calamitie To nightly paine the day doth paine restore Which pitilesse of my endured spoyle Doth adde encreasing torments to my toyle To which false Fortune neuer shall lende ease Vntill my death procure her freakes appease Mundi nulla quies Wretched Phianora of England Now on my faith quoth the good empresse Basilia Basilia I had rather then my life that she had not thus sodainly departed that before shee had left vs I might haue done her more honour then I haue done for which I am most heartily sorrie But since I cannot now pleasure her I will earnestly pray for her speedy returne that once againe yer I die I may in part recompence her princely courtesies Truely madame quoth Anaxia Anaxia if shee haue not receiued that honour from you as befitted the estate of so high and worthy a Princesse shee may thanke her owne selfe for it that of so long a season held such a nice point to discouer her selfe and for my parte I doe reioyce that I flacked my courtesie to her since as it should seeme she scorned to make her selfe knowne vnto vs. But the good ould Queene Zaama Zaama beeing of a more milder nature then the Queene of Hungarie with a smiling countenance began gently to excuse the young Princesses departure auerring that shee rather thought the younge valorous Princesse wise in concealing her selfe in such a place coÌ„sidering that that happeneth in a day that chaunceth not in seauen yeares and perhapps shee hadde some secret intelligence of conspiring traytours whose lasciuious lustes shaddowed vnder the smoth vaile of loue might call her chastity in question moreouer what knewe shee whether my Lord the Emperour would royally entertaine her considering she came so vnaccoÌ„panied of attendants such and so many as befitted the traine of so great a Princesse And for her sodaine absenting of her selfe in this sort from her lodging peraduenture it was by reason shee feared beeing discouered to receiue some checke of the Emperours highnesse for her such a-bearing Therefore we are rather to bee blamed for finding out her driftes no sooner and not shee for not discloasing her selfe no speedilyer Phianora embarqueth for the coast of Aâ—a In this sort excused the ould Queene Zaama the sodaine departure of the English Princesse who by this time was farre inough departed on shipboard from the shoares of Grecia and with such speede and celerous haste she sailed as to make a briefe report in steed of tedious descriptions shee verie quickly arriued on the coast of Asia where onely refreshing her sea-sicke selfe in the cittie Tripoly a port towne of that same countrey she tooke shippe anew dauncing on the mounting billowes of the Mid-land Sea shee safely put a shoare at the territories of the huge Gyantesse Gola the woefull widow of the mighty gyaÌ„t Cardigan When trauailing all alone in her armour with her goulden shield on her arme farther vp into the country wherein she wearily iourneyed so long vntill such time about the third appearance of Appollos radiancie she was mounted vp though not without great toyle the tree adorned vertice of a most steepe and rocky mountaine FroÌ„ whence despecting shee beheld a most goodly strong built Castle right at the foote thereof whose high towers almost equalling her cloude-menacing station gaue her sufficient cause to wonder Gazing at whose artificiall greatnesse shee had surely for a great space remained had not her eares conducted her eyes to a place of farre greater wonderment For in the Orcharde of the Eastermost Tower shee espyed the most pittifullest spectacle that euer eye looked on For Phianora arriueth at Golas castle by the vttermost boughes of a large spreading and highe Cedar tree shee sawe a leane scraggenly flesh-consumed creature hanging by both his handes as fast as could be which a most hunger-starued rauenous Vulture or Eagle continually with his sharpe horned beake vnmercifully pecked The terrible and intollerable tormeÌ„t of Olbiocles and Huguy whilest about his owne necke and feathered winges a thousand slender long and venemous Aspides a most pernitious kinde of Serpents vncessantly pierced his owne body and pineons quite through and through with their paine-procuring stinges Wherwith hee then beeing all empoysoned did swell so monstrously as it was almost impossible that his skin should vncracked containe any longer his puft vp intrailes Which putting him to more then an infinitie of torments made his troubled soule to breath out such sorrowfull sighing shreekes without ceasing as the neighbouring ecchoing the dolefull sounde of his sad canzons as shaken by the violent motion of some sodaine earthquake instantly trembled at the shrilnesse Certes if the magnanimous English mayde was amazed hereat it was no meruaile since had that bigge boand tamer of vsurping tyrants Hercules himselfe heard such an hideous and fearefull yelling his very eares woulde haue ringled thereat and his heart haue little mist of fayling him Wherefore with a long silence Phianora sadly sighed at so sorrowfull a spectacle which brought her wits almost to an end and her white alablaster bodie to a sodaine shiuering such stronge possession had faint feare taken in her heart vntill remembring her selfe that what shee eyther saw or heard was but a false illusion raysed by the strange enchantments of the wicked gouernour of the Castle whosoeuer she resolued putting her confidence in her almighty redeemer Iesus Christ Phianora resolueth to redeeme him and next vnto him in the rare vertue of her golden shield vnder whose shadow she was safe froÌ„ all hellish sorceries to dissolue so harde doubtfull and dangerous an aduenture And therefore seing there was no safer way vnto the Castle shee submitted her soule to the mercie of her sauiour and then casting her shield at her back with her handes shee let her selfe downe by little and little by the steepie side of that mighty mountain where by that time the brightsome rayes of Phaetons faire father reflected so sweltringly as the wearied Princesse all to scorched with such hoatenesse beganne to waâ—e faint for lacke of water to coole her wesand which was all to wrinkled with the great thirst that sun had caused And knowing not wel how to prouide for the remedying of her want she determined to put all to the regard of the highest and then passing by litle little to the one side of the rocke shee espied where out from betweene a quarrey of red marble there sweetely issued a most swift running riueret which intruding in here there betwixt the hollownesse of the hill made many pretty semicircles in his speedy descent vnto the valleyes vnderbounding it To this brooke the thirstie Princesse no sooner approached but that in her steely helmet shee dranke whole carrouses to her following fortunes and being wel refreshed with this as thirst taught her to thinke Nectarean liquor she relaced on her helme againe and all alongst the side of the little brooke she softly slid downe safely vntill comming within a
