TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVL AND HIS APPROued good friend Maister Frances Young of Brent-pelliam in the County of Hertfort Esquire and to the most kinde Gentlewoman and my Mistresse Susan Young his louing wife and my Mistresse as much happinesse wisheth as their owne hearts can desire SHould I right worshihful as flatterers are woont to doe set downe a Catalogue of your commendations and enter into a Laborinth of loue toward you I know your wits so good that you would quickly espie it and I confesse mine owne nature such as I hartily hate My present purpose then at this time is neither to rehearse your many stinde fauours which I knowe you rather loue priuately to enlarge then listen publikely to heare laide open nor report mine owne vnthankfulnes which I am sorie hath beene so much yet you will forget although it were farre more bui as a dutifull remembrance of both these though not able to be shadowed in one subiect yet sufficient in your conceits I know being but in part acknowledged I send you this honourable Historie of Prince Palmerin of England which cost mee no more paiues in writing then I hope it will be pleasing to you in reading The Epistle This first part is but to relish your tast how yee can like of such worthy Knights loues and memorable aduentures whereof at my last being with you in the Countrie I sawe yee vse no mislike Then finding such gentle entertainment as I make no question of the second part shall bee with you very speedily after So committing your worship and my sweete Mistresse your wife to the heauenly protection I remaine yours to my vttermost ⸪ A. Munday TO THE LADIES AND GENTLEVVOMEN OF ENGLAND THE Authour wisheth such a courteous moderation in iudgement that his labours be not hastily reproched nor hatefully receiued AMong the best choyse of flowers faire Ladies all are not sweet where is most varietie of Medicine some are not soueraigne so amongst all the conceits you shall finde in this Booke all are not pithie though the most pretie When the Lion roareth the Lamb trembleth when the Captaine taketh his Lance the Coward ferareth his life euen so the brauery of the learned is so great a blemish to him that hath little that he feareth to proceede not daring to step a foot without a pardon Such are the ingenious inuentiōs right noble minded and courteous Ladies so plentifully sent to your perusing that were it not the bountiful respect of your gentle iudgements did assure me to taste of your friendly fauour I should conuert my studies into so great despaire as the verie thought were sufficient to kill him that dieth euery houre fearing displease But as mercy doth alway accompany your noble sexe and mildnesse represse any cholerick chance so know I that rigor cannot dwell where is no desire reuenge but as of all men are faultie I shall be forgiuen for company Your most bounden by dutie A. M. In lucubrationes A. M. Epigramma R. W. VT legi placuit nec enim placuisse mireris Namque tuum nomen fronte libellus habet Laudo animum cupioque tibi sint saepe labores Grati suecumbas ne mala verba ferens Nomines Indoctos doctosque reuoluera scripta Indoctique cito fulmen ab ore venit Sed tu perge tamen tipis ornare libellos Persoluent sumptum gloria fama decus Quaeso feras animo patienti me tibi calcar Addere currenti sum tuus esto meus R. W. THE FIRST PART OF THE NO LESSE RARE THEN EXCELLENT AND stately History of the famous and fortunate Prince Palmerin of England CHAP. I. How Don Edward sonne to Fredericke king of England hauing obtained in marriage faire Flerida daughter to the Emperor Palmerin of Constantinople returneth home againe into England and going on hunting lost himselfe in the vnfortunate Forrest of great Brittaine by pursuing an inchated Bore which brought him to the Castle of the Giant Dramufiande where he remained Prisoner a long time AFter that Don Edward sonne to the aged Fredericke king of England had finished his long desired marriage with Flerida daughter to the renowned Palmerin d'Oliua Emperour of Constantinople not onely to his owne good liking but also to the content of his friends and familiars he tooke his voyage from the Empire of Greece as it is at large mentioned in the booke entituled Primaleon of Greece toward the realme of England accompanied with the Princesse Flerida his espoused Lady beside a traine méete to attend on so puissant a person as the Prince was Being arriued at the English Court to the no little ioy of the Knights Father and great delight of his kinsfolke and friends they were welcommed as beséemed their royall estates and ioyfully receiued to their hearts content It chaunced in short space after the Princesse Flerida waxed great with childe a thing of no small comfort to the aged king nor of little pleasure to the young Prince Now is the tediousnesse of their trauaile the wearisome labour of their long iourney cleane cast out of remembrance as of no account and the ioyfull Prince Don Edward deuiseth each dainty delight and each gallant attempt that either might procure the Princesse to pleasure or by any meanes giue her occasion of pastime And for because the pinching pangs which alway frequentetth one in her case might either cause doubt of her good deliuery or daunger in her well doing her person being somewhat ouercharged with sickenes the young Prince was as carefull in preuenting such ill chaunce as circumspect in prouiding to shunne any such chaunge Leaning the Court he walked with her in Prograce through the Forrest of England for that he supposed the sight of the spreading Trées and pleasant passages through the grassy groues would be an occasion of the vnminding her former fits and driue out of memory the sudden assaults that were incident vnto her féeble nature vsing himselfe very pleasantly and calling himselfe Iulian the more to encrease her mirth All this while remained the aged King in his Pallace where the English Prince being armed cast his eyes on the portrait of Gridonia hauing by her side a Lion and a tender infant the sight whereof was of such maruailous estimation in his conceiued thought both by the shew of beautie he held and shape of bountie he iudged in her that hée abandoned his naturall Countrey to trie his good fortune against the couragious Knight Primaleon For the more certaintie whereof you may at large peruse the effects of his valiancie in the discourse of his memorable aduentures and concerning the fortunate procéeings which passed betwéene them aswell the prowesse of the one as valure of the other I must needes say it was such and of so great authoritie as it bare the title of perfect magnanimitie But returne we to our matter The Princesse Flerida perceuing the courteous care and diligent endeuour that her royall spouse Don Edward vsed for her greater delight so louingly
down into hatred What regard haddest thou of a Princesse thy selfe being a poore Pesant Or what estimation hadst thou of modestie to mooue so great offence in thy gracious Mistresse whose loue was the only state of thy life and whose fauour was the flower of thy prosperitie Ah sweet Ladie on your courteous pitie let passe my presumption and what hath been more then dutie impute to may rude behauiour which your clemencie may both punish and pardon And yet my good Ladie if you respect my trusty seruice with the constant loyaltie I haue alway borne to your Soueraigntie my fault committed rashly deserueth no such repulse in that this ingratitude is too much for you to shew and more then I can any way suffer For if you regard your owne beauty with the stayed assurance of your seruants bountie you shall perceiue my words to bee for your honour and not worthie any hate in that I will preferre your name aboue all Ladies in noblenesse And yet am I contented to abide your hard doome and according to your pleasure wast my daies in distresse till either you will mooue you to recant or my spotlesse loyaltie to relieue my mishap which the longer you deserre the more is my dolor and you remaining obstinate my paines are helpelesse but that your gentlenes giueth me hope your displeasure shall end with my eternall delight Thus hauing finished his complaintes he drew neare to the Castle where by good hap he heard the sound of Musicke which gaue him occasion to enter further And comming to a great Hall he espyed in one of the corners one sitting all in blacke with a fair long Beard and a very graue countenance shewing by his sad complexion that he had more minde to moane then to any myrth Palmerin would not as yet enter any further least he should break off his quiet exercise which was in singing many sadde Dittyes to his Lute that himselfe had framed in the prayse of his Ladie Palmerin hauing heard what singular reports he gaue his Ladie as that none might compare with her for beautie and brauerie was very much offended in that hee esteemed all Ladyes as counterfeite to his fayre Polynarda wherefore hee brake off the Knightes Sonnet with this kinde of Salutation Me thinkes Syr you either want manners or modestie to glorie in your Lady as thought there were none her like Syr your late comparison hath vrged me to great choller for that my Ladie is aboue all in beautie and for honour of her Name beside beyond all in Noblenes of Nature and therefore worthie all praise because she is superiour to any The auncient Knight seeing one entred vpon him so suddenly and to correct his pleasures with such sharpe words aduanced himselfe towards him with this answer Syr Knight your bolde entraunce into this place with the great offence you haue offered my person may happe to be set at so deare a price as shal cost the Blood you would be loath to spare Is there anie to bee equall with my Lady who is not méete to beare the comparison of any whose very remembrance maketh me liue in vnspeakable tormentes If thou darest stay till I am Armed I will make thée eyther denye thy bragges or buye my Ladyes honour with the losse of thy life and breath And I will so reward this thy presumption as shall teach thée thy dutie and winne me my hearts desire Syr said Palmerin cease these words and execute your wrath if I haue spoken any thing to your displeasure reuenge your selfe and there an ende The auncient Knight withdrewe himselfe into a Chamber where as his Esquire presently Armed him Palmerin went foorth where he mounted on Horsebacke and attended his comming At length came foorth the Knight attired in blacke Armour bearing in his Shield the portraite of griefly Death lying on a Toomb couered all with blacke Vsing no more words they fell straite to fight eache of them behauing themselus very valiantly but the Knight of Death was at length throwne to the earth Then dealing a while togither with their Swoords Palmerins lucke was so fortunate that he ouercame his enemy then comming to him and taking off his Helmet he entred into these spéeches Loe Sir Knight contrary to your expectation you are become my Prisoner Now must you gainsay what before you haue boldly said in extolling your Lady aboue her whoÌ„ I honour or prepare your selfe to the extreame rigour of death To whom the Knight of Death replyed Syr well may you estéeme your valoure and make account of your victorie in that you haue foyled him who had good hope neuer to be dismayed by any But concerning the harde choyce you put me to eyther to denye my Ladie or to leaue my life Suffice your selfe in this that no rigor can constraine me no not the death it selfe may or shall compell me for I rather choose to abide your cruâ—lty then I will offer my Ladie so great discourtesie this is my answer take it as you please Palmerin comparing the loyaltie of the Knight with the constancie of his owne Loue and his affection to be as surely planted as was the earnest desire in himselfe satisfying himselfe with the Conquest called Syluian and departed The Knight of Death returning into his Castle where he was carefully tended and looked vnto by his Esqâ—yre greatly contemning his fortune in that he was so suddenly foyled CHAP. XIX ¶ Here shall you vnderstand who was the Knight of Death that the renowned Palmerin of England had conquered and what was the cause he remained in his solitary Castle IT is registred in ancient Hysâ—ories that in Sardignia sometime Raigned a King named Euandrin who espowsed Quéene Emeralda Daughter to the Duke Armian of Normandie and Sister vnto the Noble Duke Drapos This King had one onely Sonne who was named Floraman of no lesse expertnes of capacity then Knightly behauiour in courage which made him liked of all that saw him loued of all yâ— knew him It so chaunced that this Floraman growing to ripenesse of yeares became enamoured of Altea Daughter to the Duke Charles of Cicilia who was subiect to the King Euandrin so that betwéene these twaine was ioyned such a league of perfect good liking and such a mutuall consent of faithfull loue that they supposed neither any accident could hinder their determination nor any extreamitie â—euer their plighted promise But as Fortune is enemie to the hauty courage and prepareth her malice against the well meaning minde so this Loue could not please the King his Father but by all meanes he could thought still to preuent it When the King perceiued he could hardly reclaime his Sonne but that his affection still increased to faire Aâ—tea he sent her home to the Duke her Father meaning to matche his Sonne to Adriana the Quéene of Cicilia whom Floraman denied to loue or in this to grant to his Fathers minde but rather endeuoured to follow his Lady whose absence procured the
minds They being in some doubt to gaine the ouerthrow suddenly entred the field Platir Floraman Francian Germaine of Orleance Vernar Polinard with others so that as then began the brauery of the fight which as it was well worthy past not without notable praise and the English Knights came still afresh to fiercely on them that the GreciaÌ„ Knights were through néere constraint vrged to retire But behold on a sudden to aide the Grecian Princes there entred thrée strange Knights very brauely mounted the first of them bearing in his shield on a grouÌ„d of sand the God Saturâ—us compassed about with Starres the second had for his deuise in a gréene field the Image of the House of Sadnes the â—hird would not haue his Shield knowne and therefore bare it couered These thrée séeing how the English Knights preuailed maruellously in their resistance couched their Speares and ran among the thickest of them whom to the great danger of both sides began a fierce battaile so that Vernar Tremoran Teneâ—rant and others were faine to be carried out of the field they were so sore wounded In like manner were diuerse of the English side till the Reâ—â—eite was sounded when the Prince Gracian with his company retired into his Campe and the English Knights conducted the Emperour and the King into the Pallace where sweet musicke and other delightfull exercises ioyned them all friends in their former vnity CHAP. XLVII How the three Knights that came to the Tournament were knowne to be the Knight of the Sauage man the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley and Blandidon And how Aliart discouered in the presence of all the Princes how Palmerin of England and Florian of the Forrest were the sonnes of the noble Don Edward and the Princes Flerida for proofe whereof he brought the Sauage man and his wife who had nourished the two young Princes so long in their Caue into their presence by whom this great ioy was fully confirmed WHen the Triumph was ended and the Emperour with King Fredericke returned into the Pallace the Tables were ready prepared when immediately they sate downe to take their repaste being seiâ—ed in such honorable and comely order as the princes were greatly in loue with the court of England Against supper was done the King gaue in charge that the Knights should prepare themselues to the dancing which done a sumptuous Banquet should presently be serued on the tables The Dancing and the Banquet finished and they sitting pleasantly ieasting one with another they entred the Hall the thrée Knights who had behaued themselues so brauely in the Tournament Many desired to come néere them because they would know of whence they were but to hinder their intents such a mist on a sudden arose in the Hall as the lights were dimmed the Torches burned very scarcely and the Ladies being dismaied caught their Knights in their Armes To put them out of this feare the mist departed and the Hall was as cleare as it was before when straight way they beheld in the middest a Lion and a Tiger enduring a great fight together and to set them at vnitie there entred a faire Damosell with a golden rod in her hand wherewith she touched them both and they humbled themselues at her féet This done shee departed and they arose againe in the forme of two fierce and vntamed Bulles which caused such an astonishment to all the beholders that they wished themselues to be foorth of the Hall But the Knights séeing their Ladies so greatly discouraged perswaded them that it was but some deuise artificially prouided for the delight of the Emperour but they would hardly beléeue them because the two Bulles fought so vehemently the one against the other and being ouercharged with wearines of fight fell to the ground breathing from their mouthes an horrible and ougly blacke smoke as was before The Hall auoided of all these accidents and in the same estate it was at first they might behold that thrée Knights with their heads vnarmed so that he who would not haue his shield known was found to be the gentle Knight of the Sauage man who presently went to the king and kneeling downe kissed his hand with these words My gracious Soueraigne I earnestly intreate at your hands this Knight may receiue the courteous entertainement your Grace will afford him at my request for this is the Sage Aliart your Maiesties most affectionate seruant to whom your griefe hath been so displeasant that he thought himselfe not in perfect quietnesse till he might manifest his humble deuoite to your Grace King Fredericke who had often heard report of the Sage Aliart by reason of the renowne and fame was spred abroad of him stoode in a doubt how it should bee hée because his youthful yeeres was much vnlikely to embrace so great cunning and learning as was euery where famed of him neuerthelesse giuing credit to the Knight of the Sauadge man hée embraced him with these salutations Certainely sir Aliart I am bound in duty to make good account of you as well for your vertuous dealings which doth iustly deserue it as also for bringing me my Fatherlesse Knight inso sound and good disposition of health wherein you haue not onely honoured me but likewise approoued the vnspotted faith of your Knighthood My gracious Lord answered Aliart the desire I haue to manifest the loialtie of my seruice vrgeth me to this opinion that might I liue neuer so long I could not accomplish so much as duty doth require in me respecting the great friendship I haue found at your Graces hand vndeserued But maâ— I vnder your Soueraigne pardon presume to disclose so great a secrete as shall both content your Highnesse as also this illustrious assembly The King supposing some glad tydings toward requested all the Princes to vouchsafe their audience when being euery one quietly placed to their owne content Aliart humbling himselfe to the Princesse Flerida began as followeth Madame it were hard for me to distinguish betwéene your extreame griefes passed and the swéete solace you enioy at this present for albeit this is to be thought beyond comparison yet in time when you were heauie your wofull complaints were equally as vehement as they that were priuie to their aduerse case could easily beare with the vrgent cause But referring long discourse of matter you are to estéeme your selfe highly honoured by this no lesse hauty then happy and famous Knight of Fortune who for your sake hath suffered the annoiance of paine in recompence of the dangerous trauaile you sustained for him at such time as you were deliuered of two Children in the vnfortunate Forrest when your Lord had left you For when the Sauage man had taken him and this redoubted Knight your Sonne Florian his Brother to sacrifice them to the rauenous iawes of his gréedy Lions pittie so pierced the heart of his poore and louing wife that shée saued them from the bloody slaughter and nourished them as carefully as she did this other
