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
duetie which women must and ought vse to their Husbands Wherfore my good Lord and Father I perswade my selfe vnder your correction that you should support me in this iust request the rather in respect of my present estate which may induce you somwhat to conceiue that the obsequies of my buriall is more likelie to be solemnized then those holie ceremonies yâ— shoulde be vsed at my marriage And with these words she powred foorth such aboundance of teares as the Emperour knewe not what to answere but ouercome with pittie withdrew himselfe leauing Tarisius with her who hoping to haue better words of her said Madame I beseeche you not to offend your selfe for anie thing the Emperour hath saide concerning me for I wil not anie thing to your discontent and rather would I suffer all my life then cause the least doubt to encurre your dislike hoping yâ— in time to come you wyll take such pittie on mee as béeing perswaded of the loue I heare you and the reuerend desire I haue to doo you seruice you will graunt that with good will which the Emperour striues to gaine perforce assuring you yâ— nothing can be more gréeuous to mee then the harde dealing which hetherto hath béene vsed towards you And to the ende you may resolue your selfe of that I say your Father hauing deliuered me the Keye of your prison and the guarde of your personne I here commit bothe to your gentle pleasure So kissing the Keie he laid it by her and without expecting anie aunswere with great reuerence hee departed leauing her with Tolomestra so rapt into a slumber or traunce as her Kéeper would not for pittie trouble her The Princesse in this silent passion thought that shee sawe a fierce Lyon before her with open throate readie to deuoure her and néere at hand she espied an armed Knight to whom shee laboured for her defence crying that for Gods sake he would shéeld her from the beast but the Knight with stearne and angrie countenaunce thus answered I wil not defend thée but with my Sword will take thy life from thée Thou hast so much offended the heauenlie powers in disobedience to thy Father as I ought rather to deuide thy head from thy shoulders then to hinder this beaste from deuouring thee Thinkest thou to contrarie their diuine pleasures Suffiseth not the fault thou hast committed with Florendos coÌ„tent thée and shroude thy shame in regard of the fruite in thy wombe whose woorthinesse thou shalt knowe more of héereafter If yâ— dooest not thou diest an euerlasting death from which thou canst haue no meane to defende thée The Knight did so affright Griana as she promised him to accomplish the Emperours commaundement without fayle whereupon the Knight and the Lyon vanished awaie leauing her as she thought by a fayre Fountaine enuironed with Trées and diuersitie of flowers the swéete sent wherof was so pleasaunt and odoriâ—â—erous as made the chéereful bloode to reuiue againe in the Princesse and with breathing foorth a vehement sigh she awaked inuocating on the powers to pardon her transgressions and promising to obey the wyll of her Father albeit she could hardlie forget Florendos so soone Within two or thrée daies after the Prince Tarisius came to visite her to whom she shewed better countenaunce then she had doone and as they were deuising togeather in amorous talk she said Beléeue me Syr Tarisius you haue vsed such honest and gentle courtesie towardes mee as hencefoorth I giue my selfe wholie yours therefore béeing sorrie for my long disobedience to my Parents and you tryumphe nowe Tarisius in the honor of my loue If these wordes pleased Tarisius it is not to be doubted for ioy whereof hee went presentlie to the Emperour and made him acquainted with these happie tydinges so that to make short after manie promises and solemne oathes to yâ— Princesse not onelie to accept her as his spouse and wife but as his soueraigne Ladie and Mistresse hee broughte her with him to the Emperour who hearing the resolution of his Daughter embraced her and tooke her into as good conceite as euer he did Notwithstanding Tolomestra was coÌ„manded to attend on her still wherefore Griana knewing her time to drawe néere and hardlie could she conceale her fortune after manie difficult doubts and feares debated in her thoughts at last she imparted the whole to Tolomestra The olde Gentlewoman after manie motherlie rebukes for the fault coÌ„mitted as the daunger imminent thought better yet to couer this misaduenture then to publish that which woulde displease manie and profite none so leauing to reprehende when care and comfort was more required at that instant the Princesse was deliuered of a goodlie man childe Thus in the ninth Moneth after the returne of Florendos towards Macedon on Mondaie at night about eight of the clocke the Princesse had her howre of deliueraunce when Tolomestra receiuing the Childe sawe it so beautifull and wel fourmed as it gréeued her meruailouslie to think what hard fortune it brought with the birth For the honour of the Mother could not bee defended but by the price of the infants life wherefore hauing wrapped it in swadling clothes which the Princesse had prepared of some valew shee brought it to the sorrowfull Mother saying Trust mee Madame it much displeaseth me that wee must thus loose this louelie childe whom I could haue estéemed happy and the Mother likewise if it might liue without displeasure but he swéete babe must suffer the punishment for the offence whereof he is not anie way culpable Alas saide the Princesse what shall we doo would God it weare deade or out of daunger then taking it in her armes and washing his face with flooddes of teares after manie swéete kisses thus said Ah my little deintie and must I néedes leaue thée must the safetie of thy life remaine in the mercie of a straunge Womanne who not knowing thy Parents may deale with thée discourteouslie well if thou die thy Mother will not be long after thée And as shee thus mourned ouer her infant shee perceiued on his right chéeke a lyttle marke in likenesse of a Crosse which made her call her vision to remembraunce and the words of the Knight that promised good fortune to the Childe which made her conceiue a comfortable hope whereupon about his necke shee tyed a fayre Crucifixe of golde Nowe was the night verie farre spent and Tolomestra feared they shoulde be preuented wherfore quoth she Madame it is time to determine of some thing leaue muzing I pray you anie longer on the Childe and let me goe carrie it to Cardina to be borne forth of the Court The wéeping Mother séeing shee councelled for the best for her last adiewe sealed manie swéete kisses on the face of the infant and so in great gréefe deliuered it to Tolomestra who went and found Cardina to whom she gaue it and she without anie tariance mounted on Horsebacke not knowing what way shee tooke rode on which way Fortune guided
maie be good because his desire is to make staie with vs and for your owne part looke that you intreate him well with this request that you accept him for your seruaunt and he shall be your Knight And are you bothe agréed Ladies said Palmerin Heauen forsake me if I refuse honour of so high account And as they woulde haue procéeded on the Emperor came in and brake off their talke and comming to the Empresse saide Madame I beséeche you haue good regarde to the health of this Knight and let our Chirurgions not trifle the time with him for I perswade my selfe that the enchaunted Knight with his venomed arrowes hath wounded him with great daunger inwardlie and hath besides sore brused his bodie with the weight of his Mace But Palmerin hauing Polinarda so néere him neither minded his woundes or what the Emperour had spoken his obiect more delighted then his woundes gréeued him then the Emperour taking him by the hande saide I pray you my déere Freende to bee of good comfort dispayre not for anie thing I beseeche you and bee aduised by them y◠haue care of your health for you shall want nothing if my Crowne will purchase it So departed hee and the Empresse with their Daughter Polinarda whome loue had already so inueigled that she béeing yet but tender of yéeres found her selfe so restrained of her libertie as scant she knewe howe to dissemble this suddaine affection and from that time forward she became so sadde and pensiue as one of her Ladies the most fauoured and familiar with her named Brionella Daughter to the Duke of Saxon well perceiued it yet durst shee not presume to demaunde whence procéeded this strange alteration but so circumspectly did she regarde the Princesse as she well noted the grounde of her gréefes Whereuppon it happened that one time amongst other they two béeing alone togeather Brionella iudging that her Ladie delighted to heare spéeche of Palmerin nowe to hitte the nayl◠on the heade she thus began What say you Madame by your fauour of the newe come Knight did you euer sée a brauer and more accomplisht Gentleman Upon my faith Madame in mine opinion I thinke that nature hath wrought all her perfections in him and fauoured him aboue all other Knights in manhoode and Chiualrie Ah Brionella aunswered the Princesse thou art not alone of this opinion for I euer thought as much though I kept it in silence would God I had as great authoritie ouer him as he alreadie hath gotten ouer me Is the matter so with you saide Brionella it shoulde séeme you are in looue with him then To tell thée the trueth Brionella quoth shee I am and did I not doubt foure other hath preuented mee I would aduenture to make him mine In good sooth Madam said Brionella you two béeing vnited togeather in one reciprocall league of loue well might it bee reported the most honourable match and of the two noblest yong Princes through the whole worlde and séeing you haue made a choyse so worthie dismay not good Madame but proceede in your determination Thus deuised the two Ladies together on Palmerin who was no lesse in affliction for the looue of Polinarda whom hee had searched with so gréat payne and trauaile and had nowe founde with so high good fortune If loue was so earnest with him before in his sléeping visions hauing not séene her much more vehement was the impression nowe hauing her in presence Whereupon the day folowing he called for his garments and as he was making himselfe readie the Emperour by one of his Gentlemen sent him the good morrow desirous to vnderstande in what plight he felt himselfe Good Sir aunswered Palmerin to the Gentleman I beséeche you doo my humble dutie to the Emperour for this great courtesie and you may thus assure him that heauen be praised I féele my selfe in so good estate as euer I did Which the Emperour hearing was highlie contented and sent to desire his companie to the Chappell where Palmerin neuer before so throughlie touched with the forcible assaults of looue glaunced so manie swéete lookes on the Princesse Polinarda and breathed so many sighes the secrete Ambassadours of his harte as it was a heauen to him to be in these passions The Emperour and all the traine returned from the Chappell they went to meate and Palmerin beeing placed right against Polinarda was in such fits as hee knewe not what countenaunce to vse for his couller went and came in such manner as the Princesse might easilie iudge the cause of his dolour wherupon she presentlie presumed that she had more interrest in his thoughts then ere she looked for The like opinion conceiued he of her yet was no other testimony deliuered on either side then sad countenances the reuealers of a tormented spirite Thus continued these two louers till the Tables were withdrawne and then the Lords and Ladies fel to dauncing in which delight and diuers other the whole day was spent till the Empresse and her Ladies departing to their Chambers the good night on all sides was reuerently giuen when Palmerin went to his lodging in such an agonie as more likelie to die then liue hee threwe himselfe on his bedde where hauing sighed and sorrowed long time gréeuously at length hee brake foorth into these tearmes Ah Palmerin vnhappy wretched and moste miserable nowe art thou entred into such a Laborinth as impossible is it for thée to get out again with life but what shoulde mooue thee to so high an enterprise béeing no way able to equall her that is second to none Alas nowe doo I plainlie sée the small credite is to bee reposed in Dreames and that the visions I saw in my Father Gerrards house on the Mountaine Artifaeria and els where are friuolous illusions and of no account with them may I ioyne the promise made mee by olde Adrian who boasted to knowe so much of my fortunes for looue is not of such power on my behalfe that faire Polinarda either can or will make anie reckoning of me Then Palmerin resolue thy selfe suddainlie to die that this inuisible and consuming fire which by little and little melts thée away may bee extinguished and thy selfe eased With these wordes he breathed foorth such an extreame sighe as Vrbanillo the Dwarffe being néere hearde him who doubting least any newe mischaunce had happened by the priuie woundes she enchaunted Archer gaue him made hast to know the cause of this euill Ah Vrbanillo quoth Palmerin I finde my selfe farre worse then deade What my Lorde sayd the Dwarffe now you ought to be of best disposition will you deceiue vs with this alteration The Emperour neuer gaue you bad countenaunce since your comming whence then shoulde procéede thys straunge conceit No no Vrbanillo quoth hee it is not the Emperor but a Lorde of greater power then his Maiestie It is Looue my Lad the strickt commaunder of the stoutest mindes he hath conquered mee and well I knowe I shall die if thou
