whether hee went he entred the Empresse Chamber where shee and her Son Caniano stoode conferring togeather without saluting the one or other he satte downe in a Chaire and gaue such bitter sighes as the Empresse hearing was somewhat mooued therewith doubting he had either receiued some greate iniurie or els coulde not prouide himselfe so sufficientlie as he would for the Triumphe wherupon she left her Sonne and calling Tarisius aside thus began with him Nephewe I sée you verie melancholie which makes me to iudge that you want some néedefull thing for the Tournament which my Sonne hath caused to be published With which words she beheld Tarisius more wishlie then she had doone before and perceiued the teares to trickle down his chéekes which made her more desirous to knowe the cause of his gréefe but his hart was so confounded and shut vppe in anguish as hée could not speake one word to her Neuerthelesse the Empresse who loued him as her owne Sonne founde so manie meanes to perswade him as in the ende he disclosed the loue he bare to Griana and the aunswere likewise which shee made him whereby I am assured quoth he that nothing but death can cease my torments The Empresse who of her selfe did manie times determine to make that marriage perceiuing nowe howe fitlie the occasion offred it selfe began to resolue on the consumation thereof and to content her Nephewe in excusing the Princesse Griana spake as followeth Doo you Nephewe mislike the aunswere of my Daughter beléeue me therein she didde but her dutie for she cannot dispose of her selfe béeing yong and vnder controule but the Emperour and I whom you ought firste to make acquainted with your request But since I perceiue how you are affected I promise you I will confer with my Lorde the Emperour and hope to preuaile so well in the cause as you shall spéede of that you moste desire As they continued these discourses they were giuen to vnderstande by a Messenger that the Prince Florendos the Kinges son of Macedon was newlie arriued with a braue companie of Knights But his comming to the Emperour was not as his vassaile or Subiect because the kingdome of Macedon was at that time no way beholding to the Empire but onelie to sée the faire yong Princesse Griana the renowne of whose beautie and vertues had so peirced his thoughtes as before he sawe her he loued and honoured her so that for this cause onlie he iournied to Constantinople where he was verie honourablie entertained bothe of the Emperour and his Sonne Caniano as also of the Empresse and faire Griana who oftentimes hearde him reckoned and estéemed amongst the most honourable and gracious Princes that liued at that daie CHAP. II. Howe the Empresse conferred with the Emperour as concerning the mariage of theyr Daughter Griana wyth Tarisius Sonne to the King of Hungaria whereof they both determined and of that which happened in the meane time THe Empresse was not forgetfull of her promise made to her Nephewe Tarisius but endeuoured by all meanes possible to find the Emperour at such leysure as she might impart the whole to him and because shee had so hardilie taken the matter vppon her shee would gladlie it should sorte to effecte as commonlie Women are couetous of their owne desires therefore no meruaile if shée were earnest in following her intent Soone after walking alone with the Emperour and smoothlie couering the baite she was desirous he shoulde swallowe shee desired him to graunt her one request whereof shee woulde not willinglie be denied The Emperour neuer before hearing her so importunate consented at the first to whatsoeuer she demaunded nowe perswading her selfe sure to spéede thus shee beganne My Lord hauing often considered with my selfe that our Daughter Griana is of yéeres and discretion able for a Husband I am the more desirous to sée her honourablie bestowed And for that the yonge Prince Tarisius hath béene trained vp in your Court and which I little thought some good will appeareth to be betwéene them I should thinke if not amisse to vnite them in mariage togeather for hardlie shall we finde 〈…〉 a Lord of greater blood and birth then he béeing heire apparant to the Crowne and kingdome of Hungaria besides they hauing béene so longe time conuersant togeather in their yonger yeeres will entertaine a more speciall regard of loue betwéene them then can be in anie other that may mooue yâ— question to her Madame aunswered the Emperour she is your Childe and I doo not thinke but you would her good therefore I like the motion well for that indéede I esteeme so well of Tarisius as of mine owne Sonne aâ—d since wee haue so happilie fallen into these discourses we will foorthwith certifie yâ— King his Father by our Ambassadours that we may vnderstand his opinion héerein The Empresse gratified her Lord with verie hartie thankes béeing not a little glad she had so well preuailed wherefore immediatlie shee aduertised 〈◊〉 But for Griana her affection was els where for she bare a certaine secrete good liking to Florendos so soone as shee behelde him hearing so great reporte of his knightlie bountie and prowesse so that beholding them togeather and their eyes deliuering the good conceite of eache other one might easilie iudge that Loue hadde so mightilie maistered her thoughts as if he consented she had sette downe her reste for her choise and hee on the other side was drawne into the same compasse notwithstanding eache of them for the time concealed what they rather desired should be known betweene them Yet this hidden fire stroue to gaine place of issue for diuers times the Princesse Griana béeing amongst her Ladies talking of such Knights as woulde shewe themselues at the Tournament the Prince Florendos was coÌ„monlie first spoken of and so highlie would the Ladies commende him beyonde all the other as Griana coulde not refraine from changing coloure so that the alteration she founde in her spirite might be euidentlie perceiued howbeit none of the Ladies as then noted it and thus shee continued till the feast of Saint Maria d' Augusta which was the daie appointed for the Tournament on which daie the Emperour knighted his Sonne Caniano and Tarisius Nephewe to the Empresse in honour wherof hee held a greater and more magnificent Courte then before time hee had doone for he suffered the Ladies to accompanie the Knights at the Table albeit they were not wont to doo so often at yâ— time yet full well it pleased the Prince Florendos who satte opposite to the Princesse Griana during which time of Dinner though manie piercing lookes and smothered sighes were sent from eache other as messengers of their sâ—mâ—lable opinions yet cunninglie they shaddowed all from being discerned But after the Tables were withdrawne and eache one preparing for the Tourney Florendos so well behaued himselfe as he founde the meanes to speake priuatlie with his newe Fréende and thus he beganne Madame the Heauens haue not a little fauoured mee in
time on the other side Ptolome had so canuazed the Counties Brother as he sealed him a quittaunce with his sword for his life Then began the Counties Souldiours to dispayre of their successe and Palmerin with his traine to follow them so closelie as they were glad to take themselues to flight leauing theyr Maister ouerthrowne in the Armie where hee was troden to death with the trampling of the Horses Thus did the victorie remaine to the Duke his enemies scattering in flight gladde to saue their liues whom Palmerin commanded to follow no further least gathering themselues togeather againe and espying aduauntage they might so endanger them for oftentimes the vanquished too narrowly pursued recouer courage daunte the pride of the conquerers For this cause he returned with his men into the Citty the Duke vnderstanding the foyle of his enemie which made him with a great number of woorthy Cittizens to goe méet Palmerin and Ptolome whome embracing hee thus entertained Ah good Knights by you is my estate recouered and the death of my Sonnes reuenged on the murderer therefore dispose of me and myne as you shall thinke beste to which words Palmerin thus answered My Lord let heauen haue the honour of our victory as for me I haue doone and will héereafter what I can for the great kindnesse of the King of Macedon your Uncle who hath honored mee in sending me to you and other recompence I neuer did or will séeke As they thus parled togeather the Duke perceiued by the blood on Palmerins Armour that he was wounded in manie places wherefore quoth he I sée you are sore wounded let vs make haste to our Pallace where a Ladye attending on the Duchesse and well séene in chirurgeri◠shall giue attendaunce on you till you are recouered So mounting on horsebacke they rode to the Pallace where Palmerin was lodged Béeing brought into his Chamber the Duchesse and her Daughter holpe to vnarme him when the Ladie dressed his wounds perswading him there was no daunger in them to be feared Thus each one departing Laurana the Duchesse Daughter called Vrbanillo the Dwarsse saying to him My Fréende desire thy Mayster to make bolde of any thing he wants and that for my sake he will dispayre of nothing Madame said y◠Dwarffe you haue good reason to wish my Maister well as well for the good assistaunce he gaue the Duke your Father as also in respecte of his deserts which are as honourable as any that euer came in this Court These words Palmerin verie