who is her owne Childe And Madam let not be forgotten the wordes sir Pridos rehearsed vnto you at such time as you had lost both husband and children which was reported to him by the Ladie Argonida for loe at this instant her promise is accomplished your noble Lord Don Edward is restored and your two lost sonnes safe and sound recouered whose Knightly valure hath sufficiently discharged the sorrowe that then your afflicted person suffered The Knight of Fortune is your Sonne Palmerin to whom you gaue that name in honour of the Emperour Palmerin your Father who by the meanes of the Knight Polendos receiued your son into his Court when he likewise caused him to be tearmed by his owne name And this aduenturous knight of the Sauage man is your other Sonne which according to the place of his birth you called him Florian of the Forrest him haue you nourished brought vp by your motherly care albeit he was knowen to you for no other then a straunger Thus to knit vp your former ioy I thought good to presume so farre as to make you partners of that which was not knowen to any but onely God and my selfe The Princesse Flerida and Don Edward wel viewing one an other were suddenly rauished with such an inward ioy as it is impossible for me to giue iudgement thereon then Palmerin and Florian came imbraced each other which moued the king and all there present vnto such delight that they could not conceale the great pleasure they conceiued whereupon the king entred into these words Trust me Syr Aliart these newes were altogether vnlookt for at this present albeit they haue béene earnestly desired long before this time but yet doe me the fauour to certifie me how you are assured of that which you haue giuen foorth for a manifest troth it may be here are some that dare hardly aduenture to beléeue it If I should my good Lord answered Aliart fable in such a case I were well worthy such seuere punishment as is due to him that should falsely informe a Prince But neuerthelesse to giue you the better assurance thereof marke what shall ensue and then answere how you are satisfied Then drewe hée foorth a little Booke whereon hauing read a prettie while the Sauage man and his Wife entred the Hall who had nourished Palmerin and Florian so long in theyr Caue when presently the two Princes beholding them went and imbraced them both with great courtesie the the like did Siluian who hauing learned more ciuility in court then when he remained with his Father in the Caue knéeled downe vnto them as was his duetie The Princesse Flerida receiued such excéeding ioy that shée imbraced them both very louingly and Palmerin thinking it great dishonour to him to be vnmindfull of his nurses that had vsed him so gently tooke them by the hand and brought them before the King giuing him to vnderstand that they twain had deserued a good reward in recompence of the great affection his Brother he had found at their hands The King taking them from the ground in his armes promised that their labour should be honorably rewarded so lifting his eyes vp to heauen he vttered his ioy in this manner O heauenly Father this is the last good happe that euer I desired to sée wherefore now if it be thy pleasure take me out of this miserable world before vnconstant Fortune determine any more mischance to me This done he tooke his two Nephews and brought them to the Princesse Flerida before whom they humbled themselues on their knées kissed her hand a great many times and she casting her armes about their necke in teares remembred the great danger she saw them both in when they endured the bloody Combate at such time as shee was faine to set them at vnitie Then Don Edward their noble Father in remembrance of the valiant behauiour he had séene in them both at the Castle of Dramusiande receiued them in his armes with such courteous gréetings on either part as the ioy in such a case did vrge them to manifest The Emperor Trineus a partaker of this Fortunate sight came to both the Princes and vsed many friendly spéeches to them in like manner did the Empresse Agriola the Kings Recinde and Arnedes with all the Princes and Ladies whose ioyes were not small for this happy successe Then Palmerin vsed great courtesie to the Prince Primaleon for that he vnderstood him to be father of his Lady and Mistresse Polinarda and Sonne to the Emperor his Grandfather who had vouchsaued him his honour dnring the time he remained in his Pallace at Constantinople The Sauage man and his Wife were very graciously entertained who séeing the two Princes in dignity beyond their expectations when they were in their Caue did greatly reioyce that Fortune had so fauourably preserued their noble liues Palmerin séeing the time that euery one prepared themselues to their chambers commanded Siluian to conduct his father and mother to a faire and rich Chamber which was prouided for them Euery one departing the king accompanyed Aliart to his Chamber where he desired to know what the other knight was that came in his company If it please your Grace answered Aliart to morrow morning you shall be resolued to the vttermost in the meane space assure your selfe that he is such a one as his valour deserueth to be remembred amongst the most renowned Thus with a generall gladnesse euery one went to take their rest forgetting all gréefe that was passed before in remembrance of the fortunate successe that had happened at this instant determination of ioy CHAP. XLVIII How on the morrow Blandidon was knowne and Aliart bewraied himselfe and Pompides to be the Sonnes of the Prince Don Edward Argonida the Lady of enchāted the Isle And how the Emperour Trineus with the other Princes determined to depart from the Court of England but were desired first to goe see Castle of the Giant Dramusiande wherein the Princes had remained Prisoners so long time THe pleasures in the Court of the aged King of England of the Prince Palmerin and Don Florian his Brother that the Cittizens passed away the night merrily in making of great Bonefires ringing of Bels to manifest the ioy which they likewise conceiued for this happy accident In the morning the king went to the chamber of the two Nephewes where he found Primaleon and the Prince Vernar merrily disposing themselues together and so accompanied with Arnedes and Recinde they went to the chamber of the Emperour Trineus who béeing already stirring prepared themselues to go heare diuine Seruice which was accomplished with maruailous great solemnitie When they returned vn to the Pallace such was the assembly of people to sée the two Princes that they could hardly ascend the staires to the great hall the people were gathered into such a prease The strange Princes endcucured themselues to entertaine the Sage Aliart very honourably so that from the hightest to the lowest
me quoth yâ— prince Gracian I haue in times past both extolled verily belieued that my faire Claritia might be equall with any for her beautie but hauing now behâ—ld this admirable Miragarda I exempt from minde all other desiring to accomplish the meane that I might doe her seruice And credite me said Don Rosuel I haue so forgotten the loue I bare to my Lady that if I depart not the sooner from hence I shall fall into contempt both of her and all other Ladies giuing the onely laud to this péerelesse Miragarda Then mounting on Horsebacke he ridde away so fast as possible he could in like maner the Prince Gracian possed presently after him neither of them vsing any friendly departing to the Giant Dramusiande who could not refrain from laughter to think on the weake stomacks of these two Princes CHAP. LXIIII. How Palmerin of England trauailing toward Constantinople laid him downe to sleepe hard by a faire Castle from whence came foure Ladies who carried him into the Castle And how one of the Ladies bearing him louing affection but he disdaining her great good will vrged her to keepe him there as her prisoner PAlmerin of England after he had left the Castle of the Giant Almarol happened on the frontiers of Nauarre in the Dominion of France which he perceiued altogether to be inhabited and gouerned by mighty Giants whose vnciuility of life wrought many cruel spoiles and villanous deeds in these parts among whom Palmerin behaued himselfe so worthily that the effect of his déeds returned his due commendation CoÌ„tinuing his trauaile along the Coast at last in a faire gréen valley he espied a goodly and well fortified Castle and neere vnto it was a faire largs Poole well stored with choice of fish where the Prince alighted from his Horse to let him feede a while in the pasture In the meane time he looking all about and could sée no body that on a suddaine might come to endanger him sat downe by the water side the beholding wherof droue many solemne fancies out of his remembrance As he was about to take a little nap his Mistres Polinarda approached his thoughtes as also the remembrance of his manifold courtesies which he receiued while he remained at Constantinople so that some of these motions prouoked him to good opinion of ioy but other some to a number of heauie lamentations as especially the sharp command of his mistres which being loath to breake mad him to absent himselfe from Constantinople longer then otherwise hee would gladly haue done In these thoughts hee fell into a sound sleepe when foure Damosels came walking foorth of the Castell who beholding the Prince his chéekes all dewed with teares and his eye lids very redde with ouermuch wéeping were all constrained to great compassion Then one of the Damosels being of rare and excellent beautie called for certaine of her seruants who with their helpe caried the Prince into a faire Chamber in the castel causing his armes to be fastened together with a chaine to the ende he might vse no resistance against them When he awaked and found himselfe in this great alteration he was so ouercome with griefe that he knew not what to say but the Ladie bearing great affection to him at euery instant changed colour which witnessed the ardent loue shée had conceiued in her minde at last made manifest the sum of her desire whereto Palmerin by no meanes would giue consent For being desirous to shunne any occasion whereby hée might bée thought disloyal to his Lady determined to depart from thence without Horse or Armour onely to auoide her importunate sute This moued the Lady to such extreame griefe that she violated the bondes of Reason whose limits duty had alwaies warned her to kéep within and séeing that neither tears nor intreatis might mollifie the heart she commanded him to be brought into her Chamber where irons were made fast about his legs and great spéeches giuen forth to terrifie him because he would vse no pittie to her outragious passions Palmerin not estéeming either her selfe or her words bare greater affection to clogging irons then to all the amorous spéeches the Lady could vse who at last turned hee hot loue into extreame hatred so that absenting her selfe out of his companie caused him to bée vsed in very rigorous manner But her crueltie had no long time of lasting for her woonted affectioÌ„ caused her to repent her hasty fury and in her mind she thought to discharge the Prince séeking all meanes possible to banish him out of her memorie for which cause she inclosed her selfe in her Chamber labouring both by examples and present proofe to extinguish the furious flames of her continuall Passions But when she saw nothing would serue but her griefe was driuen to an impossible cure she concluded to kéepe the Prince in Prison so long that at length shee would glut her selfe with his remembrance Or else at last the Prine would be so wearie that he not able any longer to endure the cruell practises she vsed would repent him of his so long deniall and so bee enforced to accomplish her amorous dessre But Palmerin hauing already made faithful vowe of his loue by no torment or cruelty would be perswaded to violate his promise to the no small griefe of the Lady who frequented himselfe still with her woonted sute as also for his obstinacy encreased her seuerall deuises of cruelty CHAP. LXV How Don Florian remaining in the Court of England made such entreatie on the behalfe of Orianda and her sisters the Daughters of the Marquesse Beltamor remaining in the Castle of the Giant Calfurnien that they were restored into Kings fauour and married to three noble Gentlemen of his Court. And Don Florian departing out of England arriued at the Castle of the Giant Almarol where he entred the Combate with Dramusiande where ending their strife with great friendship he departed accompanied with Siluian desirous to finde his brother the noble Palmerin of England DOn Florian of the Forrest of whome no mention hath béene made since the Prince Palmerin departed out of England stayed a certaine time in the Court of the King his Vncle to intreate fauour for Orianda and her Sisters the Daughters of the Marquesse Beltamor For remembring the great seruice they had done to him at such time as the giant Calfurnien had wounded him so sore willing to discharge the promise he made them at his departure which might manifest his honour and redéeme them from that misery wherin they remained approached the presence of the King in this manner I haue alwayes heard my Soueraigne Lord and Vncle that laudable déedes ought to be recompenced with the like and that ingratitude and vnkinde dealing should euer be banished from the heartes of Princes wherefore fearing least my selfe should be found faulty in such a hainous crime I shall desire your gratious furtherance in a cause as shall present my duty and your owne honour It is so my
answered the knight of the Tiger you should haue had my helpe in taking his life from him if you had told me at the first what great wrong he had done you for the very earth will open to swallow those that intend or practise any treason against their Prince yea and the Prince himselfe cannot be frée from such secret conspirators when fauour shall stand in stéede of Iustice to such wicked offendors wherefore if they be sharpely punished the rest will be the better warned by their tranâ—gression And I assure you Madame you haue done as well beséemed a vertuous Princesse in cutting off that branch when fortune made the instrument of your vnhappinesse beside the duetie wherein you are bound to the knight your father did command you should sée so good a déede executed Now therefore let me humbly intreate you that you would kéepe your promise to Sir Pompides who is my Brother the nephew to king Frederick of England and sonne to the prince Don Edward who is father to him and me and friend to you I sée well sayde Armisia that I haue wrought the contentment of the Knight my father and taken vengeance for the death of the Prince Doriel my brother by the prowesse of him whose presence is no small honour to me neuerthelesse I may thinke my selfe little beholding to him in that he hath concealed himselfe so long from me who would haue allowed him more honourable entertainment And I pray you Sir let it not offeÌ„d you that I desire to know whether yon be the prince Palmerin or Florian of the Forrest his Brother not that I am affectioned more to the one then the other but because I would know which of them Fortune hath made me so happy to sée the Prince returned her this answer Florian of the Forrest Madame is so farre off this place as very hardly can one tell where to meete with him wherefore you may perswade your selfe that I am Palmerin whom if you please you may command as your seruant The Princesse Armisia embraced him very gratiously reioycing that she might any way accomplish the meanes to honour him because the king Meliadus her father was brother to the Quéene of England the Prince Don Edwards mother The death of the proude Adraspe was reported the same day in the king of Scots Court which was but foure leagues from this place and the name of the Knight that had slaine him whereupon the king vpon the next meaning tooke his Coatch and being accompanied with many worthy knights he came to sée the Prince Palmerin of England and hauing giuen him many gratious salutations he tooke Pompides by the hand promising to make as good estimation of him as he did of the Prince his sonne while he liued While the aged king sate familiarly talking with Armisia his Daughter the Archbishop of Esbreque arriued there by whom Pompides and Armisia were presently married together and then departing thence they went very strongly to seeke to the Duke of Sizana Father to the proud Adraspe whom the king vowed to put to death or kéepe him prisoner but he reckoned without his Hoste for the Duke being aduertised of his intent fled iâ—to Ireland whereupon his goods and liuing fell into the Kings handes They in England hauing knowledge of Pompides marriage made Triumphs and Bonfires for the good fortune that had happened to Pompides who was very well beloued of euery one as well for being the Sonne of the Prince Don Edward as for his vertuous bounty and knightly courage CHAP. XXXII How the knight of the Tiger tooke his leaue of Meliadus the king of Scots and of the Princesse Armisia his Daughter and what happened vnto him during his voyage WHen the Nuptials of Pompides were solomnized to the great contentment of the King of Scots and his whole Realme the Knight of the Tiger tooke his leaue of the King and the Princesse Armisia accompanied with his brother Pompides to whom before he was embarqued he gaue to vnderstand the charge wherein all Princes were bound that receiued royall dignitie desiring him very earnestly since fortune had brought him to so great felicitie that he would vse himselfe modestly and wisely because Fortune was so vncertaine in her selfe that sometime she put those persons in greatest feare whom she had placed in most assurance whereby she letteth them vnderstand that she can quickly dispossesse them of their happinesse at such time as they little looke for any such alteration But to the end you may enioy your dignitie with most assurance I counsell you to entertaine your subiects with amitie administring Iustice rightly vnto them which let bee done with so good zeale as it be not conuerted in rigour and cruelty whereby you shall cause them to say that their Gouernor is become tyrannous and vnmercifull to them My Lord answered Pompides your wordes sauouring of so good iudgement as they are worthy of most high commendation I cannot but thinke my selfe much bound to you for this your noble and friendly counsell assuring you that I will lodge them faithfully in my heart and accomplish them according to your gracious commaundement for in doing otherwise I shall iudge my selfe vnworthy to be named your Brother After many such like spéeches had past betwéene them they imbraced one another Pompides returning to the Citie and Palmerin entring the Shippe caused the sayles to be hoysed when the winde seruing them so well as after they had spent such time as is méete for so great a iourney the Prince tooke landing in Hungaria When he had past through diuerse places of the Countrey it was his chaunce to arriue in a goodly Forrest where at length he came to a very faire Fountaine which was couered with an Arke of maruellous ingenious workemanship and because the weather was excéeding hot he alighted to refresh himselfe at this Fountaine In the meane while Siluian suffered the horses to grase in the pasture and when the Prince had washed his hands and his face he espyed a little from him downe further in the Forrest a Damosel running very spéedily with her haire hanging about her shoulders and tearing her faire visage with her nailes crying and wéeping out of measure at last she espyed the Knight of the Tiger to whom she came running a great pace and casting her selfe at his féete she remained fearefully looking about her a good while hauing not the power to speake one word The Knight of the Tiger séeing her perplexed case began to pittie her very much and doubted lest he that had feared her would make pursuite after her he called for his Helmet which he had no sooner clasped on his head but he beheld comming the way that the Damosell came a giant very strongly armed carying in his hand a huge Mace who séeing the Damosell had demaunded succour of the Knight of the Tiger spake vnto her in this manner Trust me Damosell you betake your selfe to very simple assurance in that this knight wanteth
