languishing of his life The King well noting the intent of Floraman that he could not fancy his Fathers choise by secret treason in the Duke of Ciciliaes Court he found the meanes to poyson the fair Altea to the no smal griefe of her noble Father friends as also the Gentlemen that were in his Courte of whome her beauty was honored and the ciuility of her life greatly commended The Duke misdoubting that the vntimely death of his daughter was procured by some vnnaturall meane because she was so soone sicke and so suddenly gone sent for Allaricqua her bedfellow and by executing sundry torments on her she confessed that being hyred by the king of Serdignia she ministred the potion that cut off her flowring yeares When the duke hearde the discourse of his Lord and Soueraigns vnkinde dealing hee caused the Anatomie of his Daughter to be artificially figured which he placed vpon a Toomb representing her Funerals and thervpon in golden verses writ the Epitaph of her rare and vertuous life and by her was the image of Death very liuely drawn in perfect proportion This rare piece of workmanship he laid in a goodly fair Chariot and leuying a great army went against the King of Serdignia Of whose comming when Floraman heard he could not finde in his heart to enter Battel against his Ladies father but with a company of wel appointed knights he brake thorow the rankes and entred the Campe from whence he tooke the Chariot with the Picture of Altea So ryding presently to a Porte of the Sea he tooke shipping and coasted into the Turks Dominion and building there his solitary Castle he liued there bemoaning the vnkinde acte of his Father and the vnfortunate death of his faire Altea To whose Picture hee would often report the afflictions of his minde and with sundry Lamentable Sonnets discouer her praise and his owne paine which to his Lute hee often recorded as the onely meane to perswade him from any desperate intent In this place remained Floraman till such time as the Prince Palmerin visited him as you haue hearde and although it was the good Fortune of Palmerin to conquere him who was both wasted with mourning and growne into great debilitie by his excéeding sorrow yet was Floraman estéemed a Knight of singular Prowesse And when Palmerin was departed and hée entred into his Castle againe vnto his Ladyes Picture he appealed in this manner Alas my Altea impute not this Conquest to any right in mine Enemie but rather to the feeble and weake assaults of your seruant which extreame sorrow for your mishap hath caused and griefe of mine owne misfortune that so aduersly chanced Wherefore to make amends for this great mischaunce and that you may knowe your Knight estéemeth none but you I will in my aduentures so blaze your memorie that all Ladies shall report you are the onely Altea and cause them to know she is as yet vnborne that must be your equall Long he stayed in that comfortlesse place till at last the King his Father vnderstanding where he was sent for him and because hee would not shewe himselfe disobedient hee departed thence bearing with him his Ladyes Portraite still vsing his blacke Armour and the Shielde wherein Death was painted as the onely Sepulchre of his great sorrowes vsing no other name for himselfe but the Knight of Death And what rare Aduentures were by him atchieued in the honour of his Ladie and great reputation of himselfe you shall be at large certified in the sequell of this Historie CHAP. XX. ¶ Palmerin of England after hee was departed from Floraman the Knight of Death happened to come where he saw a combate fought betweene three Knights and the Knight of the Bull named Pompides who at the commandemens of a Lady kept the passage of a bridge and how the Knight of Fortune bare away the Victorie WHen the renowned Knight of Fortune had conquered Floraman the Knight of Death he with his brother Siluian procéeded on his iourney neuer shewing any signe of a liuely disposition but heauy and pensiue all the way as he rode which Siluian desirous if he might to remedy vsed these words vnto him Good sir wast not the time in woe that you should vse in pleasant recreation séeke not the ruine of your selfe for hee that regardeth so â—lenderly your profered courtesie rather extinguished her memory as she hath lightly left you or thinke on her when you iudge she is mindfull of you Vnto which words the knight of Fortune thus shaped an answere Siluian my deare Brother and friend if thou cauldest discerne the drops of blood that fall from my oppressed heart as thou perceiuest the moyst teares that issue from my head or if thou couldest iudge the world of woes I abide in my silent thoughts as thou doest perceiue some motion by outward appearance thou wouldest rather wish me in my graue then to sée me remaine in this remedilesse griefe which no way can be remedied but onely by the last extremity which is death And albeit as thou saist she estéemeth not my Passions but rather is merry when I mourne and laugheth when I languish yet shall it neuer be sayde but Palmerin liued without fraude and therefore dyed in faith preferring an honourable death before a haplesse life I would I had bene blinde when first I saw her beauty or that I had stayed with our Father then to enioy such an vngentle friend where wee might haue liued in quiet estate now not enioying one houre of rest for albeit I liue in spotlesse loyaltie yet am I rewarded with most vngentle loyaltie And what of that let it suffice she is vnkinde and thou vnhappie she bent to crueltie yet will thou liue and die in constancie desiring no longer life then I may be frée from any spotte in my promised Loue. And heereupon Syluian assure thy selfe her Beauty shall hazard my honour on a thousand Launces but she shall confesse her selfe Palmerin is aboue all in loyaltie Thus passing the time in talke one to an other the Knight of Fortune in great paine and Syluian still continuing his perswasion they arriued at a Bridge where they saw thrée knights before them who would haue passed ouer but were resisted by a Knight in fair white Armor who kept the Passage bearing in his Shield for his Deuise a Bulles head and was called the Knight of the Bull. One of the thrée Knights very couragiously gaue Combat to the Knight of the Bull but wan quickly set beside his saddle In fine the Knight of the Bull preuailed against them all thrée to their griefe and his glorie The Knight of Fortune knowing these thrée knights that had bene foyled to be of the Emperours Court as Luyman of Burgundie Germaine of Orleaunce and Tenebrant he was not a little sorrie for their mishappe and presently menaced his courage against the knight of the Bull who met so stoutly togither that they were both dismounted Then charging one another with
thy hands from him that is conqnered and come deale with me who hopes to conquer thée and therewithall Primaleon being not fully prouided receiued such a cruell blowe on the head that it put him in some danger Primaleon séeing such a fearefull Enemie and what mighty blowes he still charged him withall he bethought him on his Friende Don Edoard whose helpe in this fierce assault might doe him no small pleasure Yet hee considered with himselfe that doubtlesse he was in some néede or so kept vnder that hee might not assist him else hee perswaded himselfe he would be as requisite to helpe him as hée ready to wish for him Then hee taking vp the Shielde of Pandare betwéene Alligan and himselfe began a hotteskirmish as the place where they fought altered in colour with theyr blood made manifest Yet Alligan for all his rough behauiour had little hope of any good successe because the hardinesse of Primaleon hadde both martyred his Shield and Armour in pieces so that he had no defence to beare off the blowes but by the fresh and eager Assaults of the Noble hearted Prince he brought him vnto such a lowe estate that he supposed he had quight slaine him Which mooued him to sitte downe to rest him for that faintnesse with losse of his blood and wearynesse in so long continuing Battell made him both glad and desirous of a little ease Dramusiande perceyuing the harde euent of this Combat and standing in doubt that Fortune by some sinister meanes or other would séeke his ouerthrowe and so depriue him of that he looked for and what his Aunte laboured for Armed himselfe presently and came foorth to Primaleon assailing him first with these wordes Syr Knight my Friend if you please my foe if you dare in the one you may finde comfort in your distresse in the other any incurable mischiefe to beare you companie in so great daunger Mee thinkesâ— it were more honour for you to yéelde with no blemish to your Knighthoode then to endure a fresh Assault which will be to your great hazarde So if you estéeme of my courteous offer I will sée your wounds cured at mine owne charge and your weake estate comforted as beséemeth a good Knight Primaleon well nothing the honest words of Dramusiande and fearing his faire talke might beare fauor of a shrewde meaning made him this answere If sir by the paine I haue bestowed sharpe encounters I haue eudured I might purchase yâ— deliuery of my dearest friend Don Ddward then would I not only make estimation of your courtesie but confesse my selfe during life yours euer bound by duty But as I iudge you meane nothing lesse and the reward of my trauaile desireth nothing more so my heart is bent vnto that hautie enterprise which if intreatie will not serue shall be gayned perforce and where courtesse is not estéemed compulsion may and shall command The oath I haue made my friend doeth discharge my heart of feare and the hope I haue of victorie bids me rather die then be vanquished so shall I award the reproch of the world and be true to my friend whose safetie I tender as my owne soule Dramusiande at this pause tooke occasion to reply in this manner Sir Knight for two causes I account it honour to vse thée courteously The first is that I greatly pittie the harme which may ensue to an vnuised heade which doth that in a brauerie for a fashion he is glad with bitter teares to bemoane in folly The second cause is that to conquer thée would rather discredite me then any honour were to be gotten by the victory considering thy vnfortunate and miserable estate with the Knightly puissance I shall bestowe on thee Neuerthelesse to charme the proud spéeches thou hast vsed correct the rash behauiour of thy vnstayed wit thou shalt know how I can tamâ— the mallepart bridle those that cannot rule their owne manhood Vpon these words he laid fiercely at Primaleon whose debility rather required quietnesse then such extreame strokes as hee must néedes suffer neuerthelesse hee employed himselfe to such nimble defence as his weary trauayle would permit him which mooued a great compassion in the minde of Dramusiande to sée the weakenesse of the body not agrée with the inuincible courage of the heart would not for any thing haue slaine him as very easily he might haue done but that hee once more would vse perswasioÌ„ which he discharged after this order Sir Knight thou maist sée I refuse the fight more for the griefe I sustaine in thy hurt then any feare I haue of thée to doe me harme in token whereof I set thée at libertie as one more willing to doe thée good theÌ„ any desire I haue to bereaue thée of life But if thou once more refuse my courtesie and desperately séeke thine owne destruction I promise thee that neither mercy may asswage my rygour nor any meane beside shall withhold me from reuenge for that he which is carelesse of his owâ—e life it were great pitie but he should loose it Primaleon casting his eyes vpon his armour which he perceiued al broken battered in pieces as also bathed in the blood which issued froÌ„ his wounds then calling to remembrance his Lady Gridonia whose heart might hardly brooke to heare any mischance of her best beloued walked a little by himselfe vsing these silent cogitatioÌ„s Madame behold the last day of our heauy departure my last farewell sent you in teares with a bléeding heart subiect to mine enemy whom I striue to conquere and yet rather desire the death then lose the honor of my name I know our next assault is the last Tragedie of my time which I must not refuse if I loue my friend and yet should forsake remembring your losse Wel hard is the hap wheÌ„ Fortune hath determined all to extremitie which if I should séeke to shunne would iustly repay me with deserued shame O famous Emperor and my renowned father whose thoughts are as far from my heauy case as my troubled heart is void of any comfort yet let this iust perswasion cut off the griefe you may sustaine that I liues for my friend whose fréedome was my felicity and now die for my fréend whose thraldome is my misery which I desire to finish ere I will shrinke one iot in the honour of knighthood Albeit the losse of my blood ouerchargeth mee with faintnesse and my long continuance in fight oppresseth me with wearines yet shall it neuer be reported Primaleon turned backe forgetting bounty or left the â—ield for one hauing already conquered twaine for the ioy I conceiue in finding my chiefest friend biddeth me die ere I leaue him so shall hee trie if I loue him And thinke not deare father nor my swéete Gridonâ—ia that I forget the duetie which law of nature willeth me to beare you or that I desperately run on mine owne death to increase your sorrowe and continuall mones But thinke as I haue ventured vpon
