all to be bathed his face that he came againe to himselfe The Ladies musing betwen theÌ„selues from wheÌ„ce should procede this his griefe Straight way they suspected y t he had sene that faire Pastora which a little before they saw passe amoÌ„gst those grene trées Antemisca who had more care of the princes griefe then the other when she saw him somewhat come to himself she said What is this worthy knight is it now time to leaue me afflicted the time being so nigh at hand to make my defence almost at y e gates of the citie pul vp your hart let not your valiant courage at this time faint The knight when he perceued y t the ladies wer ther he procured to raise vp his body to sit down for y t before he was layde all a long And dissembling in y e best wise he could he said I do not know what should be y e occasioÌ„ of a maruailous great grief which stroke me to the hart y t without any power to make resistance it ouerthrew me to y e ground in such sort as you fouÌ„d me I do wel beleue said Antemisca y t the occasion of this grief is in y e hart y e eies are in most fault For if thou hadst not sene the faire Pastora thy hart should not haue felt y e passed paine To this Claridiano answered nothing at all seing y t they vnderstode y e occasion of his griefe But he made hast to make all things in a redines to go onwards on their iourney being all on horsback they hasted towardes Ierosolima where they were receiued w t great triumph méet for such worthy Princes The olde king Quéene gaue great thanks vnto their gods for y e retorne of their lost daughter Claridiano remained ther in y e citie of Ierosolima sixe daies greatly against his wil. For that the new wound would not suffer him to take any rest which caused him to take his leaue of the king and his daughter and departed and toke the way towards Mesopotamia with great desyre to be there So trauailing they left behinde them the Citie of Damasco passed by the one syde of Armenia the great and so entred into the great playne of Mesopotamia and from thence without taking any rest they came within ten myles of the citie of Mesos From which place they sent the olde Squyre which was with them to giue the king to vnderstand of the comming of the Princes who with great care trauailed in such sort that he entred into the pallas at such tyme as the king was accoÌ„panied with all his knights not with lyttle sorow for the absence of his daughter for that the tyme appointed for hir defence drewe on On his one syde was the prince of Palestina who was as merry and glad as the King heauy and sorowfull But whan Libernio entred into the great hall the king knew him to be a man of great estimation in his kingedome And hauing no power to discemble his great ioye in seing him he forgot his royall authoritie and rose vp against him sayd Ah my friende where hast thou left my daughter Antemisca tell me quickly as thou wouldest that the Goddes should fauour thée Then Libernio with a cherefull countenaunce sayde mightie King and Lorde thy daughter the Princes is very well although very wery of 〈◊〉 long and troublesome iourney and misfortunes which hath happened but yet now with great delight for that she doth bring with hir a knight for to defend hir honour And if it be so that your highnesse doth accept thereof and giue them lisence he will come hether and defend hir right The prince of Palestina when he hard that which was spoken with great laughter although not very well content sayde And who is he that is so simple foole-hardie to come and gaine-saye my fury the truth being on my syde Libernio sayde it is he that will make thee to acknowledge thy falsehod and will make thée forget thy fury mightie strength by vsing of his valiant prowes Whereat Brandemoran was so full of wrath and his eyes sparkling lyke fyer he sayde If it were not for that I am before the royall presence of the King I would giue thee to vnderstand y t thy gray haires had not spake with y e discretion which thou oughtest to haue Then the King sayd prince pacifie your courage be quiet and thou Libernio retourne tell them that they may come when their pleasure is And for the right of my daughter if she haue any he shall haue safe conduct to come and make hir defence And if it be so that they haue néede of any thing speake that they may haue all furnished that is requisite Go thy wayes and tary not for that I haue great desire to sée either my shame or honour For I am in such a stay to se my selfe so dishonoured that I think it better that I were dead Ah what a goodly thing is it for a man to dye when he is in so great troubles So Libernio put in order his departure out of hand leauing the king somewhat content almost without suspection of any euill seing that his daughter was returned to defend hir right Libernio when he had got mourning apparell for the Princes departed to the place whereas he left them declaring vnto hir all that hir father had sayde and what passed in his presence So therewith they procured and made hast to finishe their iourney And they made so much hast that before it was night they came within two myles of the citie wher as they rested all that night with great desire that the morning wer come So verye earely in the morning at the breake of the day they put them selues on horseback and went forwards on theyr iourney So that one houre after the Sunne had stretched forth his golden beames vpon the moyst earth and fragrant flowers this Gréeke knight and the Princes entred into the citie of Mesos not resting in any place til they came vnto the kinges pallaice wheras they alighted and went vp into the great hall Claridiano led Antemisca by the hande his Helme fast vpon his head and his purple Shylde on his shoulder but the visor of his Helme was vp so that all people might sée his fayre great visage and all that saw him dyd iudge him to be of a high lynage Then the King was aduertised of theyr comming and dyd abyde theyr comming in the chaÌ„ber of presence accompanied with all his nobles knights of prowes And when he saw his daughter to enter all couered with mourning apparel his royal highnesse could not show the great loue he had vnto his daughter but made showes of great sorow shedding many teares from his eyes which ran down vpon his chéekes al to be washed his gray haires This faultlesse lady dyd prostrate hir selfe at hir fathers fâ—â—te but Claridiano remained a fote with so great
he shoulde haue vnto such as she was but blasphemed against heauen and tearing her clothes all to péeces he stripped her starke naked and with the raines of the bridle of his palfraie hée all to be whipped and scourged her white and tender backe that it was full of viewe spottes with such horrible crueltie that it was a verie greeuous and sorrowfull â—ight to beholde And yet thâ—â— did proâ—it him nothing at all hee séeing that this damosell did still perseuer and continue in her defence hée straight wayes lyke a bloudie monster heaped crueltie vppon crueltie and tooke and bounde her well proportioned and christalline armes and legges with cordes and made them fast verie strongly vnto a trée saying O cruell and more cruell then euer anie woman in all the worlde hath béene wherefore hast thou béene the occasion to bring thy selfe to bée thus so euill and mischieuously intreated and onely for not giuing consent vnto him which alwayes woulde haue procured thy ease What dooest thou thinke is it better to suffer to be thus martyred then to liue a most louing sweeâ—e and contented lyfe Then this euill intreated Ladie with a hoarse voyce aunswered and sayde vnto him Oh wicked traytour more harde hearted then euer knight hath béene wherefore dooest thou make anie delaye tell mée thou enimie to the Gods why dooest thou not finish thy crueltie and take the soule from this my miserable and wofull bodie Doest thou not doo it because it shall not goe and complaine whereas thou shalt receiue the rewarde of this thy mercilesse inhumanitie O you Gods denie mée not my right iustice against this false and traiterous king Let not to be true executioners of iustice in reuenging so dampnable a deede And thus beeing wearâ—ed with the cruell and terrible torments shée held her peace and sayde no more But for all this the king did not let to prosecute his crueltie and with great anger he looked on her hauing his accursed eyes fixed in such sorte that he coulde not withdrawe them backe Then this tormented Ladie séeing him and béeing verie desirous of the death with a furious voyce she sayde What dooest thou thinke thou traitour the greatest traitour that euer was in the world wherein dost thou contemplate thy selfe thou fleshly Butcher thou vnmercifull Tyger thou lecherous hogge and dishonourer of the royall crowne make an ende of these thy tormentes for it is nowe too late to repent thée giue mée the death and sende mée into the bosome of Diana This vnpittifull king seeing the stedfastnesse that shee hadde in the defence of her honour with a cruell and infernall heart hée tooke a towell which this Damosell had girded at her wast and with a brutall anger doubled it about hir neck and pinched it so straight that the soule departed from the bodie O thou knight that by thy prowesse doest come to read this Harchment consider the greate constancie and chastitye of this vnfortunate Damosell and let the griefe thereof moue thee to take vengeaunce of this greate crueltie shewed without anie desert So when this infernall king sawe that shée was dead hee tooke his horse and returned from whence hee came and in a short time he ouertooke his companie and looked with so furious and irefull a countenaunce that there was not one that wae so hardie to aske him where my daughter was but one of the knightes of my Court which I sent to beare companie with my daughter hauing a suspition by the great alteration that appeared in the king and béeing verie desirous to knowe what was become of the Princesse for that he came alone without bringing her with him neither coulde he haue anie sight of her hee then presentlye withdrewe himselfe backe and following the footings of the horse he ceased not vntill he came vnto the place whereas this crueltie was wrought whereas hée found this miserable Ladie lie dead in the same sorte as I haue declared at the viewe whereof he remained almost beside himselfe in such sorte that he had almost fallen to the grounde This Knight remained a good while before he could speake so when he was come againe to himselfe hée beganne with a dolorous complaint crying out against the Gods and fortune because they had suffered so greate crueltie to bée committed vnto this damosell and making this sorrowfull complaint hée vnloosed her from the trée and layde her vppon parte of her apparell and couered her with the rest and sayde on this wise O cruell handes what an infernall heart was that which did beare thée companie to doe this vncharitable sacrifice Was it not sufficient that this surmounted beautie should haue mooued thée to more pittie So with these and other lyke sorrowfull wordes that this knight spake vnto the dead corps he cut downe braunches from the trées for to couer the bodie and left it lying so that it séemed to be a mountaine of gréene trées then determined with himselfe in the best manner that he coulde to dissemble the knowledge of this fact done hée tooke his horse and went the waie towardes the Citie which lead to the kings Court in which he rode so fast that he ouertooke the king and his companie at the entering into the Citie whereas the king alighted and without speaking to anie person he entered into his closeâ— by reason whereof this my knight had time to declare vnto the Quéene all that he had seene and the dolorous ende of the Damosell Herea her sister The sodayne and vnlooked for sorrowe mixed with great anger and wrath was such in this quéene that she commaunded the knight not to depart the court vntill such time as more occasion did serue and she her selfe remained making meruailous and great lamentations to her selfe all in secret for that she woulde not be perceiued yet with a soft voice she sayd O vnfortunate queene and borne in a sorrowfull houre oh vnhappie destinie which madest me to be subiect vnto the most cruellest king amongst all kings I suppose y â— fortune cannot be so much against me but y t she will procure to take reuengement of thee Oh immortall Gods reueÌ„gâ—◠〈◊〉 this so great and horrible an homicide and if not I 〈◊〉 â—eare vnto you that I will with my owne hands put in practise such an enterprise that you looking downe from the heauens shall tremble for the feare thereof What doo ye you deafe Gods altogether without iustice will you not hearken vnto this my gréeuous complaint wel séeing you regard me not I wil sée if y t you haue power to withdrawe me from executing of mine own will This saying she â—ooke in her hand a dagger of the kings and in her armes her youngest sonne saying I do not wish so much euill vnto the world y t I will leaue the sonne of so wicked a father to soiourne in it in this order she entered into the chamber wheras the king was and there she founde him tumbling vppon his bedde from the
greatly contented and ordayned for thē very faire rich chambers to ease thēselues with all seruice néedfull likewise for y e faire Lidia for he lodged her in the Queenes chamber caused many Ladyes and Damsells to come and beare her companie and to serue her in all that was necessarie for that he perceiued how the Prince Eleno did receiue great pleasure therein In the end of twentie dayes that these Knights had soiourned with the King there came one and aduertised the King how that ther was arriued in the port of the Citie a faire ship and how y t ther descended out of her a Knight and a well proportioned Gyaunt and by reason that they would not hearken vnto the accustomed oath which they that didde arriue there shoulde sweare that there was begun a meruailous and stout battaile with them that did keepe the Port wherein the knight did meruailous worthy feates and likewise y e Giant The which being heard by those knights y t wer with y e king they called for their armor wer w t a trice armed there were brought vnto them very faire and strong horses which the King had commaunded to giue them and mounting on their backs in great hast they went out of the Citie to the hauen side to the same place whereas they fought theyr owne battaile whereas they founde these two knights with no lesse rigor furie then they themselues were before So straight way three of those Knights did knowe who that Knight Gyant was which were in battaile sayd that it was Clauerindo and the King of Sardenia whom I told you departed out of Greece in the quest of the Emperour and by fortune they were driuen into those parts for that the King might haue more ayde for to execute his tyranny Then the valyant Zoylo pulled off his helme and sayd What is the matter valyaunt Prince that you show your selfe so furious against him which in all poynts is redy to be at your commaundement At which words the Prince lift vp his eyes and when he behelde those thrée Princes and knewe them he very much meruailed to see them and lefte off his battel and so likewise did Bramidoro and all thrée w t their armes abroad came to imbrace him And Clauerindo saide It had not gone very well with vs in this conflict if these knights had not knowen vs and in saying these wordes he threwe his armes about their neckes with great ioye that he receyued to sée them and with no lesse ioye and pleasure all the rest did showe themselues sayd We are those which haue most gotten in the knowing of you for that we haue put apart the great battaile that was prepared for vs. So with the like courtesie they receiued the Prince of Dacia who if that the other had not tolde him what he was he wold haue beleeued that it had bene Rosicleer So with these and such like reasons at the request of the other Princes they went with them vnto the Citie at such time as the King came foorth accompanied with a faire companie of Knightes and verye well armed who receyued them with great courtesie caused y e prince of Fraunce to ride w t him side by side So they altogether returned vnto the Citie and then to the Pallaice whereas they were meruailously well intertained and there the King tolde vnto them all his contrarie and chaunged treason wherefore these two knights did swear◠and promise vnto the King the same which the others had done The prince Clauerindo had so great affection vnto the Prince Eleno that he would not at any time departe from him neither would the Prince Eleno doo otherwise vnto Clauerindo declaring vnto him all his euills and strange aduentures At which communication was present the king of Sardenia and when he heard him tell of his aduenture in Tinacria and of the battaile that he had made with Tefereo and how that he was ouercome he with more affection behelde him and requested him to heare the whole estate thereof So the Prince did declare all and how that hée departed and how that afterward he found the princesse Lidia that Lady which carried the Emperour out of Constantinople the which being all knowen vnto them they would straight way goe and visite her and she receiued them with her accustomed sadnesse Now for that I haue long time forgot that noble Emperour I will retourne and tell you what happened vnto him at the fountaine of Tinacria where I lefte him How that the Emperour went vnto Tinacria and of all that passed in the battaile which he had with the Earle of Modique Cap. 20. IN great trouble and affliction we lefte the valiaunt Emperour Trebatio in the Iland of Tinacria harde by the fountaine of marble at such time as the Earle of Modique with his speare in his reast was prepared for to hurt him The Emperour seeing him come he had greate care of himselfe and being in a place that neither to the one parte nor to the other he coulde slip backe to saue himselfe from that blowe he did determine to stoope with both his knées and shorten in his bodie for that he was sure he coulde not ouerrunne him with his horse by reason of the fountaine that was at his backe The Emperour defended himselfe in such sort that the speare without dooing him anie hurt went ouer his head The blowe was not so soone past when that the Emperour rose bolt vpright and cast such a thrust at the horse breast that his sword entered in vp to the hiltes The horse when he felt himselfe hurt gaue a leape into the aire with so great swiftnes as though it had bene a whirlewinde and in the ende he fell downe to the earth with great force in his fall he caught y e Earles leg vnder him in such sort that he could not by any meanes arise Heere might the Emperour haue slaine or hurte him but hee would not for y ◠he séemed vnto him to be a knight of great estimation Then all the people that were there both them a foote those on horsebacke with great showts and shrikes they would haue set vpon him but they could not come nigh him at their wil for that the dead horse was betwéene them againe the Earle was a shield for his defence who was prisoner vnder his horse right before him So at this instant came foorth of that faire pallaice a great number of knights and Ladyes and amongst them y e faire Quéene Garrosilea And when all the people sawe her they put themselues out of the way towards the one side by the which the Emperour vnderstood that she was Lady of all that Countrey She came formost of all that company beeing so faire and so well proportioned that she seemed vnto the Emperour to be as beautifull as euer he behelde any in all the worlde she was of the age of fourtéene yeares but yet her
