was till he found himselfe at the citie gate which entring he came to the lodging that Don Contumeliano had taken who being at the doore presently knew each other yet spake neuer a worde whereupon he tooke another horse and followed Don Bellianis to the Pallace to know the ende of that aduenture and by the way were greatly admyred of all men the one for the richnesse of his armour and the other for the sumptuousnesse of his apparell as afore is mentioned Don Bellianis lighted at the Court gate and hauing none to hold his horse Don Contumeliano said giue your horse to my Page who shall looke vnto him For though you know me not yet am I bound to do you any seruice Don Bellianis requiting his courtesie did as he requested and sayde Such fauours sir Knight cannot but presage a happie successe to my enterprise And taking him by the hand passed into a long Gallery where they sent the Soldane word of their comming crauing accesse to his presence which graunted they entred and found him talking with the King of Cyprus who then with his brothers began to arme themselues for the fight highly reioycing imagining their enterprize ended assuring themselues that fiue huÌ„dred good knights were not able to withstande them in field And when they sawe those Knights enter in so royall armour and apparell with such gallant disposition they much praysed them They being before the Soldan knéeled on the ground demaunding his princely hands to kisse them who courteously tooke them vp and imbraced them and saide they might vtter what they would and what they came for whereto don Bellianis replied Commaund dread Lord the duke Alfiron to be sent for and then you shall know what we require The Soldan sent for him straight who came garded with a thousand armed men And not knowing the cause of his sending for was verie sorrowfull séeing that day to bee the last of his prefixed time for the tryall of his cause and that he had got no Champion to defend his right by fight Don Bellianis séeing him with an audible voice that al might heare him said Most mightie Sophy of Syconia and imperious Soldane of this great Persian Monarchie know I am called the Solitarie knight if my name haue euer penetrated your eares sonne vnto the king of Phenicia who wandring about the worlde in search of strange aduentures haue by chance arriued in this your kingdome where I heard the occasion that the King of Cyprus otherwise named the Giant Filistone the fierce hath made agaynst duke Alfiron the courteous and other Knights of his company as also against thy daughter the beautious Persiana touching the death of the prince of Antioch who he saith they trechâ—rously â—â—ue I do well know the duke Alfiron although his memorie doth not comprehend any remembrance of his fauors towards me am assured he wold do nothing against the lawes and duties of a good knight But to be briefe I am resolued to vndertake fight the coÌ„bat for him if he hath none to do it I intreat him to grant it me For though I deserue not he should trust me with so great a charge yet my indeuor and his iustice herein shall supply my want The whole assembly much admired him iudging he was of no little valor that durst coÌ„bat with so terrible and deformed Giants though they mightilie doubted his victorie The Soldan was sore gréeued thinking eueâ—â—â— small let to be great according to his desire to sée y â— matter ended as he wold willingly wold he giue that citie to be fully reuenged of the duke Yet dissembling his inward thoughts said You may trie sir knight whether the duke will grant you the fight then do what you therin best may Notwithstanding I know not why you shuld procure this coÌ„bat getting nothing but the losing of your life Al shalbe as pleaseth the gods replied don Bellianis The duke hearing these spéeches said I cannot hitherto call to mind most excellent prince wherein my deserts should so bind you to succor me in this my greatest néed But I do assuredly beléeue the immortall gods hath sent you because they will not suffer so great villanie procéede further And with this as an auspicious tokeÌ„ assuring me of your victory through your incomparable countesie and more valor I grant you the fight and perswade your selfe that all right and iustice you this day defend I am so perswaded answered don Bellianis and therefore say no more But who is your accuser The king of Cyprus stepped forth saying I am he Wherfore sée if still thou be so resolued More assuredly will I now maintaine it then at first said don Bellianis for thy presence sheweth there can bee no reasou nor iustice in any thing thou attemptest The Giant inraged with these words séeming through choller to spit fire in treated the Soldan to command the prisoner to be brought into the field for being all armed they had nothing to stay for Hereat don Bellianis was somwhat moued thinking it would be knoweÌ„ he was not in y e tower Many of those knights went for the prisoners entring don Bellianis lodging they â—ound Floriana a bed in his place but her felow was vp had closed the curtains so close that none could sée who was a bed Who when she saw the gard come in said very softly to them Go no further good knights for the knight of the golded Image lyeth in the extream paine of his life The Sophy said they hath sent vs for him to cary him to the field See said she where he lieth but I beséech you stir him not I will go with you to the Soldan and sée what he will command Wherupon they went to the Sophy with her who declared vnto him in what case don Bellianis was The Soldan coÌ„manded he should not be molested and that she should sée him want nothing He now néedeth nothing but this said she and séeing the knight y t had vndertaken the coÌ„bat she knew him to be don Bellianis by his gallant demeanor and the talnesse of his body and wondred to sée him fâ—rnished with so rich armor and returning to the tower told it Floriana who with her greatly râ—ioyced assuring themselues that don Bellianis would obtaine the victorie reasoning together that he séemed to be yoked in the amorous bonds of their Ladie by that which beâ—ell him when they named her At this time was the Princesse and the Duke conducted to the field séeming verie pleasant The Princes don Brianel and Arfileo were aduertised how the duke had gotten a champion They were glad therof because the imprisoned knights might rest more contented and secure of their good succâ—sse and so they mounted on their horses The King of Arminia did beare Don Brianels shéeld and Arfileos was borne by the king of Tessifantie The Duke Gariano did beare one helme and the Prince of Brandalia the other and in this maner they were
reason of his good armour yet through diuers places there issued infinit blood But his aduersaries eager of reuenge procured nought but his death in so much that they would often close their eies and fall vppon him because they would not see his strokes and had not he leapt sometimes héere and sometimes there some one would haue got him faste which if they did hée greatly hazarded his life Yet could hee not so defend himselfe but that at last some 50. of them despising death fel vpon him together laying fast holde on his armes wherin it behooued him to vse his strength onely to get from them kicking and spurning with his féete that in the ende hée fell downe with aboue halfe of them vppon him and seeing himselfe in such daunger hauing there receiued aboue tenne woundes suddenly stept away rysing on his féete on the other side bestowing deablie woundes on all sides that heere arose such greate and mightie clamours and outcries that the rest of the battell was nothing to this fight incouraging one another onely to kill that Knight on whose death depended their victorie In this season arriued here the Prince of Phenicia with his company that came in pursuit of those that fledde and hearing there that great noyse so brauely set vpon them that they vnhorsed aboue 2000. Knights with which fury this Prince prest through them till he came where the Knight of the golden