countenaunce to her then hee was accustomed but shee good Lady in his excuse conceiued better opinion then she had cause yet as it euermore falleth out in loue that when Ladies sée themselues but slenderly courted by their Fréendes they growe importunate in their amorous desires so came it to passe with Laurana who perceiuing herselfe not solicited by Palmerin as shee was wont one night somewhat late shee called the Dwarffe and thus began Howe comes it to passe my good Fréend that thy Maister is not of so pleasaunt disposition as heeretofore he hath béene it may be thou hast not let him vnderstand my last salutation or els feare with-holdes him from following his determination I pray thée doo the message of my earnest good will to him and tell him that I long to impart our affections togeather to the ful resolution of our desired thoughts which I haue found the way vnsuspected to accomplish so please him to come to my ChaÌ„ber to morrow at night where I shall not faile to expect his presence When the Dwarffe heard Laurana vse these words thinking his Maister was still in his former cogitations thus aunswered Trust me fayre Madame within these fewe dayes my Maister is become so mellanchollie as I haue manie times feared his death and I am sure hee hath no other cause to torment him so but onely the fury of the extreame loue he beares you yet séeing you haue promised him such gracious fauour let me alone to change this vnpleasaunt humour Fayle not then quoth shee to let him know my minde I goe presently said the Dwarffe to acquaint him with these long desired tydings So taking his leaue he went to his Maisters Chamber whom he founde fast a sleepe when not daring to awake him let stay hys message till the next morning and so laide him downe to rest at what time sleepe had thorowly possessed him he began to cry and complaine so loude as his Maister hearing him arose and demaunded of him the cause of his lament Alas my Lorde quoth he neuer in all my life was I so affrighted me thought that one of the fayrest Ladies that euer eye lookt on helde a naked sworde against my throate saying Uile and villainous creature as thou art darest thou presume so much to offende me as to make thy Lorde and Maister amorous of Lady Laurana and to forsake me iustly doost thou deserue to dye on this weapon for thy paillardise and if héereafter thou carry any message to preiudice my right assure thy selfe that I wil chastise thée in such sort as all deformed villaines shal receiue example by thée I tell thée Traytour Palmerin his fortunes climbes higher then the name of Laurana and where he is more looued for the royaltie of his linage then for his base and Pastoral education With which wordes shee gaue me such a stroke on the heade with her sworde as I fearefull of my life cryed so loude as you say you hearde me This motioÌ„ made Palmerin easily perceiue that Polinarda had made thys threatning to the Dwarffe for Laurana which concealing to himsâ—lfe he said in laughter I think thou diddest forget to drinke when thou 〈◊〉 to bed and so thy hart béeing drie conceiued this fonde vision I praie thée sléepe trouble me no more with such idle passions The Dwarffe betooke him to rest but Palmerins thoughts all night were hammering on this Dreame so that he resolued to departe thence the next morning and séeke els where his aduentures séeing hee was admonished by so manie aduertisements So at the daie rysing he called the Dwarffe and commaunded him to prepare his Armour for hee intended to take his leaue of the Duke Ptolome hearing this and hauing noted beside all that the Dwarffe tolde his Maister in the night Dissembling the matter as was his manner he came and bad Palmerin good morrowe who aunswered Ptolome in this manner My déere Fréend I haue concealed none of mine affaires froÌ„ thée since the time we receiued our knighthoode and parted togeather from the Courte of Macedon nowe therefore shall I impart to thée what I haue determined It is so that vrgent occasions constraines me presently to leaue this Countreie and henceforth to frame my course which way Fortune will direct me by which occasion I see we must be enforced to leaue each other notwithstanding let me intreate that our absence may no way impayre our fréendshippe not doubting but in good time we shall meete togeather againe In meane space if you sée the King or Prince Florendos forgette not the humble duety of theyr vowed Seruaunt I beséeche yée who dedicates his life and honour in all attempts to their gracious fauours By God said Ptolome let who will doo the message for me for neither death nor daunger shall seperate me from you but I wil beare you companie while life and soule hold together If you be so resolute said Palmerin shame were it for mee so to refuse you Set forward then when you please quoth Ptolome for we neither must nor will depart that 's flat So béeing bothe armed they came to the Duke who meruailed much to sée them so prepared and therefore demaunded whether they went My good Lord answered Palmerin in that your Countrey is nowe quieted wee must intreate you for our departure because waightie affaires in other places doo so commaunde vs. How happens it fayre Fréendes saide the Duke that you will so soone leaue mee My Lorde quoth Palmerin wee are so enforced and therfore we humblie intreate you not to be offended If your affaires bee such saide the Duke lothe am I to hinder you commaunde of me and mine what you please for all remaineth at your disposition Most humble thanks did Palmerin and Ptolome returne the Duke and ere they went to horseback they came to take their leaue of the Duchesse Laurana who was well nie deade séeing her hope deceiued for she expected the night comming when shée and Palmerin should conferre togeather of their loue but séeing him now departing she was out of all hope to sée him againe the extreame gréefe whereof so ouercame her as giuing a greate shrike shee fell in a swoune The Ladies and Gentlewomen in great amazement came about her ignoraunt of her euill but onelie Palmerin and his Dwarffe which hee likewise woulde not reueale to anie for the reason you hearde discoursed before and rather would she entertaine her own death then make knowne a secrete of such importaunce wherefore hauing somewhat recouered herselfe and not able to conceale her anguish with an extreame sigh she thus breathed foorth her sorrow Ah Palmerin easilie hast thou kindled the fire which with great shame thou leauest consuming vnquenched Who would haue thought such treason coulde harbour where faire conditions and honourable valour shined so brightlie Well may I condâ—mne al men of disloyaltie séeing thou hast failed resembling so excellent Beléeue me Knight thou hast doone mee great wrong and thy selfe much more
me and I assure you that these tydings hath breathed such newe life into my verie soule as alreadie I finde my selfe wonderfullie chaunged yea and that in such sorte as before thrée daies bee past I shall attende her gracious will with seruiceable dilligence In the meane while I shal desire you faire Fréend to let my soueraigne Mistresse vnderstand that I kisse her highnesse hande in humble duetie and had ere this giuen farewell to this life hadde not her swéete regard called me againe from death Thus parted Cardina from the Prince taking her way spéedily towards Griana who longed not a little to heare from Florendos whom she had made Lord of her gentle affections CHAP. VI. Howe Cardina recited to the Princesse Griana what speeches had past betweene her and Florendos and of the counsell shee gaue her Mistresse to conferre with him in the Garden so soone as he was recouered CArdina thus dispatched from Florendos made no little haste towardes the Princesse who remained all this while silent in her Chamber and no sooner perceiued she Cardina to enter but she demaunded if Florendos receiued her token in good part or no. Beléeue me Madame answered Cardina I thinke you neuer did anie thing in all your life whereby you coulde obtaine more honour and applause then by that you vouchsafed to doo at this instant for in my iudgment you haue performed a miracle in giuing him life that was in the very iawes of death Then from point to point shee recounted the talke passed betwéene them first howe she founde him in yâ— midst of his regrets and lastlie what message hee had sent by her Thus while Cardina continued her discourse euery worde tooke hold on the gentle hart of the Princesse and wounded her with such pittifull regarde of the Prince his torments as what she desired inwardlie shee shaddowed with modestie as lothe to receiue shame in her loue hauing caryed her selfe with such honour all her life quoth shee to Cardina Howe might I good Seruaunt ease this waightie oppression Uerie well said Cardina wheÌ„ Fortune alloweth opportunitie But thou knowest quoth Griana a Princesse as I am to be séene secrete with so braue a Gallant dooth greatlie hazard my life and honour As for that Madame saide Cardina my Sister can better aduise you then I or any that I know by her meanes may you speake with your Knight the brauest Gentleman in the world and one whoÌ„ I knowe is so farre deuoted yours as hee will rather loose his life then impeache your honour anie waie and otherwise then in loyaltie to make you his Ladie and wyfe I am well assured he loueth not which loue Madame you may well entertaine Returne then Cardina quoth the Princesse to my Lorde Florendos and assure him that so soone as he is recouered I wyll come and speake with him in such place where we may well aduenture and desire hym as he loueth me that it may bee with all conuenient spéede Cardina without anie further delay weÌ„t with this message to the Prince Florendos who hartened himselfe so well vpon these spéeches as within sixe dayes he found himselfe thorowlie amended whereof the Emperour and Caniano hys Sonne was not a little glad but Tarisius was scant well pleased thereat for he had coÌ„ceiued a secrete iealousie because he was so earnest in affection towards Griana who by her Mayd Cardina had warned Florendos that yâ— night following he should come into the Garden whereâ—nto her Chamber had a secrete entraunce and there woulde he and she conferre of their loue without suspicion of any Florendos séeing these affayres sort to so good ende purposed what euer happened not to fayle the time place which made him thinke this day a yéere in length so long hee looked and desired for the night But nowe the wished howre is come when Florendos with his Cozin â—renato who was priuie to the Princes secrete loue departed from their lodginges and comming to the Garden they sawe the wall was verie high and harde to climbe notwithstanding greater thinges are possible to Louers chéefely when a cause of such waight is in hand so that in short time Florendos had gotte the top of the Wall and afterward went to the place where Griana â—tayed his comming who had no bodie with her but Lerina Sister to Cardina to whom likewise she thorowly bewrayed her secrets He hauing espied them came and fell on his knee before the Princesse but she tooke him vppe in her armes embracing him so swéetlie as Lerina withdrew her selfe amongst the Trées not with anie intent of feare to displease them but with a certaine kinde of gréefe which ouercame her that shee wanted a Fréende to participate with her in loue as her Mistresse hadde before whâ—m Florendos béeing on his knée sayd Madâ—me by vertue of your commaundement I am thus bolde to enter your presence yéelding my whole abilitie to you as to the diuine Goddesse that hath shéelded me from death which grace séeing your princelie nature hath affoorded me my life for euer héereafter remaines at your soueraigne pleasure the vnfeigned promise whereof I binde to you by irrâ—uocable vowes but especiallie by my faith yâ— onelie ornament of a true Knight that I desire no longer to breathe this ayre then to honour your name with my continual seruice for life without yâ—ur grace and fauour is more yrkesome to me then a thousande deathes But by your fauour my Lorde answered Griana howe or from whence hath this hote loue sprunge let mee knowe I desire you Madame ê™ he as I haue heretofore so at this time I assure you that in my nature Countrie of Macedon I hearde the renowne of your excelling beauty at which verie instant I dedicated my selfe onelie yours and euer since continuing in this religious seruice I haue so confidentlie set downe my rest in gracious regard of your swéete selfe as béeing yours in seruice I liue if otherwise I die In sooth said said the Princesse I sée theÌ„ you haue giuen your selfe wholie mine and so I am well centented to accept you Then Madame quoth he to seale yâ— assuraunce of this diuine fauour you haue doone me 〈…〉 intreate to kisse those swéete lippes that deliuered the 〈◊〉 I haue long looked for Which to grant though for modesties sake at first she séemed daintie yet at length looue had so supprâ—zed her as he néeded not striue when no resistaunce was offered Thus with feares and solemne kysses they breathed into eache others soule the mute arguments of their loue and faire Cynthia amiablie fauouring this delicate encounter added such courage to the minde of this louâ—lie Champion as breaking his Launce in the face of Venus hee bequeathed the successe of his dâ—uoire to the gracious aspect of that Planet And among a number of soft and sweete loue spéeches he discoursed to her his talke with the Emperour her Father howe he had requested her in marriage
giue the better credite to the Princes wordes Yet notwithstanding all their excuses these two Pilgrims were taken into sure custodie and shut vp both togither in a strong Towre which was verie long before they could accomplish because in leading them thither many sought meanes to kill them and they had done it but that the Duke verie strongly defended them Chap. XXVI The sorowfull complaints made by the Queene Griana seeing her Huâ—band dead and her friend taken And howe the Duke of Pera conueyed her to Constantinople causing Florendos and Frenato to be brought thither by fiue hundred armed Knights VErie sorrowfull was the Quéene Griana séeing so manie misfortunes succéede one another as euerie houre her death was expected and saâ—s she woulde haue committed violence on her selfe but that Cardyno with diuerse Knights attended on her that none of the Kinges kindred shoulde offend her while the Duke of Pera led Florendos and Frenato to the Tower At whose return as he thought to comfort her shée fell on her knées before him saying Ah noble Duke of Pera if euer pittie had place within your heart for Gods sake make an end of my vnfortunate life and execute on me without any fauour the sharpest rigour of equall iustice not suffering longer life to a woman so dispised and miserable O God doost thou permit a happie life to enioy so bad an end Thou that onely knowest the inward secrets of the heart séeing I stand suspected in this treason let my spéedie death deliuer mine innocencie Ah inconstant Fortune that in my yonger yéeres was so aduerse to mee how might I credite thy continuall mallice but by this strange and vnexpected accident Ah gentle Prince Florendos it was not for loue that thou camest to sée mée but for a secret hatred more then deadly séeing that by thée and that with great shame I shall remaine for euer defamed Where was that loyaltie and the great feare to offend mée which sometime thou séemedst to haue Knowest thou not that in a royall and noble minde one onely note of infamie is an extreame torment Doubtlesse if thou wouldest well consider the wrong thou hast done me thou shalt finde it to excéede all other worldly iniuries But I may perswade my selfe that my destinie was such for being long since by thée dishonoured it must fall out for a finall conclusion that by thée also I shall receiue death In this maner the Quéene complained with such effuse of teares and bitter sighes as the Duke pitying her case sayd I beséech you Madame to endure this mishap paciently séeing now it cannot be recalled and consider that these teares and lamentations can yéelde yée no amendes but rather threaten daunger and will in the ende not onely weaken your bodie but hazard desperation The King is dead he must be buried Florendos hath offended hée shall be punished your people are wounded they must be cured Offende not then your selfe with these bootlesse regrâ—â—tes but commaund that the proofe of your innocencie be followed Hereupon the Duke caused preparation for the funerall pompe and brought the king to the bed of honor not without many teares and lamentations of his Subiects When the obsequies were finished Promptaleon and Oudin came and exclaimed on the Duke because hée brought not the Quéene and Florendos to open punishment My friends quoth the Duke haue I not heretofore tolde you that wée must not inconsiderateâ—y put such persons to death let the Councell bee called togither and as they determine I will procéede Then were all the Princes and Lordes assembled among whome the Duke was intreated to speake his opinion which hée did in this maner I thinke it conâ—enient vnder correction of you my noble Lords that the Prince Florendos and the Queene ought to bée sent to my Lord the Emperour and there to haue iustice extended on them as well for the sureâ—ie of your owne persons as for the conseruation of the Realme For except iustice and by probable causes you condemne the Prince Florendos hardly may you perswade the Macedonian Princes beside the Lordes may say that without hearing hee was cut off and likewise by his open enemies Againe thinke you that the Emperour will let passe in silence so great a wrong to punish his Daughter and not arquaint him with her offence Considering this indifferently you shall finâ— your selues on eyther side endangered your goods will be spoyled your liues endamaged for hardly can you resist agaynst such power So well coulde the Duke sette foorth his discourse with confirmation of Hystories both auncient and moderne that in despight of the Kings Nephewes it was concluded how the prisoners should be sent to Constantiople If they were hereat offended it is not to bee doubted but hearing the Counsuâ—les resolution prepared themselues to goe to the Emperour determining a sharpe and seuere accusation trusting so much in their strength and prowesse that if the Emperour for proofe of the cause shoulde committe it is the Combat they easily thought to compasse their intent So were the two Pilgryms committed to the Dukes Nephew with an hundred Knights of Greece for their guard and foure hundred Hungarians who would néedes followe for the loue they bare the Quéene she béeing maruellousâ—â—â— fauoured in her countrey for her many vertues and chiefly charitie The Quéene her selfe with the yong Princesse Armida her Daughter and all her Ladyes and Gentlewomen were committed to the Duke of Pera his charge and the rest of the traine that came with him in the Ambassade When the Quéene vnderstoode shée should be caried to the Emperour shée 〈◊〉 further out of pacience then shée was before rather desiring a thousand deaths then is come with this reproach before her Father yet notwithstanding all her intreaties shee was conueyed into a Litter and not so much as a pinne left about her for feare of inconuenience To comfort her her Daughter Armida was placed in the Litter without whose companie such was her gréets to come before her Parents as shée was diuerse times in daunger of death by the way But the yong Princesse béeing twelue or thirtéene yeares of age coulde so well comfort her sorrowfull mother as her talke expelled many bitter imaginations If the Quéene was in heauinesse wée must thinke Florendos griefes nothing inferiour séeing his Ladie led in such sort and accused of a crime wherein none but himselfe was culpable yet made hee no account béeing reuenged of his auncient enemie so the Quéene were deliuered though himselfe endured the death But nowe are they come to Constantinople yet not so soone but the Nephewes of the deceassed King were before them where they had blazed a false and most shamefull reporte And but for the aduise of certaine noble Princesse that fauoured Florendos and the Quéene Griana vpon the trothlesse spéeches of these twaine the Emperour had concluded to burne his Daughter and the Prince so soone as they came such horrible slaunders had these traytours spread of
