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 in yâ— same predicament for he knowing her to be of the noble and auncient ligne beside sole heyre to the house of Saxon might count himselfe highly honored with such a Wife and therefore the like coniunction was made betwéene them so that nowe these Knights and Ladies were espoused before God there wanted nothing but the ceremonie of yâ— Church to confirme it But nowe comes Vrbanillo and hee breakes of this pleasure because yâ— time was so farre spent as they must néeds depart which with much a doo they did leauing their Ladies examining theyr content the Princesse soone after thus conferring with Brionella Alas faire Fréende it is doubtfull what danger maie arise because you haue contracted your selfe to Ptolome without the Emperors consent howe will you answer when you are charged with the fault Brionella who now feared nothing but the preuenting of her loue aunswered In sooth Madame you speake with great reason you nowe giue counsell when the déede is doone and cannot bee reuoked till it be dispatched woulde you haue all the good fortune your selfe and suffer your Freende to enioy no part with you trust mee that is vnconscionable dealing for he that made you to loue framed me of the selfe same mettall But I sée you make the occasion to me to learne howe to aunswere your owne déede let vs referre all to him Madame that appointed your choise by destinie and mine by mine owne lyking Manie other pleasaunt spéeches passed betwéene them and diuers times their Knights came to visite them till Fortune who will neuer suffer thinges long in one estate sent an occasion to hinder this delight of theyr loue for there was a Messenger come to the Courte from the King of Norvvay Nephew to the Emperour who beeing admitted audience thus deliuered his message Woorthie Lord the King of Norvvay my Maister requires your assistaunce in his great distresse against the King of England who with a mightie and puissaunt Armie is entered his dominions where he hath made great wast slaughter of his people in diuers skirmishes and conflicts passed betweene them so that he neuer had likeâ—néede as at this instant Trust me quoth the Emperour I will assiste him with right good will and his mis-fortune dooth not a little gréeue me but I will take order for it immediatlie and my power shall be with him so soone as possiblie maie be with which aunswere the Messenger departed Nowe as concerning the cause of these warres betwéene the Kings of Norway and England it was procured by displeasure of succor that the King of Norway gaue to the King of Scots his Brother who helde warre with England about the taking of certaine Shippes the Emperour likewise his heauie enemie and for that cause he promised helpe so soone to yâ— King his Nephew Which when Trineus vnderstoode that his Father declared himselfe displeased with the Father of his beloued Agriola whose loue no occasion coulde alter hee was greatlie discontented yet dissembling his conceit determined rather to aide the King of Englande then his Cozin and therefore intreated Palmerin to accompanie him to his Chamber where hee woulde acquaint him with some part of the sorrow he conceiued by the succour his Father would sende to the King of Norvvay against her Father whose Seruant he had vowed himselfe and therfore quoth he let me desire you to conceale a request I shall make to you You knowe my Lorde said Palmerin that I will no lesse obey you then the Emperour your Father commaund therefore what you please and be it in my power it shal be executed So it is quoth Trineus that I woulde haue you not accompanie the power my Father sendes by Sea but doo so much for me that you Ptolome my selfe vnknown to anie may assist the King of England in his warres by which meanes I doubt not to compasse the thing I most of all desire And this I dare tell you that my life is only dedicated to her seruice and so well doo I hope to imploye my paines that she shall haue cause to loue me and regard the paine I suffer for her sake and but I gaine the fortune to to purchase my loue right soone suddaine shall you heare of my death You that haue felt the like torments can censure of mine which I dare not impart to the Emperor my Father because of the hatred hee beares the King of England aduise mee therefore good Fréende what I shall doo These spéeches were nothing pleasing to Palmerin seeing he must nowe againe depart from his Ladie but because he earnestly affected Trineus and knew how wel he might helpe him in his loue answered Assure your selfe my Lord that I will labour dissigentlie for your good and shall assist you to my vttermost in that you beare such loue to yâ— Princesse And I am of the opinion that hauing receiued the order of knighthood which the Emperour your Father wyll not denie it woulde auaile you much to tell your Father howâ— you desire vnknowne to aide the King of Norway For my part if he demaunde my aduise I will like it so well as because the Annie cannot bee readie so soone your honor Ptolome and my selfe will ryde before towards the King and so may we accomplish what you so earnestlie desire This counsell pleased so well Trineus as he intended on the morrow to request his order of the Emperor as also how gladlie he wold assist yâ— King of Norway and howe necessary it was for him to goe before the Armie as Palmerin and he had deuised togeather CHAP. XLIIII Howe Triâ—eus was knighted and what happened to him afterward ON the morrow this yong Prince seeing that to accomplishe his intent it was ecessarie hee shoulde be knighted he gaue attendaâ—ce to finde the Emperour at leysure when he might sollicite his highnesse with his sute and vnderstanding that hee was walking in his Gallerie hee went to him and on his knée thus began Dreade Lâ—rd and Father so pleased your Maiâ—stie it is nowe time I shoulde receiue my order of Khighthoode and more necessâ—â—y now then at any of her time in respecte of my earnest desire to aide the King of Norway my Gozin in his warres The Emperour meruailing whence this humour shoulde procéede answered Why Trineus doo you thinke your selfe able to take so waightie a charge in handâ— truely such honor is soone receiued but to maintaine it as it ought to be and preuent the dangers incident therto is more hard then you weene and maketh proofe of the most couragious 〈◊〉 in that neither paine â—eare or danger must hinder what a matter of so great consequence dooth command And perswade your selfe that such as councelled you thereto knowe â—â—aut theÌ„selues their duetie in those affayres wherefore for a 〈◊〉 haue patience and referre it 〈…〉 abilitieâ— for I wil send good store of other Knights in this expedition who shall well excuse you to yâ— King my Nephew 〈◊〉 not contented with this
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
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
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
nowe set forwarde to Corfania where wee will make you better entertainement then we can héere in the field Then mounted they all on horsebacke and rode to Corfania where the King remained till he and his Knights were better recoueced and where the King made the Duke of Tintriel high Marshall of England committing to his charge sixe thousand men commaunding him to chase all the Scots foorth of his Kingdome wheresoeuer he could find them and to seaze to his highnes vse the Townes and Casâ—elles which they before had in vse which the Duke executed with such expedition as hee left not a Scot in anie Uillage or Hamlett placing faithfull Officers for the King in euerie iurisdictioÌ„ During these labours of the Duke the King euery daie visited these thrée Knights and finding Palmerin at a time coÌ„uenient he requested to knowe of whence hee was and the names of his companions Let me intreate you ê™ hee not to hide your selues form me because I shall not be in quiet till I know that I may remunerate your deserts according to your persons Palmerin who feared to bee discouered coulde not readilie deuise what aunswere to make yet at length in great humilitie thus said We would desire your Maiestie that it might stande with your good liking at this time to excuse the knowledge of our present affaires as also what wee are yet thus farre will I resolue your highnes that we are all Gentlemen of Greece nourished in the Court of the King of Macedon who in séeking strange adueÌ„tures haue trauailed manie prouinces and nowe at length came into your Kingdome wel stored at this time with Knights errant and gouerned as wee well perceiue by a King so gracious as to such persons alloweth honor and good affection as no King where we yet haue come doth the like For this cause my Lord as also vnderstanding that the King of Scots menaced warre against you came we into your Countrey to serue you in all obeysaunce as the verie simplest among your Souldiers Trust me said the King I haue wel noted your seruice and a man might bee deceiued in expecting better assistaunce for which I rest yours in ought I may while I liue but if you would name your selues then should I knowe to whom I were indâ—bted as also that my Subiects might honor you accordinglie That ê™ Palmerin will neither profit or preiudice your Maiestie let suffise then I beséeche you the vnfeigned good will and seruice we owe to your highnes The King séeing hee coulde not gette what he would changed his talke saying Was it you Sir that on the daie of battell was armed all in blacke Yea my Lord said Palmerin and this Knight pointing to Trineus is my Brother who shéelded you from daunger against the King of Scots Ah déere Fréends quoth the King this made me so importunate may it like you to stay in my Courte I will regard you according to your especiall deseruings as the onelie Knights of the worlde in my fauour yeelding thankes to heauen for the good I haue receiued by your meanes Humblie did the thrée Knights regratiate the King promising for a while to soiourne with him CHAP. XLIX How the Queene of England was aduertised of the victorie against the King of Scots and the ouerthrowe of his whole Armie AFter the King of Englande had sent tidinges to the Quéene of his good fortune and the honour he intended to the thrée Knights of Greece the Messenger was so spéedâ—e as the seconde daie following he arriued at the Cittie wher the Quéene kept her Court and presented her the Letters from the King her Husbandâ— reciting the whole manner of the battell with the rare exployts of the thrée Greciaâ— Knights and how one of them preserued the Kings life omitting nothing that was néedfull to be reported as how the King intended to come with the thrée Knights in great royaltie to London and therfore she shoulde prouide equall entertainment The Queene highlie contented with these newes demanded of the Messenger if hee knewe the thrée Knightes that gaue such assistance to the King No indéede Madame answered yâ— Messenger neither did I sée them but at the time I was dispatched with my message Agriola finâ—ing in herselfe the puissaunce of the little God that made looâ—e suddainlie suspected that these Knights were they which shee sawe at the Chappell and therefore saide I pray thée tell mee my Fréend what Armes beare the Knights One of them Madame quoth he the verie best Knight in the worlde is in Gréene Armour and that is he that saued the King your fathers life when the King of Scots had néere slaine him but he remounted my Lord giuing his enemy such a dangerâ—us wound with his Launce as it was greatlie doubted he had kild him he lost so much blood and this was one of the principall occasions of our victorie This Knights companion in Blacke Armour behaued himselfe with wonderfull chiualrie for as a Lion makes hauock in a heard of Cattell so did he cut slashe mangle the Scots as the very hardiest durst not abide before him The third is in Black Armor sparckled all ouer with white Roses a Knight of no lesse courage then his companions and one that fought for England with incredible prowesse Let me die said Agriola to yâ— Quéene if these be not the Knightes that past by this Cittie when we went to the Chappell to performe our exercise therwithall she rehearsed what spéech her Gouernesse had with them and what she commaunded them In sooth Daughter quoth the Quéene your Gouernesse and you may well bee blamed for the slender account you made of them I praye you therefore when they returne let your former faulte be sufficientlie recompenced That shall I not fayle to doo said Agriola So the Quéene honorablie rewarded the Messenger sending him backe with answer that the Kings charge should be effectuallie executed The King aduertised of the Quéenes replie set forwarde with the Knightes of Greece and his traine to the Courte and by the way remembring the power sent by the Emperour of Allemaigne to the King of Norway he said to Palmerin I cannot sufficienlie maruaile gentle Knight why the Emperor should declare himselfe mine enemie and giue assistance to the King of Norway against mee considering I neuer did any thing might deserue his displeasure but I sweare by the faith of a king that I will reuenge my wrong and let him asâ—ure himselfe that while I haue one foote of ground or a dozen of my Soldiâ—rs to helpe me I will neuer haue peace with him to mollest me so within mine owne dominions by God my Freends I cannot forget it These words greatlie displeaâ—â—â— Trineus but especially Palmerin who answered In my opinion my Lord the Emperour did but reason and as duetie bound him in respect he could not honestly refuse to aide the King of Norway his Cosin and hereof I can assure you in that I haue sometime béene in his
