for by ought I can perceiue there is no signe of life left in them They haue no more aunswered Manteleo then they worthily deserued ought they to misprise or detract strange Knightes cheefely such as are of one nation yet let vs see in what estate they are So comming to the Knight that was first dismounted and finding him dead by reason of the aboundance of blood he had lost as also because his Helmet hindered him from the aire Unhappy man said his Brother oftentimes haue I told thee that thy pride and ouer-wéening would one day cause thy death Be thou warned heereby sayd the enchaunted Knight and learne another time to vse more courtesie to Knightes how yong or old soeuer they be for thou and thy companions did imagine that beâ—cause these two yong Princes were no further entred iâ— yeeres that therefore they were vnprouided of couragâ—â— and vertue but by outward behauiour neuer iudge oâ— men heereafter Too well doo I perceiue your words arâ— true but I beseech ye looke if my Cosins haue accompanied my Brother in death or no. Palladine finding them to be aliue offered with his Sword to haue smitten off their heads Uillaines quoth he you are but dead men if you will redeeme your liues you shall promise me to go â—ubmit your selues to the King of Englands mercie recounting to him wherefore how and by whome you haue beene vanquished Sir answered one of them there is nothing that we will not gladly promise and perfourme for the â—aunsome of our 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 I sweare to yee that I will not faile 〈◊〉 you haue commaunded You must auouch the like quoth the Prince to the other Knight wherevpon he that was so sore hurt with his fall from his horsse could make no aunswere but by signes so that with many sad countenances he shewed his consenting Now may yee depart when ye please said Palladine and say that Englishmen are better Knightes then Spanyards So hauing buried the Knight that was slaine they departed not a little glad they were so well escaped but they tooke small care of perfourming their promise as you shall perceiue by the sequell of our historie CHAP. XI ¶ How Palladine and Manteleo with their company arriued in the Realme of Hungaria where the Gentleman remayned that stole the Lady from the enchaunted Knight and what fortuned to them by the way AFter the Princes had left the Spanyardes they rode on their iourney and comming to the port of Gorforte they tooke Shipping when the Seas were still and calme expecting a winde to passe into Holland which fitting their expectations crossing through Zeland they came to Triell where Palladine furnished himselfe with new Armour because his other was greatly battered in Iousting with the Knightes Hauing contented themselues with the sight of Hollâ—nd they passed the Rheme and entred Almayne where arriuing on the frontires of Bohemia they beheld a Lion comming toward them carying a yong Infant wrapped in swadling clothes in his mouth and a yong woman running after the beast with verie pitifull cries and acclamations Behold quoth Palladine how a sauadge beast hath gotten a yong Infant let vs alight to sée if we can force him forgoe his pray The poore woman seeing how readie they were to helpe her cryed aloude to them that they should get betwéene the Lion and his Caue least entring with the child there should remaine no hope of recouerie When the Lion saw he could not enter his denne he let fal the Infant and furiously assailed the Prince Manteleo who gaue the beast such a wound on the head as made him cry and rore very dreadfully At which noyse a Lionesse came foorth of the Caue from her yong ones and she likewise ranne on the noble Manteleo but Palladine and his Squires so valiantly assisted him as the beastes were in short time ouercome and slaine Then came the poore woman and tooke vp her child which when she beheld had escaped all daunger on her knées she humbly thanked the Princes for their good assistance One of the Damosels taking the child in her armes and séeing it both beautifull and comely said to the mother Great had béene the losse good woman that these cruell beastes should haue deuoured so swéete an Infant but why were you so negligent to endaunger it so much Madame aunswered the poore woman not by my fault did this inconuenience happen for I earning my liuing by dayly labour by binding faggots which my husband cuts in the wood left my child with one of my neighbours in kéeping How she suffered this mishap I know not but as I returned from the wood and méeting the Lion with my child which full well I knew by the swadling cloathes I made what haste I could after the beast hoping by some meanes to recouer my child which now I thanke God and you I haue done Nor is this the first time we haue béene thus serued for in this little Uillage béeing but tenne or twelue housholds in number three children haue béene lost within these sixe moneths the parents still thinking some Boores or peasants had stollen them but now in good time haue wee founde the Théefe And seeing these Gentlemen haue slaine the Lion and Lionesse it may be they haue some yong ones in this Caue which I gladly would haue destroyed likewise so shall we be in no further daunger heereafter That will I soone trie said Palladine go to your house and fetch me some fire and withall bring some sheaues of thrasshed corne for Lions cannot abide the sight of fire and by this meane shall we see what is in the darke Caue Right soone did the woman accomplish her charge bringing strawe and fire with her and sixe or seauen sturdy fellowes with staues flayles and pikeforkes when Palladine hauing set the strawe on fire with the couâ—trey peasants entred the Caue where he found thrée yong Lionesses like little dogs and the clothes of diuers children deuoured by the beasts To behold this strange sight he called the two Damosels and the poore woman into the Caue saying These beastes should haue dined with your child to day but God hath appointed his end in better sort and because you shall remaine in no further dread of these yong ones were I not so farre from England I would send them to the King who I am sure would accept them for our sakes My Lord quoth one of the poore countreymen I will vndertake to fulfill your mind in this and will carie them to England if you please to commaund me full well doo I knowe how to vse them for my Father nourished one like to these a long time and when it grew great he gaue it to our King who sent it as an especiall present to the King of Fraunce In sooth quoth the Prince if thou will perfourme what thou hast promised I will giue thee money to defray thy charges and theirs likewise whome thou wilt take with thee Letters will I also send
THE Famous pleasant and variable Historie of Palladine of England Discoursing of honorable Aduentures of Knightly deedes of Armes and Chiualrie enterlaced likewise with the loue of sundrie noble personages as time and affection limited their desires Heerein is no offence offered to the wise by wanton speeches or encouragement to the loose by lasciuious matter Translated out of French by A. M. one of the messengers of her Maiesties Chamber Patere aut abstine AT LONDON Printed by Edward Allde for Iohn Perin dwelling in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Angell And are there to be sould 1588. ¶ TO THE RIGHT Honorable Robert Deuorax Earle of Essex and Ewe Viscount of Hereford and Bourchier Lord Ferrers of Chartley Bourchier and Louayne Maister of the Queenes Maiesties Horsse A. M. wisheth increase of all happinesse AMong those right Honorable that offered incense in the Temple of Iupiter in plates of Golde according to the custome a simple Heardsman religiously affected brought his offering on a broken potsheard for which he being reprooued by Iupiters Priest boldly returned this answere The Gods that dispose all knowe all rich men are discerned by their great gifts and poore men by their simple yet happily their zeale is not alike for rather had I be thought vnmannerly by this homely present then vndutifull by want of better abilitie In like manner right noble Lord among those ripe and curious wittes that offer to your learned view matter of valew squared and leueld by deepe knowledge and experience a simple zealous man more deuoted in affection to your honors welfare then able to expresse the same as other can presents this rude and vnpullished peece of worke not handled with arte because I want it nor glozed with borrowed phrases because I am loth to become indebted but equall with the poore Heardsmans potsheard and with him chusing rather to be thought homely then vndutifull knowing that the Eagles eyes of Iupiter can search into the substance of the one and other This woorke of Palladine with all his imperfections I humblie commit to your honorable protection knowing that in respect of your owne loue to Chiualrie you will thinke well of him and because he is an English man in the better sort fauour him For my selfe as I neuer knew honor partiall in opinion but with vpright iudgement to ballance each mans deseruing so in this assurance with reuerence I end as forward as any in affection to your Honor. A. Monday To the corteous and freendly Readers MY promise was that by Easter Tearme this worke should be published and according to my promise heere doo I send it not doubting but you will so fauourably censure theron as my paynes and the pleasure of the Historie deserueth If you happen to fynde any mislike in the translation or that it is not so currant English as fyne eares hunt after let this serue as a sufficient excuse for mee that in translating men are bound to their Writers words and such as roue at random may set downe what they please And this I am to intreate on the Printers behalfe and mine owne whereas in dyuers places there are faultes escaped as woordes verie much mistaken many left out and others common that you will freendly let passe such ouer-sightes and at the next Impression they shall bee amended for I beeyng often absent and the Printer carefull to end his worke by appoynted time haue beene the cause of all these escapes Thus committing my Booke and my selfe to your fauourable iudgement I ceasse From my house without Cripple-gate this 23. of Aprill Yours to bee commaunded Anthony Monday THE Famous pleasant and variable Historie of Palladine Discoursing of Knightly and woorthy deedes of Armes and vnfolding the loue of many great Princes and Lords but especially of PALLADINE Soone to the King Milanor of England and the faire Selerina sister to the King of Portugall c. CHAP. I. * Of the birth of Prince PALLADINE and the strange aduenture that happened on the day of his birth in the Citie of London before the Pallace of King Milanor AT what time the puissant and spacious Empire of Greece and most fertile Asia was held in subiection by the great Turke and the Romaine Monarchy was commaunded by the wise Emperour Iustinian Gouernour of both high and nether Allmayne raigned in great Brittayne now called England a King named Milanor who from his youth was so well instructed in good letters and the Sciences liberall as among the most learned Doctors he was reckned peerelesse before he came to the age of eightéene yéeres During this time of his education his Gouernors to make him perfect in all things beseeming so great a Prince caused him to practise the managing of great Horsses to vse the Tilt and Tourney with all other-feates of agilitie incident to Armes wherein right soone he grew so prompt and excellent as all the Lords and Subiects of his Realme were not onely abashed at his forwardnes but thought themselues especially blessed to liue vnder the regiment of so braue a King Nor was this ioy alone to them but many other nations and forreigne Princes did participate therein especially the Kings of Scottes and Norgalles his neighbours who hearing of the great bountie prowesse magnanimitie and other lawdable vertues in this King determined to be freends to him and his holding this opinion that beeing confederate with England in loue no other King or Prince durst molest them with warres Upon this consideration they sent their Ambassadours to his Maiestie to promise and sweare peace amitie and inuiolable concord with obeysance and acknowledging him their Superiour where they were receiued honourably and with content a matter greatly auailing them afterward as you shall perceiue by the following discourse of our Historie The King of Portugall vnderstanding the manifold vertues and power of King Milanor as also that so many Kings and Princes desired his fréendly alliaunce preuayled so well by his sundry Embassades as the King of England married with his Sister named Selerina faire in perfections yong and gratious among all the Ladies in her time and to continue holy loue betwéene this King and Queene soone after she was conceyued with a goodly Sonne at whose birth happened such a maruelous aduenture as no registred memorie records the like At what time the Quéene was in trauayle suddenly was the Citie of London couered with a darke and fearefull Clowde the heauens deliuering such thunder and lightning the earth likewise shaking and trembling so straungely as the Citizens expected death euery moment imagining the end of the world was come vpon them For the space of two houres this wonderfull tempest endured vntill the Quéene was deliuered of her burthen when the Clowde began to vanish away and the heauens looked fayre and cheerefull as before After this despairing Storme the people who with feare and terror of the thunder had hid themselues in vaultes and caues amazed and fearefull began to shew themselues but
