caused a more confusion in griefe generally thorow the Court. The Empresse outstanding the first affliction with more then manly courage being assaulted now againe with such a waightie oppression could no longer containe her former disposition but lauishly sent foorth a whole Sea of teares and the Emperour likewise fell downe halfe deade with griefe so that the Cittie was in such a sad turbulence for the losse of so many famous Princes as it neere hand now resembled an vnfrequented desert place all bemoaning intirely Trineus the Emperour of Allmaignes departure and the wanting of the other flourishing companie for if nowe an Armie had set vpon Constantinople it had béen no matter of difficultie to take it beeing thus dispossessed of all her defenders These gréefes growing to more discréete moderation and the Emperour making a better recollection of his thoughts beganne to consider that the strongest inchauntments which in those times could happen did but giue apparant instances of such Knights future valour as should by them eternize their names to posteritie which might sort out as well to his Courts honour as any other and make it as much feared as euer it had beene before therefore he beganne to be of better comfort knowing that true noble Knights would not fayle in execution of their duties as for all care else he referred it to heauen In which resolution hée chéered vp the Ladyes young and olde but Polinarda the mother of Leonato and fayre Candida who was deepely enamoured of him they could take little truce with theyr teares and the heauier was this crosse to the other Princesses who albeit theyr sonnes were prisoners and nature made them as desirous of their libertie yet none of them woulde purchase the same at so deere a rate as to buy her sonnes life with Lenatos death The Emperour séeing himselfe thus left alone and the Empire standing on tearmes of hazard if any hostile enemies should arise against it wrote to Don Edward then King of England that hée should bring what power he could with him to Constantinople for the better withstanding all dangers what-soeuer but he did not acquaint him with the case of Primaleon neyther the disaster allotted to Leonato because hée might iourney the more contentedly And till the time of his arriuall he gaue order for the fortifying of such places as were weakest in strength so that in a maner the walls were newly reedified but returne wee nowe to Tubante to declare a molestation that there chaunced to happen CHAP. L. How the Monster released himselfe and Ristorano in Tubante after that Tirrena was sent to Constantinople FLoraman after that the whole Army was drawne back to their place of lodging appointing a prouident and carefull watch commaunded euery man to his rest but the next morning hee called the Princes to counsell with him Blandidon also who leauing Oltrando to his charge in the Citty came to consult on these affaires with the rest where euery man should fréely deliuer his minde what was to be done with the imprisoned Tirrena Blandidon whō this case did most of all concerne would haue his Sister put into the hand of iustice and punished as her offence had worthily deserued vpon which opinion he stoode so peremptorily that Palmerin grew some-what displeased thereat but Floraman being discréete and wise returned Blandidon this aunswer I must confesse my Lord that a iust cause of griefe mooues you to the chastisement of your Sister but let me entreate you to remember that the Lady is become prisoner to the Emperour of Constantinople not to you or me and I being by him and you deputed as generall commaunder surprizing her my selfe doo hold it most conuenient that shee be sent hence to Constantinople there to endure what shall please his Maiestie to appoint her Blandidon knew not howe to aunswere this sentence perceauing how euery one leaned to that course therefore it being thus concluded on and wanting but execution so soone as Pompides was well of his hurts receaued with two hundred for her guard they were dispatched thence to Tubante where afterwarde they should embarque themselues for Constantinople In their marching they were discerned farre off from the Citty and Dragonalte being on the chiefest Turret not well acquainted with the Scottish Armes they beare armed him selfe to preuent the woorst going more then halfe a mile out of the Citty to méet them where knowing each other and kindly embracing as they walked on Pompides reported the whole successe of the warre as also the present case concerning Tirrena and how she should be sent to Constantinople Thus passed they along into the Citty where Targiana awayted their comming with longing desire to heare tydinges of the Christian Princes but most of all of noble Florian. Pompides in his serious well couched discourse came at length to tell her howe Victoria with two other Ladies were caried away to be enchaunted that Prince Florian followed for their recouerie So full of gréefe did these newes make Targiana that shee was ready to fall downe dead but bearing it out with a good spirit so long as shee could at last shee tooke leaue of the Knights withdrawing into her priuate chamber where giuing more scope to her hearts oppression shee remembred the hatred which Drusa Velonna bare to y e Christians holding it now for most certaine that she had thus caried away those Ladies to endaunger the Knights by some hellish enchauntment and knew not héerein how to comfort her selfe Dragonalte and Pompides not knowing Targianaes inward agonies gaue them selues to rest and so did the other that came with them because there appeared no perrill to be suspected But Fortune the daily enemie to the very least quietnes wrought in such sort y t the Monster which was taken before by our Knights when they combatted the Kings that came with Ristorano had laboured so successefully with his sharpe nailes that the strong giues were broken which bound him fast by the féete beside he had wrenched out the yrons which grated the window where Ristorano was kept prisoner with too much courtesie for he was neither manackled on hands nor féete and then passing so on together thorow doore and doore they came at last to the vttermost which by good hap they found open and not guarded at all where Ristorano assuring him selfe now on liberty gaue signes to the Monster to be very quiet So escaped they thence to a kindsman of his whom he before had acquainted with his meanes of fréedome hoping that but fewe Christians were as then in Tubante for hee knew nothing of Pompides arriuall and now was the time for the deliuerance of his Countrey But his kindsman hauing already séene the two hundred valiant Souldiours when they came and a Captaine of so woorthy reputation withall stoode a while doubtfull what were best to be done but being ouer-weyed with Ristoranos bold spéeches he would néedes make venter of his fortune and dealing closely with tenne other of
last they fell on a heape together when either being carefull of his best aduantage recouered footing quickly againe and fell to the combate as freshly as before making the fielde to ecchoe with the clanching of their weapons and both of them were wounded very dangerously sorting néere to Velonnaes damnable intent that they should haue bereft each other of life but that by good hap it came to passe when they were able to welde their swords no longer a friend came and kindly parted them Dramufiande beeing the man who after his departure from Tubante to goe for the aduenture of Carderiaes Iland where he heard so many famous Knights were imprisoned Franardo his sonne being one among them hearing the noise of this fight a farre off followed the weapons sound till hee came to the place where hee found the Knights at handie gripes together vsing all their skill and strength to ouerthrow each other and seeing in eythers Shéelde the deuise of Fortune albeit with the blowes they were pittifullie mangled hee presently knew Palmerin but hauing no guesse or apprehension of the other he spake thus aloude to him Beleeue me Sir Knight you may well presume on Fortunes kinde inclination toward ye that ye haue outstoode the valour of noble Palmerin of England Primaleon who could not denie within his own thoughts but that he knew his Vnckle well enough hearing the Giant thus to name him let fall his sword and offering to kneele humbly desired pardon for his ouer-bolde transgression but Palmerin sustayned him in his armes and as they grew lauish in complement and courtesie they felt themselues so faint and weake by the ouer-prodigall expence of their blood that they were constrayned to sit downe together Palmerin falling into a straunge swound or traunce Dramufiande with his owne Squire and the other twaine belonging to the Knights had quickly got ready two comlie Beeres whereon very softly they laide the wounded Knights and hauing bound vp their hurts so well as they could guided them to the neerest hospitable part of Macedon where they remayned aboue twenty dayes before they could be able to beare Armes againe CHAP. LXI How Florendos with Oliuato returned to Constantinople where hee found remedy for his lamenesse And how the other Knights betooke them selues to seuerall parts finishing diuers strange and memorable aduentures among vvhich is expressed vvhat happened to Arguto in his trauaile AFter Primaleon was departed from the I le of Carderia his Father Florendos hauing heard by him of the