well hearde hauing his eye continually on her wherefore when shee and all the other were departed hee called Vrbanillo demaunding what talke he had with the Princesse which he reported and his answere also Gramercies said Palmerin I pray thée find the meane to let her knowe that I am her Seruaunt and Knight ready to accomplishe anie thing that she shal commaunde me Referre this matter to me Sir quoth the Dwarffe I knowe what Saint must patronize these affaires and what offering must bee layde on his Altar CHAP. XX. Howe Palmerin became highlie enamoured with the beautie of the Princesse Laurana thinking her to bee the Lady that sollicited him in his visions VRbanillo the Dwarffe not forgetfull of his Maisters commandement the next day when Laurana came with her Mother to visite Palmerin shee tooke the Dwarffe aside demaūding what reste his Maister tooke the night past Madame quoth he indifferent I thanke God and you for in you two consists the disposition of my Maisters health As howe quoth shee Thus Madame said Vrbanillo the first day that he behelde you hee gaue the whole possession of himselfe so firmely to you as day night he meditates on your diuine perfections doubting in requital of his seruice to my Lord your Father and his Countrey whose liues and yours he hath defended him selfe shal be repayed with suddaine and cruel death for had he not come for your safetie well had he escaped this daungerous extreamitie Then séeing fayre Madame that his valour hath béene the meane of your deliueraunce doo not so degenerate from gentle nature as to kill him that gaue you life Why my Freend quoth she what wouldest thou haue me doo To loue him swéete Madame quoth he as hée doth you Alas sayd she thou mayst assure thy selfe y◠none can wysh thy Maister better then I doo béeing my duetie and his desert with which wordes shee chaunged colour with such modest bashfulnes as it might be perceiued shee could hardly master her affectiōs Which when y◠Dwarffe behelde as one not to learne his lesson in this arte perswaded himselfe by the very lookes of Laurana that his Maysters loue would sort to happy ende and thereuppon he followed the matter thus I thinke Madame that you wysh my Maister as well as anie but that is not enough vnlesse your wysh agrée wyth his in this poynt that you graunt your selfe his onely Lady and Mistresse as hee hath vowed himselfe your Knight and Seruant If it may please you to wysh this good to my Maister vouchsafe this fauour as a president of your lyking that so soone as he shall finde himselfe better in health you wyll but consent to speake with him alone in some such conuenient and vnsuspected place as hee may haue liberty to acquaint you with the secrets of his thoughts Alas quoth she how should I so doo without offering too much impeache to mine owne honour Madame saide the Dwarffe the night giues fauour to loues swéete enterprises By this time the Duchesse was ready to depart which Laurana perceiuing sayd to the Dwarffe Assure thy Maister from me that I am more his thē myne owne and I will doo for his welfare what I may with modestie By reason of their departure the Dwarffe coulde not make her answere but shaddowing the matter as hee had doone before went about his Maisters busines till hee came and found him alone when he discoursed all that had past betwéene the Princesse and him which so well contented Palmerin as nothing coulde more because he perswaded himselfe as I haue saide alreadie that this was shee which the thrée Sisters promised him by whom he shoulde receiue the honour that destinie allowed him For thys cause thence forwarde he was verie desirous to knowe her name commaunding Vrbanillo very straightly to enquire it which hee did informing his maister that her name was Laurana whereupon he well sawe that hee was deceiued in that the Sisters had named his Mistresse Polinarda and therefore he resolued to withdraw his affection and to depart thence so soone as he should be able to beare Armor But it may be easilie presumed that when one hath so far ventured in loue that he perceiues himself beloued as the Dwarffe perswaded his Maister hardly can hee giue ouer so faire a beginning yet héere it fell out contrary as you shall well perceiue that the ende was more suddaine then the beginning Palmerin now knowing the Princesse name began to vse other
presently he marched towards his enemie who held in his hande a Persian Bowe with an arrow in it readie to shoote hauing a great sorte more at his backe in his Quiuer he was of vnreasonable stature yet with a countenaunce sterne and couragious all which could not dismay Palmerin but called to him in this maner Proud Knight that by the ayde of deuils and euill spirits hast committed monstrous cruelties it is nowe time that hee whom thou seruest should haue his pray which is thy soule into endlesse perdition And so without staying for any aunswer hee ran valiantly against him but the enchaunted Knight taking his aduauntage shot an arrowe at him so violently as if pierced through his Armour to the bare flesh Palmerin hauing broken his Launce with an yron Mace he had he reached such a stroke to the Knight as hee brake his Bowe in two peeces and the blowe falling on the head of his Horse made him therewithall fall deade to the grounde The Knight hauing recouered himselfe tooke a Mace that hung at his saddle Bowe and came against Palmerin who was nowe on foote likewise so layd they on loade terribly with their Maces that the Emperour and his Lordes and Ladies hearing the strokes came to the windowes to see the CoÌ„bat little thinking that any one durst presinne to meddle with his enemie yet all this while the Knights neuer breathed though theyr Sheeldes and Armour were very much mangled and their bodies wounded in many places And because Palmerin sawe the sight endure so long wyth the Mace he threw it downe and tooke him to his Sword wherewith he did so bumbaste him about the heade as hee could scant tell where to strike againe but the Knight on a suddaine lifting vp his Mace gaue Palmerin such a stroke betwéene the head and the shoulders as made him reele to and fro amazedly yet comming to himselfe and seeing the Knight faint with his great expence of bloode closed with him and casting his legge behinde him threw him to the grounde when setting his foote on his brest to kéepe him downe with his sworde he parted hys head from his bodie What question were it whether the Emperour reioysed hereat or noâ— who for his whole Empire wold not he were aliue againe béeing so well deliuered from his onely enemy in the worlde that coulde so molest him and his Countrey with such crueltie And to say sooth the enchaunted Knight was altogeather inuincible nor could Palmerin haue thus preuailed against his wonderfull enchauntments but that the thrée Magicall Sisters of the Mountaine Artifaeria highly fauoured him as you hearde before what promises they made him The Combat béeing thus ended and the enchaunted Knight dead the Emperour giuing thanks to God for this victory let open the Gates of the Castell and came foorth himselfe to welcome Palmerin who kneeling on his knee before the Emperour thus spake Mighty Prince such renowne haue I hearde through the worlde of your excéeding honour and bountie as I haue trauailed many straunge Countries to come offer you my seruice desiring your highnes if my sute may seeme reasonable to accept me hence forth amongst your Knightly Seruaunts Ah faire Knight aunswered the Emperour it is for me to know of you how I may reâ—â—â—erate this vnspeakable courtesie for but by you mine enemie had triumphed in my spoyle so much theÌ„ is my selfe my Children and Countrey bounde to you as no satis-faction is sufficient to regratiate So taking him by the hand and perceiuing his body wouÌ„ded in many places he conducted him into one of the fayrest Chambers in hys Castell where he was vnarmed commaunding his Chirurgions to take dilligent care of him because in truth they much doubted his life Wherfore getting him into his bed all néedefull things for his health were applyed to him and no cost was spared to saue his life that preserued the wholâ— Countrey CHAP. XXVII Howe the Empresse came to visite Palmerin who kept his Chamber because he had receiued such daungerous woundes in the Combat with the enchaunted Knight and of the speech he had with the fayre Princesse Polinarda THe Empresse with her fayre Daughter Polinarda gladde of the death of the enchaunted Knight came to Palmerins chaÌ„ber to visite him who hearing of their comming cast a night Mantle about him which the Emperor had sent him came with greate reuerence to welcome them so desirous was he to sée her for whom he had trauailed so manie strange Regions In this place it is necessary that you remeÌ„ber what gratious gifts the thrée fatall Sisters bestowed on him in the Mountaine Artifaeria one of them graunting him this speciall fauour that he should be highlie estéemed of her to whom he was destenied so soone as she behelde him which came tâ— passe as héere shall be declared Palmerin expecting the entrance of the Empresse her Daughter in his Chamber méeting them at the dore falling on his knée did with great humilitie kisse their handes but the Empresse taking him vppe in her armes saluted him with these spéeches Gentle Knight right happy may we count our selues by your comming hether the Realme béeing more