Image was whom he knew though he neuer sawe him by the deuise of his shield and séeing him do such wonders said to himselfe that not without cause he enioyed the name and deserued to be called the sole-worthie of admyred Chiualrie and being about to alight to giue his Horse vnto Don Bellianis the mightie Boraldo came thither to succour his men that here lost their gotten vantage which they did not on the otherside because he valiantly had withstood the force of the Princes Don Brianell and Arfileo And espying that Knight straight know him by his Armour thinking him to be he that had slaine the King of Cyprus and fearing his force durst not like a good Knight confront him face to face supposing that in a battell any thing was tollerable raised himself on his stirropes and with his hand behinde his backe gaue his so huge a blow that it made him bend his head lower then his Horses eares Which Don Bellianis perceiuing hauing knowne y e Prince and thinking he would haue fallen from his Horse ranne to helpe him But the Prince Don Contumelian losing no whit of his high valour at such blowes returned vpon him with his sword hoysted aloft determining at that blow to part his head in two The other with like intent came also vpon him and at one instant discharged their rage on each other that Contumeliano was like to fall But Boraldo lost his sences The Prince seconded another that therewith he tumbled from his Horse and alighting to cut off his head vnlaced his Helme and found it in such case that he iudging him dead let him lye though it had bene better for him there to haue made him sure then for his after harme to giue him his life as this Historie discourseth And going to the Knight of the golden Image with great courtesie thus saide Mount vpon this my Horse most hautie Knight vsurper of anothers heart and follow the victorie ordeined by the Gods to all your happie and glorious acts The Knight of the golden Image replied Leaue not your Horse forme high and renowmed Prince for though I in this battell doe miscarry there is nothing lost in respect of your royall person how much the more that this knights horse whom you haue slaine suffiseth me And so mounting on Beraldos horse the Phenician Prince did the like vpon his owne togither so ouerturned the fury of the fight that through want of an infinit number of the Soldans men his Captains began to yeeld the field Which their aduersaries séeing so hotely renewed their decaying forces that their enemies were constrained to saue their liues by giuing the rained libertie to their horses in which flight being brauely pursued there was an innumerable number slaine that after the fight it was found ethat of the Souldans men were slaine aboue 25. thousand With not aboue two thousand losse on the Dukes behalfe Which good successe being by those Kings and Princes woorthily attained euery one with immortal praises thanked him to whom their deuotion was most being in that whole Campe but onely thrée Christian Knights This done they went to meete the Princesses that were comming to them Betwéene whome their courteous gréetings and kinde salutes were such as if they neuer before had seene one another Euerie one greatly honoured the Princesse Contumeliano some for his aide in that great daunger newly past the others that knew no otherwise not only for the same thanked him but also for the ouerthrow he had giuen the fearefull Feliston King of Cyprus At which time arriued the Duke Alfiron who séeing the Phenician Prince would haue alighted being sorely wounded but he would by no meanes suffer it Giue me your royall white handes most excellent Prince that I may kisse them said the Duke in token that I twise haue receiued my despised life by your meanes Don Contumelian séeing the Dukes error would not longer séeme to robbe the glorie from the Uictor by ioying in anothers honour contenting himselfe with that he had wonne in that battell and the obtaining of such friends replied I will not Magnanimious Duke and you heroike Knights suffer your errour no farther to procéed nor longer vsurpe the honour of so high a victorie from him that vindeth all wandring Knightes in the orbed earth to his furie and seeing there is now no daunger in discouering it knowe great Lords that he which hath wonne the immortall glorie of the victory is your friend and Lord of vs all the neuer inogh praised the Knight of the golden Image to whom by a strange aduenture I lent my Armour wherewith he vndertooke the fight wherein befell all that you sawe and dylated the manner how he found him and in what habit concealing nothing but what hapned after the fight Which heard of the Duke Kings Princes and the Knights there present they highly wondred at his discourse whereto the Duke thus said Now am I not renowmed Prince so much indebted as I thought for hauing giuen all my selfe vnto the Knight of the golden Image he doeth in taking care for my matters busie himselfe in his owne wherby my dutie can be no greater then it was before You haue nothing so much cause saide Don Brianell to thanke him for what he did in that battell hauing therein as great a part as your selfe or else had he not bene there present very ill should we haue defended his honour Wherevppon they newly imbraced Don Bellianis saying he had not done well in not disclosing himselfe to them that they mought with more confidence haue vsed their
buisinesse nor néede more seruice then I can doe being not so déepely wounded that we should require any such helpe You saye well aunswered don Bryanell but vnlesse I be deceiued you are sore wounded and my selfe am in like case and before we loose more blood let vs set Damartyno at libertie Be it so replyed Palineo and so tooke the keyes of the Prison from the Porters side and opened it where they found him ouerladen with boultes and Irons pale megre and weake for want of sustenance tasting no foode sometime in two nor three dayes whom the knights séeing could not stay the teares in their eyes knawing him to be one of the loyalest Knights liuing in those dayes Damarâ—yno séeing those Knightes enter in that manner said What would you with mee Knightes is your Lord now contented to end my life which would bee no little comforte to my many torments Palineo no longer able to conceale himselfe vnlacing his helme with great ioy to sée him aliue said thus You haue no cause to feare vs most loyall Knight being now at length set at libertie by the handes of this valiant Knight to whome you are no lesse bopnd then for your life And by yours said Don Brianel for without you mine had little auailed Wheruppon taking away his irons with great gladnesse he imbraced Palineo saying I did assure my selfe my mesâ— deare fréend you would not faile me in my necessitie for in such times true friends are knowne more then in prosperitie and humbling himselfe to Don Brianell craued to kisse his hands seeing his person that good deede required his dutie Don Brianel shewed him the like courtesie and taking him vp saying Thaâ— for that litle hee had don he deserued no such thanks being bound to more theÌ„ that for him for her sake that sent him Sir knights said Damartyno I haue certaine seruants in prison some where about this Castle for I know they were brought in with me them I pray you let vs frée so they went to séeke them and Damartyno greatly woondred to sée so great slaughter by two Knights And after they had found the seruants Don Brianel and Palineo they were laid in two beds in the Castle and were cured by one of Damartynos seruants that were very skilfull in that science and there they continued certaine daies till they were wel giuing order that if any came from the king they should be admitted to them But Don Bryanell the first day required one of the seruants secretly to fetch their horses where they had left them which so soone as it was darke was done that not a little contented Don Bryanel for he highly prysed his horse being neuer a better in that whole kingdome and through the hurly burly in that Cittie none remembred