answered the knight of the Tiger you should haue had my helpe in taking his life from him if you had told me at the first what great wrong he had done you for the very earth will open to swallow those that intend or practise any treason against their Prince yea and the Prince himselfe cannot be frée from such secret conspirators when fauour shall stand in stéede of Iustice to such wicked offendors wherefore if they be sharpely punished the rest will be the better warned by their tranâ—gression And I assure you Madame you haue done as well beséemed a vertuous Princesse in cutting off that branch when fortune made the instrument of your vnhappinesse beside the duetie wherein you are bound to the knight your father did command you should sée so good a déede executed Now therefore let me humbly intreate you that you would kéepe your promise to Sir Pompides who is my Brother the nephew to king Frederick of England and sonne to the prince Don Edward who is father to him and me and friend to you I sée well sayde Armisia that I haue wrought the contentment of the Knight my father and taken vengeance for the death of the Prince Doriel my brother by the prowesse of him whose presence is no small honour to me neuerthelesse I may thinke my selfe little beholding to him in that he hath concealed himselfe so long from me who would haue allowed him more honourable entertainment And I pray you Sir let it not offeÌ„d you that I desire to know whether yon be the prince Palmerin or Florian of the Forrest his Brother not that I am affectioned more to the one then the other but because I would know which of them Fortune hath made me so happy to sée the Prince returned her this answer Florian of the Forrest Madame is so farre off this place as very hardly can one tell where to meete with him wherefore you may perswade your selfe that I am Palmerin whom if you please you may command as your seruant The Princesse Armisia embraced him very gratiously reioycing that she might any way accomplish the meanes to honour him because the king Meliadus her father was brother to the Quéene of England the Prince Don Edwards mother The death of the proude Adraspe was reported the same day in the king of Scots Court which was but foure leagues from this place and the name of the Knight that had slaine him whereupon the king vpon the next meaning tooke his Coatch and being accompanied with many worthy knights he came to sée the Prince Palmerin of England and hauing giuen him many gratious salutations he tooke Pompides by the hand promising to make as good estimation of him as he did of the Prince his sonne while he liued While the aged king sate familiarly talking with Armisia his Daughter the Archbishop of Esbreque arriued there by whom Pompides and Armisia were presently married together and then departing thence they went very strongly to seeke to the Duke of Sizana Father to the proud Adraspe whom the king vowed to put to death or kéepe him prisoner but he reckoned without his Hoste for the Duke being aduertised of his intent fled iâ—to Ireland whereupon his goods and liuing fell into the Kings handes They in England hauing knowledge of Pompides marriage made Triumphs and Bonfires for the good fortune that had happened to Pompides who was very well beloued of euery one as well for being the Sonne of the Prince Don Edward as for his vertuous bounty and knightly courage CHAP. XXXII How the knight of the Tiger tooke his leaue of Meliadus the king of Scots and of the Princesse Armisia his Daughter and what happened vnto him during his voyage WHen the Nuptials of Pompides were solomnized to the great contentment of the King of Scots and his whole Realme the Knight of the Tiger tooke his leaue of the King and the Princesse Armisia accompanied with his brother Pompides to whom before he was embarqued he gaue to vnderstand the charge wherein all Princes were bound that receiued royall dignitie desiring him very earnestly since fortune had brought him to so great felicitie that he would vse himselfe modestly and wisely because Fortune was so vncertaine in her selfe that sometime she put those persons in greatest feare whom she had placed in most assurance whereby she letteth them vnderstand that she can quickly dispossesse them of their happinesse at such time as they little looke for any such alteration But to the end you may enioy your dignitie with most assurance I counsell you to entertaine your subiects with amitie administring Iustice rightly vnto them which let bee done with so good zeale as it be not conuerted in rigour and cruelty whereby you shall cause them to say that their Gouernor is become tyrannous and vnmercifull to them My Lord answered Pompides your wordes sauouring of so good iudgement as they are worthy of most high commendation I cannot but thinke my selfe much bound to you for this your noble and friendly counsell assuring you that I will lodge them faithfully in my heart and accomplish them according to your gracious commaundement for in doing otherwise I shall iudge my selfe vnworthy to be named your Brother After many such like spéeches had past betwéene them they imbraced one another Pompides returning to the Citie and Palmerin entring the Shippe caused the sayles to be hoysed when the winde seruing them so well as after they had spent such time as is méete for so great a iourney the Prince tooke landing in Hungaria When he had past through diuerse places of the Countrey it was his chaunce to arriue in a goodly Forrest where at length he came to a very faire Fountaine which was couered with an Arke of maruellous ingenious workemanship and because the weather was excéeding hot he alighted to refresh himselfe at this Fountaine In the meane while Siluian suffered the horses to grase in the pasture and when the Prince had washed his hands and his face he espyed a little from him downe further in the Forrest a Damosel running very spéedily with her haire hanging about her shoulders and tearing her faire visage with her nailes crying and wéeping out of measure at last she espyed the Knight of the Tiger to whom she came running a great pace and casting her selfe at his féete she remained fearefully looking about her a good while hauing not the power to speake one word The Knight of the Tiger séeing her perplexed case began to pittie her very much and doubted lest he that had feared her would make pursuite after her he called for his Helmet which he had no sooner clasped on his head but he beheld comming the way that the Damosell came a giant very strongly armed carying in his hand a huge Mace who séeing the Damosell had demaunded succour of the Knight of the Tiger spake vnto her in this manner Trust me Damosell you betake your selfe to very simple assurance in that this knight wanteth
other sixe there were but two that could defend themselues to any purpose The knight of the Tiger knew Dramian the king Recindâ—s sonne by his Armour and the deuise he bare in his Shield then alighting from his horse he put himselfe among his friendes charging one of them that fought so stoutly as he tumbled réeling to the ground which the other fiue perceiuing they were so greatly dismayed as in short time the knight of the Tiger and his companions made an ende of their wretched liues The Damosell arriued there very soone after when the sight of Siluian made the knight of the Tiger presently knowne to these fiue knights who were not a little glad of his company being all his knowne and approoued friends The first was Dramian sonne to the king Recinde the other were Frisoll sonne to the Duke Drapos of Normandie Luyman of Burgundy Tremoran and Brandedon al these fiue knights were conducted by their Esquers to a little village not farre from the Forrest where they were carefully attended till their wounds were healed The Knight of the Tiger kept them company two or thrée dayes when afterward he tooke his leaue of them setting forward the next way he could deuise to bring him to Constantinople where the Emperor was presently giuen to vnderstand of the death of Vascalion and his tenne knights which newes were highly welcome to all in the Emperours Court. CHAP. XXXIII How the Knight of the Tiger arriued at the Emperors court of Constantinople of an Aduenture which was offered to him at his arriuall BEcause the Prince Palmerin was desirous to be at Constantinople he left the company of the Damosell and the fiue knights of the Emperours Court continuing so long in trauaile as at length he came into the Empire of Constantinople without the finishing any aduenture worthy the rehearsall for I assure you the deuise of the Tiger he bare in his shield made such report of him in all places abroad as very few or none would willingly meddle with him But the néerer the Prince approched to Constantinople the more he found himselfe passioned for the loue of his Lady remembring her vnkind speeches the sharpe entreatance she vsed to him when he departed from the Court which were now so earnest in his thoughts as he durst hardly now offer to come again in her presence Siluian labouring as much as he could possible to cause him forsake that fond humor perswading him that the Princesse furie could not chuse but be now thorowly forgotten and he durst awarrant that she had repented her selfe many times since that she had vsed him so vngently The Knight of the Tiger hearing the wordes of Siluian began to comfort himselfe indifferently and riding on they came at last to haue the citie in their sight which the Prince stood and and beheld a great while with the teares running downe his cheekes and many a scalding sigh sent from his hart beholding the Chamber wherein his Lady and Mistresse lay When he had passed this cogitation so well as he could hée clasped on his Helmet and taking his Shield and his Launce hee commaunded Siluian to goe before into the cittie and prouide some place where he might alight because he would come vnknowne if so be any aduenture might be presented to him when hee arriued at the Court. And so it came to passe that a knight came to the Emperors Court the day before the arriuall of Palmerin hauing two Esquires attending on him who carried his Helmet Shield and Launce and comming very proudly into the Emperors presence he vsed his language in this manner I giue thée to vnderstand most redoubted and famous Emperour that I Arnolte the Lord of Astronomicall Isle and the giant Brauorant were very great friends together for that our gouernments were somewhat néere one another and to confirme this friendship long continued betweene them my Father concluded that I should marry with Arlencea Daughter to the Giant Brauorant but because both my yeares and discretion serued not as then they prolonged our marriage for the space of fiue yeeres In which time Brauorant departed this life so likewise Camboldam Calfurnien Brocalont and Baleato who were slaine by the two sonnes of prince Edward of England your nephews And to abolish altogether the house of Brauorant Collambra his wife by the counsell of the Magitian Alfernao sent Lady Arlencea her Daughter into this Countrey to the end that by their deceit they might cause the Knight of the Sauage man to forsake this Court that reuenge might be taken on him for the death of her Sonnes which would remedie her inward sorrowes seeing him brought into her subiection But now it is thought vnpossible to helpe this misfortune for Alfernao is slaine by Collambraes meanes who threw her selfe headlong downe in the presence of her enemies thus are they not onely depriued of their liues but that which is worst of all Arlencea is vtterly lost being in his keeping that hath slaine her whole linage â—â—d because I haue desire to finde her I enterprised to trauell hither being minded to deale with the knight of the Sauage man and not doubting but to discharge him of his life but he is not now in this Court whereat I am not a little offended for if Fortune refuse mee I shall not account it any iniurie to be vanquished at his handes who is daily woont to remaine victor in all places where hée comes Beside if I be depriued of my life I shall make an ende of those careful thoughts which maketh me desirous to be dissolued and for this purpose I intend to waite his comming Now if in the meane will your Maiestie will giue me leaue to make some triall at Armes against the Knightes of your Court I shall count my selfe highly pleasured the Emperour returned him this answere Trust me my friend you haue enterprised to séeke your owne ruine wherefore I would counsell you to giue your minde to such thinges the fruite whereof may yéelde you more commoditie then this is like to you And I assure you that neither Florian nor Palmerin his Brother is at this instant in my court whom I would wish to be heare neuerthelesse if in the time you expect their comming you be so desirous to make knowne your valour I grant you the libertie of the field where the Knights of my Court shall not saile to visite you I desire nothing more answered Arnolfe And so without any more wordes he entred the Field where he Iousted against three Knightes two of them being vnhorsed and the third vanquished in the Combat with the sword then the day declining they gaue ouer for that time On the next morning he entred the Field againe being in blacke Armour and hauing painted in his Shield little flames of fire in a Field of Sable The Knight of the Tiger stayed not long before hee came and shewed himselfe in the Field armed as he was woont to be but very much disguised
to haue the same punishment which hath happened to thy companion and I assure thée I would see it executed on thée my selfe if I did not perswade my selfe that the beautie of the Princesse Miragarda hath rauished the minds of other Knights who might boast of better assurance in themselues then he could At these wordes Brandamor came and kissed the Kinges hand by which occasion the king knew him which made him to iudge the more worthily of the Damoselles Knight and he commaunded his Chirurgions should vse good respect vnto Brandamor because he had well deserued by his valour in times past But scantly was he departed their presence when the two Knights that would haue rauished Siluian arriued at the Court they being so féeble and weake as they were constrained to leane on their Esquiers shoulders till they came into the Kings presence where he that had the least hurt began to vse his language in this manner My gracious Lord the Damosels knight whose renowne is so highly commended in this Court hauing vanquished vs in the open fielde commaunded vs to come and submitte our selues to your excellency to be iudged according as our déedes haue deserued in respect whereof we come to present our selues to the Ladies of this Court whom we intreate so to worke on our behalfe with your Maiestie as the offence may be pardoned which our fleshly willes procured vs to commit Then these two knights discoursed at large how euery thing had happened to them vppon which occasion the King thus spake Surely it doth not a little content me that God hath suffered you to receiue punishment for your misdéedes by the hands of the renowned Damosels knight on whose behalfe and for the loue I beare him I will proceede against you according as your hainous offences haue worthily deserued I assure you the more I heare the noble valour of this knight the more desirous I am to haue knowledge of him My Lord said the knight you haue very great occasion to estéeme of him for I am of the opinion that all the worthines which ought to be in a knight is in him for his sake therefore we humbly intreat your maiestie to vse such perswasion with the Ladies as they will suffer my companion and me to beare Armes which were forbidden by the Damosels knight vntill the Ladies of your Court haue pardoned the iniurie which we offered to the Damosell whom this Knight by his hardinesse tooke from vs. I promise you my friendes saide the King my good will is so slender in this case as you shall receiue no fauor by my ayde The Knight noting the Kings answere desired the Quéene that it might stand with her pleasure to command her Ladies to entertaine them into their fauorable iudgements and they would so witnesse their good affections towardes them that so long as they liued they would be ready to spend their liues for them The Quéene had not the leisure to make them any answere because the Knight that would haue carried away Arlencea came and humbled himselfe on his knées before the Ladies declaring to them how the Damoselles knight had commaunded him to come and render himselfe to their mercy without which he would not permit that he should weare armour any more the conceit thereof was so grieuous to him as he tooke the hardinesse to intreate the Quéene to assist him in his sute whereto she returned this answere It séemeth to me that the Ladies of my Court remaine greatly indebted to the Damosels Knight for whose sake I wil not seeme to hinder you but commit you all thrée to their discretions to whom you are sent The knight which had last of all deliuered his message no sooner beheld the other two but he presently knewe them the one was called Ferrobreque and the other Gentafort they being both discended of a giants race the sight of them caused him not to take his misfortune so heauily as he did all the while before The Ladies vnderstanding the pleasure of the Quéene concluded to giue them leaue to weare their Armor warning them on perill of their liues not to vse them in any places where Ladies or Damosels should be iniured but to passe on and let them alone whether the cause were iust or vniust they should not intermeddle withall This charge seemed very vnfriendly to the knights but they durst not séeme to dislike thereof wherevpon they were constrained to allow of their sentence afterward they tooke leaue and departed from the Court. A good space it was before any more tydings came to the Spanish Court of the Damoselles Knight but at length thrée Knights armed very brauely arriued at the Pallace about the Euening tide the King the Queene and the Ladies being walking in a faire Gallerie the prospect whereof was out into the Court where they might beholde these three Knights who sent an Esquire to declare their willes to the King Recinde The arriuall of the Esquire caused many to assemble into the Gallery where the Esquire being come before the King he humbled himselfe on his knees with these words Renowned Prince these three straunge Knights commaunded mée to let your Highnesse vnderstand that they haue trauailed a long time in the seruice of the thrée Daughters of Galiaster Duke of Arragon who were iudged faire in the eyes of these thrée Knightes albeit they were found verie false in their loue For they after they had long time entertayned these Knightes as chiefe of their affections were married vnto thrée other Gentlemen who were brought vppe in their fathers Court and with these receiued great contentment not considering the offence they haue committed in beiug so forgetfull of their owne honour as to marrie with such as beséemed not their degrees These thrée Knights are so highly offended hereat as they haue concluded neuer to espouse any other Damosels but onely such as being wearie of their owne seruants will vouchsaf◠to admit them entertainment But if any such as are foresaken of their Ladies shall alledge that this change is not equall these thrée knights will iustifie the triall thereof against them by Combate And because these Ladyes may fauour them in their demands without any preiudice to the renowme I will declare to you the estates of these knights The first is named Lustramar the eldest sonne to the Marquesse Astramor The second is called Arpian sonne to the Duke of Archeste The third is Gradian the County of Artasia who doe altogether humbly desire these Ladies by your Highnesse licence that they would shew their good willes vnto them because they are so desirous to make knowne to them the hauty valour of their inuincible stomackes for here will they abide all this day in the same manner as you see to make proofe of Armes against their amourous seruants But if it so fall out that they find the Ladies of this Court more desirous to keepe their old Seruants then to entertaine these so newly come they will be