desolate then it hath béene séene héeretofore and not without cause in respect of the great iniurie the Knight did vs whâ—m you haue slaine he hauing sworne the death of my children that neuer offended him but God bee thanked the lot hath fallen on himselfe which he determined to inflict on other for which great grace they stand so déepelie bound to you as to their Father that first gaue them life which by your prowesse you haue happilie preserued this second gift béeing of no lesse account then the first worthelie may you bee called their seconde Father Palmerin giuing eare to the Empresse salutations had his minde more busied in beholding Polinarda whose daintie regarde so maistred his opinions as heade hart thoughts and all were nowe sette to work yet couertly he shaped this answere to the Empresse Madame what I haue doone for you and yours is nothing in respecte of my great good will for since the time I first had knowledge of my selfe and before I receiued the order of knighthoode vnderstanding of my Lord the Emperour and what honourable entertainment was in his Court I dedicated my seruice to him onelie and for this cause Madame came I hither But howe is it possible Sir saide she that you can content your selfe to be one of his Knights your deserts bein so great Very well Madame quoth he and yours too so please your highnes to affoorde me such fauour With all my hart Sir said she shall I entertaine you towardes the Emperour and on mine owne behalfe will prouide better for you then I will speake of and did it like you I woulde accept you for a Uirgins Knight héere and none other Whereuppon shee called her Daughter Polinarda saying Faire Daughter this Knight as yet hath little acquaintance in the Court I praie you sée his entertainment
all his trayne taking theyr standing to behold the Combat Palmerin came armed foorth of his Tent sauing his Helmet which was carryed before him by two Squires with his Sheeld and Mace and next to them came two Princes who bare the portraiture of his Ladie Polinarda which béeing sette on the Piller hee clasped on his Helmet and taking his Mace in his hande martched to the Dukes Tent and thus summoned him Knight thou hast long enough defended the field and to my great gréefe that it hath béene so long my turne is nowe come and it is good reason I shoulde kéepe it the rest of the time for the Ladie whom I loue is not onely much more beautifull then thine but beside excelleth all other whatsoeuer and if thou wilt not confesse the same I wil not leaue thée with this Mace till I haue forced thée to doo it I know not saide the Duke what thou canst doo but I am of the minde that I shall soone quallifie thy ouer bolde brauing At these words the Duke taking his Mace deliuered Palmerin so sounde a stroke on the heade as made him to stagger but Palmerin requited him well againe for it and long had they fought togeather and brused eache other very pittifully till at length Palmerin gaue the Duke such a cruell stroke betwéene the heade and the shoulders as he fell to the grounde cleane bereft of sence when Palmerin taking off his Helmet would not offer him any further violence but setting his sworde against his brest said Now am I sufficiently reuenged on him that so ill intreated the figure of the most fayrest among Ladies The Iudges of the fielde thinking Palmerin would haue slaine the Duke came running to him with these words Content you Sir he is vanquished and hath no power to defende himselfe Whereupon Palmerin put vppe his Sword againe and leauing the Duke went presently to the Piller where his Ladies portrait stoode which embracing in his armes he placed highest and Lucemania at her féete saying I beséeche you Madame to pardon your Knight in that he did no sooner repell the famous iniurie offered you and impute it not to feare or want of courage but debility of bodie which once a little recouered I came to maintaine your honor and héere confirme you for the most beautifull Ladie liuing While Palâ—â—erin thus contemplated his Mistresse figure the Iudges commaunded the Duke to be carried into his Pauillion where with soueraigne drinks life was got into him again but when he knowe himselfe to be vanquished and that in one howre hee lost the greatest honour of all his life time very conceit of gréefe had well néere slaine him No lesse was the sorrowe of Madame Lucemania but she and her Knight were not so much discontented as Palmerin Trineus and Ptolome were ioyfull but aboue all other Prince Lewes of Fraunce more pleasant then if himselfe had tryumphed in victory thinking he could not sufficiently extoll the renowne of Palmerin calling him yâ— onely puller downe of the proude That day did Palmerin encounter with seauen other Knights in his conquests shewed himselfe not onely magnanimious but mercifull sauing their liues and honoring his Mistresse with the humilitie of theirs The next day likewise after many braue exployts béeing readie to leaue fielde because none came to resist him on a suddain there entred a Knight in blacke Armour stripte all ouer with Golde and bearing in hys sheelde of Azur the Golden Sunne whose braue order of entraunce declared him to be a hardie Knight at Armes who aduauncing him selfe to Palmerin said My intent of comming hether Sir Knight is to let thée vnderstand that I am the Seruaunt and beloued of a Ladie who may not bee equalled with any other and because I am enformed that yâ— maintainest thy Fâ—éend to excell all Ladies whatsoeuer I offer to prooue the contrary and will make thée confesse it I neuer spoke wordes more true aunswered Palmerin and heere abide to iustifie them but this place is ordeyned to no other ende then to make thée and thy like know what vnaduised enterprises you take in hande And one thing is required of â—hée that before thou begin the Combat thou sette vppon thys Pyller the counterfeite of her whom thou perswadest thy selfe to excell my Lady in beautie according to the conditions of this field published through all Europe That cannot I doo answered the Knight of the Sunne for I haue no other picture of her then is imprinted in my hart where loue hath so liuely figured her person as she is daily presented to mee by her incomparable beautie which cannot be taken from me but onely by death And if loue follow the soule as diuers holde opinion whole worldes cannot seperate mee froÌ„ her And therefore are all men vnworthy to receiue fruition by their regard of a thing so precious which makes me imagine none but my selfe woorthy to looke on her diuine figure Prepare thee therefore to thy Horse and defende thy selfe Palmerin desirous to know the name of this fayre Ladie sayd I sée Sir Knight that thou art meruailous proude and surlie which make mee desire rather to Combat wyth thee then any other to abate this hote humour albeit this is contrarie to his conditions who was the principall Author of this enterprise which is that thou shouldest set on this Piller her portrait whom thou so estéemest yet thys exception shall be graunted thee for the desire I haue to knowe what thou canst doo as also her name if thou darest reueale it To tell thée her name aunswered the Knight of the Sunne I will not sticke with thee and because in concealing it I shall offer her wrong nature hauing in her set downe the onely worke of beautie know therfore that her name is Polinarda Daughter to the mighty Emperor of Allemaigne These wordes were so yrkesome to Palmerin and troubled his thoughts in such sort that hee knewe not readily what to aunswere notwithstanding in midst of his choller thus spake By God Knight thou hast made a good choyse for against her beautie will not I contende hauing it in greater estimation and reuerence then thou canst haue but I am ready to prooue that thou deseruest not to be named her Knight no not so much as her meanest Seruaunt That shall we try said the Knight of the Sunne before we part and albeit her excellencie deserue farre greater seruice then mine yet so it is that for the looue I beare her and the affection I haue to obey her by some agreeable seruice I may by good reason name my selfe hers At these spéeches Palmerin conceiued such iealousie as without attending any further matter mounted in great anger on horsebacke and met the Knight of the Sunne so forcibly as bothe of them were sent to the ground whereuppon they drewe their Swordes and charged eache other with such furie as their Armour and Shéeldes were hacked in péeces and the ground coullered with their expence of blood