it was hée which had passed the terrible kéepers of his murthered Daughter For you shall vnderstand that as soone as the Emperour was departed from the Ilande the wise Lyrgandeo commaunded that the bodie of the Ladie shoulde bée carried vnto Cimarra aduertising her Father that the long looked for reuengement was not farre of And lykewise how and in what manner the knight which did it shoulde come into his lande and also who that Knight shoulde bée Wherefore as soone as the king was giuen to vnderstande of his ariuall without anie more tarrying béeing accompanyed with all his noble men and leading in his hande a very fayre and young childe about twelue yeares olde the most best proportoined that euer nature coulde frame of whome you shall heare no more in this booke for that in the seconde booke it shall bée declared at large of him The king went forth till he came to the chiefe place of the Citie there to méet with the Emperour whereas likewise he met with this old and auncient King who boowing his knées to the earth and shedding of many teares with ioye receiued him saying O high and mightie Emperour giue me héere your hands that I may discharge the dutie that all humane creatures do owe vnto your highnesse how much more I that am bounde therevnto for that with so much firmenesse thou wouldest confirme thy oath and take the charge in thine owne person to worke my reuengement The Emperour was in a great confusion to heare himselfe named and neuer gaue anye in all that lande to vnderstand thereof but strayght waye hée suspected that Lirgandeo should aduise him of his comming And héerewith vsing of his accustomed bountie hée tooke him by the hand and lifted him from the grounde saying Good King the debt which thou sayst is due vnto me thou hast repayed in showing the noblenesse of thy heart and courage and otherwise I am constrained by y e order of knighthood and iustice to make reuengement of that cursed facte which was without all pitie committed vpon thy daughter And seeing that there can be no other remedy but onely reuengement héere of my part I doo offer thée to doo all that in my power is possible to be done desiring thée that thou restraine these teares and giue order that with great spéede there may be ioyned together all thy power to the end that we maye goe and conclude that which in me lyeth The King with a sad voyce aunswered High and mightie Emperour this hath bene prouided for before for all my people and shires are at an houres warning to goe to the ayding of so iust a cause and we tarryed for nothing but onely your royall person who must be the sword of my reuengement Thus with these and such like communications they went vnto the Kings pallaice which was hanged all with blacke clothes for others he would not consent to haue hanged since the death of his daughter Herea There was the Emperour vnarmed and serued with as great highnesse and honour as though he had bene in Grecia Notwithstanding the Emperour would not soiourne nor rest there much for the next daye in the morning he commaunded that all th◠people should march forwards vnto a hauen which was at the vttermost parts of all the Kingdome wheras they found ships and barkes of all sortes verye well furnished of all things that was néedfull There was thrée hundred ships one with another in the which there was imbarked fiftie thousand Moores meruailously well appointed and committing their sayles vnto the winde all this Nauie tooke theyr voyage towards Numidia So they nauigated and founds the winde fauourable which brought them vnto a porte or hauen which was but two leagues from the Kings house There with great ioy and pleasure they went a shore with out any resistaunce or gainsaying So when they were all out of the shippes a lande they displayed their ancients and in very good order they marched forwards And at such time as Apollo had made an ende of his iourney and that the darke night came on they came in sight of the Citie and without taking any rest towards the lande side they pitched their tents and fortified themselues in the best wise they could in such sort as their good Captaine which did gouerne them had commaunded without dooing any thing to the contrary So when all things was put in good order as they would haue it he commaunded that all the armie should go vnto the gate of the Citie that was most néerest the which was straight waye done and in thrée dayes after they did no other thing but ease and rest themselues for that the people were somewhat out of quiet with their great trauayle The fourth daye the Emperour séeing that there was no sturring in the Citie the which was done by pollicie tarying to sée what the enimies would doo the Emperour called for his armour and being armed there was brought a verye fayre and mightie horse vnto him and with his accustomed courage he issued out from amongst his companye and rode towards the wall of the Citie and put himselfe into a faire gréene playne nigh vnto the walls and lifting vp the visour of his healme he set his horne vnto his mouth and did sound it very strongly which was to warne them that were in the Citie to come to the walls and harken what he would saye and when he sawe that there was much people attending to heare him he began to saye O King Noraldino of Numidia how carelesse thou art in this thy strong countrey thinking that the strength thereof will defende thée that thou payest not the price of thy naughtie treason which thou didst vse with that vnfortunate Herea Take vnto thée thy armour and for that thou hadst a heart to commit this euill déede haue now likewise a courage to make thy defence come foorth of these thy walls thou traitour and destroyer of the royall bloud All they which were on the walls did heare the threatenings and straight waye went and tolde it vnto the king of Numidia who was at that time in communication of warres and of armyes and of all things that belonged therevnto and when he hearde these newes giuing a great sigh he sayd Oh ye Gods are not you content to sée me in this perplexitie and so much wronged but likewise with sound of trumpet suffer me to be outraged in calling me traytor These fayned griefes and sorrowfull words had so much force that it moued the harts of the Princes that were with him for to goe out into the field for his defence and in great hast they commaunded that their harnesse shuld be brought vnto them with determination to dye or to defend his cause And there was none that had any feare but onely the Gyant for that he would not giue any credit vnto the Kings words although he dissembled neuer so muuch but by reason that he had sworne therevnto hée was constrayned by his oath
was a thing to be wondered at And when she had done this she sayd Worthie and fayre Ladie the braunch is yours for that you haue wonne it and in token of thy desert thou doest carrie it vpon thy healme where it shall remaine till such time as by the hands of a fierce Lyon it shall be throwen downe leauing his heart wounded and he remaining vnto thée submitted And for to doâ— thée pleasure Ladie héere I doe present thée these two Nymphes for to bée at thy commaundement And so taking her by the hande without anie more communication shée brought her ouer the bridge to the other side of the Moat they were not so soone ouer when this Ladie did vanish awaie lykâ— the winde and the Bridge was drawen vp and shée heard within the pallaice a celestiall musicke and looking that waye whereas shée founded the horne and towardes that gate wherein she had entered shée sawe vppon the pillar that was there a Nymph of golde which seemed to bée verie subtillye wrought And presently without anie more tarrying she leapt vppon her horse which was brought thether for her likewise the two Nimphes vpon two white Palfraies which was likewise brought for them and so they tooke their waye towards the sea without any remembraunce of all that which shée had séene neither did she thinke of it till such time as she didde sée the perfect figure of that Knight which she sawe in y e hal as shall be tolde you héerafter So in great hast this quéene and her Nimphes trauayled till they were all imbarked in their Barke whereas they found in the one part thereof very rich roaâ—es The making and fashion of them and all the rest that happened shall be tolde you when time serueth and let vs now returne vnto the restâ—â—ng of the kingdome of Lira which cost the Prince Brandimardo full déere ¶ How the famous Rosicleâ—â— and Brandimardo went to the kingdome of â—ara and of all that had passed in the battaile they had with the Giaunts Cap. 29. YOu doo well remember how that the worthy Rosicleer and that gallant and newe Louer Brandimardo trauayled by sea towards the kingdome of Lira to make battaile with the Gyants that had vsurped the kingdome The time winde was so prosperous vnto them that in a short space they arriued toke land in the hauen of the great citie of Lira without any contradiction And when they were a lande they determined to sende a Page to demaund safeconduct of the Giants giuing them to vnderstand of their comming This gallant louer would néedes be the messenger and therewith mounting vpon a very faire horse he entered into the Citie and stayed not till he came vnto the Pallayce of the Gyants but went asking where there abiding was And strayght way they were giuen to vnderstande thereof by a Knight which sayde that there was a strange knight which did demaund after them comming before them without showing anye humilitie or stooping downe his head he sayd Giants ther are two knights come into the hauen of Lira to defend the right of the Quéene Archisilora and they doe send vnto you to aske safeconducte for that they may not be disturbed by any person in these kingdomes but only your selues who doo pretend by might to make you to acknowledge your euill and naughtinesse Then Mandroco who had lesse patience then the other said I doe not know wherefore these vnfortunate knights will occupy themselues in profering to defend that which manye other would haue done and yet were neuer able Goe thy wayes and tell them that they make no tarying to come and receiue their death Brandimatdo who well behelde theyr fierce disposition sawe that it was no time to spend wordes in wast but to put in practise the execution of y t which they came for and without any replying vnto their words he returned vnto the place whereas he lefte the Prince vnto whom he declared all that had past So without any more a doe Rosicleer leaped vpon his mightie horse and they laceâ— and made fast their helmes and hanged their shieldes about their neckes and tooke each of them a great speare in theyr hands and put themselues into the Citie and rested not till they came into the broad place which was right against the Pallayce Their comming thether was at such time as Bulfar and Mandroco came forth of the Pallaice all ready and prepared for the battaile and brought in their companye a great number of Knights At that time the place was very full of people who desired secretly in their hearts that the straunge Knights might winne the victory that they might be cleare and at libertie from that great subiection in the which the Gyaunts helde them the which they thought to be almost impossible considering the great worthinesse and strength that was in the giants And when they wer altogether in y e place Mandroco with a milde voice sayd Miserable knights at such time as you offred your persoÌ„s vnto y e quéene Archisilora with whom did you thinke to haue battaile that you gaue credite supposing your selues to haue sufficient force to execute your wils Wherfore if you doo now thinke your selues deceiued we shall be héere content to set you at libertie of your former promise with condition that you shall goe and tell her that she ought to send Knghts of great prowesse and strength and not such as you are Then Rosicleer sayd Thou art very much deceiued Giant in y t thou saist for we did very well knowe with whome we shoulde haue battayle and were fully informed thereof and purpose to take the head from thy body in satisfaction of these treasons which thou dost vse The anger and yre of the Giant was such that without any more tarrying with great fury he turned about his horse and his father did the like y e two Knights also did the same And when they were right the one against the other at the sound of sundry instruments of warres they ranne the one against the other in such sorte that not one of them missed his blowe but made the shiuers of the speares to flye in very small péeces in the aire without receiuing any griefe So they altogether returned with their swords in their handes Rosicleer encountered with Bulfar for that he found him next at hand and pressing vnto him he stroke at him very great and heauie blowes and the Gyant rendered him the like With no lesse furie pressed Brandimardo against his enimie making a very furious well foughten battaile At this time the fierce Bulfar séeing the great resistance of his aduersarie threw his shéeld at his backe and his sonne Mandroco did the like both together they stroke such blowes at the knights that without féeling it caused the horse of Rosicleer to giue a tourne in the place and the like happened vnto Brandimardo Héere his vnhappy fortune would that his horse should carrie him thether whereas Bulfar was who
of them of the Iland they went a land and raised vp their tents and pitched their campe This fierce king being mounted vpon an Elephant went with great care and perused all his people and put them in very good order so all was apparant and knowen vnto them of the Citie The King of Trapobana feared much his fierce and cruell aduersary and so likewise did many of them that were in the Citie but yet that couragious youth did feare him nothing at all nor estéemed him any thing but rather did desire the houre to sée himselfe in battaile with him for to make satisfaction with his déedes works of that which he was in debt vnto his Lord. At such time as the campe was pitched and all in good order the radiaunt Phoebus had made an ende of his iourney leauing in his absence the sadde and darke night So when time camâ— that he began a new to take his accustomed course and to show his shining face dispersing his glittering beames ouer all the Iland the king of Arginaria called vnto him a trumpetter and with a furious voyce he sayd Go thy wayes vnto the Citie and in such sort as thou thinkest best salute the king Delfo and tell him on my behalfe that without anye tarrying or taking farther counsel he send me him who did intreate my brother Bruno so euill and if not I sweare vnto him by the high Iupiter that I will doo so much that his body shall be made meate vnto dogges The trumpetter when he had well vnderstoode his message taking libertie of the accustomed pride of his Lord went with great arrogancie vnto the Citie The Scowtes when they saw him let enter into the Cite and they caried him before the King before whom when he came without showing any kinde of humilitie he sayd The Gods confound thy person state and breake downe thy great pride power y t dredfull king of Arginaria my Lord doth send me vnto thée y t when thou hast heard my imbassage forth with thou send vnto him that vncurteous knight and of small valour who with his proud hand stroke out the téeth of his welbeloued brother Bruno and thou must send him prisoner and bound before his royall presence that he may giue him the punishment that his great boldnesse doth deserue When this valiaunt Claridiano heard the proud words that the Embassadour brought and with what arrogancie he deliuered them he was altogether without patience and hauing no power to refrayne his wrath he went vnto him and sayd Héere I doo promise thée goodman brablor to giue thée answere according as thou dost bring the imbassage and it is great reson that we make thy bodye to flye at large as thou doest cause thy tongue to runne at libertie and procure out of hand that thou maist the better leape to call vnto Mercurie for to sustaine thée without any more saying he tooke him by the cholar with out any power to make resistaunce he threw him out of a window letting him fall vpon the pauement before the pallaice gate that he broke all in péeces and this being done without speaking any more word he went vnto his chamber and armed him with his armour with the help of Galtenor his father for so he alwayes estéemed him but his wrath and anger was such that neither his father nor the King durst speake a word vnto him all the time he was arming And when he was armed he turned his face vnto the king and said Worthy king and my Lord haue a good confidence in the Gods and in thy iustice and right that I shal be he that shall take away from before thée this proud enemie of thine And without any more tarrying he demanded for a borne so straight way there was one giuen him of Iuorie very rich the which he cast about his necke and descended the staires out of the Pallaice where he found a very faire great horse meruailous wel furnished lightly he lept on his back with a reasonable pace he rode his waye towards y t campe of his enimie Galtenor the good king of Trapobana followed him being armed w t very rich armor and commaunded that all the people should be in a readines So they put themselues in a place whereas they might well sée all that Claridiano did ¶ How that Claridiano went vnto the campe of the King of Arginaria and how he demanded of him battaile and of all that succeeded in the same Chap. 2. AS many times the hungrye Lyon doth compasse and search the foldes roaring with rauenish hunger and finding the strayed Goaâ—e or Hart discouering them from farre by their hornes and with a souereigne ioye doth sift vp his necke neuer rest vntill such time as he be musting in their bloud with great desire to satisfie his pining hunger euen so with like desire went out of Trapobana the Prince Claridiano till he came in sight of his aduersaries and carried his visour vp and putting him selfe in place whereas he might be heard of his enimies hee blew his horne to giue a token that they shoulde hearken vnto that which he would speake vnto them and then with a loude voyce he sayd O â—ruell and tyrannous King what dost thou thinke by threatenings to showe thy furie come forth and take to thée thy armour for héere doth tarrye and abide thy comming he that stroke out the féeth of thy brother Bruno he that not long since did teach thy Embassador to speake whom thou sentest this daye with thy proude message The dogge Cerberus when he was made fast with Alcides leash did not shew himselfe so furious as did this terrible Giant at that present and rising vp from the place whereas he was set he turned vnto the Image of Iupiter vnto whom he had done great sacrifices stretching forth his rigorous arme he tooke it from the place whereas it was set and threw it out of the dore of the tent in such sort that he made it to flye into the aire more then ten fadome with which it fell into the sea and he said Get thée thether thou God of little valor that being honoured of so valiaunt a man as I am thou wilt consent that so vile a man after that he hath angred me so much should put himselfe with so great pride before my presence And not content with this but with the same fury he tooke a great club and what on the right side and what on the lefte he threw downe all the Images of his Gods that were there and broke them all to péeces One of the ministers that alwayes did assist them in their sacrifices sayd with a bolde courage Wherefore do you so euill intreate and misuse your Gods The Giaunt stroke him such a blow on the forhead with his fist that hée broke it all to péeces and threwe him dead to the ground sayd Get thée hence and goe and make relation vnto Iupiter and
came to a little Temple that was very curiously wrought erected to the vse of the greatest crueltie that euer was heard off Néere vnto that Temple he sawe foure dead bodies whose heads were cut of and as it appeared by theyr apparell two of them were Knights and the other two Damosells then casting his eyes a side towards a faire gréene field which was harde by he behelde a great number of heades which were the heades of those that had ben slaine amongst which were the foure heads of the newe slaine bodies that hée before found dead for the fresh bloud did as yet runne out vppon the ground This lamentable spectacle this noble Greek beheld with such surpassing sorrow as almost no heart can comprehend but béeing rauished as it were with desire to be resolued of the effect of this so monstrous inhumanitie he procéeded farther till at length he approched the Temple where he discouered a posterne dore to be open and incontinent alighting from his horse with a heroycall courage being incensed with anger he rushed in hoping there to haue found the homicide which was the chiefe auctor of this tragicall crueltie Béeing entred the first thing that appeared to his view was a verie faire Altar curiously wrought and vpon it the dead figure of a verie faire Ladie through whose bodie was thrust a terrible two edged sworde likewise at the foote of the same Altar was another figure of a huge and mightie Giant being ten cubiâ—es in height all meruailous curiously wrought in Alabaster with straunge and subtil deuises who knéeled with both his knées on the earth This noble Knight was very much amazed at y e sight of so straÌ„ge a matter and yet not satisfied he went into a little Courtâ— there adioyning found that it was all hanged with blacke cloathes which represented great sadnesse and sorrowe and in those clothes was figured diuers dead men and women Hard at the foote of the foresaid Altar was made fast in the earth euen to the brimme thereof a sesterne of leade into which the bloud of those that were slaine and their heades cut off in sacrifice was poured and out of the same â—esterne it was conuayed vnder the earth by a gutter very secretely the which went vnto the Riuer whereof we spake before this was the same bloud which the valyant Prince did see in the channell of the riuer euen the bloud of the four headlesse bodies that he found newly slaine On the other side of the Altar he sawe an olde man with a faire white bearde sitting in a chaire who leaned his aged head vppon his lefte hand and his elbowe vppon the chaire side whose eyes wer shut and his countenaunce so sad that it appeared ther was in him no comfort but onely great sorow and mournings This valiant Greeke who greatlye desired to vnderstande the ende of this sorrowfull antecedent approched vnto the sléeping old man pulling him by his apparell for to awake him this carefull old man presently lifte vp his eyes with out any delay or farther demaund he said O gentle noble â—night what crooked fortune hath brought thée into this peruerse accursed place wherein is exercised so much sorrowfull impietie and wheras thou maist expect no other thing but death by the hands of the most cruell Giaunt that euer thou hast heard of take therefore my counsell returne the way thou camest that spéedely before thou be espied for otherwise it will be hard for thée to escape from death Then the worthie knight of the Sunne answered and said I giue thée great thankes for thy counsell good Father neuerthelesse I request thée to declare vnto me the cause for that as yet being ignoraÌ„t of farther peril thou séemest to perswade me to so great a feare To whom the olde man replied for y â— thou séemest vnto mee to be of an incomperable perfection exceeding force I will not let to declare vnto thée with as great breuitie as I may this tragicall matter whereby thou maist well perceiue the singular profit that thou shalt receiue in following this my counsell which I haue giuen thée and so with a sadde â—nd heauie countenaunce mixed with many salte and bitter teares distilling downe from his aged eyes he began in this wise and sayd This countrey wherein thou now art is that auncient and famous kingdome of Tinacria which not long since was gouerned by one of the most puissaunt Kings that euer raigned therein or in any Prouince héereabout but death by his accustomed furie depriued him of his life and all his loyall subiects of a vertuous and louing Lord leauing the guiding of the Kingdome in the power of two very fayre and Angelicall damosels his daughters who represented the former vertues of their noble late deceased father The eldest of theÌ„ was named Arcalanda the youngest Garasilea Not long after the death of the king their Father this fayre Arcalanda was requested of loue by the king of Sardenna whose name is Bramidoro a gyant of huge and mightie bignesse as by the stature which thou doest héere sée thou maist easily suppose but this vertuous quéene not onely denied her consent in marriage but also to heare the message of the embassadours and would in no wise sée them so that they returned without any answere Then this Giant séeing y e great disdaine and small account that the Quéene made of him and how little she estéemed of his loue béeing more inflamed with furie then any other reason and trusting in his incomperable strength with fiue hundred knightes he transported to Tinacria and landing in the Port of Saragosa he there beganne to make knowen his vnmercifull crueltie hoping that he shoulde obtaine that by force which by faire meanes he could not winne The Knights of Tinacria like true and faithfull subiectes obeied the commaundement of their noble Quéene and made diuerse and sundrie valiaunt skirmishes with the Knightes of the Gyant but by reason of his great force and surpassing strength they were alwaies constrained to retire to the Citie not without much losse for that this Gyant had in his companie to aide him a brothers sonne of his who in valiance force of armes equalled well néere his vnkle And in such sort they mainteined the wars y t in small time they put the citie in great perill to be lost and likewise the whole kingdome The knights subiects of this noble quéene Arcalanda not able long to resist y e Gyants forces seeling themselues meruailously oppressed in great distresse began to perswade with their quéene y t she should accept his demaund and graunt to marrie the aforesaid gyant Then this vnfortunate Ladie vnderstanding the feeblenesse of her subiects forces and the effect of that which they had declared vnto her and féeling in her selfe such impossibilitie to accomplish the demaund of the gyant that the accepting of it would be more gréeuous vnto her then to receiue y