kinseman the Prince Florendos Palmerin of England did the like to the faire Florenda and Florian of the Forrest to the Princesse Graciaâ—a in briefe the Princesse and Knights led all the Lades Palfraâ—es till they came to the Pallace The Emperour was caried in his Chayre by foure Knights communing with the Princesse Miragarda all the way desiring her to fauour his Nephew Florendos and to thinke of him as one that had well deserued at her hands CHAP. XLIX Of the Conference which the Emperour had with the Princes And how the Marriages that he appointed were now accomplished in effect WHen the Princes that were thus arriued Constantinople had rested themselues for certaine dayes the Emperour desirous to content euery one before he died who had bestowed their seruice in honouring him reuealed his intent to the Emperor Vernar king Edward Arnedes Recinde and Primaleon how he would gladly sée his Nephewes married and the other Princes that had béene nourished in his court whom he would see all matched according as their affections serued them The Princes liked maruaellously the Emperours intent whereupon he caused the Sunday following a great feast to be ordained in the Quéene Fleridaes Chamber which place was the most conuenient in all the Pallace for their courtly disports and there the Ladies were euery one regarded in their degrées being more pleasant in the Ladyes of their sauoured seruants then all the costly iunckets prouided for the banquet Palmerin was so earnest in affection towards his Lady as he iudged her to surpasse all the other in beautie Florendos held the same opinion to the faire Miragarda and Florian made such estimation of the Princesse of Thrace as he feared not to Combate against any whatsoeuer that her beautie might carrie the credite aboue all the rest and the Prince Platir was not behinde him in conceite towards his swéete Ladie Sidelia daughter to the King Tarnaes The Empresse Bazilia Gridonia Flâ—rida Francellina because of their high estates were chéefe next the Empresse 〈…〉 the Quéene Flerida bare the price of beautie amongst them all because she was in the most swéete and delicate time of her yeares After the Tables were wishdraâ—e and all the 〈◊〉 departed the place the Emperour being weake and sickely 〈◊〉 King Edward to expresse before all the company what he had giuen him in charge King Edward willing to obey the Emperors commandement arose from the Table theâ—â— taking off his Hat and kissing the Emperours hand he saluted all there present and began thus Most gratious Empres as each of vs for his benefit honor hath receiued such Ladies in marriage as the Emperour from his owne Court hath pleased to bestow on vs some that are allied to his Excellency and others to the Princes and lords of his Empire wherby the renowme of Christendom is worthyly maintained and all causes expressing good nature continued in their florishing estate It may therefore séeme good to you at this present that I publickely open his gracious and Princely determination whereby may be knowne if your Highnesse with these Quéenes and Princesses in your company shall thinke well of that which by the aduice of his honourable councell he seeketh to put in practise It is so that his Maiesty hath set it downe for a decree that these young Princes and knights shal ioyne in mariage in â—ecompence of all their noble trauels with those to whom they are most affectionate And as for theÌ„ that are as yet vnprouided of Ladies his Maiesty will allow them continuance in his Court whereby no 〈◊〉 shall grew on any side but euery one shall be contented to their owne desires Here pausing a while he attended what the Empresse with the other Quéenes and Ladyes would say as also â—o bethinke himselfe on the names of the persons whom the Emperour had appointed to many but the young Princes and knights were somewhat abashed doubting whether they might giue credite to the kings words for their was not any of them but iudged his labors sufficiently rewarded if he might enioy his sweet Saint and Mistresse The Ladies that were in presence began to blush change their amiable countenance whereby they bewrayed the secret sudden ioy of their hearts which they receiued by the spéeches King Edward had vttered Polinarda very often cast her eyes on the Prince Palmerin being in as great feare as the offender that awaiteth the senteÌ„ce of the Iudge for she doubted least her Grandfather would bestow on her some other and not let her enioy him whom her heart desired And Palmerin was afflicted in the same manner such and so great was the vehemency of his sundry passions which betwéene hope feare he was constrained to suffer but while his thoughts were in this infinite deale of trouble his Father King Edward following his former intent began againe in this manner You shall vnderstand Sir Florendos that my gratious Lord the Emperour with the consent of the King Recinde enioyneth you to espowse the Princesse Miragarda who in my iudgement will not bée any thing offended to bee so matched and so shall you Syr Florendos thinke your selfe fully satisfied for all the trauailes you haue endured for her sake All the prince there present looked on Florendos when they might well perceiue that the words of king Edward had giuen him more ioy then if the richest Realme in the world were in his own possession but the princesse Miragarda kept her countenance so demurely as one could hardly iudge whether the loue of Florendos were acceptable to him or no. And for thée my sonne Palmerin said king Edward the emperour the prince Primaleon being very willing thou shouldest knowe the loue they beare thee doe giue thée to wife the Princesse Polinarda not doubting but thou shalt imagine all thy passed trauailes to be fully recompenced in so sweet a reward The Princesse Polinarda no sooner heard these wordes but the delicate Rosiall colour that dyed her daintie countenance witnessed the loue and good will she bare to the Prince Palmerin of England who likewise now abandoned all his former feare seeing he should enioy the felicitie hee had so long wished for Which when his Father King Edward perceiued he made as though he did not espie and procéeded on with his former determination giuing the Prince Gracian Sonne to the king of France to vnderstand that the Emperour did bestowe on him his Niece Claricias the Daughter to the King Polendos And you Syr Berolde for your vertuous behauiour must enioy the Iewel of your heart the faire Onistalda Daughter to the Duke Drapos of Normandie and Niece to the renowned King Frisoll whereof your Father I am sure will be very well contented And you sir Francian shall match with Bernada Daughter to the valiant Prince Belcar And you noble Prince Platir in that your déedes are worthy of perpetuall memorie you shall possesse the faire Sidelia Daughter to the King Tarnaes of Lacedemoniâ— who will
down into hatred What regard haddest thou of a Princesse thy selfe being a poore Pesant Or what estimation hadst thou of modestie to mooue so great offence in thy gracious Mistresse whose loue was the only state of thy life and whose fauour was the flower of thy prosperitie Ah sweet Ladie on your courteous pitie let passe my presumption and what hath been more then dutie impute to may rude behauiour which your clemencie may both punish and pardon And yet my good Ladie if you respect my trusty seruice with the constant loyaltie I haue alway borne to your Soueraigntie my fault committed rashly deserueth no such repulse in that this ingratitude is too much for you to shew and more then I can any way suffer For if you regard your owne beauty with the stayed assurance of your seruants bountie you shall perceiue my words to bee for your honour and not worthie any hate in that I will preferre your name aboue all Ladies in noblenesse And yet am I contented to abide your hard doome and according to your pleasure wast my daies in distresse till either you will mooue you to recant or my spotlesse loyaltie to relieue my mishap which the longer you deserre the more is my dolor and you remaining obstinate my paines are helpelesse but that your gentlenes giueth me hope your displeasure shall end with my eternall delight Thus hauing finished his complaintes he drew neare to the Castle where by good hap he heard the sound of Musicke which gaue him occasion to enter further And comming to a great Hall he espyed in one of the corners one sitting all in blacke with a fair long Beard and a very graue countenance shewing by his sad complexion that he had more minde to moane then to any myrth Palmerin would not as yet enter any further least he should break off his quiet exercise which was in singing many sadde Dittyes to his Lute that himselfe had framed in the prayse of his Ladie Palmerin hauing heard what singular reports he gaue his Ladie as that none might compare with her for beautie and brauerie was very much offended in that hee esteemed all Ladyes as counterfeite to his fayre Polynarda wherefore hee brake off the Knightes Sonnet with this kinde of Salutation Me thinkes Syr you either want manners or modestie to glorie in your Lady as thought there were none her like Syr your late comparison hath vrged me to great choller for that my Ladie is aboue all in beautie and for honour of her Name beside beyond all in Noblenes of Nature and therefore worthie all praise because she is superiour to any The auncient Knight seeing one entred vpon him so suddenly and to correct his pleasures with such sharpe words aduanced himselfe towards him with this answer Syr Knight your bolde entraunce into this place with the great offence you haue offered my person may happe to be set at so deare a price as shal cost the Blood you would be loath to spare Is there anie to bee equall with my Lady who is not méete to beare the comparison of any whose very remembrance maketh me liue in vnspeakable tormentes If thou darest stay till I am Armed I will make thée eyther denye thy bragges or buye my Ladyes honour with the losse of thy life and breath And I will so reward this thy presumption as shall teach thée thy dutie and winne me my hearts desire Syr said Palmerin cease these words and execute your wrath if I haue spoken any thing to your displeasure reuenge your selfe and there an ende The auncient Knight withdrewe himselfe into a Chamber where as his Esquire presently Armed him Palmerin went foorth where he mounted on Horsebacke and attended his comming At length came foorth the Knight attired in blacke Armour bearing in his Shield the portraite of griefly Death lying on a Toomb couered all with blacke Vsing no more words they fell straite to fight eache of them behauing themselus very valiantly but the Knight of Death was at length throwne to the earth Then dealing a while togither with their Swoords Palmerins lucke was so fortunate that he ouercame his enemy then comming to him and taking off his Helmet he entred into these spéeches Loe Sir Knight contrary to your expectation you are become my Prisoner Now must you gainsay what before you haue boldly said in extolling your Lady aboue her whoÌ„ I honour or prepare your selfe to the extreame rigour of death To whom the Knight of Death replyed Syr well may you estéeme your valoure and make account of your victorie in that you haue foyled him who had good hope neuer to be dismayed by any But concerning the harde choyce you put me to eyther to denye my Ladie or to leaue my life Suffice your selfe in this that no rigor can constraine me no not the death it selfe may or shall compell me for I rather choose to abide your cruâ—lty then I will offer my Ladie so great discourtesie this is my answer take it as you please Palmerin comparing the loyaltie of the Knight with the constancie of his owne Loue and his affection to be as surely planted as was the earnest desire in himselfe satisfying himselfe with the Conquest called Syluian and departed The Knight of Death returning into his Castle where he was carefully tended and looked vnto by his Esqâ—yre greatly contemning his fortune in that he was so suddenly foyled CHAP. XIX ¶ Here shall you vnderstand who was the Knight of Death that the renowned Palmerin of England had conquered and what was the cause he remained in his solitary Castle IT is registred in ancient Hysâ—ories that in Sardignia sometime Raigned a King named Euandrin who espowsed Quéene Emeralda Daughter to the Duke Armian of Normandie and Sister vnto the Noble Duke Drapos This King had one onely Sonne who was named Floraman of no lesse expertnes of capacity then Knightly behauiour in courage which made him liked of all that saw him loued of all yâ— knew him It so chaunced that this Floraman growing to ripenesse of yeares became enamoured of Altea Daughter to the Duke Charles of Cicilia who was subiect to the King Euandrin so that betwéene these twaine was ioyned such a league of perfect good liking and such a mutuall consent of faithfull loue that they supposed neither any accident could hinder their determination nor any extreamitie â—euer their plighted promise But as Fortune is enemie to the hauty courage and prepareth her malice against the well meaning minde so this Loue could not please the King his Father but by all meanes he could thought still to preuent it When the King perceiued he could hardly reclaime his Sonne but that his affection still increased to faire Aâ—tea he sent her home to the Duke her Father meaning to matche his Sonne to Adriana the Quéene of Cicilia whom Floraman denied to loue or in this to grant to his Fathers minde but rather endeuoured to follow his Lady whose absence procured the
not satisfie my furie and then shouldest thou perceiue what it were to me with impatience God Syr quoth the knight of the Sauage man disdaine not weake men though your owne strength be monstrous but if it shall like you to Combate in the Court within your Castell I may hap to saue mine Knights a labour because a tenth is here who though hee be not so big as ten will doe as much one Then Calfurnien willed the Knight of the Sauage man to goe with him into the Castell and at length they came into a faire Court where stood a faire Fountaine the water issuing foorth of the mouthes of two Dwarffes that were artificially made in Christall vpon it and all about it was very faire Iasper pillers the court hauing such goodly lodgings and Chambers that he greatly pitied â—o faire a place should be kept by such a cruell person For as the Historie maketh mention this goodly Castell was built by the King of Ireland wherein he would often recreate himselfe when he rode on hunting but the father of this Giant named Rauiassor tooke it from the King perforce and liued therein with all his progenie Calfurnien and the Knight of the Sauage man being readie appointed charged one another with such puissant strokes that the victorie stood very doubtfull especially in the knight of the Sauage man who had his Shield all broken in péeces by Calfurnien his Mace of Iron beside the sore blowes he had vpon his body put him in great danger of his life Yet did he so well apply himselfe to Calfurnien that he had mangled his bodie armes and legs in diuerse places which mooued him to such anger that he threw downe his Shield taking his Mace in both handes intending the present death of the hardie knight But he escaping the stroke and taking vp his Shield which was somewhat too heauy for him held him play till he was glad to draw his Fauchion wherwith he sent such a blow vpon his owne Shield that he could not recouer his Fauchion out againe which the Knight of the Sauage man perceiuing strâ—gke his hseles vpwarde so that he got him vpon his backe where with his sword that was halfe broken off hee lest him not while he found any life in him Then sate he downe to rest himselfe being sore wounded and very faint with the losse of much blood which made him to lie stil a good while ere he could mooue himselfe any way CHAP. XXVIII How the three Ladies that were Prisoners in the Castle healed the wounds the Knight of the Sauadge man had receiued by the Giant Calfurnien And how when hee was in perfect good health he gaue the Castle to Orianda one of the sisters and all three the Daughters of the Marquesse Beltamor and so he departed towards England WHen the three Ladies that were in the Castle perceiued the Giant Calfurnian to be slaine and the noble Knight of the Sauage man to lie in such danger of his life they came all speedily vnto him and taking off his Armour were very carefull to stench his bleeding of his wounds Orianda the eldest of the Sisters who had greater experience in Medicine then the other twaine and was of a more sharpe and ingenious capacitie would not suffer her other two Sisters to meddle in any thing but tooke the whole charge vnto her to prouide him such néedefull things as were requisite and to shewe her selfe thankefull for his well imployed paines At last Artiser his Esquire came vp with his Maisters Horse and seeing the great danger he was in became very pensiue and full of griefe and while the Ladies carried his Lord into a very faire Chamber he barred fast the gates so that â—one might enter in which they somewhat stood in feare of because the Giant was slaine that any should come to his reskew There was the knight of the Sauage man kept vntill such time as he had attained to more strength who when hee had gotten a little health would faine haue béene gone but the ladies restrained him to the contrary declaring to him the danger that might happen vnto him if so soone he would loade his body with his armour that was brought very low and rather required more strength Their great courtesie liked him so wel that he was loath to do any thing they should misâ—ike of wherfore â—â—tting talking with them he desired them that without offence hee might demaund as considering their estates their names and Countrey and by what mishap they chanced into the Giants gouernment Artanaina the second Sister whose beautie was equall with her Maidenly behauiour resolued him of their names and then began this Worthy Syr albeit the vttermost of â—ut power is too â—â—mple to 〈◊〉 our noble paines yet esteeme the valour of our good 〈◊〉 which is the richest reward wee can requite you withall 〈…〉 our estates we are all three sisters and daughters to the 〈◊〉 Beltamor vassaile to the renowned Fredericke King of England who vpon the enuious report of slanderous tongues our Father being endued with great riches and large possessions when he came to inhabit this place whervpoÌ„ thrée mountains he caused to be built thrée faire castles determining one to each of vs after his discease which place both was and is yet called The Mountaines of the three sisters all this aforesaide liuing he was in the Kings displeasure disinherited of and we left to abide other mens reuersion sauing the three Castles which were left for honours sake to sustaine vs in After our Fathers death we resorted each of vs to our appointed Castle keeping them 〈…〉 from this Giant whom you haue slaine that 〈…〉 to defeate vs of them But when wee were in 〈…〉 his minde because hee had well leâ—t 〈…〉 then were we soonest of all deceiued For 〈◊〉 full twenty dayes 〈◊〉 wee met by appointment all together 〈…〉 our Castles where a little Pauillion was 〈…〉 for the time hauing in our company 〈…〉 and louing friends This Giant who by his Spyes was admonished of our being there came suddenly vpon vs thrée of our Knights slaine the other glad to take themselues to flight and hee brought vs with him into this place To which place if good Fortune had not conducted you we had beene depriued of our small wealth but that which is most of all the chiefe Ornament of our honour had stoode to an vncertaine award The Knight of the Sauadge man who had bene well acquainted with their Father in the Englâ—â—â— Court and heard of the good report of his thrée Daughters â—eioyced that by his onely meanes they had purchased deliuery and that it was his hap to Land in such a lucky time promising them to vse such meanes on their behalfe to King Fredericke his Soueraigne that they should againe possesse the Liuings belonging to their Noble Father whose offence hee knewe to be so small that he might easily purchase the Ladies theyr owne When he had abode there till he
