her arm she was going to fall furiously on the Giant that fought with Silvan but she saw him sink under a terrible blow which he gave him I am said she then fully revenged of my enemies but yet I desire to know unto whom I am indebted for this assistance To your own vertue said Spheramond which had no great need of our arms God said she What do I see and what strange encounter is this Tell me my Lord what good fortune brought you hither What Knights are these in your company and what have your adventures been these three daies Even such answered Spheramond as those that have rendred you heer we arrived heer without any particular design and have rooted out of this Country a crew of mischievous fellows but that which gives me the most content is that we fell upon this place so happily for your safety and the increase of our glory These that you see heer with me are at your disposing Heer is Silvan who shewed himself the most forward to do you service being the first that sallied foorth to your succour This is Dorigell Prince of the Fortunate Island the third is Amanio d'Astre and these two Knights are Parmenian of Cyprus and Ladazan of Numidia whom we have freed out of prison Then he told her all the circumstances of his coming thither his combat and how without the assistance of those brave Princes he had infallibly lost his life This discourse having perswaded them that all those occurrences had fallen out by the providence of some Magician their friend she was about after she had infinitely caressed those Knights to enter the Castle but remembring the women in favour of whom she had undertaken the combat although she know not who they were she desired Parmenian and Ladazan to go and seek them out for she had observed that at the beginning of the fight they fled away from that place This they undertook most willingly and did discharge it so happily as the same day they returned with unspeakable content of all the company as shall be related to you in the Chapter following CHAP. VII Who thâ—se Princesses were that were fâ—rcibly carried away by the Giants as also the Emperour Spheramonds return into Parthia WE have in the preceding Chapter told you that Argenâ—â— sister to the King of the Frozen Island foreseeing the ruine of the Pagan Princes withdrew herself into the borders of the Soldan of Aleppo his Countrey where by enchantment she built that proud Castle of the twelve Towrs and for the guard thereof drew thither twelve of the mightiest Giants in all the army in hope by that means to surprise some of the Greek Princes and so to revenge her self But God whose providence reacheth to every thing overthrew all her designs making the Emperour Spheramond fall with that place and after him Dorigell Silvan and the gallant Knight of the Bridge by the procurement of the great Alcander who desiring to prevent the mischiefs which this woman intended to Christendome and which without all doubt had happened in the losse of Spheramond did provide that Dorigell should be met withall by a Dwarf the Knight of the Bridge by a Squire and Silvan by a Damsell to the end they might be conducted thither to succour that great Emperour It remains now that we relate unto you the new designe she had to render her malice the more memorable As soone as the building was brought to perfection she took her books wherewith she often entertained her self and straining her skill to the highest pitch she found that the Empresse Richarda and the Princesse Rosaliana her sister were with childe with two sonnes who one day should be the support of Christendome and the ruine of Paganism which did so vex her as she resolved to destroy them before they should come into the world Having sought out then from among the cunningest of her thoughts for some subtile invention to bring her desires to passe she departed with three of her Giants a little before those two great Armies came to meet and imbarked her self in a ship which by the guiding of three Dwarffes she caused to sail so shiftly that in two daies she was in the Empire of Parthia at the foot of a Castle by the Sea side where by chance the Empresse Richarda with her sister were at that time to find some diversion from the grief they were in for the absence of their Husbands Being arrived at her desired â—â—ort she made certain Characters upon the poop of her Bark and redoâ—bling her charms she enchanted her Giants that she carried with her in such sort as they appeared in the shape of Spheramond Amadis d' Astre and the Duke of Arbamont that done she disarmed their heads caused them to shew themselves upon the hatches and commanding two of her Dwarfs to sound a fanfara to awake the Princesses she sent the third well instructed with his message to advertise them of the return of those Princes Upon the noise of the trumpets the Ladies looked out at the window that opened to the sea with a great desire to know what the businesse might be but unable at that distance to discern the countenance of these transformed people they did with some delight lend an ear to the Musick that seemed to presage some good fortune unto them and whilest they thus suffered their souls to be drawn out at their ears a damsell came to enform them that there was a Dwarf desired admittance to advertise them of some affair which neerly concerned them wherupon having commanded him to be brought in they withdrew from the window to understand what the Dwarf would say unto them who being too well taught for to fail Argenea in her design presented himself with much respect and having made an humble obeisance with a cheerfull countenance he said to the Empresse Richardâ— Madam what will you give me for the contentment which my coming will bring you The Emperour Spheramond with his cousin Amadis d' Astre is at the foot of this Castle but because they have in their company a beautifull Princesse whom they chanced to meet with at sea that will not land this evening in regard she desires to visit you to morrow with the more magnificence they humbly beseech you not to be displeased with their retardment in saluting you since it is against their wils and only to discharge themselves of the promise they have made to this Lady They have reason to keep their word answered Richarda who was transported with joy and content noâ— will I render them perjured by commanding them to come hither But let me not live if I go not my self to visit them though for a penance I serve in the morning to glorifie the triumph of this forrein Beauty they bring with them Having then caused their horses to be brought she went down to the haven accompanied only with her sister and one maid where seeing the lovely face of her Husband she could
had of one of those Giants who switching them ever and anon with a wand said unto them with a terrible voice On on ye baggages or I will cut you in a thousand peeces These words and this action put Florimond into such a rage that immediatly he got into his lodging and finding his Squire by good fortune awake commanded him to saddle his horse with all expedition armed himself and never minding the Knight of the Palms who was fast asleep in an inner chamber mounted on his steed and straightway galloped after the Giants In the mean time Arnides having heard the noise was got forth to know the cause thereof where seeing Florimond depart in such haste and understanding part of this adventure by his Squire he suddenly returned in to Altidamantâ— chamber and pulling him by the arm for to awake him he said unto him Do you sleep Sir whilest others are upon brave emploiment For Gods sake arise and ride after Florimond who to succor certain damsels that are led away captive by three Giants hath put himself into a danger out of which he cannot escape unlesse he be generously assisted At these words Alcidamant leapt out of his bed and whilest Arnides was making ready his horses hastily armed himself vaulted into his saddle and spurred as hard as he could drive afâ—er Florimond who having made wonderfull speed had overtaken the Giants just as the Sun began to appear These three Colosses seeing themselves pursued but by one Knight alone fell a laughing outright and continued on their way as it were disdaining to draw their swords but one of them not able to endure this presumption turned him about and said unto the others This Woodcock will needs be taken in the net which we have not pitcht for him go you on I le soon give him his pâ—sport and be with you presently Wherupon drawing out his curtelax he attended Florimonds approach and seeing him come running at him with his lance in his rest he thought to have slipt aside and cut it in two howbeit he was not so quick but that he was surprized and encountred with such force as he was fain to recoil two or three steps back for to save himself from falling which put him into so great a fury that cursing his Gods he advanced to cleave him in twain But Florimond resolving to fight with judgement and not with passion lightly avoided the blow and letting it fall to no purpose gave his enemy so home a thrust under the left arm that it entred three fingers deep into his body When as the Giant beheld his armor all besmeared with bloud he was ready to burst with choler and rage and lifting up his heavy curtelax he laboured to let it descend on Florimond who knowing that death attended on that weapon somtimes leapt aside and somtimes slipt under his enemies arm so making it still to fall in vain This combat growing more cruell and furious through the force and dexterity of these warriors it continued so long till the incomparable Alcidamant came galloping to them who staying to behold the fight Florimonds Squire said unto him Alas Sir you see not the worst of the adventure in this combat two monsters like to this heer have carried away certain Ladies who are sure to be ravished by them without your assistance I will die said Alcidamant before that shal be and if their safety may depend on me no man els shall run the hazard of their deliverance but my self Heerwith he posted away and rode almost an howr without discovering that which he sought for wherupon beginning to fear lest he should fail of his enterprise in regard he was entring into a great and spacious forrest he heard the cries of a woman that sounded very brief amidst the silence of those woods turning then to that part whither the voice seemed to call him he approached to certain oaks under the which he saw a Giant that held five damsels bound with a cord and another more dreadfull then he who strove to violate a maid fair beyond excellence and which made those outcriâ—s he had heard By heaven said he aiming the point of his lance at this Giants throat I will be as good as thou art wicked this steell shall be the death of thee that art so base as to go about to ravish a woman that infinitely deserves to be served How now said this proud Giant darest thou offer to disturb me from enjoying a pleasure wherein I placed a sovereign happines By all my Gods I le teach thee better manners and respit thy death no longer then to the first blow I shall give thee whereupon drawing out his curtelax he thought to divide the Knight of the Palms in two peeces but he was turned aside to receive the encounter of the other who having tied those damsels to the foot of a tree ran furiously at him with his lance charged Their encounter was dangerous Alcidamant somwhat astonished had much ado to keep his saddle but he more fortunat past his lance quite through the body of his enemy who was overthrown dead in the place and that in good time for the first Giant arriving the mean while gave him so terrible a blow that it made his head bow to his saddle bowe great was the pain that he felt therby but raising up himself more furious then ever he had been in all his life he gave his enemy so dangerous a stroak on his shield that his arm being too weak to sustain the brunt of it carried it to his head with such violence that it made him knock his chin agâ—inst his breast and see a thousand stars more then ever he had beheld The Giant amâ—zed therewith advanced his heavy curtelax again but the Knight of the Palms not intending to abide the fury of it slipt aside and seeing that his choler made him to neglect the guarding of himself he discharged so mighty a blow on his left arm that it made way to the quick and gave him a great wound a little under the elbow Wherupon the Giant entring into extream rage would have closed with his enemy but the point of Alcidamants sword made another deep entrance into his body so that not able to get within him as he desired he had recourse again to his cimiter wherewith he laid about him more dangerously then before This while the damsell who had seen her self so neer to be ravished was got up and having unbound her companions was fallen on her knees heartily praying unto heaven to assist their Knight and beginning to be in some hope by the death of the first Giant and the bad estate whereinto the other was reduced she observed this valiant Knight of the Palms admired his addresse and force and comparing him to God Mars it begot a well willing in her towards him which by little and little converting into love made her wish him the victory that so she might be liable to a recompence
the desire I have to do you service I am your most humble servant Dorigell Prince of the Fortunate Island and more contented for meeting you heer at this time then I could have been for the conquest of any enemies Empire With these words they embraced as if they had not been together in a long time before and were about to draw toward the other two Knights to give them thanks for their succours when as they who knew them came to them with all demonstrations of respect My Lords said they give us leave to kisse your victorious hands as those which will ever depend upon you You see heer Amanio d'Astre and Silvan brought hither by most strange means but exceeding happy in that our arrivall hath not been altogether unusefull to you Then unlacing their helmets they would have humbled themselves to Spheramond but he embraced them with such expressions of love as more could not be The entertainment of these fowr Knights having lasted a while they all entred the Castle and having shut the gates they were conducted by the two Knights whom they had saved to the prisons from whence they enlarged thirty or forty Knights amongst the which were Parmenian of Cyprus and Ladazan of Numidia who determining to seek adventures abroad had left the Army the evening before their dislodging and as their fortune directed them met neer the Castle of the twelve Towrs where they were surprised by two of the Giants who having astonied them with two blows enclosed them in a Dungeon with an intention ere long to sacrifice them to their Gods in satisfaction of Argeneaes revenge The content of these Princes was not small in having thus delivered two of their friends nor did they take care for any thing more then how to find out some one that could dresse their wounds For Dorigell was hurt in three places Spheramond very much bruised with the blows he had received the goodnesse of his arms having arrested the edge of his enemies swords and Amanio d'Astre had a slash on his shoulder nothing so dangerous as great but instantly they had word brought them that at the gate there was a Dwarf who desired to speak with them Let him in said Spheramond his presence will not affright us only have a care that he be not followed by any other For the two Knights we spared have assured me that three of the guard of this Castle are yet abroad and that it is likely they will return this evening The Sentinell then perceiving no body but the Dwarf opened the gate and from thence he was brought to the Princes where at first addressing himself to Dorigell he said Do you know me Sir Knight Yes truly said Dorigell you gave me yesterday the best horse and the bravest shield in the world for which curtesie you may ask of me what you please and be assured you shall not be refused in any thing that lies in my power I do not come hither answered he to request any reward for my service but to do you some more Go I pray you presently to bed together with these Princes that are hurt and I will dresse you For knowing that your wounds would extreamly incommodate you without looking to I am come to cure you You have already done so much for me said Dorigel that I will not now refuse your assistance neither for my self nor my friends Making then three beds to be set up in one Chamber that the time might seem the lesse tedious unto them they went to bed and were drest by this Dwarf who enjoining them to rest till the morning went out with Silvan that took upon him the charge of the Castle appointing Parmenian of Cyprus and Ladazan of Numidia to keep the watch with twelve Knights for fear of being surprised But little need there was of that care for the day came on and nothing appeared to disturb them Now were all these Princes risâ—n as whole and sound as if they had not been hurt at all the evening before and much wondring they could not see their Chyrurgian that was not any more to be found when as the Sentinell brought them word that he saw a Chariot come almost to the gate wherein were three Giants and three Ladies who fild the aire with sighs and lamentations but that withall there appeared a brave and able Knight that made no difficulty to set on the Giants for the relief of those afflicted women Thereat the Princes cald for their arms fearing lest that Knight should not be able to withstand the fury of those monsters and therefore made all the haste they possible could The yong Silvan who was first ready knowing the Giants to be on foot went out only with his sword in his hand wherewith he entertained his enemies in so rude a fashion aided by the valiant Emperour of the Parthians that followed him as he made them not only despair of the victory but stand in fear of a neer approaching death The Knight whom before they had circled about seeing himself so well and beyond his hope seconded did so gallantly bestir himself and charged him that opposed him with such fury as the grasse round about him was died with his bloud In like sort Silvan entreated his man and Spheramond gave his enemy not so much leasure as to breath but the honour of this combat was so well disputed with them as they could not vaunt to have lent any thing but upon very good pawns He that fought with the first Knight despaired of his safety and defying heaven for being so ill intreated by one man alone took his curtelax in both his hands and discharged so violent a blow on his adversaries helmet that he laid him in the dust altogether deprived of sense That blow naving given him some hope of victory he was going to disarm him but having in that rage and straining of himself spent all his bloud and strength he reeling tumbled down on the other side with apparant signes of death Spheramond that had observed the misfortune of the Knight whoÌ„ he thoght to be dead was so transported with choler that griping his sword fast in his hand he made it descend with such fury on the cask of his enemy as dividing it together with his head in two pieces he laid him stark dead upon the earth Thence presently flying to the Knight that lay extended by the slain Giant he unlaced his helmet to see if he yet breathed and found it was the beauteous Savage who feeling the freshnes of the air immediatly opened her eies His amazement to see her there was no lesse then his content to find her with some remainder of life but thinking that she stood in more need of succour then of complement he went about to help her up when as remembring the combat she had begun she rose with such force and agility as made them all to wonder that beheld her and laying hold of her sword that was fastned to
to be idle took their leaves of the new mâ—â—ried couple and not having forgotten their way to the Bark they put to sea again committing the care of their voyage to those sages that had been their conductors thither CHAP. XIX The arrivall of the Pagan Princes in the Empire of Trebisond the fight between the Greek Princes and them at their landing the assault given to the town and the resolution that the Pagans took THE Queen Alastraxerea being advertised as I have related that Fulgoran armed the Pagans against the Empire of Trebisond did all that a warlike and discreet Lady could do to crosse the designes of the enemy the ports were fortified the townes furnished with munition and souldiers and the fields covered with a number of gallant Knights On the other part Fulgoran was not idle for upon the return of Gonzaldin whom Russian and Esquilan had defeated when they succoured Dorigell and the gentle Amanio d' Astre he drew together the forces of Canabea to the number of thirty thousand men and those which King Dardanor had sent him being about fourty thousand more together with the troops of the Prince of Calican of thirty thousand with these forces consisting of threescore thousand horse fourty thousand foot and two and twenty furious Giants who alone thought themselves able to coâ—quer the whole world he embarked himself to go meet with those of the great Cariffe of Africa and the King of Coriza amounting to foursoore thousand horse and thirty five thousand foot in whose company they sailed together with so fair a winde for three weeks space as they began to make the land of Trebisond The valiant Alastraâ—erea who looked daily for them and therefore held in readinesse some forty thousand horse besides sufficient garrisons for the townes being by frigates of advice informed of the approach of this mighty Fleet presented her selfe with her forces at the Port. And determining bravely to dispute with the enemy his first footing upon her territories attended while the winde should bring them to shore The skirmish then began to grow hot on both sides the Christians encouraged by the presence of that valorous Princesse who like a flash of lightning made her way through as many enemies as she encountred bestirred themselves very bravely and standing very firm upon the shore would have made a strange butchery of their adversaries if Fulgoran accompanied with Florimond Bruzanges and the fair Arifleura had not leaâ—'d to land in spight of all resistance and the King Dardanor the Cariffe of Africa with twelve Giants done the like in another place these Knights clearing the place with incredible fury in a short time made room for more then twenty thousand men to land who seconding the Giants that ruined all before them they made the Christians give ground when as five Knights armed in white presenting themselves with their lances in their rests gave in upon the enemy with such courage as they raised the spirits of those who before trembled with fear these five joyning with Alastraxerea who seemed a Fury to the Pagans maintained the fight a long time howbeit the greatest part of the Army being landed Alastraxerea thought good to make her retreat but still fighting wherein she was weâ—l seconded by the arrivall of two Knights in gray armour who at the same instant flying in among the enemies presently laid two horrible Giants dead upon the earth and rendred themselves so redoubted to the other Knights as they durst not come near them this retreat so full both of courage and discretion bred admiration in their enemies which extolling the valour of the Christians mourned for their own losse being but too great for a first encounter for in the sea and on the shore fell about thelve thousand men and four Giants besides the Kings of Coriza and Romeria dangerously wounded whereas the Christians got off with the losse of two thousand men The army thus landed the Citie was presently invected the Pagans fortifying their camp with more judgement then ever any of their forces had done before upon any Christian land and as one side made their preparations for an assault the other disposed themselves to make a gallant defence Alastraxerea finding her selfe assisted by the five Knights who were Perion of Turkie Florizart of Taprobana Quedragant Florertan and Dardaniâ— as also by these two thunderbolts of warre in the gray armour which were quickly known to be Russian of Media and the brave Esquilâ—n of Polonia thought herself much more assured then before and therefore was lesse afraid to skirmish with the enemy so as no day passed without the death of some and for the most part of the Pagans who more guided by rage then judgement did hazard all to get nothing which so vexed Fâ—lgâ—â—â— seeing his people diminish as much as the honour of the Christians augmented he resolved to lose all or win all and therefore he disposed his forces for an assault commanding them either to die or vanquish to which end having caused a great number of ladders to be prepared he went himselfe the formost to the fight being followed by his Giants by Florimond Bruzanges Dardanor the great Cariffe and the Kings of Coriza and Calican when as advertisement was given him that a great fleet of Christians was under saile entering the harbour These newes made him pause a while for Captains cannot without blame despise any intelligence brought them but being no lesse wise then couragious he commanded the Kings of Coriza and Calican to take six of the Giants and an hundred thousand men to attacque the town whilst with the rest of the armie in good order falling out of his trenches he marched to the shore where Florizel accompanied with the incomparable Emperour of the Parthians whom he had a little before met at sea was landing with fourscore thousand men This brave Prince seeing such a multitude of enemies instantly drew his forces into Battaglia and not intending to give his opposites leave to discover that the half of his people were not yet disembarked he advanced together with Spheramond and the gallant Amanio d' Astre encountring Fulgoran so furiously that their horses not able to bear the shock fell backe three or four paces to come on again afterward with the greater violence Spheramond running against one of the Giants passed his lance clean through his body Amanio d' Astre having made Florimond of Canabea to lose his stirop on the other side the Cariffe of Africa Bruzanges and the Giants finding none but ordinary Knights in their way made so great a slaughter of them that without the assistance of Spheramond who came in to their aid with ten thousand men the Christians had suffered much but his arrivall stayed the fury of the Pagans in such sort as they began to give him ground which Fulgoran perceiving who then was combatting Florizel with so much valour as he was amazed at it he delivered such a dangerous blow upon his helmet as
the favour of their Archers threw out bridges and ladders to get to the strand But the Christian Princes and those brave Knights received them upon their lances made them tumble into the sea as fast as they left their ships and not fearing their Archers who but very seldome pierced their Arms put themselves into the water the better to make use of the swords The fight then begun to be very cruell for the Giants and the Kings in a rage to see the water died red with the bloud of their men leaped all at once on land in spight of all their enemies resistance and with them above fourty or fifty thousand men Then was the encounter very bloudy for as many Pagans as the swords of our Christian Princes did light upon found their graves in the sands and the catholiques had not a much better bargain under the scymiters of the Giants whereof two were at this first meeting slain and with them the Kings of Zambar Carthageâ—â— and Nabagazâ— Prigâ—â—leon and Fulgorâ—â— who desired to signalize their valour at their enemies cost cut in pieces all that they met with and followed by a multitude of people which were gotten to land they had fallen upon Alastraxerea's Squadron if Spheramond had not arrested the fury of Prigâ—â—leon and Silvan that of the King of Canabea These four Knights being thus incountred began a most furious combat during the which Alastraxerea the fair Savagesse Florian Dorigel Quedragant Altaria and Dardanio were on the one side gotten together to take the Giants in hand while their Knights made a strange massacre of the Pagans and on the other side Florizel Lucendus Esquilan Florestan Florizart Leonidas Melfort Sclarimond and some oâ— the most remarkable in the Army rendred themselves dreadfull even to those proud Knights who thought that all the men in the world assembled together were not able to resist their forces so that nothing was seen but dead bodies and horses on the ground The fight having thus continued above two hours with horrible slaughter Florisel perceiving a battallion of three or fourscore thousand horse which had landed below the place where they fought ready to charge him caused presently a retreat to be sounded being unwilling to engage himselfe amongst such a multitude of enemies And falling into the rear of his Army with all those brave Knights he bare off the fury of the Giants and the Kings who not enduring the losse they had suffered charged themselves like desperate men but seeing twenty thousand foot advance which Don Siâ—aldâ— and Garmant had drawn out to favour the retreat of the Christian Princes they made a stand and rallying themselves together went in good order to plant their Army before the towne Florizel having put the greatest part of his men into the fortifications which he had caused to be made and the rest into the town desired to know what this battell had cost him and by the report of the Captains he found that seven thousand Christianâ— were dead on the place but he was advertised by the spies which he had in the â—nemies camp that the Pagans had lost two and twenty thousand men fifteen Giants and thirteen Kings at which they were so enraged that if it had not been so neer night they would not have tarried till the next day for giving the assault to the town yet necessity enforcing it they were glad to set a good face on the matter for fear of disanimating their Souldiers promising themselves to do wonders upon the first occasion since their Army was now out of feate of the sea and that they might fight at large upon firme ground But they were beguiled in their hopes for the Greeke Princes who well knew how to follow their fortune and to vanquish as well by industry as courage gave them a new occasion of despight as I will presently deliver CHAP. XXXI The wonderfull deeds of Armes that were done both in a sally and in the assault given to Constantinople with the great losse that the Pagans suffered by an Army newly arrived in favour of the Christians THis mighty Fleet of enemies having landed as hath been told you passed the night without any rest being imployed in setting up of tents and making retrenchments for their security so that about the break of day the fortifications being finished the Souldiers tired with the sea as well as with their precedent labour and besides pressed with an extream desire of sleep laid themselves downe to take a little rest but they were quickly rowsed for the Princes of Greece being infatigable and ever casting for the victory and how to weaken their enemies having withdrawn to the town for to cheer up those timerous Princesses after they had supped went to counsell where the couragious Florisel remonstrating in few words what benefit would result from a surprisall of drowsie enemies determined to get to horse before Sun rising and meaning to play his game with as much losse and hazard of the enemy as he could he gave order that Spheramond should â—ally forth at the east port with ten thousand choyce horse the two Cenophales the brave Esquilan of Poland Perion of Turkie Florian and Tristor of Sopradisa that the Prince Lucendus with the like number should fall out of the south port followed by Silvan the fair Savagesse Quedragant Florestan Agrian Alteria and Dardaniâ— and that at the same time he would be in the fild with twelve thousand horse in the head of which should be the valiant Dorigel Florizart Frizel Abies Melfort Armond and Leonidas appointing the Queen Alastraxerea to be ready with two thousand horse to favour his retreat as also Parmenian of Cyprus with the like number to support Spheramond and Ladazan of Numidia to do as much for the Prince of France if the enemies approched to the walls Things being in this sort disposed and direction given to such as were to be of the party every one withdrew till the houre appointed when as they sallied out with a designe to make a strange havock among the Pagans The first that began to stirre was the invincible Emperour of the Parthians who findâ—ng the enemy sleeping and almost disarmed did such execution on them as the fild was all strewed over with dead bodies Prigmaleon Fulgoran who were asleep in their arms but a great way asunder hearing this fearfull alarm presently took each of them ten thousand horse which they held ready about them for all occasions and joyning together went to oppose the violence of these indomptable Greekes who bare all down before them when as a fresh noyse on the south side made them make a stand as uncertain which way to bend themselves but being met just at that instant Prigmaleon with fifteen Giants and twelve Kings who had put themselves into his troop whilst the others took care of drawing the rest of the forces to Arms turned to that side where Spheramond acted wonders desiring Fulgoran to encounter the enemy which
assurances usuall in such cases This Ticket being delivered to Don Florisel that kept his bed of two hurts he received the young Knights which desired nothing more then to win honour and glory pressed forward to be of the number of the combatants perswading themselves that Florisel would not refuse this offer but he that by the relation of his spies was assured how the Emperour had the estimation of a very valiant Prince and that his seconds were of the most redoubted Giants in the world made some difficulty at first of accepting it for he thought that this combat would be of great importance to the Pagans if they went away with the honour of it howbeit withall considering that to put it off with an excuse would blemish the reputation which in so many occasions he had purchased he promised the messenger that he would give his Master all possible satisfaction and that he would command the field to be chained in and that for assurance he could give him no greater assurance then his faith and the continuâ—tion of the truce The messenger being thus dispatched and highly pleased with this answer and the brave gallant demeanour of the Princes which he exceedingly commended to the Emperour as most worthy of the fame that ran of them Florisel desiring his friends not to be displeased if they were not comprised in the number named for the first of the combatants Silvan with Amanio d' â—stre Esquilan Ginoldan Perion These five Princes more pleased with this election then the possession of a Kingdom went presently to view their arms and preparing themselves like good Christians they attended the next day with much impatience which no sooner appeared to the infinite contentment of both parties but the Emperour of Melly came into the field in the midst of four dreadfull Giants matching in so grave and majesticall a fashion as his carriage did well denote his greatnesse and on the otherside the Christian Princes so gallantly presented themselves that every one took pleasure in beholding them The Iudges who were the valiant Alastraxerea and the beautious Arâ—â—eura Aunt to Fâ—lgoâ—an having divided the Sun between them Silvan charged his lance against the Emperour and the rest in like sort doing the same at the third sound of the trumpets they suriously set spurs to their horses meeting in the midst of their course so bravely that they were all overthrown to the earth without any other hurt then onely the astonishment of their falls but they lay not long there for getting up with exâ—ream rage to be so disgraced â—â— the of presence such great Princes they began to charge one another with such mighty blows that all the shore resounded with the terrible nâ—ise thereof The Princesses of Greece who stood upon the walls to encourage the Christians seeing the fury of the lances past were not a little glad for that the enemy had nothing to boast of in that encounter and began to observe with what dexterity those brave Knigâ—t avoided the horrible blows of the Giants who suffering themselves to be transported with choler which moved but heavily by that time the combat had lasted an hour when our Knights seemed to have drawn fresh forces out of their labour Silvan calling to minde that he was before the flower of all the Knights in the world laid such furious blows on the great Emperour of Melly and he again charged him with so much force and valour as all men were amazed at the cruelty of their fight On the other side the vaâ—iant Amanio d' Astre Ginoldan and their fellows acted wonders against their adversaries and now was their armour on both sides died red with their own bloud when as the Gianâ— Fulmander with whom Perion fought delivered so terrible a blow on his enemies shield that being unable to resist the violence thereof it was divided into two pieces and the point of the sword falling on his helmet laid him quite astonished in the dust Silvan beholding that terrible blow discharged so sound a one on the Empâ—rour of Melly that with a great wound in the head he deprived him of sense and suddenly running tâ— Fulmander who was driving at Ginoldan behinde he struck him so couragiously on the arm that both it and his sword flew together to the ground In the mean time Perion having leisure to rise approached to his enemy who was taking his scymiter in his left hand and smote him with such violence as he laid his head at his feet This combat thus ended he set himself to observe Ginoldan Amanio d' Astre and Esquilan who fought wiâ—h admirable dexterity and every minute drawing from the Giants bloud and enfâ—ebling them as he concluded their victory to be infallible but he was wonderfully amazed at the fury of Silvan and the Emperour of Melly who not regarding their wounds continued battering one another with unspeakable cruelty The fight having lasted two howrs and more in this outragious manner Silvan that could not endure to have the victory disputed with him so long took his sword in both his hands and discharged it with such fury on his enemies helmet as he laid him on the earth where when he had him he presently put the point of his sword to his throat making him confesse that he was overcome And just at the same time Amanio Ginoldan and Esquilan had their enemies heads in their hands whereupon the Christian Conquerers were conducted to the town with a world of triumph and the Emperour of Melly with the bodies of the four Giants carried to his tent to the extream discontent of the Pagans who then vowed either to die or totally to ruine the Princes of Greece Neverthelesse within a little while a strange mutation of things happened as I will presently tell you CHAP. XXXIV The Fountain of Lovers comes to Constantinople and what Knights began the triall of it BOth the Armies taking breath under the favour of the truce and every one keeping within their trenches that they might not give any cause of jealousie to their enemies one morning two Lions were seen to passe thorow the Pagans Army which drew a little edifice of marble from the top whereof there fell a pure and cleare water into a Fountain cut into five angles two arches were at the ends of it upon one of the which there hung a most excellent fair sword and on the other one of the richest helmets that ever was seen under them two Knights appeared of a warlike aspect and in the midst was a corniche of indifferent greatnesse where sat a Damsell that in her left hand held the rains with which she governed the beasts and in her right a little golden wand wherewith sometimes she touched them to make them go This object arrested the eyes of those forrain Kings with wonder to behold so rare a thing and gladly they would have seen the Lions take their way into their teeth that they might have had the content to have
to me how my arms should never recover this burning hue that first it had till my kindred were known I did my duty to the Emperour Don Râ—gel my Lord with whom it was that I had fought and besought him that he would not refuse me the name of Father protesting that I would indeavour to render my self worthy of that grace To what end should I particularize all that then passed amongst us The Prince of Aethiopia and my self were received with so much kindnesse as that I in regard of the obligation of bloud and nature wherein I am tied to them and he for the â—â—â—ity which he means to contract with them are come out of Constantinople with a purpose to beseech you as humbly we do that for our sakes you will raise the siege as you came hither at our intreaties in recompense whereof time I hope will furnish us with occasions to serve you and one day return you the favour which now you shall do us This said Prigmaleon and he stood up expecting when one would speak for the rest But perceiving them to be all silent they modestly retired and with them Bruzâ—nges Florimond Grandimore and the unknown Knight beleeving that their presence hindered them from taking some resolution in an affair of that consequence They being come then out of the room the other Princes were a great while in dispute some advised that every man should repair to his home remonstrating that to persist any longer in that siege would be their manifest ruine since they had lost those two Princes who joyning their forces with the Christians they could hope for nothing but a totall destruction of their Army Howbeit this opinion nothing approved of the rest perswaded the prosecution of their enterprise affirming that now to give over after so much labour and charge would prove the greatest basenesse that might be yet considering the importance of those two Armies which might much offend them in case they should turn to the enemy they resolved to cut them in pieces the next night and afterwards to do as occasion should invite them This concluded upon all those Kings rose from Counsell and one of them went to Prigmaleon Fulgoran to tell them that the votes being equall they had put off the resolution to the day following You mâ—y do therein as you think good said they But if you would well consider the event of things and the means you have to oblige us by it you would be carried more readily â—o it then you are whereupon going away with Florimond and the unknown Knight who would needs accompany them to them to the City they took leave of Bruzanges and Grandimore and returned to the Greek Princes who made it appear that they cared not much whether the enemy continued stil before their wals or was on the sea returning homeward since they had drawn from them the best part of their strength Renewing then their feasting and sports they passed away the day with all delight till toward evening when as word was brought that there was a Knight at the gate who desired to speak with Prigmaleon Let him come in said Florisel it may be he comes to be merry with us as being weary of lying so long in his tent and seeing nothing but arms Vpon this command the Knight was brought into the room where kissing a paper which he had in his hand he presented it to Prigmaleon from the King of Zizinia who having opened and read it said to him Knight your master tells me that the businesse being of importance he hath committed it onely to your fidelity let us know then I pray you what the matter is More I assure you answered he then you imagine and by the care my Master takes of you you may perceive how much he loves you He was this day present at the Counsell wherein it was concluded to cut your troops and those of Canabea in pieces but he not intending to be a traitour to you nor able to endure such wickednesse hath advertised you of their designe to the end that with the assistance of your new friends you may turn that hurt upon them which they intend to you He will favour your enterprise nor shall his men draw a sword against you and when the alarm is given he will draw to the sea side and embark his souldiers It rests now that you make good use of the advertisement that he givees you and carry the matter with such discretion as it may not be known that your enemies counsell is revealed by his means Assure him said Prigmaleon much amazed at the soul design of those Pagan Kings that I will die rather then prejudice him for the favour he doth me he doth indeed oblige me as you see but I will never be ingratefull and hope one day to require him in the mean time I will prevent this mischief if I can and beleeve it the traitours shall have no great cause to brag of their villany Having then acquainted the Greek Princes with the businesse he sent the unknown Knight to his quarter to give private directions to his Commanders and intelligence of the enemies designe Florimond having received the like Commission for the Canabeans with order to put on white shirts upon their arms that they might know their own men in the dark This Knight being returned to the Pagans Camp Don Florisel of Niquea desiring to let Prigmaleon know how much he esteemed his friendship seeing the night reasonable dark put thirty thousand horse out of the North-gate and divided them into two squadrons in one of which he commanded himself with Prigmaleon the two Cenaphales Lucendus Filadard Esquilan Gadard Dorigel Melfort Abies Armond Leonidas Florizart Dardanio The other he left to the leading of Don Rogel Spheramond Melinda Olidor Ginoldan Amanio Silvan Anaxander Floradin Perion Florian Tristor Quedragant Agrian and Florestan having all of them white linnen upon their arms now with his squadron he advanced towards Prigmaleons quarter and Rogel with the other toward Fulgorans But thinking it fit to stay till the fight began they made a stand about a mile off tarrying for nothing but the noise to make them give in upon them On the other side the Pagan Kings did not slumber for having made two battalia's of their men each of them of seventy two thousand horse and fourteen thousand foot they fell to march very quietly and thinking to finde the Aethiopians and Canabeans sleeping in their beds they charged furiously upon them but they were better entertained then they expected for the unknown Knight and Grandimore on the one party and Brazanges with his son Florimond Arfleura and Larâ—ella on the other who had kept their men in arms and in good order to fight gave them so rude a welcome that they presently knew that they were out of their reckoning The battell then growing sharp and the noise every moment increasing the Princes of Greece flew in among the enemies
from whence she took her way directly to the Court where finding Merodiana in her chamber she fell on her knees before her and beseeching her to be of good chear desired her hands to kisse for the good news she brought her Alas Cistenia said she with a sorrowfull countenance I know not what thou wilt say but the state whereunto I am reduced will not permit me to hope for much howsoever tell me I prethee wherein consist these good news In the arrivall of two Knights answered Cistenia the bravest and most valiant in my opinion upon the earth and that taking pitty of the wrong which this tyrant does you are come with a resolution to sucâ—our you How knowest thou that they are valiant said Merodiana since thou never sawst them fight I judge so by their brave carriage answered she and I may well say that you never beheld Knights of so gallant a disposition especially one of them that bears three Palms on his Shield He hath a marvelous good face an excellent shape and a brave warlicke countenance These are parts indeed common to many men said Merodiana and if the effect be answerable to the commendations thou givest him it may be I shall find some consolation in his presence But where hast thou left them Cistenia Fast by the enemies Camp answered she resolved to make way through it with their swords and give you some proof of their valour before they enter the towne and therefore do desire you to favour their retreat by sending forth four hundred Knights when the alarm shall begin among the the enemies Good gods said she make way through the enemies camp why thou amazest me Cistenia either they are mad men or valiant beyond expression Do not think answered she that this resolution of theirs proceeds from any rashnesse among all the qualities which recommend the Knight of the Palmes I have alwayes found him to be very discreet and advised wherefore I imagine that he hath undertaken this onely out of greatnesse of courage which makes him despise all common and inglorious designes I know not what will become of this enterprise said Merodiana but I will be most carefull to secure their retreat wherefore cause some of my Commanders to come hither Whereupon five or six of the chief of her Court presenting themselves before her she related unto them how two stranger Knights purposed to assail the enemies camp and therefore having commanded them to sally forth with the number they had required and to charge the enemy at such time as they should perceive any uprore in their camp she retired into her cabinet where she began to think of the speech which Cistenia had used concerning the Knight of the Palms Sometimes shâ— figured unto herselfe the beauty of his person and then again presently imagined that she saw him thundring amidst a squadron of armed forces and found herself possessed with I know not what kinde of good will towards him which converting into love made her infinitely desire the presence of this gallant Knight If he be worthy of me said she I am ready resolved to love him and his services are to attend their recompence in my favours But what if the eminence of his race should be responsible to my condition without doubt I would marry him and say he should be poor of means his vertue would supply that great default of fortune Well he must be seene and then time shall advise Saying thus she called Cistenia to help her to bed when as news was brought her that the enemies camp was all in a tumult She trembled at this report for she feared that her Knight would not bring his enterprizes to passe howbeit taking better heart she commanded her Câ—ptains to fally forth and put her head out of the window to see whether the Moon would discover her lover amongst a world of fighting men The noyse increased the camp was up in Arms the souldiers ran confusedly up and down Some asked what quarter it was that the enemy had assailed and with what numbers but no man could return any answer they knew not from whence their destruction came and their terrour was no lesse then if twenty thousand men had fallen upon their trenches The most part notwithstanding being advertised that two Knights only were the cause of this hurly-burly they returned into their tents laughing at their own fear and thinking themselves dishonoured for having been frighted by the temerity of two men In the mean time the two invincible Knights bestowed their blows with such fury that all passed under the edge of their blades they overthrew as many enemies as presented themselves before them cut off the arms of some divided the heads of others in pieces made so great a havock amongst them that every one feared their swords as if they had been thunderbolts the wayes were free none opposed their rage and if any one durst stand before them he was sure to be slain but with one blow Alcidamant many times observed that great Knight of the Lions so was Troilus named and seeing with what grace he massacred his enemies put the most confident to flight commended him as one of the valiantâ—st Gentlemen on the earth but the other wondred at Alcidamants dreadfull blows and thinking no mortall man was capable of so much force beheld him as a prodigie and worthy of all marvell The slaughter having endured above two howrs Merodiana's Knights appeared and gave so furiously on the enemy that with the feare they were in they layd above three hundred on the earth But the Gyant who would not stir forth upon the first bruit arriving thereupon Alcidamant and the Knight of the Lions put themselves in the Rear and causing a retreat to be sounded sustained the brunt of his troops untill such time as they had gotten to the walls from whence a thousand Crosse-bows discharged such a multitude of shot upon the enemy that he was constrained to retire extreamly vexed to have been so beaten by two Knights who seeing themselves within the gates demanded whether Merodiana were withdrawn to bed No answered Cistenia that came forth to receive them amidst the troops she attends you in her chamber for to begin the thankes which she owes to your valour So taking them by the hand she conducted them to the Court where Alcidamant finding Merodiana much fairer then Cistenia had described her would have saluted her upon his knees but she that through this warlicke countenance was strucken with the flashes of an unresistable beauty stayed him from doing so and said Valiant Knight in all right I ow that respect unto you if you would receive it from me for being come to the succour of an Orphan maid which expected nothing but death to avoid the violence of a wicked man I cannot use too much submission for to honour you but being fully resolved to shew my self more sensible of benefits then officious in my complements I will leave it to
another time and in the mean while do desire you to repose your selfe at leasure after such painfull tratravell Madam said Alcidamant I could dispute a long time with you upon that point where you would seem to be obliged when as you are not and could tell you that having done nothing whereunto I was not tied by the law of Knighthood I could not expect any thank for it no more then this good Knight that accompanies me but referring my reasons to such time as you shall be pleased to take for to speake unto us we humbly beseech you to accept of the little service which we shall do you You will every way remain invincible but Sir you must suffer me to say thus much in your presence that I am exceedingly indebted to your pity and so be pleased I pray you to let me shew you the lodging where you shall lie Then taking him by the hand she led them to a very fair and rich chamber notwithstanding all the intreaty the Knights made her to the contrary where having bid them good rest she retired so much besides her self that she walked up and down a long time without speaking a word Cistenia beholding her lost in this sort and guessing from whence it proceeded said unto her Wâ—ll Madam what think you of these Knights More a thousand times then thou hast reported of them said she and I cannot but confesse with grief that the beauty and goodly presence of him which carries the Palms hath made me in love O Madam said Cistenia I swear to you on my faith that I divined as much before and was confident that his sight would beget a desire in you to enjoy him I do not wonder at your captivity but it is to be well thought upon how you shall carry your self in this case for if you appear too facile you will give him cause to despise you if too harsh you will drive him away so that your actions must testâ—fie as much discretion as love O you philosophize daintily said Merodiana but we are not to speak of these matters now for time and occasions are to dispose of this busines come and let it alone and help me to make me unready Hereupon she laid her down hoping to take some rest but her bed grew irksome to her and a world of thoughts entertained her till morning when wearied with a thousand turnings that she had made in the night she fell fast asleep CHAP. XXXVIII The Knight of the Palms desires favours of Merodiana she promiseth to admit him into her bed he sets upon the enemies camp and returning victorious is received by her with a world of joy THE morning being far spent Merodiana got up and putting on far richer apparell then she usually wore for to appear with the more lustre and grace in the eyes of her lover she entered into the presence where the Knights attended for her and shewed her self with such a majesticall beauty that it made Alcidamant wonder at her which had never seen her be-before Alcidamant beheld her with some apprehension of love and advancing towards her with Troilus he would have kist her hand again but seeing him so lovely and observing a most extraordinary sweetnesse in all his actions she suddenly withdrew her hand and curteously returning his salute she asked him how he did Exceeding well Madam answered he and am ready with this Knight to go and visit your enemies again for to let them know that you no longer stand in fear of them I have caused the most part of your Captains to meet heer be pleased to take their advice with ours and permit us begin to serve you The time of their punishment is not yet come replied she and I shall desire you not to stir from hence untill the succours which I expect from the Iland of Silvana be arrived for if the chance of war should fall amisse on you I am sure that there would be no more hope left for me in the world wherefore refresh your selves a little after your travells past and if you will be but patient a while we will finde out entertainments to passe away the time withall Madam answered Troilus we are heer to obey your commandments and you may as freely dispose of us as of the simplest souldier in the town howbeit you would have done us a great deal of favour if you would have suffered us to have freed you instantly from the tyranny of your enemies and to have imployed our arms for that effect You shall have your desire said she but we must take time for it Discoursing in this manner there entered a souldier that came from the enemies Campe who recounting the slaughter which the two Knights had made of four hundred seventy and two Knights cut in pieces by them as they past along those excepted which fell upon the arrivall of the troops sent forth by Merodiana amounting to the number of three hundred as also the rage Fangomadan was in not so much for the losse whereof he made no great account as for shame that he was not able to arrest the fury of two men alone rejoyced all the Court which admired the exceeding valour of these Knights whom every one beheld as a wonder This talk continued untill dinner time when having sumptuously feasted them Merodiana fell into discourse of the war renewing the praises given unto these strangers but desiring extreamly to talk in private with him of the Palms she took him by the hand and leaning with him at a window which looked towards the enemies Camp she entertained him with such a grace that she soon triumphed over his liberty giving him no lesse passion then she had affection Fixing his eyes many times upon hers he observed most powerfull charms in them found wonders in the rest of her face and already feeling the violence of certain desires he would fain have discovered his disease to have gotten remedy for it but thinking that respect would advantage him more then boldnesse he contained himself within the bounds of modestie and was contented to speak with his eyes neverthelesse desiring to make use of opportunity and lay some foundation for his hopes he took occasion when this Princesse pointing to the enemies Camp said unto him that those fields would be witnesses of his valour to the end of the world to answer her in this sort If this small service doth please you Madam furnish me with means to do you greater and make me the happiest man living by permitting me to fight with your enemies under the savour of your commandments and as your Knight It were a crime to refuse you said she smiling wherefore I most willingly receive you but think now what you oblige your self unto for you are no longer in your own power all your desires being heerafter to depend wholly upon mine If I would have reserved any thing unto my self said he Madam I had not given you all my obedience shall render you
the leasure to put themselves in array The first that he encountred being dispatched all the Camp was in an uprore every place rang with crying Arm arm Heer ran the souldiers to their Colours there the Knights call'd out for their horses briefly all was in confusion In the mean time Alcidamant gained ground killed massacred cut off legs and arms and making large way to his Knights overthrew tents and pavilions putting the whole Camp in such fear that it was thought all had been lost Time necessitie having quickly ranged the enemy into order the most part of the armie conducted by Fangomadan went to fall upon Alcidamant when a new uprore began on the north side the troops felt themselves charged in flank and the slaughter grew so great that the formost squadrons betook them to flight Fangomadan amazed with this surprisall know not which way to turn himself finding the danger to be no lesse on the one side then on the other But being a man of courage and experience he presently drew out eight thousand men and sending them away under the leading of some of his most expert Commanders against the last commers he marched with the rest to arrest the fury of our Knight when as he being every way as wise as valiant caused the retreat to be sounded thinking it not fit to attend the shock of this Squadron and retired into the town maugre all that Fangomadan could do who cursing Heaven and Nature carried himselfe so furiously that not one of his favourits durst come neer him He would have turned head for to be revenged of the others whom he saw yet in the field but word being brought him that they also were retired he entred into his tent with a protestation to overthrow all his Gods and never to suffer his enemies to be at rest causing all things to be prepared then that seemed necessary for an assault he called his Captains before him and commanded them to die or take the Town vowing with strange menaces to cut them in pieces which should recoile but a step back and to give extraordinary recompences to such as should be valiant and couragious whereupon every man put himself in readinesse to fight But the Gyant thinking it fit to surprise his adversaries as he had been surprized by them forbore all preparations till night to the end the enemies should not be advertised of his designe who in the mean time little regarding his rage made Bonfires for joy of so glorious a victory which having cost them but threescore and five Knights had laid two thousand and six hundred of the contrary part dead in the place with infinite contentment to the beautifull Merodiana who received these gallants with so much kindnesse that they were almost ashamed of it CHAP. XXXIX Alcidamant amidst Merodiana's embraces is drawn away by Fangomadan who assaulted the Citie He sallies forth and with Troilus his assistance puts all the enemies Camp into disorder THE day being spent in feasting and bonfires to the generall satisfaction of all but Alcidamant who thought every minute to be a tedious year Merodiana retired herself and remembring the promise she had made her lover dismissed all her Ladies save onely Cistenia on whose fidelitie she altogether relied and seeing herself alone said unto her Cistenia being confident of thy faith I will discover a secret unto thee which very much concerns me The Knight of the Palms importuned me yesterday with such a grace that he made me promise to receive him this night into my chamber that so he might have the liberty to deliver his passions more freely wherefore I would have thee go and see whether every body be at rest that thou maist fetch him hither It were fit then said Cistenia that you went to bed That were a seemly thing indeed replied Merodiana for me to entertain his discourse in bed I le but give him the hearing for an howr or two at the most for a man may say enough in that time neither shalt thou stir out of the chamber the while O Madam said Cistenia how you deceive your self to think that a lover will be satisfied with words and let slip a favourable opportunity you must make your account otherwise and resolve upon some freeâ— course I think him to be vertuous but would I might not live if he should be such a dastard as to proceed no further then you speak of I would never look upon him with a good eye again Let me not be tâ—usted for any thing I shall say answered Merodiana if my promise be not limited with the condition that he shall not attempt any thing upon me without leave I veâ—â—ly think so said Cistenia neverthelesse I will not beleeve that â—ver he wil observe that respect unto you which if he should you would not be very well pleased with it Never blush for the matter I pray you nor â—issemble to no purpose place and occasion will be favourable to you make use of them as love shall advise you and think that once lost they are not so easily recovered again as also that neglect makes mâ—n oftentimes repent Go go said Merodiana laughing I shall find him so modest that it will never come to that passe By my faith answered Cistenia â—â— would be then to your grief howsoever let us leave off this discouâ—se and get you to bed that I may go about my businesse I think said Merodiana it will be best for me to do so for being at case I shall not be so troubleâ— with a pain that I feel in my head already Heer is the beginning of my prophâ—siâ— â—â—â—d Cistenia let me not live if the rest do not follow Whereupon uâ—dressing her Mistresse she put her hand upon her breâ—sts and in a waggâ—sh manner said O fortunate Knight of the Palms how should I envie thy happinesse were I a man What a content to feele these two delitious worlds What blisse to kisse so delicate a mouth And what infinite felicity to be united to this body the abstract of all the beauties of the earth The delights Madam which are prepared for him are preferrable to Empires and were it in my power to change sex I would never do it but onely to enjoy for one day such incomparable pleasures Merodiana not being able to forbeare laughing many times held her hand before 〈…〉 as if she were ashamed to hear her talk so but Cistenia knowing her mind well enough left her in her bed and went to Alcidamant who eâ—bracing her promised never to be ingratefull for so many services Their chambers not being far asunder he was instantly in that of Merodiana who seeing him come with such a grace was so moved that one might easily perceive by her face what her heart desired Mine honour said she unto him forbad me to see you at this time of night thus alone but your vertue hath prevailed with me wherefore sit down in this chair and then we will talk with