correspondent to his byrth wee will giue him our Daughter in mariage if so himselfe accept our offer The good Ladie misliked not her Husbands opinion wherefore the next morning shee went to entertaine her guest saying My Lorde your comming hither hath well contented my Lorde and Husbande and so please it you to staie héere he wil bee glad and fayne of your companie which gentle offer Netrides accepted thanking God and the Ladie for his good fortune Thus remained he with this auncient Knight Lombardo who afterwarde neuer remembred him of his miseries in the Forrest but intreated him so well as though hee had béene his owne Sonne Netrides séeing the Knights Daughter so faire and well conditioned and she regarding not onely the vertues of his minde but also his comely and well featured bodie they began amorously to affect eache other secretlie but loue inuented yâ— meane to reueale it openlie for Lombardo well noting the great discretion of this yong Gentleman and knowing him to bee discended of bloode royall resolued to cause him marry his Daughter demaunding the question of Netrides among other spéeches if so he liked to marry his Daughter My Lorde quoth he it is the sum of my desire and greater honor cannot you bestowe on me so please her to conceiue the same opinion I doo The marriage was sollâ—mnized with all expedition with yâ— presence of manie Gentles neighbours thereabout who meruailed the Knight bestowed his Daughter so in that they estéemed Netrydes but a poore Knight errant It fortuned afterward that the auncient Knight and his Ladie deceased leauing theyr Daughter great with childe to the no little content of Netrydes that after all his sorrowe he shoulde become a Father Thrée daies before this Ladie fell in trauaile shee dreamed that she was shut vppe in a very dark Chamber whereout she coulde by no meanes get and therefore called for helpe to one of her Gentlewomen Then was she aduised to take her childe in her armes and to staye there still whereuppon she behelde her infant and sawe that his face resembled the beames of the Sunne the brightnes whereof chased away the darknes so that shee might beholde the place as cleere as any other saying My Lord forgette thys heauines and you shall reioyce by this infant for this is he shall reestablish you in the place you haue lost shall seate you in that Chayre with honour for which you were exiled thence giuing you his crowne that traiterously chased you from his kingdome He comforted with these words tooke the childe in his armes and sayd Little soule I pray God thy mother speake trueth and that thou maist be able to execute it So saying hee espyed a furious man who snatched the infant foorth of his armes and notwithstandâ—ng all his intreaties supplications caryed it away with him This sorrowe for Netrydes made her giue a loude shryke when he calling his Wife demaunded the cause of her suddaine affright whereupon she rehearsed to him the whole manner of her Dreame and reioysing thereat said I hope my Lord that it will so happen to you as I haue dreamed and therefore comfort your selfe without feare of mis-fortune notwithstanding he remained in many doubtfull opinions till they vnderstoode by effects the certaintye of this dreame Nowe was come the time of the Ladies deliueraunce which was a goodly man Childe so fayre well fauoured as one should lightly beholde béeing named Frysol and shee woulde suffer none to nursse it but her owne selfe for the certaine hope shee reposed in him The Chylde growing in time to such comely stature as eache one tooke great pleasure to beholde him whereof the Mother was so gladde that albeit she had afterward two other Sonnâ—s yet shewed she no such speciall loue towards them as vnto Frysol which procured some hatred betwéene his brethren and him This yong Lord growing to fourtéene yéeres of age was in stature verie tall delighting himselfe in ryding great Horsses shooting in the long Bowe casting yâ— Barre and diuers other Gentlemanlike exercises as also to chase in the Forrest where olde Lombardo mette with his Father So that one daie after long and wearie chasing of the Hart hauing sweated very sore and meruailous drye for want of drinke finding a little spring by the foote of a Trée he laâ—e downe and dranke but afterwarde he became so yll and sicklie as hee trembled â—â—rie â—ore so that one of hys Squires could hardlie leade him againe to the Castell Netrides séeing him so excéeding ill was meruailous sorrie commaunding his Phisition to séeke some present helpe for him who plied him with such wholsome potions as his feuâ—r left him but his face and all his bodie was so painted as he had béene a Leaper which made him bee mocked of his other Brethron and scorned of all the Seruaunts except his Father and Mother which was such gréefe to him as he would haue died with fretting at them but his Father rebuked them and comforted him in this manner I did hope my Sonne by thy meanes to be restored againe to the Realme of my deceased Father but nowe howe long it will be before God knowes if this strange malladie of thine be neuer holpen Frysol amazed at his Fathers wordes desired him earnestly to report the whole circumstance which Netrides at length did rehearsing how he was Brother to the King of Hungaria the hard intreataunce he vsed towardes him and lastlie hee tolde him the Dreamâ— of his Mother Frisol studying along space on his fathers words at length aunswered My Lord you are not ignorant of the soueraigne power of the highest who by his diuine iudgement hath sent mee this disease that thus torments mee euen so when pleaseth him he will take it from me againe and giue me health and strength much more then euer I had with meanes sufficient to giue you ayde and succoure according to the matter whereon you haue diuined And albeit I féele so extreame anguish as death may not be likened to it yet doth thys hope comfort mee in such sorte that me thinkes already I am become more healthfull therfore my Lord dismay of nothing but perswade your selfe there is comfort behind These words were so pleasing to Netrides as méere ioy caused the teares to trickle downe his chéekes meruailing at the wonderfull courage of his Son enduring such terrible paines as he did wherefore what hee thought he could not reueale but withdrewe himselfe into his Chamber CHAP. XLI Howe Frisol persecuted with his disease and the mockery of his Bretheren determined to goe seeke strange aduentures FRisol hauing heard the originall of his birthe as also the vision that appeared to his Mother was thence forwarde more pensiue then he had béene before and perceiuing his Brethren continued their bad disposition and day by day mocked him more and more he determined to forsake his fathers house to séeke aduentures and remedie for his sicknes if any were to be found And being one
sléeping his enemie should escape him The next morning so soone as the breake of day appeared Frysol came foorth of the Castle with his companye wherefore Palmerin not a litle gladde saide to the Damosell Now Lady is your promise perfourmed for this is the Knight I séeke if therefore you will any thing with mée I must intreat you to followe mee for I would be very lothe that he shoulde escape me With which wordes hée mounted on horsebacke galloping after Frysol so fast as the Horse coulde away and ouertaking him sayde Stay a while Sir Knight thinke you to passe away in such sorte haue you forgot your words at Parris to the Knight that guarded the Duke of Sauoyes Tent now is the time I hope to correcte your presumptioÌ„ when thou shalt well perceiue that thou neyther deseruest to be Seruant to the Princesse Polinarda nor art worthy to talke of her honourable name Frysol thus slaying knâ—we by Palmerins words that it wâ—s hée against whome he fought the Combatâ— in Fraunce whereupon he aunswered Truely Sir Knight I haue not as yet forgotten what I then sayde nor is the beautie of Polinarda or my loue to her so little that my desire to doo her seruice shoulde not bée now remembered nor will I forbeare to confesse it stil for feare of thée or any other whatsoeuer And if thou hastâ— sought me foorth in this quarrell thou hast found me to readie to defend it as I will more willingly choose to die then denye any parte of my duetie to that gracious Princesse Palmerin béeing so angrye as hee woulde multiply no more wordes encountred his enemie so valyantly as they brake theyr Launces and yet coulde not vnâ—orse each other then drâ—wing their swordes they laide so cruelly vppon their bodies as theyr shéeldes being broken theyr Helmets battered their Armour defaced and their flâ—sh so grâ—â—uously mangled as neither of them both could iudge who was likest to winne the victorie Till at length Frisolâ— Horse fayling vnder him fell to the grounde and hée so weakened with his great losse of blood as hée coulde not recouer himselfe before Palmerin came to him thinking to haue parted his head from his shoulders with his swoord which when the Ladye sawe for whome Frysol had slaine Myseres shée fell into most pittifull acclamations not sparing her louelye tresses of hayre but with great impatience renting them violentlye made the ayre to eccho her lamentable complaints Which the Damosell seeing that guyded Palmerin and mooued with compassion of her excéeceeding gréefes fell on her knées before Palmerin intreating him to giue ouer the fight But he feyning that hee heard her not because Frysol with rough strugling had got on foote againe charged him with such violent strokes as Frisol beeing of inuincible courage requited him with as woorthy chiualrie Againe the Damosel came on her knées to him intreating him to giue ouer the fight saying You know my Lord that before you came hither you promised me two requests and this I make one of them that you continue no longer Combatte against this Knight and in so dooing I shall acquite you of part of the promise which you made mee Palmerin chaâ—ing like a furious Lyon aunswered I pray you Damosell aske some other thing for in this matter of force you must pardon mée In sooth saide the Damosell if you denie mée my demaunde I will complaine at the King of Englands Courte and there will I declare you periured for ill it beséemes such a Knight as you are to