strength to defend you against me So without any more words he strooke at the Prince with his Mace who put his Shield before him to resist the stroke which was so rigorous as his Shield flewe in two pieces the Prince was somewhat offended hereat wherefore drawing his sword he gaue the Giant such a blowe on the arme as afterward he could hardly strike to any great purpose The Damosell remaining still in extreame feare by the cruell intreatance the Gigant had vsed to her would haue departed to hide her selfe in the Forrest because she iudged the Knight of the Tiger vnable to subdue her enemy which Siluian perceiuing came vnto her and counselled her to see the end of the Combat wherevpon she gaue him these words I pray you gentle esquier and my friend that you would not séeme to hinder me for this Giant nay rather a Deuill whose force none is found able to resist will assuredly put me to death after that he hath slaine your maister I would yet said Siluian that you would stay to sée the ende of the fight for peraduenture it may happen otherwise then you expect The knight of the Tiger who was destitute of a Shield to auoid the cruell strokes of his strong enemy behaued himselfe so politiquely and nimbly as hee lent the Giant many sore blowes who was cōstrained because he could not lift his mace in his right hand to vse his left thinking yet to deale well enough with the Knight of the Tiger but the Prince was so fierce vpon him hauing giuen him many grieuous and mortall wounds as his heart began to faile him so that he retired not able to resist so many waighty strokes neuertheles the prince séeing he had almost brought him to buy let flie still so fiercely on him as he could not haue the meane to charge him againe The Giant perceiuing himselfe in such extremitie leaned his backe against a Trée when he defended himselfe a great while so well that the Prince could hardly reach to hurt him hee waged fight euery way so precisely with his Mace which hee held in both his hands watching the time when he might giue the Prince such a stroke as he willingly would The knight of the Tiger he might not preuaile against the Giant without hazarding his person in great danger he went and rested himselfe against a Trée like wise which when the Giant beheld he spake vnto him in this order I pray thee Sir Knight let me find so much friendship at thy hands as to let me vnderstand what is thy name because I haue euermore thought that no ten of the best knights on the earth could not do as much as thou hast done neither that they could haue bene able to resist me halfe this while I am content answered the knight of the Tiger to satisfie thy will so much on condition thou wilt promise to tell me thy name and the cause why thou doest pursue this Damosell So much quoth the Giant thou shalt commaund at my handes wherefore thou shalt vnderstand that I am called Vascalion of Ocrance Sonne to the Giant Lucran who was slaine at Constantinople by the hands of Primaleon with whō he was so hardy as to enter the Combate to reuenge the death of Don Perrequin of Duas and to haue in marriage Gridonia the duchesse of Ormeda who was afterward espoused to Primaleon At what time my father was slaine he left me in the kéeping of one of my Brethren named Dramoque who is likewise slaine be one of the sonnes of the Prince Don Edward of England and this Knight is yet in the search of Knightly aduentures But I assure you I am not a little agréeued to sée my selfe in this case becanse I am almost depriued of any hope to reuenge the Death of my Father and his Brother before I dye And for this Damosell it is so that fortune caused me to méet with her to day and as I vnderstood by her she is going to the Court of the Emperor Palmerin to visite Leonarda the Princesse of Thrace now for that I am desirous to do all the iniurie that I may to any of that Emperours Court I endeuored my selfe to rauish this Damosell But at the time I was about to fulfill my pleasure on her an Esquire of hers who had escaped my hands came and hindered me with the ayd of fiue Knights whom I haue left to hold Combat with ten of my Knights because I would follow this Damosel who tooke her selfe to flight so soone as the fiue Knights began to charge me Thus haue I told you the whole circumstance of my minde now it remaineth that you reueale your selfe to me according as at first you promised Beléeue me Vascalion answered the Knight of the Tiger it is necessary that thou shouldest receiue sharpe chastisement for vsing thy life in such wicked actions the proofe hereof thou mayst now behold thy selfe for thou being not content with the death of thy Father and his Brother séekest to reuenge thy villainous will on this innocent Damosell I let thée know therefore that I am a kinseman to Primaleon and the same man that slew thy Fathers Brother which made me be called Palmeran of England Sonne to prince Edward and faire Flerida the Sister of Primaleon for whose sake I intend to take thy life from thée before I depart Vascalion at these words began greatly to dismay himself for he knew well that his strength was not sufficient to hold out long against him but yet he presently aduanced himselfe to shew what desire he had to be reuenged on him that had slaine his Vuckle Palmerin being very glad when he perceiued the Gianc had forsaken the Trée which serued him all the while as a Rampire of defence assayled him with such furious strokes as the Giant would gladly haue rested himselfe againe but the Prince followed him still so earnestly as at length he tumbled on the ground before him when not content to sée him so conquered he set his foote vpon him and when he had taken off his Helmet he presently parted his head from his shoulders The sight hereof made the Damosell so glad as she had now forgotten the feare wherein she was when the Giant pursued her and then came the Knight of the Tiger to her with these words Faire Damosell I iudge that the fiue Knights who are in Combate for your occasion cannot otherwise chuse but be in great daunger wherefore I will goe séeke them foorth to succour them in the meane while you may come faire and softly after with my Esquire who for your better ease shall take you vp behinde him on his horse Then tooke he that way which he saw the Giant come when he pursued the Damosell and it was not long before he heard the clanching of the Swordes wherevpon he gaue his horse the spurs and neuer left gallopping till he came to them where he sawe they had slaine foure of the Giants knights and of the
Constantinople DVring the the time this great ioy was in the Court of Constantinople for the comming of the prince Palmerin the Emperour had tidings brought him how the Prince Albayzar had leuied a great and mighty Armie to come and besiege the Cittie and assure the Messenger that the Lord who was the Soldane Bellagris was preparing himselfe in a readinesse to come and aide him The Emperour being at this time ouercharged with age found himselfe farre vnable to deale in these affaires the consideration whereof did not a little displease him Neuerthelesse he fayled not to make prouision as wisedome willed to entertaine the enemy whereupon he writ to the Soldane Bellagris sending him heartie thankes for the good forwardnesse hâ— saw in him especially in a time so néedfull and when the messenger to the Soldane was dispatched the Emperour sent presently to informe of these newes Arnedes the King of France his Sonne in law Recinde the king of Spaine Don Edward the Prince of England the Emperour Vernar of Allemaigne Maiortes and many others The Armie of the Turkes was no sooner heard of but the Knights who followed their noble aduentures returned to Constantinople knowing they shuld make better trial of their valour there then in any other places and such was the rumour spread abroad to the Turks intention as in short time the Citie of Constantinople was furnished with many noble and redoubted knights where aduentures was presented to them day by day but the Emperour would not suffer them to pursue after such occasions because they were nothing else but deceite and villany wayting still for the time when he should be assaulted by Albayzar who was now setting forward on the Seas being accompanyed with diuers approoued knights at armes as also a number of cruell and bloody minded Giants intending to make a generall spoyle of all the Emperors Dominions But till we haue better occassion we will leaue them a while and returne to the Prince Palmerin who during the brute of the Turkes Army was aduertised of the death of Satrafort the gouernor of the Perillous Isle being taken by Trofolant the Fearefull who was descended to the giants kindred And as it is rehearsed in the first volume of this History that Trafolant was vanquished in the Tournament by the Prince Florendos and had the like mishap the day following by the prowesse of the Knight of the Sauage man who guarded the shéeld of the Palme Tree in the forrest of the Cleere Fountain which the Damosell from the Sage Aliart brought to the Emperour Palmerin that he might deliuer it to the Knight his Nephew who had woone the honour of the day in the Tournament It was likewise his fortune after when he trauailed to the Castle of the Giant Almaroll to be vanquished there by the Prince Florendos who guarded the shéeld of the faire Miragarda and returning thence he met with the Damoselles Knight when offering to take one of his Ladies from him they fell to the Combate and in the end was likewise vanquished The conceit of his so many and sundry foyles and all by the Knights of the Emperours Court caused him to deuise by what meanes he might worke some iniurie to them that belonged to the Emperour in respect he was so seuerely bent against them as he would take vpon him to reuenge the death of Calfurnien and his brethren But to the ende he might the better execute his treacherous enterprise hée tooke his way to the Profound Isle thinking there to inuent some treason by the aide of Collambra but his intent was there disapointed for it was told him that she was brought to the Emperours Court of Greece Then he determined to goe visit the Perillous Isle being accompanied with two Knights that were his kinsemen with whom he knewe well how to dissemble the treason on his stomacke and Satrafort thinking them to be of the Emperours Court of Constantinople entertained them very louingly into his Castle where when they had soiourned for certaine daies they murthered Satrafort and all his houshold But the pleasure of this victorie was very short to them for Argentao the gouernour of the Profound Isle came by a secret wile suddenly on them with his power and taking Trofolant in the Forrest sent him presently to the Emperours Court where was no little ioy of his comming in that he saued Palmerin a iourney who was taking his leaue of his friendes because he would goe to take the Traitors that had done such villanie Trofolant was condemned by the lawe and publiely executed according as his trecherous dealings deserued and Argentao was honourably recompenced that he might haue the better occasion to be carefull and circumspect in his office So soone as Trofolant was put to death the Sage Aliart arriued at the Court of Constantinople whose presence gaue greater assurance to the Emperour and his Knightes and he gaue them heartie thankes in that they were so ready to goe recouer the Perillous Isle After the Sage Aliart there came to the Court the Prince Floraman Albanis of Frieze Reccamon Leyman of Burgunuy beside many other princes and knights who had euery one forsaken their seuerall countries to assist the Emperour of Constantinople with their aide because they had heard of the Turks preparation The very same day was tydings brought to the Court how Fredericke the king of England was dead which newes caused â—o small griefe among the Princes especially to the Emperour himselfe who being as aged as King Fredericke was iudged himselfe not of long continuance behind him in that this was a speciall president for him to regard King Fredericke being one he made most chiefe and high account of Prince Edward was then crowned King of England to the great ioy of all his subiects he being such a vertuous and magnanimous Prince and the funerals of king Frederick was solemnized in Greece with very great state their Beacons burning and Bonfires made through the whole Empire according as it was the custome in that Countrey CHAP. XXXVI Of an aduenture which happened during the troubles at Constantinople in the Realme of France and after what manner it chanced THe History reporteth that certaine Ladies in the Realme of France enuying the renowned of Polinarda of Greece Miragarda of Spaine and Leonarda of Thrace whose beauties defaced greatly the Ladies in all other Countries began to complaine very much on the French knightes that either by the want of courage or their little regard of loue their beauties remained vnknowne in other Realmes Countries and Prouinces Vpon this occasion they found themselues somewhat agréeued and to the end they would remedie the cause foure Ladies of the king of France his Court thinking to excell all other in beauties enterprised to establish an aduenture to mooue the mindes of many Knights to come endure their triall against such as would maintaine their beauties The first of these Ladies was called Mansia the second Telanfia the third Latrania and tge fourth
the field first and encountring the knight of the Sauage man he met him with such force as he was sent to the earth with his héeles vpward so farre out of remembrance with himselfe as he was faine to be caried forth of the field at which sight the king was maruellously abashed in that the Countie Gerard was reputed on of the best Knights of his Court Mansia beganne to thinke that in her name all the thrée knights should be vanquished and the honor of the day should be adiudged to her because the Prince would be so ouerlaboured as he could not haue the power to vanquish the other thrée knights that came after The Countie Gerard was no sooner carried out of the field but Brialte the seruant of Latrania gaue his horse the spurres and burst his Launce brauely one the Prince but he gaue him such a friendly welcome as he was constrained to fall to the ground with one of his armes broken whereupon he was caried forth of the field to the Countie of Gerard. Mansia was so glad of this as she could not hide it but they that sate against her did easily perceiue her secret reioycing but the King Arnedes seeing the dangerous hurt Brialte had receiued beganne to doubt that the straunge knight would iniurie all the other Then Aliart of Normandie being seruant to Torsia ran and brake his Lance gallantly on the strange knights Shield but he was sent to keepe his fellow company whereas he was so offended as he started vp againe presently and drawing his sword came marching to his enemy who fearing least the knight would haue slaine his horse lept beside him casting his eyes vpon Torsia making show that he was very sorie for the foile the knight had receiued vnder her name But yet to acquite himselfe of his promise he charged Aliart so roughly as in short time he tumbled at his feet yet would not he offer to take his life from him when the Damosell came to him granting him the victory for the thrée dayes I am sorie saide the strange Knight that you should take such paines Lady I sée well answered the Damosell that you witnesse in your déedes what you promised in words at the beginning The knight of the Sauage man who counted himselfe to be called the strange knight mounted on his horse againe and taking a Launce he came to the place where the Ladies sate entring into these spéeches You sée me now ready Ladies to enter the Field vnder the name of Madame Telansia whose beautie is sufficient to make me remaine victor ouer all the Knightes that dare speake against her and you Lady Mansia doe not you forget what you haue promised mee since you sée me willing to discharge the bond wherein I haue tyed my selfe The king Arnedes well noting the valour of the strange knight deuised how he might haue knowledge of him for he did not thinke him to bee one of the Prince Don Edwardes Sonnes because then he iudged he would not haue concealed himselfe from the Quéene beside he was aduertised that Palmerin of England had giuen ouer following such aduentures and that the knight of the Sauage man was in the realme of Spaine While he was thus imagining who this straunge knight should be Brian of Burgundie seruant to Mansia came into the field very gallantly armed and bearing for his deuise in his shield Hope crowned with a garland of flowers in a Field of Azure he pausing a little and looking stedfastly on his Lady Mansia parled to himselfe in this manner I pray you Madame not to make any doubt of the great prowesse of this strange knight in that he could not faile of the victory maintaining your singular and heauenly beautie but now that he presumeth to change you for another I doubt not to make him loose what he séekes so gladly to purchase so that the victory shall be adiudged onely to you and he that hath the power to winne it will remaine yours in dutie while he liueth the strange knight came to him with these spéeches Haue you done sir knight your secret fancies I perceiue you are one of them that séekes to content your selfe with silent discourses but I trust to send you after your companions by the meane of Telansia I knâ—w not saide Brian of Burgandie what the ende will be so couching his Lance add giuing a signe to the strange Knight they ranne together couragiously and brake their Lances with such force as Brian of Burgundie was vnhorsed and very sors hurt yet would he haue dissembled it and entred the combat with the sword but the foure Ladies were so afraid that the strange knight would haue slaine him as they caused him to procéede no further The king was very much displeased séeing the knights of his court so handled yet were they themselues willing to continue the Ioust whereupon Monsier of Artois seruant to Latrania who would not wast the time in néedlesse words cald to the strange knight to defend himselfe I would iudge sayd the strange knight that the beautie of your Lady should cause you to regard her somewhat but since I sée you repose more assurance in your owne strength then her beautie whereby you might enioy most hope come on and welcome Then setting their lances in their rests they encountred together brauely and albeit they failed for to breake their staues Monsieuer of Artois receiued such a forcible arrant as he was throwne in the dust so sore shaken that he could scantly mooue himselfe The strange knight caught hold on his Helmet and pausing a while he spake to Mansia in this manner Behold Lady I giue you this Knight desiring you to let him be carrryed foorth of the Field Mansia caused two Knights to conduct him to his Lodging but Brian of Burgundie being very much offended he would not depart before he had fought the Combat whereto the Ladyes would not consent Beside the King began to be angrie with him by whose commaundement he was reputed among the vanquished After that Brian was departed the place Brisar of Gennes the seruant of Torsia presented himselfe very richly Armed not making shewe of any spéech towards his Lady for that the déeds of the strange knight whome he thought long to deale withall made him so moued as he would not speake which the strange knight perceyuing he spake to him as followeth I pray you Sir to contemplate her beautie a little for whose sake you are so bold to enter the Combate to the end her countenance may cause you to imagine the griefe lesse if fortune direct herself against you I know well answered Brisar of Gennes that you would gladly see in mée some shew of feare or fainting because you would thereby magnifie your déeds the more but prouide your selfe for mee and assure your selfe that such is the hope I repose in my Ladies fauour as I doubt not ere I go but to vnhorse you Vpon this these two Knights met together with such