his Father had done in his youthfull time Thus continued he sixe or seauen moneths in this desire not daring to aquaint the King his Father therewith least he should refuse his request in respect of his yong yeeres but the destenies who foresawe the maruellous déedes of Armes he should accomplish and the straunge enchaâ—â—â—ments that should be finished by him would not suffer 〈◊〉 remaine long slothfull in his Fathers Court among 〈◊〉 Ladies and beautifull creatures but bringing his 〈◊〉 to perfection found the meane that he should be Knigâ—â—â—d by the King his Father as héereafter you shall readâ— more at large CHAP. V. ¶ How the Duke Temoreo of Millaine sent his Sonne Manteleo into England to be made Knight with the Prince Palladine and how Manteleo became enamoured of the Princesse Marcelina DUring this time the Duke of Millaine had a Sonne named Maâ—â—eleo a yong Prince and of vertuous nature brauely disposed to Knightly resolutions and being aged about eightéene yéeres He hauing oftentimes heard the famous report euery where bruted of the Prince Palladine of England and what a strange aduenture happened at his birth which could not as yet be ended by any was very desirous to go see him that he might be aquainted with the Prince so renowmed And one day finding the Duke his Father walking in his Garden he came and knéeled before him desiring licence for three or foure moneths to trauaile into England that he might be aquainted with the Prince Palladine of so especiall report as also the wise and debonaire King Milanor his Father with whome quoth he all Kings and Princes louers of vertue haue euermore desired fréendly allyance Witnesse héerof is the King of Portugall the Kings of Scots and Norgalles and diuers other Princes straungers by his hand my Lord so it stand with your liking would I receiue my order of Knighthood which he I hope will not denie me in respect of his owne gratious humanitie and the consideration he will haue of your person when he shall vnderstand that I am your Sonne The Duke hearing his Sonne in these tearmes was well pleased to behold him of so good a mind and contented likewise to graunt what he demaunded saying In sooth my Sonne seeing Fraunce and England are now in peace together the lesse do I doubt of thy going thither and boldly mayst thou assure him that he hath a perpetuall fréend of me determine then to depart when thou wilt foorthwith shall I giue order for thy prouision in trauaile but returne not till thou hast tried the aduenture so renowmed which hapned before the Kings Pallace on the day of his Sonnes birth and if thy good fortune may bring it to an end well mayst thou intreate the King for thy Order in that thou shalt well deserue thy Knighthood seeing so many haue fayled in triall thereof Manteleo hauing humbly thanked the Duke his Father for graunting him the thing he onely desired said I promise you my Lord that I will not returne thence without proofe of my fortune albeit I were sure to be repulsed more sharply then any hath béene heeretofore yet since the aduenture is so ordeyned let me dye ere I be dishonored with feare or dismaying Héereupon the Duke called the maister of his Horsse to whome he gaue charge to prouide his Sonnes estate toward England and that all things might be readie for his departure within thrée daies following which was accordingly perfourmed and so the Prince Manteleo with his trayne set forward from Millaine in the wéeke next after Pentecost making such expedition in trauaile as hauing passed the fairest Cities in Fraunce which he was desirous to see he came to Bullin where he tooke shipping and with a merry gale of winde in lesse then eighteene houres he landed in England The King Milanor aduertised of his arriuall was greatly contented therewith commaunding in all the Townes where-through he should passe that he should be receyued and intreated honorably And when he drew néere London the Gouernours were charged to méete him on the way the Prince Palladine likewise to welcome him at the Citie gates and the King with his Quéene and Ladies remained at the Pallace to entertaine him Euerie thing thus perfourmed in greatest maiestie the Prince of Millaine was receiued with generall ioy of the Citizens and the Prince Palladine accompanied with many great Lords of England to whome Manteleo behaued himselfe with honorable modestie as well he could his Courtship in those affayres and riding along with the English Prince he entred into these speeches The fame of so many lawdable vertues accompanyed with heroicall prowesse and magnanimitie which amply are discerned in your dayly cogitations hath earnestly prouoked me good Prince to be aquainted with you for which onely occasion I left my natiue Countrey to see this Realme euery where named happie by the honorable regiment of the King your Father whose vertues you imitate so effectually as you remaine a wonder to them that neuer saw you And long may good successe attend your dayly actions heauen making me so fortunate to winne acceptance in your eyes in that I haue deuoted my selfe to estéeme of you aboue all other Sir Manteleo answered the Prince Palladine as I knowe my selfe farre vnworthie these titles of prayse so am I perswaded that your speeches proceed of good affection towards me flying reports are oftentimes found vntrue yet do not I mislike your opinion of me which hath sorted out the meane to sée and knowe you in this Countrey as our honorable and well wishing fréend Of the King my Father haue I heard of your parents and good acquaintance hath he had with the Duke your Father when as a Knight errant he sought after aduentures assure your selfe therefore right welcome hither and gladly shall I accept of you as my freend and companion Thus beguiled they the time til they came to the Pallace where the Prince of Millaine stayed to behold the Statues reading the deuises he had so long desired to see whereat not able to maruaile sufficiently they went on into the great Hall where the King embraced him verie louingly the Princes and Lords likewise present entertained him with excéeding kindnesse and humanitie in that they had heard the King many times report the worthie chiualrie of the Duke of Millaine his Father After the King had welcomed this stranger with manyfold courtesies and had vnderstood the cause of his comming to his Court he sent him with the Prince Palladine to salute the Quéene and her Daughters But loue whose puissance as yet he had neuer felt finding time and opportunitie so conuenient when Manteleo had done his reuerence to the Queene comming to the Princesses that attended on her hauing kissed the first named Marcelina he found his sences so strangely inueigled as he stoode silent before her a prettie while being not able to deliuer one word so was he rauished with contemplation of her beautie Which the Princesse well noting and imagining this
her swéete lookes so effectuall in piercing as the most deuoutest minde was halfe rauished yea double charged with the baptisme of these twelue Aquileans Manteleo Landastines and the Queene were her sureties at the Font and diuers honorable persons for the Ladies who changed none of their names at Palladines request They were no sooner returned to the Pallace â—ut newes was brought that Don Roderigo the King of Portugall was come to London which tidings pleased the King to well especially all the louers whose mariages stayed onely for his comming as I thinke the riches of the whole world could not more content them Roderigo thus arriued is saluted by the people embraced by the King his Brother welcommed by Palladine and the other Princes kissed so courteously by Nonparelia his two Nieces and Graciana Daughter to the Earle of Flaunders as he imagined himselfe in the like place as héeretofore was feigned on the Isle of Aualon and the Kingdome of Feria On the morrow was the sollemnitie of the espousalles and because the Kings Princes and great Lords there arriued stroue who should giue place to each other it was in the end concluded that each Bridegroome should leade his Bride himselfe therefore they went to the Church in this manner Nonparelia was lead by the Prince of England Marcelina by Manteleo Florea by Landastines Graciana by Zorian Doronea Daughter to the Duke of Rostock by Broantine Erinnea Duchesse of Rimandria by Liboran Héere doo I omit the description of their sumptuous ornaments chaines and iewelles because you are able to conceiue that such persons at such a time want nothing that may set foorth themselues to the vttermost The feastes at Dinner and Supper ended the Maskes Mommeries and other pastimes giuen ouer Hymen entred among them whose Comedie was so bréefe as he vsed but one acte and two persons in the scene and that without any auditours present but those whome the play and partes concerned But cléere Dyan arising gaue fauour to some and offence to other so for that time the pastime ceassed because the Lords and Ladies came to giue them the good morrowe especially to Nonparelia who in time they hoped to sée Queene of England She hauing with modest and amiable gestures thanked them demaunded of Marcelina and Florea her Sisters how they fared and how her Brother Zorian did with his faire Princesse of Flaunders they all replying that loue that night rewarded their long trauailes and Venus courteously fauoured her Sonnes procéedings But leaue we this to such as haue made experience thereof and now let vs come to a matter long time kept in silence CHAP. XL. ¶ What end the aduenture of the Statues had namely that of the Goddesse Cytherea and her Sonne Cupid and the braue Tournament after the proofe thereof in honor of the marriage of Palladine and Nonparelia IN honor of this great sollemnitie the Princes had concluded on a Tournament at Armes which to behold the Ladies of the Court put themselues in comely equipage when Palladine before them vsed these speeches Faire Ladies you knowe how long I haue beene desirous of this day to make proofe how the aduenture of Loues Images might be brought to end namely by one of the race of the King my Father And albeit I am not that happie Knight to whome it is destenied and whome the heauens will regard with such fauour as in beawtie and firme affection to God beyond all other yet will not I faile to hazard my triall being thus farre assured that in matters appertaining to a noble minde no one hath beheld me inferiour to any And if my vertues are not came to perfection it will be some greefe to me because the abilitie of a man shall be prized according to his successe in this triall But to the end these Images newly called to remembrance may breede no obscure and difficult vnderstanding you must hâ—ere note that in the great waste place before the Court at London at the top of a great paâ—â—e of staires stood these Statues the one representing Venus holding in her hand a lighted Torche not to be extinguished but by the conquerour of double passions and the other was her Sonne Cupid with an arrowe drawen in his loâ—â— as readie to shoote which likewise could not be discharged but by her that was as much ouercome as victorious in amorous affections Now although these Statues were made of Marble yet were they so excellently carued and approching so neere to the life as Venus being attired in habit after the English manner was able to entise the thoughts of a verie stayed person Yet resteth one matter to declare namely that the man not deseruing the name of a louer might not present himselfe before these Images for the sight of such men was so offensiue to them as they would disdaine to looke vpon them and exalt themselues vp into the aire because such vnwoorthie people should not touch them Returne we now to Prince Palladine againe he who by generall opinion had not his second in England and by his new entraunce into the fellowship of the maried caried this estimation in his owne conceit that he should beare away this long desired honor in triall whereof so many had fayled héeretofore Yet heerein his high opinion was beguiled for he must yeeld and giue place to those whome the fates had especially appointed to wit his owne Sonne the Prince Florano of England and the faithfull Lady Pamphilia of Greece his wife as in their historie at large it is discoursed For this cause that the chéefest honor might remayne to him beyond all the other he caused Broantine and Liboran to begin the triall first then the Prince Zorian followed yet all of them so slenderly fauoured as they could not attaine to any shew of possibilitie Which when Landastines and Manteleo beheld the desire of glorie they had before made them now of so high and resolute courage as impacient of delay they would not tarie for each other attempting their fortune together but this vnkindly heate caught such a sudden cooling as their timeritie grew insupportable whereby the Images turned their backs to them Then they heereat offended said that the vertue of loue in this triall had not his due therefore they ought not to be any way dishabled As for this pâ—ece of Witchcraft quoth they héere beawtie is preferred before loyaltie therefore it must consequently followe that he and she who should despoile these Images must be the most faire and loyall of all louers So such as had not exquisite beawtie and loyaltie to be tearmed incomparable were repulsed thence with such discontent as the open foyle was more gréeuous then death to them Palladine heereat thoroughly moued yet more reioycing at anothers fault then distrusting his owne sufficiencie aduanced himselfe and proffering his owne hand to the Torche and the other to the Bowe the Images making obeysance and shewing amiable countenance to him mounted vp on high from him which