Ladie to be this daie liuing then your owne for mine own part I am not so troubled in conceit as you are to quarrell for such a fabulous matter yet dare I tell yee that my Ladie is much more beautifull then yours which if you will denie I am readie by the strength of mine arme to make you confesse it Lewes féeling himselfe gréeued with these iniurious spéeches of the Countie answered Proude Knight I am ashamed to heare thy iudgment so simple as to thinke I am come hether for a matter of so light moment as though I would not iustifie against thée and all other what I haue promised but let that passe before we part I will cause thée know thy folly by that time thy pate and thy bodie is thorowly bumbasted looke to thy selfe for I intende to doo it So mounting on horseback and prepared as it had béene to a warre mortal encountred eache other with such furie as their Launces flying in shiuers vppe in the ayre they met together so terriblie with their bodies their Shéeldes their Horsses and their heads as they were bothe dismounted to the grounde But earnest desire to vanquish they béeing beside stronge and will disposed Knights made them quicklie beginne the second assault with their Swords which was so dangerous and handled with such dexteritie as it was harde to iudge who should haue the honour of the Combat Bâ—t Lewes beholding the representation of his Ladie and considering her so excellent and fauourable to him tooke hart a fresh and as it were inspired with newe vigor so laide on the Countie Dâ—â—cell as in short time he brought him vnder the mercie of his Sworde when holding it against his threate he said Peremptorie Knight if nowe thou confesse she not my Lady to 〈◊〉 thine in beautie thy vndiscréete heade shall raunsome thy sollâ—e The Countie for all this woulde not aunswere one worde by reason of the debilitie he felt himselfe in hauing lost so much of his blood as for the gréefe hee conceiued to be thus vanquished whereat Prince Lewes not content would haue taken his heade from his shoulders but the Iudges of the fielde canie to him saying My Lorde you ought to forbeare hauing brought your enemie beyonde his owne defence your victory â—éeing sufficient to content you forbids his death The Prince perswaded entred his Pauillion and ioyfull of his conquest commaunded two Gardants of the field to take the figure of the Princesse of Arragon and place it at the féete of the Duchesse counterfeit which was doone immediatlie and the Countie Durcell brought into his owne Tent where his Chirurgions tooke dilligent care for the curing of his woundes Soone after came a Knight of Myllaine who giuing such defiances as the other dyd was in the ende constrained with great shame to confesse vnder the conquering Sworde of Lewes the imperfections of his Ladie and her stature placed by the Princesse of Arragon The same daie were fiue great Lords of Italie brought in like subiection and so the tryumphe ended till the next daie when the first that came into the fielde was a braue Gallant of Spayne a Knight of good estimation and specially reputed who after a dain-glorious Oration made as the nature of the people is that way affected put hys fortune to the triall of his Launce where hee sped so ill as he was vnhorssed and in the following Combat likewise receiued the foile After him seauen other Knights of Castile prooued as vnfortunate their Ladies pictures all reuerencing the Duâ—hesse who béeing not a little proude of her Knight and the memorable renowne he witnessed of her beautie I leaue to your considerations both of her conceite that waie as also in loue towards the Prince who séeing no more readie to enter the quarrell returned thence to the Pallace to conferre with his swéete Mistresse of his high good fortunes CHAP. XXXV Of the Combat betweene Prince Lewes of Fraunce and Crenus the Duke of Gaule GReat pleasure did the King conceiue and all the nobilitie of the Court at the â—otten victories of Prince Lewes against so manie woorthie Knights so that they altogeather accounted him most fortunate And nowe the thirde daie when hee was entred his Tent an English Knight no lesse braue in termes then the former defied the Prince and betwéene them began a dangerous conflict in the midst whereof the King with manie Princes Barons and Lordes as also the Quéene and the Duchesse of Burgundie came to their standing and vnhappily behelde the foyle of the English Knight the Duchesse hearing him confesse her beautie and behelde his Ladyes portrait placed vnder hers But now the couragious Duke of Gaule named Crenus came brauelie mounted into the fielde dooing his duetie to the King Quéene and Ladies who not knowing him by his Armour iudged him some great Lorde in that no Knight before caused so good opinion generallie nor came with brauer countenaunce into the field he béeing indéede a Prince of wonderfull possessions and a Knight at Armes woorthilie approoued The Duke as all the other had doone caused his Ladies counterfeite to bee placed where it ought by his Squires to the no little admiration of all the beholders noting what rare and excellent beautie it was adorned withall the workman hauing performed such exquisite perfections as it had béene the Ladie herselfe naturallie liuing while the Squires were thus placing it on the monument the Duke aduaunced himselfe to Lewes in this manner The ouermuch selfe conceite Lorde Lewes of mindes but easily acquainted with matters of difficultie hath often béene and yet is the cause to plucke great personages more lowe then they expecte so that men haue séene them deceiued of their intents and rewarded with ridiculous shame and confusion This speake I to you hauing héere begun a busines the ende whereof will bee more harde to you then as yet the beginning hath béen for Europe is sufficientlie stored with hardy Knights to asswage your presumptuous opinion and Ladies much more faire and excellent then she whom you contende for And this by the fauour of Fortune gracious regarde of my Ladie and Mistresse and helpe of my good Sworde will I enforce you to confesse that incomparable Agriola daughter to the King of England for vertue for beautie and all diuine perfections excéedeth yours whatsoeuer she be Before such a leasing quoth the Prince shall passe the lippes of a Sonne of Fraunce rather will I consent to bee péecemeale torne in sunder and before fayre Phaebus haue paced one howres iourney I doubt not to make thée repent thy pride and arrogancie By the soule of King Arthur said the Duke looke thou garde thy selfe well for I haue with my courtelaâ— abated the pride of a brauer man then thy selfe and ere we two part I meane to trie if I can doo it againe therefore resolue thy selfe to thy best defence for by my life I will not fauour thee Without any further spéeches they encountred with such violence togeather
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
friendly commers in all which time there wanted no sports delights as such times rnd occasions do necessarily require Nowe came all the Princes Lords and renowned Knights in England to the Court except the Duke of Gaule who excused himselfe by the warre in his owne prouince which yet was not the chéefest cause of his absence but the shame hée reputed to himselfe for his foyle in Fraunce when hée entred the Combatte for the beautie of the fayre princesse Agriola These knights thus worthily intreated they were at no time denied entrance into the King and Quéenes Chambers by which meanes Trineus might when himselfe pleased conferre with the Princesse till this instant among all other the prince thus began to his Ladie and Mistresse You may easily presume swéete madam what secret Conbattes I continually endure for your loue and no helpe is expected but the onely hope of your fauour which as you haue promised to my especiall friend Sir Palmerin I doubt not but you will perseuer in that gracious opinion and what promise hee hath made of my seruice to you thinke not but I obserue with religious care deuotion though not sufficient to equal your deserts yet because ingratitude shal not insult against me So many thanks quoth the Princesse I returne you my Lord as good opinions can bee imagined betwéene vs both and accounting you for my friende which is a higher degrée I héere discharge you of my seruice and mine honour guarded from blame I shall iudge my selfe happie to yéelde you any content which I will fulfill notwithstanding any daunger towardes mee But I praye you tell mée my Lord what is the intent of your loue in this action Madame quoth the Prince Syr Palmerin who is nowe come to beare vs companie shall crediblie enforme you so please you to rest contented therewith Palmerin thus entred and imagined theyr talke was not about affayres of Merchandise wherefore hée sayde to the Princesse God spéede you Madame pardon mée I should call you Ladie and Wife to the Prince of Allemaigne for I doubt not but you haue chosen him your Husband in heart Agriola blushing and smyling â—eereat made no aunswere Wherefore Palmerin went forward in this manner In faith Madame if you haue doone so I would counsell you to accomplish it presenâ—lie and prouide to go with vs to Allemaigne where the Emperour will entertaine you with such gracious fauour as you will not loose if you beare the minde of a Princesse beside you shall be the meane of euerlasting peace betwéene the King your Father and his Maiestie To which wordes Agriola thus discréetly answered I promise you my Lord there is no Prince thys daye lyâ—ing whome I would more gladlie accept for my Husband then the Prince Trineus notwithstanding for mée to departe without the knowledge of the King or Quéene my Parents is an acte in mine opinion farre dissenting from duetie and honest reporte Therefore my Lord louing myne honour as you say you doo I pray you let our behauiour be with better wisdome least we both fall into dangers not râ—couerable Palmerin perceyuing Agriola contrary to the most necessary occasion vsed such arguments and played so well the Oratour that the poore Princesse had no power to resist considering the great loue shee bare the Princâ— Trineus which made her yeelde more easily to his perswasions so that shée agréed