refreshed themselues inuyting into their companie the foure Ladyes who were so stately Apparelled this day as their beautie seemed to excell all the Ladyes that were come with the Queene The straunge Knight went foorth of his Tent that he might the better behold this sudden assemblie and sitting downe at the roote of a Trée his Esquyre brought him victuals to breake his fast withall After that the King was risen from the Table these foure Ladyes according to their woont mounted on theyr Stéedes and tooke theyr way to the place where the straunge knight remained who euen then was readie to fall to his daylie exercise they courteously saluting him went with the Quéene to her Tent and by the kings Tents the strange Knight stoode expecting who should first beginne the Iouste And the King himselfe was greatly delighted in beholding the Garlandes which for that they were the fauours of the Ladyes and lost by the Knights that were foyled he began highly to commend the Prowesse of the strange knight who being ieasting with the foure Ladyes he espyed at last to come along the Valley the knight of the Sphere Armed as he was the day before and bearing his Ladies Garland on his Creast which he had good hope to keepe well enough When the King Arnedes had espyed him hee entered into these spéeches I desire greatly to see that Garland of Flowers brought vanquished vnto these other whereby I may bee the better assured whether hee that preuaileth in these Conquests so happily may find his Péere elseâ—where or nâ— The Knight of the Sphere comming into the Kings presence saluted him with humble obeysaunce afterwards taking his Garland from his Helmet he desired him to weare it and if hee defended it not according to the merit of her Beautie he desired it might bee placed among the other vanquished But if the victorie happen on his side he would not seeke any other recompence at her hands but that those other Garlands might bee giuen to bestow on his Friends Of this request Latrania was very glad and desirous to reach so high felicitie where of throughly perswading her selfe and likewise to satisfie the knight of the Spheres will she put the garland on her head then earnestly beholding the strange knight she entred into these spéeches You sée Sir the day when I haue the meane to make known your knightly déedes as also the desire you haue to doe me seruice I will Madame so behaue my selfe aunswered the straunge Knight as you shall be perswaded no other knight can iniurie me so great is my desire to accomplish such seruice as may be agreeable to your gratious nature And if afterward you make such regard of me as you doe of those whom you are woont to thrust into forgetfulnes I must then comfort my selfe with this that I am not alone in misfortune but beare my crosse with others for company The knight of the Sphere hauing vnderstood how Latrania made no more regard of them that did her seruice and séeing the Dice Fortunes hand either to his continuall honour or present disgrace yet ignorant which of them should be his chance ranne couragiously against she straunge Knight they encountering together so worthily as they were both compelled to forsake their stirrops Vpon this gallant beginning they tooke new staues wherewith they met againe together so strongly as the pieces flew whistling in the ayre and passing forward these Knightes met so furiously with their bodies as they were constrained to tumble to the ground At this sight the King was greatly abashed but Latrania contented her selfe very well séeing the noble and valiant behauiour of her Knight who shée thought as good in all points as the stranger These two Knights had no sooner recouered themselues but they drew their swords wherewith they hacked and hewed one another very pittifully The straunge knight being desirous vs to passe this day with as great renowne as he had all the other before followed his intent with singular agillitie and the knight of the Sphere to witnesse his earnest affection to Madame Latrania did behaue himselfe likewise so worthily as each allowed him the name of a good and hardie Knight And such was the difficultie of this Combate promising hope to neither side but very doubtfull on both as the King esteemed it of no lesse danger then that betwéene Don Edward of England his sonne end Dramusiande and his Giants when he was prisoner in the custody of the Enchauntresse Eutropa And the King was extreamely passioned fearing least two such noble champions should die in his presence so fiercely they continued the fight as they were both constrained to withdrawe themselues to breath a while The Knight of the Sphere seeing his arme so mangled began to thinke his estate in some hazard but afterwards remembring the beautie of her for whose sake he thrust himselfe into danger hée coÌ„muned thus priuately with himselfe What greater good can happen to me in all the world then to be allowed in her seruice whose beautie none in all the French Court may match In the meane while these two knights thus paused the Damosell that was woont to come so often into the field addressed her selfe now againe to the strange knight vsing vnto him this language I desire now to sée Syr Knight how you will iustifie the large promises you haue made to me for that I perswade my selfe the Knight of the Sphere will restore these Ladies with the losse of your life and he being earnest the victorie should fall on his side in reuenge of the offence you haue offered vnto them will yeeld your Tree decked with these Garlands of flowers into their handes that best deserue them to which wordes the strange knight thus answered It is tâ—â—e long enough faire Damosell since I perceiued the small good will you bare me but since I now perceiue that my misfortune is so agreeable vnto you I desire you to make knowne vnto the Ladies that I make no account of their fauouring me being well assured that they are woont to vse such recompence towards them who aduenture their liues in their seruice Wherefore that they shall well vnderstand that my force tooke his nature in times past by the gratious regard of one most singular Lady I desire them to keepe their woonted couetousnesse of their beauty And I shall decenâ—â—â—â— that Latrania vse her fauour towards him whom it pleaseth her to make most account off When he had thus said he returned to the Combate which helde betweene them a long while but when they perceiued their Armor defaced their flesh martyred and themselues very greatly feebled they once againe withdrewe themselues to rest a little The King Arnedes was loth two such hardy knights should end their liues in so desperate maner the quarrell being of so small estimation there he would haue had them them parted asunder And the strange Knight thinking on the discourteous entertainement Latrania affoorded him disdainedence to looke on
the Quéene Arnalte that her presence was very agreeable to him Dramusiande was so conquered with the loue Arlencea as he could rest in no place neither enioy any quietnesse Palmerin who liued now in more content then he had of long time before did not yet thinke all things sound and sure for that Lone presenteth daily some occasions of feare to amorous persons vntill such time as their desires are perfectly contented In the meane while this great ioy continued Pompides King of Scottes with his Queene arriued at the Emperors Cour who were receiued with maruellous great pompe and honour The Prince Primaleon desirous to shewe himselfe thankefull for diuerse occasions had passed betweene the Prince Don Edward and himselfe ledde the Queene of Scottes Palfray by the bridle till she came to the Pallace Gate notwithstanding the intreatie of Pompides and her selfe very often to the contrarie The Quéene of Scottes was lodged with the princesse Polinarda who held her selfe greatly contented because shee was so neere in alliance to her most fauoured friend Palmerin and Pomp des went to comfort the Knight of the Sauage man in his chamber where he kept and would not as yet goe abroad so heauily he tooke the death of King Fredericke his Grandfather The Court of Constantinople was in short time so well furnished with Princes and noble Knights as they were iudged more then needed to entertaine the whole puissance of the Pagan Kings CHAP. XLVIII How Arnedes King of Fraunce and his Queene Recinde King of Spaine and his Queene accompanied with the Princesse Miragarda and the Giant Almaroll arriued at the Emperours Court of Constantinople THe Emperour séeing himselfe brought into the extremity of age thought good to enioyn his Nephewe in marriage and also the other Princes and Knights that had béene nourished in his court and that he might mooue a generall good liking by so doing he imparted his intent to the Empresse and his sonne Primaleon When hee vnderstood how well they thought of the matter hée writ presently to Arnedes King of France his sonne in lawe that he would doe him so much honour as to come with the Quéene to his Court. In like manner his Maiestie dispatched letters to Don Edward King of England and Flerida his daughter to Recinde king of Spaine desiring him and his Quéene to come to his Court and bring the Princesse Miragarda in their company The Emperour Vernar was sent for likewise and Tarnaes King of Lacedemonia with his Daughter Sidelia whose beautie caried some credit at that time and the Soldane Bellagris with Maiortes and many others the Emperour by his Letters inuited to his Court But the first that came to Constantinople were the Emperour Vernar and King Edward of England soone after came the Soldane Bellagris and Maiortes their entertainement being according as their noble estates deserued Then came the King Tarnaes with his Quéene Sidelia his Daughter and the sorrowfull Lady Pandricia whom the Empresse lodged in her owne Chamber The two Kings Arnedes and Recinde arriued with their Shippes at the Port of Constantinople and sounded their Trumpets and Drummes so gallantly as the people were afraide in the Cittie fearing left their enemies were come but the Princesse came to receiue them with great ioy where they might behold the King of France in a sumptuous Galley couered with cloath of Golde of great value wherein was himselfe his Quéene Florenda and Graciana his two Daughters with many Ladies and Knightes beside In another Galion was the King Recinde and the Quéene with a number of Knights for his Guarde Before them in another Galion was the fairest Princesse Miragarda the Giant Almaroll the Prince Florendos and many other knights The King Recinde being aduertised that the Emperour intended to marry the Princesse to his Nephewe Florendos with the King Arnedes consent to doe them the more honour caused their Galion to march formost as the Captaine ouer all the other Vesselles The Emperour was so glad of these tydings as hée forsooke his Coatch and was brought in a chayre to the place where these Princes should land and the Empresse with the Quéenes Princesses and Ladies mounted on their horses which were clad in most rich and costly harnesse and so they ridde to the Port of the Citie very stately There was the Emperour accompanied with his Sonne Primaleon king Edward of England the Emperour Vernar of Allemaigne Soldane Bellagris Maiortes Ternaes the king of Lacedemonia Polendos Estrelant Pompides and Dragonalt and no little ioy it was to him in his aged yéeres to see himselfe so beloued of the most puissant Princes that were in the whole world but albeit the presence of these great personages was veâ—y pleasant to him yet could hee not choose but take it heauily séeing the preasse so fore vppon him as long hée could not bée a companion for them The kings Arnedes and Recinde and the Prince Florendos being all come on land they knéeled downe to kisse the Emperours hand but he imbracing them in his armes would not suffer him to honour him so much then came the Quéene of Spaine and the Quéene of France with her two daughters whom his Maiestie welcomed very familiarly And when the Princesse Miragarda came into his presence he accepted of her maruellous graciously entring into these spéeches to her I am very glad Madame that you would vouchsafe to come hither where I may requite the great gentlenesse I haue found at your hands in prouiding to detaine the Prince Albayzar in so good securitie The Princesse Miragarda made no other answere but with a milde and Princely courtesie made showe how well shee tooke the Emperours words and I assure you her presence abashed the iudgements of a number in whose eyes she seemed the faicest creature on the earth The Giant Almaroll was likewise very welcome to the Emperour and when the Princesse Polinarda had courteously saluted Miragarda she shrunke aside to her Brother Florendos entertaining him with this language I perceiue new wel my Lord and Brother that you haue good cause to thinke your labour well bestowed in that you haue trauelled for a Lady of so singular beautie I would with all my heart good Sister answered Florendo that I had the due recompence my labour hath deserued so might I be in the better assurance Oh Brother said Polinarda the Giant Almaroll hath no authoritie to shut the doore against you here therefore I promise you the Princesse of Thrace and I will not â—orget to enterprise the meanes whereby you shall no doubt finde fauour The Emperour would delay the time no longer but to the Pallace they rode altogether the Prince Primalcon leading the Queene of Spaines horse by the bridle albeit the King Recinde was very loth to suffer him The King Polendos did as much honour to the Queene of Fraunce and King Edward of England afforded the like to the faire Princesse Miragarda as well to content the aged Emperor as to honour his
the sonne of King Edward and certifying her likewise how the Soldan had receiued his Heathenish faith to make her amends by marriage which she ought not to refuse as well considering the valour and riches of the Soldane who was a mighty and renowmed Prince as also that her son might know his noble father Pandritia heauily looking about her was so sore troubled as it was a great while ere she spake a word but after she had better remembred her selfe shee earnestly beheld king Edward speaking to him in this maner My hard destiny worthy Prince hath concealed this so long which you at last haue vouchsafed to bewray that my life may be heereafter more pleasant then it hath beene and this you may assure your selfe that if I had knowne of this before I had giuen due chastisement to my ignorant misfortune But since it is come to light at this time both the loue of my sonne the saluation of the Soldane and his Subiects compelleth me to forget all matters past considered also that the force of loue made him deceiue in this manner The Emperour liked well of that she had said and the Empresse embraced hee many times being so glad as could be possible that all things came to such a happy end Blandidon was then called into presence who was very sorry when he knew king Edward was not his father but the hope to be preferred by the Soldanes dignitie made him to forget all former occasions and take content in that present before him 〈…〉 L. How the Soldan Bellagris was baptized and how afterward the Emperor caused him to be married to Pandritia and how the other Princes of his court were married also AFter that these marriages were thus agréed vpon the Emperour commaunded the day following that all things for the solemnizing these honourable rites shoâ—ld be prepared in the most decent maner because he would haue them all married in the great Hall of his Pallace there the Archbishop of Constantinople sayd diuine seruice afterward he made a learned Sermon to giue the Soldane Bellagris earnest affection to the law of Iesus Christ publishing likewise openly what had passed betwéene him and the Ladie Pandritia because no suspition should arise by them who were apt enough to conceine an euill opinion When the Archbishop had concluded his sermon be baptized the Soldane The Emperor and king Edward of England were his Godfathers and the two Empresses his Godmothers And to honour him the more the Emperour would haue him first married so the Soldane Bellagris and Pandritia being thus knit together in Matrimonie Blandidon humbled himselfe before them in signe of obedience but the Soldane embracing him tooke him vp reioycing greatly that he had so good a knight to his sonne and that hée should leaue to his subiects such a worthy Gouernour After that Pandritia was thus espoused to the Soldane the Empresse and her Ladies walked with her because the Emperour would haue Florendos and Miragarda matched next which being done his heart abandoned all woonted care and taking her by the hand gaue place to other the Quéenes of England and Spaine walking with them along the Hall to comfort these new married folkes with their good counsell Next entred the Prince Polinarda led betwéene the Empresse of Allemaigne and the Quéene of Fraunce Palmerin going before her accompanied with the Emperour Vernar and the King Tarnes of Lacedemonia and next them came the faire Princesse of Thrace betwéene the Queene Francelina of Thessalie and the Quéene Flerida of England they being glad to sée her matched with the Prince Florian of the Forrest After these two noble English Princes had wedded their swéete friends