so furiously on the enemy that he obtains the victory with incredible slaughter THE fury of Fangomadan giving no further fear to Merodiana by reason of the assurance which she took in the arms of her lover her content was without care and heâ— joy without any doubt On the other side Alcidamant mingling a generous fire with the flâ—mes of love desired nothing more then occasion to fight that so he might equall his glory with the pleasures which he found in the imbraces of his Mistris Displeâ—sed then that Fangomadâ—n reigned so long and that his arms should imbroil the affairs of a people whom he could not chuse but love for his Ladies sake he resolved to coâ—bat him hand to hand and to that end going one day unto Merodiana for to undertake that businesse by her permission he was told that an Hâ—rauld was come to pâ—â—ley with the Princesse from Fangomadan Let him be admitted sâ—id Alcidamant it may he brings us good news Whereupon the Hâ—â—aâ—lâ— entring into the hall where Merodiana sat attended by the most part of her Captains without whose advice she would conclude nothing he said unto hâ—r Madam the mighty King of Licagena my Lord desiring to end this war which depends either on his life or on the lives of two strange Knights that are heer he defies them both togetâ—eâ— and will make triall of his person against them alledging that they are traitours that cunning is more familiar with them then force oâ— valour and that they fight not like good Knights further he desires that this combat may be performed under the walls of the City to the end you may judge whether he be not worthy of your love he permits them to make choice of the arms and protests that he will retiâ—e with his army if he be vanquished looking for no harder condition from you if he defeats them as he makes no doubt then that you are to expect from the sense which he saith he hath of your neglect or rather of the violence of his passion This speech wrought a strange confusion in the minde of Merodâ—ana who was not ignorant of Fangomadans forces and that for any thing in the world would not have exposed her lover to such danger so that she knew not what to answer when as Alcidamant kneeling down said unto her Madam if my services be of any consideration with you refuse me not I beseech you one boon the first that ever I have asked Knight said she exceedingly troubled and guessing at his designe I grant it you whatsoever it be howbeit think I pray you not onely of your own but of my peoples and particularly of my preservation That is the onely care I take answered he and there is nothing so dear to me as your safety Wherefore addressing his speech to the Herauld you may tell your Master that I was resolved to free this Countrey from his tyranny and that I am infinitly glad he hath furnished me with the means to do it I will encounter him to morrow under these walls with the arms common among good Knights namely the Lance and Sword not with a companion for generous and valiant men never fight with advantage but single and with courage enough to make him pay for the spoil which he hath made of this Princesse territories These words bravely pronounced no lesse amazed the enemy then the assistants who knowing how prodigious the strength of Fangomadan was could hardly beleeve that any one man durst threaten him much lesse present himselfe before him howbeit seeing with what assurance this valiant Knight spake and calling to mind what he had done in the passed encounters they beheld him as a wonder the most part with pitty as if his death had been fastned to the first blow he should receive from his enemy and others with some hope of good successe Merodiana being here with extreamly afflicted in her mind stood a good while beholding him with an eye that sufficiently testified the trouble she was in but doubting that thus she might offend him she set a good face on the matter and speaking to the Herault said unto him Friend this Knight hath given you your answer which I avow and to shew the confidence I have in him I am contented making no more account of my estate then his life that it be comprized within the hazzard of the combat and that this Iland be united to your Masters crown if he prove the victor reserving nothing but the power to dispose of my self according to mine own fancie if my Knight be flain The Herauld departing herewith Alcidamant kneeled down again and rendring a thousand thankes to Merodiana for her good opinion of him he promised her by Gods assistance not to deceive her hope Going then to his chamber for to visit his arms he â—aw a Damsell enter with a Dwarfe carrying a trunk on his shoulder who making him a very low reverence said Brave warriour the learned Nerea who loves you well knowing what is to betide you in your enterprises hath commanded me to give you this armour and to tell you that you should not be troubled for the losse of the Arms which she caused to be brought in to you in the wood where you were made Knight your former combats have made them in case to do you but small service in the businesse you have now in hand which hath induced her to furnish you with these new ones This is not the first favour she hath done me said Alcidamant having no way obliged her thereunto but you may assure her she may dispose of me when or however she pleaseth Whereupon having received from the Dwarfe a green cuirasse set all over with double hearts wherein appeared an A and a T an helmet of the same the richest that could be and a shield whereon were three Palms as in the other he was better pleased then if he had obtained a Kingdome howbeit he marvelled to see them so thin and light whereat the Damsell smiling said unto him Sir never wonder at that for my Mistresse hath caused them to be made so of purpose that you may fight with the lesse pain and more ease But if you dare not credit my words make triall of them your self and see if the strength of your arm and the goodnesse of your sword can open them Here with she vanished away leaving Merodiana no lesse amazed then contented who finding herself at night with her Knight could not forbear shedding of some tears at the remembrance of the danger wherein he was to be the next day Whereupon our Frenchman taking occasion to carresse her told her that she was not to afflict her self so nor consider the disproportion of his body and that of his enemy that vertue consisting in courage rather then in the largenesse of limbs she was not to doubt but that love would furnish him with new forces seeing her life and welfare were in question Comforting her thus with sufficient strong
reasons he rendred her fearlesse and her hope greater The time which he could stay with her being sweetly past away he retired to his chamber and slept two howrs at the end whereof the Sun growing somewhat high he arose armed himself with his rich armour wherein he seemed a Mars and going to take horse he was told that the forces of the Iland of Silvana amounting to six thousand choyce Knights were arrived New occasions said he then speaking to the Captains that followed him must have new resolutions this supply comes very opportunely and not to let them cool put them presently in battell aray with four thousand of ours the rest shall serve to guard the walls with the inhabitants but be sure to commence no fight till the combat between Fangomadan and me be ended my companion will take care to dispose of you as you should be Herewith the Knight of the Lions being particularly advertised of his designe gave his Lance that he carried in honour to his Squire and letting him go instantly ordained that which was to be done and put ten thousand men in order after he had given notice thereof to Merodiana who being richly attired was already on the walls for to encourage her lover and be judge of his valour I am resolved said she when she was acquainted with the busines in all things to follow the counsell of the valiant Knight of the Palms therefore let his command be executed The Knight of the Lions seeing his men disposed and being very well satisfied with this answer went out to behold the combat of his companion who finding the Giant in the Lists met him so roughly with his Lance that he made him â—lie to the ground himself remaining somewhat astonished with the encounter The Giant seeing himself overthrown contrary to his expectation rose sooner then could be imagined of so huge a masse of flesh and drawing out a great and weighty courtelax struck such furious blows at his enemy that the least of them had been able to have cut him asunder if he had received it but having avoided them with an admirable dexteritie he charged him so bravely both with point and edge that he amazed both the Armies The Giant stormed exceedingly for that he could not fasten one stroke on his adversary and casting a thick smoke out of the visor of his helmet he hindred himself from seeing where to place his blows whereas Alcidamant that fought with judgement spent not a minute unprofitably The first fury of these warriours having endured above two howrs the place was covered with the Giants Arms which went to pieces whensoever the rich sword of his enemy fell upon them the bloud trickled down from three or four parts of his body and that which carried his choller to the highest degree of rage was that his adversaries armour appeared entire Merodiana beheld this combat with strange motions if the Giants courtelax were aloft she feared the violence of it and she rejoyced when she saw it light without effect she considered the valour of her Knight admired his agility in saving himself from his enemies sword wondred at the force of the blows which he gave and above all took extream pleasure in the grace of his fight Am I not very happy said she to her self to enjoy a Knight the bravest of all that live and is it not exceeding glory for me to triumph over him under whom the strongest Giants of the earth are constrained to bow Yes without doubt and I doe not repent the giving of him that which he hath nobly gotten would to God Fangomadan were dispatched out of the way that my content might be perfect I would then embrace this gallant warriour and in despight of detraction declare before all that I love him infinitely Entertaining her selfe with these thoughts she fixed her eyes upon him and perceiving the Giant to be more unweldy and her lover far abler as she conceived then at the beginning of the combat she was transported with excesse of joy This while Alcidamant pursued his advantage charged his enemy more furiously then before and observing that Merodiana beheld him accused himself for being so long defeating a man in the presence of her whose favours had made him most happy Vext then then to see the victory so long disputed he took his sword in both his hands and letting it fall terribly on his enemies shield he so astonished him that he made him reel three or four steps backward whereupon taking his advantage he redoubled such a dangerous blow on his head that he cleft it in twain to the unspeakable contentment of Merodiana and her subjects who seeing the good Knight of the Lions in the head of their troops set forth in good array and following the Conquerour of the Giant who made them way with his sword they fell so furiously upon the enemies amazed with the death of their master that they slew above two thousand at the fiâ—st bout the rest betook themselves instantly to flight where the slaughter was so great that of seventeen thousand there escaped not fully two hundred who got to the Armie of Fangomadans cousin relating unto him the absolute defeature of the other forces with the death of the King which put him into such a rage that drawing all the garrisons out of the strong places which he held into one body of an Army he resolved to affront the Conquerours and in their overthrow revenge the losse of his companions Advancing then whilst the two strangers refreshed themselves with the Armie which commended them to the skies and especially him of the Palms whom they would fain have adored if he would have permitted it he presented himself three dayes after before Alfarta where the fight commencing by light skirmishes grew so hot upon the arrivall of the two invincible warriours who were accompanied with eight hundred horse that they came to a generall battell in the which the army of these new enemies greater by the half then the former were all cut in pieces by the exceeding valour of Alcidamant and his companion who thundring wheresoever they went assured their souldiers made them fight without feare and so terrified their adversaries that they were dead before the swords of these lightnings of warre fell upon them The enemies being in this manner utterly defeated the whole Island reverted to the obedience of the fairest Merodiana who daily found out new entertainments for her lover and having no other care but to please him held her selfe the happiest Princesse of the world CHAP. XLI The Infanta Silvana falls in love with Alcidamant goes from her Iland to Merodiana for to see him and having found him a hunting she enjoyes him by a notable trick THE people breathing now in peace after so many troubles the Companies were discharged and especially those of the Iland of Silvana who giving account to their Mistris of the successe of the war so published the praises of the Knight of
Mistris shal make him think of me Verely said Rozalmond I hold him as ingratefull as valiant since he hath broken his word with you and be assured Madam that I wil fight with him again upon this quarrel whensoever I can meet with him and if fortune favour me I wil bring him back to you Your good wil doth much oblige me answered she but if you desire to do me a pleasure forbear the execution of your intent for the Combat between you could not be determined without an irreparable loss wherefore if you have any compassion of my suffering rather counsel him to remember his vowes the favour which he hath received from me and making him sorry for abusing them represent unto him that my Crown one of the richest and bravest of the earth may arrest the ambition of any Gentleman how great soever he be This speach was finished with tears but being comforted by Rozalmond who promised to use his best art and all the arguments he could think upon to give her desire content she dryed her eyes and returning into the Hall she sate down to dinner with him intreating him a little after to make some abode in her countrey wherunto he having willingly assented she carryed him the next day to the Capital Citie of her Kingdome where she did him all the honour she could possibly devise sometimes entertaining him with Masques and Shews and at other times with Iousts and Turnaments wherin he so behaved himself that Merodiana being advertised thereof requested him to come and see her Leaving Silvana then in much griefe for his departure he went unto her sister who insensibly forgetting Alcidamant was so taken with the beauty and comeliness of this Prince that she took no greater care then to render her selfe more amiable with the grace of clothes and dressings though nature had made her excellent that way for to win him to love her but he that had a constant soul and that was wholly given up to his Armazia was nothing moved with her passion howbeit fearing lest his faith at length might waver by the continuall pursuits of this beautifull Queen who questionless had charms of power to captivate the heart of the coldest affection he resolved to depart wherefore one day taking his leave which he had very much adoe to obtain he got him to Sea leaving so good an opinion of his valour in the Kingdoms of these two sisters as he was of no less esteem there then the famous Knight of the Palmes CHAP. XIV Rozalmond landing in the Kingdom of Clariana arrives by fortune at Alcidamants Grat he laments over his arms beleeving him dead and afterwards incountring him they become friends Rozalmond having wisely avoyded the danger of Merodiana's allurements rode all the day with a resolution to travell into Gardacia for to know whether time had defaced him out of Armazia's affection but fortune that meant otherways to dispose of his actions deferred the effect of this his intent and caused him to make another voyage more profitable and necessary for the good of Christendom Being imbarqued then in a Ship the wind which should have carried him one way drove him quite contrary another and brought him upon the coast of the Kingdom of Clariana where the Pilot for fear of a threatned Tempest making some stay he would needs go on shore to see the countrey accordingly getting on his Horse he spent two days without meeting of any adventure wherupon purposing to return to the sea he discovered a Brook whose sweet murmure invited him to alight under certain trees that grew all along the banks therof and cast a very pleasing shadow causing his Horse then to be tyed so as he might have the liberty to graze he walked so long up against the course of the stream that he found himself at the bottom of a Rock whereinto there was a pretty large entrance which gave him a desire to approach it for to see whether there were any thing within it worthy the employment of his courage but he was marvellously abashed to behold a little Crosse set up a good heigth under a tree for considering that this mark made glorious by the death of the Saviour of the world was not so much as known amongst these idolatrous people he was no lesse amazed thereat then at some prodigie howbeit finding some consolation in the hope he had to meet with Christians there he was passing in when as a new occasion of astonishment arrested him for at the foot of a tree he discovered a Cuirace an Helmet a Shield and other the arms appertaining to a Knight This Incounter possessing him with no lesse curiosity then the former had done with wonder he went presently and looking upon the Shield which was almost covered over with rust he perceived it to be that famous Ensign of the three Palmes made glorious by the honour of a thousand combats most generously performed by Alcidamant and assured himself that these were the arms which he had found invincible thorow the courage of his enemy Vertue that can do all in all with a noble spirit having changed this Warriors mind in a moment he could not forbear shedding of tears at the sight of so sad a spectacle Ay me said he kissing those Armes with a great deale of reverence how do I find you in a state most unworthy of your greatnesse why doe you no longer cover the body of that valiant Knight which so much honoured you You were odious to me always heretofore but now alas I pitty you as much as I have formerly hated you and as the world suffers a most irreparable losse in you so shall I grive eternally that you should remain thus of no use hereafter Wherupon laying all the pieces one upon another he took that excellent Sword which was gotten at the Castle of Serpents and that had shed many drops of his blood and having hung it on the bough of a tree he forth with passed into the Grot in the middest wherof he incountred a bank of green turfs raised in form of an Altar upon the which he beheld the portraiture of a Lady so exquisitely fair that he esteemed her no way inferiour to Armazia for perfection he continued a good while observing her by the assistance of a Lamp that was burning there but desiring nothing more then to meet with one that might tell him some news of this Knight whose death he greatly feared he went on and visited every corner of the Grot where finding nothing but a bed of leaves he returned forth incontinently and was going to fetch a walk under certain trees when as he espied a young Hermit in a long Gown of gray that was layd upon the grasse as it seemed to take some rest howbeit his griefe not permitting him to be silent he brake out thus Who shall hereafâ—er rely upon any thing in this world since I that had but one poor minute to passe for to see my self Master of
a shore with above fiftie thousand men maugâ—â— the resistance of their eneâ—iâ—â— they fell in amongst them making no less a slaughter then famished Wolveâ— doe amidst a â—â—ock of shâ—ep Howbeit this 〈◊〉 lasted noâ— long for Câ—â—â—ziâ—dâ— accompanyed with two Gyants â—lew upon them and meeting Arastrâ—n first she discharged so mighty a blow upon his Helmet as she made him reele again hurting him dangerously on the head wherwith the Pagan who was one of the proudest men in the world became so furious that advancing his Sword he let it descend with such a tempest on our Warrioâ—â—◠〈◊〉 â—s it cut off a good cantle of it and made a shrewd gash in his â—â—me on the other side the redoubted Soldan of Aralafia and Rifantes fought wiâ—h the Gyants as bravely In the mean season the whole fleet landed and the noyse increased in such sort as all the coast resounded therewith the Gyants cut all in pâ—â—ces Floridan and the Prince of France seemed to be thunder 〈◊〉 the Souldiers animated by their Captaines example some fell in the 〈◊〉 some on the earth briefly all was in confusion and the Sea shore was so covered with dead bodies that those which landed last could hardly pass for them Corazinda having a mightie opposite shewed all her skill but Arastron combatted so well that she had in everything her answer Brizardan and Rifantes were almost mad that they could not succouâ— their men and especially the valiant Souldan not enduring to be arrested so took his sword in both his hands and therwith struck his enemy so terâ—ibly as hee divided his head in twain from thence beholding Arastron to staggeâ— with a dreadfull blow which Corazinda had discharged on his Helmet hee smote her so dangerously on the shield that he made her bend with her knees to the ground where Rifantes having likewise dispatched his Gyant charged her at the very same instant with such violence as she was forced to save her self upon both her hands with very great jeopardie of her life nevertheless rising again with more rage then amazement shee went and gave the Souldan so huge a blow that she sent him to the â—arth with a great wound in the shoulder and so astomished that he quite lost the fight of the Sun and carryed with the same furie she had undoubtedly made an end of Rifantes had not the proud Arastron arrested the force of her blow with his shield which was cut in two peeces But this mighty Pagan much incensed to meet with one able to put his life in hazard so redoubled his strokes that accompanyed with Rifantes and Brizardan who was got up again and in the highest degree of rage Corazinda questionless had been much indangered had not those two brave Champions Floridan and Lucibel glorious by the death of certain Gyants by them defeated arrived in good time for her These two Princes seeing the evill plight Amadis was in being on his knees with three dreadfull blowes received all at once instantly discharged with such furie on Rifantes and Brizardan that they were constrained to turn head and defend themselves much amazed to meet with men contrary to their expectation strong and valiant enough for to arrest the greatness of their armes In this manner began a Combat between fix incomparable warriours which might have lasted long had noâ— our Christian Princes perceiving their troups in disorder by the valour of the Kings of Filzandria and Corniban with three horrible strokes delivered on their Enemies all at an instant so astonished them that they had leisure to remount upon their horses and set themselves again in the head of their squadrons with such a ruine of those they incountred as their people resuming new courage spake of nothing less then a retreat how beit these Princes being as advised as valiant put them presently in good order and retyred with them into their Trenches in despight of so many enemies having with incredible paines sustained the furie of those that pursued them This so prudent and couragious a retreat was much admiâ—ed of the enemie which commending the extream valout of the fair Slave and of the two strangers lamented the loss of fourteen thousand men three Gyants and that of the King of Ircassia who was sâ—ain by the hand of the Prince of France nevertheless understanding that their Adversaries fortune was little better and that they had left nine thousand men two Gyants and the Duke of Plemond on the shore they did not much afflict themselves but went and planted their Camp before Cardana resolving to put all to fire and sword especially Arastron Brizardan and Rifantes who being marvellously incensed would have sent a Challenge notwithstanding the danger of their wounds to the three Knights that to their great grief were mightily incensed by every one but the King of Cabilla relying more on these three Warriours then on the rest of his Army would by no means permit them so as they continued keeping of their Beds ten or eleven dayes together during which time our Champions having no less need of rest both sides prepared all things necessarie for the Assault and defence of the Citie whereat the fair Princesses were much troubled but the presence of their Lovers confirming them they shewed more affection then fear principally Archesidella who being acquainted by Amadis of the qualitie of the Prince of France received him likewise for her Husband At length our Warriours perceiving all the field covered with Souldiours ready for the Assault they went and besought the Emperour that nothing might be ordered but by their counsell and presently thereupon caused threescore thousand foot to enter into the Towne which they divided into foure squadrons commanded by the King of Arbales and Miriana of Calizant and of Carderia and then going with three Gyants into their Trenches they drew out thirtie thousand Horse which they equally divided into three bands and so sallying out in three severall parts they left the Kings of Balivan of Merlian and of Grizolia with fourescore thousand to guard the Campe favour their retreat and succour the Town if need were The Enemie approaching the Walls began a most cruell and furious assault the great Soldan of Aralafia Rifantes and the proud Arastron mounted first followed by fiftie thousand men but they were so valiantly opposed by the foure Gyants by the Kings the gentle Knight Tarsander and the forces that were under their command which remained in the Town as the ditches were full of dead bodyes whereat notwithstanding they were so little abashed that it seemed rather to augment their courages in such sort that their followers carryed by their example behaved themselves so manfully as the Citie was in danger to have been forced had not the Faire Slave appeared in the head of ten thousand Horse who entring furiously amidst the enemies troups ran a Gyant quite thorow and thorow overthrew six Knights before she brake her Launce and thundring amongst the rest with her Sword
of twenty thousand Horse and five and twenty thousand Foot was given to the Kings of Arbales Arisdan and Carderia together with the Knight of the Flowers and a Gyant the rereward of a like number to the Kings of Grisolia Metlina and Caâ—ilant with the Knight of the Flower de-Luces and the Emperour reserving the main battail for himself wherein were thirty thousand Horse five and thirty thousand Foot the Duke of Bonport three Gyants and the fair Slave left the Marquis de la Rocque and the Count Vadian to guard the Town the King of Mariana in the Camp with fifteen thousand men and to the gentle Knight Tarsander and the young Prince of Balivan he consigned four thousand light Horse to serve for wings unto the Army All things being thus disposed of they marched out of their trenches in good order to incounter their enemies who shewing no lesse zeal to fight then advisednesse in marshalling of their Troops followed Rifantes that led the Vantguard with thirty thousand Horse and fourty thousand Foot this valiant Chieftain conceiving that a good example was the best exhortation could be made to incourage the Souldiers setting sputs to his Horse charged his Launce against the King of Arbales but Floridan seeing him set forth parted at the very same instant and meeting him in the middest of the course broke his staffe very bravely and received this Enemies Incounter without so much as once being moved in his saddle Both Armies herewith animated a most dangerous conflict was seen in an instant the King of Arbales ran the King of Astramer quite through and through and overthrew him dead to the earth The King of Carderia his Companion was by the King of Fortan cast under the Horses feet where at length he was stifled The Martarians considering that the safety of their Prince their lives and their liberties were in question fought desperately The adverse part trusting to their numbers carried themselves couragiously so as all was in confusion nothing was seen nor heard but bodies extended on the ground and the cryes of dying men which filled the ayr with their groans and lamentations Floridan seemed a Thunderbolt death was ever tyed to his sword Rifantes made such havocke that way was given him whersoever he went The blood 〈◊〉 along instreaâ—â— â—nd every thing hâ—ng in suspence when 〈…〉 observing how the safety or destruction of his side depended on the whole valour of Rifantes and the unspeakable force of a Gyant who made a heap of dead bodies round about him he most valiantly approached unto him and discharged so terrible a blow on his arm that he cut iâ—â—â—eer off and following his advantage he redoubled on his Helinet with such fury that he sent him to the ground where he was troden to pieces under the Horses feet from whence â—â—ying amongst the enemies Troops he so terrified them as they began to fly to the infinite discontent or the great Soldan of Aralaâ—â—â— and Arastron who accompanying the King of Cabilla in the main Battail were mad for that they were not as yet ingaged in fight whereupon suddenly advancing with rage they were falling upon the King of Arâ—ales Squadron but perceiving the Emperour of Martaria present himself with the grosse of his Army they were constrained to alter their purpose and make head against him who desiring to shew his courage in despight of age charged his Launce against the King of Cabilla and met him so lustily that he threw him over the crupper of his Horse neverthelesse unable to support his enemies incounter he was also compelled to fall and that in danger to be trampled under the Horses feet had not Palmirenna's fair Slave who had still an eye upon him lept suddenly down and catching him up remounted him in despigâ—â— of all the enemies fury The fall of these Princes having drawn the bravest Commanders of the Army together the sight grew so hot as all the field was dyed with blood 〈◊〉 incountring 〈◊〉 ran him through the body with his Launce and disdayning to draw his Sword against ordinary Knights flew upon Radamant his brother who had newly slain the King of Zamblan and began to charge him with a mâ—â—titude of dreadfull blows but this Gyant grown furious by his brothers death received him in such sort as he gave him a dangerous woâ—â—d in the shoulder howbeit the force of this Knight being more then monstrous he endured not long before him In the mean tiâ—â— our fair Slave overthrew all that came in her way she cut off men by the wast cleft down others to the teeth made so strange an havock that she might well have been compared to torrents whose violence the sturdiest Oaks are not able to withstand On the other side Brizardan falling on our troops with incredible rage rendred himself so terrible that his blows were no lesse feared then death it self every one gave him place and which way so ever he turned there no enemy appeared at length beholding the wonders performed by our fair Slave he approached to her behind and before she was aware gave her so mighty a blow on her Helmet as he made her bow with her head to the Saddle bow where raising her self up again with infinit fury she took her Sword in both her hands and discharged it so dangerously on the Soldans Shield that dividing it she wounded him very desperately from thence spurring on to Arastron who held the Emperour â—â—der his arm ready to carry him away to his Tent she stâ—â—â—k him with such violence on the head as she overturned him on the crupper of his Horse casting out a great deale of blood oâ—â— of his eyes and ears whereby freeing the Emperour she caused him presently to be horsed again Those two horrible blows having amaxed the enemies they 〈…〉 give ground when as the Kings of Filzandria and 〈…〉 â—â—â—manded the rereward entred with strange â—â—in All was then in 〈◊〉 and doubtlesse the Emperour had been in an ill cose i◠〈◊〉 had not oportunely arrived with the Kings of Grizolia Merlina and thousand Gazilant followed by twenty thousand Horse and five and twenty Foot Then it was that the Heaven Earth and Ayr seemed but one and the same thing and so many Knights fell at this Incounter that it was not possible to tread but on dead bodies Arastron and Brizardan being come to themselves again and in the supremest degree of rage put all to the Sword the fair Slave Lâ—â—â—bel and Floridan on the other side made no lesse havock the Gyants and the Kings were so many furies the King of Filzandria fought most desperately Tarsander and the young Prince of Balivan rode breaking the enemies ranks briefly nothing was seen but blood and slaughter and the noyse of Drums and Trumpets was so great as a thousand claps of Thunder could not have been heard Brizardan Arastron and Rifantes did wonders but our Knights so behaved themselves that the King of Cabillaes Troops began to turn their
〈◊〉 them of their deliverance he presently discerned ouâ— of 〈◊〉 â—o be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which so So 〈◊〉 like 〈…〉 over his liberty O wonderfull said he being no lesse transported with fury 〈…〉 is it possible that I should find you in this 〈◊〉 M 〈…〉 You shall quickly see the out-rage that is done you most horribly revenged here is the Knight of the Roses that having served you heretofore against the redoubted 〈◊〉 wil likewise free you out of the hands of Gorgophâ—â— whereupon turning him to A 〈…〉 t. Dear brother said he I am now in the supream degree of my glory since I have met with Armaria dispatch the Gyant that keeps her imprisoned whilst I goe and chastise the insolence of the Ravisher of my excellent Mistris Noble Sir said Russiaâ— then which likewise knew the beautifull Jnfanta of Clariana his Lady whom he had disinchanted at Constantinople when as he gave an end to the adventure of the Piramides as hath been related in the eight and thirtieth Chapter of our first part Noble Sir leave me this combat I beseech you for I have no lesse interest in the deliverance of these incomparable Ladies than the gallant Prince of Greece as for your selfe you cannot want employment if you please in the triall of the adventure I would always give more to your merit answered Alcidamant goe then and render this good office to your Mistris whilst I seek to know whether the release of these Lovers be in my power Whereupon casting his eyes on Rozalâ—â—â—â— and Gorgophon who carried with equall rage were then set forth he saw them meet like two clouds violently rushing together in the midst of the ayr and passe by one another like lightning without so much as being once moved in their saddles by their Launces which were broken in a thousand shivers By this furious incounter guessing at the exceeding force of Gorgophon he stayed to observe how they would intreat one another with their swords their two first blows very much amazed him for their shields were divided in twain and their blades fell with such violence upon their Helmets as they were constrayned to bow with their heads even to the very arson of their saddles from whence arising so full of choller that it terrified all the people which beheld their combat Rozalmond discharged such another terrible blow on Gorgophons head as it made him see many more stars then there are in the sky but he returned him an answer nothing lesse cruel and dangerous for he received so mighty a stroak that having loft one of his stirrops he staggered as if he had been deprived of judgement neverthelesse shaming to appear any whit inferiour to his enemy before the greaâ—est Knights of the earth he quickly resetled himselfe in his saddle and began to charge the Gyant very fiercely who nothing abashed fought so well that he shewed himselfe to be one of the best Knights in the world The field was strewed all over with peices of their armour the blood gâ—shed out in many places of their bodies and so dreadfull were their blows that all the houses round about resounded therewith The noyse which proceeded from the combat of these Warriours and that of Russian of Media with the other Gyant being little lesse cruell drew a world of people thither from al parts and amongst others the three Princesses of Martaria with their Lovers who very much wondring at the fury of this Knight admired the dexterity of the Grecian Prince who mad for that he could not vanquish his enemy took his sword in both his hands and let it descend so dangerously on Gorgophon that it gave him a great gash on the shield-shield-arm whereat the Gyant was so incensed that discharging a full blow on his shoulder with all his might he entred his Fauchion two fingers deep into his flesh and making him lose his bridle and stirrops so astonished him that if his horse by carrying him away had not prevented his enemy from seconding the former with another stroak doubtlesse he had been in great perill of his life Alcidamant who was still looking on this combat seeing this horrible blow and knowing how far Rozalmonds forces extended admired Gâ—rgâ—phon more than before and was very much affraid that his friend would not come time enough again to himselfe but on a sudden he beheld him resettle him in his seat and fly upon the Gyant with such fury as made all the assistants to tremble and indeed the blow which he discharged on the crest of his Helmet was so dangerous that though it could not cleave it by reason of the Inchantment wherewith Diâ—boliâ—n had framed it he overthrew him on the crupper of his horse casting such a deale of blood out of his ears and mouth and his arms and legs hanging in that manner as all the world beleeved he was dead neverthelesse he was seen a little after to raise vp himselfe with such extream rage for that he was so ill intreated by one man alone that Rozalmonds friends were in some fear of him howbeit our brave Champion no whit dismayed couragiously presenting his face unto him they renewed the combat with more horrour and cruelty then at first In the mean time Russian of Media who had not so puissant an enemy to incounter discharged five or six blows together on him with such a mighty force that he layd him breathlesse at his feet and seazing on a key that he carried about him he presently opened the door of the Tower mounted up a little pair of stayrs and kneeling down before the Ladies almost transported with joy he said unto them Beauteous Princesses be pleased to give me your hands to kisse in recompense of the beginning which I have given to your releasement and descending with me come and assure the victory to the valiant Knight of the Roses that is now fighting for your deliverance Sir answered Armazia who was not a little contented to heare that her Knight was there I may not permit you to kisse my hands being so exceedingly obliged unto you as I am Command then this fair Jnfanta to doe me that favour replyed he seeing I have the glory to be her Knight My Knight said Agriclea since when I beseech you since I freed you from the Inchantment whereunto you were reduced by Fulgosons Aunt answered he for then you did me the honour to avow me for your Knight and to say that my service should alwayes be agreeable unto you Ah my Lord said Agriclea pardon my ignorance I pray you for truly I did not know you but I shall be ready to amend this errour Whereupon giving him her hand rather as it were to raise him up then for any other end shee suffered him to kisse it a thousand times and so descending all three they presented themselves before these Warriours who at the sight of Armazia became so furious Gergophâ—â— to see her delivered after such hope of enjoying her and Rozalmond to continue
all the company fell to caressing of Bastinel and had much increased the mirth if the sage Urganda had not urged the departure of these Knights who addressed themselves to the Emperour for to receive his commandments He having embraced them left them to take their farewell of the rest which was not done without many tears shed by these Princesses that were to accompany them howbeit considering that this separation was but for a further good they went and seated themselves in a magnificent Chariot which with eight excellent Horses Adelazia had prepared and attended by these Princes mounted upon their Steeds took their journey towards the great Kingdome of Martan Two hours after the Emperour imbarqued himself with his two Sons-in-law Persides and Lucibel for to return into Martaria Let us leave them traversing the Land and Seas to speak a little of the Pagans resolution who assembled with a designe to abate the greatnesse of the Christians and range tham to the adoration of their Idols CHAP. XXXVII The Emperour Falanzar Caliph of Siconia solicited by Idalcan Emperour of Melly assembles all Paganisme the resolution they take to make warre upon the Princes of Greace with the generall muster of their Army MEn that are generous have nothing so tender as their honour which they cannot endure should be any way touched without some great resentment therof Idalcan Emperour of Melly calling to mind the slaughter of the Kings and of a flourishing Army which he had conducted to Constantinople for the succour of Prigmaleon and being no lesse grieved for having been vanquished in his own particular by Silvan the son of Don Silves de la Silva as hath been related in the five and thirtieth Chapter of our first part he resolved once more to employ all his Friends and to Arm all the world rather than want the revenge of so outragious an affront To this effect he dispatched away Courriers to divers parts as soon as he was arrived in his Empire desiring all the Kings and Princes adjoyning to his Countrey to repair unto Falanzar great Emperour and Caliph of Siconia his neere kinsman for to deliberate of certain affairs much importing the glory of Paganism These dispatches made he commanded all his Captaines to come before him unto whom he delivered commissions for the raysing and arming of threescore thousand men and departing instantly therupon he went into Siconia where his rage furnishing him with reasons able to perswade very much he so incensed Falanzar against the Christians that he resolved to set up his rest on this quarrell and to revenge his Kinsman at the cost of all the Pagans Bethinking him then of those which might best serve his enterprize he sent away messengers to the furious King of Grifalara to Brufaldar King of Gedrosia and to the valourous Artogant Soldan of Francapa to Marmaran Sophy of Bultera to Brizardan Soldan of Aratifia to the grand Salvage to the King of Russia to Gronfalin of Moreda King of Facea to Gorgophon the redoubted Colonell of the Gyants to Marcelian Emperour of Medra to the proud Caliph of Francapia Antomedon to Fierastron King of Balivan to Asturion the strong Soldan of Brutacon to Furcamond King of Martan to Moranteon Soldan of Circassia whom afterwards he reconciled to Gorgophon about the carrying away of Armazia to the King of Cabilla to Palamedes King of Cassandria and briefly to all the Princes from whom he could hope for any assistance in such sort that at the end of two moneths there were in person at his Court together with the Kings of Mauritania of Tremizen of Zamphara of Zambar of Cartagena of Aganezes of Angali of Numidia of Bisaura of Thunes of Teneri of Miramolin of the Isle of Till of the Tragonites of Zanfara of Calizan of Morlavia of Nazamor of Siziphala of Tingafort of Barnagas of Monomatapan of Arginare and of Cornata all which came at the request of the Emperour of Melly an hundred and thirteen Kings Emperours Caliphs Soldans and Soveraigne Princes from whose valours great wonders were to be expected All these great Lords being by Falanzar assembled in a stately and spations Hall where he had caused so many Thrones to be erected and perceiving a silence over all he spake in this manner The Oration of Falanzar Emperour of Siconia to the Pagan Potentates MIghty Princes I have troubled you so far as to assemble you here for to represent two things unto you which are of great consequence for us The glory of our Altars much abated by the insolence of certain petty Princes of Greece and the little resentment of the outrages we have a thousand times received therupon It is more then time me thinks for us to rouze up our selves to appeare more zealous in the service of the gods more sensible and lesse daunted for some passed losses which have fallen upon us by the indiscreet managing of our designes and by our neglect of taking hold of occasion when it hath been fairly presented unto us Wee have suffered them to grow great for which they mock us nay that is worse are so vain as to threaten to come and share our Crowns with us at their pleasure to put us all to the sword to force our people to acknowledge their Dominion and to render all the earth subject to their command Is not this a vanity too insupportable to beare and shall we endure to have them come and seek us in our houses for to deprive us of our Wives our Lands and our liberties Verely it amazes me that all Paganisme being replenished with mighty Emperours Callphs Soldans Princes and excellent Knights no man would never yet speak of over-running these insolents and not leaving them so much as a foot of ground upon which they might tread as Masters For mine own part I am resolved to exhaust all my treasures put all my subjects into Arms and not to leave a souldier in all the Empire of my Cousin of Melly who hath far more cause to complain and speak as I doe for to march into the Empire of Ethiopia whose Prince hath of late played Bankerupt without gods for to allie himself with their enemies and utterly to subvert it to the end that in some sort discharging the duty I owe unto their providence which have made me Lord of a great people I may not draw their displeasure upon me so that if your zeale be like unto mine as by your countenances I am perswaded to hope you will not stick at the consideration of the pains you are to suffer but will chearfully go to the Empires which are destined to your valoâ—rs and appropriating the Crowns therof unto your selves you may in such sort receive some kind of satisfaction for your labours Now if you apprehend the dangers which are oftentimes incident to these troublesome undertakings remember that you shall do no more than my self I will alwayes â—arch with you in Armes I will encounter the enemy couragiously and ever being the first at
astonished that he knew not what world he was in and Fulgoran following his example wounded Gorgophon very dangerously in the thigh by which means having very happily the leisure to releeve one of the Cenophales who being unable to withstand an heavy stroak lent him by the Grand Salvage he had fallen at his Horses feet had he not been sustained by him Furiander in the mean time had received a sore hurt on the arm by the other Cenophales These astonishing strokes putting the Pagans into the extremity of rage they addressed themselves again to be revenged threatning no less then death with their tempestuous swords but the Princes who well understood they were accomptable for the people under their charge and that knew the safety of the souldiers consisted in the preservation of their Leaders retyred to their troops leaving the Pagans in dispair of having that revenge upon them they so much hoped for The Christians having thus prudently made their retreat they desired to know the names of the Commanders of the new Army and finding that it was the brave Russian of Media with the beautifull Amazon Brandimanda who departed from Corolandaya by the advice of the wise Vrganda before the others were in the field gave them a million of thanks and especially to Brandimanda whose matchlesse beauty joyned with that invincible prowesse whereof they had so lately experience they could never sufficiently admire then causing the Amazons to be led into a quarter a part and the Souldiers into the trenches they conducted them to the Palace where disarming themselvest they found every one hurt except Russia Brandimanda the valiant Esquilan Cilindor and Leonidas of Mesopotamia who with Alteria was left in the Town if need were to make good the retreat Prigmaleons hurt was on the arm and head Fulgâ—rans on the shoulder the Cenophales in two or three places Grandimore on the left arm by the sword of the proud Gyant Antamedon Perion and the rest in divers parts of the body notwithstanding which they had some cause to rejoyce for the losse the enemy had amounting to the number of threescore and seventeen thousand men three and twenty Gyants and the Kings of Brutaxia and Parmondia as they understood by their Spyes besides those that were hurt in the number wherof were Roussardan Gorgophon the Grand Salvage Furiander Antomedon and the valiant Artogant Soldan of Francapia with a multitude of common Knights But when they bethought themselves of the losse of the gentle Florizartus of Trapobana and of thirty three thousand men that remained dead in the field the greatest part whereof perished rather by the sword of the Gyants than the multitude of the souldiers they could not beleeve that Fortune had much obliged them by the advantage they had gained neverthelesse putting on a brave resolution they comforted themselves with the hope of some other succours and so placing trustie Sentinels in all places requisite they went to refresh themselves with a small repast Afterwards those that had escaped without hurts assembled themselves in Prigmaleon and Fulgorans Chamber who would by no means lye asunder where it was resolved that Russian and Brandimanda with each of them a troope of ten thousand Horse should sally upon the Enemie two houres before day wherupon they went to repose themselves for a while In the mean time Falanzar enraged at the massacre of so many of his men and for the losse of his Kings and Gyants by so small a number environed three parts of the Citie and causing great Trenches to bee cast up and covering the field with his Souldiers for the space of two myles round he promised to himself that he would gain the Walls at the first assault seeing all his Gyants should have now elbow-room to bestir themselves but his opinion deceived him as you shall see in the Chapter following and made him conclude that the end of his enterprize would not prove so feasable as he expected CHAP. XXXIX The brave feats of Arms performed in a Sally by Russian of Media and Brandimanda the furious assault given by the Pagan Princes unto the Town which being reduced to extreamitie is marvellously relieved THis mighty Fleet of the Enemies having gained the Shore the night was almost wholly employed in making of Trenches and setting up Tents and Pavillions so that it being neere that time of the day which chalengeth a kind of securitie over all things the Souldiers annoyed with the Sea wearied with their late travels and importuned by sleep betook themselves all to their rest being confident that the Christians durst not so much as once peep out of their Walls But they like brave spirits who thought there was no glory equall to that which was gotten in the midst of dangers and hating all rest which might be accompanied with disgrace had no other designe than continually to be pulling some feathers out of their enemies Wings whereby they might stop the fury of their flight they rose presently after midnight and arming twenty thousand of their best and lustiest Horses they divided them into two Troups whereof one was commanded by Russian Cilindor and Leonidas the other by Esquilan Brandimanda and the fair Alteria and so sallying out at two severall Ports they advanced softly towards the Pagans till it was break of day which affording them light to discover their Sentinels all asleep they presently cut their throats without any noyse and so falling aboard with the rest who were in no better estate to make resistance they began to commit so great a slaughter that the ground was covered over with dead bodyes before the Alarum was taken in the Camp Russian Cilindor and Leonidas over-runall Souldiers they cut in peeces Knights they cleft down to the shoulders Tents and Pavilions they turned upside down and meeting with little or no opposition they made a strange havock Falanzar Generall of the Pagan army who lodged not far from the place where they first fell on easily hearing the fearfull cryes and groans which came from his men as they were dying rose up immediatly and finding Brufaldar King of Gedrosia Brizardan the redoubted Soldan of Aralafia with Moranteon Soldan of Circassia he gave them thirty thousand men to resist the fury of their enemies whose number he conceived to be fifty thousand at the least and so ran speedily himself thorow all parts of the Camp to put the rest in battell array These three proud Pagans who had not been at the last nights service cheerfully embracing this charge began presently to march forward and being conducted by the noyse which continually encreased they forthwith encountred the Christians and plainly perceiving the smalnesse of their number divided their troups with an intent to environ them and to charge them on every side but those valiant Knights not affording them the leisure to put their Designe in practise broke thorow them with such a tempest that the blood ran along the ground in little rivers which put the incensed
Horse and two hundred thousand Foot without counting those which Prigmaleon had in the Town for the manning of the Wals he divided into four troups each containing seventie thousand Horse and forty thousand Foot the first was commanded by Prigmaleon Fulgâ—an Russian the Cenophales Esquilan Brandimanda and all the young Princes that had been their assistants in the former Combats The second was commanded by Spheramond Alastraxerea Melindus Clidor his Wife Cassiana Amanio of Arestrea the Duke of Laiaze the King of Cataya his Wife Crothea Galard King of the barren Iland with Rozafar and the King of Lacaonia The third was commanded by Don Rogel Lucendus Dâ—rigel Silvan the fair Salvage his Wife the valiant Silverin of the Desart Gadart King of Hungaria Filiard King of Polonia Oriander King of Sardamira his Queen Oronsa Parmenian of Cyprus and Garmantes The fourth by Don Florisel of Niquea with Anaxander King of Dardania Floridan King of Comogena his brother Troilus the renowned Knight of Savoy and twelve young Princes upon whom he had that day conferd the order of Knight-hood with all the magnificent Ceremonies the Camp could afford Every thing being thus ordered every man retyred to visit his Horse and Arms with a command to be in readinesse at break of the day In the mean while the Pagans slept not for knowing of what importance the issue of this battell would be they armed themselves with a resolution to redeem their honour though they paid their bloud for it being advertised of the course the Christians had taken in ranging of their Troups they held it best to observe the same order and not to think of reserving any part perswading themselves that it would be more difficult to rout their troups being united than separated and so they divided their whole Forces consisting of eight hundred thousand into foure Bands The first wherof was commanded by Roussardan the furious King of Grifalara a man of a Gyant-like nature with grifly haire a face covered with black patches an ugly flat nose and ill-fashioned legs but withall so valiant that next to Gorgophon and Bravorant King of Morimont there lived not a braver Pagan upon the whole earth his Associats were Moranteon Souldan of Circassia the grand Salvage Furiander his son Artegant Souldan of Francapia the proud Arastron Gederion King of Arginaria Furcamond King of Martan Aliodorus Torismond Arciles and Teliander all brave Knights with threescore Giants The second by the valiant Marmoran Sophy of Bultara Bravorant Gorgophon Marisgolfus Salander King of Balsandria Polidarchus King of Amazia Giracond King of Toriana Don Margenio Rindar Brandimart threescore Gyants and Broncaldion King of the Arcofibrats who would no more make use of his Elephants because in the preceding assault they had occasioned so great a disorder The third by stout Astrurion Soldan of Brutacan with the haughty Antomedon Caliph of Francapa Brizardan Soldan of Aralafia Marcelian Emperour of Media Rodomart King of Fortan Asmorian King of the upper Indies Bemond King of Java minor divers other Knights of qualitie and threescore Gyants The fourth was reserved for Falanzar great Emperour and Caliph of Siconia with the King of Russia Anaxamena the valirnt Amazon his Wife Palamedes King of Cassandria Fierastron the redoubted Gyant of Balivan Polecastaleon King of Zeilan Brufaldor King of Gedrozia the dreadfull Tipheus Barcandor Bucargant and threescore Gyants In the mean time Mambrinian King of Fornascia with the Kings of Zamber of Saphotir of Siziphalt and fourscore thousand men guarded the Camp All things being thus resolved upon on both parties the day of Battell was expected which being come to the great content of both the Armies to whom all delay was insupportable the Pagans began to draw their men out of their Trenches much astonished to see themselves prevented of their Enemies who already had possessed themselves of the field and there stood in battell array The first that appeared on the Pagans side was the furious King of Grifalara who marching in a glorious and most magnificent manner under a multitude of Standards whereon were represented two Lyons chained together onely by the force of one hand caused the charge to be sounded At the same instant Prigmaleon who thought no Oration could so animate his Souldiers to behave themselves bravely as to give a sudden testimonie of an undaunted courage gave the Signall to his troups immediatly to joyn most violent was the encounter of these two brave Warriours who saluted each other so boistrously that their Launces bounded into the ayre in a thousand slivers Fulgoran and the Grand Salvage fell to the ground the one hurt on the left arm the other on the brest Russian of Media and the proud Knight Arastron broke their Launces very furiously upon each other and yet past on unmoved like two rocks in the middest of the Sea The two Cenophales and Grandimor running against Furiander Artegant Soldan of Francapia and Moranteon Soldan of Circassia received such an astonishment from each others incounter that all six remained for a long time sensslesse Gedereon King of Arginarea was overthrown by Esquilan Brandimanda passed her Launce thorow the body of a Gyant three other Pagan Knights fell down dead at the feet of Perion Cilindâ—r and the unknown Knight and so many Cavaliers fell to the ground on both sides that the field was full of horses that ran up and down masterlesse Launces were broken in pieces sword blades flew into the ayre and the Battell waxed so hot that the dust was all tempered with bloud Roussardan the Grand Salvage and the proud knight Araston cut down all they met withall making head and arms fly about which bred such fear in the Enemies as they were no lesse terrible to them than thunderbolts On the other side Prigmaleon Fulgoran Russian Brandimanda Esquilan and the two Cenophales who disdaining to employ their Swords upon common persons charged the vastest Gyants with so great a furie that in an instant three and twenty of them lay breathlesse on the earth when as Arastron Roussardan and the Grand Salvage marching in the Front like so many torrents sweeping all before them let fly with such a violence upon Quadragant Agrion of Scotland and Dardanio that they cleft them all three down to the teeth and seeing that Prigmaleon Russian and Fulgoran having dispatched the mighty Brucalan with Arbadan and Pandarus his Brothers by the force of three terrible stroaks which sent them dead to the ground had made way into their Troups massacring all without mercy that gave them any opposition in great rage they clapped spurs to their horses and making towards these three Knights they discharged three such dangerous blows upon them that had not their Arms been of the best in the world they had without doubt added them to the number of the dead neverthelesse these rough salutations that humbled their chins to their saddle bowes did nothing els but incite them to a sudden requitall which they returned so bravely as there was
than ever he had been in his life out of hope which he was in to find out his Mistresse after this Combat had cleft one of the Salvages down to the waste and cut off the other by the middle that done they entred into one of those alleys which ended in a large Court of a most Sately Castle built trianglewise and going along they felt themselves so terribly pelted with a showre of stones poured down upon them from a number of great trees that were planted on each side as notwithstanding they warded themselves well with their Shields they had much adoe to get unto the threshold of two Gates which gave entrance to the Palace the walls wherof were all of Porphyrie Jasper black Marble and Crystall CHAP. XLIX The adventure of the Castle of Treasure is brought to an end whereupon all the Princes depart for Ethiopia WEE left Rozalmond diverted from contemplating the excellent Pictures that were in the stately Court of the Castle of Treasure by the arrivall of five Knights which presented themselves all at one instant out of five severall doors Now let us tell you that they were the incomparable Alcidamant Clarisel of Guindaya Amadis Grian and Griolanis who having gloriously surmounted the difficulties which they had encountred as appeared by the precedent chapters entred with their swords drawn being much amazed at their unexpected meeting thus together Hereupon these Princes having caressed one another and made particular relations of the strange adventures that had befallen each one in this Enterprise they resolved all to passe on and beholding three great pair of stayrs they were going to ascend them two and two together when they perceived an old man with a great deale of Majesty present himself his habit was black and long his beard white his hair confusedly spread upon his shoulders in one hand a book and in the other a golden wand every one observing him Amadis knew him to be the Prince of al Philosophers the great Alcander a speciall friend to the house of Greece whereat being wonderfully glad he went immediately and embracing him said Oh father how happily have we met with you for to free us of a care that mightily troubles us we have lost that which we most esteemed in the world so that if we be not relieved by you we are like to be the wretchedst Knights living Excellent Princes said this honourable old man after he had saluted them with a great deale of reverence you have reason to be pleased with this incounter of me seeing I am more your servant than all the men besides in the world but it is I that have the greater cause to rejoyce at your arrivall having attended you here an hundred years since I first gave beginning to the inchantments of this great Castle you have this day done such wonders as no other Knights could perform which will make your valour to be spoken of eternally and the difficulties which you have surmounted are so great as they will hardly be beleeved but infinite will be the prayse for so many brave actions and the profit which wil redound thereby to all Christendome that could not subsist without the end of this adventure will render you so recommendable that you shall be the object of future ages marvell You doe not know what good you have done wherefore it is fit that I declare it to the end that you may be the more couragiously prepared for the labours you are yet to undergoe You shall be the means of reviving the great King Amadis of Gaule the excellent Amadis of Greece Don Silves de la Silva Agesilan and thirty Princes more of their blood withdrawn by me out of the number of the dead at the great battle of Aleppo and hitherto conserved safe by my skill as also the unparragoned Knight of the Sun with Claridian Poliphebo Rosicler Clarimant Rozabel Helen of Dace Claridiana and Claribel whose marvellous acts have filled the world with amazement and moreover the invinsible Belianis of Greece Belforan Fortiman Dolister of Nubea Polista de la Silva Policertes Don Clarinel Astridea Periana Furibond the brave Gyant Saliverna without feare and Hermiliana being all such valiant and accomplished Knights that I have laboured by my inchantments to keep them alive untill such time as Christendome by their assistance and yours may triumph over the greatest number of enemies that ever yet assaulted it Is not this greater good than can be expressed in words without doubt it is and be assured that the fame which you shall acquire hereby shall ever live in the memory of men Touching the trouble you are in for the carrying away of the Princesses your wives clear your minds of it for they have been al this while as now they are safe from any such violence the Centaurs which you saw being only fanto smes that I caused to appeare unto you knowing full well that you would never have precipitated your selves the one into a dreadfull flood amidst the horrours of a fearefull darknesse and the other into an horrible Furnace and briefly that you would never have undertaken such almost impossible things as you have atchieved had not the hope of recovering your Ladies made you contemne such wonderfull dangers and for that only consideration did Vrganda cause them to come along with you whom you shall meet with again as soon as you have finished the adventure which now consisteth alone in forcing these Princes that I have named unto you out of the rooms where they are inchanted but without imploying your swords on them or drawing drop of blood from them which will not be effected without very great pains but I am sure it would grieve you to leave so glorious an Enterprise in so faire a way Ah father said Rozalmond how strange and mervellous is this that you have recounted unto us we thought that all these excellent Princes had been converted into dust long agoe howbeit seeing they live we will most gladly render them unto the world if it be in our power you say it will not be done without much labour why we are resolved to undergoe any whatsoever wherefore be pleased but to shew us how we may get to these rooms Then Alcandar having appointed Rozalmond and Don Clarisel for the deliverance of Amadis of Gaule and Amadis of Greece Alcidamant and Griolanis for the Knight of the Sun Amadis and Grian for Don Belianis hee caused them to ascend three severall pair of stayrs whilst he himselfe remayned walking below in the Court. These six Warriours more glorious than ever they had been in all their lives in regard of their undertaking of the most glorious enterprize which had at any time been spoken of in the world being gotten up to the top of the stayrs found the dores there fast shut but having easily heaved them off the hinges they entred all with their Swords unsheathed and their bodyes well covered with their shields where knowing what to doe
