defended his face with one of the weapons with a maine stroke he cut one of the Rapiers through the midst and so it fell out of his hand to the ground so y e the Satyre beeing now very fearefull of his face and not daring to fight any longer with one weapon turned his back and fled Soone after he returned in a contrary shape séeming a very strange deformed Giant with a huge broade hande which serued him as a Sworde and a mightie Club in the other both seeming incorporate as growing naturally out of his body Hee was all naked which Primaleon shamed very much to behold and thought it small manhood in him if he should fight with him vpon this aduantage and therfore made offer of disarming himselfe to the end hee might not be disparaged by any inequalitie but the Lady standing in a window aboue to behold the fights successe aduised him to the contrary The Giant seemed thereat to be very wroth and angry albeit he seemed naked yet was his flesh so hard and impenetrable as the Knights Sword rebounded still backe againe as if it had falne on Armour or stéele but Primaleon héedfull of the Giants defence still noted that hee best garded the right side of his face For more then halfe an howre the fight endured and the Knight had so well awarded the strokes of his enemie as hee felt very little endamagement by them wherefore giuing a suddaine thrust very néere his right eye the Giant séemed so amazed thereat that Primaleon aduantageously running vppon him forcibly wrested the Club quite from him then had he nothing but his broade hand left to make resistance withall which hee likewise striking at with the Club thought he had smit it quite off when finding himselfe deceaued hee gaue a snatch at it with his Gauntlet and pulling it strongly frō the body founde that he had it fast in his hand Now the Giant hauing nothing to defend himselfe withall turnd and fled againe stayed not so long as one would goe twentie paces but he heard a doore suddainly rush open and sawe a Collomne therein with an Idoll vppon it holding a labell with this inscription Except thou cast mee downe thou art but dead Presently came foorth a huge beast like an Elephant but farre more agill and nimble in shew with ten swords by his sides which were helde directly out by certaine hands turning and winding euery way with meruailous facilitie as if they had naturall vse and motion and the beasts body had certaine bones resembling scales fashioned after the manner of an Armour This beast went diuers times about the Piller appearing to be the Gardian thereof handled the swords euery way with such admirable dexteritie as Primaleon could not deuise where best to offend him but remembring his right eye was the place of certaintie as hee made his ayme thereat hee foorth-with sawe two swords suddainly shoote out of his fore-head and two other out of his temples on each side hauing like agilitie and motion as the other swords had Notwithstanding all this commending himselfe to God couragiously he went and assailed the Monster and it was his good hap that at the very first stroke hee smote off two swords of those which were vpon y e beasts side which gaue him some hope of victory in the end But yet it stoode him on to be very heedfull otherwise by those swordes his death was threatned for should he haue stept betwéene the Collomne and the beast both those starting vp and the other making directly at him it had béene impossible for him to haue escaped with life therefore euer as he came neere the Piller he felt himselfe thrust backe hee knewe not by whom and when he made at the beast then all the swords were opposed against him so that at one instant hée was brought to such distresse that he thought the huge Monster would haue falne vpon him and so haue nailde him to the earth with the swords which to auoyde and loth to be so violently murdred by vertue of his generous and vnconquerable spirit hee threw himselfe at one leape vppon the necke of the beast and was so suddenly prepared withall that with a slicing blow hee cut off the swordes that serued as a defence to his temples and to his right eye Now began cheerefull comfort to seaze vpon his soule which made him send stab after stab directly to y e part but the beast nothing oppressed with his burden turnd the left side of his head with mad furie toward him and there hée saw two other swords newly started foorth which put the Knight to worse perrill then the other before had doone nay more the beast began nowe to take the aduantage of his backe so that Primaleon was enforced to get away frō him least with his fall vppon him hee should be prest to death yet forgot he not still to ayme at his eye which the beast well perceiuing vsed the more circumspection Notwithstanding hauing but thrée swords now left to make resistance withall he got néere to the Piller and setting his head close to it put out his hinderpart to be his defence whereon Primaleon layd innumerable strokes but all to no purpose which when hee plainly perceiued and that he might hold on so God knowes how long yet reape no benefite by all his endeuour he purposed now to hazard life or winne the victorie and taking another leape cast himselfe vpon the right shoulder of the beast as hee made an offer to fall that way on the ground to the end he might so get the Knight vnder him he hapt to turne his head toward him which opportunitie not neglecting as being the especiall occasion he had so long striuen for he stabt him in the right eye and the huge beast staggering forward and backward had falne with the Knight vnder him but that he gaue a sudden leape toward the Piller and ran against it so mainely with recouering of himselfe as hee fell quite ouer backward where lying in some little quandarie for a prettie while had not the beast béene manfully dispatched before his life had perrished at that instant But comming to himselfe againe hee went to the Piller with intent to hewe it downe in peece but the Ladie cryed to him that hee should forbeare because the Piller was to be kept whole and sound onely hee should bring it into the Pallace and set it on a goodly base where a thousand before it had béene set by a King of that Iland who was a meruailous skilfull Nigromancer then would ensue out of the place a furious mad dog whose nailes would pierce his Armour as easily as woode and if ouer him hee could get the victory then the aduenture was fully accomplished The Knight without more adoo went straite to the Piller and taking it vpon his shoulder it séemed as if hee had béene loden with a Mountaine notwithstanding to perfect the glorie of so great an enterprise
a victory sufficient But arising the next morning very richly decked she went to awake the Knight who being glad he had no further that night béene tempted by the Lady arose with intent to depart thence that hee might no more be assailed the next night following But he found his hope fore-stalled for as he issued foorth of his chamber Targianaes Letter with the Ring came flying into his hand the vertue whereof was such that suddainly he felt himselfe enamoured on her that wrote it So being further pressed on by force of the enchauntment he went to the Stable where mounting on horse-backe he departed without taking leaue of Dorina who had no power to hinder him by reason Drusa Velonaes Art was of such perfection as no other Magitian how skilfull so euer could withstand it CHAP. X. VVhat Florian did after his departure from Dorina FLorian when he was gotten about a stones cast from the Castle opened the Letter and began to reade it the tenour thereof béeing thus Targianaes Letter to Prince Florian of the Desert IF sincere loue by gentlenes onely occasioned may neuer be al togeher quite forgotten then I perswade my selfe albeit you are in effect fully estraunged from me yet some little sparke of loue may be remayning that will be your conductour to my abiding if the same be not vtterly quenched in your heart By this perswasion I am mooued to sollicite you with an honourable enterprize which is to free mee from the hands of Ristorano my Cosen who holds me as prisoner within mine own Kingdom Take pitty then on Targiana who heere-to-fore hath been not ingratefull to you by these meanes win to your selfe eternall glory The way how to deliuer me you shall vnderstand when you come into Turkie to the Citty of Tubante where I will take knowledge of ye from a windowe if you weare a greene plume in your helmet pointed with gold whereof you shall finde very many in this Citty Desolate Targiana The Letter which of it selfe was enough to wound a firmer heart then Florian had with the strong enchauntment thereto applied so wrought with the Prince that forgetting altogether his late Leonarda he became enflamed beyond reason toward Targiana remembring her manifold curtesies vsed to him when beeing prisoner he combated with Arduramet Setting forward on his way hee might heare behind him many dolorous exclamations to wit of Dorina who séeing her selfe thus forsaken hopelesse of recouering him againe fell into such fury that taking a knife shee would haue slaine her selfe there-with and being some-what wounded she was espied and stayed by her Damosells who altogether railed on the discourteous Knight But he making no reckoning thereof got to the Sea-side where finding a Shippe of Turkie which by fortune had made stay a while by this desolate Wildernes he speaking Turkish very readily was by them receaued into the Ship imagining him verily to be a Turke With this Shippe went Florian for Turkie making them beléeue that he had béene at Albayzars warres the successe whereof he rehearsed so perticulerly as euery one delighted much to heare him Thus sayling with a prosperous winde at length they reached the Citty of Turbante where Targiana remained imprisoned Nowe was Ristorano gone against certaine Barrons of y e Kingdom who disdaining his Regiment raised warre vpon him knowing withall that Targiana was enthralled within the Castle and now was likewise come thither with a great power Sucusano brother to y e Armenian Princesse and to the Soldane of Persia that died at Constantinople By meanes héereof Florian might the more fréely shew himselfe before the Castle and bearing his appointed notice of the gréene plume hée was knowne by Targiana who not a little glad of his arriuall deuised how she might get him lodged néere the Castle so to expect the houre when he best might frée her CHAP. XI How Ristorano returning to Turbante prouided good guardance for Targiana deliuering the Armenian Princesse to Sucusano and what Florian did for Targiana RIstorano beeing aduertised that Sucusano with a mighty Army of Persians was entred Turkie to recouer the Armenian Princesse returned in hast to Tubante where séeking to pacifie the people who knew Targiana to bee there imprisoned hee sent word to the Persian that he shold haue the Lady without further contradiction prouided he would passe on no further so causing her to be brought from the Castle with a very small traine he sent her to her brother because hee else suspected nothing But Florian whose thoughts were busied howe to deliuer Targiana perceiuing that Ristorano fearing she should be recouered by the people had manned her with a very strong guard when hee heard the Armenian Princesse was sent to Sucusano intended an enterprise ouer-venturous indeede but that hee was still fauourablie protected by Dorina who in so many perrils gaue him help And this was his determination to take y e Princesse forcibly from them that conducted her to Sucusano so to procure warre betwéene the Turkes and Persians when restoring her againe to them his owne turne beeing serued it must needes sort to eyther of their contentments Making thys knowne to Targiana who not imagining what to hope of this doubtfull enterprise remained betweene ioy feare but referring all to the good or ill successe sent him worde that he should compasse what euer he thought good for her escape Florian arming himselfe for the purpose went to pursue the tract of the Armenian Princesse who by an hundred Turkes was sent toward her brother and béeing come to them he cryed Abyde and let goe the Lady except ye all meane to die by my hand The Captaine of these Turkes who was a man verie arrogant turning to his followers sayde This fellowe séemes as though he would fight with men made of strawe that he is so liberall at first sight in his threatnings but we shall see what he can doe then turning to him he thus spake Braue man I will try my selfe with thée because I will not sée so many of mine perrish by thy strong hand but yet thus I condition that if thou ouer-come mee thou shalt leade me whether thou pleasest but if I foyle thée I le keepe thée as my laughing stock to smile at in my brauerie Florian hearing himselfe thus scorned in déepe disdaine without speaking a worde turned his horse and met the proude Turke on the breast with such an incounter as his Launce ran a handfull more thorow his shoulder whereby he tombled dead to the ground When his followers saw their Captaine so suddainly falne and remembring how this strange Knight had threatned them all without any regard of shame they ranne altogether fiercely vppon him some wounding him others his horse because hee should haue no meanes to escape Thus Florian beeing on foote and wounded séeing death imminent before him leant his shoulder against an olde withered trée minding yet to sell his life a little déerer And byding the battell for a good
else but how he might soonest finde the faire Lady and then if she likewise disdained to loue him to practise some present dispatch of his life but with a memorable testimonie that he died for loue The morning shaking off his dumpish cogitations he coasted along the side of the mountaine and came at last to a pretty large Plaine which round was engirt with big rising hils in the midst thereof stoode a wonderfull goodly Pallace Now albeit he had neuer séene this place before yet he called to remembrance some former report of y e Princesse Leonarda that in all respects like this such another was the Pallace belonging to Quéene Melia heereupon his hart began to leape with conceite of ioy he held it as a matter most certaine that here the Lady Victoria was enchaunted As he directed his course on toward y e Pallace he beheld a Knight with two goodly blood-hounds walking by him come as it were with intent to méete him and suddainly the Hounds began to runne toward him where doubtlesse being hunger-starued gréedy they had torne him in péeces but that the Knight who indéede was Drusa Velonna thus trans-formed to guide Floraman into y e Pallace without any combate reclaimed them back and then stepping to him he vsed these or the very like spéeches Sir Knight I sée that you are a straunger in these parts wherefore if loue haue béen your conducter hether especially to the Lady enclosed in this Pallace you may account it as no meane fortune y t it is your good hap to méete with me who bids you boldly to rest assured that here is y e choisest beauty enchaunted which euer mortall eye as yet hath lookt vpon therfore if it please you to goe along with me your owne eyes shall be apparant witnesses that the world containes not a comparable beauty Floraman being fully confirmed in opinion that it was the faire Lady Victoria without any further protracting of time followed the guidance of the Knight he was no sooner entred the Pallace but hauing a sight of Victoriaes person he became by power of the enchauntment so iealous of her as he would néeds vndertake y e Ioust against any that durst presume to come thether But quickly was she rapt againe from his sight which enflamed his desire with y e greater vehemencie bound him most officiously to her seruice But leaue we him and come againe vnto Arguto who hauing vnderstood in his trauaile of diuers matters cōcerning Drusa Velonna that the beautifull Lady Victoria remained enchaunted where the Princesse Leonardo had béene before imprisoned hearing also that Primaleon had deliuered Aliarte out of the yron Cage fearing least by the helpe a counsell of him he would likewise enfranchise the Lady Victoria he purposed to iourney thether before him hoping that Fortune would be as furtherous to him in his loue as she was renowned by most part of his enterprises Being thus resolued he trauailed according to such informations as were giuen him for his spéedier attaining to the Pallace of Quéene Melia. CHAP. LXV How Arguto arriued by strange occasion at the Pallace belonging to the faire Queene Melia how he remained there enchaunted DRusa Velonna awayting all possible meanes still to disturbe the Christians wrought by her Art this trauaile of Arguto into those parts to the end that when Primaleon shoulde happen thether they might be the death of one another for Arguto was of such dauntlesse valour that if he might compasse the death of Primaleon he cared not on what desperate termes his owne life stoode Being then thus summoned to the search of Victoria and he loath to loose any time in vaine directed his course as before you haue heard and riding through a queachie thicke Wood an angry wilde Beare came mainely against him as meaning to staunch his hunger vpon him but he hauing his Launce still ready charged defended him selfe with such skill and manhoode as the Beare not daring to endure his blowes began to runne from him a softly pace euen as if through méere wearinesse hee coulde spéede no faster Arguto pursued the track of the Beare till it brought him directly to the Sea side where the beast still holding his course a-long met by chaunce with a Damosell vppon the way whom hee catching vp betwéene his pawes ranne with her into a little Pynace which lay at Ankor there hard by the riuage No sooner had the Beare caried his pray a boord but the Pynace launched of it selfe into the water Arguto riding his Horse still after where suddainly he espied the Beare on the hindeck of the Pynace and the Damosell sitting downe close by him without any touch or offer of violence This gaue the Knight a present apprehension that héerein consisted some strange aduenture wherefore riding néerer to the Pynace side he gaue his Horse the spurre and mounted into it the vessell putting off immediatly from the shoare before the Squire could gaine his entrance and so it rode out into the maine déepe hauing neither the helpe of Oares or sailes Hauing by his owne estimation gone aboue a thousand miles at length the Pinace drew néere to a stéepy mountaine whose discent fell downe into the Sea affording no easie place for landing which he not regarding at all aduenture mounted forth on shoare the Pinace strooke back againe into the Sea Being thus alone there by him selfe he happened vpon a narrow path which guided him along the side of the mountain where riding on with what hast he best could he came at last to the quadrant plaine where he soone had a sight of the fore-mentioned Pallace there met he also the Knight his two rauenous blood-hounds one of them flying so fiercely vpon him that he caught his Horse by the nosthrill and made him fling about very distemperatly which Arguto perceauing loath to be ouerthrowne by his Horse leapt out of the saddle opposing him selfe against the Hounds the Knight who hauing a kéene edged Axe in his hand deliuered thrée or foure such rude strokes there-with as Arguto réeld about twise or thrise at last was glad to leane himself against a trée The blood-hounds still made violently at him fastning holde vpon one of his legs dragd him along as purposing to kill him but his courage contemning all dangers whatsoeuer scorning to die in so vile a maner being got vpon his féet he drew forth his sword aiming a maine stroke at the Hounds they flew off from him then the Knight set to him with his Axe which in short while after slipt out of his hand Arguto doubling stroke vpon stroke had brought y e Knight into weak estate but that the blood-hounds leapt vpon his backe and by ill hap rent in sunder the laces of his helmet which falling off his head to the ground and he still fiercely set vpon by them began to imagine his case somewhat desperate Now albeit