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
Ladie to be this daie liuing then your owne for mine own part I am not so troubled in conceit as you are to quarrell for such a fabulous matter yet dare I tell yee that my Ladie is much more beautifull then yours which if you will denie I am readie by the strength of mine arme to make you confesse it Lewes féeling himselfe gréeued with these iniurious spéeches of the Countie answered Proude Knight I am ashamed to heare thy iudgment so simple as to thinke I am come hether for a matter of so light moment as though I would not iustifie against thée and all other what I haue promised but let that passe before we part I will cause thée know thy folly by that time thy pate and thy bodie is thorowly bumbasted looke to thy selfe for I intende to doo it So mounting on horseback and prepared as it had béene to a warre mortal encountred eache other with such furie as their Launces flying in shiuers vppe in the ayre they met together so terriblie with their bodies their Shéeldes their Horsses and their heads as they were bothe dismounted to the grounde But earnest desire to vanquish they béeing beside stronge and will disposed Knights made them quicklie beginne the second assault with their Swords which was so dangerous and handled with such dexteritie as it was harde to iudge who should haue the honour of the Combat Bâ—t Lewes beholding the representation of his Ladie and considering her so excellent and fauourable to him tooke hart a fresh and as it were inspired with newe vigor so laide on the Countie Dâ—â—cell as in short time he brought him vnder the mercie of his Sworde when holding it against his threate he said Peremptorie Knight if nowe thou confesse she not my Lady to 〈◊〉 thine in beautie thy vndiscréete heade shall raunsome thy sollâ—e The Countie for all this woulde not aunswere one worde by reason of the debilitie he felt himselfe in hauing lost so much of his blood as for the gréefe hee conceiued to be thus vanquished whereat Prince Lewes not content would haue taken his heade from his shoulders but the Iudges of the fielde canie to him saying My Lorde you ought to forbeare hauing brought your enemie beyonde his owne defence your victory â—éeing sufficient to content you forbids his death The Prince perswaded entred his Pauillion and ioyfull of his conquest commaunded two Gardants of the field to take the figure of the Princesse of Arragon and place it at the féete of the Duchesse counterfeit which was doone immediatlie and the Countie Durcell brought into his owne Tent where his Chirurgions tooke dilligent care for the curing of his woundes Soone after came a Knight of Myllaine who giuing such defiances as the other dyd was in the ende constrained with great shame to confesse vnder the conquering Sworde of Lewes the imperfections of his Ladie and her stature placed by the Princesse of Arragon The same daie were fiue great Lords of Italie brought in like subiection and so the tryumphe ended till the next daie when the first that came into the fielde was a braue Gallant of Spayne a Knight of good estimation and specially reputed who after a dain-glorious Oration made as the nature of the people is that way affected put hys fortune to the triall of his Launce where hee sped so ill as he was vnhorssed and in the following Combat likewise receiued the foile After him seauen other Knights of Castile prooued as vnfortunate their Ladies pictures all reuerencing the Duâ—hesse who béeing not a little proude of her Knight and the memorable renowne he witnessed of her beautie I leaue to your considerations both of her conceite that waie as also in loue towards the Prince who séeing no more readie to enter the quarrell returned thence to the Pallace to conferre with his swéete Mistresse of his high good fortunes CHAP. XXXV Of the Combat betweene Prince Lewes of Fraunce and Crenus the Duke of Gaule GReat pleasure did the King conceiue and all the nobilitie of the Court at the â—otten victories of Prince Lewes against so manie woorthie Knights so that they altogeather accounted him most fortunate And nowe the thirde daie when hee was entred his Tent an English Knight no lesse braue in termes then the former defied the Prince and betwéene them began a dangerous conflict in the midst whereof the King with manie Princes Barons and Lordes as also the Quéene and the Duchesse of Burgundie came to their standing and vnhappily behelde the foyle of the English Knight the Duchesse hearing him confesse her beautie and behelde his Ladyes portrait placed vnder hers But now the couragious Duke of Gaule named Crenus came brauelie mounted into the fielde dooing his duetie to the King Quéene and Ladies who not knowing him by his Armour iudged him some great Lorde in that no Knight before caused so good opinion generallie nor came with brauer countenaunce into the field he béeing indéede a Prince of wonderfull possessions and a Knight at Armes woorthilie approoued The Duke as all the other had doone caused his Ladies counterfeite to bee placed where it ought by his Squires to the no little admiration of all the beholders noting what rare and excellent beautie it was adorned withall the workman hauing performed such exquisite perfections as it had béene the Ladie herselfe naturallie liuing while the Squires were thus placing it on the monument the Duke aduaunced himselfe to Lewes in this manner The ouermuch selfe conceite Lorde Lewes of mindes but easily acquainted with matters of difficultie hath often béene and yet is the cause to plucke great personages more lowe then they expecte so that men haue séene them deceiued of their intents and rewarded with ridiculous shame and confusion This speake I to you hauing héere begun a busines the ende whereof will bee more harde to you then as yet the beginning hath béen for Europe is sufficientlie stored with hardy Knights to asswage your presumptuous opinion and Ladies much more faire and excellent then she whom you contende for And this by the fauour of Fortune gracious regarde of my Ladie and Mistresse and helpe of my good Sworde will I enforce you to confesse that incomparable Agriola daughter to the King of England for vertue for beautie and all diuine perfections excéedeth yours whatsoeuer she be Before such a leasing quoth the Prince shall passe the lippes of a Sonne of Fraunce rather will I consent to bee péecemeale torne in sunder and before fayre Phaebus haue paced one howres iourney I doubt not to make thée repent thy pride and arrogancie By the soule of King Arthur said the Duke looke thou garde thy selfe well for I haue with my courtelaâ— abated the pride of a brauer man then thy selfe and ere we two part I meane to trie if I can doo it againe therefore resolue thy selfe to thy best defence for by my life I will not fauour thee Without any further spéeches they encountred with such violence togeather
of Norvvay his Nephewe CHAP. XLV Howe the Armie of the emperour of Allemaigne arriued in England vnder the conducte of the Countie Tolano and howe they were discomfited REhearsed it hath béene alreadie how the Emperor of Allemaigne promised yâ— Messenger of Norwaye to sende his Maister the ayde of tenne thousand men at Armes of whome the Countie Tolano was made General and they arriued in England without any resistance The Countie vnderstanding by his auaunt coureâ—s the order of the Enemies Armie and where the King of Norway was encamped raunged his men in good order and marched toward their Forte which the King had made in the Duchie of Gaulâ— and which he had destroyed during the time the Duke was in Fraunce hauing there fortifyed the strongest Cittie and the Hauen that stood best for their commoditie Crenus at his returne with Frisol as you haue hearde vnderstanding the spoile of his Countrie assembled his people togeather and with the ayde of the King of England came within a dayes iourney of his enemies The Countie Tolano hearing thereof appointed his men in seuerall companies and the next daie gaue such sharpe skirmishes to yâ— Gaulles as they were coÌ„strained to kéepe within their defences Héereuppon the Duke determined to bid them battaile and to helpe him in his attempt hee caused an ambush of a thousand light Horsemen to place theÌ„selues in a Forrest néere adioyning of which companie Frisol was the leader and to prouoke the Norwayes to the field he sent out certaine men at Armes well prouided who scouted héere and there to the ende the Allemaignes who had béene so hote the daie before should be compassed with the secrete ambush which fel out according to Crenus his expectation For so soone as the Allemaignes saw the Englishmen so scattered they dislodged themselues and followed them with the whole Armie of the King of Norway because they were perswaded yâ— they tooke themselus to flight but yâ— Gaulles not dismayed with their comming béeing but foure thousande Horse and tenne thousand footemen came valiantlie against the Allemaigne Ensignes and then began a verie fierce encounter but the Englishmen wise pollitique fearing mis-fortune came on with their reregard towards the Forrest where the ambush lay when the King of Norway ignoraunt of their intent suddainlie made after them with the greatest part of his power but they had a worsse welcome then they expected for yâ— Englishmen aduertised what they should doo gathered vppon the Forrest side charging their enemies with such a sharpe assault as in lesse spacâ— then an howre two thousand of them were slaine Frysol perceiuing the time was come to show himselfe calling his squadron togeather cryed Upon theÌ„ valiantly my fréends the spoyle is ours So entred they pel mel amâ—ng yâ— Allemaignes making such slaughter of theÌ„ as was wâ—nderful to behold for albeit they thought not of this deceit they were so ouerwearied with dalliance as when they cam to the exploit they could doo nothing but were slaine downe right such valour shewed Frysol his fresh supplie forcing them to flight and they following them béeing glad to take the Cittie of Tomar which was stronglie fortefied Which wheÌ„ the King of Norway perceiued he staied not long after theÌ„ because he sawe it was not best for him and therefore fled after them for companie at the hard héeles and got the Cittie in good