they within the castle But after they were through well Don Bryanell said to Damartyno and Palineo being altotogither Hitherto sir knight you haue not knowne the occasion of my comming nor knowne what I am hauing neuer séene mee before but to assure you of both read this letter from the honourable Princesse Aurora by which you shall know the beginning and the ende of my trauaile Damartyno taking it opened it and read it to this effect THe disinherited Queene of Antioch Aurora Princesse of Miriana to thee the most loyalest of all creatures her louing Knight Damartyno of the Valley gouernour of our Kingdome by our will though by a strangers hand health I knowe the vnhappie chances ouerthrowes and vnfortunate misaduentures haue not beene vnknowne to thee as the man that hath sustained the like which haue by the prouision of our immortall Gods befallen the King Pompeiano thy Lord and my deare Father as also the feared absence of my person so necessarie to escape the furie of the Prince Perianeo of Persia and Dou Gallaneo of Antioch And now reposing my confidence on the high estate of thy descent in the great loyalty I haue known in thee by the loue my father bare thee whose death partly on some of them is reuenged as this knight will more at large tell thee I hope the like shall also be seene in thy presence through thy meanes and order eyther by my comming in person to these or with an hoast of men sufficient to regaine our rights for which cause I send thee this valourous knight excellent not onely in armes but in al things else required in a noble maÌ„ With him shalt thou determine the best and the speediest meanes for these assaires we mooue but the Gods protect thee and preserue thee in that state of loialtie which thou euer gloriest in So soone as Damartino had read this letter did again imbrace Don Brianell saying I could not haue or desire better newes theÌ„ these sir knight to comfort my afflicted hart ioying to know of the welfare of my soueragne But how shal we do for this tyrant and vsurping king Tramoscano is so mightie and strongly fortified in this land that we may hardly oppose our selues against his forces I am of opinion said Palineo seeing we are to begin so great an enterprise we make it knowne vnto the Duke of Siluania to whom hauing Don Gallanco granted all his liuings the vsurper hath now for some causes disconsented hee I am assured séeing you at libertie will not denie all his aid assisting you to reobtaine that which he hath lost or else loose what he hath new I doo very well like what you haue said replied Damartyno and therefore you and I will to morrow go to him leauing this Knight in the castle to answere any that comes from the Cittie It were better we all goe togither said Palineo and if any come we will leaue order with these seruants what they shall do Be it so said don Brianell and I thinke best we goe ere it be day that we be not séen putting on some of the armor of the giants knights So resolued on this went to rest themselues and about midnight they rose and changed their armonr Damartyno and Palineo taking the best horses in the Castle departed commanding their seruants if any came from the Cittie they should tell them the Gyant had commanded none should enter to speak with him because he was not well And that they should make them answer according to their demand in the Gyants behalfe CHAP XLVIII What befell Don Brianell and his companions with the Knights of the Lions and how knowing one another they all returned to the Castle TWo parts of the night were ouerpast wheÌ„ the dazeling light of pale shyning Dyana would giue place vnto the easterne rising of the mornings sunne whose clear approach excelleth from the heauens the obscure darknesse of the gloomie night when these thrée knights issued forth of the castle vpon mighty câ—ursers with strong and knotty lances in their hands and onely with two pages to carry their shéelds taking the right way to the citie of Siluania where they thought to finde the duke Now
him sorâ—lie but seeing himselfe in so immenent daunger was once againe forced to take the Piller for his defence whereon hée espied a Sworde fixed whose workemanship was such that the like in no tyme was euer seene wherein he more at that time reioyced then had hee béene inuested vniuersall Lorde of the whole earth or made a greater Monarch then his Father And without delay stepping to it verie easilie and lightlie drewe it foorth which hee had no sooner done but that there was heard a most horrible noyse as if the dissolution of the worlde were then that vnable to stande was faine to get holde of the Piller Yet scarce was the earthquake past but that deformed Giant prepared himselfe to fight which the Prince seeing and ioyfull with the obtained sword therewith thrust at his bodie with the vtmost strength of his arme that the Sworde appeared at his backe that straight the Giant fell to the grounde as dooth some mightie Oake rent with a Whirlewind by the rootes And looking for the Beare founde him also deade as thinges that had no longer tearme of life then the lasting of the inchauntment which ended with the drawing of the Swoorde from the Pillar And that noyse beeing heard of Don A sileo that remayned at the Caues mouth tryed if hee might againe enter it which without anie trouble hee did And taking his hunting Jaueline with him hee câ—st himselfe resolutelie into it and came to Don Belianis at the time hée ended the Giants life and was giuing thankes to God that hee had deliuered him from so great perill and daunger and with wonderous gladnesse to see themselues againe togither ranne to embrace each other and Arsileo thus sayde You haue not béene long deare Coosen though so sorâ—lie wounded as you were in 〈…〉 ng this so staunge and most maruaylous aduenture to your admyrable honour and blasing fame whereby I doo assuredlie beleeue you will terminate all others with like expedition So that the perpetuall recorde of your Fathers glorious name which hee in manie yeares with his great paine obtayned will bee with the neuer dying memorie of your famous déedes and the eternitie of your actes in short time extinguished and in obliuious darknesse ouerwhelmed No not so good Coosen replyed Don Belianis but let vs reade these Letters fixed vpdon this Pillar which cost mee nolesse bloud then if they contained some matter of great importaunce which they read to this effect A Prophecie and is fulfilled in the 37. Chapter In the time to come when the fiercenes of the couragious Lions by the greatnes of my skill shalbe put in greater feare by them that in valour had so great part the fearfull keepers of my caue being slain and the sword won wherwith the liuing shalbe lost and â—he dead put in possession of the reobtained with the greatest strangenesse of obtainers which vntil that time was euer heard of shalbe restored to theirroyall blooud and the true possessors know en Greatlie were the two Princes amazed hereby not vnderstanding those woordes though plainelie they were meant by Don Pelianis seeing hee had ended the aduenture Great is the â—eede sayde Don Biâ—ileâ— you seeme to haue of present care for your woundes which I see to bee so deepe that I feare you may fall into some notable daunger throngh the great quantitie of bloud you haue lost Which was true for though the Prince with the ioy of his good successe and in beholding his rich Swoorde thought not on his great and daungerous wounds which were such that if anie other of lesse and weaker constitution and couragiousnesse of minde had had them coulde not so haue sustained himselfe But while they were thus talking from a most sumptuous Chamber there issued forth a beautious Damsell cloathed in a Crimson sattin robe so great that the traine thereof trayled on the ground This Lady was led betwéene two Knights auncient and of great grauitie and on her attended twelue Damsels in the same liuerie all shewed by their faces some heauie cause of melancholike sorrow who beeing before the Prince prostrated themselues on