Zamez put to death betooke himselfe once againe to solicite his loues suites not attempting any more to winne her to his lust but wed her to his wife And therefore with purse promises he at once sollicited her constaÌ„t heart and by all meanes possible enticed her to yeeld to his affections But all in vaine for Ericlea still reseruing the memorie of her husbande Zamez death freshly in her minde and knowing how by the most vniust dealing of the Vicegerent Tantanez he was against the order of law most rigorously condemned and executed determined vtterly to refuse Tantanez offers A virtuous honest resolution rather to abide the chast widow of her first choseÌ„ Zamez then to be held the chaunging concubine or wretched if she should be wife of Tantanez Whereupon shee not onely denied his lustfull suites but firmely auowed if hee did euer againe proffer her such an iniurie eyther in worde or writing she would not onely be her owne executioner and by her death disappoint him of her loue but also woulde by her acclamations excite her friends and allyed kinsfolkes to the reuengment of her husbands death and her own wrong to his vtter discredit and destruction All these absolute denials notwithstanding Tantanes remained in his purpose so resolute as seing hee could not by faâ—â—e meanes â—oue reiected and despisâ—â—n◠〈◊〉 to â—â—â—t hee decermined by fowle to ouer-maister her reiections Wherefore he sent for her by certaine Placeboes who were the Pandors to his wicked lustes hauing her before him he condemned her vniustly to be famished in a dâ—ngeon at the side of a great wood where for all his allurements and inticing words she remained for the space of two dayes â—â—ricleâ— conâ—emned and â—mprisoned free from any consent or thought of yielding to his wicked will aâ—d so had remained to her death had not he euerwhelmed in his last the third day offered her violence and by force attempted her chastities disparagement Whâ—ch his wickednesse she very illcontentedly brooking seâ—ng by no other meanes she could eschewe dishonour shee determined to put her life in daunger â—mpatient viâ—â—ence repeled with inâ—omparable â—irtue rather then to yielde her bodies fruition to so manifest a ieopardy and therefore resoluing her sâ—lfe of this remedy she desired that before she consented to this wicked entent she might be suffered to meditate with her sâ—lfe of her safest way of coÌ„descending Which her request Tantanez little suspecting any stratagem hauing graunted the virtuous Lady arose vp on her feete and presently pacing vnto a deepe Well of puddle water in the one side of the dungeon standing vpon the brinkes she sayd aloude vnto the Vicegerent Speake Vicegerent whether shall Tantanes leaue his lust or Ericlea her life Which words when Tantanez heard and withal perceiued to what ende her resolution tended he presently fell downe on his knees and promising neuer againe to proffer her any violent wronge with the teares in his eyes he most earnestly intreated her to desist from her so desperate enterprise auowing neuer any more whilest he liued to persist in his preteÌ„ded purpose of her surprisage or once againe so much as to harbor one ill meaning thought wtin the secret closure of his pancing peniteÌ„t brest With which earnest spokeÌ„ words of recoÌ„cilemeÌ„t the lady somwhat pleased though not altogether pacified for her husbaÌ„ds death causing TaÌ„tanez to sweare by the sacred deity of celestiall Iupiter to forsake his intended villanie â—hee remoued from the Well receiuing humble thankes of the poore vicegerent Ericlea deliuered she was immediately sâ—t at freedome from imprisonment and being returned home vnto her house shee remained there quietly without so much as once looking out of her doores for feare of the like surprisage vntill cruell Atropos hauing shred her liues thred gaue a full period to her long-lasted languor Thus deare mother haue you heard what I can answere vnto your propounded question whereon if I haue not sufficiently dilated I beseech you saue mee checklesse by remembring my bookes are left at home and that I am not come as a Scholler but a souldier to pleade in armes before your maiesty The Queene answered him very pleasantly againe some time reprehending him and some time reioycing at his handsome saluing of his ignorante dispute with excuses and therewith shee beganne to propound her second question to Sir Luganto who excusing himselfe by shewing them the toppe of the rocke of the charmed shielde gaue Kanira occasion to reprehend Oceander a little for his so long tarying in his related story as also the rest to haue a needfull care of both the Prince Oceander and their owne abilliments to the end that when they should attempt any dangerous aduenture they might not the sooner miscarry by reason of some vnlooked to misse in their armour In this like worke they busied themselues vntill they might perfectly beholde the stony rocke glister like the reflexion of the Sun all about the brims of the inchanted shield which the gracious Carthaginian Gouernesse reputing as a signe of the young gentleman of the seas good fortune goshopping her palfrey close vnto him she thus began to assure him of good and happy finishing of his aduenture O my most deare and louing foster-sonne how happy may I thinke my selfe to bee that haue brought thee vp with such care from thy childhoode and made thee endosse on armour in thy young yeares since to thy glory I see thy actions to tend and the very senselesse things by the goodnesse of the Gods by straÌ„ge signes to prognosticate thy happy fortune For to what other purpose doth the rocke effuse so exceeding a splendour about the shield but therby to manifest how thy exceeding valiancy shall make thee wondersome and thy heroicke atchieuements shall make thy glory to illuminate the earth as in a sommers day doth the glorious raies of light-bringing Tytan begild the billowes of the Ocean with his brightsome reflexions Feare not therefore noble gentleman of the Sea to attempt nay by force of armes thy well boading fortune to atchieue this straunge aduenture of this shield which is here only for thy fame and honoures encrease placed thus wonderfully by most cunning Inchauntments The forward young Prince hearing his mothers comfortable excitements of him to vndertake the performance of the enterprise though hee foreknewe it to be somewhat difficult in atchieuing yet with an vndaunted stomach hee determined to hazard the aduenture and in this resolution setting spurres to his Palfrey he galloped a pase towardes the rocke â—ceander vnâ—orsed by an â—uisible opâ—onent determining in spight of his inuisible resisters on horsebacke to approach the shield But yet he came nigh it by a metrodde he receiued so strong an encounter from some vnseene enemies launce as with force of the pushe hee was dispossessed of his saddle enforced whether he woulde or no on foote to try out the euent of the aduenture This notwithstanding
would bee the executioner of the young Greeke Champions tragedies and with a mighty Pinetrée launce in his reast he ran such a stronge carryere against Thyorin as although the Bohemians speare gaue him a shrâ—wde shocke in the encounter hee so roughly rushed his Launce against the younge Knightes gorget as giuing him a sore wounde he bare him topsy turuy ouer his horse croope to the grounde Thioron dismounted and then rushing in with the other two Knightes Arcanio and Tholon with his fauchon he so stoutly behaued himselfe against them as many times not onely Tholon but also the Bohemian Prince himselfe he made grieffully to groane vnder his heauie stroakes Neuerthelesse so exceeding couragious was the resistaunce of the valiaunt Knights as in spight of his heart he was sometimes enforced to confesse his foolish hardinesse in attempting so daungerous a conquest But now too late hee stoode to repent him and therefore seeing howe it stoode vppon his safetie to ridde him speedily from two such fierce enemies hee raysed hymselfe vpright in his stirrops and casting his crooked shield behinde him with his sworde in both his handes TholoÌ„s arme disiointed froÌ„ his shoulder hee strake such a resistlesse blowe on the shield-arme of Tholon as disiointing it from the shoulder hee made him for safetie of his life to turne his horse heade and flie amaine for some succour to the Surgeons of the Emperour Now God of heauen quoth the good Emperour weeping since the tyme of my youth haue I not seene a more fiercer combattante then yonder mighty and valiaunt Knight of Danuby of my life hee is vnmatchable and from him no Grecian shall bee euer able to receiue honour Ha my deare sonne and friends Olbiocles Orthisius Alfortio