chast Diana accept likewise that which with so much bloud I offer vnto thee And in finishing this sorrowfull speach she drewe out a faire and bright shining sword which she had hidden secretly vnder her gowne and putting the hilte vpon the scaffolde little looked for of all those that were present she sodaynly threwe hir selfe vppon the poynt of the sayd sword so that not all that were there could deliuer hir for y e poynt passed through hir body in such sort as thou dost see heere by this figure portratured rendring hir soule to hir tuition vnto whom she offered hir sacrifice What should I héere declare the lamentable sorowes and pitifull lamentation that was there made for this vnhappie mischaunce committed in the sight of all the people I say it was such that the woodes eccoed and their pitifull shrikes ascended to the heauens but none was more galled with griefe then the afflicted Giant who rose vp and like a man distraught fomed at the mouth and roaring with horrible cries lyke an infernall creature in great furie he rushed amongst the people throwing them downe on euerie side till he came vpon the scaffolde and approching to the dead body of the damosell he tooke hir in his armes and with a terrible and fearfull voyce he sayd Oh my beloued ioy and earst my onely hearts delight Is this the desired sacrifice wherein through thy desperatenes thou hast deceiued me who loued thée more then my selfe Is this y e truce thou requiredst for one day only therein to conclude both thy death mine also Oh noble Quéene and my beloued Lady if this were thy intent why didst thou not first sacrifice me thy seruant and loue wholly subiected vnto thy beautie Woe be vnto thee thou vnfortunate King of Sardenna that for thy fault lack of looking too thou hast lost hir whom thou madest Ladie of thy hart O ill graunted truce whereby my hart hath lost that yea without all hope of recouerie wherein onelye it had lately rest O Diana is it not sufficient that they doo worship and honour thée but that thou wilt haue all goodnes to consist in ielousie Tarrie therefore for I will make that thy determined purpose shall mitigate thy mallice and thy owne deuice shall be thy destruction for I vowe by the dâ—uine Iupiter because thou hast permitted this detestable act that so long as I liue thou shalt not be worshipped for the chast Diana but Arcalanda in thy stéed shall be adored I wil procure moreouer to diminish thy name yea vtterly to extinguish it so that there shal be no more memorie remaining of thée for that thy blondie tyrannie doth deserue no lesse What shall I more speake gentle and noble Knight of the anguish and deadly sorrowe that the King sustained for no sooner had he deliuered these speaches incensed with furie he set his hand to his sword ouerthrew the image of Diana that was there parted it in two parts and yet not content with this sacriligious fact he descended from the scaffolde exclaiming against the sorrowfull Tinacrian people and saieng O villaines and traitors it is not possible but that all you were consenting vnto this cruell fact and determined euil And vttering these and such like reasons in his diuelish furie he began to flourish with his sword cutting killing and wounding on euery side with such vnmercifull crueltie that in a small time there did not remaine one of all them that were there present but I alone and by reason that I was one of the Priests of Diana he saued my life although he little esteemed it Then when this fierce and bloudie diuell did sée that all were slaine and that we two onely remained he tooke the dead Quéene in his armes commaunded me to follow him with my praiers and orisons accustomed vnto Diana and bringing hir to this place he strayght wayes commaunded this Chappell to be buylded in this order as you now sée and promised by vowe vnto all the Gods to sacrifice euery wéeke sixe persons naturally borne in the lande of Tinacria thrée men and thrée women in satisfaction of the bloudie sacrifice that they consented to be offered by their deceased Quéene And it is now two months past since they haue vsed this tyrannie and it is not onely he that doth persecute the poore people of Tinacria but hée hath also to farther him in this his diuelish determination his brothers sonne being of like cruell disposition as himselfe And in this sorte doo these two hell-houndes exercise themselues in this detestable murder insomuch that the Citie is almost left desolate and there remaineth verye fewe which doth maintaine the warres And you shall vnderstand moreouer gentle Knight that the Citie is so strong that it is not possible to win the same neither by force of armes neither by hunger or any other ingen for that it is so well furnished with munition and vittailes yet in the citie there are but a small number of Knights which for their great fidelitie and loue vnto their Countrie haue not lefte it desolate but doo defend it to the vttermost of their powers Neuerthelesse to the iudgement of all men although for a time they doe neuer so politikely defend and make resistaunce against their enimies yet in the ende they shall be driuen to yéelde and to render themselues for that in two battayles which the people of the Iland haue had the diuelish Gyaunt hath had y e victorie so that now they remaine in great feare for that the strength of these two tyrants is incredible to be tolde Now héere gentle Knight I haue declared vnto thée that which thou so greatly didst desire to knowe requesting thée to returne backe againe he way that thou didst come to kéepe thy self from féeling the euent of this expressed euil The noble Prince which with strange attension gaue care vnto this sorowfull Priest béeing fullye determined to adventure his lyfe for to violate this cruell and wicked custome answered not according to the counsell the which he gaue him but according vnto his couragious determination saying Friend where is I beséech thée the abiding of this vnmercifull giant which is the way y t leadeth thether The old Priest replied His Castle is two leagues distaunt from this temple but what shall it auaile thée to know the same what profit wilt thou get by going thether but only death but if thou wilt néedes aduenture thy selfe the same which brought thée hether is y e direct way thether for other there is none Moreouer the valiant prince demanded of him if he could aduertise him how many knights what store of people the Gyant had about him and he aunswered that the most part of them that wer about him were seruants that all the rest of his knightes and men of warre were placed in other castles and fortes of the Iland And while they were occupied in this coÌ„munication they heard without the chappell
that I might enioye thy friendship Then the valiant Knight of the Sunne did cut off their talke to the ende he might declare vnto them all that happened with the other Giaunt Which when Tefereo heard he was sore abashed and with great sobrietie he saide Well séeing it is so that the flower of all Knighthood and the glorie of armes is possessed by you and your kinred I vowe that from this daye forwards I will not remain any longer my owne but nominate my selfe as onely yours and in deliuering these spéeches in the best manner be might he arose vp from the ground and with great loue imbraced them both And after salutations ended they entered altogether into the Pallaice whereas they remained all y â— night for to repose themselues considering the greate trauaile and paine which they had passed The next day in the morning although they hadde more néede to haue taken greater rest yet there altogether they mounted on their horse backs and tooke the way that lead them to Saragosa pretending to enter within the Citie and there with all humilite to craue pardon for all the iniurie that was past but their trauayle was all in vaine for that before time they of the towne hauing had sufficient triall of Tefereos crueltie would not by any meanes open the gates alwayes beleeuing the lamentable spectacle before their eyes and therefore fearing that they would deceiue them So that when these noble knights perceiued it was labour lost to stand long in contention these people though then causelesse being so incredible they returned backe againe towards the Castle and all the way they went being almost by the sea side these two Cousins sawe their ship comming towardes them in great hast and staieng their horses they saw that she was fast at y e waters side The knight of the Sunne perceiuing well that hir comming thether was for no other cause but to inuite them to come aboord hir which Eleno and Tefereo condescending vnto they presently did and sent word by a page of Tefereos to commaund all those of Sardenna that they should set at libertie all the Countrie and without farther delaye retourne vnto their owne houses These worthie Knights were no sooner entred into their Shippe but she beganne presentlye to spread her Sayles and shoouing from shoare in great hast shée launched in to the maine Sea wherein with prosperous windes they sailed two dayes but the thirde daye verie earlye in the morning they discouered a Galley gouerned with sixe Oares on a side which came rowing towardes them and béeing ioyned together they behelde that ther was in the same a verie faire Ladie whose haire of hir head was dispersed abroad and hir selfe very ill intreated by an vncourteous Knight This sad and distressed Lady with a sorrowfull voyce and pitifull lamentation cryed out for succour vnto the heauens at whose complaintes and vncourteous handling these Princes receiued great anger The valiant Dacian Don Eleno being in all poyntes prepared to fight layd fast holde on his sword and with great lightnesse leaped into the galley into the which he was not so soone entered but that these two vessells were loose and voyded the one from the other so that not one of his other friends had time to followe him the swiftnesse was such in the departure that in a small time either of them lost the sight of the other By reason of many accidents which are to be accounted in this historie it is conuenient I imitate the good musition who to content all those which attend to heare his melodie chaungeth into many tunes therefore now we will leaue these thrée knights and retourne vnto the Emperour to declare such things as chaunced in his Court. ¶ By what aduenture Floramonte was deliuered from the perill he was in and how the Princesse Claridiana was deliuered of childe and howe shee was comforted in all hir trouble by the wise Artemidoro Chapter 8. WIth great ioye and contentment departed the Pagans that carryed away the Inâ—ant Floramonte vnderstanding that Fortune hadde greatly fauoured them to bestowe on them so good a price Wherefore with great hast they got themselues to the Sea Wherein they had not trauayled long but that vppon a sodaine they discouered a shippe which was comming towards them all blacke and out of it procéeded verie fearefull and wonderfull lightenings accompanied lykewise with terrible Thunder seeming by the force thereof that the heauen opened and when the shippe drew nigh vnto the Gallie of the Pagans it was presently couered with the thicke and terrible lightenings in such sort that it depriued all them that were therein of their sight and with the great feare that they receiued they fell flat downe vppon the floore in the Gallie And when they came againe to themselues they looked about to sée if they coulde perceiue what it should be And then they coulde not finde the infant Floramonte for whose losse they lamented greatly You shall vnderstand that the wise Lyrgandeo by his learning had deliuered the infant from them to kéepe him close and in secret for that he vnderstood by his art of y e great warres that was pretended and made redie for in Grecia in the which warres shoulde be slaine the flower of all knighthoode and that it should be in greate daunger to be lost and vtterly destroied Also he did comprehend by his learning to knowe how this infant and one other that was then begotten but not yet borne should be the greatest help chiefe of this victorie comming by chaunce to the end of the conquest likewise he did knowe that if this childe should at anie time before this aduenture vse armour that he should be put in great perill of death This was the onely occasion that hée set him at libertie as you haue heard and did inchaunt him in such sorte that none other could cléere him of it but onely he which should be his companion and aide in the greate necessitie of these warres which was the sonne of the heroicall knight of the Sunne and of the Empresse Claridiana of whome thou shalt heare héereafter Thus this wise Lyrgandeo hauing deliuered this childe that none in all the Court knewe of it retourned thether againe and from that daye forwardes kept it secrete to himselfe not suffering anie to vnderstande thereof nor of anie other thing that hée foreknew in his heart by learning All those of the Court were verye sadde for that the Emperour was so sorrowfull forasmuch as hée coulde heare no newes of his sonnes as I haue before tolde you determined after hée hadde ended the hunting to retourne backe againe to the Citie And in the way as they shuld go they discouered comming towardes them a Wagon which did represent much dolor and this was that which Rosicleer did finde and there they remained to sée what it shoulde bée and when the Wagon drewe néere where the Emperour was they lyfted vp a cloth wherewith the wagon was
couered and out of the wagon there issued a Ladie who lead a maiden childe by the hande all couered with mourning apparell which did represent great sorrowe and of so meruailous beautie as it was to bée wondered at This Ladie when shée vnderstoode which was the Emperour shée knéeled downe at his feete and with sundrie sorrowfull sighes shée lamentably sayd Considering that all distressed women and oppressed damzells forasmuch as they are women and of the weaker sort doo finde in thée Oh souereigne Emperour succour and defence what shoulde those that descende from noble and royall estate hope for at thy gracious handes Among which number this which doth present her selfe before thée is neyther the least in birth though nowe one in most miserie for redresse whereof she craueth thy aide and defence Thou shalt vnderstand O souereigne Emperour that this childe is right heire apparant vnto all the kingdome of Lyra of which she hath béen dispossessed by meruailous great violence The Emperour when he heard that this was the Quéene of Lira he did reuerence her and tooke her by the hande and caused her to stand vp and embraced her with excéeding shewe of loue offred vnto her his person and all his power at commaundement for her helpe succour Then the Lady would haue kissed his hands but the Emperour would not consent therevnto by anie meanes but tooke his horse to procéede forwards on his iourney for curtesies sake tooke vp the young quéene behinde him on horse backe and the Emperour Alicandro tooke also the other Ladie In this guise they returned vnto the Citie for to put in order all thinges for the departing of the Emperour Alicandro riding by the way the emperour Trebatio demaunded of the Ladie the cause of her coÌ„ming to the court the which she did declare vnto him not letting in her tale to shew by shedding of salt teares from her eies the sorrow that in heart she conceiued and in this wise she answered High mightie Emperour in the kingdome of Lyra not long time since raigned the father of this young Quéene in so greate prosperitie and fame that he was not onely honoured of his owne subiectes but also feared of the borderers thereabout Nigh vnto this kingdome there is an Iland called Rocaâ—or which beareth this name for the great strength it hath as well in the buildings with Castells and townes as by the inhabitaunts of the same who are verye strong of the which Iland was Lord and gouernour a Gyant of a meruailous huge and mightie bignesse beeing also proude and of verie ill conditions who hath a son of a more greater stature and fiercenesse then himselfe such a one as I beléeue hath not his like in all the world and for that he had this vauntage ouer and aboue all other it seemed vnto his Father that there was none so conuenient in marriage for his sonne as was this Damzell daughter vnto this aforenamed king and heire vnto the kingdome And thus béeing wholy determined he sent messengers vnto the king to demaund his daughter in marriage for his sonne but the king made them answere verie rigorously and although the Giants are greatly feared yet the power of this king was such that he didde estéeme them but little But when the Gyaunts Bulfar and Mandroco for so were they called did perceiue with what disdaine the king aunswered them they were readie to burst with anger neuerthelesse Mandroco gaue counsell vnto his Father saying That he alone was constrained héerein to returne for his honour and no other and that it touched him to make aunswere vnto them and that he woulde neuer be accounted to be his sonne if he did not wholy reuenge himselfe Then Bulfar who well knewe the greate strength of his sonne verie much reioyced to heare those his reasons which he vttered commaunded straight waies that it should be put in vre and so with fâ—ll determination in as secret manner as they possiblie might they gathered together fiue hundred of y e most valiantest knightes y t were in all the Iland which were almost all of their affinitie with y t which knights verie secretly they ariued vnknowen in the land of Lyra and verie closely in the beginning of the night two miles from the citie they put themselues into a little groue that was nigh at hand whereas they remained vnespied two parts of the night then vpon a sodeine when y e people were all at rest and little suspecting anie such sodeine misfortune they entered the citie neuer rested till such time as they came to the kings pallace at which entrie first encounter the king himselfe was slaine by a cruell blowe that Mandroco stroke him on his head as you may beholde héere where the bodie lyeth on a Beere within the wagon This Bulfar made such destruction in the entering of the pallace that in a small time he possessed it for his and so descending through the citie by reason y t those knights which he brought with him were of great power and strength And againe that those of the citie were vnprouided of all defence with verie little a do he ouercame them all and brought them vnder his subiection by compelling them to yéeld So I a miserable woman more then halfe dead in beholding so great damage dâ—nâ— by a false doore that belonged to y e pallace I went out whereas escaped also many of the kings knights y t were taken on a sodeine so I tooke my way forwards and came to Hircania for that the king therof was my brothers sonne cosin vnto this Princesse who receiued vs verie well was not a little sorrowfull for our misfortune From which place we sent to demaunde of the Gyaunt to surrender vnto vs that which with great violence he hadde vsurped and aunswere was retourned that they woulde not dooe it except this young Quéene shoulde first marrie with Mandroco to the which we woulde not consent for that he was so deformed So séeing his determined purpose wée sent once agayne demaunding whether he woulde giue vs the bodie of the dead king to the which they did straight wayes graunt And Mandroco sent vs worde that forsomuch as wée woulde not consent vnto that which he did require vs tending to our owne quietnesse to the ende we shoulde vnderstand how little it was that hée did estéeme of vs hee swore with a solempne oath neuer to depart out of the Kingdome for the space of two yeares with condition that in this time we should seeke two Knights who by their great force and chiualrie should ouercome his father and him in the fielde and then they would depart the lande and retourne to their owne Countrie And contrariwise if we did not procure to bring these two knightes to the battaile or els to delyuer vnto them this Ladie within that prefixed time that Mandroco might mary with hir that then they would fully possesse themselues of all the kingdome and