the ground which hee seeing did also the like and intreated them to rise to which shee said I will not rise most excellent Prince vntill first you haue graunted mee my demaunde I doo graunt it gracious Ladie sayde the Prince and not onelye that but manye others for my desire is onelye for to serue such as your owne selfe I do render many infinit thanks replied she neither did I looke for lesse from so high and honoured a Prince as you guarded with such royall bountie and magnificent excellencie and rysing tooke him by the hand and entred the Chamber which though Don Belianis had séene manye verye fayre and rich in his Fathers Pallace yet iudged hée that to bée royallest hée might sée for the walles séemed of christall through which appeared such diuersitie of pictures as the whole Uniuerse coulde scarce containe more the floore séemed of Transparant Emeraldes which so amased their woondring sences that they stood a good while gazing on it till Don Bellianis turning to the Lady that held him by the hand saide Although fayre Ladie the entrance of this Caue séemed so timorous in sight yet the varietie of these raryties which it within containes presents more shewes to the outward fight theÌ„ the whole world besides without reason was it not made with such extreames as to be inhabited with so excellent beauty within and guarded with so great feare without to forbid the enteraÌ„ce to all attempters The Lady coÌ„ceiuing great pleasure at the Princes words answered I could not choose but blush most gracious Prince at your words though so honored by them knew I not your great courtesie that farre surpasseth all others of this time which causeth mée to prize my selfe more then I should or my merits deserue though I should not vnder your protection do it because all honoured prayses and deserued merits rest in your selfe But ouerpassing this which is so well knowne of euerie one let my intreaties now so preuaile with you that my maidens may cure your wounds I haue no wound replied the prince that so much needeth cure saue my desire to know the ende of this aduenture and also who shée is that so honoureth me Uerie quickly shall you know it faire Lord saith the Princesse but first must your woundes be cured least you incurre some greater danger and after shall you know the cause of your comming hither whom I am and what else you will all being doone by her will that keepes me heere Thereupon the Prince was vnclothed by those Ladies and one of them cured him most skilfully hauing great knowledge in that art and layde on a sumptuous bed they left him to his rest The Prince Arsileo remained in talke with the dâ—msell of many things specially of the aduenture of that day greatly admiring what Don Bellianis his cosin had atchieued beeing so yong of yeares Do not so wonder
gallerie he sawe aboue ten Knights pursued by two most fearefull giants and ten other knights that laid on them great and mightie blowes which the Emperour séeing and wanting time to arme himselfe imbraced his strong shéeld and opposed himselfe against the Giants calling aloud vnto the Knights they shuld turne and not cowardly flie for feare They being astonied with their shame séeing a knight without Armour haue the corage to attēpt such an enterprise returned against the furious Gyant who with fretting yre to sée that one onelie man shuld resist their furie set vppon him with great battel-axes in theyr strong hands But hee whose heart neuer feared their deedes with an vndanted mind stayed for them and making one loose his blowe receiued the others on his shéelde which was such that parted in two it fell to the ground hardly sauing his hand from following it yet was it a little wounded Whereat full of rage he strooke one of them on the head that the sword being of a good temper and gouerned by so puissant an arme it cleft it downe to the eyes wherewith he fell with such violence as when a tower is ouerturned by the furie of a suddaine earthquake hereupon the other ourreached him with his axe that had he not warded it with his sword it had bin the last he shuld receiue for it descended with such rigour that his sword was cut in two and he wounded pitiously on the head who then séeing himselfe in such danger closed straight with the Giant that not able to shunne him they both tooke holde of one anothers armes demeaning themselues so valiantly that the Emperour with the surpassing strength he vsed lost much bloud by his wounds which at length made him being furiously moued hoyst his enemie in the aire and threw him to the ground euen in the place where he came vp and quickly pushing him with his hands tumbled him headlong ouer the Tower that with the fall he died yet least he might reuiue looking out of a window he called to Don Brianell to kill him afore he arose who straight cutte off his head By this time the clearenesse of the morning beganne to shewe it selfe when the Emperour looking towardes the flying Knights perceiued them to bee put to the worst by reason of one whose valour excelled the rest seeming to bee of high descent and theyr commaunder which the Emperour séeing tooke one of the dead Giants shéeldes meaning to rescue them whereat the knight turning to him to see where he hadde left the Giants for beeing busie in fight with the knights little thought they should haue such fortune and seeing that horrible Giant dead and howe the Knight made against him rested amazed yet with great furie taking his sword with both handes made towards the Emperour which raysing aloft gaue him such a blow on the sheeld that it made him bowe to the ground and doubling with another on the other side thereof strooke cleane from his arme sorely wounding him on the thigh which the Emperour thought he had lost that with mortall furie gaue such another on the right arme that the greatest part thereof he cutte forcing the knight to take his sword in his left hande who with it would wounde him but the Emperour that had learned to omitte no occasion sustaining himselfe on his thigh as well as he could strooke at him so fierce a blow which lighting on his hard tempered helme it felde him almost dead to the grounde yet greatly praysing him for that hee hadde séene him doo though he much had endaungered him would not any otherwise hurt him but going to succour the knights of the Castle sawe they hadde valiantly resisted their aduersaries and so séeing euerie thing accomplished to his desire knéeled and rendered God great thankes for his deliuerie from so great daunger béeing the greatest hee euer had béene in finding himselfe vnarmed But going to rise was not able to stande on his legges though hee greatly stirred to doo it by reason of his wounde which by that time was colde And turning to them of the Castle that alreadie had slaine their enemies who extreamely greeuing so to sée him would vncloath him to cure his woundes But hee would not till first they called his Page that remained without which they did wonderfully amazed at the haughtie courage of the knight that so admirable and vnheard of déedes had done comming to such a place vnarmed which they iudged to be the greatest acte that euer was spoken of And calling Don Bryanell they tolde him what the Knight would haue who verie ioyfull because they tolde him hée was in no daunger of death straight mounted vppe the Castle stayres where the Emperour was greatly doubting his life by reason he enterprised that aduenture without armour and went to the place where they vncloathed him there dressed his woundes which done hée kneeled downe demaunding his royall hands to kisse them The Emperor imbraced him and made him rise to whom Don Bryanell sayd Great was the feare that I was in for you my most excellent Lord in that I was barred from bringing you your armor seeing you run into so certaine perill yet thinke I more easily you tumbled downe the Giant then you did your self mount vp vnto the top giuing him no leisure to vse the rope for his easier descent The Emperour much delighted in his pleasant spéech and commanded