deliuered out of the grieuous passions wherein I haue long time remained for you shall vnderstand that the Knight whom you haue conquered is the very same that flew my brother Doriell for whose death the King my father liueth in extreame heauinesse The knight of the Tiger marking her words spake in this order to his friend Siluian I sée wel it is more dangerous to fall into the hands of a woman who is desirous of vengeance then to deale with a hundred good and hardy knights Wherefore I pray thée take my horse a while and I will goe sée if by my entreatance his life may be saued Then came he to the Bridge and desired the Knight of the Bull that would not offer the knight any more cruelty and turning to the Princesse Armisia he saluted her with these spéeches Madame if any anciant enmitie causeth you to desire the death of this Knight I pray you admit to memorie that a Lady of so great calling as you are ought not to be void of lenitie and pittie and chiefely at such a time when you haue most power to execute the extremitie of your will And if my reasons be not sufficient to appease your anger I pray you yet consider with your selfe that no persons vse crueltie where they may shew pittie but they repent themselues afterward when their collericke moode is ouerblowne and past The honest and vertuous language of the knight of the Tiger had not the power to mooue any pittie in the Princesse Armisia but she commanded the knight of the Bull that he should cut off the head of her enemie then the Prince gaue her these wordes I promise you Madame if neither pittie nor perswasion may preuaile with you I will stand such an eye-sore in your way my selfe as you shall not execute your malicious humour I would with all my heart said the Knight of the Bull that it might please the Princesse to grant this knight his life but since you presume so boldly to defend him I will not refuse albeit I am so sore wounded to let you vnderstand that you neither can nor shall hinder me in fulfilling what my Lady hath commanded The knight of the Tiger did not vse these wordes to the end that hee would enter the Combate with Pompides but onely to change the rigorous humour of Armisia and because he saw the Knight in such danger But such was the cruell minde of the Princesse as shée continued still in one song calling for the head of the vanquished knight Adraspe who with the great expence of his blood and griefe to sée the wreakefull will of Armisia ended his life while the knight of the Tiger and Pompides were preparing themselues to the Combat Armisia séeing Adraspes was dead could not be yet contented therewith because his head was not smitten off as she commanded Wherefore because Pompides did not accomplish what she willed him shée flang away in a furie and went into her Chamber Pompides who was brought into great extremitie for her loue did so grieue at her departure as he was constrained to set him downe vpon the bridge but the knight of the Tiger perceiuing his heauines tooke pitty on him and came to comfort him which Pompides séemed to disdaine because he iudged that his presence procured his misfortune Siluian séeing his maister not returne came walking with his horse before the bridge whom Pompides hauing espied he knew presently that the knight of the Tiger was the renowed Palmerin of England in which perswasion for the great ioy hee conceiued he came to him with these words I am well assured my gratious Lord that the comfort I receiued at this present instant will deface and extinguish all my former mishaps Palmerin tooke off his Helmet and hauing imbraced Pompides beganne to perswade him in good hope of his Lady who had no sooner forgotten her anger but shee reprooued her selfe of great vnkindnesse and then shee sent to intreate Pompides that he would pardon her and if so it were his pleasure to bring the knight into her house with him whoō she saw so familiar with him Pompides vnderstanding the will of the Princesse took his brother by the hand and walked into his Chamber where when they were vnarmed the Princesse came her selfe to visit them entring into these spéeches to the knight of the Tiger I beséech you Sir knight to excuse me in that I made no more account of your honest and courteous words for I assure you the great danger wherein I was at that instant would not suffer me to regard any perswasion whatsoeuer but onely to reuenge my selfe on my cruell enemy And because you shal not conceiue any ill opinion of me I will tell you for what cause I enuied the Knight so much You shall vnderstand Sir that I am the daughter of Meliadus the king of Scots in whose Court Adraspe the eldest son to the Duke of Sizana whom Pompides hath slaine beganne to waxe very amourous of me but because I knew him to bée one of very bad conditions I made no regard of his earnest suite Neuerthelesse he was so importunate and voyde of reason as he would not be answered Wherupon I was constrained to complaine to the Prince Doriell my Brother of whom when Adraspe perceiued himselfe to bee hated and despised he practised which way he might best be reuenged on him and following his secret trayterous intent it was not long after before he had the opportunitie for to execute his mallicious stomacke It so chanced that one day my brother and he had appointed to walke abroade together when Adraspe being priuily armed and hauing at hand such as prouided for his purpose he slew my Brother whose death the King my father could not accomplish to reuenge because hée should then deale with one of the chéefest Princes of his Realme and his best assured friend Yet was not his heart frée from continuall vexation in respect that nature could not otherwise chuse which I pittying and willing to assist my father to the vttermost I could I left the Court and caused this house to be erected in this place which being the chiefest passage in all this Realme I enterprised to haue some valiant Knight defend this Birdge promising to marry with him if he could be so happie as to kill Adraspe And he as he was alwayes accustomed bearing a proude and loftie minde would oftentimes come to show himselfe here onely to vexe me with the remembrance of my Brothers death and still hee would Combatte with my Knights being euermore so fortunate as to vanquish and kill them But after the knight of the Bull tooke this charge vpon him Adraspe who had heard of his noble prowesse remained two moneths before he could come hither againe yet at the last came to trie his Fortune against the Knight of the Bull who hath depriued him of his life as you sée and satisfied my wil that made me to ordaine this custome Madamy
Charriot bee brought into the Forrest to conuey the Princesse vnto the Court of her father K. Fredorick Who leaning in his chaÌ„ber window espied sir Pridos come ryding in great haste which caused him to cast a doubt of some euill newes approching in that he iudged a show of more sadnesse to be in him at that instant then before time hee could perceiue in him the like Whereof to be resolued he presently sent for Syr Pridos to know the cause of his so sudden arriuall whose griefe could not conceale the losse of Don Edoard but in teares laide open a discourse which grieued the Aged King tâ— heare it and galled his heart to recount it The King at these vnlooked for newes fell into such extreame passions both with the teares that bedeawed his Aged bearde and grieuous sighes that issued from his heart that Syr Pridos could hardly kéep life life in him or by intreaty vse any meanes of a patient perswasion for the Aged King was stroken into such a debility of hope that betwéene the impatient assaults of doubt and daunger hee thus began to vse spéeche with himselfe O my Don Edoard nature willes me to deplore thy losse and intire affection makes me dye for thy lacke whose presence was the staffe of myne Aged dayes and whose absence is the Sword that wounds me to the death But as no Grasse will hang on the héeles of Mercurie nor Mosse abide on the Stone Sisiphus so no certaintie can be looked for at the hands of Fortune whose sicklenesse is séene in chaunge and whose frowardnesse in chaunce Too long haue I trusted her and too late hath shee deceiued me the one my folly the other her fashion Yet doubt I not but if thou enioy thy life the substance of thy valure shall excéede the sharepnesse of her vengeance which will be no lesse welcome to thée then long wished of me But alas Well may 〈◊〉 hide my griefe but neuer heartily forget it well may I awhile brooke it but for no long time beare it for that the want of my comfort will cut off my dayes and the doubts I conceyue bring mee in greater distresse where if thou were present my minde would be satisfied and in spight of Fortune award all mischances While the King continued in this great agony of â—inde the Queene entred who likewise vnderstanding the losse of her Sonne began to adde another Stratageme of griefe bewraying her motherly affection both in teares and heauy complaints which to appease the aged King thus began Madame the honour of a noble minde is tried in aduersitie when as the extremitie of griefe is conquered by patience of the minde But the minde being impatient and not kept within the lymittes of a moderate gouernment the least Crosse that happeneth is too waightie in paine when the sence is farre too weake in reason It pleased the Almightie to giue vs a Sonne in whom wee receiued no little comfort and by whome our Fame hath béene Knightly aduanced And now to trie how we can brooke a moitie of his displeasure he hath caused some accident to happen to keepe him from vs whom we most of all desired yet not depriuing vs of hope but as to our griefe we haue lost him so to our comfort we shall see him againe In meane time let vs tollerate this sharpe affliction on his two Princely Children who till we enioy the fight of the Father againe shall with their noble Mother comfort our sorrowes and we also endeuour to abate their mones So one with another shal beare an equall share of aduersitie and be partners also in good Fortune if any chaunce