fortifie themselues in such sort that all agréement notwithstanding we should neuer retourne to Lyra againe And so vnderstanding their imbassage I determined to come to this Court whereas I doo vnderstand is all the prowesse and flower of Knighthoode in the world So héere I present my selfe noble Emperour before you and all your Knights in asking fauour and requesting helpe to reuenge vs of so great wrong as we haue receiued and thus she finished hir talke and with great wéeping she held her peace This noble Emperor receiued very great sorow griefe to heare this lamentable tale that the Ladie tolde and to see that faire young Damzel so dispossessed of her right by such extreame tyrannie and with a milde countenaunce he aunswered Noble Dutchesse since that thy good fortune though the efficient cause thereof be to too badde hath brought thée there where with all good will ye shall receiue succour and comfort I request you to take your rest and be quyet and leaue of this your mourning And although ther be knights in this my court that are able to comprehend such enterprises by their great prowesse and strength yet I do looke euery day for them to whom I may commend greater affayres to be done then these wherfore rest you a while till two doo come of whom I haue more dominion ouer to them will I commit this charge There were many knightes present that would very faine haue offered themselues to this enterprise but hearing the pretence of the Emperour they durst not in anie wise attempt it but kept silence Then this dutchesse began to tell them of all the successe that happened vnto her knightes by the knight of Cupide Unto whome the Emperour sayde that knight is one of them to whome I will commit the charge of your combat and I am right gladde that the seruice he shall doe you in this enterprise shall bée the occasion that you shall forget this anger that you haue against him So with these and like reasons they drew néere the Citie whereas straight waie they began to prepare all things in a readinesse for the departing of the Emperour Alicandro and in a short time all things béeing prouided this Emperour béeing also readie with a verie good will entered the ship and carrying with him the Prince Meridiano and his welbeloued spouse and the Troyan Oristedes he taking leaue of the Emperour with a better countenaunce then his heart would consent vnto committed the sailes vnto the winde and with a prosperous voyage they went a land at Tenedon whereas we will leaue them for to tell you what chaunced vnto the Empresse Claridiana who was verie sadde for the absence of her spouse and likewise to sée her selfe so great with childe although in the great hall she continually shewed a merrie countenaunce So it happened one daie being in conuersation with the Empresse and the quéene Lira there entered into the great hall the worthie Prince Clauerindo all armed with his accustomed harnesse and leading by the hande a verie faire Damosell all apparelled in blacke veluet and after her there came other nine faire Damosells all apparelled after the same manner This Damosell if you doo remember is shée whose kéeper Rosicleer did kill which was the Prince of Mesopotamia y e knight which came to her at her complaint sorrow was Clauerindo who in greate secret followed the knight of the Sunne and because of the great confidence that he had in the friendship of Zoylo he promised her fauour succour for the which this faire Ladie who was daughter vnto the king of Tiglia came in this order as you shall heare In the meane time that all this happened there chaunced a thing of verie greate admiration which was that the Tartarian béeing at that time in the hall as the Damzell entered hée made a great noise without anie more tarrieng neither was there anie that could stay him were he neuer so strong but running forwardes as a man distraught hée went out of the Pallaice The sorrowfull Ladie séeing this fell downe to the grounde as though shée had béene dead And Clauerindo beholding the ingratitude of this Tartarian woulde haue followed him but the wise Lyrgandeo stayed him and woulde not suffer him to goe saying They should let him alone for that all they shoulde procure to followe him should bée in vaine And so retourning vnto the Ladie he practised such remedyes that verie quickly shee retourned to her selfe againe and then promised her such remedies as shoulde in the ende restore her to rest And when the Barbarian Ladie did knowe who he was she did meruailouslie reioyce So this Tartarian went to the sea side and with great diligence imbarked himselfe in a shippe that was there readie fraughted for Spaine which he did in such great hast and diligence that before Bargandel and Lyriamandro could tourne themselues the shippe had hoised saile and yéelded her selfe vnto the winde the which was the occasion that these two did the like in taking another ship who sailed after the first with determined purpose with all their powers to procure that this Tartarian should returne againe whome we will leaue now sayling on their voyage for it is necessarie for our historie to relate other matters in this Chapter Let vs returne therefore to the Emperours court The Empresse Claridiana séeing her time at hand to be deliuered with childe was verie sadde and knew not what to doe but in the ende of many thoughts she determined to decypher all her secret vnto a maide she had who was called Arcana to whō she did disclose all the secrets of her heart This Arcana séeing the great friendship and curtesie that the princesse shewed her in opening her secrets more to her then to anie other and had a more trust in her then in the rest kissed her roiall hands and promised her to be no lesse secret then dilligent in all her affaires So they determined betwéene themselues and did prouide as it was best for their purpose to bée continuallye alone and without anie companie but that which did most trouble and gaue greatest care vnto the Empresse Claridiana was for that shée did not knowe to whome to giue the charge of nursing that which shoulde be borne of her yet the maiden who was verie wise subtil and discréet had ordained all things in good order for she had in great secret disclosed it vnto a verie honest matrone of the citie saieng that she was the partie that should be deliuered and gaue vnto her verye largely of gifts and iewells with promises of a farther benefite for to keepe her counsell therein It was not long after when that with great paine and griefe this noble Princesse was deliuered of a verie faire sonne daughter béeing of so great beautie that it was wonderfull to bée séene The sonne had vnder his left side a meruailous verie strange marke which was a speare of such a firie prospect that it made
so that his terrible and mightie face was plainlye discouered But they séeing that this wrastling did little profit them vnloosed themselues but the King was the first that rose vp as one that shewed himselfe to haue the best stomacke and séeing that all Bustrafo his head was bare in that he wanted his helme he bent his armed fist and stroke him such a blowe vpon the forehead that his braines flewe out and his eyes started out of his head and there this vnfortunate Gyaunt fell dead to the ground The King séeing then so good a successe in his battaile fell downe vpon his knées to y e ground and lifting vp his eyes vnto heauen he saide I giue thée thankes most mightie Iesus that thou gauest me to vnderstand thy power lightenest my vnderstanding for to leaue this error in the which I was led and to come to the knowledge of thy true light Then the Emperour came vnto him and imbraced him saieng Worthy Giaunt vnto whom it hath pleased God to impart so much of his grace I doo most heartely desire thée to tell who thou art that we may know who it is that hath showed vs so much fauour and curtesie to the ende we may render thée thy due desarts for this thy worthy deede The Gyant tooke off his helme and showed his faâ—e which was of a sober countenaunce all to be spotted with his owne bloud and without moouing from the place wherin he kneeled replyed and sayd I am Bramidoro King of Sardenia who of long time haue bene subiect to the superstitions of fained Gods and by the prowesse of thy sonne the Knight of the Sunne I am come to the knowledge of the almightie God and am now ready to receiue the sacrament of baptisme Therefore I desire thee soueraigne Emperor that it may be straight wayes ministred vnto me and likewise one that maye instruct me in all that shall be necessarie for my saluation The Emperour receiued great ioye to sée a person of so great estimation tourned vnto the knowledge of the lawe and scruâ—â—e of God and sayd Noble king you shall a while repose your selfe to prouide remedy in the curing and healing of your wounds for it is right néedfull when you are well of them then shall all things be fulfilled that you doo desire that shall be necessarie for you This he sayd for that he would haue it done with the pompe and right that to so high a thing is requisit and with the solemniâ—ie y t in such cases they accustomed to vse in saying these words he tooke him by the hand raised him froÌ„ y e ground led him vnto the chamber of the Knight of y e Sun where as he was cured of the wounds that he receiued in the battaile and was visited of all the Kings Princes Knightes that were in the Court The dead Giant was drawen out of the pallaice and carried without the Citie where in stéed of a graue to bury him they made a great fire and consumed him to ashes The thirde day after this aduenture was ended y e King of Hungarie departed w t many other knights that were very desirous to goe into their owne countries to take their ease at which the Emperour remained very pensiue So the other day following being on a sunday they did ordaine a soleÌ„pne feast for to minister the sacrament of Baptisme vnto Bramidoro for he had so great desire to be baptised that he would tarrie no longer How the king of Sardenia was baptised and how that a Lady demanded a promise of the Emperour which he granted for the which all the Court was verie sad Cap. 11. THE next daie in the morning béeing Sundaie as you haue heard the king of Sardenia was brought to the Church to receiâ—e his Baptisme accompanied with all â—he nobilitie that at that present were in the Emperours Court. There went with him for his Godfathers the king of Bulgaria and the king of Nisa and the Emperour vsing his magnanimitie went also with him side by side vntill he came to the Church of Saint Sofia whereas the Cardinall of Constantinople sayde Seruice and did baptise him and confirme his owne proper name when this was done with all the solempnitie belonging they returned againe vnto the Pallace in the which vpon the one side was a verie faire Damzell apparelled all in blacke hauing no companie but alonely one Page shée hadde her beautifull eyes all swollen with wéeping her countenaunce was very sadde which did verie well declare the sorrowe of her heart and beholding so noble a company to enter in she was in quiet till such time as the Emperour entered and by his side the king of Sardenia who was meruailously well adorned of goodly greatnesse and of faire and gentle disposition This damzell did well know which was the Emperour whom she did come to séeke for so drawing nigh vnto him there distilled from her sorrowfull eies saâ—t teares resembling orientall pearles which ranne downe â—er chéekes giuing very sorowfull and grieuous sighs that all those which sawe her were moued with compassion The Emperour when he heard this heauie mourning looked thetherward and when he sawe her vsing his accustomed vertue hée put himselfe before her And at such time as he would haue knéâ—led downe hée séeing hir so faire and of so excellent beautie wold not consent vnto it but kept hir vp by the hand and with swéete wordes gaue hir a comfortable welcome and like entertainment Hir seuere countenance with hir well proportioned body did declare that she was worthy of all this honour To the comfortable words which the Emperour had spoken this faire and distressed Lady aunswered Surmounted Emperour this my great sorrow is so rooted in me that I haue no ioye to receiue any comfort neuerthelesse if it be true which I haue heard both of thée and thy royall Court the fame whereof all the world doth resound then I am sure that thou wilt not denie me of my request for that hetherto thou hast not at any time denied any Lady or Damosell which hath requested the same hauing necessitie and néede thereof much more now béeing demaunded of thée by so afflicted a Damosell as I am being martired by the sonne of that adultresse Venus whom I may resemble vnto the Uulture which alwaies taketh for hir repast and féeding the bowells of that infortunate Ixion and the more paine he suffereth the more hir hunger increaseth so that euermore by hir gréedines he sustaineth a lasting grief Euen so soueraigne Lord loue doth torment me alwayes is gnawing of these my afflicted bowels yet neuer doo I feele them without loue but rather alwaies both in the Winter Summer in presence and in absence it doth still increase so that I am at no time without loue and continuallye my faith increaseth and by no meanes can I receiue remedie for this griefe but by the force and strength of some straunger whom I doo
commaunded him to be hanged out of one of the windowes of the Towre and commaunded publikely to be proclaimed all the whole treason where as to all men was seene his sodaine sorrowfull death Then he commaunded the Prince to be buried with great honour as vnto such a person did appertaine After this the sorrowfull Tarsina seeing that she was the onely occasion of all this euill not remembring the losse of her virginitie nor respecting anie shame which such as she was ought to haue and keepe began to teare her haire and to scratch her face gaue meruailous shrikes that all the Pallaice did found thereof and with greate furie she went vp vnto the place whereas her welbeloued Lidiarte was hanged and when shee sawe him dead with so shamefull and dishonourable a death shee beganne with great lamentation to publish the occasion of all this euill saying Oh souereigne God now will I acknowledge this great errour which I haue committed and done for the which I doo not deserue one but a thousand deaths Oh miserable creature that I am and vnhappie bodie that hath committed so great harme and villanie and onely because thou couldest not refraine thy disordinate appetite thy soule must nowe paye that which thou diddest consent vnto Oh cursed delight that for a little transitorie pleasure I would loose my virginitie therby causing him whom I loued more then my selfe to receiue so miserable a death euil end haue likewise brought in great suspition the honour of my Lady the Princesse therfore I will giue my selfe the correction that so worthilye I doe deserue paying with my life and honour the prise of my great lasciuâ—ousnesse and diuellish hardinesse And with this she leapt into the windowe with great furie and layde holde on the roape whereby the Earle was hanged and slipped downe by it till she came and imbraced her armes aboute the necke of the Earle and ioyning her mouth vnto his mouth which was then verie colde and blacke with the bloud and holding her selfe fast with the one of her handes with the other hand she drewe out a little knife which shée had wherwâ—th she cut the rope a sunder which he hanged by so that both of them fell to the grounde whereas they were all broken to péeces and there she dyed The greate alteration which was in the Court when they vnderstoode of all this that had past was straunge and without comparison And although manie did heare her complaint yet there was not one that coulde tell wherefore it was till such time as a Lackie which was nigh her declared all that you haue heard tolde for that he had heard it worde for worde but when the king did knowe the effect thereof hée was verye much amased at it And for that he woulde there shoulde be a perpetuall memorie thereof presently hée commaunded that they should bée buryed both together in a Sepulchre without the Citie of Paris declaring in it the effect of this dolorous act the which was forthwith published throughout all the whole kingdome So when that this vnhappie death of the Earle came vnto the eares of his Father and all his kinsfolkes they were verie sorrowfull and receiued for it great griefe and waxed verie wrathfull and determined if it were possible to reuenge the death of the Earle and deuised continually in secrete what order might best bee taken to bring it to effect So in the ende of manie inuentions they concluded to accuse the Princesse that shee should be the onely occasion of all this euill And the better for to compasse and bring this accusation to passe they did commit it to the vsing of the brothers sonne of the olde Earle and cousin vnto Lidiarte who was sonne vnto the Earle of Prouince an excellent and valiaunt Knight The which accusation he did accept with a verie good will and for to make their determination of more strength they agréed to sende vnto the kingdome of Sardenia vnto a brother of the king Bramidoro with whome they had at that time greate friendshippe requesting him that hée woulde sende them some one of his lignage to fauour them héerein the which he graunted with verie greate good will and for that they shoulde the better vnderstand the greate desire that hée hadde to pleasure them in this matter he sent them two of his lignage and by reason that they were Gyauntes and of a meruailous huge bignesse although all the world did knowe that the Princesse is without fault and not culpable yet they dare not put their persons in aduenture with those two horrible and disordinate monsters So after they hadde made this their traiterous and false accusation after manye and great contentions they grew in the end to this conclusion that the Princesse should within the tearme of fiftéene dayes bring three knightes that with these other thrée shoulde make and maintaine battaile in the fielde for the defence of this false accused Princesse and if so be that she coulde within that time prefired finde but two knightes then it shall be at their curtesie to take vppon them the enterprise and neither more nor lesse then they thrée if shee did finde but one knight Now there is twelue of these fiftéene daies past so that within these thrée dayes the full time is expired therefore noble Lordes and knightes let me bée resolued what you will determine heerein To loose our liues for to set at libertie this wronged Ladie aunswered the Knight of the Sunne therefore it is conuenient without anie more delaye that wee take our iourney thether-ward Then the Damosell sayd how is it that you will take the enterprise in hand and bee but two and they bée thrée and besides almost inuincible Then Tefereo aunswered the iustice on the Princesse parte shall be the thirde person take you no care fayre Damosell for that for although we are but two we doe little esteeme them When the Damosell sawe their liberall proffer and determination she was verie gladde and content and straight wayes she leaped vpon her palfraie and they on their horses and so rode towards the Citie without making anie farther delaie or tarrieng ¶ How the Prince met in Paris the knight of the Images and of the battaile he had with him and howe they ouercame the three knightes which did accuse the Princesse afterward how Tefereo knew who the knight of the Images was of all that happened besides Cap. 17. WIth great hast the Prince and all that were with him trauailed that daie and the next in the kingdome of Fraunce vntill they came within two leagues of Paris so the next daie verie early in the morning they arose trauailed againe till they came within the sight of the Citie and for that it was verie early to enter into the same they alighted amongst a companie of trées wheras by the great thicknesse they might not bée séene of anie and refreshing themselues by a cléere fountaine of water that was