defence Zephira with humble thanks requiting the Kâ—â—g Palmerin and all the rest graciously welcommed they rode all to the Pallace where being intertained in choysest sorâ— Muzabelino still accompanied Palmerin who forgot not his woonted kindnes to his louing Dogge Chap. XLIX The talke that the princesse Zephira and Palmerin had with the wise Muzabelino and how Palmerin departed from Romato to the Castell of the ten Rocks THe Princesse Zephira who had not yet talked with Muzabelino in the morning sent for him and Palmerin shée causing them to sit downe by her began in this manner My Lord if your great iudgement haue acquainted you with the cause of my comming and that you will doe anie thing for the loue of Sir Palmerin let pittie perswade you for in you onely consisteth my remedie Madame quoth Muzabelino vse not such speaches for what my studie and practise hath taught me you must make no account of but referre your selfe to the supreame Creator who by the meanes of noble Palmerin will restore your health and him will I acquaint with the manner how it must be compassed Your disease happened by smelling to a flower and by the smell of another it must be recouered The flower appoynted to giue you health groweth in an Arbour in the Castell of the tenne Rocks and kept by the enchauntment of a Ladie more skilfull in all artes then euer was the skilfull Medea This Ladie deceasing an hundred yeares since and more Shée séeing before her death the vertue of this flower and of a Bird which is kept there by the selfe same meanes hauing inchaunted them in a Garden the must sumptuous in the world raysed ten Rocks of Marble without the Castell each one ascending higher then an other and by these Rocks was the Castle named Such enchauntment did the Ladie exorcise on them as when anie one thinketh to passe them presently starteth out of each Rocke an armed Knight who returneth the aduenturer so forciblie as to to this day they haue not béene passed by any Couragious therefore must he be that passeth these Rocks which if Palmerin by his bountie and prowesse doo not accomplish no man liuing can ende the aduenture for by force not cunning must the enchauntment be ended When the Princesse heard that by the daungerous trauaile of noble Palmerin her health must be restored she thus sorâ—owfully complained Ah Gods suffiseth it not that héeretofore this good Knight aduentured his life in the daungerous battell when my Brother was slaine but nowe he must abide the diuellish coniurations where death is dayly and hourelie expeâ—â—â—ed shall I consent to offer him such wrong and bée guiltie of his blood who surpasseth all other in chiualrie rather let my death be a warrant for his safetie then noble Palmerin shoulde endure such perrill for me Lament not Madame quoth Muzabelino before you haue cause hée that slewe Malfada and her Seruaunts is so specially fauoured of the heauenlie powers as no enchauntment whatsoeuer hath power to hurt him Why Madame said Palmerin thinke you my good will is lesse to doo you seruice then when I was first brought to your Court Forbeare these teares I pray you and offend not your selfe for such is my hope in God that what is done by man shall bée destroyed by man besides it will bée great reproach to mée if comming into straunge Countries to séeke aduentures I shall depart without triall of my fortune Muzabelino hearing him speake so couragiouslie tooke him aside saying Noble and hardie Knight whom feare of death cannot dismay happie shall I account my selfe to doo thée anie seruice And to the ende thou mayst with better affection followe this enterprise assure thyselfe to passe the Rockes and enter the Castell with happie victorie where ending all the aduentures therein contained thou shalt finde a part of remedie for recouering thy companions but not all for the rest is in the Tower of Malfada where as yet thou canst not enter but at thy returne shalt easily open and in the ende ioyfully finde all thy Companions and Fréendes For the rest feare not my discouerie of thy secrete loue and parentage which is the most noble in all Christendome for rather will I bée torne in a thousand péeces then so good a Knight shall bée iniuried by mée Séeing you know so much quoth Palmerin I commit all to God and you let me therefore right soone craue leaue of the King for my departure because I long that the Princesse were eased Right sorie was the King to part with him so soone yet the hope of his short returne somewhat pacified him And when the newes were spreade abroade that Palmerin should trauaile to the Castell of the tenne Rockes Tomano Drumino and the Princesse Zephira woulde néedes beare him companie which hée being not able to gaine-say because they were importunate on him gaue his consent So departing from Romata they made such haste in their iourney as within fewe dayes after they arriued at the Castell and comming to the first Rocke they behelde a goodly Sworde encloseâ— therein hp to the crosse The two yong Psinces maruailing thereat allighted from their Horsses and assailed by strength to pull it out Which they were not able to doe wherefore Tomano entreated Palmerin to trie his fortune who after many courteous refusals offered to pull it foorth but a fearefâ—ll flame of fire suddenly issued foorth of the Rocke which compelled them to retyre back wherfore Palmerin said to the Princes This Sword I sée must be none of ours therefore it is in vaine to striue any further Chap. L. Howe Palmerin passed the tenne Rockes vanquished the tenne enchaunted Knightes and entered the Castell where hee finished all the enchauntments Triâ—eus returning to his former shape and what happened to them afterward PAlmerin when hee had failed in drawing the Sworde out of the Rocke hée prepared himselfe to the Combat with the enchaunted Knights whome as yet hée coulde not anie way discerne but first he began his orisons in this manner O soueraigne Creator who euermore hath succâ—ure◠〈…〉 aduersities and fortunes this day giue mée strength to confound these diuelries and enchauntments and let thy name haue the honour of a glorious victorie Then giuing his horse the spurres gallopped onward saying Sweete Mistresse Polynarda if euer your remembraunce gaue mée ayde and fauour now let your diuine regard comfort your seruaunt Béeing then betwéene the two foremost Rocks a mightie Knight mounted on a lustie Courser with a huge Launce in his hande called to him saying Turne Sir Knight you may passe no further then furiouslie encoâ—ntering one another they met so roughlie togither with their bodyes as they were both cast foorth of their saddles The Dog that still followed Palmerin séeing his Fréendâ— horse offered to stray caught the bridle by the raignes with his téeth and would not let him passe anie further In the meane while Palmerin hauing fought with the Knight and after a long and cruell combat smote
and brought him into so weake estate as the learned Phisitions coulde not deliuer the cause of his sicknes to the no small gréefe of the Emperour but especiallie of Caniano yet for all this woulde not the Empresse at anie time visite him because shee woulde hinder the occasion of her Daughters séeing him remembring what spéeches had past betwéene him and the Emperour And albeit Griana made no outward shewe thereof yet in her harte shee was greatlie displeased at her Mothers dealings so that one day when her Brother Caniano came to sée her to recount vnto her in what extreamitie he had left his fréendlie coÌ„panion and what gréefe it would be to him if he died as he greatlie doubted What my Lord quoth she it is not so I hope Yes certainlie quoth he and I feare he will very hardlie escape this day At which wordes the water stoode in her eyes yet so well as she coulde shee dissembled her passions neuerthelesse she could not holde it in but said I meruayle much that the Empresse my Mother makes so slender account of him as since his sicknes shee woulde not vouchsafe once to visite him I feare she hath forgotten what good hée 〈◊〉 for vs that day when he valiantly slew the Turke Gamezio Beléeue me my good Lord and Brother I am harâ—â—lie sorrâ—e for his sicknes for if he die as heauen forbidde quoth shee secretlie the Emperour my Father shall loose more then hée thinketh on the great seruice hee hath doone for him already may giue instaunce of my words and more he béeing the Sonne of so great a Prince as he is By this time had such extreame gréefe ouerburdened her hart as she was constrained feigning to goe to the Empresse ChaÌ„ber to leaue her Brother that she might alone by her selfe bemoane her fréends hard fortune CHAP. V. Howe Griana sent a Ring to the Prince Florendos by Cardina her Mayde desiring him as he loued her to comfort himselfe and of the aunswere he sent her SO soone as Griana hadde left her Brother she went into her chaÌ„ber where more and more shee lamented for the sicknes of Florendos and with her teares shee coupled these discourses May it be that anie liuing creature can deserue so gréeuous punishment as I doo that endaunger the life of the woorthiest Knight in the worlde Unhappy that I am that loue yea the loue he beares to mee should bring so braue a Gentleman to so hard an exigent but if he die such iust vengeaunce will I take vpon my selfe as I wyl not remaine one howre aliue after him and let our ghostes seeke their owne quiet in death that Fortune would not affoorde vs in life Yet will I thus farre first aduenture and that before any sléepe enter these eies of mine try if it consist in my power to ease his extreamitie that buyes my loue at too déere a price And in this anguish of minde she called one of her Damoselles the Daughter of her Nurse named Cardina whom aboue the rest she trusted most and to her she began in manner following Cardina thou knowest the loue I alwaies bare thy Mother and for her sake howe well I haue thought of thée I haue knowne thée long time a true and faithfull Seruaunt but nowe Cardina is a time beyonde all other to make tryall of thy truth and to witnesse thy loyaltie to me onelie as thou art sure so to bee secrete and so secrete as I must put my life and honour into thy secrecie Cardina who was wise and of good gouernement hearing Griana vse such earnest spéeches imagined that she would commit no commoÌ„ matter to her trust with such coniuration whereuppon she modestlie returned thys aunswere Madame rather had I be torne péecemeale in sunder then anie thing you commaunde for secrete shoulde by me be reuealed without your licence and so assure your selfe that while I liue you shall finde mee as faithfull in déede as I promise in worde I neuer hitherto quoth the Princesse had other opinion of thée listen nowe therefore what I shall commaunde thée I haue vnderstoode for certaine Cardina that the gréeuous sicknes of the Prince Florendos is caused by verie earnest loue which hee beares to me for I account it great pittie to loose so good a Knight doo so much as take the paines to goe to him from me and saie I desire him to bee of good chéere and if there bee any thing in my power may doo him good I will gladlie accomplish it as she that loues him as her own selfe and to assure him thereof saie I sende him this Ring which I wyll him to kéepe as a pledge of my loue Madame answered Cardina Fortune spéede me so well as my paines may giue ease to both your passions and might my sentence like you Madame I knowe no Knight so worthy your loue as Florendos Goe then sayd Griana and returne againe so soone as thou canst So went Cardina straite to the lodging of the Prince Florendos at the entraunce whereof shee met the Prince Caniano so heauie and pensiue as might be because he perceiued his Fréend to consume awaie euerie day more and more But Cardina who had well learned her lesson stept aside and would not be séene of Caniano who beeing gone shee went vp to the Chamber where when shee was readie to enter she hearde the Prince coÌ„plaine in this sort Ah poore wretch must thou néedes die without anie hope of remedie And as he would haue procéeded on Cardina stepped to him and after she had saluted him said to him secretelie that the Princesse Griana had sent her to him to vnderstand of his health and beléeue me good Prince quoth she I neuer sawe Ladie so sorrowfull for your sicknes as she is She commendeth her selfe to your honour most hartilie and hath sent you this Ring as an earnest of the looue she beares you desiring you to bee of good chéere and comfort your selfe because she desires to sée you to confer with you of matters that concerne you bothe néerelie These wordes so rauished the spirit of Florendos as a good while he doubted whether he dreamed or that hee might giue credite to what he hearde for albeit he knewe the messenger so well as anie in the Courte yet coulde he not perswade himselfe that hee was so fortunate At length betwéene hope and dispayre he tooke the Ring which he entertained with manie deuoute kysses and embracing Cardina so well as hee coulde thus answered Alas my swéete fréende may it bee possible that my Ladie hath such regard of him who neuer was able to doo her anie seruice Doubt not thereof my Lorde aunswered Cardina and if you will declare your loue answerable to hers in vertue you must giue testimonie thereof by comforting your person that she may sée you so soone as may be Ah fayre Uirgin quoth he let my whole life be imployed in what shall like her diuine nature to coÌ„maunde
euerie daie more and more sette priâ—ie spies to watch euerie night who went in out at the Princesse ChaÌ„ber and albeit of long time his labors were frustrate yet at length he and his spies perceiued how he whome hée most enuied mounted the Garden Wall where the Princesse lay for Florendos hauing left his companie without the Cittie accompanied with Frenato and both of theÌ„ well armed he priuilie returned againe to the Pallace thinking about midnight to carrie her away for whose loue hee had thrust himselfe into this daungerous hazarde Thus hauing left their Horses wtout the Citie with their Pages being come to the Garden Wall Frenato helping the Prince to get vppe Tarisius and his men who vnhappilie lay there in ambush ran violentlie vpon him crying all aloude kyll kill these villaines that woulde dishonour the Emperours Pallace At which wordes Florendos and Frenato seeing themselues discouered presentlie drewe their swordes and beganne to laie about them verie valiantlie Florendos giuing Tarisius so cruell a stroake on the heade that hee fell downe to the ground as he had béene dead and two or thrée of his companie with him which when the rest behelde they gotte ouer the Wall and running with great clamour into the Cittie cryed helpe helpe Tarisius whoÌ„ Florendos séeking to rob the Emperours Pallace hath cruelly murdered This noyse was heard by Griana Lerina and Cardina who were in the GardeÌ„ staying for Florendos which did so amaze the hardiest of the three as they knewe not what countenance to sette on yâ— matter especiallie Griana whom this feare had strooken into a deade traunce but Lerina and her Sister taking her vp in their armes conueyed her into her Chamber and soone after into her bed when recouering her selfe in extreame wéeping thus spake Alas miserable wretch yâ— I am dooth Fortune employ al meanes she can for my destruction Well let her doo the vttermoste spight shee can for I am well assured before it be long that death shall tryumphe aboue all her discourtesies Cardina séeing her so wéepe and wring her handes and as it were readie to fall into despayre began to perswade her in thys sorte Madame it is no time nowe to vse these extremeties for Gods sake learne to couer your passions to the ende the Emperour may not detect vs béeing assured that as yet we were not perceiued and if you can but content your selfe all this tumult will soone be ouercome I pray thée quoth Griana leaue me alone and goe sée if thou canst what is become of Florendos that I may know whether hee be taken or slaine So went Cardina standing among others as one that knewe nothing behelde all During this hote tumult Frenâ—to séeing trouble encreasing more and more followed the matter with such dilligence as he got Florendos forth of the throng and the darknesse of the night was such as they easily compassed to get out of the Cittie where their Pages stayed with their Horses wheron they mounted and set on away But the Prince Florendos would manie times haue returned backe againe so lothe was hee to leaue her whom he loued so déerely for being out of all hope to sée her againe he estéemed his life of no value or account In which impatience he rent his comelie locks of haire and haled his flesh with great violence whereuppon Frenato thus spake to him Why howe nowe my Lorde wyll you in séeking honour wound your selfe with shame or in arguing your loue to your Ladie endaunger her life desire you to loose your selfe and her also for euer Beléeue me Cozin this verie hardlie beséemes you that the subtill dealing of a cowardlie Knight should make you thus to forget your self No no good Cozin it is now no time to declare these shewes let vs therefore make spéede to our companie and if you thinke good we will sende one secretlie backe to the Cittie to vnderstand the ende of this troublesome broyle and wee in yâ— meane time may set forward towards Macedon Ah swéete Cozin quoth Florendos you speake as the man that cannot comprehende my torments thinke you it is possible for me to liue leauing that rare creature in such perrill for whose loue a Hell of gréefes hath martired my soule By my knightlie faith I sweare that death is a thousand times more welcome to me then to be maistered by this one conceit that I shold liue an hower out of her gracious seruice Well well Sir sayd Frenato what you may not doo now referre till better conuenience and let vs set on before the daie light descry vs otherwise in séeking to defende Griana your selfe shal be witnes of her reproche and condemnation Florendos perceiuing his Cozin did aduise him for the best was well contented to be ruled by him so giuing the spurres to their Horses stayed not till they ouertooke yâ— rest of their companie when he dispatched an Esquire presentlie backe to the Cittie commaunding him straightly to direct soone to the King his Fathers Court the successe of euerie thing that happened in his absence But now to returne where before we left Cardina had not long staide in this hurlie burley but shee perceiued the Emperour was rysen who in all hast caused his Guarde to arme themselues to helpe Tarisius for by this time hadde the two Knights which escaped aduertised in the Courte that they tooke Florendos as he was climbing the Garden wall to goe to dishonour the Princesse Griana At which report the Emperour was so mooued as he went in greate furie to his Daughters Chamber whom he founde in her bed more likelie to die then liue but necessitie whereof manie doo often make a vertue made her couer her weakenes with a faire shewe of courage so that when she see him enter shee wrapped her selfe in her might Mantle came before him to whom hee beganne in this furious manner Thou leude Gyrle darest thou conceiue the thought to doo mee this dishonour by my Crowne for this thy presumption I shall make thée such an example to all other as thy heade from thy shoulders will scant quite thy fault Griana hearing him speake so roughlie answered him againe thus mildlie My Lord and Father I beséeche you to pardon me you accuse me and I know not whereof if I haue doone euil it is in you to chastise me as you shal please and if I be innocent vouchsafe good Father not to condemne mee Ah varlet quoth hee this excuse shall little profite thée So taking her verie rudelie he locked her in a strong Tower whereof he carried the Keye himselfe then went he to Tarisius his lodging to sée how he did for it was told him that he was in daunger of his life where he found the Empresse heauilie wéeping but he caused her to goe to her Chamber and commaunded his Chirurgions to looke dilligentlie to his Nephewe and not to spare any cost to purchase his health Nowe because they which searched
for Florendos could not finde him the bruite and rumor was qualified and the Emperour went againe to his Chamber till the morning when the Empresse hearing yâ— her daughter was in prison tooke it verie heauilie and knéeling be-before the Emperour desired him that she might fetch her foorth but he was so angrie as her wordes coulde doo nothing with him yet he graunted that shee shoulde goe see her and tooke her the Key when she entering the Tower founde her sitting on the ground so blubred with teares as was lamentable to beholde but when she behelde her Mother she arose and dooing her reuerence coulde not speake her teares so ouercame her The Empresse that loued her déerelie séeing her in this gréeuous estate had much a doo to dissemble what she thought how beit after a fewe light wordes passed betwéene them she said I am â—orie daughter that you haue so lightlie throwne your affection vpon a Straunger and that you forget your duetie in following your Fathers counsell and mine who well knâ—we the loue Tarisius beares you and no otherwise Daughter then to take you to his wife But you carried awaie with yâ— loosenes which ill agrées with your credite and calling haue rather thought best to grant Florendos enterance by your Garden at such a suspected howre as while you liue your honour will be hardlie thought on for two of Tarisius his Knights who thought to take the Traytour are slaine and my Nephew himselfe daungerouslie escaped Griana hearing him called Traitour whom shee so highlie looued and that shee herselfe was accused by that which ought to excuse her answered Madame and my gracious Mother as yet I am ignoraunt of the cause that hath mooued the Emperour in such choller against me and be it for this you speake of in soothe I am offered verie great iniurie for I knowe not whether Florendos or anie other haue entred my Garden well I am assured hee came not where I was These are straunge newes to me Madame I â—old rather haue thought him on his waie towards Macedon in respect of the solemne leaue he tooke in the Courtâ— For my part I would that the Traytour which was the cause hereof had long since béene buried in the bottome of the Sea then he should so abuse the honor of Florendoâ— with a matter of such villanie wherein I cannot iudge him faultie but were it he Madame I am at a point let him die yâ— death as he hath well deserued for my duetie to you my Parents hath taught me better nurture and loue canne be no priuiledge to me to offende Then good Mother twit not mee with impeache of honour in so innocent a cause for defence whereof were the death present before mine eyes I haue sorrowed as much as I would and am more readie to embrace then liue in suspecte so shall my Father and you bee eased of prouiding me a Husband As for the prison wherein I am I will not denie his fauoure when it shall please him to deliuer me but I coulde take it farre more contentedlie to spende the remainder of my following daies thus solitarie then to liue abroade misdéemed on by anie Faire Daughter said the Empresse doo not discomfort your selfe in this sort the Emperour had some reason in regarde of the loue he beares you and the outragious tumult which happened to doo as he hath doone but I hope in the end all will sort to the best and that you your selfe shall remaine contented Manie other spéeches passed betwéene them till at length the Empresse left her and departed for she thought long till she was with the Emperour to let him know the talke betwéene her and Griana which shee didde without omitting anie thing notwithstanding hee was more seuere to his Daughter euerie daie after Then sent hee for the Ambassadours and thus he began with them My Lordes at this time I am aduised that you shall returne to your King my Brother for in respect of the accidents which you haue séene to happen I will craue pardon for this tyme referring matters ouer till some other time when thinges shall fall in better disposition The Ambassadours vnderstanding the Emperours pleasure the next daie tooke their leaue towarde the King their Maister to whom they declared the whole in generall whereat hee conceiued such dyspleasure as he presentlie sent for his Sonne Tarisius who had not as yet recouered his health But he was so enamered on yâ— yong Princesse as he would not obey his Fathers commaund but so soone as he was indifferentlie amended he intreated the Emperour to pardon his Daughter accusing his owne men who vndiscreetlie had raised this false rumour of her and Florendos By this meanes the Empresse and her Ladies obtained libertie dailie to accompanie Griana but all the night time he caused her to bee locked vp as closelie as before committing her to the charge of an aged Gentlewoman named Tolomestra whom hee commaunded on paine of death not to bee a minute of an houre forth of her companie CHAP. VIII Howe Florendos arriuing on the frontiers of Macedon made manie sorrowfull complaints for not bringing Griana away according to his enterprise NO sooner had Florendos Frenato ouertane their companie but they rid on in such hast fearing to be followed as at length they got the Frontiers of Macedon And because Florendos imagined himselfe without life not hearing anie tydinges from his Mistresse Griana he concluded to rest at the first Towne he came too there to expect the returne of the Esquire he sent to Constantinople who returned towards his Maister sooner then he looked for by reason of the little aboad he made in the Emperours Court for he staied not when he hearde that Griana was imprisoned and that Tarisius was not slaine as his Maister was perswaded These newes did wonderfullie afflict the Prince as well for the harde vsage of his swéete Fréende as that he had fayled in killing him by whose death he well hoped to recouer his losse all the whole daie would he receiue no sustenance but locked himselfe close in his Chamber and tombled on his bedde as a man halfe desperate But Frenato who would not be long absent from him fearing least his furie woulde cause him worke some violence on himselfe made such meanes yâ— hee got into the Chamber at what time the Prince was thus lamenting Alas swéete Madame was I borne in such an vnhappie houre that without desert you must indure imprisonment for me What satis-faction maie your Florendos liue to make in requitall of this iniurie When didde you euer merit to be so hardlie intreated for him Beléeue me coulde you bee discharged so soone as I coulde wyshe it bolts locks nor walles coulde holde you a thought whyle yet wyshing is no action euerie thing is contrarie to me al helpes refuse me and death likewise denies me but by my sworde and therewith he started vp in spight of whatsoeuer I will deliuer you Frenato