soueraigne oyle or vnguent would néedes returne to Constantinople to recouer his â—amenes Oliuanto was desirous to beare him company not altogether so much for his sake but rather to see faire Auriana to tell her the successefull aduenture of the King and the Lady whereby he should be the more welcome to her Franardo with Forzato and Almaroll would néedes iourney toward the bottomlesse Lake to conquer that Iland because his father Dramufiande could not compasse it being interrupted by Palmerin of England who made an end of the aduenture Don Rosuell Florian and the rest went whether themselues pleased and Dramufiande after he had accompanied the Knights foure dayes together in which time he sawe the dread of perill to be past he iourneyed thence to see his sonne and kéepe him company along in this conquest because his desires were thereto inuited Thus so many Knights strayed after aduentures encountring with diuers Ladies and Knights that endured wrongs in many seuerall kindes and were by their prowesse right happily deliuered But as the thrée Giants rode thorow a Forrest they held an earnest discourse to each other about a noyse of hammers which they heard and laboured by separating themselues to finde out the reason thereof but all their endeuour was to no purpose because this aduenture appertained to neither of them Franardo not knowing whether he went turned directly backe the same way he came and meeting with his Father the sudden ioy in either at their encounter smothered spéech a while in dumbe embraces and riding to meet their other companions to take the course before concluded on they chaunced to heare the voyce of Almaroll and so in short while met altogether But speake we now of Florendos againe who méeting by the way with no notable aduenture arriued in a morning with his sonne Oliuanto at Constantinople where the Emperour Don Edward and diuers Knights being in company welcomd them with no meane ioy and feasting Florendos perceiuing the Emperour his Father and Don Edward of England to be both in sound estate was exceeding glad in regard of the loue he bare to them good hope he had of his owne recouery Passing on along the Pallace his Mother Grydonia the Empresse Miragarda his wife and fayre Polynarda his sister came all and embraced him each contending who shoulde expresse most affection in theyr kinde embraces These curtesies being growne to a milder kindnes Florendos entreated the Empresse his Mother that shee would vouchsafe to annoint the place where the nerues of his leg were contracted numly together which was no sooner bathed with the oyntment but his legge became as nimble as euer each one reioycing at so pleasing an accident After that Oliuanto had tasted the kindnes of his grandmother and the other Quéenes hee went and fell on his knee before Auriana who nothing ashamed of the honest loue she bare him made the lesse outward spare of her inward affection When he had tolde her his mighty labour at the enchaunted Pallace she fetched a déepe inward sigh as knowing that such an enchauntment was neuer begun the King beeing a Magitian of so great experience and able still to renew it at his owne pleasure but that hee purposed seuere reuenge vpon Oliuanto Nowe come we to Arguto who was ready to die with very enuie because so many famous occasions fell to Primaleon and stil were concluded by his princely valour hée happened into the Woode so soone as the thrée before named Giants were departed thence on theyr iourney and hearing what a noyse the hammers made drew directly toward the place but euer as he attained neerer and néerer so much the louder and more violent he heard the noise making the very earth to tremble vnder him yet his bold courage could not be dismaied but still guided him onward til hee came where hee might beholde a goodly Sepulcher or Tombe which appeared by the principall image or figure made in the midst thereof to be prepared for some King there to enioy his royall enterment Now by reason the hammers noise exceeded in violence his horse by no meanes would endure it whereby he was constrained to allight and going néerer found the place hemd in with a wall thrée pearches high but not any doore to be discerned as he stoode musing heereon a while to himselfe vppon a suddaine a great gate opened in the Wall whence issued foorth a Knight armed from heade to foote in blacke Armour
he gazed round about him onely to espie her he saw her come running mainly toward him and the Giant following but somewhat further off with exceeding ioy he ranne to meete her and taking her by the hand opposed him selfe to defend her against the Giant who came with an absolute intent to haue slaine him but hee hauing felt the Giants stearne force auoyded his strokes cunningly and scaping one blow made so mainly at him as the point of the Giants sword stabd farre into the earth he followed this opportunity and smote the helmet quite off from his head though it cost him a wound in the flanke for his labour so soone as the Giant had fréed his sworde againe and afterward another vpon his left shoulder from both which hurts the blood issued forth very liberally Leonato tooke this somewhat straungely and began to consider with him selfe that all this was too little for his Ladies safety yet if in this conflict he should loose his life and shee afterward be by him brutishly abused his soule could endure no greater a torment Where-vpon trauersing light about from place to place and temporizing his owne trauaile to kéepe him selfe still in some state of ability that the Giant by the liberall expence of his blood which drild downe his armour a pace from his woundes might haue the lesse meanes to hold out against him he found this his likeliest course of preuailing but the Giant feeling his strength to weaken more and more leapt vpon Leonatoes backe and catching him fast about the neck strugled very hard to ouer-throw him but then he grasping the Giant about the body wroong him strongly by very meere force that they both fell together vpon the ground yet Leonatoes good hap was to be vppermost Now was he in greater perill then before for the Giantesse seeing her husband ready to be slaine caught vp a great braunch of a tree lying by her running to Leonato triumphing ouer the Giant thought to beate out his braines there-with that he might not stab her husband with his dagger which hee held ready for the purpose in his hand When Candida saw the desperate hazard of her Louer she cryed out aloude that he should take héede of that bloodie minded Woman and Leonato perceiuing his imminent perrill spurning her backward with his foote ordered the matter in such sort with the Giant that he stabd his weapon quite thorow his hart and turning afterward to the Giantesse had giuen her such correction as her trecherie deserued but that she ran behind Candida and falling on her knées to her entreated her to begge pardon for her of her Knight The pittifull-minded Lady perceiuing how Leonato intended to kill her desired him to remit her trespasse cōmitted but in the defence of her husbands life which prooued to be the safety of the Giantesse for Leonato hearing himselfe intreated by her who might cōmaund him to venture through any danger whatsoeuer said hee would willingly saue her life but shee should goe along with him to England So binding her hands they went with her to the Cottage where finding her young sonne he bound him by the féete also least he should scape from him then made hée signes to the Giantesse that she should prepare some-what for them to eate she stepping presently to a safe wherein she vsed to kéepe her prouision brought forth a yoūg Fawne and two little Boares which the young Giant his Mother drest in such manner as they were quickly prouided of a dinner Hauing fed thereon so long as they pleased they rested themselues there for all that day and at the entreaty of the Giantesse and her sonne they gaue buriall to her husbands dead body finding them likewise ready and willing to depart thence with them and goe for England At night they supt againe with such prouision as they had and early in the morning set onward on their way the Giantesse and her sonne still going before them loden with fresh water and other necessaries for trauaile so comming at last by easie iourneyes to Cales they there tooke shipping and sayled toward England CHAP. LXXXIIII Howe Leonato with his faire Candida arriued in England where their marriage was sollemnized with very great royaltie Also how the young trauayling Knights with them of greater yeeres experience returned the most part of them to the Emperours Court at Constantinople LEonato had such prosperous wind and weather that in fewe dayes hee landed on the Coast of England where beeing knowne for grand-child to the King their Soueraigne through all places as he past hee was entertained with excéeding great honor and for his sake his beauteous Candida to whō he shewed the brauerie of his Country When these newes were brought to the King Don Edward hee acquainted faire Flerida his Quéene there-with and appointed that most part of the English Nobilitie should ride to meete them tenne miles from the Citty of London himselfe accompanied with his greatest Lords Barons rode out of the Cittie aboue two miles where méeting with his graund-sonne and bright Candida riding hand in hand hee wondred to behold two such goodly creatures but especially faire Candidaes beautie