so high Then one of the King of Norgalles Knightes came to trie his fortune whome the Statue repulsed with such shame as all the day after he would not be séene I promise ye Gentleman said the King his maister you might haue spared the labour in comming so farre to returne home with so foule a rebuke and little néede had ye to shew vs your great inconstancie brother quoth the King of Scots be not offended with him for well he knowes that his Mistresse is not in this companie You say true brother aunswered the King of Norgalles but if I knew her I would aduertise her of his exceeding vertue Héere commes another of my Knightes to make a better proofe and yet perhaps will amend his fellowes dishonor The Knight attained the highest step without any disturbance and as he lifted his hand to take the Image of Cupid the Statue tooke him by the arme and set him on the ground againe I see then said the King of Norgalles each one must heere be iudged according to the greatnesse and defect of his loyaltie Afterward came a little Scottishman as thicke as tall his beard growing scattering like bristles his nose flat to his face two teeth standing before gagd out of his mouth a man in euery part very much mishapen and seruing as a Iester to make the King laugh he had married a woman as handsome as himselfe yet was he iealous of her out of all measure This proper Squire séeing so many repulsed by the Statue by breach of their loyaltie to their Wiues and Ladies considered with himselfe that he had neuer violated the bonds of marriage but euermore kept his faith to his wife therefore he would hazard his good hap not doubting but to carie the Image of Cupid with him into Scotland Hauing demaunded leaue of the King his Maister with a little cudgell in his hand he came to the Collomne and went vp to the verie highest step the Statue not offering any signe of resistance but as this deformed fellow would haue embraced the Image of Cupid the Statue snatched the cudgell out of his hand and so rapt him therewith about the shoulders as he was constrained to hye him downe againe the Kings and all present merily laughing at this iest Alas poore foole said the King of Scots how durst thou presume to shew thy selfe in this action Why my Lord aunswered the Queene your little man is yet found the most loyall and no Gentleman this day hath witnessed the like Beléeue me Madame aunswered the King of Scots it is against his will that he is so loyall for being so euill fauoured and deformed how can he finde any woman to offend with him Come hether little fellow said the King Milanor you haue beene beaten with your owne cudgell because ye came no better prouided but that the honor of the day may remaine to you I will that at this present no further triall shall bée made enough hath beene done my men let now the Ladyes by their beautie aduenture for the rich Crowne of Venus and let it suffise that a little fellow hath strained all our Knightes The Quéene in person began the enterprise but reiected as vnworthy of the fatall Crowne and after her followed the Ladies of the Court whose fortunes were like or worsse in effect to their no little disgrace in their owne conceites who prized their beauties at the highest rate The London Danies had likewise their time of proofe yet could their daintie faces carie no pawne in this attempt for the Crowne was reserued for the onely Lady who might not be paragonned by any other whatsoeuer CHAP. IIII. ¶ How after all the Triumphs were ended perfourmed at the Baptisme of the yong Prince Palladine and the aduentures thus left of the three Statues the Kings of Scotland and Norgalles tooke their leaue of the King Milanor and the Queene and returned from England into their owne Countreys BY this time were all the Princes and Ladyes throughly satisfyed with the pastimes wherefore with sound of Trompets Clarions and Cornets they returned to the Pallace where was prepared for them a most roiall banquet and bicause the Kings of Scotland and Norgalles were to depart on the morrow the Citizens of London in honor of their Prince came with diuers stately Maskes to the Pallace where they behaued themselues to their credit and the Kings good liking Afterward entred the hall twelue Gentlemen of the Court in complete Armour with blunt Foyles and Targets when deuiding themselues sixe against sixe hauing for their barre two Pykes which were held ouerthwart by two of the Kings Guard they layde on each other such eager strokes as their swords flew in péeces and their Armour was battered in many places Then they withdrew themselues giuing place to twelue other who Combatted with the Pyke arming Sword and Battle-Axe and thus was the night consumed in such disports to delight the Kings of Scotland and Norgalles who in the morning tooke their leaue of the King and Quéene and were conducted on their iourney by many English Lords The King Milanor and his Quéene beeing not a little contented that the Princes had done them such honor in their Realme but greatest of all was their comfort in their Sonne Palladine who in prowesse and loyaltie should surpasse all other of his time and was carefully nourished by a vertuous Gentlewoman wife to an aged Squire named Romandrin of Gaule with whome he remained till he came to the age of fiue yeeres About this time the Quéene trauailed againe and was deliuered of two goodly Daughters béeing Twinnes the one whereof was named Marcelina and the other Floraea these swéete babes were tenderly regarded in the Court and there will we leaue them with the Quéene their Mother remembring yong Palladine who is in the custodie of graue and learned tutors enstructed in the Languages as also Greeke and Latine wherein he profited so well as at tenne yeeres he could speake them as perfect as his English toong Héerewithall he practised Knightly Chiualrie to manadge great Horsses and all Gentlemanlike exercises searching the bowelles of the chéefest Historians from them to learne the practises and sleights of Millitarie profession And when the time would not serue him to Hawke and Hunt he would kéepe himselfe from idlenesse with his Lute Bandora and Uirginalles with diuers other sweete Instruments wherein he tooke delight and grew verie excellent This yong Prince thus giuen to all honest and vertuous quallities began to haue some feeling of his high and magnanimous spirit so that to experiment and trie his owne strength he would cope with diuers yong Lords Gentlemen of his age to runne in the Listes to breake Launces to Combate with the Mace the Arming-sword and all other weapons both on horssebacke and on foote In all which exercises he found not his equall which made him desirous of the order of Knighthood to the end he might séeke after strange Aduentures as the King
passion to procéede by bashfulnesse or feare which oftentimes preuents yong Gentlemen when they enter the presence of great Ladies she tooke the Prince by the hand and thus began My Lord you are so welcome as your owne hart can wish great hath béene your payne and trauayle comming so farre to see this Court no sufficient recompence can the King our Father make yée nor we poore Ladies for this excéeding kindnesse These words forcing Manteleo to recouer his spirits caused him returne this aunswere In comming hither swéete Madame haue I sustayned no paine or trauaile but rather comfort pleasure and pastime For long since is it that I desired to offer my seruice to the King your Father as well for the rare vertues which makes him farre renowmed as also to renew the auncient amitie that yée and the Duke my Father haue had together when they as Knightes errant trauayled straunge Countreys Another and chéefe cause was to see my Lord your Brother whose second in prowesse is not to be found and you likewise faire Ladies whome heauen hath not onely enriched with especiall vertues but also with rare and most perfect beautie And though my Starres alotted me no greater good héereby then to behold the surpassing worke of nature in you both yet would I repute my trauaile more largely requited then were I created Emperour of the world adioyning héere to if any seruice remayned in me that might be to your liking During these spéeches he threw many piercing lookes on the Princesse Marcelina and she returned the like on him thinking she had neuer seene a more comely Knight in all perfections her Brother Palladine excepted gathering by his lookes and yéelding countenance that she had wonne some earnest in his loue with which imagination her hart was highly contented and to continue him in this good affection she thus replyed Not a little doo I think my selfe beholding to you my good Lord noting your forward zeale to the King my Fathers seruice loth am I to presse yée with such regard towards me in that my deseruings are altogether too simple let my good will then excuse my want assuring your selfe of a maydens prayers wheresoeuer you go As Manteleo would haue aunswered the Prince Palladine came and thus brake off their talke I beséech yée my Lord and companion to withdraw your selfe into your Chamber there to repose your selfe after your iourney for of necessitie you must be sore wearied hauing spent so little time betwéene Millaine and England Manteleo departed to his Chamber with Palladine and in two lodgings ioyning together lay these new fréends There did the Millayne Prince cloath himselfe in braue and sumptuous garments not forgetting the graâ—ious spéeches of fayre Marcelina who likewise so soone as he departed could not kéepe in her owne opinions but with her Sister fell in commendation of Manteleo setling the loue of him so néere her heart as she resolued neuer to haue any other Husband so pleased the King and Quéene to giue their consent Continuing in this determination thence forward her extreame desires made her pensiue and solitarie yet would she not impart her disease to any one because she would first make triall of the Princes constancie least his loue might be impeached with dissembling â—alliaunce But now is the houre of Supper come when the amorous Prince Manteleo was placed at the table right ouer against his beloued Marcelina neither of them being offended at this good hap but vsing the same as an especiall benefite with secret glaunces to court each other Which the Princesse Floraea dilligently marked and seeing her Sister so often to chaunge her couller coupling therewith many bitten in sighes she tofore hauing neuer shewed the like became iealous of the matter thinking the Prince should as soone affect her as her Sister yet made she no outward shew of this conceite But when the Tables were withdrawne and each one preparing themselues to daunce Manteleo tooke his Lady Marcelina without making any offer to Floraea wherewith she became so mal content as to despight them she would euery day after sit so néere them as they could not speake one word to each other but she might easily vnderstand what they said The Prince well noting how hee was crost would the oftner entertaine Marcelina to Daunce taking the benefite at the end of each Measure which gaue them libertie to conferre together no one in those excused times being able to impeach them whereat Floraea greatly repined séeing them talke with such affectionate protestations The Pastimes ended the King and Queene went to their lodgings Manteleo humbly giuing them the good night not forgetting the Saint he serued in desires and afterward the Prince Palladine accompanied him to his Chamber where after many other spéeches betwéene them they concluded on the morrow to request their Knighthood of the King So Palladine left Manteleo for that night whose mind was busied with his Ladies fauorable words not doubting but to shew himselfe so forward in Armes as the Princesse should receiue good occasion to affect him and graunt him the honor he earnestly desired In this good hope he laid him downe to rest the Princesse Marcelina nothing inferiour to him in amorous opinions and that night her brother Palladine had told her that Manteleo and he would intreate their Order of the King wherewith she was not alittle contented determining thence forward to entertaine the Prince of Millaine as her Knight CHAP. VI. ¶ How the Princes Palladine and Manteleo with many other great Lords were Knighted by the King Milanor and of an aduenture that happened in the Court which Palladine and Manteleo ended FAire Aurora chasing away the clowdie night the Prince Palladine accompanied with many Gentlemen came to bid Manteleo good morrow Why my Lord and companion quoth he it séemes you haue forgotten what we determined yesternight Pardon me good Prince aunswered Manteleo my memorie is not so short but so swéetly haue I slept this night as hindered me from rising sooner Then went they to salute the King and intreated his Highnesse to graunt them their Knighthood When his Maiestie perceiuing their forwardnesse and noting the earnest desire of Manteleo thus aunswered Loth am I to denie your request albeit as yet you are ouer-yong but the good opinion I haue of your prowesse and fortunate successe that may befall ye héereafter doth supply your want of yeeres wherefore this night perfourme the holy watch and to morrow will I giue ye your Order The two Princes humbly thanking his Maiestie went to giue order for their Armour and furniture and at night they entred the Chappell where spending the time in the accustomed religious exercise they expect the houre of their long desired honor In the morning the King with his Nobilitie entred the Chappell and as he was busied in the Ceremonies vsed in such affaires there entred two Damosels verie brauely apparelled each of them hauing a goodly Sword in her hand and with them was an
by thee to safe-conduct thee on the way and that thou mayst be welcome into England whence thou canst not returne without sufficient recompence Of that my Lord I haue no doubt aunswered the poore man for oftentimes haue I heard reported that the King â—ilanor of England is one of the most vertuous Princes on the earth and though I receyuâ—d no other benefite by him I would account my labour well bestowed onely to see a King accounted so famous Beside such great good haue you done vs in killing these rauenous and daungerous beastes as in signe of our willing mindes to make you further recompence if we were able if the iourney were tenne times further you should commaund vs. So comming foorth of the Caue the poore men prouided Panniars to carrie the yong beastes in meane while the Prince wrote to the King his Father describing what had befallen them in their iourney and what valour Manteleo had shewen in killing the Lions not forgetting his salutations to the Princesse Marcelina with all the other Ladyes of the Court. Hauing sealed his Letters he gaue them to the countreyman and money sufficient to beare his charges who taking his leaue of the Princes in few dayes after set on his iourney toward England Palladine and Manteleo mounting on horsseback with their companie tooke the way to Hungaria which at length they reached lodging in a little Uillage about a mile distant from the Castell where the Gentleman abode who detaned the wife to the Knight that had beene enchaunted There the Princes concluded to rest themselues that night and on the morrow the Knightes Sister should goe to accuse the Gentleman of Treason and to knowe of him whether he would maintaine his cause man to man in Combate or two against two or three to thrée if he durst so accept it Upon this determination they supped merily together Manteleo still remembring his faire Marcelina and Palladine his intended action of honor So betaking themselues to rest Palladine dreamed that he beheld a goodly Lady before him who vsing certaine speeches to him softly layd her hand very kindly on his head and so departing the chamber againe made such a noyse as he awaked therewith Long hée studied what this Lady should be but could not gesse on any thing directly wherefore he concealed his dreame to himselfe albeit not long after he compassed his desire as you shall at large behold heereafter CHAP. XII ¶ How the Princes Palladine Manteleo and the