that you were but heere to behould this terrible Champion for well I knowe you would leese your liues but you would wreake vengeance on the heade of you proude insulter Thus lamented the good Prorex his misfortunes thinking assuredly that neuer againe the Grecians should fende the Listes with victory for also by this time was the braue Bohemian Prince Arcanio beaten off from his horse and grieuously wounded Arcanio beaten from his horse wouÌ„ded Which the prince of Hungary perceiuing hee stepped before Xanzimar and with his courtelax hee distributed such sounde buffets on the helmet of the Danubian as had hee not the better defended his heade with his steely shield his curled Peticranion had beene crazed but the furious Pagan rather incensed then daunted with the young knights stroakes brandished his fauchon so strongly ouer the helmet of prince Morcauill as paring away his whole plume of crimson coloured feathers and a great part of his crest Morcauill smitten dowâ— hee sent him headlong to associate his fore-foyled friend Arcanio But now were the chearefull clamors huge and mightie of the Pagans attendants for ioye of their Princes victories which had so daunted the Grecian knights The Grecian knights daunted as Xanzimar for more than halfe an hower trauersed vp and downe the Lists without disturbance of any one offering the encounter Wherefore by reason of the fast approaching of the night hee was permitted with honour of that daies Iust to returne for that night vnto his tents where leauing him a ioyfull man for his gotten glory vnto his rest in the meane while conuert wee our stile to our stories only subiect the heroicke and valorous knight of the Sea who as you haue heard beeing departed from the knight of the Leopard into the boate of the Inchauntresse Malagda was thought of Olbiocles to be drowned in the surging Ocean wherein indeede hee was exceedingly deluded by the cunning of the Inchauntresse For shee knowing the great loue that Olbiocles did beare his worthy deliuerer had by her cunning framed that monstrous billow to seeme to ouerswallowe the enchaunted wherry-boate to the end that thereby she might perplex the friendly thoughts of the worthy Greeke who shee knewe would extreamely bewaile the death of so good a Champion But to bee briefe she loued herselfe too wel to be her liues only abbridger and therefore she refrained from such a daungerous reuengement But knowing by her arte of the subtle dealing of the wicked Inchauntresse Mardegua shee determined to bring Oceander to the aduenturing for so mischieuous a prize as the ritch proposed mantle The inchaunâ—ed mantle of Mardigua which was so cunningly enchaunted as if hee did but weare it he should presently become franticke to his owne destruction Wherefore after a long sailing turning herselfe towards the knight of the sea as if amazed at his presence she sodainely started backe and then falling prostrate on her knees she most pittifully with floudes of effused teares Malagdas submission besought him of mercy for her misdeedes beséeching him by the duety he owed to his deare fostermother Kanira that he would slacke his incensed fury and not in his anger execute any euill against her whose life was subiect to doe his liking â—aire pretext â—f a foule preâ—nce and whose arte learning tended only vnto his aduancement and therewithall she vp and tolde him of the great Iousts at Constantinople and the rich prize proposed which she was assured hee should conquest by reason of his matchlesse fortitude and with these fained faire wordes Syren-like charming the anger of Oceander she kissed his armed foote and with a trembling heart expected the doubtful answere of the valourous Prince Who irefully knitting his browes Oceander Minion saide he take heede that what thou sayest be true for else I vowe by Mahomet the deified Prophet of our holy ancestoures that with my sworde I shall disseuer thy bodie into as many pieces as thy withered hide is enwrapped into wrinkles make hast therefore to Constantinople that for thy liues safety I may speedily finde thy actions according to thy plighted protestations The cunning woman laught in her sleeue at the foolish pittie of the worthy knight whose dolefull tragedy in her wicked thoughts shee alreadie though vainely supposed acted And therefore vsing her might and maine arte and skille to the forwarding of the iourney she made crosse the seas with such celeritie as by that time the beautious Aurora had with vermilion-blushing cheekes forsaken the saffron couche of her loathsome age-wearied louer Tython Oceander Malagda apport at Constantinople they safely apported the shoares of Grecia where they no sooner landed and pitched their Pauilion but that they were visited by an infinit number of Pages who enquired of him both his name and country whereto hee answered hee was called of his countrymen the knight of the sea brought vp in Africa vnder the vertuous and noble Queene Kanira of Carthage for whose sake he was thither repaired by force of armes to winne away the prize-proposed mantle from the proudest that dared to defende it against him The Pages hearing his speaches and iudging him to bee of small force because of his fewe
Albinoe sent vn to Basileon who quickly made his pray of her vnspotted honestie wtout eyther regard of her honour or exclamations Which being done he sent home againe vntome the haplesse wife of an vnhappy husband Returned to Calande rather repressing theÌ„ reuenging my poore wiues wrong on the lasciuious Tygre who abused my friendship by his filthinesse and distained my loyall loue with the dregges of defiling lust who was not contented by making me the Pandor to his pleasure Lust turned to loathing to robbe me of my right but also within a while beginning to loath the thing that hee earst so earnestly loued he sought my dearest wiues confusion by her death my liues destructioÌ„ which in so cunning a sort he endeuoured to haue effected as neyther by his looke or gesture could of any of vs bee eyther of my wife or mee poore soules once so much as suspected For hauing in a maner reconciled himselfe by his faigned submission both with my wife and me Ex ficta amicitia Impudetia ex ImpudeÌ„tia livido ex libidine he earnestly inuited vs vnto a banquet in a little pauilion which he had pitched by the side of a broade and swift running riuer where welcoming vs very courteously he entertained vs with dainty cates to please the taste rare obiectes to inchaunte our eies and most swete sounding Musicke to delight our senses insomuch as wee thought our selues happy to haue so gracious a Souereigne and iudged our chaunces fortun◠〈◊〉 enioying so familiar a friend But long this our excell 〈◊〉 ioye lasted not for his wicked lust hauing erst lâ—â—â—â— vnto lewdnesse brought his conscience to sorro◠〈◊〉 committed villanie yet not with repentance but with â—uenge seeking to blot out his faults remembrance Insomuch as now minding to manifest his malice he vnder a faigned shewe of kindnesse dranke a Cleopatraes draught vnto Albinoë and in deliuering the boawle vnto her he touched the brims therof with so stronge a poulder as my wife no sooner tasted thereof but shee fell downe breathing out poyloâ—â— by Basileon together with her life this sorrowfull farewel Vnkinde ingrate cruell Basileon A former iniurie thus to requite Hadst thou no subiect else to worke vpon But onely me poore miserable wighte What if thou hadst or not Hereof assured Bee that I ioy in this my death procured In that I knowe remembraunce of the shame That thou hast wrought to me vnhappy woman Shall here on earth commaculate thy fame And thee accompted make a Beast no man And after death my soule shall dayly cry To Saturns sonne to venge thy tyranny AS soone as she had ended her speach and was dead the cruell vnremorsefull Tyrant Basilion