amazed him so that he began almost to be sicke of the Emperour Primaleons doating disease But his minde béeing enriched with extraordinary vertues hee checkt such lawlesse lasciuious desires and hauing doone royall salutations to either would by no meanes suffer thē to dismount but turning his horse with Leonato on his right hand and Candida on the left so rode hee backe to the Cittie of London where at theyr entrance into y e gate they met Quéene Flerida and her traine of Ladies she hauing long desired to sée Leonato because it was often told her that he much resembled her Father Palmerin d' Oliua his perfect Image appearing so liuely in this young Prince as if himselfe had at that instant béene liuing So rode they thorow the Cittie with much ioy and delight toward the Pallace the people expressing all subiect-like loue and reioycing for since the returne of King Edward into England after his recouery by y e precous oyntment there was no other talke but of mirth iouissaunce Many gallant shewes and deuises were performed in the stréetes so that it was long before they came to y e Pallace where King Edward taking Candida by the hand conducted her vp into the Presence spending the rest of this day in courtly reuelling and pleasure The King perceiuing Leonatoes earnest desire to haue the marriage sollemnized betwéene him and Candida called his Lords to councell to vnderstand their oppinions in the case where it was concluded that the next Sonday ensuing it should be performed with the greatest sollemnitie that could be deuised As it was appointed so was it accōplished for I purpose not to tell yee perticulerly the whole royaltie of the marriage because the other young Knights errant being likewise enamoured of beautifull Ladies for whose sakes they haue past
through many perrillous aduentures calls me to discourse of them awhile Oliuanto who left Constantinople when his Father Florendos and he seuerally intended to trauaile in the recouerie of the faire Argentina trauailed through diuers strange Countries without stay or contradiction in any part til at length he happened to the place where the Adamant Castle some-time stoode and because that Field was vnfurnished of trées the Sunne at mid-day shone so hotely on him as it scalded him through his Armour Heereupon hee alighted from his horse and shadowing himselfe among the stones of the ruined Castell hee found himselfe drawne and knit thereto with such violence as hee could by no meanes get from thence whereat he meruailing not a little stroue to créepe from the stones by his vtmost strength but he found himselfe bound thereto the faster Béeing vexed in minde at this strange accident and studying how he should accomplish the rest of his intended trauaile a Swaine of the country passing that way when he sawe the Knight fastened to the stones in such sort with his Mattocke on his necke hee came to him saying Sir Knight you can neuer part hence except yee put off your Armour for this is the Adamant stone which drawes all kinde of yron to it Now was his griefe far greater then before when hée heard that he must needes leaue his Armour behind him which was to sted him in all perrils whatsoeuer and looking better on the place he perceiued that the same tower or Castell had stoode there wherein desiring the Peazant further to resolue him he told him Howe Drusa Velonna by magicall arte had built a Castell there on a Rocke of Adamant and kept therein a Lady of the Grecian Court whom a Knight of the same Court had deliuered and borne thence Héereby Oliuanto conceiued that doubtlesse the Ladie was Argentina for he knew of the fréedom of the other two before but he could not imagine who the Knight should be and séeing he must néedes part with the losse of his armour he asked the Country-man if there were no way to gette loose without losse of his Armes At that very instant one of the Ladies who had beene prisoner in the Castell with Argentina riding by the place and séeing the Knight so fastened by his Armour trotted her Palfrey thether saying The curtesie of Prince Florian in fréeing me and other Ladies out of this ruined Tower where wee were enchaunted with faire Argentina bindes mee to lend yee such assistance as you shall follow your knightly affaires and yet not leaue your Armour héere So alighting frō her horse shee tooke a Crimosine Mantle which was wrapt about her and spreading it ouer Oliuanto and his Squire the Adamant immediatly yéelded and lost his vertue whereby they were at their former libertie As they rode thence in company of the Lady shee told Oliuanto at large in what manner Florian had ended the aduenture and because his thoughts were altogether addicted to sée his déere affected Auriana who gladly would haue stayed him from pursuing this aduenture but that hée presently told her how a Knight should shunne no occasion whatsoeuer whereby to rancke him-selfe among those of greatest merrit séeing the Lady ready to ride from him at a crosse-parting way right curteously he tooke his farewel of her with hartie thanks for stedding him in so vrgent an necessitie And béeing come to the Sea-side he was soone prouided of shipping sayling in short while to Constantinople where he was honourably welcommed especially by his Ladie Auriana as one right ioyfull of his high good fortunes and hoping of spéedie attainement of their long desired ioyes In this time of generall contentation the Emperor had sent tidings through most parts of the world to aduertise his Knights that the thrée Ladies stolne from the Courte by Drusa Velonna were againe recouered and therefore they should repayre to his Court because hee would haue none absent at such a meete time of ioying wherby it happened that many were come in againe in very short while The first was Berolde King of Spayne who hearing of his Daughters deliuerance poasted with spéede toward Constantinople meeting by the way with Caro and Armindo who had lost much labour in search of the Princesse hearing now such gladsome tydings returned with Berolde without staying any where till they came at Constantinople Berolde reioycing not a little at the sight of his Daughter Soone after came newes how in one Ship were come together Don Rosuell Francian Fortenbracio and Orino but because Don Rosuell was of especiall estéeme in the Court many Lords Knights rode to welcome him bringing him to the Pallace very honorably As they were entring the gate they beheld a Knight who had come by Land and staying to be further resolued who he was when he came neerer them his Caske being open they knew him to be Forcino the sonne of Dragonalte who by his owne guiltie destenie was the amourous seruaunt to faire Spina of Fraunce but shee beeing proude and curious would neuer acknowledge any of his knightly seruices wherefore he liued in very desperate estate for her loue These youthful gallants being thus come to y e Court the Emperours ioyes excéedingly encreased to sée them in this noble manner about him whom they loued as if hee had beene their Father While the Court was in this ouer-flow of pleasure one day as they sate in the Hall together there entred a Damosell attended on by two comely Squires who hauing doone dutious reuerence to the Emperour deliuered him a Letter which beeing read by Palmerin appeared to come from Don Edward the King of England importing a further message to be deliuered by the Damosell the Emperour commaunded her to speake her minde where-vppon she began in this manner High and mightie Lord King Edward of England in loue salutes yée with all this gallant and knightly assembly entreating your Maiestie to pardon the offence of his graund-sonne Leonato in presuming to beare hence the beautifull Candida toward whom he hath demeaned himselfe like a vertuous Knight married her in the presence of King Edward and his Quéene The Emperour who since the comming of Aliarts Letter had heard no other tydings of this matter but doubted least some mishap might betide Candida though not by Leonato of whose honour and good cariage he neuer doubted yet by some other sinister meanes when he heard of their happy beeing in England and that King Edward spake in theyr behalfe whom he could not with honour any way contradict he thus replied Say to our louing Lord friend that Leonato may returne to Constantinople safely at his good pleasure since his behauiour hath béen so noble and knightly assuring him we are no way displeased with him wherefore we commit you Lady to your good rest allowing your returne to England when it shall please your selfe I desire no rest at all quoth the Damosell till I haue deliuered in your