enchaunted Knight fought the Combate with the Gentleman of the Castell and his two Brethren and the successe therof MAny were the seuerall apparitions that these Princes had in their sléep this night the one of his loue in the Court of England and the other of the Lady that thus had sollicited him wherin the enchaunted Knight had likewise a share remembring the wrong done vnto his wife by the Traytor whom he had so fréendly vsed in his house the conceite of which ingratefull acte presented him with many strange cogitations Earely in the morning they all arose and the Knightes Sister accompanied with one of the Prince Palladines Squires rode to the Castell where the Gentleman dwelt to deliuer the message before determined And finding him sitting at the Castell gate with two or thrée of his seruaunts that attended on him without vsing any courtesie or salutation but with a stearne and angrie countenance thus spake Well knowest thou villayne as thou art that violently thou didst carie away my Brothers wife who lodged and entertained thée fréendly in his house wherefore I say to thée that thou art the most vile and abiect creature liuing hauing committed the greatest treason and disloyaltie that euer was heard of a man toward his freend A Knight will I bring that to thy â—eard shall testifie what I haue said by aduenturing his person in Combate against thée or if thou thinke it conuenient two against two or three to three so many will I bring hither before two houres are expired The Gentleman abashed to heare a woman speake so brauely she being accompanied but with one Squire thus replied I beléeue Damosell it is not long since ye came from Paradise for you are yet maruellous glorious but I hope ere night to quallify your pride and him or them that dare bid me the Combate And where thou chargest me with detaining a Lady who as thou sayest is thy Brothers wife héere will I kéepe her still and hence shall she not go till I haue had my pleasure on her But to spend no time in pratling with a foolish woman go fetch the thrée Knghtes thou threatnest me withall and they shall finde héere throe other whereof my selfe will be one say we graunt them the Combate and bid them looke they come well prouided for all their wit and strength I thinke will scant helpe them The Damosell and the Squire returned with this answere to the Princes who hauing heard the Gentlemans mishap presently mounted on horssebacke and rode toward the Castell In this time the Gentleman went into the Castell to his Brethren and aduertised them of the Damosels challenge wherevpon they immediatly armed themselues the Gentleman causing twentie of his seruants to be secretly ambushed to succour him if his enemies were the stronger and if they could not take them prisoners then to murther them without any redemption By this time are the Princes and the enchaunted Knight come to the Castell where they found the thrée Brethren staying their comming and without any further spéeches they prepared to the carire when Palladine would haue encountred the Gentleman of the Castell but the enchaunted Knight intreated him to the contrarie saying Let me trie my fortune with him good Sir Knight for he it is that hath iniuâ—ied me and now shall I be sufficiently auenged on him Palladine was well contented it should be so and while the Knight gaue his horsse the spurres to meete the Gentleman he and Manteleo found his Brethren play so that after they had brauely broken their Launces and fought a long and dangerous Combat with the Sword the Gentleman was throwne downe sore wounded and his Brethren were both flame outright Now though too late rushed foorth the ambushed seruants and they being twentie in number set with such violence on the Princes and their Squires as their hoâ—sses were slaine vnder them and themselues in very great danger of death but that Lydiseo the Prince of Hungaria suddenly arriued there for that day had he beene on hunting and because the bordering Turkes did oftentimes iniurie the King his Father he seldome rode without armed Knightes in his companie When he beheld so many against so few he commaunded his Knightes to assist the weaker side so that the greater part of them were slaine and the rest thinking to saue their liues fled into the Castell yet were they so narrowly pursued as they could not drawe the bridge but were all taken and reserued in prison for a further
wanne whereby the Damosell judged that he was wounded wherefore she said I perceiue my Lord you are scant well let us enter this Tent I pray ye where you shall be unarmed and these Knightes likewise that I may see what woundes you haue receiued for my Lady Orbiconâ—e gaue me at my departure from her a bore of most pretious and arteficiall ointment so that let your wounds be how dangerous soeuer in four and twentie houres I will awarrant they shall be perfectly healed Upon this aduise they entred the Tent where when they were vnarmed the Damosell verie cunningly dressed their wounds finding these of Orliman and Durandell to be most doubtfull yet her comfortable speeches made them expect speedie recouerie Afterward they sate downe to refresh themselues with such viands as they found there readie in the Tent and Palladine calling for the prisoner said Knight if thou desire the safetie of thine owne life tell me without fabling what the Knight was that first proffered to take the Sheeld from the Damosell and vpon what occasion you kept the passage heere to forbid the course of Knightes errant Nor will I Sir quoth the Knight hide bne iote of the truthe from you Knowe then that he which would haue taken the Sheeld from the Damosell was brother to a Gentleman who not long since by the Kings commaundement was put to a most shamefull death for that vniustly he detayned a Knightes wife to whose Castell came two strange Knightes and by the ayde of Lydiseo Prince of Hungaria they tooke the Gentleman sore wounded who was afterward executed slew many of his seruants as also his two brethren deliuering the Lady to her husband againe who now liue in quiet in their owne Castell This Knight that stroue for the Sheeld was likewise brother to that Gentleman who hearing the misfortune of his brethren vowed to take vengeance on those two Knightes by whose meanes he was now left freendlesse in the world Upon this determination heere caused he his pauillion to be erected sending his espials abroade to allure all Knightes by this passage hoping at length to finde those twayne which I thinke he imagined to be they that conducted the Damosell because he commaunded vs all to assaile them but whether they be the same or no he is now greatly deceiued of his hope and thus haue you heard the verie truth of our being heere Thanks be to heauen sayd the Prince Palladine that kept vs out of this danger for if we had passed this way we had either beene slaine or taken by these viâ—e minded men But my hazard was greatest quoth the Damosell had I not met with these two noble Knightes who in my defence thrust their owne liued into question Damosell aunswered Durandell of Cleue we haue done no more then our dutie and what all true Knightes are sworne vnto After they had stayed so long as them pleased they rode to a Towne not farre distant thence leauing the Knight to prouide buriall for his companions and help for such as yet remained aliue swearing him neuer after to be seene in any such bad action At this Towne they abode two or three dayes to furnish themselues of what they wanted as also to repaire their Armour which was much brused At length the Damosell tooke Palladine aside framing her speeches to him in this manner My Lord seeing you finde your selfe in good estate of health let me intreate ye to bid your freends adiew that carely in the morning we may depart to the place whether my Lady commaunded me to conduct ye because you must be assistant to such a one as shall héereafter doo very much for you Damosell quoth Palladine presently shall you see me bid them farewell for great is my affection toward your mistresse seruice seeing she fauours the man so much she neuer sawe Then turning to the three Princes he sayd My noble companions you knowe my promise to this Damosell to follow her whither she shall guide me now is she importunate for my departure wherefore let me intreate ye not to be offended if earely in the morning I take my leaue assuring you that neuer shall I forget your manifold courtesies And let my solemne promise perswade yée that these earnest affaires once dispatched to you will I presently shape my course meane while commaund me as your freendly seruant My Lord aunswered Manteleo albeit this seperation is gréeuous to vs yet séeing it a cause concerning your honor and may aduantage some distressed person kéep your promise right paciently shall we beare your absence hoping to see you shortly in England at the King your Fathers Court for thither shall we presently direct our iourney Palladine hauing intreated them to doo his humble dutie to the King his Father to the Quéene likewise and his two Sisters embraced them all thrée right louingly each one with teares shewing their gréefe of departure Like courteous farewell tooke they of the Damosell who gaue them many thanks for their fréendly succour and so each one entring their chamber for that night Lycelio the Squire to Palladine prepared all things readie for his maister who determined to be on horssebacke by breake of day CHAP. XV. ¶ How Palladine went with the Damosell that came from the wise Orbiconte and Manteleo Durandell and Orliman trauayled toward England and were seperated from each other by a strange aduenture EArly in the morning Palladine Lycelio and the Damosell set forward on their iourney directing theyr course to the Realme of Ireland leauing the thrée Princes soundly sleeping who the same day rodâ— toward England without finding any aduenture on land or Sea worthie the rehearsall After they had refreshed themselues thrée or foure daies at Douer a Towne that stands on the Sea coast of England they concluded to ride to London where they heard the King as then kept his Court. When they had ridden eight or ten miles they sawe comming foorth of a Forrest two poore men all besmeared with blood and verie sore wounded wherevpon they imagined that some théeues had thus vsed them and therefore rode toward them to vnderstand the cause Good Gentleman cried one of them so wounded for Gods sake helpe vs. Of whence are ye sayd the Prince Manteleo We are Sir quoth the poore man of Bohemia trauailing from the King of Englands Court home againe and to his Maiestie were we sent with thrée young Lions which two Knightes trauailing through our Countrey gaue vs charge to carie thither And as we came through this wood thrée théeues suddenly set vpon vs who wounded vs as you see tooke the money from vs we receyued of the King and haue slaine two of our compaâ—ions Manteleo remembring the poore men how Palladine and he had sent them with the Lions was meruailous sorie to see them so misused demaunding if the theeues were on horssebacke or on â—oote The poore men aunswered that they were on foote and could not as yet be gone verie farre Without any
strange Knightes whatsoeuer They not misliking this councell went presently to the Abbey where the Abbot welcommed them as beseemed their estates and while their Supper was prouiding the skilfull man hauing visited their woundes they walked into the faire Orchards and Gardens recounting to each other their seuerall fortunes since they were together in the Court of England Simprinell discoursed his loue to Belanicia of Norgalles and the cause of his comming to the Citie of Varne which when Palladine heard he determined not only to forget his affection to Belanicia but also to assist his freend to his vttermost in obtaining her loue saying My noble fréend I knowe what manner of disease loue is if one haue not receiued the swéetes thereof albeit when I sawe you in England I had no knowledge at all therein wherefore if I shall accompanie you to Norgalles such good speeches will I vse of you to your Lady as she shall not be offended for not bringing her portrait againe or that of the Duchesse which she sent ye for Simprinell thanked the Prince for his offer but he was farre otherwise addicted saying he had promised his Lady a further iourney for her loue wherein he would not haue any companie With this answere was Palladine well contented directing his course another way so hauing stayed two daies at the Abbey and either of them being able to beare Armour he left Simprinell there and courteously taking his leaue of the Abbot set on whither fate and fortune would guide him And after he had ridden fiue or sixe dayes he met a horsseman with whome falling in talke he vnderstood that the great Prince Caesar of Roome had at Paris enterprised a noble Tournament for the loue of the faire Rosamonde of Fraunce a Princesse estéemed incomparable in beautie And I quoth the Courrier am sent to the King of Norgalles Court who hath a faire Daughter named Belanicia before whome I must reueale my message and declare the Prince Caesars challenge in presence of all the Kings Knightes Afterward I must trauaile to Bulgaria and in the Court of the Duchesse Brisalda a Lady likewise renowmed for her beautie I must make knowne of this famous Tournament Palladine glad to heare the Duchesse so commended and that now he had the meanes to see the Princesse Belanicia accompanied the messenger to Norgalles and by the way méeting Belanicia riding in her Litter abroade for her recreation with diuers Knightes that attended on her Palladine was prouoked to Ioust with them by a contemptuous challenge of one of her Knightes But such was their ill lucke as all her champions were dismounted till her brother Landastines tooke the cause in hand hauing left the English Court to come sée the King his father and after they had broken many Launces not being able to preuaile against each other they ended the sport and Landastines knowing Palladine tooke him with him to the Court where he was welcommed honorably by the King as also the faire Belanicia his daughter CHAP. XXI ¶ How Simprinell being healed of his wounds returned to Varne where he vanquished the Prince Alfian of Ireland and brought away the portrait of Brisalda WHen Simprinell felt himselfe well recouered and remembred how he had not onely failed in winning the portrait of the Duchesse but in the attempt had lost y e figure of his mistresse Belanicia he determined not to