dead with great showts and shrikes they pressed altogether vpon those foure knightes but they found theÌ„ neither dastards nor cowards but they gaue them well to vnderstand y t they were of great valâ—ur Then they ioyned themselues together backe to backe and stroke such straunge blowes vpon their enimies and with so great force and furie that he which had receiued one blowe would not turne to them againe with great feare they were so scarred Prince Eleno being incensed with anger at the fall that he receiued by the blow of the Gyant it caused him to claspe his sword fast in his hand and with double furie he pressed amongest his enimies that vnhappie he might thinke himselfe that came to the receit of the first stroke for that with an ouerthwart blowe he cutte his head cleane from his shoulders and returned vnto another and stroke him vppon the wast so that it had neere hand parted him in two péeces so with such like blowes and feates of knighthood they made them to retire And at the same time they sawe comming forth of y e citie a great number of knights gentlemen which they iudged to be about sixe thousand in an armie and all on hors backe It could not be chosen but y e this valiant Prince Eleno should haue some feare séeing so many Knights notwithstanding with a loude voyce and with great courage he layd Excellent valyant knights now is y e time most noble stout warriors that we show the great strength courage of our heartes by a plaine testimoniall in leauing our bodies as sacrificed vnto their wills and our bloud to be sprinckeled abroad receiuing more ioye and honour in our deaths fighting in our owne defence then to giue consent vnto our enimies in ouercomming vs. Notwithstanding this young warriour did not forget himselfe but rather with more furious blowes he pressed on his enemies and working such terrible feates that it is very wonderfull to be heard and so without all hope of their liues committing themselues vnto God they did procure by all meanes to cut off and make lesse their enemies killing them in such sort as it séemed to mans capacitie impossible The quantitie was so great that by reason of the bolud that ran from them the water on the sea side was made red and lost his naturall colour and being in this conflict there approached all that great companie that came foorth of the Citie And before them all there came a Knight armed with very faire and rich armour all gylded and something of a good stature and bignesse of body he had on his head a royall crowne who when he came vnto the place whereas this bloudy battaile was he commaâ—nded all the people to stand aside and with a seuere voyce showing great humilitie he sayd Ualiaunt and worthy Knights whom Iupiter defend and kéepe I fâ—â—le my selfe very sore troubled in séeing Knightes of so great valour and worthinesse as you are to be indued with so much crueltie against your selues and onely for not swering an oath considering you haue chaunced vpon this aduenture whereby you should make defence against so great treason againe me practised of traitours which onely by tyraunnie pretende to take away my kingdome from me To the which words the valiaunt Prince Eleno made answer and sayd If thou hast iustice on thy side as thou saist thou hast wherefore doo you consent to suffer so vyle a custome in this your Countrey constraining all straunge Knights by force to sweare vnto your defence the which by 〈◊〉 and order of Knighthood they must doo it of their owne free wil if you giue them to vnderstand the truth therof To whom the King answered and sayd Genâ—le Knight all this which hath bene done was neuer by my commaundement but by this my Captaine whom thou hast heere slaine And for that I did vnderstand the great harme which he did that without all reason I am come hether to remedy it for which cause I doo desire and pray you to let the 〈◊〉 of your stroÌ„g armes to cease and to pacifie your sâ—ouâ— courages and to take in good part to come and rest your selues with me the which you may doo with all securitie And heere I do promise you to holde and kéepe my faith and word the which I doe giue vnto you and then wil I declare vnto you all my trouble whereat you will not onelye take greate contentment to sweare that which I shall request you but also I beléeue that you will of your worthinesse take the demaunde to bée your owne according vnto the great right and Iustice that I haue on my part So these foure Knights were satisfied of all that this Morish King had promised vnto theÌ„ by his words were ouercome and yeelded vnto that which hée had demaunded of them and were determined to go with him at y e which y e King receiued no small ioy for to haue so valiant Knights w t him in his companie Then y e King alighted and caused them to put vp their swords into their sheathes and did them as great honour as though they hadde ben in their owne Countries Then the Prince Eleno seeing how that all things were finished he determined to goe for his faire Lidia but when the King knew who she was himselfe did beare him companie and tooke her out of the galley and brought her a shore All that did beholde her did meruayle at her great beautie beeing mixed with so much sadnesse So the King tooke her by the hand and bare her company till he came vnto the Citie and carried her vnto his pallaice which was very rich and great for this king was one of the mightiest Princes in all Africa So straight way it was coÌ„maunded to make ready dinner for that it was very néedfull the which was accomplished very sumpâ—uously When they sate downe to dinner they pulled off their helmes which before that time they had not done and when the Prince Eleno had pulled off his healme all the rest did thinke verelye that it had bene the valiaunt Knight Rosicleer for that as I haue tolde you he was very much like him complaining for that he had kept himself so close without shewing what he was in so long time The Prince with a smiling countenaâ—ce did put them out of al doubt in showing them who he was of the which they remained very much amazed for all that if he had had a little more beard they would not haue beléeued him The King was very well content and pleased that he had such Knights in his company told vnto theÌ„ a great circumstance of treason cleane contrarie to that it was applying all the iniurie to be offred vnto himself mingling his tale with counterfet teares which caused these Knightes to giue credit vnto his words in such sort that they did sweare vnto the King all that he would demaund of the which this traiterous King remained
past he would haue weapt with great sorrowe for the hurt which he had done he hadde one custome which was verie diuellish béeing no small blemish vnto all the rest of his good qualities that he woulde neuer pardon them of whome he had receiued iniurie So when this Pagan was come into the pallaice and in the Quéenes presence with a graue countenaunce and hardie voice he declared his embassage and by reason that at that time the quéene had not her heart at libertie she gaue him for answere without tarrying to take anie farther counsaile that her intent was not as yet to marrie for that she was verie young wherwith this Pagan departed and did returne to giue this answere vnto his brother Bramarandus at which he was verie irefull commaunded to make sacrifices vnto Mahomet praying vnto him for to chaunge the will of the Queene that shée might marrie with him Then there was made aunswere vnto him by the Diuell which hadde entered into that infernall Image of Mahomet that hée shoulde not tarrie for anye other hope to obtaine her but by force of armes and that hee shoulde procure with all his strength and power for to marrie her adding that from her shoulde procéede an infant at whose valyauntnesse and strength halfe the world shoulde tremble and stande in feare This false God did well diuine and prognosticate but yet he did deceiue the wretched Bramarandus in saying that of his séede shoulde procéed such a child when he heard y e answere of this accursed Mahomet he commanded y t withall diligence should bée ioyned together fiue hundred of the most valiantest knights that might be chosen not onely in Mauritania but also in Numidia and Garamantes for that not one King of all these countryes would deny him any thing with pretence with them and himselfe in person to win by force that which by faire meanes he could not obtaine and imbarking themselues with a prosperous winde they came in a small time vnto Tinacria and before they would goe alaâ—d they did send their Ambassador a shore to sée if they did finde her first purpose altered The which message was committed to a mightie strong Moore called Forimon who did declare it vnto the Quéene with proud and obstinate words threatening them with cruel warres if to the contrary they would not conâ—ent vnto the marriage There was present at this Embassage the Earle of Modique and the Earle of Modeli and the Earle Farlera and the Marques of Aposto and many other valiant Knights and although they made an outward showe that they did not estéeme of it nor made any reckoning thereof yet they were in great feare The good Earle of Modique with a sad voyce said Oh mightie Iupiter how well thou hast payed thy selfe for the great curtesie which thou hast showed vs in giuing vs for our Ladyes and gouernours the fairest damosels in the world For not long since we did behold one of theÌ„ w t her own hands to thrust a sword through her brest which was a pitifull sight to sée now y e other is euen at y e poynt to doo y e lyke Notwithstanding now shall my life perish for to maintain my honor in y e seruice of my Lady and Quéene And with this they did all determine rather to haue warres with honour then peace with shame waying the little good will the Quéene had to marrie with him to take him for hir husband And with this determination they gaue him for aunswere that the Queene was not intended to marrie as yet so that if hée pleased to tarrie the time he might if not he might doo as he thought best and that they would not let but defende the honour of their Lady and Quéene The messenger not well pleased with the aunswere retourned to declare it vnto his Lord. And when he was gone all the Quéenes Knights determined to fortifie themselues in the Citie and make all things very strong and so they gaue the Quéene to vnderstand thereof whereof she was verye well content séeing them so well incouraged for her defence The daye following they commaunded to call together all the best Knights of y e land that they might come to her aide and succour for that there were verye manye in that Iland But that same night Venus would haue wrought one of her accustomed cruelties if she had not bene hindered as héerafter you shall heare in the chapter following ¶ How the Queene beeing kindeled with the fire of loue and seeing that the Emperour would giue her no remedie of her paine wold haue stroke her selfe with a sword to the heart wherewith to haue finished her life and how the Emperour was coÌ„strained to consent vnto her will Cap. 21. IN the meane time that they were putting all things in good order as you haue heard Cupide did not cease but continuallye tormented the Quéene so that euery daye she did not let to trouble the Emperor with hir louing and amorous complaints prouoking him in what she might vnto her will who alwayes with great discretion did delay the same vntill the last night that they were determined to leaue the Pallaice and to enter into the Citie Then this faire Ladye indured verye greate paine vntill such time as the cleare Diana with the fairnes of her beames had passed the halfe part of her iourney when that all the people were at their accustomed and naturall rest Then this faire Garrofilea arose vp from her bed with a desperate determination which the force of loue inforced her to practise and couering her selfe with a very rich robe she tooke a sword which had bene the King her Fathers and put it vnder her lefte arme and in her right hande shée carried a light that she might the better finde the dore the which she opened as softly as was possible at such time as the Emperor was very fast a sléepe and when she saw that he did not heare her entering in she went vnto the beddes side with the light in her hand that she might contemplate her selfe in beholding the graue and faire face of the Emperour and vnto her it séemed that in all the world there was not such another nor that there could be any greater thing to be desired then that which her heart did require In this sort she was beholding him a great while vntill such time as the sorrowfull sighes Garrofilea set caused the Emperor to awake and when he saw the Quéene he was very much amazed and would haue risen vp whereto y e Quéene would not consent but caused him to lye still and setting the light vpon a table which was in the chamber she came and sate her downe vpon the bed by the Emperour and shedding many teares of perfect and true loue she sayd My Lord I wold very faine know what thou dost pretend towards me most vnfortunate Quéene wounded with the darte of Cupide onely by the sight of thy excéeding personage For knowing it
neuer ceased to strike him with so much furie that many times he was without any féeling Thus they continued foure houres without any resting of themselues but wounding one another When this furious pagan saw that he could not bring to passe his pretence but that he was in great perill to be ouercome he stroke such a blowe at the Emperour that with the mightie strength wherewith it was stroken he made him to loose his remembraunce and forced him to stoope vnto the horse necke and after that he stroke his second blow vpon his backe that the great noyse that it made was the occasion that the Emperour came againe to himselâ—e And he was not scarce setteled in his saddle when he lifte vp his sword intending to strike the Moore a mightie and terrible blow the which when this Africane beheld knew the great strength wherewith it came with meruailous pollicie he put it aside and made him to loose his blowe at the same time flourishing with his sword he discharged such an ouerthwart blowe vpon his throte that if the harnesse had not bene forged by Magical art the Emperour had bene in great perill Oh what great anger and furie did this mightie Trebatio féele to sée himselfe so ill intreated by that furious Moore and therewith he raised himselfe vp in his stirrops and strake at him in such great hast and with so great strength that it seemed that then the battaile was but new begun But when this Mauritanian saw that the Emperour had not lost any of his strength but rather that it was more increased with a terrible and fearfull voyce he said O Mahomet what is this for that I sée that if all the strength of Mars were héere together it were not sufficient to make resistaunce against this Knight and in saying these wordes he did procure to offende his aduersarye with terrible and furious blowes Amongst them all this Mauritanian chaunced one vpon the Emperors helme that he made him to gnash his téeth wher with without any remembraunce he fell vpon y e horse crâ—pper in such sort that the horse being scarred with the blow began to runne and carried the Emperour in that traunce a good while about the field The Moore had well thought at that time that he had finished his work with great shouts shriks he followed him but all his thought was in vaine For y â— the Emperour recouered setled himselfe in his saddell and when he saw himselfe so ill intreated ther was neuer Tiger of Hircania nor any other wilde beast so furious as he was at this time with his great anger Yea he was so vexed with himselfe that with the madnesse thereof hée crushed his téeth together and tourning his horse about a great deale lighter then at any other time he firmed well his swoorde in his hand and lifting vp his mightie strong arme went whereas this Morisco king was who in y e like sorte came towards him at that time the Emperour neither remembred life nor death nor anie other thing but to take reuengment on his enimie procuring to bring him to cruell death and raising himselfe vp a good spanne in his saddle being firmed in his stirrops he strake such a blowe that at the fall of his mightie cutting sworde the sparkles of fire flew into the aire and it lighted on the Pagans healme so that all the strength thereof did little profite himâ— but hée cut his head and all downe to his stomacke that this Pagan fell dead to the ground the which béeing séene by his knights they gaue a meruailous and lamentable shout and crie and without vsing anie more curtesie they altogether put theyr Speares in their rests and went against this strong warririour all on horse backe but héere the mirrour of all knighthood did abide their comming with his accustomed courage hart al these Moores made their encounter on him together many of them brake their speares but for all that he mooued no more then if they had runne against a tower The Emperour séeing their vilianie begun to reuile them w t shamefull words and retourning towards them he made them to runne awaie like vile cowards Unhappie was he that hée stroke although it were but with halfe a blowe for it made him that he had smal minde to returne againe but by reason that they were verie sorrowfull and angrie for the losse of their king many of them did strike at him on euerie side procuring to defend themselues and not to come nigh his terrible blowes The Emperour then remembring that if he did not procure to come whereas the prisoners were to set them at libertie that it wer possible that they would intreat them euill Wherfore he put himselfe among the thickest of his enimies wounding and killing all that he found in his waye and all that he could ouertake although his armour were as hard as Diamonds yet he could not escape from the death so in this sort in spite of all the Pagans he came vnto y e kings tent and séeing that there ioyned together much people to make resistaunce at the entering it gaue him the more desire to enter into the tent not knowing that the Tinacrians were there prisoners The Mauritanians with all their powers they had made resistaunce but their strength did little auaile them for in spite of them all the Emperour went into the Tent whereas he met with the Earle of Modique and the Earle of Mondeli who were put there in prison At this present time Don Rubio of Tinacria when he sawe that the Moore of Africa was ouercome and the great villanie of his knights he made great hast to goe out of the Citie and with eight hundred knights all verie well armed they pressed on their enimies with so great force that they made them looke better about them then before that time they did When the Emperour sawe the diligence of this knight Rubio he procured to set the prisoners at libertie the which thing béeing done he sayde vnto the Earles sonne of Modique Gentle knight this succour doo you receiue and your honourable father in recompence of the great griefe which I caused you to receiue and without speaking anie more words he returned vnto the battaile which was verie much increased but when he came amongst them it was quickly brought to an end for by reason that they had no gouernour to gouerne them and that the furie of y e Gréeke was not to be suffered they durst not abide but with great shame they began to runne away Then those of Tinacria did follow them till they came to the sea side killing and wounding all that euer they coulde come by So when the Emperour saw that all this conflict was brought to a good end and that the valiant Rubio was by him he called him vnto him and sayd My friend go and tell your Mistres the Quéene that I request her to pardon me for that
I doo not retourne againe into her Citie for I was so ill receiued the first time that I haue no will to retourne the second And more I desire her of my part that she doo intreate better and giue better intertainment vnto such Knights as I am then she gaue vnto me least she get vnto her selfe the name of a wrathfull Quéene and be accounted as one subiect vnto hir own opinion of all other things if any thing doo chaunce let her thanke none but her selfe for that she hath bene the onely cause therof And moreouer I doo desire her not to trouble her selfe in sending to séeke me for that I say not her power alone but all the power in Africa is not sufficient to retourne me againe into so great straights as once she had me in And so without any more speaking he spurred his horse and rode a reasonable pace towards the sea side which was not farre from that place and when he came thether he sought to sée if he could finde by chance any barke or galley to carry him whether he wold with his good will or els by force He had not gone farre when that he sawe a very faire and great barke at the sea side hard aboord the shoare The Emperour entered into it to sée if there were anye marriners his horse which was hard by him without being constrained by the Emperour very lightly leapt into the Barke He was not so soone with in when that the Barke began to make waye in such sorte that in a small time they were very farre at sea At y â— which the Emperour was greatly amazed but there was a voice which did satisfie him that sayd Mightie Trebatio Lyrgandeo doth gouerne thee at the which the Emperour was very ioyfull So he put his horse in a place by himselfe in the bark wheras he found sufficient of all things néedefull Likewise hée found all that was conuenient for his owne person which was ready vpon a table in very good order all kinde of dressed meates and béeing set downe to eate he was serued so bountifully and with so great diligence and care as though he had bene in Greece In this sort the emperour went sailing eight dayes in y e end of which he discouered land which had belonging vnto it a faire hauen or port and nigh vnto it a very faire and great Citie The Barke went straight into the hauen and brought her selfe to the shore Héere we will leaue y e Emperour in his barke in y e hauen and will tell you of the great lamentation y t the faire Garrofilea made for that the Emperour departed in such sort ¶ How the faire Queene Garrofilea made great lamentation for the departure of the Emperour and how at their last being together she remained with childe by the Emperour Trebatio Cap. 23. AFter that all the Knights of Tinacria haâ— ioyned themselues together and had made an ende of their battaile and trauaile they repaired vnto the citie with great ioy and gladnesse for their good successe Rubio of Yscla went to declare vnto the Quéene his message y t the Emperor had commanded him at y â— which the Quéene was so troubled that she could not in any wise dissemble it but in a great sound strayght way she fell downe as though she had bene dead This couragious knight when he saw her in this trance tooke her vp in his armes caryed her vnto her Strado or seate straight waies when the Ladies heard the noyse they all came forth to sée what the matter was when they saw their Quéene in that traunce they began to vse all meanes and remedies till such time as she came again vnto her remembrance And although it was with great trouble the quéene lifted vp her â—yes séeing that she was coâ—â—â—assed about with Ladies and others shee shut her eyes againe and gaue a great sigh which came from the bottome of her heart and in this sort she remained a greate while and her Ladies and Damosells seeing that she was so troubled determined to vncloath her and to carrie her to her bed Then she made signes with her hands that they should depart and leaue her all alone whose commandement they straight wayes obeyed not without great sorrow of all them that did beholde her for that the quéene was meruailouslye well beloued of her subiects There was not one that could vnderstand the cause of this sodaine euill but onely the earle of Modique who discréetly did imagine what it might bée who kept it close to himselfe at time vntil such time as time the matter it selfe shuld declare whether his imagination or thought should fall out true or no. This afflicted quéene when she saw that she was alone began to exclaime against her fortune putting forth these sorrowfull reasons When wilt thou be content thou peruerse enimie and without all reason Thou which hast warped such strange webbes in this Kingdome Thou gauest me into my power the Gréeke Emperour very poore and without all comfort of thée and absent from all his Empire This thou didst for that with his sight I should be wounded with the cruell dart of loue that without all remedie of anie comfort I most vnfortunate damosell shoulde be constrained to set my life to sale and to sell my honour as it were with the common cryar compelling me to doo vnto my selfe that which I onely did being made blinde by him which would y t all others were as blind as he himselfe is And although me life were set at libertie by him which without anie weapon bereaued me thereof yet am I not at so much libertie nor so frâ—e but that wheresoeuer he goeth my heart doth followe him Woe is me for my virginitie which my parents gaue me such great charge to haue a respect vnto that it hath bene so euill kept and so lightly regarded me I will so chastise my selfe for thus forgetting of my selfe and be so reuenged for the little regard that I haue had of my honour that it shall be an example to all others which be of high estate Oh miserable Quéene Oh vnhappie Lady thy spéech is too too foolish for although this thy desperate hand should pull out the despised heart of this miserable and afflicted bodie yet shouldest not thou make satisfaction of the dishonour which thou hast committed against thy selfe Oh cruell death why doest thou not with thy sodaine furie set at libertie me most vnfortunate from these gréeuous paines Oh Emperour of Greece those louing and amorous wordes which thou spakest vnto me I would they had neuer ben spoken O false and deceiuing Lorde thou shouldest haue suffered me to haue tasted death when with so great good will mine owne hand would haue ministred it to me and not now to cause me to indure a thousand deaths only by thy departure With these other like lamentations this afflicted Ladie passed awaie the time till at last she found