throate hee thratled him in such sort as the Lyon beeing vnable to breathe began to shrincke backward Franardo pursuing this good aduantage tripping with his foote the Lyons hinder féete he fell flat on his backe and Franardo vppon him and getting loose his arming girdle the Lyon beeing much astonned with the fall he bound one of his legges which ere hée had fully doone the Lyon getting loose his other pawe and madly raging to be bound in that sort hee rent the Armour off from his side whereupon Franardo seeing in what perrill he was set his knée suddenly on the Lyons breast and getting holde on the other legge with much adoe bound it fast too so did hee his other legges afterward that he was not able to stirre any way In this while Dramusiande had strangled one of the Serpents neckes but with such difficultie as hee was greatly annoyed by the other and scantly could stirre with extreame wearines wherefore Franardo being as valiant a Giant as any then liuing caught the Serpent by the other neck and held him so strongly that presentlie he died Then was such a terrible thunder and earthquake and the ayre so wondrously darke on a sudden as they were not able to discerne one another but when the darkenesse was vanished away they sawe the Lyon changed to a man of fourescore yéeres old but bounde both by the armes legs humbly entreating the Giant to vnbinde him promising him to finish the enchauntment but Dramusiande willing to be altogether directed by his booke found that hee must not vnbinde the old man vntill the strange Garden were first quite ruined wherefore stepping angerly to the olde man he tooke him by the bosome threatning to stab him with his dagger whereat the Wizzard wexing somewhat fearefull sayde Saue my life Sir Knight and doe not kill mee and I will willingly fulfill whatsoeuer you commaund me Then praying him to let loose one of his hands he drewe a little booke out of his pocket whereon hauing read a while to himselfe he sawe the men and Giants planted in Garden run and cast themselues headlong into the Fountaine of blood so that there remained not one body but all were swallowed vp in the blood which immediatly was couered with fresh earth with a piller or Collomne of red stone aduaunced vppon it and an Idoll standing vppon the piller which helde a little briefe of letters in his hand so shadowed ouer with a veile as easily they could not be read then said the Nigromancer Nowe you must vnderstand that the enchauntment is concluded especially so much thereof as to you appertaineth now may you safely enioy your owne Iland But the Idoll which holdeth the scedule in his hande the reading whereof you cannot attaine to must stand heere still vntill a Knight as yet vnborne and sonne to the most valiant Prince this day liuing do chaunce to come hether to end the highest most perrillous aduenture that euer was heard of Hauing thus spoken they founde themselues presently to be in the Tower out of which they went at theyr owne pleasure but the old man vanished from them of whom ye shall heare more in the following history CHAP. XC How Dramusiande made his sonne Franardo Lord of the Iland assigning the Castells belonging to the Ladies to theyr Husbands Almaroll and Forzato Franardo purposing his departure thence to take Grandonya Forzatoes Sister to wife and howe afterward they arriued at Constantinople with they Ladies ALmaroll and Forzato who all this while doubted some disaster which might happen to Dramusiande and his Sonne Franardo though they had bound Tirso and the two other Giants that yeelded themselues when they saw them returne froÌ„ the Tower in so good disposition they ran cheerfully to meete them and kindly embraced each other Then did Dramusiande vnbind Tirso and the other promising on their good behauiour to vse them honourablie so they would be loyall and faithfull to him On the next morning hee caused a banquet to be prepared for espousing the young Giantesse Ladies to theyr Louers that they might the sooner set for Constantinople whether all the chiefe Knights of that Court now repaired to determine a resistance of the purposed warre which they daily expected froÌ„ Corcuto the Soldane of Babylon When the Giants and y e rest of the Iland were there thus assembled Dramusiande said that he would giue the I le to Franardo as his lawfull inheritance and then calling the Ladies they were there publiquely affianced to Almaroll and Forzato and two Castels belonging to the Ladies as theyr dowries were appointed to theyr troth-plighted husbands the eldest Lady béeing named Ferea and the other Albana Franardo likewise taking his oath for their quiet enioying of these their seuerall Castells with all the rights and priuiledged to them appertaining This beeing doone hee appointed that Fosco should goe with his Ring and a Letter to the Castel of the Vale there to commaund a Nephew of his named Oralio to bring his Souldiours with theyr wiues children and possesse theyr dwelling in that Iland assigning them the goods and lands of the deceassed Giants Afterward he wrote to King Edward of England and acquainted him with the whole course of this victory entreating him withall to hold his Sonne Franardo as his obedient subiect and to affoord him all honourable assistance for the better performance of his loyall vassailage in right of the Iland These orders thus established hee caused the Ladies to prepare themselues in readines because they should goe along with him to Constantinople whereof they were not a little ioyfull in regard of theyr desire to sée y e Court where the Ladies Princesses were so renowned for their beauties as the fame thereof was noised thorow the world In fewe daies after Oraâ—o came thether and thinges beeing confirmed in all méete order they set away thence taking all the Giants along with them because no newe stirres should arise by theyr meanes Thence went they first to Forzatoes Castell without any accident in theyr iourney worth the rehearsall sauing it was their hap to sée vpon the way the goodly Tombe or Sepulcher the aduenture whereof was ended by Arguto the Knight of the Sunne Comming to the Tombe they found it open and in it lay the shape of an Emperour but couered with such an arteficiall veyle as they could not perfectly discerne his face But Dramusiande well noating the forme of his body imagined it to be the Emperour Primaleon as indeede it was for the skilful Magitian when he saw the aduenture was accomplished to shun his owne shame conuayed thence the Image of Alexander y e great and placed this other in stedde thereof but couered in this manner as lothe to haue it easily knowne Dramusiande and the rest grew very pensiue that the death of the Emperour was so neere as by a manifest signe they perceiued namely the vncouering of the Tombe being hourely readie to receiue him In this griefe they
Ladies of the Profound I le because they were not acquainted with such courtly deckings Now did his Maiestie thinke it very necessary to make a publique sollemnitie for all these mariages together that his Court might be the more renowned therby but Aliart to whose iudgement these occasions were most of all referred told his Highnesse that they must stay the comming of the Princesse Targiana as also of King Edward of England who were in good forwardnesse on their iourney thether which newes were not a little pleasing to y e whole Court but especially to Prince Florian who stoode in doubt least Corcuto had commenced his warre and thereby endangered his beloued Ladie According as Aliarte had before promised so within foure daies after newes came from the Hauen to the Pallace that Ships of sundry Nations were put into the Port and a second messenger openly deliuered the landing of the Princesse Targiana and King Edward of England both of them riding in royall manner toward the Citty The young Prince Primaleon because the Emperour was weake and aged caused all the Lordes and Ladies of the Court to mount themselues that so great states might haue some entertainement aunswerable to their high merrit and so they rode in royall equipage to meet them where Florian encountring his faire wife Targiana gaue her most gracious and louing welcome as all the Lords and Princesses in like manner did reioycing greatly in her noble presence Then went they to King Edward of England and did him such dutie as his woorth deserued in regard of the great esteeme he bare among them and especiall fauours heeretofore from him receiued hee not a little glad at the sight of his sonnes and they as iocond to behold their kinglie Father Béeing alighted at the Pallace the olde Emperour for ioy of his youths-partner in Armes swounded twise or thrise downe right and much a-doe had they to kéepe life in him so that betweene these two extreames gladnesse for the view of so long absent friendes and sadnesse for feare of loosing the Emperour they could scarce containe any indifferent measure till the heate of either was more moderatelie appeased and the violence of such passions in better sort calmed Within few dayes after a Councell was called to deliberate on matters concerning Targiana who hauing seene into the practises of her Sonne was come thether to prouide for future dangers of warre not doubting but to finde her husband in the Court of Constantinople The Barons and Lords of the Kingdome being assembled together Targiana declared before them that all heathenesse drew to the faction of Corcuto because he had subborned many princes of Turkie to beleeue his right claime to that gouernment which since hee could not with quietnesse compasse hee meant to ouer-runne it with warlike troupes not doubting but his owne people woulde cleaue vnto him and iustly beare Armes against his Mother for marrying the murderer of her husband and receiuing baptisme among the Christians then which in his mind shée could not haue doone a déede of more indignitie whereof he would be reuenged euen to the vttermost She told them beside that hee was backt by a mightie troupe of Giants deriued from the progenie of Darmaco who was slaine by the valiant Palmerin d' Oliua and they were very bloodily minded hating all the issue and friends to the said Palmerin Héereupon he had prepared the greatest Fleete that euer was seene at Sea with