of this woman before you had been so mooved as you are for then Sir Knight you would not so readily have engaged your selfe in her defence I met with her this morning and having conversed a while with her I perceived by her cariage that the little beauty Nature hath bestowed upon me had wrought some alteration in her wherewith I must confesse I was well enough pleased Not that I found any thing in her which gave me the least satisfaction but that from her love I gathered a testimony of some merit in my self Our discourse at the first was ordinary but as her passion transported her she at length could not conceale her damnable intentions but confessed freely to me that she was upon her way onely to wait for some Knight of quality for to bring him to be butchered at the Castle of the Towers where a thousand sorts of cruelties are daily practised I am a friend to vertue and would with the hazard of my life preserve a worthy Knight so that desiring to prevent her wicked purposes I bound her as you see with a resolution to make an end of her which I had certainly done for the point of my sword having forced her to confesse that her principall plot was upon the Princes of Greece whose vertue all the world loves and admires I determined to let her breath no longer then would serve to recommend her soule into the hands of heaven you may now dispose of her as you please but I advise you to looke well to your self and consider that you shall be guilty of all the mischiefes that ever she shall heerafter commit since you give her her life which for her treacheries she justly deserves to lose With that immediately mounting on his horse he departed leaving Silvan somewhat perplexed for his reasons seemed so good and with such appearance of truth that he was about to passe on and leave the Wench in the estate he found her But being moved with her teares and not able to perswade himselfe that so fair a creature could be possessed with so much malice he commanded his Squire to unbind her and forgetting the advice of him that but then parted from them he began to comfort her in stead of representing her vice unto her I will never beleeve said he unto her that a woman eâ—dued with so many beauties can be so wicked as was but now reported unto me Wherefore give over afflicting your self and tell me truely the cause why this Squire entreated you in that fashion Not to dissemble said she this cunning was but too well disguised For according to the report of the base villaine made of me you have reason not to trust me and to believe that I am the falsest woman in the world but the matter is quite otherwise then he hath delivered for as soon as he saw me he protested that he was extreamly enamored of me and not being able as he swore to endure the violence of his passion he besought me to receive him into my favour and to afford him some more particular grace which having refused him he tooke me from my horse and notwithstanding all my best resistance bound me as you saw threatning to kill me if I did not grant his desire whereunto without doubt I should at the last have yielded not having courage enough to suffer death if you had tarried any whit longer Behold noble Knight the truth of this affair which I have freely and simply delivered unto you hoping that you will not do a curtesie to halfes and leave me without assistance in a Countrey so dangerous where I travell without any acquaintance by the command of a Lady that is ready to perish for the love of a brave Christian Knight whom I may not name having so vowed at my departure for the reputation of her that emploies me What cannot the perswasions of a villanous woman effect Silvan tasting this discourse far otherwise then was for his behoofe was so taken with the faire pretext of her reasons that casting away the ill conceit he had of her he determined to accompany her till she were in some place of safety So causing her to be set on horseback he went along with her towards the dangerous Castle where questionlesse he had been lost if heaven that took a particular care of him had not miraculously diverted the mischief that hung over his head In the meane time the gentle Amanio d'Astre followed somewhat a different way from that of Silvan being no lesse busied with his unquiet thoughts but he was driven out of his dumps by a Dwarf who taking his horse by the bridle turned him aside and giving him a jerk with a wand said Knight take this way I pray you and let not the night stay you for your retardment would be the cause of perpetuall sorrow to you Saying so he passed on leaving Amanio infinitely amazed with this speech whereof he would gladly have known the meaning but finding no means to be satisfied therein for that the Dwarf was no longer appearing he put on his horse with more haste then before resolving not to discontinue his travell till he might see what the end of this adventure would be CHAP. VI. The Emperour Spheramond being in extream danger iâ— relieved by certaine Knights SPheramond not able to rest by reason of the choler wherinto the arrogance of the Giant had put him rose as soon as he saw the day appear and having made himself ready to fight drew to the gate where he knocked with more violence then he had done the evening before which caused him that already had spoken to him to look out at a window and with an audacious tone to say unto him Wretched Knight I thought that sleepe and the night would have setled thy brain But since thou wilt needs lose thy selfe out of humour do but stay till I am armed and I will quickly cure thee of thy madnesse with that he angerly clapt to the window and shortly after sallied out with so furious a countenance as had been sufficient to have affrighted any one lesse assured then this Prince who seeing him come on horseback with a Lance like a mast of a ship in his hand took as much of the field as was necessary for his course and encountred him with such fury as having pierced his shield he made him with a dangerous wound in his side â—lie over the crupper of his horse but his own fortune was not much better for constrained he was to kisse the earth as well as the Giant not being able to bear the violence of that shock yet remembring that he was not laid there to sleep he quickly got up and bravely laying hold on his sword he drew to the enemy who found himself so astonished with his fall as he was not able to stir whereupon Spheramond was going to present his sword to his throat for to make him yield up the victory unto him but hearing a great
noise at the gate he turned about his head and instantly saw two other monsters like him that he had overthrown come running towards him with their Cymitars in their hands and threatning him with no lesse then the losse of his life This object somewhat troubled him but immediatly resolving himself he sheathed his sword in the body of his first man who was striving to get up and straightway mounting on his horse the better and more easily to defend himself he made towards them but they were by that time so neer unto him as he was constrained rather to think of warding their blows then offending them For the one of them laid upon his shield and the other upon his cask with such violence as but for the goodnesse of his new armes his life had then been at its period neverthelesse he was not much dismaied yet thinking that such violent incounters might at length be attended with death he resolved to fight with judgement and to stand carefull upon his guard making them therefore spend the most part of their blows in vain he took so good choice of his times as he often drew bloud of them not giving a blow which pierced not the flesh and put them in doubt of their lives whereat they were so enraged as in stead of striking on his armes they hewed the stones in pieces and filled the ground about them full of clefts Whilest their fury did thus transport them the Emperor not willing to let slip any occasion that presented it self took his time when as one of them stooped to pull his Courtelasse out of the earth whereinto he had sunk it three foot deep and hit him with a reverse so just upon the neck that he laid his great head at his feet leaving his companion much amazed to see himself alone covered with bloud and wounds and with little or no power to defend himself any longer howbeit he recovered some heart with the sight of three other Giants that came out of the same Castle who having encompast his enemy began to charge him with such fury that not being able to ward so many blows which bruised his bones he thought that he must needs fall under such an oppressing violence but resolving to sell his life at a dear rate he defended himself with such courage and charged them with such force that he grievously wounded two of them when as the third gave him so insupportable a blow on his helmet that he laid him quite void of sense on the crupper of his horse voiding bloud in abundance at his nose and ears The Giant proud of his fortune followed him with his sword advanced for to finish the work when as a great Knight arriving in the instant charged his Lance against him and running it clean through his body tumbled him dead upon the ground Spheramond who while this was a doing had some leisure a little to recover his spirits seeing himself so opportunely seconded clasped his sword fast in his hand and with an infinit rage for having been reduced into that estate he let it descend with such force upon the first Giant that he divided his head in twaine just at such time as he which came to his succour having dispatched the other against whom he was opposed taking a new Lance from his Squire turnd himself gallantly to receive thirty Knights that sallied out of the Castle under the conduct of three dreadfull Giants who made such a noise as the earth seemed to tremble under them The courage of these Knights encreasing with the difficulty of enterprises Spheramond carried with extraordinard fury addressed himself to one of the Giants and discharged a blow upon his arm with such force as he sent it together with his sword to the ground That done falling in amidst those Knights he kild the two first that presented themselves before him On the other side the black Knight so was he called that sided with him made the Giant whom he encountred lose his stirrop and dealt such blows amongst the rest as he laid three of them at his fâ—â—â— but the two remaining Giants held them so short that with the assistance of those rascals which would not suffer them so much as to breath they had been in extream danger of their lives if two Knights had not at one time arrived there by severall wayes who seeing a fight managed with so much unequality presently layd hands on their swords and attaching the Giants that exceedingly molested the Princes charged them with such furious blows that they were fain to turn head for to defend themselves leaving Spheramond and his companion amidst their other Knights of whom they made so great a slaughter that there remained but two of them alive who fearing to lose their lives as their companions had done threw away their weapons and craved mercy You shall said Spheramond have it granted you upon condition that you put us in possession of this Castle You may said they enter it freely and without fear For you shall find no body there to resist you so as Argenea the Mistresse of the place doth not frame some new inchantment to make you purchase it with more danger and pain howbeit I can assure you that she is not now in the Castle she having gone from thence not long since as I conjecture to find some means from hindring it to be taken For her spirits without letting her know the time had advertised her of the misfortune that hath this day befallen us you may therefore boldly enter in and your best course will be first to seaze upon the ports for your more security This counsell seeming good to the Knights the blacke Knight staid at the gate * whilest Spheramond searched all about the house But finding nothing he returned presently to view the combat between the two Knights and the Giants which continued with so much fury that it was not easie to determine what the issue of it was like to be But ere long they perceived the advantage on their side that came last For their enemies had lost so much bloud as they fell both almost at one instant so weak that there was no need of any weapon to make an end of them Spheramond extreamly satisfied with this victory lifted up the visier of his helmet and addressing himself to the Knight that had first succoured him Valiant Sir said he You have so infinitly obliged me as I cannot doubt of your affection to me but to render the pleasure of your assistance and my preservation accomplished tell me who you are that in recompence thereof I may heerafter seek out occasions to be commanded by you Excellent Prince answered the black Knight discovering his face I will never acknowledge that you are any way engaged to my arms in the least obligation For your valour alone was able to defeat your enemies without my aid yet I cannot but give humble thanks unto heaven for bringing me hither so opportunely to testifie
saw the little Doctor come in that had cured them the night before who commanding them all out applied such sovereign salves to her wounds as after eight howrs sleep she waked without any pain and as able to bear arms as ever she was in her life The wonder therof being no lesse then their content they passed on that night without any fear of Argenaes power But in the morning upon consultation they resolved that this place being in the midst of the enemies Countrey was with much diffiâ—ulty to be kept so that Spheramond determing to quit it returned towards his Empire accompanied with the beautuous Empresse his wife her sister and her maid as also with Parmenian Ladazan and thirty Christian Knights which would needs attend him the rest took such other waies as fortune pleased to guide them CHAP. VIII The arrivall of the Princes of Greece in their Countries and the conveying away of little Amadis of Trebisond FLorisell of Niquea being arrived at Constantinople Alastraxeree in Trebisond Don Rogel in Persiâ— Spheramond with the Empresse Richarda in the Empire of Parthia and the other Christian Princes in their severall Countreys tears of joy and grief were mingled together Sidonia with all kindnes welcommed her Husband and the Empresse of Persia shewed no lesse content for the return of hers But seeing that their Courts in former time so flourishing by the presence of such a number of excellent Princes now seemed forlorn by their deaths and the absence of so many Princesses as were partly deceased and partly carried away they were not able to master their sorrow howbeit time the common Physitian of miseries and the consolations they continually received from those brave Princes having somwhat sweetned the bitternes of their anguish they began to restrain their tears and asswage their grief seeing that necessity enforced them to so couragious a resolution When as fortune that was not yet weary of vexing them prepared them a new occasion of sorrow you have seen how the Empresse Niquea before she was enchanted in the Castle of Treasure was delivered of a yong son whom she called by his fathers name for that he much resembled him in face and that at his birth there appeared in the air certain signs which seemed to presage the excellency of that child It remains now to tell you what became of him after the transporting of his mother away The Chronicle of Alquif reports that in those daies lived a great Magician of the Pagan sect who though he came short of Alcanders perfection yet was master of many admirable secrets unknown to those of his profession This man named Dorion holding nothing in higher esteem then the propagation of his law took the same care for the preservation of the Pagans as our Alcander did for the welfare of Christendome so that one night bestowing himself in the invocation of his spirits he learned of them the birth of the little Amadis of Trebisond knew by his art that he would surpasse his father in valour and that he should one day be the second pillar of the Empire of the faithfull as also the subverter of Paganism This infinitely afflicted him and from thencefoorth he vowed his death protesting to employ all the secrets of his art rather then fail of his purpose But he continued not long in this mind for turning over his books to find by what means he might best bring his desire to passe he found that he whose destruction he sought should one day shed his bloud for to save him from an extream danger changing then his mischievous intention he became more carefull of his life then he had before been eager of his death yet having the love of his Religion deeply rooted in his heart and being unwilling for the respect of his own preservation to see the ruine of it he took a middle way between the fear of seeing the glory of the Pagans defaced and his desire to live This infant said he may one day indeed relieve me for the influence of the celestiall bodies are never fall but yet I will keep him from destroying those which professe the same law that I do I will therfore go and take him out of his mothers bosom bring him into these deserts where I reside draw out of him the service that he is predestined to do me and then will set such strong enchantments upon him as he shall never be seen by any man but my self Having thus spoken he inclosed himself in a cloud and went directly to Constantinople where the little Amadis was brought up As soon as he came there the Sun began to lose his light the daies brightnes was turned into darknes and from the cloud wherin he was such claps of thunder roareâ— foorth that every man feared to be grownd into powder Whilest all these wonders strook the world with astonishment Dorion descended entred the chamber of little Amadis who then was but three months old took him in his arms and in the presence of Florisel that with excessive grâ—ef saw him go out and was not able to hinder it returned into the midst of his cloud which immediatly rising up in the air carried him to the monstrous Island his own habitation where being setled he presently caused a woman to nurse him commanding her with his milk to infuse into him the directions of their Law so soon as she found him capable of any impression of it howbeit his design there sorted not to his desire For Alcander who was not able to hinder the carrying of him away for that the decrees of heaven are not to be crossed made him understand by certain secret impressions that one only God was by him to be worshipped When the cloud was gone the Sun resumed his former splendor and the air became as calm as before but with exceeding grief to Sidonio who seeing the new losse she had sustained so exceedingly renewed her sighes and tears that if Prince Florisell which was better able to undergo such crosses had not fallen again to his former reasons for to comfort her she would undoubtedly have buried her self with her grief Whilest the people lamented this misfortune Florisell to seek some diversion from these sorrows resolved to go on hunting and to that end departing out of the palace for to take horse a maid presented herself and kissing a paper which she had in her hand delivered it to him telling him withall that it came from the wise Vrganda with that word he trembled for not having heard of her since the losse of his friends he thought she had not been living but had accompanied them in death whom so faithfully she had served during their lives But this his perturbation being of no long continuance he opened the paper and therin read these words Vrganda to the Greek Princes SOvereign Princes If you had not learned by so many crosses as you have met withall in the World what men of coâ—rage ought to know I
not make dainty to let you see such evidence upon my breast as shall assure you of this truth and by this means curing you will be very glad to let you understand how it is no little discontentment to me that nature hath framed me such as I am You may say replide the Lady what you please but upon my faith I shall still take you for a Knight untill I see some better assurance of the contrary wherefore you shall oblige me though this may seem somewhat uncivill if you will put off your cuirasse that so I may be disabused and in the mean time tell me your name for it may be I shall know you by the fame that goes of you That is the only way answered she not to know me at all for my name is not so renowned in the world as that you might know me by telling it you yet to obey you please you to know that I am called the great Savagesse wife to the mighty King of Lidia who died at the battell of Aleppo and am fitter to do you service with my arms in my hand then as you have desired Saying this she unlaced her cuirasse and took the Ladies hand to put it into her bosome when as three Giants and twelve Knights who had long dogd them and now found them by the light of the torches seazed upon them both and put them into a Chariot notwithstanding all the resistance that the fair Savagesse who had not leisure to draw her sword could make The Knights much troubled for the want of their helmets at this so unexpected an incounter speedily recovered for to make them ready to follow the Giants who went away infinitly pleased with their booty But it was so dark that they knew not where they were and therfore it was a good while before they could find their Squires who likewise were so drowsie as it was long before they could bridle their horses by means wherof their enemies were gotten a great way before them ere they were able to set forth in pursuit of them neverthelesse desirous to see the end of this adventure they rode all night with incredible speed insomuch that two howrs after Sun rising they came to a valley in the bottom wherof they saw the Coach standing still and the three Giants with their followers battering a Knight who defended himself bravely and had already laid fowr of their Knights dead at his feet Oh heavens said Fulgoran madded to see this unequall match what do I behold and why do not I assist so gallant a man Come Cousin let us make these base creatures know that the justice of the Gods is alwaies armed for the succour of the oppressed This said they fell upon the Giants with such fury as at the first shock they tumbled two of them to the earth so wounded as one was troden to death with the horses feet the other getting up again a little after with much ado the Knight that was first ingaged in the â—ight seeing this favourable aid and determining to make a profitable use therof bestird himself so lustily amongst those rascals that he laid three more of them dead at his feet whilest Fulgoran and his Cousin combatted the other two Giants The valor of these three warriours being at the highest the combat lasted not long for the first Knight having made his enemies turn their backs he discharged so furious a blow upon the arm of the Giant that fought with Florimond as he sent it together with his sword to the ground just as Fulgoran had made an end of his The victory being thus gloriously atchieved the Ladies which were bound with cords were presently delivered to the great astonishment of the Knight that began the fight For knowing the fair Savagesse he presently unlaced his helmet and imbracing her said Ah Madam how I detest these inhumane villanes that have bound you who are able to bind all the world A thousand times I give thanks to heaven that brought me thus seasonably to encounter you for to begin your deliverance nor am I lesse engaged to these brave warriors who have in seconding me shewed so much valor for the which I will go and vow a perpetuall service to them Be you also pleased to yield them the like regard that it may appear you are as curteous as you are beautifull wherwith he was turning to them when as the fair Savagesse being free of her bonds took him in her arms and kissed him with such affection as made her somthing jealous that was with her My Lord said she it is I that is made happy in this meeting and your geneâ—ous hand doth every day ingage me in new obligations I acknowledge that these Cavaliers have done much for us and am therfore willing to render them thanks for their assistance wherupon she leaped down from the Chariot to go to Fulgoran and Florimond who were amazed at her beauty but they prevented her with so much respectivenes as rendred her almost ashamed of it Madam said Fulgoran to her you honour us too much in esteeming us worthy to serve you and this poor pains we have taken is nothing in comparison of that which we desire to undergo for you This day is most fortunate since it hath furnished us with means to see you but that our contentment may be compleat tell us I beseech you who this yong Knight is the bravest and most valiant that ever I beheld It is not without reason answered the fair Savagesse that you commend and desire to know him for besides the merit of his valour wherof your selves are judges he is discended of the noblest race in the world being grandchild to the excellent Emperour Amadis of Greece who fils all the earth with astonishment at the recitall of his glorious deeds of arms and son to the valorous Penthesilea the most invincible Princesse of the world and the never conquered Don Silves de la Silva His name is Silvan accomplished with all those rare endowments that can honour a gentleman and so obliged to the assistance you have given him as he will not fear to engage his life for your service nor my self to employ these arms for you which you see me cary Fulgoran exceedingly pleased with this incounter for he had an extream desire to prove himself against some of the Greek Princes answered Madam the praises that you give this Knight are great because they come from you but too little for the excellency of his valor wherof there needs no better testimony then this field covered with dead bodies wherfore I shall gladly receive the honor of his affection together with yours although I could have wished that our acquaintance had been begun in another fashion I mean by a combat between him and me For being of a contrary faith to mine we could hardly have continued friends but by such an adventure Silvan who was no lesse discreet then valiant and that would not appear insensible being so
to her condition answered him with much modesty See my Lord Silvan how our opinions do many times abuse us I had thought your discourse had been of another quality then it is nor did I believe that the little beauty which I have could have prevailed so much over you You love me and say that you breath not but for the honour of my favor I will grant it to your merit and not to be ingratefull do even now receive you not only for my Knight but for the lord of my affections assuring my self that you will not seek the possession of them but according to the laws of honour No certainly said Silvan all overjoid for it were a sacriledge to serve you with any hopes of a base alloy Madam I accept of the grace which you now do me with a true and pefect sence of the worth therof and do heer plight you that faith which another day I will tender to you with more solemnity in the presence of those upon whom I depend Saying so he disarmed his hand and giving it to her he pursued his discourse in this sort Now Madam it is in you to render me in effect the happiest Knight on the earth as already I am in hope Dear friend said she smiling time will give us leisure to think of that point in the mean space live in this belief that being perfectly beloved of me I will not passe by any occasion that may tend to your content and mine own Whilest these Lovers rode on with all the delights that two such persons might injoy Fulgoran and his Cousin on the other side were giving end to a number of brave adventures which made their name so glorious as the whole world was full of their renown And indeed there was no other talk but of the Knight Ardant and him of the Flowrets they were sought for every where and continually imploied in divers enterprises whereof they so worthily acquited themselves as the most excellent Knights of the earth were jealous of them Travelling up and down thus with a world of praises one morning at the entry into a forrest they met with two damsels each of which demanded a boon of them Those that resemble you answered Florimond are not to be refused say then what it is that you desire of us That you presently will follow us replied she that spake to him you to deliver my brother who is marked out for death with all the injustice that may be and this Knight to do the like office for the beautifull Princesse of Clodamira called Alixenna that with much reason fears to be ravisht of that which she ought above all things to hold most dear Wherupon these two Knights parted with some discontent Fulgoran entred into a wood where a while after he met with Balard of Catabatmon whom he slew as I have related in the eighth Chapter because he carried a red crosâ—e upon his shield which engaged Florisel of Niquea that found Lidora weeping over the body of Balard to pursue him in revenge of the death of so good a Knight CHAP. XV. Florisel of Niquea finding the Knight Ardant in an extream danger relieves him and after fights a cruell combat with him upon the death of Balard FLeâ—isel of Niquea extreamly desiring to meet with the Knight Ardant had travelled two daies without lighting upon any adventure worthy of his imploiment when as he saw a damsell comming towards him that grievously lamented did not spare the hair of her head which she tore off with much violence His good and sweet nature not permitting him to behold her in that plight without offering her his assistance he presently made to her and perceiving she took no heed of him he said unto her Gentlewoman do not afflict your self so excessively but tell me the cause of so violent a grief that I may do you some service if it lie in my power Yes said she looking up you may divert a great mischief by assisting one of the best Knights in the world whom a horrible Giant accompanied with thirty or forty of his men doth hold invested in that Castle which you see yonder before you and if your courage be answerable to your gallant aspect you will not suffer him to perish in that maner At these words Florisel without any further stay in regard the danger was pressing set spurs to his horse and finding the gate open entred into a large Court where he saw a Knight armed with a Cuirasse of the colour of fire who bestirring himself bravely did one while lay upon a Giant and another while send an arm or a head of a Knight to the earth His valour begetting in him no lesse wonder then it did desire to succour him although he knew him to be the Knight Ardant whom he sought he instantly couched his lance and aiming it at the bever of the Giants helmet he hit him with such force as he made him take three or fowr turns on the ground so that if the shame to see himself overthrown had not animated him with rage he had lien there longer but spite rendring him insensible of all pain he arose though with some difficulty and incountring Don Florisel who in the mean space had dispatched three of his followers he charging them with such violence as much amazed him howbeit not failing in courage and knowing full well how to carry a businesse as that was he avoided half of his blows and made him feel his so waighty that he had no cause to brag of his advantage Hammering upon one another in this sort they kept so close together that the Giant had no opportunity to assist his people of whom the Knight Ardant did in the interim make a strange slaughter whereat he was so enraged that he bestowed the most part of his blows in vain with horrible menaces to overthrow the altars which he had erected for the adoration of his Gods which gave him not powr to vanquish one single Knight His fury augmâ—nting with the sight of his bloud that ran down all along his armour he resolved either not to live or to determine this combat by the death of his enemy so that taking his curtleax in both his hands he let it fall with such force upon Don Florisels shield as he made him go staggering three or fowr steps back so astonied that he knew not where he was from thence flying to the Knight Ardant who by this time had not above ten or eleven enemies to deal with he advanced his arm to have given him a dangerous and weighty blow when as Florisel enraged for having been so rudely intreated struck him with such fury on the back as cutting through his armour he gave him a great wound on the shoulder this blow the sorest that ever he had felt making him turn head their combat began to be more cruell then before whilest Fulgoran having cut all those rascals in pieces went speedily up the stairs hearing
a great noise above Florisel seeing this great execution was so transported with anger at the resistance his adversary made him that he made a stockado at his belly with such violence as he ran him thorow and thorow laying him stark dead on the pavement That done he instantly returned forth of the Castle for that he would not be known of the Knight Ardant lest the resentment of the succour he had given him should oblige him to refuse the combat which he intended to have with him and withdrawing himself to the edge of the forrest he lighted upon the cottage of a yong shepheard who receiving him very courteously gave him the best entertainment he could But whilest he took a little rest Fulgoran was in no great ease for meeting with an old Giantesse who had a mace in her hand wherwith she was beating in pieces the door of a chamber where the Princesse Alixenna had locked up her self he was by that Megera charged with such violence that he was somewhat amazed at it The respect he carried to women made him endure some blows and would willingly have freed himself without striking her but fearing some mischief from this fury he sustained a mighty blow that she struck with her mace upon his shield and closing with her gave her such a knock with the pommell of his sword under the ear as he laid her dead upon the floor That done he caused the Princesse Alixenna to open the dore who with tears of joy would have cast her self at his feet to have kissed his hand But having prevented her he said Madam Knights errant do not receive such homage which is not due but to persons of your merit If I have done any thing for you I am sufficiently recompensed in that my endevours are acceptable to you But leaving these complements tell me what I am to do more for your safety for I am heer to no other end but to obey you If necessity did not constrain me replied she I should not so far presse upon your goodnes but being left heer alone by the death of my people who were all cut in pieces when the Giant took me I may not refuse the honour of your conâ—ucting me to Constantinople if so be your occasions will permit you to travell thither with me The Emperour Florisel will give you thanks for me and nobly recompence the succour you have given me I am somewhat of kin to the fair Queen Sidenia his wife and came now from Guindaia to visit and comfort her after so many losses as she hath lately sustained but tell me I beseech you whether I be not too importunat in this request of mine or whether I shall hazard my self in this journey only with the damsell that brought you hither in so lucky an howr Madam answered Fulgoran I will go with you most willingly to Constantinople not to receive as you propound any recompence for good Knights are to content themselves with the glory of their actions but to preserve you from falling again under the mercy of some wicked men who without sufficient regard to your beauty might strive to get that of you by violence which ought to be given for love Wherfore we will depart presently if you please unlesse you had rather stay till to morrow I should said she be uncivill if I should not allow you some time to refresh your self after the labour you have this day endured the rather for that our chiefest enemies are dead and that now there is no body heer but such as are at your service we will then if you please tary till to morrow and in the mean time I will take care to have you looked unto by my maid who knows how to cure a wound that you may be dressed if need be Fulgoran assuring her that he felt no hurt they both went down the stairs to give thanks unto the Knight that had so bravely assisted them but not finding him they were extreamly grieved with his absence Howbeit seeing it could not be helped they went to free certain Knights whom the Giant held in prison to whose care the charge of the Castle was committed That done every one retired to his rest whilest Florisel to whom the length of the day seemed tedious in the company of his host that had not wherwithall to divert his thoughts by his discourse entred into the thickest part of the wood where he walked a great while interâ—aining himself with the little assurance that men ought to place in the things of this world which for the most part renders our pleasures but passant our pains of long continuance our good without sweetnes our evils without hope and our lives subject to all the accidents of fortune This contemplation having held him till it was almost night he was upon returning to his lodging when as he saw a damsell making towards him followed at the heels by a Giant armed at all pieces He that had no other arms but his sword would without question have been amazed at this encounter had he been capable of fear but his gallant heart despising all dangers he was advancing towards them with his sword in his hand when as the maid thus spake to him Hold my Lord Florisel arms and valour are of no use where there are no enemies we are heer rather to do you service then to offend you I confesse said he stretching out his arms to embrace her I confesse Gentlewoman that I was in the wrong for I did not at the first sight know you to be our dear friend Alquifa Tell me I pray you are your parents yet living and what occasion brings you hither at this time I have already told you answered she that it is in some sort to oblige you this I am heer My Father and Mother were never more affectionated to your service all their study and care is for the good of you and those of your house They have commanded me to present you with this pack wherin you shall find arms very necessary for your design which doubtles is of greater consequence then you believe it to be and withall to advertise you That The new Lions shall shortly come with such strong claws as they shall tear up the greatest foundations of the earth discovering the Treasure that hath so long time been hidden for the glory of those from whom they are extracted To give you a clearer understanding of these words is that I may not do Wherfore not to trouble you any longer about it I will only say that you must alwaies cary in mind what you ow to your name and glory with that she went away so suddenly as she gave him not the leasure to return her any answer leaving him somwhat displeased with so abrupt a parting howbeit considering that all the actions of those sages were done for some reason he was the better satisfied by viewing those fair arms which he immediatly put on and so returned to his cottage
the two Knights were and assailing the two Giants they laid upon them so lustily as they quickly made them dispair of the victory The combat was very hot between these fowr but no whit lesse dangerous on the other side for the two Knights desirous to make use of time charged their enemies with so much fury as they cut them all in pieces except one that was very richly armed who unwilling to die with the rest though he had behaved himself very bravely before intreated for life and liberty You shall have it said one of them provided you let us know both who you are and why you caused us to be thus assaulted It is said he the least that I can do since I am in your power but I could wish that these fowr Knights who are fighting together might be seperated for the death of the two Giants would be very grievous to me with that he stept forward to put himself between them when as he saw them tumble into the sea with two fearfull blows which at one instant they had received See said he with tears in his eies that which I feared more then the losse of minâ— own life but the matter being now past remedy I must have patience remembring the estate wherin I am I will give you an account of what you require of me I am a kinsman to the mighty King of Canabea the Christian Princes capitall enemy and am now come from treating with the great Cariff of Affrica and the King of Coriza to whom I was emploied for to invite them to a war against the Princes of Greece the cause wherof is rather for religion then conquest and my voiage was successefull enough had I not lighted upon you for having obtained all that I desired namely fifty thousand men to fall upon the Empire of Trebisond besides an hundred and thirty thousand more which are already levied in the Kingdomes of Canabea Romeria and Calican I returned extreamly well satisfied in the company of those two Giants which the King of Coriza had given me by whose aid I did not doubt but to see the Crown of Trebisond placed on my masters head the rather for that I knew the principall defenders of that Empire are dead so as the Christians have been constrained to commit the government therof to an Amazonian woman and that those which survive will not willingly quit their own provinces for fear of being invaded by other Pagan Kings Behold what you can expect from me in discharge of my promise it remaineth now that you make yours good and restore me to my former liberty as you have preserved my life The Princes of Greece answered one of the first Knights aretrue of their words and stand in no doubt of their enemies Experience should have made them wiser and so many battels as they have lost should me thinks be able to break that obstinate desire they have to die in this quarrell but since they will not guide themselves by reason they shall not be more gently entertained then they have been heertofore They have reason to say that the bravest Knights in the world are dead but there yet remain enough to trample on the heads of all such as shall dare to provoke them And to testifie unto you that we do not much regard their menaces we will give you leave to proceed on your voiage and you may tell your kinsman that for a beginning of the war you have met with Greek Princes as full of curtesie as courage This said he commanded to weigh anchor and letting them go he turned to the two Knights with no little admiration to see them so yong and so excellent Esquilan having observed them very attentively desired them not to be displeased if his curiosity caried him to demand of them who they were to the end they might the better know to what persons they were engaged for so many caresses and praises wherwith they had rewarded the poor service they had done them We are said one of them too much obliged to you to refuse to let you understand who we are I am Dorigel King of the fortunat Islands and this other is the valiant Amanio d'Astre at these words they redoubled their embraces and continuing their discourse they resolved to take several waies Dorigel commanded to steer for the fortunat Island for to raise some forces in aid of the Greek Princes Russian and the Polack reentred their Bark in pursuit of their fortune and the gentle Amanio took his way towards the Parthian Empire from which he was not then far distant to advertise Spheramond of the Pagans design as he did within a few daies after these news having diverted that great Emperour from his ordinary passions made him give order for the raising of men for dispatching away speedily of certain Gentlemen unto Greece and Trebisond lest they should be surprised by the enemy and sâ—ewing an exceeding affection to the welfare of Christendome he hastned his levies and in person set forward with ten thousand horse and twenty thousand foot On the other side Florisel and Rogel were no lesse carefull and beyond them all Alastraxarea for seeing their estates exhausted by so many former wars they were much grieved to behold their people thus continually subject to alarums but not able to force the destinies they suddenly gave order for their affairs Don Rogel dislodging with thirty thousand men at arms and Don Florisel with fifteen thousand horse and twenty thousand foot In the mean time the ship wherin Russian was having ran two daies without meeting any adventure arrived at the foot of a little mountain which seemed to the Knights so pleasant that they presently landed much admiring to see their horses upon the shore in the same equipage that they had left them in but ceasing their wonder by the remembrance of what they had seen the old man and the damsell do not long before they presently mounted upon them and taking a beaten way that lead up to the top of the mountain they spent about an howr or more at the end wherof they found a Cave whose mouth was stopt with certain pieces of wood which made them conjecture that there was some secret within it their curiosity then not permitting them to go any further without knowing whether there were any adventure within it worthy their courages they alighted and tying their horses to a Tree they thrust away the bars so as with little difficulty they made that entry free for them but that not being large enough for two to passe in front Russian drew out his sword and intreating Esquilan to stay there till his return he went on a pretty way in that darknes not without some apprehension of falling into some precipice out of which he should never be able to disingage himself but then presently espying a lamp he marched with more assurance by the light therof till he came into a vault of about five and twenty or
force of their arms the day being already passed they saw the seas covered with ships comming in very good order whereupon both sides were in fear alike for neither of them knew to whether part they were in favour inclined but they dwelt not long in that doubt for as soon as the Vantguard approached the Port the red Crosse with the arms of Persia were discerned in their flags whereby it was judged to be the valiant Don Rogel of Greece his arrivall brought no lesse fear to the Pagans then contentment to his friends who being free to go whether they pleased for that the truce was yet on foot went to meet him in the strand with a thousand signes of joy the ceremonies of entertainment being over the Princes not to lose time met presently in councell for to deliberate on the courses which was to be held for the future battell wherein all their opinions in a manner concurring they resolved to make four equall battalia's each of them consisting of five and twenty thousand horse and eight thousand foot the first or which should be commanded by Spheramond accompanied with Amanio d' Astre and Perion of Turkie the second by the valiant Prince of Persia his father with Russian of Media and Dardanio the third by the royall Alastraxerea with Esquilan and Quedragant of Sansuega and the last by the excellent Florizell of Niquea with Florestan and Florizart the command and guard of the town was intrusted to the Count of Argamond with ten thousand foot and the Campe to the Duke of Silesia with the like number of Infanterie On the other side the Pagans were not drowfie but knowing that the losse of that day would be the ending of their honours and lives they incouraged their souldiers one while with promise of rewards another while with hope of glory so as the most cowardly resolved to fight it out bravely both for reputation and spoil their spies having informed them of the order the Greek Princes determined to hold in imbattelling their army they also concluded to frame four battalia's of their forces each of them composed of thirty eight thousand horse and fifteen thousand foot whereof the first was to be led by the Prince Bruzanges Florimond his son the valourous Arifleura and three Giants the second by the great Cariffe of Africa Dardanor King of Romeria and three Giants the third and fourth by the King of Coriza and Fulgoran with a like number of men the King of Calican remaining with twelve thousand foot for the guard of their Camp These things thus decreed every man bestirred himself some making clean their arms some whetting their swords and others looking to their horses In brief none was idle and every one passionately wished for the next day that they might imploy their forces Assoon then as the morning appeared Spheramond who had the foreward covered the field with his horse and not intending to stay untill the trumpets sounded a charge he espied on his right hand five Knights armed all in white present themselves with incredible courage against the enemy to the no little joy of the Christians whereupon perceiving Florimond begin his career he set spurs to his horse and so strongly incountered him in the midst of his race as their lances flew into a thousand shivers Florimond still keeping his seat though he was twice or thrice ready to fall such was not Bruzanges fortune with the valiant Amanio d' Astre for he was laid upon the earth so dangerously hurt that without the succour of his son he had been stifled under the horses feet Perion of Turkie and the white Knight directed their staves against the Giants whereby two of them were wounded but so slightly as they presently laid hands on their scymiters and disdaining to fight with ordinary men they began a furious combat with three of the white Knights whilst Spheramond in the midst of the preasse thundered wheresoever he came neither was Florimond any way behinde him for as often as he advanced his sword the death of some Christians ensued whence it followed that his people in imitation of him laboured exceedingly to make good the place they fought upon but they were so pressâ—d by Spheramond Periâ—â— Amanio d' Astre and the white Knights that they began to give ground with extream discontent to the Giants who could not relive them being too far ingaged in their combat with the new come Knights neverthelesse enraged to see themselves staid in that sort they all at one instant diseharged three such blows on their adversaries heads as they laid them on the ground almost void of sense with that taking the opportunity of the time they went to have made their people turn head which they perhaps had done if they had not been stopt by the brave Emperour of the Parthians Amanio d' Astre and Periâ—â— who not giving them leave to passe any further charged them so stoutly as they were constrained to look to their own defence then it was that Florimond re-incouraging his men overthrew as many Christians as stood in his way but the white Knights being come to themselves again and infinitely inraged that they had been so ill intreated flew into the throng with their two companions and made such a slaughter among them as the enemies were fain to retreat to avoid their fury notwithstanding all that Florimond could do to stay them The great Cariffe of Africa accounted one of the most valourous among the Pagans seeing the first troop in disorder caused those which he led to advance against whom the Excellent Emperour of the Persians opposed himself and with that greatnesse of courage which made him so admired in the world charged his lance against the Cariffe whom he made to lose his stirrups Russian of Media having run one of the Giants quite thorow and thorow upon the encounter of these new troops the earth was quickly covered with arms legs weapons and the field with horses that had lost their masters the air ecchoed with the cries of dying and wounded men the ground shook with the noise of drums and trumpets all was full of horrour and fear and wheresoever Dâ—â— Râ—gel and Russian passed they left behinde them evident marks of their valour the ranks grew thin before the great Cariffe and his Giants in brief all was in confusion and the bloud streamed so over all the field as it filled every one with astonishment the King of Calican and Fulgoran impatient to see others imployed in businesse of glory caused their troops presently to advance the like did Alastraxerea and Don Florizell then it was that the earth and the heavens seemed to be but one thing and so many Knights were overthrown at this encounter as no man could stir a foot without treading on the dead the Knight Ardant carried ruine in his hand Florizell passed along like lightening the Giants cut all in pieces that stood in their way Alastraxerea Esquilan Russian Rogell Spheramond Quedragant and Pâ—rion
seemed furies in summe nothing appeared but bloud and slaughter The King of Calican meeting with Alastraxerea and Fulgoran with Florizell began a furious combat but it lasted not long for they were divided by a troop of Pagans which invironing this valiant Prince and his sister reduced them into very great danger of their lives had not Spheramond and the gallant Amanio d'Astre come in just at the time when as their horses were killed under them these two Princes knowing Florizell and his sister slew in suddenly amidst their enemies and so wonderfully behaved themselves as they gave their friends leave to breathe a while howbeit their succour had little prevailed against so great a multitude amongst the which were three Giants if the brave Russian of Media together with the five white Knights had not put himself in the head of fifty Knights wherewith he charged the enemy so furiously that after they had slain above two hundred of them even before Fulgorans face they re-mounted Florizell and the valorous Alastraxerea who renewing the fight with more rage then before seemed not be wearied at all with their former toil Whilst matters past thus in this part Don Rogell with Esquilan Florerian Dardanio Quedragant and Florizart arrested the fury of the Cariffes Giants and Florimond whereby their people were so heartened as they were no whit dismayed with the sight of so many corpes as lay dead before them The slaughter having continued all the day with the Combattants incredible pain the night came on which parted them without knowing unto whom fortune was most favourable the Pagans retired to their Camp and the Christians to their tents not a little glad to see the principall Knights preserved from the fury of this best debated battell that ever was fought The number of the dead being calculated on both sides it was found that the Pagans had lost ninety two thousand men with seven Giants and the Princes Bruzanges Florimond and the Cariffe sore wounded the Christians for their part having fifty seven thousand men slain Florizell and Alastraxerea both hurt the one in the shoulder the other in the arm The retreat thus made the Christian Princes after they had caressed the new Knights which were Florian and Tristor of Sobradiza Agrian of Scotland Fulurtin and Melfort met in counsell about their affairs where every one agreeing to Don Rogells advice who perswaded the renewing of the fight by break of day to let the enemy see that neither losse nor labour could affright them word was brought that an Ambassadour was come from the Knight Ardant Let him said Don Rogell come in his presence will not scare us The Ambassadour then being admitted spake to them all in this manner Princes of Greece the King of Canabea beleeving that you have need of rest as well as himself and that you will be as willing to do all fair offices to those which have lost their lives on your side as well as he would be to such as died on his he hath sent me hither to require a trâ—ce for eight dayes to the end every man may bestow 〈…〉 upon his friends that time expired he will let you understand the designe he hath resolved on for to give an end to this war Don Rogell that was chiâ—â—e in the counsell by reason of the absence of Florizel of Niquea his father who was retired into the citie by reason of his hurt would have had the advice of the other Princes upon this demand but they all protesting to be wholly gâ—ided by him he thus answered the Embassadour We had resolved before your comming to have seen to morrow morning what the issue of our warre would have been and to that end had commanded our men to be ready by break of day but now we will let your master know that the Princes of Greece will never be wanting in courtesie no more then in courage The truce then which in his name you require we are content to grant you and will be glad to understand what his designe is that we may contribute thereunto all that is necessarie on our part This answer being returned to Fulgoran very much contented his army and the Christians retired into their tents to refresh themselves at leasure CHAP. XXI Vpon the point of a combat between Fulgoran the Cariffe Florimond and the unknown Knight with Spheramond Amanio d'Astre Russian and Esquilan two Damsels interrupting them carried them away THe field being cleared of the dead bodies Fulgoran who had no greater desire then to be victor in that war incessantly studied how to bring that to passe one while he was inclined to put his army once more to the hazzard of a battle but straight remembring the horrible slaughter which had been made of his men he had compassion of so many innocent people and desired to triumph with lesse effusion of bloud but not knowing which way to iattain thereunto he passed the most part of his time in these meditations without drawing any resolution out of an infinity of thoughts At the last returning one day from the forrest where he often used to walk with a determination to raise his siege and afterwards to dispute by a combat of two to two not the Empire which now he durst not hope for but the glory of the victory he heard the voyce of one that complained wherewith his heart being moved to pitty he suddenly turned his horse that way and approaching to certain trees which Nature had set very close together he saw thorow the branches a Knight laid upon the grasse armed at all peeces except his handâ— and head his eyes were full of tears his face pale yet did not that hinder him from appearing very handsome The sadnesse of this object not leaving him without resenting the griefe which he saw him endure moved him to alight for to present his best assistance unto him when as he saw him rise from the ground and take a Lute that hung upon the boughes of one of the trees whereunto he sung a very mournfull ditty which being ended he returned his Lute to the former place and throwing himselfe upon the grasse he said Is it possible to finde a more unhappy man then my selfe in the world and who can say that I am not the worst required of any that ever sighed for love Hope mitigates the torments of lovers and if they suffer it is with a certain opinion that time will change their misfortune and that patience will render the end of their desires happy but alas my misery is not of that quality I languish without possibility of hope and the death of Arthemisa deprives me of all the blisse that man can expect I love her as much in the grave as when she lived and foolishly imagining that she will one day revive to set me at rest I cannot resolve to entertain any affection for another Mistresse Good Gods is not my destiny very deplorable herein Have I not cause to complain
who finding himselfe amongst such dreadfull enemies was in some doubt of his life neverthelesse resolving to sell it dearly he bestirred himselfe with much valour and dexterity But it much inraged him for that his sword could not make way thorow the shaggy hair of these monsters which crushed his bones with their heavie clubs On the other side Fulgoran laid fearfully about him for desiring either to dye or to vanquish he had already overthrown two of them dead at his feet defending himself couragiously from the rest that pressed him with incredible fury The combat being in this dangerous estate the unknown Knight enraged for that he could not as yet see any bloud drawn from his enemies gave one of them such a thrust in the belly as he ran him quite thorow and thorow laying him dead on the grasse but he had not time to rejoyce at this his lucky dispatch of that monster for the rest charged him at the very same instant with two such cruell blows as they extended him on the earth quite void of sense beleeving then that he was dead they yelled forth such a dreadfull cry as the whole Island resouâ—ded therewith whereby Fulgoran being drawn to look about for to see whence it might proceed perceived the misfortune of his companion whereat he was so exceedingly incensed that taking his sword in both hands he discharged it so forcibly upon one of them as the hair not able to withstand the edge thereof it divided his head in two pieces whereupon not regarding the rest he ran suddenly to the unknown Knight whom his adversaries were a disarming and carried with the same fury as before he struck one of them so terribly on the shoulder as he cut him down to the very girdle The other three beholding this terrible blow presently forsook their former man and joyning with them that remained they assailed him so furiously that they gave him no leave to breathe their strokes descending so thick upon him as his shield seemed to be an anvill whereon 5 or 6 Smiths were a hammering Seeing himself pressed in this sort fearing that at length he should fall under the weight of these strokes he began to retire by little and little towards the Arch that so he might avoid fighting with them all at once when as a big Knight in gray Armour presented himselfe who seeing the inequality of this fray drew out his sword and therewith charged one of the Salvages with such strength as he sent his club arm and all unto the ground not contented therewith he gave another such a thrust just in the throat as the point of his sword came out at the nape of his neck laying him dead on the grasse Fulgoran no lesse amazed then pleased with the valour of this new commer took his sword again in both hands and fearing lest the glory of this adventure might be ravished from him he struck one of them that pursued him very hard with such violence on the thigh as cut it sheere off placing him in the number of those that live not The two that still remained beholding the horrible butchery of thir companions would have saved themselves by flight howbeit they were followed so close by the two Knights as their deaths were not deferred but to the third blow they received This victory being thus gloriously obtained Fulgoran going to the grey Knight spake in this manner Noble sir I must render that unto your valour which all the world cannot refuse you and give you thanks for my deliverance if I live it is through you but I will gladly spend so much bloud for your service as you have now preserved in my body pursue the good fortune which brought you hither the glory of this adventure is reserved for you and the beginning that I have given to it shall not make me desire to oppose your enterprize I have not done any thing sir answered he embracing him for your succour but what the Law of Knighthood commanded me So many enemies as you have extended heer on the earth and that dreadfull serpent which lies dead yonder are assured testimonies that you can vanquish without me and defeat your enemies without my assistance wherefore I will never attribute unto my selfe the honour due to your courage which verily is more then humane but shall be glad to go on with you and in all things be governed by your command Herewith they embraced again and were disposing of themselves to proceed in their enterprize when as Fulgoran bethinking him of his companion went presently unto him to see whether he were yet in case to receive any service from him Having then unlaced his helmet he found his face all covered with bloud but yet was much cheered to see him still breathe Courage said he unto him our enemies are slain and you revenged for the outrage they did you This victory answered he somewhat faintly would be a great contentment unto me were I sure that it had not cost you too much of your bloud I feel much pain replied Fulgoran from so many blowes that I have received but the Clubs being unable to to pierce my Armes I have not lost one drop of bloud the only thing that now troubles me is to see you so ill It is true answered he that I am very light headed but time wil restore me my judgement with my strength and if our Squires were heer to tend me I am perswaded I should be well again in a little time Fulgoran who highly prized him ran incontinently to the first Arch of the bridge to call them and leaving him in their hands he passed on with the gray Knight till they came to the Marble walls where they parted upon the encounter of two wayes Fulgoran taking that on the right hand and the gray Knight the left going then on with wonder to see so strong walls and dangerous guards they came much about the same time unto two gates the gray Knight to that on the west side and Fulgoran to the other that looked towards the Sun rising so that the sound of their knocking was heard both at one instant whereupon the gates flew open with a most dreadfull noyse which notwithstanding stayed not from entring in with their shields on their arms and their swords in their hands But they had not made three steps when as Fulgoran saw one of the hugest and most deformed Giants that might be advance towards him with an Axe of ten foot long which he discharged at his head with a confident beliefe to cleave him to the middle notwithstanding the goodnesse of his Arms howbeit he nimbly avoided the blow by leaping aside so that it lighted upon the ground whereinto it entred a great depâ—h Fulgoran laying hold on that advantage struck him so furiously on the arm that he separated it from his body and not satisfied therewith he was going to double his blow when as the Giant more through rage then judgement closed with