place where these knights were assembled and entring into the Campe like an ancient olde man hauing a rodde in his hand where about was wound a Serpent he strooke vpon the ground with it when presently the knights fell all to the earth in such a strange and marueilous alteration that one would haue iudged they had béene depriued of their liues After he had there finished what pleased him he weÌ„t vp to the Castle of Dramusiande sending such a darke smoke ouer all the Valley wherein might be perceiued great flashes and flames of fire that the Princes in the Castle were marueilously affrighted This moued Eutropa to such great anger because shée could not gaine the knowledge how this had hapned no worke her will on â—he knights as she had certainly purposed that shée went raging all about the Castle mooued to such disquietnesse that no body could perswade her At last this great darknes vanished away and nothing could bee séene but the Knights that lay all grouelling vpon the ground which caused Dramusiande with his noble Prisoners to goe foorth and fetch them all into his Castle When they had taken off their Helmets the King Recinde knew his children and the king Arnedes his sonnes Polendos knewe Francian his sonne and Bazilliart and Don Rosuel were visited by the valiant Belcar Dridan was carried the armes of Maiortes and Platir was borne in by his noble Father Primaleon who because he had left him wheÌ„ he was somewhat yong did hardly knowe that it was his sonne In briefe they all lamented to sée their kindred and friendes in such great misfortune and conueyed them into the Castle where they were so honorably vsed that in short time they had good hope to recouer them from this danger When they had attained some part of their former health they reioyced greatly that they had happened into the company of their dearest friends and declared in what maner they were deluded by the two Damosels which was not strange to them who perceiued the daily practises of Eutropa to be grounded on such trecherous deceits Now did Dramusiande greatly commend his good Fortune in gaining so many couragious and well approoued knights as he was fnlly resolued he should now easily conquere the Isle of the Lake which as yet hee would not make knowne to any of the Knights but vsed himselfe so pleasant in their company and frequented them daily with such delightfull exercises that generally they bare him great good will and affection For this opinion he conceiued that vsing them with gentlenesse and shewing himselfe curteous in all attempts he should winne their good wils which hée made more account off then all the riches in the world As it is alwaies séene that friendship sooner winneth the gentle minde theu the rich promises and deliuery of Coyne can purchase any faithfull perswasion which craueth a more couetous interest then the persons estéeming vertue will straine their mindes to amount vnto CHAP. XXXIX How Eutropa after she had obtained all the Knights prisoneners in her Castle began a new trechery to bring to ruine the Emperour and Citie of Constantinople by sending Letters to the Soldan of Babylon declaring how the Emperour was destitute of his chief knights how he might easily ouercome the citie And how the noble knight of the Sauage man after he was healed of the wounds he had receiued by the knight of Fortune left the Court of England and trauelled to seeke the aduentures of great Brittaine in which endeuour he arriued at the castle of the Giant Dramusiand where he vnhorsed the Prince Primaleon and his noble Father the Prince Don Edward Likewise how he preuailed against the kings Arnedes and Recinde and foiled the Gâ—ants Pandare and Alligan so that he entred combate with the Giant Dramusiande each of them fore wounding the other yet neither could enioy the victory And how the Sage Aliart came againe and made such a maruellous darkenesse that the knight of the Sauage man was carried away no body could whither GLad was Eutropa that she had gotten these Knights her prisones whom she stood in great feare of and Christendome in most néed of and yet not contenting her selfe with this extreame crueltie would practise another mischiefe to bring to destruction all the noble knights on the earth It so fortuned that by politike meanes she was aduertised of the death of Olorique Alchediane the great Soldan of Babylon and deere friend to the Emperour Palmerin who had a sonne remaind aliue not of the gentle nature of his father but a great enemy to the whole estate of Christendome This seruing for fit her diuellish purpose she gaue him by Letters to vnderstand what great and gréeuous mischances his Progenitors had receiued by the Emperours of Greece in that many Princes of his blood and linage had béene cruelly slaine before the walles of Constantinople which naturall loue and dutie did inforce him to reuenge else should he be iustly contemned and reproched of the whole world where if now he would vexe his enemy vpon so iust occasion vrge him to the small defence he had left for his succour he might be Monarch of the whole world and haue more at command then all his Predecessours had As for a conuenient time he could with for no better then was at that present when if he would lay siege to Constantinople it had no other Rampier of defence then the aged Emperour whose yeares forbad him to enter the field and whose dominions lay ready at his owne appointment As for the noble couragious knights whom all the world feared and were the onely safegard to that famous City were in such place where they had more néed of succour themselues then come to defend the aged Emperour Yea and all other realmes were so vnprouided of those that were the meane to let this determination that neither could they helpe him or promise safety to themselues so that if he would he might bring vnder his obeysance the most of all Christendome There letters were conueyed to the Soldan of Babylon who prouide for the attempt which Eutropa had willed him where to his determination we will forsake him at this time till we gaine more fit occasson to discourse of procéedings The hardy knight of the Sauage man was purposed now to sée the aduentures of great Brittaine for which cause when his wounds were perfectly healed he tooke leaue of King Fredericke and the Princesse Flerida procéeding in his trauell till fortune brought him to the Valley of Perdition where he presently espoed the Castle of Dramusiande Not long had he stood to take view of this Castle but hee perceiued to issue forth a braue company of well appointed knights among whom were Giants of a monstrous stature which gaue him occasion to suppose that hée was arriued at the place where so many famous Knights were detained Prisoners yet was ge driuen into a great doubt in that such comely Knights should kéepe company with
such ougly fellowes At last hée beheld the Knights preparing themselues as it were to Iust when after he had done his deuotions in praiers as was his accustomed vse he receiued a Speare from his Esquire which he charged toward Pecinde the King of Spaine When Dramusiande sawe the courage of the Knight of the Sauage man they all came downe to the foote of the bridge meaning as it was their custome the Prince Don Edward should haue the first course but through intreatie the King Recinde got leaue first to trie his strength The Knight of the Sauage man béeing readie prepared encountred the King with great valure but such was his misfortune that he was sent to the earth Arnedes who had alway in trauaile borne him company preuailed through earnest desire that hée was granted the second Iust but he was inforced to beare the King Recinde company Primaleon séeing his friendes receiue such dishonour before his face without taking leaue of the Prince Don Edward tooke the Speare and ran couragiously against the Knight of the Sauage man when they brake their speares yet neither of them any thing shaken Dramusiande who desired to sée the ende of this noble exploit commaunded the Speares should be presently brought foorth when each of them tooke their choise and fell to their enterprise againe At the third attempt Fortune turning her backe to the noble Primaleon caused him likewise to be dismounted to the earth This mishappe greatly displeased the Prince Don Edward and hée taking one of the strongest Speares gaue the Encounter to the Knight of the Sauage man which was discharged with so great magnanimitie that both their Horses and themselues were layde on the ground Don Edward quickly taking his féete againe and maruayling at the puissant strength of the Knight of the Sauage man who came vnto him and saluted him with these wordes Trust me Syr Knight I would estéeme my selfe both honoured of Fortune and highly preferred vnto all good lucke if I were in a place where to doe you such seruice as is your reward through your braue behauiour For this assure your selfe that you are the Knight who ought to beare the general praise among men especially of me who in all his life time neuer sustained so sharpe a plunge as at this encountring you haue put me too Syr answered the Prince Don Edward I knowe not if my behauiour séeme so praise worthy to you but this I speake vnfainedly not to cause you conceiue a pride in your selfe that I neuer met with a stranger knight since I knew what belonged to the bearing of Armour Pandare came to ende their tale giuing these wordes to the Knight of the Sauage man Since Sir Knight you haue done more in the Iust then euery one supposed to bee in your power you must now endeuour your selfe to deale with me a while for that all such as enter this Valley are bound to fulfill this ancient custome But if your heart serue you not to fulfill this enterprise because feare may somewhat allay your youthfull courage I wish you to yéelde your selfe which will be more honourable then to hazard your life where you are certaine to lose it O sir quoth the knight of the Sauage man it séemes your Father was a Senator by your Clarkly perswasion and that you being his sonne would do more with words then he could with déedes but if your Father hath giuen you more wit then you can beare I meane to beate it out of you rather then you should be ouerburthened Pandare somewhat offended to heare these stumpes beganne to charge the Knight with his yron Mace and hée change blowes with his good swoord so that betwéene them passed such notable behauiour in fight that Dramusiande Don Edward and Primaleon commended marueilously the hardnesse of the Knight of the Sauage man At length such was the good Fortune of this noble knight that he brought Pandare on both his knées when he had sent his head from his shonlders had not the Giant Alligan come presently vpon him Then was he constrained to leaue Pandare and award the mighty blows Alligan charged him furiously withall but such was the great foresight of the knight of the Sauage man that he still bare off his strokes and would not strike againe as well to refresh his owne wearinesse as to make the giant somwhat stract with his long labour In fine when he perceiued his time and saw Alligan was out of breath with his long continuance in fight he came vpon him with such fresh deliuery blowes and followed his enterprise with such excéeding courage that he brought stout Alligan likewise vnder his obeysance This Combate was so well estéemed of all the Princes and so greatly displeased the minde of Dramusiande that he approched to the knight of the Sauage man as thus The good fortune Sir knight which hath returned you victorie beyond our expectations or your good assurance me thinkes should moue you haue respect to your bléeding wounds which may more â—â—damage your person then all the perill you haue sustained in fight Wherefore let me intreate you to finish your desire in this trauaile and to striue no farther but yéeld your selfe to my friendship and by my Sword I sweare to vse you in such honourable manner as shall be for your health and mine own honestie If you refuse this my curteous offer and a priuate pride shal cause you run without regard I shal be vrged to that I would be very loth to do which is to giue you a fresh assault when the estate you are in doth rather require ease which may be to your gréeuous detriment and to my great dishonour These courteous words aunswered the Knight of the Sauageman would serue very well to a faint hearted man or to him that is so sore as I in bodie but not to him that is so sound in minde wherefore I am to thanke you for your great pittie and would accept it if that I did conceiue any such pleasure But as it séemeth to me you are the Lord of this faire Castle that at this present doth deaine the flower of all Chiualrie wherefore I would gladly haue you to vnderstand that though my limmes be not in their best estate my heart is in such sure hope that my life shall purchase their present deliuery Dramusiande séeing he scorned his good will and estéemd his words of no better account presently returned him this raplie I perceiue Sir it is high time to cause you know what benefite you might haue receiued in following my Counsell and what danger shall happen through your owne folly so arming his head and commaunding his Sword and Shéeld to be brought him he charged the Knight of the Sauage man in this manner I would wish to ioyne combate with a Knight so hardy as your selfe so that the disposition of his health were such as my blowes might be well welcome vnto him But séeing your stomack so good yet your body
whose extreame cruell nature delighteth in thy griefe I am that Eutropa who all this while hath plagued thée and thy noble friends and will continue in tormenting thee and thine vntill this world hath made an end of me I go now to the place where I shall haue leysure to forget the iniurie thou hast done vnto me and power to fulfill my desire in thy continuall vexation These words thus ended and the Aire waxing somewhat cleare againe they might perceiue the Enchantresse in the Aire inuironed with a darke and gloomy myst like a cloud and and how she cut the Aire with a great many fiery flashes about her When she was departed forth of sight they remayned in a great amazement yet being all glad that they were rid of her who was so ill affected to them The Damosels who by the commandement of the ancient man had stayed there till the knights were perfectly rerouered came to the Prince Don Edward vsing these words Good sir giue vs leaue now to depart séeing the knight of Fortune and the Giant Dramusiande are out of danger and strong enough to endure the trauaile of their Armour Trust me Ladies answered Don Edward your great courtesies hath so seuerely bound me that I might be iustly reproached of ingratitude to suffer you depart not vsing such honourable recompence as you haue well deserued Neuerthelesse such is the simplenesse of this place to your worthy desert and so great affection to see you liberally rewarded that if you would vouchsafe the courtesie to come to the English Court or report where I may send to your abiding what I will do I leaue to your good opinions to report Sir quoth the Damosels the vertue which is alway resident in your noble minde and fameth your knightly déeds throughout the whole world that neither Enuy can blot out nor accident of time haue power to extinguish so that we may well be estéemed happy who hath so good a Champion to defend her honour As for your Princely offer we find our deserts so simple as we were loth to presume in place to séeke any recompence yet if our presence at London may either profite you or pleasure your friends we will be as ready to come as you can be desirous to wish vs there But such is now our businesse that your friends being reduced into their former estate we must néeds depart wherfore we desire you to vouchesafe vs leaue Ladies quoth Don Edward he that should séem to deny you and you not giuing consent thereto should by his boldnesse with my blood that would offer them iniury who haue deserued more then I can say And therefore when you shall thinke good to depart you may right willingly for here is none will gaine you or that dare deny you The damosels perceiuing the great humanitie of this gentle Prince failed not to giue him courteous thanks according so taking their leaue of the Knight of Fortune with all the other Princes they went to the gate of the Castle where they found two Palfrys appointed for them and being mounted thereon returned to the place from whence the ancient man brought them Don Edward séeing al was in good readinesse and that Dramusiande was méetely strong-againe he offered the castle to the knight of Fortune who wold not refuse it vpon condition that from that day forward it might be called the Fort of Fortune so leauing Pompides there to kéep it they departed al towards London accompanied with Dramusiand bearing the Armour wherein he had combatted against the knight of Fortune The Citizens being admonished of the coming of their long lost Priuce Don Edward gathered themselues in such heapes in the stréets that the Princes could hardly passe without hurting some of them with their Horses Some of them preased to sée the Prince Don Edward because he had bene so long absent from them other some to sée the giant Dramusiand maruelling that the knight of Fortune had the power to conqure him who had subdued so many Thus passing on they arriued at last at the Court where Don Edward casting his eies on the princesse Flerides Chamber the teares trickled downe his chéekes remembring how long time he had bene from thence and had not séene her whom he most honoured and intirely loued but séeing he was come againe at last and at his gentle behauiour should recompence what had béene amisse he quieted himselfe least any should behold his amorous passions King Fredericke at the entrance of the Cour came and receiued them all graciously giuing them such Princely entertainment as their nobilitie of birth and hoyourable estate required Don Edward and Dramusiande were the last that presented themselues to his Maiestie where knéeling downe and humbling himselfe to kisse his hand the Prince began as followeth My Soueraigne Lord and Father if I either haue or may find fauour at your highnes hands then let me not at this time be denied of the same as to entertaine this Giant not after the cruell deserts of his Father but euen as the most curteous and friendly knight in the world The king imbracing his sonne receiued him in his armes from the ground bedeawing his white any heary Beard with aboundance of teares which through meere loue he shed for the presence of Don Edward when hée began to answere him in this manner What he is my son who conceiuing so great desire as I of long time haue to sée you that could find in his heart to deny any thing that you should require Then comming to Dramusiande who endeuoured to kisse his Graces hand imbracing him in his armes he thus began My intent was not to shewe courtesie to him that hath béene the cause of my long continuing heauinesse but the report my sonne hath made of your great bountie and gentlenesse hath conquered the extremitie that I once had sworne to vse vnto you so that hee which would now offer to vexe you any way should be enemie to me and so not escape vnpunished The knight of Fortune humbling himselfe in his presence the King cast his armes about his necke with this gréeting My minde did assure me Sir knight that the heauy sorrowes I endured too long a time should be ended by the valour of your hautie déedes of Armes who is so welcome to my Grace as no liuing creature on the earth could be more My soueraigne Lord answered the knight of Fortune what I haue done hath bin thorow Gods appointment whose power assisting me beyond my desert haue finished the aduenture which no pollicie could otherwise bring to passe In honor of this happy victory they went al to the chiefe Church of London where seruice was accōplished with great solemnity and then returning to the Pallace the Quéene and the Princesse Flerida receiued them all with great bounty the knights vsing such courteous demeanour as beseemed the roialty of theyr persons being right glad to haue a sight of the fayre Princesse While Flerida was vsing