time els had they all perrished Thus remained Crenus Maister of the fielde and following his successe the next daie begiâ—t the Cittie of Tomar with siedge swearing neuer to depart thence till hee sawe the Cittizens eyther through the Eates or the walles Yet had this courage of his béene soone cooled if Frysol like a good Captaine had not cherished vp his men when Crenus at one saillie of the enemie lost two thousand men and therefore saide Why howe nowe my louing Fréendes and companions wil you flye or faint at the hower of good fortune desire you not to purchase the vertue so highlie estéemed know you not that you deale with people halfe conquered and altogeather dyscouraged courage then my Brethren courage and let vs not exchange our reputation with their feare and faynting you giue mee double strength good Fréendes if but wyth good countenaunce you will make them know what cowardlie crauens they are Follow me braâ—e Englishmen and this very daie will we giue them punishment as their treason and rebellion hath well deserued These words renewed eache ones courage meruailously so that the Duke with a fresh supply beganne againe thus to annimate them You knowe my good Fréends that although we are but a handful in respect of them what successe we haue alreadie had in our encounters so that with greater ease may wee nowe conquere weakening them so mightily as wee haue doone let vs not dismay then but witnes that the worst manne amongst vs is more valiant and hardie in Armes then the greatest Lord that is in their companie eache man therefore cherrish his hope and bearde our enemies to the very téeth The daie following the enemie came foorth at a posterne Gate and held the Dukes power very good playe and the Norwayes very well appoynted with Bowes and arrowes gauled the Horsse so cruelly as they were glad to take their Campe wherupon the Countie Tolano in hope of the daie followed vpon them with his Allemaigne courtlaces which Frysol perceiuing mette him in the face with his English squadron and giuing the spurres to his Horse ran with his Launce quite thorow his bodie whereat the Allemaignes much amazed when they saw their Generall fall dead from his Horse determined valiantly to reuenge his death but Frysol and his men dealt with them so round lie as the stoutest was glad and faine to make them waie Yet had they hemde in Frysol with such a troupe as if the Duke had not spéedilie come with reskewe they had taken him and then began the sharpest bickering for the Duke of Gaule and Frysol with their men so bestirred them as the Allemaignes cleane discouraged beganne to disorder themselues and with the Norwayes fled to the Cittie so fast as they coulde where Frysol his men had entered but that the King of Norway not daring to come into the fielde was there with men sufficient to resist his entrie Thus remained the victory to the Duke of Gaule by the braue pollicies of Frysol and his men he béeing generally commended of the Armie and thus retired the Allemaignes Norvvayes to their shame and dishonor After the retrait sounded by the King of Norway hee sent to the Duke to demaunde truce for foure and twentie howres that they might burye the dead among whom was the Countie Tolano which beeing graunted him he caused the Counties bodie to bee embalmed who by the counsell of his Lorde and Captaines was sent home into his Country The King and his company secretlie in the night embarqued themselues to ioyne with the King of Scots who expected his
comming then did the Cittizens sende word to the Duke that by yâ— breake of daie they would yéelde the keyes of their Gates to him whereuppon Frysol was Lieuetenant generall for yâ— Duke of Gaule and entred honorably the Cittie of Tomar where the Englishmen rested themselues for two or thrée dayes to recompence their paynes with profit and pleasure The enemie was no sooner departed vnder sayle but there arose such a terrible tempest as the most part of their vessels perished in the Sea and the other were so scattered as they had lost the sight of one another yet was some small number remayning with the King as well of Allemaignes as his own Countreimen so getting safe to shore in his kingdom he determined a reuenge for his great ouerthrowe but hee could not compasse his intent as you shall reade héereafter CHAP. XLVI Howe after the Prince Trineus Palmerin Ptolome were arriued in England they went to the Court and what torments the Prince endured for his looue to the fayre Lady Agriola TRineus Palmerin and Ptolome béeing landed within 4. dayes iourney of the Kinges Campe which was prouided against the King of Scots were aduertised that the King stayed but yâ— comming of yâ— Duke of Tintriel and then he meant to bid his enemie battaile that had so boldlie presumed vpon part of his Realme The garders of the porte where they landed séeing they were strangers woulde suffer them passe no further till they knewe their names whether they went and what they came for Palmerin answering on the behalfe of them all said Good fréendes we are Grecian Knightes and trauaile strange Countries to séeke aduentures and because we heard that your King menaceth warre against his auncient and maleuolent enemie the King of Scots wee come to offer our selues and our seruice to him so please his Maiestie to accept it This aunswere so well contented the Officers as by their meanes they were conducted to the Court where they were honorably entertained and two daies togeather were there feasted with the King in which time Trineus vnderstood that that the Quéene and her Daughter were aboue twentie miles thence whereupon the next morning they tooke their iourney thither and by dinner time came where the Queene laie But it fell out so happilie for Trineus as before they came to the place where the Court aboade they mette the Quéene and her traine who dailie went to a Chappell not a quarter of a mile from the Cittie to heare diuine seruice as she kept it for a continuall exercise and with her was faire Agriola her Daughter The Quéene and all her Ladies alighted from their Palfrayes they entred the Chappell the Prince well regarding the Goddesse of his hart who belike making her prayers more bréefe then her Mother came foorth with her wayting Ladies to walke vnder a companie of gréene Trées néere adioyning Trineus séeing her a creature so rare and excellent made doubt in a matter of assuraunce least he should bee surprised as Acteon was when he found Diana bathing among her Nimphes He being thus caried away with meruailous conceit of her beautie saluted not the Princesse as shee passed before him nor heard Palmerin who reprooued him for omitting his courtesie but wading further further into this amorous furie spake so loude as he was easilie hearde in this manner O heauens will you suffer the perfections of a Ladie so diuinelie accomplished to be the cause of my vndeserued death when may the time come for me to let her vnderstand my desire to doo her seruice or howe might she know the loyal affection I beare her One of the Ladies of honor attending on the Princesse reputing his wordes vnwise ouer-bolde answered Why Sir Knight where learned you so little courtship as when the fairest in the Westerne world passeth before you you make no gentle gesture or salutation I doubt that what is counted honestie vertue among men of quallitie with you is â—â—â—eemed harsh and vnciuill which makes me repute you more méete for the Kitchen then to beare the honorable office and rich Armes of a Knight as you doo Trineus as it were awaked out of a traunce saide Ah swéete Ladie pardon me for by my faith I can neither tell what you said nor well where I am my selfe for euen as you ended I felt such a passion strike me to the very hart as death will soone arrest me without remedie The Ladie who knewe not his meaning checked him againe thus Were it not better then for you to be in the field then héere in this foolish and vndiscréete pensiuenes It is true Lady quoth the Prince that at this time I haue shewed my selfe vnmannerlie and a slender Courtier yet is not the blame altogeather to be throwne on me ignoraunt who the Lady was which you speake of for wee are strange Knightes and are come farre from this Countrey with intent to aide and succour the King in his warres with our vttermost endeuours Notwithstanding because we haue with no more regard doone our duetie to your Mistresse may it please you to entreate her on our behalfe to pardon this offence for satis-faction wherof we wil goe serue the King her father in battell where we doubt not so wel to behaue our selues as shall deserue our pardon if so be she will not at this instant so fauour vs. And I gladlie woulde faire Ladie that such seruice shoulde bee doone by her commaundement for our strength and vertue by her perfections augmented will attribute the honor to her that so graciously assisted vs 〈◊〉 fore so please you to make known our good intent towards her we shall for such kindnes remain indebted to you The Ladie tooke pleasure in hearing Trineus especially perceiuing the zeale of him his companions to imploy theyr valour on the Kings behalfe which caused her immediatlie doo this message to the Princesse who at that instant as a thing fatall to her was wounded with loue whereuppon she sent them answere by her Gouernesse that shee entertained them as her Knights and as her Seruants desired them to goe aide the King her Father yet woulde shee not consent to pardon them till the renowne of their exploites might shewe them to deserue it Trineus tooke this answer for better aduantage then the Princesse thought on accounting himselfe happy by such a good beginning and therefore saide to the Ladie I think my selfe faire Ladie one of the most fauoured by Fortune hauing the meane to obey your Mistresse in her commaund and hope to execute her charge in such sort as I shall deserue the grace she dooth nowe denie me yet with all humilitie on our behalfe I intreate you to yeelde thankes for her princelie kindnes The Ladie returning to Agriola accomplished what Trineus desired her wherupon she turned herselfe and gaue them a countenaunce of fauour which was answered by Trineus Palmerin and Ptoleme with great reuerence and yâ— Princesse shewing herselfe not too statelie towardes the
