Emperour said I beseech you my Lord graunt me one request which shall be no way preiudiciall to your Maiestie Arise sir Palmerin quoth the Emperour aske what thou wilt and thou shalt haue it My Lord Tryneus and the Princesse Agriola saide Palmerin are religiously married betweene themselues let me intreate your highnesse to confirme it witâ— open solâ—mnization before the Duke of Mecaena héere present whom I meane to send into England that he may resolue the King howe himselfe was an eye witnesse of their marriage The Emperour liked so well of Palmerins motion as soone after the wedding was solemnized and he comming to Bryonella courteously taking her by the hand said My good friend Brionella I am now to be discharged of the promise I made at my last being here in witnesse whereof I haue brought your knight sir Ptolome and him I commend to your further fauour So highly am I beholding vnto you my Lord quoth shée as neuer shall I bee able to returne sufficient recompence but were we equall in ioy with the Prince Tryneus and faire Agriola then would I think no storme could wrong vs. Palmerin at these words presently left her and perswaded the Emperour so well as Ptolome and Brionella were likewise espoused togither when Palmerin conferring with the Princesse Agriola thus spake to her Now may you iudge Madame whether I deceiued ye or no and if the estate of my Lord Tryneus be any lesse then I told ye Had I not giuen faithfull credit to your spéeches answered Agriola I would not haue forsaken my Parents and friendes so rashly but I hope they will pardon me in that I haue done nothing but to their honour On the morrow with excéeding ioy and rare tryumphs were Palmerin and Polinarda married togither and thus was long and faithfull loue worthily requited Ptolome was now created Duke of Saxon and Dyardo tooke his leaue to goe sée his wife Cordonya whom he had not heard of since the time he was taken by the Pirates Chap. LXI Howe Palmerin sent Ptolome Duke of Saxon as his Ambassador to the King of France and the Duke Eustace of Mecaena to the King of England to treate of the peace betweene them CErtaine dayes before the departure of Dyardo toward Bohemia Palmerin in the presence of the Emperour and all the Princes gaue the charge of his Embassade to the Duke Ptolome which he should deliuer not onely to the most Christian King of France himself but also to his yongest sonne who now had espoused the Duchesse of Buroundie So departed Ptolome from Vienna accompanied with many Lordes and knights and at length arriued at Digeon where the Prince Lâ—wes being acquainted with the cause of his comming thus answered the Ambassadour My Lorde sometime I had acquaintance in Fraunce with the most renowned Palmerin and because hée is the onely man of the worlde to whom I owe all friendly affection I will perswade my Father to ioyne in peace with him Nowe was Ptolome in good hope that his trauaile woulde sorte to successiue ende wherefore they presently iourneyed to the King who as then was with his estates at Paris and hauing hearde Palmerins request who nowe was wedded to the Princesse Polynarda and therefore his intended warre with the Emperour would extende to the hurt of the man he loued thus answered Duke of Saxon I am sufficiently acquainted with the bountie of thy Maister and verie well I doo remember that at his béeing in Fraunce he combatted for his Ladie Polinarda yet was I ignoraunt till nowe of that hath happened But leaste hée should conceiue that I séeke to make a commotion in Christeâ—dome let him enioy his Ladie and Wife in peace although shée was sometime promised to mine eldest Sonne reseruing the conditions of our amitie that our first Nephewes and Néeces may match togither in marriage therby to continue the honour of their predecessours As for the Kings of Spaine and England who moued me to giue them assistaunce on there behalfe I can make you no certaine answere vntill my Messengers be returned home againe Gracious Lord quoth Ptolome I dare assure you in the name of my Maister that hée hath euermore estéemed your fauour among the best Christian Princes and will not refuse the marriage betwéene your Children héereafter And this coniunction of your amitie will cause that neither the Kings of Spaine or England will séeke to molest him but with your highnesse ioyne in loue and friendship With this answer Ptolome returned to Vienna where the Emperour and Palmerin welcommed him with excéeding honour and by this time had the Duke Eustace taken landing in England where deliuering the summe of his charge to the King his highnesse returned him this answere Although my Lord Ambassadour both your Maister and the Prince Tryneus did me manifest dishonor yet not to withstand peace which still ought to bâ—â— preferred before warre I graunt his request and will presently call home my Garrisons shaking hands with him in honourable concord As for the wrong doone to my Daughter I am content to excuse it beléeuing that shée was not conueyed hence but with her will thanking the Prince for the honour he hath done her séeing she would leaue her Parents and friendes so lightly I thinke my gracious Lord answered the Duke that when you consider what your Daughter hath done you will not touch her with want of witte or iudgement for in respect of the long enmitie betwéene the Emperour and you shée desired that her marriage might sort this happie ende Nor would she haue departed hence with the Prince Tryneus without a faithfull and resolued promise of marriage which is performed with as great honour as euer was done to the daughter of a King Thinke you quoth the King that had not the great friendship of Tryneus when against his Fathers will he came with Palmerin to assist me quallified the weight of mine anger against him but I woulde haue pursued the iniurie he did to me yet did I referre his seruice to the iudgements of my Lords of England who perswaded me to reuenge which you well perceiue as yet I haue not done Prince Palmerin quoth the Duke is so vertuous as rather woulde hée haue runne on a thousande deathes then your daughters honour shoulde anie way haue béene impeached but béeing assured of this fortunate issue both hée and Tryneus aduentured as they did And sorrie am not I said the King that all things are come so well to passe but séeing we are entred thus farre in spéeche tell mée I pray you how Palmerin came to the knowledge of his Parents and howe hée finished the aduentures at the Castle of the tenne Rockes and the daungerous Isle of Malfada which neuer any Knight could compasse before Then the Duke rehearsed euerie accident how amourous the great Turke was on the Princesse Agriola and each seuerall occasion as they fell out at which report the Quéene with her Ladies were present who hearing the discourse
Palmerin D'Oliua The Mirrour of nobilitie Mappe of honor Anotamie of rare fortunes Heroycall president of Loue VVonder for Chiualrie and most accomplished Knight in all perfections Presenting to noble mindes theyr Courtlie desires to Gentles theyr choise expectations and to the inferiour sorte howe to imitate theyr vertues handled vvith modestie to shun offence yet all delightfull for recreation Written in the Spanish Italian and French and from them turned into English by A. M. one of the Messengers of her Maiesties Chamber Patere aut abstine At London Printed by I. Charlewoode for William VVright and are to bee solde at his Shoppe adioyning to S. Mildreds Church in the Poultrie the middle Shoppe in the rowe 1588. To the right noble learned and worthie minded Lord Edward de Veâ—e Earle of Oxenford Viscount Bulbeck Lord Sanford and of Badelsmere and Lord high Chamberlaine of England A. M. wisheth continuall happines in this life and in the world to come AMong the Spartanes right noble Lord and sometime my honorable Maister nothing was accounted more odious then the forgetfulnes of the seruaunt towardes his Maister which made Mucronius who had beene seruaunt to Hagarbus a poore Arteâ—an and for his vertues afterward called to the office of a Senatouâ— in all assemblies to reuerence his poore Maister so that he would often say It was honour to Mucronius that he had beene seruaunt to Hagarbus Though this example my good Lord be vnfit for me in what respect beseemes me not to speake Yet that excelâ—lent opinion of the Spartanes I count it religion for me to immitate For if this vice was so despised among such famous persons what reproch wold it be to so poore an abiect as my selfe beeing once so happy as to serue a Maister so noble to forget his precious vertues which makes him generally belooued but cheerfâ—ly mine owne dutie which nothing but death can discharge In remembraunce therfore of my officious zeale I present your Honour the willing endeuours of your late seruaunt howe simple soeuer they be right perfect shall you make them by your fauourable acceptaunce this being added that were I equall in ability with the best all should be offered to my noble Maister If Palmerin hath sustained any wrong by my bad translation being so worthely set downe in other languages Your Honour hauing such speciall knowledge in them I hope will let slip any fault escaped in respect I haue doone my good will the largest talent I haue to bestowe And seeing the time affordes me such oportunitie that with ending this first parte the olde yeere is expired I present it my noble Lord as your seruauntes New yeeres gift and therewithall deliuer my most affectionate dutie euermore ready at your Honours commaundement Needelesse were it by tediousnes to growe troublesome when a woord suffiseth to so sound iudgement I submit my selfe and my Booke to your gracious conceit and the second part now on the presse and well neere finished I will shortly present my worthie Patrone In meane while I wish your Honor so many New yeers of happines as may stand with the heauenly appointment â—nd my modestie to desire Sometime your Honours seruant yet continuing in all humble duty Anthonie Monday To the courteous Readers WHen I finished my seconde parte of Palmerin of England I promised this worke of Palmerin D'Oliua because it depended so especially on the other to discharge that debt for promise is no lesse accounted with the new yeere I send him abroad a freendly companion for the long euenings and a fit recreation for other vacant times But because some perhaps will make exceptions against me that being but one Booke in other languages I now deuide it twaine my aunswer is that to glut men with delight may make them surfeit and so in expecting thanks for my paynes I should remaine condemned by generall misliking Beside a Booke growing too bigge in quantitie is profitable neither to the minde nor the pursse for that men are now so wise and the world so hard as they looue not to buie pleasure at vnreasonable price And yet the first parte will entice them to haue the second when it may bee alleaged the cost is as great as though it had come altogether yet Iâ—am of the minde that a man grutcheth not so much at a little mony payd at seuerall times as he doth at once for this aduauntage he hath in meane time he may imploy halfe his mony on more needful occasions and raise some benefit toward buying the second parte Againe the other part will be new at the comming forth where now it wold be stale for such are affectioÌ„s now a daies that a booke a sennight olde is scant worth the reading Thus no iniurie is offered by deuiding my Booke but profitte both to you and me yours I haue rehearsed and mine is that a little pause dooth well in so long a labour beside this aduauntage would I take that if my first parte deserued no liking you should neuer be offended by me with the second Yet heerein I am encouraged that what hath past with so great applause in diuers languages can hardly merite to be despised in England being matter altogether of delight and no way offensiue for noble and Gentle mindes are farre from iniuriâ—g the Historie that hath so highly pleased Emperours Kinges mightie potentates if then the inferiour sorte mislike it is because they are not capable of so especiall deseruinges And yet I am perswaded that both one and other will freendly entertaine Palmerin D'Oliua because his History iâ— so plentifully stored with choyse conceit varietie of matter and exquisit conueyaunce as nothing can be reprooued but my simple translation yet that I hope will be pardoned too in that to translate allowes little occasion of fine pen worke The second parte goes forward on the Printers presse and I hope shal be with you sooner then you expect In the meane while let this haue fauourable acceptaunce and that wil be a spurre to hasten the other Yours to his vttermost A. Munday The first parte of the auncient and honorable Historie of the valiant Prince Palmerin D'Oliua Emperor of Constantinople Sonne to the King Florendos of Maccdon and the fayre Griana Daughter to Remicius Emperour of Constantinople a History full of singuler and Courtlie recreation c. CHAP. I. Of the secrete loue which the Prince Tarisius bare to the yong Princesse Griana and the arriuall of the Prince Florendos at Constantinople THe auncient Histories of the famous Emperours of Constantinople doo record that the eight Emperor succeeding Constantine the founder of that auncient and famous Cittie was named Remicius who gouerned so iustlie and with such excéeding honour as not onelie his Subiectes intirelie looued him but of the kingdoms about him he was so feared and reuerenced that his Empire increased more large then in the time of his Predecessors This Remicius was of such a princely and munificent minde that