thing was so desired no man coulde bee better contented especially the Damosell who leaping froÌ„ her Palfray came and kissed Palmerins féete saying And may all happines repay this gentle déede faire Knight for but by you my death had béene best welcome to me Dâ—mosell quoth hee sée héere the Casket according as I sounde it I know not whither they that tooke it from you haue abused it or no. No no saide shee they could no way wrong it the Sword béeing heere that belongs to the best Knight I praie you quoth Ptolome let mee make tryall of my strength albeit I know my selfe no such man as you speake of so taking the Casket offered to begin when the Damosell desired him to forbeare for quoth shee you must first graunt me one request What ere it be saide Ptolome I graunt it and so set all his might to his intent but coulde not accomplish it wherefore quoth he to the Damosel Beléeue me Lady he that wrought this enchauntment dyd more by his arte then I can by my cunning and in my opinion you may trauaile long enough before you finde him that shall quit your expectation The more wil be my trouble quoth the Damosell béeing tyed by necessitye to such a Knights fortune When Palmerin sawe that his companion had failed he doubted whether he should take it in hand or no yet séeing hee coulde spéede no worse then other had doone he said to the Damosell will you any thing with me before I aduenture my selfe for my Fréende shall not bee mal content for a fellowe Gentle Knight quoth she I wyll nothing but that you make me the like promise your fréend did Of that doubt you not saide Palmerin so laying hande valiantlie on the Sword without any great labor he drew it foorth béeing the richest and goodliest Sworde that euer was séene Ah good Knight sayde the Damosell happy bee the day of thy natiuitie for thou hast deliuered me from incredible labour The Sword is yours but by your promise you stand bound to goe with me where I shall conduct you to doo that shall please my Lady to commaund you Leade the way Damosell quoth Palmerin and be sure we wil not leaue thy company So mounted the Damosell on her Palfray and tooke the way towardes Rome where she that deliuered her the Casket remained in deuotion and with such spéede they dispatched their trauaile as they arriued at the Gate of a strong Castell where the Damosell alighted desiring Palmerin and Ptolome to expect her returne awhile The Gate being opened she went straight to her Mistresse and her Sister who béeing gladde of her comming demaunded if she had found the man shée went to séeke Ladies ê™ she I haue and hither he is come with me but this I daâ—e assure you before hande that a more goodlie and valiant Gentleman liues not this daie for in my presence he vanquished three Knights who perforce tooke the Casket from me and for the Sworde he drew it foorth so easilie as it had béene that he weareth by his side Goe said the Lady and cause him come néere and come Sister let vs goe to the Gate to entertaine him Then was the Draw bridge let downe when Palmerin and Ptolome riding to the Gate met there the Ladies whom they saluted with great reuerence and each Ladye leading a Knight in by the hande conducted them to their Chambers to be vnarmed CHAP. XXII How the Lady of the Castell declared to Palmerin what mooued the Gyant Darmaco to take from her her Daughter and her goods whereuppon Palmerin promised to enter Combat with the Gyant as much for pittie as to acquite his promise made to the Damosell that brought the Casket and the enchaunted Sword OUr two Knightes béeing thus entered the Castell and vnarmed the Lady brought each of them a rich Mantle of Crimson Damaske imbroydered with Golde and pearle to couer them and so came with them into the Hall to meate where wanted no choyse of dainty delicates so after yâ— Tables were withdrawne and manye other spéeches passed betweene them the Ladie thus began to Palmerin Sir Knight as nowe I am a poore and disinherited Gentlewoman that sometime was Wife to one of the welthiest Knights in this Countrey with whome I long time remained not hauing anie Childe till at length it pleased God to sende me a Daughter so faire a creature as euer nature framed who at my Husbands death was left with me but fiue yéeres aged My Lorde and Husbande learned in the arte Magicke and for his skill renowmed in this Countrie the daie before his death hee called mee to him vsing these spéeches Déere Wife let if suffise thée that I knowe what shall happen to thée after my death and that one shal take perforce from thée not onelie such goods as I leaue thée but also thy faire Daughter to helpe which extremity I haue somewhat prouided for thée before my departure Thou shalt finde in my Cabinett a Sworde which I my selfe haue enclosed in a Casket and haue sette so manie inchaunted spels on that Sword as no man shal be able to drawe it out of the scabbard vnlesse he be the best approued Knight in the worlde and he it is that must giue thée succour and helpe to recouer againe thy losse Too true fel out my Husbands spéeches for soone after Darmaco the Gyant came hither and as his custome was to abuse whome hee listed so tooke he from me the best of my Castelles and in despight of me tooke my Daughter from me saying that he would giue her to one of his Sonnes in marriage a villain far more vicious then the Father so deformed as nature standes ashamed at her owne workmanship Nowe in respect I would not consent to this vnséemely marriage such goods as was left me hee violentlie tooke from mee thys Sworde onelie excepted which you haue worthilie conquered and that had gone with him too but that my Sister hid it verie secretlie Now woorthie Knight if euer pittie tooke place in thy gentle hart reuenge me on the villaine the hath thus robde me of my goods and my Daughter whose youth béeing as yet but tenne yéeres olde is the cause that the Giant hath not consumated the marriage And if it shal like you to doo thus much for me you shall not onelie fulfil your promise to the Damosell that brought you hither but you shall doo a déede acceptaple to God profitable to me comfortable to my poore Childe and honorable for euer vnto your owne selfe Madame aunswered Palmerin it is no meruaile if Darmaco haue doone you this wrong in yâ— Giants doo take a habit in trecherous dealinges wherefore did not my promise binde me to your Damosel I would not passe so lightlie out of this Countrie ere I compelled him somewhat to recompence this iniurie and this shall I God willing doo to morrowe so please you I may bee conducted to him Ah gentle Knight saide the Ladie what I am
doo not finde the meane to helpe mee By my fayth my Lorde quoth the Dwarffe so please you to tell me howe and wherein I may helpe you let me die a thousande deathes if I doo it not Understande then my good Vrbanillo sayd Palmerin that this strange alteration procéedes froÌ„ the diuine lookes of my péerelesse Mistresse Polinarda whose fiery beames haue searched so narowly euery corner of my thoughts as I must die because I loue too déerlie But couldest thou make knowne to her the least parte of my insupportable vexations may bee shee woulde haue some pittifull remorse of my martirdome for well may it be iudged that a Lady accomplished with so many vertuous perfections must néedes bee stored with sweetnes fauour and pittie Not vnlike my good Lord said Vrbanillo but doo not you remember how I was punished when in the like case I ventured to sollicite your looue to Laurana Daughter to the Duke of Durace by my fayth my Lorde I shall not forget it while I haue a day to liue and am afrayde to fall againe into the like daunger And this spake Vrbanillo with such a grace as Palmerin coulde not but laugh noting with what feare the deformed felow gaue it foorth whereupon he sayd Thou needest not be dismaid if she that smote thée in thy sléepe bee that Polinarda for whose loue I am thus tormeÌ„ted for whom I was borne as many haue enformed me I pray thée therefore speake to her and dreade no coullers It is good saide Vrbanillo that you woulde haue mee more hardie then you are your selfe speake to her your selfe if you dare for I dare not aduenture it for feare of my life If thou doost it not quoth Palmerin assure thy selfe thou shalt neuer henceforth serue me Nay then quoth the Dwarffe I will rather put my selfe in ieoperdy to be better beaten then I was the last time before I will loose so good a Maister I pray thée doo sayde Palmerin in respect thou séest the earnestnes of mine affections Feare not quoth the Dwarffe albeit you were a great deale more fit to breake the matter then I but I wil gadge my life to gaine you the Ladie and héereupon they rested till the next morning CHAP. XXVIII Howe Polinarda desired Palmerin to giue her his Dwarffe and of the speeche which she and Vrbanillo had afterward togeather EArly the next morning Palmerin arose and hauing walked abroade to contemplate his desires returned into the Chamber of presence where he founde Trineus the Emperors Sonne conferring with the Ladies at which very instant the Dwarff entred whose badde shaped body and face made them all fall a laughing so that Trineus came to his Sister Polinarda saying Sister did you euer beholde a more proper Page to attende on Ladies then this gaunt Squire that serues my Lorde Palmerin In good â—ooth Brother quoth she hee is farre vnlike his noble maister yet wold I like well enough if he were mine I beséech you Sir Palmerin said Trineus bestowe your Seruaunt on my Sister Polinarda Madame quoth Palmerin were he better hee is yours and his Maister likewise then called hee Vrbanillo who knéeling to vnderstand his Maisters pleasure hee saide Vrbanillo I haue giuen you to my Ladie Polinarda as her man will you not serue her honourablie and truelie aboue all other Yea my Lorde quoth he next after you but you will I not leaue while I liue although you woulde disdaine my seruice Good reason hast thou said the Princesse and wel am I pleased it shold be so yet during the time of his stay heere you shall forsake him and abide with mee For yâ— Madame quoth the Dwarffe I am well contented Then looke you faile not said the Princesse hencefoorth to giue your attendaunce These spéeches were thus vsed as it were for pastime that shee might thereby deceiue the iudgments of other but her whole intent was to know of Vrbanillo if his Maister were affected to any other Ladie by whose meanes her loue might be frustrate For as you haue heard a little before that loue had brought her vnder such obeysaunce as did not the regarde of honour with-holde her her selfe would first breake the Ise of her vexations rather theÌ„ Sâ—aie too long and not be solicited Many other deuises had the Ladies with Vrbanillo who knewe so well howe to behaue himselfe as from thence forward he grew so familiar amongst them as he woulde enter their Chambers when himselfe pleased vnder couller of attendaunce on the Princesse Polinarda from time to time to mooue his Maisters messages But at length she preuented him in this sort for béeing alone at a windowe in the presence Chamber shee called the Dwarffe and making her entraunce by other occasions she asked him whose Sonne Palmerin was God knowes Madame quoth hee for I doo not nor himselfe neither but of this I can assure you yâ— neuer was Knightlie Chiualrie better imployed by any then by him for since the time of my knowledge he hath doone such noble acts as it is not remembred that â—uer Knight in this age did the like And then from point to point he discoursed all yâ— Palmerin had doone since he came to him and can you thinke then Madame quoth the Dwarffe that he is not dâ—sceded of noble linage Trust me Ladie I haue my self heard by manie learned Magitians and other that their diuinations were no lesse then I saie When Polinarda heard the Dwarffe thus speake on his Maisters behalfe if before his loue had kindled her liking no meruaile if hart and spirite were nowe enflamed so that nowe she could no longer coÌ„ceale what she had hetherto couered and therefore sayde to the Dwarffe I beséech thée Vrbanillo by the faith and duetie thou bearest to thy Maister tâ—l me one thing that I desire to knowe of him which shall bee nothing but to his honour and aduantage You haue so coniured mee faire Madame quoth the Dwarffe as death shall not make me hide what you please to command if it lye in me to resolue you Knowe then Vrbanillo said the Princesse that I looue thy Maister as well as my Brother Trineus and am desirous to knowe of thee what Ladie it is hee estéemes aboue all other because when I knowe her I may loue her the better for his sake withall that I may commend the Ladies happines whose fortune is to be loued of so braue a Gallant Well perceiued the Dwarffe that now or neuer was the time to bestirre himselfe according to the promise he made his Maister wherefore hee aunswered the Princesse in this manner Beléeue me Madame were it to anie other I would not reueale such secrets of my Lorde as you desire to knowe but to you that are his Lady Mistresse I am content to bewraie the whole Suffiseth then Madame that he loueth in such sorte as if the heauens sende him not remedie the sooner vnpossible is it that his life should long endure for I sée him so far beside
be the place for conuersing on their desires till Fortune affoorded theÌ„ better opportunitie and longer would they haue there coÌ„tinued but that the Dwarffe came to his Maister in this manner My Lorde I thinke you can neuer finde time to make an ende will you haue the day light preuent yee and so discredite you all in sooth it is time you were in your Chamber Palmerin who was lothe to depart from the pleasure of his thoughts made small account of the dwarffes words and continued on in amorous deuises but the Princesse a litle more fearefull then he seeing the Dwarffe said true and lothe to be séene suspitiously said My Lord it is time to breake off but I pray you faile not of your promise let vs visite one another now you knowe the way and place So Palmerin and Ptolome tooke leaue of their Ladies passed to their Chambers without suspition the successe of their loue you shall vnderstande héereafter as time place shall fitte for the purpose but nowe to satis-fie you with choyse of delights wee will returne a while to another discourse CHAP. XXXI Howe the King of Fraunce kept a royall and magnificent Courte and howe his Sonne Lewes became enamored of the Duchesse of Burgundie DUring the time that the Emperour of Allemaigne liued in this happines accompanied as you haue hearde with manie hardie Knightes there raigned in Fraunce a mightie Prince named Agariell valiant wise and vertuous hauing thrée Sonnes whereof the second was the hardiest Knight at Armes being named Lewes This King Agariell the more to honour hys Knights and noble Gentlemen abyding in his Realme determined to keepe open Court for all â—â—mmers as none of his predecessors euer did the like before him and therefore sent abroade his Heraldes Gentlemen of his escuyrie and others to summon his Lords and Barrons of Fraunce that on a day appointed they would all méete at the Court. And because none shoulde be ignoraunt what hee intended he requested that all Gentlemen professing Armes at the feaste of Easter following shoulde repaire to Parris beeing the heade and cheefest Cittie of his Realme The Queene likewise aduertised al Ladies and Gentlewomen at whose commaunde euery one obeyed so that in fewe dayes the Courte was furnished with Lordes and Lâ—dies nothing nowe intended but delights and courtlie pastimes which made the Duke of Burgunâ—â—â— likewise repaiâ—â— thither Now was the Duke aged a man of good prouidence and a tryed Knight hauing matched in marriage with the King of Denmarks Sister a yong beautiful Ladie and of vertuous education the Duke hoping to haue issue by her because by his first Wife he could not haue any The King aduertised of the Dukes comming commaunded his Son Lewes with an honourable traine to goe entertayne him which he did so that many solemne reuerences passed betweene the Duke and him as also to the Duchesse whom as he welcomed with manie salutations so did he earnestle coÌ„template her excellent beautie reputing her fairer then the fayrest and on a suddaine became amorous of her such a violent breach made loue into his hart at the very first sight of her In this great and vnlooked for vexation hee conducted her to the lodging was prepared for the Duke dissembling so well as hee coulde his newe desire but so vehement was his oppression as without returning againe to the King he went to his Chamber Prince Lewes béeing thus alone by himselfe Loue not a little tryumphing of his new pray tormented his thoughts with so manie conceits as all the night he spent in sighes and dolorous laments his mind stil trauailing by what meanes he might compasse his intent Sometimes he thought it vnpossible in respectet of yâ— Duke then againe as easie because of his age a contrarie too yâ—ksome in his eyes for the sweete florishing youth of the Dâ—chesse all which imaginations wrought so diuersly in him as his spirite forsaking counsell reason made him breake foorth into these exclaimes Ah heauens haue you beautie with such excellencie as to cause me endure a torment more then mortall Ah mine eyes too lauishe were you in beholding her who cannot chuse but vtterly disdaine thée thou hast no acquaintaunce with her and therefore let thy death chastise thy boldnes Yet mayst thou bee deceiued in thine opinion foolish man perhappes in offering her thy seruice she may accept it for the Duke is old and likelie to die howe happy were it for thee to be his executor for his Ladie Dispayre not then man for things thought impossible are easiest oftentimes in performance In these and such like tearmes hee spent the night and séeing the fayre morning salute him at his Chamber windowe he arose intending that day to bewray his passions to the Duchesse and knowing that the Duke would goe visite the Quéene accompanied with many Knights he came to bid him good-morrow which the Duke taking very kindly requited him with many thankes ignoraunt that for the faire Wyfe he was so courteous to the olde Husband The Duke hauing taken his way to the Queene Lewes kept company wyth the Duchesse very mannerlie wayting oportunitie to dyscouer his affections and reuiewing her beautie so perfecte and rare not able longer to hold beganne thus It is maruaile Madam if fayre beautie should be so bitter as a man cannot surfette but hee must néedes die The Duchesse not knowing of whom the Prince spake nor as yet regarding that he was in loue aunswered In sooth my Lord the Ladie hath small reason that shee shoulde vse you so hardlie yf you meane it by your selfe In bréefe Madame quoth hée it is you haue wounded me and none but you can ease my afflictions if then swéete Lady you retaine such pittie as all your other excellencies shewe you to haue you wyll not disdaine to giue me remedie which if you doo for euer I remaine your Knight and loyall Fréende And in mine opinion Madame you can not well refuse me séeing Fortune hath béene such an enemie to you in marriage the Duke beeing olde and full of mellanchollie you yong tender and daintie as may be hee more méete to kéepe companye wyth Atropos the mortall Goddesse then liue with a Saint of so rare perfections But had my luck beene such before you were espoused to haue knowne you I woulde with valoure haue hindered your briding so or Fortune should haue foullie denied me for such is my religion in looue as better death then discontent and had I béene Lord of Europe you had béene Ladie Notwithstanding Madame so like it you I may be your Freende and knightly seruaunt for Loue wants no wyles to compasse desire and my sute is modest if you count it not vnséemely The Duchesse whom swéete loue could easilie entice to folly hardly might resist a present conquest wherefore chaunging countenaunce and not daring to reueale what she gladly would sayd Trust mee my Lorde your speeches are not comely to violate chaste wedlocke is so monstrous