who is her owne Childe And Madam let not be forgotten the wordes sir Pridos rehearsed vnto you at such time as you had lost both husband and children which was reported to him by the Ladie Argonida for loe at this instant her promise is accomplished your noble Lord Don Edward is restored and your two lost sonnes safe and sound recouered whose Knightly valure hath sufficiently discharged the sorrowe that then your afflicted person suffered The Knight of Fortune is your Sonne Palmerin to whom you gaue that name in honour of the Emperour Palmerin your Father who by the meanes of the Knight Polendos receiued your son into his Court when he likewise caused him to be tearmed by his owne name And this aduenturous knight of the Sauage man is your other Sonne which according to the place of his birth you called him Florian of the Forrest him haue you nourished brought vp by your motherly care albeit he was knowen to you for no other then a straunger Thus to knit vp your former ioy I thought good to presume so farre as to make you partners of that which was not knowen to any but onely God and my selfe The Princesse Flerida and Don Edward wel viewing one an other were suddenly rauished with such an inward ioy as it is impossible for me to giue iudgement thereon then Palmerin and Florian came imbraced each other which moued the king and all there present vnto such delight that they could not conceale the great pleasure they conceiued whereupon the king entred into these words Trust me Syr Aliart these newes were altogether vnlookt for at this present albeit they haue béene earnestly desired long before this time but yet doe me the fauour to certifie me how you are assured of that which you haue giuen foorth for a manifest troth it may be here are some that dare hardly aduenture to beléeue it If I should my good Lord answered Aliart fable in such a case I were well worthy such seuere punishment as is due to him that should falsely informe a Prince But neuerthelesse to giue you the better assurance thereof marke what shall ensue and then answere how you are satisfied Then drewe hée foorth a little Booke whereon hauing read a prettie while the Sauage man and his Wife entred the Hall who had nourished Palmerin and Florian so long in theyr Caue when presently the two Princes beholding them went and imbraced them both with great courtesie the the like did Siluian who hauing learned more ciuility in court then when he remained with his Father in the Caue knéeled downe vnto them as was his duetie The Princesse Flerida receiued such excéeding ioy that shée imbraced them both very louingly and Palmerin thinking it great dishonour to him to be vnmindfull of his nurses that had vsed him so gently tooke them by the hand and brought them before the King giuing him to vnderstand that they twain had deserued a good reward in recompence of the great affection his Brother he had found at their hands The King taking them from the ground in his armes promised that their labour should be honorably rewarded so lifting his eyes vp to heauen he vttered his ioy in this manner O heauenly Father this is the last good happe that euer I desired to sée wherefore now if it be thy pleasure take me out of this miserable world before vnconstant Fortune determine any more mischance to me This done he tooke his two Nephews and brought them to the Princesse Flerida before whom they humbled themselues on their knées kissed her hand a great many times and she casting her armes about their necke in teares remembred the great danger she saw them both in when they endured the bloody Combate at such time as shee was faine to set them at vnitie Then Don Edward their noble Father in remembrance of the valiant behauiour he had séene in them both at the Castle of Dramusiande receiued them in his armes with such courteous gréetings on either part as the ioy in such a case did vrge them to manifest The Emperor Trineus a partaker of this Fortunate sight came to both the Princes and vsed many friendly spéeches to them in like manner did the Empresse Agriola the Kings Recinde and Arnedes with all the Princes and Ladies whose ioyes were not small for this happy successe Then Palmerin vsed great courtesie to the Prince Primaleon for that he vnderstood him to be father of his Lady and Mistresse Polinarda and Sonne to the Emperor his Grandfather who had vouchsaued him his honour dnring the time he remained in his Pallace at Constantinople The Sauage man and his Wife were very graciously entertained who séeing the two Princes in dignity beyond their expectations when they were in their Caue did greatly reioyce that Fortune had so fauourably preserued their noble liues Palmerin séeing the time that euery one prepared themselues to their chambers commanded Siluian to conduct his father and mother to a faire and rich Chamber which was prouided for them Euery one departing the king accompanyed Aliart to his Chamber where he desired to know what the other knight was that came in his company If it please your Grace answered Aliart to morrow morning you shall be resolued to the vttermost in the meane space assure your selfe that he is such a one as his valour deserueth to be remembred amongst the most renowned Thus with a generall gladnesse euery one went to take their rest forgetting all gréefe that was passed before in remembrance of the fortunate successe that had happened at this instant determination of ioy CHAP. XLVIII How on the morrow Blandidon was knowne and Aliart bewraied himselfe and Pompides to be the Sonnes of the Prince Don Edward Argonida the Lady of enchāted the Isle And how the Emperour Trineus with the other Princes determined to depart from the Court of England but were desired first to goe see Castle of the Giant Dramusiande wherein the Princes had remained Prisoners so long time THe pleasures in the Court of the aged King of England of the Prince Palmerin and Don Florian his Brother that the Cittizens passed away the night merrily in making of great Bonefires ringing of Bels to manifest the ioy which they likewise conceiued for this happy accident In the morning the king went to the chamber of the two Nephewes where he found Primaleon and the Prince Vernar merrily disposing themselues together and so accompanied with Arnedes and Recinde they went to the chamber of the Emperour Trineus who béeing already stirring prepared themselues to go heare diuine Seruice which was accomplished with maruailous great solemnitie When they returned vn to the Pallace such was the assembly of people to sée the two Princes that they could hardly ascend the staires to the great hall the people were gathered into such a prease The strange Princes endcucured themselues to entertaine the Sage Aliart very honourably so that from the hightest to the lowest
he was greatly made account of insomuch as euery one thought his labour well imployed to do him seruice and euery one were desirâ—us to question with him how Don Florian was guarantized of his wounds which he had receiued at the Castle of Dramusiande When dinner was ended they went all to the chamber of the Empresse Agriola with whom the Quéene and the Princesse Flerida had dined and the king desiring silence when they were all placed began in this order to the Sage Aliart Let it not séeme displeasant vnto you good Sir that I presume to remember you of a promise made yester-night as also to deliuer me from a doubt that I haue conceiued of your selfe which is if I may request so much fauour to tell me of whence you are because the great cunning and science I haue heard to be in you doth argue you are discended of some noble linage To which demand Aliart presently returned this answer I was determined déere Soueraigne neuer to bewray my selfe to auy but since your Maiestie hath commanded me whose words are more of force to compell me then any prince or potentate may or can constraine me I will certifie you of that which neither friend nor foe could yet get of me This knight whose name you are desirous to know is called Blandidon as concerning his birth and Parentage the Prince Florian can at large giue you to vnderstand for which cause I will passe no furder to discouer what he is But as touching my self this knight here named Pompides and my selfe are Brethren both of vs the sonnes of the Prince Don Edward and Argonida the Lady of the Enchanted Isle as hath béene affirmed to vs by the oath of diuerse Don Edward sitting by his beloued Flerida loath to conceale any thing that might profite in this case humbling himselfe to the King his Father began as followeth Deare father what Sir Aliart hath deliuered to your Grace I must and will auouch to be most true they are both my Sonnes wherefore I desire you to entertaine them as your Nephewes And my swéete Flerida let it not séene as disliked of you because it was long before I entred acquaintance with you and such were the craftie deuices Argonida vsed with me that what with perill of my life and the pleasure I had also in her company these twaine are the fruits of our long familiar labours The King came to them aud imbraced them very louingly when presently Florian at his instant request declared the hautis Exploytes and Knightly déedes hée had both tryed and found in the noble Blandidon Flerida forgaue her Lord Don Edward this offence smyling at the subtill inuentions Argonida vsed to gaine the desire she bare to the English prince when immediately Aliart and Pompides came and submitted themselues to her whom shée welcommed as hartily as had they béene her owne children and so continued pleasantly talking with them till time required they should depart to their Chambers Palmerin of England held yâ— Sage Aliart in great estimation when he perceiued he was allyed to him in kindred so that altogether he framed his delight to be in his company and would not attempt any thing but he should be priuie to it The Triumphes and sumptuous feastes continued daily aboundantly and euery night there was Marking Dauncing rare deuises put in execution so that the Grecian Knights highly honoured the Ladies of England whose braue gesture of Courtly entertainement was not onely estéemed of them but as much commended at their returne in the Court of Constantinople After a long continuance of this excéeding ioy Arnedes and Recinde concluded to depart to their kingdomes leauing their sonnes to accompany the other Princes in their pleasure which the Emperour perceiuing determined to iourney towards Allemaigne also But when they prepared themselues to take their leaue Don Edward and the other Princes desired them to vouchsafe the paines to sée the Castle of Dramusiande wherein so long time they had béene kept as prisoners This request pleased the Emperor very well so that he desired Arnedes and Recinde to beare him company also and then they would depart together Intreaty had quickly wonne them so that on the morrow they departed themselues thither accompanied with the Ladies and Gentlemen of the English Court who greatly longed to sée the Castle so much spoken off that had caused great Brittaine to stand in such feare and by the prowesse of the Noble Palmerin was brought into subiection CHAP. XLIX How the Emperour Trineus the King of England with all the Princes and Ladies rode towards the Castle of Dramusiande where by the way they saw the Caue of the Sauage man wherein the two Princes had beene so long time nourished And how all the way as they rode the Sage Aliart presented them with many rare and braue deuises vntill such time as they arriued at the Castle Where they met with a strange knight who in honor of the beautie of his Lady Miragarda Iusted with diuers of the Princes and departed againe from thence vnknowne to any but the Sage Aliart who discouered to Palmerin of England his name and whence he was IN the morning the Knights who had behaued themselues so worthily in the triumph prouiding them of new and rich Armor made great haste because they would bee ready to goe with the Giant Drausiande onely because they would gratifie their Ladies in bearing them company to sée this Castle At their departure foorth of London the King by sound of Trumpet and Heralde caused them to be proclaimed that no Citizens should offer to follow them because hée had determined being so many of themselues that none should enter the Castle but the Ladies and the Knights For that night hée concluded to lye in the Forrest and therefore sent such prouision of Tents and Pauillions that when they were arriued there they found euery thing to their owne contentment The Princesse Flerida was desirous to sport her selfe about the Forrest and walking By the place where shée had suffered the extreame panges of her trauayle the Sauage man came and humbled himselfe vnto her declaring how in that place he tooke the two Princes from her and nourished them in his Coue which was néere adioyning On this report the knights were desirous to sée his Caue so taking leaue of the Princesse they walked with him thither where after Primaleon Maiortes and the Soldane Bellagris were entred they began euery one to be greatly amazed séeing this Caue to containe so large a breadth and length which made them suppose it to be in manner an intricate De dalus All about on the walles was hanged Tapistrie not of Gold Silke Caddis or such maner of stuffe but the skinnes of Beastes which the two Princes had slaine very finely laboured into an artificiall frame and so decked foorth the Chambers that the Knights marueyled in so desart a place to finde such a fayre dwelling A great while they stood debating with
suspition of me I giue you to vnderstand that I am called Primaleon Sonne to the famous Emperor of Constantinople When the Tristfull Knight heard these wordes he was ouercome with such extreame sorrow and heauinesse because he had entred Combat with his Father Primaleon that he had much adoe to sustaine himselfe which the Prince séeing came to him with these words Florendos let no grieuous motions séeme to abate your courage for I had knowledge of you before we fell to the Combat as for what hath passed I franke and fréely forgiue being glad that I haue tryed your right to be of such reputation The Tristfull Knight knéeling downe and in great humility kissing his Fathers hand hée sustained him graciously in his armes and great were the salutations that passed betwéene them Pandritia being glad to sée the Prince Primaleon conducted them both into her House of Sadnesse where they were lodged in a goodly chamber and their wounds attended by the Ladies with very diligent and louing respect CHAP. LII How Primaleon and the Tristfull knight being healed of the wounds they had receiued in the combat by the courteous entertainment of the sorrowfull Lady Pandritia after they had staied there a little space and Primaleon certifying her of the happy deliuery of the Prince Don Edward they both departed from thence the Prince toward Constantinople and the Tristful knight in his iourney towards Spaine when Pandritia likewise for these ioyfull ridings left her House of Sadnesse and went to the Garden of Damosels And how after Primaleon and the Prince Vernar were arriued at Constantinople the Soldan Bellagris sent a Messenger to the Emperor who gaue him to vnderstand of the dealing of the Soldan of Babilon who had staid his army to contend with certaine Lords of his dominions that rebelled and entred into armes against him FLoredos the Tristfull Knight and his noble Father the Prince Primaleon made their abode for the space of certaine dayes in the carefull Castle of the solitary Pandritia where they were so carefully visited and their feeble estates so louingly tendered that in short time they recouered their perfect health In which time Primaleon had certified her of the prosperous successe of the Prince Don Fdward whom she verily supposed to be dead long before so that shée conceiued such great delight in this report as at the request of the Prince the left her House of Sadnesse and returned to her Mansion named the Garden of Damosels vsing more pleasant conceits then for a great while she might suffer to thinke on Primaleon hauing borne her company longer then willingly hee would and declared to her the the names of the Knights that were prisoners with Don Edward as also the manner of their happy deliuerance accompanied with the Tristful Knight he tooke his leaue of her she being loath they should depart so soone but perswaded by their earnest affayres gaue them the courtesie and so they left her They twaine thus ryding together the Tristfull Knight desired his Father that hée might leaue his company because the affection to his Lady directed his trauaile into Spaine who not denying his sonnes request because himselfe was minded to ryde alone to the ende hee might make the better proofe of his valour imbraced one another the Tristfull Knight riding towards her for whose swéete sake he liued in great affliction and anguish of minde where at this time wée will leaue him and returne to the Prince Primaleon who not encountring any aduenture by this time is come to Constantinople whereas full often he wished himselfe because he had heard of the Soldanes Army which was of such force that it caused the whole Empire to stand in great feare Primaleon being entred into the Citie kept close his Beuere because he would not be knowne to any but intended to come suddainly vpon his friends which wold make him to be the better welcome Being come to y◠Pallace hauing deliuered his Horse to his Esquire he went vp into the great Hall in the same Armour that he vsed against the Tristfull Knight which was very much defaced with the blowes he had receiued causing great astonishment to all that were present who gaue him way to come before the Emperour Then knéeling downe and desiring to haue the Empresse and the Ladies present he would discourse 〈◊〉 his Highnesse what had happened lately in England which the Emperour desirous to heare yet not knowing what or who he was all this while receiued him from the ground saying That the honour of the place from whence he came should make him a great deale the better welcome and so he conducted him to the Empresse chamber where by good hap the princesse Gridonia Polinarda and Bazilia were present when the Emperor tooke occasion to begin as thus Faire Ladies this Knight commeth from the Court of England and would not declare his message to me vntil such time as he might come to your presence before whom he desireth to shewe his Ambassage which I wish to be otherwise then I thinke for because of the tariance of my sonne Primalaon whose absence is no small cause of my heauinesse With that the Emperour sate downe by the Ladies whom Primaleon began to behold very earnestly because he perceyued them growne into great alteration especially the Emperour his Father whose countenance was much changed then when he saw him last and the Princes Gridonia had greatly offended his faire face with the continuall mourning shée vsed for the absence of her Lord so generally beholding them all and staying from speaking an indifferent long space to the great amazing of the Emperor as also the company of the courtly Ladies at last he vnclasped his Beuer began in this order I desire you my gratious father to pardon my long silence as also the great time of mine absence from your royall Court hauing no other Message to present you but the good health of your noble friends in England as also of your Sonne Primaleon who humbleth himselfe before your gratious presence The Emperor was suddenly wrapt with such an inward ioy y◠for a great time he remained as it were in a trance in like maner the Empresse Gridonia Polinarda al the Ladies who came running altogether imbraced him with such ioy as it is impossible for me to giue iudgement thereon After hée had vsed curtesie to them al the Princesse Bazilia came kissed his hand to whom he said Faire Sister feare you not your Lord Vernas will not long absēt himselfe frō you but you shal haue him here right soon I dare warrant you Then was he vnarmed when the Emperour could not satisfie himselfe till he heard the ioyfull newes lately chanced in England but when he vnderstood how Palmerin was sonne to the Prince Don Edward and his daughter Flerida he receiued great contentation in that he was nourished in the company of the princesse Polinarda who concealed her ioy from any one Dramacian