with him into England where he founde the Countrey very much desolated with warres to his no little greefe but leaue we them and returne to Palmeâ—in CHAP. XLII Of the great courtesie the King of Fraunce vsed to Trineus and Palmerin and of their returne into Allemaigne SO dilligently were Palmerins woundes attended which he had receiued by the hand of Frysol as not long after hee recouered his health whereof the King and Prince Lewes were highly glad and much more Trineus to whoÌ„e the King desired to giue his Daughter Lucemania in marriage which to compasse hée intended a sumptuous banquet whereto hee woulde inuite these twaine yet first he would acquaint the Quéene therewith and therefore began the matter with her thus I see Madame that our Daughter Lucemania is of yéeres sufficient for a Husband and because I euermore desired her highest preferment and that I would knâ—w if the Prince Trineus to whom I could wish she were espoused were anie thing in loue that waie affected for hardlie in my iudgment shall we finde a greater Lord béeing heyre to the famous Emperour of Allemaigne for this intent I say will I ordaine a banquet whereto hee and noble Palmerin shall bee inuited and our Daughter to beare them company in yâ— best sorte you can deuise The Quéene who more desired this marriage then the King her Husbande aunswered You doubt not my Lord that I request her chéefest aduantage wherefore let it be as you haue determined and shee shall be present as you haue appointed This matter thus procéeding two daies after were Trineus and Palmerin called to this banquet and to honour them the more the King caused his Sonne Lewes with a braue companie of Knightes and Gentlemen to conduct them into the Pallace where they were royallie receiued by the King and Quéene and so led vppe into the Chamber appointed for their banquet After they had washed the King caused Trineus to sitte by him and Palmerin against him aboue whom sat faire Lucemania his Daughter béeing placed iust opposite to yâ— Prince Trineus the Quéene to furnish the Table satte downe by the King And albeit nature had bestâ—wed on yâ— Princesse most exquisite beautie yet her sumptuous accoustrâ—ments made her appeare most amiable but all coulde not mooue the hart of Trineus to forget her to whose shrine hee was dedicated The banquet ended and yâ— Tables withdrawne Trineus daunced with the fayre yong Princesse courting her with manie honest decent spéeches which made Lucemania suppose he loued her but the Prince noted it well enough albeit his affections were bound to English Agriola In this time the other Ladies were conferring of Palmerins knightlie valour when the Countie of Armignac his Sonne intreating the Duke of Orleaunce Daughter to daunce was thus staied by her spéeches to yâ— other Ladies You sée faire Ladies quoth shee that Palmerin hath misprized our beauties to reuenge our iniurie let vs all fall vppon him and shut him in some place where hee may neuer come foorth for if he escape vs the Allemaigne Ladies shall beare the honor from the French which will bee to vs perpetuall discredite These wordes she spake with such a pleasant countenaunce as mooued all the other Ladies to smile whereupon the Duchesse of Burgundie answered In sooth it is necessarie we should doo so and let vs not suffer him to gette out of our handes so easilie as he did from the Knights that came to the Combat All the companie lyked this motion well but the King said Ladies I will not consent that Palmerin shall haue anie wronge because I haue taken him into my guarde And who shall make recompence quoth another Ladie for the wrong hee hath doone vs You ought to suffer for satis-faction saide yâ— King and bee glad that you had the meane to sée the best Knight in the world for mine owne part I promise you I rest so contented Palmerin hearing the King so commende him bashfullie thus aunswered Alas my Lorde there is no such matter in me as pleaseth your Maiesty to report but what my abilitie is it remaines to doo you seruice accounting my selfe more then happy by comming to your Courte to haue knowledge of a Prince so noble and vertuous and no man liuing next my Lord the Emperour that maie commauÌ„de me more then your highnes Among other speeches yâ— King broke the matter of his Daughters marriage to Palmerin desiring him to labour in the cause to Trineus which hee promised but al in vain for after they had taken their leaue to returne towards Allemaigne though Palmerin was earnest in the matter in respecte of the beautie and nobilitie of the Princesse as for the support he might haue by matching with the Daughter of Fraunce yet Trineus thus answered I thanke you my Lord for the good you wish mee as also the honour the King affoordes mee but another beyond her whose renowne hath conquered me is Lady and Mistresse of my affections And because you are hee frâ—m whom I will not hide my most secrete thoughts know that it is Agriola Daughter to the King of England to whom though my Father be an enemie yet by your aide mine owne good endeuours I doo not doubt to compasse my loue You knowe my Lord quoth Palmerin that I wish as wel to you as mine owne hart and when occasion serues tryall shall make manifest And séeing you haue fixed your loue on faire Agriola of England imparting likewise the same so confidently to me I am perswaded you coulde neuer make a better choise therefore let nothing chaunge your opinion Thus rode they on with manie sundrie spéeches not a little gladde they were returning to the Emperour but Palmerin much more then was Trineus for the desire hee had to sée his Ladie Polinarda wherefore with the consent of the Prince he sent a Squire before to aduertise the Emperour of their comming before whom he had no sooner doone reuerence but he was presentlie knowne and demaunded in what estate his Son Trineus and Palmerin were where he had left them what accideÌ„ts had happened in Fraunce Then the Squire rehearsed the Combats and victories of his Maister against the Princes of Fraunce and the Dukes of Gaule Sauoye with their royall entertainment by the King and his Sonne howe manie portraits of Ladies Palmerin had conquered with the whole discourse of euerie action Whereof the Emperour the Empresse and all the Lords Ladies were maruailous glad yet was not theyr ioy comparable to the Princesse Polinardas hearing the Squire reueale the honourable déedes of her loue so that her conceit might be discerned by her couÌ„tenance needes she must thus demaunde of the Squire I praie thée tell me my Fréende howe fares my Lord and Brother with his noble companion Sir Palmerin The Squire wel abuised because he knewe the loue betwéene her and his Maister sette his knee to the grounde againe with this aunswere I left the Prince your Brother accompanied with
Knights with her hand gesture gaue a signe of her content which was not a little welcome to Trineus Then the Quéene comming foorth of the Chappell with Agâ—ola her traine mounted â—n horsebacke taking their waâ—e to the Courte againe but when Trineus had lest the sight of them wâ—â—derfull vexations began to assaile him so that hee saide to Palmerin Ah my good Fréende howe happie may that man account himselfe whose fortune honors him with the beauty of Agâ—iola Ah Sir Palmerin I féele my self so excéeding lie tormented as I doubt my death will be ineuitable But tell me the trueth and dissemble not how thinke you of my Mistresse is shee not a Ladie more then diuine In good faith my Lord said Palmerin what the Knight in Fraunce told vs was but fables in that she excéedeth report beyond all opinion notwithstanding it is necessary for you to nourish your hope hauing thus spoken to her and bewrayed your afflictions not doubting but this good beginning of your enterprise will cause the ende fal out to your content So rode on these thrée Knights pleasing their humors with their seuerall iudgments of their Ladies yet Palmerin had séene such matter in English Agriola as but his plighted promise to Polynarda was of force sufficient to change hys fancie The next daie they arriued at the King of Englands Campe where because they would not be known they pitched their Tents behinde all yâ— other and soone after came the Duke of Tinâ—riel bringing with him a number of hardie men at Armes so that in short time yâ— Kinges strength was such as they excéeded their enemies in number Héerevpon the King assembled his counsell and concluded that the next daie they woulde goe séeke out the King of Scots whâ— in two encounters had the vpper hande which made him so peremptorie as he perswaded himselfe vtterly to coÌ„found the King of England who raysing his power followed so dillâ—gentlie as the third daie after he encamped within halfe a mile of his enemie that had besieged the Towne of Corfania and had brought it readie to yéeld but that the King preuented it by the strength he brought CHAP. XLVII Of the cruell battayle betweene the King of Englande and the King of Scots WHen the King of Scots vnderderstoode the comming of the King of England and that in all hast he would bid him battaile he wold no longer busie himselfe in besiedging Corfania but retired a litle for his better aduantage coÌ„ferring with his Capitaines about their present affaires concluding to offer the ennemie no skirmishes because thereby they would know their intent notwithstanding he gaue order to prepare for battaile because he knewe the King of England came for no other purpose The Englishmen not suffering the Scots to haue anie leysure to fortefie themselues were by the King the next morning commaunded in array and all winges squadrons appointed the Duke of Tintriel was made leader of the auaunâ—garde wherein likewise were Trineus Palmerin and Ptolome and to the Dukes Brother was committed the charge of the arrieregarde and béeing all ready to martch on the King himselfe beganne this Oration I thinke my Fréendes that no one of you but sufficientlie is acquainted in what respect we continue this warre namelie to defend the honor and reputation of our Realme and to saue the liues of you your wiues and children and your goods which the enemie wold violently spoile and take from you intending to throwe perpetuall bondage and slauerye on your necks Will you not then defende your liberties will you not maintaine your auncient renowne which is to bee Lords and commaunders of the Scots assure your selues that howe strâ—ng soeuer our enemie be I hope with yâ— aide of God your vndaunted courages and the right of our cause to make a noble and victorious conquest For I knowe that our enemie hath not one man in his Armie endued with such an intire hart and magnanimious courage as you are nor that valueth his title of honor with his life as you doo and therefore if we martch on valiantlie continuing resolute and confident togeather euery man laboring for his Prince Countrey fréende and fellow and God for vs all your forwardnes will make them fearefull and your verie countenances enough to conquere Euery manne then bee chéerefull with a desire to vanquish and héere I vowe to you on the worde of a King that if Fortune stande so well with vs as to winne the daie neuer shall the Scots héereafter dare to lift vp theÌ„selues against vs. Thus did the King of England animate his men and so martched on in good araie to the sight of their enemies who by this time hadde ranged themselues for battaile their auauntgarde conducted by the Marques of Monthel the King of Scots himselfe in the maine battaile and the arrieregarde led by the King of the Isle Magdalen and as the King of England had encouraged his Souldiers so began the King of Scots to harten his men in this manner The time is nowe come loyal Subiects and déere Fréendes that the pride of the English must bee abated by the vertue and valoure of the Scots so that if you set before your eyes the occasion calling vs to the fielde there is no one of you but will blame his predecessor for staying so long time to recouer what by true patrimonie belonged to them and by the Kings of Englande tirannous vsurpers againste all right violentlye taken from our Auncestors Will you not then recouer you losse and reenter on those possessions from which your Fathers against all reason were expulsed Duetie doth chalenge it at your handes béeing the good not onely for your selues but for your children and successors Would you then loose so good oportunitie to reestablish things so lost Are your harts more timorous then your enemâ—es are your mindes made of worse mettall then theirs No no wel am I assured that the least among you is of higher vertue and account then the best in their coÌ„panie If it hath béene their custome as they themselues vaunt to tryumphe ouer vs let vs learne them to confesse with patience that they haue no such right or custome to vanquish as in thrée skirmishes alreadie we haue sufficiently made knowne with what fortune and vnconquerable spirits you entertained your enemies Dismay no more nowe my good Fréendes then you haue doone let eache-mans sworde make his entraunce amidst his foes and fauour one anothers life so shall swéete successe returne you with victory The King hauing ended they discerned the English power eager to encounter and â—o the Armies méeting began a dreadfull and dangerous battaile There might you heare the Drâ—â—mnes thunder the Trompets sounde the Clarions ring the Phifes warble Launces shyuered Knights diâ—â—nouÌ„ted Fooâ—men scattered heads defended armes and bodies wounded some crying other dying a matter more then lamâ—ntable to beholde and so long continued this cruell and bloodie conflict as the most part of the