another way which did crosse ouerthwart the same way in which he was And studying with himselfe which waye to take it was tolde him that it was the waye which led strayght vnto Paris of y â— which he was very ioyfull and remained a while thinking which way he might take for to finde Tefereo And beeing in this muse he heard towards his right side a great rushing of armour and armed Knights and casting his head on the one side he saw that there was about a ten knights which came running towards him with their speares very low calling him traytor as soone as the Knight of the Sunne saw them he put downe the visor of his helme and layd hand on his sword and at the same time he beheld on the other side as many moe Knights armed which made towards him as the other did In the ende he was compassed rounde about on euery side with fortie Knights which all cried out saying kill the traytor let the traytor dye of the which the Prince did greatly meruayle So altogether they set vpon him and ranne at him with their speares and stroke him all at once yet for all that he mooued no more in his saddle then if they had made their incounter against a strong Tower but at the passing by he stroke one of them vpon the visour of his helme that he cut halfe his head a sunder and he fell dead to the ground All the rest retourned with their horses against the Prince some with their swords in their hands and other some whose speares remayned whole ranne at him againe what on the one side and what on the other they made a very fierce and strong incounter as of those which were the whole choyce of them that were in the Citie onelye to kill him When the Prince sawe himselfe so inclosed on euerye side his wrath and anger began to kindle in him insomuch that he tooke his sword fast in his hand stroke such blowes that whosoeuer he chaunced to hitte was either slayne or maymed At this present time arriued in those partes at the Sea side as I haue tolde you Brufaldoro and this was the battayle wherein he sawe so many Knightes against one onely Knight This Moore did stande and beholde them and was verye much amazed to see the power of one Knight who brought so many as they were into such great distres which made them to repent and were verie sorrie that euer they began that enterprise but by reason that they were all chosen knightes they would not but assault him verie fiercely which was the occasion of their farther harme destruction for that the Princes ire did so much increase that it caused him to double his blowes in such sorte that some he killed out right and some he wounded that in a small time he left not one vpon his horse but all brought vnto the state that they could make no resistaunce and when the Prince â—awe himselfe at more libertie he demaunded what was the occasion of this so sodaine conflict so one of those knightes which was verie sore hurt tolde him how that they were knights belonging to the Earle of Prouince which laye in waite for him to be reuenged of the death of his sonne for y t the whole circumstance of the battaile came vnto his knowledge So the Prince left them and woulde not speake anye word more vnto them but his intent was to get him out of the Countrie for that he well vnderstood that neither he nor Tefereo should haue anie good intertainment at their hands and when he would haue departed there came vnto him Brufaldoro and did salute him verie curteously the Prince did returne him his salutation and had a great pleasure to beholde his good grace and gentilitie So the Mauritanian began first to speake and sayd Gentle and valiant knight the first boone or gift that euer I did demaund since the time that I was borne is this that I will aske of thée and the occasion which doeth driue me to aske it is constrained by the great valour and prowesse which I haue seene in thée sure it is an easie thing on thy part to be fulfilled and therefore I doo desire thée to graunt me my request The heroycall Grecian which had his eyes fixed vpon him with great pleasure that he receiued at his gentle disposition answered As yet I neuer denyed anie thing that was demaunded of mée being iustly demaunded and in a iust cause neither had I anie respect whether it be easie to be done or difficult therfore geÌ„tle knight aske whatsoeuer pleseth thée for if it stand with iustice and reason that I may graunt it thée I doe promise thée to accoÌ„plish it in very ample manner not onely oâ—e boon but so many as thou wilt aske of me That which I wil aske thée said y e pagan is not to put thy person in any periâ— no nor y t thou shalt mooue thy horse one foot out of the place where he standeth but that thou wilt with thy valiant hand giue me y e order of Knighthood arme me knight the which thou maist doo without any doubt or sâ—rupulositie For heere I doo sweare vnto thée by my mightie thoughts that I am a crowned King This noble Greeke did accept his demand and asked of him if that he had watched his armour The Moore aunswered I suppose I haue watched them inough for that it is now eighteene dayes since I haue hadde them continually on my backe And for me there needeth no ceremonyes for that I am no Christian neither Pagan nor Moore nor Iewe nor Gentile neither doo I worship nor beléeue in God For that the God of the Christians I take him for my enimie and as for Mahomet I knowe he is little worth and can doo lesse and the Gentiles haue for their Gods stockes and stones and as for the Iewes I hate theÌ„ as base and vile people Therefore I doo neither worshippe the one nor beléeue in the other but onely follow my own proper appetite The Knight of the sunne could not refrain from laughter at his words in séeing him to be a man of so much libertie and aunswered him saying By God King I doo sweare vnto thée that I haue séene fewe or none of thy Religion but whatsoeuer thou art I will héere accomplish thy desire and request Then the Prince asked him Wilt thou be a Knight The King aunswered This I doo desire and séeke no other thing and putting on his right spurre he kissed him on the chéeke in token of honour and taking a rich sword which a page of his carried with him hée stroke him a blowe with it vpon his shoulder and putting of it vp againe into his sheath he hung it about his necke sayd Now King thy desire is fulfilled for y t thou art a Knight With great good reason may it be sayd that in the fields of Prouince was giuen the order of Knighthood vnto the most
him such a terrible blow vpon the creast of his helme that hée made him cleane to loose his feeling for a greate while The Moores horse by reason of his wearinesse was readie to fall downe on euerie side This valyaunt Sardenian séeing him in that case and remembring in what order he had before left the knight of the Sunne without anie more tarrying tourned about his swift and light horse and with as much swiftnesse as might bee possible he returned vnto the place where as he had left the knight of the Sun and when hée came vnto the place wheras the battaile was fought betwéen the two warriours he found not the knight of the Sunne there but retourning backe againe he tooke his waie towardes the Sea side following the foote steppes of them and theyr horses and in a small time hee came vnto the place whereas he sawe a barke which was at an anker fast vpon the shoare and comming nigh vnto it he knew it to bée the verie same which had brought them thether and for to knowe of certaintie whether the knight of the Sunne were there or not he called with a loude voice vnto them which were in the Barke vnto whome the Greeke made aunswere and when he saw that it was his friend Tefereo that had called he was verie gladde and likewise Tefereo did greatly reioyce to sée him and therewith he entered into the Barke and when hée was entered therein he heard one with a lowde voyce which sayde Tarrie tarrie thou cowardly villaine and doe not thinke to escape mée without thy due punishment At which greate noise the Knight of the Sunne looked about and saw that it was the King of Mauritania which with verie greate hast came towardes them The Prince wold haue gone out to him if y t the Barke had not ben so far in the sea as it was for the which he was very sad not a little disquieted yet for all the anger which the Prince had he could not choose but saie that the king was a good knight and of as much might as Bramarant and somewhat more valiaunt and politike and meruailed with himselfe whether he were his sonne or no. So when the Pagan sawe that he coulde not execute his furie and rage hée beganne to roare lyke a Bull and although he was not purposed anie more to imbarke himselfe to sea yet at that time hée was constrayned to chaunge his pretence and finding opportunitie by reason of certaine Merchauntes which were fraighting of a shippe to Grecia hée determined to goe into her There hée imbarked himselfe and the winde béeing verie prosperous they departed and in a verie short time they ariued at a hauen in Grecia where as hée went a lande and trauailed in the Countrie certaine dayes So it happened one daie that hée founde by a house of pleasure a great companie of Knightes Ladyes and Damosells which were recreating of themselues What they were and what the king did in following the Storie you shall vnderstande and I will nowe leaue him for to tell you of the heroycall sonne of Trebatio who for the space of sixe dayes sayled on the Sea with greate pleasure often talking of the great strength and force of the Moore the seauenth daye he ariued in a verye faire hauen or port which was nigh vnto a verie sumptuous Citie the which was furnished with greate shippes and Gallyes and other small Barkes and Foystes Amongest all these they passed verie quicklye without the interruption of anie person till such time as the Barke was fast a grounde and perceiuing that it was there conuenient that they shoulde disimbarke themselues they leapt a shoare and lykewise tooke out theyr horses and straight waye they leapt on theyr backes and tooke the waye which lead them vnto the Citie wherein they discouered on the one parte a verie fayre and greate armie of men and lykewise all the fielde was pitched with verie rich Tentes and as they looked aboute straight wayes they sawe come foorth of the Citie fiue mightie and strong Knightes and a verie greate and strong Gyaunt and in the other parte of the armie one onely knight whose armour séemed to bée of a passing fine Rubie all to bée spotted with starres of golde and set with Pearles This sight did lyke them so well that they were looking on that one Knight a greate while verie earnestly and tooke greate pleasure to sée his good demenour The Knight of the Sunne was imagining with himselfe what knight that shoulde bée that was of so gentle disposition and proportion beléeuing certainely that it coulde bée none but some of his lignage This knight passed harde by those two friendes who did beholde them verie much yet hée made no staying but without speaking anie worde he passed on forwardes and when hée was come into that place of the fielde that was appointed for the battaile he put his speare in his reast at the which token one of the sixe knightes came foorth to make resistaunce whome the knight of the Sunne did knowe But nowe for that the historie goeth in order it is néedfull to leaue them in this order till time shall serue and to returne againe and tell you of the Emperour of Grecia that came to the port of Cimarra and there did disimbarke himselfe ¶ How the Greeke Emperour did disimbarke himselfe at the Citie of Cimarra and what happened vnto him there Cap. 25. YOU haue heard before how that the Emperour ariued at the Port of Cimarra which was gouerned by the Father of that vnfortunate Herea where when hée hadde put in order his inchaunted Barke hée leapte a lande and going on foote armed with that rich armour which Garrofilea had giuen vnto him carrying his right hande vpon the reast which was in his armour and his left hande voon the pomell of his swoorde and his helme close which couered his face and hanging at his necke his gallaunt and rich shéelde with a comelye and graue countenaunce he went towardes the Citie and of the first that hée met withall he asked what lande or Countrie that was for that hée was ignoraunt thereof and straight waie it was tolde him in the Sarasin language that hée was in the kingdome of Cimarra whereat hée was not a little delighted and considering the knowledge of the wise Lyrgandeo he went forwardes on his waie without staying till he entered into the gates of the Citie and all they which met with him did verie much beholde him greatly meruailing at his grauitie good disposition and wonderfull stature There were sundrye that aduertised the King thereof as soone as hée was come a shoare howe that there was a knight which did disimbarke himselfe at the Port or Hauen which came without gouernement béeing armed with verie rich and costly armour and one that was of an excellent stature and good disposition The auncient King of the Countrie who was aduertised thereof before by the wise Lyrgandeo did straight waie knowe that
griefe at these my lamentations it may giue place that I may sée thee let this my anguish gréeue thée my Lidia likewise let this my misfortune gréeue thée But alasse what shall I say is it not sufficient that the great paine that I doe sustaine for thy death but I must bewaile my owne sorrowe Oh mistres at thy death thou madest an end of all thy paines and mine doth more and more increase And in saying these and such like lamentations he drew out his Dagger and with the point he wrote an Epitaph which was as followeth HEere Lidia lou'de and vnbelou'de doth lie Whose great good will to her small good did bring She loue did feele which causelesse did applie to her perforce of death the bitter sting And though her corps inclosed heere doth lie her lucklesse fate and fame will neuer die So when he had made this Epitaph he arose vp saying héere I doe promise thée Lidia since my fortune is such that I haue lost thée there is no other that shall enter into this my heart and hard breast But how can I saie that it is hard did it not open at the houre when it felt thy absence and so without saying anie more he went out of the temple with all the rest of his companions and taking their horses they altogether issued out of the citie at such time as the Emperor was arming himselfe in his rich tent The fierce king of Sardenia when he sawe that they returned againe vnto y â— which the daie before they did intreate of he could not bée in quiet but sayde O king that for the defence of thy person wée must contende with that man whome we most estéeme and thou must remaine in the field onely for the shew of a knight and we inforced to finish the harme wherof thou art the occasion Well doo not thou thinke that it shall be so but perswade thy selfe that thou shalt be the first in the incounter that thou maist proue how euill it is to suffer the â—urie of the Emperour of Grecia O worthie king of Sardenia answered the king of Numidia how the great affection which thou hast vnto the Emperour doth cause thée not to giue credit vnto this my iustice and right Héere I doe require thée by the oath which thou madest vnto me that thou be the first to put thy selfe in the defence of my person To which the Sardenian aunswered First the heauen and the earth shall ioyne together before that I wil consent that my arme shal mooue it selfe against him whom I take for my Lord and master And héere I saye vnto thée oh king that if thou dooest but once againe will me héereto I sweare to thée by the soueraigne God that neither thy power nor all thy subiects shall be able to deliuer thée out of my hands So their communication was cut off by séeing the Emperour to come towards them vpon a very faire horse who showed so greate furie that it was a wonder to sée At this present time there appeared comming from those parts which was towardes the sea two Knights who were very well armed If you do remember these were the two valiant warriours the prince of the Sunne and the strong Sardenian The great desire that the Emperour had to sée himselfe with the Numidian was the occasion that he little estéemed the tarrying for those two knights for that he thought the houre was come of the battaile and that the defender should be as he had demaunded that false King and traitour he put himselfe forwardes towards the place wheras the Princes and the king came And when they wer together these Princes with very faire and amorous wordes and of great fidelitie indeuoured so perswade the Emperour for to leaue the battaile and that therein they should receiue meruailous great contentment if he would accept it The knight of y â— sunne stood did behold their reasonings did looke for no other thing but furious battaile by all tokens y t they shewed with their handes and other demeanors of their bodies knowing fiue of the knightes he very much meruailed what shoulde be the occasion and with this desire he had to knowe what should moue them to this controuersie he sawe a Lackie which passed by and he called him asked of him in the Saracen tongue saieng Friend tell me if thou cannest what is the occason that doth cause them to make this cruell and furious battaile and who they be that doo make it This Lackie by the riches of his armour and by his good proportion iudged him to bée a knight of estimation he saide Gentle Knight the cause of this controuersie and defence if I should stand to tell you it all it would be verie tedious but of all the rest that thou doest aske me I will giue thée to vnderstand that which I dooe knowe You shall vnderstand that the knight which is alone is the mightie Emperour Trebatio of Greece and that which hée doth maintaine is great iustice and right and will giue great punishment for the same which is that that the others doe defend The knight of the Sunne was very much amazed at that which he hearde and therewith he went towardes them before they had made an end of their reasoning and so without anie shew of trouble he sayd vnto the Prince of Dacia who was still sore troubled with the sorrowe as you haue heard Art thou Don Eleno of Dacia my cousin and brothers sonne vnto the Emperour my Lord and Father I am he aunswered the Dacian who ought not for to dye before I giue thée thy death for that thou hast caused so much euill to come vpon me that liuing I doe now die The knight of the Sunne béeing almost in a confusion to beare his drie reasons answered Louing cousin I féele my selfe somewhat troubled at these thy wordes and greatly amazed that thou art fallen into so great pride to lift vp thy armed hand against thy naturall parents and more béeing informed that which thou doest pretend to defend is apparant treason The Prince Eleno did cut of his talke and said Oh my cousin héere I doe tell thée that I doe séeke no other thing but death therefore procure to giue it mée for that I shal thinke my selfe happie to die in thy hands notwithstanding defend thy selfe as thou wert wont to do for that thou knowest it doth so behooue thée With this furie and forgetfull vnderstanding speking no more words he turned about his horse crying out and saying I will liue no longer seeing I haue lost that beside which to me can be no greater losse The knight of the Sun verie much meruailed at these his short reasons not knowing of anie thing that had happened vnto him wondering that his true heart should commit or maintain such wrongs he turned about his horse for to make his defence in such sort that all the knights that were there were not sufficient to disturbe