them to leaue him alone to rest his tyred bodie which the knight did taking Don Bryanell with them and desired him they might knowe who his maister was and his name assuring themselues the whole earths circuit coulde not affoord his like for valour and what chaunce had at such time brought him thither To whom Don Brianell answered hee was called the vnknowne knight and though he had a long time accompanied him he knew no other name he had and that trauailing ouer these mountaines he heard the great cries within the Castle with what else happened So leauing their discourse and thinking it time went to serue the Emperour meate whome they found more quiet the paine of his woundes beeing mittigated and after he had eaten demanded the occasion that those Gyants so vsed them We know not good sir answered they saue how a knight that came with them knocked the last night at the Castle gate intreating vs to let him in requiring a lodging for that night which we yéelding to opened the gate mistrusting nothing lesse then that which befell but in the opening he set vpon vs with those pittilesse Gyants whom you slew And when we sawe so many inconueniences sent forth those cryes togither with many women that were within This good sir is all that we know of this aduenture so that if you had not come when you did we had all suffered a most cruell death Tell me said the Emperour what is become of a knight cloathed in an azure Armor he is prisoner in a Tower replied they vntill we know your
arose from his traunce and séeing his knights retyred backe and that the most parte of the Giants were slaine and that great troupes of armed knights not farre from whence they were fighting came with spéedie haste towards them which he iudged to bee aboue two thousand and séeing his intent coulde not for that time take effect turned to Don Gallaneo that daye by him and taking one of those horses that loose came about called one of his Knights commaunding him to set the Prince his Coozin before him very secretly vnknowne to the Emperour and the rest he put himselfe through the groue and learning of a man whom he met the next way to the sea coaste went thither where finding his ships and fearing he might be pursued stripped himselfe and Don Galleneo commanding the marriners to hoyse the sayles and put vnto the Sea which they straight did laying his Coozin on a bed in his Cabbin and applyed him many remedies to recouer his sences that the better they might dresse his woundes where we leaue them returning to declare the ende and successe of the battell CHAP. VIII How the battell beeing ended Don Bellianis with his companye departed not discouering whome they were And what happened to him and his Coozin with the Ladies in the daungerous groue THe battell resting in the manner as is before recyted very cruell and bloodye on all parts the like whereof to that day was neuer séene of so fewe Knights the one side resolued to effect theyr enterprise which by the victorie of that battell they hoped would be by the Emperours death drewe strength whence none was iudging better in that fight to dye well reuenging their owne deathes then to abide the mercye of the Emperour of whom they none expected On the other side the Emperours knights being of such valour as is expressed and guided by such Captaines fought so couragiously with their aduersaries that forring them to retire most of them left their liues in the field About this time appeared along the way from the Cittie so manie squadrons of Knights that they couered all those fieldes kéeping no order in their march gallopping so fast that quickely they arriued where that vnequall battell was fighting who being by the Pagans séene straight put themselues to flight thinking to saue themselues in the Thickets of those wooddes But the Emperours Knights then arriuing so brauely assaulted them that hauing no time to execute their purpose they were all put to the Sworde none suruiuing to beare newes home of their ouerthrowe The Emperours and Princes remained so wounded that although the ioy of their great victorie eased the paine of their woundes yet thought they coulde not scape with life for the quantitie of bloud issued from them was so great that their Horses were altogither besmeared therewith But the Emperour séeing howe much bound hee was to those Knightes with great gladnesse ranne to embrace Don Bellianis whom he so much prized for his hautie chiualrie that he iudged all others in comparison of his but a dreame The Prince Don Bellianis did the like and going to dismounte on foote to shewe his humble dutie the Emperour woulde not permit it but holding him in his armes said If most excellent Knight you regarde what you haue done for mee and from what great daunger you and your Companions haue this day redéemed me more reason were it I should kisse your hande in signe of acknowledging the great benefite by your magnanimitie that I haue receyued which no lesse then with my life I shoulde remunerate in satisfaction whereof I pray the Almightie Lord that hath deliuered vs from so great daunger and perill to guerdon you for it for if I should inuest your Lord of all my Emperic you could not rest satisfied for the least part of your deserued merits this day obtained Wherefore hencefoorth I will holde this Monarchie not as absoiute commaunder thereof but as giuen me by your hands and as your deputie to kéep it acknowledging my lawfull homage for the same at al times when you shall commaund The Prince Arfileo comming thither at that instant not letting don Bellianis aunswere the Emperour least thereby he might be knowne beeing loath to discouer themselues by reason of theyr promise made to the Damzels thus replied What to day this Knight hath in your seruice done most mightie Emperour deserueth no recompence nor yet wordes of ceremonious thankes for more then this euerie one knowing the royaltie of your person is bound vnto and nowe we resting more then satisfied with the good will wherewith you séeme to accept this our small seruice and hauing no more néede of vs at this present wée instantly beséech you to graunt vs leaue that sending for our Damzels wée may hence depart for our abiding here may be verie daungerous vnto vs. In verie déede victorious Knight I tell you replied the Emperour there is now a greater battell represented me then the last For I cannot beléeue in Knightes so magnimious in heroycall déeds there should be such discourtesie as to depart leauing on me the burthen of ingratitude in making me suffer you to go so grieuously wounded when you deserts merit no satisfaction and that which most tormenteth me is you should desire to depart not reuealing vnto me your names that at least I might know to whom my thankes are due And you most excellent knight turning to don Bellianis do I intreat to do it which if you also denie mee I here protest to sollew you about the worlde till I learne it and ioyning if to the enterprise I haue vndertaken in demaund of my senne don Bellianis and of his Coosin Arfileo I will not returne to Constantinople till I also know this I now request of you Don Bellianis fearing to be knowne altered his spéech and answered I cannot but confesse the high discourtesie that we commit most glorious Emperour in disobeying the supreme command of so great a Monarch whose immortal fame deserueth the whole earths and chieflly our obedience But men being subiect voluntarily to promise and tyed by necessitie to obseruance forceth vs by disobeying you to obserue our forepassed worde to one of the Ladies that bee within the Castle which was not to discouer our selues to any vntill we were out of your Empire least thereby we shoulde bee deteyned And as for the demaund you vndertake of the Princes your sonne and Coozin you may account it ended for they be liuing and not long agoe were before this Castle whome I and this my companion haue séene togither and this we assure you to be true because we know them very wel and also they told vs how being on hunting they were by a certain aduenture parted from you and your traine in the daungerous groue which is far from hence Wherfore in lieu of this promise and newes we intreat you any longer not to staye vs nor further to enquire of our affaires nor names séeing it lyeth not in our powers to