all his trayne taking theyr standing to behold the Combat Palmerin came armed foorth of his Tent sauing his Helmet which was carryed before him by two Squires with his Sheeld and Mace and next to them came two Princes who bare the portraiture of his Ladie Polinarda which béeing sette on the Piller hee clasped on his Helmet and taking his Mace in his hande martched to the Dukes Tent and thus summoned him Knight thou hast long enough defended the field and to my great gréefe that it hath béene so long my turne is nowe come and it is good reason I shoulde kéepe it the rest of the time for the Ladie whom I loue is not onely much more beautifull then thine but beside excelleth all other whatsoeuer and if thou wilt not confesse the same I wil not leaue thée with this Mace till I haue forced thée to doo it I know not saide the Duke what thou canst doo but I am of the minde that I shall soone quallifie thy ouer bolde brauing At these words the Duke taking his Mace deliuered Palmerin so sounde a stroke on the heade as made him to stagger but Palmerin requited him well againe for it and long had they fought togeather and brused eache other very pittifully till at length Palmerin gaue the Duke such a cruell stroke betwéene the heade and the shoulders as he fell to the grounde cleane bereft of sence when Palmerin taking off his Helmet would not offer him any further violence but setting his sworde against his brest said Now am I sufficiently reuenged on him that so ill intreated the figure of the most fayrest among Ladies The Iudges of the fielde thinking Palmerin would haue slaine the Duke came running to him with these words Content you Sir he is vanquished and hath no power to defende himselfe Whereupon Palmerin put vppe his Sword againe and leauing the Duke went presently to the Piller where his Ladies portrait stoode which embracing in his armes he placed highest and Lucemania at her féete saying I beséeche you Madame to pardon your Knight in that he did no sooner repell the famous iniurie offered you and impute it not to feare or want of courage but debility of bodie which once a little recouered I came to maintaine your honor and héere confirme you for the most beautifull Ladie liuing While Palâ—â—erin thus contemplated his Mistresse figure the Iudges commaunded the Duke to be carried into his Pauillion where with soueraigne drinks life was got into him again but when he knowe himselfe to be vanquished and that in one howre hee lost the greatest honour of all his life time very conceit of gréefe had well néere slaine him No lesse was the sorrowe of Madame Lucemania but she and her Knight were not so much discontented as Palmerin Trineus and Ptolome were ioyfull but aboue all other Prince Lewes of Fraunce more pleasant then if himselfe had tryumphed in victory thinking he could not sufficiently extoll the renowne of Palmerin calling him yâ— onely puller downe of the proude That day did Palmerin encounter with seauen other Knights in his conquests shewed himselfe not onely magnanimious but mercifull sauing their liues and honoring his Mistresse with the humilitie of theirs The next day likewise after many braue exployts béeing readie to leaue fielde because none came to resist him on a suddain there entred a Knight in blacke Armour stripte all ouer with Golde and bearing in hys sheelde of Azur the Golden Sunne whose braue order of entraunce declared him to be a hardie Knight at Armes who aduauncing him selfe to Palmerin said My intent of comming hether Sir Knight is to let thée vnderstand that I am the Seruaunt and beloued of a Ladie who may not bee equalled with any other and because I am enformed that yâ— maintainest thy Fâ—éend to excell all Ladies whatsoeuer I offer to prooue the contrary and will make thée confesse it I neuer spoke wordes more true aunswered Palmerin and heere abide to iustifie them but this place is ordeyned to no other ende then to make thée and thy like know what vnaduised enterprises you take in hande And one thing is required of â—hée that before thou begin the Combat thou sette vppon thys Pyller the counterfeite of her whom thou perswadest thy selfe to excell my Lady in beautie according to the conditions of this field published through all Europe That cannot I doo answered the Knight of the Sunne for I haue no other picture of her then is imprinted in my hart where loue hath so liuely figured her person as she is daily presented to mee by her incomparable beautie which cannot be taken from me but onely by death And if loue follow the soule as diuers holde opinion whole worldes cannot seperate mee froÌ„ her And therefore are all men vnworthy to receiue fruition by their regard of a thing so precious which makes me imagine none but my selfe woorthy to looke on her diuine figure Prepare thee therefore to thy Horse and defende thy selfe Palmerin desirous to know the name of this fayre Ladie sayd I sée Sir Knight that thou art meruailous proude and surlie which make mee desire rather to Combat wyth thee then any other to abate this hote humour albeit this is contrarie to his conditions who was the principall Author of this enterprise which is that thou shouldest set on this Piller her portrait whom thou so estéemest yet thys exception shall be graunted thee for the desire I haue to knowe what thou canst doo as also her name if thou darest reueale it To tell thée her name aunswered the Knight of the Sunne I will not sticke with thee and because in concealing it I shall offer her wrong nature hauing in her set downe the onely worke of beautie know therfore that her name is Polinarda Daughter to the mighty Emperor of Allemaigne These wordes were so yrkesome to Palmerin and troubled his thoughts in such sort that hee knewe not readily what to aunswere notwithstanding in midst of his choller thus spake By God Knight thou hast made a good choyse for against her beautie will not I contende hauing it in greater estimation and reuerence then thou canst haue but I am ready to prooue that thou deseruest not to be named her Knight no not so much as her meanest Seruaunt That shall we try said the Knight of the Sunne before we part and albeit her excellencie deserue farre greater seruice then mine yet so it is that for the looue I beare her and the affection I haue to obey her by some agreeable seruice I may by good reason name my selfe hers At these spéeches Palmerin conceiued such iealousie as without attending any further matter mounted in great anger on horsebacke and met the Knight of the Sunne so forcibly as bothe of them were sent to the ground whereuppon they drewe their Swordes and charged eache other with such furie as their Armour and Shéeldes were hacked in péeces and the ground coullered with their expence of blood
Which she thankfully accepted and spending this whole daie in diuers delights Palmerin béeing in the euening in his Chamber accompanied with Ptolome sent his Dwarffe to the Princesse to appoint the time of their méeting and she séeing the Dwarffe caught him about the necke demaunding of him what newes hee brought None but good Madame answered the Dwarffe my Maister hath sent you the Bon soir and therewith his humble duetie to your highnes for being your Knight and liuing onelie to doo you seruice he hath good hope that your vertuous nature wyll not forget howe many daungers he hath past for your sake and nowe dooth loue appeale for his desired reward Therefore good Madame as you are hartfast vnite your selues handfast giue my Maister life your selfe comfort and make me happy by carrying of this message for I vowe by the reuerend faith I beare you bothe that I will not depart without some gracious aunswere Polynarda smyling to heare Vrbanillo speake so earnestlie sayd The assuraunce thou giuest me of the trustie affection thou bearest thy Maister dooth not a little content mee and pitty it were so good a Knight shoulde labour all this while in vaine therefore perswade thy Maister that to morrow at night I will méete him where we were wont and there will I resolue him to his owne content CHAP. XLIII How Palmerin went in the night to the appointed place to conferre with his Lady Polinarda and the amorous communication they had togeather VRbanillo with chéerefull countenaunce returned to his Master declaring to him his talke wyth Polynarda her swéete lookes her gracious aunsweres how choiselie she loued him and lastlie her promise to meete him in the accustomed place yet is not this all for before you depart with her shee hath assured mee to resolue you to your owne content And that is it I want ê™ he for might I once receiue my content then shoulde I thinke my trauailes rewarded And doubt you not thereof saide the Dwarffe if she be a woman of her worde Then Ptolome béeing present asked the Dwarffe if he saw Bryonella No in sooth quoth he she was not in the Princesse Chamber nor to my knowledge was she acquainted with my comming yet dare I thinke she will be there with my Lady The time béeing come the Ladies were at the place with deuotion answerable to those silent howres and theyr Knights not fayling their appointment what pleasure on eache side was conceiued is not to be enquired for all wyshings are nothing in respect of their contentments Polynarda hauing her fréendly Knight before her so sweete a blush ecclipsed her countenaunce as woulde driue nature into a studie to frame the like and thus she began Alas my sweete Freende in what paine anguish and heauines of hart hath your absence brought me what teares haue fallen from mine eyes and drops of blood froÌ„ my hart by renting sighes and â—easelesse acclamations remembring our pleasures past our present comfort and the hope of better hap to come What dolorous conceits hath often wounded me thinking on so many hazards and perrils as might hinder me from séeing you againe and not without cause beléeue me for had you miscaried neuer Ladie sustained such a losse in respect of your Knightlie valour and the vnfeigned loue I heare you whereof before I depart I meane assuredlie to resolue you in requitall of your honâ—urable tranailes for maintenaunce of my beautie And héereof perswade your selfe good Knight that to haue you I refuse all other good fortunes whatsoeuer and therefore I carâ— not though it were openlie knowne how especiallie I prize desire loue and estéeme you Palmerin confounded with this long expected comfort and not able to endure with silence interrupted her in this manner By the faith of your sworne Seruaunt swéete Madame the perrils mishaps and dangers I haue past since my departure neuer deserued the verie least of your coÌ„plaints nor could my endeuours prooue such as your incomparable perfections merrited the onelie remembraunce whereof was sufficient to make me inuincible wherefore faire Mistresse if I haue wunne anie honorâ— your fauour was the meane and your beautie gaue mée the vertue streaming so plentifullie from your chaste eiâ—s as the water from the Fountaine To little purpose were it nowe to rehearse yâ— strange assaults massacring thoughts and violent flames wherein I haue buried and continuallie béene crucified since the howre it pleased you to let mee sée Fraunce vndoubtedly yâ— verie meanest of my sufferings was able to destroie me without the resolute assuraunce of your diuine fauour which triuÌ„phing â—uer death shall make me liue continuallie So that the desire to let you knowe how assuredlie I am yours and the continuall wyshing to see you againe gaue mee victorie ouer your enemies and brought me safe thorow all extreamities to honour you as I doo at this present It nowe remaines Madame that you regarde the trueth of my loue the permanence thereof and the instant passions worsse then death to mee yet with this prouiso that I presume not of anie action meritorious but your grace which is able to strengthen me in greatest debilitie And no where know I to séeke for pittie and support of my cares if not onelie by her who hath yâ— soueraigne power to chase hence the cruell and euer threatning menaces of death Forbeare good my Lorde quoth she thus to talke of death considering I cannot liue one howre without you nor holde I any comfort of my life but onelie in loouing you to enioy you so that what you endure I suffer and no passion torments you but I haue a share therein so deuoutlie is my spirit conforted with yours And therefore thinkâ— not your oppressions greator then mine for if you doo it procéedeth by want of experience of feminine passions the extreamitie whereof farre surmounteth your sexe For which cause to giue some rest to our long and ouertrauailed desires I giue you héere my hand and therewithall a chast hart accepting you onely for my Lorde Husbande and to my promise call Heauen Earth to witnes Where is the wit so daintie the tongue so florishing or the penne so dilligent as can conceiue report or set down in perfect coullers the ioyes of these louers You faire Lordinges and you likewise swéete Ladies that long haue trauailed in amorous affections and in the ende receiued the rewarde of your passions by your owne conceites can imagine the content of these twaine for Palmerin was of this opinion that Iupiter had not the like pleasure with faire Alemena for whom hee caused one might to endure the space of three daies as hee hadde with his gracious Mistresse Polinarda For nowe the manifolde strokes he gaue for beautie were héere remembred his daungerous trauailes in all places recounted his absence with kinde gratulations welcommed his teares sighes complaints feares resolued and lastlie his long vnchangeable and most faithfull loue fâ—eendlie rewarded Let vs not heere forget that Ptolome and Brionella
former promise not to râ—ueale the least matter that may be hurtfull to them Neuerthelesse in regard of the reuerent good will they beare you and that I would not haue you offended with such an abiect creature as I am I would gladly tell you some thing to your content so you will promise me on your princely worde that what I reueale shall neuer be disouered by you Perswade thy selfe thereof sayd the Princesse and looke what thou sayst by my honor shall neuer turne to thy after harme Then know fayre Madame quoth he that the gréene knight is of the most noble and illustrious house in Europe louing a Ladie as his proper life for whom he hath left his Countrey parents friends to come and do her seruice The blacke knight as I haue alreadie tolde you is my maister and further then this I may not tell you What am I the nearer my desire quoth shée by this aunswere eyther thou shouldest haue sayde nothing or else thorowly satisfyed mâ—e for now I can not bée quieted till thou tell me what Ladie it is that the gréene Knight loues so déerely let mée not make so many intreaties for I promise to thée againe by the faith of a Princesse that neuer shall any creature know it by my meanes You vrge me so farre quoth the Dwarffe and haue made mee such great promises as I am constrayned beyond yâ— charge giuen by my maister to acquaint you with the trueth in respect the fault wil be greater in you to make refusal then in yéelding Resolue your selfe therefore good Madame that the braue gréene Knight so rich in Armes but more in minde is the Prince Trineus Sonne to the Emperour of Allemaigne so passionate in loue and so depriued of liberty by deuout seruice to your excellent bountie as against both duetie and nature he hath deceiued his Father feigning to come ayde his Kinsman the King of Norway where contrariwise he hath shewed himselfe his mortall enemie And to no other ende hath he thus offended both Father and Cozin then to make known his long labourous desires to make you Lady and Mistresse of him and his and such is his fearâ— to be refused as he endures more torments then the martired bodye of poore Prometheus Bee not then the cause swéete Ladie that a Prince so famous and a Knight so gentle shall buy his great good seruice to your Father and CouÌ„trey yea the most loyal loue he beares to you with vntimelie vnfortunate and cruell death Thinke with your selfe is it not the highest among all honours to be Wife to such a Lord and Empresse in time of renowned Allemaigne Is it not perpetuall report to be Lady and commaundresse of the principall parte of Europe Let not him beare record that a bodie so adorned and countenaunce so milde and gracious can entertaine tirannie or crueltie yea Madam such crueltie as if you receiue him not into your fauourable conceit you shall procure the death of the truest Knight in loue that euer liued The blacke knight is the renowned Palmerin d'Oliua the wonder of the world for â—alour conquering in Fraunce the Duke of Sauoy in maintenaunce of his Ladies beautie fayre without compare conforming his Shéelde and Armour equall to his mourning thoughts for his absence from her that tryumphes in his loue The third knight so adorned with white Roses is called Ptolome loued by a Ladie well woorthy of him It now remaineth fayre Princesse that you make the Prince Trineus equall with them in felicitie for you haue the mayden heade of his loue which with honor you may entertaine into your chastâ— thoughtes Thus haue I acquainted you with such a secrete as no creature but your selfe could haue got of mée and the danger to fall into your misconceit hath made mée such a blab leauing all you haue heard to your gracious coÌ„struction Agriola méetelie farre enough in loue before but now vtterly denied of longer libertie hearing the wordes of Vrbanillo was surprised with such a strange alteration as a long time she was driuen to silence not able to vtter the secrete conceits of her minde yet al length to shadowe her suddaine change from the Dwarfe shée sayde Ah my Fréende thou acquaintest me with matter altogither incredible is it possible that Trineus Sonne to the Emperor of Allâ—â—â—aigne would venture into this Court considering the mortall enmitie betwéene our Fathers Trust mée my Fréende I cannot credit thée I renounce mine owne soule sâ—ide the Dwarfe if it be not as I haue told you then iudge Madame what acceptaunce shoulde be made of his seruice when loue to you excéedeth nature may it not bee termed loue surpassing all other eyther registred in antiquities or present memorie If it should be quoth she as then sayest it is beyonde my power to returne condigne recompence yet in respect of thy secrecie I dare assure thée mine owne opinion of him hath so ouer-maistered me as in honorable modestie he may commaund and I am not so well nurtured to disagrée But if eyther by my words thou hast gathered or by any chaunge of countenaunce perceiued the suddaine yéelding of a flexible nature interprete it in this good sort that Princes afflictions make each other melt as framed of one mettall which I charge thée conceale from him as thou regardest my word and his safetie Pardon mee Madame quoth the Dwarfe it standeth not with my allegeaunce to obey you héerein what a villaine might I bee accounted and vnworthy the name of a faithfull seruant if I shoulde â—ide these happy tydings from him to ease those torments that euerye houre threaten his death Yea Madame did my maister but thinke I would so abuse him well deserued I to be â—orne in péeces Well quoth she if thou findest time conuenient till him but no other I charge thée on thy life and withall certifie him that I woulde not for my Fathers Crowne he should be knowne Feare you not good Madame sayde the Dwarffe they are alreadie so well aduised as none but your selfe ran any way endaunger them It sufficeth that the Prince vnderstande your pleasure which I will impart to him when the King is returned so kissing her hande hée departed leauing her so highly contented in assurance of the loyall loue of Trineus as she neuer determined any other Husbande yet woulde shée not disclose her minde no not to Eufemia her secret companion thinking herselfe too much bewrayed because the Dwarffe knewe it Soone after the Quéene sent for her to walke in the coole shadowe of the Trées where not long they stayed before the King returned who reported what pastime they had all that morning The Knightes hauing saluted the Quéene and her Ladies Trineus saluting the Princesse Agriola was so transported as hée scant knewe where he was The Princesse likewise fixed with a stedfast eye on him as wounded both him and her selfe togither her complexion so aptly deciphering her sickenesse as the Prince perceyuing it sayd to