of their kinde wiues companie began to be indifferentlie recouered and now all spake chéerefully one to another CHAP. II. VVhat Targiana did after the Campe was dissolued and the Soldane Albayzar her husband dead TArgiana the Princesse of Armenia when the third daies fight began considering y t in so many battailes not any of the Christians most famous for armes were dead began to perswade themselues that y e Pagan part woulde be ouerthrowne and discomforted where-vppon they with-drew theÌ„selues into a ship which from her Father was thether sent well prouided and wherein likewise were manie of her friendes where hearing the successe of the battaile and the death of Albayzar they lanched out into the maine attended on by some other ships that prepared themselues to returne with her towards Babylon But her vnkinde starres not satis-fied first with her scorning by Prince Florian then to sée her husband baselie led prisoner by Florendos to present him before faire Miragarda as is declared in the second part of this historie and now lastly that he was slaine by the same Florian of whom shee had béene so greatly despised but that nowe a new disgrace â—as prepared for her Wherefore contending inwardlie with her pride of minde where-with her former conceits had alwaies béene ledde when she beheld her selfe to be his widdow who by so many Trophies had renowned her beautie shée nowe sate amazedly mourning at her wonderfull mis-fortunes Hauing sailed on tenne leagues and more they were met with an Armie of twentie shippes guided by Ristorano her Cosin who after the decease of his vnckle the great Turke imagined how hee might signorize ouer that state and taking this to bee his best way prouided himselfe of the afore-said Nauie when comming within an hundred miles of Constantinople hee made stay awayting from time to time what newes hee could heare of Albayzar and his power When he vnderstood of the Pagans discomfiture he set on towards their Campe to disclose some secrets to the vnaduised Albayzar holding for certaintie that if hee were aliue hee was conquered and in great distresse thus with a gentle gale he sailed onward Targianas Nauie béeing surprised that little expected any such fierce encounter and therefore rode on at pleasure were all boorded and seazed on ere they had any libertie to prepare themselues for fight When the prisoners were brought before him and that he behelde Targiana among them he was so ioyfull that he could not dissemble his déep contentment Then began he to scorne the Lady casting in her teeth what she had doone in fauour of the Christians how greeuously shée tooke it when Polendos and the rest were her Fathers prisoners how she fled vnrequested with Florian of the Forrest The Lady who was of a great spirite dismaied not a iote albeit shee was his prisoner of whose intent before hand shée could easilie diuine Wherefore shee aunswered him sternly as one dreadlesse of death for life among so manie losses was not by her regarded Heare me quoth she Ristorano I confesse I haue fauoured the Christians in repaiment of infinite curtesies froÌ„ them receiued while I remained in Constantinople not that I did negligently carie my selfe in any thing that might or did displease my husband But for I am assured that in vaine I doe excuse my selfe to thee were all true where-with thou couldest charge me dispose of me as thou wilt but looke for warre from the Christians in regard of the loue they beare mée And though I haue béene absent from my hereditarie kingdome which thou vniustlie séekest to vsurpe yet haue I a childe as is well knowne through all Babylon and those people who for their loue to Albayzar desire to haue his sonne their Soueraigne will chastise thee as thou well deseruest Ristorano who willinglie would haue slaine her the easier to compasse what hee desired considering on her spéeches thought it better to deferre her death till with more security he might effect it and séeming to shew no outward signe of feare with angry lookes thus he replied Thy offences merrite more then a common kinde of death wherfore so lightlie will I not kill thée as I sée thou wishest I would Héere-vpon hee commaunded her with the Armenian Princesse into a priuate roome of the shippe and hee was in a thousand opinions whether he should land and take the Cittie of Constantinople or turne backe into Turkie and rule that kingdome For it was the Citties good hap that Ristorano not hearing what had happened to the principal Knights who had defended the Cittie as the wise Aliart so procured who likewise knewe of this Armies making thitherward but beléeuing that the Christians were conquerers and therefore doubtful of his owne fortune durst not goe on shoare the rather because his owne men were more willing to be gone then tarry So contenting himselfe that Fortune had deliuered Targiana into his hand and hearing by his spials that Brundo sonne to Don Rosiran de la Bronde with foure thousande horse lay before Constantinople expecting if they durst land or no fearing to be taken with all spéede possible he made hast to be gone from thence When Targiana behelde her selfe in his power whom vndoubtedly she knew intended her death albeit her mind was inuincible yet sate shée very pensiue not giuing a word to the Armenian Princesse who likewise gréeued to see her selfe a prisoner neuerthelesse because she expected not death shee laboured her thoughts the better for her escape and turning to Targiana said I remember good Princesse that when I was to depart from Persia a wise Enchauntresse named Drusa Velona gaue me a Ring of such vertue that being sent in a Letter to any Knight whom I should make choyse of for my defence he would presently come to helpe me Thinke then what Knight may be most conuenient for your purpose and I will write the Letter for the Ring is of such force as to wound the hart of any Knight and make him loue ye although before he hated ye neuer so much Targiana right ioyfull to heare Drusa Velonas name whose Art had before auailed her when she conducted her away and enchaunted the Princesse Leonarda began to thinke with her selfe what Knight she should determine on to deliuer her from the hands of Ristorano But among so many opinions not knowing how to resolue the Nauie entred Turkie where Ristorano secretly conuayed her to a Castle accompanying her with certaine Matrones who had charge that she should send no Letters abroade For he feared that if the Turkes should vnderstand howe their Lady Targiana was imprisoned in her owne Kingdome they would stirre in her behalfe This hindered their former desseignment of sending the Letter with the Ring and which by reason of the companie appointed to attend them could not be performed CHAP. III. VVhat they did in Constantinople after the departure of the sage Aliart VEry sorrowfull remained all the Cittizens of Constantinople for the departure of the sage
time nor place can be disposed Policia the wife and Quéene to Arnedes standing before this Tombe with Flerida the other Ladies made great lamentation ouer the Kings dead bodie which they would haue continued both that day and the next if the Sepulcher after it was closed had not béene suddenly taken away they knew not by whom and then againe beheld if placed in the midst of the wall vnder the féete of the figure of the same Policia his Queene When presentlie another tombe most richlie wrought was séene to stand in y e others place hauing this Epitaph on it Spayne grieue not thou sith death cannot depriue Thy fame and honour which thou heldst aliue For thou in greater glory doost suruiue Melissa his Quéene would haue stept before it to witnes her inward gréefe by her teares but the third Tombe as pleased the power that sent it to hinder her laments intruded it selfe and the second was likewise conueyed to the other in the wall Each one meruailed at this third Sepulcher séeing there was nere a Crosse thereon nor anie Christian signe vsed on such monuments yet béeing verie huge great wherefore they imagined that it was made for the Graund Cane Maiortes who was a Pagan and the doubt héereof was fully resolued so soone as they read the Epitaph which was thus From man became a dogge then changd to humane state He seru'd me with a dogs firme loue for times to woÌ„der at All the Princes shed teares when faithfull Maiortes was layd in his Sepulcher especially Don Edward who had him with him in the forme of a dog and afterward a man as in Primaleons historie is declared coulde not refraine from weeping It pleased Aliart to behold all these testimonies of loue and hee laboured to conuert all this gréefe to ioy in regard the totall ruine of Constantinople had not happened but that the other Princes whose death were once as much to be doubted were now to be séene in so good estate But as in like cases gréefe is not easilie remooued so still they helde on till this Tombe was lifted vp and conueied thence marie foorth of the Chamber because hee was not a Christian And then was placed another Tombe before them so roially adorned as they were verie desirous to knowe for whom it was when looking on the Epitaph they read thus Belcar heere sleepes heauen hath his soule by right The world his spoyles all won in fayrest fight With such rare honour as became a Knight Belcar enclosed in his hearsse with many silent passions of his wife Alderina his sonne and all the rest because Aliart had intreated no more accesse to the bodies it was coÌ„uaied thence and as the former placed at the foote of his wiues figure the statue séeming to shed lifelie teares such wondrous arte had the skilfull Vrganda vsed on them all Then appeared to them another Tombe the fore-part whereof was ingeniouslie formed and béeing couered with a sumptuous cloth all of golde they read thereon this Epitaph Frisols fayre deedes doe merrite more regard Then earth can yeeld true fame is his reward The successe of this Tombe resembled the former wheÌ„ another was immediatly presented not one iote lesse beautified or adorned whereon appeared the instability of Fortune and thus the Epitaph Belysart dyed but not infamously His vertues conquer deaths blacke obloquie This Sepulcher taken away before Denisa could do her dutie to it there was another intruded whereon in verie faire letters this Epitaph was engrauen Onistade dreadlesse of deaths crueltie With fame hath wonne faire lifes eternitie Quickly was this tombe conuaied thence and in steede thereof another containing this motto Albanis hath wonne what neuer can be lost Then death how canst thou of thy conquest boast This likewise being remoued another more rich precious was presented with this Epitaph Mourne not Bohemia though thy King be dead His life and death hath made thee famozed King Rodamont béeing in his graue and bemoned generallie it was taken to place appointed for it when Aliart séeing another alreadie in roome therof perusing the deuise found thereon this inscription Estrellant fought not for an earthly crowne Immortall life trode those affections downe The Ladies and Princes could not cease from wéeping beholding the losse of so many hardie Knights but when this Tombe was caried to the wall the next approching had this Epitaph Vassiliards fayth did testifie his end Whose deeds whole worlds of time shall still commend Next followed the Sepulcher for Duke Drapos of Normandie with these two lines thereon Normans it is in vaine to weepe for mee Country farewell my fame shall liue with thee Another faire Tombe was next presented with this sentence to be read thereon Tremoran no better way could finde to die Then in stoute warre by fairest chiualrie Euerie one stoode silent except such as sighed not knowing what to say seeing the Tombes so strangely carried from place to place and yet not discerned by whom vpon the next were these lines Fierce Tenebrant when death had him in chase Turnd manfully and died with deaths disgrace His bedde of honour béeing couered and gone another as magnificent was produced deliuering these verses No blame can Orleaunce to my death impute That lost my life in honours swift pursute Then Luymans Tombe was the next in course bearing this testimonie of his vertues Vertue the obiect of my high desire Bestowed on me what most I did require Next was to be seene another Sepulcher not of white stone as all the former were but more red and bloody cullored containing this Epitaph Though Rosiran were not the greatest Lord His honour heere doth with the rest accord Nowe euen at the dayes shutting vp Dramians hearsse presented it selfe with this deuise So sweetly Dramian dyed among the rest That now he liues as famous as the best And when it was conuaied thence as all the rest had béene Aliart looked about and behelde no more Tombes thus to be offered wherein the greater states were to bee enclosed then looking on the old Womans figure it turned the face thereof toward the wall as if it séemed to commaund them now to depart Heereupon he caused the Ladies whose husbands were liuing to lead the widdowed Princesses by the hand and hee followed comforting them in this manner Fayre Ladies séeing it pleased GOD that your Lords should loose their liues in defence of his faith you ought to conforme your selues to his will and with-drawing yée to more quiet of minde be carefull of your owne health least your losse be a greater endamagement to Christendome To morrowe we shall sée in what manner these greater Lords are to be buried for I cannot beléeue that the wise Vrganda would prouide such rare Sepulchers for these and haue no care of them of higher desert Héere-with they departed the chamber meruailing at the strange accidents they â—ad séene CHAP. VII How Pandricia hauing hid herselfe in the Chamber among the Tombes was found
dead by the bodie of her husband Bellagris BEeing all of them greatlie gréeued for the death of so many woorthy Lords Pandricias sorrowes grew to extreamity for she béeing hidde among the Sepulchers with resolued minde to pursue her intent and weeping to die ouer her husbands dead bodie when shee perceiued that by the time of night they were all asléepe she came to the bodie of Bellagris and ouer it made the most wofulst lamentation that euer did woman for her husbands death Recounting the tedious time of misery wherein not long they had liued which béeing ouer-blowne with a little better comfort had now so small continuance Then remembring Blandidon her sonne whose life she likewise feared because his great expence of blood still made him keepe his bed this double corsiue of gréefe so laboured her thoughts that ouer-come there-with closing hand in hand shee fell downe dead ouer her husbands body CHAP. VIII How the other Princes were buried the day following YEt was not Blandidon so greatly weakened but that he remembred his mother who was wont to stand very pensiue by his bedde side but séeing all had betaken themselues to rest loth was hee to trouble so honourable a companie and therefore passed ouer this night suspecting what he found too true in the end The morning following they rose not ouer-earlie by reason of the Princes weake disposition and the greefe they endured the day past in burying the dead Aliart who stoode pondering with himselfe where the Princes of greatest merrite should be interred because hee sawe no Sepulchers as yet there appointed for them earlie that morning went where the other had béene buried and beheld all the chamber was changed into the forme of halfe a Theater with degrées and pillers of Alablaster so beautifull as at midnight cléere day might there be discerned and the Tombes which had béene vsed the day before aunswered in order to the persons enclosed in them Now in the midst of a place more high and spacious and vnder the féete of Polinardas figure was a Sepulcher wrought into the wall held vp by pillers of Porphirie and arched ouer the head most richlie where on the couerture stood in pure golde the statue of the Emperour Palmerin holding Fortune by the locks and out-brauing her power as seeming to threaten her if she parted from him On the side before was engrauen in Letters of golde these verses following By valour and good hap I ouercame All mine attempts To kindred of my name Leaue I perpetuall memory and fame On the right hand was another Tombe little lesse differing in beautie béeing placed vnder the féete of Agriola and in the midst thereof was two Epitaphs the first was thus The state I ioyde made mee not feare to die Because I knewe that shame and infamie Followeth a life not led heroycallie The other which was some-what lower and written in lesser Letters was thus T is endlesse death to liue without content Die then like me who will the same preuent This second Epitaph made knowne that Polynard was buried with the Emperour Vernar his Brother whereat they all meruailed Now on the left hand of the Emperour Palmerin was another Sepulcher richlie adorned hauing this Epitaph thereon Yeeres did not let me from desire to die Wanting the life my father got thereby The description thus engrauen on this Tombe made it apparant to euerie one that therein lay enclosed Polendos King of Thessaly Then vnder that of Palmerin there was another of redde Marble but the Epitaph thereon was written in Gréeke and is thus interpreted It was ill hap for me to end my daies Not spending of my blood as others haue To guarde the walls and gates got me no prayse They did me wrong that sent me so to graue Euery one gathered that this was King Tarnaes who in regard of his graue yéeres was left to guarde the Citty of Constantinople Nowe stande all the Princes and Lords dumbe as it were at so many meruailes and nothing else coulde bee heard but earnest and profound sighes sent from the melting harts of the widdowed Ladies And Aliart to knowe certainlie whether the bodies which were not buried the day before remained as they had beene left went to the chamber and finding that of Bellagris as also Pandricia lying dead by it he stoode as one agast thereat the Princesses likewise when they beheld her in that case deliuered forth such lamentations as might easily be heard thorowe the whole Castle which raised such admiration in them that lay wounded as made them forsake their lodgings to the great perill of their liues especially Blandidon whose mind misgaue him of some ensuing ill not hauing all that night seene his wofull mother Aliart by his words could not pacifie their complaints but worse was like to haue ensued thereon if the olde womans figure had not made a suddaine noyse with her rod where-with they all turned about to vnderstand the cause thereof and beeing in a generall meruaile immediatly they behelde a goodly Sepulcher woorthily wrought hauing two Epitaphs engrauen thereon the first in this maner I liu'd a Pagan but for truth I know That following time will blisse on me bestow The other which was fastened to this former with many braunches as it were was thus Life full of griefe with little ioy or none Welcome sweet death that knits two harts in one For with Bellagris is my hope alone In this Sepulcher were they both layd together without any one putting hand thereto it was taken vp and placed vnder that of King Tarnaes for Pandricia albeit she was nominated amongst the fairest in the world yet was she not pictured in this chamber the reason was she led such a sorrowfull kinde of life as hindred the perfection of her beauty from sight These Princes buried thus with such glory as the wise Vrganda in her prouidence thought méete preseruing by her in readines so many Toombs as might serue such great Princes to take their latest rest in Aliart hauing brought thither from the Profound I le diuers Priests and religious persons caused their obsequies to be celebrated as in a Countrey so farre from Christendome could be performed Which being done he brought them all back to the Pallace hauing first séene the old womans Image take her leaue who with her wand made certaine signes to them which séemed by Aliarts signifying the same that that Theater of Toombs should there continue while any of Palmerins blood should suruiue whose race and fortune for euer should be most famous and to the very last not vtterly abolished Blandidon in whom could not be hid the sad hap of his Mother vsed such passions of griefe as séemed to menace him with death but that Aliart got some mittigation thereto by his Art causing him in sleepe to see his father Bellagris who spake to him that he should abandon all other thoughts studying onely to recouer his health that so he might goe gouerne the state
Fortresse THe Knights that had the charge of Targiana not suspecting anie thing rode on disorderly iesting among themselues to delight the Ladie But Dorina who knew the successe of all that had happened qualified her course of nauigation in such sort as she made choyce of time for deliuerance of Targiana And this she did to the end Sucusano might not prooue the marriage by her testimonie that she had taken Florian to her husband for the Persian by this accusation might lawfully depriue her of her kingdome and put Florian to death as he had determined though the Turkes knew nothing what he was before his taking Afterward when they vnderstood more of him in regard of the seruice hee had doone their Soueraigne they would not consent that hee should bee slaine but rather instantly desired he might safely be sent into Christendome because they had receiued certaine tydings from Constantinople that the Emperour Primaleon with all the most famous men at Armes were aliue and recouered But when it was tolde that Targiana their Quéene had made thys Knight her husband with promise likewise to refuse her fayth they would presently haue both him and her torne in a thousand peeces Dorina then that Florian might not perrish by this occasion bethought her on these Knights suspecting what danger was like to ensue brought them as you haue heard from the Perilous I le conducting them on to the rest of the enterprise And hauing particulerlie conferred with Dramusiande knowing the especiall loue he bare to Florian who had aduentured many perrills for him shee would not disclose that he had married Targiana but laboured him with earnest perswasions that nowe hee would stand her louer in some steede euen as hee had anie pittie of her shewing him likewise the wounde shee gaue her selfe when Florian so vngentlie departed from her Castell Dramusiande who well knew how intirely she affected the Prince had compassion on her and promised his vttermost on her behalfe but in his opinion it would very little auaile her such was his conceit for losse of the Princesse Leonarda after whose death desperatly hee left the Perilous I le So bringing her Barque on shoare shee mounted all the Knights disguising them after the Turkish manner to the end they might without suspition fall in companie of Targiana From midnight rode on these fiue Knights till morning appeared and then they ouertooke the Persians as they were entring at a secrete gate of the Castell that Targiana might not publiquely be seene of the Turkes Dramusiande getting neere Targiana lifting vp his beuer spake to her in the Greeke tongue which shée very well vnderstoode by meanes of her aboade in the Emperours Court Feare not Lady for héere is come in your defence Dramusiande with these foure Knights of Constantinople Court so taking her by the arme set her before him on his saddle The Persians seeing onely fiue Knights take the Ladie from them ranne all to assaile Dramusiande on whom they had bestowed manie Launces but that they feared to kill Targiana whom they had speciall charge to bring backe aliue yet receiued shée a little hurt on her backe Floraman Pompides Dragonalte and Dirdan circkling her about defended her all the way toward the Castel killing with forcible strokes many Persians The croude was so great that very hardly coulde they get onward yet getting neerer the Castell side one of the Guarde who sometime had beene Page to Targiana knew her by her habite and crying Behold our Princesse without longer stay let downe the Bridge when Dramusiande and his foure companions though