will not suffer you to slip any occasion that may adde to your glory but such affairs as are both of importance and pressing must precede them that may be deferred without danger having thus spoken he vanished out of his sight leaving the Knight more quieted in his minde then before and not a little wondering at the vast knowledge of those to whose skill it seemed his fortune was inseparably attracted Laying himself down then upon his bed he quickly fell asleep but he did not continue so long for his Squire waking them all shewed them afar off a great number of ships in battell array ready to attacque another fleet which in the like order appeared against them Their vessell sailing that way as they desired they saw these vessels meet together and begin a furious Sea-fight in which at the first they medled not being as yet uncertain in favour of whether side they were to employ their arms But discerning white crosses in the flags of those on the right hand they resolved to be for the other side and accordingly had their swords in their hands to give a charge when as they saw a man in the midst of the waves who laying hold of their ship besought them to take him up and not to suffer him to perish in that pitifull element The Squires having drawn him aboord Fulgoran that guessed him to be a Pagan came to him and asked him whom he served He answered that he was a subject to Dardanor King of Romeria who having raised a mighty army and shipped it in the fleet which they saw to invade the kingdom of Canabea in revenge of the affront done him by the King thereof through his too much famâ—liarity with the Queen his wife contrary to the respects of the friendshâ—p between them had met with this fleet of Christians bound for Trebisond and being a mortall enemy to that profession hath charged them in hope to defeat them As I live said Fulgoran your master is a villain and though by my religion I an obliged to the ruine of the Christians yet for this once will I be their servaâ—t Get you then into the fiâ—st of your ships that you come to for I will not out of my bate to your master make you lose your life after I have saved it and tell Dardanor that heer is the King of Canabea who will not put him to the trouble of going so far since he hath so conveniently met with forces heer so turning to Prigmalion he thus spake unto him Deare friend I am extreamly grieved that I must employ my sword for the enemies of our Gods but the wrong which this Prince hath done his wife which is she that is here aboord us and that which he intended to me raising this mighty Army to ruine my countrey do not permit me to incounter him without revenge for we to make use of the times and occasions that Fortune presents us wâ—th If you will assist me I shall take it for a singular favour if not at least wise affoord it to the afflâ—ction of a Lady unjustly banished her countrey which as a Soveraigne she possessed and as a malefactor basely entreated by a jealous and cruell husband How fir said Prigmaleon do you think that I will leave you in the fight and turn my Arms against a side for which you shall declare your selfe Be assured never for I do not consider with whom but why I fight Dardanor is your enemy therefore I cannot love him he hath raised these forces against you we must endevour to defeat them and as you said mâ—ke use of time and occasion Let us then follow our fortune which offers it self so fairly unto us And since the Christians have diverted the storme which was intended should fall upon you let us if we can procure them the victory and overthrow the malitious designe of this ingratefull and barbarous Prince With these words they passed into the middest of the two armies and seeing the fight hottest between two great ships which were grapled together the one bearing the Aâ—mes of Romeria in their tops and the other wâ—itâ— Crosses with Eagles they boorded the Pagans ship all three together leaving their Squires in guard of their baâ—k and of Clâ—â—rangia who seemed more dead then alive and began to make such a slaughter as the deck was covered with bloud and dead karkasses The Christians making use of the advantage which the Knights gave them followed them close and entring with them among their enemies continued the butchery with so much fury that the sea round about them was died all red with blood Fulgoran knowing Dardanor by his rich Armor in despight of all that were about him could do got up to him and letting flye a mighty blow at his head he cut it in two pieces laying him stark dead on the hatches That done he entred another ship of the enemies which made a strong resistance and beginning a like destruction as in the former he overthrew so many dead into the sea as the water was fuâ—l of them This execution having continued above five hours and the death of the King of Romeria being known they presently tacked about and the Captains desiring to save that which remained after so furious a charge retired to the next pâ—rt whence they came the same morning Fulgoran being no lesse discreet then brave and able taking a sudden resolution upon this retreat of the enemy turned himselfe about and addressing himselfe to the Generall of the Christians whose valour during the fight he had admired said unto him Excellent Prince I know not whether you will think me bold to crave any thing of you not having obliged you by precedent services to grant it and being besides a worshipper of other Gods then yours but vertue is to be exercised every where and the duty which we ow to our religion doth noâ— prohibite us to be courteous and to help one another when occasion is offered my enemies are defeated as well as yours for you must know that this Fleet was intended against my countrey in revenge of a wrong that King Dardanor said he had received at my hands howbeit that the victory which you have gloriously gotten may be well managed and that I may also make my benefit of it for the reliefe of a distressed Queen unto whom as a Knight of worth you also are bound not to refuse your assistance be pleased to put your army again into battle array and present it rather to fear then wholly to destroy them In the mean time I will go and visit them with their Queen whom Fortune not long since put into my hands to the end I may if possibly I can restore her to the Crown of Romeria wherof she was deprived by the jealous humour of her husband and bring her subjects to receive her commands with as much obedience as heretofore Brave warriour answered he I so approve of your compassion of an ill intreated Princesses
and in spight of hâ—â— carrying her away threw her and himselfe into a great lake which was at the corner of the goodliest orchard in the world and that transported with a furious despaire he ran to cast himself after that he might not overlive such a losse when as oâ—â— of the laâ—â— a Nymph of most exqâ—â—site beauty with her haire dispread over her neck and shoulders appeared who said to him Fulgoran remember thâ—â— good men are not born to be slaves to their passions and that a worthy Knight should never give himself over to inconsiderate affections which oftentimes bring along with them strange misfortunes Mark well my beauty which is by the heavens reserved for thee It shall one day extinguish the unchast flames wherewith thou now art scorched and make thee tâ—ste the sweetnesse which is found in the embraces of a chast and vertuous woman Saying so she dived under water leaving him so displeased to see her so soon berest him that his body laboured no lesse them his minde so as a waking a little after sun rising he found himself all in a sweat and his eyes full of teares O yee Gods said he to himselfe recording what he had seen are these the effects of my dreame or rather the favour of the Gods who desiring to preserve me from ruine command me to shun all occasions of offending them by my criâ—â—s Spirits have indeed some shadow of truth but they use not to appeare with so many circumstances nor for the most part do we see them for our good These are without doubt revelations upon which I must settle my coâ—tent I am advised to shun all foolish love I will do it I am counselled to leâ—â—n more wit by mine own sufferings it is but reason and out of this faithful advertisement I must take a good lesson to love for the glory of a love both more pious and better grounded Farewell then all witlesse passions which have so often troubled me I will make my selfe no more a slave to your commands I am now again mine own or at least I subject my self to a more pleasing and secure Empire Rising then free from all care unlesse it were to finde out that fair one whose image was ingraven in his heart he waked Prigmaleon and the unknown Knight that were still sleeping and shewing them an Iland afar off put them in some hope that their Bark might bring them thither to meet with some adventure Within two hours they came to land not more wondering at the beauty of the place wherein about a flight shot off they saw a stately Castle then to finde a big Knight in the sea up to the knees couragiously defending himself from two Giants and forty or fifty villâ—ins armed with murrions and halberts who pressing him very sorely made him despair both of victory and life The inequality of this fight perswading them to relieve him they instantly leaped on shore where straight way a Gentlewoman presented her self at their feet My Lords said she with sighs and tears have pity upon my grief and do not lâ—ave this good Knight in the hand of these villains I brought him hither upon the word of Scarafand the Master of this place and the most perfidious man breathing with an opinion that he should combat with none but himself for the deliverance of a Gentleman whom I infinitely love but the traitour without regard of his protested fâ—ith hath engaged him as you see after that he had in single combat slain one of his sons so as I can expect nothing but his death if you assist him not Rise Gentlewoman said Prigmaleon and be assured that we will not fail to succour him in this distresse Herewith they drew out their swords and began to march toward the enemy But they met one of the Giants with five and twenty halbertiers comming to stop their passage which Fulgoran considering and fearing the big Knight would not be able longer to endure the violence of so many opposites flâ—w in amongst them with the unknown Knight leaving Prigmaleon to incounter the Giant and laid upon them with such fury that he presently sent five or six of them dead to the earth having scattered them in that sort he passed on running till he came to those that fought with the big Knight where at his first comming in he gave the Giant such a blow upon the head as he tumbled him into the water out of which he never rose again for the weight of his arms keeping him down he was there drowned receiving in that maner the punishment of his wickednesse The great Knight seeing himself so opportunely seconded quickly got out of the water and thrusting himself into the midst of those rascalls in a short time laid seven or eight of them at his feet imitating Fulgoran who to their horrour making them feel both the edge and point of his sword cut halberts shields cuirasses murrions in pieces so that in a little while he had strewed the ground with armour that he had hewen in sunder and with arms legs and heads that he divided from bodies Those which remained seeing with what rage these Knights did massacre them fled with all speed into the Castle and quickly locked themselves up therein expecting what fortune would befall their companions In the mean time Prigmaleon combatted Scarafand one of the most furious Giants of the earth with so much valour as Fulgoran was amazed at it for he had made so many breaches in his arms as he had scarce any bloud left in him so that he fell by the violence of a blow that lighted on his helmet at the same time that Fulgoran and the great Knight beholding the unknown Knight shrewdly pressed by these rogues recommenced their butchery which was such as there survived not one but onely the four that had before recovered the Castle This execution ended the great Knight unlaced his helmet and craved the Knights hand to kisse in acknowledgement of their favour in succouâ—ing him When as Fulgoran who knew him cast his arms about his neck crying out O ye Gods said he What a happy meeting is this And how am I ingaged to these Sages by whose direction our ship hath been guided to this Island since by my arrivall here I receive such a benefit My dear friend Grandimore I never thought to finde you in such danger and I was amazed at the valour which you shewed in your combat with so many mighty enemies yet having otherwhere seen greater proof thereof I cannot doubt but in the end the victory would have been yours though the number of them were excessive Neverthelesse I heartily thank the Gods for bringing me hither where I might in some sort requite you for that which you did for me when you undertook the combat against the Count of Clina in my behalf At these words Grandimore who till then knew him not opened his arms and embracing him with much affection remained a good while
admiring the horrible blows of the first four and the gracefull activity which the other two shewed in holding so many play But doubting their too long stay might perhaps be prejudiciall to these four brave warriors they leapt into the Giants ship in despight of their Knights resistance And at the first boording of it laid four of them upon the deck which might have affrighted the rest if one of the Giants seeing that slaughter had not left his enemy almost deprived of sense with a mighty blow that he gave him come in to their succor his presence animating them they began to fly upon our Knight with more fury then before whilst their Master combated Grandimore But being fallen into the hands of the most valiant Knights in the world their utmost indeavour nothing availed them for within a while the hatches were covered with their armour cut in a thousand pieces and the water with heads and quarters which every minute they made flie over boord so as none remained alive save the two Giants who beholding their troops defeated redoubled their blows with such fury as the Knights were amazed at it but straining themselves to discharge their blows with their utmost force caused the bloud to issue so abundantly out of the many wounds they had received that they both fell down dead almost at one instant the one at the feet of Grandimore and the other into the sea by the valour of him with whom he fought Fulgoran then with Prigmaleon advanced towards the Knights to salute them but hearing a great noise in their own ship they suddenly turned about and seeing the unknown Knights Squire fallen into the sea they all made what haste they could to save him which when they had done and taken him up their ship flew off from the other with such celerity as the Knights had no time either to give them thanks for their assistance or to enquire of their names and fortunes Now whilst their Bark carried them away in this sort to a Port of Greece where within two dayes after they arrived to the exceeding contentment of Grandimore that was sore wounded and had none in their vessell who knew how to cure him The other Conquerours having romaged the Giants ship met with a most beautifull Lady accompanied with six maids so sad and disfigured with the fear they were in that there appeared no bloud in their faces Going then to comfort her and bringing her forth into the light one of the Knights kneeling down and kissing her hand said unto her Madam put away all fear for your enemies are dead and heer are none but such as onely breathe for your safety We will let you understand who we are as we well know that you are the peerlesse Princesse Fontanea daughter to the great Emperour Amadis of Greece and now Queen of France assuring you that there are not any in the world more devoted to your service then our selves I am your Nephew Silvan and this brave warriouresse is the fair Savagesse lately become my wife These two great Knights are the Cenophales whom the Emperour Spheramond and the valiant Amadis d' Astre made purchase of in the wars of Peâ—sia and whom I met at sea bound for Constantinople If I did not know that Fortune taketh delight in crossing those which are raised to any greatnesse I should be amazed to finde you a prisoner and in danger of suffering violence from the base vilains into whose hands you were fallen But not being ignorant of her malice I take your misfortune to be such as may befall to any man onely this is it I wonder at how these Giants could take you out of your own Kingdom and from amongst your subjects a valiant people Ah dear Nephew said she imbracing and kissing him with much affection this mishap did not befall me in France but in an Island of this sea whether a storm had driven me with thirty Gentlemen that attended on me who gave but too good proof of their fidelity for after they had slain one of three Giants and twelve Knights they maintained the fight with the rest to the last gasp I was going by the consent of the Prince Lucendus my husband who intends to follow me presently towards Constantinople but my voiage was at an end and my life at the last period had I not met with you I commend the election you have made of this gallant Amazon whom I will ever love and cherish as I have alwayes done your mother And for these two brave Giants that accompany you let them be assured I will never forget the pains they have taken to set me free Then going to the fair Savagesse she entertained her with as much kindnesse and respect as her valour and their alliance meritted then giving these two Cenophales her hands to kisse she received them very graciously These complements over she went into Silvans ship with all her women who seemed as if they had been risen from death to life and commanding the Marriners to hoise up all their sails she made directly for Constantinople where within two dayes she landed to the infinite joy of all those Princes who were thither returned from Trebisond about ten or twelve dayes before her arrivall there CHAP. XXV Florizell of Niquea proclaims a Tâ—rnament in honour of the French Queens arrivall the end thereof with the brave actions of a number of gallant Knights THE arrivall of this matchlesse Queen with Silvan and the beautifull Savagesse his wife causing a publick rejâ—ycing Florizell determined to keep open Court â—or eight dayes together during which time a Iust was ordained for the young Knights and a Tourney for the conclusion thereof with a safe conduct for all strangers Messengers were therefore sent into every quarter that these first magnificences after the death of so many Princes might be the more glorious and that those which survived might in this sort demonstrate that their courages were nothing abated by afflictions All things being disposed to pleasure a multitude of good Knâ—ghts flocked thither from all parts Artificers were set on work horses were managed for the Tilt the trumpets sounded in every corner In briefe nothing was spoken of but mirth and all men strove to shew their gladnesse for the greater contentment of the Princes The first day of the Iusts being come and Florizell of Niquea set at Table with all those Kings a Squire came into the Hall and kneeling down thus spake unto him Excellent Prince the two Knights of the Crowns as valiant peradventure as any on the eâ—rth do by me beseech you to grant them a favour in contemplation of the desire they have to do you service They know that these three next dayes are dedicated to exercises of Arms the two first for the Iusts and the third for the Tourney They therefore humbly crave that they may be permitted to maintain with the lance against all that will run with them during those two daies not that
appeared but sparks of fire in the air and cantles of armour and shields on the ground If Fulgoran and Prigmaleon charged with violence they felt themselves so closely followed as they wondered at the valour of their enemies nothing was to be heard but horrible blows one part laid on load another was forced to set their knees to the ground In brief this sight might truly be tearmed the most furious that ever had been seen between eight persons Prigmaleon who had one of those of the gilt arms to deal with being mad at the resistance he found from him let his sword descend with such rage on his helmet as he made him recoil two or three paces with the sight of a million of stars at midday but he had not time to glory much of that advantage for his adversary recovering his spirits came and charged him with such force as his shield being divided in two pieces the sword fell so heavy on his shoulder that he was fain to set one knee to the ground to save himself from falling but quickly getting up again he rendered the combat far more cruell then ever it was In the mean time Fulgoran and his adversary intreated one another with the like fury Grandimorâ— and the unknown Knight disputed the victory with very much courage howbeit they were so pressed by their opposites as they had little leisure to think of their consciences neverthelesse desiring rather to die then to shew any signe of faintnesse they fought two howrs without any advantage to their enemies who still resolving to vanquish redoubled their blows and so sharply followed them that these two Pagan Knights after another hours combat fell almost both at one time to the ground to the great content of the conquerours who having made them confesse the victory helped them up and delivered them into the hands of two Chirurgians which Don Florisell had appointed to be ready for the relief of such as should chance to be wounded The misfortune of these two Knights augmented the rage of Prigmaleon and Fulgoran their blows became more weighty then before so as often times their enemies were forced to knocke their chins against their breasts and to set their knâ—es to the ground But they had so good a share in those courtesies that every one was amazed at the sight of so dangerous a combat which every one thought could never be ended but by the â—eath of them all And indeed they were so eager as they continued seven hours without taking of breath or that any one could discerne any the least signe of wearinesse or of advantage in them which so madded them as carried by an unusuall rage they all quitted their swords and grapled together hoping by meer strength to get the victory but little prevailing that way they were at length constrained after they had tumbled on the ground sometimes above and another while below to rise as by agreement and recommence their combat which lasted till night no man being able to attribute the honour of it more to the one then the other Don Rogell who infinitely admired the valour of these Knights perceiving them obstinately bent not to give over for all that it grew dark caused the retreat be sounded But their rage not permitting them to heare it they went on with their businesse and continued battering one another more cruelly then they had done all the day before so that Don Rogell was inforced to discend with Spheramond and intreat them to part for his sake shewing them hat the cause of their contention being so slight their enmity had no reason to be so bitter but they lent a deafe care to all that he could say so as at last he was constrained to put himselfe between them which so much displeased Prigmaleon as turning himselfe somewhat hastily to Don Rogell he said in some choller I would fain have intreated you to have let Fortune work her will but seeing your authority opposes the designe of those that combat before you remember that it shall not be able to hinder me when I shall visit you with an hundred thousand men to require an account of the distaste you now give me Neither will I said Fulgoran who was as much displeased promise them better dealing for I will once more cover your fields with brave and warlike Souldiers Wherefore Princes of Greece receive these words for a defiance and prepare for a war But that you may understand who are your enemies this Knight is Prigmaleon the great Emperour of Ethiopia whom you see in these gray Arms and I am the King of Canabea by which name you cannot chuse but know me Yes said Don Rogel without being any way distempered we have cause not to be ignorant of what you are but it may be time will qualifie this heat and that little you gained before our walls perhaps will keep you from pursuing the second designe But if you be so resolved we have friends enough not to care much for your Armes yet shall not that keep me from intreating you since it is now dark night to take a lodging in our Palace untill you have a little refreshed your selves after the great toyle you have this day endured That is ordinary with us answered Fulgoran so that your courtesie may well be spared wherewith somewhat coldly retiring they went to their friends who with more despight then paine quickly got to horse and notwithstanding they were shrewdly wounded travelled till about midnight that they came to a Gentlemans house where when they had stayed two dayes they left Grandimore and the unknown Knight to be cured of their hurts and the morrow after they parted with a promise of meeting at the end of two moneths in Natolia with each of them an hundred and fifty thousand men to be in one body transported to Constantinople In the mean time Don Rogel and Spheramond who were not much troubled with their menaces addrest themselves to the other Knights and with such curtesie intreated them to let themselves be known as they were content to satisfie them Having then unlaced their helmets they let them see that those two of the Crownes were Lucendus Prince of France and Dâ—rigel King of the fortunate Island The other in the gilt Armâ— were the valiant Russian of Media and the mighty Esquilan of Polonia You may well imagine the contentment which the Greek Princes and especially the Infanta Fortuna received by the comming of these Knights though I do not put my selfe to the trouble of relating it In summe a thousand caresses were not for born amongst so many friends nor any thing forgotten which might serve for the contentment of those Princes who for the present treading all care of their more important affairs under foot passed two or three dayes more in tourneys and all the delights that could be imagined At the end whereof that happened which in the next Chapter shall be related CHAP. XXVI The adventure of the
gave in upon the south quarter matching then with incredible fury they began a most cruell bickering for the Greekes imitating their Princes who never let their swords fall without the death of some one followed their businesse so close that the Pagans wanting courage to defend themselves were already wavering and ready to quit their ground had not 20000 horse come in presently to their second But that also served them to little purpose for Florisel of Niquea being at that instant likewise fallen upon their quarters caused such a confusion as no 〈◊〉 knew which way to turn himselfe howbeit Fulgoran no way losing his judgement left the great King of Mauritania in his stead to make head to the brave Prince of France who still got ground upon his enemies and taking with him two dreadfull Giants with fifteen thousand horse went to charge the Squadron which Florisel led had not that great Captain more carefull of the preservation of his men then of satisfying his own passion wisely retreated after he had bothed the earth with the bloud of his enemies The gallant Pagan vexed to death with the sight of such a massacre among his men could not bridle his rage but without observing how the Christians retired in a safe orderly manner gave in upon them with the Giants hoping to break them and to enter the town pell â—ell with them But Alastraxerea with her two thousand horse comming in at the same time charged him in flank whilst Florisel making his men turn head stood his shocke with unspeakable valour and not onely rendred his designe effectlesse but also forced him to quit the place with extream losse In the mean time Spheramond was but in an ill taking for intending to retire to save his men from the terrible blows of Prigâ—â—leâ—â— and his Giants who found nothing able to resist them was by the obstinate eagernesse of the enemy so engaged that some misfortune had befallen him if the valiant Parmenian of Cyprus and Don Sinaldo advancing with strange fury had not valiantly freed him out of their hands Lucendus also having bravely delivered himselfe from an incredible multitude that most violently charged him the Citie ports were shut to the great contentment of the Princesses who seeing all the principal knights safely come off received them so lovingly that the sweetnesse of their entertainment made all their labor seem almost nothing The losse which the Christians had made somwhat troubled them when as they considered that one Knight was of greater importance to them then three to the enemy but having learned that seventeen thousand Pagans three Kings and twelve Giants remained slain in the field and that they wanted of their men but three thousand and seven hundred they comforted themselves hoping that God would not forsake them since the question was as much for his glory as for the preservation of their estates On the other side the Pagans were mad with spight to see the aâ—dacity of the enemy and their own losse but yet having too much courage to be daunted therewith they made shew of lesse griefe then inwardly they felt But not intending to sit down without revenge they assembled that day in counsell and there resolved either to carry the town or dye at the assault whereupon secretly commanding all the Captains to be ready by breake of day that so they might by a camâ—ssado pay the Christians in their owne com they withdrew till two hours after midnight when as they rose according to the order given armd their Souldiers with the least noyse that might be and divided their forces in this manner Prigmaleon Fulgoran and the great Kings of Mauritania made three battalions each of an hundred thousand Souldiers twenty Giants and fourteen Kings to assail the town in three severall parts and gave the Tamberlan of Moraria in charge to keep them of the Fort imployed with thirty thousand foot and fifteen thousand horse thereby to impeach them from assisting those that were to defend the walls Now they perswaded themselves that they should finde the Greeks asleep but Florisel being advertised of their designe by the spiâ—s which he had in their camp placed Alaslraxerea at the Conduct-gate with twenty thousand men and part of the young Knights charging them not to shew themselves till the ladders were set up and laden with enemies Spheramond at the Dragon-gate with the like number and the same direction and Lucendus at the East-port in the like sort provided so commanding Silvan to take four thousand horse for to round the tower he went out of the City with Dorigel Parmenian of Cyprus Ladazan of Numidia and the brave Esquilon of Poland and finding twenty thousand horse and twelve thousand foot in his fortifications he presently put them in arms to make use of them as time and occasion should require The Pagans drawing toward the Town and hearing no noise in it thought the Christians had been sleeping so that in a moment their ladders were reared whereupon the Giants first mounted to encourage the souldiers to follow them But straightway they saw the enemy shew himself and with a tempest of stones boiling oyl sulphur and pitch overthrew those which thought to lay hold of the parapet so that the ditch began to be filled with dead men then it was that the assault grew to be furious and cruell for the Giants enraged to see their fellows repulsed and slain not caring for their lives pressed forward and divers times to the sword with the Christian Princes who under favour of the wall discharged most horrible and mortall blows especialy Spheramond that never lighted on a Giant without depriving him of life Neverthelesse lacking room to lay about him according to his minde he took a new resolution and leaving the charge of his quarter to Don Sinaldo as also Lucendus that of his to Garmant they both sallied forth with six thousand horse apiece and gave upon the enemy with such fury that finding them in disorder the field was infinitely covered with dead carcasses Then was the valiant Prince of France seen breaking into that mighty battalion of the enemies and charging them with such courage as made his friends admire and his enemies fear him On the other side the invincible Emperour of the Parthians seemed a thunderbolt of war one while sending arms and heads to the ground another while dividing a Giants body in two pieces In brief nothing was to be seen round about them but dead bodies nor any thing to be heard but a confusion of voices and the cryes of such as lay dying under the horses feet The valourous Aethiopian and the mighty King of Canabea whom these two little squadrons attacqued followed by the Kings and Giants that accompanied them did wonders piercing into the Christians squadrons with a great and terrible slaughter and were very glad to see them abroad in hope to beat them in and enter the Town with them But Florisel that considered the consequence of this
enterprise caused eight thousand horse to slip along by the Town without being perceived by the Tamberlan of Moraria put Esquilan in the head of the one moity and sending him to second Spheramond himself with the rest charged the enemy and assisted the Prince of France who then was fighting with Fulgoran with as much courage as force and dexterity these troops having renewed the fight with much cruelty and so continued it a pretty while were about to make their retreat upon advertisement that a great piece of the wall was fallen down and that there was great danger in it by reason of the enemies obstinate pressing on there when as on the sudden a terrible noise and tumult was heard at the sea side which put a fear into both sides the Christians doubting that it was some new succour against them and the Pagans mistrusted as much but it was soon known what it was for presently the Pagans army was seen to be in disorder and a little while after a Knight came up to the trenches that certified Florisel of the arrivall of the brave Amanio d' Astre of Ginoldan the Kings of Dardania and Comagena the Kings Melinda and Olidor his brother with sixty thousand horse and forty thousand foot who knowing in what estate the fight stood had landed with a determination to charge the enemy back As I live said Florisel this is good news Come let us close up our enemies and keep them from putting themselves in array Saying so he advanced with forty thousand horse drawn out of the Towns and treaches and put himself into the field with a resolution to fight but Prigmaleon and Fulgoran as discreet as valiant perceiving the disorder their people were in by reason of this new-come army which made an incredible flaughter amongst them kept their souldiers within their trenches under the command of the King of Thenes and of the Island of Till and running where the Christian Princes were arrived arrested their fury drawing the rest of their men within their works Florisel commending the discretion of Princes so young went to receive his kinsmen with a world of contentment and causing a quarter to be set out under the walls for their forces carried the Kings to the City with him where the entertainments were renewed at their meeting with those beautifull Princesses That done they fell to burying the dead which on the Christian part was found to be nine thousand three hundred Knights and seven hundred foot and on the enemies twenty seven thousand souldiers fourteen Giants and five Kings which so much the more vexed the Pagans as our Princes had cause to rejoice Neverthelesse concealing their thoughts they shewed but little ressentment of it divulging that they were glad of the comming of these troops for that thereby the Greâ—k Princes would be drawn to a set battell whereunto before they had no reason to hearken CHAP. XXXII The Pagans send to present the Christians with battell which is accepted and the successe of it THE discontent of the Pagans not suffering them to be at quiet the Princes assembled together after they had given order for the buriall of their dead and trusting as much in the greatnesse of their spirits as in the multitude of their people sent an Herauld with a bloudy gantlet to require assignation of a day for a generall battell which these invincible Princes of Greece would not refuse them because they would not leave any bad impression of their courages Florisel of Niquea then having accepted it and appointed next morning for the same a truce in the mean time being agreed on all men were commanded to prepare themselves for the fight and the Ladies bestowed themselves in prayers unto God for his mercy and blessing to be powred down upon his people And now all men making ready when as on the second day they descried a Fleet at sea sailing in good order no man knowing in whose favour they were come both the armies expecting them equally affected with hope and fear these forces landed and marching in good order sent to the Pagan Princes to let them understand that they were come to serve them against the common enemy of their Gods under the command of the great Cariffe of Africa the Kings of Tincifroc and Marocco and the Princes of Gamall and Aridamia as also their dear friends the Giant Grandimore and the unknown Knight were with them whereupon Fulgoran and Prigmaleon with great joy went presently to give them thanks for their assistance If this supply consisting of forty thousand horse and thirty thousand foot pleased the enemy you may well beleeve it gave no content to our Princes neverthelesse being uncapable of fear they resolved to submit themselves under the hand of God and not to murmure at his providence Commanding then publike prayers to be made and going to sit in Councell about the approaching battell word was brought them that a mighty Fleet was descried at sea comming thither with full sails Their desire to know who they might be breaking off their former designe they presently repaired to the walls where they had not long been before they discerned a world of colours and flags with white and red crosses which made them quickly come down to go to the Port but in the way thither they met a Gentleman who informed them that in the first ships were the young Prince of France Florisbel of the Star second son to Prince Lucendus and the Infanta Fortuna and Lucibel of France son to Fortanian and the beautious Chireestoille with five and twenty thousand choice Knights That the second squadron came from Trebisond with twâ—lve thousand foot The third from Hungary and Poland with ten thousand horse under the conduct of Gadard and Filadart The fourth from the fortunate Iland with six thousand foot commanded by the brave Cilinda who brought with her her little son Cilindor The fifth from Cathay with eight thousand horse led by Orâ—thea and her husband The sixt from Almayne with six thousand horse under the charge of Alozian eldest sonne of Don Argantes and the fair Scharimenâ— The seventh of twelve thousand Spanish horse whose Generall was Sestilian sonne to Don Arlanges of Spain And the last from Guindaya with seven thousand foot commanded by the Duke of Affarte these newes having given them far more content then the arrivall of the enemies succour had brought them sadnesse the Princes went to the Port where these young Cavaliers and the Kings were entertained with a million of welcomes and from thence conveyed to the Citie to the infinite joy of the Ladies who received them with a world of caresses The welcomes once at an end all these Christian Kings and Knights assembled together to consult of these affairs because the day of battell drew neer but they all referring themselves to the prudence of Don Florizel he ordered things in this manner Their whole forces consisting of an hundred and threescore thousand horse and an hundred
and sixteen thousand foot having first drawn out sixteen thousand of the foot for the guard of the town he divided into five battalions each of them containing thirty thousand horse and twenty thousand foot of which he committed the first to the Emperour Spheramond accompanied with the two Cenophales the King of Numidia his wife Cassinna Olidor of Siranquea Armond of Bohemia and Florizart of Taprobana Don Lucenduâ— had the second with the brave Alastraxerea Periâ—â— of Turkie Florian and Tristor of Sopradisa Quedragant and Leonidaâ— of Mesopotamia Dorigâ—l had the third with his wife the faire Cilinda Florestan of Sardinia Agrian of Scotland Alteria and Dardaniâ— The fourth was led by the Kings of Hungary and Poland accompanied with their sonnes Melfort and Esquiâ—â—â— Parnenian the Duke of Laiazza and Abies of Ireland The last he reserved for himselfe with the King of Cathay and his wife the Princes of Dardania and Comagena and Frizel of Arcadia Then ordering that Silvan and the fair Savagesse his wife should command ten thousand horse upon the wings to releeve such as they saw overpressed he commanded every man to look well to his horse and arms and to be in a readinesse by the break of the next day In the mean time the Pagans were busied with the same care for knowing of what importance this battell would be they endevoured to fit themselves in every particular for it and to omit nothing through negligence Being then informed of the order that the Christians intended to hold they thought it best to observe the same and not to make any superfluous bodies for they considered that united forces were harder to be broken then when they were dispersed so that finding their Army to be three hundred thousand horse and an hundred and sixtie thousand foot they made five Squadrons of it each consisting of sixty thousand horse and twenty five thousand foot The first led by the great Cariffe of Africa with whom were the Kings of Tingefort of Morque Calisan Nâ—zamoâ— Argosana MerouÌ„e and of the Tragonites as also twelve dreadfull Giants The great King of Mauritania commanded the second and with him the Kings of Zizima Dragon Ceziphala Barnazar Saphotir of the Island of Till Bazana and twelve other Giants no lesse huge and terrible then the former The Tamberlan of Moraria brought on the third with the Kings of Libia Bisaura Argier Numidia Thunes Miraâ—â—â—in and twelve Giants Fulgoran and Prigmaleon led the fourth and fifth with the like number of Giants Kings and Knights The Kings of Budomel and Arcania had the guard of the camp with thirty five thousand foot All things thus setled on either part they expected the day of battell which being come to the generall content of both the Armies the Pagans began to draw into the field not a little wondring to see their enemies there before them who already had had their troops there embattaild with admirable judgement The first that shewed himselfe of the Pagans party was the great Cariffe of Africa who marching gloriously under a number of colours wherein appeared two Lyons slain by one man intimating his valour that had made him twice to triumph over those beasts caused a charge to be sounded as soon as he saw the Emperour Spheramond with a brave Cavallerys set forth against him The incounter of these two leaders was very gallant for the African was brave daring but having the prime Knight of the world in hand was wounded in the shoulder and ready to lose his saddle had he not been sustained by one of his Giants that followed him neverthelesse his wound being such as would not permit him to keep the field he was constrained to retire leaving his men very ill handled at the first shock for the Cenophales the King Melinda Cassiana and Olidor laid five of the Giants dead upon the earth Armond of Bohemia and Florizart having been as fortunate against the Kings of Tincefort and Calisan who were overthrown at the first incounter with a multitude of Pagans beside who were not comparable to the Greekes that had been inured to the war so many years together wherein their enemies had forced them to bear Arms. This fight growing furious on the one part by the terrible blowes of Spheramond and the Princes that accompanied him and on the other by those of the Giants their adversaries there was nothing to be seen but karkasses strewed on the ground and the cries of dying men filled the aire with groans lamentations Wheresoever the Princes went death attended on their swords and on the other side the Giants made such a massacre that it was hard to passe over the heaps of slâ—in men But the numbers of the enemie giving way to the valour of our Princes they were already wavering and ready to turn their backes had not Prigmaleon caused the second battalion to advance commanded by the great King of Mauritania to encounter whom the excellent Prince of France drew forward his and with that greatnesse of courage wherewith his younger years was endued at the very first course he ran his lance clean thorow his enemies body depriving this second Squadron both of an head and hope yet being maintained by so many Kings and Giants the battell began to be very bloudy the valiant Alastraxerea Ginoldan Perion Florian Tristor and Quedragant laid about them so terribly that for all their multitude of Kings and the bravery of their Giants of whom five were at this second charge killed in the place the Pagans were about to retire with shame had not the Tamberlan of Moraria presently set forth with incredible fury To oppose whom Dorigel of the fortunate Island came on with a confident hope of victory since his friends had begun so luckily for this King resolving not to degenerate from the valour of the excellent emperour of Persia his brother performed such wonders as he was much redoubted by his enemies who notwithstanding their losse so disputed the victory as no man knew to which side it would incline when as the brave King of Lidia followed by his wife the faire Savagesse and his six thousand horse gave in upon them with such violence as having disordered this third Squadron with an unspeakeable slaughter both that and the two former had all passed by the edge of the sword if the invincible King of Canabea had not come into play with so much valour and acting such marvellous deeds as notwithstanding all the resistance the King of Hungary and Poland could make who advanced at the very same time he maintained the battell in an equall balance his presence cleared the ranks and the souldiers shunned his sword as they would have done a thunderbolt from heaven close by him marched Florimond Grandimore and the brave unknown Knight making such a havock as was most lamentable to behold Then were above twenty thousand Knights seen lie dead on the ground and such was the confusion in every part as it cannot be exprest The
valiant Esquilan of Poland did miracles and not parting from his father who gave strange proof of his courage ran to oppose the Giants that ruined all before them but the valour of the Prince of Canabea and of the Giants that accompanied him held the battell longer in suspence then could have been hoped for from the weaknesse of the former troops howbeit in the end he was constrained to give way to force by the comming in of Silvan who that cay rendered good proof of a wonderous vertue and carrying ruine along with him whithersoever he went he made the victory incline to the Christians when as the mighty Emperour of Aethiopia entered the field and like a torrent rushing on our troops quickly changed the face of all things but he was soon incountered by Florisel of Niquea with his last battalia These two Princes as valiant as possibly might be encountering in the midst of their course bare one another to the earth but fearing to be troden under the horses feet they instantly got up again the fall of these two great captains having drawn all the bravest Knights of their squadrons to that place there began a most dangerous fight for the Kings of Cathay Dardania and Comâ—gena laboured all they could to remount Florisel but they were so pressed by the Giants and the Pagan Kings who were very excellent warriors that their valour little availed them For having thrown themselves into the midst of so many enemies they were unhorsed as well as Florisel and constrained to defend themselves on foot with him a long time howbeit tired at length with the killing of men round about them whose bodies served them for a rampire they expected nothing but a glorious death to crown their future renown when as the valiant Silvan conducted by the Queen Orothea who could not get her souldiers that stood in fear of the Giants to follow her came in with such fury to see Florisel in that danger as at the first blow he laid a Giants head at his feet redoubling another terrible one on Prigmaleons helmet he made him see the stars at midday Perion Orothea and the fair Savagesse acting things no lesse wonderfull this squadron was presently seen in disorder and the Princes remounted upon good horses revenging the trouble they had been put to with their enemies lives Whilst the victory hung in this incertainty the Emperour Spheramond Lucendus Dorigell Ginoldan Amanio d'Astre and the brave Alastraxerea made such a slaughter having killed the greatest part of the Giants that infallibly the Christians had gotten the day if advertisement had not been brought to both the Armies that the sea was covered with ships and the shore with men who embattelling themselves declared that they ment to have a share in the businesse This news caused either side to give over and draw to their colours the Pagans retired to their trenches and the Christian Princes toward the town just at that time when as they saw these troops composed of about sixty thousand horse move to charge them in the flank whereby it appeared that their comming was against the Christians to the great rejocing of the enemy whereupon Fulgoran and Prigmaleâ—n advanced towards them and understanding that it was the Emperour of Melly accompanied with fifteen Kings they gave him the kindest welcome in the world offered him the absolute command of all their forces and related unto him the successe of the late battell which had been very bloudy for the number of the slain being taken it was found that they had lost an hundred and forty thousand horse thirty seven thousand foot seven and twenty Giants and fourteen Kings The Christians having got off for seventy two thousand horse and two and twenty thousand of their infantery CHAP. XXXIII During a truce agreed upon between the two Armies the Emperour of Melly sends to demand a combat of five to five which is accepted and the issue of it THE grief of our Christian Princes was no lesse for paying so dear for the victory then it was for the arrivall of such a multitude of new enemies But having placed all their hope on God who never leaves the afflicted in their miseries so as their patience reâ—dered them worthy of his aid they busied themselves more with refreshing their surviving souldiers then in mourning for those which were dead for doubting a second assault from these troops that yet had not fought they sought to encourage their men by the care they took of their health and by that means prevent the inconveniences which might arise by their negligence On the other side the Pagans were not very well pleased for knowing full well that the end of the battell would have been unfortunate unto them in regard of the losse they had made notwithstanding the great advantage which they had in the beginning they gnawed their fingers for very spight and if their wounds had not kept them in their beds they would questionlesse either have renewed the assault or presented a new battell the next morning But being able to do no more then they could they resolved to expect time and in the mean space give their hurt men leisure to be cured for which purpose sending to the Christian Princes they obtained a truce for fifteen dayes But the Emperour of Melly as able and valiant as any of the Pagans and that could not endure to continue idle so long desired Fulgoran and Prigmaleon whom the Army acknowledged for their Generall that they would permit him during the truce to fight a particular combat of five on his fide against as many of the Greek Princes of whom there ran such a glorious fame Your determinations depend only upon your selves answered Prigmaleon and therefore you may mighty Prince dispose of this affair as you shall think good Fulgoran and my self would willingly have waited upon you in it if our wounds would have suffered us howbeit if you please to tarry but eight dayes we will double the number and adde some conditions to our combat which may be for the benefit of either Army There were no reason replied he that a Generall should tie himself to the passions of a private man you shall have time enough for that and this first combat will be no impediment to a second wherefore since you do not disapprove of it I will go and waken the Princes our enemies a little whereupon calling for paper he wrote this cartell to them and sent it the same day The Emperour of Melly to the Princes of Greece The honour of the world and the glory of our Altars obliging me from losing of time makes me desire to see you in the field with the ordinary arms of a Cavalier but without comprising any thing in thiâ— combat which concerns your differences with the mighty Princes of Aethiopia and Canabea I will be tomorrow under your walls accompanied with four Gentlemen so as you will meet me there with the like number and with the
with such fury as above ten thousand Pagans lost their lives at that first encounter for thinking of nothing lesse then this surprise they were extreamly amazed to see their enemy on every side them Florisel Prigmaleon Rogel Spheramond Fulgoran the Cenophales Russian Lucendus and the rest of these invincible Princes like lightning shattered as many souldiers as they lighted upon and grew so terrible that within an howr the Pagans betook them to flight where the slaughter grew so great all being in disorder that a little after Sun-rising the fields of Greece were strewed with the bodies of an hundered and eight thousand men fallen under the edge of the sword the rest having luckily recovered their ships to receive and shelter them from that tempest The Christian Princes then retiring to the town with much joy for so happy a victory which had not cost them above fifteen thousand men return to the City with great triumph CHAP. XXXVII The Baptisme of Prigmaleon and Fulgoran together with the inchanting of the most part of the Princes and Ladies of Greece THE Court being full of rejoycing and our Princes seeking daily new diversions to passe away the time all their forces were dismist the Citizens of Constantinople took the liberty to go into the Countrey to repair the ruines which the enemy had made in their lands about the City and the Peasaâ—â—s seeing no more souldiers a forraging carried their cattell as they were wont into the fields to feed Thus all things being at quiet and peace Fulgoran who was desirous that the content of his being known should not be imperfect resolved to be washed in that Fountain of salvation by water whereof man was regenerated into grace and no longer to think of his idols who till then had mis-led him but to begin to adore one true and Almighty God which determination of his infinitely pleased Don Rogel and generally all the rest of the Princes who desiring to celebrate that Sacrament with all kinde of magnificence gave order accordingly for the Ceremonies thereof And now every thing being in a readinesse the streets and windows full of people and the Patriarch of Constantinople attending their comming in the Church Prigmaleon intreated the Princes of Greece to give him a little audience and thus spake on to them Excellent Princes I do not think you will imagine that any weaknesse or fear doth carry me to that I am about to do seeing I am heer intreated amongst you with so much kindnesse and honour whereas I might in reason have expected a resenting of the wrongs that you have received from me but that you will rather say it proceeds from the providence of that God whom you adore who desiring my salvation hath made me with patience to hearken unto the reasons which you used to my compâ—nion for to draw him out of the errour wherein he hath lived so long I have profited by them as he hath done and am determined to receive the same character which you intend to conferre on him this morning And as we have been fellowes together in many dangers so will we be also in this action wherein the grace of heaven is to be communicated unto us This is said Florisel embracing him this is brave Prince indeed so great a grace that you may draw more glory from this holy motion then fromall the brave exploits that your courage hath hitherto performed God which hath raised you above such multitudes of people and endowed you with all the rare perfections that are able to render a man of your quality worthy of all commendations hath not left you in your blindnesse but determining to make use of your service for the glory of his religion the ruine whereof you have heretofore sought hath knit this bond of friendship between you and my soone that you might share with him in the happinesse which by his being known for what he is was to befall him wherewith we are infinitely contented And as we had determined freely to employ our selves for your service meerly out of the consideration of your vertue and greatnesse we will now do it the more willingly for that you shall become our brother in bâ—ptisme whereunto let us go then presently and be pleased that I may conduct you to the Church as your God-father and that the beautifull Empresse of the Persians may be my partner I will not spend time answered he in protractations of doing you service because I will not delay so good a worke But I beleeve sir that Fulgoran and I shall not be the sole parties in it Bruzanges Arfleâ—ra Florimond Larmella Grandimore and the unknown Kâ—ight wil also partake of it All the better said Florisel God shall have so much the more glory howsoever let us proceed to this holy action with that they went toward the Church Prigmaleon between Florisel and the Empresse of Persia Fulgoran between the Prince of France and the faire Queen Sidonia Bruzanges led by Rogel and the beauteous Queen of France Arfleura by Spheramond and the faire Savagesse the unknown Knight by Silvan and the fair Cilinda Grandimore by Dorigel and the Empresse of the Parthians and Larmella by Filadard and the beauteous Polixena who went with some content to see Prigmaleon figh for her For being exceeding lovely valiant and a very mightie Prince she could not despise his affection in her heart counted it a glory to her beauty to be honored with so great a triumph The ceremonics ended all the Princes returned to the Palace where they were magnificently feasted And intending to deferre the exercise of Armes till some other day they were speaking of going to dance when as Alcander rising up with Vrganda and addressiâ—g himselfe to Florisel thus spake It is true great Prince that I let you see the desire I have to do somewhat for your good and that you should know how the studies both of my self and these Ladies pointing to Vrganda and young Cassandra have not been fruitlesse wherefore follow us and if you love your lives give us leave to dispose of you as we thinke fit I have resolved answered he with a cheerfull countenance never to swerve from your directions being most assured by the many testimonies you have given us of your love that you desire our happinesse you may command then when you please and I will be in a readinesse as soon as you have spoken Stay then here said Alcander till I have given order for every thing then taking Sidâ—nia by the hand he placed her by her husband made Don Rogel and the Empresse of the Persians follow them after them Lâ—cendâ—â— and the faire Infanta Fortnna Spheramond and the Princesse Richarda his wife Alastraxarea and Rozâ—lianâ— the two Cenophales Gadard and Filadard and putting himselfe with Vrganda in the head of them all he marched to the fountain of lovers made all those Princesses go with Vrganda under one of the Arches whilst himselfe with the Princes were under
Dwarf made to shew his agility Prigmaleon returned to his thoughts where we will leave him to follow the course of our History CHAP. XXXIX A Damsell arrives at Constantinople with the head of the great Marandâ—r slain by the Knight of the Savage EVery one seeking diversions from their cares the Court seemed not to ressent the absence of the Princes that were inchanted because they hoped to see them delivered ere it were long When as there came into the Hall a Damsell reasonably handsome carrying in her hand the head of a Giant who beholding the company a good while with wonder to see Knights of so brave a presence and Ladies of such beauty enquired very modestly which was the Emperour of the Parthians Gentlewoman answered Russian to whom she then spake he hath been absent from hence some few dayes but if your affairs cannot permit you to attend his return and that you stand in need of his aid I will willingly supply his place and with a free heart do you service I am said she much bound to your curtesie but God be thanked I have heer in my hand an occasion of rejoycing rather then of complaining nor am I come hither to crave the help of any whatsoever but to present to that Excellent Emperour the head of the greatest enemy he had brought to this passe by the incomparable valour of a Knight that bears a wilde man in his shield whom I may justly vaunt to be one of the valiantest men upon the earth and the Phoenix of those that this day bear arms This Knight meeting with me in the confines of Macedon could not passe by me without enquiring after the cause of some tears which he saw me shed I freely told him that the villany of a Giant who had ravished me did wring them from me and that I was going to Constantinople to crave reparation of that wrong knowing well that the Princes of Greece did never refuse their assistance to Ladies in distresse and that particularly I intended to addresse my self to the Emperor Spheramond both for that he holds the reputation of surpassing all Knights of this age and that the Giant had told me how all the villanies which he then committed were done by him in some sort to revenge the death of another Giant whom the Emperour had slain when as a Knight errant he followed adventures abroad in the world Without doubt then answered this courtâ—ous Knight you could not make your revenge more certain then by referring it to the hands of that brave Prince who hath with all reason acquired those praises which the woâ—ld doth give him But if you be pleased to make use of me I shall most willingly imploy my self in your service It is a long journey from hence to Constantinople your enemy may finde occasion to get him further off you will take a great deal of pains in vain and not be satisfied in your desire On the other side I do passionately long to demonstrate unto that valorous Prince how I do love his vertue as much as other men do honour his birth and that I will labour so long as I live to ruine his enemies To what end should I trouble you with our discourse This gentlenesse of his so wrought upon me that after I had thorowly considered him and judged him fit for any great attempt I carriâ—d him straight to the Giants Castle where to be short he did wonders For not satisfied with laying that foul masse of flesh on the earth in a very dangerous combat he defeated thirty or forty Knights who were seldome out of that Robbers company it was to me an unspeakable delight to see some arms flie to the ground some men cut asunder in the midst others cloven to the girdle the boldest of them stoutly scattered and the gallantry of this Knight did so please me that if I had not acquainted him with the misfortune that by the Giant had befallen me I had endeavoured to make him love me but feating to be slighted I passed from love to the resentment of his good will vowing to serve him upon all occasions and to that end intreated him to lay some command upon me I would not have you said he give me so many thanks for a thing whereunto I was bound by the laws of Chivalrie but since you will needs oblige me take the head of your enemy and for a further satisfaction of your minde carry it to Constantinople present it to that warlike Prince and render your grief the lesse by publishing the revenge you have had for it I shall with a good will replied I undertake that journey but then Sir will you be pleased to tell me who you are to the end I may know to whom I am so infinitely indebted See heer my name in my shield said he shewing a Savage pourtrayed thereupon for a more perfect knowledge of me at this present I may not give Follow on your way whilst I go some other where to seek occasion of imploying my arms with that not thinking it convenient to be troublesome I took the head of Marandor for so was the Giant named and began my journey to this place where I am arrived with grief for that I finde not the Emperour of the Parthians to give him an account of this brave Knight but if you please I will leave it in your charge to do it upon condition that I shall at any time be ready to deserve it of you in all possibly I may Whereupon she laid the head of Marandor on the floor and making a very humble reverence immediatly departed leaving all the Princes extreamly desirous to know this so valiant and brave new Knight Whilst they were all commending the valour of the Knight of the Savage Russian who still had Agriclea in his memory could not be at rest and would certainly have been gone had it not been for the desire he had to see his father and his kinsfolks at liberty but that respect prevailing with him he passed the most part of his dayes unquietly enough contrarily Prigmaleon who interpreting Polixena's answer to his advantage felt so many delights amidst his pain that he blessed love every minute being pleased with the change of his condition as the cause of all his felicity If he walked in the woods or gardens it was not with any purpose to complaine but to entertain himselfe with the contemplation of his good forâ—une and to grave the names of Polixena and himselfe on the barkes of trees his actions were altogether amorous And if he suffered any thing at all her sole impatience was the cause thereof howbeit hoping that time would bring him remedy he gently supported the violence of his desires Pleasing himself then in this fashion with the entertainmen of his owne thoughts and sometimes in the remembrance of his Lady the time slipt so sweetly away that they were insensibly come to the Eve of these Princes enfranchisement whereof I will relate