make promise to a Lady and not obserue it By God Lady saide Palmerin you doo me great wrong in with-holding mee from reuenge on him whom aboue all menne in the worlde I hate most deadlye vnhappye was the houre wherein I mette you and so mounting vppe on horsebacke he galloped awaye in very great anger When the other sorrowfull Lady sawe that Palmerin was gone and hadde left her Knight with great ioye shée embraced the Damosell that had procured it thanking her for â—héelding the life of a most noble Knight for which courtesie shee remained bound to her during life What I haue doone quoth the Damosell is for the loue of you and this Knight swearing to you by the fayth of a Gentle womanne that I haue another thing to aske of the Knight which is gone that concerneth mée very neerelie Notwithstanding your teares mooued méeâ—with such compassion that I stande in daunger to loose what I shall neuer recâ—uer yet in respecte the cause was so honest and vertuous I doo not repent what I haue doone but because he remaineth indebted to mée for another request I must néedes leaue you and followe him so mounting vppon her Palfraye shée rode after Palmerin with all the haste shee possiblye coulde make And in her iourney wée will leaue her returning to Frysol whose woundes béeing very dangerous the Lady bounde them vppe so well as shée coulde till they came at theyr next Lodging where by good Fortune was a Lady so well séene in Chirurgery as in shorte time she cured his woundes whole and sounde Frysol so well recouered departed thence with the Ladie because the thirde day following they shoulde bee at the Castell whither alreadie was come Hermes one of the King of Englands Knights béeing sent by his Lord the King to deliuer the Ladie her right which Hermes did according to his charge entertained the Ladie honourably deliuered her the Keyes of the Castell and commaunded all the Subiects to reuerence the Ladie which they refused not to doe but were glad of her comming For ioy hereof were very solemne feastes prepared and the Ladie recounted to Hermes Commissioner for the king howe Frysol fought the Combate by the way agaynst the Knight of the blacke armour whereby Hermes presently knewe that it was the straâ—nge Knight who had left the Court vnknowne to his Companions or any of his Friendes whereof hée was not a little glad because hée iudged that these newes woulde bee welcome to the King Wherefore so soone as he had accomplished his charge and seated the Ladie quietly in her Castell hee departed intending to follow Palmerin till he found him trauayling the way was assigned him by the Ladie Frisol stayed there with the Ladie till hee had perfectly recouered his health and then without any other recompencâ— for his paynes but onely a Horse because his owne was slaine and a newe Armour his owne béeing spoyled hée returned to the Duke of Gaule who reioyced greatly to haue his companie But when the Duke vnderstood how discourteously he had béene vsed by the blacke Knight who was so highly fauoured in the English Court hée deuised by all the meanes possible to bée reuenged on him so that béeing in a Castell on the Frontiers of his Duchie yet within the King of Englandes dominion hée vnderstoode the blacke Knight should passe that way because he coulde not else returne to the Court. Now perswading himselfe for resolute vengeaunce hée pitched his Tents
looke Which discourtesie hath well nere driuen me to dispayre in regarde of her slender opinion of mee as being so hindered onely through your absence Often I determined with Ptolome to leaue the Courte and followe you in trauaile but the King by no meanes woulde permit mée sending many of his owne Knightes because I shoulde not go yet was I resolued that had you not come no displeasure whatsoeuer shoulde haue helde mée héere but to finde you I intended or loose my life This falles out very harde quoth Palmerin for by these meanes we shall stay héere God knowes how long beside Hermes knowes my name which makes me doubt least we shal be reuealed the Emperour likewise may be offended at our long tarriaunce In regarde of all this good Prince I thinke it best that we sende your squire and Vrbanillo my Dwarffe to aduertise his Maiestie of our affaires and how by reason of the tempest we were cast quite out of course so far as we could not by any meanes assist his Armie not doubting but to sée his highnesse in very short time In the meane while we may practise meanes to win the Princesse fauour againe and so in good time departe hence with the honourable prize that we came for Trineus was newlye reuiued with these spéeches wherefore he desired that betimes in the morning hée would dispatche theyr Seruauntes towardes Allemaigne Which Palmerin fayled not to doo in respect of a dreame he had the night before for he imagined that he sawe his Lady Polynarda in meruailous heauinesse and that she sayde to him Alas my Lord what shall become of me for I am narrowly sought to be seperated from you This fearefull vision so discouraged him as he sent thence his Dwarfe to shewe her what trouble he hadde with his dreame and how constant he remained in his loue to her Chap. LXI How Palmerin promised the princesse Agriola to conâ—ay her out of England with his friendes which he performed to the speciall content of the prince Trineus EArly on the next morning Palmerin arose and wrote a letter to his Lady Polinarda wherin he secretly put a ring which shee gaue him when he departed from her straightly commaunding Vrbanillo that hee shoulde diligently attende on the Princesse till hee came which should bée with all the spéede hee could possible Ptolome likewise wrote to his Ladiâ— Brionella and these Letters dispatched the Messengers immediatly sette forwarde on theyr iourney From this time Colmelio was Palmerins Squire which pleased him very well because hee knewe that Palmerin was nobly borne so that by his meanes in time hee should rise to preferment This day the king would ride abroade a Hunting which gaue Palmerin occasion to sée the Faulcon fliâ— béeing reputed by the king and all his traine to be the best that euer flew In this time of recreation Hermes reported to the King that the knight so long absent was named Palmerin and the same knight that woonne so much honour in Fraunce which so well contented the king as he more and more desired his companie summoning all his Barons and Lordes to his Courte where hee made such feastes triumphs and other sportes for the honour of the noble Palmarin and his companions as the like had not béen of long time before At night when the Maskers Mumeries and Moriscoes were in presence that Palmerin espied conuenient time to talk with the princesse he tooke her aside to a window and thus began Madam before I begin what I haue to acquaint you withal I must giue you this ring as I was commanded by the lady of the castel in the lake the singular vertues thereof are such as I intreate you to kéepe it coÌ„tinually on your finger which Agriola receiuing with a curteous reuerence faithfully promised to accomplish his request then Palmerin with earnest affection on his friends behalfe thus continued his discourse I cannot but maruell fayre Princesse you being a Ladie of so speciall qualitie renowmed among the most vertuous creatures in the world for your rare integrity profound iudgemeÌ„t that you will be gouerned by the vnaduised perswasioÌ„s of other which I would not beléeue had not the Prince Trineus certenly assured me how since my departure in stéed of fauorable countenance and the intreatance beséeming so great a Lord he can haue nothing but frownes disdaine coy regard which is as easy for him to indure as a thousand deaths one after another Assure your self so farre beguiled as your councellers disswade you froÌ„ your chéefest good desirous to withhold you from the height of honour wherof you cannot faile being matched in mariage with the most vertuoâ—s Prince Trineus Make you no small account that he being one of the most noble states on the earth hath left his parents his friends and countrey hath past so many strange vncouth regions hath aduentured the iniurie of the seas bâ—aten with so many bitter blastes and raging billowes euerie minute in daunger of Shipwracke all for your loue Thinke you that he being son to the Emperour of Allemaigne attending euery day the rule of the Empire that he came hither to you in hope of your rich dowrie No trust me Madame and I thinke your own conscience doth so resolue you that néerer home he could haue found other endued with larger possessions then this Realme affords you But hearing the fame of your manifold vertues rare life choise beautie and all other good gifts he was willing wtout regard of his owne estate to thrust himselfe in daunger yea to forget himselfe for your loue which hitherto he hath with religious seruice intreated and except you intertaine him with more gracious fauour he is in danger of life Which if it should happen by your occasion for euer you shal be noted of monstrous ingratitude and Christendome should sustain a losse vnrecouerable How far such a thought ought to be froÌ„ you I leaue to your own coÌ„struction If hitherto you haue knowne me a knight readie to support the causes of Ladies far beneath your height thinke you I haue not greater reason to honour you yea not a moue you with any request but what may euery way aduance your credite And though my lord Trineus were not of the blood imperiall yet might his gentle heart vnfeigned loue and â—urpassing humanitie cause you to make choyse of him aboue all other whatsoeuer they be But séeing it so falles out that you will not regard good counsell following rather the perswasion of mean capacities whose iudgemeÌ„ts may not reach to so high occasions continue in your obstinacie and marke the end of such indiscréet consures I sée that our company is yrksome to you therfore sooner then you imagin we will remoue that occaâ—â—on I knowe well enough that you intend to match with the duke of Gaule who is but your fathers subiect so refusing yâ— degrée of an Empresse you shall tarry in England and be a Dutchesse Thinke you that if my