well neere wearied with vsing their weapons got themselues vppon it and Dorina by her arte hauing the gate readie open permitted them entrance but aboue an hundred Persians entred with them who standing in feare of theyr Lord Sucusano if they did not bring back Targiana with them cōcluded to regaine her aliue or dead for ere long an infinite number more would come to assist them because all the Persian Campe was hereon in an vproare Dramusiande hauing gotten in the Princesse returned on the Bridge with a mightie Mace in his hand which hée found by chaunce at the entrance of the gate and dealing his blowes about him so many hee sent headlong into the Ditch that the rest beholding their manifest perrill were gladde to giue backe so the Bridge was drawne vp euen as Sucusano hearing of these newes came thether with the flower of all his Armie Dirdan and the other Knights with the men of the Castell gaue such entertainement to the Persians which got in with them as they dispatcht them all not leauing one aliue Targiana when shee had considered with herselfe that thorowe want of victuals shee could not keepe long in that Castell shee went to the gate next to the Cittie where causing a Trumpet to be sounded great concourse of people was immediatly assembled and shee comming herselfe vpon the Porte spake to them in thys manner You see my faythfull friendes and louing Countrimen howe Sucusano vrging false slaunders against mee hath sought to inflict sharpe torments on mee to make mée confesse what neuer entred into my thoughts and afterward by that excuse vniustlie to defeate mee of my lawful right and kingdome and to enioy it himselfe I am certaine that you would not willingly be vnder the Persian gouernment and my selfe doubting you shoulde bee in subiection to forraine rule will rather yeeld the kingdome to Ristorano who is of the royall progenie of your owne Princes Now seeing in what estate I am if you respect my life haue care of me and of these Knights who haue aduentured themselues for defence of my libertie and because ye are likewise beholding to Florian who onely mooued by his owne gentle nature put himselfe into so many perrils to deliuer me from imprisonment goe therefore with your power to the Pallace so soone as ye shall be conducted the way and frée him from prison that enfranchised your Quéene By chaunce there was then present in hearing heereof a great Signior of Antioch beeing subiect to the Crowne of Turkie who bearing some affection to Targiana and imagining by accomplishing a seruice of such import it was the readiest way to attaine her loue forth-with hee called together a very sufficient troope and to the Pallace they went where they could not finde Florian because the Persians doubtful of maintaining themselues in the Citty had secretly led him with them to their Campe. Which tidings greatly displeased Targiana and the Knights but especially Dramusiande who was ready to die with conceit of greefe Now because the Persians had forsaken the Cittie they issued foorth of the Castell leauing Targiana Floraman still to keepe it so running to the Pallace they gaue order for defence of the walls intending likewise to aduertise the Emperour of these affaires thus happening in Turkie but by reason of the multitude of Persian horesemen as yet they knew not how to compasse the meanes
and ioyned with the rest to murder theyr preseruers but all this sorted to very slender effect so worthilie did our Christian Knights withstand their proceedings Floraman Dragonalte and their followers fought verie valiantly and the Pagans thronged together in such huge troopes as they hindered one another from mounting the walls and but for those Turkes that were friends and sworne to Targiana the Citty doubtlesse had béen lost For they tooke away certaine vnder-shoaring Rampiers and supporters which on the inside vpheld the maine strength of the wall and when it was loaden with aboue thirtie thousand persons downe fell they into the ditches and the battlements vpon them and there they all perished without one escaping This mishap not a little displeased Ristorano whereupon he thought best to make toward the Christian Knights as hoping by their deaths to end this controuersie much more the sooner be possessed of the Cittie The Pagans that opposed themselues against Prince Florian when they sawe what a losse had succeeded by the walls fall they were so affrighted that hurling downe their weapons they humbly intreated for safetie of their liues but they that had experience of theyr former trechery and how bloodily they procéeded in all their actions would lende no eare to them but slew them apace on euery side and quicklie had they made an end of them all if a messenger had not come from Floraman who gaue them to vnderstand that Florendos and his friendes were shutte vp in the enemies Campe and no meanes for their escape was nowe to be had but by thrusting foorth part of those Turkes to succour them These newes saued the liues of sixe thousand Turkes who perceiuing Targianas affaires to spéede better then theyrs lifting vp theyr hands all disarmed made a signe that they would fight faithfully for the Christians Florian although he could not well trust them yet beholding the necessity of their owne extremity gaue them their Armes and promised them many great rewards if they proued loyall appointing them also the charge of that part where the wall was falne as the best way to make triall of their constancie So ioyning with Floraman and leauing Dragonalte with two thousand for safetie of the Citty they issued foorth on the enemie finding in one part Platir Pompides Dirdan and Blandidon who had made themselues way thorow the crowde with no meane slaughter of theyr enemies after them followed Palmerin and the other three so wearied with their combate and fighting all day that very hardly could they lift theyr swordes yet were they forced to stand vppon their owne defence because Vlderino King of Tanais with two sonnes of his that were two Giants continually pursued them and had preuailed shrewdlie against them if Florian Floraman and Platir had not béene neere who vndertaking the quarrell with Vlderino and his sonnes gaue roome for the foure to passe the prease though enclosed with the enemie still on euery side Platir buckled close with Vlderino and at the first stroke cleft his Shielde through the midst himselfe receiuing a small hurt in the left hand Florian encountred Arabo one of the Giants and had a blowe from him that made him stagger but Florian loth to die in his debt returned him such a requitall for it as he wounded him some-what déepe vppon his right shoulder Traccio the other Giant gaue Floraman a thwarting stroake and therewith had borne him to the earth but that his Launce kept him vp in his saddle by the rude shock hee gaue the Giant notwithstanding he was a little giddied at which aduantage the Giant tooke fast hold of him and lifting him quite beside his horse thought thus to beare him away to his Pauillion and there to teare him in peeces at his pleasure but that the crowde of people was his onely hinderance Palmerin being by this time somewhat refreshed among the Christians when hee heard the case of Floraman hee tooke a Launce to pursue Traccio who yet had gotten no great distance of ground and running him in at the shoulder quite through the breast had likewise slaine Floraman before him but that the Launce brake This accident beheld by the Pagans made them so fearefull and dismayed that they began to retire some one way some another and Floraman falling to the earth vnder the slaine Giant was very sore prest with his heauie weight vpon him yet made hee good shyft to get from vnderneath him and taking hold of a strayed Courser mounted vpon him Vlderino was so full of rage for the death of his sonne that Platir amongst all the rest hee chose to reuenge his furie on and indeed had handled him very vnhappily but that Dramusiande hauing bound vp some small woundes of his owne interposed himselfe with Berolde betweene the danger intended and nowe the fight began to alter otherwise for thether flocked all Vlderinos Caualierie Florian with Arabo were shouldered in among them The battaile grew to be very dangerous for Ristorano came fresh vpon them with forty thousand men which he had gathered from the vttermost margents of the Armie against which multitude fought valiantly Pompides Dirdan Blandidon shewing vnexpressable deeds of valour When Arabo beheld his Father in great danger with his Mace he gaue such a blow at Florian who had an eye to succour his Brother Platir beholding that the blood gushed out at his nose by a stroke which he had receiued from Vlderino that it wounded him in such sort as had not Palmerin stept in to succour him he had falne among the horse féete and there beene trodden to death Dramusiande hauing cleft Vlderinos Helmet through the midst had likewise slaine him if Carinos other Giant had not béene his hinderance for he strooke Berolde with his Mace quite out of his saddle and falling downe he was reputed for dead Palmerin béeing loth to loose any of the Christian Princes noted the Giant at his first intrusion and had stopt his way but for the peoples concourse before that Berolde was in such perrill but being compeld to stay for better aduauntage thrust by where Florian fought with Arabo and wounding the Giant first vppon the left shoulder gaue him next such a gash vppon the head as hee had forthwith died of that terrible hurt but for immediate succour which came to rescue him and they perceiuing him to be likewise sore wounded in the side aduised him to get a while out of the throng for very hardly could he stand on his leggs Vlderino séeing his Helmet split about his eares would gladly haue fled but Gratian meeting with him for Dramusiande beeing wounded by Vlderino in the throat was with-drawne vpon that hurt beholding his Helmet off cleft him downe to the brest Arabo grew starke mad whē he saw his Father fall downe dead and therefore thrust in with such rage amongst them as wounding Florendos first on the side of his head hee made toward Gracian on him to reuenge his Fathers blood and
questionlesse had preuailed in his purpose but that Florendos scorning to receaue such a hurt without requitall gaue him such a thrust in the bottome of his belly as his guts began to fall foorth thereat the Giant perceiuing himselfe past all hope of escape caught Florendos besides his horse in his armes intending so to haue crusht him to death This great danger of Florendos and rauing out-cryes of the Giant made the people on both sides to troope to that place as iudging the fight to be there most cruell but Platir hauing now well recouered his former faintnes beholding his brother in such a desperate estate stept forward to succour him and finding one of Carinos coosins there ready to kill Florendos he smote him downe dead at the very first stroke Gracian béeing likewise by and séeing Florendos downe vnder the Giant whose burdenous weight was enough to stifle him hee gaue him such a cut vpon the chine bone as he tumbled dead from off Florendos who had his wind wel neere tweakt out with so heauie a loade which made him lye still a good while without any moouing and this béeing seene by diuers was at last reported to Palmerin and Prince Florian who cut foorth way with their weapons to be resolued in this feare of their friende Palmerin catching him vp in his armes gaue him to Dramusiande who layd him before him vpon his horse and so like friends they conuaid him among the Christian Caualierie Blandidon Pompides Dirdan and Francian had much adoe to get on toward the Cittie because one of Ristoranos brethren and others of his kindred had so narrowly beset them in euery place as they were oftentimes in very great hazards Dramusiande hauing borne Florendos foorth of the squadron he began to recouer his sences againe and imagining he was carried by the Giant his enemie strooke backward at him with the dagger he held in his hand and wounded Dramusiande in the side who sayde vnto him How now my Lord respect you not your friends Florendos perceiuing the fault he had committed leapt downe on his feete and would haue desired pardon but Dramusiande thus spake It is no time now my Lord to vse complement of wordes rather get to horse againe and let vs into the battaile and redéeme our deere friendes whose liues are in danger Palmerin hearing the terrifying noyse where Ristorano and his friends had so beset Blandidon and others imagined there to be most neede of his presence and Pompides followed him there he found Blandidon hardly engirt with two valiant Knights who still had fresh supply to backe them and there hee had béene slaine if Florendos had not stept in amongst them who at the first stroke kild one of the Knights and they together made such hauock of the other resisters as the Pagans not accustomed to endure such blowes stroue who should get furthest from this massacre Dramusiande with Dirdan succoured Blandidon Platir who had made such slaughter on euery side about them as méere wearines would not permit them scarce to lyft their weapons there slewe they in short while so manie Pagans that their death bréeding a dismay in such as beheld it made them giue way for the Christians to rest theÌ„selues a little which time of breathing renewing their former courage they followed freshly on them with Dramusiands squadron making a mighty spoile of the enemy But an other multitude of Pagans such as had not seene the sharpe strokes of the Christians came vppon them with a fresh charge and Ristorano not dismaied with all that had happened prouoked them forward with all his endeuour There now began a very hote encounter on either side for the Pagan Knights béeing fiered with mightie disdaine to see so many of theyr greatest Signiors slaine procéeded on with such violence and furie as making no estimation at all of death they gaue a very sharpe assault vpon the Christians who seeing what a huge number more they had to kill would gladly haue returned to the Citty for nowe small hope of life was promised But now to make the vtmost proofe of valiant defending their liues they put them selues in rancks with their faces toward the Citty Palmerin Platir Floraman and their traine leading before Florian Berolde Gracian Francian and theyr followers behind and albeit they were very curstly handled by the enemy yet in despight of them they got forward still and made such way for themselues with theyr weapons that at last they came where Ristoranos forces had round beset them Florendos and Dramusiande with their attendants did very great seruice to support the seuerall rancks of theyr friends and Countrimen for euer as they smit downe ten men to the ground an hundred would immediatlie make freshly vpon them The squadron that was guided by Palmerin and his part brake the ring or circle of Souldiours which had inuirond them and forward they marched thorowe the throng but béeing pursued by a strong Pagan squadron they were suddenly shut vp againe in such manner as their estate stoode then much more desperate then before Florian who purposed to die or saue his people séeing Dramusiande had slaine a great Pagan Lord stept to his horse and mounted vpon him then gallopping fierceâ—ie vppon the enemie and Floraman newly mounted gallantly following they layd so about them on euery side as the huge crowde of Pagans were glad to giue them passage So dooing incredible déedes all the way as they went they came where Ristorano had caused his men to giue a fresh charge on the Citty with vndoubted hope that nowe they should obtaine it because our Christian forces were sore wearied with fighting and béeing taken now at thys aduauntage no hope could remaine for safety of their liues but there to be vtterly slaine and vanquished Our two former named Knights held on theyr intended course and an hundred chosen men very stiffely withstoode them who because they deerely loued theyr Lorde Ristorano would make proofe of their valour vpon those two and so strictly had they beset Florian Floraman as there theyr liues had perrished but that Florendos and Dramusiande breaking through that quarter by chaunce beheld theyr hard distresse and doubting the danger which might ensue them they got thorow the throng resolued to assist them hauing left Pompides the other twaine with their squadron which making head as boldly vpon the other part did mightily disappoint Ristoranos great hope Florendos assayled that route where the two were inclosed and meeting with Ristorano tooke so strong hold of him as in the strugling and resisting both fell beside theyr horses but Ristorano was downe vnder him to the great perrill of Florendos life for many darts and Launces were cast at him by the Turkes that in huge troopes stil flocked about him But in a happy houre came thither Dirdan Pompides Blandidon who allighted on foote with Dramusiande and hauing quitted the place where their friends were so endangered
afterward engirt Ristorano as it had béene in a circle who beholding nowe no other way but death for safety of his life yeelded himselfe prisoner Palmerin and his compeeres were some-what further off but hearing the rumor and seeing howe in numbers they flocked to that place where they vnderstood their Lorde to be in such distresse they likewise would needes thether and Palmerin hauing changed his horse came at last where hée sawe Florendos holding Ristorano by the arme but by no meanes could he get into y e circle because so many Knights had ringd it round though the others made what meanes they could for his entrance Florian Floraman came thither at that instant where the one helping his Brother the other his friends Gracian and Francian they waded through a streame of blood and dead bodies and none durst stand before them but they died the death Afterward Palmerin béeing dismounted tooke the Helmet from off Ristoranos head who imagining his life to be now at an end sought what meanes hée might to haue it yet prolonged and therefore both with signes and words to his Souldiours commaunded them to giue ouer the fight for hee was not able to make any longer resistance Now because the battell was not as yet ceassed in all places Dramusiande set Ristorano before him on horsebacke hauing with him Pompides Dirdan Berolde who were sore wounded the rest rode on toward the Flagge or Standard about which for defence stood the flower of the Armie and till that were downe or recouered they could not determine on any conclusion Florian stroue for the honour of beating downe the Banner which he could not so easily compasse as he thought to haue doone but by multitudes of Launces was often in great hazards whereuppon Palmerin and his vndaunted followers regarding honour more then life brake through in despight of all that withstoode them and valiantly smote the Ensigne royall down to the ground which was the discomfiture of the whole Campe according to the Turkish custome So betaking themselues to flight some one way some another y e Christians had the fréer meanes of withdrawing thence together and entring the Citty Ristorano was bounde as prisoner on a silly poore Nagge for Dramusiande coulde no longer take the charge of him by reason of the dangerous hurt hée had receiued in his throate Beeing come within the Citty they went to be disarmed and haue their wounds dressed whereof not one had scaped free but Palmerin Floraman and Florendos by reason they were in the best estate they shewed themselues daily with such as could be armed because y e people should not grow into weake oppinion of them nor the enemy gather any stomacke of fresh assayling the Cittie CHAP. XXIII VVhat followed vpon the warre at Tubante and how the Monster was ouercome THE day ensuing after the battaile Ristorano who hourelie expected nothing but death was as a prisoner led to the Castell but first Targiana came forth to see him because he had vsed her so farre vnkindly yet was shée aduised not to goe vnarmed nor durst she repose any assurance in the Turks because there can be no greater alteration then changing of fayth especially being false as is the Mahumetane and in this regarde shee would not goe vngarded Prince Florian kéeping his bed by reason of his wounds wrought so with his wife that for her lesse trouble in thys case Ristorano should be there kept imprisoned and referred ouer for iudgement to the Emperour Primaleon all which accordingly was agreed vnto Carino who as no pertaker in Ristoranos treason refused to enter the day before into the battaile when he saw the fielde was lost vsed all diligence he could deuise to get his troopes together all of them within compasse of his owne lodgings quarters because the lame and wounded which were left in the field slew as many as offered to hinder their flight And finding himselfe to be fourescore thousand strong beside the Monster before described he grew into some hope of conquering the Citty and thereby to gaine the whole gouernment of Turkie in which oppinion he there continued expecting the recouery of his sicke and hurt which were many Thys fell out most commodious for our Christian Knights who were wounded so dangerously especially Dramusiande in his throate as hardly a months space could serue for theyr recouerie but that Dorina who abode secretly in Constantinople to conclude the aduenture of her Monster resoning on this case with young Primaleon and the desperate hazard of so many good Knights the onely support of the famous Grecian Empire was intreated by him to haue care of their liues least the enemy shoulde assaile them againe before they were cured The young Lady remembring how déerely shee had affected Florian and yet all hope lost of euer enioying him would not her selfe goe thether to grow amourous againe and all to no purpose for they that determine not to sinne in luxurie should shunne all occasions thereto inciting the acte beeing so easie and the will so weake in resistance therfore by her Arte shée sent a Damosell to Tubante giuing her most powerfull vnguents and emplaisters but expresse charge not to reueale who sent her thether Shee came to the gates of Tubante the third day after the battaile and béeing seene alone by the guardians with her Surgerie boxes shée was brought first to the Chamber where Florian lay according as herselfe had before desired After very Lady-like and modest salutations shee dressed his woundes and comforting him with sundry precious restoratiues his hurts did heale with wondrous expedition the like shée did to Dramusiande though at first shee was somewhat doubtfull of his life by reason he had lost such aboundance of blood so dealt she with all the other albeit Berolds sences were greatly bereft him Dragonalte hauing no hurts had charge of the Citties safetie and therefore daily would he walke abroade with two hundred Knights that had likewise escaped hurting in the battaile and they vsed still to march about the walls laboriously repayring where the ruine had falne least the enemy should gather any means of fresh inuasion and that doubt was especially respected by Floraman who by secrete spyes had notice of the enemies purposes and therfore they were the readier for all occasions whatsoeuer Carino whose woundes were not cured by such extraordinary meanes as the Christians had as yet kept his bed full of great anguish and expresse charge had hee giuen to all his folowers that they should not attempt any skirmish at all because hee could not gather by his spyes in what estate as yet the Christian Princes were but such was the diligent care of Floraman albeit hee was sore hurte in the left arme that the fourth day after the battaile hee put on his Armour and walked about thorow the Citty which much terrified the Turks that hated Targiana Such successe had the Damosell in her curing the wounded as within eyght dayes they could
