wherof shall giue you loiall testimonie the first commaundement which I shall receiue from you wherein I pretend to employ my selfe so well that you shall discerne the little difference I put betwéene doing and saying As then Diocles and Abenunq had enterlaced many courteous spéeches and gratulations they came all thrée towards the Empresse to whom as soone as they were arriued Marcomyr fel on his knées to kisse her hand which she would not haue had him done but she lifted him vp quickly againe and embracing him with her most gentle and gratious entertainement she began thus My sonne Marcomyr the vertues gifts of the heauen whereof the soueraigne God hath knowne your bodie worthy of séeme vnto me so well emploied in your person that with great reason they incite me to loue you naturally as I doe with all my heart willingly and conceiue in my selfe a maruellous great ioy that you are now come to shew the true office of a sonne which is to recognish your father to present the humble obeissance which you owe vnto him being thinges whereof your father and I feele our selues so well pleased and content as of nothing els so much which might happen vnto vs at this day Madame answered Marcomyr it is of your accustomed bountie that it pleaseth your highnes to account me in the number of your most humble and afâ—ianced seruants albeit I doe not merit the least part of any such fauor Neuerthelesse if a sincére deuotion and zeale of a loue more then of the son to the father which I haue neuer day of my life to transgresse your commaundements might purchase me so much happines to containe me alwaies in your grace and in that of my lord my father I should content my selfe as much with fortune as the richest prince of the earth therein haue I set downe hidden the limit of my riches thinking there can be no more pretious a treasure found for me My deare child then replied the Empresse you are so forward that you néed not vse any seruice therein towards vs for this matter but henceforward you shall take such habitude and familiarity with vs as you shall séeme best for I sée you are very worthie of that â—auor and so modest you will in no wise abuse it Much more honest and gratious conference had they together In the mean while this newes was spread all ouer the pallace by means whereof Philocrista went as though she would flie to embrace and receiue Marcomyr for her brother The like did the king and Quéene of Thessalie all running to him so filled with gladnes that when they came to him they could hardly opeÌ„ their mouth to speake to him So great was the ease and pleasure of those who vnderstood this good newes that all the night they could not sléepe nor take any rest for that some made bonefires others sounded trumpets and many other instruments for ioy and gladnes in briefe he did not thinke himselfe the son of a good mother who did not welcome Marcomyr as the Emperors sonne or who did not shew some signe of reioicing at that vnexpected parentage but all this was nothing in respect of that which the Emperor did on the morrow morning who sent one of the richest and most sumptuous presents to Marcomyr and Ozalias that euery one might easily discerne common loue from that which is naturall wherein Ozalias shewed himselfe not too much pleased for no other cause but to sée Marcomyr thorowly resolued to become a Christian presaging alreadie in his heart what would befall the Quéene his aunt when she should be aduertised of that miserie neuertheles Marcomyr comforted him in the most amiable sort he might assuring him to crowne him king of Tarsus where he might lead a ioifull life with his faire Marencida which assuaged his miscontented mind a little And if the Emperor did giue rich presents vnto Marcomyr the Empresse sent no lesse to Celestina some whereof were presently bestowed vpon her person which was theÌ„ to be adorned to goe to the ceremonie of the baptisme of hir loue Marcomyr who should be affianced to hir presently after for this occasion did all the Barons and knights of the court mount on horsebacke who did much more honor to Marcomyr then before when they knew not his descent And being all arriued in gallant order within the church of Sancta Sophia he was there catholicklie baptised hauing for godfather his brother Diocles then presently by the hand of the most reuerend patriarke was he fianced to the faire Celestina who was so richly attired that she drew into more then a strange admiration al those who regarded her And we néed not to compare her in perfection of her graces corporal beautie and rarenes of iewels and habits to the sage Andromecha when the valiant and redoubted knight Hector of Troy espoused her nor to Cleopatra Quéene of Egypt when she contended in magnificence sumptuositie with Marke Antonie Triumuir her husbaÌ„d eating one of the pearls which hanged at her ears estéemed worth two hundred and fiftie thousand crownes nor vnto many others of the ancient time wherof the historians both Gréeke and Latin make memorable mention for euen as the Carbuncle the most rich and pretious of all Orientall stones set in a darksome and obscure place doth send forth such a glistering cleare splendor that not onely all the place round about is made light and shining but also the eies of all that looke vpon it are comforted and reioiced thereby likewise might they estéeme of Celestina not so much a Carbuncle within this temple as the only and true Phenix of her age The troupe then returned to the pallace in the same goodly array as they departed thence there began such a feast as neuer was the likeÌ„ séene before in such sort that euery one enioied part of the pleasure except Arnedes the good prince who felt himselfe in intollerable paine and in extreame diffidence euer to sée his fathers Embassadours arriue there By means whereof beholding a whole hower of the day together the now affianced in such content and his deare ladie Philocrista leaning vpon them one arme vpon Celestina and the other cast about Marcomyrs necke to shew him the greatest signes of loue she might deuise the sorrowfull louer attainted to the heart with that sight fel at the same instant in a trance to the ground but he was by many knights quickly holpen vp againe and forthwith caried into his chamber where after hée was come againe to himselfe fetching a broken sigh from his very heart he saith Alas my God and will the succor which should come to this poor afflicted soule stay any longer How doe you suffer thus my passible and fraile body to sée deth before it eies yet cannot die as it desireth â—iij thou searcher of hearts permit I beséech thée that death may cast quickly his dart against mine and imprint therin for whose sake I die that
will conduct you my selfe foreséeing already the extreame anguish my heart shall suffer finding it selfe in exile from your presence but I must tollerate for a while this violent and bitter passion in the which the hope I haue to enioy hereafter the happy and perpetual fruition of you shal warrant me from death Be you hereof most assured quoth the damsell I will neuer loue other then your selfe to whom the irreuocable fates haue destinated me that during your absence I shall féele no lesse torment then your selfe so that haue me whether it shall please you For when I would I could not mislike of it hauing alreadie translated the conquest of my heart into your frée will and gentle disposition Iudge you whether Marcomyr were glad of this answere or no for the continuall chaunging of his countenance with many other tokens procéeding from a vehement flame of loue were true witnesses of the ioy which seized all his vitall spirits so that this ioy striking into him a suddaine courage he imbraced Celestina gratiously protesting to her he would neuer disobey her commandements but from thence forward did pretend to beléeue and reuerence them as if they were the deuine Oracle of Apollo So he led his eies with the obiect of this princesse at the light of those burning torches which were there and iudging her beautifull aboue all creatures whom he could call to mind he had euer séene by reason of her liuely purple coulour that the heart which felt it selfe constantly loued of so perfect a knight sent often into the surface of her chéekes more whiter then alabaster he was more then before inflamed with her loue So that from point to point he began to discourse vnto her all which had happened to him in the temple of Delphos where he saw if not her proper person yet at least her true shape and representation with the which he assured himselfe he talked a long time whereat the Damsell greatly admired praising vnto the skies the wisdome of the thrée Fairies whom she thanked sincerely for procuring her such a knight to be her husband Then she praid him with a singular affection to tel her who he was which he did most willingly recounting vnto her the history euery word without dissembling or disguising any thing at all vpon promise neuertheles she should not shew it to any creature before he was returned from the conquest and rescue of her father the king of Thessalie And then he gaue her a swéet gratious kisse with a faire ring which his mother the quéene gaue him at his departure from Tarsus praying her to kéepe it carefully because he said she charged him to present it one day into the hands of the Emperor Cleodomy◠his father as in very déed it was the true token whereby he was recognished to be the Emperors son as hereafter you shall heare CHAP. XXII How Marcomyr and Celestina going towards the queen of Thessalie who was yet at the end of the bridge met at the issuing out of the castle many ladies and knights of that isle who attended there for them and how the lord of the same island after he had done great honour and reuerence to them brought them to the queen who carried them backe to lodge within the castell and of the sequel SO great was the ioy of Celestina hearing her future spouse to say he was son to the Emperour Cleodomyr that all that night no sléepe nor any desire to sléepe could enter into her head by meane whereof she and Marcomyr past it away in deuising together what they had best to doe and in the end laied down the plot which liked them best After the cléere morning had chaced away the darknes of the night and spread ouer the horison his blew and azured mantle to prepare a passage for her swéet louer Titan against he left his ruddy couch they both together went into the dungeon of the castle where Marcomyr wondred greatly at the riches and magnificence of the lodging of his lady Celestina There would she néeds search him to sée if he were wounded in any place dangerously and finding none but brusing blowes she caused him to be bathed diligently with swéet hearbs to be comforted with many sorts of fomentations and to put on a rich blacke armour which the Fairie left there expresly for him