thy beautie of such value that the Knight to whome my Father and I haue doone so great honours would leaue vs and depart with thée trust meâ— thou art farre from thine account for if thou vauntest to doo him such honor in thy Fathers Courte as his nobilitie deserueth it consisteth in my power to exalt him more in one howre then thou canst doo in a thousand yéeres mightest thou liue so long I did neuer thinke that such audacious and incontinent tempting a man could any way enter thy heart but if such bee thy disposition thou oughtest rather to abide in thy Fathers Courte where thou maist haue leysure to followe thy base affection with some of the 〈◊〉 or youthes attending on thy Father then to offer the 〈◊〉 héere in my Chamber Hence hence foorth of my presence for I will not kéepe company with such an intemperate Woman What regard hadst thou of thy great linage or the place from whence thou art discended Yea what comfort will it be to me when I shall heare that a Ladie issued of the blood royall should bée more shamelesse and impudent then a 〈◊〉 a villaine or an high way begger Many other such like hard spéeches vsed Alchidiana all which gréeued her not so much as to 〈…〉 of him whom she reputed as passionate for her loue as shée was for his These high words of the Princesse caused the Ladies attending on Ardemia to enter the Chamber which maâ—e her then breake off because she woulde not haue euerie one knowe the matter and they séeing their Mistresse so sad and discomforted brought her to her owne Chamber where on her bedde shee sorrowed so impatiently as each one 〈◊〉 she would 〈◊〉 her selfe and faine shée woulde but that their presence hindered her therefore shee deferred it till better opportunitie And because shee had spent the most part of her yonger yéeres in reading the workes of 〈◊〉 as wel Greekes as Arabians she remembred the mouâ—nfull Tragedie of Biblis which caused her to frame a Dittie that shée had translated from the Greeke 〈◊〉 of Sapho into her vulgar spéech and turning towardes her Ladies and Gentlewomen she began in this maner The lamentable Dittie of Ardemia dying for loue MVsenot fayre virgins at Ardemia Although her end be hard and dolorous For death is pleasant as mine elders say To any Ladie sometime amorous For as the Swan in cold Meander glide By mournfull notes foretelles her speedy death So my complaint doth bid me to prouide For sweetest loue makes hast to stop my breath The ill that endlesse and vncessantly Torments my heart is fayre and choysest beautie And this vnhappie awkwarde desteny Falles to my lot through spotlesse loyaltie For fond conceit that ouer-rulde my wit More wretched then fayre Biblis maketh me And he I loue more stony hard is knit Then Caunus who could ken no courtesie Yet Bibliâ— oftentimes could ease her heart By sweete deuising with her louely freend But he I honor recks not of my smart Nor will vouchsafe one gracious looke to lend And as her sorrowes cheefely did arise Because the secrets of her loue were knowne So I reueald each one will me despise VVhich death can stint ere it too farre be blowne Vnhappie wretch that could not this foresee And be more chary of so choyse a thing But all too late I wish the remedie Therefore my folly doth due guerdon bring if loue that is esteemde a power diuine Vnto his Seruaunts giue so sharpereward VVhat merit may vile hatred then resigne Vnto his vassayles that his Lawes regard Oft haue I heard mine auncient elders say That such as loue not are vnwoorthie life Yet doth my loue imagine my decay And throwes my hope into whole worlds of strife And yet the paynes I wish for my mischaunce May not be valued with my present woe For to compare them is meere dalliaunce And neither sence or reason should â— shoâ—e Life is to me lothsome and burdenous All pleasure seemes to mee tormenting hell Ah poore refused and abused thus Must thou needes die for louing all too well O sacred Venus patrâ—nesse of loue In this distresse wilt thou not pittie me And thy fayre Sonne that thus his shaft did proue VVill he forsake me in this ieopardie If you forsake me in this iust request And will not fauour what you did procure Giue leaue to him that bringeth all to rest And he will ease the torments I endure You fatall Sisters that haue spunne my thred And now thinke good it should be cut in twaine Fulfill the taske as you are destenied And let my heart abide no longer paine Come sweetest death expected too too long Ende all the euils vnhappie loue begun If thou delay I challenge thee of wrong Hast then good death that loue and life were done Her complaints thus finished shée commaunded her Ladies to depart the Chamber and being alone by her selfe shee againe began to consider the rigorous refusall of Palmerin the conceit whereof gréeued her so extreamely as also the reproachfull wordes of her Cozin that making a conscience of her sorrowes and raging with extreamitie of this despight brake the vaines of her heart in sunder and the artiries of her bodie as the bloud issued foorth at many places aboundantly and therewithall in short time she was strangled The nxet morning her chéefest Lady that attended on her and loued her excéedingly came to the bedde side to sée how shée fared but finding her dead and so 〈◊〉 with her owne bloud gaue such a loude shrieke as Alchidiana and her Dâ—moselles affrighted at the noyse ranne in all haste to the Chamber The Princesse knowing the cause of this mischaunce was maruellous sorrowfull assuring her selfe that the wordes shée spake in her anger occasioned this bloudie 〈◊〉 And the â—umor of this mishop was so soone spread through the Palace as all the Ladies Damoselles Knightes Squires and other câ—me to beholde the harde fortune of Ardemia What lamentation was made on all sides is not to be expressed especially the Ladies attendant on Ardemia and her Brothâ—r Guâ—â—haran who brought her with him thither but her Gouernesse not able to endure the burthen of her heauinesse without feare of dread of any thus openly complained Ah swéete Princesse Aâ—demia the flowre of beautie howe deare hast thou bought this precious gift for I knowe assuredly that for this cause onely thy death happened vnhappie was the houre when thou didst leaue thy Fathers Court to accompanie the Princesse Alchidiana After her mones and the funerall pompe accomplished the Soldane erected for her a most beautifull Tâ—mbe with a sumptuous Coronet on the toppe thereof being vpheld by two inestimable Pillâ—rs of engrauen and guilded Alablaster the like whereof were neuer séene since the first King of Greece Yet was hée ignorant in the cause of her death and Palmerin not imagining whence this inconuenience did arise was so sorrowfull for the death of the Princesse as day and night hee mourned for her and
his departing time being come when the Prince attiring her selfe in her wâ—nted mourning garments and shaping her countenance to her former sorrow throwded her pleasures past and thus we will leaue them returning to our Affirianâ— sayling on the Sea Chap. XXIIII How after the tempest was past the soldans Armie assembled togither came against Constantinople where by the Emperours power they were discomfited the King of Balisarca his sonne Gueresin and 〈◊〉 other great Lords of Turkie slaine THe tempest which had thrown Palmerin on Hercuâ—es pillars after many loÌ„g and contagious stormes began nâ—w to cease the Sea béeing faire and calme and the windes very quiet whereupon the king of Balisarca General of the Armie in short time assembled togither the most part of his Fléete and came vpon the Coast of Natolia where hée attended the rest of his Foystes and Galleyes And hauing there â—â—ayed about fifteene dayes among all the Shippes that came hée could heare no â—â—dings of Palmerins Carrick the long slay wherof caused him to doubt least he had vnhappily 〈◊〉 in the Sea and ouercome with excéeding gréefe hee thus began Ah gentle Palmerin the flower of all Chiualrie in lucklesse howre didst thon betalâ—e thy selfe to the Sea what answere shal I make the Soldane for the 〈…〉 the Prince Olorico béeing so especially committed to my trust Nowe cannot Fortune 〈◊〉 so fauourable to vs as she would for by thy losse I vtterlye despayre of expected victorie To cut off these 〈◊〉 complaints he was counselled by the Lords Knights and auncient Captaines to sette forward to CoÌ„stantinople to discharge themselues of their promise to the Soldane least in returning without dealing with the enemie they should be reputed for fearefull faint-harted â—owards Setting their sailes to the wind at length they came to the Bosphor Now was the Emperour veriâ— aged