Court that hée is one of the wisest and best gouerned Princes that euer I heard of Wherefore bee it spoken vnder correction your Maiestie should forget this light offence and consider if the like had béene towards you you would haue done no lâ—sse When the King heard him to support the Emperors cause he presently iudged him to be of his Course and therefore sayd Are you he Sir that woonne such honor and renowne in Fraunce at the combat maintained by the Prince Lewes for the loue of his Ladie If you be so I pray you do not denie it for I shall henceforth thinke my Court most happie to harbour the most excellent among all Knights and I promise you I am so iealous of mine owne conceyte as you can hardly pâ—â—swade mee otherwise such experience haue I made of your bountie and vertue Palmerin blushing at thâ—se worâ—es and doubting he should nowe be certainlye knowne answered Wee humbly intreate your Maiestie héeretofore and so we doo now againe that you would not enquire whence we are sufficeth your highnesse that wee are his humble Seruants in any thing that shall like him to commaunde vs. The King this hearing repented himselfe that hee had béene so importunate for hée feared least his spéeches would make them forsake his company wherfore by this time béeing come neere his Pallace hée sayde What I haue sayd Gentlemen I hope shall not offend you in my excuse admit my earnest desire to know you By and by ouertooke them the Duke of Tintriel who went to restore the Crowne as you haue heard what the Scots vsurped and he aduertised the King that the Quéene and her Ladies were ridden to a Castle foure miles from London to sollace themselues whereupon the king resolued to rydâ— thither Whereof the Prince Trineus was not sorie such was his desire to sée his faire Fréend whose loue still crossed him with so many passions as hée séemed a man of another world and did not his woundes sâ—rue somewhat to couer his disease hardly could he haue sounde any shift to conceale it so closely wherefore he beganne with Palmerin thus You knowe my chosen friend that the hope of my loue made me leaue my fathers court and to preuent my meaning consists onely in you now in respect of my forcible captiuitie béeing vnprouided of strength sence or any meane to discouer my loue to her who only can helpe mée I intreate you by the inuiolable league of our amitie that when you chaunce to speake with the Goddesse of my life my paines and anguishes may serue for my salutations and imparting to her the extreamitie of my sorrowes shee may perceiue in what estate I am and what néede I haue of her gracious pittie These wordes were deliuered with such sighs and teares as Paâ—merin was amazed thereat albeit hee knewe howe heauy the burthen was and howe it excéeded patience in suffering comparing his absence from his mistresse Polinarda to be as insupportable as the presence of Agriola not daring to speake to her was to Trineus whereupon he answered My Lord repose your trust in this matter on me which I doubt not to handle in such sort as you shall haue no cause to be mal content or the Princesse any reason to be ingratefull But what thinke you if my Dwarfe did carrie this message in my opinion through the whole world you could not finde a more fitte fellow such is his subtile and present inuention as hee wil prooue the onely string to your bowe Alas sayd the prince I care not who were imployed héerein so I were sure of comfort Then was the dwarfe called to whom Palmerin in this sort began It is wel knowne to thée Vâ—banilâ—o with what good will I would do any seruice I could to my Lord Trineus as well for the incomparable kindnes I haue receiued of my Ladie his Sister as for the affiâ—â—tie I hope shall one day be betwéene vs by his meanes So â—ften haue I made experience of my loyall seruice and fidelitie in my chiefest and very nâ—erâ—st affayres as well may I impart to thée the secrets of my noble companion pâ—rswading my self of thy suretie and secrecie It now remaines that thou pleasure the Prince Trineus in breaking his loue to the Princessâ— Agriola as thou diddest for me to my Mistresse Polynarda but aboue all things haue regard that thou bewray not of whence or what we are yet must thou assure her that the Prince is one of the greatest Lords in Europe My Lord quoth the Dwarffe I was neuer yet disobedient to you in all my time and very loath were I now to beginne but because I am such a little writhen fellowe you make me your Broker in these perillous loue matters Notwithstanding I will doo it though I died for it esteeming my life well bestowed to pleasure such Princes There can no inconuenience arise hereby to thee quoth Palmerin but profite euerie way be not enemie then to thine owne good That will I neuer sayd the Dwarffe and well might the Ladie be iudged vnprouided of reason and verie farre from vnderstanding if she make refusall of the Princes honourable offer the King himselfe if he knew it woulde imagine his dayâ—s blessed the issue then of this enterprise can not but sort to good The Dwarffes wordes pleased so well Trineus as he tooke him in his armes saying I commend my selfe and my happinesse to thée Let me alone quoth Vâ—banillo if I bring you not hearbes that shall coole this hote feuer then let me neuer bee counted for a tall man so went he about it as you shall vnderstand hereafter Chap L. How the King of England went to the Castle to the Queene and her Ladies and of the honourable entertainment made to the three strange Knights NEwes béeing brought to the Quéene â—hat the King was not farre off shée sent a verie honourable traine to méete him and with them his sonne the yong Prince Fredericke ten yéeres olde but beautifull and of such perfection as promised great hope in time to come Hée hauing made reuerence to his Father and the other Princes demaunâ—ed for the straunge Knightes and saluting them with such kindnesse as was rare in a Childe he rode betwéene Trineus and Palmerin giuing them harty thanks for theyr fréendly succour to his Father without which sayd hée as the Quéene my Mother tolde mee hée had dyed and wée all béene distressed By this tyme they were come to the Castell all the way so thicke pâ—stered with people as there was no roome to stirre among them euerie one crying Happie be the Knights that foyled our enemyes So entring the Castell in the vttermost Court they mette the Quéene and her Ladyes among whom fayre Agriola shyned as beautifull Venus among the other starres wherewith the Prince of Allemaigne was so nipt in the head as an offâ—nâ—our with his guilt before a Iudge so that not regarding what yong Fredericke or the other Lords courteouslie sayd to him he
towards them so fast as his Horse could gallop Palmerin doubting some vnhappy chaunce and remembring his dreame said to the king Neuer credit mée my Lord if this squire come not to you about some speciall affaires as well maye be gathered by his spéedie pace At these words the GentlemaÌ„ came to the king reporting how the Giant Franarco Lord of the castle of Carbones since his departure came to his Tents and from thence had violently taken the Quéene and her Daugter Agriola notwithstanding the resistance of manie knights who striuing to defend her lost their liues The King with these words strooken in wonderfull gréefe said Ah Gentlemen this villainous Traytor hath notoriously wroâ—ged vs. How is it possible to recouer them againe before they be dishonoured Trineus and Paâ—merin mooued at these newes asked the Squire which way he went with the Quéen and her Daughter In truth my Lord quoth he I cannot tell yée which way he tooke we all were so troubled and misused by his traine except they went along the Forrest and so are gone to the next village Then Palmerin clasping on his Helmet and snatching his Launce from his Dwarfe Galloped amaine after the Giant not speaking a word to Trineus who accompanied with Ptolome rode apace after him and as they passed by the Quéenes Tent they saw the Ladies and gentlewomen heauily lamenting especially Eufemia the chéefe companion to the Princesse Agriola Diuers Knights beside armed themselues to pursue the Giant but Trineus not a little enraged followed the tracke of the horse demaunding of all he met if they saw the villaine that had stolen away the Ladies As concerning this Giant Franarco you must note that hee was the cruellest tyrant and most notable fellon in all the Realme hauing a dayes iourney from the Forrest where the King hunted a Castle so well fortefied and furnished with munition and all things necessarie as in England was not the like which was left to him by the death of his Father who forciblie tooke it from a Lorde his neighbour and diuers other places especially the Isle Magdalen There succéeded â—e the royall dignitie after the death of the elder Brother who as you haue heard was slaine in the battaile by Palmerin and hée vnderstanding the death of the king of the Isle Magdalen was so â—ighlie displeased yâ— although he had alwaies before boorne allegeaunce to the king hée nowe solemnly swore to reuenge his Brothers death béeing so feared of the whole Countrey as none durst enterprise to deale with him So to reuenge the slaughter of his eldest Brother with diuers of his kindred and Fréendes likewise â—layne in the battaile he strengthened himselfe with thirtie hardie knightes intending to displease the king so much as hee coulde And hearing yâ— he was comming to London to feast the knights that were the cause of this victory but chéefely him that slewe his brother came with his coÌ„pany this way in hope to finde them all vnprâ—uided And coâ—ming that morning the king was gone on hunting hée â—ound these hée desired to méete withall for the hatred he bare them thinking himselfe sufficiently reuenged if hée could carry away with him the Quéene and her Daughter which he accomplished to his owne desire causing them mount vp behinde two of his Knights The gentlemen that were left to kéepe the Quéene companye offended to sée such villany offered theyr Ladie and Mistresse defended her so well as they could but all auayled not against the Giant and his power because they were armed and they with the Quéene were vnprouided so that a number of them were slaine and sore wounded and more had béene but that he feared the return of the King which made him in hast ride thence with his spoyle sending them somewhat before and loytering behind himselfe to fight with anie that shuld come to reskew them Trineus hauing gotten the sâ—ght of them came passing to the Giant saying Stay trayterous théefe for thou maist not so cary her away that is worthy the greatest lord in the world With these words they ran fiercely togither Trineus giuing the Giant a sore wound on the shoulder but the Prince reâ—eiued such a mightie stroke from the Giant as he fell froÌ„ his Horse with his héeles vpward Palmerin béeing not far off and doubting least the Prince had béene slaine came in a great rage to Franarco saying Monstrous enemie to menhoode who made thée so saucie to lay violent hands on Ladies of such account by my Sworde villaine I shall make thée déerely to pay for thy folly So couching theyr Launces they met togither the Giant fayling but Palmerin gaue him a shrewd wound on his body and their horsses roughly shouldring one another as their masters were both thrâ—wn to the ground Franarco béeing heauie and vnweldie had such a fall as easily he could not recouer himselfe Palmerin nimbly getting vp againe gaue the Giant such a wound on his right legge as the flesh hung downe pittifully to beholde The Giant béeing not able to stande any longer on that leg set his knée to the ground béeing glad to defend the strokes of Palmerin who reached him such a sound blowe on the forehead with the hils of his sworde as the Giant fell along on his backe when Palmerin soone setting his foote on his breast with his Sword deuided his heade from his shoulders During this fight Trineus Ptolome made after the Quéene and her Daughter whome the Giants Knights droue cruelly before them Nowe was it a matter well worthy memory to sée the braue behauiour of these two Knights but cheefely of Trineus before his swéete Mistresse whose presence endued him with such exceeding courage as hée thought himselfe able to conquer the whole world and therefore sufficient for all them were they as manie more in number But strength dooth not alwaies equall courage and louers thinke more then they are able to doo as to Trineus perill it had now fallen out but that a companie of the Kings Knights arriued whereupon began a hote encounter betwéene them and Trineus comming to the Knight yâ— had Agriola behinde him set him soone beside his horse with his neck broken in his fall so that the princesse getting forth of the throng and séeing her beloued so valiant in prowesse bâ—twéene ioy and gréefe she said Ah happie Knight the mirror of all such as follow armes I desire thy fortune may prooue such as thou thy company may haue victory ouer these traytors Now may I bée well assured of the loue thou bearest me for which if we may escape this hard brunt perswade thy selfe not to passe vnrecompenced Trineus hearing the words of Agriola was enflamed with such a spirite of conquering desire as breaking in among the thickest his strokes gaue witnes he fought for a wife But the Giants Knights were men of such proofe as the fresh sâ—pply that came were all wel-néere slaine and doubtlesse the rest had borne them company but that the
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