goe to Norgalles vnlesse he could accomplish his Ladye commaundement Wherefore taking his leaue of the Abbot he rode backe againe to Varne and comming to the place of triumphes found the Duchesse with her Ladyes placed on the Scaffolds and the Prince Alfian of Ireland the Champion for Brisalda who preuayled woorthely against all that encountred with him Simprinell looking on his Ladyes picture and séeing it embased vnder the Duchesse had such a violent impression strooke him to the harte as he intended to recouer her honor againe or else to leaue his life in the feeld And in this resolution he encountred the Irish Prince passing two or three courses brauely the shiuers of their Launces flying vp into the aire but at the third attaint he met Alfian so roughly as both horsse and man were sent to the ground When Alfian had recouered his feete hee drew his Sword and comming to Simprinell who by this time was alighted and prepared for him when they began a fierce and cruell combate whereof Simprinell in the end had the honor Then comming to the Duchesse with courteous reuerence he demaunded of her if she would permit him to carie thence the portraites whereto she made no answere but in a great anger strong from the Scaffold because her champion had defended her cause no better Heereupon the Iudges as the equitie of the case required deliuered the portraites to Simprinell which he giueing to his Squires mounted on horssebacke returning presently backe to the Abbey not alittle glad of his high good fortune At the Abbey he stayed thrée or foure dayes to heale such woundes as he tooke in the last combate and afterward departed toward Norgalles where he arriued without any aduenture by the way to hinder him If he were welcome to the Lords and Ladies I referre to your opinions and how the Princesse Belanicia liked thereof when she sawe her Knight returned with the Duchesse counterfeit let Ladyes desirous of especiall account imagine her content but in requitall of his great paines so confidently did she loue him afterward as by imparting the same to her brother Landastines who highly fauoured his freend Simprinell the King was made acquainted therewith and Ambassadours sent to the King of Scots such good liking thereof beeing found betweene them both as the mariage was consumated and long loue requited with desired recompence Afterward Simprinell imparted to Landastines how at first he was foyled by the Prince Palladine and in his absence had woon his Ladyes credit againe which Landastines tooke so vnkindly as they concluded to trauaile to Paris whither the English Prince was gone before to reconcile this wrong to former amitie And thither are ridden Landastines and Simprinell to the great gréefe of the King and Quéene but chéefely of Belanicia so soone to forgoe her Lord and husband Palladine entised with the report of this braue Tournament held at Paris by the Prince Caesar for faire Rosamonde of Fraunce would néedes be séene in those worthie exploites and landing at Callis loth to be knowne in England least the King his Father should hinder his intended iourney he met with the Duke of Gaule accompanyed with twentie Knightes brauely mounted he likewise riding to the Prince Caesars Tourney by the commaundement of the faire Agricia of Naples whome he honored as his Lady and mistresse After they had saluted each other Palladine presently knew the Duke remembring he had séene him in his Fathers Court yet would not he make any shew thereof because he was so slenderly accompanyed hauing no one with him but his Squire Lycelio and
set with Starres of gold and in his Sheeld a Lady reskewed from a Giant the other bare for his deuise Fame triumphant in a siluer feeld The Knight in azure Armour made signe to Caesar that he would first aduenture for his Lady yet such was his ill hap in the end as both horsse man were throwne to the ground When the Knight of Fame sawe his fréend dismounted he came to Caesar with these speeches Sir Knight I confesse as well as thou doost that my Lady Rosamonde excelleth all other in beautie but this will I make good on thy body that I am more woorthie to be her seruant then thou art It should séeme then answered Caesar that I deserue not to be so accounted this controuersie shall the strength of my Launce presently discide and thou or I will be her onely seruant Heereupon they encountred verie valiantly breaking many Launces yet neither able to mooue the other whereat they both grew angrie desiring the King to let them haue stronger Launces or else to permit them the Combate with the Sword but the King would not suffer them to meddle with Swords commanding each of them a very strong Launce at which charge the Prince Caesar was brauely dismounted and the Knight of Fame had almost borne him companie A great murmuring presently grew among the people some auouching that because the strange Knight so hardly recouered himselfe therefore Prince Caesar should not be held as vanquished but that they should prooue their fortune once more But the Iudges gaue verdict to the contrarie attributing the conquest to the Knight of Fame which when Caesar heard he went to the King to intreate his Maiestie for the Combate with its Sword but he denyed it him saying that the Ioustes being enterprised for loue ought not to be ended in hatred At these words Prince Caesar went to his Lady Rosamonde who gaue him many thanks for his honorable paines and though his successe happened so ill in the end yet would not she withdraw her loue But now commes Palladine into the feeld being sorie he had not the conquest of Caesar yet determining to end his choller on the Knight of fame to whome he approached saying It gréeues me Sir Knight that I Iousted not with noble Caesar for if I had little praise couldest thou haue gotten to day Your reason aunswered the Knight of fame Because I had woon y e honor ê™ Palladine which thou vsurpest and yet remains in doubt among a number which if thou darest say thou hast deserued I will auouch the contrary beside y t it appertaines not to thee to be seruant to the faire Lady Rosamonde nor to the very meanest among her Ladies for as I vnderstand she is prouided of one beyond thee many degrees Good Sir aunswered the Knight of fame you are very bold and braue in spéeches What mooueth ye so much to abase me seeing you knowe not of whence or what I am nor hast thou seene any matter in me deseruing these words But I perceiue the cause héereof groweth by the desire thou hast to deale with me wherein thou shalt haue thy desire either at the Launce or Sword so pleaseth the King to graunt vs that libertie Then turning to his Maiestie the Knight of Fame intreated the combate with the Sword if they could not finish their quarrell at the Launce Loth was the King to suffer such danger but the Iudges with many Lords and Barons there present noting the earnest desire of the Knight and that they were both strangers perswaded his highnesse intending to cause them giue ouer if in fight either of them should be in perill of life When they had thus obtained what they would they gaue their horsses the spurres and with a verie rough encounter they were both dismounted whereat Palladine verie angrie drew his Sword and marching against the Knight of Fame such a cruell combate continued betwéene them as neuer had the like beene seene in Fraunce The King beholding their Armour broken and the ground coulored with their scarlet blood sent his Sonne the Prince Lewes to intreate them giue ouer which they immediatly did the Knight of Fame being not a little glad thereof because he was brought into verie great debilitie onely by the exceeding aboundant losse of his blood Lewes bringing them before the King his Father caused them both to be graciously entertained and taking Palladine by the hand sayd Sée heere my Lord the man that slew Brulanfurior and his brother who deliuered me from imprisonment and many Knightes that were held captiue in the Castell The King not alittle ioyfull of these newes arose and embraced Palladine saying Worthie Knight I am more indebted to you then any man else in the world for you alone haue done that to me which neither with strength or pollicie I was able to compasse I enioy my Sonne againe by your meanes and my people are deliuered from those mercilesse villaines whome neyther law nor loue could bridle let me vnderstand of whence you are that I may knowe the man to whome I am so highly beholding My Lord aunswered the Prince my name is Palladine Sonne to the King Milanor of England your louing brother and vowed fréend At these words the King was much more glad then before and casting his armes about his necke with inward conceite of ioy the teares trickled downe his face then came the Quéene and faire Rosamonde her daughter who welcommed the Prince with maruailous courtesie the like did Landastines Simprinell and Lydiseo of Hungaria who was the man that came with the Knight of Fame and at report of these Triumphes trauailed into Fraunce As for the Knight of Fame himselfe he was called Don Robert the Prince of Freeze a stout couragious and hardie champion greatly deuoted to the loue of faire Rosamonde The King presently departed to his Pallace there to honor these braue Knightes as they worthely deserued but Caesar of Roomâ— highly thanked Palladine for reuenging his foyle on the Knight of Fame swearing to him an inuiolable league of amitie which grew to such effect as you shall héereafter behold CHAP. XXIII ¶ How the Princes Don Robert of Freeze and Lydiseo of Hungaria being healed of their woundes departed from Paris and of a letter which the wise Orbiconte sent to Palladine who was passionate for the loue of faire Rosamonde of Fraunce DOn Robert of Freeze hauing kept his chamber certaine dayes by reason of the dangerous woundes he had receiued and Palladine likewise in the selfesame estate yet carefully attended on by the Kings Chirurgions a greater corsey happened to them both then either their woundes or doubt of health For Don Robert séeing he was not regarded of the faire Princesse Rosamonde whome he loued as déerely as his own life thought to haue committed violence on himselfe but that by good aduise he was better perswaded and being out of hope to compasse his desire when he was somewhat recouered he and Lydiseo of Hungaria tooke
to finde his fréend Manteleo there but he was as then newly gone toward Normandie to pacifie a controuersie betwéene his Father and the Duke who was a man well prouided with money and munition for he kept diuers Rouers and Pirates on the Seas that dayly brought him great store of good booties CHAP. XXV ¶ How Palladine met with his freend Manteleo whome he had almost slayne in fight but that a Damosell discouered his name And how Palladine slew the Pirate Dormidon VPon the fourth day after Palladine and his fréends departed from Paris riding through a Forrest they met a Knight and a Damosell and with them a Squire gréeuously weeping the Squire ioyfull to meete these Knightes came to Palladine with these spéeches Help Gentlemen for Gods sake helpe me to be reuenged on this Traitour who hath slaine my maister by the procurement of this Damosell Palladine moued with the Squires teares rode to the Knight and thus spake Knight or paillard rather what hath mooued thée to misuse passengers and to bathe thy hands in innocent blood Knight if thou wilt quoth he with the Damosell but paillard reserue for thy selfe as for him that I haue slaine he was the cause of his owne death because I found him readie to haue dishonored this Damosell It is best for thee to excuse thy déede sayd Palladine in respect heere is none that can contrarie thée but I rather thinke the shame is thine then his that is dead as his Squire hath protested to me Think what thou wilt quoth the Knight but the Squire lieth falsly and I ought to be better beléeued then he if thou didst me the right belonging to Armes but credit as thou findest occasion I haue no leysure to stand chatting with thée And because thou art so lustie answered Palladine thou shalt a little tarie my pleasure So couching their Launces they met so roughly together as they were both cast foorth of their saddles afterward they continued a cruell Combate with the Sword till Landastines and Simprinell stepping to the Damosell demaunded of her what the Knight was Alas Gentlemen quoth she his name is Manteleo the Prince of Mâ—â—â—â—yne whome I sée verie hardly requited for deliuering me from the villaine that would haue forced me Landâ—stines presently stopping betwéene them sayd Giue ouer Sir Palladine for you fight against your déere fréend Manteleo At these words the Princes threw downe their weapons and with all the ceremonious courtesies incident to fréendship they louingly embraced each other whereat the Damosell greatly meruailed and the Squire who was the cause of their fight whereupon doubting a further danger toward him because his maister was slaine in so bad a cause so fast as he could tooke himselfe to flight After the manifold kinde excuses which freendly enemies vse together they rode with the Damosell to her Castell where their wounds being visited they afterward iournyed to Millayne Palladine being honorably welcommed by the Duke and especially fauoured for his loue to his Sonne Manteleo And hauing feasted there certaine dayes the Duke recounted to Palladine his present affaires with the Duke of Normandie who after many dishonorable actions was by his power slaine in a battell whereupon the Normans were content to endure his soueraigntie ouer them and for that cause had they sent their Ambassadors In the end by the worthie aduise of Palladine the Duke tooke the gouernement vpon him sending his Sonne Manteleo to receiue the possession thereof Now thought Palladine he stayed too long remembring the letter from the wise Orbiconte therefore would he presently depart toward Aquilea to the great gréefe of the Duke and his fréend Manteleo being loth to forgoe the English Prince so soone Landastines and Simprinell vnderstanding that Palladine would trauaile alone albeit more willingly they would haue borne him companie rode back to Norgalles againe Simprinell confessing how he had woon the portraite of Brisalda whereof Palladine made little or no account at all because he had now almost forgotten her Manteleo likewise went to Normandie where he was receiued as their Lord and Gouernour and hauing established all matters concerning the common wealth he crost the Seas into England to visit his best