eyght dayes tenne great Ships with as many Foystes were prepared whereinto entred fifteene thousand hardie spirits with Platir Dragonalte Oliuanto and Almaroll the younger with his Father who seeing his sonne of so honourable towardlines would needs beare him companie that he might the better learne by him with what discretion to guide himselfe in any dangerous battaile The Shyps put off from the shoare but scantly with the good liking of Auriana who hauing thus long conuersed among the Christian Princesses and learned the misteries of our fayth beholding no likelihood of her returne to India Tamerco her brother hauing committed such an errour as the rape of Polinarda was the willinger to be baptized and so was presented at the holy Font Platir and Miragarda being her sureties Shée béeing thus become a Christian sought how to haue a husband aunswerable to her quality and noting Oliuanto with the piercing eye of iudgement what high and especiall hope was held of him and how in all fayre parts he resembled his mother shee grewe verie much enamoured of him neuer manifesting her loue but now at his departing when the young Knight taking his leaue of her as before he had doone of the other Princesses and Infantries seeming very gracious as hee was on his knee before her the Lady tooke the spirit to speake in thys manner Although I am a stranger yet I may challenge one of this royall assembly whom I may boldly entitle by the name of my Knight Oliuanto remembring howe many times Auriana had affably eyed him and suspecting that loue might be the speciall reason thereof repented hee had béene so slacke in exchange of kindnesse according as such a beauty in dutie deserued wherefore taking her softly by the hand and sealing his affection with a sweet kisse said There is nothing faire Lady by mee more desired then to be called the Knight to so great a Princesse that all my enterprises beeing performed vnder the name of your beauty might proue the more successefull and fortunate So after he had expressed what loue in time might be equally entertained hee arose with a Diamond in his hand which shee had giuen him as a remembrance of her affection but because it was now vpon the very instant of departing and Miragarda had gathered some suspition of this new commenced loue shee pleasantly brake this iest vpon him Alas Sonne you must first make your vertue cleare in Armes and thereby become famous before you learne the idle offices of loue of which frumpe Oliuanto was so ashamed as to cut off further entrance into such imaginations of him hee mounted on his horse and so rode downe with the rest towards the Shippes CHAP. XXVIII How Franardo found Belcar Fortenbracio Forcino hand to hand with three Giants that dwelt at the foote of the Mountaine Arteferia in Macedonia and hauing slaine two of them they went toward the Iland of Carderia ALl the young Knights as wée haue alreadie declared beeing departed from the Emperours Court by deedes of woorth so make themselues famous and amongst them Franardo whose fierie heate could not endure the search of meane aduentures or any slender occasion that might befall him on the way So posting on in hast at last hee came to the Kingdome of Macedon very neere vnto the Mountaine Arteferia musing seriously in his thoughts in what place hee might light on some aduenture which might beseeme his valour he suddainly heard a great clattering of weapons and following directly to the place by his eare he sawe three Knights combatting with three Giants who had with them twenty armed men beside and all they together had set vppon those thrée and doubtlesse had there slaine them but that this Giant by so good hap chaunced to come thether who although hee knewe them not yet seeing they were so villainously intreated hée stept in to assist them and drawing his sword spake thus aloud Knights be of good courage for I purpose to ayde you Fortenbracio béeing neerest him knewe him by the imprese of a Castell which hee bare in his Shield and therevpon said Welcome is my Lord the woorthy Franardo which words cheered the other to haue so good helpe One of the Giants making at Franardo with a great yron mace was so encountred againe by him with his Sword as hee cut off the Mace in the very midst and gaue him a dangerous wound in the breast whereat the Giant beganne to stagger and not knowing which way to betake himselfe made offer of escape away but foure of his Knights rushing in to defend him hee was the willinger to abide by it where the fight continued very sharply for more then halfe an howre and the young Knights who had fought there foure whole howres together were growne very wearie and Forcino hurt to his great disaduantage But Franardo béeing fresh and lustie when he sawe the battaile endure so long said within himselfe If I doe no greater good then hetherto I haue doone I may accompanie these Knights in death Héereon he buckled to y e wounded Giant and making a larger entrance where hee had before opened his Cuirasse at his first hurt he made such a window in his body that his hart might be seene panting for life But minding him no more hee smote off the head of one of his Knights smit two other dead to the ground When the two Giants saw their third companion slaine they stroue to get behind Franardo and there they had slain him ere he could be aware of them if Belcar and Fortenbracio had not runne quickly to resist them for now hee was very narrowly beset and had receiued two blowes beside which did astonish him in such sort as if Forcino had not lightly leapt to him hee could not chuse but must needes there haue falne But hauing well recouered himselfe againe hée looked about him and sawe Fortenbracio runne another Giant thorow the shoulder and afterwarde cleaue him downe to the left flancke which made the third seeing both his companions dead throw downe his sword and gauntlet on the ground desiring truce and mercie at their hands as in like manner did such of his Knights as were left aliue whereon they were afforded grace and fauour The Giant béeing named Forzato humbly embraced Franardo saying Sir Knight so highly hath your vertue pleased me as I meane to leaue a little Castell which I hold in yonder vally pointing to it with his finger and attend vpon you to a very strange enchauntment which I am verily perswaded will be concluded onely by your valour Franardo would gladly haue gone vp the Mountaine Arteferia thinking there to make proofe of himselfe in some hardy aduenture because the place was very famous by high déedes of great honour there doone by noble Palmerin but hearing now of this other aduenture by consent of the other thrée Knights he thus determined that the Giant should first conduct them to his Castell where they meant that their wounds
saw that he had men sufficient there to kill vs all for I was the tallest in stature in all our Country beeing a cubit and a halfe in height and euery one feared me in regard of my greatnes he laboured to haue mee home to his owne kingdome whether God knowes I went with no little willingnes little suspecting any trecherie towarde me and this he hastened with the more spéede because hée had gotten intelligence that my Father by these armed troupes growne suspitious of his sonne in law had helde conference with a neighbour Nation confining vppon vs requesting assistance if occasion should vrge it Our departure was celebrated with all possible ioy and triumphs and béeing come to his kingdome I was receiued with exceeding honour and all maiesticall dignities beséeming a Quéene But eyght daies were not fully past till I beheld my husbands countenaunce strangely changed which pierced my hart with such inward affliction that in his lookes I might reade the presage of my ruine Within some fewe dayes following I sitting alone with him in his Chamber and doubtfull of some imminent ill fortune he suddainly caught mee by the haire of the head and pulling me from my seate after he had shaken tugde me as himselfe pleased he threw me against the grounde giuing me so many spurnes with his féete as the breath was readie to flie out of my body When hee sawe mee in such an affrighted distracted estate as hee iudged I durst not denie what soeuer he demaunded with wordes full of furie and bitter despight he spake to me in manner following Isota for so am I called looke what I enioyne thee performe vpon thy life as thou will auoyde worse torture then I haue yet inflicted on thée Write to thy Father after thine accustomed course of enditing and tell him thou lyest sickly at the very poynt of death in regarde whereof this is thy desire that accompanied with thy eyght Brethren and foure Sisters he would come and sée thée before thy death And because thine owne attending Dwarffe who in respect of his credite with the King thy father shal carry the Letter may the better assure him by worde of mouth likewise that he saw thée very sick when thou hast written and sealed the Letter thou shalt betake thee to thy bed feigning and dissembling extreame sicknesse indéed I perceiuing at what marke Saboco made his leuell though I was shrewdly shaken and very sore with stripes tolde him that the vnnaturall dealing he had vsed toward mee might well enough suffise his vnkind inclination without making mee the meanes to betray mine owne kinred and Father Then like a mad man he flew into a more violent fury excéeding the former crueltie extended to me and haled me by the hayre along the ground so outragiously treading on me and beating me so vnreasonably as hee brake diuers vaines in my body and armes and bringing mee in his armes to a great bay window proffered to cast mee headlong out thereat saying Thus diest thou if thou yéeld not to what I haue enioyned thee So much preuailed with me the feare of death y t I cryed out to him saying Deere Lord saue my life and I will performe what soeuer you would haue me Héereuppon setting me on my feete againe he shewed himselfe to be highly contented and with a countenaunce pleasing and words most perswasiue he brought mee pen and incke then on such a leafe as the Indians vse to write I set downe the purpose of what soeuer he willed mée and the Letter beeing closed vp I was conuaied to my bedde where I needed not to counterfet or dissemble sicknes his rough vsage had brought mee into extreame sufficiencie both in bodies debilitie affliction of minde Then bringing the Dwarffe to me in whom I reposed no meane confidence I gaue him the Letter with speeches sutable to my present estate and his appointment desiring him beside to be very earnest with my Father to delay no time least I dyed before his comming The King my Father beléeuing the Letter and the messengers testimonie that brought the same within ten dayes space was come vnto mee and finding mee in that weake estate expressed a kinde Fathers true sorrowe for his childe Saboco dissemblingly entertained him with great honour till so many dayes were out-worne as his furie could allow in which time diuers Lords that came in company with my Father by his direction were returned to theyr owne houses because my Father would attende my death or recouery and the Lordes fayled not to report theyr royall vsage by Saboco which made euery one free from mistrusting his trecherous intention When hee sawe time fitting with his long expectation he caused my Father with sixe of my brothers to be layde hold on and likewise my foure sisters but these two forewarned by me at that instant to respect themselues and labouring to aduertise the other but coulde not compasse it whereupon they fledde with all possible spéede not a little gréeued to leaue theyr Father brethren in a tyrants curtesie Saboco bringing my Father and Bretheren to my beds side with menaces torments did enforce them that my Father should write to the chiefest in his kingdome to deliuer the Castels of defence treasuries and what soeuer else him pleased to such as Saboco should send to demaund them Now because the Indians neuer vsed to contradict anie thing theyr King commaunded all that the Letter imported was forthwith performed and those Princes who before were our confederates by this meanes remained desperate of theyr owne iurisdictions Newes being brought to Saboco that euery thing sorted to his owne direction hée brought my Father and his sixe sonnes into my Chamber where before my face he first murdered the aged King and afterward his sonnes without any compassion then causing my Sisters to be seuerally brought thether likewise he deflowred them one after another in my fight and my selfe which had deliuered such a wealthy Kingdome into his hands he deliuered ouer to y e rascalitie of his Court to dishonour me first with abhorred luxurie and afterward with wilde beasts to be torne in peeces But heauen beholding my intollerable iniuries exceeding the abilitie of any liuing creature to endure raised me vp one friende among so many monstrous inhumaine villaines a Gentleman of his Chamber who séeing mée left to violent prostitution pittying a Kings daughter shoulde be so brutishly disgraced considering my beautie pleaded for farre better respect deuised this shift in hope to doo mée good that to auoyde contention who shoulde enioy mee fortune should be descided by lotterie and lots beeing cast his was the honour first to possesse me which hee crauing that the eye of day might not looke on an act so detestable purposed to performe me as he said the night ensuing but indeede he promised me to conuay me thence and sette me safe with some tryed friende in my Fathers kingdome But Fortune yet not satis-fied with my
past midnight to sée what might ensue but not hearing the very least noyse or stirring at all disposed himselfe to rest and slept so soundly that the doore was opened and fiftie men entred encompassing his bed before hee knew any way howe to defend himselfe and there menacing him with their drawne weapons they tooke him and bringing him before Garnides he was threatned with many iniurious speeches and cōmitted thence to a close strong Chamber where hee purposed to haue him secretely murdered because he would not loose his kingdome nor be punished by the Emperour of Constantinople for so great an offence That day and the two next ensuing hée spent in consideration which was the safest way for him to take Laurea for so was his Daughter named hearing that her Louer was imprisoned was ready to die with very conceit of gréefe but setting a smooth brow vpon her sad sorrow the best way to labour for him and further her owne loue shée began to studie how he might be deliuered So calling one of her seruaunts to her shée sent her for Trasino the Lord of the Castell which had accompanied Primaleon thether but by no meanes would come into the sight of Garnides by reason he stoode doubtfull of his life Shée aduised him that he should suddenly get the horses into a woode néere adioyning because shée intended to flie thence with the Knight whom her Father so trecherously had made his prisoner Afterward getting vnseene into her Fathers study shée found a Letter lying open which had lately béene sent him wherein she read these words Primaleon Nephewe to the Emperour of Constantinople Then her thoughts diuined that this was the name of the Knight whom shee loued so taking it with her into her chamber shee read it at large and found it was written by Filenia the Daughter to King Frisoll who layd the platforme of the treason whereby the Knight was taken Now began a certaine kinde of iealousie to apprehende her thoughts afflicting her beyond all sufferable course suspecting that Filenia affected her Louer because hee had done so much in her deliuerance and perhaps through denying her kinde solicitations shee entred into this displeasure against him which made her now the more earnest in procuring his libertie Héere-uppon shée called a trustie Cosin vnto her who waited on her as her neerest gentlewoman and promising her rich and stately aduauncement if things might sort to her expectation they both became confederate in this enterprise So the night following they went to a windowe but of slender strength whereof her Father it séemed had no knowledge yet it abutted vppon his daughters lodging and therein was Primaleon enclosed as a prisoner where knocking softly on the glasse Primaleon beeing awake and remembring the promise which Laurea had made him started vp to sée who it was that knocked and stepping vpon a table before the window layd his head close to the glasse when the Lady without holding him in any tedious suspence said Behold my Lord now am I as good as my word heere am I ready to die for your deliuerance take this Pikaxe and imploying it as by your strength you very wel can get forth of this ill harbour for the rest leaue mee to prouide Primaleon beholding the Lady before him and so happie a meanes to free him from death which he hourelie expected was both glad and sad glad of his owne safetie but sadde withall when he considered that when he was escaped he could not requite the Lady to her expectation hazarding her fame and life so prodigally for him Notwithstanding béeing bound to the best aduantage in a case so desperate hee tooke the instrument and wrested out the yron barres in such sort as hee made a faire large wide window thereout came foorth So all thrée together getting vp on the Castell wall by the helpe of certaine cordes fastned together which purposely had béene left there by the King himselfe if a dangerous hazard should betide him so to escape away vnséene of any The Women discended with very great difficultie and mounted the déepe ditch againe with as much labour but hauing with safetie passed both they entred y e wood where they founde Trasino attending with the horses and to preuent all losse of time away they galloped toward his Castell Now it came to passe that Garnides considering what a great person hee had seazed on all the next day was so doubtfull in his minde as hee forgot to giue the key as hee was wont to doe for carriage of foode to the prisoner beside Laureas waiting woman séeing her Chamber shutte that was gone with her Lady imagined her Mistresse to be there with her Cosin about a curious péece of embroiderie whereon they wrought and often vsed to be thereabout so alone by themselues All things thus continued on till dinner time when séeing they came not forth neither made aunswere to such as knockt vpon a sudden an out-cry was made which calling the King thether the doore béeing opened with certaine engines no body there founde and the chamber windowe though cunningly closed againe yet appearing to be broken the Pikaxe there lying and the barres of yron that had béene wrested out thē he perceiued that by his daughters meanes the Knight was deliuered Nowe was hee in more extreame suspition then before not knowing what course was now best to be taken yet at last hee concluded that he would not send after them but thus discoursed with his thoughts Since Laurea had doone so much for a Knight of such nobilitie it séemed likely that doubtlesse hee would accept her as his wife and so in marriage shée shoulde be highlie aduaunced then flying from this conceite by craft hee would make out to catch him if hee coulde so was hee blinded with feare of loosing his kingdome Primaleon with a company thought conuenient purposed to returne and ambush themselues in the Woode to take Garnides if hee should stirre out of the Castell so leauing Laurea safely in the Pallace he caused Trasino to select twenty valiant Knights euery one béeing allied to him in blood and so they parted thence into a wood which was foure miles distant from where the King lay Not fullie two dayes had they there remained but they tooke a Spy that affirmed to them that Garnides was not displeased at the Knights losse or his Daughters but prepared his men to depart from thence Primaleon fore-thinking what the King shoulde intend thereby kept it to himselfe and about some two houres after hee beheld an hundred Knights which deuided themselues into thrée parts or companies because Garnides not knowing that Primaleon had recouered Trasinos Castell imagined hee had hid himselfe in those woods adioyning and beeing vnarmed he might there the easier be once more possessed of him These three bands of Knights hauing diuers houndes attending on them searched all about dispersing themselues so farre each from other as they coulde heare what was doone by