the Princes Gracian Berold Platir and all the other Prince and Knights were espoused vnto their Ladies Then the new Quéen of Thrace and the Princesse Polinarda entred leading Arlencea betweene them whose beautie shewed very stately being set foorth by the presence of these two Princesses the Prince Primaleon and King Edward accompanied the Giant Dramusiande who was married to Arlencea with great royaltie When they were departed the place the Princesse Miragarda humbly intreated the Emperour that he would giue Cordigea daughter to the Giant Gatarin she remaining in her seruice in marriage to the Giant Almaroll whereto his maister presently agreed after he had vnderstood the good will of Cordigea so he gaue her himselfe to honour the Princesse Miragarda the more to the Giant Almaroll Of this Cordigea you may reade more at large in the second Booke of the notable History of Don Edward of Brittaine The Giant Almaroll was Lord of another Fortresse not farre from thence where he had kept the Princesse Miragarda this Fortresse being called Beauties Bulwarke whereof hee made a present to his espoused Lady Cordigea on condition she should call the Castle after her owne name but returne we againe to our Historie As soone as the Archbishop had ended all these Ceremonies of these marriages the Emperor went into the Queene Flerides Chamber where the dinner was prouided to honor these princes withall and with the Ladies came in Florenda and Graciana the daughters of the king Arnedeâ— but Germaine of Orleaunce being the affectionate seruant of Florenda thought himselfe vnworthy to come in presence because hee was counted but a subiect to the king of France yet did the Emperour make such commendation of the knightly déedes of Germaine of Orleaunce as the King graunted him to marry with his Daughter Florenda albeit his Daughter Graciana found her selfe discontented that she could not get a husband to ioy with them for company The feast was serued with most magnificall honor and the new married Prince made such high account off as it was thought a heauenly life to be a married man for Florendos Palmerin Florian Platir and the other princes were respected in the fauour of the Emperors and the Kings exceedingly in like manner was Miragarda Leonarda Polinarda Sidelia and all other Princesses honoured by the Empresses and the Quéenes most stately to beholde Oftentimes they would recreate themselues thorough the City to the no small delight and content of the Emperour who marking all his frienâ—s and seeing the Prince Floraman absent from their company hée demanded what was become of him Some made answere that hee was a little from the Palace sitting mourning vnder a Tree Which when Florendos vnderstood hee left the company and went to him and perswaded him to come and reioyce with them Floraman returned him this answere Why doe you trauell your selfe so Sir Florendos to haue him be partners of the pleasures you enioy who hath for euer lost his comfort The great good will I vnfainedly beare you doth not deserue you should so deale with me in that my sorrowes would be ten times more if I should doe as you would haue mee therefore I desire you let me beare my griefe quietly séeing I am hee whom Fortune delighteth to torment continually Florendos deuised all
terrifie the Enemie then all they were able to doe Vpon this determination they were agréede and the Emperour was brought in his Chayre into the great Hall where the Embassador stayed who hauing viewed the strength of the Citie knew well they should bestow good labour before they could conquer it The Emperour according to his milde and Noble nature receyued the Embassador from his enemie very gratiously and after the Kings and Princes were in theyr due and appointed places and a generall silence amongst them all the Embassadour began in these speeches Illustrious and most puissant Emperour I could wish to sée thée in the Flourishing estate of thy yeares as well to be a participate of many troubles imminent to them that dare take vppon them to defende thy Empyre as also to enlarge the contentment of them who shall be so happie as to gaine the victorie in the fielde of Battell which is now presented to thy Maiestie I am to let thée vnderstand that Albayzar the great Soldan of Babylon and Prince of Turkie accompanyed with other Soldans Kings puissant Princes hath sent me to thée to let thée know that they are determined with theyr strength and power to besiege this Citie to reuenge the death of manie theyr especiall Friendes who receyued their dishonour before this Cittie Neuerthelesse the Soldane Albayzar hauing not forgotten the gracious courtesie thou didst sometimes vse towards Oloricque Alchidiana and the Princesse Targiana hath thus concluded fearing to be noted of ingratitude to make thée this offer eyther to surrender the Cittie of Constantinople and the knight of the Sauage man King of Thrace thy Nephew into his hands or depart leaue thine Empyre subiect to his power without offering any resistance to his determination On this condition hee will not bring his Armie into thine Empyre and hée thinketh it more necessary for thée rather to loose one Cittie then the whole Empyre and better it were for thée to deliuer one man into his hands then to sée the death of a number thy especiall Friends To which words the Emperour thus answered My Friend I can hardly endure to let thée passe any further in spéeches but I must néedes answer you thus that I account it well for my profite to follow his counsell in this matter if by the sending him one man I may make sure account of the safetie of the rest But if that one man be found so good a Knight as his Valour is sufficient to redeeme the Captiuitie of all the other I must not be so forgetfull of my honour as to render a State of assurance to your Lordes mercie Besides it were a thing much against reason and duety to yeelde that Cittie into the hands of Heathen Infidells where the true God is to be worshipped in spirit and truth And truely I cannot but maruell much that hée should offer to come thus into my Empire considering what promises hath past betweene him and mée for I was of the opinion that I should rather be furthered by his aide and assistance then hindered or impeached thus maliciously But for all this my trust is in GOD that I shall prepare his graue before the Walles of this Cittie as I haue done alreadie to many of his Predecessours who without regarde of theyr owne Honour or my courtesie haue come to assaile me in this manner I perceyue then my Lord answered the Embassaâ—our that because Fortune hath daily fauoured you to this present you will not dreade the misfortunes whereinto you may suddenly fall therefore I intend to returne with this answere to my Lord who sent me So taking his leaue he returned to his Galley where it lay at Anckor being accompanyed with many Princes and Lords of the Emperours Court and after they had giuen him a very friendly Farewell his Galley set forward with such expedition as in short time it came to the rest of the Armie CHAP. LV. ¶ How the Armie of the Great Turke arriued in the Port of Constantinople and of the noble and valiant prowesse of the Christians before they would suffer the Pagans to take Landing THe Embassadour from Albayzar to the Soldane of Babylon being thus departed the Emperour Palmerin called together all the Princes and Nobles in his Courte to giue present order to euery one that they should with all the best spéede possible prouide themselues in Armes to forbidde the entraunce of the Enemie and to haue good regard to the affaires of the Citie and safety of the same which was committed to the Guard of the Emperour Vernar and the King Polendos accompanyed with a thousand fiue hundreth Knights on Horsebacke and foure hundreth Footemen King Edward of England was chosen by Generall consent chiefe Captaine and Gouernour of the Fielde hauing vnder his conduct two thousand Knightes beside the Giant Dramusiande who by his Noble behauiour in that expedition wonne very great estimation Maiortes Pridos the Duke of Galles Don Rosiande de la Bronde his Sonne Argolant the Duke of Horten Pompides and fifty Knightes that were come in theyr company So diuiding theyr Knights into foure parts they were in number eight thousand to euery thousand was a Generall Captain Arnedes King of France had the ordering of fiue hundred being attended on likewise by his Sonnes Gracian Guerin and Germaine of Orleance beside fifty good and hardy French Knights A thousand fiue hundred more were conducted by Recinde King of Spayne the Princes Berolde and Onstalde his Sonnes awayting on him with the Giant Almaroll and one hundreth Spanish Knights The Soldane Bellagris was Captaine ouer foure hundred Knights being his owne Subiects and for the guard of his owne person he had prouided one hundred of the chiefest knights of his Court among whom was his Sonne Blandidon whose noble behauiour deserued commendations To Belcar Duke of Pontus and Durace was committed the like charge as to the Kings Recinde and Arnedes hauing for the Guarde of his owne person Don Rosuell and Bellizart his Sonnes To the King Tarnaes of Lacedemonia who was an Ancient and noble Prince was giuen the Guard of the Pallace and for the more security of the Empresse the other Queenes and Ladyes hée had attending on him two hundred Knightes Primaleon was chosen Lord Generall for the Cittie hauing in his charge seauen hundred Knightes wherewith he had regarde as well to the Field as to the Cittie Palmerin Florendos Platir and diuers other Knights had the charge of the vtter wings of the Armie as lost children to giue succour where they perceyued most necessitie Thus was the Emperours Court well stored with noble and renowmed Knights yet his Maiestie and King Edward greatly desired the presence of the Prince Florian of the Forrest in whose absence both the Horsemen and Footemen were ordained as I haue alreadie declared On the next morning King Edward commaunded to strike vp Allarum for hee was giuen to vnderstand that the Enemie was within halfe a league of the
Cittie and that they prepared themselues to take landing and the Emperour caused himselfe to be carryed vp into a high Tower of his Pallace because hée would sée how Fortune disposed of his happinesse King Edward was no sooner arriued where the Enemie was but he placed his Armie on the Sea-shoare to hinder the Enemie from comming on Land but therein he was deceyued for the multitude of the Galleys and Ships were such as it was impossible for him to doe as he would Albayzar who was accompanied with the most renowmed knights of his Armie and two the most ougly and fearefull Giants that euer were seene made offer to take Landing first of all but they of the Emperors Court stepped before them and entertayned them in such sorte as diuers both of Turkes and Christians were very dangerously wounded Albayzar was so offended because he could not haue libertie to get foorth of his Galley as hee commaunded the Gyants to step into the Water to whose commaundement they preâ—ently obeyed and with theyr Maâ—es of Iron they began so to breake thorowe the preâ—sse and they which before hindred Albayzar from comming on shoare began to giue place as it were for his landing Which when Dramusiande perceiued hee stept into the water vp to the nauill and couering himselfe with his shield hee encountered the Giant that aduanced himselfe foremost and king Edward leaped into the Sea to hinder the other Giant from dealing with Dramusiande but while these foure were thus encountring together the other knights of the Emperours Court seeing their Captaine on foote began to follow after so that Albayzar was constrained to come neere the Giants because they thought he would want his ayde Palmerin of England being busie on the other side seeing the Horses round about the field without their masters doubted least some misfortune had fallen to his friends whereupon he gaue his horse the spurs and galloped to the place where he saw the greatest bickering and séeing King Edward his father standing in the sea dealing with such an ougly and monsterous Giant he presently came to him and stepping before him entred into these speeches I desire you my gracious Lord and father to giue ouer this enemy and giue succour to your friend Dramusiande for if any misfortune should happen to you your losse would be gréeued through all Christendome King Edward esteeming light the words of his Sonne would not leaue the Giant so greatly hee desired to remaine victor but the necessity wherein hee perceiued diuers of his friends caused him to step backe and giue place to the Noble Palmerin of England Albayzar behaued himself in such braue manner as diuers were glad to shunne his presence which when Florendos beheld hee aduanced himselfe to him and such knightly prowesse was shewen on eyther side as between them began a cruell and dangerous combate Dramusiande preuailed so well against his enemy the Giant as hee tumbled downe dead before him but himselfe was sore wounded as King Edward commaunded him to be carried into the Citie And Palmerin of England slew the other Giant likewise which his father left him fighting withall but himselfe was so dealt withall as in fiue dayes after he could weare no Armour Albayzar no sooner perceiuing the Giants slaine but he presently retired into his galley and so did diuers of the Turkes beside but when Edward saw the Turkes betake themselues to their Galleys againe hee mounted on horsebacke giuing a signe to his company to withdraw themselues desiring the Soldane Beâ—lagris the King Arnedes the King Recinde and the Prince Belcar who were dealing with another Vessell that sought to take landing to follow him but they gaue him to vnderstand how Florendos Platir Blandidon and the Giant Almaroll were carried into the Citie so sore hurt as they were not able to sustaine themselues The King Recinde Palmerin and Belcar were likewise grieuously wounded which made king Edward desire them to goe into the Citie and in the meane while Primaleon entred the field accompanied with seauen hundred knights desiring earnestly that King Edward and his traine would withdraw themselues that they might come with a fresh assault on the enemy But King Edward would not suffer it should be so therefore they altogether went into the Cittie being very much grieued that the principall knights of their Armie so sore wounded CHAP. LVI Of the griefe and sorrowe made in Constantinople for the dangerous estate wherein the Giant Dramussande was brought And how the Turks placed their Campe before Citie of Constantinople WHen the Emperors Captaines were thus come into the citie with their traines they passed the night in vsiting them that were so sore wounded at whose ill lucke Primaleon greatly grieued for he iudged the want of their helpe to be such as he was out of hope to defend the enemy from entring on land the next day And most of all for that Palmerin of England Florendos the King Recinde Belcar Berold Don Rosuel and Bellizart were in such case as they could not endure to beare Armes againe so soone Vpon this he concluded to let the enemies take landing and to suffer them to bâ—ild their Tents and prouide for the field in the meaâ—e while the wounded persons would be in better disposition and the succour they looked for would be likewise arriued wherewith they had good hope to bid the enemy a braue battaile in the meane time they daily gaue Albayzar and his company sundry assaults King Edward going to visite the wounded persons found the Prince Palmerin talking with the faire Polinarda whose company made him forget the griefe of his hurts for in her alone consisted the onely medicine to restore his health in like manner he found Florandos and Miragarda Platir and Sidelia Polendos and Francelian Berolde and Onistalda of Normandie Gracian and Claritia Don Rosuell and Dramatiana Bellizant and Denâ—sa Francian and Bernarda Guerin and Clariana and diuers others of the Knights with them to whom they bare most affection But Dramusiande was not in like case as these fortunate Louers were for his wounds were so yangerous as he could not enioy the swéete company of his best beloued Arlencea towards whom he remained maruellous affectionate so that I assure you the Emperour and all of his Court were so sorie for his misfortune as if the Citie it selfe had béene brought into extreame danger King Edward whose minde was not on such pleasure as he made any account of rest or quietnesse kept his friend Dramusiande company hauing his wife and Quéene Flerida with him onely to comfort the heauie and pensiue estate of Arlencea whose sad case may be easily iudged by young married louers Florendos and Miragarda visited the Giant Almaroll whose danger almost was in the same estate with Dramusiande yet he was able to walke behaue himselfe more pleasant in company then the other whose case was pittied and lamented of all in generall Soone after arriued there the Sage Aliart by