to happen Thus the King and the Queene remained one while in a perswasion of patience an other while wholy vanquished with the force of their griefe whose Passions I referre to the iudgements of those that haue tasted the honour of Fame and hatred of Fortune Returne we now to Syr Pridos who in this time had caused his Brother to ride with a Chariot to the Forrest that the Princesse might be brought to the Court who being placed in the Chariot and ready to depart Shee gaue so heauy a farewel to the place as well for her Lord Don Edoard as misfortune of her Children that her attendaunts seemed as it were drowned in sadnes to see the Princesse ouercome with such sorrowe Being come to the Citie of London the Cittizens who at her comming from Greece did not onely excell in varietie of deuises but also discouered their ioy in singular Triumphes Now with a sorrowfull disposition they bewrayed the terrour of their losse and yet with an intermedled showe of ioy to assage the dolor of the Princesse When she came to the Court perceiued the great chaunge of woonted disportes both in the King and Queene as also in all the nobility who likewise vnderstanding the mishap of the two young Princes altogether begin a world of lamentations The king dismaying of any good hope the Quéene dispayring in double extremity the Lords and Ladies both in apparell and iesture wholly exclaiming on the cruelty of Fortune The Inhabitaunts throughout the whole Realme of England whose delight was many times to fit and conceiue maruailous opinions of the no lesse Knightly then famous aduentures of the Prince Don Edoard nowe sit sighing wringing their handes and pulling theyr bonnets ouer theyr eyes vsing as it were in a generall voyce amongst them Oh none but we vnhappy The King hauing thus passed this night in no lesse griefe of minde then sickly assaults of his aged person the Quéene and the Princesse Flerida equally considered on the morrow hée determined to send a Knight of his Court named Argolant Sonne to the Duke of Horten and Brother to Traendos who also had bin amourous of the Princesse Flerida to the Emperor Palmerin at Constantinople to let him vnderstand the late misfortune of England He being ready to depart as he rode thorow London the Stréetes were adorned with blacke and the Citizens arrayed in black and mourning manner bringing him to the Sea shore where he tooke shipping and departed The Princesse Flerida became very féeble of person insomuch that there was doubt of her good recouery but God not suffering her to ende as shee willingly would gaue her strength againe by little and little and comforted her selfe best when she was foorth of all company which caused many Knights to leaue the Court liue in search of the strayed Prince Don Edoard who pitied her case and his abscence Thus remained fayre Flerida as chast Penelope to her absent Lord Vlisses not fayling one iote in true and faithfull Loue though shée dayly contemned the aduerse estate of her life And hee likewise fayled not in constant loyalty but preferred the terror of death before the falsifying of his faith to his Lady Iustly fulfilling that neither distaunce of place nor extremity of Fortune could part in sunder their mutuall coniunction of spotlesse amitie CHAP. V. ¶ What the
image of vgly death and standing stedfastâ—â—ke looking and beholding the Picture of Altea vnto himselfe the beganne in this manner I reioyce my déere Altea that Fortune hath not altogether forgotten mee but alloweth my in this place to reuenge the foyle I sustained at my sorrowfull Mansion in that by my good endeuour all the Ladies of this Court shall be forced themselues to confesse that I maintaine the quarrell of perfect beautie and therefore worthy to beare the prize away To breake off these imaginations Polinard the brother of the Prince Vernar presented himselfe before the tent when the Emperor and the Ladies were set in their appointed place his Armour being blew and his Shéelde the chéerefull countenaunce of a very beautifull Damosell which he bare in the honor of the Princesse Polinarda vnto whom he vowed great affection but bashfulnesse did hinder himm from making it knowne The regardents of the Joust willed him to beliuer his Ladies fauour because it was the order of the fight that he should doe so to whom he answered The fauour of my Lady which as yet I haue found very slender shall be brought on this knight whom I haue hope to conquer and I will deliuer him that small fauour I haue to her Fame and his eternall dishonour The knight of Death replying Many a good Knight had thought so and yet hath béene deceiued and although you bragge you so you may hap to haue as hard a bargaine So without mor words they encountred verie fiercely but Polynard was ouerthrown with his arme gréeuously broken with incensed him with such anger that he would haue bin at his enemie againe but the knight of Death gaue him this perswasion Syr you haue done enough for this time when your arme is in estate you shall haue a fresh combate These spéeches so vexed Polynard that he became so troublesome to them both in talke and behauiour that he would neither yéelde his Armour nor obey the orders that were appointed in the field which caused the Emperor to giue him a great check wherupon he departed giuing great offence to the knight of Death in denying that which was his right and tytle to haue Then dealt he with fiue knights more and vanquished them all sending them into his Tent to the Sepulchre of Louers by which time it drew toward Dinner and the Emperour with the Ladies withdrew themselues and euery one departed till they had refreshed them as nature required When dinner was endes the Emperour went to the stent to sée the knight of Death to whom he gaue no small commendations for the worthy behauior he had séene in him So continuing that after noone in their sport to the foyle of many a good knight among whom was Trusiande and Bellizart that bare company with other knights to the Sepulchre of Louers And when they were ready to leaue of their pastime there suddainly came ryding a very séemely knight whose Armour was beset with gréeue Spheres bearing in his Shéelde likewise a Sphere of the same collour he perceiuing the Emperor with the company of so many braue Ladies came prancing and shewing many trickes with his horse before the knight of Death At last he drew forth a little table with a circle of gold round about it wherein was liue Pictured the faire face of Onistalda Daughter to the Duke of Drapos of Normandie looking stedfastly vpon it began thus to vse his talâ—ke Swéet Mistresse I haue enterprised this iourney vnder the soueraign title of yourâ— singuler beautie not doubting but to vanquish him who as yet hath borne the prize from al. Therefore let not the fauour which was my accustomed reward he denyed me at this time for that your beautie maketh me enter the field which I will maintaine to my desire or sustaine thd death So deliuering the table to the Regardants who were appointed to receiue it they set the Spurres to the horses and met with such puissance together that they were both throwne to the earth when drawing their Swords they charged one another so brauely that this combate bare the commendation aboue all that had béene séene at that Tournament Great desire had the Emperour to know the knight of the Speere but their fierce encountring would not suffer any answer to be made Retiring a little to take breath the knight of Death beheld his Armour all flasht and broken on the faire face of Altea which caused him to fall into these complaints Ah my swéete Altea how can I desire your fauour or make account to enioy your loue suffering your blamelesse face to be thus offended in whose remembraunce I haue and do enioy the honour of all good Fortune On the other side the Knight of the Shpere complayned to his Lady saying How happy might I estéeme my self my good Lady if for the price of my wounds I might enforce my enemie to say you are the onely Goddesse of beauty which either I will do or die ere I depart out of the field But if you with draw your fauour then shall mine enemie be conqueror and I constrained to liue in eternall detriment of my life By this time it waxed very darke because they would not giue ouer the Emperour caused Torches to be lighted which gaue great cause of courage to them both to sée the good will of the Emperour and would not depart the field till one were conquerour At last ioyning themselues together through extreame faintnesse and wearinesse they fel both to the ground but the knight of the Sphere was vnderneath the Ragardaunts giuing the victorie to the knight of Death Then leading the knight into the Tent where he rendred his Armour and his name to the Sepulchre of Louers they knew him to be Berolde the prince of Spaine which when the Emperour heard he sent for him into his Pallace where he was carefully tended vntill his health was perfectly restored yet he was maruellously offended with himselfe that his Lady past without the honour of the day The knight of Death could beare no Armour a great while after for that he had found the puissance of the Prince Berolde of no lesse force then worthy commendations But when he had gained hs good estate of helth he stil maintained his quarell against many strangue knights of whom by his good Fortune he had alwaies the victorie replenishing his Sepulchre of Louers to his owne hearts content And the Emperor Palmerin gaue him such honour in the time he endured his aduentures that he was double encoured to maintaine the beauty of his Lady Altea CHAP. XXIIII How the Knight of Fortune hauing left Pompides chanced to meete with the Green Knight that accompanied the Knight of the Sauage man in the Turnament at Constantinople who was the sonne of Sir Pridos named Don Rosian De la Bronde in whose company the Knight of the Sauage man was nourished in the Court of England who trying their strengths together Don Rosiart was vanquished EEduring the
was well able to beare Armour he desired Orianda to accept that Castle in recompence of the paynes shee had bestowed on him in his weakenesse promising both to her and her Sisters his Hand and Sword when any néede should require the Ladies vsed large thankes vnto him for his so great courtesie desiring him to make knowne his Name vnto them that they might commend his memorie who had bene so good a friend vnto them To which request he thus answered Ladies my name is as yet so little knowne that I am the more vnwilling to shew it to any till I deserue to be estéemed among those whose noblenesse is no lesse then their Name Desiring you to accept of this auswere as now and thinke not that my déedes shall reproue my word but that at any time I will imploy my selfe in your seruice But first I must hazarde my selfe in the Aduentures of great Brittaine wherein so many Noble and famous Knights haue receyued great aduantage which if I may finish or in tryall safely escape you shall knowe the small estimation I will repose of my life to trye the déepest doubtes for such Honourable Ladyes Syr quoth Artinarda if our Prayers may preuaile or our wishes returne to any good effect doubt not but we wil be earnest therein for your prosperous successe in great Brittaine And estéeme your poore handmaides not stretching beyond the boundes of modestie yours so farre as courtesse may and shall commaund After many gentle salutations the knight of the Sauage man departed accompanied with Artisar his Esquire leauing the Ladies in more seuerity then he found them not offering them once iniury or disloyaltie for that hée estéemed the small faults of the noble and famous were worthy as seuere punishment as their hauty déedes of Armes did rightly deserue eternall commendation