declare The Emperour being about to reply the king of Hungary came to them that returned from pursuing his enemies to whom the Emperorsaid it behoueth you king of Hungary to constraine these knights to abide with vs for I cannot intreat it They will not doo so I am sure answered the king especially at your request I say I cannot obtaine it said the Emperour yet haue they tolde mee newes of my sonne and yours and that it is not long since they departed away from them and for all this will they not tell me theyr names They are altogither so vnwoorthy to be knowne sayd Arfileo that it is vnnecessarie to require them But if it may please your Maiestie we would gladly knowe the cause wherefore these Knights would haue slaine you though in the beginning me thought they ment it by vs. The Emperour thereupon told them the whole occasion as is alreadie mentioned at which instant the Princesse Aurora comming thither with her Ladyes and hearing the Emperor name Don Galaneo said to Don Belianis The greatest part of our enterprise Sir knight were finished if that traitor were taken Whereupon they commaunded him to be sought for about all the field but could not finde him yet in the search they met the man that directed Don Galfeo to the sea coast of whome by the signes and tokens of their armor they learned that they had fled from the battell whereof the Emperour was excéedingly sorie to whom Don Belianis thus spake Afflict not your selfe dread Lord about him for it is the enterprise I vndergo by this Ladies commaund and if I liue I protest and promise you that the first time he falles into my hands though he be before the Soldane his Lorde to giue him his death I would not haue you take such paines sayde the Emperor but ouerpassing that lette mee againe intreate you to stay the curing of your woundes in this Castle Wée may héere abidr no longer replyed Don Belianis and so taking their leaues the Prince sending for his shéeld which was brought him in two peeces they straight departed so sorely wounded as may be imagined for he that had least of them both hadde aboue twentie verie dangerous wounds chéefely that which Arfileo had on his thigh and the thrust that Don Belianis had which séemed to penetrate his entrals In this maner going on their way the space of three miles ascended a high mountaine to find some place to dresse their woundes and hauing cut and gathered a great number of branches and boughes the damsels made some arbours for the knights hauing left behind the two olde men with many others for seeing them fall from their horses supposed them slaine in the fight and with their gownes towels and scarfes couered them and after they had vnarmed them with such things as they had dressed theyr woundes which were so déepe and dangerous that they greatly lamented certainely thinking they could not scape death And leauing them alone to repose their wearied bodies fold it their Lady who bitterlie wept for their peril as if she had séene them dead so much shee credited her Damsels words knowing their skill in that misterie to be singular But being thus in their laments they sawe a chariot comming through the ayre which séemed to be made of white transparant Christall of the mount it was drawne with six mightie vgly Griffons that put the Princesse and her Ladies in great feare which chariot alighted in the place where the knights lay From it descended two very little dwarffes that were going to the Prince Don Bellianis with a chéerefull voice said We are messengers sēt from the wise Bellona who for the great loue she beareth you and the Prince your Coozin knowing in what daunger your liues be in and how nigh death approacheth to craue his tributary dutie by reason of your great wounds for although these Ladies be very skilfull in this art yet you cannot without great daunger be cured vnlesse that it bee by her also because the Emperours men are séeking for you and will not be long ere they come hither she hath sent you this carre in which she requires you that without longer delay both you with the Princesse and her ladies mount spéedily thereon for that the Emperour hath straight neede of the selfesame remedie and in dalliance he may incurre much perill of his life Whereuppon they séeing that more then the present danger could not happen vnto them that agréede thereto and taking the Princesse her Ladies they all mounted on the charyot though the Ladies with some fear did it But ere we more speak of them we must remember what befell the Emperour after she battell was ended CHAP. IX What the Emperour did after the Princes departure and how he knew who they were SOone after the Emperor saw the aduenture ended to his high honor he rēred inmortall thanks to the almightie for his deliuerie and with the newes he had of his déere son ◠Coozin nothing regarded his woundes Whereupon the king of Hungaria said haue a care dread Souereigne to cure your wounds if you will inioy the victory you haue atchieued for it wil be no small thing to escape with life being so piteously wounded My ioy is so great aunswered the Emperor that were it not moderated with séeing these Knights go with such daungerous woundes in my defence and deliuerie from this daies perill that onely were a sufficient remedie to heale me without further cure But beléeue me if as I hope I doo escape this daunger recouering my almost lost life I will not desist till by some meanes I know who and whence they be that so well reuenged me and commaunding all the wounded to be conuaide to the Cittie he returned to the Castle leauing the king of Hungaria to make prouision of all necessaries and himselfe was laid in his bed where his woundes being dressed his surgions thought impossible he should without great hazard of his life escape them Whereat the people sorely gréeued cheefely séeing that a while after he was dressed through the intollerable paine of the woūd on his head he spake many things without reason as a man distract of sence and halfe lunatick which was iudged as tokens of his death so that none dared to cary any such tidings to Cōstantinople But thus fearing his vntimely end there came a damsel to the king of Hungary that hauing caused the woūded knights to be conducted to be cured rested greatly discontent for the Emperors daunger and with a merrie semblance said to him Doo not gréeue most noble King for the howre is not come that so royall and most glorious a Prince should thus suddenly leaue the world therfore lead me straight vnto his presence and you shall see wonders by me wrought The amazed King replying neuer a worde tooke her by the hand and brought her to the Castell and set her in the Chamber where the Emperour lay in the state afore recited