to accomplish their determination and depart with them towards the Realme of Allemaigne Tâ—ineus ioyes nowe excéeded measure and Palmerin for his sake was no lesse contented in respect hee should the sooner sée his mistresse Polinarda whose very rememberaunce gaue him life as the ayre doth the Camelion But fortune beholding each thing prosper as liked their fancies woulde nowe néedes beginne to play her Pagant crossing them with the vnhappiest stratageme that euer could happen to so noble Princes as in the sequell shall bée laxgely discoursed They little expecting such a chaunce are earnestly following their serious enterprise which was secretly to carrie Agriola with them into Allemaigne for which purpose they prouided shippes and skilfull Pilots to conduct them conueying all their necessaries abroade at what time this aduenture following happened in the Court of England Chap. LIII Howe in the time of this pleasant and great assembly there came a Damosell to London who desired the king to do her iustice against a knight of his owne Court DUring the time that this royall company continued at London minding nothing but pleasures pastimes and courtly recreations there came a â—amosell so faire as might be accompanied with two auncient knights and a lustie Champion brauely armed with sixe Squires attending on him The Damosell entring the Pallace came before the King and on her knee beganâ—e in this manner Dreade Lorde hauing long time hearde your good iustice towardes your Subiects without any fauour or exception of persons I am the more bolde albeit he that hath iniuried mee is reputed for a Man of good quallity and holdeth place of authority in your Court humbly to craue of your highnesse one request against the most false and disloyall Knight that euer was whom when I but remember more weightie and gréeuous oppressions fall vpon my soule then this wretched body of mine is able to endure Damosell saide the King I shall right gladly reléeue your heauines if it ly in my power to doo it therefore tell mée the cause of your offence and what hée is that hath so wronged you Knowe my good Lorde quoth shée that I loued a Knight so déerelye as contrary to the lyking of my Parents and Fréendes and two much forgetfull of mine owne selfe I tooke him to my Husband thinking he loued mée so faithfully as his shewes and behauiour gaue demonstration But the Traytour had no other meaning then to beguile and falsely deceyue mee for after I hadde made him Lorde of mee mine and brought him to a Castle of mine so strong and fayre as anye in your highnesse dominions the Traytour expulsed mée thence violently pretending that wée were so néere allyed as he might no longer account mee for his Wife Since which time notwithstanding all the humble intreaties I haue made hée will neither restore mée my goods and possessions againe nor yet accepte mee as his espoused Wife Therefore I beséeche you my Lord as becomes a good vertuous Prince for the honour of nobilitie and regarde of womanhoode you will take pittie on a poore distressed Ladye and that in such a rightfull demaunde you woulde doo mée iustice which I had sooner demaunded but coulde not by the occasions of your troublesome warres Ladye sayde the King as yet you haue not named the man that hath offered you this surpassing iniury My Lord quoth shée this is the man in your presence name Miseres a vile Traytour and publique adulterer And if he dare affirme that I haue spoken vntruth I haue héere brought a Knight with mée who by Combatte shall make him confesse his
quarrell My Lord quoth she in concealing his name I should offer him great wrong concealing the bountie and prowesse of the man which hath not béene sparingly shewed heretofore in presence of the Duke of Gaule agaynst the King of Norway whose armie was â—icomfited by the worthy valour and pollicy of this knight who calleth himselfe by the name of Frysol the Duke of Gaule bringing him foorth of Frauncâ— at his last voyage and euer since hath so dearly loued him as he were his owne naturall brother I promise you Ladie sayde the King you made no ill choyse of your Knight for I haue heeretofore heard of his actions and am not a little glad that I know him wishing he were of my Court because a King accompanyed with such persons must néedes imagine his Countrie happie And in respect he is so braue a Champion it is impossible but hée shoulde bée a wyse and vertuous Knight wherefore I pray you cause him to come to mee which shée presently did And hauing saluted his Maiestie with honourable reuerence the King embraced him with these wordes Woorthie Sir you are most heartily welcome I coulde wish you were one of my Knights in respect that my Court should bee the more honoured and I might requite your paines better then I can on a sudden Mightie Prince quoth Frisol in assisting this distressed Ladie I haue done but my dutie but if I could any way do your highnesse seruice I knowe no Prince liuing for whom I wold more gladly employ my selfe And at this time vrgent affayres excuse me from staying héere any longer neuerthelesse I intreate you my good Lord if it may stande with your fauourable liking to repute mee among the number of your Souldiours and Seruaunts If it must néedes be so sayde the King you shall doo what please you yet will I reckon you amongst those to whom I owe continuall loue and affection And although the death of Myseres doth somwhat gréeâ—e me because I made some estimation of him yet for your sake shall I deliuer the Ladie her Castell which you haue conquered with so knightly chiâ—alrie Frysol humblie thanked his Maiestie and departed with the Ladie which way they came but Palmerin very much offended at his departure and earnestly desiring to be reuenged on him commaunded his Dwarffe to marke well which way they went The Dwarffe diligently fulfilling his Maisters charge returned and told him which way they tooke wherevpon he beeing desirous to follow without giuing any knowledge thereof to his companions left Trineus to conferre with his fayre Mystresse Agriola and departed the Câ—urt so secretly as neither the Prince or Ptolomie suspecâ—ed any thing And so accompanied with the Dwarffe Vibanillo 〈◊〉 câ—me to the place where his Squire stayed with his Armour where when hée 〈◊〉 armed hee mounted on horsebacke thus speaking to his man Returne you to the Cittie and there expect my comming as for thée Vrbanillo thou shalt say to Tryneus that hée must pardon mee though I did not acquaint him with the cause of my departure which I was more enforced to doe then he thinkes on neâ—erthelesse pray him take no paine to enquire after mee because I doubt not to returne verie shortly although not so soone as hee woulde yet pray him to vse so little speech thereof as may be The like mayst thou say to Ptolome and to them both commende me most heartily With this charge to you both that vppon payne of your lyues neither of you doo followe mée nor cause anie other to séeke after mee So taking his Launce hee galloped that way which his Dwarffe shewed him they were gone and he with the Squire returned to the Cittie making verie sorrowfull lamentation because they thought their maister woulde returne no more in that hée would not bee knowne whither hee went yet would they bewray nothing theyr maister had forbidâ—e them Trineus and Ptolome were maruellous sorowfull especially the Prince who without the Dwarffes assurance of his Maisters short returne had followed to seeke him yet not thorowlie contented with Vrbanilloâ— perswasions the King came to comfort him saying You must thinke good Sir that your noble Fréend is gone about some straunge aduenture for you knowe he neuer enterprised any thing but it returned him to honour If héeretofore for the loue of his Ladie hée shewed himselfe without his Péere in chiualrie thinke you be will not regarde his reputation and premeditate his actions before hee runne to farre in daunger Content your selfe I pray you for if his returne be not the sooner I will cause such prouision to bée made as hée shall be found againe The Princesse Agriola likewise intreated him not to bee displeased at the absence of Palmerin for with the helpe of God and his Fréendes quoth shée his returne will cause as much ioy as his departure dooth grâ—efe All this coulde hardly content Trineus for hée dreamed in his sléepe that the Knight which slewe Myseres was hée against whom Palmerin entred the Combat in Fraunce at what time they could not ouercome each other And remembring what ill will Palmerin bare him vehemently suspected that for this cause hee followed him which imagination somewhat comforted him and he reputed the Knight vnwise if hée medled any more with Palmerin Chap. LIIII How after the death of Myseres Palmerin followed Frysol whom he had slaine but that a Damoselâ— intreated his life AL that day Palmerin trauailed and most part of the next yet coulde hee heare no tidings of the Lady and Frisol which made him ryde in great melancholly till at length méeting with a Damosel mounted on a goodlie Palfray very richly harnessed of whome he demaunded if shee mette not a Knight armed who bare in a Shéelde of Azure a Golden Sunne and with him a Ladye attended on by manye Squires Truelie Sir quoth the Damosell if you will graunt mée two requests that I shall demaunde I will bring you to him you séeke for before to morrowe the third houre of the day Palmerin who was woonderfull desirous to finde his enemie granted to anye thing shee woulde desire on condition quoth he that you shewe mee the Knight Followe mée then sayde the Damosell for I will accomplishe what I haue promised So rode they togither and among other speeches Palmerin asked her if shee knewe the Knight and what his name was The Damosell aunswered that shée knewe not the Knight but shée was very well acquainted with the Ladye in his company and this night quoth shee they mind to lodge at a Castle of mine Auntes in the euening they arriued within the sight of the Castle where they alighted from their Horsses and entred a little thicket for feare of béeing séene and the Damosell hauing a flagon of Wine and a pastie of redde Déere in a maunde at her saddle bowe Palmerin and shée refreshed themselues therewithall but all that night coulde not Palmerin settle himselfe to sleepe watching the castle Gate least in the time of his