good Lord that at such time as I imbarqued my selfe from Greece the tempest ouer-reacht me with such a violent meane that our Ship attained the Coast of Ireland where I would needes goe on land albeit both the Master and all in the Ship perswaded me to the contrary Being then on land such was my Fortune that I met with the Giant Calfurnien whose strength although it was redoubted indeede yet good hap gaue me the honour of his death In this bloody fight I receiued so many grieuous and dangerous woundes that I could no way haue escaped the death my selfe had not three Ladies Daughters to the Marquesse Beltamor whome this cruell Giant kept there perforce vsed such honourable and goodly prouision that to their no small labour and trauaile I recouered a sound and perfect estate Assuring you my Lord that I not onely maste high estimation of their friendly courtesie but also confesse my selfe indebted to them for euer to spend my heart blood in their gratious seruice Wherefore remembring their infortune that for their Fathers offence they are disherited I promised to vse such intercession to your Grace as they should be restored to their lost patrimonies In the meane time they liue in hope and I expect your wonted noble forgiuenesse on their behalfe The King perceiuing the desire of Florian with the great friendship he had receiued by these Ladies returned him presently this auswere Indéede I confesse the Marquesse their Father both intended and accomplished a treasonable enterprise against me and my state yet would I not that his daughters being ignorant and innocent of their Fathers crime shall suffer punishment for his offence And since he hath sustained Law according to desert and his whole possessions are fallen into our hands we returne them to the vse and profite of the Damosels in recompence of the friendly fauour you haue receiued at their hands And for their more honour I will that the eldest of them be married to Don Rosiran my Cousin and your great friend Argolant shal not refuse to marry the second as for the third we restore her to the Marquisate of her father and will ioyne her in marriage with Beltamor Brother to the forenamed Don Rosiran Don Florian kissing his highnesse hand in token of the vnspeakable pleasure hée receiued at the Kings wordes by the meanes of Don Edward his noble Father sent a poast with al spéede to bring the Ladies to the Court as wel to sée the Kings will accomplished in effect as to make proofe of his good will habare to the Ladies When these Ladies were come end euery thing in due and decent order finished Don Florian tooke leaue of the King his vncle and also Don Edward the Princesse Flerida because he would try the aduentures at the Castle of Miragarda whose beautie was so renowned thorow the whose world With great griefe they suffered him to depart so that when in trauaile he had passed the Court of the King Redinde hee arriued at the Castel of Almarol when Dramusiande had euen then vanquished thrée Knights whereof one was the valiant Pompides which made Florian somewhat abashed because he was ignorant that it was the gentle Dramusiande Wherefore being desirous to hazard himselfe in the Combate he prepared his Speare to encounter with him which Dramusiande seeing not knowing him to be Florian of the Desart the son of his deare and louing friend Don Edward against whom he would not haue entred the fight in any case to satisfie the will of his Lady Miragarda he met so strongly with him that they were both dismounted to the earth Vp againe they rose and fell to it very violently with their Swordes in so much as Dramusiande would not beast of his bargaine nor Florian bragge of the choise he had made for that the Combate was so dangerous between them as it was not to be iudged who was likest of victory Miragarda leaning in her window extolled maruelously the hautie valure of them both so that excepting the Combate of the Tristfull Knight with Palmerin she gaue the onely commendation to this singular fight which continued with such outrage betweene them that they were constrained to retire to take a little breathing Dramusiande féeling the Prowesse of his aduersary supposed him to be Florian of the Desart and therefore concluded many times to discouer himselfe without bringing their Combat to any ende But fearing least it should be reported that he gaue ouer for want of courage to maintain his quarrell changed his opinion in that hée was so desirous to finish the intent of the faire Miragarda to whom secretly he began in this manner My déere Mistresse I know that the merite of my trauailes shall bée to burie their commendation in the piâ—te of obliuion by you that little regard them yet is it great and insupportable griefe to him that is so vnkindly requited Neuerthelesse so great a conquest haue you gained of me and my whole endeuours lincked to fulfil your good liking that I can no waies contrary what you haue ordained but remaine more affectioned to doe you honour then al my actions can merite your fauour Regard then the Knight against whom I maintaine your cause and the foreâ— of his deliuerer attempts will witnesse in what neede I stand of your friendly furtherance which I beséech you not to denie him at this presence who in faith and loyaltie is more yours then his owne lest my enemie winning the victorie cast in my téeth that he hath brought me vnder in beholding your beautie Don Florian desirous to finish his enterprise came and charged Dramusiande the second time so that Almarol debating with Miragarda and Lardemia estéemed maruellously the valour of the Giant in kéeping the Shield as also the knight that offered him resistance Siluian standing in doubt that Dramusiande would be slaine which would be great griefe to his Lord and master came to the Esquire of Don Florian whom hee presently knew which made him very ioyfull beléeuing now verily that he should saue the liues of them both wherefore he came to Florian with these wordes I desire you Sir to passe no further in this doubtfull fight for he whom you labour against is Dramusiande your trustie and loyall friend Siluian had no sooner spoken these wordes but that they presentlie threw downe their Swords embracing one another with such gentle salutations as though they had been the greatest fâ—iends in the world Florian was greatly amazed to sée Siluian there without his master wherefore hee demaunded of him how all things had hapned but when he vnderstood the losse of his brother hee remained in griefe beyond all perswasion so that he determined to goe straight to Constantinople and if he failed of him there he would séeke all the world ouer but he would find him againe So taking leaue of Dramusiande accompanied with Siluian he departed from thence not desiring to sée the faire Miragarda least he should be brought into like
will so taking leaue of the Princesse Florenda and all her noble company he posted apace that way as the Prince Palmerin tooke standing in great feare lest any mischance should happen vnto him CHAP. LXVIII How the Damosell hauing brought Palmerin from the faire Florenda conducted him to the Castle of the Duke of Ronsillion where he enterprised the Combat to redeeme three Ladies whom the Duke kept as prisoners there to put them to death GReat hast made the Lady that conducted Palmerin all the way vsing no words till they came to a litle village in the Dukedom of Ronsillion where she desired the Prince to stay a while and she would go in the village where shée would not stay but returne to him presently In the meane while Palmerin tooke off his Helmet and sat him downe to rest him because he was somewhat weary with trauaile when the Damosell returning and beholding him to be so young and beautifull she despaired with herselfe that he was not able to fulfill her earnest desire for which cause she presently fell into teares Palmerin not knowing the cause of her sorrow desired her that she would expresse it to him whereupon she began to answere him thus Alasse Sir Knight no other cause haue I to lament in this order but that I am the onely infortunate woman in the world who haue trauelled through the whole kingdome of France thinking to find a valiant and renowned Knight but now I perceiue I am greatly deceiued For when I thought to intreat the Princesse Florenda to giue me one of her most strong and hardy Knights I finding you in the company of those who vnhorsed her Lords with great valiancie I had so good an opinion of you that I intreated you to follow me not rehearsing the perillous danger I should bring you too So that now being at the place where you should put your déedes in proofe I finde you so young and of such small force that I am voyde of all hope to haue any good successe Faire Lady answered Palmerin I shall not faile to doe as much as my power will permitte and perhappes cause you to haue a better opinion of me then I see as yet you are willing to vse Therefore I desire you to tell me to what intent you haue caused m◠to trauaile with you and doubt not but I will aduenture my life to doe you seruice in what thing soeuer O Sir quoth she how happy were I if the effect of your deedes would agrée with your wordes for in this Village there remaineth three Ladies Prisoners the Daughters of one of the most noble Lordes in this Countrey who because their Father would not giue them in Mariage to the Duke of Ronsilion and his two Brethren they found the meanes to murther him and these three Ladies they kept here in a Castle to whom they haue graunted the commodity to finde a knight that can preuaile in the Combat and then they shall be restored to their former libertie So that this is the prefixed and appointed day when the Combat must first be tried against Bramerin the chiefe gentleman belonging to the Duke and one of the most renowned knights in all this Countrey If it chance that he be vanquished then must you hazard your self against Cliaster and Alfarin his two kinsmen yet all these being conquere will not returne this victorie for then must you deale with the Duke and his two brethren who are knowen to be such stoute and noble Knightes that no one will conceiue the courage to deale with them Yet must the Ladies this day finde a knight to auenge their quarrell or else the Duke hath sworne they shall loose their heades and to put the Ladies in some hope I went and told them I had brought a knight who would vndertake to deale in their cause which the Duke no sooner hearing but hee began to be greatly offended Surely saide Palmerin I must néedes venture my selfe again those that will take vpon them to vse cruelty to any faire Lady and will alwaies disallow that a King or Prince should suffer any iniury to be vsed to a Lady within his Dominions and in token that my deeds shall agrée with my words I will goe presently to the abiding of the Duke where I will inuay so much against him that his owne wicked will shall worke his ouerthrow The Damosell perceiuing the noble minde of Palmerin and the little doubt he had to deale with his enemy vsed better affectition to him now thē she had before whereupon she broght him to the Castle where the Duke made his abode to sée the ende of this noble enterprise CHAP. LXIX How Palmerin being come to the Castle entred the fight on the behalfe of the three Ladies wherein hee vanquished Bramerin and slew Cliastar Alfarin And how he fought with the Duke and his two brethren against whom hee preuailed and restored the Ladies THe Prince and the Gentlewoman being come to the Castle where where were assembled a great multitude of people to sée the Combate the drawe-Bride was let downe by the Dukes commaundement when Palmerin prepared to enter the Castle but Bramarin being prouided and seeing his enemy before his face came vnto him with these wordes Abide Sir Knight and before you approach any farther you must deale with me but I belieue you haue made such an ill bargaine that when you see your ware you will not bragge of your peny worthes Trust me Sir answered Palmerin how euer it happen I must hold me content but I am of this opinion that to whom the right belongeth to them will returne the best aduantage and therefore I am fully determined to the fight because I feare I shall lacke day-light to finish mine enterprise Syr sayde the Knight you shall not néede to complaine on the lacke of time for I warrant you wee shall ende and that right soone at least wise if so be that I chance to faile you shall deale with such fellowes in the Castle as will be loth to prolong the time with you So giuing scope to their Horses they met with their speares so nobly together that Bramerin was throwne to the ground void of any féeling which Palmerin perceiuing alighted from his Horse and set his Sword to his throate with these words Yéeld Varlet and sweare henceforth neuer to iniury any oppressed Lady or by my Sword thou shalt die the death Bramerin séeing his life to stand in such a ieopardy deferred not to fulfill his desire When Palmerin mounting on Horseback again entred the Castle and in the Court espied Chaster and Alfarin each of them in a very faire gréene Armour thicke beset with Azure flowers who when they beheld Palmeria they ran both at once against him very fiercely but with his Sword hee saluted one of them so soundlie on the head that he made him sure enough for doing any more harme Which his fellow perceiuing came behaued himselfe with very great courage against
Ladies in beauty yet shew you your selfe excelling all other in that singular gift to ouercome him that hath conquered so many For I perswade my selfe you wil not fauor him that hath done you such wrong as disloyally to beare the Shield from your Castle but let me that am your true and faithfull seruant giue you the honour of this hautie attempt and afterward deale with this cursed carkase of mine euen as it shal stand with your gratious pleasure After this they fell to to the combate a fresh when the Emperor séeing the small defence they had for themselues supposed they could not long continue the fight and Primaleon through opinion which came by nature in griefe of mind receiued perfectly the cruell wounds of the Blacke knight as though he had felt them vpon his owne body because he supposed him to be of his linage And by the cruell behauiour they vsed to ech other the Empres Gridonia departed as not able to abide the grieuous sight of these two champions who after they had griped one an other by the closing their arms Albayzar â—s too weake to resist any longer fell to the ground whereat the Blacke knight reioyced and vnclosed his helmet to haue smiten off his head but the Emperour called to him to vse more mercy yet he makking as though he heard not lifted vp his sword when the Princesse Targiana fell before him on her knées with these spéeches Syr Knight first I desire you to strike off my head and afterward proceed in what shall please you for loth would I be to see him die that hath ventured his life in danger to do me such honourable seruice The Blacke Knight seeing the modestie of the Princesse was moued with pittie wherewith he granted Albayzar his liâ—e and then the iudges came into the field to haue the Blacke Knight honoured according as became a victorious conquerour But he would not depart out of the Field before the Portrait of the faire Miragarda was placed in the middest where against all reason the Princesse Targiana supplied the roome whom he led with him to be honoured according as her hie estate did deserue The Emperour commaunded Albayzar should be led into his Tent meane whiles the Blacke knight kissing his highnesse hand vpon his knee began in this manner Most dread and mighty Emperour I desire that this Princes may be regarded aboue all in your Court for you ought to shew more honor to her then to any other person that I know WheÌ„ the Emperour knew that the Blacke knight was his noble nephew Florendos his heart was supprised with an vnspeakable ioy and chiefely his Father the Prince Primaleon who caused Albayzar to be brought into the Palace vnderstanding that Targiana was the daughter of the great Turke lodged her with the faire Princesse Polinarda his daughter who greatly desired it at the hands of the Emperour and there was we as honorably serued as had she béene in the Court of the great Turke her Father the Prince Florendos and Albayzar had great care vsed to their dangerous wounds and the shield of the Princesse Miragarda was now held in chiefest estimation CHAP. XC How a Damosell of Thrace brought a strange aduenture to the Court of the Emperour Palmerin WHile Florendos and Albayzar remained at the cure of their wounds the Empresse and Gridonia as glad that the victory chanced to Florendos would often come and visit him reporting their iudgements on the singular forme of Miragarda which talke partly wrought as much for his health as the medicines that were applied to his wounds Likewise the Emperour and Primaleon would often visite Albayzar vsing comfortable speeches wherby he might forget the griefe he sustained because he was vanquished but Albayzar dissembled with a good countenance deuised with himselfe how he might worke iniury to Florendos which afterward he did as you shall perceiue at large in the second volume of this Historie In the meane while the Court of the Emperour was stored with the most renowned knights and Ladies of incomparable state of beautie in all the world so that there wanted no other thing there theÌ„ the two renowned Knights of England whose presence in the Court made the Emperor to thinke yâ— then no force might preuaile against him While they were in their triumphing the Empresse Gridonia Targiana and Polinarda sitting vnder the Cipresse Trées néere a very faire Fountaine a Lady of a maruellous and mighty stature presented her selfe before them whose séemly iestures and sumptuous shew in apparell made them beléeue shee was of great authoritie Her attyre was of Sattin cut and laide out with cloath of siluer a purple Robe compassing her bodie wheron was placed a number of rich and costly precious stones her long sleeues hanging downâ— were thicke beset with Birds Harts and other braue deuises of Foules and Beasts of gold that the eie could neuer be wearied beholding a thing of such inestimable value there attended on her two Knights the one hauing in his armes a very faire coffer which was closed with little Lockes of Gold and brauely garnished with Pearles and precious stones of maruellous cost and reputation When the Emperour and all were placed to regard the cause of her arriuall she receiued the Coffer of the Knight and with a little Key of Gold that hung about her necke she opened it whereout she tooke a curious and costly Cup which was so artificialle composed that beholding the outside might easily be discerned what was within which was nothing but water so hard congealed and frozen that it was impossible to moue any moity thereof After she had held it a while in her hand she deliuered the Coffer againe to the Knight whereon she set the Cup and looking wishly vpon all the company at last she began to vtter these speeches Most noble Emperour I haue been in so many Princes Courts to make triall of the strange aduenture contained in this Cuppe that not finding any to ende the same I am wearie to seeke auy further as also out of opinion of any good hap Except that now in your Highnesse Court which is most honoured and esteemed vpon the whole earth I may find such expected Fortune as of long time I haue failed in which doth encourage me somewhat considering there is not the like But first before the triall be attempted I will discourse the cause of this rare aduenture because each one of these noble gentlemen may be the better affectioned to her who holdeth his heart as chiefe Mistresse of his thoughts There was sometime ruling in Thrace a king who was name Sardamant so excellent well séene in the Art of Magique that for the qualitie of that gift he surpassed all other liuing in his time This King had a daughter of no lesse beauty then Courtly behauiour who was greatly beloued of two knights the one called Brandimar the other Artibel but they kept close their secreat loue from each other til