to match with the Sonne of Fraunce considering what promise I haue made my brother and if I should so farre dishonour my selfe as not to regarde what I haue promised I were not worthy hereafter to be called your daughter Thus stoode she resolute in her answere and therewith shedde such aboundance of teares as the Emperour was constrayned to tell the Ambassadours that the marriages could not be concluded till the returne of Trineus notwithstanding he granted all the articles of their embassage The princesse qualliâ—â—ing her gréefe as well as shee could sent for the Dwarfe and taking him by the hand sayde Alas my freend I am now in yâ— greatest perplexity in the world neuerthelesse one thing comforts me that thou be holdest the true loue and loyaltie I beare thy maister which neuer shal be broken what euer become of me And would to God he were now heere then would I speake it openly without feare of any that I am â—is and he myne Madame quoth the Dwarfe if you continue faithfull to my maister perswade your selfe of his assurance for he building on your constancie takes such continual pleasure in remembring you that it is the onely meane that preserues his life and you may be bâ—lde to credit me that if your brothers loue did not with-hold him he would haue bin here long ere this but he wil come soone inough I hope to end this doubt As for me I am of the opinion that heauen wil not suffer so good a knight to die but first wil permit him to sée his mistris Die quoth the princesse sooner let all the knights in the world ende theyr dayes and the eldest Sonne of Francâ— likewise though hée loue mée so déerely so might I be rid of these importunate Ambassadours The Emperour séeing hée could get no other answer of his daughter concluded with the French ambassadors that so soone as his son was returned he should be aduertized and so for that time they might depart but the empresse and he first bestowed on them many rich presents and so in short time they arriued againe in Fraunce where great ioye was made in hope of these marriages albeit they little thought the Prince Trineus would tarrie so long Aboue all other the French prince was most ioyfull hearing the Countie of Armignac report the wonderfull beauty of Polinarda but â—he good Lady was of another mind for she had rather bâ— take her self to a Cloister then to breake her faith to Palmerin whom shée loued so constantly Thus leaue we her conferring with Vrbanillo returning to Palmerin and the Prince Trineus Chap. LXIIII. ¶ How Palmerin beeing thus on the Sea caused Trineus there to marrie the Princesse Agriola THis noble company being thus on the Sea hauing winde at will sayled with such expedition as in fourâ— dayes they had gotten farre enough from England and the prince séeing Agriola very pensiue and sad comforting her with many swéete kisses and taking her by the hande thus spake O soueraigne Creatour how shal I render sufficient thanks and praise to thée in graunting me the onely thing I desired Aâ— swéete madame and my onely mistresse Agriola howâ— much is your seruant indebâ—ed to you hath any knight more cause to honour extol his lady then I Beléeue me fayre Princesse such are the rare effects of your gracious nature and I so ioyfull of my happie fortune as neither friend or father shall fetch you againe from mée Iâ— my life might endure the length of tenne menâ— and euery day I shuld accomplish wonders in your seruice yet could I not remunerate the least part of your Princely deserts But if your loue be such to me as I am right wel assured â—t is let me intreat you forbeare this heauines and banish from your thoughts your melancholy humours for seeing you so sad pensiue I suffer a torment worser then death it selfe Fâ—r lâ—t me perceiue how little soeuer it be yâ— my presence may be to your lyking our present enterprise somwhat more pleasing I fly to the heauens with conceit of happines and value my fortune aboue the reach of humane capacity In stéede of teares let vs vse quaint tearmes and for these dumps pleasant imaginations perswade your selfe Madam you are now in his custody that honours you for your vertues reuerenceth you for your diuine perfections extols you for incomparable merits and liues for you with his very vttermost endeuors Thinke not though you haue left your parents the fault is not pardonable for the new alyance wherein you haue combyned your self shal one day glad you with such speciall content that what you do imagine nowe a dangerous offence will bee reputed on act of prouidâ—nt and princely discretion Then shall you finde true what Palmerin hath spoken and his promises of preferment and imperial dignity shall be both rightly sufficiently perfoâ—rmed Let these perswasions if not my intreatyes excell these passions and procure better comfort Madam quoth Palmerin though you haue left your country consider the occasion yâ— loue of a mighty prince and the heauenly appoyntment that your noble vertues should be coupled together hath brought you from England to sit on the imperyal seate in Allemaigne How carefull we haue béene of your honor your selfe can witnes no motion béeing offered to preiudice your lyking That you are contracted before the only immortall witnes you wil not deny therfore to preuent all ensuing dangers the actual ceremony shal be héere celebrated and the royaltie thereof solemnized when we come into Allemaigne So if Himen claimes his due you may graunt it without reproch and Iuno will as well smile at her sacred offering here as if it were in bower or hall The credite of Princes are charie and angry parentâ—â— may hinder what heauen dooth further but the déede doon it cannot be recalled nor can you be diuorced but onelye by death and pittie were it loue so well begun but shouldâ— continue therefore so please you let it bée perfourmed The Princes both agreed they were there maried requiting theyr chast loue with a simpathie of vertuous desires but this time of delight and pleasure hadde small continuaunce for Fortune enemie to prosperitie accompanied with her eldest sonne Mischaunce conuerted their ioyes into sorrowe teares and paynes vnspeakeable as you shall reade héereafter These Louers thus ryding merilye on the streame suddenlye the Sea began to swell the winde chaunged roughly the Skyes were troubled and such a daungerous tempest beate vppon theyr Ship as the Pilot Maister and Mariners knewe not what to say and fiue dayes togither they were in this perplexitie sometime forwarde then againâ— backward that no hope of life was expected but euerye onâ— prepared themselues for death the implacable messenger of God for they could discerne no other remedie Agriola not accustomed to these daungers was meruailously discomforted but Trineus perswaded her with many examples in that such stratagems were vsuall on the Sea albeit shâ—â— to ende the feare
contenting himselfe with this because hée loued her so specially At fiftéene dayes end the feastes béeing ended the Princes tooke their leaue of the great Sultane who with many rich presents sent them home into their Countryes Thus remained Agriola with the great Turke and the Knight to whom Olimael had giuen Ptolome and Colmelio sailed with his prisoners into Aethiopia and thenceforward vsed them not as slaues but as Gentlemen of good qualitie especially Ptolome whom hée reputed a hardie Knight and a man borne to great enterprises Chap. III. How Palmerin after his recreation returned to the sea side and seeing the Ship and his companie gone made great lamentation and what after followed BEfore in this Historie you haue heard how Palmerin walking on shore with his Faulcon on his fist desired to see the pleasantnesse of the Isle and finding so manie delights to with-holde him returned not towarde the Ship till it was néere night but when hée came thither againe and could not sée the Shippe nor anie one to question withall he was greatly amazed running héere and there yet all to no purpose Sometime 〈◊〉 imagined that Trineus had betrayed him because he had acquainted him with his loue toward his Sister and then againe resolued himselfe on the contrarie All about hee looked for his companions not knowing what to think whether they were carried away by Pirats or taken prisoners by the Inhabitants of the Island In the end hauing compassed in his minde all imaginations hee could and séeing that by his regard of pleasure he had lost his Friendes hee entred into many sorrowfull lamentations farre 〈…〉 Cadmus when hee lost his Souldiers by the horrible Serpent cursing and exclaiming on himselfe as he had béene guiltie of the death of his father Alas quoth hee why did I not remember these wretched misfortunes by poore Varnan whose sorrowes was likewise procured by a Hawke in haplâ—sse houre was this wicked Byrde giuen me Ah trecherous and deceiuing strumpet I thinke thou art some incorporate Fiende sent from Hell to iniurie the most constant Louers and therefore gentle Oâ—le or rather enchanted Diuell thou shalt neuer hereafter displeâ—â—â— any other so taking her by the necke hée pulled her in 〈◊〉 and said Ah sweete Lady Polynarda how contrarie is Fortuneâ— and howe vnhappily our desirâ—s preuented well am I assured if Trineus come to the Court without me it will endanger your life and the onely thing that sheeldes mée from death is comfortable hope to sée you once again Therfore diuine mistresse I call for your succour that by your gracious assistante I may endure these vehement occasions Ah gentle Princesse Agriola howe haue I deceiued you but in requitall of your wrong no rest nor ease shall possesse my soule till I haue brought Trineus and you 〈◊〉 as great ioy as by my meanes you haue receiued discomfort In these complaints 〈◊〉 laide him downe 〈…〉 and so wasted the time till morning camâ— when 〈◊〉 no treatures to speake withall nor any meane for his to pâ—sse the Sea hee determined to passe through the Island till hee might méete some body to â—oâ—ferre with Thus hauing no defence but his sword vnder his arme hee walked along and at length he met a Moore with foure Spanielles and a Marlin on his fist whome hee humbly saluting demaunded the name of the Countrey and if there were any shipping neere for his passage The Moore perceiuing by his language that he was a Christian in great anger answered Art thou come so farre to séeke thine owne misfortune by Mahomet I shall welcome thee hither with a vengeance So laying hande on his Semitary Palmerin perceiuing by his gesture though hee vnderstood not his talk that he wished him no good wherefore drawing his sword hee gaue the Moore such a stroke on the head as he cleaued it to his very téeth and sayd By God villaine thou shalt not take me prisoner or send me into the sea to séeke my raunsome and so may all discourteous varlets be serued as resemble thée in conditions Thus leauing the Moore dead hée tooke another way least if he should bée followed hée might fall into danger but séeing hee was vnarmed and could not speake the Arabian tongue hée imagined that at length he must néedes be taken Hereupon he returned backe to the Moore and taking his garments left his own there and thence forward determined to counterfeit himselfe dumbe by which subtiltie he thought to escape vnknowne and preuent his imprisonment till hee founde meanes to returne to wards Allemaigne againe The day stealling on apace and darke night approching he came to a fayre Fountaine of the cleerest water in his opinion that euer hee sawe where laying him downe to rest consumed the night as quietly as he could On the morrow he began to remember his miseries his dangers past and such as 〈◊〉 imminent the conceit whereof made him very melancholy so after hée hadde eaten a little bread which hee â—ound in the Moores budget according to the maner of Diogenes he layd him downe againe and slept Chap. IIII. How Palmerin counterfeiting himselfe dumbe in the Isle of Calpha was found by certaine Turkes as he lay a sleepe by the Fountaine and howe hee was receiued into the seruice of Alchidiana Daughter to the Soldane of Babilon NOw that you may the more easily vnderstand in that which followeth the full intent of our discourse you must call to memorie how Gamezio who was slaine before Constantinople by the Prince Florendos as you haue heard in the first parte of this Historie was Sonne to the Soldane of Babilon named Mysos and brother to Maulicus who at his death was a verie yong prince Mysos vnderstanding by his Subiects that Gamezio the hope of his declining age was gone by the summons of Atropos to the habitation of the Gods could not afterward enioy the health of body or quiet in minde and therefore ere a yeere was fully expired hée went to séeke his sonne among his equalles in the fields of Elysium Before hée tooke his iourney wherein no creature returneth againe hée charged his succéeding Sonne Maulicus to reuenge his brothers death béeing perswaded that himselfe should not be discharged of his infortunate remembrance in the other world if hée failed to accomplish his latest commaundement Maulicus not to hinder his departure promised he would yet could hee not fulfill it beeing troubled in his own Kingdoms more then 20 yeeres after But after he had reduced the rebellious Prouinces into obedience he married with the King of Armeniaes Daughter by whom he had the Princesse Alchidiana one of the most beautifull and gracious Laâ—ies of her time who beeing come to age of experience was so loued of her fathâ—r as he would neuer suffer her out of his sight so that he made 〈◊〉 to all such as requested her in marriage Alchidiana when shee vnderstood her owne singularitie desired the 〈◊〉 of the most beautifull Ladies in Asia because she held this
thy beautie of such value that the Knight to whome my Father and I haue doone so great honours would leaue vs and depart with thée trust meâ— thou art farre from thine account for if thou vauntest to doo him such honor in thy Fathers Courte as his nobilitie deserueth it consisteth in my power to exalt him more in one howre then thou canst doo in a thousand yéeres mightest thou liue so long I did neuer thinke that such audacious and incontinent tempting a man could any way enter thy heart but if such bee thy disposition thou oughtest rather to abide in thy Fathers Courte where thou maist haue leysure to followe thy base affection with some of the 〈◊〉 or youthes attending on thy Father then to offer the 〈◊〉 héere in my Chamber Hence hence foorth of my presence for I will not kéepe company with such an intemperate Woman What regard hadst thou of thy great linage or the place from whence thou art discended Yea what comfort will it be to me when I shall heare that a Ladie issued of the blood royall should bée more shamelesse and impudent then a 〈◊〉 a villaine or an high way begger Many other such like hard spéeches vsed Alchidiana all which gréeued her not so much as to 〈…〉 of him whom she reputed as passionate for her loue as shée was for his These high words of the Princesse caused the Ladies attending on Ardemia to enter the Chamber which maâ—e her then breake off because she woulde not haue euerie one knowe the matter and they séeing their Mistresse so sad and discomforted brought her to her owne Chamber where on her bedde shee sorrowed so impatiently as each one 〈◊〉 she would 〈◊〉 her selfe and faine shée woulde but that their presence hindered her therefore shee deferred it till better opportunitie And because shee had spent the most part of her yonger yéeres in reading the workes of 〈◊〉 as wel Greekes as Arabians she remembred the mouâ—nfull Tragedie of Biblis which caused her to frame a Dittie that shée had translated from the Greeke 〈◊〉 of Sapho into her vulgar spéech and turning towardes her Ladies and Gentlewomen she began in this maner The lamentable Dittie of Ardemia dying for loue MVsenot fayre virgins at Ardemia Although her end be hard and dolorous For death is pleasant as mine elders say To any Ladie sometime amorous For as the Swan in cold Meander glide By mournfull notes foretelles her speedy death So my complaint doth bid me to prouide For sweetest loue makes hast to stop my breath The ill that endlesse and vncessantly Torments my heart is fayre and choysest beautie And this vnhappie awkwarde desteny Falles to my lot through spotlesse loyaltie For fond conceit that ouer-rulde my wit More wretched then fayre Biblis maketh me And he I loue more stony hard is knit Then Caunus who could ken no courtesie Yet Bibliâ— oftentimes could ease her heart By sweete deuising with her louely freend But he I honor recks not of my smart Nor will vouchsafe one gracious looke to lend And as her sorrowes cheefely did arise Because the secrets of her loue were knowne So I reueald each one will me despise VVhich death can stint ere it too farre be blowne Vnhappie wretch that could not this foresee And be more chary of so choyse a thing But all too late I wish the remedie Therefore my folly doth due guerdon bring if loue that is esteemde a power diuine Vnto his Seruaunts giue so sharpereward VVhat merit may vile hatred then resigne Vnto his vassayles that his Lawes regard Oft haue I heard mine auncient elders say That such as loue not are vnwoorthie life Yet doth my loue imagine my decay And throwes my hope into whole worlds of strife And yet the paynes I wish for my mischaunce May not be valued with my present woe For to compare them is meere dalliaunce And neither sence or reason should â— shoâ—e Life is to me lothsome and burdenous All pleasure seemes to mee tormenting hell Ah poore refused and abused thus Must thou needes die for louing all too well O sacred Venus patrâ—nesse of loue In this distresse wilt thou not pittie me And thy fayre Sonne that thus his shaft did proue VVill he forsake me in this ieopardie If you forsake me in this iust request And will not fauour what you did procure Giue leaue to him that bringeth all to rest And he will ease the torments I endure You fatall Sisters that haue spunne my thred And now thinke good it should be cut in twaine Fulfill the taske as you are destenied And let my heart abide no longer paine Come sweetest death expected too too long Ende all the euils vnhappie loue begun If thou delay I challenge thee of wrong Hast then good death that loue and life were done Her complaints thus finished shée commaunded her Ladies to depart the Chamber and being alone by her selfe shee againe began to consider the rigorous refusall of Palmerin the conceit whereof gréeued her so extreamely as also the reproachfull wordes of her Cozin that making a conscience of her sorrowes and raging with extreamitie of this despight brake the vaines of her heart in sunder and the artiries of her bodie as the bloud issued foorth at many places aboundantly and therewithall in short time she was strangled The nxet morning her chéefest Lady that attended on her and loued her excéedingly came to the bedde side to sée how shée fared but finding her dead and so 〈◊〉 with her owne bloud gaue such a loude shrieke as Alchidiana and her Dâ—moselles affrighted at the noyse ranne in all haste to the Chamber The Princesse knowing the cause of this mischaunce was maruellous sorrowfull assuring her selfe that the wordes shée spake in her anger occasioned this bloudie 〈◊〉 And the â—umor of this mishop was so soone spread through the Palace as all the Ladies Damoselles Knightes Squires and other câ—me to beholde the harde fortune of Ardemia What lamentation was made on all sides is not to be expressed especially the Ladies attendant on Ardemia and her Brothâ—r Guâ—â—haran who brought her with him thither but her Gouernesse not able to endure the burthen of her heauinesse without feare of dread of any thus openly complained Ah swéete Princesse Aâ—demia the flowre of beautie howe deare hast thou bought this precious gift for I knowe assuredly that for this cause onely thy death happened vnhappie was the houre when thou didst leaue thy Fathers Court to accompanie the Princesse Alchidiana After her mones and the funerall pompe accomplished the Soldane erected for her a most beautifull Tâ—mbe with a sumptuous Coronet on the toppe thereof being vpheld by two inestimable Pillâ—rs of engrauen and guilded Alablaster the like whereof were neuer séene since the first King of Greece Yet was hée ignorant in the cause of her death and Palmerin not imagining whence this inconuenience did arise was so sorrowfull for the death of the Princesse as day and night hee mourned for her and