auauntgarde were slaine sore wounded or taken prisoners Which when the King of Scots perceiued béeing a Prince so hardie and valiant as might bee commaunded the maine battaile to giue the charge in middest whereof he was in person whereuppon the fight beganne again much more fierce then before so that you might haue heard the Horsses storme the Armour clatter and on euery side behelde good and venturous Knights giue vppe their liues At this furious onset Palmerin séeing the Scots to retire for aduantage cryed to the King of England Why how now my Lord doo you forget your selfe Why doo you not folow on with your maine battell séeing the enemie playes vpon aduantage chéerefully let vs vpon them for the daie will be ours The King séeing that Palmerinâ— counsel was verie expedient commaunded his men to martch on valiantlie which they did with such courage as not one of them but was thorowlie busied Palmerin fearing least Trâ—neus would be ouer venturous because the yâ—ng Prince was meruailoâ—s forward desired him not to runne so farre into danger but kéepe by him to the â—nde the one might succour the other if necessitiâ— required With these words â—e ranne vpon the Sâ—ots like an angry Lyon and no man durst withstand him they sawe him make such slaughter the King of England following him at an inche deliuering true testimonie of his inuincible hart On the other side Trineus met with the Kinges Brother of the Isle Magdalen piercing his Launce quite through his bodie so that he fel deade among his owne Souldiers and Ptolome all this whyle was not idle but where ere he came he laid his enemie at his féete so that the Scots wondered at yâ— behauiour of these thrée Knights When the King of the Islâ— Magdalen vnderstood the death of his Brother incensed with vnquenchable anger ran fiercelie among the English till hee came where Trineus Palmerin and Ptolome were one of his Knights shewing the King the man that slew his Brother whereupon he making towards Trineus lifted vppe hys Sword and thought to haue slaine him but Palmerin stepping béetwéene them said To me Captaine to me and so the King and he encountered togeather so terribly as Palmerin was wounded in two or thrée places for which hee made such recompence to the King as fastening his Sword on his Helmet clâ—st his head in â—wayne that doone he fell deade to the grounde The sight héereof enflamed the Scots with such rage as like mad men they ranne cutting and killing among the English as well to reuenge the King of the Isle Magdalens death as to defend their own King whose danger they feared In this hote skirmish the Kings of England and Scots met togeather who charged each other with such forcible strokes as the King of England was vnhorssed and sore wounded but Trineus béeing at hand seeing his déere fréendes Father in such perrill buckled with the King of Scots so valiantlie as he gaue him many a cruell wounde and had not his men made hast to conuay him through the throng he had béene slaine by Trineus so was the King of England mounted againe and reuenged hys foyle on his enemie with meruailous valour There tryumphed the thrée Grecian Knights with inexplicable honor the Englishmen making such hauocke among the Scots as vtterly dispayring they fled one part to a Forrest neere at hande and the other towardes the Sea to their Shyps the King getting into one of them to saue his life by the meanes of one of his Knights that leÌ„t him a good Iennet of Spayne to escape away withall And so sayled thence the King with greater shame then did the Emperor Antonius from Octauius Caesar leauing his men fiercely pursued by the English who terrefied them in such sort as many of the poore Scots chose rather to run into the Sea drowne them selues then to â—all into the handes of their conquering enemies CHAP. XLVIII Of the retrait of the King of Englands Armie and the honor he did to the three strange Knights AFter the King of Englande was maister of the field he caused the retrait to be sounded and hys men called togeather commaunding likewise that search shoulde bee made through the fielde to succour such as were sore wounded and to burie the deade least the ayre should be infected wherupon the Englishmen took the spoile of their enemies chéefely their bag bagage which they had left behind them In meane while the King withdrew himself into his Tent where remembring the great seruice of the thrée strange Knights hee commaunded his Nephewe Ceâ—des to séeke them immediatlie who founde them in a Scottish Tent binding vppe their woundes and béeing not a little glad of his good fortune hee came to Palmerin saying Gentlemen the King my Uncle earnestlie desireth you to come to him because hee will neither enter the Towne nor vnarme himselfe til he heare some tidings of you Séeing it pleasâ—th him said Palmerin to commauÌ„d we humblie obey wherefore we pray you Sir to returne his Maiestie our dutifull thanks and dilligent attendance After Ceridâ—s was departed they resolued among themselues at the earnest request of Trineus that Palmerin shoulde bee the chéefest among them and him they woulde honor as their Lorde because the Prince feared to be known if such account shoulde bee made of him so went they presentlie to the Kings Tent where they were no sooner entered but the King albeâ—t he was sore wounded arose from his Chaire and embraced them louingly one after another not suffering them to knéele before him but honorably thus spake to them Woorthie Gentlemen howe welcâ—me you are I cannot expresse for I account my selfe so highlie beholding to you as the Realme of England had sustained this daie great foyle but by your fortunate valour think then woorthie Lords wherein England may recompence you and on my worde it shall not be denied in meane while I praie you let me haue your companie because I will see your hurts carefully attended The Knights with great reuerence accepted the Kings noble offer and were conducted into a faire Tent next the Kinges where the Chirurgions with great dilligence dressed their wounds and afterward they came and supped with the King And because the King intended on the morrow to goe refresh himselfe at the Towne of Corfania which before had béene cruellie besiedged by the Scots to giue God thanks for his happie victorie a famous Sermon was made before him by the Archbishop of Canterburie to whom likewise he gaue order for enterring such as had béene slaine of account and in that place for memorie of his good fortune hee caused a goodlie Monasterie to be builded and dispatched a Poste presently to aduertise the Quéene of his good successe Now was his Maiestie verie desirous to know the thrée strange Knights that had so valiantlie assisted him especiallie the man that saued his life whereupon the next morning he went to sée them demaunding howe they fared for quoth he we will
friendly commers in all which time there wanted no sports delights as such times rnd occasions do necessarily require Nowe came all the Princes Lords and renowned Knights in England to the Court except the Duke of Gaule who excused himselfe by the warre in his owne prouince which yet was not the chéefest cause of his absence but the shame hée reputed to himselfe for his foyle in Fraunce when hée entred the Combatte for the beautie of the fayre princesse Agriola These knights thus worthily intreated they were at no time denied entrance into the King and Quéenes Chambers by which meanes Trineus might when himselfe pleased conferre with the Princesse till this instant among all other the prince thus began to his Ladie and Mistresse You may easily presume swéete madam what secret Conbattes I continually endure for your loue and no helpe is expected but the onely hope of your fauour which as you haue promised to my especiall friend Sir Palmerin I doubt not but you will perseuer in that gracious opinion and what promise hee hath made of my seruice to you thinke not but I obserue with religious care deuotion though not sufficient to equal your deserts yet because ingratitude shal not insult against me So many thanks quoth the Princesse I returne you my Lord as good opinions can bee imagined betwéene vs both and accounting you for my friende which is a higher degrée I héere discharge you of my seruice and mine honour guarded from blame I shall iudge my selfe happie to yéelde you any content which I will fulfill notwithstanding any daunger towardes mee But I praye you tell mée my Lord what is the intent of your loue in this action Madame quoth the Prince Syr Palmerin who is nowe come to beare vs companie shall crediblie enforme you so please you to rest contented therewith Palmerin thus entred and imagined theyr talke was not about affayres of Merchandise wherefore hée sayde to the Princesse God spéede you Madame pardon mée I should call you Ladie and Wife to the Prince of Allemaigne for I doubt not but you haue chosen him your Husband in heart Agriola blushing and smyling â—eereat made no aunswere Wherefore Palmerin went forward in this manner In faith Madame if you haue doone so I would counsell you to accomplish it presenâ—lie and prouide to go with vs to Allemaigne where the Emperour will entertaine you with such gracious fauour as you will not loose if you beare the minde of a Princesse beside you shall be the meane of euerlasting peace betwéene the King your Father and his Maiestie To which wordes Agriola thus discréetly answered I promise you my Lord there is no Prince thys daye lyâ—ing whome I would more gladlie accept for my Husband then the Prince Trineus notwithstanding for mée to departe without the knowledge of the King or Quéene my Parents is an acte in mine opinion farre dissenting from duetie and honest reporte Therefore my Lord louing myne honour as you say you doo I pray you let our behauiour be with better wisdome least we both fall into dangers not râ—couerable Palmerin perceyuing Agriola contrary to the most necessary occasion vsed such arguments and played so well the Oratour that the poore Princesse had no power to resist considering the great loue shee bare the Princâ— Trineus which made her yeelde more easily to his perswasions so that shée agréed to accomplish their determination and depart with them towards the Realme of Allemaigne Tâ—ineus ioyes nowe excéeded measure and Palmerin for his sake was no lesse contented in respect hee should the sooner sée his mistresse Polinarda whose very rememberaunce gaue him life as the ayre doth the Camelion But fortune beholding each thing prosper as liked their fancies woulde nowe néedes beginne to play her Pagant crossing them with the vnhappiest stratageme that euer could happen to so noble Princes as in the sequell shall bée laxgely discoursed They little expecting such a chaunce are earnestly following their serious enterprise which was secretly to carrie Agriola with them into Allemaigne for which purpose they prouided shippes and skilfull Pilots to conduct them conueying all their necessaries abroade at what time this aduenture following happened in the Court of England Chap. LIII Howe in the time of this pleasant and great assembly there came a Damosell to London who desired the king to do her iustice against a knight of his owne Court DUring the time that this royall company continued at London minding nothing but pleasures pastimes and courtly recreations there came a â—amosell so faire as might be accompanied with two auncient knights and a lustie Champion brauely armed with sixe Squires attending on him The Damosell entring the Pallace came before the King and on her knee beganâ—e in this manner Dreade Lorde hauing long time hearde your good iustice towardes your Subiects without any fauour or exception of persons I am the more bolde albeit he that hath iniuried mee is reputed for a Man of good quallity and holdeth place of authority in your Court humbly to craue of your highnesse one request against the most false and disloyall Knight that euer was whom when I but remember more weightie and gréeuous oppressions fall vpon my soule then this wretched body of mine is able to endure Damosell saide the King I shall right gladly reléeue your heauines if it ly in my power to doo it therefore tell mée the cause of your offence and what hée is that hath so wronged you Knowe my good Lorde quoth shée that I loued a Knight so déerelye as contrary to the lyking of my Parents and Fréendes and two much forgetfull of mine owne selfe I tooke him to my Husband thinking he loued mée so faithfully as his shewes and behauiour gaue demonstration But the Traytour had no other meaning then to beguile and falsely deceyue mee for after I hadde made him Lorde of mee mine and brought him to a Castle of mine so strong and fayre as anye in your highnesse dominions the Traytour expulsed mée thence violently pretending that wée were so néere allyed as he might no longer account mee for his Wife Since which time notwithstanding all the humble intreaties I haue made hée will neither restore mée my goods and possessions againe nor yet accepte mee as his espoused Wife Therefore I beséeche you my Lord as becomes a good vertuous Prince for the honour of nobilitie and regarde of womanhoode you will take pittie on a poore distressed Ladye and that in such a rightfull demaunde you woulde doo mée iustice which I had sooner demaunded but coulde not by the occasions of your troublesome warres Ladye sayde the King as yet you haue not named the man that hath offered you this surpassing iniury My Lord quoth shée this is the man in your presence name Miseres a vile Traytour and publique adulterer And if he dare affirme that I haue spoken vntruth I haue héere brought a Knight with mée who by Combatte shall make him confesse his