arose from hys seate and with his fauchon strake of her necke Which in such violent sort disseuered left a bubbling fouÌ„taine of bloudie goare betweene the headlesse shoulders Which sight made me exceeding sad so as I could not chuse but with the teares in my eyes casting sorrowfull glaunces vppon so dismall a spectacle crie out without eyther regarde or feare of the tyrants furie Oh Albinoe my deare Albinoe how deepely thy heads smart penetrateth into my loyall heart let the teares â—â—sse the faithfull messengers of my miseries Herewith â—ooke vp my deare Ladies head and causing her body to be â—â—ried in the sandy shoares I was about to depart into the 〈◊〉 â—osâ—o there with full determination to manifest my â—â—â—â—ued iniuries before the Muscouian estates whose iustice I knewe to be such as would quickly haue seuerely punished so great wickednesse But Basilion iealous of my pretence sent after me a bande of his trusty seruants who with their weapons compassing me about made my heart astonished at that theÌ„ which I afterwards most earnestly desired brining me vnto Basilion they made me in spight of my heart to sweare vnfaignedly neuer hereafter whilest I liued to disclose the committed murther Vnheard of barbarousnes but rather in a new made bonde of friendshippe to plight my selfe obliged to his cruell Tyrannie Which I did and thereupon licence was giuen me to depart home Where for a long season I remained secret not daring to see much lesse to speake with any body But onely in the night season I would oft-times take my walke vnto the Sea side where my deare Albinoe lay buried where taking her goulden haired head from forth of a little coffin wherein I had placed it in spight of my teeth my thoughts Embassador would vtter forth my soules extreamities Head O world of woes wherein I once delighted Faire fashion'd head of naught but sorrowes matter CalaÌ„ders lamentations ouer the head of his deare Albinoe Compacted framed cunningly condighted By Natures selfe onely the world to flatter With fruitlesse hope of thy fruition Which in a moment was begun and done Done in a moment may I rightly say For to thy cheekes faire cheekes of yuorie hewe Cheekes Thy bewty was but ioyned for to betray Thy soules deare gemme which lost ne'rs got anew For by th'attractiue vigour of thy beawtie He did obay to pay a duelesse dutie He did obay Ah had he not obayed Then had I liu'd secure carelesse vnscorned Which by his wicked lust being now betrayed Am loue-rob'd life-reau'd hopelesse hap-forlorned And all by him whome I to much belieued Wicked c. but ho blab not his name though grieued Oh had he had remorse or manlike pittie He would not haue enuenom'd those with poyson Lippâ— From out betwixt whose ruby closet prettie He sucked with delight his fancies foyson Which singing his soules musicke neuer misses But whil'st he descanted on them with kisses But ruby those are pale and her faire tapors Which like to Luna heauens illuminated Eyes Are dulled now by death like Nilean Papors Whose force and vigour by the flouds abated Doe droope their hea dsnd circle to the grounde Euen so did lust these Lamps of light confounde These Lamps of light confound whose glorious shine Would Ioue himselfe from Iuno haue enticed Are now become dull iellied not bright eyne Because their lights foundation being sliced The builded Architecture needs must fall Which then is worse then neuer built at all Thus this poore head with cheeks lipps eyes Slic'd beawtylesse pale iellied decayes dyes And I poore soule in teares doe wish that neuer They had been so not to continue euer IN this sort would I many times lament ouer the breathlesse body of my poore Albinoe with whome my ioyes pleasure libertie and life were in a maner ended thwarted disturbed and almost finished wherewith I for so long a time and so many nights speÌ„t my selfe as almost ouerwearied with such extreame watching I chaunced to lay me downe on the sandie graue of my deceased wife to take some sense-refreshing nap Where I no sooner slumbred but there appeared before mee the pale Ghost of my Albinoe in such hideous and horrible sort dismembred Albinoes ghost
or no to yeelde himselfe to the furie of his enimies For Oceander taken captiue by the oppressing multitude and led bouÌ„d to Marcimodes pauilion although his armour was so excellent and of so fine a temper as it could in no wise be perced yet hee beeing but young and his synewes not fully strenghthened and also engriped by the iron armes of his aduersarie Marcimodes could not chuse but in a moment bee oppressed by so huge a multitude of vnmercifull souldiers who had neither pittie nor compassion ouer his youth or valiancie who hauing in this wise caught him captiue with great showtes in tryumphant wise with his hands bound and his feete tied vnder the horses belly like a base slaue they departed with him towards their pauilions where what they would haue done vnto him the latter end of this chapter shall make manifâ—st Sorrowfull state the Carthaginians wholly dismaide But to returne to the Castle such shreekes such cryes such clamours and lamentations were there as neither the Queene Kanira herselfe neither any of her worthy Carthaginians could once lift vp their eyes to the heauens neither cast a cheerefull looke on the earth but with weeping and howling penetrating the skyes they went vp downe the Castle striking their griefe-wounded breastes with their fistes â—he arriuall of Medion the valorous knight of the fiue swordes in such mercilesse manner as they manifestly declared the little hope they had of his recouery or their owne safety And the worthy Gouernesse had fully decreed to giue ouer her life and interest in the kingdome of Carthage had shee not beene recomforted by the approach of a straunge most faire proportioned knight all in blacke armour with the deuice of the fiue swordes who enquiring for the knight of the Sea and being giuen to vnderstand of his enthralment dasht his gauntlet on his head and therewith pointed to the declyning Sun in token that he vowed yet the same were set either to leaue his life or gaine captiued Oceanders liberty Wherewith setting spurs to his Pegasian Palfrey beckening to the CarthaginiaÌ„s for to follow him he galloped as fast as his horse could carry him towards the tents of the tyrant Where he was no sooner arriued but he might perceiue how busily the mercilesse Barbarians were gathered in a cluster Place of excecutioÌ„ prepared for Oceander to erect vppe an huge iron stake wheron to torture their gotten Captiue Oceander who as yet hauing no vnderstanding of the true God sate lamentably bewayling his miserable misfortune To whome the Knight of the fiue Swords drawing neare he heard him on this wise to lament his mischaunces O most wretched and miserable Caytife how vnhappy a wretch art thou euen in the Aprill of thy aduauncements OceaÌ„ders lamentation to to be thus disastrously crossed by disaduentures Haddest not thâ—u strength wheÌ„ thou wert assayled did thy arme faile thee in the Combate or did thy armour deceiue thee in the conflict None of these for my strength was fresh my arme stronge and my armour vnperceable Then why didst thou not eff ct thy thoughts affecting or because thou faylest why doest thou not banne thy strength curse thy arme and blame thy armour O no they did their duties and onely ill foresight and wicked fortune hath brought mee to this mischiefe on whome remedilesse I must complaine in the middâ—st of my anguish and at my latter gaspe onely thinke my selfe wronged by her fickle deitie whose furrowing frownes I neuer once hope to see rechaunged into a faire calmed countenaunce Farewell therefore deare foster-mother my gracious Soueraigne and your loyall succourers for neuer againe shall I reuise you in perfect mirth and iollitie But deare friends of