other conference but of this new and warlike enterprise which made Olorico demaunde of Palmerin if hee should go in those affaires That will I verily quoth he if sicknesse or prison do not withhold mee Let me intreate you then fayâ—e the Prince to doo me so much honour as to accept me for your companion Whereto Palmerin right soone condiscended and then began such a league of amâ—â—y betwéene them that it endured to the death as you shall reade héereafter But because it was nowe late they tooke their leaue of each other till the next morning when Maulicus would haue Olorico dine at his Table with Palmerin where wanted no prouision that beséemed so great a person béeing now set foorth in most rich and honourable pompe The Tables being withdrawne the Prince began the daunce thinking to sée faire Alchidiana but hée was deceiued for she kept her Chamber in her amorous opinions and would not be séene till the appointed day when the Armie should make shewe in open field This day the Soldane went to order the battaile and to appoint the wings and squadrons which made Alchidiana likewise take delight so walke abroad with Palmerin who was now in maruailous sumptuous Armour bearing a shéeld of Sinople with a barre of Gold figured therein signifying his inward ioy that in so short time he should get from these barbarous and vnchristian helhounds Before them went two yong Lords bareheaded and behinde a great number of Ladies and Knights so rich in apparrelâ— as could be deuised Beeing thus brought to their Palfrayes Palmerin beganne to carriâ—e and braue with his Horse before the Princesse who tooke no little delight in her supposed louer and riding along with him fell into many discourses nothing tending to Religion as I gesse but such deuout seruice as loue teacheth his Schollers In the midst of their communication came the Prince Olorico so altred with his affection to the Princesse that they which haue felt like assaults might easily iudge the cause of his passions Hauing made two or thrée humble reuerences to her he offered to kisse her hand which shée would not permit him excusing the matter so modestly and wishing his welfare as her owne that he imagined himselfe greatly fauoured Palmerin regarding the afflictions of this new come louer and that hée might giue him the better meane to deuise with her so priuatly as he desired turned his Horse to the other side of the Princesse thus speaking to her What thinke you Madame of the gentle succour which my Lord Olorico hath brought your Father beléeue mée the courtesse is so surpassing great as your selfe ought especially to thanke him if it were but for his forwardnesse in qualifying the haughtie courage of Amaranos brethreÌ„ Doubtlesse quoth she his companie is to be estéemed and among tenne thousand Knights hardly may bee founde so braue men as is in his troupe in recompence whereof I will not denie the Prince any thing that hée with honour will request of me Olorico perceiuing this sodaine inuention of Palmerin returned him many thanks and after the accustomed dissimulations vsed in such causes albeit Loue had for a while depriued him of spéech earnestly beholding the rare beautie of the Princesse he thus began Madame although I should doo to my Lord your Father all the seruices that a Knight is able to yéelde his gracious patrone yet the very least of these fauours which it hath pleased your excellencie to bestowe on mée may bee reckoned for much more then deserued recompence Wherefore béeing perswaded that my seruice is placed in your good conceit I shall not hencefoorth feare to put my life in hazard so much I desire to sée these present promises accomplished whereof you Sir Palmerin béeing estéemed among the most famous persons liuing shall beare mée witnesse when time graunteth conuenient opportunitie I haue promised nothing sayde the Princesse but what I will right gladly accomplish requiring nothing but your good opinion which so many choyse Ladies haue heretofore desired And I demaund no better pay quoth the Prince then her gracious fauour whom I desire to please Thus beguiled they the time till the Armie marched forward in array which they faire and softly followed till tenne Pages belonging to the Princesse leading tenne goodly Coursers most richly caparassoned came before them Another Page brought a séemely Launce the bandrole whereof was the Princesse colours and a Golden Shéeld wherein was portraied the head of Amarano helde vppe by the haire by a Knights hands signifying the victory of Palmerin against him the Shéeld béeing bordered rounde about with Pearles Rubyes Emeraulds Crisolites and other precious stones of inestimable value then beganne the Princesse thus to Palmerin My noble Friend in this warre I desire you to bée my Knight and for my sake to beare this Launce ond Shéeld that the proude Brethren may see the shame of Amarano And such is my hope that as you serued the eldest so will you deale with the other while one of them remains aliue These Horses likewise for the warre I bestow vppon you they beeing accounted the very best in Turkie and these will serue you well when you are in fielde our Gods bearing mée witnesse faire Friend that did not my estate hinder me and the regarde of mine honour withhold me with right good will would I beare you companie to sée your noble and Knightly deedes of armes And this I dare boldly say that Hipsicratea neuer followed her Husband Mithredates with greater affection were he on sea or on lande on Horsebacke or on foote then I could doo the noble Palmerin d'Oliua Notwithstanding though my body may not be there yet shall my spirit bee continually present to comfort my languishing life which will be but a shadow of death to me till your returne But because I sée many eies are fixed on vs all the Kings likewise taking their leaue of my father I will leaue you to the protection of our Gods who send you happily and right soone againe These words were coupled with such sighs and teares as shee had fallen from her horse but that one of her Ladies of honour stayed her Palmerin after hee had with great kindnesse thanked her kissed her hande saying Perswade your selfe swéete Madame your shéeld shall be shewne in such place where his Brethren that deâ—ract your honour shall easily sée it though but little to theyr aduantage Thus tooke they leaue of each other and Oâ—orico likewise had the Princesse farewell then doing their dutie to the Soldane followed the armie leauing him and Alchidiana sorrowfull for their departure Chap. XVII How the prince Olorico being with Palmerin in his Tent demaunded of him if hee loued the princesse Alchidiana and of the answere he made him THese two Princes Palmerin and Olorico conferring still as they rode with what gréefe and sorrow Alchidiana parted from them and falling from one imagination to another they concluded to lodge together in one tent And because
Palmerin was the better more richly prouided of all things necessarie for the field Olorico was the more glad of his companie so the day béeing spent and the Tents pitched in a goodly plaine Palmerin inuited the Prince of Arabia to suppe with him for the Souldane had appointed him such honourable prouision as better hée could not for his owne sonne The Tables withdrawne and spending the time a while at Chesse play they went to bed where Olorico not able to sléepe beganne in this manner to his friendly companion Most fortunate Palmerin howe much more could I wish to resemble you then the greatest King or Lorde in the world to be likewise beloued of her who in beautie good grace and swéete spéech hath not her like And because my good Friend and Brother I haue noted the speciaâ—â— loue of the Princesse Alchidiana towardes you let me intreate you to tell me who shée is you aboue all other loue and intend to make your espoused Wife vowing to you on the word of a Prince whosoeuer it bee to conceale it with secrecie and to disswade my selfe from my loue newly begunne for your sake albeit I died therefore For your noble minde and braue gentilitie hath gained such soueraigntie ouer me as all other pleasures whatsoeuer I despise onely to haue your companye and fauour Thus quallifying the passions which day and night doo secretly torment mée I will sette downe such order as my Father shall not néede to send his Ambassadours nor imploy any of my Fréendes to demaunde her for mee albeit for this onelye cause I left my Countrey in such sort as you haue seene Palmerin hearing the wordes of the yoong Prince and perceiuing him wounded with her loue whom he desired to be furthest from smyling said My Lorde Oloriâ—o I sweare to you by the honour of my Knighthoode I neuer thought of the loue which you demaunde nor haue I any desire to followe that humour But true it is that I would doo so much for her as a Knight may for his Ladie for so shée well deserues her fauour and gentle behauiour woorthye farre better abilitie wherefore my déere Fréende if you will beléeue me giue not ouer your intent but practise to gaine her to your Wife and I promise you that I will so mooue the matter to the Soldane and her as happilie maye effect the end of your desires Yet let me intreate you to continue so iust a Fréende to her as her high calling well deserueth otherwise I had rather die the death then once to speake a word on your behalfe These newes so cheered the Prince as embracing him manie times and returning him manifold thanks he said Assuredlie my noble Freend I am greatly beholding to my father who gaue me my present being but much more owe I to you because my estate had now ended but that your gracious spéeches called me againe to 〈◊〉 My second selfe hauing thus lost my libertie I despaire of attaining what you haue promised and endure a death more then mortall but that you breath hope of successe into me assuring mée of immediate felicitie and ioyfull dayes héereafter which no father but so good a fréende was able to doo After other such like spéeches the Prince slept but Palmerin touched in another sort was solliced with the remembraunce of his lost fréendes and perceiuing his companion slept soundlie he began thus to deliuer his sorrowes Ah vnfortunate and wretched Palmerin how can thy mind so long beare this yoke of seruitude onely standing in feare of death Hast thou so forgot those two perfect louers Trineus and Agriola with thy true fréend Ptolome not knowing whether they bee aliue or deade what wilt thou not searche for them The Emperour of Allemaigne hath not hée good cause to complaine of thée yea and to blame thée if his sonne be not returned Darest thou present thy selfe before him Ah touch of loyaltie faire Agriola how iustlye mayst thou call mée thine enemie inuenter and fiâ—st motion of thy misfortunes O wretched and miserable that I am for leauing thée so discourteouslye I well deserue a million of torments farre worse then those exercised by the cruell Dyonise on the Scicilians Nor coulde they be sufficient to expiate my hainous guilt in that forgetting thée fayre Princesse I liue in daylie delights among these Moores and Tartars But were I such as I ought to bee mindfull of a fault so foullie committed I shoulde not liue one houre in rest or quiet till I had found my déerest Fréendes againe Ah disloyall Traytour how canst thou thus waste thy time héere slothfullie knowing the great and continuall trauails thy Ladye and Mistresse endureth for thée But I vowe to God this warre finished I will not abide in the Soldanes Courte tenne dayes but intende to sette forwarde to sée the Iewell of of my welfare And were it not to my perpetuall discredit as also that I should be iudged a faynting coward I would begin my iourney presently Thus all the night continued Palmerin such like coâ—plaints considering his Fréendes misfortune and his owne with such déepe impressions as thence forward hee liued in meruailous melancholie and would not delight himselfe 〈◊〉 before hee was accustomed Chap. XVIII Of the Combat betweene Palmerin and two of Aâ—aranoes Brethren whom he valiantly ouercame and killed FOllowing the true discourse of our historie the King of Balisarca Lieuetenant generall of the whole Armie caused the next morning to bée proclaimed by souÌ„d of Trompet that euery man should attend on his Ensigne and not go robbing and forraging the Uillages on paine of death to be inflicted on the offender So marching on in good array in short time after they encamped themselues before a citie where the enemies kept themselues in garison and planting themselues there for their aduantage the next morning they determined to giue the assault All yâ— night they were ordering the maner of their batterie the Pyoners making Trenches and such defences as are requisit in warlike occasions Euery thing in due and perfect order at Sun rysing they beganne to assaile the Cittie rounde about following their intent with such courage and alacritie as with scaling Ladders and other Engines in lesse then two hâ—wres they gotte vpon the walles and in despight of their enemies entred the Cittie murdering and expulsing the Phrygians and sharing the spoyle among themselues All other Citties Townes and Uillages that were taken by the enemie within sixe dayes after were recouered they not daring to withstand the Soldans power Gramiell Amaranoes eldest Brother amazed héereat hauing vndertaken to reuenge his Brothers death with his men betooke himselfe to open Fielde determining to giue the Assirians battaile and that way to make triall of their fortune in which resolution they came within halfe a dayes iourney of theyr enemies The King of Balisarca aduertised héereof dislodged immediatlie taking aduauntage of a little Mountaine which was in the open sight of the enemie And Palmerin who
them home with excéeding ioy but they answered that they ought rather to thanke the Knight in gréene Armour for hee deliuered vs from the Moores and Infidels without request of any ransome Olorico amazed at these signes of ioy as also when hee sawe Palmerin pray knew not well what to thinke which Palmerin presently perceiuing and to resolue him of all doubts whatsoeuer sayd No longer neede I know my good Lord and Friende to hide the affaires and secrets of my heart from you know therefore that I am a Christian and a Gentleman of the Emperours Court of Allemaigne But that which most of all gréeueth me is that I am constrayned to forsake your companie and returne againe to my Lorde for too much should I offend my God to go with you to the Soldanes seruice Wherefore my louing friend let me intreate you to holde me excused swearing to you by the faith of a Knight that whether else it shall like you to go I will accomplish your minde in any thing I intreate you likewise to entertaine al my Squires and Gentlemen into your seruice and among them to share all my treasure in the Shippe because I will haue nothing with me but my Horse and armour And notwithstanding all this feare nor to present your selfe before the Soldane and Alchidiana for to them will I write such matter of you as they shall accept you in my place and with as great honour as euer they did mee If heauen so fauour mee as I may come to the knowledge of my father I will certifie you with the truth of all As for my counterfeiting to be dumbe was onely but to awaite opportunitie when with safety I might escape thence If Olorico at the first was amazed what may be iudged of him nowe notwithstanding hee loued Palmerin so perfectly as hee returned him this answere Although Syr Palmerin wee are of contrary faith and opinion yet hath your noblenesse and humanitie gained such priuiledge ouer me that as you haue long time liued a Christian among the Turks so for your sake will I liue a Turke among the Christians dissembling in like sort as you did and neuer shall any occasion force mée to forsake you till you haue found your Father and know if he be discended of the Soldanes bloud No honour will it be for me nowe to returne again to the Assirian Princes and as for my people I force not though they go backe againe with my treasure for on my Knighthood I will bee no richer then you nor will reserue any thing with mée then what belongs to a Knight errant which is Horse and Armour For the rest let Fortune do the worst she can I hope for all this one day to be King of Arabia Then noble friend be not offended for I will beare you companie if death and strong imprisonment doo not withhold mee Palemrin embraicng him saide Ah worthie Prince so noble is your minde and repleate with fidelitie as perswade your selfe to find me your loyall Brother and fellow in Armee neuer to forsake you while I can lift my Sword so please you to abide with mee So calling the chéefest of them in the ship they sayde as much to them as you haue heard commaunding them not to stir from Arabia before they heard some other tydings As for their strange conceit at these newes I bequeath to your iudgements yet durst they not gainsay their Maisters but launching into the deepe sayled backe again into their own Countrey Palmerin and Olorico for this night lodged in the Cittie to refresh themselues and the next morning after they had taken leaue of the Merchants they deliuered they set forward on their iourney Continuing their trauaile thrée daies together at length they mette a Knight who séeing them armed after the Turkish manner sayde Gentlemen God saue ye if I should not seeme troublesome to you because I iudge you to be strangers I would gladly knowe if you could tell me any tidings of two Knights which long since left this Countrey Howe were they named quoth Palmerin Syr saide the Knight one of them is Trineus Some to our dread Lord the Emperour and the other the most valiant Palmerin d' Oliua Two yéeres and more since they left the Court without any newes what became of them sauing that wee heard they were a while with the King of England and thence they conuayed his Daughter the Emperous continuing so sorrowfull for theyr losse as euery houre his death is expected May it be quoth Palmerin that all this while Trineus is not returned What daunger will noble Allemaigne receiue by loosing their young Prince Ouercome with exceeding griefe and sorrow by report of these vnhappie tidings to himselfe he beganne in this maner What shall I doo dare I be so presumptuous as to present my selfe before my Mistresse what sufficient excuse can I make for the loue of her brother Doubtlesse if it were such a hell to me to finde the meane for my departure from that long captiuitie in the Soldanes Court much more will it be to me now in the search of the Prince for without him I dare not approach the Emperours presence While he thus secretly discoursed with himselfe he became so excéeding passionate as Olorico thought he had lost his sences which was the cause that without any further enquirie the Allemaigne Knight departed from them when Olorico amazed at this suddain alteration said How now Sir Palmerin what hath moued you to this heauinesse I beséech you conceale not the cause from me for if it be by any offence that the Knight offered which spake to you soone shall I deliuer him his penance Therefore tell me I pray you for vndoubtedly I will not suffer you to rest vntill you haue acquainted me with the truth Palmerin knowing how déerly y◠Prince loued him and that for his sake he had left Country parents and friends reposing on his loyaltie imparted his loue to him as also the lesse of Trineus and the Princesse Agriola Olorico then laboured to perswade him aduising him to compasse some secret spéech with his Ladie of whome hée might learne how to recouer her lost brother and the faire Agriola of England againe Palmerin following this counsell pacified himselfe and kept himselfe so closely as he could from being knowne to any Chap. XX. How Palmerin by the meanes of Vrbanillo his Dwarfe spake with his Lady Polynarda with whom he stayed fiue daies to recompence some part of his long absence and to the great contentment of them both SUch expedition in their iourney made these noble companions that at length they arriued néere a castle which was foure leagues from Gaunt where the Emperour as then was disposed to hunting for the delight of the Ladies but chéefely to expell his owne melancholy for the losse of his sonne as also to recreate the Princesse Polynarda who shadowing the cause by her Brothers absence lamented continually for her noble Friend Palmerin of whome
in your fathers Pallace and which no death can make me falsifie or change vnlesse you please to suffer me take another wise wherein I shall satisfie the importunate requests which daylie thâ— Lords of Macedon make to me for marriage that I might leaue them an heyre of my linage Which is a matter so gréeâ—ous to me in that I failed of you to whom I first gaue my fayth as I resolued neuer to take any other which I knowe not how I shall performe without losse of my life As he thought to haue procéeded further in spéeches and the Quéene hauing not answered one worde vnhappily the King entred which the Quéene beholding swouned with feare But she was immediately recouered by her Ladyes When the King séeing her in such estate and in what secrecie the two Pilgrimâ— talked with her hée gathered some suspition and ouercome likewise with the force of iealousie saide Madame what make you here at this time and in so slender companie of Ladies how dare you stande talking with these Straungers I woulde gladly know the matter and what hath made them so bold to enter your Chamber Florendos séeing his affaires to growe from badde to woorsse and that his Ladie was so threatned entring into choler he drew his Dagger from vnder his Frocke and taking the King by the bosome said Tarisius I will not hyde from thée who I am it is more then twentie yéeres since I promised thy death and nowe I am come in person to performe it With these wordes he stabde the Dagger to his heart and downe fell Tarisius dead at his féete which when the Quéene saw she on the other side fell in swoune again Frenato greatly amazed hereat sayde to Florendos For Gods sake my Lord let vs shift for our selues before this misfortune bée blazed abroade Content thy selfe sayd Florendos neuer shall it bee reported that I left my Ladie to suffer for mine offence or that for the feare of death which is the ende of all mishaps I will endure such intollerable anguishes and torments Now by ill fortune one of the Pages of honour attended on the King and hauing séene this homicide hastiliâ— ranne downe the stayres crying aloude Arme ye Knights arme ye and reuenge the Kings death who by a trayterous Pilgrime is slaine in the Quéenes Chamber Cardino one of the Quéenes Squires her brother that caried yong Palmerin to the mountaine had no leysure to take anie other armes then a Sword and Shéelde wherefore he was the first that came to the Quéenes Chamber where hee found Florendos guarding the entraunce who presentlie knew him saying Depart my good Friend Cardyno vnlesse for the Quéenes loue I shal take thy life from thée And what art thou sayde Cardyno that knowest mee so well I am thy Fréend quoth the Prince the most vnfortunate Florendos Straunge it is my Lord quoth Cardyno that you durst venture into this Court but take héere my Swoorde and Sheelde and defend your selfe for I thinke you will stande in great néede thereof In the means while I wil go aduertise the Duke of Pera of this mishap he is your good fréend and by his meanes you may haue some succour for oftentimes haue I heard him say at Constantinople that he wished you as well as my Lord the Emperour Dispatch then said Florendos that thou be not found héere with me assuring thée if I may escape this daunger I will acknowledge this seruice to thine owne content Florendos armed himselfe with the Sword and Shéeld whereof hée was so glad as if hée had béene backed with manie trustie fréends vowing before he died to make such a spoyle among his enemies as should remaine for an after memorie Cardyno went with all diligence to the Duke and secretly acquainted him with all this misfortune whereat the Duke greatly amazed answered I will do my vttermost for his safetie because full well he hath deserued it And so accompanied with many Grecian Knights he went to yâ— Quéenes Chamber and thrusting through the throng in despight of them that guarded the stayres bée got to the Chamber At the entrance whereof he found Florendos defending himselfe with such manly courage as nine or ten lay slaine at his féete The Duke and his men caused the Hungarians to withdraw themselues saying that himselfe would not suffer the matter so to escape for the offence ought to bee punished by iustice after the truth were knowne and thorowlie vnderstoode Hereupon the kings two Nephewes came in great rage saying to the Duke of Pera that the Quéene and the Pilgrime ought presently to die What quoth the Duke depart you likewise your willes shall not héere stande for Lawe nor is the Quéene to bée intreated with such rigour So drawing his swoorde and his Knights likewise resisted the Hungarians so that manie of them were slaine vntill certaine Gentlemen came who louing and estéeming the Quéene appeased this tumult Then was it agréed vpon that the Duke should take him into his charge who had murthered the King on whom such punishment should bee inflicted as the cause required and héereupon the Duke tooke his oath before all the companie In this sort the Kinges Nephewes were quieted who presentlie departed the Chamber causing the dead and wounded to bee conuayed thence that the people might receiue no further occasion of offence and the Duke comming to the Prince Florendos said Yéeld your selfe to me my Lord and I will promise you on the faith of a Prince that I will maintaine both your right and the Quéenes whatsoeuer daunger I hazard therby If you will not assure your selfe that your bodies cannot suffice the villainous surie of these people for they haue confidently sworne your deathes I know my Lord quoth Florendos that you speake the trueth and I repose my trust on your nobilitie which is such as you will not suffer anie iniury to the man béeing in your guÌ„â—rde I yéelde my selfe to you and earnestly intreate you not to imprison the Quéene for on mine honour she is guiltlesse And if any offence hath béene committed it was by me yet not without iust cause and in defence of mine own life My comming hither-was because I am newly returned from Ierusalem and remembring the manifold honours which sometime I receyued of my Ladie in the Emperour her Fathers Court in my passing by I was destrous to do my dutie to her At the instant time I was saluting her the King came into the Chamber who moued with an auncient hatred which you verie well know would haue slaine me but I preuenting his intent with the ayde of my weapon bestowed that on him which he wished to mee I beléeue well what you haue sayd quoth the Duke yet must you néedes abide triall in this case Frenato perceyuing his Cozin in such daunger sought about the Chamber for some weapon to defende him and finding the Kings Sworde by the Quéenes bed side shewed it to the Duke that he might