vow never to depart thence till you have performed your promise let us make good his words and permit me to send him to a grave rather then into the armes of a creature so divine from whom he doth not merit so much as a look I am in case to fight there is yet day enough if he have much strength I do not want courage make use Sir of a stranger who hath not the honour to be known of you nor so much as can tell where he is If fortune prove mine enemy you will be the lesse sensible of my losse in regard you know me not and if the dice chance to turn from how much care will you be delivered The knowledge which I have said the Emperour of the incomparable forces of this warrior will not suffer me to permit you the combat with him and the reasons you bring to perswade me thereunto are proper to disswademe from it for if you undertake a businesse out of the onely pity which you have of my affliction have not I much cause to lament you if for my sake you should die Yea I should bewail the losse of you more then of a thousand other men who it may be could attempt the danger out of the hope of recompence whereas you propound nothing to your self but the glory you expect from your travell put your self in head of those armed troops that they may take assurance from this courage this way you will much more endear me unto you then any other Sir answered Rozalmond the Knights of our countrey never fight with advantage at leastwise those who hope for honour from their actions your enemy is accompanied but with one Squire and with your favour I will carry none along with me but this damsell who hath alwayes followed me onely in regard I am on foot permit me to chuse an horse in your stable Seeing you will have it so said the Emperour I will no longer oppose you and the Gods I humbly beseech to favour your valour and return you with as much glory as you have justice in this quarrell This resolution of Rozalmond having astonished all the Knights of the Court who beheld him as a wonder seeing with what confidence he went to affront a man that scorned to draw his sword against whole troops greatly troubled the Princesse who discontented with her fathers consent would fain have drawn the Knight aside absolutely to forbid him the fight but seeing she could not possibly do it without discovering her affection she was constrained to retire and have recourse unto teares for the easing of her grief CHAP. II. Rozalmond combats and defeats the dreadfull Fulmigadan who would have married Armazia against her fathers will WHilest the Princesse bewailed the losse of her Knight which she held to be inevitable he went to finde out his rivall with an incredible content for that he had so suddenly met with an occasion to employ his sword for the service of a beauty which his soul adored but he was vexed with himself for that he had not been so curious as to demand her and her fathers name Intertaining himself in this manner the thought of his Mistris from whose fight he was not absented made him fetch some sighes whereupon Cassandra took occasion to say unto him Ah Sir did not I assure you that you should see strange things to day and you should not come out of the city again with the same power you had of your self in the morning You have been but too true answered he for acknowledging my captivity I may say to you that now I have seen the fairest thing in the world But Madam Why do you not tell me in what countrey we are the name of this courteous Prince who hath made me Knight and that of this incomparable beauty which hath left me nothing free but the will to serve her Why what important affair had you answered Cassandra smiling that hindered you from informing your self thereof My passion replied he may serve to excuse me for that and I said she was restrained by the respect I had not to withdraw you out of the rapture wherein the object of this Princesse had cast you but to satisfie your desire Know that you are now in the mighty Empire of Gardacia which is so far distant from the Kingdoms of Christendom that they have never heard so much as speak of it the Sovereign thereof is this Prince by whom you were Knighted valiant in his younger yeers and so redoubted by all his neighbours that never any one durst offer to trouble the quiet of his state but Fulmigadan the same against whom you now go to fight who not being able to look upon Armazia so is your Mistris named without rendring unto her that which is due to her from all men in the world found means to surprise her father and oblige him by the restitution of his liberty to make him master of the felicities which he imagines to himself in the possession of a thing so rare But it is time to leave off this discourse for another which touches you somewhat neerer you are approaching an enemy so pâ—issant and hardy that the Emperour hath with a great deal of reason made difficulty to let you go single to so dangerous an enterprise howbeit doubt not but this combat will bring you very much glory so as you call to minde the renown which your fathers have acquired in the world and that this affair doth mainly import you in regard it so much concerns Armazia who if she were in place where she might behold the fight would questionlesse much advantage you for her presence would exceedingly augment your forces and give you far greater courage wherefore I am minded to request so much of her in your behalf Then will you oblige me much more then you think for said Rozalmond but I fear she will not willingly take so much pains Leave me the care of that said Cassandra and I am perswaded she will make no difficulty at all of it Whereupon returning presently to the Court she went to Armazia in her chamber and perceiving some tears upon her cheeks she said unto her Beautious Princesse I imagine that the pity which you have of our Knight makes you lament his losse as inevitable being to encounter Fulmigadan but it lies in you to hinder that mishap and to make him this day triumph over so brave an enemy Would you know how By not disdaining to appear upon the city walls your presence will animate his forces redouble his courage and I am perswaded render him invincible upon this favour your own good and his life depend wherefore Madam seek assurance in his victorie as he will finde glory in your service you shall not repent any pains you can take to go and see him fight for you for I am confident that you will return with more content then you have grief at this present I were not worthy to live if I would
found in her caresses he could not contain himself from kissing her notwithstanding the presence of Cassandra who seeming not to see them kneeled down after she had wished him all good fortune having spent an hour in prayers Rozalmond arrived who finding Clarisel on his knees demanded of him whether he would be Knighted That is it answered he which I most desire in the world Swear then replied Rozalmond that the fear of no danger whatsoever shall at any time make you decline the duty of a good Knight which owâ—th his assistance to all kinde of persons and chiefly to women without any regard to their condition I promise so much answered Clarisel Be a Knight then said Rozalmond imbracing him with the usuall Ceremonies and making the signe of the Crosse on his forehead Let you arms alwayes tend to the glory of God the service of the feeble and be your enterprises as successefull as you can wish Whereupon having kissed him on the cheek he asked of him from what hands he would receive the sword and the rest of his arms from these twins said Crisolita the onely cause of his first carrying away and the pledges of our love At these words Rozalmond turning him about perceived a little girle about five or six yeers old the fairest that ever he had seen of that age whom a page followed with an excellent sword which she took after she had made obeisance to the company and with an admirable grace hanging it on Don Clarisels girdle she retired to give place to a little boy of the same bignesse and so accomplished that Rozalmond wondered to see him take the helmet with a kinde of brave confidence and put it on the head of the new Knight who having received the gantlets from Cassandra and Crisolita he rose up to give thanks unto Rozalmond for this favour but he was so transported with the sweet entertainment of these pretty children whose beauty he justly admired that he marked not the halfe of his complements All the Ceremonies being finished Crisolita obtained of Rozalmond that he would stay there eight daies longer which past away very pleasingly sometimes in the company of the valiant Silverin of the Desert whom Rozalmond much affected and that was now thorowly cured of his wounds and sometimes with the entertainment which Cassandra and Creonda gave him by some ingenious trick of their Art But the day of departure being come Crisolita's resolution began to faint under the grief she had to see that her lover was to be divided from her Ever and anon she sighed and not able to stop the course of her tears it appeared how insensible she was of the reasons Clorisel gave for to comfort her howbeit yeelding unto her judgement that represented unto her the necessity of this departure she made some truce with her sorrow and accompanying him to the ship she received the kisses of a farewell which made her return home extreamly sad for that she should no longer behold the Sun there from whence the life of her soul was derived Whilst she bestowed the time in lamenting Rozalmond Clarisel Silverin of the Desert and Cassandra made way thorow the waves in the great vessell of the Sun with the beauty whereof Clarisel was so taken that observing the râ—rities of it by fortune he cast his eie on the delicate Shepherdesse of France whose charms were so pleasing to him that by little and little forgetting Crisolita's caresses he suffered himself to be altogether captived giving the glory of his freedom to the innocent features of this countrey in beauty Good God said he to himself how defective is Nature in the dividing of her treasures and how little providence seem the heavens to have in the distribution of their graces Why should a beauty so excellent be born with so much misery and what reason is there that she should one day serve for the contentment of a Shepherd who shall not have the judgement to know the value of so inestimable a jewell Questionlesse it is unjust and it were unworthy in me to suffer it if Nature have made a fault I will repair it I am born a Prince it is in my power to raise a base condition and to place her in the rank where she ought to be I must then without any regard at all to the opinion of men who more respect greatnesse then vertue riches then merit and gold then contentment make no difficulty to love her provided her ingratitude do not render her incapable of that fortune now if any man will condemn me for this action my fathers example shall serve to excuse me who was no lesse inamoured of Silvia then I am now of this same and without doubt he had married her never sticking at her poverty if the providence of Vrganda who knew she was his aunt had not hindered him This young Prince entertaining himself with these new fancies took infinite delight in the object of this picture whereupon his eies were incessantly fixed but that which most troubled him was that he durst not ask of Cassandra the place of her abode lest he should seem inconstant and little sensible of Crisolita's love neverthelesse shewing more curiosity then affection he learned the names of Armazia and Trasicleâ— and discovered that his Mistris was French which gave him some satisfaction hoping to see her one day and rather then fail to traverse all the fields of that great kingdom for to finde her out comforting himself then upon this assurance in the sweet conversation of Rozalmond Cassandra Silverin eight daies were insensibly spent at the end whereof they saw a ship arrive manned with fifty Knights and four terrible Giants who laying hands on their swords commanded our Knights to quit their arms and willingly suffer themselves to be chained By heaven said Rozalmond you are unlike to have us at so easie a rate nor shall your audaciousnesse carry away the victory without some pain so quickly lacing on their helmets they opposed the Giants with their swords drawn and charged them so fiercely that it amazed them at first but thinking that all the forces of the world united together could not withstand them they began to showr so many blows upon them that without the goodnesse of their arms which resisted the sharpnesse of their blades they had been in very great danger howbeit fighting without fear they sent many an arm into the sea cut Knights in sunder and many times drew bloud from the Giants who railing on the Destinies and their Gods struck most of their blows on the ship side being hindered by a thick smoak which issued out of their visers from smiting where they would Silverin fought with a great deal of valour Clarisel did wonders in the commencement of his arms and Rozalmond amazed every one his blows were so many thunderbolts and his sword never lighted without the bloud of his enemies Whilst the fight was at the hottest one of the Giants perceiving
the body it begot so great an amity betwixt us that we were never quiet when we were absent one from another either by some accident or modestie the trees carried a thousand marks of our loves every day he received my letters in answer of his our parents authorized our affections all things seemed disposed to our desire and in my heart I named my self already his wife as without doubt I had been if he had well remembred the oathes which he had sworn to me a million of times But this traitour having drawn from me all that he had desired upon promise of marriage left me with childe and under colour of some affairs he got him to his friends whither having sent letter upon letter to certifie him of the case I was in the disgrace I was like to run how much he owed to my affection and his own faith the desperate estate whereunto I should be reduced in the end not daring to appear before my friends with a bastard in my belly and briefly all that might be said upon the like occasion I received no other return but contempt and an advertisement to shew my self wiser when I would have an husband I will not deliver the sorrow which this cruell answer brought me you will imagine it well enough but it wrought so powerfully upon me that I was delivered of a son which born before his time died the same day redoubling my grief and lamentation for I hoped he might one day serve to make this wretch acknowledge his fault who understanding this accident thinking that I would never let him be quiet departed one morning from his fathers and went to seek adventures as Knights errant use to do which coming to my knowledge I resolved to leave the world not able to endure the menaces and hatred of my parents who never looking upon me but with an eie of contempt and scorn made me wish for death a thousand times a day wherefore taking all the money I could make I got out one night and in two daies travelled so far that I arrived at this house where finding it empty I staied and because I would not be known I changed my habit resolving to spend the rest of my daies in continuall tears And thus good Sir have you had the sad but true story of my misfortune which me thinks deserves as much pity as I have misery Certainly answered Grian Zelandions treacherie is greater then your weaknesse for ordinarily we have not considerations strong enough to keep us from erring when we love wherefore I protest unto you that if I can meet and know him either to be the death of him or he shall make good his promise to you of marriage live then with his hope and suffer me to take a little rest for this is the third night that I have not so much as closed an eie Then Arliana bidding him good night withdrew into another chamber with her companion and left Grian to sleep till the next day when he took the first way that presented it self after he had courteously taken leave of his disguised hostesses His horse carrying him according to chance rather then by his own direction he travelled till noon when he discovered a stately Castle unto the which addressing himself he incountered a damsell making most pitifull moan Gentlewoman said he unto her this great sorrow of yours argues some extraordinary affliction but if your relief may lie in the power of a Knight let me quickly know what troubles you and be assured of present succour Alas said she I will not relate the occasion of my laments because I will not stay you to no purpose enter into this unluckie house and preserve one from death who it may be will render you the like another time Herewith Grian setting spurs to his horse gallopped into the base court of the Castle where at one side he saw seven souldiers and a giant lie dead and fast by a Knight of goodly presence in the midst of three giants who discharging three terrible blows upon his head felled him to the ground whereat Grian being exceedingly discontented suddenly advanced for fear they should make an end of dispatching him and couching his lance very luckilieran one of them clean thorow the other two with horrible cries which were able to have feared some Knight lesse confident then this Champion charged him presently but he no more daunted then a bird of prey would be at the sight of a sillie partridge drew out his sword and combating with no lesse judgement then fury made them not onely despair of the victory but so dreadfull were his strokes that whensoever they saw his arm elevated they straight began to apprehend the end of their lives the combat waxed fiercer and fiercer the place was strowed with the pieces of their armour the giants bloud died the pavement and Griaâ— so held them to it that they tasted oftner of the edge of his blade then willingly they would howbeit ashamed to see themselves reduced under the power of one man alone they recovered new forces and assailed him in such sort that they gave him two dangerous wounds the one in the thigh the other on the arm which so inraged him that taking his sword in both his hands he let fall so mighty a blow upon the head of one of them that he divided it in two and instantly advancing his arm with the like fury he had paid the third in the same coin had he not been prevented by his flight neverthelesse it little availed him for Grian following him close with one dreadfull blow almost cut his body in sunder this done he looked about him to see if he had any more enemies to fight withall but perceiving no body to appear he presently sheathed up his sword and approaching the Knight whose fall he had beheld he disarmed his head remaining even ravished with the extream beauty of his face which being at that instant overspread with golden hair made him think that he held not a Knight but a woman fair beyond all excellencie he called the damsell at whose request he entered and was about to ask her for some water to fetch her again but seeing her open her eies he took her under the arm and holding her up a little he said unto her Madam take courage your enemies are not in case now to offend you Where are they said she rising with fury where are these wicked wretches that would upon such extream odds have taken away my life Madam answered Grian I have used them as you see with more contentment then can be imagined in that I have diverted the destruction which they meant you What powerfull obligations are these said she with a gentler countenance and questionlesse you are a most valiant Knight that could prevail over three such monsters as these I have done nothing answered he but what I would most desirously recommence for your service and to deserve the honour of
fowr fingers deep overthrowing him to the ground with a noise like to the ruines of a mighty building which amazed all the assistants who shouting for joy testified their unspeakable content to behold this insolent man overthrown These acclamations augmented Don Clarisels courage and the Giants shame who blaspheming against heaven rose up to receive his enemy that scorning advantage was alighted and making towards him with his sword in his hand Farnabazan confidently perswading himself to repair the default of his lance with the first stroke he should strike thought to discharge his great fauchion on Clarisels head and cleave it in two but the Prince wisely letting it slip by declined this storme and taking hold of the occasion gave him a great wound on the left arm which dying the ground with his bloud so incensed the Giant that he advanced his sword again with more fury then before and followed Clarisel so close that he could not eschew the blow which was so violent that it made him recoil two or three steps back and shewed him a thousand stars more then there are in the element Those which beheld him stagger in this maner were extreamly grieved being verily perswaded that a second stroke would make an end of him but they rejoiced when they saw him recollect himself and charge his enemy so furiously that his helmet being cut in many places the bloud ran down upon his eies and blinded him in such sort as he struck his blows in vain which Don Clarisel perceiving who would not give him leisure to recover pressed him so far that in lesse then an howr he drew out all the rest of the bloud of his body and overthrew him stark dead in the place to the infinite contentment of the people and principally of Orizenna and Alcidas who seeing himself free from his chains and without fear of any further suffering he approached unto Don Clarisel and thanked him for his assistance with all the humility he could possibly expresse But Clarisel knowing Orizenna's mind said unto him The glory of your deliverance is to be ascribed to God who never forsakes the innocent in their distresse howbeit next to him you are indebted to the care of this Lady which hath travelled above five hundred leagues to find out some Knight that might combat Farnabazan and deliver you wherefore you shall do wisely to shew your self gratefull for so much favour Alcidas then turning about to Orizenna and having well observed her remembred that it was she whom he had incountered in the wood and which surmounting her own desires had nobly assisted him with an horse that he might not be wanting in his engagement unto Clitia wherewithall considering the new and powerfull obligation wherein he was bound to her affection he resolved to let her see how sensible he was of a benefit Madam said he unto her my happinesse would be compleat if you will be pleased now to passe by the little satisfaction I gave you when you honoured me so much as to say that you loved me then I was a captive now I â—m free and can repair that fault if you be as well inclined to me as you were for me thinks it is more then reason I should be liberall unto you of that which you have gotten with so much pains command then what you please and drawing me out of the abisme of wretchednesse wherein I was plunged raise me to the supremest degree of felicity that love can give us If I had more regarded your vertue then mine own passion answered Orizenna without doubt my spight had been added to the malice of your enemies and I had not laboured so much to finde you an assured succour but not able to blame your fidelity I desired you should know that I was not offended with your refusall since you had not the power to give your self twice As for your resentment of the good offices I have done you I approve of it and shall be very well satisfied to see you sigh for me with the same sincerity as you have heretofore done for Clitia but now is no time to speak of this matter let us go to my house and seek to restore you a little after the enduring of so much incommoditie as imprisonment brings along with it and then we will consider of the rest This amorous discourse being very pleasing to Clarisel whose valour Alcidas commended to the skies they all left the town and for that Orizenna's house was but four leagues from thence they got thither by that time it was night which was no sooner past but Alcidas who could not endure the violence of his new desires fell upon the point of his marriage with Orizenna which was celebrated the third day after with a world of magnificence and brave entertainment howbeit that which most contented Clarisel was to behold six strong lusty shepherds enter into the hall whereof one advancing before the rest desired he might be admitted to maintain at wrestling that Miralinda was the fairest maid in the world I know very well replied Alcidas that this Shepherdesse is incomparably fair but my friend you are too weak to undergo such a businesse neverthelesse I will not hinder you from shewing your strength heer and to witnesse that I am pleased with your designe I promise a scarf to the victor At those words of Shepherdesse and Miralinda Clarisel who was then in talk with Orizenna changed colour three or four times which very much troubled her at first and going to prevent what she feared Clarisel that suspected her meaning took her by the hand and leading her to a window said thus Madam I make no question but you have discerned some alteration in me and that the goodnesse of your disposition hath made you partaker of my suffering but the way to relieve me is other then you imagine and if I fail now of your assistance there is no hope of remedy for me but in death I assure my self you marvell at this language and that you will demand an explication of it from me but if you had not known what it is to love you may think I would never acquaint you with my thoughts for fear you should laugh at me In a word I am in love and the perfections of this Shepherdesse for whose sake these men dispose themselves to wrastle have ever since I saw her picture which was about some three weeks ago given me so much passion that it is impossible for me to hear her spoken of but that I am troubled because I cannot come to the sight of her it may be you will condemn this affection of mine and say with the most part of persons that I am but poorly spirited not to consider her birth and my condition howbeit I will reply that it is the fault of fortune which doth not impart her favours as she ought and that finding in her all that may be desired in the rarest Princesse of the earth she is alike
to so great a busines The honour of combats said Alcidamant depends on the grace of heaven rather then on the vanity of men which is the reason why I will not rashly promise thee the victory but I wil confidently assure thee to undertake this quarrell with courage and not to be diverted from it by the commendation thou hast given this inchanter Let us away then if you please said the Squire for to morow is the last day of the term prefixed but my comfort is we may get thither to night if we use a little speed whereupon setting spurs to their horses they rode discoursing of the many mischiefs occasioned in the world by the treachery of men when they met a yong damsell who saluting Alcidamant said unto him Brave warrior I am commanded to present you with this Ring it is a mean to discover the innocence of Melania you may put it on her finger and then make her speak to the Iudges before you combat for her howbeit leave it not with her but conserve it carefully for it will stand you in stead other where She that sends me so rare a present very much obliges me said Alcidamant and assure her that she shall dispose of me whensoever or howsoever she pleaseth and so shall you for your pains in bringing it to me Saying thus he past on as it were fearing that the least stay might interrupt his enterprise but his Squire seeing him post away so suddenly said unto him Do you not know this damsell that spake to you but now No said Alcidamant for I never saw her to my remembrance before That is very strange said Armidas for it is even she which gave you these arms and me thinks you gave her but cold intertainment for such powerfull obligations By my hopes said Alcidamant I am very sorry for it I would she were heer again thou shouldst see then I would soon repair this fault but since it is now too late I must expect some other opportunity to shew my self more acknowledging unto her Talking thus in this maner sometimes of one thing somtimes of another they arrived at a house where Melania's friends were assembled with a purpose to chuse out some one amongst themselves for to hazard the combat with Narsander but the Squire alighting and telling them of the incounter he had made of Alcidamant they all came forth to receive him wondring very much to behold one so yong to follow arms and they could not be perswaded that he was of force sufficient to resist the fury of a man who had made himself redoubted every where howbeit observing him very exâ—ctly and seeing him to be of so goodly a stature well made and of a confident look they hoped for something extraordinary from him so as they honoured him exceedingly and having given him marvellous noble entertainment they conducted him to a chamber for to repose himself but so great was his desire to combat that he slept not long Rising then very early in the morning he disposed of himself as a good Christian ought to do that means to hazard his life and afterwards being armed at all points he went straight to the field which the Iudges had caused to be prepared in whose presence he approached to Melania who was set upon a scaffold and said unto her Madam assure me of your innocence that so I may have the assistance of heaven fighting for your preservation Why do you speak of my innocency answered she have not I said a thousand times at least that I have murthered my child what would you of me more that were too much replied Alcidamant if what you say were true But my Lords said he addressing his speech to the Iudges I will let you see what cunning this wicked man to whom you have granted the honour of the field hath used to undo this maid whereupon taking the Ring which Nerea had sent him he put it upon Melania's finger and then said unto her Madam Is it true that you have murdered a childe That I have murdered a childe answered she with a setled judgement O God never suffer me I beseech thee to be charged with such a crime but Sir what childe is this that you speak to me of Of one that you brought into the world and murdered instantly answered the Iudges Alas said she lifting up her eies may heaven that never suffers such a crime to go unpunished strike me dead with thunder if this whereof I am accused be true Are all this people then assembled for that and must this ax do vengeance on me for a sin which I have not committed My Lords do not precipitate my daies in this manner at leastwise let me know the authour of so great a wickednesse Narsander said Alcidamant is he that would ruine you that charges you with this fact that by the power of his charms hath made you say that you are culpable of it and that labours to have you put to death but we will chastice him if you will remit your right unto my arms I would never permit you to fight upon this occasion answered she if I were not confident of his assistance that never forsakes the innocent but assuring my self both of his justice and your valour you may proceed to the combat when you please Whereupon Alcidamant taking the Ring from her as he was advised by Nerea Melania required afresh to be put to death as she that was guilty wherby the assistants plainly perceived how Narsander had bewitched her in such sort that all the people were so incensed against him as they had torn him in peeces had it not been for Alcidamant who desiring a little silence advanced towards him and finding him full of rage and despite to see his secrets discovered said unto him I have laid open thy villany not to exempt my self from the combat with thee for I will oblige the world by thy death and free all honest persons heerafter from thy deceits but to clear Melania from all imputation whereunto she might be subject in the opinion of those that neither could discover nor beleeve thy wickednes wherefore defend thy self from me Therewithall taking the field he charged his lance and setting spurs to his horse he met him so strongly in the midst of the course that he cast him out of his saddle though not without some staggering by the incounter he had received Narsander finding himself on the ground suddenly rose up and drawing out his sword he let fall a blow with such fury on his enemies shield that thorowly made him to feel the force of his arm but not to fail in the first combat that ever he had undertaken he began to charge Narsander so fiercely that every one admired to see him fight with such grace and courage against a man so redoubted and that was scarcely to be matched again in France if his enemy struck at him he either warded it with his sword or opposed with his
I observe in you induce me to do you a singular pleasure and to save you from a dangerous storm that threatens you provided you promise me one boon Madam answered he your discourse would amaze me did not the noble freedome wherewithall you have received me to day make me confident but I can fear no malice where I see so much grace and beauty promising then to grant you whatsoever you can desire of me be pleased I pray you to expound your self and let me see my danger that I may avoid it It is greater then you think for replied she and you cannot possibly decline it without my assistance for you are in the hands of a man that hates you to the death and that being out of hope to be revenged on you by arms having found you too able that way hath used policy to enâ—rap you You are I say in the power of Narsander I am his sister she that drew you hither is his cousin and the intention of us all was to take you unarmed seeing you are otherwise invincible judge now whether you could escape death being without arms in the hands of thiâ—ty Knights which are shut up in these towrs that they may the more easily and without suspition surprise you Without doubt your courage could not avail you and your resistance would be to no purpose let us carry things wisely and let us without more words go into your chamber where you shall give me that you promised me which is your love then arm your self against all accidents that may happen and command youâ—â—â—quire to be ready with your horses whilest I take care to have the wicket kept open for you But by my best hopes Madam said Alcidamant very much astonished to see himself in so dangerous a place this is even the notablest peece of treachery that can be imagined and never did damsell carry a busines more dexterously then this little cunning thing hath done to bring me to my end Your pity infinitely obliges me and this life of mine whereof you have such care shall be preserved but only to be employed for your service and whereas you are pleased to oblige me with the honour of your favour let us go Madam and I will ever labour to cherish the possession of iâ— whereupon pâ—ssing into a chamber which joined unto the hall Alcidamant made the doors sure after him to avoid all surprisall and finding himself safe with this gentlewoman he let her feel that the apprehension of death had not power to deprive him of the use of his courage This Lady wonderfull well satisfied with two courses lustily performed suffered him to arm himself and having advertised him that Narsander was not yet returned home she counselled him to get forth into the court assoon as he heard a noise and not to let himself be assaulted in the chamber This done she went unto the towrs and caused only fifteen Knights to advance which heard by Alcidamant he drew out his sword and covering himself with his shield he got him into the Court cleaving the head of the first in two pieces At this blow the rest which were scattered before closed instantly together but this incomparable warrior flying amongst them cut off the arm of one sent the head of another to the ground and kept them in such aw that the hardiest man amongst them durst not approach him the rumor of this fight ran over all the Castle whereat the rest descended and encompassed Alcidamant with incredible fury but he that grew every moment more couragious and stronger cut them in pieces and made so great a slaughter of them that some of their bodies served him for a bulwark against the violence of the rest Night arriving thereupon the servants of the place came running in with a number of torches by the light whereof the battell renewed so dangerously that above twenty men were in lesse then an howr laid dead on the earth whereby the rest were terrified in such sort that they betook them to their heels for to eschew the mortall blows of this invincible Knight who finding no enemy to oppose him went out for to go directly to the stable howbeit meeting a great Knight upon the bridge that would not suffer him to passe he discharged so furious a blow on his helmet that he overturned him into the water where questionles he had been drowned if some of the servants that knew him to be Narsander had not suddenly helped him Alcidamant then finding no impediment went to his Squire mounted on his horse and taking the first way he met withall travelled all night as his good fortune led him CHAP. XXIII The Knight of the Palms at the sollicitation of two damsels embarques himself for Greece his dangerous combat with Ariston he slaies a Giant in the defence of a Frenchwoman and sends his head to Constantinople THis right valiant warrior having in this maner avoided the snares which Narsander had laid for him resolved to quit France and see the rest of the world for to make the whole earth a witnes of his valour Having travelled then certain daies without the incounter of any adventure worthy of his courage or my relation he saw himself at the sea side much grieved in that he could not find a vessell to imbarque himself in neverthelesse hoping that the winds would drive some one or other upon that coast which seemed to be much frequented he rode along by the shore till the evening when as he met with two damsels wherof one of them bowed her self even to the pommell of her saddle out of an extraordinary respect in saluting him and said Noble Sir what do you heer I hoped to have found a barque answered he and was resolved to passe the seas for to have searched in forrain Countries such adventures as of late are not to be encountred in this Kingdome but my ill fortune will keep me heer for want of accommodation that way so that I am constrained to go even as my horse pleaseth to carry me If you will promise this damsell a boon and me another said she we will soon furnish you with a ship that shall carry you safely whithersoever you will go In good faith said he that is the greatest pleasure can be done me wherefore I will promise you any thing you shall desire of me Let us descend then to the foot of the rock said the damsell that we may lose no time I beleeve answered he you do not consider well what you say for what shall we do at the foot of the rock seeing I can discern nothing proper for our voiage Do not you trouble your self for that said she you shall not lose your labour Whereupon leading the way she was followed by the other Arnides and Alcidamant who when he came down was marvellously abashed to see a great Dragon upon the waves whose wings were extended as it were to receive the assistance of the winds Behold said the
earth who retains her against her will with a purpose to marry her after he hath defended this passage six months together My mistris doth not love him because he is very ill favoured and of an insupportable humour but in regard she could not be rid of him she made him undertake this enterprise for the glory of her beauty hoping that the Princes of Greece who are not far off would deliver her assoon as they heard of the violence that is offred to her will and indeed she was sending me to seek the gallant bastard of Media or the good Knight Ardant but a woman that very much loves her and that may justly vaunt to have excellent skill in Art Magick counselled her to send me into France to finde out the Knight of the Palms and to obtain a promise of whatsoever I should demand of him and now behold the enemy is before you nor is it so neer night but that you may well have time to exchange some blows with him do not then I beseech you defer the effect of your promise and make it appear that we have not made choice of you but out of a confidence of your valour I am very glad said Alcidamant that I may acquit my self by obliging you and if the safety of your Mistris doth depend on me be assured that I will soon restore her into her own power Heerwith taking his lance he approached his enemy who ready to meet him encountred him so furiously in the midst of the course that he made him lose his stirrups but his fortune was worse for he was thrown from his horse making two or three turns on the grasse that was bedewed with his bloud which issued out of a great wound given him by Alcidamants lance on the right side howbeit nothing amazed for this hurt he arose more incensed then ever he was in all his life went to his adversary whom he found alighted because he would not combat with advantage and gave him so terrible a blow upon his shield that his arm unable to support the fury of it was fain to yeeld whereby it fell with such violence on his helmet that he was somwhat astonied therewith which put him into such a rage that clasping his sword fast in his hand he discharged it so mightily on his head that he opened his helmet razing both the hair and skin This so dangerous a blow made the great Ariston to stagger but being as couragious as possibly might be he renewed the fight with so much valour that he made it continue two howrs to the great amazement of Alcidamant who confessed that he never met with so strong a man before The time and the desire to vanquish rendred their blows still more redoubtable The ground was strewed with peeces of their arms and if the bloud issued from Alcidamants left arm Ariston lost his out of five or six places whence it proceeded that being much weaker then at the beginning of the combat he could not support the fury of a blow which his enemy gave him on the head but tumbled down dead cloven to the very teeth This victory gave no lesse contentment to Cilina the damsels mistris then glory to the Knight of the Palms They saluted one another he satisfied with her beauty she with his exceeding valor But as they passed thorow the forrest to seek out some village that they might lodge more commodiously then in the wood Alcidamant heard the voice of a person complaining which carried him presently into the thicket where he beheld a furious Giant whipping of a damsell that was tied to a tree so cruelly as the bloud trickled down from all the parts of her body This object provoking him to no lesse rage then pity he drew out his sword and discharged it with such force on the Giant that he made him set one knee to the ground howbeit suddenly rising up he began a dangerous combat which neverthelesse lasted not long for Alcidamant being in a rage cut his arms into a thousand pieces and finally gave him his dispatch with a blow that opened him from the shoulder to the very stomack and taking off his head he gave it to the Lady for whose sake he had made the first combat desiring her carry it to Constantinople present it from him to the Prince of France with the relation of all that had happened upon occasion of that quarrell which she very willingly undertook Departing then from the Knight she used such speed that she arrived within two daies after at Constantinople and went unto the great Hall of the Palace where finding a number of gallant Knights she demanded which was the Prince of France I am he said Lucendus most ready to serve you if you have occasion to use me Excellent Prince answered she the necessity of no misfortune hath brought me hither to desire your assistance but I come with a present to you from the Knight of the Palms one of the best without doubt now living in the world Whereupon turning about to a Squire that followed her she took the head of a dead man and setting it on the floor pursued her discourse in this maner The Knight of whom I spake comming some three daies since to enter into a combat for my sake where his glory was not smal having easily triumphed over the great Ariston who was feared of all the world followed on his way to find out some lodging when the voice of one complaining carried him into the thickest of a forrest where he encountred a great and dreadfull Giant as you may perceive by his head whipping of a damsâ—ll whom he had tied to a tree in despite of you having understood that she was of your Kingdome and that she was comming hither to give you intelligence of some matters which had past in France to the prejudice of that sidelity subjects ow to a gratious Prince and to give some colour to this act of his he said that having left his home to revenge the death of his father upon you whom you had surprised without arms and wretchedly murthered he might with good reason kill all that appertained unto you This good Knight not able to endure such wickednes assailed the Giant who for that his revenge was diverted grew insolent and mad threatning to cut him in a thousand peeces and struck him so furiously on the head thâ—t he astonished him with this first blow and I my self beleeved that the battell had been at an end seeing him to reel as if he would have pitched his nose into the ground nevertheles instantly reassuming courage and giving most horrible and heavy blows he had rendred the busines very doubtful had not the good Knight avoided the most part of them by his agility and abated the fury of the rest with incredible force Maintaining himself then in this sort and bestowing not a blow in vain I soon saw this great masse of flesh opened in five or six places
great gate of the house as these Squires have advised you for otherwise all the world shall not be able to deliver you out of captivity enter in at a little wicket you see on the left hand leave the shield you bear and make use of this at my saddle bow be sure you part not from the same Ring which was given you when you fought the first combat for Melania yeeld not to the intreaty tears nor sighes of any woman whatsoever and above all things make much of the new sword which shall come to your hand for it is the best on the earth and without it you should never see an end to the adventures which are to befall you This said Alcidamant having curteously thanked the damsell took the shield which she gave him whereupon there was no figure presented and alighting from his horse with his sword in his hand he drew towards the wicket which he saw stood open when as a damsel issuing out of the Castle said unto him Knight whether run you so and why do you use your arms where you shall be gladly entertained with all respect Sheath up your sword for heer is none that means to oppose you and not to disaccommodate your self with stooping at the wicket take the way that leadeth to the great gate where you may enter at pleasure Yes no doubt said Alcidamant if I would make you sport with a leap I am too well informed of your villany and if you get you not packing the sooner I will quicly take your head from your shoulders to revenge an infinite number of good Knights which you have betrayed under colour of giving them fair entertainment What said she stepping in again do you threaten me in mine own house Come come my masters cut me this rascall in pieces and revenge me of his insolence Herewith Alcidamant being in the Castle yard heard a great noise and saw thirty armed men come forth who suddenly incompassed him about and endeavoured to smite him to the ground but this incomparable warrior nothing amazed set upon them so furiously that at three strokes he laid three of them stretch'd along upon the earth and pressing in amongst the rest he cut off the arm of one and the leg of another cleft the third to the teeth divided the body of the fourth in two pieces and made so great a slaughter that his very enemies wondered at it and came no more neer him but in fear which so incensed the Mistris of the house that opening an iron door she let forth two Serpents of twenty foot in length and twelve in heighth and of such an horrible shape that they would have daunted the most assured courage of the world These Monsters being at liberty began to run up and down the Court and meeting with those Knights crush'd some of them between their teeth and tore the rest with their claws In the mean time the Knight of the Palms who could hope for no better usage making towards one of them whilst the other was sucking the bloud of those he had slain by good fortune gave him such a thrust in the flank that he sheathed half of his sword within his body which made him so mad that lifting up his tail of ten foot in length he let it flie at the Knight with such violence that he laid him on the ground three strices off and opening his fearfull jaws was like to have swallowed him if retaining his judgement amidst the danger he had not thrust his sword into his throat wherewith he gave him a wound as great as the former and overthrew him dead in the place This blow coming in season the Knight got suddenly up and taking his good sword in hand again which the Serpent in the pangs of death had made him let go he ran presently towards the other and discharged so weighty a blow upon his head that he made him sink to the ground but the scales being hard the blade rebounded in the air as if he had struck upon an anvill with this the Serpent shewing his bloudy teeth came fiercely upon him and put him in such distresse that he was about half an hour shifting sometimes on the one side and then on the other to shun the fury of the beast but thinking that he must either die or instantly vanquish and remembering that he had not found the belly of the other so hard as the scales of this he thrust him into the flank with such fury that his guts came forth with the sword which put him into such a rage that making a number of horrible leaps he filled the air with a most dreadfull noise The Knight judging this to be the stroak of death withdrew aside to prevent further inconvenience and wiping his sword in the grasse thought to have rested himself when it came into his mind that glory is not to be acquired but in the finishing of an enterprise wherfore seeing a great pair of stairs he ran couragiously up and finding a door open entred into a great Hâ—ll where six furious Savages who seemed to uphold the building on their shoulders assaulted him with each of them a massie club in his hand It was then that he was most amazed not imagining that ever he should be able to overcome so many monsters at once but assuming new courage he opposed his left arm and his shield against the fury of some blows of the clubs which they discharged at his head and clasping his sword fast in his hand he gave the first so dangerous a stroak that he opened him even to thâ— very wast This happy blow reviving his forces he began to lay about him on all sides and bare himself so generously that in three howrs he put them all to the sword howbeit so wearied that if the night had not come to give him leave to breath a little he could not have passed on to undertake any further combat Remaining then somewhat amazed in the dark he stood leaning a while upon the pomell of his sword but hearing no stir in the Hall he sate him down upon the pavement where the pains he had taken would have invited him to sleep but thinking it not safe to rest in so dangerous a place he continued as a man that looks every minute to be assailed by his enemy Having been three howrs and more in this estate he beheld five or six damsels come in with each of them a torch in her hand whereof one which seemed to be Claristea said unto him How now dear heart can you be so neer me and never desire to see me truly I have great cause to complain of you and to say that all my caresses have been very ill imploid Pardon me Madam said he rising up Ignorance must excuse my fault for to tell you true I thought you to be rather in France then heer We have been taken said she by a Magician and are so restrained that we shall never get hence if
you do not give us the Ring wherwith you undid the enchantments of Narsander Be assured Madam said he then remembring the damsels advertisement that I will deliver you if I can but it may not be this way for if the Ring were once off from my finger we were in danger to abide heer till Doomsday Out upon thee base fellow said she dost thou refuse me so small a matter having given thee all thy death shall revenge this ingratitude With that those damsels seemed to be so many fantosms who with their torches laid such heavy blows upon Alcidamant that he was much troubled but that which troubled him and vexed him was that he felt his armor as hot as if it had newly come out of the forge not knowing then what to do he whirled about his sword and defended himself the best he could but all his addresse was in vain his force served to no purpose and he had no hope but in his courage which carried him skirmishing all the length of the Hall to the door where those damsels went out before the which as he was taking new counsell a great Giant presented himself who striking him on the shoulder with his club made him fall on his hands to the ground but he quickly got up again and with his sword discharged so furious a blow on the Giants shield that he parted it in two giving him a great gash in the arm The combat growing very fierce all the Castle rang with the violence of their stroaks Alcidamant made use of his skill with judgement the Giant emploied his strength If the one struck the other had his answer ready each of them redoubted the blows of his enemy and though the torches of the fantosms who had ranged themselves round about the Hall had given no light yet the fire which flew out of their helmets was able to make them see where to place their blows This terrible combat having endured above two howrs Alciadmant who was displeased with so long a delay took his sword in both his hands and let it descend with such fury that he had cleft him to the shoulders if it had fallen according to the Knights intention but turning in his hand and striking but with the flat it broke in five or six pecces to the extream discontentment of Alcidamant neverthelesse the stroak was so violent that it overthrew the Giant to the ground in a swown The Knight who desired to make use of occasion seeing his enemy senceles went to disarm his head and with his own sword to separate it from the body when as those fantosms came about him with much more noise and din then before The Knight stood amazed at this charge and thought himself now lost having not wherewithall to defend him howbeit casting his eie all about as if he would seek for some place of refuge he espied a tomb raised in the midst of a chamber which shewed it self on the left hand wherupon there lay a yong gentleman thrust thorow with a sword therichest one of them in the world now finding himself opprest by those furies which would not let him rest he went couragiously in and laying hold on that fair sword he drew it forth without any difficulty at all which gave him such content that immediatly he returned into the Hall and would have run in again amongst those fantosms but they presently vanished as fearing the keenesse of that rich steel which Alcidamant seeing turned to the Giant being yet in a trance disarmâ—d his head and was going to dispatch him when as the gentleman whom he had left lying upon the tomb approaching to him took hold of his arm and intreated him to spare him for his sake Truly said Alcidamant wondring much at his beauty I am sorry that he is not as I fear capable of so small a grace your merit being worthy of a far greater I humbly thank you said the gentleman for I am confident he is not dead and that shortly we shall see him thorowly recovered But Sir since you have granted me one boon I beseech you refuse me not another That will I not said Alcidamant for there is nothing in my power which is not at your command These Sir said he are powerfull obligations now what my further request unto you is I will let you understand when you have rested your self a little in my chamber whilst I give order for the recovery of this Knight who kept me not heer but with an intent to oblige me although his first resolution was to take away my life Do what you please said Alcidamant and I shall gladly second you in so charitable an office Then giving the Giant air he revived presently and rising up humbly excused himself to the Knight of the Palms whom he advised to unarm the better to refresh himself but he would not by any means yeeld to it till the arrivall of the damsell which accompanied him and that she should authorize him thereunto by assuring him there was nothing further to be feared Having at length then unarmed himself but not willing to go to bed because it was yet fair day light the Giant was intreated to set at liberty all such as were imprisoned in the Castle which being done there came forth above fowrscore Knights who wondring at the horrible slaughter they beheld in the Court as well of the men as of the serpents whose deformity they admired presented themselves before the Knight of the Palms no lesse taken with his goodly presence then with his unmatchable valour in so tender yeers and besought him since they had their liberty by his means that he would be pleased to command them something I will not dispose of you otherwise answered he but if you will take the pains to passe by Constantinople when you go hence and present your selves on my part to the fair Queen of France you shall do me a singular pleasure Heerwith fowr yong Knights stept forth one of the which said unto him Valiant Sir I do not know what acquaintance you have with that Princesse but you have this day more obliged her then you think for having delivered her nephew there called Persides son to the excellent Emperour of the Persians Don Râ—gell these two Princes Russian of Media and Prigmaleâ—n Emperour of the Aethiopians and in particular my self who am her grandchild Truly gentlemen said Aleidamant bowing himself down for to kisse their hands and wondring to see them so bravely accomplished I am more glad of your safety then of the glory I have acquired by this adventure and should be very sorry to injoin you so long a voiage knowing well that your designs are all warlike and that you would not willingly return to your friends because you would not be diverted from your enterprises I will lay this charge upon some other and do earnestly intreat you to command me something out of this assurance that I am a Knight wholly devoted to your service
that Argenia which was the name of this ingratefull was surprised there by a dreadfull Giant who espying her going thither followed her and finding her to his mind would have enjoied her howbeit she that wanted no wit knowing that menaces would serve to no puâ—pose gently shewed him that he was not to use force unto a woman that might be woon by love and in so sweet a maner intreated a day or two of him the better to acquaint her self with his humours that hoping to perfect his delight with a voluntary fruition he promised her to attend that time during the which he would accompany her withersoever she went And indeed he followed her to a little country house of her Fathers where this gallant left him having used means to make him drunk and so got away I am not able to declare the havock which this Giant made when he awaked and saw himself cousened in this sort but going in a rage to an old Inchantresse of his acquaintance unto whom he discoursed the whole busines she came some fowr months since into this country and finding Clidor and this false Argenia in the grot together she inchanted them after a very strange maner She made them strip themselves stark naked and putting great whips into their hands left them with an extream desire to scourge one another therwith which they put in execution most cruelly Eight howrs at a time they abide in this exercise at the end whereof they give over and fall a railing for the cruelty they use upon each other This is the punishment inflicted on them wherewithall the Giant not being satisfied hath sworn not to spare a woman he can find and accordingly he remains heer in this Country with two other Giants no lesse great and formidable them himself and assoon as he catches any he carries them to the grot deflowrs them before Argenia's face and then takes off their heads from their shoulders in revenge of the deceit which this false one practised on him Hence I have taken occasion not to be curell though I were abused as he was but to forsake the world where is nothing certain but grief and misery and making a good use of my dotage of this ingratefull fair I have set up a blessed rest for my future daies Without doubt said the Knight well satisfied with this discourse they which can turn all things to their profit as you have done are worthy of great commendation and I much approve of your resolution to make Heaven your only object since the earth is perishable and produceth nothing but vanity and vexation of spirit live happy in this mind and never alter it I hope I shall not said the Hermit but Sir the travell you have endured requirs some repose go and lie down upon a bed which you shall find in my chamber and there rest you for an howr or two and I will endevour to make you better chear at supper I can not refuse so good an offer said Rozalmond though I have an extream desire to go presently to the Lovers grot To morrow said the Hermit you may take this journey more commodiously then to day and if the habit which I wear would permit me to accompany you I would willingly go along to be an ocular witnes of the punishment inflicted on this perfidious creature though the estate wherein now I am forbids me so much as to speak of revenge You may do as you please said the Knight in the mean time I will follow your counsell and as secure in this little lodging as in the palace of a King I will go and take my rest Saying so he unsadled his horse and then unarming himself he fell into so profound a sleep that he never awaked till the next morning CHAP. XXVI The Knight of the Roses combats Orfuron and his brothers ends the adventure of the Lovers grâ—t and sends them to Constantinople THE Knight of the Roses rising with some amazement for that he had slept so long speedily armed himself and finding that ready which the Hermit had provided for his supper he fell too with a good appetite but the desire he had to see the Lovers grot not suffering him to sit long at table he gave his host a thousand thanks and getting to horse took the way which was presented unâ—o him wherein intertaining himself with the remembrance of his fairest Armazia at length he arrived neer to that famous rock which he presently knew both by the two Lions who by enchantment were made to keep the gate not permitting any one whatsoever to enter except the Giants as also by a number of womens heads set all about upon the neighboring trees These objects full of horror made him resolve to deliver those two afflicted persons and to cut off the course of such inhumane cruelty whereupon he alighted and couragiously advancing with his sword in his hand he approached unto two great pillars which supported an arch where hung a Table on the which was written these words Knight Enter not heer if thou be not the chief of the World Truly said he I should be very vain if I should be perswaded that there were not a better Knight on the earth then my self but come what can come I will not stop now for any regard of these menaces and if I may I will give an end to the long pains of these Lovers So he would have past along under the arch but he felt himself charged all at one instant with so many blows that he was forced to set one knee to the ground being unable to support the fury of them howbeit no whit amazed he quickly rose again and covering himself with his shield he swung his sword about his head for he could see no body whereon he might fasten a blow and perceiving that he felt resistance as if he struck upon armour he flew up and down with his sword heer he discharged a down right blow there he gave a thrust and so bestird himself that he seemed to make some great defeat howbeit the more he advanced the more opposition he met withall and the blows of his invincible enemies became more heavy laying upon him in such maner as if he had been assaulted by a thousand armed men His courage which alwaies augmented in the greatest difficulties not able to endure so much resistance put him into such a rage that he redoubled his blows and advancing three or fowrpaces forward in despite of those he saw not he arrived at the entry of the grot where all this fury ceased but he had not leisure to take breath after so painfull an encounter for at that very instant the Lions set upon him and seizing the one upon his shield the other upon his body laboured to pull him down howbeit being as strong and lusty as any Knight in the world he sustained the violence of him that held his shield and with a blow full upon the mane of the other laid
finding it according to her desire trickt up her self with all the art she possibly could use to make her appear more beautifull and indeed she went forth so curiously drest that she seemed not to be the same she was the day before The sacrifices done the King after a short dinner was placed at a window with Rozalmond and the Queen hard by at another but unable to endure the esloignment of her Knight she turned to the King and with a grace that could give no suspition she said unto him Sir this Knight was not born for you alone lend him me a little that he may inform me which are the valiantest Knights amongst our Courtiers In good faith little one answered the King your request is so reasonable that I am willing to quit his company though I very much desire it for to give you satisfaction Wherefore go said he deer friend and content the curiosity of this woman Whereupon Rozalmond making a very low obeisance unto him went to the Queens window who seeing him so neer her could not chuse but change colour being much perplexed in that she knew not how to discover her thoughts unto him at length vanquished by her passion she said pointing to the comabttants Perceive you not Sir how our Courtiers blows are not delivered with so good a grace as they parted from your hand I considered yesterday your addresse the admirable strength of your arm and I wondred how the Gods could impart so much force to a mortall wight but I was no lesle displeased when I saw that insolent Giant arrive my bloud congealed in my veins and the fear I had of your danger left me neither colour nor motion beholding you resolved for the combat Madam answered he these were the effects of the goodnes of your sweet disposition which made you doubt the losse of that which is yours Mine said she O Gods that this speech were true I should then think my self far happier then I am Madam said he I cannot beleeve that ever you had any just cause hitherto to charge me with disobeing your commands I do not accuse you my Knight answered she but we will talk of this another time for this is not a place proper for it well what is your opinion of these Knights That they combat bravely said he but those that questionles will carry away the honour of the turnament are they which maintained the justs yesterday for see you not how their enemies are in disorder and that they had got on the better part of the field Their blows are stronger then the others their addresse greater and their fight more lively Heerwith Count Folsuc having overthrown the adverse chief the rest were chased out of the field and the turnament ended with exceeding content to the King who approaching the Queen said unto her Now Madam will you render me this Knight again It is equall said she that you should have him in your turn but let me not live I had taken no great pleasure in the sight if he had not let me understand the valour of these Knights more by discourse then by that which I observed The King laughing heerat took the Knight by the hand and led him to walk in a gallery where he intertained him till supper which was not long for the King feeling his old indisposition withdrew suddenly to the extream grief of some Courtiers and infinite content to the Queen who not to lose this opportunity sent Rozalmond word that she would speak with him This Knight knowing but too well by her former speeches whereto her purpose tended would not willingly have been present with her in a place which might favour her designe howbeit not daring to refuse he followed the damsell and beholding the Queen alone sitting on her beds feet he advanced very modestly and with a grace able to strike any heart in love he wished her a good night It will be the sweetest answered she so as you will correspond to my desire Knight I love you and all the resistance I could make was not able to preserve me from the charms of your so excellent parts I am compelled to blush but I finde so much excuse for my fault that I can speak this without shame you see an effect of your merit and not of my weaknesse as peradventure you may conceive Think of the favour is presented to you and be not precipitious in your answer but first consider that it is a Queen which intreats you a woman fair enough to enamour a God and one that it may be loves you more then all the world besides Madam said he with a confident countenance pardon me I beseech you if I answer otherwise then you desire I should commit many irreproveable faults in this action I should be a traitour and unworthy the favours which the King hath conferred on me I should incur assured death if ever it were known as well it might be by any the least accident I should wrong you in stead of honouring and serving you I should incense the Gods who are grievous punishers of adulteries and should lose that good opinion which your people have of me who cannot beleeve that I am capable of so great a wickednesse Madam make some other use of me and do not ruine me under colour of loving me the pleasure you desire is so soon past that we are not to offend for so momentany a delight let us shew our government then in commanding over our selves therein Madam I beseech you said he falling on his knees force your self so far as to desire the contrary of that which you demand and do not think that it is out of ingratitude that I give you this good counsell I had too much understanding not to acknowledge the honour you do me but you are also to consider that I have more respect and fidelity to your service then to undo you in stead of giving you content Your reasons said she with a countenance that testified her displeasure are so weak that not taking them in good paiment I will study how I may clear my self otherwise out of these toiles wherefore get you gone and remember how much you have neglected me to day Whereupon Rozalmond with a most humble obeisance departing retired to his chamber extreamly vext at that which had past and resolving not to stay long in that Court he got him to bed where after he had made a thousand turns with strange unquietnesse he slept till the next day when as he had such a good morrow as shall be related in the next Chapter CHAP. XXXV The Queen of Florertan incensed with Rozalmonds refusall would have caused him to be murdered the marvellous slaughter which he makes of his enemies and his departure from Court WHat will not the neglect of a womans affections do It ordinarily filleth her heart with anger her mind with rage and disposeth all her actions to murther whereof we have a world of examples in antiquity