with a sword by which he might cast a sléepe whomsoeuer he would the helmet and lance were born by two damsels then descending out of the tower passing thorow the gréene garden they came away by the bridge holding all hands together Celestina was finely tricked vp with a carcakenet full of great collets set thick euery where with carbuncles diamants Rubies Emerawdes and Orientall saphires clothed in cloth of gold cunningly wrought ouer with many litle pretious stones embossed in figures set like vnto Silenes or little apothecarie boxes whose fashion and rare artifice surmounted far the valour of the things In one whereof was séen so great quantitie that you would haue iudged nature had bestowed in that place the most excellent and rarest gems of her treasure Hauing moreouer wich a fillet garnished with great pearles quainlie attired her haire yellower then the gold-twind hanging round about adowne her shoulders and vpon her two little apples on her breast more to be desired then those of the garden Hesperides thus she marched with a grace no lesse gratious then beséeming a Uirgin who saw at her side so valiant and magnanimious a knight to defend them better then any dragon could doe As they then came forth in this pomp and ioy second to none other they found many gentlemen and ladies of the island who attended there for them in great deuotion and among the rest one faire and very braue knight kin vnto the Fairies whom they did inuest with the siegniorie of that place after their death he bowed himselfe very low and set one of his knées to the ground before Marcomyr and Celestina vttering with a verie good grace these spéeches Aduenturous and most fortunate knight benigne and happy was the planet which raigned at the hower of your birth séeing by your Prowesse and inestimable valour you make now accessible and in his proper nature the place whether we could not goe and come well at our ease Sir quoth Marcomyr it hath pleased the deuine bountie to doe you this benefit thorow my meane and for that I repute my selfe a man much fauoured of the planets to haue set foot within the castle if you be by any way of parētage allied to these noble ladies who haue by their knowledg wrought we so much good being not able to rēder such personagesthe guerdō méet to recōpence the good will they haue shewed me since the enchantment in this isle I giue you all the right which I may pretend in conquering of Caelestina I thank you most humbly quoth the knight of the isle for so great a benefit and courtesie which it pleaseth
I haue shâ—â—ne lesse then no Prowesse and magnamitie it must bée to you referred whence it is deriued and to the desire I haue therein to be known for your son Eternall God then brake the Emperor forth for ioy how happie haue I reputed my selfe recouering in so small time a son so perfect and accomplished Surely far more then any humane tongue is able to expresse for the vnspeakeable ioy wherewith I féele my heart ouercome surpasseth the capacitie of the most eloquent and learned clarke who euer for this effect might put pen to paper Ah Marcomyr my dearely begotten son vndoubtedly I beléeue that which you tell me considering you much resemble me by your complexion and many other gifts wherewith nature hath endued me and chiefly your martiall and heroicall courage whereof all those of my blood haue ben heretofore partakers and albeit this laudable and pretious fruition which I presently enioy of you redoundeth a litle to the dishonor of mine Empresse yet that doth a little pierce my heart assuring me her prudencie and modestie will not permit her to taxe nor disdaine me very much Now I perceiue how much I am bounden to loue the Quéene your mother séeing she hath taken such pains for me that of her so cunning deceit wrought on me by night there procéedeth so goodly and rare fruit At the end of these words he stroked him with his hands on both his chéeks and giuing him many swéet kisses with a more singular affection then can any father shew to his child hée prosecuted his spéech thus My sonne I pray deuoutlie the creator of all the world to accept you hereafter for his true and faithfull seruant to the end your Prowes and valiancie may shine and augment in you euery day more more by the communication of our Christian faith which you shal receiue in the fount of holy baptisme and albeit in doing so you forsake your own kingdome assure your selfe you shall find no lesse crowne herein beside that which I shal giue you during my life the future succession which you shal inherit after my death Marcomyr made humble obeissance down to the ground to thank him and to kisse his hand which he did with such humilitie that the teares distilled from the Emperors eies brought downe thorow the great ioy wherewith his heart felt it selfe rauished which being not able to abide so secretly shut in forced him to goe take the Empresse in her chamber whom at his first entrance he kissed in all most honest amitie telling her this I beléeue madam you haue heretofore held so good opinion of my firme lâ—ialty how cordially I haue al the time of my life loued you that hereafter ye will not séeke any better or more sufficient proof so that to speak this vnto you induceth a little scruple which is not long since crept into my brain fearing least you misdéem mine honest cariage wheÌ„ you shal vnderstaÌ„d y e discourse But not to suffer this fantasy to imprint it selfe further in your spirit I protest before God the only searcher of mens harts I swear vnto you again by al y e creatures which assist before his tribunal seat that neuer to my knowledge wil I haue not deâ—iled our mariage bed And lesse I haue infringed in word or déed the holy lawes of matrimonie nor polluted the inuiolable faith which I haue promised you But if I haue ben sometimes so vnfortunate that some other woman beside your selfe had of me by charmes and deceit that which to you only appertained you ought not now to be so seuere and rigorous but to pardon me séeing I confesse mine indiscreet offence and ouersight Albeit the fault did not procéed from me and that in that behalf I shal alwaies be sound innocent Madame you may well remember what heretofore I told you befortuned me with the quéene of Tarsus in her countries wherein the dreame that you dreamed was not altogether false and vaine for so much as by the acquaintance she had of me by meane of her sorcerie and sophisticated beuerage which shée commaunded the yeoman of her seller to giue me hath ben engendred Marcomyr the gentle knight My lord answered the Empresse with a smiling and very gracious countenance so soon as euer I saw Marcomyr I assured that to be true which you say he resembleth you so néerely in all lineatures of his person so that not only I haue pardoned you being ignorant of bringing into this world one so excellent and perfect creature but when wéetingly you had forgotten me in a thing whence procéedeth so rare and pretious treaâ—or being long since assured of your integritie that by your good will you will neuer worke me anger or displeasure As for Marcomyr I accept him most willingly for my son and I loue him alreadie with no lesse zeale then Diocles his brother beséeching you my lord to send him hether to me speediâ—ie for I will receiue him for no lesse and declaring mine affection to him giue him the maternall kisse and embracing which his good manners and commendable vertues do merit Glad was the Emperor without measure of this answer and sending for Diocles and Abenunq thether after they had heard the discourse of this good newes sent them for Marcomyr to bring him before the Empresse They went to fetch him with a maruellous gladnes and as far off as Diocles saw him he ran to him with open armes saying in this manner O the incomprehensible blisse that now bringeth me the neerenes of linage which would extract vs two out of one and the selfsame originall sourse O the inseperable brotherly amitie What two persons might you combine and vnite to hold better together with your affectionate hands then vs two Surely when you should wander ouer the bottome of this Hemispheare you should neuer â—ind the like couple more enclined to reuerence you especially I who therein féele my selfe aboue all other so much fauored by the diuine prouidence that I hope my deare brother and friend you shall neuer know in me any other will then your owne Ah deare brother answered Marcomyr then the felicitie which you say is the contentment of your spirit constraineth me to striue therein against you in this only that in any other thing I should crosse your desires God forbid wherein it pleaseth you to tearme your selfe the most affectionate whom fraternall amitie may at this day find on earth for when the extreame desire which I haue in this behalfe should be measured by the elle or poised in an euen ballance you should plainly sée it wey downe and surpasse yours by far the which for all that I estéeme to be no lesse then you say But for as much as mine hath excéeded the height of all measure and that it is impossible to mount aboue it I would faine giue you to know what did vrge me to assure you you shall alwaies find my body a prompt seruant of your soules desire
enterprice But so soone as Belcarin could endure the trauaile of armes he sailed not to endosse them to be in a readinesse if perâ—dueÌ„ture any thing chanced in the mean time so it fel out that the Marques of Trosse who came then to make his assay in thâ—t aduâ—nture arriued there the same day He was a braue and a hardie mâ—n at Armes and albeit hée parted from his countries wel accompanied with knights pages and gentlemâ—n he had neuerthelesse caused them to stay behind short of this place and towards him he marched with one onely squire who bore his launce When Belcarin saw him come so couragiously directly to the bridge he mounted incontinent on horsebacke then drew néere him saying Gentleman this way can you not passe before you Iust with me because I haue established this for a law that no knight shal haue battle with him on the bridge who hath not first ouercome me for a fewe dayes past my strength hauing failed me in the assay of this aduenture I will that no other shall accomplish it if he cannot preuaile against me This your rashnes séemeth to me verie great replied the Marques seeing you enterprise to carrie a burthen of such weight but I beléeue you doe it to depart hence more ashamed and dishonoured 〈◊〉 you haue done heretofore Happen what shall 〈◊〉 Belcarin then with some disdaine you must passe 〈◊〉 my handes and take héede of me if you thinke good The Marques had alreadie drawne his sworde which was the cause that in the violent running of the horses they made a furious encounter and hauing both a desire to behaue themselues brauelie brake their Launces downe to their handles brushing one another with their Shéeldes and