whether hee went he entred the Empresse Chamber where shee and her Son Caniano stoode conferring togeather without saluting the one or other he satte downe in a Chaire and gaue such bitter sighes as the Empresse hearing was somewhat mooued therewith doubting he had either receiued some greate iniurie or els coulde not prouide himselfe so sufficientlie as he would for the Triumphe wherupon she left her Sonne and calling Tarisius aside thus began with him Nephewe I sée you verie melancholie which makes me to iudge that you want some néedefull thing for the Tournament which my Sonne hath caused to be published With which words she beheld Tarisius more wishlie then she had doone before and perceiued the teares to trickle down his chéekes which made her more desirous to knowe the cause of his gréefe but his hart was so confounded and shut vppe in anguish as hée could not speake one word to her Neuerthelesse the Empresse who loued him as her owne Sonne founde so manie meanes to perswade him as in the ende he disclosed the loue he bare to Griana and the aunswere likewise which shee made him whereby I am assured quoth he that nothing but death can cease my torments The Empresse who of her selfe did manie times determine to make that marriage perceiuing nowe howe fitlie the occasion offred it selfe began to resolue on the consumation thereof and to content her Nephewe in excusing the Princesse Griana spake as followeth Doo you Nephewe mislike the aunswere of my Daughter beléeue me therein she didde but her dutie for she cannot dispose of her selfe béeing yong and vnder controule but the Emperour and I whom you ought firste to make acquainted with your request But since I perceiue how you are affected I promise you I will confer with my Lorde the Emperour and hope to preuaile so well in the cause as you shall spéede of that you moste desire As they continued these discourses they were giuen to vnderstande by a Messenger that the Prince Florendos the Kinges son of Macedon was newlie arriued with a braue companie of Knights But his comming to the Emperour was not as his vassaile or Subiect because the kingdome of Macedon was at that time no way beholding to the Empire but onelie to sée the faire yong Princesse Griana the renowne of whose beautie and vertues had so peirced his thoughtes as before he sawe her he loued and honoured her so that for this cause onlie he iournied to Constantinople where he was verie honourablie entertained bothe of the Emperour and his Sonne Caniano as also of the Empresse and faire Griana who oftentimes hearde him reckoned and estéemed amongst the most honourable and gracious Princes that liued at that daie CHAP. II. Howe the Empresse conferred with the Emperour as concerning the mariage of theyr Daughter Griana wyth Tarisius Sonne to the King of Hungaria whereof they both determined and of that which happened in the meane time THe Empresse was not forgetfull of her promise made to her Nephewe Tarisius but endeuoured by all meanes possible to find the Emperour at such leysure as she might impart the whole to him and because shee had so hardilie taken the matter vppon her shee would gladlie it should sorte to effecte as commonlie Women are couetous of their owne desires therefore no meruaile if shée were earnest in following her intent Soone after walking alone with the Emperour and smoothlie couering the baite she was desirous he shoulde swallowe shee desired him to graunt her one request whereof shee woulde not willinglie be denied The Emperour neuer before hearing her so importunate consented at the first to whatsoeuer she demaunded nowe perswading her selfe sure to spéede thus shee beganne My Lord hauing often considered with my selfe that our Daughter Griana is of yéeres and discretion able for a Husband I am the more desirous to sée her honourablie bestowed And for that the yonge Prince Tarisius hath béene trained vp in your Court and which I little thought some good will appeareth to be betwéene them I should thinke if not amisse to vnite them in mariage togeather for hardlie shall we finde 〈…〉 a Lord of greater blood and birth then he béeing heire apparant to the Crowne and kingdome of Hungaria besides they hauing béene so longe time conuersant togeather in their yonger yeeres will entertaine a more speciall regard of loue betwéene them then can be in anie other that may mooue yâ— question to her Madame aunswered the Emperour she is your Childe and I doo not thinke but you would her good therefore I like the motion well for that indéede I esteeme so well of Tarisius as of mine owne Sonne aâ—d since wee haue so happilie fallen into these discourses we will foorthwith certifie yâ— King his Father by our Ambassadours that we may vnderstand his opinion héerein The Empresse gratified her Lord with verie hartie thankes béeing not a little glad she had so well preuailed wherefore immediatlie shee aduertised 〈◊〉 But for Griana her affection was els where for she bare a certaine secrete good liking to Florendos so soone as shee behelde him hearing so great reporte of his knightlie bountie and prowesse so that beholding them togeather and their eyes deliuering the good conceite of eache other one might easilie iudge that Loue hadde so mightilie maistered her thoughts as if he consented she had sette downe her reste for her choise and hee on the other side was drawne into the same compasse notwithstanding eache of them for the time concealed what they rather desired should be known betweene them Yet this hidden fire stroue to gaine place of issue for diuers times the Princesse Griana béeing amongst her Ladies talking of such Knights as woulde shewe themselues at the Tournament the Prince Florendos was coÌ„monlie first spoken of and so highlie would the Ladies commende him beyonde all the other as Griana coulde not refraine from changing coloure so that the alteration she founde in her spirite might be euidentlie perceiued howbeit none of the Ladies as then noted it and thus shee continued till the feast of Saint Maria d' Augusta which was the daie appointed for the Tournament on which daie the Emperour knighted his Sonne Caniano and Tarisius Nephewe to the Empresse in honour wherof hee held a greater and more magnificent Courte then before time hee had doone for he suffered the Ladies to accompanie the Knights at the Table albeit they were not wont to doo so often at yâ— time yet full well it pleased the Prince Florendos who satte opposite to the Princesse Griana during which time of Dinner though manie piercing lookes and smothered sighes were sent from eache other as messengers of their sâ—mâ—lable opinions yet cunninglie they shaddowed all from being discerned But after the Tables were withdrawne and eache one preparing for the Tourney Florendos so well behaued himselfe as he founde the meanes to speake priuatlie with his newe Fréende and thus he beganne Madame the Heauens haue not a little fauoured mee in
addition vnder your highnesse correction that were she mine as I am wholie hers the faithfull seruice of a thankfull Sonne shoulde aunswere the genâ—lenes of so good a Father and the irreuocable vowes of holie loue assure Griana of her Florendos Right déerelie did the Emperour loue the Prince Florendos as had he béene his owne Sonne Caniano his knightlie valour and manifold other vertues iustlie inducing hym thereto and gladlie he would haue coÌ„sented to his request if his promise made vnto Tarisius did not binde him to the contrarie whereupon he returned him this aunswere Beléeue me good Cozin I am not a little agréeued that I cannot satis-fie your gentle request for that Tarisius Nephewe to the Empresse hath alreadie preuented mee to him haue I past my promise for my Daughter and dailie I expect the Ambassadours comming from Hungaria to finishe the mariage so that I had rather loose the best of my Citties then it should be said I falsified my worde Notwithstanding of one thing I can assure you that you are far higher in my grace and fauour then he yet necessitie is without lawe and the regarde of mine honour must intreate you to hold me excused Greatlie abashed was the Prince Florendos séeing in one instant that hope strooken dead that had maintayned his life since his comming to Constantinople and so nypt in the heade was he with the Emperours answere as hee stoode a good while in a studie not speaking a worde at last he began thus God forbidde that so great a Prince shoulde breake his promise by my occasion neuerthelesse my truth and loyaltie to your highnesse shall not any way diminishe but I shall remaine the most forward in duetie of any that owe seruice and alleageaunce to your Maiestie Neyther will I sayd the Emperour imagine the worse of you but loue you rather better then I did before Then entered diuers Noble men and Gentlemen which made them breake off from further spéeches and Florendos taking his leaue went to his Chamber so full of gréefe and extreame heauines as easilie he could haue béene induced to commit some violence vpon himselfe but casting himselfe vpon his bed he thus beganne to breath foorth the furie of his passions to ease the heauie burthen of his oppressed spirite Unhappy wretch that I am beyonde all other what hope of life canst thou flatter thy self withal séeing the meane that should maintaine the continuaunce thereof forbiddes thée sonde man to hope any longer What angry Planet gouerned thy natiuitie that he to whom thou gauest life should this day be the cause to ende thine owne Beléeue 〈◊〉 Tarisius had I made tryal of this inconuenience before hardlie shoulde I haue put my personne in such daunger amongst the Moores to shéelde thy life but in defending the sworde out of thy throate I haue deseruedlie thrust it in mine owne so that by lengthning thy daies I haue expyred mine owne date and that with a death so miserable and cruell as no enemie whatsoeuer would wish to another But were it not that my duetie to the good Emperour countermaundeth me thou couldest not with such ease either out-braue me in my looue or thus vsurpe the gracious fauoure of my Mistresse Griana were affection ballanced with desert or loue measured by vertue as it is by opinion Notwithstanding to die for her loue I shall account my selfe happie in that she cannot but pittie my vnluckie death and my spirite should passe with greater quiet to his ende if she knewe with what content I take my destenie but fayre Griana would God I had either not séene thée at al or Fortune had béene fauourable to me in choise At which words the extremitie of his passions tooke away the libertie of his spéeche so that he could not finish what hee woulde gladlie haue spoken but falling from his bedde to the grounde in a swoune amazed one of his Esquires that was in the nexte Chamber who hearing the fall ran in immediatlie where séeing his Maister lying deade in his iudgement ran and called Frenato who was Cozin to Florendos and one that knewe most of his priuate affayres notwithstanding hee was ignorant in the cause of this accident who taking him vppe in his armes with colde water and vinagre caste in his face at length he got life into him againe when Florendos opening his eyes and séeing his Cozin so busie about him breathing foorth two or thrée bitter sighes saide My déere fréende and Cozin I beséeche you hinder not the ende and issue of my life for béeing out of all hope to recouer my Ladie Griana there is no meane left to maintaine my life When Frenato heard these wordes hee doubted that the Prince had receiued some contrarie aunswere from yâ— Emperour as concerning the marriage betwéene him and his Daughter for whose loue onelie hee left the kingdome of Macedon wherfore he perceiuing that she must bee the onelie meane to ease his torment hee began thus roundlie to aunswere the Prince And what of this must you therefore dispaire Alas said Florendos what would yee haue me doo the Emperour hath long since past his promise for her to Tarisius as his highnes assured me by his own wordes Uerie well Sir answered Frenato but doo you know if she haue giuen her consent I promise you I am perswaded that she loues him not but that her fauourable regarde is much more towardes you then him and for you saye so much to morrow will I sounde the bottome of this matter so that if I can I will frustrate the Emperours intent towardes Tarisius Doo you in the meane time but learne to dissemble your gréefe and shewe not your selfe mal content for anie thing that hath béene saide but bee of good chéere and referre your fortune in this case to the successe of myne endeuours These and such like perswasions Frenato vsed to the Prince whom he thus left in his Chamber and returned to the Pallace as was his manner All this while the Emperour bethought himselfe on the spéeches that had passed betwéene him and Florendos which made him the night following to discourse theron with the Empresse perswading her that hee coulde more willinglie accept of hym for his Sonne then Tarisius But she who highlie fauoured her Nephewe reprooued his opinion with manie answers so that by importunate intreaties teares and other subtill fetches which Women are wont to vse to accomplish theyr desires she so farre disswaded the Emperour as hee promised her againe not to giue her to anie other then to him to whom he first past his worde Of which wordes the Empresse was not a little glad and therefore all that night shée deuised by what meanes she might froÌ„ that time forward so much as in her laie hinder Florendos from speaking to her Daughter whereupon she dailie kept the Chamber of presence and helde a more strickt looke on Griana then before shee had doone which greatlie increased the passions of Florendos