this I woulde to the Gods you were assured that nothing doth halfe so much torment my troubled soule as that I shall in this sort suffer death like a towardly caytife caÌ„not coragiously giue vp my life amoÌ„gst the freely weapons of my compassion wanting Enemies Median cutteth OceaÌ„ders cardeâ— Herewith he offered to haue knapped the cords wherewith he was bounde in suÌ„der Which the Knight of the fiue swords seeing with his Courtleax he sliced the bands and giuing the enthralled Knightes handes vnexpected libertie he snatched a Launce from a stoute Barbarian and deliuering it to Oceander he sayd Now noble Knight take here what thou hast so earnestly desired and couragiously fight for thy libertie and behould me here before thee who will rather loose my life then not regaine thy freedome Oceander set free The good Knight taking the Launce in his hand and ioyfully kissing it sayde welcome O vnexpected author of my libertie now shal the traytors knowe how dearely they shal abie for my enthralment And therwithall he gaue the Barbarian that was next him so sound a buffet on the brest-plate as he made him with teares of blood to lameÌ„t his so sodainly happened misfortune the like did he the second a third the valiant Knight of the fiue swords continually equalling him in his actions They make a massacre amongst the Barbarians And herewith pressing vnto the rabblement of vnsuspecting Thebans and Barbarians they rushed in amonge them so roughly as neyther of them both but had borne downe in a moment sixe of their armed aduersaries Which the rest of the remaining route perceiuing they sodainely encompassed them about and with their semiters so fiercely layd at the Champions who were now weaponlesse except their Curtleaxes as had not speedy rescue come sodainely froÌ„ the Castle Carzar vnder the leading of the fiue worthy Knightes Lugonto Piresty Maruall Gerardo and Trosney they had in lesse then an howers conflict macerated both Oceander and the other knight into a thowsande peeces A supply of CarthaginiaÌ„s from the Castle But nowe Oceanders side being thoroughly relieued by this fresh supply of souldiers began greatly to triumph ouer the almost conquered Barbarians who like sheepe before deuouring Leopardes fled for their liues from the furie of their following foes who pursued the victorie so hotly as they made them in heapes to flie for safety to the tents of Marcimodez Thebans fly who being at his wits end for anger of so vnexpected an ouerthrowe banned the heauens the earth and his Goddesse fortune for working of his so sodain miserie And in a rage buckling on his helmet taking a mighty launce in his hand he caused his souldiers to returne againe vnto the battaile Marcimodez encountreth Oceander and espying the ring-leaders of his enemies hee fewtered his speare and meeting enraged Oceander for his opponent he smote him so stronge a blowe vpon the cuirace as loosing both his stirrops he was faine to embrace his horsnecke to saue himselfe from falling But quite scotfree notwithstaÌ„ding Marcidomez not escaped For besides that he was wounded with the Knight of the Seas Launce in the right shoulder he was enforced by the furie of the encounter Marcimodez vnhorsed to forsake his
saddle and as well as he could to saue himselfe froÌ„ hurt in the falling But enfired with the foyle hee nimbly raysed his wounded corpse from the grounde and vnshcathing his fawchon he thus angerly threatned his contending enemie Alight alight thou disloyall and traiterous Knight and on foote with me trie out the euent of the battaile or else by the diuine Maiestie of the Gods I doe sweare I shall slaye thy skipping Palfrey and in my fury wreake the extreamest reuenge I canne against thee Come therefore and an if thou canst eyther leaue thy owne wretched or bereaue mee of my wished life Now by the honour of Knighthood answered the Knight of the Sea thou shalt not die so faire a death Marcimodez For neyther do thy villanies deserue a better neyther shal I do thee wrong in giuing to thee a far worser Now therfore prepare thy selfe to die for vnder my horses hooues will I trample thy accursed carcasse Marcimodez troden to death by OceaÌ„ders horsmen And therewith hee and his following souldiers trotted ouer him who yielded vp his miserable life amonge the horse-heeles of his mightiest aduersaries who reioyced to heare the bitter groanes that his heart dolefully breathed from the bottome of his brused body Which his ouerthrowe when his amazed souldiers saw they fearfully betoke theÌ„selues to flight shamefully leauing the late vanquished CarthaginiaÌ„s victors in the field Who hauing gathered togither the most precious spoyle of the battaile most ioyfully returned with their newe obtained victorie to their expecting friend in the impregnable castle Carzar CHAP. X. ¶ Howe Oceander departed from Carthage with the Knight stranger to the Castle of Briarostez where hee conquered the Gyant and dissolued the inchauntment of the Sorceresse Mardigua whereby he recouered the valiant yong Prince Ptoladine to his senses and finished the aduenture of the fountaine and what thereof followed KAnira the good Queene of Carthage not a little ioyed at the happy recouered freedome of her beloued foster-sonne the Knight of the Sea and therefore rendered shee exeeeding thanks to the valiaunt Knight of the fiue swords for his happy adiument in so daungerous an enterprise But the straunge Knight knowing that it was more for his owne profite then for hers that Oceander was so aduentured for in this sort answered Indeede gracious Madame partly thorough my help he obtained the refruition of his freedome yet I assure your Maiestie that if his valour had been no more thaÌ„ mine we might both of vs perchaunce haue bought our libertie with the losse of our liues and also it stoode not onely on my life but also on my dearest Cosens for whose cause I came to implore his valiancy that he shold be thus luckily deliuered Wherefore you are not behoulding vnto me deare madame but vnto my Lord the Knight of the Sea who by his valorous actions is thus in an happy howre returned home to both our comforts It seemeth then quoth the Queene speaking very sadly by your speach sir that my son should within this little while depart from mee to the accomplishment of some aduenture True Madame replied the knight Vnhappy woman as I am then sayd she why haue I thus ouer-liued my good fortunes And then shedâ—ing a floud of pearled teares which in two small riuers ran from her eye-lids she most eaâ—nestly entreated the straunge Knight at that time for to pardon her young and as it were new borne foster sonne But seing his impossibilitie of condescending yet quoth she since there is no other remedie but that I muste needs forgoe him let my grieued minde be satisfied with the relatioÌ„ of so desperat an adueÌ„ture as by necessity coÌ„pels him so sodainely to forsake vs. But sith the tables are couered we will omit it vntill after supper betwixt the which and bed-tyme I hope we shall haue suffâ—cient leysure to giue an attentiue auskult vnto your historie Wherewith taking Oceander in one hand and the Knight of the fiue swordes in the other she placed her selfe vnto the table WheÌ„ hauing sufficiently taken their repast of most delicate prouision cloath being taken away their night maÌ„tles put about their shoulders the Queene and her company diligently attended to the Knight of the fiue swordes his pronounced historie A declaration of Ptoladines misfortunes THere bordereth vpon the East side of this CoÌ„tinent of Africa the famous and fertile Kingdome of Nilewatered Egypt ouer whose spatious and large limited territories at what time the mighty Alcaazo gouerned as SouldaÌ„ there was a most cunning Nigromancer named Cturidan who hauing by his inchauntments builded a most impregnable Castle