resolute determination that if any man amongst them shoulde but talke of turning backe till they had vtterly rooted out the name of Christians hee should suffer the extreamest death that could possibly be deuised and what Prince soeuer being entred with him into this confederacie that offered to shrinke from the course intended all the rest were to holde him as a hatefull enemy and immediatly to turne theyr weapons vpon him punishing him all one as if hee were a Christian When Targiana had at large deliuered her minde with no little admiration of the Emperour and all els present euerie man was entreated to speake his oppinion and to helpe this dangerous case with the best aduise hee could Florendos perswaded them by many good reasons to leuey an Armie spéedilie and assaile the enemy at home in his owne prouinces all the young Knights iumpt with his oppinion but Palmerin Florian and Aliarte held the contrary alleaging that an Armie of such sufficiencie would not be easily gathered as might serue to beate the Pagans within their owne dominions Then Aliarte turning to his Father King Edward desired him to speake what hee thought most expedient because his long practise in war and graue experience could not but yéeld them the pregnantest course héerein to be taken King Edward replyed that the counsell of Florendos was so good as it no way deserued checke or reprehension and that of Palmerin was very expedient from both which grounds there might be an absolute course determined on But first of all hee aduised to prouide for Florians best securitie of the state who with his people of Thrace and y e ayde of Blandidon Soldane of Niquea might well maintaine that part of Turkie And quoth hee this Court God be thanked affoordes young gallants enowe to vnder-goe a farre heauier burthen then this Oliuanto and Fortenbracio they may haue the managing of these affaires Héere are beside of our déere louers and friends the Giants so latelie come from the I le of the bottomlesse Lake let them foure be imployed in some other méete place with promise of honourable recompence for theyr paines giuing each of them a Citty in the Kingdome of Paraz falne now to the Empire by the reuolt and death of Dyrdan alwayes prouided that no iniury be any way offered to Blandidon but vppon his good successe in this glorious enterprise to haue the rest of that Kingdome vnder his commaund When things are thus established abroade then may ye leuey an Armie according as your prouision by Sea shall require and though not consisting of multitudes yet furnished with so many generous dauntlesse spirits as may cope with an Armie of farre greater show and thereof let Lord Florendos be Generall choosing to him such graue consorts as himselfe shall thinke best of and may fittest be spared from my Lord the Emperour And such an Armie when the enemies of Greece shall weene to come hether will force them despight their harts to be more carefull of home least loosing Citties and Fortresses there they be not ouer-hastily recouered againe Then may a fresh supply be sent after according as intelligences shall be deliuered that if a generall battaile be proffered slight skirmishes sallyes or combats of man to man such good order may be taken in the election as it shall euery wa◠still redound to our benefit And Palmerin my sonne gaue good direction in aduising that as occasion shall néede so the Cittie heere be still stored with able men at Armes to be euer in a readines
sonne likewise who was called Leonato Claricia wife to Gracian Prince of France brought foorth a sonne hee had to name Caro. Onistalda wife to Berolde Prince of Spaine was brought to bed of a daughter who was named Argentina in beauty shee seemed another Miragarda but for honest curtesie much more affable Bernarda wife to the Prince Francian and daughter to Belcar had a sonne who was called Belcar after his Grandfather Sidelia Platirs wife and Primaleons daughter brought foorth a sonne named Estrellant Denisa wife to Belisart had twinnes a male and female the sonne was called Fortenbracio the daughter Candida This Lady grew so faire that she excelled all the dames of Greece and made the minds distracted both of Palmerin and the Emperour Primaleon because each of them for this rare and singuler beauty without regard of honour or kindred made choyse of her as their chiefest Patronesse Clariana wife to Dramian she had a sonne named Orino Leonida daughter to the Duke of Pera wife to Frisoll brought a sonne called Arguto This was no lesse an enemie to Primaleon the second then was Frisoll his Grandfather who was named in those times the Knight of the Sunne to Palmerin d'Oliua according as in fit place shall be declared Arlencea brought her husband Dramusiande a sonne of great stature who had to name Franardo excéeding his father in valure and dooing seruice like him to the Empire of Constantinople Cardigea daughter to the Giant Gatarin and wife to Almaroll had likewise a sonne who became no lesse faithfull and valiant then his father and therefore after his name was called Almaroll Florenda daughter to Arnedes King of Fraunce and wife to Germaine of Orleaunce had a daughter named Spira who was so faire but yet arrogant withall that not contenting her selfe with any Knights offer to her seruice thinking her selfe to be the onely woman remayned without a husband as shall be declared when we come to speake of her Clariana brought to Guerin a sonne who was called Armindo The ioy was great through the whole Iland for these Princesses good successe in child-birth and when the children came to be christened they were all named as ye haue heard alreadie but as for those Ladies whose husbands were dead they remayned in griefe as they had good cause For the kinde harted woman being bereft of her husband can take no true delight in any thing else what so euer CHAP. V. VVhat happened for the buriall of the dead Princes bodies ALiart beholding the wounded Princes so well recouered presently began to bethinke him on buriall for the dead that due honour might be done to each one to remayne for all their succéeding posterity And that the Ladies might not knowe whether he went hee secretly tooke shipping and so passed to the place where the dead bodies were Comming néere the shoare he espied Argentao with others accompanied who noted the Ships making thitherward hastning to the Port and there they met together euen as Aliart landed Argentao with a loud voyce told him how Satrafort Gouernour of the Castle had taken into his custodie the Princes dead bodies by reason of a strange accident there happening in this manner The day before in the chamber where Aliart found the bookes of the skilfull Vrganda was heard a wonderfull noyse and going to know the reason thereof they beheld round about the chamber many faire Toombs equalling the number of the dead Princes whereby they found themselues disburdened of their former care which was how they might finde meanes to interre the Princes with such honour as they had all highly deserued And holding this aduenture to be very important they stoode conferring héereon with Alfernao at the Castle euen as they beheld this Shippe comming vnder saile when Satrafort meeting Alfernao on the bridge and ioying to be accompanied with so wise and woorthy a Lord as Aliart began to acquaint him with the whole accident It nowe remayneth sir quoth Argentao to Aliart that your arriuall héere in so happy an houre may thoroughly resolue vs in many doubtfull cases because though all these Toombs are of most beautifull Marble yet know we not how to appoint each Prince the place best beséeming him As for you my Lord to whom farre greater aduentures then this are reserued in knowledge you can best appoint how matters shall be ordered in that you are to dispose both of them and vs. Aliart very ioyfull of these good newes perswading himselfe that whosoeuer prepared these Toombs so ready had likewise appointed them to the dignity of each person without shaping them any aunswere at all entred the Castle where being conducted to the Toombs and assaying to remooue them thence but could not he meruailed not a little thereat and standing in a solemne conceite héereon he bethought himselfe that it were necessary to haue al the other liuing Princes there in defence of whom all they had lost their liues but especially the wiues of these slaine Knights that they beholring their honourable buriall should take their losse the more contentedly Héere-vpon he dispatched thence Satrafort by whom hee aduertised Primaleon Don Edward and the rest that with conuenient spéede they should come thither and bring with them all the Princesses Within two dayes following they had there personally present the Emperour Don Edward Florendos Palmerin of England Platir Gracian Berolde Floraman Francian Dragonalte Blandidon Pompides Dramusiande who now began to walke a little leaning on a speares trunchion and Dirdan with him But Almaroll could not be there by reason of his weakenes marrie all the Princesses were there together with ioy and great kindnes did Aliart welcome them that all their passed gréefes were vtterlie forgotten and each had their lodgings seuerallie appointed that such as were not soundlie healed might haue the better attendance CHAP. VI. How the seuerall Tombes were made manifest with the Epitaphs belonging to each of them THE Ladies whose husbandes were dead did not as yet behold where they should be buried but imagining it would be in y e Castle grewe into the greater pensiuenes and wept as women in like case will doo Which when Aliart perceiued hee gaue order the next day that all the Princes with the Ladies should come into the chamber where hauing caused the dead bodies to be brought they flocked all together to beholde the euent No sooner were they there assembled but appeared foorth of the wall the figure of an old woman who holding a rod in her hand made signe by her lookes bent on Aliart that he should commaund to bee brought into the midst of the Chamber the bodie of Arnedes king of Fraunce which no sooner was done but a goodly Tombe like a bed presented it selfe vnto them which was bedect with flowers of golde so curiously formed as it was most meruailous to beholde and in the midst of a cloth rarelie wrought thereon was written this Epitaph The honour of Fraunce is not heerein enclosed Which nor to