So in this maner he left them taking shipping with all spéede toward the realme of England CHAP. XXIX How the Emperour walked to comfort the Knight of Death who remained in great heauinesse for his faire Altea who by the perswasion of the Emperour determined to leaue that sorrowfull kinde of life and to imploy himselfe in seeking strange aduentures And how the Damosel Lucenda returned vnto the Court where shee gaue knowledge of the Knight of Fortune which greatly reioyced the Emperour and all the noble Knights of the Court. IT hath béene already declared vnto you the great displeasure which the Emperour tooke for the departure of the knight who bare the honour away vnknowne in the Triumph wherefore now you shall vnderstand how the Emperour remembring the heauie and pensiue estate of the knight of Death went accompanied with his Princes and Lordes to giue him some occasion of comfort which might bee a meane to driue foorth of his memory the continuall mournings he vsed for his faire Altea The Knight of Death being aduertised how the Emperour was comming came to the gate attired in a long blacke gowne agréeable to his sad and ioylesse kinde of life where he receiued the Emperour according to his obedient duetie Then would the Emperour vse to giue him such pleasant spéeches as might constraine him to forget his rufull complaints but he giuing small attendance thereto made answere to his Grace cleane contrary to the no small amazement of his highnesse as also his Courtly attendance who greatly maruailed to sée how vnfortunate desteny had ahe power to bereaue a man both of reason vnderstanding which was amply verified in this sorrowfull prince of Sargignia The Emperor to perswade the extremity of his fits would rehearse diuerse perswasions of his owne knowledge who had béene subiect to the like infirmity and either cut off their time by desperation or continued in a life bemoned of all persons vpon which words he tooke occasion to vse this talke I would sir Floraman not onely coÌ„mend your loyaltie but likewise attribute high honor to your constancy if teares could call the dead to life or the rufull monâ—s recouer your great losse Yet doe I consider with my selfe loue compels you to this and your setled affection hath brought you to an immoderate euill but compare the impossibility with the state and condition of your griefe you shal find the one as needlesse as the other is helplesse and the extreame to be refused when the maine can not be recalled Consider if sorrowe eate into the heart it is not presently to be withdrawne againe if vexation haue woon the chiefest place perswasion may weare her tonge to her téeth ere she can bridle the impatient desire so that if wisdome be not in man to intollerate his griefe it may cost him the dearest him before he haue a quiet life Doe but thus remember your selfe impatience bring sorrow sorrow sickenesse sickenes consumation consumation the miserable Anatomy of himselfe which is at error to his kinred an eye sore to his friends the delight of his enemy and the continuall heart breaking of all that loue him so that the sooner he ends the better he mends On the other side if a man apply himselfe to any exercise as either trauaile for the honour of himselfe fame of his Countrey or spending his time in martiall exploytes or according as his estateis the poore to take paine the rich paine with pleasure the Artificer and such to their handie craft the noble minde the Courtly Gentleman either to the exploytes of the field or such exercise as may auoide idlenesse Then is the eye directed the sence quickened the minde preserued the heart quieted the conscience vnpolluted affection gouerned loue bridled and lust banished the good name perfected vertue established honour well exercised and Fame enternized Sée here the difference betwéene heauen and hell betwéene the contempt in this life and conteâ—t eternall to the Soule which who so séekes shall finde but they that will not are ouer fonde Thinke thus with your selfe Altea is dead though I shrinke her beauty on earth yet is her substance shouelled in the clay though I delight in her Image and Picture yet hath Death made an Anatomie of her fayre person while she liued I loued her being dead I remember her and in her loue I liue for her as the honour I will enterprise shall witnesse and the aduentures I will hazard shall manifest So drowne this dulled desire in remembrance of your knighthood which you enioy for manhood not for mourning to display your worthy deedes and not to play in amorous Dities but one moneths vsing this Medicine trust me will extinguish this mallady When Floraman perceiued she earnest wordes of the Emperour to be both for the honour of his name and noblenes of his life he replyed thus Most gratious Emperour I see chat Goates blood will molifie the Adamant and the little drops of raine pierce into the hard Marble s wisedome reproouing wilfulnesse sheweth him his follie and perswasion piercing into the obstinate doth more by friendship then others can doe with force I confesse
Armour to the aged King Fredericke who caused it to be placed in the House of Ensignes amongst the Armour of many famous Knights THe renowed Knight of Fortune whom through occasion we left to speake of remained so long in the house of the ancient Gentleman his Hoste that his woundes were perfectly healed and his body well able to endure the bearing of Armor When Siluian had prouided him new Armor like his other and a shield with his vsuall deuise of Fortune vpon it he departed which way he thought soonest to finde the Castle of Dramusiande At last arriuing at the foote of a mountaine he espied a little Pauillion wherein were a great many of lighted torches which because the darke night was somewhat entred gaue a very great shewe of light to the place This strange sight moued him to take his way thither as well to sée what it might be as to driue other fancies away that greatly annoyed his mind When he was entred the Pauillion he perceiued two séemely Knights the one lying on a sumptuous Béere more like a dead then a liuing creature the other making great lamentations and pittious bemonings ouer him whom hee presently knowe to be Don Rosiran de la Bronde the Cousin of the aged King of England which made him suppose that the Knight on the Béere was some man of great authority estimation Comming to Don Rosian and saluting him very friendly he presently had knowledge of him that he was the noble Knight of Fortune to whom he began in this manner following Sir I sée that Fortune hath greatly fauoured you in permitting you to sée the dead body of the Knight of the Sauage man to whom you were alway a mortall enemy yet could not bée he that should vanquish him in fight The Knight of Fortune hearing the wordes of Don Rosiran was ouercome with such heauinesse that the teares trickled down his chéekes when he began to frame his answere thus Indéede neuer had I more desire to preuaile against any man then my minde laboured to conqure this hardy Knight whose prowesse is no lesse bruted euery where then his knightly behauiour deserued But now since death so hath cut off this famed Champion whom I laboured to know yet could neuer attaine my wish I will end the enmity that hath bin betwéene vs with so sharpe a reuenge of his vntimely death as were it possible for his ghost to imbrace my friendship himselfe should perceiue his enemy is become as deare a friend to him as euer was any Wherefore of all courtesie shew me the place where he hath receiued this misfortune and I wil die on him that hath bene the death of so good a knight Trust me Sir answered Don Rosiram my arriuall hath bene here so lately that I am ignorant how he happened to this mischance neuerthelesse I was aduertised by one who departed not long before you came that at the Castle of Dramusiande where all the knights remaine that haue bin so long lost he hath sustained this vnfortunate hap yet not without iniuring him and his traine as the memory of this knight shall remaine to him while he liueth albeit Fortune would not suffer him to end the aduenture The knight of Fortune greatly displeased to sée this knight brought into such extremitie began to conceiue better estimation of the aduenture then euer he did before albeit he was greatly abashed that so good a Knight had failed in that enterprise Then began he to behold the Armour that lay there by him being defaced and hacked in so many places which vrged him to commend them that had the strength to vse it so but more the man that had the might to resist such an extreme danger wherevpon he saye I may well perswade my selfe that the hope to end this adventure is altogether lost the Knight béeng dead who had the puissance to finish all other At these words he approched to the Béere to sée if he were cleane depriued of life when lifting vp the shéete of Silke he perceiued his countenance so grim and hardy as it was at the time he entred Cambate with him As he stood wishly beholding this noble Knight his heart began greatly to conceiue an inward ioy and his minde began to muse on a thousand matters But chéefly the lesse of his Brother was his greatest thought whom he suspected this knight to be by diuers markes he knew ie his face for the better assurance whereof he called Siluian willing him to behold the knight and report as his minde serued his answer was comfortable to his Maisters opiâ—ions giuing credite that it was Florian who returned not after he departed with the Lyons Vpon this perswasion the knight of Fortune desired Don Rosiran to certifie him of the name of the Knight of the Sauage man insomuch as it should neither disprofite the one nor the other but that he might resolue him in a matter which caused him to vse great suspition to which words Don Rosiran thus answered Sir Knight in what I may or can satisfie your desire assure your selfe I will do my best As concerning his name neither my selfe nor any other that I know were so happy as at any time to vnderstand it for that he vsed no other name then to call himselfe the Fatherlesse But in times past he hath often declared vnto me that the best friend he had remembrance off was a Sauage man who nourished him a long time and whom he supposed to be his Father but because he could not certainly assure himselfe thereof he termed himselfe as I haue told you The Knight of Fortune whose minde was maruellously reuiued at the words of Don Rosiran perswaded himselfe that the knight of the Sauage man was his Brother Florian for which cause he offered to embrace him as he lay but on a suddaine there entred foure men who lifting vp the Béere vppon their shoulders departed away with it in very great hast The Knight of Fortune endeuouring to follow them they willed him to the contrary giuing him to vnderstand that such good prouision should be vsed to him as if the Diuine bountie would agrée therto his life would be preserued his estate recomforted With this perswasion heâ— returned to Don Rosiran to know which way he intended to trauaile because he had determined himselfe to go séeke the place where this good knight had bene so ill handled and reuenge his cause though it were the losse of his owne life Sir quoth Don Rosiran I meane presently to take my way towards London where I will present the armour of my deare Friend to the king mine Vncle at whose hands he receiued the order of knighthood that it may be reserued in such a place where the remembrance of his déedes done in his life time may eternize the memorie of his infortunate death With this answere the knight of Fortune was very well pleased desiring if he could shewe him the way to the Castle of