the noyse they made The Kings companie hearing the hounds at a bay made hast to the place where Primaleon couching his Launce against Garnides who knew not him pierced quite through his Armour into his shoulder and cast him quite beside his horse The King thus wounded and layd on the ground so amazed all his other followers that séeing Trasino come vppon them with his twentie Knights they betooke themselues to flight leauing their King behinde them who béeing taken by Trasino and bound vpon his owne horse they conducted him safely to his Castell where béeing committed to his daughters custodie for care and dressing of the hurt hee had receiued they would afterward determine what was to be done with him CHAP. XLIII Howe Primaleon caused Laurea to be married to Trasino making him King of the Morning Ilands gaue Filenia likewise to Garnides GArnides séeing hee should be detained as a prisoner in Trasinos Castell to whom he had doone innumerable iniuries thought verily nowe there was no way but death with him but when hee was committed to his daughters custodie hée conceiued the better hope of life importuning her verie often earnestlie to intreate the Knight for safetie of his life The Lady desirous to shielde her Father from death albeit he had most worthily deserued it at night first shewed Filenias Letter to Primaleon wherein was set downe all the treason deuised by her against him and afterward sollicited him very instantlie to spare the life of the King her Father This Letter was highly welcommed to Primaleon as béeing an especiall meanes to further his purpose and to quittance both the Traytors in theyr due kinde euen with such chastisement as hee déemed most conuenient Neuerthelesse hee caused Laurea to dissemble with her Father that he must suffer death according to his treasons deserts The next morning he wrote vnto Filenia that she shoulde come to Trasinos where he held Garnides as a Traytour these newes were nothing pleasing to the Ladie yet imagining that Primaleon knewe nothing of her plotted trecherie and hoping to repossesse her Kingdome againe shée iournied thether securing herselfe with her Lyons but they were no sooner out of y e Castel when presently the Lyons forsooke and left her in regard shee was become a traytresse and broken her princely faith and like entertainement found she there at her arriuall béeing shutte vp like an offendour in a close Chamber and vsed as if she had beene a prisoner Now in the time of ordering these occasions and the Ladies expectation for repossession of her kingdome when Garnides was indifferently recouered Primaleon taking Trasino with him and Laurea with Filenia who gaue the other many a scornfull and iealous looke in regarde of her former loue to the Knight of Fortune they all entred the Chamber of Garnides where suddenly he became so full of gréefe to beholde them in that all his cruell hopes were so crost and ouerthrowne as his sences failing him hee fell downe in a swoune Laurea beeing present at this gréeuous spectacle moued with naturall compassion of her Father went recouered him preuailing so well with diuersitie of good arguments as shée pacified his perturbations in very reasonable manner when Primaleon taking Garnides by the bosome and Filenia by the hand thus spake Let me now tell yee that like two Traytors you ought to be dismembred aliue which the rather I should consent vnto more for obseruation of iustice then any reuenge of mine owne iniuries but confessing my selfe in some sorte obliged to Filenia for her good aduise in the enchaunted Castell of Bernuccio makes me the more willing to saue her life and the debt I confesse as due to Laurea for so kind deliuering me from imprisonment commaunds that I likewise pardon her Fathers life Neuerthelesse because neither of the trecheries may passe without some punishment this is the sentence that I impose on Garnides heere doe I disgrade him of his title and kingdome because hee neuer held possession thereof by any iust claime or right and the like award set I downe for Filenia for in practising to destroy his life who with no meane perrill thereof laboured to regaine it for her shee hath made herselfe vtterly vnworthy of any such dignitie But because in her Letter which he then tooke foorth and openly read shee hath elected Garnides to be her husband shée shall haue her desire and both of them enioy the Castell which was enchaunted by Bernuccio paying yéerely homage to the King of the Morning Ilands Filenia was hardly contented with this deuision but séeing how her liues perrill stoode on vrging the contrarie she willingly condiscended the like did Garnides who thought his desperate aduenture had made a happy returne in gaining faire Filenia whom he déerely loued Héereupon they were immediatly espoused together and sent to the Castell which he had assigned them all which beeing finished hée called Laurea to him saying I will neuer deny but that my life is a due debter to you in any occurrences whatsoeuer but because I cannot satis-fie your harts desire which in plainer termes is to be your husband and a reason of importance doth directly stand against it namely my bounden and dutiful seruice to a Lady long since engaged wherin though hetherto my deserts haue beene slender yet since my fortune is no better I must rest content there-with Notwithstanding because I would acknowledge in part though vtterly vnable to come néere your merrit my forward readines to doe you seruice let me intreat you to accept a person more worthy then my selfe the noble Countie Trasino discended of the royall progenie and for his loyall fayth kept to King Frisoll his Lorde farre better beseeming you then any other with him shall you enioy the faire kingdome of the Morning Ilands and holde me in dutious seruice euer as your Knight so farre as I offende not my gracious Lady and Mistresse Laurea who little expected such an aunswere with the teares in her eyes said My Lorde you haue such power and soueraigntie ouer mee as not daring to deny whatsoeuer you commaunde I rest satis-fied with your appoyntment and albeit your promise gaue me greater hope I will burie all in silence For I know by experience of my owne loues fire that you cannot easily giue ouer affection where the chaine of especiall liking hath intirely lincked you keepe this then in memory that héereafter I may boldly call you my Knight Primaleon was exceedingly contented hearing the Ladie so kindlie to accept his offer because he should now wel reward the Countie Trasino to whom as yet hee had not made this knowne for all the fauour and good wil he had found by him and hauing Garnides his Ring wherby all the Forts should bee surrendred vp they leuied two thousand men with whom they went from Iland to Iland hauing Laurea likewise in their company the people dooing great honours to her because there was neither Citty nor Castell but helde firme remembrance
should bee shewne vnto you neuerthelesse Fortune reseruing you to more glorious enterprises commaunds me to bridle all displeasure and not to vse you as in iust rage I might withdraw your selfe therefore into that little Cottage and there you shall finde what is conuenient for you Primaleon feeling the last Caniballs blowes most offensiue to him the more gladlie yéelded to this inuiting and being entred the Cottage hee found there a table daintilie furnished and a goodly bed for him to rest in there supt he without any dread of suspition and seeing none to hinder him went afterward to bed and there slept soundly CHAP. XLIX Howe Primaleons Squire arriued at Constantinople with his horse and there witnessed that a Lyon had deuoured his Lord in his presence and of another sad newes there happening also THE Court of Constantinople was full repleate with gréefe for Miragardaes losse and the two fayre young Ladies that were with her the Emperour beside was much malecontent because hee could haue no vse of his Armour onely through the lamenesse of his right arme which thus on meere constraint kept him in Constantinople quite contrary to his knightly resolutions and desires albeit both the wise Aliarte and Dorina had giuen him hope of recouerie and still hee remained in expectation of that promised good fortune nor did any imbecilitie or age abate one iote of his courage but continuing his former youthfull disposition often wished himselfe in the fiercest and bloodiest battailes Now in this idle loytering from the exercise of military imployment a softer temper had beleagerd his affections and carrying them in doating errour toward fayre Candida the Daughter of Belisart prouoked him to diuers priuate visitations of her all which notwithstanding the discréete and fayre natured Empresse Grydonia neuer minding the becks nodds and other ceremonies of an olde enamoured husband deliuered apparantly that shee discerned nothing whereat the Emperour was not a little contented albeit he would not for all his Empire y t the world knew his vaine desires as his in very deede Empresse did Time passing on in these and such like occasions the Knight of Fortunes Squire happened to arriue at the Court leading in his hand his Maisters Courser and tydings he brought of certaintie withall that he sawe when a Lyon deuoured his Lorde These heauie newes flewe quickly through the Court and the Empresse with the fayre young Lady Concordia who duly kept within her loâ—ging euer since the losse of Miragarda her Mother ran as bereft of theyr wits about the Pallace finding the Emperour in like manner neerer death then life But the Empresse Grydonia beeing of great spirit womanly discretion weighing in the equall ballance of her thoughts what greefe a man might take for losse of such a Nephew kindly embracing the Emperour spake vnto him in thys manner Right royall and my most esteemed Lord by the vertue of that loue which you truly declared when deliuering mée your sword and laying your head on my lappe you prostrated your selfe to death and bad me reuenge my wrongs for Perequin of Durace let me intreate you to forget these passions and liue with me in honours league as you ought to doe Admit you haue lost a noble Nephew yet comfort your selfe in Oliuanto his brother doubtlesse his Mother will also be well recouered againe for assurance whereof take this as a testimonie that in the heauiest and most disconsolate afflictions of all the Diuine fauour preserued and restored you to your Empire The Emperour beeing come to better patience was so inwardly comforted with these pleasing speeches that folding her in his armes hee declared himselfe to be contentedly satis-fied commaunding all the other Ladies and young Princesses to his presence with whom hee sate discoursing on matters beseeming theyr assembly the better to expell these sad tydings which so much afflicted him yet the death of his déere Nephew often interposing it selfe coÌ„pelled many broken yet well shadowed sighes which neuerthelesse the Empresse with heedfull eye obserued and made her very hardly to refraine from teares But nowe the houre of dinner beeing come a generall feasting together in the hall was commaunded whereto the Emperour was the rather induced because hee helde it as a matter woorth generall respect that a Knight so fauoured of Fortune and so full of fayre hopes should so vntimely be tane away euen in the freshest flouring of his youth This dinner was very sumptuous and honourably performed in which time many iocond humours and fantasies ranne in the Emperours thoughts that he could hardly beleeue his Nephew was dead and dinner beeing ended hee called to him sundry Princes of good yeeres to whom he imparted his priuate oppinion which sauouring as likely in their coniectures as his they fell to this conclusion that the Squire should be deliuered ouer to torments thereby to vnderstand the truth of his Maisters death So without any long delaying hee was taken and tormented in such sort that hee confessed the reason of his saying so was because hee thought him for certaintie to be dead and in excuse of his owne returning thether without him for how could it be otherwise his eyes were witnesses how a Lyon carried him into a deepe vaulte against which beast he could not well defend himselfe his Armour being before taken from him at the Tree of Fortune The Emperour aduertised the Empresse heereof and sending kindly to entreate her company so soone as she came thus he began Madame cherrish your good hopes for questionlesse my Nephew is liuing for I dare affirme according to some Magicall incantations which I haue both seene and heard of that the Lyon is so friendly a beast to the progenie of Palmerin that this carriage away of our Nephew by a Lion will sort in the end to his fame and glory Now began all former sad oppinions to be quite banished and nothing but courtly pleasures onely prosecuted but sée a suddaine vnexpected change againe Franardos Squire whose Lord neuer parted from the I le of Carderia since his surprising there by the Knight awaiting his fréedome by some other man of merrit and perceiuing Almaroll with the other Knights there to be taken likewise and Leonato enchaunted for defence of the place the Squire bereft of all hope that any one nowe could deliuer them returned also to Constantinople and there reported how many Knights were there thus strangely retained in the I le of Carderia This fresh allarum of vnfortunate tydings raised such a new discontent in the Court that nowe they began to credite the former report comparing present successes with passed accidents that Fortune now stroue to weaken the Court of Constantinople and reduce it into the like desperate estate as when Don Edward the Prince of England was imprisoned but this new crosse stoode on farre worse conditions by reason these Knights could not be deliuered without the intended death of Leonato which admitted no hope in so hard an extremitie but rather
principall reckoning secret sworne enemies to the Christians they wrought with such politique subtilty that they were assured of two thousand Turkes in their assistaunce making this course their hope that if a tumult were suddainly raised they should want no harts nor hands to help them Ristorano with his elected company went to the place where he had left the Monster and engirting the Pallace where the Christian Caualierie were onely such excepted as guarded the gates and kept the Castell crying out murder murder murder the false Christians they forcibly brake through the doores where the Knights lodged and there had suddainly murdered them all but that the Monster ouer-gréedy in his forwardnes shooke the doore of the roome where Dragonalte Pompides slept Now was there heard such a terrible noise as if the Pallace had béen shattering in péeces so that the Princes awaking their Armour euermore by them they were immediatly armed Targiana likewise armed her selfe perceauing shee could repose no trust in her Turkes hence-forth would secure her selfe among the Christians Thirty of the best knights in the Pallace were spéedily in a readines fifty more came by a secret vault vnder the Castel to them Dragonalte with these fourescore resolutes hauing left Targiana in Pompides charge with twelue of her best affected seruants in companie all vowing to loose their liues in her defence went on to the gate where néeded no labour to open it for the Monster had made so large an entrance that our men might easily rush forth vpon them but the Monster could not get in thereat being only hindered by his huge greatnes When Dragonalte beheld such a wide rupture which though the night was dark he too plainly perceaued he imagined such a breache could not possibly be made but doubtlesse it was the Monster that did it wherefore holding it not requisite to respect a beast with manly curtesie he caused thrée Launces to be bounde together because the Monster had such strength in his hands as with ease he could cracke one in péeces and as the beast stoode crouding for entrance he ran with the Launces against his side so strongly y t gashing his ribs it rent away a good deale of his flesh This wound was so full of paine to the Monster that he forsook the dore running down y e staires ouerthrew euery one he met withall Dragonalte with his followers issued foorth on the staires and here he found work enough to doo for Ristorano had set down his rest on death rather then longer to liue in prison therfore well armed he was amongst the formost defended y e passage with such bold resistance that Dragonalte by no meanes could descend the staires albeit hee heard the Christians pittifull shriekes who were mercilesly slaine beneath by the Turkes Pompides regarding the liues of his Souldiours left Targiana with her trusty seruants and went to company him selfe with Dragonalte where in litle while they made such a lauish slaughter as y e enemies were glad to giue them away and there did Pompides wound Ristorano in the sword hand yet neuerthelesse the fight was fiercely continued for foure thousand Turks more were raised in his aid ioyned there with y e rest euen at that instant Our Caualieres with their handy blows had so dishartened the formost rancks that with very good will they gaue them passage and thereby releast their passage into the open Court where being seconded with new supplies of fresh friends and comfort of others which were in readines preparing the enemy made a present recuile out again so that there might be easily numbred two thousand slaine euen in this forcible retire of the enemie and his troups The Monster being starke mad with the wound he had receaued ranne thorowe the Citty ouerthrowing and killing all that he met withall making such a confusion among them which fauoured Ristoranos procéedings as verie many of them growing doubtfull what successe would ensue drew back closely into their houses as fearing now to be held rebellious by reason wherof Ristorano made not his part so good as before he hoped of neuerthelesse very fiercely and desperatly he maintained still the fight and the Monster returning againe where he was crowde◠in so furiously among our troupes that before he could be withstoode he was in the midst of all the Horse-men where hee did mischiefe enough beating men and horses on euery side to the ground but hee was wounded in many places with their sharpe pointed Launces whereof still he seemed to make no reckoning but procéeded in as much outrage as euer he did Pompides séeing such damage done to his men came in person to encounter him but the Monster running at him with all his might thwarted his passage so vnluckily that tumbling his Horse and him quite ouer backward the beast fell likewise vppon him and there with his huge waight he had béene pressed to death but the Monster hauing lost much blood out of his side and other hurts fell faintly beside him when Pompides hauing quickly recouered footing againe commaunded him to be taken by méere strength While thus the heate of the broile continued Ristorano remembred Carino King of Illium who was close detayned in an other prison his company he thought would now greatlie sted him where-vpon he caused him to be fetcht from prison and armed with as much spéede as possibly could be Now began the skirmish in farre fiercer manner then before for Carino was a bold hardy Knight and many well-willers of his dwelled in Tubante obtayning such fauour in the time of his imprisonment onely to waite opportunity for his deliuerance Pompides being very weary and somewhat sore with his vnhappy fall meeting with Carino had there by him beene slaine if Targianaes good hap had not conducted her thether attended by her twelue faithfull followers where beholding her state and rule in a very desperate hazard if our Knights of repute should so be discomfited both she and they fought so gallantly clearing their way with such valour before them as they saued Pompides life euen in the narrowest perill and brought him where he might breathe and rest him selfe Dragonalte on the other side labourd with such successe that wheresoeuer he smote about him at euery stroke it cost a life neuerthelesse the enemie came still so freshly vpon them that euery moment their ruine was expected But Targiana like an aduised and prouident Princesse helping where most néede required with new supplies cried out all the way as she went with her troupes that who so euer had taken Armes against her in the fauour of Ristorano if now they would forsake him and witnesse true duty to their lawfull Princesse frée pardon was graunted without any after remembrance of their passed offences so that euery one might safely betake him to his abiding And Targiana was reputed so faithfull of her promise as indéede it becommeth any Prince to be as therefore shée deserued highly to be reuerenced and