it Sée then the power of that Maiestie which can 〈◊〉 and conquerâ— where he lift and I swearâ— to you by my Crowne that the good fortune of Palmeriâ— contenteth me as well as if he were mine owne sonne Mightie Soldane answered the Duke of Mensa if you resolue to loue the worthie Prince Palmerin both hée and his will performe the like to you and on his behalfe we promise faithfully that against all your enemies Christendome excepted you shall be assured of his succour and assistance I request no better assurance quoth the Soldane then this that he hath sent and that you may witnesse I am his faithfull Friendes at this instant shall the peace be ratified by all the Lordes and Princes here present and to seale the same as he requested I giue my daughter to the Prince Olorico Great ioy was generally made for this good agréement and the two louers were espoused together within few dayes after and the time being come for the Ambassadours returne to Constantinople Alchidiana sent diuerâ— rich gifts to Palmerin and Polinarda the like did the Soldane and the Prince Olorico Chap. LX. How Palmerin Trineus and Agriola accompanied with many great Lords and princes went to the Emperor of Allemaigne at Vienna where great triumphs were made at the celebrating of the marriage between Trineus and the princesse Agriola SOone after the Prince Olorico and the Ambassadours of Greece were gone towardes Assiria Palmerin although the aged Emperour very much disswaded him made prouision for his spéedy voyage to Allemaigne and hauing conducted the King of Sparta and his Aunt Arismena some parte of their way homeward at their returne to the Cittie of Constantinople hée came to the Duke of Pontus saying I remember the time when you did cutte off the great Turks head an acte deseruing good and especiall recompence and that you thereby deliuered vs and performed it at the motion of the Princesse Laurana her haue you loued euer since both on lande and Sea and her Countrey is not farre hence will ye now make her your Ladie and Wife I promise ye my assistance so farre as I can My Lord aunswered the Duke fearing to offend you I still deferred to mooue you in this cause but seeing wee are nowe so happily fallen into these tearmes I will not conceale the truth from you In sooth my Lorde when first I sawe her I loued her and haue euer since continued in this hope that time at length would fauour my intent It sufficeth saide Palmerin and presently hée acquainted the Emperour therewith who thinking the match very méete and conuenient they were the next day married by the Achbishop of Constantinople and in short time after went to take possession of their Duchie of Durace where they were receiued very honourably and the whole state yéelded vp into the Dukes hande When Palmerin sawe that the most parte of his companions were departed at the earnest intreataunce of the Prince Trineus and Agriola he set forward to Allemaigne accompanied with Frysoll and Armida whome hée conducted into the Realme of Hungaria where Frysoll was crowned King by reason of his Fathers decease there went with him like wise Diardo of Bohemia the Prince Eustace Ptolome and other Lords of great account 〈◊〉 good speed they made in theyr iourney as in short time they arriued at Vienna where the Emperour béeing aduertised of their comming by the Dwarfe came with his courtly trayne to méete them and taking his Sonne Tryneus in his armes said I sée it is the will of God my Sonne that héere after I shall haue as great ioy by thée as in thy long absence I haue had gréefe and sorrow all which I patiently put vp for the loue of thy brother the noble Prince Palmerin and faire Agriola of England that well deserues it But in good â—â—â—th my Children had you not come in so happie time I should haue bene driuen to meruailous fears For the King of Fraunce perceiuing that I would not giue my daughter in marriage to his eldest sonne demaunded the King Recinde of Spaine his daughter who graunted his request so that they twaine with the aide of the King of England haue leueyed such an Armie on the Sea as neuer was the like séene to passe the Rheine But séeing you returned in so good disposition the lesse account I make of their angrie menaces yet are they the thrée principall Kings of Christendome My Lord answered Palmerin be not you dismaide at their enterprise for ere manie dayes bee expired I hope to sée all matters quietly pacified and that without anie effusion of blood The lesse is my doubt quoth the Emperour in that with such good fortune you haue finished your intentions for nothing you begin but comes to luckie ende Witnesse héerof appeareth in the search of my Sonne Tryneus whom the best Knights in Christendome haue laboured to finde but all their trauaile I sée hath béene spent in vaine By this time they were come to the Pallace where they were graciously receiued by the Ladies Alas my Fréendes said the Empresse which of you shall I first embrace Ah my Sonne Tryneus howe sorrowfull hast thou made mée since thy departure from England iust cause hast thou to thanke the Heauens who protected thée still in so manie daungers and forget not thy Brother Palmerin who hath endured such trouble for thy sake Faire Daughter quoth she to the Princesse Agriola welcome are you indeed God send you better fortune héereafter then you haue had alreadie which yet hath bene a Touch-stone of your loyaltie But while these spéeches continued howe the other two Louers with piercing regard beheld eache other and how many gracious signes passed as secrete Ambassadours betweene them Polynarda was clad in such costly 〈◊〉 for the pleasure she conceiued since the Dwarffes 〈◊〉 at the Court as shee seemed anothâ—r Iuno when shée stood to abide the arbitrâ—ment of 〈◊〉 or like Voluptas fâ—llowing her Mother Venus But fearing least this amiable encounter should decipher some part of her former courtesies to her friend which as yet was vnknowne to any but Bryonella she locked vp all secrets with so swéet a kisse as would haue contented the rudest of the Gods had it bâ—ne Vulcan or Neptune themselues And comming to salute the Princesse Agriaâ—a sayd No meruaile faire sister if your loue wrought wonders in my brothers minde for vnfainedly I speake it your exquisite graces deserue the greatest seruice in the world Alas Madame aunswered Agriola if nature or they that had the charge of me in my youth could haue painted me with such beautie as I see in you or enriched me with wisedome able to deuise with my Lord when he came to sée mee then could I haue said somewhat of the paines he hath taken for mée but I know my selfe so full of imperfections as the loue hée beares me procéedeth of his owne good nature not by any merit he can behold me Then Palmerin kneeling before the
two former daies against al yâ— Knights that came All this night could not Palmerin sleepe thinking on the day ensuing but rising earlie in the morning and commending himselfe to God in his prayers hee put on the Coate of Armes his Ladye Polinarda gaue him before hys departure and tooke the counterfeite of his Lady in hys armes not thinking any of hys Knights or Squyres woorthie to beare it and thus accompanied with Trineus and other Allemaigne Lordes entred the Lystes with so braue a gesture and countenaunce as euery one commended him for a good Knight And hauing placed the picture on the accustomed monument as it had béene to the liuely creature herselfe he thus began Ah perfect mirrour of all beautie vertue and excellencie resolue thy selfe this daie to beare the palme of honour from all Ladies in the worlde in that your Knight craues a thousand deathes before he giue consent to the contrarie and perswades himselfe so assured of your present fauour as he durst venture on a whole Army to keepe his religion in your diuine seruice These wordes were spoken so loude as the Duke of Gaule hearde him wherwith not contented he aunswered What now Knight demaundest thou courage of a Ladie to defend her beautie ill canst thou performe what thou speakest if thou bee no better prouâ—ded For all that Sir saide Palmerin I hope to make you graunt what I saie and that there is not a â—ayrer Ladie liuing then shee whose figure thou héere beholdest otherwise I shall constraine thée whether thou wylt or no. That shall we sée quoth the Duke so departing into their Tents to be armed and readie to Ioust they met so valiantlie togeather as they broke their Launces brauelie without moouing eache other and taking newe staues encountred againe when the Duke was vnhorssed and Palmerin verie sore wounded so betaking thÌ„ to their swords continued a daungerous and doubtfull Combat till in the ende Palmerin ouercame the Duke holding his sworde readie to cut off his heade said Knight thou art dead if thou graunt not my Ladie to excell thine in beautie Ah sir saide the Duke vnhappy be the howre that you tooke in hande this voyage to depriue me of that which made mee yâ— moste happie Knight of the worlde with what countenance may I present my selfe before her séeing Fortune hath béene so aduerse to me thus filling the ayre with his regrets the Iudges came desiring Palmerin to saue his life whereto he coÌ„sented which words were more bitter to the Duke then death who in these complaints was leade into his Tent by his Squires Palmerin not forgetting the honour due to his Ladie tooke downe the Image of Agriola and set his Ladies in the roome saying Newe are you in the place Madame which is your owne by right This victory was not a little pleasaunt to the Frenchmâ—n but especially to Prince Lewes when he hearde thereof who the better to make his ioye knowne to Palmerin sent him two of the best Horsses in his stable as glad of the reuenge on the Duke as yâ— Palmerin remained conquerour Palmerin sent hartie thankes to the Prince as well for his present as his good-will and continued in his deuoire to his Ladies beautie as that daâ—e hee honoured her with yâ— conquest of foure French Knights and the submission of their Ladies portraitures yet aboue all Palmerin commended to Trineus the valour of yâ— Englishman confirming yâ— Duke for a chosen Knight at Armes and neither Frenchman Italian Spanyard Englishman Romaine or Greeke that attempted against Palmerin in the following daies but still he bare awaie the victory and Polinardas picture their Ladies obeysaunce The last of the eyght daies came into the fielde the Lord of Albret greatlie estéemed for prowesse and chiualrie and hee woulde defende the beautie of his French Ladie but Palmerin after a long and tedious fight brought him and his Mistresse among the vanquished so concluded the French Princes enterprise to his own immortal honor Afterward came the King Agariell with the Princes and Lords of his Court to Palmerins Tent making him the greatest entertainment could be deuised whereof Trineus and the other Allemaigne Lordes were highlie contented and after his wounds were healed caused him and his companie to be lodged in his own Pallace where the Quéene and her Ladies would often visite him and the Prince Lewes likewise who by many intreaties with 〈◊〉 vnderstoode her name for whom Palmeâ—in thus aduentured But when the King vnderstoode that Trineus was the Emperour of Allemaignes Sonne and all this honourable coÌ„panie came from his Fathers Court their welcome cannot be sufficiently sette downe nor Palmerins praises effectuallie rehearsed whome the Prince Lewes thus entertained In sooth Sir Palmerin the Prince may imagine himselfe happie that is honoured with your knightlie seruice but aboue all the noble Emperour of Allemaigne My Lorde quoth Palmerin it likes you to speake your pleasure of me yet did I neuer knowe Knightes more worthy in fight then your Countrimen among whom your deserts may not escape vnreported no more then the déeds of Scipio can among the Romaines Manie other honour able and familiare spéeches passed betwéene the Prince and Palmerin about the Ladies figures that were brought to the Ioustes Polinarda onely tryumphing beyonde all the rest hauing no seconde but faire Agriola of England the Goddesse and Mistresse to the Duke of Gaule CHAP. XXXVII Of the Combat which the Dukes of Sauoye and Lorrayne had togeather for the beauty of their Ladies and what was the issue thereof YOu haue héere before heard the enterprise of the Duke of Sauoy for the beautie of his Ladie and howe after Prince Lewes hys daies of Combat were finished he shoulde maintaine nine other in the like quarrell wherefore the day after Palmerins victory hee put himselfe in order as the time required and hauing in the field erected two Pillers of Porphire displacing them that belonged to the Prince Lewes his Tent was there set vp all of Crimson veluet verye curiouslye imbroydered with Golde and pearle and rounde about within were manie braue seâ—tences of loue drawne froÌ„ Historiographers and Poets as well Gréeke as Latin in prayse of the Mistresse of his deuoted affections In the morning hee went to gyue the good morrowe to the Princesse Lucâ—maâ—â—a Daughter to the King of Fraunce whom he had chosen for his spouse and Wife After many sollemne courtesies passed between them fearing the Quéene shoulde finde them togeather hee tooke his leaue of her she giuing him froÌ„ her arme a sumpâ—uoâ—s Bracelet garnished with sixe great Diamondes and sixe fayre Rubies which gift encouraged him to follow his enterprise Béeing come into the Field the Iudges appointed were the eldest Sonne of Fraunce and the Countie of Armignaâ— wise Princes and valiant Knights and standing in yâ— Gate of his Tent vnarmed because he sawe none readie to offer him battell the Duke of Lorrayne at length entred the Fielde attended on by a braue company