your deniall Whereupon going out of the garden she lead him into a Parlor where the best of the meat was the delight she tooke in beholding him still observing some one perfection or other that rendred her love far greater Rozalmond who feared that oportunity and the teares of this mayd might overcome him at length withdrew to bed being resolved to get him a way the next morning by break of day as he did notwithstanding all the lamentation and prayers of Basiliana to the contrary Being departed thence he rode three howrs in a great thick forrest out of which he was no sooner past but he espied a Knight of so goodly a representation that he stayed to observe him being marvellously well pleased with the grace wherewithall he sate his horse marking then attentively all the parts of his arms he perceived three Palms amidst his shield which gave him assurance that this was the Knight whom he sought and that he so much desired to be revenged of as indeed it was Alcidamant who having been healed by the damsell that had carried him out of Constantinople and conducted by his adventures was partly by land and partly by sea arrived in the kingdom of Florertan the sight of him renewed Rozalmonds hatred and incensed him in such sort that not seeking for any pretext of ataquing him he cryed to him to defend himself In good faith said he touching his lance you have challenged me without cause but I hope you will be the first that shall repent it so setting spurs to his horse they met in the middle of the course with such fury that tumbling down both together they made two or three turns upon the grasse with so much displeasure for that they had never done the like before that rising extreamly transported with choller they drew their swords and charged one another so cruelly as the meeting of two raging seas could not have made a more dreadfull noise Hate animated Rozalmond Alcidamant combated for glory and imployed his arm with so much force that the weight of his blows equalled the violence of his enemies their shields fell away in pieces lightening flew from their helmets and as often as their swords descended the bloud coloured their armour one gave a down-right blow the other a thrust briefly they were so set upon one anothers destruction that their lives seemed to depend upon every stroke they gave Good God said Rozalmond to himself is this warrior come into the world to bear away the honour of all the brave deeds of arms that are to be performed in his time Yes verily for his match is not to be met withall and questionlesse he will carry the glory of being the best combatant in the world his blows do not onely make me despair of the victory but every minute possesses me with a fear of death What speak I of the fear of death I am resolved to vanquish or to die Charging then with more fury then before he left Alcidamant in the same minde and the same discourse very much afraid of the end of this battell Having entertained themselves five howrs together in this manner sometimes setting a knee sometimes an hand to the ground knocking their chins against their brest recoiling two or three steps back they forsook their swords fell to grapsing with one another and began a most dangerous wrestling Rozalmond seemed to have an advantage in his stature but Alcidamants forces being contracted in a more well set body rendered their encounter â—quall they laboured with all the strength and slight they had to overthrow each other but as towers they never wagged unlesse it were to get better footing Some time being spent without any advantage to be disceâ—ned on either part they set to it so hard that they both fell together on the ground there they rouled up and down for a good space sometimes above and sometimes beneath but seeing that neither of them could prevail they consented to part bâ—took them to their swords and renewed their combat with more cruelty then before being equally wounded and weary they would fain have taken breath but to decline all advantage neither of them would demand of the other to do it so that they continued charging and hewing one another when as they perceived a damsell come gallopping in who suddenly thrusting her self between them said Knights let me intreat one boon oâ— you I will never refuse you said Rozalmond who knew her to be Cassandra No more will I said Alcidamant for I hold my self infinitely indâ—bted to your assistance at my entering into the Castle of Serpents Separate your selves then presently said she and each one follow his adventures till such time as heaven shall otherwise dispose of your incounter again Truly said Rozalmond although I was resolved to have died or have been revenged of the wrong that this Knight did me at Constantinople sharing the honour of the turnament which before I had obtained yet at your request I will be gone Therewith setting spurs to his horse as if he had been much vexed for that he had not given an end to this combat he rode away And Alcidamant entered into the wood after he had received a box of salve from the damsell who followed Rozalmond CHAP. XXXVII The Knight of the Palms is conducted to the Iland of Merodiana The memorable feats of arms that he performs for to enter into the city of Alfartâ— besieged by Fangomadan King of Licagena THese two incomparable warriors being separated in the manner before related Cassanara followed Rozalmond who was in a mighty rage for that he could not vanquish his enemy and our Frenchman crossing thorow the wood entered into a gentlemans house whom he met very opportunely where being unarmed his wounds were visited by Arnides who drest them with a precious balm which Cassandra had given him and left him to his rest till the next morning when he arose fresher and better disposed then ever he was in all his life Arming himself then and taking leave of his hoast he mounted on his horse which carried him at random untill about noon he incountered a damsell who having saluted him said unto him with a marvellous good grace Sir Knight what seek you for in these parts Such adventures as may give a man-glory replied Alcidamant If that be the end of your travell said she you have met with a favourable occasion to acquire honour imploying your arms for the service of a young Princesse worthy no doubt of your succour besieged within Alfarta the capitall city of her Countrey by the great King of Licagena named Fangomadan who is like ere it be long to reduce her under his power if the Gods do not in the mean time assist her She is fair beyond all excellence of a most lovely and sweet disposition and this Giant is as ugly and deformed as can be imagined his bristled hair stares on his monstrous head his eyes are hollow and sunk into his very head
you at leasure Madam answered he kneeling down by her beds side and beholding her with an amorous eye your command may alwayes dispose of me and I shall think my selfe most happy to see you in any sort whatsoever But O God! if you would be pleased to vouchsafe me a better place more neer unto you I should esteem my glory to be far greater then the felicities of a Paradise Do you remember your promise Knight said she unto him Yes Madam said he I have sworn to attempt nothing upon you but you have not forbidden me from intreating you Consider me I beseech you in torment neer my happinesse and cannot enjoy it between hope and fear and expecting either life or death from your answer Rise Knight said she you have no lesse grace in delivering your passions then valour in vanquishing them that encounter you and your parts have no lesse power over me then your arm hath over mine enemies I was resolved to have conserved my selfe but you have won me and I am constrained to tell you that you may dispose of my bed as you please I will not complain of the losse of that which I hold most dear so as your disloyaltie give me no cause to do Never fear said he casting his doublet on the table with an excesse of content No Madam never fear that you shall see me sigh for another you have too many charms in your eyes for to leave me that liberty and I too much sense of the favour you doe me Saying so he got in to bed to her where their embraces began with unspeakable delight kisses succeeded words feeling followed kisses and a thousand amorous wantonizing to stirre up their spirits that every minute furnished fresh pleasures Five howrs being spent in these delights they were about to have given themselves new testimonies of their loves when Fortune desiring to crosse their happinesse a little a great noyse was heard all over the Citie and the confusion of certain voyces that cried Arm arm amazed them Never beleeve me said Alcidâ—mant if our enemies be not upon some enterprise for to be quit with us But I swear by your love the most religious oâ—th I can make that I will so chastise their insolence and make them pay interest for the wrong they do me by ravishing me thus from out of your arms Whereupon having kâ—st her with a world of affection he went instantly out of her chamber with his clothes under his arm and entring into his own he met Cistenia in her smock comming out of her closet Whence commest thou Cistenia said he marvelling to see her in that fashion From seeking a second answered she for your Squires gentle carriage having made me as far in love with him as you are with my Lady I thought it not amisse to keep Sentinell with him In good faith said he laughing I like this humour well in thee but go in presently to thy Mistrâ—sse and desire her not to be moved at this noyse Then being ready he armed himself and causing three or four torches to be born before him in regard the night was very dark he marched to the Market place whither all the Knights repaired unto him and understanding the enemy was preparing to give an assault he manned the walls with good Souldiers exhorting them to fear nothing and commanding a thousand horse to be ready upon all occasions he presented himself the first upon the Battlements where perceiving that the enemy laboured to fill up the ditch the more commodiously to plant their ladders he caused the Archers to shoot wherewithall in a little time they slew so many that the earth was covered with them neverthelesse the Pioners doing their uttermost filled up the ditches and gave their Companies means to advance Whereupon a world of ladders were instantly reared against the walls and the Souldiers encouraged by the threatnings and promises of the Gyant strived who could soonest mount up beginning a most dangerous fight Fangomadan not able to accuse his men was almost distracted to see how fast they tumbled down one in the neck of another but desiring to bring them on again by his example he took a ladder mounted on it and presenting himself on the battlements grew dreadfull to the defendants who fearing his getting into the City gave present notice thereof to the valiant Knight of the Palms he forthwith making to the place where the Giant slew all that he met withall discharged so mighty a blow on his head that not able to abide the fury of it he was overthrown to the ground and there no doubt he had been killed had he not fallen upon five or six of his Captains who were getting up on the ladder after him and that were sâ—â—flâ—d under the weight of his body This fall of his might have discouraged him had he had lesse rage but rising up with a million of execrations against his Gods he re-mounted on the ladder resolving to die or enter into the City But Alcidamant leaving the Knight of the Lions to oppose him whilst Marâ—diana's Captains defended other places put himself in the head of the thousand horse which he had reserved for that purpose sallied forth at a back gate and giving furiously on the enemies back so disordered them that they began to betake themselves to flight with an horrible slaughter all the ladders being in the power of those of the City with such grief to Fangomadan that he would have held himself happy to have been rid of his life The assault ceasing then by this retreat Alcidamant returned glorious and was received with such applause that the people seemed to have no tongues but for to publish his valour and renown which gave infinite content to Merâ—diana who thought her self most fortunate in possâ—ssing so brave and valiant a Knight and never blushing at her fault received him when he came to the Court with most extraordinary testimonies of love which every one ascribed to the acknowledgement wherein she stood ingaged to his assistance and the valour he had shewn in the fight wherein there fell three thousand and three hundred Knights to the incredible terrour of the adverse troops who beleeved he was some God come down in favour of this Princesse right so that the brandishing of his sword was more dreadfull then the lightning which ordinarily precedes thunder She could have found in her heart to have kist him before all the Commanders that invironed him and would willingly have discharged him of his arms but referring that office to the night she contained her self till every body was gone to rest when as she received him into her bed where their pleasures were renewed with such delight that not able to expresse the thousandths part of it I must leave it to be imagined by those who at any time have injoyed so much happinesse CHAP. XL. Alcidamant combâ—ts the King of Licagena kills him and seconded by the succours of the Iland of Silvana gives
him and withdrawing him from his company thou shalt conduct him hither where thou shalt find me alone accompanied with none but Elania whom I can dispose well enough to my pleasure For I will command my train to set forth by break of day and attend for me three leagues hence and not to stir from that place till they hear further from me Falerina amazed with this speech for she had alwayes observed a great deal of modesty in her Mistresses actions would willingly have replied for to have reduced her to a better regard of her honour but perceiving that the venome had wrought its effect and that her remedies would be to no purpose she promised her no lesse fidelity then diligence Sleeping then but a little she arose with the day and getting to horse placed her self in the way which the hunters were to take where she had not continued halfe an howr but she discovered a troop of Gentlemen before whom she presented her self and easily discerning the Knight of the Palms from the rest she acosted him with a very good grace and said unto him Noble Sir I know not whether you be as courteous as you are gallant Gentlewoman answered he with a smile you shall understand that better if you thinke good to make use of me Follow me then replied she and be pleased to exchange the pleasure of your hunting for a greater adventure this enterprise will take you up but for one day and if these Gentlemen be troubled with your departure let this promise comfort them that they shall see you again to night or to morrow at the furthest within Alfarta Knights cannot limit their return said he because they are ignorant of what will betide them in their adventures howbeit seeing you assure them of my return by to morrow I will not bid them farewell but till then Whereupon the Damsell leading the way he followed her with a marvellous desire to know whither he was conducted neverthelesse she would reveal nothing till she came within sight of her Mistresse pavillion Here it is said she where you are to enter for to make satisfaction concerning a wrong that you have done At these words the Knight alighting and thinking that he was to fight advanced with his sword drawne and his shield on his arm but beholding in stead of enemies a most beautifull Lady who carried a million of charms in her eyes made a stand and being amazed said unto her Madam I am conducted hither for your service Yes said she reaching him her hand but not with an intent to make you enter into combat with any The commendations which the world gives you have begot an extream desire in me to see you and to that end I have left my countrey throughly satisfied in finding many more perfections in you then report delivered Madam answered he you may commend me as you please but there is nothing in me which is not wholly at your service And be assured that if I had known your mind I would have gone to the utmost part of the earth for to have found you out rather then you should have taken the pains to come hither I shall think it well bestowed replied she so as you do not prove ingratefull and be not offended with my saying so till you are acquainted with my meaning Sir I love you and all the considerations I could bring for to contain me within the limits of modesty and my duty have been too weak against the force of your merits which having deprived me of all power over my self have constrained me to come out of my State to seek relief in your pitty It may be you will despise me because I present my self thus unto you and you may make an ill construction of my carriage towards you but if you understand your self well you wil excuse my weaknesse Say that I have reason to love you and not holding me immodest will recompence my affection with the like as also give me just cause to publish that you are the most accomplished Knight that this day bears Arms. Alcidamant to whom the like encounters were soveraigne favours seeing such amiable beauty in his power did not so much as stand on the considerations which she brought to render her action the more allowable but protesting in what great obligations he was ingaged to her favour the more powerfull in regard he had so little deserved it he disarmed himself with all the haste he could and beginning his caresses with a kisse made her a woman to both their incredible contents After a world of dalliance she declared unto him how she was sister to Merodiana and expressing the fear she had lest his long conversation with her sister and their privacie together might keep him from affecting her it had somewhat troubled him but that he remembred how an understanding lover seldome wants cunning devices to palliate his designes Assuring her then with a thousand oathes and promises never to lose the memory of her favours and to hold her as dear or dearer then her sister he past away the rest of that day and the night following with her not so much as thinking how Merodiana would take his absence and found this content so pleasing that it grieved him to be deprived of it Neverthelesse being constrained to consider what might follow of so long a stay he took his Arms went a little beyond the village where Silvana had commanded her train to abide and placing himself under certain trees waited till he saw her appear then advancing into the middest of the high way and desiring to give this his new Mistresse some entertainment he sent his Squire to her Knights for to tell them that he would not permit them to passe without breaking a Lance for their sakes whom they best loved in the world This message made the Knights to laugh for they could not imagine that one man alone could subdue them and each of them strove for the first course when as one of Silvana's Damsels being got before the rest returned suddenly to acquaint them that this Champion was the Knight of the Palms so much redoubted over all the countrey By my faith said then the forwardest of them we will not encounter him for so should we be more fool-hardy then he is valiant What said Silvana that much desired to see how far the valour of this Knight extended will none of you run against him Yes that we will answered one if you would take pleasure in our defeat Your misfortune would no way please me said Silvana but it would much content me to see whether that be true which is so published of this Knight and if you desire to oblige me run one course with him I will obey you Madam said he though I am sure before hand of a fall howsoever it will be glory to me that I have run against the best Knight living whereupon putting down his Bever he advanced towards Alcidamant who encountred him
vertue render you worthy of that honour your valour that carries your name over all the earth hath made me desire to see and try you that so I might know whether the effect be answerable to the praises which the world gives you but beleeve me you have wrong in that you have not altars erected unto you and your glory placed where it deserves howsoever it sufficeth that you are esteemed of me as you ought to be and that I have such an opinion of you as obliges me not to pardon you because you have never offended but to grant you the favour to be my Knight Wherefore I receive your service and your vowes and do further promise to give you one day that place in my bed which I had reserved for some one of the Gods being hitherto perswaded that the earth had not a man worthy of that fortune Madam answered he trembling with joy to hear the sentence of his felicity pronounced in so sweet a promise Be sure that to merit such grace I will do things above the power of man and that in my services you shall finde all that can be expected from an obliged soule protesting neverthelesse never to dispence with my self for the respect which I owe to your greatnesse No no said she love will endure no constraint and I desire we may live together without ceremony that we may with the more sweetnesse enjoy out conversation I will submit to such lawes as you shall prescribe me said Alcidamant and you shall see me eternally disposed never to fail against the obedience of your commandments That is it which I desire said Trasielea in the mean time get you to horse and follow me to the Emperour my father unto whom I will present you for to be admitted into the number of his Knights Whereupon Alcidamant mounting on horseback after he had very humbly kist her hands in some acknowledgement of the grace she did him rode along with her and entertained her with the best discourse his troubled minde would permit him to use CHAP. XLV Alcidamant entertains amorous discourse with the beautifull Trasiclea and encounters Rozanel d' Astre in the midst of a wood who relates unto him his love with Angelea of Sâ—pradisa ALcidamant thinking no glory in the world equall to that which he had in the sight of his Lady rode on so contented that he esteemed himself the happiest man living he often fixed his eyes on her and finding her incomparably fair whether he considered the delicate features of a perfect visage or thought upon the â—orce which she had shewed in justing he conceived her to be that Pallas whom the Ancients had worshipped She on the other side observing a most extraordinary grace in his actions an amorous face a lovely eye a sweet disposition a warlike and majesticall countenance imagined him to be the God of battels whose power and arms the whole universe adored in such sort that their content was recâ—procall their glory alike and their desires common Trasiclea beheld the letters which in gold were embossed upon her Knights Armour with a great minde to know the mystery thereof Alciâ—amant many times considered the figurâ— which he saw in the middest of his Ladies Shield musing at the cause that moved her to affect that bird both of them carried by the same desire were opening their mouthes to inform themselves of it and retained by a like consideration would not seem too curious At last Trasiclea lesse â—ashâ—ull or more amorous said unto him Since you are my Knight you may not refuse to impart your adventures unto me to tell me freely who you are and for the love of what Lady you have câ—used those characters to be put upon your Armour It is more then fit said he that I should satisfie you herein I am a Knight errant native of the kingdome of France having no better fortune then that of my hope and most unworthy of your greatnesse if you measure not my merit by my love strangers call me the Knight of the Palms and my friends know me better by the name of Alcidamant As for my parents they are noble but in truth not furnished with great estates though I mâ—y say without vanity that Crowns are unjustly wanting to their worth Touching these Arms which were given me by a learned Inchantresse when I was to combat Fangomadan I conceive they were made upon the occurrence of our loves for heer are the first letters of our names interlaced a T which signifies Trasiclea and an A which is as much to say as Alcidamant so that I presume with reason that all this hath been governed by the providence of heaven But Madam I have been long meditating on the device you bear in your Shield and do therein finde no lesse a mystery then in these characters for bearing two birds which never meet together as being unique in their kinde I am perswaded that you would thereby figure your merit and my love which separately or together can receive no comparison in the world nor ever can be incountred in one and the same affection for your beauties which take their originall from heaven and my love which is derived from your divine perfections seem to make but one person of our two bodies as these birds are united in such a fashion that you think them to be but one were it not for the difference of the heads I do beleeve with you said she that there is a great deal of mystery in our incounter for these arms were given me by a woman who having told me that with them I should receive a wound whereof I should never be cured and yet that the steel of no enemy should ever pierce them it had disswaded me from ever using them but that she added withall how this wound should no way indanger my life but contrarily I should finde so much delight in it that I should blesse the time wherein I got it all which is manifestly made good at this instant my hurt being no other then the love wherewithall I am strucken which shall not diminish by the knowledge I have of your mean fortune for being a Gentleman vertuous and valiant I shall affect you far more then if you had Empires without vertue courage and glory onely live with me as I have told you and I shall prize your valour above all the Kingdoms of the earth seeing riches and crowns ought not to be the object of a generous spirit These lovers entertaining one another in this manner travelled with such content that whole dayes past away insensibly so that being not above five leagues from Tarsipolis the Capitall City of the Empire of Tramazond Trasiclea sent Cesarina such was the Damsels name that conducted Alcidamant for to see whether any adventure was befallen at the Court worthy a couragious undertaking that their apparance there might be so much the more remarkable The Damsell bâ—ing departed then these lovers transported with the excesse
or his hands to the ground and as much as he could declined the strokes of his enemies sword because he probably conjectured that thereon depended the force of the charms and that Rozanel had resisted longer if his arms had not been heated with the Knights blows neverthelesse unable to avoid them all he received one on his armour which beginning to burn him as if he had lain upon the fire put him into such a rage that taking his sword in both his hands he discharged it so dangerously oâ— his enemies helmet that he laid him all along upon the floor to the great contentment of thâ— spectators and especially of Trasiclea who finding no lesse glory in her lovers victory then if she her self had gotten it was going to caresse him when she perceived a dwarf come towards her from the root of the Rock and say Madam you are to have a 〈◊〉 in this adventure and 〈◊〉 to shew your self no lesse couragious then this famous Knight of the Palms for now on you alone depends the good or ill of this Lady Lo here the means of her deliverance said he presenting her with a violl full of oderiferous water enter resolutely into the rock breaâ— this glasse upon the head of the Infanta and then you shall sâ—â— the inchantment dissolved Whereupon the Emperour stept forth witâ— two of his Lords to stay Trasiclea remonstrating unto her that there was no trust to be given to sorcery and that she would be consumed before she was half way in the Rock notwithstanding all which she went with a daâ—â—â—lesse courage thorow the flames and broke the violl over the head of the Princesse of Soprâ—disa which was no fooâ—â—r done but presently the fire was quenched Angelea felt no more pain and the arâ—our of the Knight whom Alcidamant had combatted lost the colour which it had himself standing on his feet as well as ever he was in all his life Behold my Lord said Trasiclea presenting Angelea to her father behold the fruit of â—y courage I have delivered this fair Princesse out of cruell torment given new life to this Knight pointing to Rozanel d'Astre and shall be the cause of the happinesse of all their future being You speak most truly Madam said Rozanel transported with an excesse of joy to see his Mistris frâ—â— from pain you have given us indeed a new life have exceedingly obliged us not to breathe but for your service wherefore please you to command us somthing that we may dispose our selves to obey you That which I desire â—f you is said Trasiclea that you live long contented together and that you render your affections of proof against the power of Fortune Whereupon assuring them that they should receive all the assistance they could possibly desire from her she left them to entertain Alcidamant to whom they gave a world of thanks and commanding the Count d'Alcane to see them furnished with money and shipping for their return into Greece After they had refreshed themselves a while in Tarsipolis she was going to retire with Alcidamant when as the inchanted Knight having put off his Helmet went and kneeled down before him humbly thanking him for the succour he had given him The goodly presence of this Knight possessing Trasiclea with an extream desire to know him she intreated him to tell his name Madam answered he I am called Florisbel second son to the great King of France who leaving Constantinople a while since for to seek adventures abroad was carried by sea into Cataya where meeting with no lesse attractions in the beautiful Semarimis daughter to the King of that countrey then my cousin here meaning Rozanel d'Astre who as yet had taken no notice of him hath incountred the Princesse of Sopradisa I set my self to serve her with that good fortune as she received me for her Knight whereupon I undertook such enterprises for her sake as were worthy the glory of my Ancestors sent her two hundred shields of Knights that I had overthrown at a Iust which was held for to publish her the wonder of beauties and not satisfied therewith I went up and down doing marvellous deeds of Arms under the name of the Grey Knight when as one morning I met with 3 old witches who conducting this inchanted Rock laid such powerfull charms upon me that I entred all armed in it having no other desire then to withstand all those that offered to deliver this fair Princesse And this Madam is all the satisfaction I can give you for the present but not all that you may expect from me hereafter for I will seek out occasions to serve both you and this brave warriour that accompanies you Trasiclea having courteously thanked him presented him with the same favours which she had offered to Rozanel who by this time comming to know him entertained him with a world of kindnesse and had therein continued longer but that Trasiclea desiring to accompany her Knight to his chamber so to shew her subjects how she would have them to honour him caused them to be conducted to another giving the fair Angelea three Damsels to attend her with a charge to see her extraordinarily served All things being thus happily disposed Trasiclea left her Knight went and unarmed her self put on one of the richest gowns she had drest her self wonderfull wealthy and appeared so beautifull at supper where the three Knights were set at table with the Emperour that every one thought she had some divinity in her The cloth being taken away and the Emperour having discoursed with Rozanel and Florisbel who then took their leave of him whilst Alcidamant was talking with his Lady every one withdrew till the next morning at which time our Princes of Greece having kist Trasiclea's hand bidden the Knight of the Palms adieu who would not make himself known to Florisbel imbark themselves with Angelea for their return to Constantinople where we will leave them for to prosecute our history CHAP. XLVII Alcidamant incountring Trasiclea apart discovered his passions unto her and the answer she made him ALcidamant living with unspeakable content in the middest of honours and the praises of all men and no lesse esteemed then if he had been the Prince of Tramazond had nothing further to wish for but some more particular favours from Trasiclea he had love and impatience enough for to desire them but too much respect for to ask them so that the pain of his fear equalled the pleasure of his hope Some dayes being sweetly past away in walking familiar discourses and solitary entertainments one evening he espied his Mistresse fitting in the shadow under certain trees where kneeling down before her and taking her hand to kisse he said unto her Madam consider I beseech you the extremity of my passion by the excesse of your beauty and marvell not if unable to support the violence of my desires you see me in some unreasonable impatience I endure all that a poore lover can undergoe
the midst of them advertised them particularly of all that they had to do and taking the way of the City she came thither just as the Emperour was returning out of the Temple from sacrificing to his Gods Howbeit not thinking it fit to present her self unto him any where but in the Palace because she would not play one match without the other she followed fair and softly after him giving the people occasion to laugh for to see her walk between five such ill-favoured creatures and comming to the hall even as Trasiclea entered she presently advanced towards her and kneeling down with tears and sighs she thus began Excellent Princesse I am reduced to that passe as it is not possible for a wretched woman to be more miserable in so much that if I do not finde some assistance of your pity you shall see me cut off the poor remainder of my life heer in your presence and this poniard in my hand shall second the cruelty of my fortune which hath lately deprived me of a son whom I may richly boast to be one of the best Knights of the earth rendering him a prisoner in the hands of a mercilesse Giant that loving the same Mistris which he served to free himself of a rivall purposeth to take away his life if he be not speedily succoured Now the fame which runs of your valour hath induced me to make this addresse unto your greatnesse with an opinion that I shall not be refused No verily said Trasiclea that you shall not for I will serve you most willingly in this extremity Madam said Alcidamant extreamly discontented to see her so resolved I beseech you to pardon me if I say that you promise too lightly I am fitter for travell then you and your divine person is not to be exposed unto hazzard without more occasion Leave the care of this to me and give your subjects the satisfaction of your presence whilst I go and dispatch the affair Why my Knight said she smiling are you not contented with so much glory as you have acquired in the world already but that you would bereave me of this too Let me intreat you to stay heer for to serve the Emperour my father in my stead and because it will not be long ere I return you shall seek to entertain him in the mean time Now by my Crown said the Emperour I am also of his minde daughter and do not hold it fit that you should undertake this enterprise wherein it may be there is more danger then you think for Sir said Drumelia who was very much afraid that her designes should be very much discovered you need not doubt her esloignment her valour exempts you from that and to let you see that I do not venture her person lightly as you imagine I le stay heer my self with you and she shall be conducted by two of these Dwarfs so that in case she return not safely by to morrow with all the contentment you can desire inflict the cruellest punishment you can upon me Trasiclea said unto her father My Lord there are so few occasions of glory presented in these quarters that I cannot without much wrong to mine honour refuse this same therefore permit me I beseech you to depart with your good favour and comfort your self the mean while in the company of this noble Knight of the Palms Well since you will have it so said the Emperour I le no longer oppose your desire but I am in some mistrust I know not wherefore and cannot be perswaded that this voiage will be prosperous Trasiclea having thus obtained leave presently armed herself little regarding the suspition her father had of the enterprise which she imputed rather to the imbecility of his age then to any assured judgement and therefore having cast a thousand looks on her Knight for to bid him tacitely adieu she departed with Cesarina and two of those Dwarfs somewhat troubled for that she had not the company of Alcidamant The displeasure whereof so took up her thoughts that never minding her enterprise she rode on till she came to the wood whereinto the Giants were no sooner entred but they re-assumed their former shape laid two blows with their heavy maces on the head and shoulders of this Princesse who thus surprised fell and kist the ground with little or no memory at all The Giants seeing her in this posture instantly alighted bound her with cords and laying hold on Cesarina that seemed more dead then alive they tied her to the foot of a tree Whilst this Tragedy was framing in the wood a more bloudy one was acted in the City Drumelia thinking Trasiclea sure enough in the hands of these Giants desiring to play her part touched the three Dwarfs with a wand she had in her hand and making them appear with their naturall greatnesse much amazed the assistants especially the Emperour who going to save himself received a blow with a scymiter on his arm which laid him on the ground liker to die then to live Whereupon a great rumour arose in the hall the Courtiers betook them to their swords by Alcidamants example who with his cloak wound about his left arm gave one of the Giants so furious a blow on the shoulder that he opened him to the very girdle and instantly ran one of the other two quite thorow the body the third who made a horrible massacre of the unarmed Knights seeing the fall of his companions in a mighty rage flew at Alcidamant hoping to cut him in pieces but the advised Knight whose judgement was not overcome with fury slipt aside from the blow and losing no time gave him a deep and dangerous wound in the thigh The Giant boyling with choller was not then much sensible of it but a little after advancing his heavy scymiter to discharge it on the Knight and stretching himself upon his feet to render his stroke the stronger he fell all along and carried with him more then half of our Frenchmans cloak who receiving a light hurt on the arm did for all that forbear the taking of his enemies head from his shoulders and suddenly running to the door made stay of Drumelia who beholding the miserable end of her kinsmen would have saved her self By my life said he you old witch you shall not escape me so your head shall answer for Trasiclea's life Say wicked creature Whither hast thou caused her to be conducted What wilt thou not speak No I will be torn in pieces said she before I will discover it her death shall yet make some satisfaction for the King of Dramirs and the inhumane butchery of these his kinsmen What a horrible treason is this said Alcidamant But the horriblenesse of thy punishment shall be answerable to it Whereupon dragging her into the hall he committed her to the custody of certain Knights whom he commanded to look well unto her as they would answer it with the perill of their heads and perceiving the Emperour
hee hath two heads one that casts forth a million of stinking flames through the midst of a number of teeth a cubit long and the other armed vvith two very huge horns wherunto the inevitable death of all such as dare assail him is fastned his tayl is eight foot long so strong and mighty that with it he overthrovvs all the trees that stand in his way briefly he is so horrible and cruell that if the gods do not the sooner put to their helping hand this Province vvill shortly be laid vvast vvhich vvere a lamentable thing being so fertile and populous as it is But pardon me Sir if I be so bold as to aske of you hovv you having been upon the Mountain of Bears vvhere his ordinary hauntis could elcape his fury for to speak truth I hold it a kind of miracle Heaven that hath preserved me for his glory said he vvould not suffer me to fal into the power of this Monster but leaving this discourse tell me what is become of the Gentleman that combatted by me unarmed I beleeve answered he that hee will pay for the harme you have done for the Emperour having found him to be living hath commanded the Surgeons to have a speciall care of him reserving him as I think for to sacrifice him to his Gods in regard of the extraordinary beauty wherewithall he is indued I hope hee shall do better replyed Amadis in the mean time not to be ingratefull for thy good information of that which I desired to know I will give thee somewhat to relieve thy poverty therwith hee took a Ring which he had on his finger of great value and bestowing it on him made him no lesse amazed then contented Look said the Shepherd bowing himself even to the ground for to thank him how our opinions do many times bring forth contrary effects I thought I should have been undone by incountring with you and thereby I have found wherwithall to overcome the miseries of my birth Sir your liberality obligeth mee to have a care of your safety passe on no further with these armes for you shall be sure to meet with none but enemies whersoever you go time will best advise you for your future preservation in the mean while you shall spend this night if you please in a poor cottage of mine wher without feare of any danger you may take a little rest Amadis seeing it was night and perceiving the fellowes good will suffered himself to bee conducted by him to a Village hard by whereunto entring secretly and leaving the care of his horse to him he sate him down to supper and having fed heartily on a Kid that was served into the table he laid him down all armed as hee was on a bed hoping to sleep quietly thereafter his hard travell howbeit his new passion would not permit him so to do it represented the beauties of his Lady unto him with the difficulties which appeared in his love that so disquieted him as hee could do nothing but tosse and tumble all the night long at length being fully resolved I must hope said he instead of complayning and afflicting my self I fear my Mistresses and the Emperours displeasure in regard of the combat which I had with their Knights but I may repair that fault and give them as much cause to favour as now they have to hate me this Monster that spoyls their Territories must be fought withall if I prevail I shal oblige them with a service that will produce their content and the good of their people if I fall in this attempt it will give an end to my miseries so that no way it can prove amisse for me to undertake this Enterprise Concluding then with himself in this sort he fell asleep and so continued till the Sun was of a pretty height when arising and finding his breakfast ready after he had eaten a little he drew the Shepherd aside and said unto him Honest friend J purpose to commit a secret un to thee but before Ideclare it thou shalt swear to me to do whatsoever I shall bid thee Assure your self my Lord said he that I will make little account of my life wher it shall concern your interest only command and without any doubt of my fidelity be confident that I will not fayl in obeying you Well said Amadis that which I would have thee do is to go along with me to the Mountain of Bears to the end thou mayest be witness of my actions so as if I dye in the Combat which I resolve to undertake against this Monster that destroys so goodly a countrey thoushalt be obliged to find out the beautious Palmirenna and shalt tell her that the Knight who slew her Guard stuck not to expose his life for the conservation of her people therby to obtain her pardon for the displeasure shee received from his sword But if I get the victory time shall further direct us Good gods said the Shepheard starting back what is this you say have you lost your understanding so far forth as to cast you self away Ah do not go about Sir to employ those forces which the gods have given you on so despearate an adventure reserve your self for better fortune and seek to escape hence some otherway Thou labourest in vain said Amadis to divert my resolution it is not thy counsell I demand but a performance of thy promise say then wilt thou follow me Yes answered he bedewing his cheeks with tears though it be much against my mind Whereupon Amadis road on to the foot of the Mountain wher the Shepheard taking his Horse of him commended him to his gods CHAP. 3. Amadis defeats the dreadfull Monster of the Mountain of Bears his adventures afterwards WHilst the Shepheard was weeping Amadis traversed the Wood with an undaunted courage and calling to mind the glory which his Ancestors had acquired in such like adventures he resolved to be no whit amazed with the sight of this horrible creature whose dreadfull form made every one to tremble at the very apprehension of it but when he saw him approach with most furious motions he could not be so confident but that hee began to doubt the end of his life neverthelesse chusing rather to dye then shew the least token of fear he drew out his rich sword and discharged it full on his enemies body hopâ—ng therwithall considering the strength with vvhich it was delivered to have seen an end of thc combat but perceiving it to fall without effect by reason of the hardness of his scails wherupon it lighted he was marvellously astonished howbeit taking new courage hee advanced it again whenas the horns of this creature meeting with his Shield sent him to measure the ground wher doubtlesse he lay not long for knowing it would be his apparant ruin to attend such another shock in the case hee was in he arose full of rage and stepping lightly aside he let his enemy passe by making such horrible leaps that
Bustrafard he went to the King of Arbales with whom he had contracted some friendship and being accommodated by him with all that seemed necessary for his enterprize he mounted upon a lustie Horse and appeared in the Lists at such time as the Gyant having overthrown the King of Arisdan the Marquesse of Rocque and the Count Cordena with an intollerable arrogance challenged the Knights of the Court to combat with him altogether the brave countenance of this Warrior that managed his Horse in a most gallant manner having turned the eys of all the assistants upon him especially of Amplamira who beheld him with motions of love and fear he approached unto Bustrafard and said Knight your insolence doth so distast me that I resolve to be of the number of those whom you have driven out of the field or cure your brain of the distemper wherwithall Corazinda's beauty hath infected it I had thought answered he incholler that others example would have made thee wise but sincethou wilt needs be lost with them for company accuse thine own folly for it Charging his Launce then with more fury then at any time before he met Floridan in the middest of the course whose Shield being unable to resist the violence of so strong an incounter was pierced in such sort as the staffe passing under his arm had almost put Amplamira besides her self out of the opinion shee had that it was run through his body but seeing her Lover in his saddle and his enemy on the ground with a dangerous wound in his side and judging by the shouting and clapping of the peoples hands who therby testified the contentment they took in beholding that proud masse of flesh overthrown shee grew somewhat confident and prayed unto her gods for to give her Knight the same honour in his combat on foot as he had had on horseback In the mean time the Giant full of rage arose with strange blasphemies and in regard his enemy was alighted because he would not fight with advantage he advanced his sword and thinking to divide him with the first blow he let it fall with such force that questionlesse the effect had answered his expectation had not Floridan seeing it comming warily avoided it letting him then cleave the ayr and the ground in vain he discharged so furious a stroak on his Helmet that hee made him knock his chin against his bosom carrying away to the very skull all that his blade met withall O yee gods said the Emperour what a horrible blow was this doubtlesse this Knight is one of the valientest of the earth and if he continues in this sort Corazinda will have power to bestow her favours on some other Whilst the Emperour was saying this the Giant that did not beleeve he could have found so much strength in one man staggered a little but instantly recovering himself with an incredible rage he began to deale such desperate blows that every one looked each minute to see the Knight cut in pieces howbeit he avoided them with such quick agility and gave him so many wounds thatall which beheld him cryed out that the very God of battails used not more grace in his fight nor more violence in his stroaks Some hours being spent in the heate of this Duell the Gyant would have retyred to take a little breath but Floridan who was vexed to be so long in vanquishing before his Mistris pressed him so hard as he was constrained to defend himself and renew the combat charging one another then with greater fury then at the beginning they delivered a world of blows wherof one chancing to light on Floridans shoulder gave him a wound more large then dangerous which put him into such choller that taking his sword in both his hands and advanting it with an intent to cleave him asunder he perceived a great Knight accompanied with two dreadfull Gyants entring the Lists who came gallopping in for to part them but in vain for Floridan having his sword aloft let it descend in such terrible force on Bustrafards head that notwithstanding he struck but with the flat he sent him to the earth casting great abundance of blood out of his mouth and ears wherupon leaping into his saddle he made head to the Giants who this while were wondring that so furious a blow should proceed from the hand of an ordinary man howbeit seeing that they stirred not and guessing by their countenance that they were not come to assault him hee retyred to the King of Arbales who received him with incredible content leaving Bustrafard to the care of his brothers that grumbling vowed to take a cruell revenge of this affront CHAP. X. Don Rifantes Prince of Cabilla Brundemor King of Corcutan and Rozagant King of Alfanar demand leave to maintain the beauty of the Princesses of Martaria the successe of their Enterprise FLoridan's hurt being lesse then his desire to see Amplamira hee stayed not long with the King of Arbales but went in all haste to the Palace wher the Emperour received him very graciously and infinitly commended the adresse and valour which he had shewed in the combat he was amongst his friends that caressed him he heard himself most worthily spoken of by al the Courtiers yet was he not satisfied for not daring to speak unto his Lady all the honour that was done him was but so much torment wherfore resolving to withdraw himselfe in hope that Amplamira would do the like as he was about to depart he perceived the Knight and the two Giants of whom we spoke before to enter the Hal who gravely marching along advanced towards the Emperours throne That curiosity which always accompanies the minds of men making him stay for to know who these strangers were he followed them close and saw that falling all three on their knees the Knight spake thus Great Monarch of Martaria the reputation you have of being as gracious and magnanimous a Prince as any is in the world hath drawn hither Don Rifantes the Heir of Cabilla Brundemor King of Corcutan and Rozagant King of Alfanar to obtain two things of your Majestie the which you may grant with this assurance that they shall not be requested of you but for the good of your estate and the glory of your Crown The first is that we may be permitted to maintain both with the Launce and Sword for three days together against all Commers that the beauty of these three excellent Princesses your Daughter doth surpasse that of all other Women living and because the effect of our valour ought to preceed that of the second to the end you may willingly accord unto it we will forbear to speak of it till such time as you have seen the power of our Armes Brave Prince said the Emperour rising out of his Thron to embrace them the pains you have taken so much obliges mee that I gladly condiscend to both of your demands my Daughters do not deserve that your Swords should be employed to recommend
speak particularly with my Daughters about it and draw them if I can to receive this honour from you after you have performed the conditions of the Jousts which you are to maintain all day to morrow Wherupon embracing them though much against his heart he withdrew into his Cabinet to resolve so difficult an Affair leaving divers severall passions in the minds of them that remained in the Hall The Princes of the Empire were troubled Palmirenna and her Sisters were exceedingly displeased Floridan was mad with spight and jealousie but every one was amazed at the furie of the faire Slave who with eyes sparkling fire addrest her speech unto Rifantes and said Prince of Cabilla thou thinkest that Palmirenna is already in thy power but thou wilt be deceived for be assured that in satisfaction of the distast thou hast given her I wil draw the bloud out of thy body even to the last drop and if I might combat now as the Women of my countrey that are bred up in Armes use to do I would let thee languish no longer but to morrow wil come Saying so she depaated in a rage out of the Hall leaving all there in wonder at her speech the Knight and Gyants excepted who laughed her to scorn and causing a Nag to be brought her she rode toward the grot where she had left her Sword being soon got thither she found not the Armes which she had left but others enamelled all over with greene and red so rich and curiously wrought that she was much amazed at them howbeit conceiving that Cassandra had done this miracle she would lose no time making them up then in a bundle with incredible content shee took her Sword that was fairer then ever it had been and remounting on her Horse she rode to Cardana where she came in time to free Palmirenna from a great deale of feare she was in for her From whence comes my Corazinda said she unto her kissing her on the forehead from seeking out means to be revenged of these gyants insolence answered she wherefore Madam look here Saying so she undid the bundle and made them all marvell to see such rich and faire armes Then you are resolved Corazenda to fight said Palmirenna But alas how can you scape the furie of their swords which are so dreadfull to the valiantest Knights that are Madam answered Corazinda I am not onely resolved to fight but to dye a thousand times over rather then let you fall into the power of a man so unworthy of your greatness and merit do but get the Emperour to give me the order and you shall see me cut out work enough for your enemies Ah Corazinda said Amplamira is it possible that being so delicate and faire you should have the strength to subdue such mightie men I cannot but wonder much at your courage but withall I do no lesse pittie you Madam answered she If I dye it shal be with a great deal of content since it is in the service of so high and excellent Princesses but these arrogants â—hal pay deare for their victory and never do me the honour to love me more if to morrow I do not make them change their note the Knight of the Flowers wil assist me that is enough onely let us go and rest us a little that we may take the Emperour early at his rising in the morning Herewithall the company parting she got to bed with Palmirenna who mingling tears with the kisses that she gave her testified her fear but being comforted by her Lover she ceased to afflict her self and slept till day CHAP. XI The horrible Combat between Don Rifantes with his Companions and Palmirenna's faire Slave the Knights of the Flowers and of the Flower-de-Luces The end thereof AMadis and Floridans jealousie not permitting them to take much rest they arose with the Sun and being covered with their Armes wherein Amadis carried so gallant a presence that even with the opinion of his Sex he made all the Princesses Ladyes in love with him they entred into the Emperours Chamber where kneeling downe hee said unto him Mightie Monarch I doubt not but you marvel to see me in this equipage and that at first it seemes strange unto you to behold a Maiden slave at your feet to receive that order froâ— your hands which makes men Knights and that gives them power to fight in Armes but when you shal be pleased to remember that the earth produceth women courageous and strong enough to dispute the honour of a Combat with the valiantest Knight in the world you will cease to wonder at it and being moved with your Daughters tears who justly feare to fall into the power of these arrogants which without any desert wil have them whether they will or no and in whose company they cannot promise themselves an houre of contentment in their whole lives you will make no difficultie to give me this sacred order under the favour whereof I hope to set them free My dearest Corazinda said the Emperour much amazed at her discourse but more yet to see her so gallant in such rich Armes I beleeve that you have a disposition gentle enough to be sensible of the teares which my Daughters shed not without cause nor doe I doubt but your love doth make you despise the greatest dangers for to set them at rest but sweet-heart your strength will not correspond to this height of courage and of one evill which is not yet arrived I should make two inevitable ones if I should condiscend to your request in which regard I may not satisfie your desire for it would grieve me to see you so cast away I shall have reason to complaine of you then answered Corazinda and be assured Sir that I will remember this refusall of yours which notwithstanding shall be no hinderance to my designe being resolved to demand that honour of mine enemies if this valiant Knight of the Flowers who is to second me in my enterprize wil not do it for fear of displeasing your Majestie Whereupon arising in choller she made as though she would be gon when as the Emperour constrained by his Daughters intreaties stayed her by the arme saying Be not angry Corazinda for beleeve me it was only pitty of you that restrained me from giving you content you would be a Knight why be so in the name of all my gods whom I heartily implore to render you as valorous as you are faire Saying so he laid his hand upon her head blessed her after his manner put her on a paire of golden spurs and kissed her on the forehead left her to take the rest of her Armes from the hands of his Daughters who presently invironed her and were going to leade her to the field in triumph when as there was a Knight seen entring into the Hall armed in azure Armes tall of stature bravely disposed of a very goodly presence and marvellous faire of face who at the first sight knowing Amadis and his
he divided it in two sending his arme withall to the ground and redoubling on the secoed who with reason feared the tempest of that Sword hit him so rudely on the helmet that he made him reele three or foure paces back whereupon perceiving the Knights had run his Horse into the belly with an Halbard he quit his saddle instantly and flying in amongst them covered the ground with three or foure of them before the Gyants were come to themselves again both of them returning then with incredible furie they began to charge him with such terrible blows as he was many times constrained to bow with his knees nevertheless he fought so couragiously and so often drew bloud from them that they had little cause to brag of any advantage but being resolved either to vanquish or dye one of them took his Scimitar in both hands and displaying all his force strook so mainly at his head that if he had not wisely avoyded the blow it had questionless been his death howbeit leaping very lightly aside he let it fall upon the ground whereinto it entred up to the hilts and taking hold of opportunitie whilst the Gyant was drawing it out again he discharged his Sword so dangerously on his Casque that he cleft him to the brains overthrowing him with a noyse like to that of a Tower whose foundation sayâ—es the other which had but one arme and very little bloud left thinking that his companion had been strucken with lightning would fain have saved himself by flight but he was so weak that at the very first step he fel down breathing out his last Our Warriour seeing himself freed from these Colosses which had exceedingly troubled him was going to set upon the rest when as he perceived a Lady comming in marvellous beautifull and followed by two and twentie Knights richly armed with a Gyant far greater than the former who addressing her speech unto him said Knight persist no further in this Combat but put yourself into my hands if you love your life I know very well that your valour makes you confident for the slaughter I behold here may perswade you that you can couragiously passe through any danger whatsoever but I am able to oppresse you so with multitudes that you must needs fall at last besides the Guards of this place were not established here for you but to surprize a Knight who though he be not so tall yet is no way inferiour to you in valour and strength sheath up you Sword then and follow me with this assurance that you shall receive no displeasure here Madam answered he much amazed to behold so rare a beautie I wil gladly submit my self to your power for so sweet a captivitie can not be but most pleasing to me and would I had spent more bloud then this which is in my Armour that I had met you at the gate of your house neither should I then have been in the state I am in nor you have had cause to complain for the loss of your people for yeelding all obedience to the merit of fair Ladyes and principally of those of your qualitie I should freely have granted whatsoever you had demanded but their insolence having constrained me to draw my Sword I secured my self by their deaths wherwithall I am now infinitely displeased because it may be an offence unto you which I shall labour to repayr by all the best services my uttermost abilitie may be able to do you I perceive said she laughing that I shall have as much adoe to overcome you with courtesie as my Knights have had with their Armes wherfore I will debate no longer with you but let us walke to a Chamber that your wounds may be visited I think they are so slight Madam answered he that they need no great looking to howsoever your commandement shall wholly dispose of me Wherupon causing his Squire to unarme him he discovered a small hurt on his shoulder and another somewhat greater but one more dangerous in his thigh which the Chirurgions having drest he got him to bed where he continued till the next morning when as he arose feeling little or no pain for to present his service to the fair Princess who being wonderfully wel satisfied with his goodly personage and behaviour entertained him awhile with ordinarie discourse and finding him no lesse witty then he had shewed himself before valiant she led him into the Garden where she freely discovered to him the secretest of her thoughts telling him that she was Queen of the Island of Silvana and that the Guards of this place were set to apprehend a Knight that carryed three Palmes in his shield Truly Madam said Rozalmond then I do not marvell now at your assembling of so many Knights and strong Gyants since it was to arrest a man whose like is hardly to be met withall in the world why replyed the beautifull Silvana Do you know the Knight of whom I speak Madam answered Rozalmond I neither know his name nor original but all the earth is acquainted with his valour and would to God he were here now that we might finish a Combat which hath twice already reduced us to the extreamest peril of our lives without discerning to whom the honour of it was justly due wherupon relating all that had past at Constantinople and afterwards upon the confines of Florertan he gave her marvellous contentment to hear the prayses of this Knight so published by his greatest enemy Verely answered she you have a great deal of reason to speak wel of this Knight who hath done miracles in this Kingdome Combatting and killing a Monster the hugest and most formidable that ever nature produced but far more in my sister Merodiana's state where the most redoubted Gyants of the world have past under the edge of his Sword in the head of a mightie Army which the same day was cut in pieces by the sole vertue of this Knight and not by the multitude or force of our souldiers the Enemie being at the least three for one But Madam said Rozalmond who was somewhat vexed to hear so much glory given to his Adversarie if this Knight hath done so much for you why wil you expose his life to the hazard of the furie and multitude of your men which sure were but an ill acknowledgement of his services O that is a secret said she which may not be imparted I wil have have him if I can not to put him to death for I would sooner consent to mine own ruine but to oblige him to keep his faith Your eyes Madam said Rozalmond who then ghest at her disease wil more prevail with him then your Armes and he wil sooner be constrained by your beautie then by your Gyants in which regard you are to procure rather by gentleness then force That course have I held already said Silvaâ—a but alas to no purpose another hath captiv'd his heart so that I am out of hope unless some disdain from his