wyth vertues coullers God sende it to fall out so well arise and be it as your Cozin and you haue requested See in meane tune that you prouide all needfull occasions that when the daie comes nothing bee wanting Lewes humbly thanking his Father arose euery one present not a little reioycing because they feared all woulde be squandered Then began the Lordes and Ladies to conferre togeather and the Duchesse departing to her lodging béeing manned by the Prince did not as I thinke repent herselfe of her loue as a number of you martching vnder the same Ensigne wold doo the like in such a case In fine the Duchesse fearefull of the thwarts of Fortune that she would work her disgrace by some bad coniectures or wounding reports said I know well my Lorde the good will you beare me without anie further shewes or confirmations by actions so daungerous which I had rather die then beholde and therefore whatsoeuer you shall performe will condemne mee as vnwoorthy of so good deserts in this respect you shall therfore graunt me one thing which is that aboue all you haue care of your selfe els will perpetuall discontent cut short my date béeing bereaued of the honour of my greenâ— desires Nowe Madame quoth the Prince may I boast of my fortune not doubting to follow the deuise of a Ladie so vertuous for your swéete wordes prolong my life els ere this had death robd you of your Knight The Duchesse héereto with an amiable smile aunswered I muste not loose you yet good Prince for may I lengthen your life it shall bee for euer Many sollemne thankes the Prince returned and by this time had brought her to her Chamber wher hauing baise lâ—â— main departed CHAP. XXXIII Howe the Prince Lewes and the Duke of Sauoye sent theyr Heraldes and Horsemen into all parts to make knowne to all Knights their enterprises and the conditions of theyr Combats THe Prince Lewes ioyfull of the King his Fathers consent but of the gracious aunswere of the Duchesse most of all dispatched immediatlie his Heraldes into all the prouinces of Europe who executed their charge with such dilligeÌ„ce as there was no Court of Emperour King or Prince but they declared the enterprise of these two yong Princes So that one of the Princes Heraldes accompanied with the King of Armes belonging to the Duke of Sauoye came to the Emperors Court of Allemaigne which then was furnished with a great number of Lordes and Knights béeing there to sollemnize the day of hys byrth but especially Palmerin aboue all the rest tryumphing in the loue of his Mistresse Polinarda The Heralds béeing entred the great Hall founde the Emperour sitting in his chayre of estate with many Princes Barens and noble personages about him who graunting them libertie of spéeche the Heralde of Fraunce began first in this manner Illustrious and most redoubted Emperour the cause why we thus presume before your Maiestie is by the commaundement of the vertuous yong Prince Lewes Son to our dreade Lorde Agatiel King of Fraunce as also of the Duke of Sauoye his Cozin so good a Knight as may well commaunde what our message is so please your highnesse to call all your Knights in presence because it chéefelie concerneth them we with duetie will deliuer it The Emperour presentlie called for all Knights and Gentlemen of his Courte who desirous of the newes were not long in comming before whom he saide Dreade Lord the Prince Lewes of Fraunce my Maister commends him to your Maiestie with this Letter may it please your grace commande it to be read and you shall soone sée the effect of our Embassade The Emperour caused his Secretarie to reade it openlie and because it contained what you haue heard alreadie it shall be needelesse to wast longer time in talke thereof but the Letter béeing read the Heralde thus proceeded The Prince my Maister woorthie Emperour giues the Knights of your Court as els where to vnderstande that he intendes to prooue by deedes of Armes howe no Ladie in the worlde is comparable in beautie to the Lady he loues which he will bee readie to maintaine in Combat the first of Maie next and seauen daies following in his Tent before the Gates of Parris there will he verifie it against all commers that dare auerre the contrarie Afterwarde he rehearsed all the conditions to bee obserued in this Combat and the King of Armes to the Duke of Sauoie made known his Maisters challenge likewise as you haue hearde The Emperour meruailing at this message said Without doubt the Ladies had neede to be faire and my Cozins your Maisters valiant and hardie els it is doubtful howe such an enterprise will fall out for yâ— affections of persons are diuers and theyr fortunes daungerous neuerthelesse I desire the issue may sort to their honor These Lordes and Knights haue hearde your message and I iudge some of them will prouide to be there because they prize the beautie of theyr Ladies at as high a rate as your Masters doo estéeme their faire Freendes yet let them doo what they thinke most expedienâ— beâ—ause they are olde enough to make you answer As for me you may salutâ— on my behalfe the King my Brother and my Cozins to whom I sende thanks with all my hart that they thus acquainted me with their honourable endeuours All this while the Knights conferred together with diuers iudgments of these pretended Combats some were either fearefull or too forwarde others well aduised and prouoked with discréete courage Among whome repute we noble Palmerin all pensiue his eyes fixed on the groundâ— and not a wordâ— hauing in his spirite discoursed howe bitter the diuorcâ— would be of the eye from his swéete obiect in the ende concluded the Combat perswading him selfe not in Christendome nor in the other thrée habitable parts of the earth eyther Empresse Queene or Ladie was more accomplished with perfections then his gracious Mistresse Polinarda And in respect of this Embassage it seemed to him vituperous and a dishonour not sufferable if he should not iustifie the trueth haue so good occasion wheruppon he desired a thousande deathes rather then he would defer so braue a voyage and so on his knée before the Emperour thus began Gracious Lorde and my woorthy Patrone I intende with your good lyking leaue to depart with all spéede possible to the Ioustes and Combats of Fraunce and Sauoye let it not therefore displease for the honour of Chiualrie that I leaue your Courte a while but maie commit my selfe to this iourney with your fauourable opinion The Emperour verie lothe to let Palmerin goe aunswered In sooth Palmerin I greatly doubted so soone as I heard these newes from Fraunce that it would not passe without your presence which displeaseth mee not so much for their follie as your absence which is and wil be to mee greater gréefe then you iudge but let mee intreate that thy returne may be spéedie and stay no longer then thou hast good
were in yâ— same predicament for he knowing her to be of the noble and auncient ligne beside sole heyre to the house of Saxon might count himselfe highly honored with such a Wife and therefore the like coniunction was made betwéene them so that nowe these Knights and Ladies were espoused before God there wanted nothing but the ceremonie of yâ— Church to confirme it But nowe comes Vrbanillo and hee breakes of this pleasure because yâ— time was so farre spent as they must néeds depart which with much a doo they did leauing their Ladies examining theyr content the Princesse soone after thus conferring with Brionella Alas faire Fréende it is doubtfull what danger maie arise because you haue contracted your selfe to Ptolome without the Emperors consent howe will you answer when you are charged with the fault Brionella who now feared nothing but the preuenting of her loue aunswered In sooth Madame you speake with great reason you nowe giue counsell when the déede is doone and cannot bee reuoked till it be dispatched woulde you haue all the good fortune your selfe and suffer your Freende to enioy no part with you trust mee that is vnconscionable dealing for he that made you to loue framed me of the selfe same mettall But I sée you make the occasion to me to learne howe to aunswere your owne déede let vs referre all to him Madame that appointed your choise by destinie and mine by mine owne lyking Manie other pleasaunt spéeches passed betwéene them and diuers times their Knights came to visite them till Fortune who will neuer suffer thinges long in one estate sent an occasion to hinder this delight of theyr loue for there was a Messenger come to the Courte from the King of Norvvay Nephew to the Emperour who beeing admitted audience thus deliuered his message Woorthie Lord the King of Norvvay my Maister requires your assistaunce in his great distresse against the King of England who with a mightie and puissaunt Armie is entered his dominions where he hath made great wast slaughter of his people in diuers skirmishes and conflicts passed betweene them so that he neuer had likeâ—néede as at this instant Trust me quoth the Emperour I will assiste him with right good will and his mis-fortune dooth not a little gréeue me but I will take order for it immediatlie and my power shall be with him so soone as possiblie maie be with which aunswere the Messenger departed Nowe as concerning the cause of these warres betwéene the Kings of Norway and England it was procured by displeasure of succor that the King of Norway gaue to the King of Scots his Brother who helde warre with England about the taking of certaine Shippes the Emperour likewise his heauie enemie and for that cause he promised helpe so soone to yâ— King his Nephew Which when Trineus vnderstoode that his Father declared himselfe displeased with the Father of his beloued Agriola whose loue no occasion coulde alter hee was greatlie discontented yet dissembling his conceit determined rather to aide the King of Englande then his Cozin and therefore intreated Palmerin to accompanie him to his Chamber where hee woulde acquaint him with some part of the sorrow he conceiued by the succour his Father would sende to the King of Norvvay against her Father whose Seruant he had vowed himselfe and therfore quoth he let me desire you to conceale a request I shall make to you You knowe my Lorde said Palmerin that I will no lesse obey you then the Emperour your Father commaund therefore what you please and be it in my power it shal be executed So it is quoth Trineus that I woulde haue you not accompanie the power my Father sendes by Sea but doo so much for me that you Ptolome my selfe vnknown to anie may assist the King of England in his warres by which meanes I doubt not to compasse the thing I most of all desire And this I dare tell you that my life is only dedicated to her seruice and so well doo I hope to imploye my paines that she shall haue cause to loue me and regard the paine I suffer for her sake and but I gaine the fortune to to purchase my loue right soone suddaine shall you heare of my death You that haue felt the like torments can censure of mine which I dare not impart to the Emperor my Father because of the hatred hee beares the King of England aduise mee therefore good Fréende what I shall doo These spéeches were nothing pleasing to Palmerin seeing he must nowe againe depart from his Ladie but because he earnestly affected Trineus and knew how wel he might helpe him in his loue answered Assure your selfe my Lord that I will labour dissigentlie for your good and shall assist you to my vttermost in that you beare such loue to yâ— Princesse And I am of the opinion that hauing receiued the order of knighthood which the Emperour your Father wyll not denie it woulde auaile you much to tell your Father howâ— you desire vnknowne to aide the King of Norway For my part if he demaunde my aduise I will like it so well as because the Annie cannot bee readie so soone your honor Ptolome and my selfe will ryde before towards the King and so may we accomplish what you so earnestlie desire This counsell pleased so well Trineus as he intended on the morrow to request his order of the Emperor as also how gladlie he wold assist yâ— King of Norway and howe necessary it was for him to goe before the Armie as Palmerin and he had deuised togeather CHAP. XLIIII Howe Triâ—eus was knighted and what happened to him afterward ON the morrow this yong Prince seeing that to accomplishe his intent it was ecessarie hee shoulde be knighted he gaue attendaâ—ce to finde the Emperour at leysure when he might sollicite his highnesse with his sute and vnderstanding that hee was walking in his Gallerie hee went to him and on his knée thus began Dreade Lâ—rd and Father so pleased your Maiâ—stie it is nowe time I shoulde receiue my order of Khighthoode and more necessâ—â—y now then at any of her time in respecte of my earnest desire to aide the King of Norway my Gozin in his warres The Emperour meruailing whence this humour shoulde procéede answered Why Trineus doo you thinke your selfe able to take so waightie a charge in handâ— truely such honor is soone receiued but to maintaine it as it ought to be and preuent the dangers incident therto is more hard then you weene and maketh proofe of the most couragious 〈◊〉 in that neither paine â—eare or danger must hinder what a matter of so great consequence dooth command And perswade your selfe that such as councelled you thereto knowe â—â—aut theÌ„selues their duetie in those affayres wherefore for a 〈◊〉 haue patience and referre it 〈…〉 abilitieâ— for I wil send good store of other Knights in this expedition who shall well excuse you to yâ— King my Nephew 〈◊〉 not contented with this