except the kindred or néere friends of Ristorano and Carino all the rest departed presently to their habitations so that those two Princes were there left nowe with not aboue an hundred men to helpe them When Dragonalte saw the people part thence in such sort he spent no time in vaine against the small remainder yet Ristorano and Carino were withdrawne together and stoode vpon their owne guard with very sprightly courage but when Pompides and Targiana came with fresh enforcement vpon them then they began to think the day lost and Carino who meaned to be imprisoned no more leaping foorth of the circkle wherein he was round engirt ranne into the thickest of the Christian squadron calling with loude voyce for Dragonalte and Pompides that hee might die by the hand of one of them But because a Traytour deserues no honourable end such was the loude clattering of swords vpon Armour and the out-cries of them which were doone round about him to death as he was not heard at all but falling downe among an hundred Launces was there very cruelly slaine by them Ristorano defended him selfe so well as he could hauing no more then twelue men now left with him for the rest were departed to their houses as loath to loose their liues and possessions but Targiana hauing round ringd him with her power considered with her selfe that if he should yéeld and be sent thence to Constantinople the Emperour was so benigne and full of clemencie that in time his life and liberty might be graunted whereof would arise a following affliction to the Turkish estate therefore to preuent such an after daunger shee set vpon him with forty of her best Souldiours and there cut him in an hundred péeces with all the other that stoode in his defence and thus the hurley burley was concluded Dragonalte and Pompides summoning their troupes together found that they had lost three hundred men which could not but be some gréefe vnto them neuerthelesse they were content that the rebels should be pardoned for otherwise there was no assurance in holding of the Kingdome So order being giuen for regard of the wounded and good watch appointed for the Citties safety the Captaines and Commaunders went to haue their hurtes drest the like did Targiana who albeit she were wounded yet grew she so affectionate to the following of Armes as quite giuing ouer the néedle and distaffe shee would trie the fortune of sword and Launce like a warrionnesse and became famous for chiualry as héereafter shall be shewne The next day following the Princes held a counsell together to send Tirrena and the Monster to Constantinople and prouiding a Shippe ready for such a seruice sent them a boorde committing the trust thereof to Mirante the Nephewe of Maulerino who went the more willingly because he would make him selfe knowne to the Emperour The Ship set saile hauing therein Letters from Floraman the Generall with others from the Princes and Targiana which gaue intelligence of all successes and occasions euen to that instant Nowe began no little ioy thorowe the whole Court especially for so happy an attayning to knowledge in whose custodie Miragarda Victoria and Argentina were whereat Onistalda her mother much reioyced The Monster was generally beheld with wonder because no such sight had beene vsuall to them and Mirante had royall welcome of the Emperour remembring what his Graundsire had doone in fauour of his Father and this ioy qualified the gréefe for the former ill tidings Tirrena was deliuered to the change of the Empresse who kept kinde company with her in her owne lodging without her enduring any other discontentment but that she might not part thence at her owne pleasure CHAP. LI. How Trineus arriued by chaunce with his Ship on a strange Iland where hee found labour enough to doo And how his Armie sayled on to Niquea TRineus the Allmaigne Emperour who parted with the Armie from Constantinople to goe for Tubante when he had sailed diuers dayes with contrary windes there arose at last such a furious tempest that the Shippes for feare of breaking one against another were glad to make way as best they could Trineus sorry to sée the Seas distemper was suddainly caried farre off from the Fléete and borne away with such celerity that a quarrie neuer did flie swifter from a bowe séeming to him as if he had in short while dispatched sixe dayes sayling together At length the Shippe entred a port made onely by nature and casting Anker where most conueniently they might Trineus was the first that would step a shoare being followed by three other Knights of his owne Nation Passing on long there was neyther trée hearbe nor plant to be séene but onely vast and naked grauell which led on directly to a great water wherein there appeared to be both men and women who seemed as if they knewe not how to liue vpon land and on the bancks that enclosed this water grew certaine little grafts or trées the fruite whereof was like to Quinces but much lesse and very little indéede yet passing pleasant and nourishing in tast This Countrey séemed to Trineus commodious enough and dreadlesse of any harme to harbour there he put off his helmet so did the other that were with him to refresh them selues with the swéet ayre Standing to solace them selues by this water there suddainly came on the further side a huge number of wilde beasts as Lyons Beares wolues Tygers Panthers and other such like and because there was no other water in the Iland for them to drinke of thether they came alwaies to quench their thirst Trineus was not tardy in clapping on his Helmet nor y e other Knights neither to defend themselues from violence but such resistance was of no reckoning for there were aboue thirtie thousand of the beasts Trineus béeing of an vndaunted courage made little care of so imminent a perril but such was the subtile quality of the enchauntment consisting on the other side of the riuer that a little boate came floating toward him guided by a goodly Damosell who spake vnto him in this manner My Lady and Mistresse beholding a farre off your comming hether intreates you to come and sée her that she may giue you such instructions as may make your vertues for euer immortall These last wordes carried such weight in the thoughts of young Trineus that without returning any aunswere both hee and the other Knights stept into the boate béeing conuaied thence with vnspeakable spéede and they beheld the men and women in the water expressing very passionate and mournfull gestures as signifying that they were carried to some fatall misery Trineus not regarding these signes of gréefe at all stept foorth on the other shoare and presently was surprized with such passion that hee must néedes cast himselfe headlong into the water and indeede he had doone but for a Iewell he had about him giuen him by his Aunte Bazilia which defended him from the force of the enchauntment but the other
madnes had assumed the very height of violence he should be transformed into a wilde Beare whose nature leanes much to furious madnes So the Wood and Temple were his assigned haunts and the Fountaine in compassion of him was there erected to frée him frō that furious frenzie when such a Knight should happen to come thether whose valour would embolden him to drag the beast into the water Now as concerning the huge Idoll of stone the spell allotted thereto was in this manner that whensoeuer any one came thether to end this enchauntment it should haue the motion of a lyuing man and the strength of a Gyant Thus were the Knights assigned a lingering death in life the one by his mortall wound the other in his trans-formed madnes and my Sister who indéede should iustly suffer for them both had continually remayned in that fire except your vertue had allayed the vigour thereof which ceased so soone as you tooke her foorth of it Thus haue you briefely heard the sum of this aduenture after which may it please you to goe take your rest because you must returne to comfort the Emperour Primaleon Euery one tooke great pleasure in the Ladies report vnderstanding thereby the scope of the aduenture so supper being ended they seuerally went to take their rest In the morning euery man armed him selfe to depart thence and the Knight of the Iland knéeling before Florendos would be instituted by him who was sonne to the Emperour a Deputie gouernour of the Iland which was performed on both sides with great loue and kindnes Primaleon dreaming still on the wizzard Aliartes deliuerance to serue him selfe with his ayde in enfranchizing Victoria especially in such occasions appertayning to the enchauntment as his courage and valour would but little sted him in after that he had aduertised his Father how he had set frée his Mother from an enchauntment and sent her by Trineus to Constantinople taking his gentle farewell of them all he parted thence and arriuing where Dorina expected him he entreated her to leaue him a while to him selfe and meete him at the Perillous I le if he should stand in neede of her helpe concerning the enchauntment The reason why he would not now haue her companie was because he hoped to méete with Arguto againe to reconcile him from his péeuish obstinacie but he found a quite contrary hinderance in his way for Palmerin of England whom Fortune had conducted to Constantinople entred there vnknowne to any but his Lady Polinarda and shée perceauing his close intent was as secret to him as his part desired There heard he of the Grecian Knights imprisonment also the mishappe and disgrace befalne the wise Aliarte his brother and hauing stayed eight dayes thus secretly with his wife he determined first to deliuer his brother and afterward goe to the I le of Carderia holding it for most certaine and assured that all these things happened but by enchauntment wherein his brother Aliarte would highly sted him so causing his Horse and Armes to be closely caried out of the Citty gates he proceeded according to his resolued purpose Drusa Velonna who still awayted mishap toward the Court of Constantinople and to further it by her vttermost endeuour so crost this intended course that Palmerin being transported quite from his determination vnwittinglie came first of all into the Realme of Macedon where shunning all walled townes or places of accesse one day about three a clock in the after noone he saw a Knight come riding toward him bearing as he did the imprese of Fortune in his Sheeld but figured after a stranger fashion Hée meruailing who durst be so bolde as to cary his deuise when he was come néerer him spake in this manner Doo ye heare me Sir What are you of my blood or alliaunce or holde you some inward respect to me that you are so familiar with my Ensigne of Fortune Primaleon who had approoued his valour so often and against so many in other occasions thought if he could nowe well cary the case with Palmerin he néeded to dread no passage whatsoeuer and dissembling as if he knew him not returned this reply You should Sir be but simply séene in the profession of chiualrie that you dare offer to forbid any man the bearing of your deuise I neuer yet combatted with any that caried this imprese nor will I be so arrogant to impeach any mans frée liberty in such a case notwithstanding séeing your so vnciuill and apparant discourtesie I haue a will to trie whether I can take that Ensigne of Fortune from you or no to the ende you may liue afterward out of her fauour These wordes incensed Palmerin beyond all meanes of sufferance and because for very anger hee could returne him no aunswere he gaue present way to his Horse for the Ioust Primaleon repented that he had so furiously prouoked him as well in regarde of his great valour which he had neuer approoued as also because he was his Vnckle toward whom indéede hee ought to haue béene somewhat more dutifull but being vnable now to shunne the tryall without blame and disgrace committing him selfe to his euer-fauouring Mistresse he gaue the spurres to his Courser to méete him valiantly In the encounter the earth trembled as if it had opened and the Horses met with such violence together that they both were set on their buttockes on the ground and rising againe by the quickning of the spurre the Knights Launces beeing shiuerd in péeces to their hands they were both mightily astonned Palmerin réeling twise as if he would haue falne beside his Horse and Primaleon so shaken as if his sences were quite bereft him In this amazement they continued a quarter of an houre and recouering againe both at one instant that it coulde not be iudgd which was the first they came against each other with their swords drawne giuing blow for blow and hurt for hurt Palmerins first stroke was vpon the helmet which being of approoued very good temper was notwithstanding cleft a little and Primaleon had a blowe on the right side which pierced quite through the Armour and wounded him somewhat Thus continued the combate aboue two houres space and by reason eyther of them stoode vpon his skill and experience the blowes did enter the sharper where they lighted Palmerin conceiting inwardly with him selfe what hee might be that set him thus hardly could not thinke it to be Don Florian his brother nor yet Florendos because he caried no such corpulence of body where-vpon he grew into such fury that crossing his sworde arme ouer Primaleons back thwarting the other directly before him he thought so to get him forth of the saddle But when Primaleon perceaued the perill and what shrewde girdes his aduersarie gaue him he caught fast hold about him likewise their Horses waxing so spent and wearie as hardly could they lift a foote from the ground but réeled euery way as their Maisters strength drew them till at
with a short Arming sword in his hande who spake to Arguto in this manner Proud Knight hard is thy hap in seeking this Sepulcher which was made for Alexander the great though hée dying soone after in Persia could not héere receiue his buriall Neuerthelesse the wise Magitian that builded this place was willing that no eye should beholde it as ashamed of his owne mightie errour that hee should be crost in the buriall of Alexander therefore I sée no other remedy but thou must needes venture the combate with mee and if it be thy happe to ouercome mee thou wilt afterward wish that thy selfe had been vanquished These words daunted not the hart of Arguto where valour and arrogancie shooke friendly handes together but drawing forth his sword assailed the Knight to get within the gate least it should be shutte against him when hee had conquered his enemie and many blowes he deliuered but the other Knight was so quick and expeditious as he could not fasten one stroke vppon him neuerthelesse so manie thrusts were returned vppon him as if hee had not broken them readily with his Shield of the Sun the least of them had béene of force to haue past quite thorow him Arguto could not deuise what to thinke of the Knights agilitie which made all his labour sort to no effect when he smote at him nor did he deliuer any downe-right or siding blowes but onely foynes and thrusts which still hée drew backe againe so farre as hee could by reason they stoode so close to each other which prooued but little aduantageable to the strange Knight for now when he saw he could make no more thrusts he was glad to smite any way as best hée might whereof Arguto made no reckoning at all because his aduersaries foynes had not hurt him and these other strokes fell so lightly on him as if they had béen the blowes of a child whereupon letting fall his weapon hee caught Arguto fast about the middle and drew him into the gate where the Knight vanishing left him shutte vp within the wall and nowe no gate nor signe thereof was any more to be séene This raysed some suspition in Arguto that there he was enclosed to be famished to death and walking about to see what might betide him hee beheld a great yron doore to lift it selfe vp which couered a déepe hollowe vaulte that went vnder the Tombe and he looking into it sawe that it was full of rauenous Serpents lifting vp theyr heads as if they would presently haue deuoured the Knight hee not knowing in this case what was best to be done a Lady appeared to him looking foorth at a little window in the Sepulchers side and thus she spake Sir Knight héere art thou like to die with famine except thou cast thy selfe into this hollow vault where except heauen be the more propitious to thée thou art assured likewise to be eaten vp of Serpents These two extreame choises séemed somewhat difficult a present dispatch by gréedy Serpents or a lingering death by hunger-starued famishment nor blame him to consider a while on so hard an election to yeeld to famine beside the shame and infamie of the death it would bereaue him of christian and charitable patience which is a mans chiefest glory in so fierce an agony to cast him selfe downe among the Serpents therein appeared a manly resolution and the dispatch of life would be immediate but how reported of afterward there the question remained Hauing thus consulted with his silent thoughts which were guilty rather of too much forwardnes then any base feare or sléepy cowardise the selfe same courage seazed on his spirits which neuer left his Graundfather Frysoll and without any dread of the very greatest danger he cast him selfe at one leape into the Caue No sooner had hee thus done but he found him selfe so writhd about with the Serpents as he could stirre no part of him but his hands only wherefore in such a strict distresse he trusted onely to God and his manuall strength catching the Serpents fast by the neckes and wroong them about with such facility and ease as he had kild aboue an hundred of them very quickly which could not but be great comfort to him séeing his labour thriue so successefully and him selfe not so much molested as at his first entraunce notwithstanding there was one Serpent excéeding y e rest in greatnes that had a crowne vpon his head and he held the Knight to so busie a taske as by no meanes he could get from him yet did he often catch hand fast on the Serpents necke but all his strength was not able enough to hold him While this busie conflict thus continued the Knight which before had vanished from his sight appeared now againe aboue at the mouth of y e Caue hauing a goodly Launce in his hand and there-with he gaue so many thrusts at our Champion as he would not affoord him the very least breathing while Nowe began Arguto to despaire of his life thinking no meanes were left for him to escape for still as he turned to resist the Serpent that he should not writhe his taile about his legges to ouerthrow him the Knight aboue molested him mightily with the Launce putting him often times to very hard extremities The great Serpent holding out stil fiercely against him at last caught the Knights head helmet and all in his mouth so that Arguto was readie to fall and had he not stifly graspt the Serpents necke whose filthy breath sauour well-neere choakt him he had presently falne down dead but this gripe made the Serpent let goe his hold flying off from him to recouer breathing the Knight aboue then layd at him with the Launce so that he could stir no way without intricate trouble At last he thought it his best course to close with the Serpent and try if by méere strength he could ouercome him but soone did he repent so fond an opinion for the Serpent suddainly spread out his wings and wroong him so painfully betwéene their gripe that he neuer felt the like agonie before Neuerthelesse Arguto well remembring with himselfe that his life honour stood now on the very last cast caught once more the Serpents neck betwéen his hands griping it with like strength as he had done before he quickly got loose forth of his wings which prooued no great aduantage to him for the Knight with y e Launce as cruelly vexed him and made him endure a miserable torment wherof to be rid one way or another either end his life or the aduenture he got fast hold of the Launce which he puld vnto him with so maine violence as being wholy possessed of it the Knight was gone againe not to be séene When he saw y e Launce thus in his owne custody by which he had suffered so much paine trauaile his mind halfe perswaded him that in it remained some secret vertue wherby y e enchauntment might be