in a fayre Medow neare a Bridge and there placed twelue knights the most hardie and valiant men in all his Dukedome who should maintaine this order that no Knight shoulde passe ouer the Bridge vnlesse hée entred Combate with those twelue Knightes one after another and such as were vanquished shoulde submitte themselues to the Dukes mercy eyther for their deliueraunce or to remaine his prysoners and the horsse of the partie foyled should belong to the conquerer but if they were dismounted the passenger shoulde go on his iourney and take theyr Horsses with him Thys aduenture thus established many good Knights were ouer come because it was a verye harde matter to vanquishe twelue Knights and yet escape But the Duke tooke no little pleasure heerein who detained Frysol more by constraint then otherwise for his anger so vehemently encreased against Palmerin as no delight or pleasure coulde expiate his reuenging desires Chap. LV. How Palmerin went with the Damosell to accomplish the promise he made her and what befell him PAlmerin as you haue heard departed from the Damosell in a rage because he coulde not execute what he intended wherefore hee deuised to deale some other way and to single foorth Frisol in such conuenient place as one of them should dye before they departed And as he was imagining some other way to ouertake Frysol the Damosel had now againe recouered his company saying I pray you Sir Knight conceiue no il opinion of me for hindering you from killing your enemie whome you haue left in very great ieoperdy considering what bountie and courage is in him and which your selfe perhaps will bee sorye for Wherefore I pray you forget this displeasure determinâ— to fulfill what you haue promised which if you will doo you must go with me Beléeue me Damosell saide Palmerin you shewed but little courtesie so often hindering me from the thing which aboue all other in this worlde most tormenteth mée What vnhappye bodye are you but more vnhappye the houre I mette with you but séeing it is reason I shoulde kéepe my promise leade the way and I will not faile to follow you So rode they on and for foure dayes space hée woulde not speake one word to her and fayne he would haue left her company but that he could not with honor forsake her The next daye as they rode by a Riuers side Palmerin espyed a Knight standing with a Bowe and arrow in his hand which he let flye at his Horse killed him Palmerin impacient by remembraunce of Frysol and angrye that the Knight had thus killed his Horse made towardes him so fast as hee coulde but the Knight was suddainlye gotte on the further site of the Lake and Palmerin vppe to the middle in Water before hée was ware of it and nowe hee could neyther sée the Knight that slewe his Horse nor the Damosell that came in his companie Palmerin béeing in great perplexity when he sawe nothing but water rounde about him and féeling he was vpon a Bridge behelde a meruailous déepe streame running vnder it and at the ende thereof a goodly Castle Walking along the Bridge toward the Castle amazed at this contrary aduenture hée espyed a Knight on the battlements of thÌ„ Castle who sayde Staye a while Syr Knight one shall come presentlye and open the Gate Palmerin knewe not what to say but determined to defende himselfe if any came to assaulte him so the Castle Gate béeing opened hée entred with his sword drawne yet was there no man that displeased him but euery one made him humble reuerence with very good wordes and gentle countenaunce declaring by their behauiour that hée was more then welcome thither Thus walking on to the inner Court there came towardes him a Ladie accompanied with manie Damosels and Knights all shewing chéerefull gestures and the Ladie taking Palmerin by the hande sayde Ah gentle knight right welcome are you to this place and heauen bée praysed for the good it dooth mée to sée you here that is able to aâ—complish the thing which no other as yet coulde bée able to finish enter hardily in good assuraunce for you will wee make all the honour wée are able Palmerin beléeuing the Ladie was brought into a maruailous goodly Chamber where certaine Squires holpe to vnarme him bringing him a gorgeous Mantle to wrap about him This done he was conducted into a large Hall where the Table was couered the Ladie entertaining him so nobly as in the King of Englands Court hée coulde not be better The feast ended and the Tables withdrawne the Ladie beganne to deuise with Palmerin saying Long time my Lord haue we desired your comming as the man in whome our onely helpe consisteth for by your valour we are perswaded to be deliuered from the miserie wherin I and mine haue too long time béene detained I beséech you Madame quoth Palmerin to tell mée your affayres as also what the Knight meant to kill my Horse and why you entertaine mée with so great kindnesse If you wil promise mee saide the Ladie to accomplish a néedfull occasion and which I thinke is destinied to you I will resolue you otherwise I shall but loose my labour If it bée a matter reasonable quoth Palmerin and that a knight may compasse spare not to tell mee for I will do my endeuour therein Gramercies gentle knight sayde the Ladie the circuÌ„stance of the occasion followeth in this sort This Castel my Lord sometime belonged to my noble Father a Knight so hardie and valiant as any in these parts in whose yonger yeares loue so ouerruled him aa he affâ—cted a lady of no lesse quanlitie and condition then himselfe by whom he had a â—aughter at whose birth his Lady and Wife deceased My Father being yet in the flower of his youth matched the second time with a Lady of very honourable and auncient discent by whom he had me the first Childe My Sister come to fourtéene yéeres of age my father oftentimes would haue richly married her whereto she béeing vnwilling by my Fathers consent shée remained with her mothers Sister whose skill was very great in all sciences by whose counsel my sister caused a goodly Pallace to be edified and a strong Lower in an Isle on the other side of this Castle where afterwarde they made their continuall abiding During this time my father louing mee déerely matched me with a wealthie and noble knight excelling in all perfections but chéefely in chiualrie by whom I had a Daughter a yéere after our espousall but the more my gréefe my Husband and Father both died within little space after my Childs birth My Daughter being come to the yeeres of marriage her beautie made her desired of many noble Lords but because I still reputed her too yong I denied all her suteâ—s which afterwarde turned me to verie great detriment For my Sisters aunt had a sonne the most mishapped deformed and worst conditioned knight as all the Countrey could not shew such another yet became he
he would haue turned anotherway but one of the Knightes called to him Returne cowarde returne thou shalt not escape without tryall of thy manhoode for we must make proofe if there bee anye in thée Palmerin not knowing where to set his Hauke and very loth to loose it was not desirous to Iouste but séeing that with honour he could not refuse it aunswered It is small courtesie Sir Knight to challenge the man that hath no wil to your sporte but if there be no remedye your will be fulfilled albeit I hope you will first repent it I sée thou canst prate well quâ—th the Knight and beléeue mee thou wert wise if thou couldest so escape but séeing thou art so long before thou art readye I le bring thee to such a place where haukes shal not hinder thee and in one yéere thou shalt spare the wearing of Bâ—â—tes and spurres in such a comfortable place as the Sunne nor day light shall â—ffend thine eyes I hope I haue learned sayd Palmerin to kéepe my selfe from such places but I would faine knowe the gentle Chamber Page that is so skilfull in waiting with his Pantofies as he can teach Knights errant how to weare them The knight being angry called foorth the rest of his companiâ—â—s among whome he espied Hermes prisoner his Helmet lying by him and his armes pinniâ—nd therefore to reuenge his wrâ—nge he called his Squire saying I pray thée my Fréend looke to my Hauke a while for I am come to defendâ— thy Maisters honour and calling to the dukes Knight saying Come Sir let vs dispatch quickly for I haue earnest busines in another place the Knight laughing at him answered Why how now Captaine thinke you to passe hence so easilye Héere are sufficient to stay your hasty iourney eleuen more must talke with you the wâ—orst of them able to abate your pride for your horsse lackes a stable and wee will prouide him one So couching theyr Launces they mette togither with such force as the Dukes knight was throwne from his Horâ—â—e his shoulder béeing broken with the weight of his fall Palmerin arresting the Knightes horâ—â—e for his â—wnâ— gaue him to Hermes squire in kéeping saying Because the Knight is not willing to get on horse-backe againe hâ—ld this for mee and he maye lie at ease to sée the fortune of his fellowes Then came another Knight from the tent whom Palmerin welcommed in so fréendlye manner as he lay not able to stirre hand or foote with this one Launce hée vnhorssed foure more and brake it so valiantlye on the seauenth Knight as while he liued he meant to ioust no more With a fresh Launce hée dismounted all the rest none of them being willing to deale with him any further wherefore Palmerin came to Hermes saying What doo you 〈◊〉 Knight Why take you not the best Horse among all the 〈◊〉 That â—â—all I Sir séeing you commaund me albeit not loâ—◠〈◊〉 you serue me as thâ—se Knights are yet God be thanked that by your meanes I am deliuered from imprisonment wherein these knights intended to kéepe me because I vnhorsed foure of them and at the fift encounter my horse was killed which was the cause of my foyle and taking The knights quoth Palmerin haue nowe leysure to resâ— them for they were troubled before with watching for passengers I doubt not now but we may quietly passe the bridge for I sée none of them offer to hinder vs. Hermes mounting on horse backe commauded his squire to take a fresh one for him likewise and so they rode on together reioycing at this good fortune They had not ridden the space of a mile but Hermes demauded Palmerins name which when hee knewe in great reioysing he saide Ah worthy knight now is my trauel ended in search of you trust me I would refuse the best citie in England in respect of the great friendship I haue found at your hands as also for the comfort your presence will bring to our dread Lord and your noble companions who long time haue expected your desired returne As they rode on in these spéeches they came to a fayre fountaine where Palmerin would alight to refresh himselfe and to bind vp such smal wounds as he had taken in iousting against the knights of Gaule Chap. LIX ¶ How Frisol was deliuered out of Palmerins handes by the meanes of Colmelio his Squire THe same day that Palmerin â—ousted with the knights of Gaule the duke himselfe was gone on hunting by meanes whereof he lost the sight of the pastime which afterward hée repented because he had with him the most part of his knights so that no one was left in his Castle but Frisol that might bee counted of any value who beholding so many knights â—oyled by one maruailed not a little what be might bee and after long consideration of his haughtie exploits hée saide to himselfe I cannot thinke this knight to be the man against whom I combatted sometime in Fraunce yet know I no man liuing but 〈◊〉 that could performe such rare chiualrie Now because Palmerin had changed his armor he verily imagined that it was not he yet was he desirous to know but doubtfull to follow him by reason of his former experience againe if he should suffer him to passe without some triall he iudged it would returne to his great dishonour wherefore he resolued to aduenture his fortune And in this determination he came to the dukes sister who loued him intirely as you heard before she beginning with him in this manner I cannot sufficiently maruell 〈◊〉 Frisol how you haue suffered in your own view my brothers knights to be so shamefully conâ—â—unded by one passenger I deâ—â—re you swéet friend if euer you brake launce for a Ladies loue that for my sake you will deale with that proude knight and make him know that you can abate his courage were his head framed of yâ— hardest hammered brasse If you fulfill my request you shal do an acceptable déed to my brother to me such seruice as I shal hereafter requite to your own content Madame quoth Frisol I did intende to fight with him but séeing it pleaseth you so graciously to coÌ„mand me no danger can withhold me because the world can witnes what great auaile so honorable a Ladyes fauor is to the knight that liues to renowne her name So departing from his lady he presently armed himselfe mounting on a lustie Courser followed the way that Palmerin was gone the 12. knights not a little glad therof wel hoping yâ— he wold reuenge theyr dishonour Frisol continued his trauaile so long til at length he came to the fountaine where Palmerin refreshed himselfe who had no sooner espied him but surprisâ—â— with great ioy sayd to Hermes I am sure this knight comes hither is to seek me wherfore I intreat you by the reuerend loue you beare to your best beloued not any way to hinder yâ— fight betwéene vs til the end deliuer victorie to one 〈◊〉 or other for