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
néedes goe méete him and so went downe into the Court accompanied with many yoong knights lately come to the Emperours seruice Gerrard séeing this goodly troupe among them all knewe Palmerin perfectly wherefore alighting from his Horsse and without giuing him in charge to any Page or Lackiâ— â—an and fel downe at his féete but Palmerin staying him in his 〈◊〉 said Father Gerrard and 〈◊〉 deare friends the Gâ—d of Heauen 〈…〉 praysed in that by bringing me to the knowledge of my Parentes I haue the meane to satisfie your paine and trauaile for me sauing my life in my yongest yeares and nourishing me to the state of discretion Ah my Lord quoth Gerrard I thinke in all the world is no man so happie as my selfe hauing defended from perill so noble a person therefore néedelesse is it to make offer of money for your nurriture in that I prize your golde and siluer lesse then drosse such is my content to sée you so well Palmerin likewise whose match might not be founde in courtesie and nobilitie of heart louingly welcommed Marcella and her daughter Dyofena walking along with them vp into the Pallace where in this sort hée presented them to the Emperour Sée héere my good Lord they that from mine infancie with excéeding kindnesse and loue nourished mée let mée therefore intreate your Maiestie so to conceiue of them as their paines and charges may be sufficiently requited The Emperour taking great pleasure to beholde them saide they should continue in the Court with him commaunding them to bee brought to his daughters Chamber who entertained them verie graciously but when they came to vnfold Palmerins little pack of cloathes hardly can you imagine the inwarde ioyes of the Mother For Tolomestra well knew the Scarlet mantle which her selfe had all embroydered with curious knots of Gold and all the other prettie trinkets saying Doubtlesse Madame it cannot bée but that Palmerin is your Sonne for well I knowe hée was wrapped in these cloathes when Cardyna carried him hence to the Mountaine Then did Gerrard discourse before all the Ladies in what manner hée founde yong Palmerin among the Trées not forgetting to report euery thing from that day till his departure without his knowledge Many swéete smiles did the Quéene intermedle with her forced teares hearing the 〈◊〉 daungers her Sonne had endured and for the great loue shée bare to Marcella she made her one of the Ladies of her Chamber and gaue Dyofena a worthie dowrie to her marriage As for Gerrad himselfe the Emperor made him one of his chéefest Barons and dubbed his Sonnes Knights who proued afterward of hardie courage as héereafter in the Historie you may perceiue This done the Emperour brought Florendos and Palmerin into his Treasurie saying My friends take beare away all is yours dispose thereof as you please furnish your selues with all néedefull thinges against the day of my Daughters marriage Giue bountifully to the poore Knights that they may likewise prepare themselues in readinesse all which will redound to your perpetuall honour In sooth my Lord answered Florendos it is against all equitie and reason that during your life I should presume so farre well worthie were I of the sharpest reprehension to vsurpe that which by right appertaines to him who gaue me life and honour When the Emperour sawe hée coulde not perswade them hée sent a sumpter Horsse loaden with Golde to the Prince Olorico and Erysoll beside diuers other Iewels of inestimable value that they might the better furnish their estate against the solemnitie of the Macedonian Prince On which day these two Knights determined a Tryumyhe at Armes for the loue of their friende and companion Palmerin who the same day should bee sworne Prince and sole heire to the Empire Upon this occasion and by his highnesse commaundement the Heraldes were sent abroad to publish the Tourney which should endure tenne dayes togither with the excellencie of the prize to them that should beare the honour of the Ioust each day These disports so prouoked the Lords of Greece as neither King Duke Countie Barron or Knight that was able to mannage Horsse and Armes but repaired to Constantinople in such troupes as though a new world had bene to be conquered Chap. XXXV Howe the Knight that Florendos sent to Macedon rehearsed to the King Primaleon the effect of his charge and how Palmerin entertained his fathers Princes and Knights FLoreÌ„dos hauing sent one of his knights to Macedon in verie short time yâ— Messenger arriued at a Castle of pleasure where as then the King remayned for his delight with the Princesse Arismena his Daughter to expell such contagious thoughts as daily troubled them for the absence of the Prince of whome they coulde vnderstande no tydings The knight beeing come into the Kinges Chamber where his Maiestie sattâ— deuising with his Daughter and setting his knée to the grounde in this maner beganne his message Right high and mightie King I bring you the very straungest tidings yet repleate with ioy and speciall comfort whereof your Maiestie neuer heard the like My Lorde the Prince Florendos your Sonne with humble dutie saluteth your excellencie and the faire Princesse Arismena his Sister certefying you that the aduenturous knight Sir Palmerin euen hee by whose meanes your health was recouered is his owne Sonne begotten on the princesse Griana Daughter to my Lord the Emperour to whom hee is nowe betrâ—thed by the consent of all the Princes of the Empire and Sir Palmerin your Sonne shall be Emperour after the decease of his noble Grandfather The good king Primaleon olde and decrepite was so surprised with these newes as he imagined he heard some fantastical illuding voice rather then matter of trueth and certaintie with which inwarde oppressing conceite his weake estate not able to support it selfe béeing ouercome with ioy doubt and suspition as hardly could Arismena his Daughter kéepe life in him so often hee swouned with hearing this reporte yet at length taking the Knight by the hande he sayde My good Fréend God I trust will blesse thée with honour and prosperitie for bringing mee the tidings I haue long desired Nowe may I well say that neuer anie Princes age was more beautified with happinesse then mine is hauing my Sonne allyed in such an house and another Sonne excelling all the Knights in the worlde But if the Heauens vouchsafe me so much grace and fauour that I may once sée him before I ende this life it will be such sufficient content to mée as then I force not though I liue no longer Then calling for one of his Secretaries to reade the Letters his sonne had sent him and hauing heard the contents there of commaunded present dispatch of Messengers to aduertise the Lords and nobilitie of his Realme who likewise were so gladde of these newes as each one prepared himselfe agaynst the day appoynted The King hauing written Letters to his Sonne as also to Palmerin whom hée entreated to come and sée him gaue them
of further daunger I will then saide Palmerin goe séeke such a one as shall ende these enchauntments and because you shall not be iniuried by anie in the Castle wée will make them fast in prisons till my returne After they had so doone they went to the stable where Dyardo gaue Palmerin a lustie Courser and taking leaue of him set forward on his iourney Chap. XLV How Palmerin departing from the Isle of Malâ—ada came to the Court of the Princesse Zephira shee that kept Tryneus transformed where he was entertained to ayde her against her eldest brother who vexed her with dayly troubles SO soone as Palmerin had thus left the Isle of Malfada and had yâ— day likewise passed a very dangerous riuer at night he came to a little village where taking vp his lodging he fell in talke with his host in yâ— Arabian tong if he knewe any one that was expert in Nigromancie I knowe none quoth the Hoste but an olde Ladie in an Islande harde by to whome our Princesse not long since went for remedie of a strange disease wherewith she is tormented Where abideth your Princesse saide Palmerin Not past thirtie miles thence quoth the Hoste in a Cittie called Elain Perhappes quoth Palmerin by her I may be better resolued So bidding his Hoste good night withdrewe himselfe into his Chamber where many imaginations passed him concerning the Princesse Zephira It may bee quoth hée within himselfe that the Enchauntresse vnable to helpe her hath yet assigned her to some man more expert in that diuellish Science who compassing her health happily may giue mée some counsell to amende my misfortune In this opinion the next morning he rode to the Cittie of Elain heauie and sadde yet in hope of comfort and as hee came neare the Cittie hée was enclosed with two or thrée hundreth light Horsse men whome the Prince Maulerino Brother to Zephira had there ambushed to taste all auaunt currers and Knights passing by them Yet obserued they these conditions that who so would take the Princes paie and sweare faithfull seruice shoulde sustaine no harme but such as refused so to doo were carried into the Cittie their Horsse and Armour taken from them and they enclosed in strong prison These Moores were amazed to sée Palmerin so richly armed and much more beholding him so brauely mounted wherfore they said to him Yéeld your selfe Sir knight and sweare to maintaine our Princesse quarrel or else be assured thy death is present The condition is very harde said Palmerin but for I haue heard the wrong offered by the king to your Princesse I will sustaine her cause not as a prisonrr enforced héereto but of mine owne good will as all knights errant are bound by dutie to definde the iust quarrell of distressed Ladies Presently was Paâ—merin brought to the Princesse and her Brother who were conferring togither about these earnest affaires when the Knight that conducteth Palmerin stept to the Prince Maulerino and thus spake Sée héere my Lord a Knight latelie taken whome wee haue found honest and courteous we haue suffered him to remain Armed and commit him to your opinion While the knight continued these spéeches transformed Trineus who layâ— at the Princesse foote séeing Palmerin with his beuer open ran and