitie but like vnto the loaâ—es that is caried away with euerie winde as it apeareth in high estates and dignities for the higher he is the greater is his fall In riches difficultie in the getting with care in the kéeping and sorow in the losing vnto manie it causeth death and depriueth all of their case The most fairest in a short time doth 〈◊〉 and fade a way like a flower and he that is of most force strength is ouerthrowen with a little Feauer When a friend doth dye or is lost in especiall of children then swéete mingled by-tternesse Honey mixt with gall miserable fortune rarefull pleasures and many times sorowfull successours of follie vnto them that alonely doth recreate themselues with the blossome of the trée we our selues doe it in that we doe reioyce and shew so much pleasure and pastimes vnto little children who are no lesse subiect vnto misfortunes then the delicate flower Of many things that I haue spoken of you haue had experience so likewise verie shortly you shall see the proofe of the rest that lacketh if that Nature or Fortune doth not disturbe or lette it I will saye no more vnto you for that it is not giuen vnto vs to affirme that which we doe deuine but to declare that which the order of Nature doth show vs to 〈◊〉 the inconâ—eniences which might happen â—f that peraduenture we should be deceiued Héerewith the olde king concluded his reasons for that all those Lords that were there present were wise of great vnderstanding they well vnderstood that his words did extend vnto some thing that should happen vnto that faire young child Claramante and could not let but receiue some trouble of minde but yet for that his Father and brethren were or noble and valiant hearts they did not onelie with equall and quiet minde abide that which the starres did permit but also referred all things vnto the determination of the soueraigne creator so that they answered nothing vnto that which the king had said but the wise Artemidoro that had more vnderstanding in the art Magicke than the king answered vnto his wordes and sayd By your word we do vnderstand wise king of Gedrosia that you would declare some things that should happen vnto this faire child Claramante as of truth it is so for that his parents shall sustaine great sorrow and griefe for him but according as his good fortune and destinie doth promise vnto him it shall be for a greater glorie and extolling of the Gréekish Empire and so much more ioyful shal his prosperitie good fortune be than his sorrowfull peruerse fortune which is ordained great reason hath his father to reioyce of such a son for the excellent frâ—it which shall procéed of so worthie a blossome yet there is no peruerse fortune that can be so contrarie vnto him to be compared in equalitie vnto that which happened vnto his brothren in their first age who hauing now passed all their misfortunes with more ioy and pleasure do inioy the time of their prosperitie So shall it bée of this faire Claramante for that his high and strange birth doth not prognosticate anie other thing When the wise Artemidoro had concluded these words it gaue great conteatment vnto them all whereas before the words of the king of Gedrosia did cause in them great sorrowe thinking that some euill hap and misfortune had béene ordained against that most singular and gracious childe Claramante but most especiallie the beautifull and exouisite Princesse Lindabrides who scarcelie dyd shed many teares as one that dyd â—ouâ— him more then her owne parents onely for the loue of that figure that he dyd represent And for that it is now time that the great griefe ouermuch sorrow of this precious Princesse should cease this Historie doth declare what the two wise men Artemidoro and Lirgandeo dyd for to put remedie in the same ¶ How the faire Lindabrides by arte of the two wise men Artimidoro and Lirgandeo was inchanted and the order of her inchantment Chapter 48. NOw saith the Historie the Emperour Alicandro remaining manie dayes in the Court of the Emperour Trebatio was the occasion that the griefe of the faire Princesse Lindabrides dyd euery daye increase more and more one waye for that the presence of the very faire and worthie Princes Claridiana dyd make her suspect that which her knight he of the Sunne had determined within his heart an other way in remembring that in the ende the Emperour her Father would 〈◊〉 into his countrie againe and that forseably she must 〈◊〉 with him all the which she could not suffer with pacience neither immagine that it should be possible for her to departe out of Gâ—ecla 〈◊〉 â— that in thinking hereof her dolour and griefe was such that many times it brought her â—o the point of death And for that all this was not hyd from the two wise men Liâ—gandeo and Arâ—einidoâ—o and vnto the Quéene 〈◊〉 her damsell many times hauing great compassion on this faire Princesse they dyd determine amongst themselues to put some remedie in the same in such sort that she might not liue in so great sorow and griefe Being fully persuaded in their determination and knowing what afterwards would happen and come to 〈…〉 together all those worthie Princes and knights Ladies and damsells in the emperiall pallace the daie being verie faire and the Sunne cléere and bright vpon a sodaine there came ouer the Citie a great cloude that was so blacke and darke that béeing together they could scarcelie sée one