can possible craue So riding on with her at length he espyed a goodly Castle and heard a great slashing and bruit of weapons to which noyse the damosell brought him shewed him where ten knights had setled themselues in fight against twaine who defended them with so great pollicy and charged their enemies with such courage of minde that in a little space they had laid fine of them dead on the ground By these knights stood certaine men holding two faire and comely Ladies with whom they would haue entred into the Castle but that these two Knights kept themselues still against the gate so that it was not possible for them any way to enter in Palmerin beholding the Combate very fierce on both sides their blood cruelly wasted their strengths altogether brought into great weakenesse had not stayed long before he perceyued a mighey bigge knight to come forth of the Castle who was very strongly armed and mounted with him ten well appointed men that garded his person and were very diligent about him Aduauncing himselfe to the remainder of those that were left aliue of the ten knights and endured still the Combate with the other twaine verie Maiestically he gaue foorth these wordes Retire you Varlets and let me breake the bones of these Caitifes who haue procured me to high and heauie displeasure When Palmerin saw the two Knightes in very féeble estate so that this fresh resistance were the vtter losse of their liues he stepped to the knight replying in this manner If thou haue either regard of Knighthood or the honourable conditions thou oughtest to vse in any martiall attempt then leaue them whom thou séest are too weake to resist and prouide thy selfe for me who haue enterprised their quarrell The knight offended at these words of Palmerin couched his speare and ran against ech other with such puissance that being not able to resist the encounter they were sent together violently to the earth Then falling to the combate of the Sword the other armed men came in defence of their Lord when by good Fortune the Prince Gracian came and ayded them with such couragious helpe that they foure assayling the knight and his companions in the end preuailed and siue them all outright which caused the other standing by and séeing their Lord and his knights slaine before their faces to run into the Castle and betake themselues to darke Sellers and Vauts onely because they stood in feare of losing their liues Palmerin séeing the field was theirs and no body came to offer any more resistance he went to the Ladyes who were very pale of colour by reason of the great feare they stood in when the cruell Dramaco tooke them seeking to dishonour them and to offer them what villany he could wherefore the Prince in these words began to salute them Faire Ladyes shew me I pray you the occasion why this villanous wretch endeuoured himselfe to your dishonour because I am ignorant how it hath happened yet being certified of your misfortune came to do you the best seruice I might Platir and Floraman when they had knowledge how it was the Prince Palmerin stayed the Ladyes answer comming and imbracing him with great courtesie gaue him harty thanks for his friendly succour Nay trust me answered Palmerin giue your thanks to the Prince Gracian for I had not come vnto you at this time if he had not declared vnto me the heauinesse of your estate Then taking the Ladies by the hang they went into the castle where they found no body but two aged women who sate wringing their hands for the death of Dramaco and séeing them coming in that had slain him all his companions dissembled the greef which remained in their harts submitted themselues fearing lest they should tast of the same cup themselues onely requesting that their liues might be saued which the renowned Palmerin of England did presently grant them Then were they and the Ladies brought into a goodly Chamber where their Esquires bound vp their wounds and made prouision to get them their strength againe but Palmerin desirous to haue more knowledge of the knight which was slaine questioned with one of the old women who was his mother when she presently returned him this answer The Knight whom you to my griefe haue slaine was called Dramaco hée being my sonne and begotten by the valiant Giant Lurcon sometime my husband whom Primaleon slew in Constantinople at such time as he enterprised to reuenge the death of the famous Perrequin of Duras Here haue wée long liued to our owne content vntill froward Fortune conducted you hither what more you are desirous to heare pardon mée for my griefe will not permit me to rehearse it The Prince contented himselfe with this report when departing from her hée went to visit the Ladies to vnderstand of them in what manner their mishaps had chanced CHAP. LV. How the Lady declared to the prince Palmerin in what manner they were brought to this Castle of the hardy Knight Dramaco and how they met with the Prince Gracian who sent Platir and Floraman to rescue the Ladies from thence where Palmerin found them at the Castle labouring still in their aduenturous enterprise DRamaco and his companions being thus happily foyled the knights remayning in the Castle till their wounds were healed Palmerin determined to depart frō thence but first he desired the Ladies to tell him how it happened that they became so oppressed by this cruell Dramaco The eldest of the Ladies perceiuing the earnest desire of the Prince Palmerin satisfied his request in this manner Worthy Sir we are the daughters of a Lady who inhabiteth not farre from this place in her Castle where we liued in such quiet content of life and so well guarded as we supposed from any ensuing danger that we feared no mishap being so well gouerned by our Lady Mother But as none can auoide what the destenies haue ordained but must abide the doome of their appointed fortune so we allowed to this great vnhappinesse haue felt part of the rygour of this cruell tyrant For he being addicted to such a cruell nature that the Noble he rewarded with bloody murther fayre Ladies and Damoselles he defaced of their honour and vsed all alike in his villainous furie he sent tent Knights to the aforesayde Castle of our Mother who finding vs altogether vnprouided of refuge at that time insomuch as our woonted safetie gaue vs small cause of doubt without respect to her teares or our complaints brought vs away by extreame violence By the way as they brought vs we met this Knight meaning the Prince Gracian whom they dismounted from his Horse and because they perceiued him such a comely Knight they saued his life but tooke his Horse and left him on foote to goe whither him pleased thinking scorne to accept the Combate which by sundry meanes he offered vnto them Leauing him there alone they brought vs with them to the Castell when these other
will so taking leaue of the Princesse Florenda and all her noble company he posted apace that way as the Prince Palmerin tooke standing in great feare lest any mischance should happen vnto him CHAP. LXVIII How the Damosell hauing brought Palmerin from the faire Florenda conducted him to the Castle of the Duke of Ronsillion where he enterprised the Combat to redeeme three Ladies whom the Duke kept as prisoners there to put them to death GReat hast made the Lady that conducted Palmerin all the way vsing no words till they came to a litle village in the Dukedom of Ronsillion where she desired the Prince to stay a while and she would go in the village where shée would not stay but returne to him presently In the meane while Palmerin tooke off his Helmet and sat him downe to rest him because he was somewhat weary with trauaile when the Damosell returning and beholding him to be so young and beautifull she despaired with herselfe that he was not able to fulfill her earnest desire for which cause she presently fell into teares Palmerin not knowing the cause of her sorrow desired her that she would expresse it to him whereupon she began to answere him thus Alasse Sir Knight no other cause haue I to lament in this order but that I am the onely infortunate woman in the world who haue trauelled through the whole kingdome of France thinking to find a valiant and renowned Knight but now I perceiue I am greatly deceiued For when I thought to intreat the Princesse Florenda to giue me one of her most strong and hardy Knights I finding you in the company of those who vnhorsed her Lords with great valiancie I had so good an opinion of you that I intreated you to follow me not rehearsing the perillous danger I should bring you too So that now being at the place where you should put your déedes in proofe I finde you so young and of such small force that I am voyde of all hope to haue any good successe Faire Lady answered Palmerin I shall not faile to doe as much as my power will permitte and perhappes cause you to haue a better opinion of me then I see as yet you are willing to vse Therefore I desire you to tell me to what intent you haue caused m◠to trauaile with you and doubt not but I will aduenture my life to doe you seruice in what thing soeuer O Sir quoth she how happy were I if the effect of your deedes would agrée with your wordes for in this Village there remaineth three Ladies Prisoners the Daughters of one of the most noble Lordes in this Countrey who because their Father would not giue them in Mariage to the Duke of Ronsilion and his two Brethren they found the meanes to murther him and these three Ladies they kept here in a Castle to whom they haue graunted the commodity to finde a knight that can preuaile in the Combat and then they shall be restored to their former libertie So that this is the prefixed and appointed day when the Combat must first be tried against Bramerin the chiefe gentleman belonging to the Duke and one of the most renowned knights in all this Countrey If it chance that he be vanquished then must you hazard your self against Cliaster and Alfarin his two kinsmen yet all these being conquere will not returne this victorie for then must you deale with the Duke and his two brethren who are knowen to be such stoute and noble Knightes that no one will conceiue the courage to deale with them Yet must the Ladies this day finde a knight to auenge their quarrell or else the Duke hath sworne they shall loose their heades and to put the Ladies in some hope I went and told them I had brought a knight who would vndertake to deale in their cause which the Duke no sooner hearing but hee began to be greatly offended Surely saide Palmerin I must néedes venture my selfe again those that will take vpon them to vse cruelty to any faire Lady and will alwaies disallow that a King or Prince should suffer any iniury to be vsed to a Lady within his Dominions and in token that my deeds shall agrée with my words I will goe presently to the abiding of the Duke where I will inuay so much against him that his owne wicked will shall worke his ouerthrow The Damosell perceiuing the noble minde of Palmerin and the little doubt he had to deale with his enemy vsed better affectition to him now thē she had before whereupon she broght him to the Castle where the Duke made his abode to sée the ende of this noble enterprise CHAP. LXIX How Palmerin being come to the Castle entred the fight on the behalfe of the three Ladies wherein hee vanquished Bramerin and slew Cliastar Alfarin And how he fought with the Duke and his two brethren against whom hee preuailed and restored the Ladies THe Prince and the Gentlewoman being come to the Castle where where were assembled a great multitude of people to sée the Combate the drawe-Bride was let downe by the Dukes commaundement when Palmerin prepared to enter the Castle but Bramarin being prouided and seeing his enemy before his face came vnto him with these wordes Abide Sir Knight and before you approach any farther you must deale with me but I belieue you haue made such an ill bargaine that when you see your ware you will not bragge of your peny worthes Trust me Sir answered Palmerin how euer it happen I must hold me content but I am of this opinion that to whom the right belongeth to them will returne the best aduantage and therefore I am fully determined to the fight because I feare I shall lacke day-light to finish mine enterprise Syr sayde the Knight you shall not néede to complaine on the lacke of time for I warrant you wee shall ende and that right soone at least wise if so be that I chance to faile you shall deale with such fellowes in the Castle as will be loth to prolong the time with you So giuing scope to their Horses they met with their speares so nobly together that Bramerin was throwne to the ground void of any féeling which Palmerin perceiuing alighted from his Horse and set his Sword to his throate with these words Yéeld Varlet and sweare henceforth neuer to iniury any oppressed Lady or by my Sword thou shalt die the death Bramerin séeing his life to stand in such a ieopardy deferred not to fulfill his desire When Palmerin mounting on Horseback again entred the Castle and in the Court espied Chaster and Alfarin each of them in a very faire gréene Armour thicke beset with Azure flowers who when they beheld Palmeria they ran both at once against him very fiercely but with his Sword hee saluted one of them so soundlie on the head that he made him sure enough for doing any more harme Which his fellow perceiuing came behaued himselfe with very great courage against