Frisol had recouered his health Chap. LX. Howe Palmerin Hermes and Colmelio returned to London and the good entertainment the king of England made them AFter that Frisol was returned from the Combate Palmerin after many embracings of Colmelio went with him to the fountaine where hee left Hermes all thrée togither making no little ioy Colmelio for his happie finding of Palmerin and he for the loue of his supposed brother and Hermes for the comfort hée shoulde bring the King his Maister béeing able nowe to acquaint his highnesse with Palmerins name which hée was loath any in the English Court shoulde knowe wherefore he sayde Nowe can you not my Lord hereafter bide your name though you haue béene daintie of it all this while It is true Syr quoth Palmerin albeit I little thought to be discouered so soone but séeing it is so come to passe my hope is in yâ— highest who wil defend me in all mine attempts now tell me Colmelio what newes in Greece Truly my Lord quoth he the discourse will be long and tedious therefore if you pleasâ— to mâ—unt on horsebacke it will serue well to shorten the thought of our iourny So as they rode towards London Colmelio began to discourse in how many places he had â—â—â—ght him in Greece and how at length he heard of him at Macedon by report of his coÌ„quest of the serpent at the mountaine Artiâ—aeria which was the meane that broâ—gâ—â— the King of Macedon to his former health Afterward how he left Greece trauailing into Allemaigne and froÌ„ thence into England at what time the Emperors power was discomfited and hearing great fame of Frisol his late Maister he spent some time in his seruice not doubting but by his meanes to find the man he looked for Palmerin was somewhat mooued hearing Colmelio so commend Frisol wherefore he demaunded of him if he knewe any thing of that Knights linage No my Lord quoth he but I can assure ye that he is one of the most gentle Knights in the world and he concealeth his parentage very secretly which makes me iudge he is disceÌ„ded of royal birth After Colmelio had ended his discourse he repeated to him some parte of his fortunes in the end perswading him that hée would remunerate his paines in séeking him and in time manifest the loue he bare him By this time they were come to the Citie of London Hermes riding before to the pallace where he aduertised the king how Palmerin was returned to yâ— Citie which newes so highly contented the king as oftentimes he imbraced Hermes for bringing the man he long desired to sée but Trineus and Ptolome excéeded him in ioy and mounted presently on horsebacke to go méete theyr fréend when so many embracings courteâ—â—es and kinde gratulations had passed betwéene them as is vsuall at the méeting of long absent louers Ah my Lord and fréend quoth Trineus how long hath Fortune kept you from me why did you depart not vouchsafing a farewel What earnest occasion might cause such an vnking departure trust me I perswaded my selfe in respecte of the long continuaunce of our amitie that death could not procure such a seuere enterprise My Lord quoth Palmerin it séemeth you haue some cause to complain of mée but wheÌ„ you vnderstand how matters haue happened you will not condemne me altogither For at the time of my departure I thought verely to return the next day following but such importunate affaires continually fell out as I could not return till this very instant Ptolome said as much as Trineus did notwithstanding this fortunate meeting forbad all further accusations and they became as good friendes as euer they were So rode they to the Pallace where the king attending theyr comming perceiued at length they were entred the Hall when Palmerin falling on his knée kissed his highnesse hand who very honourably embracing him saide Where hath my noble friend béene so long What crooked fortune hath caused your so long absence you departed from vs in blacke Armour I pray you tell vs where did you conquere these sumptuous Armes by the loue you beare to chiualrie and to mee satisfie me in my demaund Palmerin séeing the king coniured him so straightly reported the truth of all his aduentures howe he had that armour of the Ladie whose daughter hee deliuered and left his owne there broken in péeces The king embracing him againe saide I cannot be perswaded but all especiall aduentures high good fortunes and chéefest honours in the world are onely reserued for you and among all the rest most maruailous is this of the Castle in the enchaunted Lake which many knights haue heretofore attempted but returned with the losse of their horses Armour and with great dishonour Thrise welcome are you for these happy tydings as also for your gentle courtesâ—e to Erisol who is a knight of most honourable reputation But in regarde of your wearisome trauailes it is verie requisite that you nowe go rest your selfe therefore lette some body helpe to disarme you and betake your selfe on Gods name to your Chamber Palmerin reputed the kings councell most expedient and therefore did as hee commaunded him so hauing reposed himselfe a while hee came to sée howe the Quéene and her daughter fared who would not suffer him to departe before hee hadde likewise acquainted her with all his fortunes especially the whole circumstaunce of his traâ—â—ile at the Caâ—â—le of the Lake But night being come and euerie one betaking themselues to rest Palmerin demaunded of the Prince how hee â—â—llâ—wed his desires and what hee had concluded as concerning his loue Ah dâ—â—re fréende sayd Trineus why aske you mée that question doo you not thinke that hauing so lost you I likewise was disappointed of any meane to helpe mee know then that at this instant I am in the middest of all my misfortunes for so badly hath it happened that I am now further from Agriola then euer I was and I shall tell you how Not many dayes since as I was familiarlye deâ—ising with my Ladye the Duke of Gaules daughter chaunced to hearâ— such amorous spéeches as passed betwéene the Princesse and mée wherby she gathered that Agriola made some estimation of me whereupon shée laboured to cause my Mistresse in shorte time mislike what I hadde so long trauailed to perswade her with as thus That it ill beséemed a Princesse of her account of so gracious discent and Daughter to such a mightie King to conferre with straungers or vouchsafe a listening to any thing they sayde for they were none such as she reputed them but after they hadde brought a Ladyes honour in daunger they then were satisfied as they vsed it for a custome among theyr companions And so well could shée féede the Princesse humour with these suborning and spightfull detractions which séemed to her as swéete and freendlye perswasions that in stéede of the little loue I latelye conquered I finde nothing but frownes and disdaine that she will scant affoord mée a
Tharsus and the other sporting in the Court at Constantinople not daring to sette foote in the stirroppe after Knightly exercises til they heare how their Father speedes If he haue that fauour his deedes deserued then on goes their Armor and in the cheefest places of Christendome wil they shewe themselues with repetition to the world of wonderfull aduentures But while they expect good newes or bad I will hasten on the translation of the third part of this most famous Historie which beeing of some great quaâ—titie wil aske the longer time eâ—e hee can enioy the benefit thereof bee therefore kind to these two former Bookes and that will be the better meanes of hastening the third Yours to his vttermost Anthony Mundy The second part of the auncient and honourable Historie of Palmerin D'Oliua Continuing his rare fortunes Knigâ—tly deedes of Chiualrie happie successe in loue and how he was crowned Emperour of Constantinople Herein is likewise concluded the variable troubles of Trineus and faire Agriola of England with their fortunate mariage c. Chap. I. How Olimael presented the Princesse Agriola to the greaâ— Turke who immediately became amorous of her and what rewardes and preferment the Pyrate receiued for his gift Aâ— yet I am sure you remember in the first part how the Pyrate Olimael 〈◊〉 his prisoners reseruinâ— for 〈◊〉 none but the King of Englandes daughter hopâ—ng in time to 〈◊〉 her 〈◊〉 An béeing alone 〈…〉 in the fayrest Cabin in the 〈…〉 hée could to comfort her but 〈…〉 were bestowed in vaine for shée woulde receyue no kinde of sustenaunce desyring euerie houre to die hauing so lost her Lord Trineus He séeing that fayre spéeches offers gifts and other inticements proper to perswasion could not compasse the thing he desired he grewe into choler intending to gaine his pleasure perforce so that after manie threatnings with rough violence hée woulde néedes rauish her Agriola séeing that her féeble strength coulde not long withstand the Turke albeit she stroue and resisted so well as shée coulde therefore with deuout prayer shee called on God desiring him to take pittie on her and not to suffer that villainous Ruffian to dishonour her Her prayer béeing ended Olimael beganne in such sort to tremble as hée staggered backe warde foure or fiue times and so excéedingly was hée surprised with feare as hée was constrayned to leaue her and withdraw himselfe into another place The Princesse though shée were amazed at this suddaine chaunge noting with what terrour the Captaine departed yet was she greatly comforted by her deliuerance imputing the whole worke thereof to the Almightie prouidence and the vertue of the Ring that Palmerin gaue her wherefore with thankfull heart and eleuated eyes to heauen shée sayd O celestiall Father howe great and infinite is thy goodnesse howe happie is the creature whom thou regardest with the eye of pittie assurdly I nowe perceyue that such as in extremitie haue recourse to thee shall no waie perish Then taking the vertuous Ring and kissing it many times sayd Unualuable Iewell giuen me by the best Knight in the worlde howe carefully will I kéepe thée howe true is that saying That great persons giue great presents Hencefoorth shalt 〈…〉 bee kept for the loue of him that gaue thée and for thy singular vertue in the place where I vsually store things of greatest price So taking a little Chayne of Golde which serued her as a Bracelet shée fastened this 〈◊〉 Iewell thereto and put it about her necke so that the sumptuous Stone laye glistering betwéene her 〈◊〉 white breasts a prospect so rare and delicate and of no lesse power to drawe the beholders eyes then the Aâ—amant the Amber or the Ieate can by their vertue beside so woonderfully repleat with swéete regard as I dare affirme that the most cruell Tyrant in Turkie would stand amazed at those two daintie Mountaines more mortifyed and humbled then the aged Hermits of Thebaida Olimael yet quaking at his suddaine aâ—teration durst presume no more to offer her villaynie but by rich gifts and presents sought to perswade her all which auailed not for as hée got but little profit by his violence so wonne he much lesse by his trecherous offerings So sayled they eight dayes togither Olimael not able to compasse Agriolas loue nor hearing anie tydings of the vessels that were lost neyther of his Cozin who had Trineus captiue which grieued him as nothing could do more in that he was so vnprouided as well he could not present himselfe before his Lord to whom hée had promised to bring store of Christian prisoners and now hée had in his bootelesse loue so lost his time as either the tempest or shipwracke had spoyled him of his owne companie In this doubtfull opinion he debated with himselfe that the great Turke did earnestly affect fayre Ladyes so by the meane of his beautifull prisoner he imagined to bée entertained with good countenaunce and his losse woulde be past ouer with forgetfulnesse wherefore hee commaunded the Pilot to make toward the port of Ottobant where as then the great Emperour of Turkie soiourned and 〈◊〉 they came in short time after Notwithstanding as a Seruant well instructed not daring to abuse the familiaritie of his Lorde hée sent one of his Knights to excuse his cause and to report that by casuall mischaunce he had lost his men and Gallies but if his Maiestie pleased to forget his misfortune and receyue him into his accustomed fauour he would bring him one of the fayrest Ladies in Chriâ—endome and discended of most royall percentage The Emperour béeing lasâ—iuions and more addicted to vnchaste desires then any in his Realme hearing this message was so supprised with the onely report of her beautie as immediately he became passionate for her loue sending the Pyrate worde that hee could not bring a more desired present 〈◊〉 therfore remitted all his offences promising him greatter fauour then euer he had And because no contrarie occasion may hinder his comming quoth the Emperour thou shalt carrie him this Letter sealed with mine owne signet that hée may no way â—oubt of his assurance The Knight taking the Letter and kissing the Emperours feete according to the cuâ—â—ome returnâ—d to his Maister deliuering him the aunswere hée had receiueâ— Olimael ioyfull thereof caused Agriola to cloath her selfe in her most sumptuous garments and so with alâ— his men sâ—t forwarde towarde the Court. Nowe although the Prinâ—esse was all blubbered with teares and halfe deade to see her selfe in the power of these Straungers professed anâ— sworne enemies to hâ—r faith and religion yet could not the rare perfections of her beautie be shadowed but the glimse thereof set euery eye to wonder And as she lookes about her to sée if any of her companie were landed with her she espied Ptolome whom they minded secretly to conuey from her but shee beholding him so sad and sorrowfull stept towards him saying Ah my déere fréend Ptolome what wreakfull chaunce hath Fortune throwne vppon vs