that came with the Ladie made this aunswere I see well my Friend that the request of thy Lord standeth with good reason wherefore thou may 〈◊〉 say vnto him that if thy misfortune bee such as that any of these foure Knightes chaunce to vnhorse me I will not faile to deliuer him my Horse and Armour Besides I will shew obeysance to any he shall commaund me on condition that this Lady may remaine at her libertie to doo what shee shall imagine conuenient for herselfe 〈◊〉 Pagan Princes were as well contented as could be with this good offer of the Knight wherefore they ordained to Ioust against the foure young Kinge who were very brauely and gallantly attyred in rich and costly Armour The first of them was the king of 〈◊〉 the second the king of Trebisond the thâ—rd the king of Caspia and the fourth was the hardie Soldane of Persia King Edward Recinde Arnedes Palmerin of England and Dramusiande departed from the Cittie of Constantinople with a safe Conduct from the Prince Albayzar to see these Iousts to them came Albayzar mounted on horsebacke being vnarmed except only a Lance which he carryed in his hand being accompanied with â—iue other Princes and a Giant When they were 〈◊〉 neere the Princes that came from the Cittie Alâ—â—yzars saluted them very graciously but the Knight that came with the Lady spake to them in the Greeke tongue that they shuld apply their mindes to other affaires 〈◊〉 to wast the 〈◊〉 in saluting them whom they could not affect 〈◊〉 fauour or friendshyp when he had thus said he returned to the Lady and prouided himselfe to enter the Ioust It seemes to me said Albayzar that the Knight no doubt is both hardy and valiant because he makes shew of such a braue 〈◊〉 Wherefore I thinke it best that wee accord to his will rather then abide the daunger of our owne liues So concluding he granted the first Ioust to the king of Trâ—bâ—zonde who was mounted on a goodly â—aye Courser his Armour of greene colour and in his Shielde was figured in a fielde of Sinople a Giant slayne in witnesse that hee conquered him nobly in a Combate After the King of Trebisund had taken his leaue of Albayzar he presently ran against the strange Knight but he encountred him with such force as his Launce slewe in pieces vp into the Ayre neuerthelesse the king of Trebisond sped so vnfortunately as hee was sent to measure his length on the ground so fore shaken and amazed as he was same to be â—arried foorth of the Field In the meane while the Knight rid to the Lady who was very glad that hee had sped so well the king of Caspia presented himâ—elfe in the Field being in Carnation Armour and a Hartâ—â— Siluer portrayed on his Shield in a fielde of Sable he gaue his horse the spurâ—es against the Knight but he was sent to keepe the king of Trebisond companie Which the king of Bithinia perceyuing he being armed like the king of Caspia ran against the strange Knight valiantly and meeting with him in the middest of the Carrieâ—â— broke his Launce brauely on his Shield but the strange Knight failed of the breaking his Lance yet hee mette the king so roughly in Iousting against his bodie as he was throwne out of his Saddle and the straunge Knight forced to forsake his Styrrops But when hee had recouered himselfe he went to the Ladie desiring her not to thinke amisse of him for that little â—ayle and he would make her amends on the fourth King Then the Soldan of Persia being brauely mounted in guilt Armour and bearing in his Shielde Fortune stately placed in her Charryot of Tryumph in a Golden fielde aduanced himselfe into the Course and Albayzar did him the honour to clap downe the 〈…〉 Helmet deliuering him likewise the Launce hee carryed in his owne hand whereat the Straunge Knight was 〈…〉 his Enemy made such account of so taking his leaue of the 〈◊〉 he pricked foorth to receyue the Soldane 〈…〉 they meeting both together with such â—orce as theyr Launces were broken 〈…〉 through the middest yet themselues nothing 〈…〉 whereâ—pon the Sâ—ldane of Persia seeing the 〈◊〉 prowresse of his Enemy came vnto him with these wordes I thinke it good Syr Knight that wee yet once more hazard the tryall of the Ioust but because I see you destitute of a Launce I will intreate the Prince Albayzar to bestowe one vpon you Syr answered the strange Knight I am content to allow any thing you shall ordaine yet am I somewhat offended with my selfe that I did not make you partaker of your fellowes misfortune Marrye I perswade my selfe that the faulte consisted in my Horse who is so sore laboured with trauell as hee can hardly performe his dutie Syr Knight answered the Soldane you shall not complaine for so small a matter therefore I will bestowe one of my owne Horses vpon you In troth Sir answered the strange Knight I am so vnacquainted with this Countrey as I knowe not at whose handes I might request such a fauour yet for all my want is great and your offer very courteous I cannot with good will make choyse of your horse My Friend saide Dramusiande for that I thinke well of your behauiour and gentlenesse I pray you to accept this Horse whereon I am mounted Good Sir answered the strange Knight in that you graunt him such courtesie who is a straunger and vnknowne to you your good will in the offer would highly impeach mee if I should refuse it So hée alighted from his Horse and mounted on that which Dramusiande had sent him giuing a signe to the Soldane that without delay he should defende himselfe Then each of them taking a Launce they encountred in the middest of the Carriere so brauely as the straunge Knight loste both his Styrrops but the Soldane of Persia was throwne to the Earth so sore hurt as there came foure knights to carry him foorth of the fielde The straunge Knight returning againe hée came vnto the Prince Albayzar with these wordes You see Syr that I haue accomplished the Challenge which I presented vnto you on this Ladyes behalfe therefore Syr Albayzar if you will graunt licence to any more of your Knightes to deale in the same triall with me I will attend theâ— the Ioust héere till night or so long as my horse is able to hold out I perceiue well Sir aunswered the Prince Albayzar that the pride wherewith you are accompanied maketh you so gallant in speeches but assure youre selfe it doth not a little gréeue me that I am generall of this armie which is a hinderance to me for dealing with you Neuerthelesse for the desire I haue to pull downe your glorious stomacke I am content that all my knightes shall hazard their fortune against you King Edward and the other Princes with him did highly commend the courage of the strange knight and but for that he spake the Greeke language so perfectly they would haue
beautie might not compare with theirs and gréeuing that Leonarda had escaped so well from the place where she caused her to be enchaunted she came to the Princesse Miragarda with these spéeches I cannot chuse Madame but estéeme meruailous well of their paines that aduenture their honour in the field in the defence of your beautie which is the cause that I must take in very good part the labour that the Prince Albayzar bestowed on your behalfe To the Quéen Leonarda she would not speak one word because she was married to the Prince Florian whome she condemned as her mortall enemie The Princesse of Armenia sitting betwéene Miragarda and Leonarda was very much abashed in that she was not acquainted with any of the Ladies of the Emperors Court who notwithstanding entertained her very honourablie thus they continued their Princelie courtesies one to another till the night drawing on Targiana tooke her leaue of the Emperor desiring his Maiestie to excuse her for the warre which was commenced contrary to her will The Empresse and the Ladies brought them to the Pallace gate where on eche side they parted with such heauinesse as they could not speake to one another but the Emperor himselfe accompanied them without the Cittie and because Targiana excused her selfe of the warre which Albayzar had enterprised against his Maiestie he tooke her by the hand speaking to her in this manner I promise you Madame it is not a little griefe to me that I cannot at this time witnesse how leâ—th I am to be iudged vngratefull vnto you who deserues to be honoured with most gratious seruice And as for the malicious dealing of Albayzar trust me it cannot diminish one iote of the good will I beare you but this I assure you you may dispose both of me and my Court at your pleasure and may make your selfe as bolde and welcome héere as if you were in the great Turke your Fathers Court. So breaking off and saluting eche other with great courtesie the Emperour was carryed backe to his Pallace and Targiana was conducted to the Camp accompanied with the Emperour Vernar the Kings of England Fraunce and Spayne and many other Princes of the Emperors Court who hauing brought her to the Campe tooke their leaue and returned to the Citty deuising seuerally among themselues to whose lotte Targiana and the other Ladyes should fall if so be the victory chanced on theyr side for it is oftentimes the nature of Souldiers to share diuide the spoyle among themselues before Fortune hath deliuered it into theyr hands CHAP. LXII ¶ Of the Battell betweene the Christians and the Turks and of that which happened NOt many Dayes after the arriuall of the Princesse Targiana the Princes as well on the one side as on the other concluded to ioyne in Battell Marrie the Christians were more desirous thereto then the Turks because the Victuals beganne to waxe scant within the Cittie Besides Albayzar came oftentimes and prouoked them also with his Standard and Ensigns displayed which vrged the Knights to cry call to theyr CoÌ„manders and Captains to suffer them to saillie foorth of the Cittie for it was a griefe to them to be so enclosed within and theyr Enemyes come daring so boldely to them without Vppon this Primaleon would gladly haue issued foorth if the other Princes would haue bin ruled after him but they would not Aduenture so rashly because many of them were weake and sickly with trauelling on the Seas therefore they determined to recouer themselues in perfect assurance of their health before they would thuste themselues into the face of daunger After they had well rested and recouered themselues and found that they were strong and able to deale with the Enemie the Commaunders summoned their traines into the Field and King Edward being Generall of the whole Forces commaunded both Horse-men and Foote-men to prepare themselues to Battell The first Squadron was conducted by the Soldane Bellagris to whome was committed fiue thousand good Soldiers being all his owne Subiects The second was giuen in charge to Recinde King of Spaine who had the conduct of thrée thousand but then sent him from the Kingdome of Spayne The third was led by Arnedes King of Fraunce who had the charge of the like number as the King of Spaine had with the two thousand Souldiers that were sent him from France The fourth was vnder the conduct of Polendos King of Thessalie who had attending on him the like number The fift was in the charge of the Emperour Vernar of Allemaigne and the sixt and last being foure thousand was conducted by King Edward of England Primaleon would not this day take vpon him any charge that he might the better giue succour to those places where he perceiued most daunger because he iudged it a pollicie to be vsed in Warre All these that followe were brauely séene in the Fielde this Day Belcar Drapos of Normandie Maiortes otherwise called the Great Dog Palmerin of England Florian of the Forrest Florendos Platir Blandidon Berolde Prince of Spayne Floraman of Sardignia Gracian of France Don Rosuell Bellizart Onistalde Tenebrant Francian Pompides the Sage Aliart the King Estreliant Frisoll Albanis of Frieze Rodamont Dragonalt King of Nauarre Luyman of Burgundie Germaine of Orleance Tremoran Don Resiran de la Bronde Dramusiande Almaroll and all the most renowmed Knightes of the Emperors Court who were in the Squadron vnder the conduct of the Soldane Bellagris they all concluding with themselues that so soone as the Battell should be begunne they would each of them take part on that side where theyr dutie and affection did best serue them The King Tarnaes accompanyed with many valiaunt Knights had committed to his charge the defence of the Cittie and of the Footemen were chosen fiftie thousand such as were accounted the most wisest and expert Souldiers that were vnder the conducting of the King Tarnaes to helpe to preuent any danger imminent to the Cittie King Edward himselfe being very braue and gallantly Armed ceased not to visite his charge of Horsemen and likewise hee came among the young Princes and Knightes encouraging them in noble spéeches and with a countenance bewraying the inuincible minde of a Conquerour desiring them to remember theyr Knightly déedes passed which might be an occasion to stirre them vp more nobly in defence of the flower of all Christendome With these and other such like spéeches he did so animate and embolden all his Traine as they that were the most fearefull and had least minde to deale with their enemies séemed as willing and forwards to the Battell as hée that was the brauest Souldier in the Field which when the King perceiued he withdrew himselfe and his company commanding the Soldane Bellagris to giue the first assault Albayzar diuided his Horsemen in ten companyes giuing to euery Squadron fiue thousand men The first Squadron was conducted by the Soldan of Persia who was accompanied with the Giant Framustant and about fiue hundred wel approued
as he cried for succour to the king of Trebisonde with whose aide he returned to recouer what he had lost and at length made the meanes to get Argelao and the king of Bithinia thorow the preasse But he that had theÌ„ séene the prince Primaleon might plainly haue discerned his willingâ—es to preuails against his enemies for he laide on loade so on euerie side and following vpon theÌ„ with his traine so nobly as not one durst stand before him to endure his fury by this meanes he recouered horses againe to Floraman and Berolde but they were so wounded as they were glad to get forth of the battell Primaleon Palmerin of England and Florian of the Forrest with their traynes helde the king of Trebisondes second Squadron so hâ—te play as they wished themselues a little furder off But on the left hand of this Squadron was the most daungerous battaile betwéene Framustant and Dramusiande who had gotten great aduantage of his enemies by reason that Framustantes sword was broken to his hand but Albayzar sent two hundred Knights on foote to helpe the Giant which when Primaleon perceiued he spake to Palmerin of England in this manner I pray you Sir goe with me to succour our friend Dramasiande for I will neuer returne into the Cittie except I haue him with mée Without any more words they layd about them lustily and knockt downe euery one that stood before them vntill they came where Dramusiande was thither likewise came to defend him against his enemies the Knight of the Sauageman Florendos Platir Polinard Pompides the Sage Aliart Maiortes Frisoll Blandidon Don Rosiran de la Bronde Belcar and his sonnes being likewise accompanied with twentie of the most renowmed Knights in all the Armie and to aide Framustant came the Soldan of Persia and the king of Trebisond accompanied with a hundred knights of great authoritie and valour they being all on foote When Primaleon saw his friends without their horses he alighted likewise and so did the Prince Palmerin but when the other Christian knights heard that Primaleon fought on foote they forsooke their horses and came hastily running to defend him and now beganne such a cruell and fierce battell as on all sides it remained very doubtfull and dangerous Dramusiande and Framustant so layde vpon each other with their pommils of their swords as they were at length so sore trauailed as their stroakes could but little hurt them Primaleon and the king of Trebisonde buckled together but such was the fiercenesse of their fight as in the end they were constrained to pause a while the like happened to Palmerin of England and the Soldane of Persia but the Knight of the Sauage man slew two Knights who came traiterously and strooke him behinde his back and Florendos with the rest of his companions stuck so closely to their tackling as many of the enemies ranne like dogges away But Maiortes was so compassed in with his enemies as none of his friends might come to helpe him so that he had such gréeuous wounds giuen him as hauing slaine so many of his enimies as durst abide him hée fell downe dead to the ground himselfe Florian of the Forrest was so grieued when he saw him fall as the teares trickled downe his cheeks and albeit he was in extreame heauinesse yet he followed on them that had kilde Maiortes and reuenged his death nobly because the death of so braue a noble man was much lamented of them that knew his valiaunt minde but most especiallie of his Sonne Dridan who with anguish of mind cast himselfe amongst his enemies and within a while he behaued himselfe so well as the Turkes knew to their cost his extreame griefe for the death of his Father yet such was his vnhappie fortune in the end as being beset among the thickest of his enimies many cruell wounds giuen in diuerse places of his body he fell to the ground his vitall spirite forsaking him and made him follow his Fathers dead ghost which was no small griefe to the noble king Edward of England in respect of the great friend shippe and loue that had remayned of long time betwéene him and Maiortes And because he iudged that fighting thus on foote would be the death of many his deere friendes he commaunded his hard horses to breake through the ranckes whereto they presentlie obeyed and scattered the troupes of the enemies in such sort as all his friendes were mounteâ— on horsebacke againe and Dramusiande and Framustant were separated a sunder but at this second encounter the king of Trebisonde was slaine by the hand of the noble Palmerin of England Dramusiand and Framustant were so daungerously wounded as they were not able to hold out the fight any longer wherefore they were conueied thence the one to the Turkes Tentes and the other to the Cittie to be tendered with present regard according as their dangerous estates required When the conflict was thus broken diuers that had entred with the first squadron retired to take breathing but Primaleon Palmerin nor many of the Emperors Court beside were any of them for it was a pleasure to them to endure the trauaile of Armes such small account they made of their hurts and their enemies The Empresse and the Ladies séeing so great cruelty and the losse of so many noble Gentlemen withdrew themselues into their chambers where they lamented in such gréeuous maner as if they had seene the enimie entred into the Citie whervpon many Ladies of great authorite hearing their pittifull lamentatioÌ„s came vnto the Pallace reposing altogither their hope in the aged Emperor if the knightes in the Field should fayle of the victorie The king Tarnaes would haue denied the Ladies entraunce into the Pallace but it was more then he could well doo for hardlie can any man gouerne the common people especiallie when a generall feare of their liues is threatned before their eyes The Emperour himself whose debilitie in yéeres and griefe of minde conceyued by this vnlooked for stratageme depriued him of his woonted good iudgement and pollitique meanes to preuent so great mischéefe as he could not imagine with himselfe how to remedie this suddaine misfortune but euen with a Womans stomacke rather then the inuincible minde he had alwayes borne héeretofore fel into pusillanimitie and doubtful feare with himselfe vtterlie forgetting the auncient Adage Audaces Fortuna iuuat and Targiana the Princesse of Armenia and all the Ladies in the Turkes Campe were so fearefull and doubtfull of the victorie as the Ladies in the Emperours Court. King Edward being Generall of the Christian Armie desiring to witnesse his noble valour in the fielde hauing rested himselfe a pretie space dismounted thrée knights one after another with one Launce afterward drawing his sworde he charged the enimes on all sides about him so valiauntlie as they were glad to auoide and giue him place And the Prince Albayzar likewise séeking to honour himselfe this day with the renowme of the field came vppon the