hee would conferre with you and haue your wounds attended by his owne Chirurgions So turning again to the Pallace they entred the Hall where the Emperour méeting them said Right welcome are ye my noble Fréendes who hauâ— so happilie defended my Daughters honor for whose sake I shall make ye such recompence as shal be hencefoorth an encouragement to all Knights to aduenture the Combat on the behalfe of anie distressed Ladye Imediatlye in theyr presence by sounde of Trompet hée caused to bee declared that the Prince Florendos and the Quéene Griana were innocent of the trayterous accusation and therefore in open Fielde bad they should bee deliuered commaunding likewise his most expert Chirurgions to giue diligent attendaunce on the wounded Knights causing them to be lodged in the most statelie Chambers of his Pallace Afterwarde hée suffered the bodies of the vanquished to bee buried giuing expresse charge on paine of death that none of the knights of Hungaria should depart from Constantinople without his leaue because hée woulde while they stayed there prouide for the gouernment of the kingdom as appertaining to his yong Daughter the Princesse Armida The Empresse was so ioyfull for the deliueraunce of Griana as shee had soone forgotte her Nephewes misfortune the Quéenes Ladies likewise were not a little glad but aboue all the yong Princesse Armida her comfort could not be expressed that her Mother was so graciouslie defended and now the Duke of Pera who hadde the Prince Florendos in custodie fetching him foorth of prison said My Lord thanke God and the Knights that fought the Combat for you for by theyr meanes the Emperour declareth you absolued and set at libertie The Prince lifting his eyes to Heauen thus began Ah my God how happie is the man that trusteth in thy mercie doubtlesse he that beléeueth in thy promises shall neuer perish Noble Duke in all mine afflictions I haue euermore founde your speciall fauour but if God prolong my life I will not be vnmindfull of your gentlenesse In sooth my Lord quoth the Duke for so good a Prince any honest minde would gladlie endeuour himselfe and if I haue pleasured you in anie thing I did no more then my dutye which christian amitie requireth of each other So taking him by the hand hée brought him before the Emperour when falling on his knées the Prince thus spake If héeretofore dread Lord both I and my people gaue our selues to â—rauaile and aduentured desperate hazard in your defence at this time I count my selfe sufficientlie recompenced séeing your displeasure qualified and the hard opinion you conceiued against me chaunged into princely and honorable iustice Syr Florendos aunswered the Emperour when I remember the wrong you did my Daughter leauing such a scandalous report of her at the first time you came to this Cittie I thinke you woorthie of the sharpest death But placing mercie before rigorous iustice I am desirous to let you knowe that it liketh me better to be loued then feared forgetting quite the offence against our person the murder of our Sonne without any regard to the murmur of the people whose ignoraunce cannot consider of Princes mercie Nor will I stayne mine aged yéeres with mine owne proper bloud or the death of a Prince so noble whereby I shoulde leaue to my following posteritie as a Trophe of my life an endlesse memorie of tirannous crueltie but rather shall my chéefest aduersaries stop their mouthes with remembrance of my clemencie and princelie bountie as your owne conscience shall well witnesse with me You therefore my Lorde the Duke of Pera see that the Prince Florendos be lodged in the best place in our Cittie and kéepe him companie vntill his traine shall come from Macedon With great humilitie the Prince kissed the Emperours hande acknowledging his manifolde and princelie courtesies desiring the Duke likewise before his departure that hee might speake with the two Knightes Frysoll and Palmerin Béeing brought to their Chambers the embracings and gracious courtesies hée vsed to them I am not able to vtter and verie loth was hee to parte from them but that hée woulde no way preiudise theyr health wherefore giuing them the good night he was conducted to his lodging leauing Palmerin verie sadde and pensiue remembring what the Quéene of Tharsus had saide to him howe hée should deliuer his Father from death before he could know him which was likewise confirmed by the apparition of the Ladie to him vnder the name of his best and déerest Fréendes O that the Heauens did so fauour me quoth he that I were the Sonne of the Prince Florendos and Quéene Griana then woulde I imagine my selfe the happiest man in the world Yet can I not forget that the Fayries tolde mée on the Mountaine Artifaeria that one daie I shoulde bée Lord of all Greece but God is my witnesse that I couet not such honor and preferment were it not for the loue of my Ladie to the ende her Father might not dislike of our contract And hence will I not depart before I vnderstand the truth héereof and to what ende this aduenture will happen Frysoll on the other side he deuised how to make himselfe knowne to the Emperour and Empresse because he had good hope when himselfe might bée knowne that his Father Netrides shoulde enioy the Kingdome of Hungaria The Prince Florendos likewise coulde take no rest for his great desire to recouer the Quéene Griana Such were the passions of these thrée Princes eache one liuing in hope of good successe which happens according to their expectations as you shall reade héereafter Chap. XXXII How the Queene Griana with the yong Princesse Armida went to visit Palmerin and Frysoll and howe the Queene knew Palmerin to be her sonne to the no litle ioy of the Emperour and the Prince Florendos TWo daies after the deliueraunce of the Prince Florendos the yong Princesse Armida deuising with the Quéene her Mother said Me thinks gracious Madame we are to be reprooued of ingratitude in that we haue not as yet visited the poore wounded knights considering how greatly we are beholding to them I beséech you let vs this morning go sée how they fare Alas Daughter aunswered the Quéene hast thou the heart to bring me among such persons when I am saide to bee the cause of thy fathers death Then the Princesse breaking foorth in teares replied Beléeue me Madame if you remember your selfe well you are in as little faulte as Iam and so hath an honorable victorie declared but had you béene anye way culpable therein yet nowe you ought to comfort your selfe hauing had such a famous proofe of innocencie In signe whereof and to declare your thankfulnesse to those gentle Knights it will bée counted a speciall point of courtesie to visite them that ventured for you Go we then said the Quéene séeing you thinke it so necessarie and are so desirous So accompanied with manie Ladies clothed all in mourning blacke they went first to Frysoll greatlie thanking
as in short time he arriued in Allemaigne where hee was graciously welcommed by the Emperour and especially by the Princesse his Daughter to whome he reported the honorable behauiour of Palmerin and howe he was sworne Prince of Greece and Macedon Héereof was she so ioyfull as neuer coulde shée be satisfied with the discourse making many demaunds to the Duke as well of the Tryumphes Tourney and disports as also of the marriage celebrated at Constantinople whereto the Duke returned such fitte aunswers as nothing wanted to extoll her Fréendes honor yet without anye occasion of iealouzie to the Princesse wherto amorous Ladies are commonlie subiect But nowe returning where wee left before you must note that Palmerin béeing departed the confines of the Empire entred his Fathers Realme where in euery Cittie he was entertained with great tryumphing especiallye in the Cittie of Hermida where the Merchaunt dwelt that was Palmerins Maister for whom he sent but hée was aduertised by his Wife that her Husband was gone to the Sea and his two Sonnes with him wherefore he gaue her manie rich gifts and Letters for his Maisters frée enfranchise and libertie At his departure from thence he came to the place where Vrbanillo his Dwarfe was borne whose father was there liuing a poore auncient Knight and his Sister of as tall stature as Vrbanillo whom Palmerin at her Brothers request sent to Constantinople to his Mother And for the honor of the order his Dwarfes Father had receiued hée gaue him the Uillage wherein he dwelt and in the presence of the Macedonians put him in possession thereof who not a little commended the discréete and liberal mind of the Prince From thence he iourneyed to the chéefe Cittie of Macedon where remained the aged King his Grandfather but how the Cittizens entertained him and what honorable Tryumphes were made at the Court I list not héere sette downe because it would be more tedious then benificiall As for his Aunt the Princesse Arismenia shée at his comming mette him in the base Court with all her Ladies and as Palmerin fell on his knée before her to kisse her hande she stayed him in her armes saying God forbid Sir Palmerin that the Knight of the greatest fame in the world should reuerence so simple a Damosell as my selfe but rather am I bound by duetie to honor you as the man by whose especiall vertues our linage is this daie crowned with perpetuall memorie Fayre Aunt answered Palmerin if before I knewe you to be my Fathers Sister I deuoted my selfe to your seruice with much more affection shall I desire to followe it nowe wherefore suffer me swéete Madame to kisse your hand as being the Ladie to whome I rest continually bounden I beséech you my Lord quoth the Princesse to pardon me for neuer shall Macedonian Maiden be so repâ—â—â—ued but that she well knowes her dutie to her betters At these spéeches came the King of Sparta the Dukes of Pontus and Mecaena and the Prince Eustace whom the Princesse welcommed with excéeding honor After all courtesies ended Palmerin said I vnderstand Madame that the king your Father is crazed and sicklie if it be so I am verie sorrie I praye you therefore let vs goe sée howe his Maiestie fareth When you please my Lord quoth the Princesse for I thinke if héeretofore hee receiued health by you Fortune may at this time affoord the like and yet as I haue read there is no remedie for troublesome age but onelie death it selfe which is the Gate to immortalitie and endeth all diseases whatsoeuer So entred they the Kings Chamber and the Princesse going to the bed side to her Father saide My Lorde sée héere the good Knight Palmerin your Nephew may it please you to speake to him and bid him welcome Well know I that he is right welcome to your Maiestie were there no other cause then the happye recouerie of your former health which his aduenturous trauaile héeretofore brought ye The good olde King whome the palsie caused to shake and tremble raysed himselfe vppe a little and beholding Palmerin with weake and féeble voice thus spake Come néere my noble Sonne that these armes halfe deade may embrace thée and my lips now drie and withered may once kisse thée before I die So holding him betwéene his armes and lifting his eyes to Heauen said O my God for euer be thy name honored and praysed in vouchsafing me to sée my Sonne before my death Ah swéete death the ende of all miseries and beginning of felicitie now art thou welcome forbeare not thy stroke in that I haue now séene the honorable defence of my Subiests héereafter yea such a worthie Fréende for them as neuer had they the like Ah my Son howe déerelie ought I to loue thée how gracious hath thy remembraunce béene of mee yet féele I my selfe so weake and feeble as nature cannot prolong my life thrée daies Alas I knowe not which of vs twaine hath greatest cause to reioyce eyther the Father seeing his Sonne euen when he is readie to leaue him or the Sonne finding his Father attending his comming before he giue vp the ghost I hope my good Lord said Palmerin that you shall not leaue vs so soone therefore take a good heart and that no doubt will prolong your life Alas my Sonne quoth the King vnweldie age hath so weakened my body and euen dried vp my vitall blood as longer I may not liue and had not hope to sée thée lengthened my languishing daies thou hadst found my bodie breathlesse which yet sustaineth féeble life onely by thy presence Now that I may leaue this worlde with content and trauaile with better quiet to mine ende tell mée good Sonne the whole matter concerning thy Father Florendos with the perfect discourse of thine owne fortunes Then Palmerin rehearsed euery circumstaunce both of his Fathers deliuerie howe hée had maried the Quéene Griana and in what estate he left them both at his departure Chap. XL. How the aged King Primaleon of Macedon graundfather to Palmerin dyed and how the King of Spaâ—ta espoused the faire Pâ—incesse Arismen Sister to the prince Florendos NOt two dayes had Palmerin stayed in the Court of his Graundfather but the aged king resined his life to the celistiall powers for which cause all the triumphes ceased and generall sorrow entertained for the losse of their good king Arismena who so reuerently loued her father as in his life time she would not match in mariage with any one because it was his will it should be so neuer shewed her selfe disconted therewith but her Father béeing now dead shee committed the whole affayres of the Realme to the Counte Roldin one appointed for that office by generall good liking With such honorable pompe was the funerall obsequies executed and the Princesse gracious behauiour therein so especially commended as the young King of Sparta became amorous of her discouered his mind to Palmerin intreating him so to fauour the cause as he might make
Palmerins féete so that hée demaunded of the Princesse if shée brought him from the Isle of Malfada for doubtlesse quoth he I thinke it is some Knight transformed by that cruell woman who héeretofore belike hath knowne me At which words the dog howled excéedingly when Paâ—merin tooke an oath that hée would searche all the worlde ouer to finde some meane to bring him to his former shâ—pe that hée might know from whence this loue procéededed The next day the king Tyreno assaulted the Cittie who was slaine in the battaile by Palmerin so afterward was Maulerino crowned king of Nabor and all the Countrey enioyed their former quiet whereupon the Princesse Zephira gaue Palmerin her dogge who requited her with many gracious thanks because he greatlie suspected that it was his fréend Trineus transformed into that shape but now let vs returne to the soldane of Babilon vnderstanding how his Armie was discomfited at Constantinople Chap. XLVI Howe one of the Nephewes to the King of Balisarca brought newes to the Soldane of his vncles death the foyle of his Armie the losse of Palmerin and Olorico And how the Princesse Alchidiana bought Ptolome whom she greatly honored for Palmerins sake THe King of Balisarca as you haue heard before being slaine his Armie discomfited and al his Galleys burnt before Constantinople one of his Nephewes that kept the straight of yâ— Bosphor with two foysts least any succour should come that way to the Christians by one Galley that escaped hearde all this misfortune wherefore making haste backe againe fearing to be taken at length arriued in the Soldans Kingdome where not staying long hée posted to the Courte and to the Soldane reuealed all that had happened When the Soldane heard how his Armie was thus ouerthrowne Palmerin whom he loued so well and the Prince Olorico lost in the storme on the sea vexed with greefe and rage hee called his Lorde Ambassadour Mauce to to him saying Haste thée good Maucâ—â—to to my Brother the Soldane of Persia and desire him to leuâ—y me a strong Armie against the Moneth of March next ensuing to encounter with the Emperour of Greece promising him the spoyle whatsoeuer it bee reseruing for my selfe nothing but the â—â—me of reuenge Maucetto departed presentlie on his iourney and by the way mette sixe Moores leading two Christians to the Soldans Court to sell which were Ptolome and Colmelio of whome hee demaunded why they were so bounde in chaines My Lord quoth one of the Moores they be Christian slaues who not long since were taken at the Sea by Olimaell Admirall to the great Turke And how came you by them said Maucetto The Admirall quoth the Moore gaue them to one of his Cozins who now is deade and his wife béeing loth to kéepe them anie longer sendes them to the Court to be solde for money Maucetto bought Colmelio of them refusing Ptolome because he was somewhat sâ—cklie and so passed on his Embassade The Moores comming to the Court with poore Ptolome and placing him among other slaues that stoode to bee solde there came a deformed Moore farre worsse mishapen then was Thersites yâ— Greek and he would néedes buy Ptolome of the Merchaunt but Ptolome disdaining to be subiect to so vile a creature gaue him such a stroke on the stomacke with his fiste as made him tumble ouer backward saying Thou monstrous Uillaine let me rather die then come into thy subiection At this instant passed by the Princesse Alchidiana smiling is sée the Moore lie along but when shée behelde the good personage of Ptolome shée remembred her louer Palmerin and was therewith mooued thus to speake Nowe durst thou take such hardinesse vpon thee béeing a bondslaue and a captiue thus to strike a Moore frée of this Countrey Ptolome perceiuing by the Ladies attending on her that shee was the Soldanes Daughter falling on his knée thus aunswered Assuredlie Madame rather desire I death then to liâ—â— at such an ill fauoured villaines controll my selfe beeing a Knight at Armes Are you then a knight said the Princesse I am good Madaine quoth he although my seruitude hath very much altered mée Alchidiana withâ—ut any further questions deliuered the Merchant two hundred Seraphes and by two of her Squires caused him to bee conducted to her Chamber where he was presentlie disroabed of his vnséemelie garments and cloathed in such as well became a knight to weare afterwarde she commaunded her attendants to depart the chamber and comming to Ptolome she thus began Nowe Syr Knight I intreate you by the holy faith you owe to your best beloued that you will truelie tell mee by what misfortune you happened first into thraldome Madame quoth he séeing of your owne grace and bountie you haue deliuered mee from these villaines that made sale of my life I will not fable with you in any one point but tell you a Historie repleat with wonderfull sorrowe Hauing reuealed the manner of his taking and all the mishaps hée endured euer since the teares trickling downe his chéekes he said And yet sweete Ladie all these passed miseries and still abiding your slaue gréeues me not so much as the losse of my déerest Fréende the best knight in the worlde who went to sée his Falcon flie when the Pirates came and vnhappilie tooke vs. Tell me good freende quoth the Princesse what may the knight bee called of whom you make such estimation Quoth Ptolome he nameth himselfe Palmerin d'Oliua O soueraigne Gods said Alchidiana haue you béenâ— companion to the noble Palmerin That haue I in truth Madame quoth he and knowe more of his affayres then anie other man doth Unhappie that I am said the Princesse nowe sée I well that I am deceiued in all my hope Saye good knight naie more I coniure thee by thy faith to the soueraigne Creator of all things to tell mee if he bee of our Lawe and hath béene dumbe of long or no By God Madame answered Ptolome your adiuration is such as rather will I make a sacrifice of my selfe then bee found vntrue to you in any thing Hée is a Christian borne in Greece and neuer had defect in his spéech if discréet consideration of following euents eyther to escape captiuitie or death did not inforce him to feigne such a deceite for hée is most expert among all other in dissembling anye matter may turne him aduauntage Then such hath béene my fortune quoth Alchidiana as his vertue bountie wise foresight vsed for the space of a yéere and more in my Fathers Court made me so religiously vowed to him in loue as neuer intend I to make other choise and I sweare by all our Gods that if I heare not the better tydings of him by thée my spirit will forsake this wretched bodye and except better fortune among the soules in Elisium Ah imperious loue how wonderfull is thy strooke My fréende is contrarie to me in lawe and profession a Knight errant vnknowne absent from mee and loues me not for these occasions were I the