yâ— olde Knight thanked him and as they went he discoursed to him howe these 〈◊〉 assâ—â—led him because he had enforced them to surrender certaine heritages which vniustly they detained froÌ„ poore Orphanes and for that cause set spyes to watch him that they might set vppon him and kill him which surelie they had doone quoth he without your succour In the continuaunce of these spéeches they arriued at his Castell where many of his Squires meruailed to sée him so sore wounded but especially his Lady and his two Sonnes to whome hee rehearsed the summe of his aduenture and the great fauour and helpe he founde by Frysol for which cause they entertained him with excéeding honour And so long aboade Frysol there with the Knight till béeing desirous to receiue the order of knighthoode hee came to the Knight in this manner May it please you Sir to bestow on me Horse and Armour I wyll goe to the Emperors Court of Allemaigne he beeing the most renowned Prince in the world The good Knight seeing him so forward to chiualry gaue him Horse Armour and money for his iourney whervpon he sette forwarde and the third daie after hee arriued at the Emperors Court from whence a little before Trineus and Palmerin were departed towards Fraunce which newes made Frisol earnestly desire his knighthood because he intended with all speede to trauaile thither likewise in respect of the honour was there to be wunne Frysol vnderstanding the Emperour was in the Chappell hearing diuine seruice went thither where beholding the Princesse Polinarda he reputed her the onely fayre Lady of yâ— world thinking hee could neuer glut his eyes with regarding her whereupon seruice beeing ended he fell on his knee before the Emperour in this manner Because I knowe inuincible Lorde that you are renowned beyonde all other potentates whatsoeuer and that you make no small accounte of Knights aduenturous I desire that by your hande I may be numbred among them The Emperour seeing him so yong and yet valiantly giuen aunswered I would be lothe my Freende to deny a request so reasonable but I wil first knowe if you be Gentle borne or no. My Lorde quoth he I sweare by the fayth I owe to God and your Maiestie that I am noble borne and of the bloode royall by my Fathers side God forbid then sayd the Emperour but you shoulde be Knight and Fortune sheelde you so well in chiualry as she hath indued you with comely shape and beautie Then was the Spurre put vpon hys right heele and the Emperour bad him ryse a Knight commaunding his Daughter Polmarda to gyrde hys Sworde to him which she did saying Worthily and with happines Sir Knight may you imploy the order you haue receiued Madame quoth Frysol if heereafter any vertue or valoure abyde in me it shal be imployed onely for you hauing thus honoured mee with my Sword wherewith I hope to accomplish such deeds of Armes as shall renowne her name that gaue me my weapon but Polinarda made him no aunswere because Palmerin was the onely Image of her thoughts After Frysol was thus Knighted taking his leaue of the Emperour and his Daughter he departed making no small hast till he arriued at the Ioustes at Parris where he determined for his first deed of chiualry to enter the Combat for the beauty of Polinarda But he could not get thither so soone as hee intended for hee was hindered by the way with an vnexpected aduenture which was in a fayre Forrest where hee behelde foure Knights carry away a Ladie perforce who seeing him cryed Ah good Knight for Gods sake succour â—ee whereuppon Frysol coutching his Launce sent one of the Knights headlong to the grounde and in short time wounded another in such sort as nowe hee had but two left to resist him on whom Frysol made tryall howe well he coulde unploy the gift of Polinarda The Knights seeing the hard fortune of their two other fellowes the one hauing broken 〈◊〉 necke in the fall and the other wounded past hope of recouerie tooke yâ— wisest way for themselues posting thence so fast as they coulde ride but Frysol would not folow least they had some other companie in ambush that might haue intrapped him wherefore he conducted the Ladie to her Mothers Castell where hee remained that night and the next daie set forwarde to Parris where hee arriued at the time he fought with Palmerin according as hath beene before rehearsed After the Knight of the Sunne who hencefoorth shall passe by the name of Frysol had left Palmerin and was departed the fielde the night was so obscure as hee knewe not which waie he rode so that the moysture of the â—uening dewe did great harme to his woundes as if God had not armed him with the better strength he was in daunger not to escape with life The verie same daie was the Duke of Gaule departed from Parris to goe ayde the King of England against yâ— Kings of Scots and Norvvay who was Nephewe to the Emperour of Allemaigne for that they molested him with troublesome warres and the Duke beeing benighted was glad to pitch his Tents in a faire fielde through which it fortuned Frysol to passe complayning of the daunger he felt himselfe in The Duke of Gaule beeing abroade foorth of hys Tent to recreate himselfe hearde this sorrowfull noyse which made him send his men to sée who it was and to bring him with them to the Tent whither when they had brought him the Duke pitting his estate demaunded whence he came and who had wounded him in that sort Then discoursed he the whole matter how hee had fought with the Knight that ouercame the Duke of Sauoye and so long their fight endured that the darke night and the King caused them to be parted neyther of them as yet conquered and because he woulde not returne into the Cittie sought some Uillage where he might conuenientlie lodge The Duke of Gaule hearing the wordes of Frysol estéemed him for a hardy and valiant Knight hauing so long endured against Palmerin vnuanquished wherefoâ—â— he saide Sir Knight you are very welcome to mee all the ayde and succour I can giue you you shall bee sure to finde with hartie good will assuring you that there is no Knight liuing to whom I wysh more euill then him whom you haue this daie fought withall So causing him to bee vnarmed willed him to rest himselfe vpon his owne bedde and made his woundes be dressed abyding there eyght dayes for the health of Frysol In which time the Duke had imparted to him the warres of the King of England which made him make more hast to be gone or els he would haue kept him company longer My Lord quoth Frysol so please you to accept my companie I hope to behaue my selfe so well as you shall not be discontented with me The Duke thanked him and reioyced yâ— by his meanes so good a Knight was preserued and did him all the honour hee could deuise taking him
were well worthy to be reputed among the number of most harâ— harted and ingratefull Ladies if I shuld not loue the prince Trineus were it but for the danger he remaines in for me and the vnfaigned loue which you say he heares mâ—e And thus farre I presume my Lorde on your credit that if it were otherwise you would not disguise the 〈…〉 this â—â—ner much lesse deceiue such a Lady as I am which notwithstanding would bee to you but a slender conquest Therefore you may assure him on my behalfe that the loue I beare him is more then he thinks and very far excéedeth his iudgement as the proofe hereof in time shall deliuer true testimonie Madame quoth Palmerin his onely desire in this world you haue faithfully vnderstoode in you then it consisteth to preuent the contrarie by mercifull regarde of his afflictions and your presence will appease the anger of the Emperour your father in that so nobly he would enterpriseâ— though against his will to ayde the King your Father onely for your loue And this will be the meane that the conceiued pleasure of the Fathers shall concluâ—e in the happie coniunction of their Children My Lorde quoth the Princesse I wil do what shall please my father and mother to command me and no otherwise considering the danger I may fall into by yéelding my honour to any preiudiciall occasion Palmerin who had no other feare but to bee knowne what himselfe was thus answered I am perswaded madame that your iudgement is so perfect that to attaine a place of such dignitie and a husband so royall as the Prince Trineus you will not stand 〈◊〉 friuolous tearmes nor be carried away with any light or feminine feares séeing that setting apart these doubts you shall worthily accoÌ„plish the thing which shall make you the most renowned Lady vnder the Occident I pray you Sir Palmerin quoth she referre this talke to some other time for the answere of such a high and weightie matter deserueth to be excogitated with leysure for oftentimes we sée that such actions sodainely and slightly performed causeth more repentaunce afterward then is expected Yet thus farre I venture and so faithfully perswade him that he is the onely Prince in the world I would accept for my husband if they were so agréed to whom God nature and dutie hath bounde mée and to let him vnderstand my wiliing desire towardes him I will speake to him my selfe as soone as the Quéene is departed Not long after the Quéene returned to the King leauing her Daughter with two of her Ladyes to comfort the prince whereupon Palmerin taking her by the hande brought her to the bedde side where Trineus lay to whome she made very curteous reuerence trembling with modest bashfulnesse said How fare ye gentle knight trust mee your hard fortune doth greatly displease mee and if I could beare part therein beléeue me I would gladly endure the paine for it is good reason that the caâ—ser of the harme should haue a portion of the torment gratifying you with a Maidens thankes for your good assistance without any desert Trineus was so rauished with her presence and hearing her speake so friendly in whom consisted the safetie of his life as hee could not vtter the ioy hee conceiued which the Princesse well noted and Palmerin likewise who aunswered her in this manner It cannot be madame but my Lord Trineus will soone amend hauing the sodaine medecine so néere him that is onely able to helpe him and with these wordes he left them both together to acquaint each other with their secret afflictions when the Prince giuing a gréeuous sigh saide Faire madame to accomplish what you commanded the first day I sawe you I did my beuoire to execute the effect of the charge albeit not so sufficiently as I could wish yet since that time I neuer enioyed one minute of rest till this instant when mine eyes delighted with your swéete presence gaue hope to my heart of further comfort For this onely cause faire mistresse haue I forsaken my Parents and countrey regarding nothing more then this present happinesse whereby my woundes are cured my spirit contented and my heart from all daungers sufficiently recouerâ—d so that no gréefe can now molest me when your gracious fauour thorowly confoundeth all And nowe might I imagine my misfortune beyonde all other were not this fearefull doubt left to crosse it that scanning disdaine should be hid in such rare perfections as oftentimes it commeth so to passe therefore I beséech you Madame may it stand with your liking to resolue all doubts by your direct opinion and héerein shall I account my selfe more honoured then were I monarch of the whole worlde Loue hauing then so wounded the princesse as for a while she was driueÌ„ to silence at length withdrew the passioâ— and caused her returne this answere Alas my Lord I was ere this so certaine of your affection towardes me in respect of the dangerous trauailes endured for my sake as you néede not séeke any other prooues then what mine owne hart was fully resolued on and so I continue still expecting the day to make vs both fortunate which I would haue you as yet dissemble least crooked mishap any way preuent vs. As she was procéeding in her discourse the Quéene entred the tent againe by which occasion Trineus could not say what he intended wherefore taking her secretly by the hand wrong her fingers with such a trembling passion as all the night following he lay meditating on his gooddesse Agriola and the comfortable answere shee gaue him If the young prince were in such torments his Lady beare him companie thinking on the spéeches past betwéene her and Palmerin and this euening the Dwarfe not compassing before to speake with Agriola presented her with the Emeralde from the Prince which she kindly receiuing in recompence thereof sent him a fayre Diamond rewarding the Dwarfe liberally for his paines who among the rest of his talke highly commended the vertues of the Prince which increased her loue so confidently as she assured him of the Princesse loue that death could not change her setled affection Trineus fully resoluing héereon gaue such chéerefull phisicke to his heart and the Chururgions such dilligence to his woundes as within seauen or eight daies he was able to beare armor whereupon the King departed thence towardes London where the strange knights were entertained with meruailous honor the Lords Knights Burgesses Officers and other Citizens welcomming them with great â—ampe and royaltie saying Welcome are the knights that deliuered the Quéene and her Daughter from the cruell Giant Franarco with diuers other salutations whereat Paâ—merin and his friendes were greatly abashed Passing on to the Pallace all the way they were still presented with rare shewes and deuises and the Knights lodgings were appointed in very stately Chambers in the Court causing open Court to be kept for eight dayes space for the honour of these knights and entertainement of all