beloued Lady Marcelina whome he had chosen aboue all other in the world Palladine thus departing from his fréends hauing none in his company but his Squire Lycelio and the Shepheard Liboran by whose meanes he entred the Castell of Brulanfurior and therefore gaue him the name of Liboran the well aduised tooke Shipping and coasting by Lystria at length they came into Albania where suddenly they met with a Turkish Pirate named Dormidon who thinking to seaze on this christian bootie assayled them yet in the end was ouercome himselfe and he with the most part of his men throwne into the Sea After this sharpe encounter on the Sea Palladine was desirous to take landing at the néerest Island least they should be surprized by any more Pirates and because he thought each day a yéere till he might sée the swéete Goddesse promised him by Orbiconte he determined not to rest himselfe in any place vntill he had found what he so earnestly desired charging his Squires thence forward to call him The Knight without rest and vnder this name héereafter he trauaileth The Pilote did as he was commaunded striking presently to the néerest Island which séemed to them verie beawtifull and delectable but they were no sooner come on land and their horsses brought on shore which immediatly offered to feede on the goodly gréene grasse but a mightie flame of fire issued foorth of the ground and continued before them to hinder their passage any further What meaneth this sayd the Knight without rest to the Pilote what may this Isle be named are we in Scicilia where many affirme there is a Mountaine that vomiteth fire and flame foorth in great aboundance No my Lord aunswered the Pilote we are verie farre from thence Scicilie whereof you speake is in the Mediterranean Sea and we are in the Sea Adriatique a great distance from Aquilea and as my owne knowledge serueth me I thinke this soyle is named The Isle of Fire where hath beene heard and séene matters of great meruaile And trust me said the Knight without rest I neuer sawe the like before I pray ye therefore stay for me in this place while I goe to sée the wonders of this Island and if I returne not when two dayes are expired set Sayle and depart whether ye please Not so my Lord aunswered the Pilote I will not weigh Anker till I sée yée or heare from yée in meane while we will expect a lucky gale of winde that may send vs merily to Aquilea CHAP. XXVI ¶ What strange and fearefull visions the Knight without rest sawe in the Isle of Fire and how he returned in exceeding greefe because he could not finish the enchauntments REsolued thus to sée this strange Island the Knight without rest mounteth on horssebacke leauing Liboran in the
the Tables were couered for Supper wherfore Orbiconte and the Princesse tooke their leaue and went into the great hall where the King and the Quéene stayed their comming who welcommed their Sister with meruailous kindenes spending the time of Supper with repetition of many matters The Tables were no sooner with-drawen but Orbiconte taking her Niece aside to one of the windowes began with her in this manner Since my comming hither faire Niece I haue perceiued that some thing tormentes ye excéedingly reueale the occasion thereof to me and if I may stand ye in any stéede for your helpe be well assured I will doo it right willingly The Princesse at these woordes was so astonyed as she was not able to shape any answere but shaking like a leafe on the trée her cullour went and came very strangelye such was her feare that her loue should be discouered And hauing stayed in this quandarie a good while at last she perswaded her selfe that her Aunt by her secret knowledge vnderstood her gréefe wherefore with the teares in her eyes she thus replied Let me intreate you good Aunt to suffer me endure my mishap in silence without constraining me to tell ye from whence my great alteration procéedeth it is vertue in a maiden to suffer patiently and shame to bewraye her owne thoughtes though euery hower addeth a worlde of miserie and burdeneth her minde with more then common cares Yet this I would haue ye to thinke that my extremities as yet haue not stretched so farre but to make me skilfull in iudging of a passion from which heeretofore I haue defended my selfe indifferently accounting it an offence to modestie to heare so much as spéech therof Orbiconte desirous rather to encrease her passion then any way to diminishe it thus recomforted her You doo well good Niece in respect of your calling to conceale the tormentes you endure and which my arte acquainted me withall ere I came hither for it is a signe of speciall gouernement to be carefull of disclosing such a secret as carieth greatest regard among all women But if you are so liuely touched with loue as your gentle hart may be empaired therby by meanes of the woorthy Knight without rest who hath doone more for you then all your Fathers subiectes could without him you must vnderstand that this is a disease common to euery one nor are you alone or the first that hath felte the furie of this passion but many noble Ladies bashefull and right modestlye gouerned haue felt the power of the God of Loue who ruleth and commaundeth when and where him pleaseth For this cause expect the good houre and before your infirmitie ranckle too farre giue order and remedie thereto in the best sorte you can I think it not amisse that you make some experience of Loues authoritie but you haue let him enter too farre within your hart that euen your very soule is penitrated therwith the best and most auayling counsaile I can giue ye is to practise some chaste and honest meane wherby to enioy the summe of your desire and so shall you preuent infamie and dishonor which euery creature ought carefully to auoide Alas Madame quoth the Princesse I know no mean more honest then the mariage of him and I togeather but how can that be compassed or what honor is it to me to moue any spéeche therof he is a stranger vnknowen to me of whence or what he is I am not acquainted with so much as his name Assure your selfe faire Niece asnwered Orbiconte that he is Sonne to a most vertuous King as greatly renowmed as any one in the world and further I will tell ye as concerning him so you will promise and sweare to me to kéep it secret for otherwise you shall put him in great danger of his life Ah good Aunt quoth Nonparelia rather let me dye ten thousand deathes then be the cause of any displeasure to him therfore acquainte me with his estate and I will be directed by you in all my after opinions But by reason that the King arose and went to his Chamber their talke drake off the Quéene and her daughter conducting Orbiconte to her lodging so remained the Princesse 〈◊〉 all that night and earnestly longing for the morning that she might end the talke betwéene her Aunt and her for further knowledge of the Knight without rest who likewise was no lesse forward in desire because after Supper he had not séene the Princesse and Orbiconte CHAP. XXXII ¶ How the wise Orbiconte tolde the Princesse Nonparelie what and who the Knight without rest was and how by her meanes promise of mariage passed between them ORbiconte béeing in her Chamber was both pleased and somewhat offended pleased in that she had so sounded the thoughts of her Niece and offended because she had not concluded her tale concerning the knight without rest But no sooner was morning come when the princesse sent many times to knowe if her Aunt were stirring and so soone as she was assured therof she went to her Chamber where hauing giuen her the good morrowe she saide Madame I haue not forgotten the promise you made me yesternight Neither haue I good Niece answered Orbiconte therfore presently will I be as good as my woorde So walking with her into the Warderobe and being none but them selues together she began her discourse as followeth Faire Niece vnder assurance of the promise you made me yester night I giue you to vnderstād that the Knight without rest is a Christian Sonne to the King of England and his right name is Palladine giuen him in honor of the wise Goddesse Pallas And I hauing foreséene ere the time of his birth that he should be the most vertuous and valiant Prince of his time and the Children engendred by him should very farre excell all other whatsoeuer I then made choyse of him to be your Husband séeing your Mother likewise at that time great with Childe and she deliuered of you sixe monthes after his birthe That mine intent might sorte to effect and to make you the onely happy Lady of the world by enioying a Husband the paragon among all Princes I sollicited him by dreams and nightly visions yea by letters and messages in such sorte as by my meanes he trauailed hether desirous to sée that rare beautye wherwith I renowmed you beyond all other Ladies And had it not béen for my dilligent admonition he had ere this time béene maried to faire Rosamonde of Fraunce where record remaineth of his famous chiualrie as it dooth in many other places of the world But needelesse is it to vse many woordes in this matter you knowe that I desire nothing more then your aduauncement and no man in the worlde is more accomplished with all perfections either in riches vertue braue minde and all other good qualities so that if my iudgement faile me not I think him equall to you euery way more woorthy to enioy you then any other If you be deceiued Madame
Knightes appointing the Marquesse of Villereal and the Countie of Marialne Iudges of the feeld All this while the Princesse Minoretta continued her pensiue mones praying for the prosperous successe of the newcome Knight and the confusion of the traitour Galitreo On the morrow was this doubtfull combate tried being fought on either side with such exceeding valour as they both fell downe foote to foote that each one reputed them both for dead but when the Knight of Fames helmet was opened and he had receiued the fresh aire he came to himselfe againe albeit Galitreo was slaine outright and therefore condemned as foyled in fight The King glad of this happie victorie intrâ—ated the Knight of Fame as he had beene his owne Sonne causing his Chiruâ—gions to take care of his wounds and during the time of his abode there for his health the continuall good countenance shewed by the Princesse Minoretta made him liue in hope to obtaine but he was preuented by the King of Nauarre who sending his Ambassadours to demaund the Princesse in marriage had his request graunted by the King The Knight of Fame séeing himselfe so infortunate in obtaining a wife so soone as his wounds were thoroughly cured tooke his leaue of the King and departed with intent after he had seene his owne countrey to trauaile into England againe to be reuenged on Palladine for the foyle he susteyned at the Ioustes at Paris so mounting on horseback he tooke his way directly toward Freezeland And not able to continue there any long time because his conceiued hate was such toward the English Prince he trauailed thorough Scotland who méeting suddenly with Simprinell and not knowing him a quarrell arose betweene them the Knight of Fame discommending Palladine and vowing reuenge on all those that durst take his part which Simprinell vndertaking they fell from words to strokes and such was the good fortune of Don Robert as hauing the better of Simprinell he departed leauing him there very sore wounded Manâ—eleo the Prince of Millayne whome long since we left in his iourney toward Normandie desirous to see his sweete mistresse Marcelina by good hap found Simprinell thus dangerously wounded and hauing vnderstood the whole summe of his misaduenture promised to follow the Knight who had thus wronged him and to reuenge his cause though it cost him his life Now must I giue you to vnderstand that Manteleo and the Knight of Fame were very neere allyed the Father to Temoreo the Duke of Millayne beeing brother to Don Roberts mother yet this kindred being forgotten betwéene them or at least their angrie displeasure preuailing aboue the remembrance thereof caused them meeting together to put each others life in very great danger And being afterward brought by their Squires to a Gentlemans Castell néere at hand where Simprinell likewise lay for the recouerie of his woundes they had knowledge of each other when sorrowing their méeting was in such vnhappie sort with fréendly gréetings they excused all that had passed riding with Simprinell to the King his Fathers Court where they were entertained as beseemed their honorable calling CHAP. XXXV ¶ How the great Turke sent his Ambassadours to the King of Aquilea to request his Daughter Nonparelia in marriage and what sorrow it was to her and the Knight without rest when they heard the King giue his consent ALL this while remained Palladine with his faire Nonparelia in the greatest pleasure and delight that could be imagined till fortune enuious of their successe sought to crosse them with her wunted frowardnesse which Orbiconte by her knowledge well perceiuing and that now if she layd not to her helping hand all the promised good hap would be squandered for euer to terrefie the two louers alittle she came and brake it to them in this manner It is a common saying my good fréends that dangers foretold hurt the lesse when they come to passe heereby am I to aduertise ye that such a matter will shortly happen as can not but be to your great disliking yet be of good cheere and endure it with resolued pacience for I will preuent the effectuall working thereof But to hold ye in no longer suspence knowe that this night past I made a figure to vnderstand thereby if your mariage were to be hindered by any contrarie accident and I finde that a mightie Lord euen he that commaundeth ouer all these countries will shortly send to request my Niece in mariage whereto the King her Father will gladly giue consent At these words the Princesse fell in a swoune and the Knight without rest was meruailous impacient but Orbiconte hauing recouered her in this sort began to perswade her Why faire Niece doo you dispaire or doubt that I can not hinder the mariage betweene you and the great Turke knowe you not that I haue done things of greater valew then that I neuer thought you had such diffâ—dence in me Who brought Sir Palladine into this countrey but I and who gaue you the honor of his loue but I and if I haue beene able to doo all this thinke ye I can not wade through matter of lesse moment Quiet your selfe and feare not but I will compasse your mariage to your owne content without displeasing my Lord the great Turke or the King your Father notwithstanding his promise Alas my good Aunt said the Princesse it is not for my Fathers ease to purchase himselfe so great an enemie as is the great Turke who in thrée dayes is able to ruinate our whole countrey and hauing so bad a neighbour as is the King of Panoma who doubtlesse would gladly with the great Lord in reuenge of the late foyle he sustayned I see no way to preuent fatall danger Why Madame quoth the Knight without rest victorie consisteth not in strength or multitude but in the pollicie of the Captaines and discretion of the Souldiours to pursue an enterprise as many examples are left among Romaines Carthaginians Athenians and infinite other where a small power hath preuailed against the greater onely by the wise foresight of their leaders and withall hauing truth and iustice on their side Let vs said the Princesse not stand vpon pollicie or the truth of our cause we can not be more subtill or hardie then they are and as for our right in the matter what reason shall my Father haue to denie so great a Lord great I may boldly say because in all the world he hath not his second both in riches puissance or any thing whatsoeuer Alas good Niece said Orbiconte merily stand not on these doubtfull tearmes for the case shall neuer be aduentured so farre cast all your care on me as yet I thinke I neuer fayled ye So parted they to their chambers where the Princesse remained in a hell of greefe such was her intire affection to the Prince of England And he likewise could resolue on nothing for now he thought to request the Princesse in mariage before the comming of the Ambassadors perswading himselfe that the