shouldring so fiercelie that the Marques fell to the ground féeling himselfe hurt a little â—ith his fall gâ—tteth quickly on his 〈◊〉 drâ—w â—orthwith his sword with which he 〈…〉 such a blow on the ribs that he made 〈…〉 but Belcarin who was nimble lâ—apt 〈◊〉 the saddle and setting hand to his blâ—de likewise ran vpon him in a great rage Ill for thy profit saith he learnest thou euer to vse such cowardise in combating for thou shalt receaue by and by thy deserued guerdon then charged him with two such deadly blowes vpon his helmet that before the sword was from it the bloud ran downe in the place The Marques who was actiue and couragious went alwaies eagerly to worke and defended himselfe with a wonderfull stomack neuertheles Belcarin who surpassed him in valor and actiuity fetcht him quickly so liuely about that the Marques who could not almost stand before him did but void the strokes Which his aduersary spying laid so fiercely vpon the edge of his shield that he laid him along at his féet where the miserable Marques lost all possibility and meane to defend himself for so soon as he was down Belcarin began to batter him cruelly with the pommell of his sword saying Catif yéeld thée now for vanquished and sweare vnto me thou wilt neuer séeke to meddle or make any more in this aduenture if not I send presently thy soule to the diuel In good fâ—ith knight answered the Marques you haue passed me so far that I warrant I shall neuer passe further in it and of fauour I beséech you to leaue me in this pittious estate in the which now I yéeld my self at your mercy Belcarin who heard him speake so gently thought he was in danger of death therfore withdrew himselfe a side a little whilst the Marques squier approched him to sée in what state he was who when he had quickly raised him on his féet bound vp his wounds with a kercheif which he tore in péeces he set him faire and softly on his horse which he took at the end of the carrier But before the Marques departed from thence he requested Belcarin very amiably to tell him who he was to the end he might know the name of his vanquisher which hee graunted him willingly Hâ— quoth the Marques truely I haue no cause to complaine nor to bée sorrowfull for my mishap séeing it is by the hand of so valiant a knight that I see my selfe now vanquished the Marques hauing spoken these words marched towards the place where he had leâ—t his people from thence to a town from whence he stirred not til he had recouered his perfect cure health then toâ—ke his iourny directly into Macedon there recounted what had happened to him with Belcarin The king Florendos and the quéen his wife were very ioifull hearing so good report of Belcarin for they said they had a nephew so called who might very wel be the same then demanded him what arms he caried the Marques answered green As sure as God liues theÌ„ said the king it is none other but he getting a few daies since the best at the tourney departed thence secretly fearing to be discouered whereof I am very glad and con him thanke that he can doe so well for that in Prowesâ—e and chiualrie he séeketh to resemble king Frisol his father Great was the ioy that the nobles of the court receiued by this news but aboue al other was Alderine most ioifull because she had set her heart and all her most secret thoughts vpon him and loued him euery day more ardently then other for the great praises she heard were euery where spread abroad of his singular déeds of armes so that by the only blast of this renowne many knights departed from that court to goe trie themselues against him who being all vanquisht augmented his fame daily more and more But to return to the damsel who pursued to be reuenged of Belcarin for the death of her brethren after that she had thrée daies serued Sergin very courteously séeing him on the fourth well amended she purposed to depart his companie honestly to follow after her enemie It fell out by fortune Tiraquel son of duke Eustace who weÌ„t to sée his companion Belcarin euery where abroad arriued the same euening in a lodging where seeing the Damsel make such pittious mone for she could very well play her part at the arriuall of any one was moued at the last with pittie and compassion to promise her his aid if she stood in néed therof and as he demaunded the cause of her lamentation and sorrow she made answere how shée hauing two brethren slaine treacherously by a disloial person whâ— her father lodged one night in his Castell did put her selfe presently in pursute after him and méeting by the way a courteous knight besought him to take reuenge of the murtherer who had committed that vile act in briefe that this valiant Gentleman also had béene by him daungerously wounded which caused him so much the more to gréeue and sorrow at her fortune Full well knew she how to worke him by her enticing and sugred words so far that Tiraquel promised her once more his aid and enquiring what was become of the wounded
liue one houre Great matters are these which you tell me quoth the yong prince the Emperor then knoweth not that he hath had any children by you No surely replied the Quéene nor would I he should for any thing in the world That can not be long so quoth Marcomyr for néeds must I one day goe to sée him but beléeue me Madam I shall not be long away for that I haue fully determined neuer to leaue you nor to abandon by my will the kingdome that God hath giuen me to gouerne Thus communed together of many things the mother and the son who from thence forwarde shewed himselfe to his vassals verie pleasant and well pleased in mind so that resoluing spéedily to bée knighted he caused to be made for himselfe an armour perfect red and another white for Ozalias whom he loued as his brother And after they had watched in the chappell they had both the sword girded to them and the long spur put on by the father of Ozalias who was one of the best knights in all those countries Hauing then both of them receiued of him the accollado order was giuen for the solâ—mnising of a great feast for y e same effect During which feast Marcomyr bestowed many rich presents vpon diuers But hee could neuer forget Celestina nor put out of his mind the words of the old beldame for that he had them so liuely imprinted therein that they tormented him more than might do any mortall martirdome Wherfore he concluded to passe into Gréece to the end to visit the Emperor his father and to learne some newes of this ladie for well déemed hee not without cause had the enchauntresse vsed such vile spéeches to him so that one day after dinner finding the Quéene his mother at conuenient leisure and in a place fit for the purpose in very modest sort hee kissed her cheeke And as many discourses had passed betwéene them Marcomyr besought her humbly she would grant him one â—oone which the Quéene who loued him as dearly as her owne person little déeming his affection would carry him to that which he had already deâ—eigned willinglydid grant him I would madame quoth he then you take no displeasure if I make shortly a voyage to Constantinople to sée the emperor my father the braue knights of his court for I féel dayly augment in me the desire which euer since you assured me to be his son commeth euery houre into mine imagination but I promise you by the inuiolable sincere faith which the child aboue all things oweth the mother to returne with as great speed as shall be possible Alas my sonne cried out the Queene and sighed your wordes haue so farre wounded and pierced my heart that I behold plainlie Atropos alreadie cutting off the thread of my sorrowful life yet if to auoid the extremitie into which I see my selfe now reduced I feared alwaies to manifest to you my ruine seeing I cannot now preuent it nor with honestie denie that whereunto I haue so rashlie consented it is good reason I suffer patiently my misfortune One onely thing I will entreate you if maternall zeale and loue may so farre mooue you to haue compassion on mee it would please you to returne with all speede possible to the place of your natiuitie to the ende once before I die that these mine eyes beholding you my soule maie passe with better comfort into the other worlde The Gods forbid replied Marcomyr I should contrarie the least of your commaundements or in anie wise frustrate the good hope which you may conceyue of my returne My deare child then quoth the Queene seeng you vndertake so farre a voiage I should aduice that you accompanie your selfe with some number of knights to the end the Emperour may entertaine you with greater honour Madame answered he I am certaine my Lord the Emperour will esteeme nothing the more of me for séeing me well accompanied because he shall well know I am king of Tharsus wherein consisteth not the true point of mine honour neither but rather in the continuall trauels which I hope hereaâ—â—â—â— tâ— endure in faire feates of armes which I hope he shall heare resound of me through the world For as you are not ignorant the time hath béen when he himselfe hath gone alone thorow the world by his magnanimious courage exposing himselfe to thousandes of maruellous aduentures which are at this day blowne abroad of hiâ— and neuertheles the diuine goodnes hath alwayes preserued him from death in all the perils that euer he was in and as well as hee a number more of other renowmed princes What aduenture can a man name more hazardous than that of Iason the Argonaut when he woon the golden fâ—éece in the Isâ—e of Colches Or that of Theseus the gallant champion when hee vanquished the Mâ—â—otaur in the Labyrinth of Créete and yet the gods deliuered them both from all daunger Truely in my time I haue sometimes behold shiâ—s with poore equippage singling in the déepe sâ—a in great â—ortuâ—e of weather and storme who in the end hauâ—â—râ—iued rich and cast anker in the safe hauen Many others 〈◊〉 I seen also whâ—â—ithful sail nauigating in a calme â—ea 〈…〉 oâ— wil who haue afterward béen caâ—◠〈◊〉 â—nd 〈◊〉 néer the shore side and in the hâ—uens mouth I should not â—hâ—n feare to commit my self to the peril of the sea fortune séeing we are all predestinate Therfore hâ—ue I determined to carry along with me no more companie but Ozalias onely two squires as simple gentlemen Desiring to proue my selfe against y e knights of Europe before the emperor know me The Queene resolued to striue no longer against the determinatioÌ„ her son had secretly coÌ„cluded in his mind but rather endeuored to shew him the fairest countenance although her sorowful hart did hardly consent therto Wherfore Marcomyr on a day causing all y e principal of his kingdom to assemble togither declared to theÌ„ his full intention with expresse commandement that none of them should transgresse the ordinance and will of his mother nor of his oâ—ncle whom he lest behind him for gouernour and lieutenant generall ouer all the prouince in his absence Allof them were very sorry for so suddaine a departure but seeing they could not stay him they all promised with one accord to accomplish all that which he had giuen them in charge to do wishing him all in their hearts a prosperous and happie voiage Then the quéene retired her selfe into her closet where her hand imitating the office of her tongue she couched quickly in writing a letter direâ—â—ed to the Emperour with which letter she was to send a ring like vnto one which she presented him when she was in the countries of Asia to the end by means of this ring Marcomyr should bée the sooner recognished of him whilst these things were in doing there was rigging â— very tall ship thorowly equipped with all store of nourishing victuals and whatsoeuer els was