little or nothing cared eyther to pill rob or spoile any of his Maiesties most loyall subiects yea The tyraÌ„ny of the inchaunter Cturidan dared sometimes to proceede euen vnto the Metrapolis of Egypt and beseige the SouldaÌ„ euen within the walles of his royall Cittie Cayery insomuch as all the subiects and commonaltie vnable to abide the inchaunters so violent incursions withdrew both themselues their wiues and children as also their goods cattell and whole substance into the chiefest and strongest Townes Cities neare adioyning Wherby Alcaazo maketh peace with him all the Countrey being abandoned and left desolate of inhabitants by whose wants did followe diuers calamities the Souldan Alcaazo was faine after many a foughten battâ—ile to no aduantage by making faire promises and sending right rich presents to buy a composition at the handes of Cturidan Who for a pretty season remained a faithful performer of his promised bargaine vntill such time as by the wished consent of the parents Ptolodine the onely sonne of the King of Mesopotamia Ptoladine prince of Mesopotamia espouseth the Egiptian Princesse Ciafa was matched in the bonds of matrimonie to the sole daughter of Alcaazo named Giafa At whose solemne concelebrated nuptials all the estates of both the Kingdomes beeing assembled tylts and turneyes proclaimed and all other princely pleasures whatsoeuer both royally and sumptuously performed amongst the rest that were thither assembled the inchaunter Cturidan with a great troope of his attendants repaired vnto Cayry to solemnize that day of feasting When princely delicates being placed bâ—fâ—re him and change of outlandish wines filled out to hâ—m in glistering gobblets of Ophir gold he dranke so many duâ—câ—t draughts with Antony as with him his senses being â—uer-drenched 〈…〉 vnseemâ—y dalliance with Ciafa he fell to dallying with Prince Ptoladines faire Clâ—opatra in such vnseemely manner as the King of Mesopotamia who sate next vnto him seeing his misdemeanour began to take him vp after this order Doe not deceiue thy selfe Inchaunter quoth hee by mistaking this bride for Hipodamia for assure your selfe if so you counterfeit Lycus here is a Perithous in this company that will play a reuenger of thy villanies Cturidan enraged at these speaches being vnable for anger to vtter any answere swelling with wrath and in hys soule yearning to be reuenged gnashed his teeth togither with
of death It will inflict thy ouerweakned coarse And then in vaine thou shalt dispend thy breath To begge some kinde compassion and remorse Which at my hands thou neuer shalt obtaine Til liuelesse thou shalt conquered remaine After which conquest gained by my might When as thy body is of life dispoyld The carion Crowes shall for thy carcasse fight By whose flesh-renting bils thy limbes tormoyld Shall after that withouten sepulture Naked and fleshlesse on the fieldes endure Therefore be warned whilest thou maiest in time By him which loathes to meddle with such gnats By spending of his vigour which diuine Is counted for so many fierce combats And ouerthrowes which I to men of might Haue heretofore giuen in single fight Fiue times fiue knights within lesse than a yeare I haue fordonne and cast vnto the ground And halfe so many monsters fierce welneare By knight ly cheuisance I did confound Which lying liue lesse on the dusty earth Pronounce mee Fortune-fauored from my birth Therefore desist from this thine enterprise For whoso doth attempt it surely dies BRIAROSTES Now in faith quoth Oceander with a great laughter this same burley piece of mans flesh brags well if there came no better then I hither in sooth they should praise his scarbugge faculty and yet in despite of his threatnings I remain here to try the euent of this enterprise What a diuel doth he thinke men of valour to be so foolish as vpon his bare menaces and the setting forth of his painted picture so sodainely to terrifie their senses Now by the high Gods of Carthage I do verely auowe that I shal neuer in my heart ioy hereafter if I cannot coole the courage of this boasting beast Briarostes And therewith taking the pommel of his sworde he bounced at the steely barres of the gate so soundly as he made all the Castle therewith ring againe and then looking vp towards the battlements he espyed where the wicked witch Mardigua sate lasciuiously playing dallying with the sense-reaued young prince Ptoladine â—ardigua who amorously entertained whatsoeuer loue-trickes she offered Wherat the knight of the Sea enraged he said Ah thou wicked lasciuious woman shamest thou not with thy whordome to abuse so noble a youÌ„g gentleman And theÌ„ turning his speach to Ptoladine O worthy and noble ofspring of the Mesopotamian Prorex in time call to thy remembrance the miseries that thou art moyled in and enraged with the pernicious enticements of that subtill sorceresse giue her a iust recoÌ„pence for her deseruing But seing how for all his speaches neither Mardigua They which are quite drowned in vice and sensualitie are endeafened to the good aduice of the virtuous nor Ptoladine once glaunced their eyes vpon them or seemed to regard his speaches but rather to be the more pleasant sportiue he turned his face froÌ„ theÌ„ leaning vpon the raile of the bridge he there rested himselfe expecting the coÌ„ming of the furious gyant Briarostes Who by this time hauing heard the true report of the speady messeÌ„ger in a rage clapped vp his beuer casting his bewgle horne at his back with his boarespeare in his hand with all his might maine hee galloped home vnto the Castle where seeing the two knights attending his arriuall before he spake vnto them he thus beganne to fall on chiding with Mardigua How commeth it to passe my honour-vnminding Aunt that by the little regard thou hast vnto my credit thou hast suffered the damned wretches to enter so neere vnto my Castle whether neuer as yet the best Champions durst approach without condigne punishment for their aduenturing And then turning him to the knights whose courages were neuer by wordes daunted he thus shooke them vp with this euill language which proceeding out of a cancred breast must needes effuse a very crabbed salute O yee wretched death-seeking men what fury hath incensed your foolish fancies thus audaciously to attempt the indaungering of my dignity at whose feete both the liues of you and al other Aegyptian Champions are submissiuely humiliated Briarostes to Oceander Medion in whose hands both your weale woe paine and pleasure is so surely engaged as with the bending of my frowning brow I could worke your wretchednesse with the furious out-breathing from mine angry spleene I could ouerthrow and consume you What haue ye lead your liues at too much ease and liued so pleasantly frée from the burdenous yoake of my afflictions as now growing carelesse of any farther continuing consolation you doe dare the triall of his streÌ„gth whose halfe-pitche vigour shal ouerwaigh your too weake bodies to destructions If so it be proceede to your perill but if as wandring passengers you haue in the middest of your iourney gone astray vnto this Castle wee willingly of curtesie though not of custome permitte you to depart hence to the perfecting of your painefull pilgrimage Hauing thus ended hee sternely looked on the two valorous knights expecting their answere which with resolution was in this sort vttered by Oceander Thinke not Briarostes that our comming to this thy Castle was by happe or chaunce OceaÌ„ders answer to Briarostes as waiefaring trauellers which in their need seeke to relieue their necessities at some neighbouring hamlets For know that we are no painefull pilgrimes but honour-prizing Princes into whose eares the true report of thy horrible villanies being sounded hath caused vs in this sort of set purpose to approach this thy fortresse