thée right nobly accomplished for I am the man that made this Sepulcher hoping to haue had y e whole world wonder at it but errour beguild me and baffuld the height of my chiefest hopes for Alexander dying so farre hence and his absolute rule deuided into foure faire Monarchies I forthwith framed this enchauntment to the end no mortall eye might euer behold it But thou art come and hast disappointed my determination which as it cuts the threed of my life so shall it inflict this punishment vpon thée that thou shalt neuer haue her whom thy heart longs most after And this beside I tell thée that all my dessignment is not frustrated by thée for in this Tombe shall be buried the only vertuous and renowmed Emperour that euer the future ages shall affoord hauing thus spoken he died and immediatly the noise of Hammers ceased Arguto was displeased at this sad prognostication concerning his Loue but such was his present ioy for his victorie as hee suffered other thoughts the easier to passe his remembrance and searching further about the Sepulcher at last he espied two huge Giants of yron with each a mightie Hammer in his hand whereby he gathered that their knocking had maintained the enchauntment So finding nothing else there to doo for him he prepared to part thence when presently he beheld his Squire to enter bringing him such prouision as he could get because he thought his Lord had neede of refreshing when the Squire had bound vp his wounds receaued in the fight they sate downe to eate and afterward betooke them selues to rest where a while wee must leaue them returning nowe to Palmerin and Primaleon CHAP. LXII Howe Palmerin so soone as his hurts were healed went straite to Constantinople And howe Primaleon went to the Perillous I le and what happed afterward for deliuerie of the wizzard Aliarte PAlmerin hauing recouered his health in such manner that hee was well able to weare his Armour tooke a kinde fare-well of his Nephew Primaleon and parted alone from him very much discontented in his minde to sée the only palme of valour which hee supposed to be borne by none but himselfe trans-ferred nowe vnto another which made him desirous once more to approoue his Nephew for a more absolute and cléere distinguishment which of them was most to be estéemed in chiualrie for the Knights in those times were so addicted to fame and reputation that for purchase thereof they respected neither parentage friendship nor ought else whatsoeuer In these distempred thoughts he iournied toward Constantinople where béeing arriued he was by the Emperour and all the other great Lords and Princesses so louinglie welcommed as his noble vertues right worthily merrited but more especially and indeede as it ought to be his wife entertained him with all gracious kindnesse acquainting him now with an important matter which at his late secrete being there was thought meete to be concealed I meane the trechery of Tamerco and how far hee preuailed in her carriage thence which raised such a wrathful spleene in Palmerin as presentlie he determined Tamercoes death And séeing him by chaunce passe thorow the Hall he ranne vpon him with his weapon drawne where but that his Cosin Oltrando stept suddenly betwéene them of whose well-deseruing Palmerin made great regard Tamercoes life had there perrished and this happened to be the occasion that mooued these two Indians to practise theyr flight thence as héereafter more at large shall be declared Leaue wee Palmerin awhile héere to ease and rest himselfe and let vs speake now of Primaleon who iournying toward the Perillous I le and riding the way which to himselfe séemed most conuenient at the entrance of a Wood he espied Dorina as attending there for him whereof he was not a little ioyfull because by her he might compasse the better meanes in vnderstanding what appertained to the enchauntment wherein the wise Aliarte was detained which indéede was of such powerfull strength as without her helpe he could neuer haue compassed the end thereof Dorina riding along with him fell into this discoursing that it best became him now to omit all other néedlesse occasions and ride directly to the I le whereas Aliarte was imprisoned to ioyne there with happy opportunitie while Drusa Velonna beeing now else-where very seriously busied could not interpose herselfe to crosse his purpose So riding on along the Sea-coast they came at last to a Castell there builded on the shoare where they made a newe deuised kinde of boate with a broade bottome two large paces in widenes the sides very low for such imployment as shall be reported then prouiding himselfe of hammers and grapling yrons to open the strong made Cage as also certaine great sharpe hookes made after no common or ordinarie manner with great strong ropes fast knit 〈◊〉 them hauing put all his prouision aboard and leau◠〈◊〉 â—rina at the Castell away hee went in his boa◠〈…〉 his no little wonder did cut through the 〈…〉 â—ding swiftnes Primaleon béeing so 〈…〉 hardly could he containe himsel◠〈…〉 euen as if he had already set 〈…〉 The learned Wizzard knowing by vertue of his skill how neere the houre of his deliuerance drewe had in this time of his aboade there called vnto y e people of the Iland and giuen them aduise to build a little Tower neere to the rockie cliffe where the yron Cage hung in expectation of some successe that was to ensue whereto they yéelded and accordingly performd it Primaleon who thought hee should neuer come soone enough to this labour when a farre off he had a sight of the Cage went on the merrier and being come within a bow-shoote of it hee suddenly felt vnderneath his boate somewhat resembling a huge great Fish that earnestly laboured to ouer-turne it and some-time he saw it lifted so high on the one side that he verily thought it would haue suncke to the bottome neuerthelesse his minde still continued inuinsible and onward went the boate vntill it attained so neere to the Cage that hee casting foorth one of his corded hookes by good hap it fastened caught hold on the Cage whereat Aliarte became a little discomforted fearing least the violent current of the water would driue the boate away so mainely in the streame y t the Cage thereby might be drawne into the Sea and so they both be drowned together Primaleon whose braine was some-what giddied and his stomack likewise sickishly altered with the fogge and damp of this troubled water sitting downe to rest himselfe awhile suddenly beheld in the stearne of his boate an olde aged man so weake and féeble in outward appearance as if each minute he should giue vp the ghost he sate laughed a pretty while at Primaleon who though with kind coÌ„â— of his yeeres did the like at him saying within him 〈…〉 â—t if there came no greater resistance right soone 〈…〉 â—he set at libertie Scorning to offer iniury to 〈…〉 â—we the stearne of the
had not Aliarte cryed out the sooner to him to beware of a Monster of the Sea which softly had stolne vp into the boate he had beene pluckt backward into the water but turning himselfe vpon this warning he beheld the strangest forme and shape that euer any man had seene before nor was this any faigned Monster but a meere abortiue of y e Sea which Drusa Velonna by her arte had brought out of the widest Seas to prohibite the freedome of Aliarte by any man This strange Sea-monster béeing indeede called a Tritone to wit a man after the Sea-kinde composed of flesh and fish in his seuerall substances came sternely vpon him grasping him so strongly betweene his armes with flings and wrestlings euery way that Primaleon hardlie knewe howe to helpe him selfe the Monster still dragging him to the boates side strugling very hardly to throw him ouerboorde and the boate kept such a dauncing on euery side as Primaleon could hardly stand vpon his féete Hée not knowing in this extremitie what was best to be done perceiued the long beard which he cut from the olde man to grow vppon the chinne of the Monster wheron he tooke fast hold and dragd him about the boate after him in such manner that seeing he vsed no furder contention hee cast off the Monster to his owne libertie whereuppon because he would come no more in so strict handling hee lay still a while very seruilely but started vp afterward verie quicke and sprightly and leaping about him to catch him within the coÌ„passe of his beard the Knight as nimbly kept aloofe off from him so that all the Monsters slights prooued but in vaine Now because this conflict shewed not as yet on which side the victory was likeliest to fall a crimoâ— blush of shame dyed Primaleons chéekes y t his labour prooued fruitlesse when his hart assured him of happy successe for hee had wounded the Triton in diuers parts of his body which made his furie to raise it selfe with the greater violence being nothing else indeede but the meere induction to his death ensuing And let me tell ye withall that our Champions lauish expence of his blood abated his courage and very much weakened him so that while the Monster drew backe to breathe he as gladly leaned on his sword to enioy a little rest As thus he stoode a sudden flawe of the Sea smote the boate against the rocke and made the sterne end to split a little which rush of the boate casting Primaleon backward the Monster caught him by the feete dragging him along so rudely and spéedily that hauing gotten him halfe out of the boate the Monster leapt into the water still holding him fast by the feete but the weight of his body so counterpoâ—zd the Monsters tugging that he could not hale him out into the Sea Primaleon beholding the extremitie of his perrill strugled toward the ropes that held the hookes fast in the Cage and catching holde of them one of them to which hee most of all trusted loosed in the knot and so cast him quite out of the boate into the Sea where beeing heauily loaden with his Armour he would not forgoe the cord but kept it still in his hand for a man when hee is in the greatest perrill will neuer faile in some part of hope hauing any thing that may but appeare to sted him When the Monster saw him thus in the water he came violently vppon him casting his armes about him stroue all hee might to diue and drowne him but men neerest death being most couetous of life make what meanes they may to auoyde the detriment so did Primaleon in this desperate agonie for suddenly hee tooke the Monster by the beard and getting aloft vppon him kept him strongly vnderneath him then fastening the cord about his girdle and afterward to the side of the boate hee drew foorth hiâ—â—ger and wounded the Monster in so many seuerall pâ— that there he quite kild him But nowe came the greatest danger of all for the Monster dying gript him the more strongly betwéen his armes and as he suncke he drewe him downe likewise where it had béene impossible for him to haue escapt but by the cord at hs girdle fastened to the boate whereby with much adoe he got vp againe and then the Boate proued his greatest enemie for his owne weight had almost ouer-turnd it vppon him beside his wounds wexed stiffe and festering when euen as by méere weaknes his hold was like to deceiue him there came a mightie billow of the Sea which skansing the heauier side of the boate threw him the easier iust into the midst of it where finding himselfe frée from any perrill he praysed God on his knees for deliuering him out of so manifest a danger No sooner was the Monster suncke into the Sea and he vppon his feete within the boate but the storme and tempest immediatly ceassed and the enchauntment béeing ended the wise Aliarte by his skill caused a great fire to flame in the boate which seruing as a warning to Dorina that now the aduenture was accomplished shee came presently in a little Skiffe and in short while was with Primaleon where binding vp the wounds he had receiued and pouring in oyles of precious soueraigntie they sate downe and rested after this long labour CHAP. LXIII Heere followeth the deliuerance of the wise Aliarte and vvhat Drusa Velonna did in hinderaunce thereof THE people of the Iland hauing noated the angry rough windes and mightie tempest on the Sea remained in hourely expectation what would ensue concerning Aliarte and albeit he had caused them to build the tower assured them of his spéedie deliuerance yet not one of them durst enter into such hardines as to come and beholde the prosecution of the act But when they sawe the ayre more mildly calmed and no rough stormes were stirring abroad then they ranne forth vppon the Rocke and others of them came thether with a faire goodly Shippe to try if now they could attaine to the Cage The Ship arose in such a height that her sides came close to the Cage whereby Primaleon the easier compassed to loose the holde that fastned it to the Rocke labouring with his hookes and hammers till at last it was at perfect libertie to the no little ioy of the people which they expressed by loude shoutes and chéerefull acclamations then went they all vpon the shoare carrying by Aliarts direction the Cage along with them Drusa Velonna was all this while very busily imploied in recouering Tirrena by enchauntment from Constantinople for she being now growne great with child the Sorceresse intended to bestowe the Kingdome of Paraz vppon the infant as in right discent from his Father Dirdan and therby to bring a fresh affliction vpon the Christians This made her y e lesse respectiue of Aliarts imprisonment which questionlesse she had else further prolonged if not hindered Dorina in the déede dooing But when by her Arte she was informed that her enemy
would redound to mine own shame when her death should be reported to happen by my meanes the nature of her offence neuer heard or known They hauing certaine precious confectious about them and wine of rich and soueraigne power by my consent went to her chamber where first cherishing her faintnes with those necessary helpes and addition of apparant likelihoode that my grace and fauour might againe be recouered they won from her the sum of all both by what meanes she came into the Wood and how in that sort she was left there naked which they perceauing to happen onely through fond loues simplicity returned againe to me and tolde me the whole storie of my daughters mis-fortune Then grew I incensed against this trothlesse man calming my kindled rage somewhat toward my daughter considering that a young Ladies first offence should not be so seuerely chastised especially when earnestly one was the cause of her trespasse where-vpon I faithfully promised the Knights that I would not procéede in any further rigour against her But sitting all alone by my selfe I began to practise how I might be sufficiently reuenged on the Knight by whose villanie I was so hainously iniuried and making many plat-formes in my braine thus I concluded that Rosella by writing should certifie Brunoro howe I lay sicke at the point of death so that if he would then come to her he should enioy my money and goods and likewise be possessour of all my bookes whereof a long while he had béene very desirous and offered large summes of money to haue them as for his leauing her so vnkindly naked in the depth of her loue she had buried that blame by no meanes tooke it as any fact of his but rather of some slauish vnciuill seruant who vpon a malicious inclination toward her had contrary to his knowledge so mis-entreated her and hee no doubt in great heauines for lack of her company My purpose heerein was that vppon his comming I might be possest of him and afterward to vse him as I saw occasion so with a Letter or transcript drawne to this effect I entred into my daughters chamber where giuing her good lookes and taking her by the hand thus I began Although the iniurie I haue receaued by thée hath made a large passage thorow my hart yet am I willing to forgiue and forget it so thou wilt pleasure me but in one only matter which shall yeelde contentment both to thée and mee I will doe quoth she whatsoeuer it shall please you to commaund in recompence of the great grace I receaue from you so vnworthily My will is quoth I that thou write this Letter vnto Brunoro and there-vpon I gaue it her to reade The shalow witted Girle whose doating affection would not let her looke into the vnrepairable wrong shee had receaued by Brunoro suddainly thus replied Oh God forbid déere father that I should prooue such a traytresse to him whom more then mine owne soule I loue and estéeme and no sooner had she thus saide but suddainly would haue cast her selfe out at the casement of her window because she would not be guilty of writing such a Letter I who knew too well her firme resolution immediatly became so furiously discontented as had not the Knights stept in suddainly vpon me questionlesse she had there perished by my hand but beeing by them with-helde from my purpose I tolde them the wilfull folly of the wench and how foolish loue quite blinded her iudgement and made her still doat on him that had so vilely abused her The Knights spent some little while in perswading me to more moderation because shee had confidently aunswered that shee woulde endure all tormentes whatsoeuer rather then bee wone to betray Brunoro and they well noting her setled purpose held it necessary that shee should haue her minde I to pardon her cloathe her againe in her owne habite and let her goe at liberty but with a farre stricter eye of care of her then before had béene vsed All which I yéelded to and she as impiercible as the diamond could be drawne to no other beléefe but that Brunoro right déerely affected her whereon she compast the meanes to acquaint him with my determination writing vnto him what I had entended and which was most to my preiudice that my Art failed me and could at this instant doo me no seruice Brunoro being at that time the very arrogantest Knight in all this Countrey grew proude and disdainfull against me and hearing that I practised his death did not determine the like by me but how to bring me into a most wretched condition of life and perceauing it was publiquely bruted abroad what wrong he had done to me my daughter he deuised with him selfe to lay a fresh affliction on me and by trayning her once againe from my house to abuse her more villainously then hee had done before neuer remembring that so rare loue and fidelity in a woman deserued to be matcht with the greatest Prince in the worlde Vpon this vile determination both against her and me hee wrote to Rosella that the third night following hee would come and confer with her in the garden and at the appointed houre the vnfortunate Damosell perceauing him there went simply to him where taking her vp againe behinde him on his Horse vnséene of any one he caried her away They had not ridden aboue two leagues but like a cunning traytour faigning that hee would make amendes for his passed discourtesie he caused her to dismount then giuing her counterfaited kinde kisses and embraces and glutting his lust againe with her dishonour his brutish heate was no sooner alayed but then he manifested his damnable purpose and dragging her along by the haire of the head sayd that he purposed there to kill her Shée silly soule ruing too late her fond credulity entreated him for Gods sake to spare her life whereto he yéelded on this condition that she would procure his entraunce into my Castell and make him Lord of all that was mine The miserable Lady not knowing how otherwise to ransome her life made him promise to performe it and returning with him back to my Castell with thirty attendants all well prouided through the Garden she conducted them into my great Hall where making their passage forward with engines of yron the noyse quickly awaking me I presently conceited who they were and stepping immediatly into my study I found that a Christian wizzard called the Sage Aliarte of the obscure valley had all this while béene the hinderer of my Magick spelles but hauing done what him pleased I was now againe at liberty Héere-vpon out of my chamber window I threw a certaine powder which smote Brunoro blinde all that were with him so that except I pleased to release them they could neuer haue the benefit of sight any more Then stepping downe my selfe among them in a dissembled voyce I tolde them how easily they might come by my treasure and opening
that it fell out so well and luckilie that Blandidon had begunne a fresh charge in his quarter whereto Francian and Oltrando neighbouring with their forces raised an vnexpected assault on those parts of the Cittie This suddaine allarum so amazed Dirdan and his men that they were constrained to seeke helpe for them which there laboured to maintaine resistance by meanes whereof Gracian with aboue fiftie Knights mounted on the wall which they the more easily compassed because Lanfranco and Broco were very greatly busied with Palmerin and Dramusiande and in some good hope there to haue slaine them both Dirdan accompanied with Leouino others were gone in succour of the place where Blandidon assayled as striuing that way to conquer the thrée other parts of the Cittie Nowe beganne the rumour and noyse to waxe verie great and euery way came the enemies troupes violently vppon our forces so that despight theyr harts they were still kept backe but sée how graciously Fortune fauoured them euen in this heate of trouble and perrill Trineus with his Ship was arriued in the Port where without any trifling or vaine expence of time both hee his Knights marched toward the Armie which he beheld had besieged the Cittie on each side and iudging it to small purpose to mount the wall went directly to Floraman who by reason he was the generall Commaunder did not himselfe intermeddle in the skirmish but to auoyde all disorder that might happen gaue directions still to supply with fresh power where most neede required Vpon some conference had betwéen them together Trineus vsed these spéeches to Floraman My Lord vnder controule of better aduise I am of this minde that héere wee may make a breach thorow the wall and gaine our entraunce with securitie considering so many of our men are alreadie ascended and none of them as yet dismounted againe it is a signe no doubt of theyr good successe and wée are much too blame if we no way second them Floraman not disliking this aduise caused certaine Rammes and other engines to be brought which béeing imployed against the wall with such sufficient strength as was requisite in a little while they made so large a breach that the Pagans in the Citty béeing no way able to hinder them the Christians forcibly entred like to a maine current Lanfranco and Broco séeing they were thus entred the Citty leauing the former taske they had in hand presently forsooke the Wall beginning to make spoyle among our people but Floraman and Trineus so valiantly withstoode them that Palmerin Dramusiande and Gracian had leisure to descend and came to assist them with their friendly succour When Dirdan had gotten intelligence héereof leauing Leouino and Tresino to defend theyr quarter hee hastened to helpe where was more neede and seeking for Palmerin to die by his hand he ranne like a furious mad man vp and and downe till at length méeting with him he thus spake Thou cruell enemy I come to die on the poynt of thy weapon but first I purpose to let thee know how much I hate both thée and thy race with which words he began to lay furiously at him Palmerin béeing willing to saue his life because Primaleon had so requested him vsing no other resistance but defence of his strokes deliuered many gentle spéeches to quiet him withall but perceiuing his kind labour was spent all in vaine and furie getting the vpper hand of longer forbearaunce striking a maine blowe at him hee cleft him from the shoulder downe to the breast which grieued Palmerin more for so dooing then it did Dirdan in the suffering condemning greatly his own rashnes in the act knowing that the Emperour would much bemoane the death of Dirdan because his Father Maiortes died in seruice of the Grecian Empire but who would take it more grieuously then hys Father Don Edward who had so well knowne the fidelity of Maiortes since hee went vnder the shape of a dogge but seeing now it could be no otherwise he suffered his Souldiours to carry him into one of theyr Moscheaes where verie soone after he gaue vp the ghost When the Warriours for the Cittie sawe the death of their Lord and that Blandidon had gotten entraunce likewise in the quarter which he held they would very gladly haue desired mercie But Lanfranco Broco and Leouino cruelly menacing such as offered to yéeld themselues made forward among the thickest béeing lothe to fall into the the Christians power as knowing that they iustly merrited the names of Traytours because theyr Father Palurdan held his Kingdome by fauour of the Grecian Empire all which they now made no account of but hartened on the Souldiours that were vnder theyr charge and continued the fight with vndaunted resolution Gargante hauing béene all this while bound in the Generalls Pauillion by a Pagan Page of whom no man had any suspition watching his apt and conuenient opportunitie was suddenly let loose and spéedily armed then came he running along through the Cittie and entring among the thickest of the Christians made hauocke of them in pittifull manner which Trineus with griefe beholding albeit he was so weary with fighting that hardly he could stand vppon his legges yet would he needes steppe foorth against him but he had such a stroke with the Giants huge Mace that he fell downe astonied and Gargante made forward to encounter with a stronger enemy Lanfranco hauing a farre of discerned him beganne to buckle close to Palmerin because indéed he knew not wel howe to gette from him and the Knight knowing what a tough companion he had gaue with all his might such a ful blow at his enemie that seuering his shield in two parts it did likewise quite cut off his right arme This maime was so full of anguish to the Giant that making now no more reckoning of his life with his other hand hee got Palmerin fast by the Helmet shaking him forward and backward in such rude manner as by no meanes hee could gette loose from him but there had had his breath shaken out of his body for the Giant féeling sharpe death approching so boystrously flung and threw him about as if Francian by good hap had not béene neere who gaue him a spéeding stab in the flancke which wounde comming altogether vnlooked for made him leaue Palmerin and vse what extremitie he could to Francian when grapling fast with him his weakenesse with expence of blood did quite ouer-beare him so that downe fell Francian and the Giant vpon him where hée had vndoubtedly died vnder his heauie weight but that certaine Knights being by and espying the danger wherein he was did quickly recouer him Broco combatting this while with Dramusiande yet séeing when his Brother fell downe spake as followeth Braue Knight if thou be as curteous as valourous permit me to goe and comfort my Brother whom thou seest yonder falne to the grounde and wounded to death I thinke by one of thy company Dramusiande béeing euer of a gentle nature