language in this busines that no man liuing should be able to descrie their persons or discouer their drifts The plot thus laid betwéene these two cousins to take vpon them this voiage he went strait to his father who very willingly gaue him his leaue vpon condition hée should stay as little while as might bée in those countries of the leuant So kissing his father the kings hand tooke his leaue in the secretst manner which might be taking along with him but onely thrée or foure persons with his dwarfe and Recindos his cousin whom he loued from the entierest of his heart Towards Marsilia they made with as much spéed as might be where finding a ship ready for them equipped they waighed ankers and set sailes but had the weather so contrary that being wearie of trauelling the tempestuous sea they were faine to put into the first port of Gréece and send awaie their ship by sea to méet them at Constantinople One whole day soiourned Arnedes Recindos in this hauen and on the morrow hauing put on their rich armors they road so great a iournie that by the way they heard newes of the triumph which was to be holden in the Emperours court whereof being meruellous glad they road so great a pace that they came to Constantinople thrée daies before the mariage of Ditreus and Esquiuela were celebrated and iust at the time of their arriuall was the Emperour gone abroad in the euening with many of his Barons to behold the Countie in his Ioâ—sts where he tooke pleasure in the good adresse he saw this knight had to manage a horse albeit he was somewhat angrie to sée those of his court so foiled by him wherefore his mind could neuer be at quiet till he knew who these Iousters were to whome he vsed many courtesies after he knew they were descended of the lord of the island Liquia whom he vanquisht in his conquest of the Sagitarie As the emperour then was beholding this Ioust and the countie had dismounted the sixt knight who entred the liâ—ts came in Arnedes and Recindos who had not trauelled far that day quickly had they put on their helmets and to one end of the carrier went Arnedes flucing and vauting his horse in the aire as who would say he demanded ioust The County séeing a knight appeare vpon the barres mounted presently on horsebacke with a still presumption to coole quickly this assailants brauadoe but he was farre deceiued for gallopping as fast as they could they made such a furious encounter that they brake their lances within their gantlets finishing their carier without other harm then said the countie to Arnedes Sir knight it is at your choice to haue another bout if you think good Content I am readie quoth the prince of France séeing I haue done so little good with the first then to shew their best before the emperour and other good knights who were there present they made the second encounter with a far greater furie then the first in such sort that the very earth séemed to â—inke vnder them as they met in their race the County had the worst for that without breaking Arnedes caried him to the ground with his courtelax neuerthelesse he lost his stirrops without euer stirring out of his seat The Emperour and all the other lords were very glad séeing the pride of the county laid along so that they did al highly commend the vnknowne knight Linedes was full wroth when he saw his cousin lie on the ground before him in very ill taking by reason of his fall wherfore causing his helmet to be laced being before armed at al other points he was soone mounted and taking a great launce in hand Arnedes and he rusht vpon one another in a great rage Linedes was so chollericke that hée mist his blow neuerthelesse his enemie mist not to hit him so full that he bore him backward ouer his horse crouper and because he would not let goe the raines of the bridle thinking to saue himselfe from the ground his horse rose an end and â—ell backward vpon him which brused him very sore whereby he felt great paine a good while after But Arnedes was as fresh after this Iousting as if he had not ben in it at all therefore retiring to his companion thus quoth he to him Come let vs goe kisse the Emperours hand for here is nothing more for vs to doe Off did they their helmets and went toward the troupe who maruelled greatly at the valiancie of the Frenchman For euery one knew how much Linedes was estéemed through al the land of Gréece The Emperour séeing they made the next way to him went before apace to welcome them when they offered to kisse his hand he would not permit because he did not know them but embraced them both louingly saying My friends ye are most welcome into my countrie where you haue made me wonderfull ioifull by your great valor performed in your persons therefore I pray you tell me who you are and I shall loue and estéeme you a great deale the better then quoth Arnedes It is the grace and vertue of your maiesty who honoureth alwaies knights although they little deserue it we are knights of the house of the king of France for my part I am a néere kinsman of Lewis duke of Burgondy In good faith quoth the Emperour your phisiognomie feature and all the lineaments of your body doe bewray you for that in them you doe very much resemble him and therefore do I loue you so much the more for the great honour and pleasure that I haue heretofore receiued of him and his brother So taking the one in his right hand and the other in the left he conducted them both into his pallace where after they were disarmed he did them the greatest honor which he and all his might possibly deuise CHAP. XIIII How Marcomyr and Ozalias arriue within foure daies iournie of Constantinople from whence they depart after that they had changed their armes In their way they lodge in an old knights house of whom Marcomyr vnderstood the whole discourse of the aduenture of Celestina MArcomyr after he left Abenunq in the streight of Abidos and Seâ—tos commanded his pilots to thrust in with the néerest port to Constantinople called Saint Lordin a coast towne foure leagues distant by land from the cittie There did he make them cast anker with charge not to stir thence till his returne In the meane while he and Ozalias disguising their armours for fear to be discouered departed with foure squiers onely for their seruice That night they lodged by chance at the foot of a hill in the house of a knight poore in goods but noble in heart and person who inuited them very chearfully and intreated them though not sumptuously and with exquisit dainties yet courteously and with great humanitie The greater part of this good entertainement procéeding from his wife and one very faire daughter which did exactly marke the
thoughts afflicted with like martyrdome receiue mutually more comfort then being with others who féele not the like torment Bruquel hauing so well done his deuoire for the winning of Philocrista to his maisters bow returned incontinent to him whom he found attending in great deuotion to vnderstand the euent of this amourous stratageme After the dwarfe had recounted from point to point all his busines Arnedes was so rauished with an vnspeakeable gladnes that he thought himselfe the most happiest man in the world to haue met with so fine and ingenious a Truchemant On the other side Amenada wheÌ„ she espied her fittest opportunitie interpreted so well and faithfully the intention of Arnedes and of his dwarfe to her ladie Philocrista that she remained a prettie while exacticke and her tongue could not speake one word so much perplexed and distraâ—â—ed was her spirit with varietie of a thousand new thoughts And albeit the knight had alwaies greatly liked her and ben pleasing to her eie as well in his beautie and good grace as by his prowesse and chiualrie and now freshly this suddaine ioy vnlooked for had pierced her heart to the quick she resolued neuerthelesse to make him answer and to demeane her selfe wisely herein by this meane to preuent a future inconuenience which might otherwise haue ensued For séeing her louer in so euill estate of health she feared to put him in greater danger in giuing him a seuere and rigorous answer for this cause she saith to the dwarfesse It displeaseth mée thou didst not promise Bruquel to tell me this tale but séeing the effect is ensued now we cannot alter it Thou shalt then goe to Arnedes to tel him from me how I meruaile much he hath enhazarded himselfe to so many perils for my sake wherein I hold my selfe much beholding to him and thanke him for it humbly with al my power promising him for guerdon of his paine and irkesome trauels which hée hath endured to accept him willingly for my loiall spouse if the Emperour my father and the Empresse my mother will consent vpon this condition notwithstanding that he neuer aduenture to speake the least word in the world to me thereof but let it suffice him only therein to know my will And to the end I be assured of the vehement and excessiue loue which as he saith â—e beareth me pray him from me he take this newes in stéed of the most soueraigne balme or of some perfect cataplasme which may the sooner knit vp his wounds and hasten his recouerie and health hoping to goe sée him to morrow morning if I may possible by any meane After Philocrista had instructed Amenada in her message she tooke Melissa to her aside to whom for that they loued mutually with a sincere and affectionat heart Philocrista discouereth this aumourous affaire making her a discourse thereof from the very beginning Wherof Meliâ—â—â— was meruellous well apaid specially hearing that Recindos came of so noble and roiall a blood as was that of Castile The dwarfesse séeing her time fit and conuenient to acquite her selfe of the charge her ladie and mistresse had committed vnto her went to doe her message not missing a word thereof to the French prince vnto whom she did deliuer it as wisely as Philocrista had laid it downe in words vnto her By meanes whereof the knight entred into so extream ioy that within few daies after he left his bed and got vp on his legs againe but before she departed from Arnedes chamber he entreated her of all fauour she would carrie