fortune the enemy to their good hap discouered their good liking to the displeasâ—re of both It chanced that this Princesse being named Brandisia esteemed chiefly the seruice of Artibel which her Father misdoubting kept her close in a Tower but Loue had woon such a perfection betwéen them that Artibel accomplished a deuise without suspition as oftentimes to visite sollace with his faire Brandisia for by a Ladder of Ropes he climed so often to the window of the Princesse that time conuerted the issue of their delights to vna bellae figliola Brandimar passing oftentimes by the tower of Brandisia desirous to sée his delight which these walles enclosed one night by chance saw when Artibel came downe by his accustomed Ladder of ropes which made him so offended that forgetting the league of amity between theÌ„ he set vpon him where with their cloaks wrapped about their armes and their rapieâ—s drawn after a few words they fel to strokes which by fortune the king heard and comming thither with his gard he found Brandimar almost slaine Whereupon Artibell was committed to prison and Brandimar hauing declared all to the King shortly after yeelded his life The king knowing that his daughter was conceiued with child kept Artibell in prison till time of her deliuerance vpon which day hee caused him to be beheaded and in this Cup he sent her the hart of her beloued Artibell The Princesse perceiuing the cruell reuenge of her father and desirous to accompany her déere friend in death tooke the Cup and making a thousand complaints ouer the heart of Artibel she continued mourning so long till she had filled this Cup with her teares Afterward thinking this not sufficient to manifest the faithful loue she bare to the knight she tooke the Cup and sent it to her Father vttering to the Messenger these speeches Tell my Father that it may be he hath sent mee this true and faithfull token of my most affectionate loyall friend only that I should shew in the massaring of mine owne life my hart was iointly vnited with this harmelesse heart of my deare Artibell whom since I loued in life I wil not forsake in death neither for my Fathers rigor to him and cruelty to me but will honour his death with losse of my life my Father being the Author of all this euill So taking out the heart and the messenger departed with the Cup she tricked her selfe in her brauest apparel putting the heart of her friend Artibel between her brests with these words Oh Artibel receiue thine own Brandisia she cast her self headlong out of the chamber window where death tooke his due of this faithfull and constant Princesse The king sorrowfull for his Daughters death solemnized her Funerals with great honour and dignity and taking the Child whom he hath named Leonarda he put her in the self same tower accomâ—anied with Ladies gentlewomen where she was nourished for the space of foure yeeres At the end wherof he made an Enchantment halfe a mile from his place in a Valley wherein he likewise Enchaunted the yong princesse Leonarda which Enchantment he had vsed in such order that none might sée her nor yet come neare vnto her for a far off might be discerned a goodly Fortresse but when any endeuoured to come neare it it vanished away nothing could be séene When he had so done he tooke this Cup wherein he had congealed frozen the teares vsing his Art so vpon them that he hath brought them into this ougly blacknesse which you now behold And at the houre of his death seeing his kingdome should remaine destitute of an heire to succéed him he commanded this Cup should be carried into all Princesse Courts in the world to passe the hands of many noble Knights vntill the teares came to the first estate and condition So should the knight be found that surpasseth al other in worthinesse and constancy of Loue as also that is able to expell and end the enchauntment of the princesse Leonarda who ioyning mariage with her shall gouerne the scepter and Diademe of Thrace But if so be the Knight who hath the power to accomplish this aduenture shall haue vowed his faith to some other so that the princesse cannot marry with him the commandement of the king is such that the Princesse Leonarda shall ioyne in Mariage with him that this aforesayde Knight shall command Aud one thing more you shall vnderstand that if any knight may equal himselfe in faith and loyalty with him that hath the power to molifie these teares the aduenture is such as they wil turne to their former obscure estate againe but if such a one come as may not in that excellent gift be comparable to the Knight then is there nothing can cause them to to change their colour So that if any knight aduance himselfe to this cup and is not a faithfull and constant Louer the teares shall remaine as darke as you sée them at this present Likewise after the Enchantment shal be fully finished that the Lady and the Knight may beheld themselues in the teares they shall sée the perfect forme of those persons who are their dearest friends and their greatest enemies And if any will knowe those that are least in fauour vpon the taking of this Cup they shall féele a sauour so strong that they shall hardly be able to endure it and to the contrary he that is more beloued then his fellow by higher degrée in affection shall cause a greater brightnesse to be in the Cuppe Wherefore most redoubted Emperour I desire you that your Knights may try this aduenture and your selfe to giue the first attempt because you may the better declare the loue you beare to your gratious Lady the Empresse Lady quoth the Emperor you desire me to fall into troublesome extreames by desiring me to aduenture so great a matter Neuertheles I will once hazard vpon Fortune to please them that cannot finish this hard accident albeit I thinke my selfe not able to do it For the like matter haue I enterprised trying my selfe with the Glasse of the King Tarnaes being the like aduenture as this and ended by the vertuous and noble Prince Don Edward and â—s I thinke not to end this so shall the Empresse excuse me considering my ancient time Then arose a great noyse among the Knightes who desired to try the Cup beause their Ladies should bee the better assured of their constant Loue. CHAP. XCI Of those that came to try the aduenture of the Cuppe and of that which happened vnto them GReat affection had the Emperour to shewe somewhat his constant loyaltie in the aduenture of his Cup wherefore receiuing it at the hands of the Damosel he turned him toward the Empresse and said Trust mée Madame if it be true that faithful loue may conuert these teares then I perswade my selfe to haue some title in it So holding the Cuppe a great while and perceiuing that it changed not the colour he
memorie there hath such quarrels and seditions sprung vp amongst them that they haue murthered one another which happening many and sundrie times hath not suffered them to put their pretence in execution Wherefore to auoid any more such mischance as also to fauour you in the euil which may happen they haue sent vs to your Highnesse with certaine conditions the performing whereof shall end all hatred and ioyntly ioyne them as your continuall friends The first is that you shall send Polinarda Daughter to the Prince Primaleon your sonne to the Soldane of Persia aged about xxv yéeres a Prince as much renowned as he is puissant and incomparable in riches to whom shee shall bee espoused as beséemeth such a noble Prince The second that Florandos his Sonne shall promise to marry with Armenia Daughter to the Soldane before named who is a Princesse of such singular heauty that shee is thought to excell all Ladies liuing on the earth To her Dowrie the Soldane will giue all the title hée hath in these parts about your Empire without desiring any other recompence on the behalfe of the faire Polinarda but onely that it might stand with your pleasure to send to the great Turk a Christian Knight who as I remember is named Florian of the Desart for that by his deceit he hath brought his Daughter Tragiana from thence into your Court whose mariage he hath already prouided to the Prince Albayzar now Soldan of Babylon because the Soldane his Father is lately deceased Thus haue I reported the whole summe of my Ambassage attending how your Highnesse shall answere the same and if you wil not agrée with the Heathen princes these Giant haue in charge to tell you that which perhappes may enforce you to a greater maruell The Emperour hauing noted the words of the Damosell smiling thereat began to say Truly Lady I desire to heare what the Giants must report because perhappes I shall haue a better opinion of their words then of those which here you haue spoken As concerning the amitie which your Princesse request with me the conditions are lincked to so many contraries that I rather chuse perpetuall warre wherein my selfe my friendes and subiects will more willingly die then to hold league with them in any such order And for the Knight whom you request to haue I am altogether ignorant where he abideth but if hée were here present in my Court I would not suffer him to receiue any iniury and I perswade my selfe as the Princesse Targiana is rather come hither with her will then by any compulsion that hath béene vsed to her No other answere haue I determined to giue you wherefore let your knights declare what they haue in commission With that one of the Giants aduanced himselfe before the Emperour and very vnreuerently entred into these spéeches The Heathen Princes whose iust law full request you thinke scorne to grant by me doe send defiance to thée and to all that dare vndertake by any meane or motion to offer thée succour Yea I pronounce open warre against thée and on their behalfe call my gods for my record that we not onely intend thy death but all those who dare presume to beare Armour against vs. The places of most renowne in thine Empire shall be changed to a wast and desolate wildernesse as thou shalt well perceiue when thou séest thy men to be murdered thy women cruelly spoyled thy Virgines violated thy Children martired yea and the Infant torne from the mothers breast and gored on the tops of our Lances in witnesse of our great grieuous and vnspeakeable fury The Channels of thy stréetes shall powre foorth the blood of thy murdered subiects thy Citie which now standeth abounding in wealth excessiue in pride and surpassing in prodigality shall with fire be vtterly consumed thy whole kingdomes and signories raced and ruinated so that they which shall escape this bloody tiranny may sit downe and sighing say Here sometime stood the citie of Constantinople there and in thâ—se places were sometime faire cities braue buildings and incomparable habitations for riches and prospect now are they equalled with the ground not one stone left on another in witnes of any ancient Monument but buâ—ned consumed and all in generall defaced and spoyled thy selfe being the onely cause of this cruell and horrible iudgement wherein they will be sufficiently satisfied of their iniury receiued before this thy citie Thus haue I manifested the charge which I receiued from the Soldane of Persia and in refusing pis prâ—ffer I say thou shewest not the duty of a Prince and if thy Knight es dare presume to maintaine the contrarie my Companions and I will vndertake to enter the Combate with seuen of the stoutest of them and will vrge them to confesse the fault thou hast made or seale the pledge of our endeuour with deliuering thée theyr heades in recompence of the follie thou hast showen in refusing to enter leagâ—e with the Soldane of Persia The Giant here breaking off his spéech one of the other Giants named Berocant deliuered the scrole of the defâ—ance to the hand of the Emperour who séeing the stearne countenances they made began to smile and answered them thus I sée Gentlemen such a cholericke humour arise in you that I stand in doubt to grant what you demand Beside I iudge if I should grant to come in league with the Soldane of Persia that my Néece Polinarda would not consent to goe with you but as concerning the Combate you haue enterprised against my knights I would wish you to vse your selues with more discretion and not to shame your selues vtterly with them who thinke it shame to enter the fight with you you While the Emperor continued these spéeches the Knight of the Dragon was so incensed with anger that hee could not content himselfe to rest in any place wherefore diuers knights arose being fully resolued to accept the challenge but the Giant Dramusiande hinderes them all turning to the Emperour on this wise Most high and mightie Emperour the great benignity and courtesie of Princes is often an occasion to encourage a wilful offendor euen so the lenity of your noble heart with the gratious patience that gouerneth all your actions hath caused these presumptuous Pagans to conceiue such boldnesse that they neither respect the place nor the person the rigour of a Prince nor the follâ— of their owne rediculous vsage Which to punish according to desert I as one at your gratious command will enter the field with one of them where I shall giue Berocant to vnderstand that pride must haue punishment in place of Iustice And if none of these other knights will enter the fight with the other my selfe will defie them all coÌ„ming one by one thus desiring your highnesse not to thinke amisse of me my hand is ready to performe which my heart hath suffred me to pronounce The knight of the Dragon Florain of the Desart approched presently to Dramusiande
Fortune was so aduerse to them that they tooke the Coast of Africa where they were assaulted by ten Galleyes belonging to the King of Mamercos chiefe Gouernour of Cenia who as then had all the Countrey vnder his subiection The K. Polendos séeing himselfe on the point of so extreame danger dealt with them in such braue and forceable manner that he suncke them all and tooke their Captaine who was the Couzin to the Knight of Tunis not loosing one of his Knights in this noble skirmish With the glory of this Conquest he came to the Princesse Targiana who was glad to sée her selfe deliuered from so great danger and honoured in such worthy wise by the King Polendos who with this noble Prisoner set forward their voyage to Turkie the winde seruing them so well that in short time they arriued at the citie where the great Turke was resident When to witnesse the honourable cōpany there vnder Sayle they discharge their Ordinance in such a braue peale that the people not accustomed to so suddaine a gréeting came running on heapes to the Hauen to knowe the cause of such a braue warning The great Turke himselfe desirous likewise to vnderstand these newes came ryding with his courtly attendants toward the Hauen whom Polendos espying tooke the faire Targiana by the hand accompanied with his noble train of princes and Knights armed in very rich sumptuous order presented her before her Father when falling on her knées and bedewing her face with a fewe teares she humbled her selfe to kisse his féete The great Turke mooued with naturall remorse pitie embraced her very louingly in his armes and came to the king Polendos his company vsing them with marueilous Princely and gratious fauour lodging them in his own pallace and feasting them in such noble wise that the Emperors court they thought themselues at no time better vsed Thus continued they in all possible pleasure till the day came of their departure when the Turke vsed such intreaty to thē that he perswaded them to stay one day longer And then he prepared such a priuely Feast as in all the time of their being there they neuer had the like passing their dinner time in talke of the Emperor Palmerin as also the honorable vsage of his daughter at Constantinople The tables were no sooner withdrawne but there entred fiftie armed and well appointed knights each one hauing his swoord drawen in his hand cōmanding not one should offer resistance except he would presently loose his life The great Turke entred at a false or secret doore giuing to thē these spéeches Yéeld Polendos and grant thy selfe and thy company to be my prisoners otherwise you shall all presently loose your heades Polendos with all his Knights tooke one corner of the Hall kéeping their Swords in their hands and then himselfe spake to the Turke in this order I would gladly knowe for what cause you offer vs this great discourtesie considering how well your Daughter hath béene vsed at Constantinople as also the honour we haue done you to conduct her safely to your Court Polendos answered the Turke to the Emperor thy lord thy selfe and these thy friends I meane no harme but I am so offended with the knight who tooke my Daughter hence with him into Greece that I promise you shall not depart from hence till the Emperour deliuer that Knight into my hands Trust me quoth Polendos our hope would stand in hard suspence if we should stay here on this condition wherefore we estéeme it more honour to end our liues in the face of our enemies then to be thy vassailes here in continuall Prison And hereupon assure thy selfe that the Emperour would more gladly leaue all the knights in his Court then to satisfie thy desire with him who is one of the most hardy and noblest knights on the earth to whom likewise I wish as much good as to mine owne soule Well sayd the Turke then must you resolue your selues either presently to abide the death or submit your selues to remaine my Prisoners At these words the Princesse Targiana cast her selfe on her knées before her Father desiring him not to vse such cruelty to them who had done her so much honor in the Emperors court as also deliuered her in the peril of her life being dangerously assaulted as they came in the voyage The Turke seeing how imporunate his Daughter was on him in a great anger conuayed himself forth againe because he would not sée the slaughter of so many good knights Then Targiana séeing her Father gone intreated the king Polendos and his company that they would suffer themselues to remaine as Prisoners and not to abide the danger if they should offer resistance being naked and hauing nothing to defend them withal And during the time they were in prison she would either deuise or accomplish such meanes as she had no doubt but to purchase their liberty Vpon this good perswasion they yeelded themselues when they were presently carryed into a deepe dungeon in a strong tower and there were laded with as many irons as they could possible beare whereat Targiana receiued great griefe cloathing her selfe in mourning apparell and would neuer shew any merry countenance during the time the Knights were in Prison where they remained a long time as you shall reade in the second part of this Booke The Turke commanded the Christian Galleys to be kept in safe and sure protection and presently sent word to the Soldane of Persia with all the other Princes how he had diuers of the Emperours knights prisoners on whom he determined sharp reuenge for the great iniury which Florian of the Desart had done him These newes they estéemed very strange neuerthelesse being very fearefull any way to displease him they made resemblance of a good opinion in this matter giuing him counsell to kéepe them vntill the Prince Albayzar were returned whom else the Emperour might cause to be slaine The great Turke trusted very much on their deuise suffering the captiue Princes that they might send their Esquires to the Emperour Palmerin to aduertise him of the miserie wherein they remained but the Esquires by no meanes would forsake their Maisters desiring as they had accompanied them in prosperity so not to leaue them now in this great mischance Which when Belcar perceiued he commanded his Esquire to go and certerfie the Emperour what great mishap had befollen vnto them When the Esquire was come to Constantinople these newes were nothing welcome to the Emperor nether to Primaleon who before him entred into these words My gratious Lord and father this mischance is onely procured by your meanes for that you dealt so courteously with them who had neither quality nor any motion of desert in them But now I would gladly sée what thing you can accomplish any way to pleasure them for I iudge that all your power is not sufficient to deliuer them from the bondage wherein they are Wherfore I thinke it best that