and sickly hauing altogither committed the superintendaunce of the Empire to his sonne Caniano who had a son aged â—eaurntéene yéeres named Cariteos And being aduertised of the comming of so manie Assiriâ—ns Turkes and Moores hée sent to all the Christian Princes for succour the greater parte whereof was there as nowe arriued with resolute determination to welcome these Infidels When the Emperours scoutes had espied the enemiâ— to enter the straight yong Cariteos beholding the Knightes on all sides some on the walles and other in the Fielde came and knéeled before his Graundfather earnesâ—lye desiring him to graunt him his Knighthood For my Lord quoth he a better time and occasion cannot be then newe The aged Emperour graunted his request and with the teares in his eyes said In the name of God my Sonne maist thou receiue thy order and to the glorious maintenaunce of the Christian faith albeit thy youth forbids thée to venture so soone Presentlye arose the yong Knight Cariteos and clasping on his Helmet was the first that went foorth of the Cittie accompanied with tenne thousand Horsemen and twentie thousand Footemen to hinder the landing of the enemies which a great while hee did with such valour as the Hauen was channged with the bloud of the slaughtred The King of Balisarca hearing thereof commaunded his Archers to their taske 〈◊〉 shafts 〈◊〉 so thicke in such multitude as it were the Hayle that falleth from the Cleudes and on the other side hée gotte thiâ—tie thousande men on land who assayled the Christians so 〈◊〉 as yong Cariteos was slaine and a great 〈◊〉 of noble personages which was the cause that the Christians retired to the verie Gates of the Citie The Prince Caniano aduertised of his sonnes death and the great daunger wherein the 〈◊〉 issued foorth of the Cittie with eight thousande Horsmen and foure thousand hardie Archers who like hungry Tygers ranne vpon the Turkes beating them to the earth in such heapes as twelue thousand of them were slain at this encounter and the rest repulsed backe to their ships where many entred for sauegard of their liues and a great number were miserably drownâ—d in the Sea At this mishap the King of Balisarca was greatly eâ—â—ged who with his power presently went on shore the fight enduring so cruell and bloudie thrée howres space as neyther side could be reputed likeliest of victorie In this encounter ended their liues the King of Balisarca his Sonne Gueresin and a great number of Cailiffes and Taborlanes of Turkie and of the Christians the Prince Caniano with diuers other great Princes and Lords whose deathes are to this day lamented in Greece yet were the Pagans and Christians so animated one against another as darke night was the cause of their seperation When the Emperour vnderstood the death of his Sonne and Nephew hée was readie to die with conceit of griefe but séeing the necessitie of the time required other matter then sorrowing teares and vnprofitable lamentations hée presently dispatched Postes and Messengers to hasteâ— the succour was comming from Christendome In short time arriued a mightie Christian power and despight of the Turkes entred the Cittie when the Emperour presently sent tenne thousand into the Field and prouided a signall for the other to set fire among the Turkishe Fléete at what time they receiued the signe from the Cittie The Infidelles séeing the Christians to sallie abroad left their Shippes and came to méete them whereupon the Christians diuided themselues into squadrons and running furiously on the Moores Arabies and Assirians made such hauocke and slaughter of them as happie was he coulde best defend himselfe Then suddainly was the signall of fire made on the highest stéeple in Constantinople to the Emperours power wasting on the Sea which immediately launching among the Turkish Fléete suncke the greater part of them and burned the rest with their wilde fire When the Turkes beheld this stratageme and that they were now destitute of any helpe they beganne to faint so that at the comming of the Emperour who came himself vpon them with a fresh sallie of fiue thousand men they were all slaine except a fewe that escaped into Galleyes that brake from the rest vpon fight of the pollicie Great was the spoyle gotten by this conquest which the Christians taking with them entred Constantinople where they gaue God thankes for their happie victorie But although the Emperour sawe his enemies vanquished after the Princes were departed that came to his succour right gréeueus was the losse of his Sonnes to him wherefore his Lordes aduised him to send for his daâ—ghter the Quéene Griana and King Tarisius her husband and to commit the gouernment of the Empire to him For the accomplishment of this generall determination the Duke of Pera was appointed Lord Ambassadour being one of the most auncient Princes of Greece who accompanied with many noble Gentlemen made such expedition in his iourney as hée arriued in Hungaria before the King and his Quéene Oriana whose sorrowes may not be expressed for the death of her brother When they vnderstood the Emperours pleasure they resolued on their obedience which caused the
should be maried to one of the best Knights of the world Wée néede not doubt that the Quéene was héereat amazed yet the loue of the Mother to her infant cannot conquer the loue of the Wife to her Husbande which among all loues is the most honest and loyall so that in hope to frée him againe on whom depended her health and welfare shée gaue her Childe to the Damosell intreating that shée might be vsed as beséemed the Daughter of a King and as the swéete beautie of the infant deserued Shée returning to Carderia with the Childe made her Sisters verie ioyful by her comming who there nourished the infant till shée was three yéeres olde when the beautie of the yong Princesse beganne to shewe it selfe as fayre Cynthia dooth among the Starres Nowe did the Sisters inclose her in a strong Tower made of purpose for young Francelina wherein was the most goodly Garden in the worlde there was shee attended by her Nursses and sixe waiting Gentlewomen and such enchauntments were imposed on the Tower as no man should euer sée her vnlesse he were the best Knight of his time The entraunce into the Tower was verie strayte and narrowe barred vppe with a great Gate of yron and guarded with two furious Lyons Ouer the gate stoode a huge Image of Copper holding a mightie Mace of Stéele wrought by such cunning as if anie Knight but he that was destenied to end the aduenture should assay to enter hardly might he escape to returne againe Moreouer the conquerour should not demaund the first demaund of the princesse which was the deliuerance of her Father and for this cause the Sisters enchaunted the faire Francelina whose Historie wée must yet forbeare procéeding where wee leâ—t before Olimaell béeing thus on the Sea laden with Christian spoyles and prisoners at length entred the port of the great Cittie of Tubant where hée made such a chéerefull noyse of Droms Trumpets Clarions and Cornets as though the greatest Monarch in the worlde had come to take landing The great Turke maruailing at this sodaine melodie sent one of his Knights to vnderstand the cause who béeing certified by Olimaell what great victories hee had obtained against the Christians and the number of prysoners he brought with him returned to the Pallace where he told his Lord that the Admirall Olimaell was come and had brought with him great spoyles from the Christians where among quoth hee is a Christian King in person many worthy Knights and Gentlemen and a young Princesse of incomparable beautie Not a little ioyfull was the Turke at these newes wherefore comming into his great Hall where the imperiall seates of maiestie were erected himselfe fate downe in the â—one and faire Agriola of England in the other expecting the comming of Olimaell who in tryumphant manner set forward with his prize brauely mounted on a lustie Coâ—rser sumptuously caparasoned and aduauncing his sword drawne in signe of victorie Béeing come to the Pallace Olimaell saluted his Lorde with great reuerence standing by him to make report of his conquest and make present of his prisoners after their estate and calling First he caused all the riches to be brought and all the meanest captiues one after another to kisse the great Turks foote then commaunding them to be carried thence he began in this manner It is not to be doubted most high and mightie Monarch that this victorie gotten on the Christians enemies to our Gods hath beene obtained onely by your fauour therefore it is good reason that the principall head of this enterprise the great and chéefest honour should be doone The witnesse héereof are the treasures present and these prisoners abyding your mercie who from the very meanest to the highest shall humble themselues at your maiesties fâ—â—te When very many had doone theyr reuerence and the King of Thessaly shoulde next follow who though his handes were pinniond behinde him yet had a Crowne of Gold on his head to shewe what hée was although he sawe himselfe in the Traitours power and Olimaell had commaunded him to kisse his Maisters foote boldly made this answere Nor will I so much displease my God vncircumcized Tirant as thou art in such sort to abase my self being a king and administratour of iustice to faithfull Christians to kisse the foote of the