vnderstood it was nothing sorrie for that which had past but rather did determine to sende and call for the subiects and vassalles of the Empresse and so in publike to marrie them together yet at that time he did not giue him to vnderstande of the losse of the two children So with this and like communication they came vnto the Citie whereas they were receiued as vnto their estate appertayned And at their entering into the Pallaice there came forth to receiue them the Princesse Tigliasa and the faire Oliuia who for the discontentment which they receiued for the absence of their Knights would not goe forth of Constantinople What shall I saye to you of the Tartarian Zoylo he was so out of quiet and troubled to sée the princesse that he was almost beside himselfe and chaunged his coulour and lyke a man without vnderstanding hée came downe from the Pallayce making a great noyse and with out taking any rest he went out of the Citie and with great fury he put himselfe into the woods and wildernesse of Grecia leauing the sorrowfull Lady with so much care that if the wise Lirgandeo had not comforted her she thought verely to haue dyed at that present time by whose counsell she was willed to goe and séeke him and to carrie in companye with her two of her damosells and he promised her so to remedie her sorrow that she should be fully satisfied The which did fall out cleane contrary for that the knowledge of man doth little auaile to hinder the will of the Creator of all things As héereafter shall be tolde you in the third part of this historie Now to retourne vnto the great pleasure which the subiects of the Emperour receiued for his comming it was in such sort that they did no other thing but make feastes and pastimes In the meane time whilest they were making all these pastimes in Constantinople they sent to call the subiectes and vassalles of the Empresse Claridiana who came straight waye without anye delaye and they which came were the King of Pontus and the King Simonia and the great Duke of Alafonte Unto whome was declared the whole occasion wherefore they were called And when they knew y t they shuld obtayne for their Lord so royal a prince they were meruailously well contented and receiued greate pleasure and without any more tarrying they made them sure together whereat was made great feasts and pastimes and there he was sworne Emperour and they desired them that they would goe acknowledge their lands countries and gaue them to vnderstande that the long absence of the Empresse was the occasiō of many dissentions wherein some rebellious people did begin to shew their cankered thoughts To the which they graunted with a verie good will and they carryed with them Tefereo and his vnckle What shall I héere declare vnto you of the honorable receiuings and great pastimes and sportes which were made vnto them it were too much héere to write so the possession of all the Empire was giuen vnto them wheras they determined to take their rest till such time as fortune caused the contrarie whereas they reigned with the most highest fame that euer any other obtained And héere we will leaue them till time serueth and begin to declare of the high worthie feates of the faire Archisilora the Quéene of Lira ¶ How the worthie Queene Archisilora was gone to pursue the Pagan and of that which happened in the way of her battaile Chap. 28. THE worthie Quéene of Lyra which with great hast followed after the Pagan striking with her spurres her light horse who was without fault of all that had past yet all was in vaine for to finde the Moore but her swiftnes was lyke vnto a furious thunder bolt for she trauesed in such great hast that ther was no signe séene where her horse did tread but all her labour was in vaine for that she went cleane contrarie vnto the waye which the Pagan went but as the thought of this irefull Ladie was for no other thing but to procure to séeke him shée neuer left this her furious course till such time as shée came vnto y e sea side whereas for all the furie she was forced to staie neuerthelesse she looked round about her on euerye side to sée if shée could discouer or finde him whom with so great desire she sought and in looking about her she sawe come forth from that part of the forrest a damosell who was verie faire and saluted the Quéene verie curteously who returned againe her salutation and asked her saying Fayre Damosell can you tell me anye tidings of a knight y t should come this waie all in white armour And what is it that you would with this knight answered the Damsell it maye be that if you will graunt me a thing that I will aske you that I will carrie you into a place wheras you shall sée him Heere I doe graunt it thée sayd the Quéene You shall vnderstand that in great hast he doth nauigate by sea sayde the Damsell therefore I doe desire thée if thou wilt follow me to put thy selfe in a barke with me which is héere by The Quéene looking towards that part whereas the Damsell did shew her sawe the Barke which was verie faire and great The Damsell lighted from her palfraie and put her selfe in the barke and sayd Knight with the Lillyes if thou wilt haue that thou séekest it behooueth thée to enter into this Barke with me that I may carrie thée whereas thou shalt loose on a sodaine thy great mirth and gladnesse thy heart remaining in so great captiuitie that the best remedie that thou shalt conceiue shall be to desire the death This fayre ladie had no regard to demaund the secrets of those words as shée which made no reckoning of whatsoeuer should happen neither did estéeme it but without anie more wordes shée lighted from her horse and leading him by the bridle she put her selfe into the Barke she was not so soone entered in but as the péece of ordinaunce which by the force of kindling the powder casteth out the pellet with great force with no lesse furie the barke shooued from the shore side The damsell whē she sawe her selfe at the Sea she sayd Gracious Ladie doo you knowe me The quéene turned about to beholde her and beholding her well she sawe that it was the wise Lyrgandeo at the which she found her selfe sore troubled Lyrgandeo séeing that she did knowe him sayd Worthie Ladie feare you nothing in this iourney for by me thou shalt be carryed whereas thy fame shall be exalted till such time as the braue Lyon doth rob thy heart thou remaining ouercome shalt ouercome one of the best knights in all the world And making an ende of these reasons he vanished awaie she knew not howe And although the Quéene remained somewhat pacified with that which Lyrgandeo had sayde yet for all that she did not let to thinke and muse of
take him out of his armes then he lyke a man awaking out of a slumber retourned vnto the king and sayde Most mightie Lord the great contentment that I do receiue at the sight of this young man hath caused me to forget to bee in thy presence and I did occupie my senses in such sort that I coulde not doe that which I am bound by duetie to do O king thou maist account thy selfe for happie for that thou hast obtained so much fauour as to bring vp so gentle a youth worthie to be had in as much reuerence as the mightie Iupiter and turning vnto the king he sayd There commeth a messenger froÌ„ Arginaria with a message nothing profitable therefore good king it doth stand you in hand for to make in a readinesse all your power and to suffer the furious warre that is ordeined against you Heere my Lorde I doe certifie thee that it had bene the more to haue bene feared if thou haddest found thy selfe without this young man in thy companie who is the flower of all men The king when he heard these newes could not but receiue some alteration and it was in such sort that he was constrained to sit downe to talke with Galtenor and sayd I sweare by God my friend séeing it is so let your discreation remedie that which mine is not able to comprehend that wee fall not into the power of so cruell an enimie Claridiano who was verie attentiue vnto that which Galtenor had tolde vnto the king and lykewise vnto the answere which y e king made kneeled downe on both his knées and with greate humilitie hée desired the king to graunt him two things the which he wold aske the which the king by the counsell of Galtenor did graunt and did lift him vp from the grounde imbrasing him verie louingly The Prince Claridiano sâ—eing that he had graunted it him hée sayde My Lorde the first thing that you shall dooe for mee is that you giue vnto mée forthwith the order of knighthoode and the second is that you doo giue me license to answere the messenger of Arginaria It grieued the King very much for that he had graunted him these two things for that he did well vnderstand his intent but séeing that he could doo no otherwise he was content Great pleasure receiued Galtenor to sée with what good grace Claridiano did aske these two things of the king and for to put away part of that discontentment which they shoulde receiue at the messengers hand he tolde vnto them some pleasaunt and ioyfull deuices So straight way it was accorded that Claridiano shoulde that night watch his armour the which was giuen him by Galtenor They were all white and bespangled with twinkling starres of golde and his shield was also all white and in it one onely Luzero which did occupie all y e whole shield all garnished with fine pearles that it made them that did looke on it almost to lose their sight the brightnesse was so great that procéeded from them and they were such that no Lorde in all the worlde had the like When this famous youth was armed with them the delight was so much that the king Delfo receiued to sée him so well set and so gallant that he could not refrayne but distill some salt teares from his eyes for very ioye and sayd My brother héere I doo desire the soueraigne Gods that they make me so ioyful with thy good fortune as I am now at thy sight The prince did watch his armour that night and the next daye with great solemnitie he was armed Knight and gaue that daye many and great gifts In the afternoone was ordained great Iustings and daunces of all sorts of very faire Ladyes and damosells which the King had commaunded to come together for the same effect But they who did most participate of all these pleasures and pastimes was the heroycal young man and his nourse whom he tooke to be his mother So that in the Kings Pallaice there was no other thing but feasts and pastimes tarrying for the Embassadour that shuld come and they of the Citie had care in the fortifieng of the same as well with victualls as repayring the wals and putting all the people in good order in such sorte that within eight dayes they found within the Citie tenne thousand Knights meruailously well appointed at the which Claridiano did receiue greate contentment The ninth daie after that hée was made knight there was brought newes how that the messenger of Arginaria was come a lande of the which the king béeing aduertised hée sate himselfe in his royall seate abiding his comming beeing accompanied with verie rich and well estéemed knightes and on his ryght hand was Claridiano and on his lefte hande the banished King of Arginaria and béeing all in this manner as hath béene tolde you the Embassadour Bruno entered into the hall with a furious countenaunce and without humbling or making anie kinde of reuerence he drew nigh vnto the king and with a wrathfull voyce he sayde King what diuell was that which put it in thy head to denie that tribute that thou wert wont to giue vnto my mightie brother and thou doest not onely denie it but I sée that thou makest thy selfe in a readinesse to make resistaunce for the which héere I doe tell thée that there is no punishment that can make satisfaction of thy boldnes and follie notwithstanding if thou wilt cléere thy selfe better then thy ouermuch pride doeth deserue giue mée straight waye double tribute of that which thou art bounde to paie but if thou doest it not by the mightie Gods I sweare to thée that he will take of thée and thine reuengement with such rigor that the mightie Gods shall tremble when they sée it All this he spake with so greate pride and wrath that it made them all to quake to sée his furious demeanour saue onely he to whome all the honour of Knighthoode belonged who did little estéeme his vnreasonable and proude wordes but with greate sobrietie he aunswered They dooe not denie anie thing which they ought for to giue vnto this tyraunt whome thou doest name for thy Brother and although he did loose the Ilande that he doeth nowe possesse yet shoulde hée loose nothing that hath bene his for that with tyrannie hée hath vsurped the same Therefore without anie more tarrying get thée hence and tell thy brother that the king of Trapobana wil not onely detaine from him the tribute which hée doth not nor neuer did owe him but also with armed arme he doth pretend to recouer againe all that which without reason he hath receiued carried awaie and he doth giue him to vnderstand that hée will not rest till such time as he doth thrust him out of y e Iland which with so great tyrannie he doth possesse from which he depriued my father Galtenor So w t this answere thou maist returne vnto him who sent thée hether w tout anie hope of other
let thy tongue bee in quiet I will beléeue your highnesse sayde the olde man for that you doe giue me good counsell and therewith hée tooke the rest of the Deere from the fire and beganne to cut and to eate with great hast such hast they made that in a smal time they had bestowed all the Déere and the bread and a greate part of the Beere whith gaue occasion vnto Antemisca to say as followeth Oh how kings and Princes be meruailously deceiued beléeuing that with theyr delycate meates drinks they shall bring to themselues nâ—w and better complections and expell all grose humours and maintaine vnto themselues a great state of health and to obtaine thereby a better disgesture and tast then they which doe liue in poore and miserable estate we doe see that the simple pastor or shepheard keeping of his sheepe is better content with a peece of brown bread and an Onion then mightie kings and Princes with all their delycate fare and I doe certifie you that the Shepheards are more fortunate then kings It is a vale of miseries to be a king and greate ease and securitie to be a Shepheard for that the king must foresee to put good gouernment in his kingdome and minister iustice and the shepheard onely to his sheepe Oh what great contentment shouldest thou receiue Princesse Antemisca if it had pleased y â— Gods to haue made thée the poorest Pastora in all the worlde and not to haue put thée in so highe estate whereas thy fortune hath brought thee to trauaile to see the experience of such proofes as these be that thou which doest pretend for if thou wert of a base lignage that they had imputed vnto thee this falt w t which w tout all truth I am charged I shuld not esteeme more of my honour then as a Pastora but now being daughter vnto him whom I am I must make of it according vnto my estate therefore nowe I doe saye that a shepheardes estate is better then to be Queene of Mesopotamia Oh my euill fortune and destinie I cannot but needes I must complaine and crie out with a lowde voyce against thee for that thou doest not giue mée the contentment that the silly Pastora hath in following her shéepe and lambes and not so highe estate and Lordship With shedding of many teares did Antemisca in this sort complaine against fortune Libernio who was very attentiue vnto y e words of the Princesse said with a smiling â— laughter Mistresse at such time as you were with your fingers pinching pulling at the roasted Déere I would you had put your selfe in this disputation not now for when the belly is full euerie one of vs is a good preacher Ah Libernio answered Antemisca at that time I did not remember that which I now féele for if I did I shoulde haue receyued the selfe same sorrowe which I now doe Then the olde man sayd Well let all passe and let vs consider of that which is most conuenient for vs and let vs departe from hence out of this place and procure to come to some towne or dwelling place for that it cannot bée without daunger to remaine héere with this dead Gyaunt and that there is more of his fraternitie nigh this his habitation and again I would be verie loth that we should fall into so great daunger as that which is past for lacke of victualls for peraduenture we shal not méete with another host as good as this for to satisfie our hunger the Prince was verie quiet and held his peace at all that he heard betwixt the Princesse and Libernio and did verie much reioyce to heare the discréete reasons of Antemisca and séeing that Libernio his counsell was the best he made hast that the Ladyes should take their palfray and leaped on his horse and tooke the waie and trauailed through a narowe path which séemed to be vsed by the Gyant and so with great diligence they trauailed all the rest of that daie till it was night at which time they had wonne the top of that mountaine frome whence they did discouer meruailous greate and faire plaines the which were inhabited with verie faire Cities and towns at which sight these trauailers receiued great contentment and ioy and without anie staying they made hast onwards on their iourney tyll such time as they came vnto a castle which was in the middest of the waie halfe the hill downewards it was one a clocke at midde night before they came thether and their horses waxed very wearie and by reason that it was night all the gates and dores of the Castle were shut Then Libernio tooke holde of the ring of the gate and began to knocke with great fury as though he would haue beaten the gate downe at which knocking a man of the Castle looked out of a window and sayd Who is y t which calleth and knocketh at y e gate with so great rigor at this time of the night To whom Claridiano aunswered A Knight and two faire damosells whom fortune hath brought hether and would if it were so your pleasure enter in and take some rest for that we doo come very wery and troubled with this our long solitary iourney Tarry a little aunswered the man for that I will giue the Lord of this Castle to vnderstand thereof and therewith he withdrew himselfe from the window and went in but he tarried not long when that the same man opened another window somwhat lower and put out thereat a light torch and straight way there looked out an olde Knight whose heade was all graye which sayd Who be you that doo saye that you haue passed the Mountaynes Nabateos without anye perill to your persons To whom Claridiano sayde We are straungers whose fortune hath brought vs hether and we do desire thée to doe vs to much pleasure as to receiue vs into your castell this night that we may take some rest Friends aunswered the knight of the Castell we are héere so feared with a grat diuell whose habitation is in the height of the mountaine that not onely in the night we dare not open our gates but also we keepe them shut all day Who is this y t so much trouble and vexe you sayd Libernio The Knight sayd A mightie great Giant and of a maruelous height formed like vnto a diuell I doo sweare vnto thée by Iupiter sayd Libernio that from this daie forwards thou néedest not to feare him for that this daie verie much against his will we were his guests did eate of that which he ordeined for himself paying first for our victuals with two buffets wherwith he lost his life When the Lorde of the Castell heard this he commaunded the gates to be opened although with some feare for that he was not certaine of that he had heard spoken But when y e knight his company were within the Castle he commanded that the gate shuld be shut again so they altogether
entred into a faire large court were by the Lord of y e Castle receiued w t great loue wheÌ„ he saw y t Claridiano was of so goodly proportioÌ„ he greatly meruailed To whom Libernio sayd Lord friend from this daie forwards thou shalt not need to haue anie feare of this thy enâ—mie for that he will no more returne to trouble you for this knight whom thou seest before thée hath slain him made an end of his daies not this giant alone but also those furious gyants Tartaros Oh souereigne Gods sayd the olde knight of the Castell is this possible to be true which I doe heare and that my fortune is so good to receiue into my house the Knight that hath done so valyaunt actes We shall quickly sée whether it be true or not for y e euerie night this diuell commeth giuing terrible shrikes for that he should quickly depart I doo command to throw him prouision out at y e highest window of this Castle and yet he is not content therewith by reason of his great pride but he is so euill inclined that if he méet anie of our people he pardoneth none but killeth them You may from hence forth cease your feare sayd Claridiano for I promise you that he will neuer more trouble nor gréeâ—e you So with such reasonings they went vp into y e castle where they wer meruailously well receiued by a Gentlewoman wife vnto the knight of the Castle whose name was Marmariton likewise of two sons which he had proper young men So straight way the â—able was commaunded to be couered and that they should sitte downe to supper whereas they were serued very abundantly for the Knight of the Castle was a very rich man none richer in all the kingdome of Nabatea who could not satisfie himselfe in beholding the great grauitie and seuere countenaunce of the Prince and his faire and well proportioned body So when they had made an end of their supper for to passe away the time till they should goe to take theyr rest The Prince sayd vnto the Ladie which he released out of prison It shall be good faire Ladie now that you are at liberty and out of all daunger that you doe tell vs the occasion of your imprisonment and how it hath bene if so be that the declaring doth not trouble you The Damsell aunswered Of truth my Lord this will I doe with a verie good will and if it were but onely for to giue you contentment and it is great reason and iustice for that you did put your person in greate daunger for my deliueraunce You shall vnderstand gentle knight that along the huge and mightie riuer of Euphrates towards the Orientall partes there is a mightie Citie called Ierosolima the which is not far from the head of the said riuer on the other side of the riuer towards the Sunne setting is there another Citie called Sabiosa of these and of other cities and townes there about my Father is king and Lorde euer The Gods who were so pleased for to inrich mée not onely of goods but also of beautie fairenesse more then anie other in all the kingdome or in a great part there abouts the fame of my great beautie was published in all places which was the occasion that there repaired vnto my fathers Court many Lords knights of great estimation amongst whome there came one young knight and a straunger who was naturall of the kingdome of Tigliafa and Lord of the Citye of Zina and he béeing in loue with me and I lykewise of him and before that eyther of vs could manifest our loue the one vnto the other ther passed a long time but onely by our outwards showes we did declare each to other the abundance of our hearts and signes of loue the which indured many daies So it happened vpon a daie going to recreate my selfe in a Forrest there by amongest the swéete hearbes and odoriferous flowers harde by the riuer side of Euphrates which caused in my minde all kinde of amorous thoughts and I carrieng my yeolow golde haire all dispearsed behinde my cares couering my backe vpon a sodaine amongest the thicke trées I sawe a verie faire Pastora which was combing of her haire sitting vnder a faire and gréene Myrtlâ— trée And héere my Lord I doe certifie you of a truth that in all the worlde hath not bene séene the lyke she hadde féeding by hâ—r a fewe shéepe by her lay her shepheards hooke and her bagge hung vpon the Myrtle trée I know not what to saye but that the trées and hearbes did reioyce to sée her beautie I coulde not but staie and reioyce my selfe in beholding so goodly a creature with her yeolow golden haire dispearsed all abroade which did reach vnto her féet for that she was set down her golden haire did couer all the swéet hearbs there about her by reason of the great heat of the Sun she had her neckenger turned downe vpon her shoulders whereout did appeare her verie white and christalline necke my Ladyes and damsells were no lesse amazed to sée her great beautie beléeuing that she should be daughter vnto the Gods no earthly creature but fortune who is so mutable would not suffer me to inioy long so beautifull and ioyfull a sight but being without feare in this sort as I haue tolde you vppon a sodaine there came behinde me y e Prince of Nicea before y t I could make any meanes for to disturbe him in great hast he tooke me fast by the arme and with a trice he lift me vp and set me before him on the saddle bowe of his horse and in great hast he put himselfe into the thickest of the Forrest my Gentlewomen and maidens remained giuing great shrikes but it little profited for that the prince of Nicea made such diligent hast that in a verie short time he entered with me into a barke in the riuer of Euphrates who carried vs so far as we came wheras he ioyned vnto the riuer Tygris wheras we went a land and crossed ouer the mountaines of Libanos wheras we wer taken of that furious Gyant which was first slaine at one terrible blow he slew the Prince and me he carried vnto y e prison whereas you gentle knight did finde me heerewith she helde her peace giuing a great sigh in remembring her euill fortune and all the rest remained wich great sorrow griefe to heare this lamentable discourse but Claridiano was more attentiue vnto the report of the fairenesse beautie of the Pastora then vnto all the rest At this time was y e houre of the gyants comming past which made the Lord of the castle beléeue the death of his cruell enimie to be true receiuing great contentment thereat he declared vnto them of meruailous and great feasts triumphes y t were preparing to be made in the citie of Nabatea at the marriage of y e prince of Nabatea with