in the Field beheld King Edward and his traine driuen to the retire for that Albayzar accompanied with thrée Giants and a number of knights séeing the Christians fore trauailed came vpon them with a fresh charge but king Edward met his proud enemie with such puissance as he was glad to draw backe to rest himselfe a while assuring you that the King of England behaued himselfe so nobly in the field as the whole Christian campe reposed themselues on him Pompides Basiliart the Sage Aliart Platir Frisol Germain of Orlnance Luyman of Burgundie Rodamont Albanis of Frize Dragonalt Don Rosiran de la Bronde Tremoran Tenebrant Don Rosuell Bellizart and diuers other of the Christian Knights resisted the enemy verie valiantly and followed so fast vpon Albayzar and his company as had not fresh supplies still come they had made a notable conquest of their aduersaries Primaleon left to gouerne these the Soldane Bellagris and Blandidon went with Florendos and Floraman to the noble King Edward of England and as they would haue approched to him they espyed the Emperour Vernar and Polinard his Brother on foote enclosed with such a number of Turkes as their liues were greatly to be feared for the King of Bythinia had slaine the Emperour Vernars Horse and falling to the ground brake one of his Maisters legges in the fall so that the Emperour was faine to stand vppon one legge to defend himselfe in which hard case hee was verie neare his death but that his Brother Polinard stept presently before him and defended him with such manly prowesse as the enemy could not any way come to hurt the Emperour Primaleon séeing the misfortune of the Emperour of Allemaigne and how the Turkes sought euery way to take his life from him was so ouercome with inward griefe as the teares trickled downe his chéekes and fearing now the vtter ruine of Constantinople he ran with such courage vpon the enemies as downe they tumbled dead to the groūd on euery side of him And Florendos thought his Armour was shiuered and he had no shéeld to defend himselfe yet accompanied with the Prince Floraman he folowed his father shewing incredible prowesse Floraman setled himselfe against the king of Bithinia and preuailed so well against him as he sent him headlong to the groūd depriued of his life but Primaleon séeing Floraman to bee somewhat sore hurt desired him to withdrawe himselfe out of the Battell When the Turkes that were conducted by the king of Bythinia sawe theyr Captain slaine they beganne to retire very speedily by which meanes Primaleon recouered and mounted Polinard on Horsebacke againe but hee could not imagine howe to got the Emperour Vernar out of the field which made him aduenture with his men in such daunger as it was doubtfull he should haue fallen into his enemies hands For the king of Armenia came vppon them againe with foure thousand men hoping to recouer that which the other Kings had lost so that Primaleon was faine to alight from his Horse for the defence of the Emperour Vernar in like manner did most of the Princes and Knights fearing least any harme should come vnto the Prince and the Emperour but many of them were slaiue in this newe assault and so was the king of Armenia with fiue hundred of his best tryed Soldyers The Emperour Vernar séeing Death ready to entertaine him and that there was no meanes for him to shun it embraced it mildely and patiently but when the young Princes saw the Emperour slaine they carryed him foorth of the Fielde and brought him with great heauinesse into the Cittie which was now become in a manner desolate The most vertuous and valiant King Edward séeing himselfe left alone with the Soldane Albayzar whome hee dealt so stoutly withall as Pompides Platir and the other Princes might rest themselues and cause their Friends that were there slaine to be transported thence in the ende hee brought Albayzar into such estate as he had kilde him in the Fielde if hee had not bene the sooner reskued by the Giants that came with him Neuerthelesse hee taught him his dutie so well as hée tooke the English Prince for a very sharpe Schoolemaister While King Edward and Albayzar continued theyr Fight the night drawing on apace the Trumpets sounded the retrait so that euery one hasted vnto his Ensigne the King Edward summoned his men together they all thinking so well on theyr Generall as they iudged themselues happy to be vnder his leading and gouernment Bellagris and Primaleon brought their traines likewise to him and after they were all places in array the Christians betooke themselues to the Cittie and the Turkes returend to theyr Campe. CHAP. LXIII ¶ Of that which they did at Constantinople before they gaue the Enemies the second Battell and of the great misfortunes which hapned in the Citty amongst which chanced the vntimely death of the aged Emperour Palmerin AFter that the Christian and Pagan Princes with theyr forces on eyther side were thus retyred to theyr seuerall holds by the consent of Albayzar Palmerin the Princes and Knights that were slaine in the battell were carryed thence to be interred and theyr funeralls to be performed but for the grieuous complaints made in the Cittie for the losse of so many noble and renowned Princes I leaue them to the iudgement of the courteous Reader who must néedes thinke the griefe to be great in that Christendome receiued such a losse as in many yéeres could not be recoured againe The consideration here of entred so déepe into the aged Emperours heart as he forsooke this earthly vale of misery yéelding his soule to God and his body to the bowelles of his mother from whence it came at first at which time the enchaunted bird that he kept in his pallace sung thrée times together with a very pittifull note so that both olde and young in the Court did not alittle maruaile thereat Of this birde you may reade more at large in the notable and famous History of the Emperour Palmerins life which Booke is called Palmerin d'Oliue a History plentifully stored with discourses of singular delight being for the worthinesse thereof estéemed of many Nations as this History is likewise and therefore for the excellency of this aforesaide History and in respect it dependeth on matters briefely touched in this booke so that it is accounted as a parcell of this History I entend God ayding me to publish it shortly when I doubt not but the Gentle reader shall finde it worthy of the commendations that I haue vsed of it in this place The Obsequies and Funeralles of the Emperour were solemnized with great pompe and dignitie in like manner did they honour the Emperour of Allemainge and the other Kings that were slaine in the battaile Not many dayes after the wounded Princes found themselues in good disposition againe weerevpon they determined to enter the field because the enemies demaunded the battaile but first of all they prouided for the safegard of
the City which was committed to the charge of the King Tarnaes of Lacedemonia and the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley they hauing their conduct fiue hundred Knights on horsebacke and foure thousand able footemen and for the rest of the Christians they were deuided into sixe seuerall Bands The first was conducted by the Prâ—nce Primaleon who had atiending on him two thousand and fiue hundred Knights The second Band being of the same number was committed to the Prince Floraman of Sardignia The third to the king Estrellant The fourth to Albanis of Frieze The fifth to Drapos Duke of Normandie all these fiue hands being like in number The sixt was vnder the charge of the noble king Edward to whom came all the rest of the Christian souldiers The Soldane Bellagris with his traine had the charge of the vtter wings to giue ayde where he saw néede required When these Knights departed from the citie toward the field they were all in blacke Armour and their shields of the same colour without any deuices their horses were likewise trapped in blacke and the more to expresse their inward heauinesse they would haue neither Drumme Trumpet nor any kind of instrument vsed in warre with them Neuerthelesse albeit this sad procéeding to the battaile declared their owne heaninesse yet was it likewise a feare and terror to the enemy séeing them comming farre from them and euery man had closed the Beuer of his helmet because the enemy should not perceiue their mournfull countenances When they were come to the place where the Battaile should be fought they spread themselues abread in the field after the deuice of their Captaines without making any maner of noyse at all The footemen came after being all attired in black likewise and without either Drums Phifes or Trumpets wherby they gaue the enemies to vnderstand what vnfained loue and affection they bare to their Emperour and how they could not forget what gracious and friendly entertainement he was woont to make to his very enemies A thing which all Princes ought to haue in regard and in remembring the great vertue of this famous Emperour to gouerne their Kingdomes in such sort as the people may rather know what a gréeuous losse they haue by the death of such a Prince then to behaue themselues in such manner as their Subiects shall reioyce to be rid of their Gouernour The Turks were greatly abashed séeing their enemies come marching in this order they knew well by their mourning habits that they would in this battell make no account of their liues But Albayzar séeing the astonishment of his Souldiers came to encourage them like a noble captaine laying before them the renowme of the victorie which should be the recompence of all their trauailes and a sufficient reuenge for the death of many of their parents and friendes who lost their liues before the walles of Constantinople for which cause this warre was first enterprised When he had a good space vsed these and such like spéeches to them they began to waxe desirous of the battaile and chasing all their formerfeare out of remembrance they marched on after the same manner as they did in the first battaile sauing that they were vnder the charge of other captaines for that they which conducted them before were slaine Their Armour was very much broken and bruised and so died with the blood that issued from their bodies that it was almost as strange a sight in the field as the Christians sad and mournefull habites of blacke King Edward séeing his men placed in decent order and the backwings in such regard as hée thought méetest hée gaue charge to Primaleon to giue the consent with his company for he had with him the noble Palmerin of England Florian of the Forrest Florendos Platir Pompides Blandidon Don Rosuel Bellizart Dragonalt King of Nauarre the Giant Dramusiand and the most renowmed princes of the Court. On the enemies side the King of Aetolia was first in the field because he conducted the formost troupe wherein was the most puissant knights in all the Turkish Armie beside the Giant Framustant who desired aboue all other things to preuaile against Dramusiande The Christians finding themselues in a readinesse the Turkes sounded their Drummes and Trumpets to beginne the Battaile but sodainely came on them so great a tempest as they returned backe againe being not able to ioyne in fight for the space of two houres after In the meane time as this tempest continueth let vs returne to the Citie of Constantinople which as you haue heard before was committed to the chargs of Tarnaes king of Lacedemonia and the Sage Aliart of the Obscure Valley who finding by his Art that the Cittie of Constantinople would bee brought to destruction and that king Edward of England and the Prince Primaleon with the rest of the Princes Knights that maintained the warre would stand in great hazard of loosing their liues being not able to auoyd the cruelty of the Turks who would get the Cittie into their possession vpon these aforesaid considerations he determined to prouide for the safety of the Princesses and Ladies of high authority who were most of them great with childe and neare the â—ime of their deliuerance Wherefore that the fruit of their bodyes might not perish in this extremity he raised a very darke and obscure cloude which shadowed the light of the firmament in such sort as not onely they in the field were couered therewith but also the Cittie was so wrapt in the cloud as it was not possible for them to discerne it In the meane while both the Armies remained in great amazement by this darkenesse as they had not the power to méete together Aliart conueyed through this daâ—ke Cloud the Empresse the Princesse Polinarda and all other Princesses and Ladyes beside to the Perillous Isle which the Prince Palmerin of England had bestowed on him and he shaddowed the Isle likewise by his Enchantment in such manner that it remained as it were inuisible vntill Aliart conceiued so well of the time and reason as he thought good to discouer it These Ladies were surprised with maruellous admiration whâ—n they found themselues not in Constantinople but in a strange land where they could not haue their company who had endured so many hard and dangerous conflicts for their sakes this aboue all other causes did most offend and trouble their consciences yet at length when they saw no other remedy they were glad to practise and content themselues with often visiting each other in their Chambers to expell all other cogitations that séeme irksome vnto them Thus wil we leaue the Empresse and her ladies in the Perillous Isle and returne to the King Tarnaes at Constantinople who after the cloude was vanished away and the day cleare againe séeing that the Empresse with her Ladies and the Sage Aliart had forsaken his Companie conceyued such extreame griefe within himselfe doubting least some mischaunce had befallen them as amidde his
labouring to auoyde that motion that either might séeme to her person displeasant or by any sinister meanes to make shew of her disprofit destred him to appoint such prouision for her that there she emight discharge her heauy burthen and not to depart before she sawe the fruits of her labours To which reasonable request the Prince right courteously consented being right glad to fulfill that occasion that might be to her content and for that cause as yet he refused the gouerning of the kingdome appointing the whole affaires thereof to the wise discretion of King Fredericke his father vntill such time as he saw the Princesse in better estate of her health And in this order sought he ech vnfrequented place of passage and eche solitary habitation to remooue his Tents when pleased the Princes déeming those places to his better content then the youthfull delights of the King his Fathers Court But as the fayrest colours soonest fadeth the freshest flowre soonest withereth and the cleerest day quickly cloudy euen so the man to whom Fortune dooth anouch most fréendlinesse is soonest intrapped by he dissembling falshood and when least he thinketh of any secret doubt he is deceiued by sudden daunger So this valiant and renowned Prince whom Fortune had encouraged by his admirable conquests and aduaunced his name in respect of his Noblenesse new reclaiming her former and woonted courtesie causeth him to taste her present crueltie and where before she helde his Honor as best woorthie her fauour now in a chollericke humor breaketh of her fréendship causing him to knowe though she had holpen him long she was now minded to hurle him downe at last The time being come of her appointed treacherie and the meane deuised to accomplish her crueltie shée caused Don Edward to leaue the company of the Princes Flerida and all other his Lords and Ladies who were there present with her and walketh to the Sea side which was not farre distant Returning agaiue hée caused the tents to be pitched foure miles from the Forrest on a pleasant gréene platte by a little running riuer which delighted the minde of the Princesse the place was so fine and fitly chosen out On a sudden there was heard a great tumult in a thicket of trees neare adioyning to sée what it might be the Prince mounted on Horsebacke and rode to the place where casting his eyes aside hee espied a wilde and mighty Bore which sight the Prince was not a little glad of but with diuers of his noble Lords made present pursuite after Don Edward still rid after the game that the other had quite lost the sight of him which they sought againe to recouer but all was in vaine for the day being cleane spent and waxing somewhat darke caused them to retyre againe to the Princesse Who séeing her Lord Don Edward not returne with them fell into great dismaying and doubting of his safetie which she had iust cause to doe for that this his sudden departure was greatly lamented through the Realme of England and all kingdomes in Christendome before they had his presence againe The strayed Prince being thus allured by Fortune affecteth his game with such great delight that he neuer minded the Princesse distresse but gaue himselfe wholly to his present pastime not fearing for foreséeing what might be the perill His Stéede with tediousnesse of trauaile waxeth stract in his limines which caused the Prince to stay and alight for the darkesomnes of the night had lost his game and the fayning of his Horse required to haue rest Don Edward resting him at the foote of a Trée beganne at last to call to minde the desolate estate of the Princesse Flerida and the griefe his Lords would conceiue for want of his company Faine he would haue slept but could not for still the doubts that assailed his mind one while for the Princesse another while for his Péeres first to thinke how his absence would cause her to iudge somewhat of his vnkinde dealing then how his Lords would stand in feare of his danger these and a thousand more tristfull terrors with held him from receiuing that swéet rest he gladly looked for Alas thought he how hard is his hap to whom Fortune is aduerse how contrary his good lucke that awaiteth her liberality the one is a thing euer to be doubted and the other ought at no time to be desired The night is spent in these and such like cogitations and at the appearence of the day his eyes began to waxe heauy as commonly it happeneth vnto those whom conceiued sorrow denieth the required rest at last very griefe of it selfe constraineth them to slumber This carefull Prince hauing obtained such quietnesse as the extremitie of his paine would permit him stretching forth his armes calleth againe into question the retchlesse regard he had of himselfe so lighly to leaue his Lady and so vngently to forsake his company which although it happened against his will he iudged they would not accept it so in worth Then mounting vpon Horsebacke rode on to finde his company so vnaduisedly lost but Fortune still denying his pretended purpose by how much he estéemed himselfe néere to his comfort by so much the farder of she set him to the contrary yet hasting on in hope at last he arriued in a great Groue of Trées the thicknesse and height whereof caused him to fall into admiration with himselfe Through this graue ran a faire and cleare Riuer wherein he perceiued the resemblance of a Gallant and curious Castle as strongly fortified as rarely edified the sight whereof somewhat asswadged the egernes of his gréefe likewise the pleasant ratling of the gréene leaues with the mellodious harmony of the pretty chirping Birds exiled the former heauines of his heart and caused him to remember the gladsome time wherein he spent his labour to gaine his best beloued during the warres of the Emperour Palmerin where first he named himself Iulian. In these pleasant conceits hee rid along by the Riuer side so rauished with his inwarde delight that he little suspected the imminent daunger for vnto that place did he chéefest frame his desire which Fortune had appointed to worke his distresse Don Edward beholding the braue scituation of this Castle so curious in workemanship and costly in outward resemblaunce the Bridge at entring whereof was so large that foure knights might easily haue Combatted thereon no lesse insued at his suddē arriual then he meruailed at this his strange aduenture The Porter of the Castell with double diligence more then deserued thankes set open the gate to allure him in which the Prince perceiuing misdoubted no daunger or any secret guile in his gallant prospect because he neither sawe any to resist his entrye and the Porter being vnarmed made him doubt the lesse It last more on a youthfull courage then an aduised care he aduanced himselfe to the Gate of the Castle desiring to know the name of so pleasant a place who protected a thing of