because it is dutie to fauour such a Knight as you I am content to giue you mine but mée thinkes seeing your selfe sore hurt you should rest awhile and referre the Iust to one of vs. Albayzar taking the Speare of Palmerin said If Fortune bée so much mine enemy that she suffer me to be brought into this knights subiection you shall haue the better leisure and loue to manifest the prowesse which remaineth in you Then his Esquire seeing his master to want a shield came and presented him the Portrait of the faire Miragarda but Albayzar refusing it said That it was rather made to looke on then to employ it to any vse in fight So preparing himselfe to run at Dramorant who séeing him destitute of a sheeld cast his owne to the ground with these words Albayzar I am very sory to sée thée in this poore estate because the victory I might obtaine in vanquishing thée cannot returne any great honour to me and because thou shalt not thinke me to haue any aduantage of thée I giue thee this priuiledge which neuer yet had any Here ending his talke they fetched their course and met each other with such pusisance that they were both forced to fall to the ground very sore hurt then rising and taking their Swordes they beganne so fierce a Combat that Palmerin did highly commend the valour of Albayzar whom he would gladly haue knowledge of which made him to begin in this manner Truly I make such account of him that detaineth in his puissance the Shield of Miragarda as I verily beléeue Dramusiande who had it in kéeping hath bin vanquishing brought into his subiection which doth vrge me to great maruell seeing I could obtaine very little more at his hands so that were this Knight so well disposed as I I would hazard my selfe against him to bring the shield to the place from whence he hath brought it Credite me said Florian I can hardly beleeue that Dramusiande is as yet vanquished albeit the déeds of this Knight may mooue vs to thinke it wherefore let him first finish his combat and then we may be resolued out of this doubt Albayzar Dramorant stroue so long together that Palmerin would haue parted them but his labour was in vaine for Albayzar would by no meanes giue ouer till hée had discharged Dramorant of his vitall breath When himselfe being at the point ready to faint with his long trauaile as also the losse of his blood Palmerin Horian and the Lady came and sustained him leading him into the Castle where they were better receiued then they looked for and had good leisure to attend the wounds of Albayzar which were very many as also verie dangerous CHAP. LXXVI How Florian and Albazar made defiance each to other and appointed to end their strife in the Court of the Emperour Palmerin BEcause you shall vnderstand more of Dramorant the Cruel the Historie declareth how Eutropa the aunt of the Giant Dramusiande had a Brother who was named Dramorant one of the stoutest Giants that in his time liued He being in his flourishing yéeres became amorous of a faire Damosell the daughter of a wise and discreete Gentlewoman who would not giue her consent to the marriage wherefore he tooke her away perforce and had a Son by her named Dramorant whose hauty and valiant déeds in time obtained the name of Cruell It chanced the mother died in her trauell which strooke so déepe to the hart of the Giant seeing her dead by whose loue his life was maintained that he through extreame griefe dyed shortly after wherfore the child was kept by his grandmother vntill such time as he grew in yeares and strength more then in decent and vertuous manners for his whole endeuour was to kill the innocent rauish and spoile fayre Ladies with his continuall inclination to all desperate and cruell attempts so that he was feared of the Countrey round about him vntil such time as Albayzar came and preuailed against him as you haue heard before Palmerin Florian and Pompides keeping him company in the Castle vntill he had attained a better disposition Florian desired him to report how he had gotten the shield of Miragarda For quoth he I know not wel what to thinke because he that kept it is well knowne to be one of the best Knights that euer professed armes Sir said Albayzar I haue woon the shield by Prowesse and worthinesse and haue vanquished him that vndertooke to kéepe it Moreouer I haue vowed not onely to present it my Lady Targiana whose Knight and obedient seruant I am till death but also to shew it in all Princes Courts in the world to manifest to all Knights who dare auouch the contrary that my Lady Targiana is the most faire and noble Princesse liuing And in this opinion I will first goe to the Court af the Emperour Palmerin to make proofe of that which I haue here professed Florian hearing his spéeches so proude and arrogant greatly enuied thereat and returned this answere I am of the opinion Sir that this enterprise will returne you small aduantage for you shall finde in his Court Ladies to whose beautie your Targiana will séeme altogether counterfeyte But that which is more you shall finde so many Knights to enter this challenge that I doubt you shall receiue more shame by this ridiculous intent then either fame or praise can any way beare you company Albayzar in a great anger staied Florian with these termes Sir knight you sée wel in what estate I am at this present but if you dare take the paines to come to the Emperous Court whither I intend to goe so soone as I may possible I will cause you to know how farre the beautie of my Targiana doeth surmount any Lady that you can name if so be you dare enter the Combate with me and hereon I giue you my hand that I wil not faile to be there as soone as you if so be I may possible wher our déedes shall witnesse the worthinesse of the cause that we maintaine The thrée Princes vpon this departed presently leauing Albayzar to whom we will returne when occasion shall serue but they endeauoured themselues so well in trauaile that they arriued in the kingdom of Hungaria being glad they had attained so néere to Constantinople But Palmerin remained in his former doubts as concerning the commaund of his Lady and Mistresse but Siluian the onely Phisition of these extreame Passions gouerned his maisters cogitations excéeding well Neuerthelesse his two Brethren perceiued somewhat yet they durst not intrude themselues in the matter but rid on till they came to a place where they would take shipping to passe into Greece And while the Mariners were prouiding for their departure the Princes delighted to walke along in a faire plaine where they had not long staied but they espied a Coach couered all with blacke and thrée Esquires that droue it making very dolefull and grieuous lamentations Vpon this mourneful spectacle Florian
as I will aduenture my life for him I beléeue wel answered the Prince that you will not spare any aduice which may in any thing profite my Brother and therefore I am determined to follow your counsell wherevpon they rid away very spéedily vntill they came where two sundry wayes caused them to part from one another when they ceased not to trauell earnestly for that the losse of the Prince Florian was so grieuous to them CHAP. XIII Of that which happened to the knight of the Tiger following the search of the Prince Florian of the Forrest his brother PAlmerin and the Sage Aliart hauing taken their farewell one of another rode on which way Fortune conducted them the Prince himselfe trauailed all that night for the desire he had to helpe his brother would not suffer him to take any rest but this horse began to waxt very strackt and féeble by reason of his excéeding great labour so that the Prince was constrained to vse this spéech to Siluian Thou séest well my trusty friend and seruant that Fortune hath set her selfe directly against me yet if I should giue ouer my present enterprise I should blemish my credite with perpetuall infamie therefore I intend to take the horse whereon thou ridest and send thée away with mine for that he is not able to hold out long vnto the néerest Port of the Sea thou canst finde where thou maist take shipping to the Profound Isle which in times past belonged to the giant Brauorant who was the Father to the Giant Calfurnien and there will I not faile to send and aduertise thée of the whole estate of my iourney if the time do not afford me contrary successe But if my trauaile fall out so vnfortunate as my newes shall séeme gréeuous and irkesome to thée then I desire thee to goe to Constantinople and giue my Lady and Mistresse Polinarda to vnderstand that I cannot make any account of my selfe loosing the lampe and loadstone of my life for in that I am depriued of the same I must néeds knit vp and conclude my trauailes Moreouer thou shalt assure her that the sum of my felicitie consisteth in no other thing then in the remembraunce of her gatious selfe and contentment I did alwaies receiue in thinking how long I haue liued in languishing for her loue which was so déepely imprinted in my soule as I was able to put to flight all those feares which the earnestnes of my desire with the compasse of the time did present vnto me But now that death hath depriued me of the meane whereby my life was alwayes sustained I haue no other remedie whereby to comfort my afflicted heart but onely the contentment I receiue in my passions hauing in remembrance that swéete she for whose sake I liue to suffer And if it come so to passe as the hurtfull Plannets be displaced and I remembred in the acceptable opinion of my Lady I shall commit to forgetfulnesse all the angry stormes which hitherto hath euen weather beaten my fainting spirit and giuen course to a thousand calamities to fall vpon me for I assure thée that no accident whatsoeuer can haue power to endamage me so long as my very souleis set at worke to contemplate the rare singularities wherewith her diuine spirit is associated Then if these spirits are resecued to ioyne together in familiaritie mine shall not a little triumph being thought wrâ—thy to offer seruice to her whom who so taketh occasion to behold shall finde his wits superficially metamorphised But it is so that attending this long expected honour of felicitie I know not how it can be possible for me to liue being