of Niquea because a bastard sister of his by the fauour of some Barrons confederating with her one whereof expected her to be his wife were practising how to enioy it And this vision was not a dreame by reason these affaires were there in good forwardnes but the young Lady named Tirena would not consent to any Barron of that Kingdome because she was déepely enamoured on Dirdan sonne to Maiortes the great Cane and meant to deny her faith so lately receaued thereby to make him Soldane of Niquea Nor was this hidden from Dirdan who because he was young and amorous likewise looked not so much at the friendship of a Christian Princesse for satisfying her loue as perhaps he did to the ioyning of so great a neighbouring Signorie to his owne Kingdome Blandidon giuing credite to his dreame and perceauing if hee slackt the redresse héereof hee might remayne still a priuate man as he was began to consider aduisedly thereon for he knew right well that albeit he was sonne to noble Don Edward yet coulde hee expect no gouernment in England therefore he tooke truce with his thoughts and attended his health CHAP. IX How the Knight of the Sauage man following aduentures there happened to his hand a Letter with a Ring TArgiana and the Armenian Princesse who attended no other oportunity but howe to write concluded to put in trust therewith a young mayden daughter to one of her néerest kindred who at this time should serue insted of a Squire she hauing good knowledge of Targiana yet fained not to know her for feare of Ristorano But on a day following when the Matrones were busily bathing themselues they called her a-side and Targiana at full disclosed herselfe and what shee sought to compasse by her promising her no meane aduauncement if by her meanes she might recouer her liberty and Kingdome The Mayden who was discréete and so loued her Lady as for her helpe shee would make venture of her life made ready one euening such a kinde of wine that distributing it frankly amongst the Matrones they all went to sléepe and not one of them boudged till the next morning Targiana setting her selfe to write among many other made choyse of sending her Letter to Florian because shee loued him before Albayzar and bestowing the flower of her honour on him it could not be that in this her great mishap he would forsake her albeit the vertue of the Ring shold faile her Beside she conceited another helping hope that Leonarda might be dead because Drusa Velona when she enchaunted her into the Serpent said withall that Florian should not long time enioy his faire Leonarda according as the constellation gouerning at her birth declared that she should liue but a little while and when that happened she might promise her selfe Prince Florian to her husband in that she could not beléeue that her curtesies vsed toward him were vtterly forgotten On this conceite she framed the Letter and folding the Ring therein the Princesse of Armenia commaunded it to flie to the hand of Florian of the Forrest and opening the window the Letter with the Ring mounted in the ayre betaking it selfe as it was directed Florian as you haue heard being parted from the Iland with intent to come in no place of humane resort sought with his Shippe to kéepe aloofe from land where he might discerne either Citty or Castle and holding on a solitary course of Nauigation he came to a desolate and ruined Hauen so vnfrequented in his owne opinion as he imagined himselfe highly beholding to Fortune for bringing him to a place so fitting his desire Héere going on shoare he left the Ship and because he coueted to be alone walked on into a Wood where ouer-taken by the night weary troubled and burdened with many thoughts he lay downe vnder a trée to repose himselfe Héere redoubling gréefe on gréefe because he had so soone lost his faire Leonarda at length toward morning his eyes ouer-charged with watching began to folde downe their lids yet still dreaming on his conceites waking but pausing a while he felt him selfe lifted from the ground and inwardly touched somewhat amourously This was by a Néece of Eutropa Aunt to Dramusiande who when Florian combated with her brother became so enamoured of his valour as euer afterward she laboured to get hold of him and make him tractable to her desires She being som-what skilfull in Magicall sciences knowing thereby that Florian after the death of Leonarda was in desperate humours departed from the Perillous I le by her cunning conducted him to this vast Desert meaning thence to guide him to a Pallace of hers which stoode somwhat further within the Land Florian féeling himselfe lifted vp in such manner as hath béene declared said what mayst thou be that thus troublest my quietnes thinke not that any amorous thought hath power to enter my breast Then Dorina for so was the mayden called that burned thus in loue forgetting to helpe her selfe any more by Art came in person to be séene and said Sir Knight take pitty on the loue of a young Damosell who not able to repaire the hurt by thine eyes and her owne committed desires to bestow her selfe on thée not as a Louer but to be thy Seruant At these swéete spéeches which auaile very much in generous minds and could not be quite extinct in Florian who was by nature to women enclined he began some-what to yéeld not as one disposed to graunt what she requested but with an intent to hold her in some hope till he could better compasse to be rid of her whereon hée thus replied Such are my fortunes faire creature as my heart can hardly yéeld to loue any woman neuerthelesse your passions haue vrged me to some pitty and makes me willing to depart hence with you hoping that when your selfe shall behold me in like manner afflicted and with such amorous torments as I now behold in you you will the sooner desist from this ouer-fond humour The Damosell being wise was highly contented to haue him with her perswading her selfe that hardly could hote young blood defend it selfe from the swéete enticements of an amorous Lady So taking him by the hand shee conducted him to her Castle where he was so gallantly entertayned by light of Torches as scant could he imagine how to deny loue to so gentle a creature Being entred a goodly hall he was seated at a table right against Dorina who séeing him so often looke babies in her eyes supposed him thorowly vanquished by her loue making the lesse account to vse any more enchauntments The houre being come of going to rest a chamber most sumptuously adorned was prepared for Florian where by reason the night was very far spent he laid him downe and slept right soundly Dorina eyther weary with so long watching that night or making her selfe certainly assured to be beloued where she thought her selfe neuer enough pleased would not then goe sée him in bed because she imagined not that
should bee shewne vnto you neuerthelesse Fortune reseruing you to more glorious enterprises commaunds me to bridle all displeasure and not to vse you as in iust rage I might withdraw your selfe therefore into that little Cottage and there you shall finde what is conuenient for you Primaleon feeling the last Caniballs blowes most offensiue to him the more gladlie yéelded to this inuiting and being entred the Cottage hee found there a table daintilie furnished and a goodly bed for him to rest in there supt he without any dread of suspition and seeing none to hinder him went afterward to bed and there slept soundly CHAP. XLIX Howe Primaleons Squire arriued at Constantinople with his horse and there witnessed that a Lyon had deuoured his Lord in his presence and of another sad newes there happening also THE Court of Constantinople was full repleate with gréefe for Miragardaes losse and the two fayre young Ladies that were with her the Emperour beside was much malecontent because hee could haue no vse of his Armour onely through the lamenesse of his right arme which thus on meere constraint kept him in Constantinople quite contrary to his knightly resolutions and desires albeit both the wise Aliarte and Dorina had giuen him hope of recouerie and still hee remained in expectation of that promised good fortune nor did any imbecilitie or age abate one iote of his courage but continuing his former youthfull disposition often wished himselfe in the fiercest and bloodiest battailes Now in this idle loytering from the exercise of military imployment a softer temper had beleagerd his affections and carrying them in doating errour toward fayre Candida the Daughter of Belisart prouoked him to diuers