mostâ—nastie and vncleane creature in the world profaning the worship which I onely owe to my maker It is in thy power to take my life from mee but not to constraine me do the thing wherein consists my damnation and a thousand deathes I will endure before I yéelde so much as in thought to thée Uillaine quoth the Admirall darest thou speake so vnreuerently in the presence of my Lorde did not my regarde of him withholde mée soone should I seperate thy cursed heâ—d from thy shoulders With these words he gaue the King such a blow on the face as made him fall on his knées to the ground Ah Traytour quoth the King well hast thou shewen the nature of a villaine that without commaunde strykest a King captiue and vnprouided of Armes but might it so please thy Lorde in open Fielde will I prooue thée a disloyall and vnchristened Curre that thus abusest the bloud royall The great Turke séeing the King so moued and angrie the bloud likewise trickling from his nose and mouth commaunded him to be carried thence to one of the strongest Castles in Nacolia where he should be enclosed without any companie that his captiuitie might be the more gréenous to him When the King of Thessaly was departed Palmerin approched leading the Princesse Laurana by the hande hée and his fiue companions beeing Armed except theyr Helmets Gantlets and swords whereat the great Turke maruailing demaunded of Olimaell why hée suffered them to be armed My Lord quoth hee these sixe Knights were the first prize I tooke who after they had giuen me theyr oathes haue done such seruice to your Maiestie especially this poynting to Palmâ—rin one of the best knights that euer I saw as full well do they deserue libertie which in recompeÌ„ce of aduenturing their liues in your seruice vnder your highnesse correction I promised them By Mahomet answered the great Turk for thy sake I likewise confirmâ— it and if héereafter they will abide with mée I will make them greater then euer they were While the Turke was making these promises Agriola hauing well noted Palmerin knew him and with the sodaine conceit thereof was readie to swoune but staying her selfe on her Chayre said O sole bountie who is this are not mine eyes deluded and my thoughts be guiled At these wordes Palmerin knewe her which before hee did not by reason of her strange disguysed apparrell yet thought hee best to conceale his inward ioy least crooked fortune should now againe preuent him The great Turke séeing Agriola looke so pale and wan started from his Chayre and taking her in his Armes said Alas Madame hath any sodaine ill befallen yée hath any one in this companie
onelie Daughter to the great Emperor of Turkie I neither can or will change my former opinion Happe then what shall and let my Father make an oblation of my blood to his secret Idoll I will not desist from louing him And thou my Fréend quoth she to Ptolome because thou hast not hid the truth from mée bee thou at this instant frée and vse thy libertie as thou pleasest for rather let me abide the death then the companion to my noble Lorde suffer shame by mee Ptolome falling on his knee humblie kissed her hande and began to reueale the knightly chiualrie that Palmerin and Treneus sometime did in England likewise howe they brought the Kings Daughter from thence who remained captiue among the Turks and her Husband giuen as slaue to the Admiralles Cozin It is enough said the Princesse talke to me no more héereof for by the great God the verie remembraunce of him is greater gréefe to me then the mercilesse seruitude a poore slaue endureth The loue he bare to you to the other knight and the yong English Princesse whose misfortune I cannot sufficiently bewayle calleth mée hence to trauaile in search of him and may I find him with them right gladsome will the iourney bee to mee because hee is thâ— onelie darling and fauorite of Fortune And now shall I tell you howe I meane to couller mine intent My Father not knowing your captiuitie to him shall I saye how you are the onelie companion to Palmerin and hither are you come to séeke him as hauing hearde before that hee remained in your seruice of this I dare assure you his Maiestie so déerelie loueth Palmerin that hee will deliuer you all things necessarie for his search be it by land or sea And if your God shall fauour you so much as in your trauaile you happen to finde him or else to send mée certaine tidings of him you shall doo me the greatest honor that euer Knight did to distressed Ladie So forwarde was the Princesse in her amorous desire and loth to waste time with tedious delaye as that daie shee acquainted her Father therewith and so cunningly shée plaid the Dratrix as the soldane gaue Ptolome Armour Horsses Seruants and fortie Knights to attend on him Beside he furnished him with two great Ships that he might enquire at all the Ports on the Sea for Palmerin The daye béeing come of his departure hée tooke his leaue of the Soldane the Princesse Alchidiana accompanying him to the Porte where for her adieu shee gaue him a swéet kisse saying Sir Knight if your fortune bee such as to bring mee the man who onelie hath power to mittigate my torments beside the continuall fauours of a Princesse I will make you one of the greatest Lordes in the Orient Madame quoth hée I will doo my diligence and till I returne let good hope perswade yee So hoâ—sing saile they set to Sea where we will leaue him till hee méets with Palmerin Chap. XLVII How Palmerin and the princesse Zephira departed from Elain towards Romata to seeke Muzabelino and what happened by the way in their iourney AFter that Maulerino was crowned King of Nabor the rebellious Subiects brought to obedience and the bodie of 〈◊〉 â—laine king Tireno enterred yâ— yong Princesse Zephira Palmerin thought long to set forwarde on their iourney wherefore the king allowing them a very honourable trayne bequeathing them to their desired fortune Hauing passed many regions and sundrie dangers incident in trauaile chiefely of a Basilisque whome Palmerin with the helpe of the dog Tryneus valiantly ouercame At length they entred yâ— realme of Romata where by commandement of the king Abimar their entertainment was according to their estates the occasion thereof being thus This king Abimar holding the greatest possessions in that region would neuer yéeld himself as subiect to the signorie of Persia wherat the soldan now growing offended sent an Ambassadour to commaund him presently to determine on his obedience or else he would ouer-run his Countrey with a mighty Armie and put both olde and yong to the Sworde Abimar â—bashed at this threatning Embassade demaunded counsell of the wise Muzabelino what answer hee should make the Ambassadour whereto the Magitian thus anuswered Feare not my Lord the threatning menaces of the Soldane for in that you haue two noble Sonnes so witte the Princes Tomano and Drumino knights of high and speciall account yet come there two others one whereof maye not be knowne with the Princesse Zephira Daughter to the King of Nabor who shall deliuer you from his tirannie and make him your Fréende therefore dismaie not to sende him a hardie answer as well beseemeth a Prince frée and not to be commaunded And though one of his knights that commeth with the Princesse shall a while bee vnknowne to you by the bountie of his companion with whom no other may well compare yet ere long you shall knowe him to your no little ioye and contentation Abimar giuing credit to Muzabelinos spéeches gaue charge in all the Citties where through the Princesse should passe that shée shoulde be entertained with honorable tryumphes as if himselfe had béene in companie And though the Prince Tâ—mano gréeued héereat who loued the yongest Daughter to the Soldane of Persia yet the King answered the Ambassadoâ— that hee woulde maintaine his right by the Sworde and if the Soldane came to assayle him he would defend his Coâ—ntrey so well as he could The Ambassadour dispatched with this answer Tomano came to Muzabelino saying Ah my déere Fréende Muzâ—belino what wrong haue you doone mee in perswading my Father to holde warre with the Soldane whose Daughter you know I loue in such sort as if I obtaine her not in mariage hardly can my life long endure Conteâ—t your slefe my Lord answered Muzabelino for if the two knights that come bring â—ortune for your father you must expect the like for your selfe But said the Prince maye I not knowe their names Let it suffise quoth Muzabelino what I haue saide yet héereof I daer asâ—ure you that they are Christians and extract of the greatest linage on the earth in bountie and valour incomparable whereof if you list to make experience and thereby to credit what I haue said beside I shall shewe you a meane auaylable for the purpose You shall cause two Tents to be erected by the Câ—dar Fountaine which is halfe a mile distant from this Cittie in the one of them let be your Brother Drumino and your selfe with tenne of the best Knightes in your Fathers Court and in the other let be your Sister accompanied with tenne of her chéefest Ladies and about a bowe shot from thence towards the high way side you shall sette vp a Marble Pillar whereâ—pon let these lines be engrauen Sir Knight in these pauillions doth remaine A Lady fayre kept by a Princes sonne Foyle him by Ioust and winne her hence againe Thou maist not passe before the deede be doone If it happen that they passe