absent from her heauenly presence For when I remember how in times past I haue often vsed to behold her delicate Face now being fo farre from that happy meane my griefe encreaseth so aboundantly as me thinkes Death did me a good pleasuce if he would bring me forth of the Laborinth of my restlesse desires Therefore I desire thee Siluian to present her my vnspotted faith and assure her of my firme and stedfast loyaltie which considered in truth will moone her to pittie my ceaselesse trauailes which for none aliue but onely her I endure yea and endure it with such extreamitie as is beyond the iudgement of any to perceiue And because the danger is so doubtful which I now haue enterprised as neither haue I any assurance to trust vnto or hope to returne from such a troublesome aduenture I desire thée to be as faithfull a seruant to my Lady as thou hast bene to him that loued her so déerely for in so doing thou mayst happen vpon a more honourable recompence then either I or my vttermost power can giue thée which comming so to passe will not a little content me in that he which hath proued so loyall and iust of faith ought not to be respected with such an vncertaine reward as to be left the inheritour of my teaâ—es and torments in satisfaction of so honest and trustie seruice And I cannot thinke but when my Lady Polinarda shall consider the honorable obeysance wherewith I haue dayly and hourely regarded her and thy vnfained seruice to him who hath thought so well on her she will shew her selfe gratious and respectiue to thée as well to witnesse her owne princely nature as also in remembring thy vertuous and loyall deserts But if thy angry Starres do so much repine at thy happy welfare as she seemeth daintie in the knowledge of thée good Siluian let it not séeme strange to thee in that thou bearest a part with thy Maister in misfortune for she neuer fauouring me must of necessitie frowne on théeâ— and this vnkind dealing may mooue thee thus to iudge that she is wedded in affection to some other who must ioyne that happy content which I deserued to haue by my vnhappy trauailes Thus breaking off his dolorous complaints he remained so gréeuously afflicted in his spirit as the teares which aboundantly trickled downe his chéekes rendered a certaine testimony of his troubled heart which he being willing to dissemble lest Siluian should perceiue it he gaue his horse the spurs and without any more words departed thence leauing Siluian so mightily ouercome with heauinesse as he was constrained to the earth but when he had somewhat pacified himselfe he mounted on his Maisters horse which he doubted would not bring him to the Profound Isle because he had bene so sore trauailed already by his Lord and Maister This good Esquire riding on very sad and pensiuely at last spyed two Knights whom he knew by their deuices in their Shéelds and their Armor to be the Princes Berold and Platir to them he called and desired that it might please them to stay a little whereupon the Knight who knew him presently staied being abashed to sée him so badly horsed but when they perceiued the teares run downe his chéekes then they began to doubt some further harme which made them demand of him for his
Alfernao you haue brought my déere Friend and Nephew into the greatest danger that euer could happeÌ„ to him and albeit I haue good reason to the contrarie yet not for thine owne deserts I pardon thée but for bringing me so good tydings of him whome the Heauens would not suffer to fall into the hands of the cruell Collambra but trust mee Alfernao your dealing shall remaine to me for a sufficient example how I giue credit hereafter either to teares or faire spéeches especially comming from such a one as you séeme to be As for Arlencea I estéeme maruellous well of her courteous dealings towards my Nephew and if it fortune that she come into my Court I witnesse my good will to requite her honest and vertuous deserts in the meane time you may goe to your Chamber and rest your selfe and if you please to stay the comming of my Nephew and Arlencea you shall beare record of their entertainment in hope of which I remit all that is past I would gladly answered Alfernao go where the Empresse is that the feare which shee hath conceyued by the Knight of the Sauadge-maÌ„s Esquire may be perswaded in hearing the truth While he was thus speaking the Empresse accompanied with her Ladyes came to the Emperours presence whereof he was very glad which made him beginne thus Madame I perceiue that the desire you haue to vnderstand what is become of my Nephew Florian hath caused you to come so suddenly hither which hath saued this man a labour for that he was comming to you The Empresse and their Ladyes being all in their accustomed places he commanded the Nigromancer Alfernao to expresse againe vnto the Empresse his former discourse that shee might likewise be acquainted with his deceytfull treason but the report displeased her very much as also all her Ladyes and Gentle-women raysing such a hatred in themselues against Alfernao as they desired the Emperour they might departe the place The Prince Primaleon séeing the great choller of the Ladies began very pleasantly to smile at them all the Princes in the Hall likewise bearing him company and in the meanetime this laughter lasted they heard a great noyse without in the Pallace diuers running to know the occasion they beheld Albanis the Esquire to the Prince Berolde of Spain to come leading by the hand the Giantesse Collambra the sight of whom made the people to flocke on heaps excéedingly and such wondring as all the Pallace sounded with the Eccho of their noyse Albanis entred the great hall holding Collambra by the hand her face being so fearefull as moued the Emperour to start suddenly Alfarnao had no sooner espyed her but his heart came in a manner dead neuerthelesse he couered his gréefe so cunningly as he could and hauing embraced her began in this manner Madame it should appeare that the same misfortune which hath brought me hither hath had the like authority ouer you wherefore I desire you to take all patiently and commit our vnhappines to Fortunes vnstedinesse When the cruell Collambra who had all this while eyed the Emperor heard the words of Alfernao she began to cry aloud suspecting that she was betrayed as though with her voyce she would haue shaken the Hall in péeces and after she had wept bitterly a pretty space she spake as followeth O Alfernao I sée at this instant thy monstrous and disloyall dealing in that thou hast forgotten the good and kind affection which my husband Brauorant in his life time did alwaies beare thee in that thou hast deliuered me into their hands to whom thou hast also betrayed my daughter thou hauing vsed the matter so as I shall neuer sée her againe Madame said Alfernao I know well the doubt you make of my loyalty and I sée I must be constrained to satisfie you by rehearsing my manifold and extreame mifortunes as well to qualifie your anger towardes me as to cause you sée how equall our vnhappinesse is in that one vnhappy Planet hath stroken vs both Then he began to rip vp the whole circumstance of that which had happened since his departure from her and at the end of his discourse he gaue her to vnderstand that Arlencea her daughter willed her to forget the death of her children and the enuie shee bare to him that had killed them which if she did not agrée vnto she should be in daunger neuer to sée her againe Collambra returned him this answere Credite me Alfernao I am not so much offended at my present misfortune as at these thy wordes wherefore to knitte vp the matter I giue thée this assurance that I die in thinking Arlencea my daughter is so forgetfull of her selfe as to endure the courtesie of him that hath murthered her brethren and the death of them is the more yrkesome vnto me in that she honoreth him who hath so much dishonored me With these words she cast her selfe downe on the ground so furiously as if was a good whiâ—â—â— she would vse any more talke so during yâ— time she was in this rage Albanis the Prince Beroldes Esquire aduanced himselfe to make knowne to the Emperour his message not forgetting to declare the whole circumstance of that which happened in the Perillous Isle both how Palmerin had slaine the Giant Espouuantable and how his thrée Couzins were depriued of their liues by the prowesse of his Lord Berolde Platir and the Sage Aliart These newes did greatly satisfie the Prince Primaleon and Gridonia then further proeeding in rehearsing the dangers which mooued them all to great admiration Vpon this Alfernao declared how the people of the Profound Isle had chosen the Knight of the Sauage man for their head and Gouernour and because he was absent Palmerin had placed Argentao to rule the Isle More quoth hee the Knightes haue left this Island and are gone into the Perillous Isle where they are determined to soiourne for a while and then afterward they will come hither vnto your highnesse Court to this the Emperour answered thus I perceiue that the most noble and knightly aduentures are reserued for my Nephew Palmerin of whose welfare I doubt if he be depriued of the company of the Sage Aliart therefore I would both he and the Prince Florian were here together for that I promise you I doe euen long for their company Then breaking from the maâ—ter he desired Alfernao to tell him if the Prince Florian did intend to tarry long in the Realme of Spaine My gratious Lord answered Alfernao he is not determined as yet to returne vnto your Court before hée haue first showne to Aâ—lencea the Castell of Almaroll These words were not welcome to Leonarda the Princes of Thrace shée hauing already giuen entertainment to the Prince Florian in the chiefest place of her heart for she doubted least the sight of the Princesse Miragarda would quite extinguish the remembrance of her but when shée thought that the Knight of the Sauage man would enter Combate against him that kept the Shield of
answered the knight of the Tiger you should haue had my helpe in taking his life from him if you had told me at the first what great wrong he had done you for the very earth will open to swallow those that intend or practise any treason against their Prince yea and the Prince himselfe cannot be frée from such secret conspirators when fauour shall stand in stéede of Iustice to such wicked offendors wherefore if they be sharpely punished the rest will be the better warned by their tranâ—gression And I assure you Madame you haue done as well beséemed a vertuous Princesse in cutting off that branch when fortune made the instrument of your vnhappinesse beside the duetie wherein you are bound to the knight your father did command you should sée so good a déede executed Now therefore let me humbly intreate you that you would kéepe your promise to Sir Pompides who is my Brother the nephew to king Frederick of England and sonne to the prince Don Edward who is father to him and me and friend to you I sée well sayde Armisia that I haue wrought the contentment of the Knight my father and taken vengeance for the death of the Prince Doriel my brother by the prowesse of him whose presence is no small honour to me neuerthelesse I may thinke my selfe little beholding to him in that he hath concealed himselfe so long from me who would haue allowed him more honourable entertainment And I pray you Sir let it not offeÌ„d you that I desire to know whether yon be the prince Palmerin or Florian of the Forrest his Brother not that I am affectioned more to the one then the other but because I would know which of them Fortune hath made me so happy to sée the Prince returned her this answer Florian of the Forrest Madame is so farre off this place as very hardly can one tell