falshood and treason so please your Maiestie to fauour my request Miseres quoth the King how answere you this accusation and offence wherewith this Lady chargeth you Miseres béeing suddainly driuen into this dumpe knewe not well what to saye yet at length with humble reuerence hée thus beganne My soueraigne Lorde if credite may be giuen to the first countenaunce of accusations without hearing howe the partye accused can iustifie himselfe I doubt not but your Maiestie will presentlye condemne mee but when the matter is well debated and discided they which séemed at first vnreprooueable are found malicious and slaunderous persons and the accused innocent and frée from blame as heere your highnesse shall most plainely beholde The matter whereof this Ladye detecteth mée is forged and most villainously inuented for to mée belonged the Castle shée quarrelles for discended from my Predecessours to whom I am the true lawfull and legitimate inheritour True it is that this dissembling Womanne by swéete spéeches feminine guiles and secrete deceits oftentimes practised to winne mée for her Husbande but knowing her behauiour such as beséemed not a Woman of modestie and vertue I would not héere her much lesse consent to match with her And this is the cause of her complaint in hope that you béeing aboue all other Princes most bâ—nigne and honourable will constraine mée to wedde her in respecte of your absolute authoritie as the duetifull obedience wherein I am bounde When the Knight which came with the Lady heard Myseres blame her in this sorte hee stepped before the King with these words It is great follie my Lord in Miseres to deny a matter so apparantly knowne although if it were put to the iudgement of honeste personnes his common good reporte might cause him be beléeued but the poore Ladye desires that her right may bée cleared by Combatte wherein let him confounde her if hée can or else receiue rewarde for his notorious offence On her behalfe therefore my Lorde I saye and will maintaine that Myseres is a most disloyall Traytour and his mouth shall confesse it or this day will I take his heade from his bodie Myseres feeling himselfe somewhat touched grewe into great anger and albeit the shame he did the Ladie deliuered him culpable and made him doubt the issue of the Combatte yet in meruaylous choller hée aunâ—wered the Knight that hée falselye belyed him and was readie to make proofe thereof in Combatte if it pleased the King so to appoint it And I doubt not quoth hée to make thée paye for thy rashnesse and force thée confesse thy lacke of discretion in giuing credite to the trothlesse complaints of this deceitfull Woman Then was it ordained that this difference should bée tryed by Armes wherupon the Ladies Knight spake thus to the King Séeing it hath pleased your Maiestie to graunt the Fielde to Myseres and mée may it please you as it is the custome to commaunde that he deliuer hostages to the ende if hée bee vanquished the Castle maye bee deliuered into your handes to deliuer it in iustice where it appertaines Good reason saide the King and therefore Myseres you must before you enter the Fielde accomplishe what the Knight in equitie hath demaunded Then Myseres called one of his Brethren whom he required to stande as his hostage and doubt not before the Sunne be sette but I will discharge my selfe my pledge with which wordes hee departed the Hall to arme himselfe but because the daye was too farre spent the matter was deferred till the next morning The King his Lords séeing the Ladies Knight in such resolute assurance merueiled of whence and what he was for none there knewe him but Palmerin who neither coulde gesse assuredly what he was but by the golden Sunne in the Azure sheeld which made him remember that at the Ioustes in Fraunce the perillous Combate without victorie on either side was fought betwéene him and this knight Palmerin being glad to sée the man he long looked for and purposing now to bee fully reuenged on him secretly went forth of the hall commaunding one of his Squires to conuey his horse and armour the next morning out of the Citie because if he vanquished Miseres at his returne be intended to fight with him or if Miseres had the better yet he should not depart thence againe with life Nowe you must vnderstande that this Knight which came with the Ladie was the Knight of the Sunne named Frysoll who euer since the Combatte betwéene Palmerin and him remained with the Duke of Gaule and was of him highly honoured for his woorthie chiualrie Of whom when this distressed Ladie heard shée made her complaint to him of the wrong Myseres had done her and Frysol pittying her case promised to ayde her in recouerie of â—er right and so came with her to the King of Englands Court to the great gréefe of the Duke of Gaule who made Frysol promise him to returne againe after the Combatte but Frysol was more desirous thereof then the Duke in respect of his fayre Syster because hée was specially beloued of her Thus Palmerin following his enterprise feared to bée preuented because the Féeld was appoynted by the King in the same place where hée intended to méete with Frysol and beside Palmerin and the Duke of Norgalles were ordained Iudges of the field which hée would not willingly haue taken vpon him doubting by that meane to bee hindered of his other determination The time being come that the Knights should to the Combatte the King and the Ladyes came to their Scaffolds and the two Iudges were placed in their Tent accompanied with many Princes and honourable persons After that the Heraulds bad commaunded the Champions to doo theyr deuoyre then they clasped their helmets and fetching their carrire mette with such puissaunce as Miseres brake his Launce on Frysols Shéelde not mouing him in his Saddle but Frysol driuing his Launce through Miseres bodie caused the Traytour to fall deade to the earth Then he allighting and opening Miseres Helmette sawe no life in him came to the Iudges saying You may nowe perceyue my Lordes whether hee that offered this Ladie such villanie hath receyued his due desert or no if there yet remaine any thing else to do for recouering of her right I am here ready to maintaine her cause Palmerin who was not verie well pleased with this victorie answered Knight you haue done enough at this time pray that other affayres may proue as prosperous to you héereafter and in anger went forth of the field commaunding the bodie of Miseres to be brought thence which was afterward interred with great honour Frysol hauing thus vanquished Miseres the Ladie for whom he entred the Combatte fell on her knées before the King desiring him to surrender the castell which Myseres vniustly detained from her In sooth Ladie quoth the King it is reason you should haue iustice and your owne deliuered you but know you his name that defended your
sléeping his enemie should escape him The next morning so soone as the breake of day appeared Frysol came foorth of the Castle with his companye wherefore Palmerin not a litle gladde saide to the Damosell Now Lady is your promise perfourmed for this is the Knight I séeke if therefore you will any thing with mée I must intreat you to followe mee for I would be very lothe that he shoulde escape me With which wordes hée mounted on horsebacke galloping after Frysol so fast as the Horse coulde away and ouertaking him sayde Stay a while Sir Knight thinke you to passe away in such sorte haue you forgot your words at Parris to the Knight that guarded the Duke of Sauoyes Tent now is the time I hope to correcte your presumptioÌ„ when thou shalt well perceiue that thou neyther deseruest to be Seruant to the Princesse Polinarda nor art worthy to talke of her honourable name Frysol thus slaying knâ—we by Palmerins words that it wâ—s hée against whome he fought the Combatâ— in Fraunce whereupon he aunswered Truely Sir Knight I haue not as yet forgotten what I then sayde nor is the beautie of Polinarda or my loue to her so little that my desire to doo her seruice shoulde not bée now remembered nor will I forbeare to confesse it stil for feare of thée or any other whatsoeuer And if thou hastâ— sought me foorth in this quarrell thou hast found me to readie to defend it as I will more willingly choose to die then denye any parte of my duetie to that gracious Princesse Palmerin béeing so angrye as hee woulde multiply no more wordes encountred his enemie so valyantly as they brake theyr Launces and yet coulde not vnâ—orse each other then drâ—wing their swordes they laide so cruelly vppon their bodies as theyr shéeldes being broken theyr Helmets battered their Armour defaced and their flâ—sh so grâ—â—uously mangled as neither of them both could iudge who was likest to winne the victorie Till at length Frisolâ— Horse fayling vnder him fell to the grounde and hée so weakened with his great losse of blood as hée coulde not recouer himselfe before Palmerin came to him thinking to haue parted his head from his shoulders with his swoord which when the Ladye sawe for whome Frysol had slaine Myseres shée fell into most pittifull acclamations not sparing her louelye tresses of hayre but with great impatience renting them violentlye made the ayre to eccho her lamentable complaints Which the Damosell seeing that guyded Palmerin and mooued with compassion of her excéeceeding gréefes fell on her knées before Palmerin intreating him to giue ouer the fight But he feyning that hee heard her not because Frysol with rough strugling had got on foote againe charged him with such violent strokes as Frisol beeing of inuincible courage requited him with as woorthy chiualrie Againe the Damosel came on her knées to him intreating him to giue ouer the fight saying You know my Lord that before you came hither you promised me two requests and this I make one of them that you continue no longer Combatte against this Knight and in so dooing I shall acquite you of part of the promise which you made mee Palmerin chaâ—ing like a furious Lyon aunswered I pray you Damosell aske some other thing for in this matter of force you must pardon mée In sooth saide the Damosell if you denie mée my demaunde I will complaine at the King of Englands Courte and there will I declare you periured for ill it beséemes such a Knight as you are to make promise to a Lady and not obserue it By God Lady saide Palmerin you doo me great wrong in with-holding mee from reuenge on him whom aboue all menne in the worlde I hate most deadlye vnhappye was the houre wherein I mette you and so mounting vppe on horsebacke he galloped awaye in very great anger When the other sorrowfull Lady sawe that Palmerin was gone and hadde left her Knight with great ioye shée embraced the Damosell that had procured it thanking her for â—héelding the life of a most noble Knight for which courtesie shee remained bound to her during life What I haue doone quoth the Damosell is for the loue of you and this Knight swearing to you by the fayth of a Gentle womanne that I haue another thing to aske of the Knight which is gone that concerneth mée very neerelie Notwithstanding your teares mooued méeâ—with such compassion that I stande in daunger to loose what I shall neuer recâ—uer yet in respecte the cause was so honest and vertuous I doo not repent what I haue doone but because he remaineth indebted to mée for another request I must néedes leaue you and followe him so mounting vppon her Palfraye shée rode after Palmerin with all the haste shee possiblye coulde make And in her iourney wée will leaue her returning to Frysol whose woundes béeing very dangerous the Lady bounde them vppe so well as shée coulde till they came at theyr next Lodging where by good Fortune was a Lady so well séene in Chirurgery as in shorte time she cured his woundes whole and sounde Frysol so well recouered departed thence with the Ladie because the thirde day following they shoulde bee at the Castell whither alreadie was come Hermes one of the King of Englands Knights béeing sent by his Lord the King to deliuer the Ladie her right which Hermes did according to his charge entertained the Ladie honourably deliuered her the Keyes of the Castell and commaunded all the Subiects to reuerence the Ladie which they refused not to doe but were glad of her comming For ioy hereof were very solemne feastes prepared and the Ladie recounted to Hermes Commissioner for the king howe Frysol fought the Combate by the way agaynst the Knight of the blacke armour whereby Hermes presently knewe that it was the straâ—nge Knight who had left the Court vnknowne to his Companions or any of his Friendes whereof hée was not a little glad because hée iudged that these newes woulde bee welcome to the King Wherefore so soone as he had accomplished his charge and seated the Ladie quietly in her Castell hee departed intending to follow Palmerin till he found him trauayling the way was assigned him by the Ladie Frisol stayed there with the Ladie till hee had perfectly recouered his health and then without any other recompencâ— for his paynes but onely a Horse because his owne was slaine and a newe Armour his owne béeing spoyled hée returned to the Duke of Gaule who reioyced greatly to haue his companie But when the Duke vnderstood how discourteously he had béene vsed by the blacke Knight who was so highly fauoured in the English Court hée deuised by all the meanes possible to bée reuenged on him so that béeing in a Castell on the Frontiers of his Duchie yet within the King of Englandes dominion hée vnderstoode the blacke Knight should passe that way because he coulde not else returne to the Court. Now perswading himselfe for resolute vengeaunce hée pitched his Tents