in short time was so blazed as it mooued a generall consent of gladnes not so much for the recouery of the Castles as that they were woon by the prowesse of the Prince Florian. The good King Fredericke for ioy of this good happe sent sir Pridos the Duke of Galles in all the spéede that might be to sée if he could méete with his noble Nephew who taking a Galley presently in short time arriued in the Coast of Ireland not very farre from the Hermits Cell Where finding the Prince and declaring the sum of his message the Prince concluded to depart thence notwithstanding his wounds were not thorowly healed so taking leaue of the gentle Hermit and desiring the other Knights to accompany him they committed themselues to the Seas whereon they had not long sayled but they arriued at the Cittie of London thorow which they were honourably conducted to the Kings Pallace When tydings being come to the King that they were arriued in the Court accompanied with his Sonne Don Edward hée came to méete them when casting his armes about the necke of the Prince Florian the teares ran downe his white beard for the inward ioy he conceiued in his presence as for his Father Don Edward he would not hide his earnest affection but welcommed his sonne with very great kindnesse and his mother the Princesse Flerida pittying his hurts but glad of his company shewed her selfe a louing mother vnto him and would not depart day nor night from him till she perceiued him to be thorowly recouered The King of England did very honourably entertaine the Knights which came with his Nephew and for that he would show he made estimation of them he accepted them into offices according to their degrées in his Court for which great bountie they witnessed themselues not vnthankefull but so behaued themselues as they did great credit to the King in his Court. The Prince Florian being in good estate of health newes came vnto the English Court of the imprisonment of the king Polendos and his companie in the Court of the great Turke which vnhappy tidings moooed the king and his whole Court to great gréefe considering withall the state of sorrow wheren the Emperour of Constantinople remained and the more extreame did they take the cause in respect of the small hope was to be had of their liberty againe in that the great Turke had sworne to put them all to death except the Emperour would send him the knight who so boldly carryed away his daughter the Princesse Targiana These newes comming to the eares of the Prince Florian he began to fall into these spéeches Far better it is for me to go render my selfe and suffer the extrame rigour of that cruell Infidell then that for me so many good knights should liue in danger for séeing by my occasion the cause did first arise no better meane to salue it vp againe then my selfe I cannot beléeue sayd the Prince Don Edward that the Turke is so forgetfull of himselfe as to séeke the death of so many for so small a matter by reason Albayzar one of his owne kindred should then stand in hazard of his life but if it be as the report goeth the Emperour ought to be carefull in the kéeping of Albayzer to the end that the safegard of his life might redéeme the other their woonted liberty whereto the Prince Florian thus replied I am perswaded good Father that the Turke will hardly be remooued from his determination which maketh me the greater to misdoubt the safety of those knights the absence of whom I am assure so gréeuously offendeth the good Emperour that I am perfectly resolued to goe and comfort him considering it is a part of dutie on my behalf not to be so farre from him at this time séeing he is depriued of them that should defend him The aged king Fredericke his Father Don Edward nor his mother the Priucesse Flerida could disswade him from his determination but contrary to their wils he departed from the Court taking his iourney toward Constantinople being armed after his accustomed maner and bearing in his Sheeld his vsuall deuise Thus the happy successe which may fall vnto him at this time we intend to leaue him because we will returne to the Prince Florendos who by his time is wel néere the castle of the giant Almarol hauing in his iourney done many noble déeds deseruing commendation but for that they are rehearsed in the English Chronicles it would séeme impertinent to this place to rehearse them neuerthelesse I must needs tell yée that Floraman the Prince of Sardignia in this iourney atchieued very great renowne and so continued till their arriuall at the City of Rioclaro which at this present is called Tamar Florendos séeing himselfe so neare the place where he had spent a great time in languishing afflictions entred into a thousand imaginations with himselfe first considering the beginning of his loue and then the happy continuance thereof enforced him to a number of sad coniectures wherein he passed that night as quietly as he could In the morning they rid on toward the Castle of Almaroll when Albayzar beganne to vse some doubt of his entertainement for that he iudged women were but slenderly acquainted with pittie especially hée looked for small fauour of the Princesse Miragarda who contrariwise was not so cruell towardes strangers as shée was toward her dearest and best beloued friendes Florendos had no sooner discouered the Trées which were planted about the Riuer Thesin and with all the walles of the Castle of Almaroll but his heart was immeasurably touched with suddaine feare remembring how many stormes he had endured and the perilles whereto he must now render himselfe againe afresh a spectacle certainely of woonderfull griefe wherein he somewhat bare the Prince Albayzar company who remembring that he was vanquished knew no other remedie for himselfe but to abide the mercy of Miragarda When they were come to the Castle they found all the gates fast locked wherevpon they went to the Trée where the Shieldes were hanging where well beholding them all Florendos at last espied his owne at the sight whereof he secretly sighed and imagined how he might be thankfull sufficient to his Esquire Armello who had since his departure so well garded it but in sooth he was not so much beholding to his Esquier as he did esteeme himselfe because Armello was fallen amorous of Lardemia the Damosell attendant on the faire Princesse Miragarda and stayed in that place to contemplate the beauty of his beloued Mistresse rather then for any care he had of his Maisters shéeld and Armor for he was gone so farre ouer shoes in loue as he had no other pleasure then the remembrance of the Damosell who tooke great delight to sée him so gréeuously attached for loue Armello shas so set on fire in affection as he could not know his Lord and Maister and some other cause there was to hinder him for that he was so
I perceiue you are ignorant in for if it had béene your fortune to come hither a little sooner being in your swéetest times of yeares your life would haue béene in very great danger For you shall vnderstaud that it is not long time since a Giant named Brauorant the Cruell was the Lord and possessor of this Island who delighted to set spies at all his Ports to informe him when any Knights or Damosels did arriue in this Island and when any such happened to come he would vse them extreame cruelly the Knights he would depriue of their liues and the Damosels he would villanously force and afterward send them away starke naked dispoyled of all their rich and costly cloathing And for this purpose he kept a great company of vassayles who did nothing else but imploy themselues in following his wicked humor and when as any Merchants by fortune came to cast Anker into this Isle his vassailes would compell them to ransome themselues with great extremitie before they would suffer them to depart hence but if they chanced to find fault with his tyranny and refused to pay their ransome which they knew to be laide on them without all right or reason then would he murther them or put them to some villainous death or other But the heauenly powers seeing the great oppression and crueltie which this bloody minded hel-hound continually vsed and chiefly towards them that neuer offended him in their diuine prouidence they thought good to cut off such a tyrant and so it fortuned this Giant died whose soule I thinke was carried to the place where his vnnaturall déeds deserued to haue recompence for that he could imploy his life no better He thus dying left behind him foure sons which he had in issue who were in all things to be compared to the Giant their father the two eldest of his sons were named Calfurnien Combaldam who being not content to liue on so smal teuenues as this Island yéelded went to inhabit another country but albeit they were thus departed hence the supreme authoritie would not long suffer them to liue in their vnsupportable crueltie and tyranny but made a dispatch of their cursed liues and that by the hand of one onely knight who was called as report hath here blazed the Knight of the Sauage man so named for that he beareth figured in his shield a Sauage man It may be you haue better knowledge of this Knight then I haue for that such a one as you séeme to be cannot chuse but be acquainted with those noble mindes as imploy themselues in séeking hautie aduentures whereby their fame is thundered through the whole world As for the two other Brethren they were nourished in this Island vnder their mothers wing against whose will after they iudged themselues able to endure armor they determined to depart hence to reuenge the death of their brethren Calfurnien and Camboldam The earnest desire they had to be gone would not suffer them to tary longer here but taking shipping away they went and after they had spent a great time in the bloody and horrible life their predecessours spent before them and in séeking the aforenamed knight of the Sauage man it so fell out that the good and hardy knight himselfe chanced to come where they were with them he entred the Combate and behaued himselfe so worthily against them as he likewise ended the liues of the other two Giants whose death deliuered the inhabitants of the countrey where they dwelled out of a great deale of feare and trouble so that it is to be iudged that the Knight was ordained to be the onely meane to defend the miserable afflicted people out of the life of flauish seruitude wherein they had remained long time by their cruel Giants The mother of these merciles hell-hounds before named who is called Collambra could not long endure the sorrow she suffered for the death of her children wherfore she practised compassed all deuises she could wherby to get the knight of the Sauage man into her custody that she might spéede the better in her close intent she ioyned with a Magitian a friend of hers one whom he loued well named Alfernao who is gone to the Emperors court of Constantinople hauing ten daies allowed him to accōplish his intent to worke so craftily as wel he can y◠the knight of the Sauage man must be brought hither And because no occasion shal want that may helpe any way a Damosell Giant named Arlencea who is the Daughter to this Collambra accompanied with a certaine nūber of knights and Damosels is ioyned in company with this Enchauntor vpon whose promises such assurance is made here as the Knight of the Sauage man shall bée brought hither In this great hope which the cruell Collambra hath to reuenge her deuillish will on this good knight she is gone to a Citie foure leagues distance hence being accompanied with a great many of her friends as also with one of her brethren who though he be young yet is he maruailous bloody and cruell and reputed for an especiall Knight at Armes who is also a Giant and named Esponuautable who hath conuerted his countrey into as great cruelty as when it was gouerned by the Giant Brauorant the Cruell and to speake vprightly Brauorant was not altogether so terrible as hee is whom I lately named to you wherefore I hartily pray that the good Knight of the Sauage man fall not into the hands of this Giant neither that the treason may preuaile which is laide for him the ancient Knight knitting vp his tale with a sigh the Knight of the Tiger thus began My good friend it is hard for him to escape the daunger whom fortune hath determined to fall into it and séeing it is so I could wish that she would suffer the Brother to Colambra to séeke reuenge on me for the death of his Nephews perhappes he might fall into his handes who hath a good will to punish his wicked life and make him knowe the desert of crueltie as well as his kindred hath tasted it before him And for the Knight of the Sauage man hée is one that I knowe very well and I hope he wil escape the hands of his enemies as one that is reserued to bring to an end many worthy and hauty aduentures wherefore in respect that hee is my especiall good friend I desire to know the certaintie of that you haue rehearsed for if he spéede ill I cannot take it quietly and therefore because I wil satisfy my mind I am determined to morrow morning to goe seeke this Giant not doubting but if Fortune fauour me to repay his wicked and euill deserts with such recompence as is méete for such an offender I sée well Syr answered the ancient Knight that you are ignorant of the Giants force in presuming so to combate with him alas Sir hée will not make any account of the enterprise if ten such as you came and waged the
strength to defend you against me So without any more words he strooke at the Prince with his Mace who put his Shield before him to resist the stroke which was so rigorous as his Shield flewe in two pieces the Prince was somewhat offended hereat wherefore drawing his sword he gaue the Giant such a blowe on the arme as afterward he could hardly strike to any great purpose The Damosell remaining still in extreame feare by the cruell intreatance the Gigant had vsed to her would haue departed to hide her selfe in the Forrest because she iudged the Knight of the Tiger vnable to subdue her enemy which Siluian perceiuing came vnto her and counselled her to see the end of the Combat wherevpon she gaue him these words I pray you gentle esquier and my friend that you would not séeme to hinder me for this Giant nay rather a Deuill whose force none is found able to resist will assuredly put me to death after that he hath slaine your maister I would yet said Siluian that you would stay to sée the ende of the fight for peraduenture it may happen otherwise then you expect The knight of the Tiger who was destitute of a Shield to auoid the cruell strokes of his strong enemy behaued himselfe so politiquely and nimbly as hee lent the Giant many sore blowes who was cōstrained because he could not lift his mace in his right hand to vse his left thinking yet to deale well enough with the Knight of the Tiger but the Prince was so fierce vpon him hauing giuen him many grieuous and mortall wounds as his heart began to faile him so that he retired not able to resist so many waighty strokes neuertheles the prince séeing he had almost brought him to buy let flie still so fiercely on him as he could not haue the meane to charge him againe The Giant perceiuing himselfe in such extremitie leaned his backe against a Trée when he defended himselfe a great while so well that the Prince could hardly reach to hurt him hee waged fight euery way so precisely with his Mace which hee held in both his hands watching the time when he might giue the Prince such a stroke as he willingly would The knight of the Tiger he might not preuaile against the Giant without hazarding his person in great danger he went and rested himselfe against a Trée like wise which when the Giant beheld he spake vnto him in this order I pray thee Sir Knight let me find so much friendship at thy hands as to let me vnderstand what is thy name because I haue euermore thought that no ten of the best knights on the earth could not do as much as thou hast done neither that they could haue bene able to resist me halfe this while I am content answered the knight of the Tiger to satisfie thy will so much on condition thou wilt promise to tell me thy name and the cause why thou doest pursue this Damosell So much quoth the Giant thou shalt commaund at my handes wherefore thou shalt vnderstand that I am called Vascalion of Ocrance Sonne to the Giant Lucran who was slaine at Constantinople by the hands of Primaleon with whō he was so hardy as to enter the Combate to reuenge the death of Don Perrequin of Duas and to haue in marriage Gridonia the duchesse of Ormeda who was afterward espoused to Primaleon At what time my father was slaine he left me in the kéeping of one of my Brethren named Dramoque who is likewise slaine be one of the sonnes of the Prince Don Edward of England and this Knight is yet in the search of Knightly aduentures But I assure you I am not a little agréeued to sée my selfe in this case becanse I am almost depriued of any hope to reuenge the Death of my Father and his Brother before I dye And for this Damosell it is so that fortune caused me to méet with her to day and as I vnderstood by her she is going to the Court of the Emperor Palmerin to visite Leonarda the Princesse of Thrace now for that I am desirous to do all the iniurie that I may to any of that Emperours Court I endeuored my selfe to rauish this Damosell But at the time I was about to fulfill my pleasure on her an Esquire of hers who had escaped my hands came and hindered me with the ayd of fiue Knights whom I haue left to hold Combat with ten of my Knights because I would follow this Damosel who tooke her selfe to flight so soone as the fiue Knights began to charge me Thus haue I told you the whole circumstance of my minde now it remaineth that you reueale your selfe to me according as at first you promised Beléeue me Vascalion answered the Knight of the Tiger it is necessary that thou shouldest receiue sharpe chastisement for vsing thy life in such wicked actions the proofe hereof thou mayst now behold thy selfe for thou being not content with the death of thy Father and his Brother séekest to reuenge thy villainous will on this innocent Damosell I let thée know therefore that I am a kinseman to Primaleon and the same man that slew thy Fathers Brother which made me be called Palmeran of England Sonne to prince Edward and faire Flerida the Sister of Primaleon for whose sake I intend to take thy life from thée before I depart Vascalion at these words began greatly to dismay himself for he knew well that his strength was not sufficient to hold out long against him but yet he presently aduanced himselfe to shew what desire he had to be reuenged on him that had slaine his Vuckle Palmerin being very glad when he perceiued the Gianc had forsaken the Trée which serued him all the while as a Rampire of defence assayled him with such furious strokes as the Giant would gladly haue rested himselfe againe but the Prince followed him still so earnestly as at length he tumbled on the ground before him when not content to sée him so conquered he set his foote vpon him and when he had taken off his Helmet he presently parted his head from his shoulders The sight hereof made the Damosell so glad as she had now forgotten the feare wherein she was when the Giant pursued her and then came the Knight of the Tiger to her with these words Faire Damosell I iudge that the fiue Knights who are in Combate for your occasion cannot otherwise chuse but be in great daunger wherefore I will goe séeke them foorth to succour them in the meane while you may come faire and softly after with my Esquire who for your better ease shall take you vp behinde him on his horse Then tooke he that way which he saw the Giant come when he pursued the Damosell and it was not long before he heard the clanching of the Swordes wherevpon he gaue his horse the spurs and neuer left gallopping till he came to them where he sawe they had slaine foure of the Giants knights and of the