Armour spotted with red and crimzen colours and in his Shielde for his deuise he bare a Dogge vppon an Azure Fielde The other Knight was all in blacke Armour and his Shield of the same colour without any other deuise these foure mette together striuing which of them should first enter vpon the Bridge Don Edward being come foorth and séeing them at such controuersie sought to ende the matter with these words Gentlemen if you come for honour or for zeale to trie the magnanimity of your courage striue not in this order which may returne to your great discredites but let him that is boldest first beginne so shall you finish what I iudge you come for Vppon these words Recinde couched his Speare but the Knight of the Dogge offered him this stay Syr it séemes you neither regard ciuilitie nor Knightly courtesie to offer mee this great wrong who both came before you and was prepared before you and therefore of right ought to beginne before you Recinde somwhat mooued at these wordes shaped him this replie Syr if in a brauery you séeke to goe beyond mée or in peremptory wordes to beare the Prize away you are farre deceyued for that words cannot cutface me nor your weapons feare me for I was first prouided and therefore will not be preuented Don Edward perceyuing these questions were like to grow to a Quarrell assayed once more to set them at quiet and thus he began This suddaine enmity driueth me to a shrâ—wde suspition that you come more to talke then to try your manhoode or rather to ieast then to Iust If you are disposed let the other twaine come and deale with me in meane time you may try which of you shall be first or last The knight of the Dogge being greatly vexed as well at the words of Don Edward as also the stay Recinde helde him in charged him very boldly in this maner Since you haue denied me my right and offered me wordes importing great rygor know that I will reuenge this wrong vppon your person and die in the field â—re I put vp this iniury Wherewith they ran together very fiercely and Arnedes prepared himselfe to the Blacke Knight so that betwéene them began a hot skirmish wherein Horse and Men were al laide on the ground Then rising vp againe and drawing foorth theyr swordes they charged one an other with such mightie strokes that their singular courage made manifest the valure of theyr noble mindes Dramusiande accompanied with Primaleon Polendos and the other knights stood looking forth at a window of the Castle giuing no lesse commendation to this notable combat then the behauiour of the Knights did iustly deserue Yet none of them could iudge of whence or what they were sauing that Don Edward knew the Knight of the Dogge by remembrance that he was alwaies wont to beare that deuice to be the couragious knight Maiortes not knowing any of the other but coÌ„mended them all as they were well worthy Maiortes throwing downe his sword ioyned Armes with his enemy to try his strength in wrastling and Arnedes likewise reciued the Blacke knight so that the blood issued forth vpon theyr Armor they althrough great weakenesse fell downe on the earth Then came foorth Dramusiande with his Noble Prisoners whose promise made vnto him by oath would not suffer them to start away and taking off theyr Helmets Primaleon knew the Blacke Knight to be the Soldan Bellagris certified Dramusiande that the other twaine were Recinde King of Spaine and Arnedes king of France who were all presently caried into the Castle that their wounds might be cured and themselues recouered Dramusiande vsed all the Knights very honorably refusing to take extreame reuenge for his fathers death but supposed their imprisonment to be punishment sufficient And for this cause he shewed himselfe more milde gentle because through their helpe he had good hope to conquere the Isle of the Lake which was kept by the Giant Almadrago who in time past had taken it from him by force In time Maiortes the Knight of the Dog the Soldian Bellagris the Blacke Knight Arnedes the King Recinde had all obtained their former health reioycing that they were imprisoned with their dearest friends whome they trauailed to seeke had so happily found But the Prince Don Edward was not obliuious of his faire Lady Flerida as also the griefe hee supposed in his aged Father whose sorrowe procéeded through his great misfortune which in time hee had good hope should turne to as great ioy CHAP. XVII How Palmerin of England desirous of trauaile to seeke after strange aduentures tooke the courage to speake to his Lady and Mistresse Polinarda as loth to depart without her leaue And hauing sustained a grieuous repulse departed secretly from the Court not taking leaue of any calling himselfe the Knight of Fortune AFter that the yong Knights had made manifest their great expertnesse in many Triumphes for the honour of thier Ladies and estimation they helde of themselues the Emperour grewe into more pleasant conceyts then of long time before hee had vsed the like causing euery night dances and deuises to be performed for the delight of the Empresse and the Princesse Gridonia but the faire Bazilia still refused their company for that the absence of the prince Vernar caused her spend her time in pensiuenesse Palmerin of England affecting strange aduentures and desirng with other Knights to make proofe of his Knighthood would gladly discouer his earnest minde but that hee feared to procure the ill will of his Mistresse It chanced on a night the Princesse Polinarda was sitting very solitary and Palmerin came and sate downe by her both of them ouercome with many grieuous Passions and both striuing to speake yet neither would begin As commonly it fareth with those that march vnder the Ensigne of amorous Venus who are subiect to many efeminate follies as an idle head a dulled wit a pale and wanny face their thoughts still silent yet alwaies at worke their mind mute yet neuer in quiet speaking faintly behauing themselues fondly walking solitarie and vsing sickly ieastures euer exclaiming on Cupid but neuer remembring their owne cowardise still crying fie on Loue when it were more meete to correct the folly of their life These are the Passions of a Louer which entreth through Idlenesse is kindled by Desire set on fire by affection and if Perseuerance helpe not is vtterly wasted by Desperation After Palmerin had sitten a good while and his Lady stil silent he gaue her occasion to speake by these spéeches Faire Mistres if I might as fréely speake with your blame as my thoughts are farre from any spot to bounty I should then estéeme my self happy in gaining such leaue as I account my selfe honoured by your gracious loue Yet perswading my selfe your gentle nature will not quip your friend nor giue any crosse motion that may cut his fancie by your pardon and on no presumption I shall yeeld the circumstance
stayed him thus Sir I haue taken the paines to come hither that you might vnderstand a matter greatly for your profite Dramusiande hath long time kept the shield of Miragarda and many knights hath he brought vnder her obeysance but such is the misfortune that her Shielde is stollen from thence by a Knight of whom she hath no hope to recouer it but only by your meanes Florendos to whose heart was already stroken a suddaine ioy began in this manner What will you Armello wish me to goe succour other seeing me scant able to helpe my selfe how may I in this weaknes presume against any one when being in my chiefest strength I could not conquer one onely knight Neuertheles because I wil not still remaine in sorrow which hitherto hath daily and vsually borne mee company I will followe the Knight that hath borne away the Shield of my Lady and will if I can make him to yéelde it me againe but if Fortune send him the victory against me then I shall be out of all troubles and sorrowes in this world Thus rising vp he desired his fellow shepheard who was his only delight to accompany him in heauinesse to beare him company and leaue that sad silent kind of life to follow the noble exercises wherin he had béene alwaies trained for albeit he was as then simple yet had he béene tried a good knight at Armes The knight though he was content with his sorrowful life yet had he not that power to refuse the request of the gentle P. Florendos for whose amitie they left their shéepe and went into a Towne hard by where they remained till they were strong enough to endure trauaile And in their time of stay there they made each of them a fine new blacke Armor both alike without any deuise at all because the Prince would not be knowne which made him not to send for his Armor at the Castle of Almerol Then departed they from thence and trauailed to séeke the shield of the faire Miragarda but they trauailed not lōg togither for that a misaduenture vnhappily parted them as you shall be certified more hereafter CHAP. LXXIII What and who the Knight was that bare Florendos company while he was a Shepheard and what was the occasion that they parted company And how Albayzar proceeded with the Shield of Miragarda BEcause you shall vnderstand who the knight was that kept Florendos company all this while the Historie declareth that after the Knights who were Prisoners with Don Edward were departed from the realme of England Floramā the prince of Sardignia tooke his trauailes on the Coast of Spaine purposing to trye the aduentures of the Princesse Miragarda And because he arriued at the Castle of Almarol when Florendos was gone into England to try the aduenture at the Castle of Dramusiand he had leisure sufficient to behold and muse on the faire Portrait of Miragarda which séemed apparant in his eye that he entred into prayses and surpraises of this beautifull Image Which made him desire that som knight would take his way thither to the intent he might shew some seruice to the gratious Princesse the seemelinesse of whose Picture caused him verily beléeue that there was none in the world might compare with her for beauty But as he remained in this opinion the old remembrance of Altea claimed one title in his cogitations which vrged some motion of strife to arise because he became no lesse affectionate to Miragarda then the knight that on her behalfe had won so many shields wherevpon hee began in this order O Floraman why wilt thou vndertake to exercise Armes séeing thou hast not the power to appease thy tedious trauailes but labouring to get out thou enrollest thy selfe the farther in Thou wast once content to be vanquished at Constantinople wherby thou mightst shun any more to follow this deceitfull Loue and art thou now desirous to enter Armour when both Fortune flies from thée and thou not able any way to endure it Oh blinded affection that must roue on euery stranger and knowest how strange Loue made thée of late But séeing too late I come to the knowledge of mine errour and haue gone so far that I cannot returne without my féet wet I purpose to pursue her by whom Fortune hath allowed mee a laboursome life resigning ioy to those that are wont to be familiar contenting me with heauines since I can no way eschew the happe And séeing a graue is meetest for a dead man a solitarie Wildernesse for a comfortlesse wretch I meane to beare her company with my mournfull heart so long that she shall die to sée me and I twise dead at any time to seeke her then shall my mishappes haue a ful conclusion and dispaire strike me dead once for all Thus breaking off his lamentations he walked along by the Riuer Thesin forsaking Horse Armour al knightly behauior entring a little shade of Trées where he determined to liue solitarie And the greatest contentation he had was when he sat kéeping Shéepe to play mournfull deuises vpon his Flute and to write and graue in the barke of Trées certaine amorous sonnets and Passions of a Louer which as the Trees grew so his seuerall Sonnets flourished vpon them And albeit he was resolute to liue from al company yet when Florendos came vnto him he found him so néere agréeing to his complexion and his manners and motion coyned in the like stampe that he was glad to receiue him for a partner in his heauinesse So that they liued together with Hearbes and roots pangs griefe sobbes sighes and salt teares the daily foode and sustenance of a Louer this was both their sollace and sorrow till Armello caused them to depart from thence as you haue heard discoursed already It so fortuned as these two careful Princes rode along by the Sea side they espied a little Galley comming towards them wherein sat a Lady endued with such singular beauty attyred in blacke and accompanied with such a modest behauiour as euery one might iudge her to bee some person of Nobilitie At this Ladies feete sat two aged women who espying these two Princes commanded the Marriners to row to the Shoare when beholding the Princes very rufully the Lady saluted them in this sort Sir Knights I desire the one of you to doe me so great fauour as to come abord my Galley to aide me in a cause which desireth the helpe of one onely Knight Faire Lady answered Florendos we beare Armes for no other purpose but to imploy our selues in the aide of distressed persons so entring the Galley he commanded Armello his Esquire to take his Horse and expect his comming at the Castell of the Giant Almerol where he would not faile to méete him Thus leauing the Prince Floraman the Galley launched forth that it was quickly out of sight wherefore he rid on desiring the company of Florendos to whom he became maruellous affectionate After he had trauailed thrée
other sixe there were but two that could defend themselues to any purpose The knight of the Tiger knew Dramian the king Recindâ—s sonne by his Armour and the deuise he bare in his Shield then alighting from his horse he put himselfe among his friendes charging one of them that fought so stoutly as he tumbled réeling to the ground which the other fiue perceiuing they were so greatly dismayed as in short time the knight of the Tiger and his companions made an ende of their wretched liues The Damosell arriued there very soone after when the sight of Siluian made the knight of the Tiger presently knowne to these fiue knights who were not a little glad of his company being all his knowne and approoued friends The first was Dramian sonne to the king Recinde the other were Frisoll sonne to the Duke Drapos of Normandie Luyman of Burgundy Tremoran and Brandedon al these fiue knights were conducted by their Esquers to a little village not farre from the Forrest where they were carefully attended till their wounds were healed The Knight of the Tiger kept them company two or thrée dayes when afterward he tooke his leaue of them setting forward the next way he could deuise to bring him to Constantinople where the Emperor was presently giuen to vnderstand of the death of Vascalion and his tenne knights which newes were highly welcome to all in the Emperours Court. CHAP. XXXIII How the Knight of the Tiger arriued at the Emperors court of Constantinople of an Aduenture which was offered to him at his arriuall BEcause the Prince Palmerin was desirous to be at Constantinople he left the company of the Damosell and the fiue knights of the Emperours Court continuing so long in trauaile as at length he came into the Empire of Constantinople without the finishing any aduenture worthy the rehearsall for I assure you the deuise of the Tiger he bare in his shield made such report of him in all places abroad as very few or none would willingly meddle with him But the néerer the Prince approched to Constantinople the more he found himselfe passioned for the loue of his Lady remembring her vnkind speeches the sharpe entreatance she vsed to him when he departed from the Court which were now so earnest in his thoughts as he durst hardly now offer to come again in her presence Siluian labouring as much as he could possible to cause him forsake that fond humor perswading him that the Princesse furie could not chuse but be now thorowly forgotten and he durst awarrant that she had repented her selfe many times since that she had vsed him so vngently The Knight of the Tiger hearing the wordes of Siluian began to comfort himselfe indifferently and riding on they came at last to haue the citie in their sight which the Prince stood and and beheld a great while with the teares running downe his cheekes and many a scalding sigh sent from his hart beholding the Chamber wherein his Lady and Mistresse lay When he had passed this cogitation so well as he could hée clasped on his Helmet and taking his Shield and his Launce hee commaunded Siluian to goe before into the cittie and prouide some place where he might alight because he would come vnknowne if so be any aduenture might be presented to him when hee arriued at the Court. And so it came to passe that a knight came to the Emperors Court the day before the arriuall of Palmerin hauing two Esquires attending on him who carried his Helmet Shield and Launce and comming very proudly into the Emperors presence he vsed his language in this manner I giue thée to vnderstand most redoubted and famous Emperour that I Arnolte the Lord of Astronomicall Isle and the giant Brauorant were very great friends together for that our gouernments were somewhat néere one another and to confirme this friendship long continued betweene them my Father concluded that I should marry with Arlencea Daughter to the Giant Brauorant but because both my yeares and discretion serued not as then they prolonged our marriage for the space of fiue yeeres In which time Brauorant departed this life so likewise Camboldam Calfurnien Brocalont and Baleato who were slaine by the two sonnes of prince Edward of England your nephews And to abolish altogether the house of Brauorant Collambra his wife by the counsell of the Magitian Alfernao sent Lady Arlencea her Daughter into this Countrey to the end that by their deceit they might cause the Knight of the Sauage man to forsake this Court that reuenge might be taken on him for the death of her Sonnes which would remedie her inward sorrowes seeing him brought into her subiection But now it is thought vnpossible to helpe this misfortune for Alfernao is slaine by Collambraes meanes who threw her selfe headlong downe in the presence of her enemies thus are they not onely depriued of their liues but that which is worst of all Arlencea is vtterly lost being in his keeping that hath slaine her whole linage â—â—d because I haue desire to finde her I enterprised to trauell hither being minded to deale with the knight of the Sauage man and not doubting but to discharge him of his life but he is not now in this Court whereat I am not a little offended for if Fortune refuse mee I shall not account it any iniurie to be vanquished at his handes who is daily woont to remaine victor in all places where hée comes Beside if I be depriued of my life I shall make an ende of those careful thoughts which maketh me desirous to be dissolued and for this purpose I intend to waite his comming Now if in the meane will your Maiestie will giue me leaue to make some triall at Armes against the Knightes of your Court I shall count my selfe highly pleasured the Emperour returned him this answere Trust me my friend you haue enterprised to séeke your owne ruine wherefore I would counsell you to giue your minde to such thinges the fruite whereof may yéelde you more commoditie then this is like to you And I assure you that neither Florian nor Palmerin his Brother is at this instant in my court whom I would wish to be heare neuerthelesse if in the time you expect their comming you be so desirous to make knowne your valour I grant you the libertie of the field where the Knights of my Court shall not saile to visite you I desire nothing more answered Arnolfe And so without any more wordes he entred the Field where he Iousted against three Knightes two of them being vnhorsed and the third vanquished in the Combat with the sword then the day declining they gaue ouer for that time On the next morning he entred the Field againe being in blacke Armour and hauing painted in his Shield little flames of fire in a Field of Sable The Knight of the Tiger stayed not long before hee came and shewed himselfe in the Field armed as he was woont to be but very much disguised