to her mistres a French sonnet which he had for her loue composed the same day praying her to commaund the maister of the Emperours chappel to set a descant according to his art of musicke to these French verses which did say thus As is the purest gold by touchstone tride And as the adamant draweth to his side The heauy yron if placed neere it bee The like we may of mutuall louers see Sweet louing ladie well you may behold That I am touch and you are perfect gold You adamant I yron draw vnto you And that you may this vertue better view But thinke faire ladie on the amourous end You draw me to your heart I proue my friend After Amenada had read this sonnet the answered the French prince she knew not whether her mistresse would be pleased with her enterprising so presumptuous a message yet although she were a little discontented she would counterfeit the pageant so well that euerie one should in the end be glad thereof as it happened out for she went her way to the princesse Phlocrista to whom making many discourses of the extreame loue Arnedes bore her she put her into more comfort with that sonnet then if she had ben made quéene of all Asia But on the morrow the Empresse went to visit Arnedes taking with her Philocrista so faire and so richly attired to make him vnderstand her gladnes and content which redoubled the ioy that the knight had in his heart conceaued the day before Then after the visitation of the Empresse she blushing asked him how he felt himselfe in his wounds Madame quoth he thanks be to God and to you I find my selfe in good case that were it not the inhibition of the Phisitions whereby I am constrained I would rise now presently out of my bed to walke abroad Philocrista knew right well to what end tended these spéeches therefore a liuely blush of her countenance graced farre more her face then it did before whereat Arnedes who iudged rightly the passion whence procéeded this change of coulour reputing himselfe the happiest of the vassals of Cupid the great Monarke beheld her so stedfastly and with so glancing and amourous eie that he thought himselfe placed in the highest stage of wordly blisse felicity But Philocrista durst not looke vpon him to the end not to bewray the euidence of her passion neuerthelesse shée attended in good hope the French Embassadours arriual to make an end of her dissembling which Arnedes desired in his heart as much as she for not to displease infringe the commandement of his ladie he saw that to be the only remedie of his tedious afflictions wherein he was stil enwrapped till the king his father sent some of his péeres to Constantinople to procure his greatest ioy the true recouery of his health so there will we leaue the to come to Rifaran who is far trauelled in the quest of Marcomyr CHAP. XIX How Rifaran after he had put himself inquest of Marcomyr passed before a castle which appertained to the countesse of Iseland for whom he combated a brother of her husbands and fiue other knights who besieged the same and how the countesse entertained him very courteously into her castle where he fell in loue with her at the same instant IT gréeued greatly Rifaran to haue made eight or nine daies iourney without hearing any news of the knight whom he sought and as he perceiued his trauell was
you to present me whereof notwithstanding I know neither my selfe nor any of mine worthie for that farre aboue their knowledge did passe your vertue and valiancie as being him only who should accomplish the aduenture of this castell wherein the Fairies had emploied all their secret philosophie Neuerthelesse let vs omit these circumstanceâ— to some fitter opportunitie let vs goe to the end of the bridge to giue some comfort to the quéene of Thessalie who attendeth your comming thether for that neither she nor any other whosoeuer can enter within the bridge before you be first come forth with her daughter and then shall all these enchantments cease except the castle which shal stand for euer firme in his foundation for an eternal memory of her who was once therein so long enclosed O God quoth Celestina alowd is the quéene my deare mother then here Surely I sée the heape of all my blisse by little and little come to perfection And as she shewed still in her going many signes of congratulation to her louer the knight certified her how ten or twelue daies past her officers arriued at the end of the bridge and she her selfe the next morrow after accompanied with many Barons and ladies whereof Marcomyr was well aâ—aid hoping to send away Celestina with her mother to the Emperour and to depart himselfe quickly to go to deliuer the king of Thessalie When the quéene saw her daughter come so pompeously attired she was seised with so much pleasure and ioy that her spirits vncapable to conceiue it she fell downe in a traunce betwéene Ozalias armes who had almost born her companie through the content and ease suddainely stroken into his heart séeing Marcomyr seated vpon the top of Fortunes whéele But as soone as Celestina was come to her she knew right well it procéeded of the vehemence and superabundance of suddaine ioy therefore she tooke her mother by the hand and kissing it many times began to wéepe for compassion but she soone came to her selfe againe and séeing her daughter hard by her she embraced her with so ardent a motherly zeale that she could not chuse but vnscopping the sludgates of her eies let the tears trickle downe her chéekes when her mother began thus Alas my deare daughter how long a time it is that mine eies â—round in teares doe séeke by all meanes to sée you O how many times hath my heart quailed with continual anguish in vaine sighed and powred forth complaines and cries into the aire for the absence of you and of your father wishing that which I sée may in brief bring some remedie to my griefe by the meanes of him who hath now deliuered you out of prison Ah pittiâ—ull mischance when I remember I was so cruell and seuere a mother to you the true substaunce of mine entrals as to suffer you to be banished and shut vp in prison so farre from me Alas God had predestinated it in this manner which was cause the loue of the mother nor the abundance of feminine pittie could not in any thing preuent the will of the fatall destinies And therevnto was I forced to consent not without enduring extreame heartsgriefe which I suffer patiently since the thrée Fairie sisters had vndoubtedly persuaded me I should recouer your father againe by the meane of him who should deliuer you from the charmes and enchauntments which they should lay vpon you So that there resteth nothing now but to sée whether these magitians are here in veritable wherefore faire knight whom God blesse from all mischance séeing you haue brought into so great gladnes the soule which floated among the waues of this tempestuous sea of aduersity restoring Celestina into my hands so also I must entreat you with an affection procéeding from a heart which shall féele it selfe for euer bounden to you to doe so much that this ioy may be entire and perpetuall to giue me her father as he is by the fatall destiny appointed to the end we may liue together the rest of our old age in al tranquility of spirit The knight had great pittie on the quéene and quickly tooke her vp by the hand saying Madame I pray you vex not your selfe any further for I haue determined to die or to worke these matters so about that you shall passe the rest of your old yeares with more content then of the quéene of Thessalie may be imagined Then the good ladie thanked him and kissing his chéeke very courteously she replied thus againe I beléeue vndoubtedly my son you wil assuredly hold your promise séeing our Lord hath so wel accoÌ„plished you in all things that he doth not permit you to speak ought with your mouth but your hart is pricked with a desire ready to perform it to y e vttermost While they were vpoÌ„ these purposes althe Barons and knights of y e quéen did approch to kisse the hand of Celestina being the ioifullest meÌ„ in the world to sée her so fair so sage for y e hope they had to be one day vnder the siegniory of so perfect a couple of louers And at the last the knight of the isle besought the quéen Marcomyr séeing many had by this time passed easilie ouer the Bridge to coâ—e loâ—ge within the castell to refresh themselues there and to the end they might both forget their sorrows and paines past Which they did right gladly with all their traine who marueled as much as at some great miracle séeing y t rich houses of y e Fairies built wrought with â—â—mirable architecture if y e building did shew stately magnificeÌ„t that part of y e island wher it was scituated séemed no lesse delightfull and a place of pleasant recreation By meanes whereof they remained there thrée daies with as much pleasure and solace as any humane spirit might wish nor could they saciat themselues with beholding the strange things especially those of the dongeon wherein Celestina had bene so long time enclosed wherby it chaunsed that Marcomyr finding the seat of this isle in so good and fertile a climat purposed to transport thither a colonie of people out of his kingdome of Tarsus to inhabit it the better and to the end also this countrie might immortalise the remembrance of him and of Celestina to the future ages of his posteritie There were they serued sumptuously and with all abundance by the siegnior of the island but the quéen could not glut her selfe in beholding her daughter and talking to Marcomyr who loued her surely no lesse then her selfe did in such manner that they two one day being both together far in talke he praied the quéene most louingly to conduct her daughter to Constantinople to put her on his behalfe vnder the protection of the Emperor whom shée should tell moreouer that so soone as he could dispatch his voiage into Turkie he would kisse his hand and so acquit himselfe of that promise which he had by the mouth of others made vnto him diuerse