in armes to let thee vnderstand of the extreame wrongs thou hast offered vnto most mightie Potentates and therefore wee craue at thy hands restitution of iniuries or thou denying vtterly refusing thy proffered pittie and scorning thy presumptions wee defie thee to the combat hoping yer the decline of Climenes Parramour The gyant defied to â—he coÌ„bat to giue thee the iust recompence of an inhumane and butcherly tyrant Briarostes hauing as yet neuer heretofore found any one that durst so bouldly vpbraid him with his villanyes was so angred at the heart with the knight of the Sea as without bidding him beware he flang his boare-speare so strongly at him as had he not all the nimbler leaped from his station he had beene peppered for his presuming Which as God would missing him smote so deepe into an oaken poste of the gate which was ouercouered with iron barres that they might well perceiue the diuelish gyants force was admirable For almost fower hand fulles he had hidden the iron head within the thicknesse of the woodden propper which was riuen euen from the bottome by the force of the entring Which Oceander well weighing he determined as little as hee could to hazard himselfe to the Gyants vnresistable outward fury therfore as soon as he could resolued to close with him Where although he receiued some small disaduantage hee knewe he could not greatly be harmed by reason of the goodnesse of his armour which being impenetrable could neuer be bruised by the crushing of
time prefixed by the Gods wherein after thou hast done thy parents the most extreame wronge that may be offered thou shalt by this come to the true knowledge of thy pedigree and the true and euer liuing sauiour to thy owne great happinesse and the wonderfull astonishment of all creatures that shall heare of so strange an happened accident But deare sonne though the time be somewhat long yer these things come to passe tempt not thy fortune by the ardent desire of knowing these secrets yer the time is fully expired of the accomplishing of these wonders For at that very instant shall my deare daughter Magartez to whose vse I leaue both my Cell and learning present the same vnto thee then thou maist bouldly vaunt thy selfe to be the most happiest knight that euer was borne of any mother Also deare Prince for now it concernes me to entreate thee since euery creature is subiect vnto death let me request thy patience for my departing out of this wretched life and though thy loue thou bearest vnto me for my manifold adiuments in thy necessities bee incomparable yet when thou shalt with those cleare shining glasses of thine eyes behold this crazed carcase withered body of mine both cold and liuelesse suffer not thy sorrowes to goe beyond their bounds but with a moderate meane in greeuing with some fewe teares trickling from thy eyes fountaines bathe ouer my colde pale age-nipt chéekes in token of thy vnstained affection that Margaâ—tez to whose artfull tuition I betake thee may the more willingly oblige her selfe in an eternal dutie to thy preseraance preferment in the field of glorie triumphant honour wonne by the virtue of thy neuer ouermatched chiualrie and now hoping that you will rest somewhat satisfied with my sad departure I humbly print on your stéely gauntlet the last signall of my affectionate and loyall friendshippe when sweetely kissing the iron gloue Artimagus deparâ—eth this life hee plucked his armes downe into the bedde and turning his face from the attendants hee quietly yâ—elded vp his ghost whilest his daughter Margartez with a cast-down countenance and a trembling voice equiualent to the cunning couch of a sweete sounding Lute dolefully sighed forth this sorrowfull knell verse O Prophet great which in the heauens aboue Thy residence dost keepe eternally Looke downe vpon his soule with eyes of Loue Which languishing in mickle misery With sighes and groanes would to compassion moue Thy sacred soule that since hee needes must die His fleeting ghost may to the skyes remoue There to attende vpon thy deity As soone as he was throughly deade they most dolefully lamented ouer his deade bodie with such greeful groanes Carthaginians lameÌ„t the death of Artimagus cries and clamoures as the whole Castle rang againe of their mourning so loudly did their shreekes eccho and penetrate euen into the vnder-cloudes of heauen so dolourously they bewailed the death of the most wise and learned Lord Artimagus Which their sad ceremonies beeing ended they pretiously embalmed his disentrailed body and perfuming it with infinitie of most sweete odoures they caused it the very same night to be carried in an Ebon Chariot into the middest of the market place of Carthage where before the sorrowfull Citizens they consumed it vnto ashes and ouer the place where it was burned the louing Carthaginians with a huge masse of pearles and treasure Artimagus funerall rites speedily erected a most faire Chappell consecrated vnto Mahomet wherein for many yeares together they kept sad ceremonies in commemoration of this most wonderfully wise Artimagus Whose departed soule leauing to the censure of the Highest let vs againe râ—â—eit our speaches backe to the famous Court of Grecia where after her daungerous combat wee left the beautious and warlike Phianora in a pitifull plight vnder the hande of well-experienced Chirurgeous CHAP. XVII How Phianora being recured of her woundes deliuered the Knight of the Leoparde from the enchauntmentes of Gola and her sonnes Norin and Nigramounde whome she vanquished and departed with him to the Rocky-Iland of Ortolomorgantell RIght sore and daungerous were the wouÌ„ds that the worthy daughter of Argamonte K. of fertile England receiued in her late-foughteÌ„ combate with the Knight of the Sea neuerthelesse they nothing so much in comparison grieued her as the vexation she receiued by reason of the great care she had to keepe her selfe vndiscloased from the cunning SurgeoÌ„s Phianora still coÌ„celeth her selfe whome onely by the continuall wearing of her helmet shee kept from the knowledge of her sex and features But as the more the mistrusting spie seeks by his subtle carriage and honest fained conuersation to hide his secret intent from his entercoursers the more he is suspected of all men his wicked drifts farre narrowlier looked into so with how much the greater diligent care the beawtious Princesse conserued her selfe from the knowledge of all men by so much the sooner insearching lyer shee was watched by the suspitious Surgeons who vsed all indifferent meanes possible to finde out the cause of her concealing but to no purpose though at length they espied her in her secret closet with her helmet vnlaced The Princesse discouered by her Surgeons and her yellowe golden lokes such as the Poets haue fained Ariadnes smoothly dissheuelled adowne her shoulders proude to beare the burthen of such sun-excelling beautious tressalines Which so admired wonderment so soone as they descried they presently ran to tell the Empresse and the Queenes Basilia and Zaama who were then walked abroad into the royall gaâ—den Who no sooner heard the humiliated Chirurgeons to manâ—fest the worthy knight of the Oliue brannch to bee a Princesse but that all amazed they held vp their lillie hands to heauen and shedding teares of ioye Oh God quoth they and is it possible that in our sexe should remaine so vnualuable valour now God forbid but that wee speedily goe and see so peerelesse a paragon And therewith in all hast they ranne vnto the lodging of the Princesse Phianora Phianora departeth in secret from the Court. where they founde her missing her armour gone and onely one Page in all the Palace that could tell any tydings of her departure Wherefore with greate griefe they searched about the chamber to see if they coulde finde any thing of her for to reserue as a lasting remembrance and finding nothing but onely a ruffled-vp piece of paper they vnfoulded it open and with teares in their eyes they ioyntly read these verses in manner of a sonet following The Mariner amid the Marine deepe Phianorae Epitimen By boystrous blast of winde vnkindely tost His mounting barke from ragged rocks can keepe By cunning skill of euery neighbouring coaste Eake trauailers amongst their daungers most Can shield themselues in sured safety From birde from beast from fiercest fomans host In quietnesse and ease and only I Of creatures euery one in misery Done leade my lingring life which euermore Is subiect vnto each