leaped on him whining and fawning on him so louingly as euery one greatlie meruailed thereat In bréefe they might discerne by cries colling about his legs and pittifull mourning that faine he would haue spoken and shewed his loyall Fréende his inward complainings The Princesse meruailing at this strange occasion said I thinke Sir Knight my dog knowes you for since Malfada gaue him me I neuer could sée him so faune on anie body In sooth Madame answered Palmerin to my remembraunce I neuer sawe your dog before this present Héereupon shée called him to her and made many meanes that hee shoulde come to her yet would he not leaue Palmerin but shaking his head still whined to his Fréende as crauing aide and succour at his hand wherewith the Princesse mooued thus spake I praye thée Knight conceale not any thing from mee for I perswade my selfe that thou hast beene héeretofore some Fréende to the Enchauntresse Malfada seeing my dogge is so loth to come from thée Let mee vnderstand the truth I praye thée and if thou likewise wilt assist mee against my cruell Brother thou shalt be honourablye vsed and thy ordinarie paye redoubled Madame answered Palmerin héere may you beholde the most distressed Knight liuing and a Christian whose harde fortune hath béene such as arriuing in the Enchauntresse Isle whereof you spake I haue lost fiue Fréends my true and honourable companions and with them two Ladies who in all vertues may not be equalled Yet haue I reuenged their losse on the olde hagge and her seruaunts whose breathlesse bodies remaine for foode to the foules of the ayre And because I hearde fayre Princesse your selfe was not long since with her for councell in some vnhappie fortune befallen you faine woulde I knowe maye it please you to graunt mee so much fauour if shee assigned you to anie other more skilfull then her selfe by whom you not alone shall finde remedie but my tormenting gréefes maye likewise bée comforted Good Knight aunswered the Princesse the Gods themselues will trauaile to helpe thée and it may be I haue learned of her by whose death thou hast reuenged the wrong of manie noble persons some hope of further good to ease those passions which thy spéeches bewray True it is that I stayed with Malfada the space of eight daies yet not learning any thing of her woorthie the rehearsall this onelie excepted she tolde me that in the kings Court of Grisca and Romata remained an auncient Knight named Muzabelino by whome if my maladie were curable I should finde helpe and by no other man whatsoeuer so did she extoll him beyond all other And had not the king my Father died soone after my returne and my iniurious brother euer since molested mée long ere this had I gone to that skilfull man whome I meane to finde so soone as I can bring my troubles to anie good ende By all our Gods quoth the Prince Maulerino séeing Malfada is deade Muzabelino maye finish all the enchauntments but during her life neither he nor all the Magitians in the world were able to compasse it As for the kingdome of Romata it is very farre from this Couutrey the greater will your paine and daunger be in trauailing thither Right pleasant will the paine bee to me said Palmerin so may I recouer my déerest Fréends againe and for you swéete Madame will I aduenture my life eyther to winne you peace with your Brother or a happie victorie by his death that wee maye the sooner sette forward to Romata A thousand thankes good Knight quoth the Princesse and this day shall we knowe what our Brother intendeth if peace it is welcome if warre we must defend our selues so well as we may Still did the dogge cling about
answere replyed In truth my Lord if I were not desirous to fulfill what is required in chiualrie I wold not so boldly haue made this demaund therefore for such exceptions as you admitted let mee not I beséeche you be denied at this time and let this induce you that such as are borne to gouerne Kingdoms if they giue themselues onelie to pleasure without passing through the pykes of some dangerous hazarde they are not woorthie to be lifted to such honor The Emperor hearing the braue minde of his Sonne and that his wordes fauoured of courage conceiuing well thereof answered Since your desire is so earnest to be made Knight I am well contented but I wold haue it doone honorablie and before a greater assemblie then now is in our Court Alas my Lord said Trineus there is no néede of tryumphe before victorie let such pomp remaine I pray you til I haue wâ—nne honor and accounte by my déedes The Emperor ioyfull of the Princes good opinion perswaded himselfe he wold 〈◊〉 fortunate wherfore he graunted his request so that Palmerin might accoÌ„panie him in his voyage Of which condition Trineus was not sorie because in him consisted all his hope of successe so his Father commaunded him to prepare himselfe for hys order whereupon Trineus made himselfe a costlie Armor and another for Palmerin the deuises béeing changed because they intended to passe vnknowne Nowe had the Emperor leuied an Armie of tenne thousande good Souldiers the conduct wherof was appointed to the Countie Tolano a Knight valiant and hardie hauing had like charge in sundrie occasions of war therefore so soone as all things were in readines they were embarqued and sayled with such benefite of winde and weather as soone after they tooke landing in England Where a while we will leaue returning to Polynarda greatlie discontent with her Brothers departure because of Palmerin and Brionella no lesse troubled for her fréend Ptoleme but the Princesse féeling newe afflictions for the absence of her loue came to her Brother saying I knowe not Brother who hath aduised you to venture so dangerously our Cozin hauing assistance sufficient without hazarding your personne let mee then intreate you good Brother to affect occasions that promise better securitie Better occasions Sister quoth hee it is impossible if it be a thing allowable vertuous to succour a stranger howe much more then is it to our Kinsman especially such a one as is our Cozin of Norvvay therefore I pray you be of good comfort till my returne And if it so happen that my Father in my absence intend your marriage looke that your consent not til I come home againe for my not being héere will serue you for a sufficient excuse Which Polinarda promised and her word so past stoode her in no small sted afterward as you shall finde in the discourse following So soone as Trineus was prouided of all thinges for his knighthoode he came to the Emperour in this maner I desire you my Lord to accomplish your promise hauing doone my duetie as you commaunded me With right good will my Sonne saide the Emperor goe Arme your selfe Then went hee Palmerin and Ptolome armed to the Chappell Trineus béeing in Gréene Armour figured all 〈◊〉 with harts of Golde and in his Shéelde was portraied a Knight vnarmed holding in his hand a Bowe bent with an arrow readie to shoote against a gréene Trée whereon hunge a scrole which had written in it in Letters of Gold this mot Madame quand mourray-ie Whereby he meant that the loue which made him enterprise this voyage should beare him companie till death Palmerins Armor was all blacke declaring his mourning for his absence from his Lady and in his Shéelde for his deuise was figured a goodlie Eagle shâ—ouding a little Birde vnder his winges declaring therby the fauour he had receiued of his Mistresse Soone after came the Emperor into the Chappell where hee Knighted his Sonne put his Spur on his héele and giâ—ded his sworde about him afterward they went to dinner and spent the whâ—le daie in manie pleasures for ioy of the newe Knight Pâ—â—merin Ptolome to comfort their Ladies before theyr departure according as they were wont when yâ— Princesse Polinarda thus began Alas my Lorde what gréefe wyll your departure be to me with what patience doo you think I am able to endure it perswade your selfe the very conceit of your absence will be my death or at least a cause of such danger as I shall neuer recouer Bee well aduised therefore how you deale with me for the intent of my Brother maie be broken if you would labour in it but if it may not be then saue my life by your spéedie returne These words were deliuered with such teares and reking sighes as Palmerin might well perceiue the vehemence of her gréefes and answering her heauines with as earnest oppression said Swéete Ladie bee perswaded tempeâ— your sorrow with patience considering the vnion of our spirites makes a simpathie of afflictions if then for my sake you will not pacifie your selfe yet to shéeld your owne perril let me intreate you to be resolued in that my returne shall bée with such expedition as you will commaunde But if you continue thus melanchollie you will bewray what as yet shoulde bee concealed and so may great harme ensue to vs both Wherfore I desire you to moderate your impatience and thinke well of my departure which is chéefelie to seeke out a Knight against whome I fought in Fraunce for your beautie as for anie other matter you may beléeue me Whereuppon he reported his Combat with the Knight of the Sunne which made the Princesse as well for Palmerins promise as the account he made of Frysol somewhat better quieted to answere If it be so my Lord that your returne will bee with such spéede I shall enforce my selfe to beare the burthen of my cares with as much patience as I can and sée you faile not your appointed time but tell mee I praie you what Armes beares the Knight of the Sunne you spake off which Palmerin discribing Polinarda remembred him saying My Lorde I know nowe very well what he is for eight daies after your departure towardes Fraunce the Emperour my Father knighted him commaÌ„ding mee to gird him with his Sworde which I coulde not but obey wherein the Knight glorying sollicited me with affections not liking me which I pray you reuenge béeing the man whom the matter néerest concerneth After manie other amiable conferences the Knights humbly tooke their leaue of their Ladies and in the morning betimes the Mariners called on Trineus and his companie to hast aboorde because the winde serued well for England which they performed with all speede hauing first taken their farwell of the Emperour and the Court. So hoysing sayle they sette on to Sea and in good tâ—me came within yâ— kenning of England where we will forsake them awhile and returne to the Emperors Armie which he sent to the King