pleased that I may be your Physician since you are so sick and accept of the good counsell I give you for your better remedy Why now we are come just to the point I desired said Alcidamant for setting aside the reasons I could oppose yours with touching my purpose to dye here clear me in that particular where you say you never loved me till to day I beleeve indeed said Rozalmond that you doe not know me yet because I want my Shield but if you call to mind the combat we had together at Constantinople and afterwards upon the frontiers of Florertan when we were parted by Cassandra you will quickly understand the meaning of the speeches I have used to you then you were the object of all the anger that a man could have against another which disputed the glory of Arms with him but finding you in so miserable an estate I was so sensible of your misfortunes as I could not be more for any that should arrive unto my self so that now I love you far more then I hated you before and doe also humbly beseech you to change your mind in like manner and to esteem of me no less then of the faithfullest servant you can have O me said Alcidamant what a happiness is this in the middest of my unhappiness to have my pains thus aslayed by the presence of the excellentest Knight of the earth Ah Sir I will no longer complain of my misfortune and the content of this incounter is so dear unto me that I wil pass by all remembrance of the cause of my sorrow for to caress you if not asmuch as I would yet as much as I can Herewith embracing one another with a great deal of affection they contracâ—ed a friendship which never ended but with their lives and some other 〈◊〉 having past betwixt them they both returned into the Grot where Rozalmond desiring to speak of the cause of â—is retyrement for to withdraw him from it demanded of him whether that which he saw there was the picture of that rigorous beautie for whom he suffered so You behold indeed answered he the pleasing features of her face you may here likwise judge of the delicacie of her complexion but not of the grace she gives to her motions nor of the powerfull charms of her eyes for there nature far surpasseth the art of the Painter Whereupon without further intreatie he discoursed unto him his whol life and especially all that had past at Tarsipolis after he met with Trasiclea which was very acceptable to the Knight of the Roses who alledged all the reasons he could any way devise to diswade him from so sad a retyrement but perceiving that he spaâ—e to no purpose and that his resolution was as firm as the rock wherin he lived he bethought him of another course to be held with him You are too wilfully set said he upon your own misery nevertheless being perswaded that you do all things with judgement I intend because I wil enjoy your company which I hold so dear to pass my dayes here with you and never to return again into the world after I have dispatched one voyage for an enterprize wherunto my faith hath ingaged me I may not limit my return in regard we cannot dispose of time nor of accidents that befall us but I swear unto you by the order of Knighthood to come hither again assoon as possibly I can so as you likewise promise me not to depart from hence upon any occasion whatsoever Dear Sir said Alcidamant it were most unreasonable to confine you so without cause continue stil in the world wherof you are now the wonder for it would be far more content unto me to know you in delights absented from me then to have you here leade a languishing life as for me I am accustomed therunto and be assured I wil never abandon it for any cause whatsoever since I doe it not at your request This is asmuch as I desire said Rozalmond you shal see me again sooner then you are aware to which end I will be gon to morrow by break of day that I may give the speedier dispatch to the business I have undertaken So calling Artander who was all this while with the horses they sate them down to supper with no other delicasies then a little bread and afterward laid them to rest upon a few leaves where they remained til the next morning when taking their leaves of one another with tears Rozalmond rode away towards Tarsipolis from whence how he was diverted shal be related hereafter CHAP. XV. The Adventures of Rozanel and Florisbel after their departure out of Tramazond ROzanel departing from Tramaxond with Florisbel and the beautiful Angeles of Sopradisa sayled fifteen dayes with all the content that a Lover could have in the company of his Lady not meeting any adventure worthy of his courage but on the sixteenth day they discovered two Ships fast grapled together in one of the which was a Gyant with some thirtie or fourtie souldiers and in the other one Knight alone of a reasonable big statuâ—e who with his Sword in his hand defending the entrance into his Vessel sometimes charged the Gyant and sometimes the Souldiers wherof ever and anon he overthrew one or other of them into the Sea the valour of this Knight giving them great satisfaction and being moved with a Gentlewoman that called upon the Gods for succour they joyned the force of their Oares to the wind and in a little time caused their Barque to board the Knights whereinto entring with furie they presently dispatched seven or eight of the most confident of the troup and in regard the Knight had received three or four deep wounds from whence he had lost much bloud Florisbel desired him to retyre and leave him to combat the Gyant whilst his companion dealt with the rest of that â—â—bble but his heart was so good that he made no other answer but gave his enemie two such cruel blowes as with the one he wounded him very dangerously in one of his thighs and with the other made a great gash in his shield arm which Florisbel observing and unwilling to stand idle he drew to his friend who never let fall his Sword without killing a man and making no less havock in a short time layd all that remained at his feet mean while the Combat between the Gyant and the Knight continued with marvellous rage howbeit with so much advantage on the Knights part that they looked every minute to see that Colossus tumble into the water when as Rozanel casting his eye aside espyed a Knight very little less then the Gyant rush out of the Hold who leaping into the Barque where Angelea was cut the Cables that fastned â—it to the other Vessels and was putting to Sea with so rich a prize had not he suddenly advanced skipping in then almost assoon as he and carryed with extream cholor he gave him so strong a blow upon his Helmet
grand-children of that King Clarisel well observing this discourse resolved to goe to Windsor as well to be present at the Jousts as prevent the effect of so pernitious a design but concealing his determination he rode along with him aloof from the rest of the company when as the Gyant espying two women on horse-back that crossed the way gallopping after them and finding them to be marvellous beautifull he seized on her that liked him best purposing to take his pleasure on her instantly if Clarisel arrived thereupon had not intreated him to forbear so detestable an act By all my gods said he say what you will you shall never perswade me to quit so faire a prey I shall be constrained to fight with you then said Clarisel Fight with me answered the Gyant giving him a furious look Be sure I le chastise thy insolence for daring to say so whereupon he houghed those Gentlewomens horses who presently ran away to hide themselves amongst the bushes and thinking to divide his enemy with the first blow he discharged his courtlas with such furie at his head that making away thorow the shield the point of it lighted so rudely upon his Helmet that it made him knock his chin against his brest which put Clarisel into such a rage that he gave him a dangerous wound in the thigh The combat thus begun continued very cruelly for an houre and better at the end whereof Clarisel perceiving his shepheardesse to look with an eye of fear and pitty on the bloud that issued from an hurt the Gyant had given him in his arme grew so incensed that he advanced his sword and let it fall with such a tempest on his enemies Helmet as he cleft him down to the shoulders overthrowing him with a noyse like to that of an Oake rent up by the violence of the winds This horrible blow no less amazing Cardâ—ran and Lindoreâ—na then giving content to Miralinda they all came running in to unarme him but feeling little pain of his hurt bethâ—nâ—â—d them for their care of him and desiring them to goe and seek the Gentlewomen he stayed with Lindorenâ—â— and his Shepheardess who would not rest till she had got him to bare his arme that they might take a course to stanch the bloud that done they walked to the bushes for to see what was become of the Knights and the Gentlewoman but they had not gone far when as they found Florimond on his knees before her whom the Gyant would have ravished which spake to him in this manner Get you away imporunate man and doe not trouble me in this sort have I not told you a thousand times that my heart was ingaged under the Lawes of another far more pleasing to me then you why doe you force me then to say so again to you now I am not returned I tell you into the world for you I but you shall be said Clarisel who understood by her discourse that this was Claristea at leastwise if you will not shew your selfe the most ingratefull woman in the world this Gentleman wants nothing that is worthy of a fair mistresse why will you refuse him then after so many testimonies of his love and such powerfull obligations wherein you stand ingaged to his valour be not so hard hearted I pray you sweet Lady but doe that which his desert and your dutie requires Verely answered she perceiving it was he that vanquished the Gyant I must acknowledge that heaven hath had a speciall hand in this businesse for Sir the fame which you left behind you in France perswaded me that you were the Knight whose image is engraven in the bostome of my heart I forsook the Cloyster where I had resolved to have ended my dayes and followed you a long time with that opinion but now seeing my self deceived in my hope and thinking of nothing less then meeting with this Knight pointing to Florimond I must beleeve that our destinie hath brought us hither hee for to receive the recompence of his services from me and I to be assured that I shall never enjoy the valiant Knight of the Palmes whom hereafter I will utterly forget wherefore at your entreatie I will accept of him for my Husband as well for the satisfaction of the bond wherein I stand indebted to you for my present deliverance as for his own particular merit O from what an abisme am I mounted said Florimond and can it be that I which was this morning the most afflicted man on the earth should in a moment be the most fortunate Lover in the world Madam continued he kneeling down again before her you shall never repent this grace of yours to me wherefore defer not the accomplishment I beseech you if you tender my life You shall not languish long if I may answered she for as soon as we come to any Town I will marry you very willingly in the mean time let us see how we shall get from hence Madam said Clarisel wonderfull well satisfied of so good an accord so gracious a designe sure shall not be retarded for want of your horses you shall get up behind your servant the Damosel that accompanies you behind this Gentleman pointing to Cardoran and my little Squire shall walk after us faire and softly on foot Marry your favours are sweetly dispenced said Mâ—scarin but there is no remedie I must have patience I see and trust to my legs These words having made all the company to laugh they presently mounted on horse-back and rode to a Town not above a league from thence where resolving to pass the rest of the day Clarisel caused the Gyants body to be fetched and laying it in a Waggon sent it instantly away to Windsor there to be presented to the Prince of â—obradiza from him together with the relation of all that had past That dispatched Florimonds mariage with Claristea was propounded whereunto every one assenting they were espoused the fame evening to 〈◊〉 unspeakable 〈◊〉 who thâ—ough the 〈◊〉 of his 〈◊〉 and Claristea's cunning never perceived that the 〈◊〉 had been entred before by Alcidâ—â—â—â— CHAP. XVIII The Massacre that was made by the dreadfull Gyant Zorobalan at the Ioâ—sts at Windser Clarisel aâ—â—iving thereupon after a dangerous Combat kils him THE Nuptials of Rozanel and the fairest Angelea of Tristor and the vertuous Alteria being celebrated all the Knights of great Britain were in the field the people filled the scaffolds Quedragant Abies and the gentle Agrian of Scotland were in the Lists and the Trumpets began to sound a charge when as a Gentlewoman with two Knights appeared before a Wagon wherein lay the body of a Gyant whose head was divided in two at the sight hereof every one came thronging to it and especially Garamaâ—â— Don Siâ—aldâ— Rozanel and Tristor who very much marvelled at the greatnesse of the blow which they beheld saying that the Knight from whose hand so violenta storm fell must needs have a strange and extraordinary force The
Gentlewoman desired she might be brought before the Prince of Sobradiza I am he said Tristor will you have any thing with me Gentle Prince answered she here is one of your greatest enemies in case to conspire no more against your person as he had done with a brother of his far greater and more formidable then he who purposeth to be present at this assembly to revenge upon you the death of Albadan whom your Grandfather King Galaâ—â— defeated in the quarrell that Gandalac had with him concerning the Rock of Galtares the handsome Shepherd one of the best Knights of the world sends him to you with this advise that you take heed you be not surprised by that dangerous enemy the surviving brother Gentlewoman said Tristor I am infinitly indebted to the good will and valour of this Knight as also very much to you for the pains you have taken in comming hither which I will labour to acknowledge before you depart from hence touching the advise you have brought me it shall not be neglected and if the Gyant come I doubt not but he shal find some here couragious and strong enough to arrest the fury of his arms Whereupon retiring with an exceeding desire to know so brave a Warrior he caused the Waggon with the body to be fet in a corner of the Lists and placing himself in the window he perceived eighteen Knights come marching in three troops the formost whereof was conducted by Aristander Duke of South-Wales who was passionatly in love with Floriâ—â—a the daughter of Garamant Duke of North-Wales and desired to shew his valour for the maintenance of her beauty the second by Oradâ—rt Earle of Glocester who was no lesse affected to Theiphila the daughter of Don Sinaldo and the third by Orian Duke of Norfolk who had no other Mistris but glory These three Champions being each of them accompanied with five of the best Knights of great Britain ranked themselves according to their arrivall in the place and just opposite to Quedragant Abies and Agrian stood Aristander and two of his troop who at the sound of the Trumpets dislodged very bravely and broke his staffe upon his adversaries Shield without so much as moving Quedragant that incountred him so strongly as he made him lose his stirrops whilst his two Companions were unhorsed by Abies and Agrian Aristander extreamly vext for that he had done so little with his first staffe took another that was bigger and stronger â—â—â—ing to recover his honour at the second course neverthelesse he and his Horse were both overthrown to the ground These three being dispatched in this sort the rest presently advanced and ran very gallantly but fortune was no more favourable to thâ—â—â— then to their Companions for they were all layd on the grasse and constrained to give place to Gradart who at the third course against Agrian helped to fill up the number of the vanquished and so did Oriaâ— and those of his train a little after in so much that these eighteen of the best Knights of great Brittain being defeated they were conferring the prize on the Challengers when as a Gyant presented himself so huge and of so terrible an aspect as frighted all the assistants those warlike Princes excepted who choosing out good Launces prepared themselves to receive him and to maintain the honour which they had acquired howbeit they never used them for the great Gyant having discovered the body that lay in the Wagon cryed out with a horrible voyce Immortall gods who could deale thus with my brother since all the Knights in the world assembled together were not able to withstand him Ah dogs you have surprised him treacherously but you shall all dye in satisfaction of so foul a cryme Saying so he charged his Launce against Quedragant and passing it through his Shield and Arm flung him half a dozen paces over his Horses crupper then suddenly returning discharged two such terrible blows on Agrian and Abies that having wounded the one dangerously in the thigh and the other on the head he layed them both in the dust from whence flying in amongst the rest he cleft Gradart down to the wast and never rever regarding upon whom his Sword lighted he began to make so great a Massacre of Men Women and Knights that he had overthrown thirty at his feet before Rozanel and Tristor who had speedily armed themselves could come forth The Ladies shriked at the windows the people fled away the slaughter continued and the place was almost empty when as a Knight of a very goodly presence arrived accompanied with two Gentlemen unarmed a Shepherdesse whose face was covered with a vayl and certain Damosels richly clad who beholding the havock that the Gyant made drew forth his Sword and discharged it with such violence on him that he was forced to knock his chin against the pummell of his saddle which so rowsed the fury of this Monster as raysing himself up full of rage he thought to have divided his enemy with an horrible blow that he intended at him but the Knight who wâ—â— no lesse advised then valiant avoyded it by slipping aâ—â—de nevertheless it being no longer in the Gyants command it fel up on his own Horses head wherwith he fell down dead leaving his Master on foot which Claâ—isel perceiving presently quitted his saddle because he would not take any advantage and approaching his enemy showrâ—d so many blows on him that the blood began to dye his arms in five or six places Rozanel and Tristâ—â— comming in therupon were marvellously astonished at so cruell a conflict and knowing by his company that this was the handsome Shepherd which had sent them the first Gyant they fell to observe the manner of his fight the force of his blows seemed extream to them they admired his dexterity in shunning his enemies stroaks and thought it no lesse strange to see with what assurance he supported them whersoever they lighted upon him In the mean time the combat continued very terrible the ground was stâ—ewed with peices of their armour the grass was stayned with their blood the place was all fire with sparkles that flew from their Helmets and without taking any breath they charged one another so cruelly that ever and anon they had much adoe to keep themselves from falling Zorobâ—lâ—n more ontragious then can be imagined combatted with greater passion then judgement and cursing the gods for producing a man able to withstand him he roared out in that dreadfull manner as made the very house to shake At length transported with fury to see three houres spent fiftâ—e the beginning of the combat without any advantage over his adversary he took his Courtelas in both his hands and advancing it let it defeend with such force on Clarisels Shield that dividing it in twain it not only gave him a deep wound in the arm but made him set his knees to the ground wherwith being wonderfully incensed he suddenly got up and struck the Gyant with such
she so cleared their rankes that she easily made way to the Walls where incountring Don Rifantes with thirtie thousand Horse which he had suddenly assembled shee gave him so mightie a blow on his Helmet that she layd him on the crupper of his Horse utterly derived of his senses This blow having terrified the enemies they were ready to have betaken themselves to flight had not the proud Pagan arrived thereupon followed by a great multitude of Souldiers who with a dreadfull cry falling upon our Warriours troups began to make a terrible slaughter in the nick whereof Lucibel comming in charged them a flanke so furiously that he cut off four thousand of them Brizardan seeing the confusion they were in forsook the Wall and went to the succour of his companions but Floridan having surprized his men in disorder put a number of them to the sword nevertheless the Soldan being an excellent Commander quickly reduced the most part of them into order and then addressed himselfe to run against Floridan who observed his comming incountred him so furiously in the carriere that they were both overthrown in the dust where our Knight had been in danger of ending his dayes under the horses feet if the valour wherewith the Gyant that accompanied him arresting his enemies had not given him leisure to remount on his horse which Brizardan could not so soon doe because of the Gyant nevertheless being at length relieved by the assistance of those about him he drew out his sword and began to make so cruel a massacre that all the world flew from before him In the mean time the valourous Corazinda and the brave Prince of France did things worthy of eternall glory they killed they cut off arms and heads they cleft men down to the wast and rendred themselves so terrible that the very glistering of their swords put the most confident in fear howbeit their number being too small to resist the furie of all these troupes which came flocking together for to invest them they retyred in despight of so many enemies after whose example Floridan did the like notwithstanding all that the brave Soldan of Aralafia could doe who understanding that his three Gyants were slain with seven and twentie thousand men and the Kings of Gallona and Urban the Emperour having lost but eleven thousand he would have cast himself in the Sea had not the King of Cabilla wisely remonstrated unto him how it was but a trick of Fortune that often-times opposeth our desires and wil not suffer us to triumph but when she pleaseth making a vertue then of necessitie though it were with marvellous vexation he resolved to determine the businesse with one set day whereunto having perswaded the King of Cabilla he sent accordingly to present the Emperour to battell who relying on the justice of his cause and on the supream valour of the faire Slave and of the Knights of the Flower-de-Luces and Flowers accepted of it to be fought on the third day after but at no hand would yeeld to any Truce during the time and that by the speciall aduise of those Warriours which had undertaken an enterprize whereof you shall see the effect in the Chapter following CHAP. XX. The wonderfull feats of Arms performedina sallie made by Palmirenna's fair Slave with the end of the Generall Battail where all the Emperours Forces were defeated by the unexpected arrivall of the King of the cruell Iland TWo days being impatiently past away by the King of Cabilla's friends who attended but the third for to be revenged of the outrages they had received our Christian Princes considering what advantage the surprise of a carelesse Enemy doth bring resolved to mount on Horse-back about mid-night when as the Moon might facilitate their design and accordingly having each of them made choise of two thousand approved Knights they sallied out at three severall Gates and with very great silence marched even to the enemies Sentinels who drowned in sleep were soon put all to the Sword a free passage being thus opened to the Emperours troops Palmirenna's fair slave entring first with incredible fury made so great a slaughter that in a moment all the field was covered with dead bodies The brave Soldan and the proud Arastron that were fast asleep hearing the dreadfull noyse of Arms and the cryes of thousands which were yeelding up the Ghost lept suddenly out of their beds and finding foure thousand Horse that were ever kept ready in reserve for all occasions began to make head against this invincible Championess who overcame all when as a new uproar arising from the East side arrested them not knowing well which way to take nevertheless being too couragious to bee amazed with any alarm they instantly divided their forces whilst Rifantes and the King of Filzandria separately caused the rest of the Souldiers to be armed and marching bravely on began a most cruell bickering for the Knights of Martaria desiring to imitate their gallant Leaders performed their parts most valiantly and meeting with terrified enemies made havock of them every where On the otherside those two Thunderbolts of warre the great Soldan of Aralafia and the proud Arastron bestirred themselves with mighty loss to their Adversaries but Lucibel arising thereupon flew in amongst them with such fury that above two thousand of their men were layd dead on the ground at the very first brunt and lustily pursuing his advantage hee had cut eight or nine thousand of the rest in peices had not Rifantes come presently in with thirty thousand Horse upon the sight of whom our Warriors that wisely managed occasions rallied themselves altogether and retyring in good order so mightily incensed those three valiant Pagans that in a rage they followed them with all their Cavalrie hoping to thrust in with them into the Citie howbeit the King of Arbales arriving with eight thousand Horse and four Gyants charged them in such manner with the assistance of the three Princes their troops which suddenly turned head against them that rendring their designs vain they forced them to retyre with the losse of nine thousand men having left but seven hundred of their Knights in the place which were slain upon the first incounter whereat the Pagans were so infinitly inraged that they could hardly attend the rising of the Sunne to put their Army into battail array In the mean time our Princes being come to the Town were reserved with strange acclamations and having somewhat refreshed themselves in Palmirenna's Chamber whither the beautifull Amplamira and her excellent sister repaired to them at the break of day for to give them skarfes and to intreat them not to run into unnecessary dangers they went incontinently to the trenches where the Emperour resolved to sight and command the Battail in his own person having learned by his espials that the King of Cabilla had an intention to doe the like His Forces then being by the advice of the fair slave divided into three Bands the Vantguard consisting
be without his company especially Palmirenna who was to succeed unto my Crown had not her bad life given me just cause to dis-inherit her To tell you all that passed between them I am notable but so it was that mistrusting no practice amongst them I left themto so great a libertie as Amplamira the middlemost of the three that you behold being made acquainted with the secrets of her eldest Sister and her Slave yeelded to the affection of that strange Knight unto whom I had given his life and the third which would shew no more obedience than the rest became passionately in love with the Knight whom you see there in the upper part of the Tower with her Nature that obligeth us to the care of our childrens well-doing having perswaded mee to bestow them richly in mariage I made choyce of the heir of the mightie King of Cabilla the valorous Soldan of Aralafia and the King of Filzandria to support my Crown with their greatness but being upon the point of leading them to Church this Slave with the first Knight comming armed at all parts under colour of succouring two infortunate Lovers which they said were at the Court-gate in a Coach they caused my Daughters to goe thither who being intelligent with them got suddenly into the Coach and galloped away with that speed as they were instantly out of sight wherof being exceeding sensible I commanded them to be pursued when as this Slave lifting up the Visier of his Helmet told me that he was not a woman as I had beleeved untill then but a Knight named Amadis Prince of Greece and Trebisond At these words some of my Knights advanced for to stay him howbeit he layd him that first presented himself dead at my feet with a blow of his fist and discharging his Sword on the Helmet of a very valiant Gentleman called Meander who arrived but that morning he cleft him down to the shoulders and so departed like lightning for to follow the Coach To what end should I relate all things in particular unto you briefly they got to the Sea-side after they had slain above six hundred Knights and with the assistance of three or four Knights errant that came thither by chance they imbarqued themselves in despite of a thousand Knights which endeavoured to arrest them Away they sayled them as they hoped with a prosperous wind but the gods who never suffer so foule a crime to rest unpunished drove them the very same day into this Iland where having invested them with four thousand Knights I had taken them in their beds and executed some horrible vengeance on them if I had not been prevented by the arrivall of an old Sorceresse who unexpectedly appeared with a flaming Torch in her hand made certain circles and muttered divers obscure words which were no sooner uttered but there fell so cruel a storm of huge Hayl-stones as above five hundred of my Knights were knocked down therwith and my selfe constrayned to fly for shelter to these houses you see from whence after the sky was cleared again I beheld this Tower erected in the place of the house wherein they were Now judge Sir whether this be not a strange affliction unto me and whether I have not reason to wish them in my power for to wash away the affront they have done me with their blood Mighty Prince said Rozalmond who had been much delighted with this discourse the Heavens doe sufficiently testifie by the care they have taken of these Knights that they doe not approve of the revenge you desire I could give you better counsell if your Majesty could be pleased to accept of it These Knights of whom you speak are all Lords of a quality nothing inferiour to yours of whom the first according to report is sonne to the mighty Amadis of Greece the second whom I know very well is Heir to the Soveraign Monarch of the Persians and the third is Nephew to the great King of France seek not their ruin then for an offence they have done you compelled thereunto by love but receive them like a gentle and mercifull Father and if you wish for their deliverance let it be to rejoyce with them in their alliance which shall so secure you as all the Princes of Paganism shall not dare to look on you but for your service If therefore you can carry a mind inclined to pardon then I am ready to undertake the restoring of them unto the world if not I wil never be the instrument of their destruction by putting them in your power You amaze me said the Emperor in telling me that these three Knights are such great Princes in which regard I blame not my daughters so much as I have done but my resentment will not permit me so lightly to passe by such enormous an offence O but you must Sir replyed Rozalmond at least wise if you will appear as generous as I know you are and in the assurance thereof I will no longer defer this Enterprise Whereupon drawing out his rich sword he advanced towards the Lyons which rose with fury and at the first onset discharged so mighty a blow on the leg of him that was next him that having cut thorow all the hair he gave him a great gash in the flank whilst the other fastning his claws on his Shield laboured to tear it from his arm neverthelesse he bravely resisted him and desiring to lose no time he struck him so strongly on the paw that he sent it divided from his body to the ground which made him roar most dreadfully at the noyse whereof Armelina Orestia and Melia which seemed to be asleep at the foot of the Tower presently start up and transforming themselves into horrible Centaurs flew all at one instant on Rozalmond who was therewith marvellously troubled not knowing well where to bestow his sword the Lyons prest him with their claws the Centaurs showred blows on him with their heavie clubs and thinking to avoyd the fury of the one he fell into the rage of the others howbeit nothing dismayed he layd with such violence at the body of one of those Lyons as he cut him in two peeces and turning withall towards a Centaur he struck him so dangerously on the head that though his Sword lighted flatling he overthrew him to the earth where instantly changing her shape she reassumed that of Almerina who began to slumber as before which made him resolve not to strike the Centaurs any more with the edge of his Sword turning all his fury then against the remayning Lyon that had plucked his Shield from his arm he ran him so lustily into the belly as he layd him dead by the other Being very glad at the defeat of these enemies and the recovery of his Shield he made head afresh against the Centaurs which so layd upon him that he felt himselfe bruised all over with their heavy stroaks neverthelesse he avoyded them as well as he could and at the length
boon I shall demand of you Valiant Warriour answered she discovering her face the more civilly to receive his submissions I am very glad that I have freed you from the pain of proceeding farther demand what you please it shall be easily granted you for I will deny your merit nothing wherfore get upon your horse and tell me what it is I must do for you Madam replyed Rozalmond vaulting into his saddle with much wonder at such rare beautie conducted lately by a young Squire to the execution of a very dangerous enterprize I met with a Magician of my acquaintance who stopping me in the midst of my way told me that I travelled in vain and that the end of this adventure would never be seen till such time as the most excellent Knight of the earth be accompanied with the strongest and fairest Lady of the world for the accomplishing of it I am not so vain to presume that the Destenies have made choyce of me for it but withall not distrusting my own forces and knowing that the earth beares not a more valourous and beautifull Princesse then your self I come most humbly to desire you that you will be pleased to assist my courage with yours and undertake with me to surmount the difficulties of this enterprize from whence if any glory redounds it shall be wholly yours if the successe be not such as it should be I will accuse any â—â—â—â—nesse for it Let us go let us go answered shee the danger shall be very great if we fall under it so taking the way Rozalmond directed they travelled five dayes without finding any adventure that might stay them but at the end therof they arrived at a terrible great rock whose bottom was bâ—â—hed with a little stream that ran along under the shadow of a great many fallowes Rozalmond alighted and taking his shield as if hee were going to fight he said unto Trasiclea Madam now is the time to shew our courage this is the place of danger and of our enterprize Herewith Trasiclea forsaking her Horse drew out her sword and following Rozalmond that went formost she came to a Tree at the foot wherof she beheld an Armour covered over with rust Behold Madam said he here it is where our first Combat must be these arms you must vanquish before you can passe further How these arms answered Trasiclea have they any force in them lying in this sort Do but advance Madam replyed Rozalmond and you will meet with greater difficulties then you think for Wherupon Trasiclea imagining that it was some Inchantment approched so neere unto them that she could discern three Palmes in the middest of the shield which so amazed her as she let her Sword drop out of her hand Madam what ayles you said Rozalmond unto her who well enough knew the cause of her distemper Alas answered she with a languishing voyce it was not without reason that you judged the danger of this enterprize to be great take me from hence I beseech you for the sight of these Arms in the state they are in will kill me with griese they belonged to the best Knight of the world whom my rigous without doubt hath layd in his grave but I will not long survive the losse of him and this desart which hides his bones shall be strewed with my ashes Brave Palmes continued she throwing her Helmet on the ground and unbuckling her Armour brave Palmes that never feared the tempest of blowes sustained by a Master so strong tell me if you can what is become of him And thou excellent Sword that foundst no temper hard enough to resist thy fury declare unto me where that mighty arm is which made thee do such wonders Thou makest me remember him but thou canst not represent unto me the grace wherwithall he made thee descend upon his Enemies he hath abandoned thee in these Desarts mine also will I leave with thee and joyn my arms to thine Saying so she layd her Armour by Alcidamants with so many tears and sighes as Rozalmond could not forbear weeping Madam said he unto her you must hope better let us search the Desart peradventure we may find this Knight alive Ah! I fear it answered she howsoever I will omit no means that may be used for to learn the truth therof Wherupon rising up with Rozalmonds help she went as far as the Grot where beholding her Picture erected with such honour shee fell into new complaints O! said she how well doth this testifie the injustice of my anger Alcidamant thou wouldst not have chosen such horrid Desarts for thy dwelling hadst thou not been the loyallest of all Knights living and had not my love been dearer to thee then all things els thou wouldst have been now amidst Mâ—rodiana's caresses or in the imbraces of her Sâ—â—â—er who loves thee no lesse Thou hast preferred my rigour before the pleasures thou mightest have enjoyed with them wherfore I will prefer death before the contentment of life I will dye to satisfie thee and since I could not possesse thee here I will go and present my selfe unto thee in the Eliziaâ— fieldâ— it may be thou wilt not be so cruell as I have been but pardon me and forgetting that thou didst through my default thou wilâ— leâ— our soules joynt though I have heretofore refused our bodyes should do so Herewith she swounâ—d in Rozalmonds arms who running speedily to the broâ—k took some water in his Helmet and sprinckled it so long on her face till she came to her self again Take courage Madam said he unto her and dispair not thus without cause the light which you see burning in this lamp this picture so well preserved and this bread that lyes here are mighty proofes for to perswade you that your Alcidamant lives let us seek him out I beseech you and stand no longer spending of tears in vain we have time enough still to afflict our selves when we are sure of a misfortune therfore we ought not to anticipate our sorrows before their being Your reasons answered she shall make me prolong my life yet a-while go then whither you please and I will follow you Wherupon leaving the Grot they walked towards the trees just at the time when as Alcidamant was returning to sigh according to his custome before the Picture of his Lady This poore Hermit comming softly along in regard of his weaknesse perceiving through the trees the glistering of Rozalmonds Arms knew him straight but seeing a woman in his company with her haire about her ears he was so moved that he began to tremble like the leaves of the boughs under which he was neverthelesse recollecting himself he advanced five or six paces but having discovered the beautifull face of Trasiclea his bloud instantly retyred into his veins and all pale and wan he tumbled in a trance to the ground Trasiclea seeing him fall ran suddenly to succour him and kneeling down for to help him up she was so amazed to see him in that
so long without vanquishing in her presence and for her quarrell that they discharged at one instant two such terrible blows upon one another at they were ready to pitch with their noses on the ground neverthelesse being retayned by shame and anger they redoubled their mortall stroaks and finding new force in their rage they hewed one another for foure houres so cruelly that all men wondered how they could endure so long for their armes being all covered over with bloud the end of their lives was every minute expected This while Alcidamanâ— being confident that the victory would undoubtedly rest on the Prince of Greece whose courage augmented with time and danger and desiring not to remain idle he presented himself before the Palace gate with a resolution to prove the adventure of Adelazia and accordingly seeing his passage defended by the four Princes he drew out his rich sword aâ—d warding himself with his shield he discharged so rude a blow on Armorand that if the fury of his blade had not been arrested by inchantment he had cleft him down to the teeth neverthelesse the blow was so violent as it made him set both his knees to the ground but being diverted from further prosecuting his advantage on him by three dangerous blowes received all at once from the others he suddenly made head against them and layd so terribly on Falemonds Helmet that he sent him to the earth quite deprived of judgement as also Grinaldo whom with another stroak he overthrew in like manner The misfortune of these Knights having marvellously incensed the other two they discharged both at once so strongly on his head as they made him reele three or four steps backwards with a million of lights before his eyes wherat he was so mad that gnashing his teeth for anger he delivered two such blowes successively on Armâ—rants and Crisanders Helmerts as he laid them sensless at his feet In the mean space the fight between the Grecian Prince and Gorgophon having lasted above six hourâ—s was most terrible for shame and jealousie equally animâ—ting them they employed all their skill and strength to become victorious Rozalmond was enraged to meet a man able enough to dispute with him for his Mâ—stresse and the honour of a Combat wherunto all his glory was tyed and Gorgophon the most audacious Gyant of the earth bitterly sâ—orming uttered strange blasphemies against his gods and meâ—acing the very heavens seemed as though he would divide them with his Curtelas which often-times lighting on Rozalmonds Armes alwayes carried some piece therof along with it his own being in no better estate under the sword of his enemie who being in the supreamest degree of rage resolved either to dye or vanquish Returning then out of an astonishment wherin he had been reduced by a most horrible blow of Gorgophâ—ns which had overturned him on the â—â—â—pper of his Horse he parted with such furie as all the assistants terrified ther with began to â—â—â—mble and displaying all his force he discharged so unmeaâ—urable a blow full on the crest of Gorgophons Helmet that if he had struck with the edge he had divided him to the wast in spight of all Diabolions charms but his sword turning in his hand with choler the flat fell so dangerously on his head that thinking he was smitten with a thunder-bolt he fell in a swound to the earth making a noyse like that of some mightie Tower which the wind hath hurled out of its place At this bâ—ave stroak Arâ—â—â—zia marvellously rejoycing advanced towards her Knight who suddenly alighting fell on his knees before her and said Madam be pleased that this small service may repaire the fault which I have committed in abandoning you so long Alas my dearest Knight said she with tears of joy and griefe to see him so bloudy all over let us not speak I pray you of pardon for I find my selfe so happy in meeting you thus that I can never remember any miserie past come let us go and visit your wounds and know what we are to hope for of your recoverie Madam answered Rozalmond I feele they are dangerous but yet not so much as to make you to fear or keep me from rejoycing with my friends for the good successe of mine enterprize wherupon perceiving Amadis Floridan and Lucibel comming to him togither with the Princesses of Martaria to give him thanks for their deliverance out of the crystall Tower he went and caressed them withall the kindnesse that might be and so did Armazia Trasiclea Brandimanda and the fair Infanta of Clariana who were no lesse amazed at the excellencie of their beauties than they were to see them every way so accomplished Some time being spent in these salutations and compliments and Gorgophon freely suffered to be carried away by certain of his servants to his Ship where a little after being fetched out of his swound he was so mad for that he had been vanquished as they had much adoe to keep him from killing of himself Rozalmond hearing that Alcidamant was upon proving of the adventure he went where he beheld him ingaged against the Serpent and the Monster This invincible Warriour seeing himself delivered from four of his first enemies and looked upon by so many excellent persons most couragiously boorded those two creatures and desiring to display the uttermost of his forces he discharged his Sword with such violence upon the Serpents head that though it could not pierce the hardnesse of the scales yet it made him stoup to the very ground presently wherupon being layd at by the Monster he dextrously declined the blow of his axe which fell in vain upon the floore The first fury of those horrible beasts being in this sort avoyded Alcidamant finding that the astonishment wherein the Serpent was gave him opportunitie to performe something the mean while upon the Monster he took his sword in both his hands and slipping by the danger of a second blow from him hee let it descend with such strength on his left arm which was as big as a tree that he cut it sheere from his body This lucky stroak animating him to do better he turned to the Serpent thinking to avoyd his fury as before but he was so surprized and incountred with such force as he was layd all along in the dust where this creature running on him laboured to seize on his Helmet with his teeth in which danger still retaining his judgement he ran him up into the belly that made him make a mighty skip into the ayre by means wherof our Knight had leisure to arise but being scarce well upon his legs he received so great a blow from the Monster as he was constrained to set both his knees to the ground where shame and danger not suffering him to continue long he got up again so full of rage that casting his shield on his shoulder he discharged with such fury on that monstrous creature as having incountred the handle of his axe and cut it
obliged unto me acknowledge it by telling me who you are Noble Sir answered Griolanis that was as much taken with the beauty of his face as with the force of his arm I am called Griolanis and this fair Lady is the Queen of Corolandaya wherin you now are both of us this day most wretchedly betrayed no question had served for the satisfaction of our enemies malice without the assistance of your valour Is the inchantment then replyed the Knight wherein you were retayned brought to an end Truly I am very sorry for it not in that you are freed from the torment you suffered but in regard I arrived not time enough to try whether the honour of that adventure for which I have made a long Journey hither would have lighted on me Now who is that fortunate Knight which hath acquired such glory The Husband of this excellent Princesse answered Griolanis poynting to Trasiclea whose exquisite beauty the stranger much admired named the knight of the burning Rock that formerly bore three palms on his shield Verely said the strange Knight I doe not marvell at it now for that brave Warriour being incomparably the best Knight I have known it was likely that no other could be able to carry it from him Ah Madam continued he kissing Trasicleas hands how happy are you in the possession of so renowned a Knight It is the greatest blisse I have in the world answered she but Sir I could wish it were accompanied with the knowledge of you for the brave act which you lately performed obligeth so many of us together as I cannot be without this curiosity Madam answered he as it is my extream good fortune that you desire to know me so I must humbly beseech you for some reasons to excuse me if I doe not obey you herein for the present Trasiclea perceiving that he desired to conceale himselfe importuned him no farther and causing Griolanis and Adelazia to mount upon one of the Gyants horses they all rode on towards Agricant and on the way they met with Rozalmond Alcidamant and Grian who beholding Griolanis and his wife safe from all danger went and embraced them with such demonstration of joy and affection as if they had not seen them of a long time before and desiring to be informed of their deliverance they shewed them the valiant Knight of the Bears to whom Rozalmond addressing himselfe said Noble Sir shall we not have the honour to know you That you shall answered the Knight for being altogether your servant I may by no means conceale my selfe from you whereupon suddenly alighting and lifting up the visier of his Helmet he discovered himselfe to be Persides brother to Floridan of Persia whereat Rozalmond was so exceeding glad that he held him a great while embraced in his arms and then left him to the entertainment of the rest who after many compliments having related unto him all that had past in Corolandaya they all got to horse and rode to the Citie where after the return of all those which were gone in the quest of Griolanis there was such joy for that so dangerous an affair had beyond all hope and expectation so prosperous a conclusion that nothing was to be seen but bonfires tryumphs and feastings CHAP. XXXV All the Princes depart out of Corolandaya some to goe to the Castle of Treasure and the rest to return into Martaria THE arrivall of the gentle Persides of Greece and the happy deliverance of Griolanis Adelazia filling al the Court of Corolandaya with joy the Emperor of Martaria perswaded to the imbracing of the Christian religion resolved to be baptized to make chois of those two Lamps of war Alcidamant and Rozalmond for his Godfathers which was performed with all the state and magnificence that so short a time would afford And such were the delights and pleasures of this Court as it seemed to be an earthly Paradise but who knows not that there is not any content of long continuance in this world for fortune interposing her envie Brandlmanda fals extreamly sick whereat every one very much grieving begins to fear some greater misfortune which accordingly was not long in comming Vrganda seeing them one day all assembled in the hall caused silence to be made and then spake thus unto them Brave Princes if you estemed more of delight then glory I should not now tell you that it is time for you to betake you to your arms first for the honour of that great God whom we adore and then for the conservation of those Empires which are under the obedience of your Parents The care that I have alwayes had to maintayn them in greatnesse having made me the last night to consider the aspect of the Stars and the motions of the Moon I discovered some presages of a mighty misfortune towards and all the signs which I observed were so many thunderbolts ready to fall on Christondome whereupon turning over my books for to come to a more particular knowledge of the mischiefe that so I might prepare a remedy for it I found that the storm is raysed by the instigation of Idalcan Emperour of Melly who being infinitely displeased for that he was vanquished by Silvan at such time as Fulgoran and Prigmaleon covered the fields of Greece with an innumerable multitude of souldiers stirs up all Paganism together with Falanzar great Emperour and Caliph of Siconia his neer kinsman in revenge of that affront taking a slight occasion in the first place to ruin the Empire of Ethiopia whereby he will commence his conquests upon the alliance which Prigmaleon who possesseth it hath made with the Princes of Greece changing his Religion for to have Polixena the daughter of Don Florisel of Niquea The Posts run up and down and their league is like to be so great that most of the Princes of Paganism and of the bravest Knights that worship Idols are shortly to assemble for to bring an incredible number of people into the field in which regard I have resolved to dispatch away Cassandra presently to advertise Don Florisel thereof to the end that drawing all the Christian Princes to his party he may labour to repell the tempest which is to fall on Ethiopia I know that the losse will be great on both sides but if I be not much deceived these Infidels shall not get out of so dangerous an enterprise in any better sort then they have done at other times for The Prophesie THe Lyons that divers ages have been shut up for their own good being free from the chains which so long a time hath detayned them shall then come forthroaring so dreadfully that the Crows unable to make use of their wings shall be torn in peeces by the claws of these resuscitated beasts In consideration whereof it is most necessary that fix of you dissoldge to morrow to give an end to the inchantment of the Castle of Treasure scituated in the dangerous Forrests of the great Kingdom of Martan
that improvident passion which blinds the eyes of all Lovers ruin'd us also even then when we had invented a way how to escape and save our selves for I going this morning to visit him and forgetting to make fast the doors left a passage open through which Gargaracia espied us in the hight of such amorous dalliance as Love useth to suggest unto those whose hearts she hath already united which put her into such a rage that forthwith she advanced towards us intending with her strong boisterous hands to bind us both had she not been prevented by the Knight who with his first blow struck her to the ground with a resolution to strangle her had she not suddenly called for succour I saved my selfe among the Souldiers who being ignorant of what had passed sought not at all to stay me and so crossing these fields used the best diligence I could to fly from thence to the end that I might not again fall into the hands of that pittilesse woman and to see if it might be my good fortune to meet with some charitable Knight that would undertake the rescue of this poor Gentleman who questionlesse by this time is very neer the flames for the cruell Hag supposing fire to be the extremest of punishments hath taken order that he shall be suddenly cast into it Faire Lady said Fulgoran comfort your selfe and be assured of the Knights safety if we can but arrive soon enough to find him living then putting spurs to their horses they presently came before the Gates of the Castle where they saw thirty souldiers comming forth to lead this Knight to the fire whom Fulgoran knowing to be Cilinder the son of Dorigel King of the fortunate Iland of whom there had been no news heard since he received his order of Knighthood at Constantinople he pressed towards him with an incredible violence and cleaving down to the girdle five or six of those that incompassed him put the rest into such a fright that on a sudden they all left him which Fulgoran perceiving lighted from his horse to unloose the cords wherewith he was bound deeming the force of Prigmaleon alone sufficient enough to cut the rest of the rascals into a thousand peeces and indeed this noble Warriour made so great a massacre amongst them that in halfe an houre he layd eighteen dead at his feet which Gargaracia seeing to her great griefe and hoping to fare no better than her Champions cast her selfe immediately into that fire she had prepared for Cilindor who presently knowing Fulgoran and Prigmaleon gave them a thousand thanks for his deliverance Gargaracia being consumed Cilindor delivered and none else appearing to oppose the designs of these Knights they caused the prison doors to be all opened where they found the Gyant 〈◊〉 and the unknown Knight their especiall friends with forty or fifty more of their acquaintance whom after they had saluted they asked by what accident they were fallen into the hands of that cruell woman by the most villanous treachery in the world answered 〈◊〉 for arriving both together here and being courteously received we were led into a Chamber where drinking of wine mingled with Poppy which was presented unto us we fell into so sound a sleep that we were â—asily bound and carried into this Dungeon where we lay above eight houres before we awaked Thanks be to the gods said Prigmaleon who appoynted us to arrive here so opportunely for your deliverance Come let us quit this melancholly place and we will relate unto you at leisure the occasion that brought us from Constantinople then committing the care of the Castle to Milcana Cilinders Mistris who received but little joy with it being ready to take leave of her servant without hope of ever seeing him again they took their way towards thesea which at their return they found calme and promising a quick passage into Ethiopia where they being arrived Prigmaleon assembled his Councell caused Saba to be very well fortified layd strong Garrisons in the most important places and joyning fifty thousand other Horse to those which Florisel sent him who arrived three weeks after he expected without feare or amazement the fury of his enemies CHAP. XXXIX The arrival of the Pagans in the Empire of Ethiopia the cruell fight where with all the Grecian Princes entertained them at their landing THE Christian Princes having no greater object than the honour of God the glory of the world and the preservation of those Empires they possessed prepared themselves immediatly upon the receipt of Don Florisels Letters and levying Forces out of each particular Kingdome they brought to Constantinople the bravest troopes that ever was beheld First came Don Rogel with thirty thousand Horse and twenty thousand Foot the excellent Emperour of the Parthians with twenty thousand Horse and twenty thousand Foot Don Lucendue with thirty thousand Horse and ten thousand Foot Alastraxeret with twenty thosand Horse and ten thousand Foot Derigel of the fortunate Iland and the fair Cilinda his Wife with twelve thousand Horse Melindâ—â— of Clotona and his wife Castiâ—â—a with fifteen thousand horse his Brother Olidâ—r with the Queen of Castora his Wife led fifteen thousand Foot Silran and his Wife eighteen thousand Horse Amenia of Asre fourteen thousand Foot Anaxander King of Dardania twelve thousand Horse and eight thousand Foot Flâ—â—idan his Brother King of Comogena eighteen thousand Foot Gelâ—dan and the valiant Arletta fifteenthousand Horse Oriander King of Sardamira seventeen thousand Foot Galard King of Megera eight thousand Horse and six thousand Foot the King of Catay nine thousand Horse and seven thousand Foot Liscard King of Licaonia twelve thousand Horse Rozafar of Austria eleven thousand Foot Gadard King of Hungarie ten thousand Horse and eight thousand Foot Filadart King of Poland eight thousand horse and ten thousand Foot Ladazan of Nudia and Parmenian of Ciprus five and twenty thousand Foot From Rome there came fifteen thousand Horse From Germanie fifteen thousand from Guindaya eleven thousand and besides all these Don Florisel had raised thirtie thousand Horse in the Empire of Greece These Troups which amounted to the number of three hundred thousand Horse and two hundred thousand Foot being all speedily imbarqued Florisel and the other Princes of Greece took their leaves of the Ladyes who with tears conjured them to have a speciall care in the preservation of themselves amidst so many dangers as they were sure to encounter and so getting aboard they caused the Marriners to hoist the sayles which the wind presently began to fill with a favourable gale In the mean time the Enemies innumerable Army were upon their voyage at Sea sometimes driven forward violently with the threatnings of atempest sometimes again arested with the stilnesse of a calme so that five weeks after they were shipped in the Empire of Siconia they discovered the strong Walls of Saba and appeared in the view of the Christian Princes there who endevouring by the best means they could to
prevent their landing fortified the shore with fifty thousand Horse under the command of Prigmaleon Fulgoran the two Cenophales Perion Quadragant Florestan Cilindor Florian and Tristor which being perceived by the Pagans who made thitherwards with full sayles they presently ranged their Ships in the best order they could for the dis-imbarquing themselves without confusion and advanced till they were neere enough to begin the charge with Bowes and Pikes Roussardan the terrible King of Grifalara Gorgophon the Graund Salvage Furiander and fifteen Gyants which had the command of the formost Vessels arriving with an incredible furie there was heard even in a moment a confusion of cryes mixed with the hideous noyse of the waves and the shrill and loude sounds of Drums and Trumpets the ayre being clouded as it were with a multitude of Arrows which flew both from Sea and Land a man could hardly discerne neither the sands that were covered with dead bodyes nor the waters all dyed red with the bloud of those that fell therin The Pagans being confident aswell in their numbers as their valour and advancing courageously without any feare at all of the Christians shot began to place their Bridges and scaling Ladders to the end that they might win the bank with lesse difficulty But Fulgoran Prigmaleon the Cenophales and the other young Princes that assisted them did so stoutly repulse them that as many as adventured to quit their Ships they tumbled into the Sea so that in a short time the waves were covered with such a multitude of dead bodyes as those foure proud Pagan Knights not enduring to behold so miserable a massacre of their people on the sudden with their Gyants and a hundred thousand men leapt on shore in spight of the Christians resistance and fell to it pell mell with such incredible violence that a man might perceive more men fall than blows all those those that stood in 〈◊〉 way he cleft down to the wast Gorgophon cut them in peeces Fâ—riâ—nder and his Father made such havok and their Fanchions were so terrible that every one shund them like so many furies on the other side Fulgoran Prigmaleon the Cenophales Perion and their companions made so great a slaughter that the most part of the Pagans cast themselves into the water to avoyd the furious execution of their swords In this manner the battell waxing hot so many fell dead on every side as was most dreadfull to behold Fulgoran and Prigmalâ—on being incensed marvellously at the sight of so great a slaughter which proceeded not so much from the multitude of their enemies as from the force and valour of their Leaders being accompanied with the Cenophales and making themselves way with the death of all that opposed them they in an instant charged them with such fury that the fierce stroke Roâ—ssardan received from Prigmaleons sword made him knock his chin against his brest Gorgophon bowed his knee underthe violence of Fulgorans blow the Grand Salvage with Fâ—riander his son were staggered by the weighty blades of the two Geâ—ophales and of the Gyants two were slain by Cilindâ—r and Pâ—rion But into what a rage were these proud Pagans driven at the resentment hereof they rowsed up their spirits again and became more furious than Tygers and raysing their weapons into the ayr they let them fall with such a tempest upon the Christian Knights that Prigmaleons shield was cleft in two peices with a hurt on his arm Fulgoran wounded on the shoulder and the two Cenophales were forced to stoop with their hands to the ground to save themselves from falling These fearfull blows would have utterly astonished men of lesse valour and courage but having begotten more fury than fear in the spirits of these invincible knights they began again to lay about them so fiercely that these four arrogant Gyants who thought the earth could not produce men of sufficient power to resist them plainly perceived that the overthrow of their enemies would prove a matter of more difficulty than they expected In the mean time whilst this tempestuous fight lasted between these eight Combatants Quadragant Tristor Florian Florestan Perion and Cilindor rallied their troops but so farre had the Gyants and their assistants gayned the field that notwithstanding the valour of those Knights who made heads and arms fly about and cut down and killed all that came in their way the Christians began to retire when in the instant there arrived the valiant Esquilass of Polonia Grandimore the unknown Kninght Agrian Flâ—â—isaâ—t 〈◊〉 Frisel Abies Armond and Melfort in the head of thirty thousand Horse who suddenly pressing into the midst of their enemies troops then confused and in disorder slew above twenty thousand upon the place and doubtlesse all the Pagans at that time on the shore had been put to the sword if the haughty Antomedon accompanied with Marisgelf thirty Gyants and threese ore thousand men had not speedily encountred the Christians amongst whom with the very first blow he cleft Florizartus of Trapobana down to the wast on the other side his Gyants made such a Massacre that the first ranks being all broken the other betook themselves to flight to avoyd the fury of their devouring swords which so much incensed the valiant Esqâ—itâ—â— of Polonia that hee with Grandimore the unknown Knight and the rest of the young Princes that accompanied him being all well appoynted with good Launces at one charge ran nine of the Gyants quite through and through and after that behaved themselves so bravely against their enemies that they were wonderfully amazed thereat Neverthelesse the valour of the other Gyants being no whit abated and the number of the Pagans being excessively great questionlesse the Christians had been discomfited if fourscore Vessels passing without suspicion through the midst of the enemies fleet had not very opportunely disembarqued forty thousand men who falling suddenly on the Pagans which were deceived with an opinion that they were part of their own forces they put them marvellously to rout under the conduct of two excellent Knights which at the same instant encountring with Brandafidel King of Brutaxia a mighty Gyant and Brandimart King of Parmonda they past their Launces quite through their bodies so astonishing the rest of that party as the Christians had leisure to rally their troops and to make a handsome treatie and yet not without very much difficulty Prigmalcon and Fulgoran who were no lesse discreet than valiant seeing the honour of the Christians recovered by the unexpected arrivall of this Army would have retired with their troops but Roussardan Gorgophon the Grand Salvage and Furiander were so inraged that they met with such a forceable resistance as they began to redouble their blows with more strength then at the first which put our Greeks into so much fury that Prigmaleon uniting the whole strength of his body into one stroak which he layd on Roussardans Helmet he gave him a dangerous hurt on the head wherewith he was so