whereof the Emperour would still talke to his barons commending him aboue the best in his knowledge but let vs suffer him faire and softly to take his way towards Turkie to speak a little of the good Recindos prince of Castile which now is far gone in his quest CHAP. XXIIII How Recindos arriued in the isle of Carderie where vnderstanding Marcomir had performed the aduenture of Celestine he resolued to go meet Belcarin in Macedon and how he had a combat against him by the false persuasion of the damsell who pursued the reuenge of her brethrens death REcindos being issued out of the tournie at Constantinople as you haue heard before with good hope to find out Marcomyr and to doe his best endeuor to bring him backe to the court missed not much the way that he held for lying one night by chaunce in a certaine castle where Marcomyr had lodged before he was at supper demaunded by his host into what part he trauelled I séeke sayd he a knight who woon the honour of the Tourney which was lately held at Constantinople in the which he bare a white Flower in his arms Truly quoth the maister of the house he tooke his repast in this place the other night and is one of the most courteous gentlemen that I euer saw in my life which makes me thinke God may well make him finish the aduenture of Celestine whether hée assured me he went directly from hence to prooue himselfe therin Right glad was the Spaniard hearing this news so that he thought it a long time vntill it were day that he might go after him Day being come he mounted to horse betimes in the morning with full purpose to make stay in no place before he ariued in the isle of Carderie Eight daies he trauelled without any disturbance hearing in euery place certaine news of this knight He spurd on liuely hoping either to performe the aduenture or else to méet with him whom he sought but as soone as he was arriued in the isle he vnderstood that Celestina was deliuered Marcomyr had taken the rout of Turkie and Tâ—raquel was retired into the castell of Lipes whether his sisters had conducted him so soone as he was vanquished This was strange newes for Recindos but the good knight Tiraquel conceiued so much sorrow and discontent hereby that he had almost died for griefe neuerthelesse as speedily as he knew certainely of the conquest of Celestina he dispatcht away a squire to aduertise Belcaâ—in therof praying him of all affection to stay himselfe in the court of Macedolite from whence he stirred not bathing himselfe in the floud of all delightful pleasures Neuerthelesse these delights were nothing in respect of those of Alderin who for the vertues which she heard were euery where spread abroad of him besides her owne eies saw them to be farre greater she loued him as her proper life and if seemed to her to arriue at the very top of al worldly blisse being to haue him one day to huâ—band â—uery hower of which time was a thousand yeares to her before her desires came to effect Therefore vpon a time â—fter dinner she besought him in any waies he would return no more to the isle of Carderie giuing him to vnderstand secretly the great loue shee bare him and how the â—uke her father and the duchesie her mother were content to giue her to him in marriage with their whole estates and siegniories as his owne true hereditarie succession after their decease Madame quoth Belcarin I repute my selfe this day the happiest knight whom euer fortune aduaunced to the top oâ— her whâ—â—e seeing my selfe required of that wherein I would employ all my best enâ—â—â—ours to attaine some happâ—â— end so I beséeâ—h you most humbly for that I haue long since choâ—en and desimated you for the onely mistreâ—â—e of my heart to speake beâ—ore your departure something touching this tâ—â—nes to the king that he putting to his helping hand it may sooner sort effect according to our desires As touching my returne to the garding of the castle of Celestina Madame you know I cannot surcease without somewhat impairing mine honour séeing I haue made promise vowed before so many which may hereof reproch me and impute it to my disgrace but I hope some mans hap wil be to accomplish before it be long that aduenture in guarding which if I doe my best endeuour it shall be that only which shall saue me blameles In the meane time I pray you trouble not your mind nor despaire not of his firme and indissoluble amitie who shall be yours for euer Whereof may giue you sufficient testimonie my comming now to this court whether I had not come for any thing in the world without the especial command which I receiued by your letter Alderine was ouercome with ioy at so good an answer and as she was recounting it to the Quéene Griana arriued Tiraquels post he doing his message to Belcarin made him very heauie with the newes for that he would faine haue then ben present in the guard of the bridge to haue tride himselfe against this so redoubted a knight albeit it fell out better for him for although he was of all men reputed for valiant and skilfull in Armes yet his valor neuer could come so high as to make compare with that of Marcomyr But the damsell that pursued to haue Belcarin slain if you remember in the beginning to reuenge the death of her brethren whom she supposed had ben felloniously slain by him being aduertised of his departure from Carderie followed him hard euen into the court of Macedon where séeing him so welcome to the king the Quéene and al the chiefest nobles went thence in despaire neuer to be auenged of him therefore did she full heauily still wéeping wailing take her way homewards to her friends and the fourth day after her departure she found Recindos néere a fountaine making the most grieuous and lamentable complaints that any eare had euer heard For when he heard that Celestina was gone to Constantinople he purposed to passe thorow Macedon where peraduenture he might yet find the knight whom he sought Recindos then séeing this ladie wring her hands and take on so terribly demanded of her the occasion of her mone she who had learned her lesion perfectly and could play her part without booke knowing him alreadie by his looke to be pittifull and ready to doe for her any thing to deliuer her out of this anguish told the like tale as she had before done to Tiraquel and Sergio wherof you may very well remember in conclusion that the knight who had traiterously slaine her brethren soiorned in the king of Macedons court Recindos then who was very desirous to purchase honour in euery place made her this answere if it be so as you tell me that the knight slew your brethren by treason I promise you vpon the faith of my knighthood to worke your reuenge according to my power
for euery Gentleman receiuing knighthood bindeth himselfe to succour damsels oppressed by their enemies and all others that shal worke them despight The dissembling woman cast her self downe at his féet to kisse them swearing and blaspheaming many times that what she had shewed him was most certaine true Come then along with me and shew me the knight quoth Recindos and I promise you againe to die in the field or to make him confesse in presence of all the disâ—oâ—all act he had committed séeing the folly of his counsell had so much blinded his eies as to neglect the true honour of his nobilitie before so soule a note of infamie The shameles woman remounted vpon her palfrie and they roade so many daies iourneies together vntill they arriued in Macedon where they came to alight right before the palace against Belcarins lodging which the damsel knew ful wel wherfore they went presently vp together into the great chamber and méeting the king as he came from masie accompanied with Belcarin the foolish woman turned toward Recindos saying Seignior sée there the knight who slew my brethren I pray you of fauour make him know before the king that it was by treason which he had a great while before deuised against them for the good prince ignorant of this foule offence reputeth him wrongfully one of the most courteous knights of his court as I haue plainly perceiued since I soiorned in this place Then Recindos bowed himselfe down before the king Florendos with a most humble reuerence and turning his face toward Belcarin who was on the other 〈◊〉 spake thus to him Sir knight this Damsell hath swoâ—â—e vnto me that you haue slain two of her brethren by great treason after they had in most courteous manner entertained you in their fathers house if this be true you commiâ—ted a most cowardly ouersight which I mean to make you confesse by force of arms if you haue the stomack to enter the close field with me Belcarin was highly offended to haue this outrage vpbraided him so often and alwaies by her means who put him many times in danger and perill of death wherefore he answered not without some little choller procéeding froÌ„ a stomack féeling it selfe greatly iniuried in this manner Surely knight you séem as much simple sturdie in saying if I haue the stomack and hardinesse to enter into combat with you as is the damsell false and disloiall in accusing me wrongfully notwithstanding I hope to make you pay deare for this your rashnes of beliefe and likewise the lying and froward woman for her sugred spéeches whereby she hath deceaued you In heat of these spéeches he tooke his armes to present himselfe soone after in the combat which the king would willingly haue hindred if by any means possible he could but Recindos was so eager against Belcarin that the king who could not dissuade from his attempt at the last entreated him thus much Séeing you will not fulfill my pleasure herein at the least let me know the name of him who wil so little gratifie him that would not be vngratefull if occasion did present it selfe to doe you the the like pleasure I am quoth he a knight of a strange countrey who arriued in the court of the Emperour of Constantinople at the nuptials of the prince of Hungarie whether by chaunce came another knight vnknowne bearing a white flower vpon his sheild who after he had woon the honor of the Tourney departed secretly from the assembly which constrained me to follow incontinent in his quest and for that I follow the way of knights errant I beséech you let no man wrong me in the battaile Assure your selfe thereof quoth the king that you shall haue to doe with your aduersarie onely yet it vâ—xeth me to the heart that comming from the court of the emperor Cleodomyr my sonne you will enter the field against him who is one of his greatest fauorits WheÌ„ Recindos heard Belcarin named on the one side he was excéeding glad he had to trie himselfe against so famous and renowned a knight and on the other he was meruellous sorrie because his enemie was brother to Meâ—isâ—a whom he held dearer then himself 〈◊〉 that he would willingly haue surceased the combat if he could with his honour but in the end the king requested the duke of Pontus and another very braue knight of his court to iudge betwéen them according to their conscience and without any exception of persons Then the knights appearing within the listes set vpon the one side of the pallace when the signe was giuen they ran with such a tempest one at another that their lances flying in péeces they fell both downe to the ground neuertheles both of them being quick and nimble they were with a trice vp againe So they began to strike at one another without all pittie and desiring both to be victors they burst and beat asunder their armour on their backes as in open war at all defiance so that they were both wounded in diuers parts of their bodies Therefore the king and the other lookers on maruelling to sée them so obstinate in their fight said they neuer saw so much magnanimity in any two knights before wherevpon the king supposed that Belcarins aduersarie was the very same who had deliuered Celestina out of the enchanted isle for reputing his nephew a most braue and hardie man at armes he saw him then in great danger of his person The two knights tired and almost done withdrew themselues to breath a little which was not long before Recindos renued the assault saying it was a mockerie to breath so long before a king but the battell being begun againe by reason of the abundance of blood which issued from them in euery ones sight they could not strike such fell strâ—kes as they did at the first By reason whereof king Florendâ—s perceiuing Belcarin waxed féeble and that if they should be let alone to decide this controuersie they would die both in the place desiring rather the life then the death of the one or the other he cast his rod of peace betwéene them and going from the window thorow which he beheld them combatting he descended downe vnto them requesting of all affectionate loue they would cease this cruell battell Sir quoth Recindos that cannot by any means be vnlesse the Damsell would pardon him first the iniurie she had receiued at his hands I will my selfe goe speake to her quoth the king in mean time doe not foâ—le your selues any more in this quarrell considering you haue both sufficiently shewed your manhood and haughtie Chiualrie Then he went strait to the damsel who was the ioifullest in her heart that might be séeing her enemie Belcarin in such an ill taking for of a troth was neuer knight brought into so low an extremitie and began thus to tempt her Faire gentlewoman I pray you let me entreat you not to cause the death of two so valiant champions as those