onelie Daughter to the great Emperor of Turkie I neither can or will change my former opinion Happe then what shall and let my Father make an oblation of my blood to his secret Idoll I will not desist from louing him And thou my Fréend quoth she to Ptolome because thou hast not hid the truth from mée bee thou at this instant frée and vse thy libertie as thou pleasest for rather let me abide the death then the companion to my noble Lorde suffer shame by mee Ptolome falling on his knee humblie kissed her hande and began to reueale the knightly chiualrie that Palmerin and Treneus sometime did in England likewise howe they brought the Kings Daughter from thence who remained captiue among the Turks and her Husband giuen as slaue to the Admiralles Cozin It is enough said the Princesse talke to me no more héereof for by the great God the verie remembraunce of him is greater gréefe to me then the mercilesse seruitude a poore slaue endureth The loue he bare to you to the other knight and the yong English Princesse whose misfortune I cannot sufficiently bewayle calleth mée hence to trauaile in search of him and may I find him with them right gladsome will the iourney bee to mee because hee is thâ— onelie darling and fauorite of Fortune And now shall I tell you howe I meane to couller mine intent My Father not knowing your captiuitie to him shall I saye how you are the onelie companion to Palmerin and hither are you come to séeke him as hauing hearde before that hee remained in your seruice of this I dare assure you his Maiestie so déerelie loueth Palmerin that hee will deliuer you all things necessarie for his search be it by land or sea And if your God shall fauour you so much as in your trauaile you happen to finde him or else to send mée certaine tidings of him you shall doo me the greatest honor that euer Knight did to distressed Ladie So forwarde was the Princesse in her amorous desire and loth to waste time with tedious delaye as that daie shee acquainted her Father therewith and so cunningly shée plaid the Dratrix as the soldane gaue Ptolome Armour Horsses Seruants and fortie Knights to attend on him Beside he furnished him with two great Ships that he might enquire at all the Ports on the Sea for Palmerin The daye béeing come of his departure hée tooke his leaue of the Soldane the Princesse Alchidiana accompanying him to the Porte where for her adieu shee gaue him a swéet kisse saying Sir Knight if your fortune bee such as to bring mee the man who onelie hath power to mittigate my torments beside the continuall fauours of a Princesse I will make you one of the greatest Lordes in the Orient Madame quoth hée I will doo my diligence and till I returne let good hope perswade yee So hoâ—sing saile they set to Sea where we will leaue him till hee méets with Palmerin Chap. XLVII How Palmerin and the princesse Zephira departed from Elain towards Romata to seeke Muzabelino and what happened by the way in their iourney AFter that Maulerino was crowned King of Nabor the rebellious Subiects brought to obedience and the bodie of 〈◊〉 â—laine king Tireno enterred yâ— yong Princesse Zephira Palmerin thought long to set forwarde on their iourney wherefore the king allowing them a very honourable trayne bequeathing them to their desired fortune Hauing passed many regions and sundrie dangers incident in trauaile chiefely of a Basilisque whome Palmerin with the helpe of the dog Tryneus valiantly ouercame At length they entred yâ— realme of Romata where by commandement of the king Abimar their entertainment was according to their estates the occasion thereof being thus This king Abimar holding the greatest possessions in that region would neuer yéeld himself as subiect to the signorie of Persia wherat the soldan now growing offended sent an Ambassadour to commaund him presently to determine on his obedience or else he would ouer-run his Countrey with a mighty Armie and put both olde and yong to the Sworde Abimar â—bashed at this threatning Embassade demaunded counsell of the wise Muzabelino what answer hee should make the Ambassadour whereto the Magitian thus anuswered Feare not my Lord the threatning menaces of the Soldane for in that you haue two noble Sonnes so witte the Princes Tomano and Drumino knights of high and speciall account yet come there two others one whereof maye not be knowne with the Princesse Zephira Daughter to the King of Nabor who shall deliuer you from his tirannie and make him your Fréende therefore dismaie not to sende him a hardie answer as well beseemeth a Prince frée and not to be commaunded And though one of his knights that commeth with the Princesse shall a while bee vnknowne to you by the bountie of his companion with whom no other may well compare yet ere long you shall knowe him to your no little ioye and contentation Abimar giuing credit to Muzabelinos spéeches gaue charge in all the Citties where through the Princesse should passe that shée shoulde be entertained with honorable tryumphes as if himselfe had béene in companie And though the Prince Tâ—mano gréeued héereat who loued the yongest Daughter to the Soldane of Persia yet the King answered the Ambassadoâ— that hee woulde maintaine his right by the Sworde and if the Soldane came to assayle him he would defend his Coâ—ntrey so well as he could The Ambassadour dispatched with this answer Tomano came to Muzabelino saying Ah my déere Fréende Muzâ—belino what wrong haue you doone mee in perswading my Father to holde warre with the Soldane whose Daughter you know I loue in such sort as if I obtaine her not in mariage hardly can my life long endure Conteâ—t your slefe my Lord answered Muzabelino for if the two knights that come bring â—ortune for your father you must expect the like for your selfe But said the Prince maye I not knowe their names Let it suffise quoth Muzabelino what I haue saide yet héereof I daer asâ—ure you that they are Christians and extract of the greatest linage on the earth in bountie and valour incomparable whereof if you list to make experience and thereby to credit what I haue said beside I shall shewe you a meane auaylable for the purpose You shall cause two Tents to be erected by the Câ—dar Fountaine which is halfe a mile distant from this Cittie in the one of them let be your Brother Drumino and your selfe with tenne of the best Knightes in your Fathers Court and in the other let be your Sister accompanied with tenne of her chéefest Ladies and about a bowe shot from thence towards the high way side you shall sette vp a Marble Pillar whereâ—pon let these lines be engrauen Sir Knight in these pauillions doth remaine A Lady fayre kept by a Princes sonne Foyle him by Ioust and winne her hence againe Thou maist not passe before the deede be doone If it happen that they passe
found so good â—ase and my louing Brother Trineus hath wonne this Sword I thinke it best that wee set forwards to Romata which after they had séene the sumptuous buildings in the Castle the rich Tombe the beautifull Garden and all other mounments worthie view they did Béeing come to Romata and there receiued with speciall signes of honor the wise Muzabelino caused the fatall Bird to féede of the flowers which Palmerin hadde brought from the Castle of the tenne Rocks No sooner had the Bird tasted the flowers but presently shee deliuered such melodious notes as swéeter harmonie was neuer heard before and during the time of her singing fell so many droppes of precious water from her beake as before Dinner time the Cuppe was well néere filled Which when the wise Nigromancer perceiued hee brought a verie faire Lute to Palmerin saying I beséech you my Lorde play some exquisite péece of Musique that the Bird listening to your melodie may cease her owne recordes els shal we loose the soueraigne vertue contained in the Water Palmeâ—in taking the Lute plaide thereon so artificially that the Princesse of Romata whom he woonne in the Ioâ—st was enforced to vse these spéeches How can wee sufficiently maruaile at the perfections of Palmerin for if in prowesse he surpasse Hercules of Libia who ouercame Tyrants and Monsters at his pleasure well may wee name him another Amphion or Orpheus of Thrace who with theyr melodie â—amed the Fishes Beasts and Birâ—s Trineus taking the Cup brought it to the Princesse Zephira who dipping her handkercher therein bathed her face therewith the precious vertue whereof was such as all the enuenomed scarres the wormes had made were presently washed away and her face so delicate as euer it was before whereupon the Princesse falling at Palmerins féete ioyfully thus spake Doubtlesse my Lord I am greatly beholding to the Prince Trineus who saued my life when the Traytour would haue slaine mee in my bedde but I must confesse my selfe much more indebted to your worthinesse by whose paines the venomous putrefaction is extinguished whereby I endured torments farre excéeding death Madame answered Palmerin your happie recouerie must not be imputed to me but to the soueraigne Lorde that so prouided for you and seeing your health is so worthily restored I thiâ—ke best that wee sette forward to morrow on our iourney that we may finish the Magicall coniurations of Malfada as wee haue alreadie doone those at the tenne Rocks The Princesse of Romata hearing these words preuented the answere of Zephira and comming to Palmerin said I beséech you Sir Knight in honour of that God which you reuerence that you will not refuse me one demaund according to your promise made me when you ouercame my Brother and his Knights in the Ioâ—st Aske Lady saide Palmerin what you will and you shall not bee denied so that the matter consist in my power to performe Well may you performe it quoth she and to your endlesse honour I hope The summe of my request is that you wil not forsake the King my Father till his warre against the Soldane of Persia be finished And that you would entreate your Friende to accompanie you therein Denie mée not good Sir for no greater shame is to a Knight then breach of promise nor will I stirre from your foote vntill you haue graunted what I request In sooth Madame answered Palmerin although my Friendes and I haue great affaires in our Countrey yet in respect of my promise we will assist your Father let vs in meane while intreate you to pardon our returne with the Princesse Zephira who thinks the time long before shee come to Nabor Doubtlesse my Lorde quoth Zephira rather then you and my Lorde Trineus shall breake your promise to the Princesse in giuing succour to the King Arbimar her Father I can content my selfe to stay héere more willingly then to returne to the King my Brother Madame saide Muzabelino assure your selfe that Palmerin is the onely meane whereby you haue attained your present felicitie and by him shall you with honour sée your Countrey againe In sooth my Lord saide the Princesse full well I know his owne gracious nature induced him first to aduenture his life for the safetie of my Countrey then to passe strange Countreyes with daunger onely to finde you and lastly his rare fortune at the Castle of the tenne Rocks from whence hée brought those precious flowers and the fatall Byrd wherby my long infirmitie hath béene cured To offâ—r him fauour or all my possessions in way of recompence of so great paines they are not comparable for though I made him Lorde of my selfe and all those territories my father left me yet doth my conscience tell mée they are too base In bréeâ—e I know his deserts so excéeding my reach as well may I sitte downe to imagine but neuer bee able to contriue a sufficient rewarde Beleeue me Madame aunswered Muzabelino you haue spoken truth and his noble magnanimitie must onely helpe my Lorde and this I assure you that were it not the daunger of his kingly honour and hazard of the whole Monarchie of Asia hardâ—y might the knight be stayed héere of such waight and importance are his other affaires Then calling Palmerin to him whose inward thoughts were busied with the remembrance of his Lady he said Let not your stay héere my Lorde offende you though well I knowe the waight of your gréefe for that God who hath called you to this present estate hath forepoynted things that you cannot shunne in recompence whereof before your departure from this countrey great victorious honours are appoynted you Beside for a perfect resolution in your further doubts take you no care for nourishing your Birde for when your Musique made her cease singing at that instant I threw such a charme on her as hencefoorth shée shall liue without taking any foode And when you returne to your Citie of Constantinople let her bée pearched in some conuenient place in the great hall of your Pallace and there shall she remaine as a certaine Oracle vntill the day of your death to deliuer tydings of good or bad If anâ—e Knight or Ladie shall enter your Court either with intent of treason or bringing ill newes the Birde shall giue such fearefull shrikes as she did at the time when you tooke her in the Arbour but if the newes be of ioy and for your good then shall she sing more swéetly then when the souereigne water fell from her beake wherewith the Princesse Zephira was cured In bréefe my Lorde at the time when you must leaue this life for the glorious habitation among the blessed shée shall foretel such strange occasions as shall dismay the most resolute courage By this meane shall you be guarded from all inconueniences and your good fortune continued in such sort as you shall bee the most peaceable Emperour that euer liued in Greece Certes my Lord answered Palmerin not by any desert in me am I thus
and Gentlemen may be Armed that came from Sauata as also they that came with my Nephewe Corax from Garara which will be in number a thousand more your selfe in meane time may get foorth your necessaries Who then had séene the Knights Arming the horses prouiding the bag and baggage carrying would haue said that Palmerin was as much feared and beloued in a strange Countrey as in his owne Such was the dilligence of the Nobles and Souldiours of Grisca Sauata and Garara as they were right soone before the Pallace attending for Palmerin who commaunded Tryneus his Horse and rich Armour shoulde be brought foorth by his Squires leauing in his Chamber all the riches and treasure that the soldane and the Princesse Zephira had giuen him and mounting on his owne Courser he came and embraced the prince Corax saying Let vs depart my Lord from these ingratefull 〈…〉 Chap. LVI Howe the Soldan seeing hee coulde not perswade Trineus to marrie his sister condemned him to death and what followed afterward TOmano who by the aduise of Palmerin 〈…〉 for the deliueraunce of the Prince Trineus and comming to the Quéene Zephira thus spake Madame séeing 〈…〉 〈…〉 him that so willingly aduentured his life for you Ah my Lord sayd Zephirâ— I feare the Soldane will hardly heare â—ée for when suâ—â— mightie persons are in anger little account make they of loue or vertue yet will I willingly too what lies in me So bidding the Prince good night shée went wéeping to the Soldanes Chamber which his Maiestie perceiuing came and embraced her demaunding who had anie way offended her Euen you my Lorde quoth shée and in such sort 〈…〉 and there before all his Knights said You haue heard my Lordes the confession of them both and withall haue séene their great obstinacie therefore by sentence irreuocable I condemne them to death and this day shall they be burned in the place accustomed none of you all mooue me to the contrarie for I will not be otherwise perswaded By heauen saie the Prince Tomano vnhappie should I be to stay with you any longer wherfore at this instant I forsake your alliaunce and henceforth will shew my selfe your mortall enemie Alas my Lord quoth the yong Princesse Bel-sina will ye so soone abandon my companie Follow me then answered Tomano where I go for no more will I be séene in this tyrannous Court where nothing but dishonour and crueltie is vsed Presently the Princesse and hée mounted on Horsebacke and with their traine came to Palmerins Campe who hauing heard the Soldanes sentence was readie to haue slaine himselfe but that hée hoped to saue the life of Trineus at the fatall houre Alas my Fréendes quoth hée to his companie this day must you assist mée to deliuer the most gentle Knight that euer bare Armes Set forwarde couragiouslie agaynst the Tyrant whom with the ayde of my God wee shall easily vanquish Zephira hearing that Tomano and Belsina were gone and how the Soldane had iudged Tryneus and Aurecinda to death entred into maruailous regrets and acclamations whereat the Soldane was so enraged as hée commaunded that Tryneus and his Sister shoulde presently bee led to the place of execution and vnder the charge of fiue thousand soldiours they were brought on horsebacke foorth of the Citie but when Aurecinda sawe herselfe so hardly vsed wringing her hands and renting her comely locks of haire shée brake forth into these pittifull spéeches Alas Gentlemen why are you the instruments to execute a Tyrants will what recompence can you expect at his handes that for gréedie desire of my patrimonie sendeth mee to death So piercing were these wordes in the eares of the Souldiours as they verie much lamented her case but Tryneus neuer chaunged colour ryding on with resolute constancie not once listning to the mones of the Princesse When they were come within sight of Palmerins power they raunged themselues in battell array committing Tryneus and Aurecinda to fiftie Knights who should conuey them to the Furnace where their death was appoynted which was a good quarter of a league from the Cittie Trineus nowe séeing death before his eyes and no succour néere to reskewe him prepared himselfe to the latest extremitie and with many sorrowfull farewels to Agriola and Palmerin was fully perswaded to endure the torment Palmerin knowing which way his Fréend should be led to death with a sufficient traine lay secretlie ambushed and espying oportunitie gaue summons to his men wherevppon they all issued foorth verie couragiouslie But as they rushed out from their secrete ambushment the ayre was suddenly obscured and such thunder haile and raine fell as neuer was the lyke heard or séene before the Soldanes squadron séemed to bée all in a flaming fire The poore Persians thinking the end of the world was come vppon them fledde towards the Cittie but notwithstanding all theyr haste the greatest part of them remained dead in the field If the natural fire prepared for Tryneus made him fearful doubtlesse this fire raysed by coniuration made him much more aâ—righted but suddainly came to him an Armed Knight with his Sworde drawne and mounted on a horse of mightie bignesse who tooke the Horse of Tryneus by the brydle saying Come Sir Tryneus in despight of the Tyrant thou shalt not die At these wordes arriued Palmerin who embracing Tryneus said Ah my déere Fréend and Brother what villanous minds beare they that would doo you this outrage 〈…〉 my Squire hath brought hither that wée may with honour reuenge this shame As they thought to goe set on the enemie the Armed Knight who was Muzabelino thus spake My Lorde let vs not tarrie tryfling time héere but summonâ— your people togither and sette forwarde to Grisca where you shall 〈…〉 The disolate Tryneus what with his former feare and present ioy to beholde his Fréende was not able to speake one worde but Palmerin hauing well noted the Armed Knight at length knewe him to bée Muzabelino wherfore embracing him sayd Ah my Lorde for euer be the King of Kings praysed in graunting me to haue knowledge of you let me be worthilie condemned of ingratitude if I doo not acknowledge this great fauour to my Fréend which I account as déere as doone to my selfe After many courteous salutationâ— passed on all sides they set forwarde to Grisca with theyr men and prouision where wée will leaue them to shewe what afterward befell to the Soldane and his people After a long and verie dangerous tempest with whirle-windes lightnings and straunge apparitions to the great discomfort of all the Persians one of the Princes came to the Soldane saying My Lord the lightning hath fallen so terriblie in the Court as all the Ladies of honour are â—laine therewith An other brought newes that thrée partes of the soldiours which conducted Tryneus and Aurecinda foorth of the Cittie lay all slaine in the rough tempest While these strange mishappes were discoursing Aurecinda entred the Chamber saying Now soldane maist thou behold thy sinne Séest thou