Pagan Brufaldor into such a fury that turning his horse upon Leonidas of Mesopotamia he gave him so violent a stroke on the shoulder that his sword notwithstanding his Arms made way to his very waste dividing his body into two parts which so displeased Russian who saw the sad effect of the blow that clasping his sword fast in his hand he returned the Pagan such an exchange as cutting his shield in two he gave him a great gash on the arm and so quiting him he flew upon Moranteon Soldan of Circassia wounding him very dangerously on the shoulder and perceiving Brizardan grapling with his friend Cilindor whom he doubted might be too weak to fustain so strong a charge he made towards them with an intent to discharge full on Brizardans head but Torismond the valiant Pagan prevented his blow by giving him such a smart stroke on the arm as made his sword fall out of his hand and yet without any other harme save onely a slight hurt which put him into such a choler as suddenly taking hold again on the handle of his sword that was fastned with a riband to his wrist he let it fly in such sort at his Adversary that he cut him almost in two pieces sending him dead to the ground In the middest of these hurliburlies the brave Esquilan entring on the other side of the Campe strook no lesse astonishment into the minds of those that encountred him than the other had done before no resistance could withstand the fury of his sword Brandimanda seconded him with equall heat and courage and the gentle Amazon Alterea followed them both so close that she seemed to threaten no lesse a ruine than the former At this new alarum Falanzar Idatcan Emperour of Melly Armandor King of Russia with Fierastron the proud Gyant of Balivan advanced themselves in the head of forty thousand men but the fear of those that ran away having put their souldiers which they led into disorder the Greeks charged them with such fury that more then six thousand of them were beaten down the greatest part wherof were stifled under the horses feet The unpleasing sight of this accident had driven Falanzar into despair but that he earried too generous a mind for to harbour so base a guest wherfore meeting with Esquilan he discharged so terrible a blow on his Helmet as he made him knock his chin against his breast being very much astonished at the mighty strength of this Pagan but grinding his teeth together for anger he advanced his sword and let it descend with such a rage on this Caliph that he overthrew him on the crupper of his horse casting out great abundance of bloud at his mouth In the mean while Brandimanda and Fierastron Iaalcan and the gentle Alterea charged one another home and made a quick exchange of most fiercestroaks But Esquilan who would not afford them any leisure to rally their troups and who judged that to be no fit season for him to be a spectator of a single combat let fall on Idalcan Emperour of Melly so furious a blow that he cut his arm sheere from his body and at the same instant with another which he layed on Fierastrons head-piece he quite deprived him of his senses which being done he put his men into good order and following the example of Russian who took the way that led into the Citie he made an honourable retreate in spight of threescore thousand Horse and fourscore Gyants which came in the pursuit of them This courageous and prudent retreat and the death of the Emperour of Melly that ensued two houres after with the great slaughter of their men which amounted to the number of thirty nine thousand the Christians having left on the place but five thousand six hundred having enraged the Pagans they resolved every man of them to dye on the place or els that very day to win the Citie which together with all the Christians therin they would consume to ashes in satisfaction of so great a losse Their Troupes then being ranged and every Captain having received order to charge his Company with the carriage of a certain number of scaling-ladders the Army was divided into three bands each consisting of one hundred and fiftie thousand men Falanzar led the first with the which was Brufaldor King of Gedrosia the proud Knight Arastron generous Alceus Marisgolf that terrible and mighty Gyant twenty Knights of the best repute in the whole Army and threescore Gyants The second was commanded by Astrurion the great Sultan of Brutacan the good Knight Armorand Brizardon Soldan of Aralafia fifty Gyants and twenty two other Knights who had purchased a great renown by dangerous adventures The third by Marmaran Sophy of Bultara with King Armandor of Russia of the Gyants race Palamedes King of Cassandria the redoubted Tipheus Barcandor fifty Gyants three and twenty Knights of no mean esteem and Broncaldion King of the Arcofibrats who had the leading of twelve hundred Elephants The christian Princes who slept not in the mean while seeing these presumptuous preparations put threescore thousand Knights into the Town and so furnishing the wals with abundance of pitch sulphur boyling oyle stones and other necessaries for their Enterprise made up three bands the first was conducted by Russian with Cilindor the second by Esquilan with Algantas chiefe Generall of Ethiopia and the third by Brandimanda with Alteria who lodging themselves close under the wals with a resolution not to appear before the enemies had almost gayned the top expected the comming of their troops which hearing no noyse at all in the Town were perswaded that the Christians were all asleep whereupon they presently fastned their scaling Ladders which their Gyants and other Knights of the best spirits first ascended to give encouragement to the rest to follow them but on the instant they perceived fifty thousand men who with a sudden tempest of stones oyle pitch and sulphur overturned all those that were then upon the Ladders and began to dam up the Moat with dead bodies then the assault became most violent and cruell The Gyants enraged to see their Companies lye groveling on the ground the Ladders broken ten thousand Souldiers massacred as it were in a moment began to grow carelesse of their lives they got upon the wall and fell to grapling with the Christians fighting rather like furies than mortall men there were scarce any that durst oppose the violence of their swords unlesse it were Russian Esquilan Brandimanda Alteria Cilindor and some few of the valiantest who perceiving the favour the wall afforded partly in sheltring them and annoying their enemies delivered such blows on the Pagans as for the most part carried death along with them Russians represented a Thunderbolt overturning as many Gyants and Knights as it lighted on neither was Esquilans or 〈◊〉 's much lesse terrible than it but the Pagans the greater the number of the Christians were which they perceived on the Battelments the more resolute
the Pagans did not so much as make shew of stirring In the mean while the Sultan of Brutacan having received no order to make his retreat was perswaded to follow his good fortune and entring the breach which he had made to put himself into the middest of the Town but finding a greater resistance from the Princes and Souldiers within then they had from the wals there began a most fierce and bloody combat The Gyants advanced bravely making way with their swords and their Souldiers taking courage from their example followed as resolutely making a vast and terrible slaughter whereof Brandimandâ— being advertised and finding her selfe prettily recovered she thought it a dishonour to dye in her bed wherefore she took six thousand men reserved for an extremity and meeting with Cilinder and Alteria who had retyred for a while to refresh themselves they fell on with such a fury upon the Soldans troops that at the very first encounter above four thousand of their Enemies and fourteen Gyants were cut in pecces which so incensed the horrible Cressamagrant that advancing his dreadfull Faulchion he let it fall with such a violence on Frizel of Arcadia that it cleft him down to the shoulders and layd him dead at Prigmaleous feet who in a great rage requited the Pagan with such another as cutting his leg from his body he fell to the ground with a noyse like thunder These dreadfull stroaks giving equall courage to both parties the fight waxed more furious than at any time before and if the enemies could at once have made use of all their forces without doubt they had carried the Town but the breath being but equall the Christians though but few in number were able to withstand those that would enter so that they held them play untill night which drawing on to the great griefe of Astrurion it made him bestow his blows with the more violence amongst the which one lighted so boisteroufly upon gentle Abies of Ireland that it cleft him almost to the girdle whereat Fulgoraâ— was so enraged that taking his sword in both his hands he discharged such a blow upon the head of the great Soldan as turned him over and over and doubtlesse hee had quite made an end of him had not fourteen Gyants that were retyring carried him off The Citie being thus delivered from so tedious and cruell an assault they employed a multitude of Labouters to repaire the breaches and caused the bodies of Frizel of Arcadia and Abies of Treland to be carried to the Palace the loss of whom had been much more grievous uno them but that they were comforted with the assurance of this new succour which they understood proceeded from the Emperour Florisel of Niquea that was accompanied with many other Christian Princes their friends whom they went to visit in their trenches before they could so much as lay aside their Armes where many kind salutations passing between them they related the danger the Town had been in all that day the losse of Frixel Florizartus Abies and Leonidas and the whole story of all that had hapned since they departed from Constantinople and so for that present they departed with a resolution to take a full revenge of their enemies CHAP. LXI The furious Battell between the Pagan and Christian Princes the conclusion thereof with the number of the dead THE rage of the Pagan Princes who had lost in this assault threescore and seven thousand men three and fifty Gyants with Fiortan Brontaiar Argantor and Lizartus all worthy Knights not suffering them to take any rest Falanzar gave order for the interring their dead and assembled his Captaines together to whom he spake in this manner Mighty Princes I see no reason why wee should be discouraged though fortune hath not favoured our designes we have lost Souldiers Gyants and many persons of quality rather by the difficulty of scaling the wals than by the valour of our enemies but now we have a faire occasion to revenge our selves and to repay with interest the displeasure they have done us wee may now give them a day for all and this Grecian Army newly arrived will rather further than any way hinder our designes let us offer them battell they are hardy enough to entertain it and we powerful enough to obtaine the victory the advantage is ours on every side wee have a multitude of brave Knights the meanest whereof will make the strongest of our enemies sweat for it our Souldiers are more in number and no whit inferiour in courage they shall be assisted by a multitude of valiant Knights who are able to astonish even the whole world so that we shall undoubtedly revenge our former losses It is true that for the present the one halfe of our bravest Knights are confined to their beds by reason of their wounds I hold it therefore convenient to give them some respite for their recovery In the mean time let us enquire whether this may agree with the consent of our friends and allies Great Monarch replyed Marmaran Sophy of Bultara the proposition you make is so good that there need no reasons be urged for the authorising your opinion and I dare assure you that it agrees with the desire of the whole Army let us then if you please send to our enemies and demand a truce for eight dayes that in the mean time time we may put every thing in good order and to give the King of Grifala and the rest of our friends leisure to recover their strength that they may be the better able to doe you service Hereupon Polidarchus King of Amazia was intreated to take the charge of delivering this message to the Christian Princes which being willingly undertaken by him he went presently to Don Florisel of Niquea presented him with a bloudy Gauntlet and demanded seven dayes of Truce he appointed the eighth for the set battell We know not how to deny our Enemies answered Florisel when they invite us to fight I accept of the battell on the same day that you demand it and desiring to be more courteous then you have been violent comming hither to seek the ruine of our Empires without any provocation at all on our part are content to ratifie the Truce for the terme required by you Pilidarchus being thus returned back every man prepared for the battell they used all the skill that could be for the recovering of those that were wounded and the Captaines diligently employed themselves in advancing the courage of the Souldiers for on the victorie of this furious day the ruine or glory of all Christendome or Paganisme depended Seven dayes then being insensibly past away Prigmaleon Fulgoran Russian and their Companions having quit their beds met with the rest of the Christian Princes to consult of their affaires where they all agreâ—ing to submit themselves to the prudence and direction of Florisel of Niquea he ordered it all in this manner The number of the whole Forces consisting of three hundred thousand
little cause left them of boasting and so there began the most dangerous Combat that ever man beheld between these six Knights On the one side the Gyants made huge massacres Esquilan Brandimanda Grandimore and the Christian Princes bestird themselves lustily on the other and their brave example made the courage of their men supply what they wanted in number so that above threescore thousand Knights being slain both parts the victory remained as yet doubtfull Wherupon the Pagans impatient of delay caused their second Battalion to advance which being led by Marmaran Sophy of Bultara accompanied with those incomparable Warriours Bravorant king of Morimont Marisgolfus and Gorgophon Collonels of the Gyants gave so fierce an assault upon the Christians first Squadron that they had cut them all in pieces if the Emperour Spheramond had not opportunly opposed their furie By this time the ground was all covered with dead men and the confusion so great and crpes so loude that a thousand claps of thunder would not have been heard amongst them Bravorant Gorgophon and Marisgolfus having addressed their Launces against Galard King of the Barren Ilands Alvida his Wife and the Duke of Laiaret they ran them quite thorow the body and so did in like manner to five or six more before they brake but great was the slaughter they made when as they hod drawn out their great and heavy Fauchions for the Lightning falls not with more violence than did their blows which meeting with no resistance sufficient to oppose them they strewed all the ground with dead bodyes Spheramond having encountred Marmoran Sophy of Bultara they both brake their staves upon each other and so pressing in amongst the multitude they slew as many as had the ill hap to come within their reach Alastraxerea made such havock amongst her enemies that every one fled from her as from some deadly contagion Melindus Clidor and Amiano of Astrea did no lesse wonders But the Enemies were so mighty and Bravorant joyning with Gorgophon made so bloudy a massacre that this second Squadron in spight of the best resistance Spheramond Alastraxerea and the Grecian Princes could make had been utterly routed if Florisel wisely fore-seeing that the flight of those forces might cause a generall ruine of the whole Army had not opportunly given order to the young Cavaliers that he had armed the day before to advance who desirous to season their first undertakings by some memorable testimonie of their valour made so fierce a Sally upon the Gyants that with their Launces they overthrew twelve of them to the ground then laying their hands on their swords they began to do such strange things that the Greekes recovering as it were a new courage gave their enemies so furious a charge as they made them begin to startle nay almost to betake themselves to plain flight Neverthelesse being detayned by the only valour of Braverant Gorgophon and Marisgolfus and the brave Sophy of Bultara who resembled so many furies they continued the fight so stoutly that the blood made large Rivers through the midst of the fields the earth was covered with the bodies of those that were already slain and the ayr filled with the groans of those that were then dying Spheramond wheresoever he passed carried death on his sword Bravorant and Gorgophon ran up and down raysing mountaines of dead bodies Marmoran and Marifgolfus appeared like lightning Alastraxerea Melindus Clidor Cassianus met with no resistance unlesse it were from the Gyants who did often times as well as their fellows taste the keenesse of the Christian blades In briefe it was a spectacle full of such horrour as the like hath seldome been beheld by the eye of man and the slaughter so indifferent that it was heard to say to which side the victory did most incline The Pagans who could not endure to be idle whilst their Companions were busie in the pursuit of glory marched up with their third sqadron conducted by the valiant Astrurion Soldan of Brutacan Antomedon the proud Caliph of Francapia Brizardan Soldan of Aralafia and Mercelian Emperour of Media These vast troops led by such proud and mighty Commanders fell on the Christians with such fury as promised no lesse then utter ruin at the very first onset But the Emperour of Persia seconded by Lucendus Dorogel Silvian the faire Salvage the noble Silverin of the Desart Gadard King of Hungaria Filadart of Polonia Oriander and Oroncus charged them so fiercely that made them quickly turn their faces to defend themselves from the cruelty of their weapons This brave Prince encountring Antomedon with his Launce ran him through the shield and arme yet not without great danger to himselfe for from the Gyants Launce he received such an encounter as tumbled him upon the crupper of his horse ready to have fallen to the ground if he had not been upheld by some of his followers Thus the third Squadrons falling to it pell mell there continued a most cruell battell the valiant Dâ—rigil did deeds worthy of himselfe following the brave example of his father who held all the enemies in admiration to see him alone act such wonders the noble Silverin of the Desart stopped the fury of Brizardan and behaved himselfe so bravely against him that by those that saw him he was judged no whit inferiour to the best Warriours of the world Lucendus sent Marcelian Emperour of Media to keep company with the dead Filadart Gadart and the Princes that followed them fought with so much courage and vigour that in a moment they covered the fields with the slaughtered carkasses of their enemies In the meane time Don Rogel and Lucendus seeing the great massacre made by Antomedon the mericilesse Sultan of Brutacan immediately assaulted these two proud pagans who were almost ready to swim in christian blood shed by their own swords upon whom they bestowed a couple of such violent blows as Antomedon was layd flat upon the crupper of his horse the blood gushing out at his mouth and eares and the great Soldan received such a stroak from Lucendus as rendred him in little better case then his fellow These terrible blows which probably should have been the cause of the Christians victory contrariwiâ—e exposed them to extream danger for these two great Warriours recovering themselves again and taking their swords in both hands advanced with so eager a desire of revenge that meeting with Filadart of Polonia and Gadart King of Hungaria they fell upon them with such a tempest as the one was cleft downe to the shoulders the other to the girdle which being soon perceived by Don Rogel he made with his best speed towards Antomedon upon whom he discharged so furiously as he quite dismounted him and put him in great danger of being trampled under the horses feet but being suddenly releeved by his friends he was by them immediately carried to his tent The retreat being known of these two mighty men it gave a fresh supply of courage to the Greeks
suddenly returning he hit him with his hooked beake so â—udely on the shoulders that the club of a mighty Gyant could not more cruelly have bruised his flesh This Champion desiring to vanquish his enemy who by no means would now come within the reach of his sword struck at him a thousand and a thousand times in vain where-with-all being very much wearied and finding how that was not the way to prevaile he held his sword close under his shield and watching the Monsters next stooping to catch hold on it he thrust up his hand with such fury that he ran him quite thorow and thorow laying him dead hard by him This trouble some combat which had lasted three houres being gloriously finished he sate him down on the grasse where the remembrance of his Mistris not permitting him to stay long he arose and made towards the Grot and in pursuit of his good fortune entring into it he felt so many strokes upon his shield and Helmet that he had much adoe to keep himself on his legs howbeit standing stifly to it and covering himself well with his shield he laid about him with his sword though he saw no body upon whom he could fasten a stroke yet feeling that he found resistance and that his blade did encounter Armour now he gave a downright blow then a thrust and bestirring himself with marvellous fury he still made way notwithstanding the more he advanced the more was he prest by his invisible enemies which so belaboured him that to his remembrance he never endured so much pain in all the combats he had fought before his courage that never knew what danger meant and that sought for glory in the greatest difficulties made him redouble his blows and goe on in despight of those he did not see till he saw himself freed from so furious a charge One would think now that our Knight had a great deale of reason to rest himself but the desire he had to find out his Mistresse made him goe on without any stay till he came to a great dore against the which he ran so forceably with his foot that it flew open and gave him entrance into a very spacious roome where at first sight he was taken with much wonder for in the middest of it a crystall Coffer appeared bordered about with twelve burning Torches and twelve huge Pillars that supported the whole edifice out of the which on a sudden issued as many dreadfull Salvages with each of them a mighty club in his hand who straight way assayled him on all sides but he received them in such manner that at the very first blow he layd one of them on the ground in case to doe him no harm any more and flying in amongst the rest he cut off three more almost by the waste whereat the others being nothing dismayed layd upon him like eight hammers upon an Anvill wherewithall he was so terribly battered as his very bones seemed to be broken within his flesh neverthelesse hoping for no worse successe than he had found in his former dangers he bestirred himselfe with such fury amongst them that he ran up one to the hilts cleft another to the girdle and the third had both his arms togither with his club sent to the ground This so sudden an execution encouraging him to doe better he valiantly pursued his good fortune but comming to want breath he went and leaned against one of the Pillars that so he might have them all before him to fight withall presenting them his shield on the one side and the poynt of his sword on the other he attended the approach of these furious and cruell creatures which in stead of assaulting him fell to make such horrible cryes that the very room shaked withall by this means having opportunity to rest himselfe hee continued about halfe an houre in that manner But pressed with desire to see the end of so many marvels he advanced towards these Salvages that with their clubs were ready to receive him and resolving either to dye or vanquish he cast his shield behind his back took his sword in both his hands and discharged it so dangerously upon one of them as he divided his body in two cleft another down to the shoulders and so terrified the rest that they began to run all up and down the room to avoyd the fury of his blade neverthelesse being at last overtaken with incredible paines two were overthrown dead upon the place and the last threw himselfe upon the great coffer of Chrystall where by signes he would have begged for life but Alcidamant was in such a rage that without taking heed to what he did he gave him so mighty a blow as having cut him in two peeces the poynt of his sword fell so rudely on the coffer that it broke it into a thousand peices whereupon there instantly ensued such a terrible clap of thunder that our Warriour fell down upon the floor quite voyd of judgement where having lyen some two houres as it were in a trance he arose without so much as feeling the least wearinesse of his passed labours and beheld instead of the coffer a guilt Cuirace enameled with red and green and garnished in many places withgreat Diamonds which rendred a marvellous lustre so excellent and of so high a valew as all the richest and bravest Armes that ever he had seen were nothing in comparison of this hard by was a most stately Helmet of the same mettall and colour as also a shield with the same device as was in his own the desire he had to possesse himselfe of these Armes pressed him so far that he was about to quit his own for to put them on but fearing some trick or inchantment he began to consider them with wonder and to observe them so narrowly as he perceived a scrole within the Cuirace wherein this was written in the French tongue Alcidamant make no difficulty to take these Armes for they are due to thy merit and above five hundred years before thy birth they were made for theeby the most excellent Magicians of the earth Verely said he then I have no reason to make any further doubt for my name that is here written and the devise of the shield may well assure me therewith doffing his own he put on that excellent armour which he found so fit for him that he was confident it was made for his service whereupon being armed at all poynts he looked round about him and perceiving a large Alley he entred into it hoping to crown his designes with a happy concsiluon CHAP. XLIV What hapned to the gentle Clarisel of Guindaya before he entred the Castle of Treasure C Larisel of Guindaya bing mightily vexed at the carrying away of his fairest Miralinda ran up and down so long till he discovered a woman in the hands of three Gyants who leading her tyed with cords made her goe very hastily along the violence of passion which beguiles the eyes of
men and that represents things unto them quite otherwise then they are perswading him that it was his beautifull Shepherdesse he cryed out O â—â— is it possible that I should behold her most inhumanely bound with cords which might captivate all the world Ah Madam these villaines shall not long continue the wrong they doe you for I will punish them so cruelly that if all the Gyants on the earth were assembled together they should learn what it were to lay hands on a creature of your merit stay wicked wretches and doe not thus tire so inestimable an excellence stay I say or else be sure that I will cut you into a thousand peeces whilst hee uttered these words love and fury lending him wings he ran with all his might and made such speed that within lesse then halfe an houre he saw himselfe upon the bank of a great pool and so neer those three Colossus as he had the means to discharge a blow on the Helmet of him that went hindmost with such fury that he cleft him down to the teeth At the noyse of this terrible stroak and the fall of that Gyant the other two that were before drew forth their heavie Fauchions and charged our valiant Warriour so rudely as they made him reel very much astonished three or foure steps back but instantly calling to mind that the safety of his Mistris was in question for whom hee would have fought with all the world together he instantly recovered himselfe and returning to his enemies he began to showre most horrible blows upon them both one after another neverthelesse they pressed him in such manner and their stroaks were so heavy and thick that if the armes he wore had not been framed by Vrganda without doubt he had been in very great danger This Combat having continued two houres with strange fury the Gyants were covered all over with bloud and wounds and Clarisel began to grow feeble by reason of the incredible travail which he had indured all the night long but drawing new forces from the greatnesse of his courage and the hope he had of delivering his fairest Mistress he took his sword in both his hands and with marvellous agilitie passing by two horrible blows that descended upon him at one instant he let his sword fal with such violence upon the shoulder of one of them as he opened him to the very girdle which possessing him that remained with more rage than fear he discharged on our Warriours shield with such fury as having beaten it against his head he made him knock his chin against his breast and set his knees to the earth where desiring to overthrow him quite he abandoned his great Curtelas and taking him between his mighty arms he gave him three or four terrible twitches neverthelesse the Knight being in spight of him risen up again setled himself well on his legs and laying very fast hold on him he began to bustle very strongly with him and put him so to it as he left him without hope of easily overcomming him This dangerous wrestling having continued an houre and better to the exceeding discontent of Clarisel who was vext to the heart that he could not prevail he became so furious as making use of all his force he thrust the Gyant in such sort that not able to make him let go his hold they went both to the ground where desire of vanquishing animating them alike they tumbled up and down so long together till they fell both into the Poole where being separated he knew not how our Warriour felt himself pulled by the feet as if he should be drawn into some precipice and indeed he found himself in a Cave where treading on the carkasses of men he was marvellously astonished for that he perceived not the water to be any longer over his head nor how he came there for casting his eye round about and perceiving neither Window nor doore he knew not what to think nor say at his being in so dark and hideous a place from whence he had little hope to get out Neverthelesse being uncapable of fear he went groping by the walls some twenty or thirty paces when as he chanced to hear most dreadfull hissings whereat making a stop he espied a furious Serpent of an unmeasurable greatnesse which scraping up the earth stared upon him with two terrible fiery sparkling eyes able to terrifie any other lesse confident than our Knight who being lighted by those two horrible torches quickly presented his shield to the clawes of the Monster and being guided by his good fortune he thrust him so just in one of his eyes that his sword entred three fingers deep into his head which caused him to make such strange leapes and cryes that all the place round about trembled again and provoked by the smart of his wound he flew with such fury at Clarisel as overthrowing him to the earth he set his teeth and clawes to his shield breaking it as easily in peeces as if it had been glasse and not contented therwith he plucked so violently at his Helmet as if he would have disarmed him for to devoure him when as the Knight full of assurance and judgement in the middest of such danger gave him so sore a hurt in the belly that feeling himselfe touched in this manner he made a skip up to the very roofe of the Vault and so suffered the Knight to arise suddenly which was to good purpose for him in regard that the dangerous creature lighting down presently made at him with such rage as he could not possibly choose but have gone again to the ground had he not warily declined him wherfore retiring aside with more agilitie than his wearinesse seemed to permit he let him passe by like lightning and desiring to make use of oportunitie he discharged so mighty a blow full upon the body of him as might well have divided an Anvile in sunder howbeit his sword returned without effect his scales being so hard that it did not so much as make any dint in them which at first somewhat amazed him Neverthelesse being ever most confident where most difficulty appeared he resolved to strike him no more in vain on the back but to try his belly and accordingly when this furious Serpent returned he couragiously attended him and beholding him raysed up on his tayle he thrust his sword so strongly at his breast that he ran him up to the very hilts yet could not that keep him from being overturned again to the earth by this terrible creature which in the pangs of death so crushed him with his clawes and the weight of his body as he thought he should have died before he could have cleared himselfe but the greatnesse of his courage would not suffer him to continue long in that manner for quickly ridding himselfe of so heavie a burthen he withdrew into a corner of the Grot for to let the Serpent dye which stormed so horribly as the Cave seemed to fall into
neverthelesse insensible of feare he gave him with all his force â— most terrible blow that cutting his shield in two constrained him to recoile five or six paces backward howbeit this Collossus quickly recollected himselfe and with a mighty Fauchion began to deale such horrible blowes as the least of them had been able to have cleft him down to the teeth if ever he had stood them but avoiding them all with admirable addresse he so mightily charged him both with point and edge as it had been a matter of great wonder to any that had beheld the precedent labours which he had undergone all the day before The Gyant stormed for that he could not fasten a stroak on him and casting forth a thick smoak at the visier of his Helmet hindred himselfe from seeing where his blows should light so that his Curtelas falling incessantly on the ground had cleft it in fourteen or fifteen places which put him into such infinite excess of rage that every thing about them trembled with the very sound of his horrible roaring Three long houres being spent in the first fury of this Combat the Gyant began to grow weary and weak and our Champion perceiving his advantage over him charged him afresh but seeing him dispute the victory still with him he took his sword in both his hands and struck his enemy so dangerously as he gave him a great wound in the arme making him to reele withall whereat he was so mad that resolving to determine the Combat he also tooke his heavy Scimiter in both his hands and making as though he would strike on the one side discharged with such violence on the other that Amadis being surprized therewith fell tumbling five or six paces off voyding a great deale of blood at his mouth This dreadfull blow having shewed our Warriour how dangerous it was to receive the like he arose so strangely transported with rage that this Colossus who did not think any thing in the world was able to strike him with the least touch of fear began to apprehend the fury of his enemies sword which descended with such a tempest on him as it opened him to the very wast sending him starke dead to the earth Having performed this to his infinite content he lift up his eyes to heaven to give thanks for the assistance he had received and wondring much at the strangenesse of those things he had lately seen he approached to the Gate which being open permitted him to behold a stately Court all plastered with Porphyrie â—â—per black Maâ—ble and Chryâ—â—all whereinto let us leâ—ve him with an extream desire to enter and let us speak of the 〈◊〉 which befell Griâ—â— the Salvage and Griâ—lâ—nis CHAP. XLVIII The Mervails which hapned to Griolanis and the Knight of the Salvage before their entrance into the Castle of Trâ—asure THe griefe wherin Griâ—lanis and Grian the Salvage were having made them travell six houres with incredible payn they met together comming out of athicket exceedingly vext for that they could not learn any news of the losse they had made hereupon having rested themselves a little they took the first way that presented it selfe unto them in which they went so long till they encountred certain very high wals at the fight whereof they were wonderfull glad hoping to hear somewhat of that they sought for having walked then about halfe an houre they perceived two Damosels upon the battlements of the wals unto whom Griolanis addressing himselfe spake in this sort Gentle-women if you be as courteous as faire tell us whether you saw any Ladies which were forceably carried away from us the last night in a Forest hereby Knights answered one of them we could soon let you see them you aske for if you were in this Garden but the way to come hither is so difficult that you shall not be able to obtayn that contentment if you be not the prime Knights of the earth Gentlewomen said Grain it were a vanity for us to be perswaded that we were any of those the best in the world but thus much we will promise that we wil with courage undertake that which a Knight may performe to come where you are though we should passe through hel to it wherfore we desire that you wil be pleased to shew us the way I know not said the Damosel whether your actions will be answerable to your words but to give you cause to adventure your selves look here said she shewing Penamonda of Greece and the gentle Adelazia at one of the cranies tyed with cords these I think are those you seek for they shall continue in this estate untill you free them from their bonds and save them from greater punishment which they are to suffer if your valour be wanting to them at this present What said the King of Corolandaya equally seized with joy and griefe shall we want courage in such an Enterprise Be assured Gentle-woman that we will be chopt into a thousand peeces rather then fayle in their need onely doe but tell us where we may get in Through a gate faid the Damosel which you shall find about an hundred paces from hence the same shall shew you two wayes let each of you take that where into his fortune shall direct him without returning for my consideration what soever Here upon these two valiant Champions advancing forward met with the Gate the Damosel spoke of and couragiously entring into it they discryed two little pathes the right Griolanis took and Grian the Salvage the left which lead him to a cave where a number of lighted torches hanging on the top of the roofe plainly discovered the ground unto him so covered with the poynts of swords pikes halbards and partizans standing upright that was impossible to make a step without treading on the sharpe steel which somewhat troubled him at the first neverthelesse being ashamed to make a stop at any difficulty having been so charged to the contrary by the Damosel he stoopst down to pull them up as the best meane to passe along but just as hee took hold of an Halberd it sprung out of the earth and hit him with such violence on the brest that it turned him over and over where withall being much incensed he arose set his foot in the voyd place where the halberd had stood and feixing with each hand the poynt of a sword felt himselfe hit as before with so great force that he had again been overthrown had he not stood stifly to it Having then room enough to place both his feet he was going on to doe as he had begun when as a mighty noyse suddenly rising he beheld all those poynts to come out of the ground the torches in an instant exringuished and without seeing any body felt himselfe charged with such a tempest as he was a long quarter of an hour on his knees being inforced to bow under an infirmity of heavie blows layd upon his shield his shoulders and his head but choosing death
by four strange creatures Into one of them hee made all the Princesses to enter with Cassandra who carried them to the I le of Corolandaya and bestowing himselfe in the other with all these Princes and Amazons to made towards Ethiopia where they arrived within three dayes after he perform the wonders which shall be related unto you in the Chapters following CHAP. L. Amadis of Gaule and his companions arrive in Ethiopia their resolution to passe through the Enemies Camp Rozalmond and his friends being separated from them surprise the strong Fort of Zeilan ALcanders Chariot having made way through the clouds for two dayes together the great Fowls that drew it abated their flight and lighted on the ground at the entrance into a Forrest where the reverend old man causing them to descond said unto them Brave Princes you are now arrived in Ethiopia where you are to employ your valour and awaken those forces which have been so long time asleep here you shall meet with the valiant Florisel of Niquea accompanied with all the young Princes of Greece their Allies and three hundred thousand men although he hath in the precedent battails lost two hundred thousand and above but the number of the Pagans is so great that notwithstanding the slaughter of foure hundred thousand men cut in peeces by the Christians they have yet above five hundred thousand remayning besides so many excellent Warriours as your presence is more then necessary at this time to arrest the fury of their Enterprises I refer all to your wisedoms take this way which will leade you directly to the enemies camp and managing your fortune wisely give her occasion to favour you These six Warriours the Authours of your deliverance shall follow you ere it be long but they are first to performe an enterprise of great conse quence to which end they must take this path of the left hand Having spoken this he mounted into his Chariot and was instantly carried out of sight whereupon these Princes dividing themselves to the great griefe of Alcidamant that was faine to part from his Trasiclea they began to march severall wayes Rozalmond and his companions having traversed the Forrest which was not very long met with a Peasant that discovering them would have fled away but Clarisel having staid him asked him why he was afraid Alas answered he I have more cause then would I had for I doubt you are some of our Princes enemies who lye in wait here for some surprise but surely you will loose your labour for your troops have so ravaged all about Zeidan that every body is fled into the woods and mountains here about for fear of falling into your hands I only am the unfortunate man who going to give advice unto our Emperour of taking in of that Town could not decline your encounter Honest friend said Clarisel unto him thou art much mistaken for we are Christians and such as would willingly serve thy Master who is a friend to the Princes of Greece I would advise you then said he to advance no farther forward the fields are all covered over with an hundred thousand men which after the surprise of Zeidan have layd siege to Goraxa one of the strongest Towns of this Empire and all the riches of the world could not ransome you out of their hands should they once lay hold on you which were great pitty for by your countenances you appear more than ordinary men God a mercy friend said Clarisel laughing for thy good opinion of us howsoever we doe purpose not to follow thy counsell so letting him goe they consulted together about the course they should hold and resolved to goe straight into Zeidan faining themselves to be Pagans cut the Garrisons in peeces and so restore that strong Town into Prigmaleons possession Riding on then after an hours travelling they presented themselves before the Gates which were presently opened unto them the Pagans never imagining that six Knights being enemies durst hazard themselves amongst eight thousand men that kept the place Neverthelesse Rozalmond which marched formost seeing himselfe within drew out his sword cleft the first to the teeth and flying among the rest left his companions to follow his example who desiring to shew as much force and courage began to make such a slaughter that threescore lay dead at their feet before the Town took the alarum but the hurt men running up and down with fearfull 〈◊〉 two thousand came suddenly in which falling furiously upon them thought to make an end of them in a trice but these incomparable Warriours that would not have been afraid of all the world together went and met them with such confidence as made the most couragious amongst them to tremble they ran up and down like lightning and keeping close one to another they slew so many that it was a most dreadfull sight to behold all the streets were covered with dead bodies The noyse increased the number of the enemies augmented and from every part came souldiers hurrying in which rendred the confusion more horrible An hour being spent in the fury of the first fight during the which sixteen hundred men had been massacred all the rest began to fly when as six Gyants appeared with three thousand men who seeing so much blood and murther could not beleeve it was done by the hands of six Knights alone howbeit perceiving their people to fall at their feet as often as the swords of these Knights descended they advanced all with such an excesse of rage as the fire flew out of their eyes Our Princes who perceiving rightly that the victory consisted in the death of those six Colossus beholding them arrive with fury incountred them with the like order and desiring to display the uttermost of their force in regard it so concerned them discharged upon their helmets with such a tempest that Rozalmond and Alcidamants opposites were cleft down to the girdle and the rest to the teeth which put such a terrour into their followers as they laboured to save themselves by flight but the Inhabitants of the Town rallying themselves and finding them in disorder charged them so rudely on the other side that their fear increasing they were all cut in peeces foure hundred onely excepted who betaking them to their heeles fled to the grosse of their Army and there so published the wonders which these Knights had done that they beleeved them to be Divels Whilst these six Princes were cryed up to heaven in the Town by the people who promised to maintain themselves for the time to come by the favour of their Walls and Fortifications Amadis of Gaule and his Companions having marched two dayes together and one evening discovered the enemies Camp were marvellously astonished to behold so many Pavillions and Tents that at first they wished for Alcanders Chariot to carrie them into the Citie but being courageous enough to make their passage thither with the sword they resolved to attend the break of day so
Pagans much more vexed at the hardinesse of these incomparable Warriors which were able to represse their fury then at the losse of three and thirty thousand men slaughtered in their Camp were at the supremest degree of rage but desiring some way of revenge they assembled in Falanzars tent who demanding their advise upon the consequence of another Battail with a proposition to send for Artogant and his Army but Bravorant King of Morimont the most redoubted Pagan of the earth rising up with Gorgophon that bit his fingers for spight to have met with enemies able to resist him he said unto him with a carriage that testified his rage Great Monarch when I consider that our troops are lesse by halfe than they were at our arrivall here I cannot choose but marvell either at our misfortune or at our enemies well managing of their wars their cunning is more than their courage their men are better than ours and it is too evident that numbers have stood us in little stead in our enterprises wherefore I hold it not fit nor will I counsell you to hazard the honour of Paganisme and the greatnesse of our hopes any more on the weaknesse of the armes of such a multitude of souldiers as we have which ordinarily faile us in our occasions and are the means to make their Captains lose the glory which otherwise they might obtain knew they but how to obey and fight You have here two hundred Knights as valiant as any the earth doth bear the meanest of which would make the most valorous of our enemies to faint embrace this as the best course propound a combat of an hundred to an hundred and in that manner decide our differences The Grecians are rash enough to undertake it trusting in the force of thirty or forty amongst them whom they not a little valew but I am confident that you will this way obtaine the victory whereof we are else like to fayl if by past successe we may probably conjecture of that which is to come Your advice is such and so good answered Falanzar that I resolve to follow it if the rest of these Princes here are of our opinion Mighty Emperour said Gorgophon then proceed on boldly for I will undertake that not one of this assembly but is desirous to spare the blood of so many men as infallibly would be spilt if we should be so wilful as to meet the enemy once more in open field wherefore cause a challenge to be drawn as soon as you please and let the conditions of the combat be that you shall be Lord of this Empire if the victory be ours or that we will dislodge with all our troops and leave it still in their possession if fortune shall favour them This said all the Princes rising up as it were to authorise Gorgophons speech Falanzar sent this which followeth to be presented to the Grecian Princes by Gedereon King of Arginaria The great Emperour and Caliph of Siconiaes challenge to the Princes of Greece THE pitty which we have of our people and the horrour of so many dead bodies that we have seen lying in these fields inducing us to prefer their welfare before our own fafety doth oblige us to conserve it with the hazard of our lives In which regard we have sent to present you with a combat of an hundred Knights against alike number of ours so to determine all our differences with the victory of the one or the other party consult with your courages and forces and let us know whether the world doth commend you with reason The King of Arginaria our Embassadour having absolute power from us to dispose of the conditions of this fight you may take his ingagement for all our combattants and send us a like assurance of your parts The excellent King of great Britain unto whom all the rest of the Princes referred themselves having read this challenge turned him to Gedereon and said King of Arginaria you may behold the answer that is to be returned you in the countenances of these Warriors which are here assembled there is no need of further advising with them about it they testifie sufficiently that their desire and yours is one and the same wherefore not to hold you longer in suspence we say that we are contented with the number you have chosen and with the conditions you propound for the possession of this Empire though you have no right at all unto it but if our ill fortune takes it from us we have three or four others to recompence our Son Prigmaleon withall whereupon the Emperour of Aethiopia having protested to performe whatsoever Amadis had agreed unto the Secretary was called to write this The King of great Brittaines answer to Falanzar Emperour and Caliph of Siconia WEE are no lesse tender of our people than you and your resentment that way seems so just unto us that never sticking at the right you have to claim the Crown of the Empire wee are very well contented to set it upon the end of a Launce before the Judges of the Combat which you demand and wherunto We agree to be performed betwixt our two Camps five dayes hence with the same assurance as you have given us And because the election of the Arms is in Us We choose those which are usuall with Knights Errant and in the mean time Wee will make a truce for foure dayes The King of Arginaria returning with this answer all the Pagans were marvellously astonished at the name of Amadis of Gaule whom they thought had been dead long before and understanding that he was the chief of them that had made way thorow their Camp with so great a slaughter they beleeved that so many Princes were resussitated to torment them eternally neverthelesse their own pride perswading them that the earth could not contain men that could resist them Falanzar caused a List to be drawn up of those that were to Combat and never going about to give them reasons for to render them the more courageous he sent them away to their Tents there to take order that their Horses and Armes might be well fitted for this furious fight Let us give them time to make their preparations and recount the brave actions performed by the Martarians You may remember that the Emperour of Martaria being made a Christian departed from Corolandaya with Persides of Greece Floridan of Persia Lucibel of France his Sons-in-law and gentle Sestilian of Spain servant to the fairest Agiliana Princesse of Arbales to carry succours to the Princes of Greece This great Monarch desiring to manifest his zeale to the glory of the new God which he adored and the esteem that he made of the Princes of Constantinoples allyance being fortunately arrived in his own Empire made forth Commissions caused an hundred thousand Horse and threescore thousand Foot to be levyed bestowed most part of the Infantrie in five or six Frontier Towns and levying twenty thousand Horse and thirtie thousand Foot under
Media against Barcandor Fulgoran against the gentle Knight Armorand Don Silves against the generous Alceus the Knight of the Sun against Bucarguant Belianis against Brizardan and all the rest sought so well that four hours were spent before it could be discerned to whom the victory would incline but Rozalmond and Alcidamant seeing it was time to display the uttermost of their forces by some remarkeable blows discharged with such force the one upon Bucarguant who had left the Knight of the Sun almost senslesse and the other on Barcandor his brother as they cleft them down both to the teeth and continuing in this rage Alcidamant cut the Soldan of Circassiaes head in peeces and Rozalmond the King of Gedrosiaes The death of these four mighty Pagans being accompanied with the slaughter of sixteen Gyants and of Alâ—rban Danizel Argilles and Rodismond the number of the Infidels began to diminish which perceived by Bravorant Gorgophon Roussardan Fierasâ—on Marisgolfe the grand Salvage Antomedon Typheus Marmaran and the proud Knight Arastron they discharged such horrible blows upon their enemies that having hurt them all very dangerously they fell in with such fury amongst the Christians as the valiant Anaxartes was cut in peeces by Bravâ—rant Argantes Emperour of Germany by Gorgophon Lindâ—â—â—â—t King of Rhodes by Roussardan Olidor of Siramque by Fieraston Anazander King of Dardania by Marisgolfe Floridan his brother by the grand Salvage the remayning Câ—nophale by Antomedon Liscâ—â—d King of Siconia by Typhâ—â—s Grandimer by Marmoran and the gentle Dorigel Lord of the fortunate Hands by Arastron wherewith the Princes of Greece were so displeased as Rozalmond Alcidamant Amadiâ— of Trebisond Claâ—â—sel Grian Grioâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 â—erâ—ides Claridâ—an and Belâ—â—â—â— having incountred them vowed never to leave them till they had revenged their deaths whereupon the combat renewed with more cruelty than before wherein Arlanges of Spain Arlantes his sonne Cassiaâ—â—s and the Duke of Laâ—azo were likewise slain But Amadis of Gaule Amadis of Greece Florisel of Niquea the knight of the Sun Rosicler Poliphebo Don Eleno of Dacia and Lucibel of France joyning together began to run over the field with such rage that having layd nine Gyants dead at their feet namely Radamant the cruell the strong Pandaro Razartes Coriander Artiliâ—n Gedereon King of Arginaria Rindar Broncaldion King of the Arcofibrats and Meliander the rest were cut in pieces together with Artogant who dyed by the hand of the Knight of the Sun so that of the hundred Pagan Knights there remained no more but the mighty Bravorant Gorgophon Roussardan the grand Salvage Furiander Typhaeus Antomedon Fierastron Marisgolf Marmaran Arastron Brizardan Policastaleon Astrurion Soldan of Brutacan with whom Don Rogel had fought all day without any advantage the generous Alcaeus and the gentle knight Armorand who by no means induring any speech of rendring themselves combatted like desperate men but having continued fighting almost two houres after the rest they were fain at length to fall at the feet of their enemies more voyd of bloud than of courage The Victory being thus gloriously obtained the Judges went and parted the ten Amazons sent them out of the field with equall honour and causing those sixteen famous Pagan knights to be conveyed into the Citie that their wounds might with the more care be looked unto the Christian Princes were marching out of the Lists in triumph with the Emperour of Martaria who greatly rejoyced at their good fortune when as they perceived the Enemies troops ranged in battell array under the conduct of the great King of Maâ—ritania Zazifalt and Monomatapan to make towards them for to refcue the Pagan knights out of their hands whereat being marvellously incensed they put themselves in the head of their Squadrons and fell in upon them with such fury as the Pagans wanting valiant and skilfull Leaders began within lesse than an houre to betake themselves to flight wherupon our Souldiours were so encouraged that imitating their renowned Commanders they made such a terrible maâ—saere as the ground for foure leagues about was covered all over with dead bodyes and that which rendred the defeat yet greater and more horrible was the Sea which hemmed them in almost on every side so that since the Creation of the world so great a slaughter was never seen for of foure hundred and three score and sixteen thousand men the remainder of so prodigious an Army scarce fifteen hundred escaped and that by the benefit of the night The Christian Princes seeing themselves absolutely victorious returned into the Citie where they found that they had lost of personages of marke Luâ—â—ndâ—â— Anaxâ—â—tes Argantes Emperour of Germanie Melindus King of Cloton the Cenophâ—â—es Floâ—ariaâ— of Thrace Luceneio Lâ—cidâ—mor Florâ—nio Emperour of Rome Filizel of Montespin Don Flores of Greece Zair Filin Artaurus 〈◊〉 of Rhodes Arlanges of Spain Arlantes his son Dorigel of the fortunate Ilands Golâ—â—â— his Wife young Leodâ—â—â—â— the valiant Trâ—ilâ—â— Grandâ—â—â—â— the Duke of 〈◊〉 Floridan of So pradiza Perion of Turkie Florestan of Sardinia Cassianus Anaxander King of Dardania Floradin Gelodan Prince of Moldavia Alettha Oriander King of Sardamira Oroncius Alvida the Queen Castora the King of Catay Rozaphar Parmenian of Cyprus Garmantes Don Smaldo and Tymbres of Egypt wherof some were slain in the Combat the rest in the battell much were they grieved for their deaths and with many tears did they lament them but they were comforted for that they dyed in the bed of honour and that also the principalls had been preserved from the fury of so bloudy a day for which having rendred humble thankes unto heaven they gave order for the curing of the wounded and solemnizing the Funerals of the deceased with all kind of pomp and magnificence CHAP. LIII The Pagan Knights are delivered Alcidamant Amadis of Trebisond and Rozalmond are crowned Emperours of Tramazond Martaria and Gardacia The separation of all these Princes THE Pagan Knights being mad with rage for the slaughter of so many Kings and valiant Gyants that had kept all the world in awe but much more for that they were vanquished by their enemies would not suffer the Chirurgians to dresse their wounds desiring rather that a speedy death might free them from the miserie of a long expected captivitie which being declared unto the King of great Brittain he went the next day to visit them and knowing that whatsoever he should doe would be authorized by the Christian Princes having found them all in a room together he said unto them Knights I imagine that if fortune had favoured your designes and that we had been in your power as now you are in ours you would have taken pleasure to have made us suffer unworthy things for the satisfaction of your revenge but we will let you see that the Princes of Greece are gentlier disposed that they love not slaughter nor bloud neither doe at any time shed it but when as they are obliged therunto either for the maintenance of the order of Knighthood
blowes I will still be the last if I may to retyre Behold great Kings the Emperour of Mellyes designes together with mine freely discovered let us now understand your minds to the end we may know from whom we may expect to be succoured in so just and glorious an enterprise It is usual with men to differ in opinion upon the proposition of any matter whatsoever The most part of these Princes and especially they which desired to seek for glory in bloud and slaughter found this designe to be generous howbeit the rest who weighed all things with a more mature deliberation thought it not fit to be imbraced Falanzar required a generall advice but because they could not speak all at once every man cast his eye upon the King of Cabilla a man of age and experience and desired him to answer for them all who after he had often refused to deliver his opinion before so many Emperours and Princes that were far more eminent in greatnesse than himself at length spake in this manner The King of Cabillaes answer to Falanzar GReat Monarch the Designe you propound is very generous full of zeale for the glory of our Altars and for the honour of our Crowns but it is no lesse difficile than great and when I consider the mischiefes that follow Wars whereof the event is ever doubtfull I neither can authorise nor will counsell you to follow it You attempt most redoubted enemies that were never beaten either abroad or at home all together or apart and that know so well how to manage their affaires as they will make an Elephant of a Rat and so favoured of Fortune that when a man thinks them at the lowest of the wheele hee shall be sure to find them on the top Our Predecessors have many times covered the fields of Greece with an infinitie of men Have they thereby abated their greatnesâ—e Nay â—ather they have augmented it and their own defeat hath served to render them more more glorious If you will call to mind the mighty assemblies which the progenitors of the great Duke of Muscovy that now hears me have heretofore made or that furious voyage of Aleppo where it was believed that all the earth would tremble at the very sight of our Standards but not to go so far if you will consider that here are now present many Successours of a number of Princes slaine in these last expeditions rashly undertaken for the King of Canabea who at length proved to be their Kinsman and for the young Emperour of Ethiopia whom love hath turned enemie to his owne gods without doubt you will not so lightly precipitate year selves nor forsaking the rest you so quietly enjoy will you go and seek out travells whose recompence is but ill assured the Descent to hell is easie so is not the return we may carry a million of men into their Territories but how many of them can we say that we shall save from the fury of their swords I know that revenge is sweet but I condemne those that desire it when they are not able to obtain it Nor dâ—e I speak this because I misdoubt the valour of our Knights and of so many Gyants as we have whose forces are extream but figure 〈◊〉 your selves I pray you Prigmalion Fulgoran and the brave Bastard of Media in the heads of an hundred thousand Horse cutting our squadrens in peeces represent unto your selves Florisel of Niquea Don Rogel of Greece Spheramond Emperour of the Parthians as three furies amongst our Troops and fifty Princes of their blood nothing inferiour to them in valour overthrowing all that ever they meet withall besides have you not heard of those two invincible Champions Alcidamant and Rozalmond whose blows are no lesse violent then lightning Aske of the mighty Gorgophon who hath seen and encountred them in armes what is to be expected from their fury Demand of the redoubted Brizardine Soldan of Aralafia and of the brave Arastron whom here you behold or rather of me alas Demand I say what they thinke and what I beleeve concerning the valour of a young Amadis who in the Empire of Martaria that went disguised in the habit of a mayden Slave they are witnesses of his force and for my part I can tell to my ever lasting griefe that his blows are so many tempests under the fury whereof I have seen Rifantes who might justly vaunt himselfe to be one of the best Knights of the world cleft down to the shoulders but to goe further yet what thinke you of the famous Knight of the Salvage who fils all the earth with wonder or of a young Shepherd called Clarisel before whom the strongest Gyants have fallen are not they to be feared Or will the Jncounter of the valiant King of Corolandaya and a thousand more that I could name whose swords would be so many thunderbolts on the heads of our friends leave you in assurance of victory Verely me thinkes J see our Souldiers already tumbling into the Sea at the landing of our ships I see them some cut off by the middle others divided in twain and all of them bathing in a River of blood Wherefore J will never conclude for war â—or counsell you to be Authour of their destruction for it is a greater glory to preserve then to conquer a people Hewbeit if they should prove so aâ—dacious as to come hither for to see how our Crowns would become their heads then would J speake no longer of rest but would be the the first in the field and let the world know it was not the feare of death made me produce these reasons which I have delivered to perswade you that a certaine peace is better than an uncertaine victory This discourse very powerfull and maintained with the experience of things having put them all in suspence every one began to consider the consequence of this design when as Roussardan the furious King of Grisalara rose up and casting a disdainfull look on the King of Cabilla turned him to Falanzar saying GReat Emperour of Sciconia the advice which the King of Cabilla gives you is indeed very fit for him that prefers his pleasures before glory but most pernicious for a Prince that desires to render himselfe greater by his owne vertue than by the possession of States and I wonder that so many excellent Knights wherewith this place is replenished could all this while indure such prating as hath done nothing but undervalew us he bâ—asts the power of our enemyes as if ours were lesse and measuring every ones arme by his owne which is unable to support more then one Scepter would perswade us that those of the Christians are stronger and their swords better edged than ours but we should prove as cowardly as he to belâ—â—ve him and it would for ever hereafter be a shame unto as if we should nâ—w retire upon so unworthy a consideration I agree with him that the effect of War is doubtfull nor will I deny but