stepping backe from him sayd Goe and if thou canst saue thy brothers life doe thou shalt not say but thy foe can affoorde thée that honest curtesie This kinde aunswere did Broco as kindly commend in his hart and kneeling downe by his Brother founde hée was dead whereupon knowing that was no place for fruitlesse lamentation hee returned backe againe to Dramusiande thus spake to him I féele not my selfe to spent or wearied but that I can stand boldly breast to breast with thée and hard it is to gesse which of vs two shall be victor notwithstanding so highly doe I prize thy kindnes shewne mee that I am enforced to loue and honour thée offering thée my company and very best abilitie of seruice so that my brothers dead body may be no further mangled At these spéeches Dramusiande threw by his sword and catching him fast in his armes accepted him as his louing Brother agreeing thence-forward to holde constant amitie together By this time was Palmerin face to face with Gargante betwéene whom grewe such a fierce battaile as the like was neuer séene and Leouino after he forsooke the wall towards Blandidons quarter came and met with Dramusiande against whom a while hée bare himselfe valiantlie but in the end hee was so ouer-laboured with the Giants sturdie blowes and so faint with long continuaunce of the fight beeing also wounded vnder the short ribbes that hee fell to the earth when Dramusiande quickly vnlacing his Helmet had smitten off his head but that hee cryed out Sir Knight for Gods sake spare my life and kill me not doe with mee otherwise whatsoeuer séemeth good in your owne liking The Giant tooke from him his sword and Shielde ordaining that hée should be carried thence to Broco and then afterward they went together to the place where Oliuanto and Pompides were detained as prisoners where the doore of the Chamber béeing opened vnto them they were both foorth-with armed as before So returning backe againe to the fight making passage with theyr swordes along as they went the already dishartened enemie beholding Lanfranco lie there slaine and Broco with Leouino yéelded to the Christians held vp theyr vnarmed handes in signe of submission so ceased the battaile onely Palmerin and Gargante excepted For Palmerin hauing fought from Sunne-rising til now the néere approch of the euening and so wearied withall that he could hardly regard the Giants blowes his Horse and he falling downe backward one of his hind legs by mishap trode vpon him whereof Gargante taking the aduantage deliuered a very fierce stroke at him thinking to make him sure from rising any more but Oliuanto perceauing such a discourteous part receaued the blow vpon his Shield saying Well doost thou shewe thy selfe to be a bastard and a vnâ—â—ine that wouldst harme so good a Knight at so apt an aduantage leaue him and turne to me and thou shalt finde that I am not faint or wearie Gargante returned no aunswere but fetching a furious reuerse stroke had feasted Oliuanto but little to his liking had not the Knights knowledge in Armes right héedefully preuented it and turning with a chéerefull spirit on his aduersarie requited his offer with so sound a gréeting on the helmet that hee batterd it close vnto his head But Gargante being altogether gouerned by his great valour without any sight or iudgement in euident perrill continued his fierce rage of laying about him till in deede he was so farre ouer-gone with trauaile that whatsoeuer blowes he smote could doo no more domage Oliuanto all this while making vse of the others fury and knowing assuredly what it would sort to at last spared his owne labour till occasion better serued and then his blowes like thunder fell on his enemie that making him to réele and stagger round about the place at last hee fell backward when Oliuanto taking off his helmet and demaunding whether he would yeelde or no perceauing no aunswere was returned presently he parted his head from his body And thus was the battaile fully concluded with absolute possession taken of the Citty which being performed with the nights arriuall each man as néede required betooke him selfe to rest Floraman hauing first visited the wounded Princes and tooke good order for their quick recouerie CHAP. LIII Howe Tarnaes combatted with Leonato and remained there prisoner and how many other Knights were taken and of a disgrace which happened to the wise Aliarte THe next day following Floraman created Blandidon King of Niquea in name of the Emperour Primaleon but bound him not to pay anie homage because the Emperours of Constantinople desired not to haue Princes to be as theyr vassailes but rather their louing friendes and familiars binding them rather by gifts and kindnesses to all kingly entercourse of league and amitie All things being ordered to the benefit of the Kingdom and Blandidon seated in quiet possession the rest returned thence to Tubante where they found that Dragonalte had reduced the state of Turkie vnder the quiet obeysance of Targiana with pardon and fauour to such former enemies as had béene drawne to rise with Ristorano When Gracian saw the warrs were thus ended he tooke his farewell of the other Knights saying he would nowe returne home to Fraunce and so parted thence with a Foist which was giuen him there by Tarneus Pompides would likewise set thence for Scotland and so would Francian Palmerin and Dramusiande euen whether their owne affections best guided them but Dragonalte his minde was most to Constantinople to be in company of the faire Quéene Arnalte which made him the gladlier stay with Floraman who gréeued not a little that hee might not goe thether where as his thoughts diuined the others mindes were addicted Therefore he would haue sent home Oltrando to India promising him when the Emperour had conquered those Kingdomes he should be made chiefe Ruler of them but he eyther to see the maiestie of the Greekes Empire or else to free his Cosin Tamerco from imprisonment as afterward the successe manifestly witnessed would needes goe along to Constantinople so taking two thousand of his worthiest men with him he sent the rest back againe into India to those places which were vnder his iurisdiction and putting to Sea with the Armie they had so prosperous a wind as brought them within sight of Constantinople where Trineus suspecting that the Emperour would kéepe him in regard of the great loue he euer bare vnto him suddainlie turned his Galley toward Macedonia But leaue we them and come to other who haue béene somewhat ouer-long omitted namely Tarnaes who after he departed from Leonato passed by an aduenture of two villainous Knights that had taken a Horse well munited from a Damosell and dissembling as if they meant to restore it againe conducted Tarnaes to a fountaine where sitting downe and putting off their helmets they gaue such words of assurance to Tarnaes as he made no doubt of their formall promises So spending a little while in pleasant
place without vsing any wordes with-drewe into her owne adioyning lodging to bemoane her owne hard hap and my disgrace Spinalo hauing shut the doore enioyed of me what he most desired and as I lay by him vpon the bed he loath to leaue my company so soone Cauno who had purposely staid from hunting to awaite an occasion so hatefull and accursed hauing a key which euermore brought him to me without the knowledge of any one suddainly rusht in vpon vs. How pleasingly he tooke it to finde me in that sort you can better imagine then I expresse but I leaping from the bed and he ayming all his mallice at me ranne his Rapier through my neck as your selfe lately beheld and Spinalo hauing likewise his weapon drawne with enraged fury past it through his breast My Sister whose sorrowing thoughts fore-told her some fatall mishap vpon my crie came running into the chamber and séeing the sword so thorowe my necke lamenting my hard lot cried out aloude Oh come and helpe vs miserable wretches This noise drew present concourse to vs first our wayting Gentlemen and afterward the Guard of the Court who foorth-with layd hands on the vnfortunate young Lords And the King being called thether by so great a rumour beholding an accident so vnexpected and vnpleasing would néedes be immediatly satisfied therein when euery one being silent I like one desperate from the very originall declared the whole discourse whereat the King grewe so displeased that for a while he séemd like one distraught of his sences but recouering better iudgement breathing foorth a sigh as if his hart had broken he began in this maner I will not with present death finish your offences but inflict more paine for a further punishment vntill such a Knight of valour may be found as dare to vndertake and accomplish the ending of a fierce enchauntment which shal be right suddainly and strangely deuised then turning him selfe to me he sayde Thou that art falne in the very greatest offence which no shames blush can serue for nor wil euer be forgotten shalt haue that weapon so thrust through thy necke vntill my magick spells can be confounded And thou Cauno for offending against thine owne honour and concealing the vile purpose of Spinalo from me shalt likewise haue that sword abiding in thy breast till like date of time may expire thy punishment then calling Silinga he sayde As for thee Silinga reaping the iust haruest of thy fonde sowne folly and wounding thy Sisters soule to sheeld thy selfe from thy idle fancies reiection shalt become a Serpent but so timorous and hurtlesse as thou shalt shunne euery ones sight and desire to approach néere none yet shall the Knight be of vnequalled courage that shall dare to touch thée with his hands and thereby make thée receaue thy womans shape againe For thée Spinalo whom he could not beholde but very impatiently that according to the brutish nature of a dogge hast made no distinguishing of humaine society but had the knowledge of two royall borne Sisters I will haue thée trans-formed into the shape of a foule ill-proportioned dogge but to with-hold thée from so brutish straying restraine thy liberty vnder check of a leash Now come I to my selfe to whom I will not be partiall in a case so mightily and mainely importing but for my too-much neglecting the office of a father not carying a stricter eye on my daughters loosenes I will metamorphise my selfe to an vgly Monster for the safer defence of mine owne enchauntment and haue the charge of thée Spinalo in my leash No sooner had hee spoke these wordes but making certaine signes and carracters about vs by his Arte he caused this mountaine to appeare as couered with stéele bringing hether the Basilisque which you haue slaine and carying vs all in an obscure cloude brought vs to our seuerall places me into the Toombe before the gate Cauno in the other Sepulcher in the chamber Silinga in the little enclosure where shee came foorth him selfe and Spinalo in those other monstrous shapes to the place where they assaulted and set on you and so for many yéeres haue wee continued in which time sundry woorthy Knights haue heere arriued but beeing vnable to accomplish the aduenture haue béene changed into the forme of Stéelie men but yet may recouer their former shapes againe if you will binde my father to breake the force of the enchauntment More then an houres space lasted the discoursing of this Historie to Florian who when he sawe the Lady had fullie concluded rose out of his bed and taking the aged King by the beard sayde How farre hast thou swarued from a fathers discretion in punishing thine owne children to the hurt of others thou mightst haue chastised them in other maner then by the ouerthrow of so many valiant Knights but end all now and let them be deliuered or despight thy deuils I wil be soundly reuenged on thée Solco for so was the King named séeing he grew so hastie with him replied thus Thinke not Sir Knight that albeit by mine Arte I haue wrought so rare an enchauntment I can therefore finish it at mine owne pleasure No Sir your valour as much as my skill is required therein for there are two fierce Lyons which guard a little Turret where they kéepe a Glasse continually smoaking and thereby is the enchauntment maintayned you must first conquer those Lyons and afterward doo somewhat else beside which perhaps will be troublesome enough vnto ye A Gods name said Florian let vs goe to it when thou wilt and likewise to him commit our whole successe héerevpon the Lady sayd to Florian. Oh my Lord giue no beleefe to this spéenfull olde man who would haue vs poore soules continue still in this his hellish enchauntment beside be be very carefull of your selfe that you part not with the Basiliskes bright stone for then we are all in danger of destruction Florian tooke the leash wherewith before Spinalo was led bound fastened the one end about the Kings neck reseruing the holde of the other part to him selfe so did hee driue him along before him commanding Spinalo likewise to follow iust behind him who alas did so but with no little gréefe as knowing the fatall houre drew néere when hee must for euer be trans-formed to a continuall Statue of Stéele Hauing thus left the chamber they went vp on the very highest of all the Mountaine where a far off they discerned the little Turret drawing néere vnto it the other two began to stay and Florian now went formost him selfe but could not perceaue the Lyons to stir vntill he had attained a little neerer them Forth-with together they set violently vpon him one of them catching such holde with his pawes on the Knights shéeld that he rent it from about his neck the other disarmd one of his shoulders with his téeth this fierce assault damped Florian a little yet knowing that death could but be the woorst would set some
deere price on it ere he parted with his life returning such a manly stroke to the first beast that he gaue him a déepe wound on y e shoulder and bestowed the like hurt on the other in his flanke These two wounds did put him in present perill of his life for at one instant both the Lyons so graspt him about the legges that down he fell whether he would or no and then they so trode and scratcht him with their pawes as the like was neuer séene before but he beholding him selfe in such danger gaue such a glenting blow with his sword that frō the angriest beast he cut off one of his féet then holding vp his leg as expressing his sore paine he gaue back ran into the Turret The other Lyon caught the Knight fast by one of his feete dragd him so violently along vpon the ground as his sword could doo him now but slender seruice he found such mighty inconuenience by the beasts haling him In this wonderfull perill occasion yet so fauoured Florian that he caught holde about the stump of an olde Trée whereto kéeping fast with all his strength he suffered much distresse and anguish by the Lyons stretching him forth to his vtmost length as if hee had béene drawne out vpon a Rack yet hoping this way to preserue his life so long hee held till the Lyon growing weary of his strong tugging let goe his gripe to get some better hold of him when presently the Knight leapt vp vpon his féete and gaue so valiant a stroke at the beast that it pared away a good part of his head and questionlesse had foorth-with slaine him but that he ranne backe and got into the Turret Beholding now none other to gaine-say his passage he went on to the Turret where he found the Lyons grinning and murmuring at him but séeing they were so hurt as they could doo him litle harme he began to enter where-vpon the beasts hauing lost all power and vertue of the enchauntment euen at the Knights setting foote on the Turrets foundation ran away with all possible hast vpon the mountaine Florian hauing broken the bolts and locks of the Turret opened the doore and as hee put foorth his hand to take the Glasse which hee sawe smouldring there appeared a man with a huge Axe in his hand who when Florian made offer to lay holde on the Glasse smote such blowes at him with the Axe as not onely had béen sufficient to cut off his arme but likewise to cleaue him quite thorowe the midst Then heard he Solco being behind him shut the doore of the Turret locking him in in such a manner as he was not to get out againe during the enchauntment Now was the Knight very hardly bested when he knew neither how to come by the Glasse nor how to recouer his Sheelde for his defence for still as hee profferd to take the Glasse he with the axe boldly resisted him and there might he haue so continued for many yeeres together but that by good hap he remembred him selfe that he which thus withstoode him might be a liuing man and subiect to the danger of his weapon defending the Glasse by treason and deceite As this happy thought had thus possest him taking his sworde in the one hand and making offer as before with the other to the Glasse when the man made resistance hée gaue him a stabbe directly in the forehead that the blood issued forth and blinded his sight by meanes whereof he had libertie to seaze the Glasse and giuing him other stabbes in the meane space made him fall downe along at his foote Nowe were Solco and Spinalo come to the grated window of the Turret where with cunning spéeches they laboured him that by no meanes he should breake the glasse assuring him that if the glasse were broken there was no way for him to get out of the Turret Florian taking vp the huge great Axe aunswered Then this shall serue mee as a key and make an end of the enchauntment which hee had no sooner said but hee dasht the glasse in péeces against the yron grate when suddenly was felt such a terrible Earth-quake as if all the Mountaine had split in sunder which béeing ceassed all the Knights before trans-formed into Steelie-shapes returned againe to their former condition but Spinalo as one well woorthy of all seuere chastisement was presently set on a piller of the Mountaine and there conuerted into a Stéelie substaunce with a spacious briefe fixed ouer his heade declaring the whole historie at large of his lewdnesse as a méete example for all wicked men forewarning them thereby to abstaine frem such base and luxurious desires These thinges béeing thus doone and none remaining there now but Solco reioycing at the metamorphosing of false Spinalo Florian tooke the great Axe and began to lay such loade there-with vpon the grate as in little while he made a window large enough to get out at and béeing not so warie of Solco as the case required who dissembled absolute contentment at all which had hapned he snatcht frō him suddenly the Basilisks stone and ran away so spéedily there-with that Florian little inured to swiftnes of footemanship scant knew how or which way to follow him Solco stayed not till hee came where the Basiliske lay vpon whose head he first placed y e creast and then also fixed the stone therein where-upon it returned to life againe but much more furious then it was before The Lady with Cauno Silinga quickly came thether and knowing that this would prooue a harder conflict then any that y e Knight had yet endured they stoode all very pensiue neuerthelesse Silinga said Now my Lord raise vp your very sprightfull valour for this is the last action of the enchauntment When Florian heard those words he felt such a chéerfull vigour disperse it selfe through his veines as if before hée had not trauailed at all and assayling the Basiliske in despight of all his furie and fiercenes he made him giue back aboue twentie paces for hauing made triall before sufficiently of the Knights vertue hee betooke him to his wonted flying aloft and swéeping often ouer him at last smote him in the Helmet with his tallents in such sort that hee fell downe groueling vppon the ground and but that his flight carried him away so swiftly as he could not turne quicklie to seaze vppon the Knight hée must néedes haue kild him ere he could haue risen vp The qualitie of these flights altred the condition of the battaile the Knight béeing still belowe and the Basiliske aloft whereby Florian sustained many disaduantages and lost diuers good blowes deliuered to no purpose notwithstanding lothe to leaue a labour of such consequence vnperfect and hauing runne through the maine it were endlesse shame to shrink now in the rere he began now to cast a warie eye on all opportunities suffering the Basiliske to beate out his furie whereof hee had so emptied himselfe in lesse