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
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
the ship and mariners ready and getting all aboord the wind seruing for their auaile they set saile and before day they got farre enough from London Chap. LXII How the king of England and the Queene were aduertised how their daughter Agriola was conuayed away and of their sorrow for her departure THe Duke of Gaules daughter who continually was bedfellow to the Princesse absenting her selfe very long from bed fearing to disquiet her Ladie being sicke as she supposed but comming at length to sée hâ—w shee fared finding the bedde emptie and Agriola gone shee presently made a great out-crie whereat the other Ladies came and altogither amazed at this sudden aduenture went to the Quéenes Chamber where they reported how the Princesse was gone but howe or when they knew not The Quéene at these tydings suddenly arose and comming to her daughters Chamber found it too true which made her fal into such pitiful acclamations farre surpassing those of Maguelona when she lost her friend Peter of Prouince in the wood In these lamentings shee returned to the king whose heauines excéeded iudgment for the losse of his daughter and then came diuerse lords gentlemen who declared that the strange Knights were likewise departed Which raised such a â—umour through all the Citie that they had stolen away the Princesse The King vnderstanding the general sorow for his daughters absence said In sooth my friends if these Knights haue done such seruice for mée they haue sufficiently recompenced themselues in doing me the greatest dishonour they could deuise yet wil I not condemne them so much as my daughter for that I am perswaded shée procured this mischaunce But nowe I well perceiue what credit a maÌ„ may repose in his enemy for Palmerin euermore serued the Emperour of Allemaigne then hâ—rdly could he be true to mee Yet is it in vain for me to blame him or his companions if they tookâ— the aduauntage of their owne intents But now there 〈◊〉 no remedy my daughter is in the company of most chosen knights if she haue done well or ill hereafter her deserts will answer her misdemeanour Thus the king would not suffer any pursute after them though the Quéen and her Ladies earnestly intreated him he answering that no such mone should be made for a child so vngrateful 〈◊〉 disobedient but hauing committed an action so â—ile â—â—â—rme she should no more account of her as 〈◊〉 childe And well may wee quoth hee so refuse her in that she wouâ—â— leaue her parents and depart with straungers 〈◊〉 might we haue accounted our selues if we had lost her in her infancie The Quéene séeing her â—ord so impatient appeased his displeasure so well as she could because shee would not mooue him too much Within few dayes after the Duke of Gaule arriued at the Court who most of all gréeued at thâ—se vnhappy tidings wherefore he perswaded the king to proclaime open warre against the Emperour of Allemaigne assuring him that the knight which most commonly accompanied Palmerin was Trineus the Emperors sonne When the king heard the Dukes spéeches forgetting his anger he reioyced estéeming himselfe happy and his daughter wise in matching her selfe with such a husband and if she had made her choyse among al the Princes of the world shee could not haue sorted out one comparable in honor In bréefe aunswered the duke that for a daughter so lost he would not séeke the death of his louers and subiects but being one of Fortunes changes he could not withstand it and thus the king wisely and patiently entâ—red hiâ— gréeâ—e Chap. LXIII How Vrbanillo and the Prince Trineus Esquire arriued at the Emperours Court and what great ioy their comming procured IN this place â—ur history taketh this occasion howe the King of Fraunce daily expecting newes from Palmerin as concerning his intent of marriage betwéene his daughter and the Prince Trineus but séeing he heard no tidings at all he determined to send his ambassadâ—rs to the Emperor electing for chéefâ— in this embassage the Count of Aâ—mignac to whom hee gaue ful power authority to conclude the marriage betweene Trineus his daughter Lucemania as also of the princesse Polinarda with his son and heyre The king dispatching al things for his ambassage sent many â—arons and knightâ— of name to accompany the Count to countenance the matter with more royaltie magnificence and in this maner they came to Gaunt where the Emperour being aduertised of theyr arriuall 〈◊〉 no grâ—at account thereof such was his gréefe for his sonneâ— absence Palmerins of whom he could not heare any tidings as also for the foyle his Armie sustained in England But while the messenger from the ambassadours of Fraunce stayed with the Emperour Vrbanillo and the princes Squire entred the hall whose presence highly contented the Emperour as embracing them very louingly he demaunded for Palmerin and his sonne Trineus when they deliuering their letters and the Emperour perswaded therby of their spéedie return was greatly contented saying to the Ambassadours messenger My fréend séeing I haue heard such long looked for tidings of my sonne you may returne to the 〈◊〉 your maister desiring him to come when hee thinks conuenient he shall be heartily welcome to me with this answer the messenger departed TheÌ„ the emperor taking Vrbanillo by yâ— hand said Tel me now I pray thée how fares thy maister where is he is my sonne with him My gracious lord quoth the dwarâ—e where your noble son abideth there is my maister both of â—â—â—ght good disposition and highly honored And hereof I can assure your maiesty yâ— you haue a son who by good reason 〈◊〉 to be numbred among the best knights liuing for such honourable experience hath hee made of his worthines that perpetuall memorie will recorde his déeds of chiualry what els remaineth you shal know at their comming which will be so soone as they can possibly I euer perswaded my selfe said the Emperour that in the company oâ— so good a knight as Palmerin my son could not but purchase credit and honour the refore séeing they haue such prosperity of health I care the lesse for their stay but welcome are they whensoeuer they come By this time Polinarda heard of the Dwarfes arriual which greatly pleasing her she sayd to Brionella I pray thée swéete fréend go spéedily and séeke the Dwarfe that we may knowe what is become of our Lords and my brother Trineus Brionella who longed to heare of hir loue Sir Ptolome whom wel she knew to be one of the companie with all spéed accomplished the Princesse commandement and found the ioyfull messenger with the Emperour who tooke great delight in the Dwarfes reports but his maiestie perceiuing with what chéerefull countenance she came to bring Vrbanillo to her Lady the princesse bad him go with her hoping by his meanes his Daughters extreame sadnesse would be comforted Brionella béeing forth of the Emperours presence embraced him many times to know his tydings when the Dwarfe not
her custody a iewel of such vertue as no one can dishonour her against her owne lyking Comfort your selfe then in the power of the highest and repose your selfe on the constancie of your Ladye with this certaine perswasion that this crosse and aduersitie hath fallen vpon vs for our greater good and aduauncement héereafter Then came Olimael and interrupted theyr talke commaunding nine or ten of his people to conuay Trineus into another Galley and Ptolome into that where his Maister was that so they â—ight depart to recouer the rest of theyr Galleyes which were scattered from them by reason of the tempest And sâ— they departed one from another the Galley wherein Trineus was discrying a goodly Ship of Christians whereof they béeing glad sette sayle with the winde towardes the Christians who rode awaye so fast as thâ—y could and had escaped but that they met full with certaine Pyrates of Natolia who ioyning with the Gallies in the ende boorded her and parted the spoyle among them the winde suddenly began to chaunge so that they were constrained to â—lye for succour to an Islande in the Kingdome of Persia which they reached in good time glad to sheelde themselues from daunger These Pyrates thus come to the Hauen went all on shore to refresh themselues but they hadde no sooner sette foote on land such enchauntments were there dispersed through the whole Isle as they presently knew not one another But to acquaint you with the manner of these enchauntments you must note that the Isle where they landed was called Malfada which name was giuen it by the Lady thereof who was called likewise Malfada the most subtill Magitian of her time so that wee may say of her as the Poets feigned of the auncient Circes And albeit she was issued of Christian parentes yet hauing such familiaritie with the diuell and his maligne spirites she would not acquaint her selfe with any goodnesse towardes Christians but daily practise their harme and destruction And for this intent shée had long time enchaunted this Island with such charmes that what Ships arriued there could neuer depart thence againe much lesse such as entred within the Isle They being thus staied Malfada would come her selfe and chuse such as shée lyked the rest shée transformed into Hartes Wolues Dogges Boares and all manner of beastes Such likewise as shée tooke with her into her Fortresse when she had abused them to content her owne pleasure shée would cast them foorth transforming them as shée did the other in bréefe she was worse then a Diuell and the whole Isle a very disguised hell This wicked woman knowing that more vnfortunate people were landed at the Hauen called her seruaunts and came to see them but she made no great account of them wherefore she commaunded her seruaunts to take all the riches foorth of the Shippe conuerting it by her inchauntment that it séemed lyke a bottomlesse gulfe Afterward at her pleasure shée transformed them that came in it among whome Trineus was chaunged into the shape of a very fayre Dogge not that hée was so for that is a thing against nature and which God no way will permit that man shall take any brutish shape or a brute beast any humane forme For the Magicall dispositions thus holde theyr Arte that the enchaunted estéeme themselues beastes and of that sort was this 〈◊〉 Mastiue notwithstanding these distressed captiues had naturall reason and humane power but the benefit of spéech was taken from them And thus was