to me the extreame desire he hath to present to you his seruice so that vpon this hope I haue willingly brought him in here estéeming it a thing of very rare and great consequence the purchasing of such a personage to augment so much the more the forces of your guard Hée is then quoth the father very welcome hether in recompence of his good will he shal haue the best cheare we may prouide for him For all that his purpose was otherwise because the more his daughter commended them the more angry was he to see them within the castle their very presence striking into him a feare and suspition neuertheles to dissemble it and not to let them perceiue therof he procéeded thus with a pleasant countenance daughter goe you in to salute your mother in the meane time these knights well disarme them This he spake meaning to cause their armes to be lockt vp and kept safe from them till they were out of the castell But Marcomyr who heard those spéeches doubting some such euent cared not much to talke with him any further but went strait away with the page of Leifida who brought him vp into a very faire chamber where in stéed of disarming themselues they caused their squiers who carried their armes alwaies after them to lace their helmets quickly then betaking them to their shields with vnconquerable courage they salied out hauing their naked swords ready drawn in their hands Which the yong man séeing was more amased then if at the same instant he had lost his forme by some new metamorphosis began to crie out in strange maner O detestable and vile act of disloialtie running downe amaine to aduertise the gard wherein he was soone preuented for Marcomyr knowing he might not delay his enterprise any longer made spéedily down into the court where he saw the captain blaming and rebuking the porters for letting him in who made their excuse vpon Leifida that brought him in with her And perceiuing him to make furiously against him he cried alarme O my loiall and faithfull knights take armes slay me these vilaines who are come to betray vs in this rash manner then the prince hauing instructed Ozalias before to win the wicket and kéepe it against all those that would come in to succour or goe forth to flie remembring his lady Celestina that he must either die in the place or deliuer the king her father out of prison began to strike without pity those of the gard the captaine séeing his honor and life reduced to so pitiful an exigent laid suddainly hold on a pâ—leax which by chance he found at hand wherewith he went to giue Marcomyr such a knock vpon his morion that had not the creast thereof ben tempered with fine steele he had seperated his soule from his bodie This constrained the knight who would not haue stroke him otherwise for the loue of his daughter to strike againe so that he gaue the old man such an ataint with a blow returned to his head that he cleft his skull downe to his iawes giuing the like entertainment to thrée or foure other knights who let driue at him thinking to massacker him quickly but in a small space he made so cruell a slaughter of al those which came to encounter him that the most hardie and valiant remained in the place either dead or dangerously wounded And if peraduenture any coward made to the gate thinking to get out that waies to saue himselfe by flight he fell into Ozalias hands who shewed them but small courtesie so that in this skirmish there remained not one man of the castle aliue except the page which was master of the ship that brought the two cousins into this good hauen who ran imediatly to his mistres Leifida telling her thus Madame we are all traiterously betraied by the false and inhumane knight whom we haue brought in hether Therefore I know my selfe worthy of a thousand deaths if I might haue so many one after another for I was the cause that my lord your father and all his guard are put to the edge of the sword When the Damsell and her mother heard these piteous tidings they ranne forth almost out of their wits not knowing what to do séeing this horrible discomfiture they begaÌ„ to wring their hands and poure forth the most pitifull complaints that euer any liuing person heard Leifida who accused her selfe of all this blame fell downe halfe dead vpon her fathers corpes vttering a spéech in this sence Alas deare father pardon me who am the only cause of your death which séeing I haue aduanced innocently thorow the â—ained and cautelous circumuention of a Tyrant I will presently end my daies and to accomplish better the expiation and ceremonie of your obsequies and funerall pomps I will let this transitory life fréely offer vp my soule vnto the gods to accompany yours before their throne Pronouncing these words with a spent voice by reason of the continuall sighes which from her breast followed one another so thicke she would haue moued the most pitilesse and diamantine heart to compassion Marcomyr who reposed himselfe at the foot of a piller went directly to her where she made this mone who perceiuing him come ran vpon him as a lionnesse enraged when her whelpes are taken from her crying out amaine Ha cruell and fellonious knight séeing thou hast slaine my father all his guard and people why doest thou not make an end of me also How long wilt thou linger before thou send my woefull soule out of this languishing passion which it endureth in this my dying bodie Tell me Barbarian what moued thée to render this sorrowfull recompence for the extreame loue I bare thée now conuerted into all deadly hatred and more then mortall malice How durst thou deceiue a poore maiden thus trecherously considering the great familiarity into which I so soone admitted thée at the first sight Ha dissembler that hast thus surprised me through the false apparence of thy faire and sugred words saying thou wert a king a prince a great siegnior I thinke it wel but of théeues and murderers who camst hether but to pillage the treasure in this place O foolish more then miserable girle to credit so lightly thy cogging and deceitfull persuasion whose issue is but too tragicall and full of calamity Surely if all those who knew me euer haue reputed me a sage and an obedient daughter now they shall from henceforth account me for the most disloiall and wickeddest maiden that liues hauing thus wrought the death of mine owne father And although it be against my will shall I for that cease to exclaim of the inconstancie of fortune which by the only report of I know not what cloked and friuolous ostentation hath so easily chaunged my heart What will you my lord the great Turke say when you shall vnderstand the tidings of this massaker which hath ben so cautelously wrought to steale hence your treasor Alas why
I may haue no griefe to forsake this world but that only she may haue some coÌ„passion to sée breathlesse the seruant more deuoted to her seruice then any other whom she may find in these lower regions when she should séeke from Boreas to Auster and from the Indians to the Moores So he held his peace when Diocles and those who did accompanie him demanded of him the occasion of his so suddaine trance whom he answered not a word he felt himself so perplexed and confounded in his thoughts as no lesse was Philocrista for her part knowing her selfe the principall cause of his maladie with which he had quickly finished his life had hée not had spéedie remedie as you shall heare by and by CHAP. XXXI How the Embassadors of France arriued at Constantinople where they were honourably receiued by the Emperour who hauing vnderstood the effect of their embassage and therevpon conferred with the prince Arnedes immediatly affianced to him his daughter Philocrista by whose hand the Embassadors presented him their kings letter of commission THe post which Arnedes had dispatcht from Constantinople into France made such expedition that within few daies he arriued in the famous cittie of Paris where the king vnderstanding the will of his sonne resolued soone vpon the conclusion of this busines and did chuse out incontinent for the chiefe of this embassage the duke of Orleans a very sage prudent Siegnior commaunding the Marques of Oliuet and the Countie Peter one of the best knights of his court should accompanie him and many other Barons of Marke so braue and richly suted in their habilliments that they shewed euidently how much the French excéed all other nations in magnificence and many other good parts which now we will not speake of being besides our purpose The king hauing deliuered them their letters of commission instructions in the state of their embassage sent them away with many attires pretious gifts which he sent to Philocrista to the prince Arnedes but before they were departed there arriued in his court a knight who came froÌ„ the court of the Castilian king to aduertise Recindos how his brother being departed without issue al the people did much reioice that the scepter of such a kingdome fel into the hands of so valiant a prince as he When the king of France vnderstood this newes by the Spanish gentlemaÌ„ named Pinedes he answered him that Recindoâ— was gone with Arnedes his sonne into Constantinople where as he had since heard they won daily great honor renowne this was cause that Pinedes purposed to passe ouer into