their Captaine brauely encouraging them At length they buâ—keled togither and a daungerous fight began betwéene them so that seuen of the King Maulerinos Knights were slaine the King of Sparta sore wounded by Ptolome and Dyardo in great perill of his life When Palmerin saw the King of Sparta fall and that the Moores had daungerouslie hurt diuerse of his Fréends fearing the King was slaine hée came to Ptolome and after manie sharpe strokes on either side at last got him downe when pulling his Helmet furiouslie from him thinking to haue smitten off his head Ptolome cried Kill me not sir Knight for I yéelde my selfe to thée Palmerin knowing his fréend sayd to his companions and the rest Giue ouer my fréends and fight no longer for false fortune hath too much deluded vs. Ah worthiâ— Ptolome why haue I dealt so hardly with thée is it possible that any man may bee likened to mée in mishap no sooner am I out of one but presently I fall into another by heauen déere Fréende if I had slame thée right soone woulde I haue béene reuenged on my selfe Sée then swéet Ptolome how Palmerin gréeues for his offence more then if he had lost the best limme on his bodie When Ptolome behelde his Friend Palmerin and by him the noble Prince Tryneus embracing them he said O Sauiour of the world howe highly hast thou this day fauoured mée permitting mée to finde my déerest Fréendes then they brought him to the Princesse Agriola in her Cabin who was not a little glad to beholde the man that endured with her some part of miserie and Colmelio was ioyfull to behold Sir Ptolome in that their hap was to bée parted when they were ledde to be solde as â—laues but Agriola woulde néedes heare all his fortunes since the first time of their separation which hée and Colmelio trulie recounted Beléeue me Ptolome said Palmerin I sée wée all haue had our shares in aduersitie and hardlie can we iudge whose wrong hath béene greatest but howe came you thus to bée Captaine among the Turks My Lord quoth he the Princesse Alchidiana bought me and charged mée to séeke you both by Sea and Lande and for my defence gaue mee fortie Knights of whom there nowe remaines but ten aliue That Ladie am I highlie beholâ—ing to sayde Palmerin and for the wrong I haue done her by the death of her Knights I will excuse my selfe by an honourable Ambassade when I shall send the Prince Olorico to her againe And that thou Ptolome maist knowe some of my good happe vnderstande that I haue founde my Father and Mother who are Florendos the King of Macedon and Grâ—ana the Daughter and â—eyre to the Emperour of Greece I did euer perswade my selfe quoth Polome that your discent was of royall linage but I intreate you for my sake that these Knights which your men haue taken may be gentlie vsed and enioy their libertie Palmerin calling them to him said For Ptolome his sake that was your Captaine and her loue that commaunded you to trauaile with him I wish to you as to my selfe yet shall you all go with mée to Constantinople that you may helpe to conduct the Prince Olorico backe againe whom I meane to send with you to your Mistresse We abide my Lord quoth they at your direction and willingly obey your will in that wée haue knowne howe déerelie the Soldane loued you and better fortune coulde not befall vs then so luckilie to méete with you and the Prince Olorico as for our Companions that are sâ—aine there is no remedie for such mishaps are common where Fortune â—rowneth So sailed they on fréendlie togither and on the Sea we will leaue them to tell you of the return of the Ambassadour Maucetto to the Soldane of Babylon who hearing that the Persian had refused to assist him was somewhat offended thereat but when he saw that Palmerin had written he pacified himselfe saying Ah gentle Palmerin hadst thou béene in the battell at Constantinople I had not néeded to demaunde helpe of him whom I iudged my Fréend but séeing Fortune hath showne her selfe so contrarie I will not attempt anie thing from which thou disswadest me Maucetto declared that Palmerin had likewise sent a Letter to the Princesse Alchidiana which hee commaunâ—â—â— him presentlie to carrie her no sooner had she read the Letter and thereby vnderstoode his knightly déedes of 〈◊〉 but embracing the Ambassadour thus spake Maucetto neuer couldest thou haue brought mee better newes thou of the man whose name flourisheth in all 〈…〉 Letter written by the hand of the most perfect Knight liuing full charâ—e and choisly will I kéepe thée Ah Ptolome whom my noble Fréend loues so déerely thée haue I sent in daungerous hazarde of thy life but may I once sée thée againe thou shalt perceiue my loue for Palmerins sake Happie art thou Princesse Zephira hauing with thée the myrror of mankinde My Lord quoth shée as though Palmerin had béene present willt thou wrong thy selfe so much as to tarrie with her Dare the Soldans Sisters vaunt that they loue thée They be faire as I vnderstand but not so faire that thou shouldest refuse me for theÌ„ What haue I said doubtlesse matter to mine owne reproach for if thou wouldest the kingly offers of my Father and my importunate intreattes could no way mooue thée hardlie may the Persians preuaile with thée especiallie in such a weightie cause as loue is Maucetto what sayest thou is Lord Palmerin like to stay long in Persia with the Soldans Sisters No Madame quoth he I heard him 〈◊〉 verie often that he woulde depart thence before a Moneth was expired In these and such like spéeches they continued wherin wee purpose to leaue them for by this time is Palmerin and his Fréendes arriued in the Hauen of Constantinople and Colmelio is sent before to the Pallace to aduertise the Emperour of these ioyfull tydings As Colmelio entered the great Hall the 〈◊〉 man he mette was his Father Gerrard who was newly made Lord Chamberlaine to the King Florendos wherefore falling on his knée before him he said Father â—ittle did I thinke to finde you exalted to such honouâ— happie was the day when you 〈◊〉 Prince Palmerin and much more 〈…〉 you shall heare matter of maruaile 〈…〉 the Emperour with the King Florendos 〈…〉 Hall anâ— all the Ladies going to heare 〈…〉 Gerrard thus spake to his highnesse My Lord sée héere my Sonne Colmelio who long time hath trauailed in seare of Prince Palmerin hee hath some 〈…〉 to deliuer to your Maiestie Right welcome is 〈…〉 the Emperour say what thou 〈◊〉 my fréend 〈…〉 libertie Mightie Emperour sayd Colmelio your Son Prince Palmerin 〈◊〉 arriued in the Hauen and with 〈…〉 Prince Tryneus Sonne to the Emperour of 〈◊〉 the good Knight Sir Ptolome the fiue Princes which went with him from Macedon the two Princesses of England and Durace with diuerse other vnknowne to me and saluting your Maiestie with his humble dutie intreateth that
〈…〉 and they may come to kisse your 〈…〉 Florendos and the Ladies were 〈…〉 Long liue your Maiestie in health and happinesse here may you beholde the man for whom my Lorde Palmerin your Sonne hath endured such paine and trauaile The 〈◊〉 perceiuing by his spéeches that hée was Trineus the Prince of Allemaigne thus aunswered I hope my Lorde that you will beare with mine age and weakenesse which hinders me from entertaining you as fain I would but I beséech you to aryse for it ill beséemes so great a Prince to humble himselfe in such sort Florendos and Griana in this time welcommed their Sonne Arismena the King of Sparta Armida her Frysoll and the olde Emperour and Empresse graciously entertained Agriola and Laurana each absent Fréend so embraced and welcommed as all the day was spent onelie in those ceremonies The next morning Palmerin dispatched his Dwarffe Vrbanillo to the Emperour of Allemaigne that he and Polynarda might vnderstand these long expected newes and afterward comming to Sir Frysoll he sayd to him Brother our Mother hath eâ—riched vs with a Sister since our departure and my Sister Armida me with two Nephewes I pray you let vs go sée them Héereupon the Nurses brought the yong Princes the â—ldest of them being named Dytrius and the yongest Belear the yong Princesse Daughter to Florendos and Griana was called Denisa so faire and comely were the infants as if Nature had studied to make them most exquisite Beléeue me Sir Frysoll quoth Palmerin if my sister continu◠〈◊〉 she begins the Realme of Hungaria shall hardly want 〈◊〉 what two at a blow hir Ladie it is a â—â—gne of good 〈◊〉 And when you are entred the estate of wedlocke answered Frysoll if your linage increase according to the greatnesse of desire Madam Polynarda shall be as well sped 〈◊〉 her neighbors Thus iested the Princes togither attending â—ewes of 〈◊〉 courrier that went with Vrbanillo to the Emperor of Allemaigne 〈◊〉 at that time was at Vienna Chap. LIX How the Duke of Mensa and the Countie of Redona conducted the prince Olorico into Assiria where hee was espoused to the princesse Alchidiana FOr the space of a Moneth and morâ— Palmerin Trineus and Agriola soiourned at Constantinople till all thingâ— were prepared for them to 〈◊〉 towardes Allemaigne during which time Palmerin shewed such signes of loue to the Prince Olorico as he wold seldome be 〈…〉 that more and more his amourous passions encreased hée sayde Déere 〈…〉 Nor doo I this swéete Prince as enuious of your companie or that I stand in feare of the Soldane but onelie to kéepe my promise which was that I would ayde you to my â—ttermost to accomplish the marriage 〈…〉 for whom I see your 〈…〉 troubled My Lorde aunswered Olorico if euer perfect loue might be discerned in a Princes heart doubtlesse it is most amplie 〈◊〉 in yours Where you can finde in anie Historie seâ—blable affection or that a Christian would so fauour his enemie that is contrarie to him in law and 〈…〉 that so great â— Prince would 〈…〉 to accept as his companion in Armes the poore Sonne of the King of Arabia practising for his good not the suretie alone of the Christians but the alliance of the greatest Lord in Asia 〈…〉 Lorde since of your accustomed good 〈…〉 this offer of simple iudgement should I shewe my selfe to refuse it I accept your gracious kindnesse and assure your selfe of his readie seruice whom 〈…〉 to the Prince of Greece 〈…〉 the Soldane of Babylon in 〈…〉 The Letter of Prince Palmerin to the great Soldane of Babylon 〈…〉 〈…〉 against all your enemies Contrariwise if you will follow your former opinion wee must defende our selues so well as we may And for I can no more with 〈◊〉 forsake my Couâ—trey Parents and friendes to returne againe to your seruice I sende you the Prince Olorico a Knight both valiant and hardie as anie in all Turkie without exception of your Court the great Turks or the Soldane of Persia and he to serue you in my 〈◊〉 Desiring your highnes by that affection which you did beare me whâ—Ì„ the Prince 〈…〉 that you accept him as your Sonne and giue him in marriage your Daughter Alchidiana as the man that hath best deserued her if euer Prince might merit â— Ladies loue by bountie and choyse chiualrie So shall you performe an action of 〈◊〉 honour and 〈◊〉 me continually to acknowledge this kindnesse Your Palmerin d'Oliua Another Letter he wrote to the Princesse Alchidiana the tenure whereof was thus The Letter of Prince Palmerin to the Princesse of Assiria TO you Madam Alchidiana daughter to the great Soldane of Babilon Palmerin d'Oliua your knight sendeth health condigne to your magnificence Madame sending to your Father the Duke of Mensa and the Count 〈…〉 to the Crowne of Arabia You know faire Madame that neuer had he come to your Fathers Court had not the perillous battaile against the proude Brother of Amarano prouoked him nor would be haue aduentured the dangers of the Sea but in hope at length to purchase your gracious loue For these considerations good Madame entertaine him into your sober thoughts who hath no more feared to spend his bloud for your sake and thrust his life into infinite dangers then I haue doone to sette my hande and penne to this paper I know that your grace beautie and great 〈◊〉 commandeth the chéefest Prince on the earth for your Husband and to shéelde my selfe from blame I know that I promised you my seruice When I should returne from Constantinople but how hath it fallen out your Palmerin is knowne by them that haue like authoritie ouer him as your loue hath of the Prince Olorico I am a Christian a stranger Sonne to the simple king of Macedon and the Daughter to the Emperour of Greece beside of verie little or no desert at all Hee is of your Lawe your Neighbour sonne to the rich king of Arabia and a Prince of as high vertue as euer was in my companie witnesse whereof he made on the Phrigians and in an hundred places since in my presence Wherefore Madame if noblenesse of hart and loyall loue deserue so great an alliance I know no Prince this day liuing more worthie then he Assuring you withall that more gladly would I die thâ— death then sollicite the cause of him whome I would not imagine vnworthie my person Your Knight Palmerin d'Oliua When he had sealed these Letters hee gene them to to the 〈◊〉 who accompanied with fiftie Grecian 〈…〉 where their shippes was 〈◊〉 after them followed the King Maulerinos hundred Knights the number being supplied with other instead of them that were slaine and after them went the Knights that came with Ptolome then came the Prince Olorico and Palmerin deuising by the way on manie matters My Lord quoth Palmerin I imagine you nowe remember our taking by the Admirall Olimaell and feare that the like mishappe may againe befall you I therfore as your