obeying his commaund came to the place where the vgly monstrous beast laye slaine the sight wherof so feared their horses that not able to staye them in dispight of their ryders they ranne away with them The like timorousnes surprysed the knights beholding the monstroussie of the dragon that they durst not approach to discerne what he was yet seeing hee sturred not one of them taking Hart agrace esteeming himselfe lesse fearefull then the rest alighted on foote and trembling went where the dead beast lay and séeing him not mooue with the huge quantity of blood wherein he wallowed called his companions bidding them not feare for it was not aliue who well viewing it were greatly astonished to sée so deformed a thing and searching where hee had beene strucken they sawe his woundes aboue the legges and winges whereby they iudged the knight that had slaine him could not but bee sorely hurt by beeing so nigh that y e wounds shewed they had beene beene made with a dagger And one following the signes of the bloode found the Damzels mantells that they had left with the knights armour which presently they knewe and assured themselues hee slâ—we that most vgly beast in respect whereof they nothing esteemed what hee had performed to their costes in the turney with the sight of y â— prodigious and infernall monster slaine by his handes And so they tooke great compassion on him for the much blood hee there had shed so finding no signe nor tracing of his to finde him and seeing him armourlesse resolued to returne vnto the Sophy and tell him what they had seene presenting him the knights armour and the damzells mantells Wherewith going out of the wood lighted on the two knightes slaine and turning them ouer much mused at the horrible blowe which the one had whose like they neuer had séene before and going away they met with foure knights that knowing the Damzells mantells said Wee beseech you gentle knights tell vs where wee may finde the Ladies owners of those mantells Wee know not sayde they but why doe you demaunde it To know what became of a knight that accompanieth them Why seeke yee him demaunded they for wee also would imploy the vtmost of our power to finde and carrye him to our Lord the Soldane Then know said the foure that the Gyant Fillistone wel knowne of you commaunded vs to finde him to giue him his due chastisement Though truely yester night hee performed such an attempt that wee beleeue there breatheth not in the vniuerie any able to doe the like for three knights of our company going to seeke those damzells which from vs fledde and about to take them against his wil wounded these two as you see leauing the other on the earth little better thâ—m dead And since wee vnderstood they be all within the Citty Then go along with vs for if they be there they cannot be hid And besides these things hee hath done others of greater admiration So in such talke they continued their way to the Citty till they arryued at the Souldanes Pallace who seing the Knights armour thought they also brought him which greatly gladded him descending halfe way to meete them demaunded for the knight to whom they answered We bring him not right mighty Soueraigne but come to tell you the greatest wonder y e euer you heard of for hee alone hath put to death the mighty Dragon of the Ryphean woodes your whole kingedomes destruction Oh mightye Ioue saide the Soldane who may beleeue but with great difficulty such a thing except his eyes should see it Surely dread Lord it is so replyed they and wee iudge by the great aboundance of of blood in that place shed that he cannot but be almost deade Moreouer hee hath done another acte of no lesse wonder for coming vnarmed with our two Damzells hee combated with three knights and vanquisht them cleauing one downe right in the middle and it is also said that hee came vnto the cittie The Soldane stood musing with himselfe whither the knight of the golden Image might bee he disguisedly entring the tourney for the Dukes sake Yet thought hee this vnlikely knowing hee remained sore wounded at the combate had with the knights of the vnhappy bridge But still perswaded himselfe it should be hee imagining no knight in all the citie so hardy as for to attempt the like And seeing the Knight could not be found he commanded all the people of the cittie to armes and came to his Pallace for he determined to assault the Duke who fearing the same had all his men in readines Great was the hurlyburly through the cittie among the popularity inquiring one of another what they should doe foreséeing some cruell battell to be impendent ouer their heades CHAP. XX. How the kings of Armenia and Tessifanty conferred with the Sophe of the order taken betweene them about the Duke and how he presented himselfe before the Sophy THe doubtful state of these tumultious cares on eyther side hanging on y e vncertaine arbitrating sentence of fortune the rumour of the comunalty of the Citty seemed no lesse then if the vtter ruine therof were euidently knowne Wherby the Sold an supposing many inclyning to the dukes faâ—tion proclaymed by sound of trumpet that none shuld aide nor fauor him on paine of death and take him for a taitor for he onely purposed to do according to law and iustice if hee were found guiltie The beauteous Princesse Persiana well heard of these procéedings whose woes for them penetrated her tender heart though it was thought she sore lamented because her father had imprisoned her But shee sending for the Kinges of Arminea and Tessifantie they presently went to her who being alone admitted them to her presence whom she with manie teares intreated to become mediators betwixt the Soldan and the duke that they would not consent to the terminating of those affaires to be by the euent of warre seeing in the ende she only should be the only looser her honor being tossed too and fro on such vndesent trials They with great willingnes promised to do the vttermost of their possibilitie and séeing the matter suffered no delay and that they like wise ventured some part of their owne in that they were the dukes neare allies did then take leaue of the princesse and departed towards the Soldan whom they found with all his men readie to march So approching to him he greatly reioyced with their presence thereby thinking they wold ioine with him supposing at first they were gone to the duke Whereupon he courteously made out to méet them who their customed honor performed humbled themselues to kisse his hands but he would not by any means consent thereto whereat they thus began Alas dread Lord what pretends these your troupes whose sudden armes cannot but threaten death vtter desolatioÌ„ to this citie but most of al what meanes your selfe to be in person in so daÌ„gerous an enterprise hauing so many hardy knights
another name am called the solitarie Knight because I possesse nothing that better agrées with my conditions then to wander through solitarie and vnknowne places shunning the habitation of populated Cities and townes thinking therby that the blind God of Loue should haue no power ouer me and therefore would I not this night lie in Persepolis but he hath at his pleasure reuenged himselfe on me with your gracious sight whose speedie remedie if I want will leaue me altogither breathlesse The hearing of your state most noble Prince hath highly contented mee saide Don Be 〈…〉 I discontent suffring the like torments that you through such a passion for procuring to auoyde the cause of such effect haue béen this night so plagued with Loues all conquering power that now I féele the force of his tributarie paines In this chat they spent the better two parts of the night which don Bellianis séeing resolued to demaunde of the Prince what he wanted for the combat desiring that by no meanes his Companions should know his intent for he durst not trust them with a battell of such import hoping also to obtain his request said I do desire you most honored prince that you will performe the promise you made me which is this I left not farre hence a Knight in an extreame daungerous aduenture destitute of an armour weapons and horse to performe a most notable combat and were it not sir knight that I also promised to procure it him I would not now presume so much to iniurie you as to request them But beléeue me if I liue I will to your content gratifie this good turne For at this time can I not do otherwise béeing requested by that knight to get him them And séeing it hath béene my happe to méete with you I do beséech you to make me so happie by your gracious graunt promising if I reuiue to morrow at this time to returne them and this is my boone and your promise The knight was verie ioyfull to haue occasion to pleasure his mistresse especially expecting so great a benefite as she promised cared not whether he neuer should haue them although they were the richest in the world sauing don Bellianis They were of colour yellow rarely ingrauen with curious workes and set with rich Orient Pearles whose inestimable woorth cannot be vallued In his shéeld was pictured a mightie mountaine with a knight