permitted my course this way without all doubt you had lost your life But since it hath béene my good happe to preuent your ominous fortune I must aduise yée heereafter to beware of like hazard and may it please you to accompanie me to a Castle within two miles distance your entertainment shall be good and your wounds cured by a Ladie very expert in Châ—â—urgâ—rie I accept your offer gentle Sir quoth Palmerin with right good will as well to haue your friendly companie as to shéelde you from any other such like villanies who happily may séeke your harme for this noble fauour So they rode on altogether Palmerin remembring the wordes of the Fairie Ladie and could not imagine who the knight should be that had so honourably preserued his life this made him more to maruaile that hée should be his enemie whom to his remembrance hee had neuer séene in any place before To put him from these cogitations Olorico ashamed of his absence in such a néedfull time came to Palmerin with these words Certes my noble Friende I am henceforth vnworthie to beare armes séeing that in such daunger I left your companie vnhappie that I am might not former experience teach me what sodaine aduentures doo often happen to Knights errant what punishment may be sufficient for my hainous offence Leaue such spéeches to Women quoth Palmerin for if we knâ—we before what would happen afterward neuer should we fall into any inconueniences but it is sufficient that we haue so well escaped and let God haue the glorie for so happie deliuerance By this time they were come to the Castle and entring the base Court the Seruants came to take their Horses to the stable meane while the Knight himselfe went to aduertise the lady of the other knights arriual saying Faire Leonarda I pray you vouchsafe the best honour and entertainment you can deuise to two Gentlemen I haue héere brought with me for I imagine by their rich armes and courtly behauiour that either they are Princes or discended of very honorable parentage Trust me my Lord quoth she for your sake I will endeuor my selfe to welcome them as they ought And comming into the hall to salute them after many courtesies deliuered on either side the Lady séeing Palmerins armour besmeared with bloud by reason of the wound he receiued on his heaâ— saide I feare my Lord you are very sore hurt therefore the sooner it be séene to the better ease you shall finde Héereupon her selfe holpe to vnarme him and afterward brought him into a goodly Chamber where when shee had staunched his bléeding and bound vp the wound he was laide in a maruailous rich bedde prouided for him she promising within ten dayes and lesse to restore him so well as he would at pleasure trauaile without any danger For this kindnesse Palmerin returned her many thanks and because hee might the better rest without disturbance shée caused euerie one to depart the Chamber her selfe likewise courteously bidding him good night Palmerin béeing alone looked rounde about the Chamer to sée if by any armes of deuise hée might knowe the Knight that so happily deliuered him at length hard by his bed side he espied the Shéeld of Frysol with the Sunne painted therein which hee well remembred to be his deuise whom for Polynardaes loue he hated according as you haue heard in the former part of this Historie which when he beheld the teares trickling down his chéekes he thus began to himself I perceiue that the lady which saluted me on the mountaine is of excellent knowledge for though the Knight bee my chéefest enemie yet for the honorable kindnesse he hath this day shewed me I wil forget all former iniuries and loue him henceforth as hée were my brother and what I could neuer compasse by rigour and force of Armes I will nowe séeke to conquer by loue and courtesie While he continued these priuat spéeches Frysoll opened the Chamber doore and entred to bid Sir Palmerin good night who not a little glad of his comming said I pray you Sir knight by the honourable loue you beare to Chiualrie to tell me your name and if héeretofore you were neuer in the Realme of England My name quoth the Knight which hitherto I neuer hid from any man is Frysoll and two yéeres I remained in the Realme you speake of with the Duke of Gaule in his Court You remembâ—â— then a Knight saide Palmerin with whom in lesse space then twelue dayes together you had two seuerall Combats Uery true quoth Frysoll and some good reason I haue to remember it for the fight on my behalfe was so dangerous as but by the fauour of a Lady and a Squire I neuer had escaped with life Nowe hast thou in thy custodie saide Palmerin the man that did thée such wrong no more an enemie but for euer thy vowed true and trustie Friend and by the order I haue receiued there is no man this day liuing that shall withdraw me from thy friendshippe because thou better deseruest it then any Knight in the world And hath by my meanes quoth Frysoll the onely flower of Chiualrie béene deliuered from death and the resolute hatred betwéene vs vnited nowe with loue more then brotherlike in happie howre went I on hunting this day and fortune could neuer honour mée with more desired successe For confirmation of this new alliance hee ranne and called Leonarda Olorico and the rest and before them all kissed Palmerin in the Bedde to seale the perpetuall league of amitie betwéene them Then was recounted their aduentures and hatred past whereat euery one greatly maruailed séeing this sodaine change to such surpassing loue Frysoll also rehearsed how after the rape of Agriola the Duke Crenus his Lord went to the Court where hée aduised the King to pursue his Daughter or to sende him in search of her whereto he could not any way perswade the King Moreouer howe his Maiestie would haue kept him still in his seruice whereto he might not graunt for the promise he made the Ladie that came thither whome after hée had brought to her Castle hee trauailed by the Emperour of Allemaignes Court where hée certainely vnderstood that Trineus and Agriola were not as yet there arriued nor could any newes bee heard what became of them Yet during all these spéeches he concealed all his owne noble déeds of chiualrie in England Allemaigne and other places so vertuous and vebonarie was this gentle knight coueting in nothing to extoll himselfe He forgot not likewise to report how that Lady cured him of a long and gréeuous disease for which hée had so giuen himselfe to her seruice as for euer he vowed himself her knight Palmerin not a little contented with this discourse said I thinke the King of England would not sennde his Shippes after his daughter remembring her happinesse to come béeing nowe the espoused wife to Lord Trineus and the honour thereof haâ— béene alreadie séene but that the tempest of the Sea was
too much their enemie Then declared hée their troublesomâ— time on the Sea in what manner he lost them and how he now trauailed to finde them againe Since fortune hath so appointed quoth Frysoll that this loue and friendship should bee begunne betwéene vs to continue the same I will beare you companie and will not forsake you till yée haue found them may it like you to accept me for your companion If it like mée quoth Palmerin you néede not doubt thereof and rather you then any man that I knowe for which noble kindnesse I thinke my selfe most fortunate In this manner beganne the concorde betwéene Palmerin and Frysoll which continued with vertuous and perfect constancie as in the Chapters following you shal perceiue Thus soiourned these Knights there louingly togither till Palmerin being recouered and able to beare armes they departed thence leauing the poore Lady Leonarda in great heauinesse because her friend Frysol left her so soone Chap. XXX How Palmerin the prince Olorico and Frysoll went to Buda thinking to finde the Court there where beeing arriued they heard newes howe the prince Florendos was taken whom they went to succour with all diligence at Constantinople FFysol because he would not haue his Ladie Leonarda too much discontented made promise of spéedie returne to her which words somewhat pleasing her he departed with his two friendes and such quicke hast they made in theyr iourney and within sixe daies after they arriued at Buda There were they aduertised of the Kings death whereof the Prince of Macedon was accused and the Quéene likewise for which cause they were as prisoners conuaied to the Cittie of Constantinople At these tydings Palmerin was very displeasant wherefore he sayde to his companions Beléeue mée good Friends my heart will neuer be in quiet till I haue beene before the Emperour who ought to bée an indifferent Iudge to Florendos and hée is the onely man of the world to whome most gladly I would do any seruice therefore let vs make hast to Constantinople to the end we may succour him if he stand in any néede of our ayde I am ready quoth Frysoll and let vs sette forwarde when you please Héerewith hee remembred his father to whom the Crowne by right appertayned if Tarisius deceased without anie heire where to by this meane hée might attaine right soone Perswading himselfe with assuraunce héereof hée was now more â—arnest to be gone and hastened his companions in such sort as they came to Constantinople two daies before the appointed time for the Combat As they entred the Cittie they met a Knight riding on hunting whome after they had saluted Palmerin questioned with all if hée knew any thing of the Prince Florendos his misfortune what the Emperor intended to doo with him Sir quoth the knight the Emperour hath resolutely set down that the Prince and his daughter shall receiue their triall by Combate against the two Nephewes to the deceased King and furnished they must bée of their Champions before the limitted time of ten dayes bée expired and nothing else as yet is doone to my knowledge I thank you good Syr quoth Palmerin it is happie the matter is no further forward So leauing the â—â—ight they prauncâ—d merrilie into the Cittie and because it was 〈◊〉 soone to take vp their lodging they rode to the Pallace to knowâ— at full the certainetye of the matter thus beeing all Armed except their Helmets which their Squirâ—s carrâ—â—d after them they made a séemely shew as they rode in thâ—t they were all thrée of one stature and verye beautifull young Princes they were especially noted and followed by many Knights and Gentlemen who imagined suâ—h persons went to the Pallace for other matters then Coâ—â—tlie dauncing These thrée companions béeing entred the great Hall which was hangâ—d rounde about with blacke veluet in signe of mourning â—â—ey meruailed what might bée the occasion thereof wherefore Palmerin falling on his knée before the Emperour and hauing humblye kissed his hande thus spake Most renowmes Monarch of the worlde my Fréendes héere and my selfe within these fâ—we dayes as we trauailed through the Realme of Hungaria were aduertised that you kéepe in pryson the Prince of Macedon whom so please your Maiestie to vouchsafe I woulde gladlie sée in respect that hée is my Lord as for the desire I haue to deale in the Combat appointed if it like him to make choyse of me The Emperour perceiuing Palmerin so faire modest and couragious began with himselfe to conceiue well of him and imagined that his Sonne Caniano was againâ— receiued so néere did he resemble him in countenaunce stature and all proportions of the bodie wherefore hée returned him this answere It shall not in ought displease mée my Fréende to let you sée him to the ende you may conceiue no suspition of iniustice So calling a Gentleman Usher commaunded him to conduct the Knight to the Towre where the Prince Florendos was afterwarde enquiring of the Prince Olorico and Frysoll what the Knight was that so hardily did enterprise the Combat Dreade Lord quoth Frysoll he is called Palmerin d'Oliua a Knight in my iudgment of the verie highest qualitie in the worlde Then hée and the Prince Olorico rehearsed the prowesse and déedes of Chiualrie by him accomplished in France England Allemaigne Bohemia and Turkie which béeing heard by a Bohemian Knight then present he came to Frysoll saying I pray you Sir is this that Palmerin who kild the Serpent on the Mountaine Artifaeria and brought the water from the Fountaine which healed the good King Prymaleon Father to Florendos It is he Sir quoth Frysoll and no other Then dare I say gracious Lorde quoth the Knight that you haue séene the most valiant and vertuous Gentleman that euer came in Thrace Héereuppon he discouered the noble victorie he obtained in Bohemia against the two Gyants Daâ—â—aco and Mordano whome hée slew before his woorthy Combat on the behalfe of Dyardo Coâ—i◠〈◊〉 to the King and fayre Cardonya against the Counte of Ormeque and his Cozins in the Companie of Prince Adrian and Ptolome Héereat were all the Princes and Knights present amazed so that the Emperor himselfe saide Well maye Florendos nowe aduenture the tryall of his rause hauing the onelye Champion of the woilde on his side and in this manner they deuised of him till his returne from the pryson againe Palmerin entring the Tower Florendos was astonied because no person was wont to come sée him but chiefely when he sawe him on his knées to him vsing these spéeches Alas my Lord Florendos how gréeuous to mée is your imprisonment in vnhappie time did you knowe him that hath caused you to bée so ill intreated I pray you my Lord comfort your selfe and take courage for héere may you beholde your Seruaunt Palmerin who will be hewed in a thousand péeces but hée will deliuer you from this miserie Florendos whole eyes and facâ— were greatlie swolne with incessant wéeping onelye with the