where to meete with him wherefore you may perswade your selfe that I am Palmerin whom if you please you may command as your seruant The Princesse Armisia embraced him very gratiously reioycing that she might any way accomplish the meanes to honour him because the king Meliadus her father was brother to the Quéene of England the Prince Don Edwards mother The death of the proude Adraspe was reported the same day in the king of Scots Court which was but foure leagues from this place and the name of the Knight that had slaine him whereupon the king vpon the next meaning tooke his Coatch and being accompanied with many worthy knights he came to sée the Prince Palmerin of England and hauing giuen him many gratious salutations he tooke Pompides by the hand promising to make as good estimation of him as he did of the Prince his sonne while he liued While the aged king sate familiarly talking with Armisia his Daughter the Archbishop of Esbreque arriued there by whom Pompides and Armisia were presently married together and then departing thence they went very strongly to seeke to the Duke of Sizana Father to the proud Adraspe whom the king vowed to put to death or kéepe him prisoner but he reckoned without his Hoste for the Duke being aduertised of his intent fled iâ—to Ireland whereupon his goods and liuing fell into the Kings handes They in England hauing knowledge of Pompides marriage made Triumphs and Bonfires for the good fortune that had happened to Pompides who was very well beloued of euery one as well for being the Sonne of the Prince Don Edward as for his vertuous bounty and knightly courage CHAP. XXXII How the knight of the Tiger tooke his leaue of Meliadus the king of Scots and of the Princesse Armisia his Daughter and what happened vnto him during his voyage WHen the Nuptials of Pompides were solomnized to the great contentment of the King of Scots and his whole Realme the Knight of the Tiger tooke his leaue of the King and the Princesse Armisia accompanied with his brother Pompides to whom before he was embarqued he gaue to vnderstand the charge wherein all Princes were bound that receiued royall dignitie desiring him very earnestly since fortune had brought him to so great felicitie that he would vse himselfe modestly and wisely because Fortune was so vncertaine in her selfe that sometime she put those persons in greatest feare whom she had placed in most assurance whereby she letteth them vnderstand that she can quickly dispossesse them of their happinesse at such time as they little looke for any such alteration But to the end you may enioy your dignitie with most assurance I counsell you to entertaine your subiects with amitie administring Iustice rightly vnto them which let bee done with so good zeale as it be not conuerted in rigour and cruelty whereby you shall cause them to say that their Gouernor is become tyrannous and vnmercifull to them My Lord answered Pompides your wordes sauouring of so good iudgement as they are worthy of most high commendation I cannot but thinke my selfe much bound to you for this your noble and friendly counsell assuring you that I will lodge them faithfully in my heart and accomplish them according to your gracious commaundement for in doing otherwise I shall iudge my selfe vnworthy to be named your Brother After many such like spéeches had past betwéene them they imbraced one another Pompides returning to the Citie and Palmerin entring the Shippe caused the sayles to be hoysed when the winde seruing them so well as after they had spent such time as is méete for so great a iourney the Prince tooke landing in Hungaria When he had past through diuerse places of the Countrey it was his chaunce to arriue in a goodly Forrest where at length he came to a very faire Fountaine which was couered with an Arke of maruellous ingenious workemanship and because the weather was excéeding hot he alighted to refresh himselfe at this Fountaine In the meane while Siluian suffered the horses to grase in the pasture and when the Prince had washed his hands and his face he espyed a little from him downe further in the Forrest a Damosel running very spéedily with her haire hanging about her shoulders and tearing her faire visage with her nailes crying and wéeping out of measure at last she espyed the Knight of the Tiger to whom she came running a great pace and casting her selfe at his féete she remained fearefully looking about her a good while hauing not the power to speake one word The Knight of the Tiger séeing her perplexed case began to pittie her very much and doubted lest he that had feared her would make pursuite after her he called for his Helmet which he had no sooner clasped on his head but he beheld comming the way that the Damosell came a giant very strongly armed carying in his hand a huge Mace who séeing the Damosell had demaunded succour of the Knight of the Tiger spake vnto her in this manner Trust me Damosell you betake your selfe to very simple assurance in that this knight wanteth
happened to the strange Knight the second day he guarded the passage of the Valley VNtill it was two houres after mid-day the strange Knight kept within his Tent not hauing any occasion to arme himself which the Ladies perceiuing they were desirous to be gone Mansia aduansing her selfe as chiefest of them setting foorth her countenance to the vttermost and because that day was ordained for her honour shee behaued her selfe most brauely in the presence of the other Ladies The strange Knight knew well the intent of Mansia how glad she was to see the triall of her beautie that day wherevpon he framed his language to her in this manner I would willingly Madame discerne some kinde of imperfection in your Courtly brauery that thereby you might receiue occasion to respect somewhat with pittie the man that is extreamely afflicted in thinking how he may compasse the meanes to win you◠good opinion for you being adorned with such rare and exquisite beautie doe euen lengthen their liues who take pleasure to behold you But I good Madame cannot be so happy as to be one of those in that I am he to whom you take delight to conceale your selfe but this day I desire you to prepare your selfe as gallant as may be for your beauty may happen to winne the estimation aboue all these other Ladyes because it is vnknowne what knights will come These words of the strange Knight did not so well please Mansia as he iudged they would haue done for she tooke them very disdainfully and gaue the knight to vnderstand that she was not reserued for him Latrania séeing him so earnest in contemplating the beautie of Mansia spake vnto him in this manner I see well Sir that the regard you haue of Mansia causeth you to be forgetfull of all the rest Not so Lady aunswered the straunge knight and if you will doe me the honour to heare me speake you shall soone perceiue you are in a wrong opinion You will not gainesay sayd Latrania but her beautie is honoured as your owne this day If the day quoth he whereon I lost my libertie both for her and you were as yet to come you should haue some reason for to conceiue this opinion But if you be desirous to know the state wherein Loue hath bound his Subiects to his Law the Knight of the Sphere whom I perceiue is comming hitherward will satisfie you therein and you may demaund if as yet he containeth the same minde wherewith he presented himselfe to doe you seruice While the strange knight vsed these and such other like spéeches to Latrania the Knight of the Sphere lifting vppe his Helmet came to the Tents and saluted the Ladies very gratiously and as he stood earnestly beholding Latrania the Ladyes perceiuing thrée Knights comming towards them being all armed after one manner as if they were all thrée the Seruants of Mansia the first of them was an English man called Brauor the second Alter of Amiens and the third Gualter of Amboise they being all thrée of the King Arnedes Court And because they had not the meane to make triall of their valour in the Forrest against the strange knight when he behaued himselfe so brauely in the Kings presence they concluded this day to hazard their renowne which was the last day the strange knight enterprised to shewe his puissance for the honour of their Mistresse These three knights being come before their sweéte Saint and Lady were in a manner depriued of their wits her beautie was of such stately preferment in their eyes which the Knight of the Sphere beholding and noting well their amorous passiens he spake to Mansia in this manner You cannot deny faire madame but you are more beholding to this strange Knight which hath kept you company for certaine dayes then to these knights which are come to seeke you for that in my iudgement they rather seeme to yeeld themselues conquered by your present sight then any desire I can perceiue in them to the Combat but it may be your braue apparel hath more dazeled their eyes then your singular beautie which is of sufficiency to set the whole world to worke Sir answered Brauor if you are so busie to descant on our meanings and that you will seeme to iudge of our inward thoughts prepare your selfe to the Ioust and I will not fayle to giue due chastisement to your lauish spéeches Trust me Sir answered the the Knight of the Sphere I am content to satisfie your desire on condition this knight shall thinke it so conuenient I pray you Sir said the strange Knight that you would not seeme to hinder me in my enterprise which being once atchieued you may afterwards make triall of this knights courage which to lay I iudge you shall not neede to trauaile your selfe much I perceiue answered Brauor what the intent of your speeches is neuerthelesse I hope the gallant brauerie wherein I haue this day beheld my Mistresse Mansia will not onely graunt me the conquest ouer you but also be sufficient for me to correct the pride of this other Knight I perceiue now verie well saide the straunge knight that your affection was onely vpon her gay cloathing but mine is on her swéete self that weareth them then casting his eyes vpon Mansia he entred in to these speeches Faire Madame since the honour of this Day is dedicated to your praise I desire you to allow mee so much fauour as to beholde the entertainement of this new-come Ghost for I feare me my blowes will yéeld him greater Disaduantage then hee receyued content in beholding your Beautie Vppon this they ranne together couragiously and Brauor brake his Launce worthly but the strange Knight encountred him with such force as hee pierced him quite through the bodie so that he fell beside his Horse to the ground dead his companinions being as greatly abashed as the Ladies did take it heauily seeing the misfortune of Brauor whose bodie was carryed to the Monastery to be buryed Alter of Amiens and Gualter of Amboyse notwithstanding the death of their Friend and companion determined to hazard their honour in this Aduenture but Gualter of Amboyse was the first that presented himselfe to Ioust vsing this Language towards his Ladie I desire you heartily good Madame that you would not suffer him to dye at a strangers hand who onely liueth to doe you seruice but so well I desire you to thinke of mée as in the extreamest occasion you will not forsake mee These words vttered by Gualter of Amboyse were spoken after such manner as the Knight of the Sphere easily vnderstood them wherevpon he spake to Madame Latrania in this manner This Knight in my iudgement faire Mistris is vnwoorthy the Loue of any gracious Lady that disdaineth of his enterprise before he begin it While hee stoode thus communing with his Ladie the two Knights encountred together but Gualter of Amboyse was cast foorth of his Saddle béeing vnable to mooue the Straunge Knight hée hauing broken his