Trineus transformed which he séemed not to mistike for not remembring himselfe he forgot all his heauie passions maruelling only at his suddaine mutation And here will we leaue him in his straunge deformitie to report what befell to the Princesse Agriola after that dolorous separation betwéene her Lord and her THus Gentlemen haue wee left the Prince Trineus transformed into the shape of a Dogge in the Isle of Malfada by the Enchauntresse the English Princesse Agriola in the custody of the Turkish Pirate Olimael Ptolome and Colmelio carried into Aethiopia and Palmâ—rin raunging in the Islande with his Hauke for his delight Right straunge will bee the meeting of all these friendes againe after the hazards of many perillous fortunes For Agriola thus separated from the Prince her husband is maried to the great Emperour of Turkie howe wonderfully the ring which Palmerin gaue her preserues her chastitie will be worth the hearing How Palmerin counterfeiting himself dumbe doth many rare exployts in the Isle of Calpha will be as acceptable How Palmerin gaines his Polinarda 〈◊〉 his chast wife Agriola Ptolome his Brionella and all Honors meeting togither in the Emperours Court of Allemaigne wil be so strange as the like was neuer heard and all this performes the second part which shall be published so soone as it can be printed A. Mundy FINIS Honos alit Artes. THE Second Part of the honourable Historie of Palmerin d'Oliua Continuing his rare fortunes Knightly deeds of Chiualrie happie successe in loue and how he was Crowned Emperour of Constantinople Herein is likewise concluded the variable troubles of the Prince TRINEVS and faire AGRIOLA the Kings daughter of ENGLAND with their fortunate Marriage Translated by A. M. one of the Messengers of her Maiesties Chamber Patere aut abstine LONDON Printed by Thomas Creede 1597. To the worshipfull Maister Fraunces Young of Breâ—t Pelham in the Countie of Hertford Esquire and to Mistresse Susan Young his wife and my most kind Mistresse this worldes ioy and heauenly felicitie intirely wished PRomise is debt worshipfull Syr as the Prouerbe auoucheth and debt must needes be paide as reason requireth the one not arguing so much liberalitie in speech as the other doth vertue in accomplishing When I presented ye my first part of Palmerin of England I promised to hasten these likewise that should preceede it because this Historie of Palmerin d'Oliua is the beginning and inducement to all those that followe thereon Wherfore hauing sent ye the first so likewise doe I now the seconde and will make what speede I can in translating the third and last if your kinde fauour spurre me on as I doubt not but it will So still remaining yours euen to my vttermost I humbly take my leaue this first of August Your VVorships euer to be commaunded Anthony Mundy To the Freendlie READERS THough long yet at length this second booke of Palmerin is finished and he hauing endured so manie bitter brunts in search of aduentures after all nowe remaineth either to bee commended or condemned by your censure Condemne him you cannot with reason considering all his actions haue beene so honourable as too malicious were the man would deale so hardly with him that hath giuen no occasion of offence Commend him then you must in respect of his manifold vertues thrust altogither in the face of Fortune onelie for your delight and recreation As concerning his Sonnes Palmendos and Primaleon the one is kept vnder his mothers wing the Queen of
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
them home with excéeding ioy but they answered that they ought rather to thanke the Knight in gréene Armour for hee deliuered vs from the Moores and Infidels without request of any ransome Olorico amazed at these signes of ioy as also when hee sawe Palmerin pray knew not well what to thinke which Palmerin presently perceiuing and to resolue him of all doubts whatsoeuer sayd No longer neede I know my good Lord and Friende to hide the affaires and secrets of my heart from you know therefore that I am a Christian and a Gentleman of the Emperours Court of Allemaigne But that which most of all gréeueth me is that I am constrayned to forsake your companie and returne againe to my Lorde for too much should I offend my God to go with you to the Soldanes seruice Wherefore my louing friend let me intreate you to holde me excused swearing to you by the faith of a Knight that whether else it shall like you to go I will accomplish your minde in any thing I intreate you likewise to entertaine al my Squires and Gentlemen into your seruice and among them to share all my treasure in the Shippe because I will haue nothing with me but my Horse and armour And notwithstanding all this feare nor to present your selfe before the Soldane and Alchidiana for to them will I write such matter of you as they shall accept you in my place and with as great honour as euer they did mee If heauen so fauour mee as I may come to the knowledge of my father I will certifie you with the truth of all As for my counterfeiting to be dumbe was onely but to awaite opportunitie when with safety I might escape thence If Olorico at the first was amazed what may be iudged of him nowe notwithstanding hee loued Palmerin so perfectly as hee returned him this answere Although Syr Palmerin wee are of contrary faith and opinion yet hath your noblenesse and humanitie gained such priuiledge ouer me that as you haue long time liued a Christian among the Turks so for your sake will I liue a Turke among the Christians dissembling in like sort as you did and neuer shall any occasion force mée to forsake you till you haue found your Father and know if he be discended of the Soldanes bloud No honour will it be for me nowe to returne again to the Assirian Princes and as for my people I force not though they go backe againe with my treasure for on my Knighthood I will bee no richer then you nor will reserue any thing with mée then what belongs to a Knight errant which is Horse and Armour For the rest let Fortune do the worst she can I hope for all this one day to be King of Arabia Then noble friend be not offended for I will beare you companie if death and strong imprisonment doo not withhold mee Palemrin embraicng him saide Ah worthie Prince so noble is your minde and repleate with fidelitie as perswade your selfe to find me your loyall Brother and fellow in Armee neuer to forsake you while I can lift my Sword so please you to abide with mee So calling the chéefest of them in the ship they sayde as much to them as you haue heard commaunding them not to stir from Arabia before they heard some other tydings As for their strange conceit at these newes I bequeath to your iudgements yet durst they not gainsay their Maisters but launching into the deepe sayled backe again into their own Countrey Palmerin and Olorico for this night lodged in the Cittie to refresh themselues and the next morning after they had taken leaue of the Merchants they deliuered they set forward on their iourney Continuing their trauaile thrée daies together at length they mette a Knight who séeing them armed after the Turkish manner sayde Gentlemen God saue ye if I should not seeme troublesome to you because I iudge you to be strangers I would gladly knowe if you could tell me any tidings of two Knights which long since left this Countrey Howe were they named quoth Palmerin Syr saide the Knight one of them is Trineus Some to our dread Lord the Emperour and the other the most valiant Palmerin d' Oliua Two yéeres and more since they left the Court without any newes what became of them sauing that wee heard they were a while with the King of England and thence they conuayed his Daughter the Emperous continuing so sorrowfull for theyr losse as euery houre his death is expected May it be quoth Palmerin that all this while Trineus is not returned What daunger will noble Allemaigne receiue by loosing their young Prince Ouercome with exceeding griefe and sorrow by report of these vnhappie tidings to himselfe he beganne in this maner What shall I doo dare I be so presumptuous as to present my selfe before my Mistresse what sufficient excuse can I make for the loue of her brother Doubtlesse if it were such a hell to me to finde the meane for my departure from that long captiuitie in the Soldanes Court much more will it be to me now in the search of the Prince for without him I dare not approach the Emperours presence While he thus secretly discoursed with himselfe he became so excéeding passionate as Olorico thought he had lost his sences which was the cause that without any further enquirie the Allemaigne Knight departed from them when Olorico amazed at this suddain alteration said How now Sir Palmerin what hath moued you to this heauinesse I beséech you conceale not the cause from me for if it be by any offence that the Knight offered which spake to you soone shall I deliuer him his penance Therefore tell me I pray you for vndoubtedly I will not suffer you to rest vntill you haue acquainted me with the truth Palmerin knowing how déerly y◠Prince loued him and that for his sake he had left Country parents and friends reposing on his loyaltie imparted his loue to him as also the lesse of Trineus and the Princesse Agriola Olorico then laboured to perswade him aduising him to compasse some secret spéech with his Ladie of whome hée might learne how to recouer her lost brother and the faire Agriola of England againe Palmerin following this counsell pacified himselfe and kept himselfe so closely as he could from being knowne to any Chap. XX. How Palmerin by the meanes of Vrbanillo his Dwarfe spake with his Lady Polynarda with whom he stayed fiue daies to recompence some part of his long absence and to the great contentment of them both SUch expedition in their iourney made these noble companions that at length they arriued néere a castle which was foure leagues from Gaunt where the Emperour as then was disposed to hunting for the delight of the Ladies but chéefely to expell his owne melancholy for the losse of his sonne as also to recreate the Princesse Polynarda who shadowing the cause by her Brothers absence lamented continually for her noble Friend Palmerin of whome
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