priuate visitations of her all which notwithstanding the discréete and fayre natured Empresse Grydonia neuer minding the becks nodds and other ceremonies of an olde enamoured husband deliuered apparantly that shee discerned nothing whereat the Emperour was not a little contented albeit he would not for all his Empire y t the world knew his vaine desires as his in very deede Empresse did Time passing on in these and such like occasions the Knight of Fortunes Squire happened to arriue at the Court leading in his hand his Maisters Courser and tydings he brought of certaintie withall that he sawe when a Lyon deuoured his Lorde These heauie newes flewe quickly through the Court and the Empresse with the fayre young Lady Concordia who duly kept within her loâ—ging euer since the losse of Miragarda her Mother ran as bereft of theyr wits about the Pallace finding the Emperour in like manner neerer death then life But the Empresse Grydonia beeing of great spirit womanly discretion weighing in the equall ballance of her thoughts what greefe a man might take for losse of such a Nephew kindly embracing the Emperour spake vnto him in thys manner Right royall and my most esteemed Lord by the vertue of that loue which you truly declared when deliuering mée your sword and laying your head on my lappe you prostrated your selfe to death and bad me reuenge my wrongs for Perequin of Durace let me intreate you to forget these passions and liue with me in honours league as you ought to doe Admit you haue lost a noble Nephew yet comfort your selfe in Oliuanto his brother doubtlesse his Mother will also be well recouered againe for assurance whereof take this as a testimonie that in the heauiest and most disconsolate afflictions of all the Diuine fauour preserued and restored you to your Empire The Emperour beeing come to better patience was so inwardly comforted with these pleasing speeches that folding her in his armes hee declared himselfe to be contentedly satis-fied commaunding all the other Ladies and young Princesses to his presence with whom hee sate discoursing on matters beseeming theyr assembly the better to expell these sad tydings which so much afflicted him yet the death of his déere Nephew often interposing it selfe coÌ„pelled many broken yet well shadowed sighes which neuerthelesse the Empresse with heedfull eye obserued and made her very hardly to refraine from teares But nowe the houre of dinner beeing come a generall feasting together in the hall was commaunded whereto the Emperour was the rather induced because hee helde it as a matter woorth generall respect that a Knight so fauoured of Fortune and so full of fayre hopes should so vntimely be tane away euen in the freshest flouring of his youth This dinner was very sumptuous and honourably performed in which time many iocond humours and fantasies ranne in the Emperours thoughts that he could hardly beleeue his Nephew was dead and dinner beeing ended hee called to him sundry Princes of good yeeres to whom he imparted his priuate oppinion which sauouring as likely in their coniectures as his they fell to this conclusion that the Squire should be deliuered ouer to torments thereby to vnderstand the truth of his Maisters death So without any long delaying hee was taken and tormented in such sort that hee confessed the reason of his saying so was because hee thought him for certaintie to be dead and in excuse of his owne returning thether without him for how could it be otherwise his eyes were witnesses how a Lyon carried him into a deepe vaulte against which beast he could not well defend himselfe his Armour being before taken from him at the Tree of Fortune The Emperour aduertised the Empresse heereof and sending kindly to entreate her company so soone as she came thus he began Madame cherrish your good hopes for questionlesse my Nephew is liuing for I dare affirme according to some Magicall incantations which I haue both seene and heard of that the Lyon is so friendly a beast to the progenie of Palmerin that this carriage away of our Nephew by a Lion will sort in the end to his fame and glory Now began all former sad oppinions to be quite banished and nothing but courtly pleasures onely prosecuted but sée a suddaine vnexpected change againe Franardos Squire whose Lord neuer parted from the I le of Carderia since his surprising there by the Knight awaiting his fréedome by some other man of merrit and perceiuing Almaroll with the other Knights there to be taken likewise and Leonato enchaunted for defence of the place the Squire bereft of all hope that any one nowe could deliuer them returned also to Constantinople and there reported how many Knights were there thus strangely retained in the I le of Carderia This fresh allarum of vnfortunate tydings raised such a new discontent in the Court that nowe they began to credite the former report comparing present successes with passed accidents that Fortune now stroue to weaken the Court of Constantinople and reduce it into the like desperate estate as when Don Edward the Prince of England was imprisoned but this new crosse stoode on farre worse conditions by reason these Knights could not be deliuered without the intended death of Leonato which admitted no hope in so hard an extremitie but rather
hammer went forth of the Cottage where beholding not any one to offer him resistance hee stoode beating against that part of the wall where before hee had made some slender rupture and such were the blowes he gaue that the fracture extended it selfe now aboue an hand breadth more then before it had done from which labour he was quickly countermaunded by sixe Caniball brethren who were come to reuenge the death of their father wherefore bethinking him selfe of the Knights former aduise he made a thrust full at the nose of one them passing the sword quite vp into his braine whereby he fell downe dead at his foote The other pestered about him terribly with their Clubbes but still as they were hurt in the face they fled away from him toward the Wood where turning back at the very entraunce they did nothing but stand barking at him so that there he slew two of them and the rest ran away wounded Soone after were descended aboue twenty Caniballs together which set all vppon him at once offering to engirt him round as in a circkle but he setting his backe against the wall defended him selfe still with speedy thrusts whereof they expressed feare and kept off from him neuerthelesse his labour tooke so good successe that tenne of them he had wounded in their faces all which retired and would no more come néere him In little while after the rest were glad to flie with bloody faces and he remaining now alone leaning to breath him selfe against the wall was 〈◊〉 snatcht into the Tower but by whom he knew not and the the whole shape being scattered on the floore each part of it selfe went thether whence it came Not long had he stoode still but from vnder the Toombe came creeping foorth a very long Serpent so fierce and furious in assayling him as his lofty leapes and snatches at him made him scarse quick enough in his owne defence and still the Serpent 〈◊〉 to winde his taile about the Knights legges which â—o well auoyded by his manly strokes for the Serpents inâ—nt was to make him fall which if it could haue done the â—night had immediatly béene there enchaunted and thereof was he forewarned by the Lady during this sharp conflict Fortune euermore fauourable to Primaleons enterprises â—nd willing to make him generally famous caused him to giue such a stroke on the Serpents head that it réeling fell downe when passing his weapon quite through the paunch thereof it suddainly vanished out of his sight As hee stoode leaning a while to rest him selfe the doore opened and the Lady taking him by the hand went forth with him but there came a huge beast against him little lesse then an Elephant which hee hardly knew how to resist because he could scarse reach his belly with his sword Then he bethought himselfe of the great Partezane which he fetching in hast came againe toward the beast who had two hornes each of them aboue three yards in length as 〈◊〉 as brasse and very sharpe with one of them he hurt 〈…〉 in the shoulder forcing him to stagger and very 〈…〉 but supporting him selfe with the Partezane 〈…〉 it as he could in regard of the weightines 〈◊〉 blow he smote there-with the beast stil rebated with his long hornes often making the Partezane ready to fall out of his hands Primaleon wel perceauing the beasts fury and strength thought it best to temporize his owne resistance till he could 〈◊〉 some place of this Monster apteâ—t for wounding so keeping him off as conueniently he might till his vnweldiâ—es and violence soonest should wearie him at length beâ—â—sed face to face with the beast he gaue such a thrust at his browes betwéene the hornes that blood issued foorth in great aboundance This gladded him not a little that he had wounded the beast hauing giuen aboue twenty other strokes at him yet could by no meanes enter his skin which putting him now in some hope of victory made him watchfull of like aduantage for his further hurting but by reason his hornes were still dangerous to him he was constraind to keepe off and spend many a stroke in vaine till more auayling successe might better sted him Now grew the battaile to such desperate condition that Primaleon like one prodigall of life and honour set downe his rest on the vtmost