willingly bestowe her vpon you for that your noble behauiour hath well deserued her And you Don Rosuel the true inheriter of the Prince Belcar your Father shall be honoured with Dramaciana Daughter to the Duke Tirendos and for that you haue serued her faithfully so long you shall enioy her at last as the desert of your labours And for Bellizant your Brother his Prize is the Lady Denisa Daughter to the Duke of Sparta who is now content to requite him with her loue because he hath endured so many sharpe showers vnder her name Dramian shall haue for his guardon the Princesse Clariana Daughter to Diâ—ea the Princesse of Hungaria and you Frisoll because it is your right to succéede the Duke your Father shall be ioyned in marriage with Leonarda Daughter to the Duke of Pera. And for this cause noble Gentlemen did the Emperour and his Councell call you into this place to the end you might perceiue the good zeale and loue he beareth to you all But let me not forget what his Maiestie hath ordained as concerning you noble Sir Dramusiande it is his will that you shall espouse Madame Arlencea as well to content the desire of her loue as also to shewe himselfe thankefull for her bewraying the treason of Alfernao and his excellency hath concluded to bestowe the Profound Isle on you which sometime belonged to her â—ather Brauorant and is now in the custody of my sonne Florian your friend Darmusiande was supprised with such excéeding ioy at these words as he had not the power to attend till king Edward had finished his discourse but came and humbled him selfe before the Emperor yéelding him a thousand thankes for his gracious courtesie king Edward tooke him vp in his armes desiring him to haue patience a little while till he had ended his charge and comming to the Princesse of Thrace he entred into these spéeches To you most excellent Princesse whom nature hath plentifully endued with beautie and courtesie the Emperour wich these Kings and noble Lords in his company doe earnestly desire to giue in marriage my son Florian if so be his déedes might deserue so well your good liking it is likewise wished by my sonne Palmerin to whom you are tied in some point of obedience according as king Sardamant your Grandfather appointed it in his will Palmerin who all this while had kept himselfe silent humbly desired the king his father to vouchsafe him a word or twaine which being granted him he came before the princesse of Thrace and setting on of his knees to the ground he began to her as followeth I durst not Madam take the hardnes on me to present you my Brother Florian the first time you saw him fearing least you would thinke that I was inclined more to regard his prâ—fit then your honour but I was the more willing to driue it off till this present that you might haue some knowledge of his knightly déedes wherein if I perceiued you to take any delight I might be the bolder in presenting him for your husband and you the easier to entertaine him Let it then I pray you seeme acceptable in your iudgement what the Emperor his counsell hath determined on in that I am perswaded the heauenly powers doe thinke well it should be so Syr Palmerin aunswered the Princesse I am shée who alwayes couet the meanes whereby I might shew my selfe dutifull vnto you and if I should séeme to vse my selfe otherwise I were vnworthy to receiue the royall preferment which the King my Grandfather hath appointed me beside my subiects might well examine on me if I should goe contrary to his will who hath the houre ouer me therefore resolue your selâ—e that I shall be content to graunt to any thing which you imagine for the fulfilling of your promise and mine honour Palmerin kissing her hand arose immediately being not a little glad of the courteous answere the princesse of Thrace had made him then King Edward turned to the Knights and beganne againe in this manner You shall vnderstand noble Gentlemen that it is the Emperors will you should reueale to him how you accept of his opinion and the Princesses and Ladies shal bewray their intents to the Empresse because his excellency would not enterprise any thing but he will haue all parties well contented therewith These marriages were so well thought on by euery one present as the Knights and Ladies told the Emperor they were all contented especially the Knights who aduanced themselues one after another to kisse the Emperours hand the like they did to the Emperor Vernar Bazilia Gridonia and the Kings and Quéenes there present and the Emperour embraced them euery one but when Palmerin came to him he hâ—ld him in his armes and spake thus My sonne I haue continually imagined with my selfe how I might worthily recompence your déedes of so high estimation but now I perswade my selfe that both my desire and yours shall be sufficiently contented in giuing you the Iewell of my blisse and the honour of my trauailes my Niece the Princesse Polinarda whose name I pray the heauens to imprint so deepe in your heart as the Empresse both hath beene and is 〈◊〉 to the end that you and I bearing one name may be alike in happinesse and good fortune I neuer thought my gracious Lord answered Palmerin that my deedes should purchase such a high and happy felicitie as this which your Maiestie hath 〈◊〉 on me but I see it is your goodnesse and not my defects for which I am bound in duty during life Primaleon and Gridonia imbraced him very louingly being glad their Daughter was bestowed so honourably After these ioyfull motions both on the one side the other were somewhat pacified the Emperor returned to counsell againe with the Emperor Vernar King Edward Primaleon and the other Kings letting them vnderstand that he did not intend to forget the Ladie Pandritia whereupon the Soldane Bellagris was called to whome King Edward bewrayed all matters passed how Bellagris vnder his name entred Pandriciaes Chamber and begot of her Syr Blandidon whom euery one thought and shée her selfe to be King Edwards Sonne as you may reade in the first Volume of this History The Soldane Bellagris knowing thy great error of his faith and being assured withall that Blandidon was his sonne remoued his Turkish opiuion wherein he had liued so long time and to remaine in the friendship of these worthy Princes hée concluded to espouse Pandritia to the great contentment of many Princes his friends who likewise by his conuersion came to know the lawe of the liuing God Of this good hap the Emperor and all the other Christian Princes were very glad and to continue Bellagris in this good mind the Emperor presently arose from counsell went into the princesse chamber accompanied with King Edward where his Maiestie declared to Pandritia what had passed betwéene them and the Solean Bellagris causing her to forget her former opinioÌ„ that Blandidon was
Cittie and that they prepared themselues to take landing and the Emperour caused himselfe to be carryed vp into a high Tower of his Pallace because hée would sée how Fortune disposed of his happinesse King Edward was no sooner arriued where the Enemie was but he placed his Armie on the Sea-shoare to hinder the Enemie from comming on Land but therein he was deceyued for the multitude of the Galleys and Ships were such as it was impossible for him to doe as he would Albayzar who was accompanied with the most renowmed knights of his Armie and two the most ougly and fearefull Giants that euer were seene made offer to take Landing first of all but they of the Emperors Court stepped before them and entertayned them in such sorte as diuers both of Turkes and Christians were very dangerously wounded Albayzar was so offended because he could not haue libertie to get foorth of his Galley as hee commaunded the Gyants to step into the Water to whose commaundement they preâ—ently obeyed and with theyr Maâ—es of Iron they began so to breake thorowe the preâ—sse and they which before hindred Albayzar from comming on shoare began to giue place as it were for his landing Which when Dramusiande perceiued hee stept into the water vp to the nauill and couering himselfe with his shield hee encountered the Giant that aduanced himselfe foremost and king Edward leaped into the Sea to hinder the other Giant from dealing with Dramusiande but while these foure were thus encountring together the other knights of the Emperours Court seeing their Captaine on foote began to follow after so that Albayzar was constrained to come neere the Giants because they thought he would want his ayde Palmerin of England being busie on the other side seeing the Horses round about the field without their masters doubted least some misfortune had fallen to his friends whereupon he gaue his horse the spurs and galloped to the place where he saw the greatest bickering and séeing King Edward his father standing in the sea dealing with such an ougly and monsterous Giant he presently came to him and stepping before him entred into these speeches I desire you my gracious Lord and father to giue ouer this enemy and giue succour to your friend Dramusiande for if any misfortune should happen to you your losse would be gréeued through all Christendome King Edward esteeming light the words of his Sonne would not leaue the Giant so greatly hee desired to remaine victor but the necessity wherein hee perceiued diuers of his friends caused him to step backe and giue place to the Noble Palmerin of England Albayzar behaued himself in such braue manner as diuers were glad to shunne his presence which when Florendos beheld hee aduanced himselfe to him and such knightly prowesse was shewen on eyther side as between them began a cruell and dangerous combate Dramusiande preuailed so well against his enemy the Giant as hee tumbled downe dead before him but himselfe was sore wounded as King Edward commaunded him to be carried into the Citie And Palmerin of England slew the other Giant likewise which his father left him fighting withall but himselfe was so dealt withall as in fiue dayes after he could weare no Armour Albayzar no sooner perceiuing the Giants slaine but he presently retired into his galley and so did diuers of the Turkes beside but when Edward saw the Turkes betake themselues to their Galleys againe hee mounted on horsebacke giuing a signe to his company to withdraw themselues desiring the Soldane Beâ—lagris the King Arnedes the King Recinde and the Prince Belcar who were dealing with another Vessell that sought to take landing to follow him but they gaue him to vnderstand how Florendos Platir Blandidon and the Giant Almaroll were carried into the Citie so sore hurt as they were not able to sustaine themselues The King Recinde Palmerin and Belcar were likewise grieuously wounded which made king Edward desire them to goe into the Citie and in the meane while Primaleon entred the field accompanied with seauen hundred knights desiring earnestly that King Edward and his traine would withdraw themselues that they might come with a fresh assault on the enemy But King Edward would not suffer it should be so therefore they altogether went into the Cittie being very much grieued that the principall knights of their Armie so sore wounded CHAP. LVI Of the griefe and sorrowe made in Constantinople for the dangerous estate wherein the Giant Dramussande was brought And how the Turks placed their Campe before Citie of Constantinople WHen the Emperors Captaines were thus come into the citie with their traines they passed the night in vsiting them that were so sore wounded at whose ill lucke Primaleon greatly grieued for he iudged the want of their helpe to be such as he was out of hope to defend the enemy from entring on land the next day And most of all for that Palmerin of England Florendos the King Recinde Belcar Berold Don Rosuel and Bellizart were in such case as they could not endure to beare Armes againe so soone Vpon this he concluded to let the enemies take landing and to suffer them to bâ—ild their Tents and prouide for the field in the meaâ—e while the wounded persons would be in better disposition and the succour they looked for would be likewise arriued wherewith they had good hope to bid the enemy a braue battaile in the meane time they daily gaue Albayzar and his company sundry assaults King Edward going to visite the wounded persons found the Prince Palmerin talking with the faire Polinarda whose company made him forget the griefe of his hurts for in her alone consisted the onely medicine to restore his health in like manner he found Florandos and Miragarda Platir and Sidelia Polendos and Francelian Berolde and Onistalda of Normandie Gracian and Claritia Don Rosuell and Dramatiana Bellizant and Denâ—sa Francian and Bernarda Guerin and Clariana and diuers others of the Knights with them to whom they bare most affection But Dramusiande was not in like case as these fortunate Louers were for his wounds were so yangerous as he could not enioy the swéete company of his best beloued Arlencea towards whom he remained maruellous affectionate so that I assure you the Emperour and all of his Court were so sorie for his misfortune as if the Citie it selfe had béene brought into extreame danger King Edward whose minde was not on such pleasure as he made any account of rest or quietnesse kept his friend Dramusiande company hauing his wife and Quéene Flerida with him onely to comfort the heauie and pensiue estate of Arlencea whose sad case may be easily iudged by young married louers Florendos and Miragarda visited the Giant Almaroll whose danger almost was in the same estate with Dramusiande yet he was able to walke behaue himselfe more pleasant in company then the other whose case was pittied and lamented of all in generall Soone after arriued there the Sage Aliart by
Albayzar perceiued hee came running on Berolde and twentie knights with him so that they had murdred the Spanish prince amongst them but the Soldane Bellagris hindered their determination for he came with his band of men and reskewed him commanding foure knights to carrie him forth of the battaile for that he seemed rather a dead man then one that had any life left in him and in this order he was brought to Pacentio the Emperors cheefe Chamberlaine who had the charge giuen him for the wounded persons because he was verie skilfull therein and being a man of very auncient time he was not iudged fit to enter the fight The Prince Beroldes misfortune was such griefe to his friendes as they rather desired to beare him company then to liue in hope of an vncertain victorie which was the more doubtfull to them when they remembred the losse of the Emperor Vernar the King Recinde and the other Princes But the knight of the Sauageman seeing the great slaughter that Albayzar made of his friendes pricked thorow to the place where he was and came vnto him with these wordes Now is the time Albayzar which alloweth vs opportuuitie to satisfie our long desired reuenge of eche other and because we two are the occasions of all this trouble I pray thée let this quarrell be ended betwéene thée and mee and let not those who are innocent in this matter loose their liues for our offences I am so glad aunswered Albayzar that it is my good happe to méete with thée at this time as I would not chaunge my preseÌ„t fortune for the most renowmed estate in the world So breaking off these two valiant Princes began a fierce CoÌ„bat wherein Albayzar was brought into great daunger but that a Giant named Altrope came and defended him which Giant the knight of the Sauadgeman soone depriued of his life and would haue gone afterward forth of the Battaile to rest himselfe a while but the king of Sparta came with a great many knightes and compassed the knight of the Sauageman in such sort as he was fully determined to loose his life amongst them Yet so it chaunced that Primaleon and Palmerin who saw the hard case of his Brother Florian arriued there and at this â—ickering they slew the king of Sparta Luymeno his Sonne and Antistes his Brother beside many other knights and personages of great account and on the Christians side were slaine Tenebrant and Francian whose losse the Christians did very much lament Then was tidinges brought to the Soldane Bellagris that one had kild his sonne Blandidon which report was so gréeuous to him as hée brake thorow the thickest of his enemies till he came where his Sonne laye then presently he alighted from his horse and comming to his Sonne he made such sorrowfull lamentations ouer him as it would haue mooued a stony heart to pittie Blandidon who had yet some life left in him hearing the voice of the Soldane of Niquee his Father opened his eyes and offered to lift vp his head to speake vnto him but such was his feeblenesse as he could not mooue his head whereupon he was caried forth of the Field and committed to the custody of the olde Pacentio Bellagris tooke the matter so heauily for his sonne as he concluded to finish his dayes in that place and so cruelly was he assaulted by his enemie as he likewise resigned vp his vitall spirite after that he had kilde the Giant Malearque In this conflict were slaine of the Turkes the king of Gamba and his two Brothers the Giant Pisistrato the king of Caspia the Giant Framustant who was slaine by the noble Dramnsiande beside a number of famous Turkes and on the Christians side were slaine Germayne of Orleaunce Luyman of Burgundie Pompides the king of Scots and diuers other worthy Christian Souldiers But then to amaze them the more a number of the Cittizens of CoÌ„stantinople brought forth such richesse as was left in the Citie and set it on fire before the enemies face to the end that if the enemie remayned victor hée should not vaunt of the spoyle of their goodes but they being not so content when they had burnt their riches went and set on fire the brauest buildinges in the Cittie and one after another brought them all into Cinders which was no small griefe to the Christian Armie seeing such a renowmed Cittie so set on fire which had triumphed ouer all other Nations Albayzar séeing the christiaÌ„s striken in a maze at the sight of the fire came with a fresh BaÌ„d of men vpon theÌ„ and the knight of the Sauadgeman séeing Albayzar comming buckled himself against him where on eyther side was showne incredible prowesse but in the end the Prince Florian preuailed so well against his enemies as he yeelded vp the ghost at his foote which the Turkes beholding they beganne to faint very much in that their whole hope and refuge lay in the Prince of Babylon neuerthelesse such was their affection to him as they would not depart from his dead body but hemde in the Knight of the Sauage man so hardly on euery side as they had almost slaine him but that he was reskewed by diuers of his friendes who in short time got the better of the Turkes and the Knight of the Sauage man was caried to the olde Pacentio who iudged him almost past recouery Thus did the Christians obtaine the victory of the Turkes albeit with little pleasure to themselues for such small account they made of the honour they had gotten as no man had any mind to goe fetch the riches which was left in the Turks tents so grieuously did they take the losse of their friends and the absence of their Ladies whom they thought neuer to sée againe The common Hindes and Boores of the Countrey came to ransacke the Turkes Tents and because they had more knowledge of the Gold then of the infinite riches of the precious Stones and other Iewels they tooke their fill of the worst leauing those things behinde them of greater estimation not much vnlike to Aesopes Cocke that for sooke a precious Stone for a Barley corne but it is to be committed to the brutishnes of the people in that they had not béene brought vp in places of knowledge and good iudgement CHAP. LXVI The counsell and aduise that the Sage Aliart gaue to them of the Empire of Constantinople And how he caused the body of the Emperour Palmerin and the other Princes that were wounded in the Battaile to be conueied to the Perillous Isle WHen the Christians had thus preuailed against the Turkes the Sage Aliart came into the Christian Campe and set downe order that all they which had béene flaine in the Battaile should be buried in such maner as their posterity after them should remember their singular prowesse in this Battaile against the great Turke And as for them that were liuing yet very sore wounded he annointed them with a certaine kinde of oyntment the vertue wherof