King would not deny him then againe he dispaired of the matter reputing himselfe vnlikely to enioy her by reason of their contrarietie in faith and religion the King being an earnest maintainer of the Pagan lawe Nor would this imagination serue wherefore he intended to steale her thence secretly and to carie her with him into England while Orbiconte laboured at home to appease the trouble that might follow In the end he reposed himselfe on the faithfull promise of Orbiconte and desired his Lady to doo the like because he had found her so iust in all his former fortunes But now are the Ambassadours come to the Court where being entertained with great pompe and royaltie he that was appointed chéefe in the embassade thus deliuered his message to the King King of Aquilea the high and mightie Lord my maister being aduertised of the rare vertues wherewith thy Daughter is endued hath sent me to intreate thée that thou wouldest bestowe her on him in marriage and in so dooing he vowes himselfe thy fréend and a continuall enemie to thy ill willers Heerewith he deliuered the Letters of credit signed with the hand and scale of the great Turke whereat the King no lesse ioyfull then amazed that his Daughter should arise to so high fortune without crauing any aduise in the cause thus answered I thanke my gracious Lord with all my heart that he will so honor me with request of my Daughter in marriage and her do I fréely giue him with all that is mine at his disposing Then did the Ambassadour present the King sixe goodly Coursers of Turkie sent him from his Lord and maister and to the Princesse he gaue a sumptuous Carbanet garnished with Carbuncles Orientall Pearles and stones of inestimable valew which she receiued with good countenance albeit God knowes with a heauie heart in which gréefe the Knight without rest bare her company yet durst not outward shew therof This costly Iewell the Queene immediatly fastened about her Daughters neck being commended for the rarest that euer was seene afterward the King walked with the Ambassadours dooing them all the honor he could any way deuise While all the Court were busied Orbiconte came with Nonparelia to Palladines chamber and there concluded that he should on the morrow take his leaue of the King framing his iourney directly toward England where the Princesse and she would in short time méete him willing them to make no shew of sorrow at their departure least suspition might preuent what she had intended but to resolue them assuredly that all her promises should sorte to effect The Knight without rest did as he was aduised and albeit it was long ere the King would giue consent because he loued him very déerely yet at length with muche adoo he preuailed the Prince Zorian obtaining leaue of his Father to accompanie him in trauaile because his Maiestie thought he could neuer haue a brauer companion Many rich giftes the King bestowed on the Knight without rest especially one of the Coursers sent him from the great Turke and other thinges néedfull to be vsed in trauaile and thus he prepared him selfe toward his iourney reposing his confidence in the wise Orbiconte that she would bring his Lady safely into England CHAP XXXVI ¶ How the knight without rest and the Prince Zorian departed from Aquilea toward England and how the Knight without rest by the waye discouered him selfe to the Prince Zorian who when he came into England was baptized and betrothed to the faire Graciana daughter to the Earle of Flaunders and the like was Mantelio and Landâ—stines to their Ladies EUery thing being in redines for our Knightes trauaile after all the ceremonious conges at the parting of freendes the knight without rest Zorian Broantine Lyboran and Lycelio all brauelye mounted in seemely equipage they leaue the Courte of Aquilea and toward England iourney with all conuenieÌ„t speede the Knight without rest being especially induced to this haste because he expected the promise of Orbiconte soone after would followe him with the faire Nonparelia Many woorthy aduentures they had by the way as defending chaste Damoselles from forced violence and helping distressed Ladies to their suborned right which growing to more tediousnes theÌ„ delightfull matter I haue thought good to abridge as lothe to speake of any thing but what is woorth the hearing When our Knightes were entered the Realme of Almaigne and the Englishe Prince had made good triall of Zorians loue to him one night as they laye in Bed togeather he entred into these spéeches My Lord Zorian the fréendship solemnely sworne betwéene vs and the proof of your ready good will in all my actions will not let me hide one thing fâ—â—â— you which till this present I haue kept with great secrecie both from the knowledge of the King your Father and you onely by the perswasion of the Lady Orbiconte your Aunt to whome I am more beholding then any other liuing creature For in my iourney toward Aquilea oftentimes did she preserue me from the danger of death and by her meanes I left the Court of the King of England my Father by her promise that I should enioy your faire Sister in mariage in recompence of some seruice I should doo to the King your Father and this by her secret knowledge she likewise tolde me that all your Fathers dominions shall be shortly conuerted to the Christian faithe which I professe and will doo till death Then he recounted how Orbiconte sent him the Shéeld he bare and shewed the Swoord wheron the name of Aquilea was engrauen being brought to him by the enchaunted knight and two Damosells He likewise declared how he changed his name because he would not be knowne and that Liboran only counterfeited dumbnes being not able to learne the Aquilian language all the rest of his trauailes at full he opened his right name and whether he now iournied In sooth my Lord Palladine answered Zorian such resolute opinion of your vertues haue I imprinted in my hart as though you be contrary to me in loue and profession yet shall not my good will slack or I forgoe your companie but I would the time were come wherein my Fathers kingdome shall embrace Christianitie which I already begin to like so well beleeuing that your God is of greater power then ours as all our successefull déedes of armes beare witnes that I ere long will become a Christian Yet one thing cheeflye dooth displease me that my Sister is promised in mariage to my Lord the great Turk which will be the occasion that my Aunte Orbiconte cannot keep her woord with you My Lord and companion saide Palladine that I haue your good liking in this cause in sooth it dooth not a little content me but as for your Sister there is nothing yet doone but may easily be altered Madame Orbiconte hath promised to content the great Turke and your Father and in fewe dayes will safelye arriue with your Sister in England I would we
might finde them there quoth Zorian at our comming you maye be assured I would not hinder your mariage but assist it to the vttermost of my power for more account doo I make of your loue and fréendship then all the wealthy possessions af my Lord y e great Turk And one thing will I intreat ye faithfully to promâ— me that the next day after our arriuall at your Fathers Court you will take such order as I maye be baptised in the faith of a Christian for I féele my conscience that way earnestly addicted Palladine not a little ioyfull of this request promised to perfourme what he had desired so sléep causing them to breake off talke the nexte morning they were earlye on Horsse backe and passing the Rheme they entred Lorrayne Afterward trauersing the Ardeines Luxenbourge and Liege they came into Brabant and from thence after many aduentures ended they crossed through Flaunders taking shipping at Callis and in shorte time landed at Douer in England where they stayed two or three daies to refresh them selues Then comming to London to the Court God knowes what ioy was there made for their arriuall the King to see his Sonne returned Manteleo and Landastines their long absent fréend and the Citizens their yong Prince whome they feared was lost let all their ioye be compared together and thinke of what efficacie so great a matter is because pen and paper cannot disclose it Palladine not vnmindefull of his passed promise acquainted the King his Father with the state of Zorian how graciouslye him selfe was entertained in the Court of Aquilea and how the Princes Sister was comming after with her Aunt a Ladye of incomparable vertues and graces and her noble brother renouncing his paganisme desired to be receiued into the fellowship of Christians not being able to enioy peace in conscience till he were deliuered of his vnbeleefe The King excéeding glad of these good newes caused such royall preparation to be made against the next daye as at a matter of such solemnitie is required there was Zorian and his Squire christened the King the Queene and the Earle of Flâ—unders witnesses to the Prince and Palladine Manteleo and Marcelina to the Squire Ligasto Returning from the Church to the Pallace there was ordained a sumptuous feast and Zorian well regarding the Ladies of England among them all liked Graciana daughter to the Earle of Flaunders being then sodenly so enchaunted with her as he secretly vowed neuer to loue any other while he liued Palladine perceiuing his amorous glaunces on Graciana and noting the many alterations of his countenaunce immediatly knew what disease he was troubled withall which he desirous to â—â—ttigate and to pleasure the Prince Zorian to his vttermoste the tables being withdrawen he tooke Graciana by the hand and bringing her to Zorian thus spake My Lord and noble companion for my sake loue this beautifull Lady she is named Graciana and I hope you shall finde her nature answerable to her name to wit gracious vertuous and honest I promise ye my Lord quoth Zorian you haue doone me the greatest pleasure in the World bringing to me a Lady so woorthily accomplished that I might learne to imitate her vertues which haue pearced my hart in such sorte as would she accept me to be her Knight and seruant neuer should any other Lady haue the honor of my loue I perceiue well then said Palladine that you are touched to the quick doo you twaine deuise togeather and in meane while I will goe talke with the Countie her Father So taking the Earle of Flaunders aside he rehearsed to him the manifolde vertues of the Prince Zorian and how intirely he loued his Daughter thinking it a great preferment to her if she ioyned with him in mariage Like spéeches hid he vse to the Queene his Mother who was Cosin germaine to the Carle of Flaunders and betweene them bothe handled the matter so effectuallye as within two dayes Zorian and Eraciana were affianced together their mariage being deferred because of Ambassadours were gone to Norgalles and Millaine to conclude the mariages betwéene Landastines Manteleo Marcelina and Florea and the Princes Fathers consent obtained all these mariages should be sollemnelye perfourmed togeather But twenty dayes being now past and Palladine hearing no tidinges of Nonparelia he began to waxe melanchollye halfe distrusting the promise of Orbiconte yet did not this pensiuenes continue long for she arriued soone after as you shall presently perceiue CHAP. XXXVII ¶ How the Princesse Nonparelia was deliuered to the great Turkes Ambassadours and how by the sorceries of the wise Orbiconte the Ships were scattered and what perswasions she vsed to the Mariâ—â—ers who were very lothe to saile into England WIthin thrée dayes after the departure of Palladine and Zorian from Aquilea Nonparelia was honourably deliuered to the great Turks Ambassadours and with meruailous royaltye conuaied on Ship boorde accompanyed with her Aunt Orbiconte and a séemelye traine of Ladies beside The Ankers weyed and the sayles hoysed they launche into the deepe the Princesse still fearefull to loose the true owner of her loue yet comforted by her Aunt that in few dayes they would sée England Being entred the Mediterranean Sea Orbiconte saw it was time to set her practise abroche and seeing the Pilots and Mariners were all at rest with a Booke in her hand she came vp on the deck where brething her charmes into the aire and filling the sayles with her vnhallowed spelles the windes began to blowe terribly and the Seas were troubled with wonderfull roughnes that the Mariners awaked with the horror of the storme awaiting euery hower their vtter destruction In this tempest the ships were seperated so farre a sunder as the Turkes dispaired of euer méeting againe so that the vessell wherin y e Princesse and Orbiconte were by daye was on the borders of Scicilie and very néere to the Labean promontarie albeit the Pilot could not tell in what Cuntrie they were Then Orbiconte calling the Gouernours of the Ship to her and the Gentlemen appointed to attende on the Princesse in the presence of her Niece thus spake to them You haue seene my good freendes in what extreame danger we haue beene this night past and I thinke there is no one amonge yee but is perswaded that our Gods haue especially preserued vs yea by wonderfull miracle from shipwracke wherwith euery minute of an hower we were threatned In like sorte you may imagine that not without some secret and hidden cause we are caste into these partes and scattered from the Ships of my Lordes Ambassadours héerby doo our Gods euidentlye manifest that men how strong or puissant so euer they be cannot bring to end any intended enterprise vnlesse it be ordered by their fauour and direction and heerehence ariseth the the common prouerb That men purpose and the Gods dispose It is well knowne to you that the King my brother hath graunted in mariage my Niece Nonparelia to our Lord the great