this seruice of me not for any courtesie that I found in your Knights but for the great bountie and vertue which is in the Dutches and her daughter The Earle of the déepe lake aunswered and sayde Of truth gentle Knight it had bene better that you had accepted our demaund which we asked in the seruice of the Ladies for that being subdued by your great valour we had not come into so great miserie and trouble in the which we haue séene our selues Sir Earle aunswered the prince Claridiano my heart is so cleane voyd of the subiection of loue putting apart my bounden dutie towards theÌ„ that by the oath that I haue sworne to the order of Knighthood that it is not to be meruailed if I did denie your demaund putting for intercessour that which my heart was neuer subiect vnto Then the Dutchesse with a goodly grace sayd Yet I do certefie you gentle Knight that at this time you shall not remaine so much at your owne libertie but that by me you shal be constrained to be my guide to the Citie of Nabatea With condition sayd the Prince that the day of the iusting you doo not manifest my person vnto any creature I doo accept to be your kéeper and defender The condition aunswered the Dutchesse daughter is graunted and accepted but yet I must néedes charge you with another request which I will aske of you and it is that in my name and as my Knight you wiâ—l carrye with you a Iewell of mine and enter into the iusting at Nabatea with the Earle in your company I cannot deny anything y t you doo aske of me said Claridiano for that you haue power to commaund me and therefore I doo accept and graunt vnto all things that your highnesse shall demaund And being in this communication the Princesses thet remained at their Hostes came whereas they were and in their companye the Knight of the house who was almost in an extasie with the great ioye and pleasure he had to sée the two Giants and his company dead and requested them instantly that they would goe vnto his Castle to take their rest to the which they did graunt for the necessitie which did mooue them Galtenor did declare vnto vs what shuld be done vnto these Giants and said that they were Lords of the faire Ilands enemies vnto the King of the Nabateos and as they had vnderstanding of the greate triumphs and feasts which was proclaimed in Nabatea thrée of those Giaunts which were all bretheren went forth to doo all the harme they might in company with their mother who was a great inchaunter The one of the Giants who was more furious and of a mightier strength then the other two wold goe alone and these two came together of whom wer haue tolde you The Knights of the Dutchesse wer meruailously ill intreated in the battaile which they had with Claridiano and it was requisite that they should remaine a few daies in the castle for to ease comfort themselues but the Prince his hart could not in any wise suffer to tarry so long to ease himselfe but tooke his leaue of y e Dutchesse for to depart who did graunt it vnto him with a very good wil for that she would remaine in y e Castle till such time as her knights wer better coÌ„forted amended So y e Prince his company tooke y e way which they thought best wheras they trauailed eight daies in which time he did woÌ„ders in arms punishing rapes and extremities offered in such sort and so many that his fame was exalted vnto the cloudes some called him the Knight of the Ladies and other some the Knight with the Purple armour And when they vnderstoode that the time of the Triumphes drew néere they tooke the waye which led them straight vnto the Citie of Nabatea and for to goe thether they must néedes passe thorough a woode of eight miles long in the which they trauailed til it was noone time and therein they discouered a very faire castle and féeling themselues somewhat weary they went thether for to refresh themselues the which chanced vnto them otherwise as in the chapter following you shall vnderstand ¶ How the Knight of the Ladies went vnto the Castle and of the great treason which was there ordained by Arte Magicke and of the successe thereof Cap. 13. THe Gréeke Prince for to take some refreshing tooke his way towards the Castle that he saw in the wood with all his companye but yet it fel not out with them as they hoped for that when they came thether they found the gaâ—es fast shut for all that they gaue mightie blowes thereat and called yet there was no body that made them any aunswere and séeing this they determined to goe round about the Castle to see if there were any other part wheras they might call that they might be heard but in all parts they found it a like for the which the Prince was very sorrowfull and pretended to departe some other waye and turning about with his horse he sawe a pillar which was made of stone on the which was written in the Chaldean tongue these wordes Let none be so hardie as to enter into this Castle except he will for his boldenesse die the death The Prince when he had read this title laughed thereat and sayd I knowe none that is so hardie to enter into the Castle séeing before his eyes the inconueniences and harme that will thereof procéede and againe hauing the gates shut in suth sorte that vnto no bodie they will open them neuerthelesse although the perill be great yet if they would open the gates I know not whether I should feare the entrie or not if it were but onely to know what he is y t is of so great power nigh vnto the sayd piller was there another of the same making at the which there hung a Bugle horne and thereby was written these words which said He which is of so great hardines hath confidence in his power and strength and will enter into the height of this castell let him blow this horne and the entrie therein shal be in safetie but the comming forth shall be doubtfull If I wer once within said the knight I wold procure y t my comming forth should be without trouble and therewith he tooke the horne in his hand and before that he beganne to sound it he sayd vnto the damsells Faire Ladies I am determined to procure the entrie of this fortresse to see what there is within and likewise him that doth proclaime so great feare in y e meane time I desire you to tarrie for me amongest these gréene trées for that the castell is small and will quickly bée looked ouer so that in short time we shall know who what there is within and making an end of desiring them to tarrie he blew the horne and made it to sound verie strongly in such sort that it might be heard verie far There
shepheard did at his request leauing to execute a terrible blow which he had all aloft for to strike him What shall I saye vnto you of this Knight when hée sawe himselfe ouercome of one alone shepheard beléeuing y t twentie Knightes had not bene able to haue done it but looking about to see where his companion was and sawe him deade with so terrible a blow he could not but with great sorrowe saie Oh ye Gods come downe all together and doe obedyence vnto this Pastora for that she doth better deserue it then all you whose beautie hath so much force that it incouraged one shepheard to doe that which a thousand knightes durst not haue giuen the enterprise off Oh God Pan howe hath thy power extended this daie farre beyond the power of all other Gods that thou diddest permit thus to be slaine so mightie a king Ah Cayserlinga no Pastora but a Goddesse that onely doest not bring in subiection the shepheardes but also the high and mightie kings Thou shalt vnderstande Pastora that amongest them which doth beare thee companie is the Prince of Britania in disguised apparayle and I am that vnhappie prince of Polismago and he most vnfortunate whome this shepheard hath slaine was the King of Silycia agaynst whome the Gods hath shewed themselues contrarie All this he sayde with great teares which came from his heart accompanied with terrible sighes The Pastora without anie shewe of pittie she hadde of that Knight arose from the place whereas she was and with a gracious countenance she cast her eyes vpon Filipensio she went vnto her shéep and in her companie the Pastora Galismena Coridon and Filipensio and Alphesiuio remained with the sorrowfull Prince comforting him with many good perswasions but all did profit little for that without saying any word with a terrible sigh he arose vp and tooke his horse put himselfe in amongst the thickest of the trées with pretence to doo that which in the next chapter shall be tolde you ¶ How the Prince of Polismago returned and tooke prisoner the Pastora Cayserlynga and how that Filipensio followed after him till such time as hee tooke her out of his power Cap. 28. AFter the departure of the Prince the thrée shepheards remained vnder those high Pine trées till such time as the darke night came vpon them and there did determine to passe the night awaie with musicke and amorous songs and in this conuersation Filipensio receiued great pleasure but they heard vpon a sodaine a greate noise which seemed to be of a woman and likewise a rumor of the running of horses These shepheards spéedely arose vp and went to sée what it was and they found Galismena who cryed out vnto the Gods and when she sawe Filipensio shée sayd Ah good shepheard minne and giue succour for that the Pastora is carried awaie prisoner by the Prince of Polismago against her will O that I were able to signifie vnto you héere y e great anger of Filepensio it was so much that almost he was beside himselfe but when Galismena saw him in that traunce she called vnto him with a loude voice and said Ah gentle shepheard is it now time to lack courage dost thou not sée the great perill which may happen vnto Cayserlinga and all by thy detracting of time These high words was the occasion that the shepheard came vnto himselfe againe lyke vnto an arrow out of a bow he followed the way after them till such time as he came into a broad high waie whereas he did discouer the new foot steps of his horse by which he knew that he was rode that waie and with great lightnesse he did prosecute his iourney til such time as he came to Ierosolima and when he sawe the small remedie that he had to goe forwards for that he was on foote he determined to enter into the citie and looked backe to sée if anie of the shepheardes did follow him and he sawe none but Coridon that did followe him and tarrying for him he sayd Ah shepheard what shall we doe without our delight follow me if it be thy pleasure and let vs procure to restore againe our losse which is our Pastora For héere I doe sweare vnto thée by the Omnipotent Iupiter neuer to retourne vnto the riuer of Euphrates without the faire Pastora and without anie more tarrying they entered into Ierosolima not staying till they came vnto the Pallaice and the first that he met with was with Fidelio whom he commaunded to goe and declare vnto the Princesse of his comming who did verie much meruaile when that Fidelio did tell her for that he returned in so short time and she went out of her chamber and did receiue him with great ioye and pleasure saying What quicke returne is this that you haue made valiant and excellent knight Uerie heauie and sorrowfull sayd the Prince for that good Ladie you shall vnderstand my Pastora is robbed and carried awaye from me and I am not able to make anie defence And being cut off by the great abundaunce of teares that procéeded from his dolorous heart he coulde not speake a worde more And without anie tarrieng he depriued himselfe of his shepheards apparell and put on his owne garments and with a trice hée was armed and returning vnto Coridon he sayd Friende Coridon this is mine accustomed wearing for that which hetherto thou hast séene me weare was lent me y t I might the better reioyce my selfe with the sight of my loue nowe séeing that fortune hath frowned on me héere I sweare vnto thée not to take anie rest til such time as I set her at libertie The shepheard meruaâ—â—ed to sée y â— which he did sée and sayd vnto the knight Ah Filipensio how doest thou pretende to leaue the bodie without a soule doest thou not beléeue that Coridon can remaine aliue onely with his bodie for that my soule is absented and gone after my Pastora With manye teares the shepheard said these words The Prince séeing that the detracting of time was perillous tooke his leaue of the Princesse and found his horse in a readinesse and with great lightnesse he mounted vpon him so likewise his Squire and Coridon mounted vpon verie good horses which y e Princesse commaunded to be giuen them with great hast they departed out of the citie and tooke their iourney into a broad high waie and at such time as the Sun had couered all the earth they met with a labouring man who was comming from his accustomed worke in the field of whom thy asked newes of their Pastora but he could tell them none but he sayd that about midnight he hearde certaine lamentations made by a woman but he knew not the occasion wherefore So straight way he thought what it might be which was the occasion that they made the more hast in trauailing with great feare least they should loose her So all that daie they trauayled and rode through Damasco and left the riuer
to goe foorth with the rest So in this order as I haue told you they went foorth of the Citie all sixe together and he which gaue the first onset was that valiant and amorous Eleno of Dacia brothers son vnto the Emperour who with a gentle behauiour when hée came nigh the Emperour sayd in the Saracen tongue It is not the part of good Knights to speake any villany especially against Kings whom they are bound to haue in reuerence honour To whom the Emperour aunswered in the same language Art thou Noraldino King of Numidia Don Eleno replyed No but I am a Knight and a very stranger in this countrey but yet by firme oath I determine to dye in the defence of his right The Emperor aunswered He hath neither iustice nor right on his side but it is most apparant wrong which he doth maintaine and there is no reason that such a traytor as he is shoulde be by anye other defended neither is it séemely that anie Knight of price should charge himselfe in his behalfe for that he is a traytor And likewise he that doth defend him and take his part in this that hee will sustaine and maintaine so great vniustice is pertaker of his treason and meriteth a traytors name And for that thou art his defender héere I giue thée to vnderstand that I care not for thée and lesse I doo estéeme thée for that hée which doth take vpon him to defend a traytor may well be accounted a traytor This valiaunt Eleno when hée sawe himselfe to be so ill intreated aunswered Thou lyest in so saying for that I was neuer traytor neither doo I procéede of the lynage where traytors euer were notwithstanding thou shalt pay me with thy head the great vncurtesie which thou hast vsed vnto me Therefore it doth stande thée in hand to looke vnto thy selfe and take that part of the fielde which thou thinkest best for thy purpose and leaue off these blazing words to ioyne with me in battaile that I maye sée if thou canst as well defend thy quarrell as thou canst handle thy tongue At which words there drew nigh them the Prince Clauerindo and as the Emperour woulde haue departed to put himselfe in battel he did behold him straight waye knew him And casting his eyes on the one side likewise knew the other thrée but he could not knowe who the Prince Eleno should be and for the great desire which hée had to know what he was he sayd Knight I doo desire thée for courtesies sake to tell me what thou art if thou wilt not grant me this then I pray thée to lift vp y ◠visor of thy helme y ◠I may sée thy face for héere I giue thée to vnderstād thy foure companions I dooe knowe which is the occasion that I haue no desire to enter into battaile with thée Then Don Eleno aunswered and sayd Pagan of the two things which thou doest aske of mée although there is no compulsion yet will I pleasure thée in fulfilling one of them and in saying these wordes he lift vp the visour of his healme and when the Emperour sawe him he beléeued that it had béene his sonne Rosicleer and with a loud voice he said Oh mightie God how can this be true that vnto knights of my lignage should chaunce so vile a spot who hetherto in all their dooings haue got great honour and praise and now are come to defend such apparaunt wickednesse and treason Thou shalt vnderstand knight that I am the Emperour Trebatio and would not willingly now be called thy Father for that thou art come to defend so apparaunt and knowen an euill for I knowing the vnreasonable naughtinesse that this king hath committed am come to take this conquest in hande for in all my life time I neuer tooke a more iuster cause in hand neither was there euer in all the worlde a thing more worthier of punishment then this and séeing that my fortune hath béen such that my first enimie that shuld come against me séemeth my sonne put thy selfe héere now before thy high progenitour from whence thou doest descend and for Gods loue doe not blot thy stock in defending traitours treason therwith in few words he told vnto them all the whole history as before I haue tolde you Then this excellent Dacian answered High mightie Emperour although by my name thou hast not knowen me yet in calling me sonne thou diddest happen on the truth For thou shalt vnderstand that I am called Eleno of Dacia sonne vnto the king of Dacia thy brother and in that which thou hast sayde that we doe maintaine treasons we are to the contrarie informed neuertheles I beséech your highnesse to tarrie héere a while and therewith he and the Prince in a great confusion returned to the place whereas the rest of his companions were and turning his talke vnto the king he sayd King of Numidia thou shalt vnderstand that yonder knight is the Emperour of Grecia my vnckle who in that small time which we haue ben with him hath told vnto vs all the effect of this thy matter cleane contrary vnto that which thou hast declared vnto vs. Therfore King there is no reason that Knights of so high bloud and name as we are should be set to defend lyes and treasons but if it be to the contrary of that which he hath told vnto me haue no doubt but tell vs the truth For héere I sweare by the loue that I beare vnto that vnlouing Lidia that I will trauayle so with my vnckle that greatly with thy honour thou shalt goe thorough with this conquest Then this false King aunswered O Knights which doo confesse your selues to be Christians and by the God whome you doo worship haue made a solemne oath to helpe and defend me by the strength of your armes how happeneth it now y ◠without any care of your oth which you haue sworn you will leaue me desolate and goe from your words béeing doubtfull of the very truth The couragious French man aunswered Doo thou not thinke King that our oathes and words shall be abrogated rather first we will léese our liues both I the prince all our companions but consider king that God will not that we shall imagine amisse of Trebatio who is a prince of great veritie and truth and agayne our verie nigh kinsman Therefore this and that which hée hath tolde vs hath moued vs to come and tell thée and doe saye that none of vs will goe from his word and oath if thy cause be iust Then the valyaunt Eleno did cut off his reasons and tourning vnto the King he sayd King of Numidia héere I do most humblye desire thée that with false illusions thou putte not vs vnto so great trauaile for that then it can not be but either wée must dye in the hands of him whome we doe desire to serue or els though farre vnlikely to kill him Is it possible king