Gréece with his Embassadors for the same occasion they went to TollaÌ„ in Prouince to embarke themselues in the Mediteranean sea where sailing with a prosperous wind they arriued at ConstaÌ„tinople almost at the same time that Arnedes fel into the same trance you read of before Being come within the hauen two little Frigates which went alwaies before the vessell of the Embassadors were the first who cast ankers there and soone after by coÌ„mandment of the duke of Orleans began those within boord tokens of ioy to render thanks to God for their fortunate nauigation Whereof the Emperor being aduertised sent incontinent to sée what might those actions of ioy meane And vnderstanding they were the Embassadors of France he felt a great gladnes in himself hoping Arnedes might recouer some amendment by the report of this news So y t he coÌ„maÌ„ded they should forthwith let him know therof praying him to be of good chear séeing y e noblemeÌ„ of his couÌ„try were ariued theÌ„ in those quarters We néed not ask whether Arnedes found himself any thing eased at these tidings séeing the sodain recouerie he had in a moment by that meane skewed well therein did consist the true Phisicke of his griefe the which he left the same hower behind him in his bed to goe with Diocles towards the Emperor who séeing him come so lustie was a glad man of his amendment when he said vnto him siegnior Arnedes it seemeth to me the arriuall of these French Gentlemen hath made you strong and to recouer of your maladie You say true my lord quoth hée it is that which is mine onely restoritie and sole remedie Philocrista who knew full well the meaning of Arnedes affectionate desire was not glad a little of this occurrance so that to behold her in face and countenance one might plainely haue read in her heart and soone knowne whence this her gladnesse procéeded wherein she secretly declared to the French prince that which his tongue durst not manifest alowd a thing wherein he néeded no interpreter but thanking her with like signes went strait from thence toward the hauen to sée vnto which of his seruants the king his father had committed this legation The Emperor sent with him many of his barons to the end to accoÌ„pany the embassadors to his pallace for the greater honor of whoÌ„ Diocles himself would néeds go with Arnedes who sent his dwarf before to aduertise theÌ„ of his coÌ„ming towards y e port for this cause y e duke of OrleaÌ„s his other two coÌ„mpanioÌ„s came quickly aland in one of y e two seigats wher seeing y e prince first of all ran vnto him bareheaded to kisse his haÌ„ds in y e which doing he imbraced theÌ„ then said to y e duke of Orleans Ah my sweet cousin how many pleasures doth your arriuall in this cittie bring me Surely many more then you may thinke but tell me I pray you without passing farther how doth my lord the king my father My lord the ioifullest man in the world answered the Duke and as he who hath an extreame desire to sée you ere long sendeth you word that soâ—orning as little as possibly you may in these parts you would take your iorney quickly to returne into your good countrie of France Therein will I obey him willingly replied Arnedes before any long time passe after this day in the meane time doe your honor vnto Diocles the emperors son who of his grace would néeds take the paine to come so far as hether to receiue and entertaine you TheÌ„ Diocles maruelling all these knights and French Nobles did so much honor and reuerence to the prince Arnedes imagined presently he must néeds be their kings son And in regard therof vsing many amiable spéeches to the duke of Orlians and the other Embassadors he praid them very gratiously to aduertise him of Arnedes busines who vntill that hower would neuer manifest himselfe to any bodie My lord answered the Duke he is our prince and soueraigne siegnior who through the ardent desire which hée had to offer his seruice to the Emperor your father determined to come vnknowne into this court and to remaine here dissembling his person till he might sée the things designed by him to come to so good issue as he desired wherin I hope according to the embassage which the king his father hath committed to our charge
vnto the high way by which the trauellers did passe there they raised their tents and dispatched presently a squire to the court to make known that whosoeuer would ioust attending the triumph he should find two knights readie in the field who would hold them play for so had they the night before laid their plot As soone as the squire had published his message in the pallace the Duke de Pera vnderstanding thereof made this answeare to him Gentleman my friend returne you to these champions and tell them from me there will be one in the field by and by who taketh delight in that exercise will not refuse to breake a lance or two with thē With this answere came backe the squire to the two cousins whose embassage when the emperour had vnderstood he imagined with himselfe these two knights must néeds be Marcomyr and Ozalias his cousin whereof hée was excéeding glad and sent Rifaran to take a view of them who mounting quickly on horsebacke found Linedes disarmed at the entrance of his tent and his cousin the Countie readie armed at al points except his helmet which was off his head whom when he knew not he demanded whether they were the challengers who had sent to defie the knights of the court whereunto the lord of Liquia answered They were y e men to whō replied Rifaran againe You haue vndertaken a matter which you shall at your ease enioy but a small while but I beléeue you haue done it expresly to méet with some one quicklie who might apparantly represse and abate your pride When it shall fall out so quoth Linedes we shall but kéep others companie who when they cannot bring to passe their enterprises remain only frustrate of their desseigns therefore we pray you take no care for our affairs or else goe arme your selfe for it is the act of a knight to fight with his sword and not with his tongue otherwise you shall infringe the order which euery valiant man ought to hold deare as his life When Rifaran had ended these words he tooke his leaue of them to returne towards the Emperour whom he assured it was not Marcomyr nor Ozalias albeit they séemed to be both two braue and hardie knights and could not be but some puissant and great personages by their outward apparance Then went forth many good knights to proue themselues against the County who for all that carried away the honour from them all without any aid from Linedes at all who all the while neuer laid hand to shield nor lance so that the Emperour who was there in the field to see them run said he neuer saw knight in his life that carried his lance better nor ran with a better grace then did this champion of whom he had much maruell considering his smal corpulence and yong age Through all the court there was almost none other spéech but of the dexterity and fine cariage which he vsed in his Iousting whereupon Rifaran and Lechefin determined to run against him notwithstanding they would not doe it till the last day to the end the County and Linedes his cousin being vanquished by them their Prowesse might be knowne and spoken of aboue all those who should haue receiued any foile in the Iousting But there came by chance thether some who put them out of that paine as we shall hereafter declare CHAP. XIII How Arnedes sonne to the king of France and Recindos his cousin the king of Castiles son came to Constantinople where Arnedes vanquished at the Ioust Linedes and the County his cousin for which occcasion they were greatly honoured of the Emperour THe French king father to Lewis Duke of Burgondie in the latter end of his age after many other things called to mind how when the peace was established betweene the emperour Cleodomyr and him he concluded to ally themselues togither by marriage if God euer gaue them issue so to doe to the end in the Heroical and generous house of France might be séene to raigne children issued out of two of the most illustrious ofsprings in feats of armes which were betwéene the two celestiall poles for this cause did hée giue his son Lewis charge séeing the time and occasions fell out fit for the purpose that he should call vpon the emperor to fulfill his promise The prince marrying with the daughter of Castile had issue of her thrée male and two female both at one burthen and faire in all perfection The elder of the brethren had to name Arnedes who was a wise and valiant knight and set all his delight in managing armes and continuall exercise of matiall discipline Now king Lewis séeing his sonne was marriageable withdrew him one day aside into his chamber where he began thus My son so extreame is the naturall inclination of the good will I bear towards you that I would by no means séeke to doe any thing which might not content you as well as my selfe this I speake because your most honourable Grandfather of good memorie being in his latter age gaue me charge to match you in mariage with the Emperour of Constantinoples daughter to the end the children which should be borne of you both might ressemble in some things their famous and so much renowned ancestors Wherefore I am determined spéedily to send mine embassador to him for to sollicite this mariage whereunto I beléeue he will giue consent most willingly and well can I assure you my sonne that this Princesse named Philochrista of age betwéene fiftéen and sixtéene yeares is one of the fairest and most beautifull creatures which nature euer brought forth vnder the motion of the spheares Arnedes when he heard his father deale so secretly with him about such a matter besought him humbly not to trouble himselfe any further therein as yet for he would put him in mind thereof another time more fit for the purpose the king séeing him so cold desisted the matter But the yong prince who had heard of the surpassing beautie of Philocrista who had not her like in all the regions of the leuant and of the déeds of Chiualrie done by knights in the court of the Emperour Cleodomyr her father he could neuer remoue her out of his mind but in him from day to day still encreased a most seruent desire to passe to Constantinople with intent if this lady liked him to demand her in mariage of her father wherevnto if he would not giue consent to exploit such feats of armes in the countries of Gréece that the honour thereof should at his returne accompanie him homewards Such was the proiect of his desseigne which he imparted very willingly to Recindos his cousin sonne to the Castilian king a most valerous and hardie knight who encouraged him to put it in practise that it might take effect vowing he would til death alwaies kéepe him good loial companie and the worst were they could gouern themselues so wisely by disguising of their persons places and diuersity of