caused such a laughter among the Ladies as if they had séene a spectacle of greatest meriment Erinnea Duchesse of Rimandria and wife to Liboran with Doronea wife to Broantine newly created Duke of Bastanella in their triall the Images turned their backs to them Graciana Marcelina and Florea had but little more credit sauing that the Images mooued not from them But now came Nonparelia to her turne and her behauiour procured a generall contentment for Venus let her touch the Torche and set the Crowne on her shoulder but tooke it back againe immediatly thereby prefiguring that she being had now lost her libertie When they sawe the aduenture could not be ended the Ladyes betooke them to their Scaffoldes and the Knightes entred the Lystes to make better proofe of their fortune by Chiualrie Landastines accompanied with Broantine Mushell of Rostock Brunifort his Brother and Orliman of Flaunders with an hundred Knightes more first entred the féeld On the other side came the Prince Zorian with Liboran Durandell of Cleue Grindâ—y of Orton and Sedonis of Suffolke with an hundred braue and couragious Knightes who at the sound of the Trompets encountred each other with meruailous valour Landastines and Zorian Iousted together beeing of such equall strength and hardy courage as the victorie could be gained on neither side to cut off which controuersie a new assayâ—and entred the Lystes bearing in his Shéeld a golden Phenix and vpon his Armour a coate of Crimosin Uelnet whereon these two letters SS were verie thick imbroidered in Gold and Pearle the sight of this Gallant gaue cause of admiration and matter of valew was expected to come from him CHAP. XLI ¶ Who was the new Knight of the Phoenix and of a Letter the Prince Palladine receyued concerning his fyrst loue REason requireth that this new assaylant should be knowne and the cause of his comming least otherwise you should misconceiue of the matter and so be depriued of the delight promised thereby Know you then that the Knight of the Phenix was the Prince Caesar Sonne to Othon the Emperour of Roome then reigning and husband to the faire Rosamond of Fraunce who hearing of the honorable Triumph at the marriage of the Prince Palladine and the aduenture of the Statues before the Court at London trauailed thither to win the conquest of the one and credit of the other that at his returne to his best beloued he might obtaine the greater grace and fauour Caesar beeing thus entred the Lystes and noting the braue chiualrie shewen by the Princes stood still a good while till he sawe both the sides make offer of departure But fearing to be reprooued for his long stay as though by cowardise he durst not trie his fortune he first encountred one of the Prince Zorians Knights and threw him to the ground with his héeles vpward Seauen or eight more of them he serued in the like sort till Landastines would néedes deale with this Champion but Caesar met him with such violence as both horsse and man was sent to the ground The Prince of Norgalles desirous to reuenge this shame called for a fresh Horsse and a Launce and calling his enemie to Ioust againe as he made proffer to begin his carire the Prince Caesar thus spake to him Good Sir be not offended with him who hath saluted you with a courtesie common among Knightes errant but enduring the same with pacience giue the like to such as hazard them selues against you I feele no taste of courtesie quoth Landastines in such gréetings and thou mayst happen to confesse the same with him thou next assaylest notwithstanding all thy brauerie in speeches By proofe said Caesar I shall be made perfect a fierce assaylant shall be assured of a braue defendour So breaking off this contention he gaue the spurres to his horsse against Zorian giuing him such a vough charge at the encounter as he was cast quite out of his saddle At this sight were Palladine and Manteleo greatly displeased whom the King for the earnest loue he bare them would not permit to beare Armes in this Tourney but caused them to accompanie their Ladies on the Scaffold and to giue iudgement who best deserued they as I said mooued with the behauiour of the Knight of the Phenix came to the King with great reuerence Palladine deliuering these spéeches My Lord the reuerence and dutie that children owe to their Parents hath made vs remaine idle among these Ladies during the honest exercise of our fréends and companions estéeming to contradict your commaund were an offence more then presumptuous But now are our desires so stirred and prouoked as we can no longer containe our selues in slothfulnes but are enforced humbly to intreat that your highnesse would giue vs leaue to Arme our selues onely to teach this newcome Gallant who thinks alreadie he hath made a conquest that in England are Knights sprung from the race of the chéefest of the round Table who are not to be feared with seeing thrée or foure men vnhorssed My Sonne quoth the King my commaund was to no other end then to withhold ye from the thing you haue now desired because assayed new Combates without Armes you should not be endaungered by two trials together considering how the one may be a hinderance to the other and so doubtlesse would it come to passe at this instant were I not fully perswaded that honor neuer breakes companie with true loue but more and more aduanceth his titles to the great encouragement of all noble mindes Therefore my Sonnes doo what you please I will not hinder ye go in Gods name and returne with the full of my desire Hauing thus obtained what they would they departed to their lodgings returning soone armed and well mounted and passing by the Scaffolds Palladine intreated his Nonparelia to giue him one of her Bracelets wherewith he might enter the Ioust vnder her fauour In which time Manteleo went to trie his fortune with the Sonne of Othon and many Launces were broken betweene them yet neither able to dismount the other Wherewith Manteleo beeing angrie and seeking polâ—icie to preuaile against his foe Lord Caesar lifting vp the beuer of his helmet imagining by the rich armes of Manteleo that he was the Prince of England with courteous reuerence to him thus spake Sir Palladine perceiuing that you knowe me not nor the cause of my comming into this Countrey and séeing you would procéed to the Combate the loue I beare ye constraineth me willingly to discouer my selfe beside verie loth am I to loose the credit I haue wonne alreadie and so prouoke you to displeasure against me I am your fréend Caesar Sonne to the Emperour as readie to be commaunded by you as any other of your Knights in England Of this peace was Manteleo not a little glad yet brauely dissembling the matter he thus answered Lord Caesar I am not the man you take me for but in respect of this excéeding gentlenes and the reuerent dutie I owe
beside I will procéed no further but heere giue ouer all cause of quarrell And that your desire may be the more satisfyed I will bring ye to the man you imagined me to be and likewise you shall knowe with whome you haue now twise dealt without aduantage My name is Manteleo Sonne to the Duke of Millayne and Brother by marriage to the Prince Palladine of England But the accustomed humours among new married folkes had charmed Palladine in such sort as he sawe not when Manteleo thus ventured before him yet afterward séeing two enemies so louingly embrace he meruailed who the Knight of the Phenix should be at length these two pacefyed came toward the Prince and in offering to salute him this cause of stay hindered them While Palladine was fastening his Ladies Bracelet about his arme a Squire came before him who on his knees presented him a Letter saying Worthie Lord my Lady and Mistresse the Duchesse of the rich Isles whome you verie well knowe commending her selfe to your good grace hath sent you this Letter desiring as the latest good you will doo her to aunswere the same with all conuenient spéed This message chéefely the verie last words amazed the Prince and béeing assailed with diuers imaginations he brake open the Seale and opening the Letter read there these lines following The Letter from Brisalda Duchesse of the rich Islands to Palladine the Prince of England AT what time my Lord I was so happie as to sée you héere in the rich Islands I thought assuredly my good hap had taken such effect as death it selfe could no way bring to end Not so much iâ— knowing my selfe to be your beloued as to remember that my first freend was the Sonne of a King whose good partes I engraued so liuely in my hart as none but he was made Lord therof reseruing to my selfe this onely regard that loue had made me no more yours then dutie had confirmed you mine Considering héerewithall that as a gadge of my good will you being surprized with some part of my graces and passionate beyond measure as your selfe sayd if my liking did not consort with yours I gaue you that remedie for your sicknes which a Lady of such calling as I am would not haue bestowed on the greatest Pritice in the world Notwithstanding our desires had then such a Simpathie of affection as in all matters we were alike hauing each others honor in equall commendation our nobilitie parentage and what else beside combined together in a rich procall knot But so it is come to posse that of our first sight affection and familiaritie such a testimonie remaineth as may not be forgotten for since your vnkind departure leauing me in a laborinth of endlesse greef I am deliuered of a Sonne begotten by you whom I haue named Vnyon now aged twentie monethes who bearing the perfect image of his Fathers graces is the onely comfort his sorrowfull mother hath And heerein you may beléeue me that an hundred times he hath preserued my life hauing so weightie a burthen at my hart as is the small account you haue made of me since your departure and the wrong you doo mée in racing mée foorth of your remembrance not vouchsasing once to acquaint mée with the cause thereof Heerein is my hap so hard and regretable as death were more welcome to mee then life to asswage which insupportable burthen I haue no comfort but your little Sonne whome hourely I hold in mine armes meruailing so swéete a babe should haue so sowre a Father Yet beeing thus cast off and disdained the sorrow can not be so irkesome to me as the blame would to you were your discourtesie openly knowne but such is my loue to you that my nature vanquished none but your selfe shall knowe how you haue wronged me nor further reuenge will I seeke then with mine owne death to burie your shame What would your new loue Nonparelia say if she knew my bed abused by her husband and she wife to him who by flesh and blood is maried to mee she beeing the second might well thinke the first to be hardly intreated But let not any doubt héereof offend you for from her will I safely conceale it not in respect of any loue to her but by remayning euermore Your faithfull and immooueable freend Brisalda Duchesse of the rich Islands After he had read the Letter he was strooken into such â—umpe and oppressed with such remorse of conscience as scantly could he endure from falling beside his horsse the best meane to preuent the same was the arriuall of Caesar and Manteleo which made him quickly change his countenance when the Emperours Sonne thus spake to him Sir Palladine the courtesie showen me by the Prince of Millayne your Brother hath deliuered me from great trouble enforcing me to forbeare armes to entertaine him in stead of your selfe The happie Bridegrooâ—e are you to faire Nonparelia whose praises soare aboue the Eagle in height nor can I forget your famous chiualrie perfourmed in defence of her portrait when you conquered in Fraunce the prowd Zarcanell her vnworthie seruant that brought her figure thether I can not denie my Lord answered Palladine but the representation of my Ladies beawtie hath made me conquerour in diuers slender enterprises woon from such as had no abilitie to keepe them wherein if I haue deserued any reporte as freends are easily intreated to commend one another farre inferiour are they to the faire Rosamonde and those aduentures that noble Caesar hath accomplished for her I see well my Lord quoth Caesar that you will binde mée to you in such sort as I shall haue no meane to compasse y e least part of gratification but let vs end this needlesse talke and goe sée the rare creature whose vertues hath allured hither so many braue Gallants So walked they to the Pallace where the King entertained Caesar verie royally and all the Ladyes with excéeding courtesie Landastines and Zorian dooing the lyke nothing ashamed that the Emperours Sonne had the honor of the Tourney CHAP. XLII ¶ What answere Palladine sent to the Duchesse Brisalda and how Caesar returned to his faire Rosamonde Landastines and Manteleo likewise into their countreys and of the birth of Florano the Prince of England Sonne to Palladine and Nonparelia CAesar being thus welcommed in the Court of England both by the Lords and Ladyes especially Nonparelia Palladine feigning to goe vnarme himselfe tooke the messenger from the Duchesse Brisalda with him saying My freend you must néedes haue a little pacience and according to your Ladies request presently you shall haue a bréefe answere from me Then calling for meke and paper he went alone into the Warderobe because he would not be suspected by any and answered the Letter in this sort The Letter from Palladine to the Duchesse Brisalda MAdame matters hauing so strangely passed hitherto yet without any cause of offence you haue had some occasion to complaine being ignorant of my hinderance in trauaile but