hazard and holding his Partezanes staffe on the ground with good regard to the beasts fury his minde halfe perswaded him that good hap would direct his swords point to the very tendrest part of the Monsters skin as in deede it followed in the proofe for the weapon entred vnder the blade of the shoulder and passed along to his very heart whereon the beast staggerd toward him which the knight perceauing leapt off from him else had he falne full vpon him and so might haue endangerd him by his huge weight the Lady not a little glad of such successe sayde Sir Knight let vs returne the same way we entred so shall we get forth of the Tower otherwise there is no place for resting you but the Caniballs wil fiercely againe set on ye Primaleon followed her direction and then they beheld the Tower to open iust on the same side where he had entred so they issued forth and went into the afore-said Cabben or Cottage euen as the Sunne was at his descending finding there the table ready furnished and two goodly beds seuerally to rest in which to him seemed highly pleasing Then entred hee into consideration of the Lady reputing her to be of quality and greatnes by making such esteeme of him in this enchauntment but hee might not knowe of whence or what she was because the force of the Magicke would not admit it notwithstanding among some other gentle conference she spake to the Knight in this manner Most euident and apparant is it what happy fortune Palmerin d' Oliua left to his of-spring in that your gracious starres pleased to guide your hand to the onely direct place for confounding the beast which else all the strength in the worlde could not haue conquered But to morrowe there remaines a farre greater aduenture for ye as neuer could you desire a matter of more esteeme thereby may you gaine an vnguent which can cure the Emperour Primaleon Don Edward of England and your father Florendos marie the purchase of it will cost you much labour and perill perhaps will make you repent that euer you vndertooke it So excéeded Primaleons ioy that these Princes by his meanes might be recouered as he thought euery houre a yéere till the next day came and hauing supped he went to his rest vntill the bright morning early saluted him when beeing risen hee found the Lady in deuoute prayer for his safety Nowe began he to consider with him selfe that the Sledge or Hammer might stand him in some sted wherefore taking it vp on his neck he went to the place where he issued foorth which he found to be open and dreadlesse of any perill
Lord the Emperour Don Edward of England and my Father Florendos This so spéedie returne greatly discontented Trineus because his thoughts laboured on the aduenture in the I le of Carderia but respect of honor strictly tied him to his promise whereupon the old Knight made ready two faire Litters placing the Princesse Miragarda in one of them and the two Ladies in y e other himselfe likewise mounted on a milk-white Palfrey to accompany Trineus in his iourney Thus Miragarda showring downe teares to part in this sort with her sonne Primaleon coÌ„mended him to the guard of Dorina and sollemne leaue being seuerally taken they heauily parted holding on two daies trauaile by Land till the old Knight had prepared a good Foist well stored with victuals all things necessary whereinto they were no sooner entred but of it selfe it put froÌ„ shoare and in foure daies space arriued at the Port of Constantinople where right soone was bruted abroad the newes of Triâ—eus and Miragardaes landing which prooued so highly pleasing to the Emperour and the whole Court as without any scrupulous obseruation of state order they ran on heapes to méete them the Emperor himselfe being the first that came thether where méeting with his deere esteemed daughter in law right ioyfully he tooke her by y e hand saying Heauen be praised faire Daughter that I see thée in safety nowe hope I that my Court shall recouer her former floure and maiestie By this time Don Edward was come likewise to them who not a month before arriued there from England and Trineus stepping forward to salute his most estéemed friends taking either of them by the hand thus spake to the Emperour Be of good comfort most sacred Maiestie for your Nephew Primaleon is in good estate of health and hath sent vnto ye the soueraigne vnguent which the fayre Princesse Melia her selfe did make for the cure of her brother Armato King of Persia and his race and hath wone it by no meane hazards and endeuour wherefore he sends it to heale Prince Edward and your selfe of those vnrecured hurts which doe yet annoy you These spéeches beyond measure coÌ„tented the great Lords but especially the Empresse Grydonia Polinarda Arnalte the other Princesses who cirkling Miragarda in the midst of them could neuer be satis-fied with kissing and embracing her and so walking along into the Cittie shée declared to them howe the young Ladyes Victoria and Argentina were enchaunted in the place where Leonarda was so long time detained Neuerthelesse quoth shée beleeue it as a matter most certaine that they shall both be set at liberty the one by Primaleon after he hath giuen end vnto two great enterprises and the other by the noble Prince Florian. Then presented they to his Highnes the auncient Knight whose name was Helizabat sometime the husband to the wise Enchauntresse Vrganda and now so aged that his yéeres amounted to aboue two hundred as he made offer of knéeling to the Emperour his Maiestie mooued by so reuerend an aspect helde him vp in his armes desirous to knowe of whence and what he was wherein him selfe so discréetly resolued him as both he and Don Edward were highly pleased vnderstanding by him so many strange matters past as also diuers other that were to ensue These and such like discoursings beguiled the time vntill they were arriued at the Pallace where the Emperour and Don Edward to honour the reuerend age of olde Helizabat would néedes by each hand guide him vp the steps when happened by the vnguent a matter almost miraculous for within lesse then an houres space the Emperour stird at pleasure his stiffe benummed arme féeling it in as good estate as euer and Don Edward turning to see the Emperours happy recouerie felt his head leaning before a side vpon his shoulder to stand vp right and mooue as readily as if it had neuer beene in any such condition to the wonder and amazement of all the beholders Now to expresse the feasting and reuelling thorowe the Citty for ioy of these so happy euents is a thing whereof I am no way capable but let it suffise that Princes ruling by iustice and humanity doo reach so far into their subiects harty affections as continually they receaue from them the tribute of so gracious deseruing yea sometimes with an ouer-flowing largesse and bounty as people right proude of their Soueraignes loue and kindnes Such was the generall ioy in Constantinople at this time man woman and child applauding Trineus for bringing thether that vertuous oyntment but much more they extolled the Knight of Fortune whose honourable labours had obtayned it Trineus whose desire was after strange aduentures the next day conferred with Bazillia concerning the gouernment of Allmaigne and taking leaue of her without vsing a word to any other being armed he departed from the Citty carying no deuise or imprese because hee purposed to trauaile vnknowne so rode hee toward the I le of Carderia where hee arriued within fewe dayes after ioyfull and glad beyond conceite that Primaleon was not come thether before him making no doubt of finishing the aduenture by helpe of the Iewell he bare about him which kept him safe from all enchauntments Staying some little while a-loofe from the place to ease his Horse well néere spent with trauaile at length when he sawe time best befitting him he went toward Leonatos pauillion euen as he had newly vanquished a strange errant Knight Without any idle or talking daliance they made triall of the Ioust and such was the encounter as Leonato lost his stirrops and Trineus was lifted out of his saddle on the trooper of his Horse very hardly kéeping him selfe from falling but recouering his seate againe quickly he came against his enemie with his sword drawne who entertayned him with as chéerefull a spirit Trineus hauing this aduantage in the fight beyonde all the rest that no hurts or wounds appeared to him as to the former aduenturers they vsually did which onely was caused by the vertue of his Iewell The combate continued aboue two houres and there might they haue fought two dayes together or else haue miscaried by wearines their equality of valour was so correspondent and their knowledge in fight so aunswerable as albeit they did little harme to each other yet grew they breathlesse and quite tired Now the Sorceresse not coueting the death of any knight in this aduenture knowing no other meanes to appease this contention sent forth a Damosell heauily countenanced wrapt in a mantle of white Satten ritchly fringed with gold sitting in a saddle of gréene veluet on a very gallant Palfray sumptuously caparisoned and comming to them with mournfull deiected lookes she spoke in this manner Which of you faire Lords will take pitty on an vnfortunate Lady to whom hath happened a disgrace beyond comparison and onely through the fault of a false and most disloyall Knight Leonato being tied by the enchauntments power to that place least any should come to end the aduenture