destructions CHP. XXIII ¶ Of the great battaile betweene the Pagans the Christians cut of by the comming of the night begun a-fresh the next day wherin the Grecians went by the worse their reueÌ„ge by the death of 17000. Barbarians how the Pagan Potentates enraged concluded the speedy destruction of the whole City YF the Pagan Embassadours admired the vnheard of clemencie of the royall Emperour it was no maruaile since both for magnanimous prowesse merciful patience hee was vnmatchable Wherefore with the greater reuerence they respected his highnesse courteously replying that whatsoeuer he had commaunded them for answere they would on their honors truely refer vnto their Soueraignes and thereon engaging their credits they presently departed after honourable entertainement from the Palace of the Emperour to the tents of the kings of Tunis and Tangur Where to the relating of the good Emperours answere wee will leaue them to returne to the by this time returned Commaunders of Christendome Who with a mighty nauie hauing passed ouer the Adriatike seas speedily alanded their troopes of trained souldiers in sight of their enuious enemies vpon the plaines of Constantinople to the exceeding comfort of the Constantinopolitan Christians Aide of Christians in succour of Constantinople with Morcauil 3000. horse Rubaldo 1200 foote Fiarden Arcanio 100. horse 9000. foote with Curanand Kauiscoâ—â—0000 who from their wals battlements espyed where first the stout young Prince Morcauill of Hungaria with his battalion of 3000. horse after whom followed the king Rubaldo with 2000. Huns and stout Bulgarians on foote proudly passed alongst the forefronte of the Pagans pauilions Next whom the ould king of Bohemia with his forward sonne the Prince Arcanio marched with a strong battaglion of an hundred horse and 9000. foote all worthy knights from Thessaly and Transiluania came also forty thousand sturdy souldiers marching vnder the ensigne of the valiant princes Curan and Kauiscon at whose arriuall the Constantinopolitans so loudly showted as the whole citie trembled therwith Then a great Lord of Sparta with 4000. vnder his leading well approued Grecians disembarqued themselues Who hearing of the timelesse death of their young Prince Ismerion solemnly vowed to make a slaughterhowse amongst the pauilions of the pittilesse Pagans with whome also the like sware the thrice-excellent Erimaro and Orbano the worthy Gouernours of the French and Spanish armies protesting till the death resolutely to wreake vengeance on their misbelieuing molesters who had encaptiuated their yong Soueraignes All these in martiall order couragiously passing close by the pauilions of the Pagans marched 3. times round about the plaine before the Citty where though greatly against the minde of the carefull Emperour Claranax who fore-warned them of some treacherous mischiefe that might there befal them they straight wayes strongly encamped their companies whose courages yearned to be grappling with their Pagan enemies With exceeding gallantnesse they marched in this order into the Cittie where they were graciously entertained of the good ould Emperour Claranax Who with great gentlenesse gaue to euery seuerall soldier such singular welcomes as euery one vowed willingly to spend their liues in defeÌ„ce of him and his whole countries such and so vnheard of was the forwardnesse of the Christians in Constantinople who no lesse comforted the drooping spirits of the Grecians then discouraged the stout hearts of the rude barbariaÌ„s Kings of Tunis Tangur Whose hostes as they were huge in multitudes so they were haughty in maners diuerse in dispositions contrarie in condition therfore not onely gaue often occasion of quarrels and debates Tumult in the PagaÌ„s CaÌ„pe but also of sodaine destruction to the whole armie had not some malitious malefactours been the more speedily corrected by the good aduice of the Knight of the Sea Who assuredly seing how many multitudes of mischiefes were likely to secoÌ„d each mutiny causing a fit place by the haÌ„dy-works of painefull Pyoners with a loude voice and an vndaunted courage in this sort played the Proloquutor to the Pagan princes who encompassing him about with their armed chariots yeelded an attentiue auscult to his oration Sacred Emperours of Tunis Tangur and Tabarca Oceanders oration to the kings of Tunis T gur Tabarca if I were able in wordes like a cunning Oratour or another Hermes but euen halfewise to expresse the very colon of my conceite your mightinesse should thoroughly peâ—ceiue the great pittie that I would plainely prostrate before the eyes of your excellencies of the sodaine confusion of our complotted enterprise But alas I am insufficient to performe my pretence and therefore in plaine tearmes I shall truely lay open vnto you my proposed purpose Vnderstand you therefore my Lordes that not onely euer since our arriuall but euen at this instant our armie hath been and is so pestered with pernitious traytours and conspiratours as neuer a day nor houre nay nor scarcely at this present our friends and loyall followers can rest free from their disturbances whose hearts are still conceiting whose heads euer complotting and whose handes are ready to the accoÌ„plishing of all wickednesse and treasonous insidies that can possibly be plotted or performed Such conspiracies were contriued by Cascar and Ombator against the holy Alcheron of Mahomet and such was the blasphemie of Blandulon against his deitie The like was that of Raphan who enterprised the sodaine surprisage of your maiesties liues in your pauilions and no whit differed that same abhominable action of Aâ—tior Esson who in armes openly oppugned against the profitable proceedinges of your potencies Infinite more of molestours could I number that within these few dayes haue trayterously conspired against the common good of our glorious armie But what became of them They dyed either by perishing or punishment and more vndoubledly will followe them should not our holy prophet Mahomet the better prouide by his diuine prouidence for our perfect prosperitie Let vs therefore on our knees magnifie his holy name and with our handes manfully maintaine his true beliefe against all his misbelieuing aduersaries that peruersly oppose themselues against his holy heastes and against our hostes for his sake And so shall wee not onely profite the perfectnesse of our religion but also preserue our campe and countrey from the trayterous complots of some wicked wretches whom idlenesse and ambition egge on to the worke of their deserued endes and our dolefull confusion The Knight of the Sea with so great vehemencie of spirit pronouÌ„ced this his speech as the BarbariaÌ„s being exceedingly amazed at his bould braue behauiour in token of their great good liking of his counsell rendred him a grations applause with excessiue shouting all in generall reioycing that they had so good a chieftaine and courageous a champion to conduct them except Ebator Ebator Whose heart yearning for anger of the remembrance of his brother Ombators treacherie caused him secretly to conceiue no small hatred against the Knight of the Sea for euer after And therefore with