should be maried to one of the best Knights of the world Wée néede not doubt that the Quéene was héereat amazed yet the loue of the Mother to her infant cannot conquer the loue of the Wife to her Husbande which among all loues is the most honest and loyall so that in hope to frée him againe on whom depended her health and welfare shée gaue her Childe to the Damosell intreating that shée might be vsed as beséemed the Daughter of a King and as the swéete beautie of the infant deserued Shée returning to Carderia with the Childe made her Sisters verie ioyful by her comming who there nourished the infant till shée was three yéeres olde when the beautie of the yong Princesse beganne to shewe it selfe as fayre Cynthia dooth among the Starres Nowe did the Sisters inclose her in a strong Tower made of purpose for young Francelina wherein was the most goodly Garden in the worlde there was shee attended by her Nursses and sixe waiting Gentlewomen and such enchauntments were imposed on the Tower as no man should euer sée her vnlesse he were the best Knight of his time The entraunce into the Tower was verie strayte and narrowe barred vppe with a great Gate of yron and guarded with two furious Lyons Ouer the gate stoode a huge Image of Copper holding a mightie Mace of Stéele wrought by such cunning as if anie Knight but he that was destenied to end the aduenture should assay to enter hardly might he escape to returne againe Moreouer the conquerour should not demaund the first demaund of the princesse which was the deliuerance of her Father and for this cause the Sisters enchaunted the faire Francelina whose Historie wée must yet forbeare procéeding where wee leâ—t before Olimaell béeing thus on the Sea laden with Christian spoyles and prisoners at length entred the port of the great Cittie of Tubant where hée made such a chéerefull noyse of Droms Trumpets Clarions and Cornets as though the greatest Monarch in the worlde had come to take landing The great Turke maruailing at this sodaine melodie sent one of his Knights to vnderstand the cause who béeing certified by Olimaell what great victories hee had obtained against the Christians and the number of prysoners he brought with him returned to the Pallace where he told his Lord that the Admirall Olimaell was come and had brought with him great spoyles from the Christians where among quoth hee is a Christian King in person many worthy Knights and Gentlemen and a young Princesse of incomparable beautie Not a little ioyfull was the Turke at these newes wherefore comming into his great Hall where the imperiall seates of maiestie were erected himselfe fate downe in the â—one and faire Agriola of England in the other expecting the comming of Olimaell who in tryumphant manner set forward with his prize brauely mounted on a lustie Coâ—rser sumptuously caparasoned and aduauncing his sword drawne in signe of victorie Béeing come to the Pallace Olimaell saluted his Lorde with great reuerence standing by him to make report of his conquest and make present of his prisoners after their estate and calling First he caused all the riches to be brought and all the meanest captiues one after another to kisse the great Turks foote then commaunding them to be carried thence he began in this manner It is not to be doubted most high and mightie Monarch that this victorie gotten on the Christians enemies to our Gods hath beene obtained onely by your fauour therefore it is good reason that the principall head of this enterprise the great and chéefest honour should be doone The witnesse héereof are the treasures present and these prisoners abyding your mercie who from the very meanest to the highest shall humble themselues at your maiesties fâ—â—te When very many had doone theyr reuerence and the King of Thessaly shoulde next follow who though his handes were pinniond behinde him yet had a Crowne of Gold on his head to shewe what hée was although he sawe himselfe in the Traitours power and Olimaell had commaunded him to kisse his Maisters foote boldly made this answere Nor will I so much displease my God vncircumcized Tirant as thou art in such sort to abase my self being a king and administratour of iustice to faithfull Christians to kisse the foote of the mostâ—nastie and vncleane creature in the world profaning the worship which I onely owe to my maker It is in thy power to take my life from mee but not to constraine me do the thing wherein consists my damnation and a thousand deathes I will endure before I yéelde so much as in thought to thée Uillaine quoth the Admirall darest thou speake so vnreuerently in the presence of my Lorde did not my regarde of him withholde mée soone should I seperate thy cursed heâ—d from thy shoulders With these words he gaue the King such a blow on the face as made him fall on his knées to the ground Ah Traytour quoth the King well hast thou shewen the nature of a villaine that without commaunde strykest a King captiue and vnprouided of Armes but might it so please thy Lorde in open Fielde will I prooue thée a disloyall and vnchristened Curre that thus abusest the bloud royall The great Turke séeing the King so moued and angrie the bloud likewise trickling from his nose and mouth commaunded him to be carried thence to one of the strongest Castles in Nacolia where he should be enclosed without any companie that his captiuitie might be the more gréenous to him When the King of Thessaly was departed Palmerin approched leading the Princesse Laurana by the hande hée and his fiue companions beeing Armed except theyr Helmets Gantlets and swords whereat the great Turke maruailing demaunded of Olimaell why hée suffered them to be armed My Lord quoth hee these sixe Knights were the first prize I tooke who after they had giuen me theyr oathes haue done such seruice to your Maiestie especially this poynting to Palmâ—rin one of the best knights that euer I saw as full well do they deserue libertie which in recompeÌ„ce of aduenturing their liues in your seruice vnder your highnesse correction I promised them By Mahomet answered the great Turk for thy sake I likewise confirmâ— it and if héereafter they will abide with mée I will make them greater then euer they were While the Turke was making these promises Agriola hauing well noted Palmerin knew him and with the sodaine conceit thereof was readie to swoune but staying her selfe on her Chayre said O sole bountie who is this are not mine eyes deluded and my thoughts be guiled At these wordes Palmerin knewe her which before hee did not by reason of her strange disguysed apparrell yet thought hee best to conceale his inward ioy least crooked fortune should now againe preuent him The great Turke séeing Agriola looke so pale and wan started from his Chayre and taking her in his Armes said Alas Madame hath any sodaine ill befallen yée hath any one in this companie
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
answere replyed In truth my Lord if I were not desirous to fulfill what is required in chiualrie I wold not so boldly haue made this demaund therefore for such exceptions as you admitted let mee not I beséeche you be denied at this time and let this induce you that such as are borne to gouerne Kingdoms if they giue themselues onelie to pleasure without passing through the pykes of some dangerous hazarde they are not woorthie to be lifted to such honor The Emperor hearing the braue minde of his Sonne and that his wordes fauoured of courage conceiuing well thereof answered Since your desire is so earnest to be made Knight I am well contented but I wold haue it doone honorablie and before a greater assemblie then now is in our Court Alas my Lord said Trineus there is no néede of tryumphe before victorie let such pomp remaine I pray you til I haue wâ—nne honor and accounte by my déedes The Emperor ioyfull of the Princes good opinion perswaded himselfe he wold 〈◊〉 fortunate wherfore he graunted his request so that Palmerin might accoÌ„panie him in his voyage Of which condition Trineus was not sorie because in him consisted all his hope of successe so his Father commaunded him to prepare himselfe for hys order whereupon Trineus made himselfe a costlie Armor and another for Palmerin the deuises béeing changed because they intended to passe vnknowne Nowe had the Emperor leuied an Armie of tenne thousande good Souldiers the conduct wherof was appointed to the Countie Tolano a Knight valiant and hardie hauing had like charge in sundrie occasions of war therefore so soone as all things were in readines they were embarqued and sayled with such benefite of winde and weather as soone after they tooke landing in England Where a while we will leaue returning to Polynarda greatlie discontent with her Brothers departure because of Palmerin and Brionella no lesse troubled for her fréend Ptoleme but the Princesse féeling newe afflictions for the absence of her loue came to her Brother saying I knowe not Brother who hath aduised you to venture so dangerously our Cozin hauing assistance sufficient without hazarding your personne let mee then intreate you good Brother to affect occasions that promise better securitie Better occasions Sister quoth hee it is impossible if it be a thing allowable vertuous to succour a stranger howe much more then is it to our Kinsman especially such a one as is our Cozin of Norvvay therefore I pray you be of good comfort till my returne And if it so happen that my Father in my absence intend your marriage looke that your consent not til I come home againe for my not being héere will serue you for a sufficient excuse Which Polinarda promised and her word so past stoode her in no small sted afterward as you shall finde in the discourse following So soone as Trineus was prouided of all thinges for his knighthoode he came to the Emperour in this maner I desire you my Lord to accomplish your promise hauing doone my duetie as you commaunded me With right good will my Sonne saide the Emperor goe Arme your selfe Then went hee Palmerin and Ptolome armed to the Chappell Trineus béeing in Gréene Armour figured all 〈◊〉 with harts of Golde and in his Shéelde was portraied a Knight vnarmed holding in his hand a Bowe bent with an arrow readie to shoote against a gréene Trée whereon hunge a scrole which had written in it in Letters of Gold this mot Madame quand mourray-ie Whereby he meant that the loue which made him enterprise this voyage should beare him companie till death Palmerins Armor was all blacke declaring his mourning for his absence from his Lady and in his Shéelde for his deuise was figured a goodlie Eagle shâ—ouding a little Birde vnder his winges declaring therby the fauour he had receiued of his Mistresse Soone after came the Emperor into the Chappell where hee Knighted his Sonne put his Spur on his héele and giâ—ded his sworde about him afterward they went to dinner and spent the whâ—le daie in manie pleasures for ioy of the newe Knight Pâ—â—merin Ptolome to comfort their Ladies before theyr departure according as they were wont when yâ— Princesse Polinarda thus began Alas my Lorde what gréefe wyll your departure be to me with what patience doo you think I am able to endure it perswade your selfe the very conceit of your absence will be my death or at least a cause of such danger as I shall neuer recouer Bee well aduised therefore how you deale with me for the intent of my Brother maie be broken if you would labour in it but if it may not be then saue my life by your spéedie returne These words were deliuered with such teares and reking sighes as Palmerin might well perceiue the vehemence of her gréefes and answering her heauines with as earnest oppression said Swéete Ladie bee perswaded tempeâ— your sorrow with patience considering the vnion of our spirites makes a simpathie of afflictions if then for my sake you will not pacifie your selfe yet to shéeld your owne perril let me intreate you to be resolued in that my returne shall bée with such expedition as you will commaunde But if you continue thus melanchollie you will bewray what as yet shoulde bee concealed and so may great harme ensue to vs both Wherfore I desire you to moderate your impatience and thinke well of my departure which is chéefelie to seeke out a Knight against whome I fought in Fraunce for your beautie as for anie other matter you may beléeue me Whereuppon he reported his Combat with the Knight of the Sunne which made the Princesse as well for Palmerins promise as the account he made of Frysol somewhat better quieted to answere If it be so my Lord that your returne will bee with such spéede I shall enforce my selfe to beare the burthen of my cares with as much patience as I can and sée you faile not your appointed time but tell mee I praie you what Armes beares the Knight of the Sunne you spake off which Palmerin discribing Polinarda remembred him saying My Lorde I know nowe very well what he is for eight daies after your departure towardes Fraunce the Emperour my Father knighted him commaÌ„ding mee to gird him with his Sworde which I coulde not but obey wherein the Knight glorying sollicited me with affections not liking me which I pray you reuenge béeing the man whom the matter néerest concerneth After manie other amiable conferences the Knights humbly tooke their leaue of their Ladies and in the morning betimes the Mariners called on Trineus and his companie to hast aboorde because the winde serued well for England which they performed with all speede hauing first taken their farwell of the Emperour and the Court. So hoysing sayle they sette on to Sea and in good tâ—me came within yâ— kenning of England where we will forsake them awhile and returne to the Emperors Armie which he sent to the King