lying vnder an Oke with his hand vnder his chéeke leaning vpon the sheeld staring and gazing on the cruell god of Loue sitting on the top with his bow arrowes drawne so naturally that euery looker on might easily beléeue it to be aliue And he said to don Bellianis Faire mistresse séeing all my heart is yours what néed you more saue command all I else possesse as your owne for my aâ—mor and 〈◊〉 rest Tr 〈…〉 at your desposing more desiring to vndertake that combat vnder your seruice then with my armor to pleasure you But séeing you will haue it so stay while I call my page that is not farre hence knowing I would not go into the Citie this night whereupon he sounded a horne whose value was more then might be thought The force of which blast was heard through all the citie wherewith he made a certaine signe at which the page straight came who séeing his maister accompanied with that lady greatly maruelled knowing it to be against his condition and alighting off his palfray said What wonder is this sir to sée you in such a place with so faire a Goddesse in your companie I feare she hath of purpose descended the heauens to penetrate the flintie wars of your adamant heart séeing on earth there is none that could do it It greatly pleased the knight to heare his page praise his mistresse so highly and commanded him saying Giue me my other apparell Bruneo for this Goddesse thou speakest off staieth for me Whereupon the page drew forth of a male the richest suite of apparell that euer Don Bellianis sawe It was all of a Rubie colour imbrodered with many of those stones and other of vnualued price and vnbuckling his armour gaue them him and put on those garments Don Bellianis admired and highly commended the knights gallant liberalitie and the more that deceitfull loue should make him so kind desirous to requite his bountie said Most noble and renowmed Prince I do accept the gift of your lent armor for the same do promise ere 20. dayes do passe to remedie your gréefe to your great profit so require no more of me For this promise the prince knéeled to kisse his hands Don Bellianis wold not suffer it taking him vp in his arms embraced him kindly which excéedingly gladded his hart And therwith did help him to mouÌ„t on his horse saying You may swéet mistresse sit without feare for though my horse séemeth as hee doth yet is he so gentle and tractable as may be desired I beléeue no lesse my good lord replied don Bellianis and taking his armor bound in a cloath before him don Contumelianos sword in his hand who tooke his pages saide I intreate you to enter the Citie to day where you shall sée your armour vsed and after follow the Knight for you shall find me in this place and so taking leaue departed through the thicke Groaue leauing him as a man that firmely gazeth on some woonder and rapt with admiring contemplation thereof suddainlie looseth the sight of his delightfull obiect So rested Don Contumeliano who not knowing what to doo lay him downe to sleepe till it shoulde bée time to enter the Cittie which hée did mounted on his Pages Horse in which Cittie hée neuer had béene where taking his Inne expected the houre to go to Court where we leaue him to returne to Don Bellianis trauailing through the wood as aforesaid CHAP. XXIIII What happened to Don Bellianis in the Court armed in Don Contumelias armour How he accepted the battell His talke with the Princesse Persiana before the fight and what befell him in the same DOn Bellianis going through the wood as is said came at last to a Caue where in Winter the Shepheardes vsed to withdrawe themselues which hée seeing to fitte his turne alighted more easier then Don Contumeliano did mount him a horsebacke and so went in and straight put off Florianaes garments and armed him as well as hee might hauing no helpe which done hee hid his female Robes couering them with some bowes which he cut with his sword that none that there should arriue might thinke them otherwise and so tooke his way towards Persepolis at such time as the giuer of all light began with his resplendent rayes to cleare the duskie â—â—â—e and chase the darkened cloudes from the ayrie Region when the chirping birdes with their melodious harmonie saluted the mornings vprise whose varying notes and pleasing musick strook such thoughts into the passionate Prince of his contemplatiue mistresse that he regarded not his way nor knew not where he
incurre great daunger being taken vnawares but at that instant the watchfull Prince Don Bellianiâ— perceiuing it being not farre from the King disturbed that his purpose pushing him on his breast so strongly that he recoyled backe thrée or foure steppes wherby they renewed their fight more fiercely and braue then in the whole day before But Don Bellianis perceiuing that if the Combatte long continued he was like to faint through the infinit blâ—â—d he had lost aduentured himselfe to receiue a blowe of the Gyant Which when he sawe descended on him commending himselfe from the bottome of his heart vnto the Almightie to deliuer him from that daunger and thrust at the Giant so brauely vnder his arme that being there vnarmed and with such excessiue force performed that the sworde ranne into his flesh vp to the hilts piercing his heart in the middle wherewith he fell downe dead But he was by the Gyant cruelly wounded on the head that he also fell downe in a trance which greeued euery one chiefly the Princesse Aurora that was forced to cry out Oh immortall Gods why haue you suffered so great an euill for without doubt the best knight that euer gyrded sword is sâ—aine But her sorrowe was turned to a generall gladnesse seeing him amazedly rise and was going to aide his companions if he had not séeue Arfileo at one blowe cut off one of the Gyants legges and with an other his head The like did Don Brianell not regarding the Souldanes cryes requiring him that hee woulde not do it for he yéelded him vanquished Which done they in theyr hearts rendred immortall thankes vnto the Almightie for their victorious deliuerie from so vnspeakeable perill and with great loue imbraced the Knight in the yelowe Armour whome they imagined to bee Don Contumeliano yéelding to him all the honor of the victorie Whereupon not expecting the Soldans commaund the generall assembly shouted out for ioy sounding a number numberlesse of all manner of military instruments running about the field for gladnesse which cut the Soldane to the heart hauing no patience to endure it CHAP. XXV What the Knight of the Golden Image did after the battell ended And how the Soldan commanded the duke to be borne to prison SO soone as the Princesse Persiana did see the battell ended with such ioy as euery one may iudge descended the scaffold and going to the knights that yet were talking togither shee woulde haue knéeled before don Bellianis but he preuented it by dooing so himselfe very courteously saying You haue no cause most excellent Lady to thanke me being bound to doo more then this for the Duke Alfiron But if you will then royall Princesse gratifie these knights whose valour hath so wel defended your right and iâ—stice for my seruice is of no woorth but while it bee shadowed vnder their haughtie déedes I will not famous knight saide the Princesse extoll the honour you haue woon in this battel with such déere losse of your blood besides the ouerthrâ—we of such great treacherie as was ordained against vs being more then any hundred knights might attaine And since you will not haue me rest your debtor for this vncomparable fauour speake to him for whom you vndertooke the Combat who is no lesse bound to you then I So leauing him with the Duke and the princesse Aurora she imbraced the other knight vsing betwixt them words of great kindnesse according to their high estate Don Bellianis leauing the Duke whent to the Sophy that was returning to the Pallace hauing commanded his daughter and the duke to be returned to prison and being nigh hâ—â— and followed by many knights said vnto him â—â—ince mightie Lord the truth cannot be more cleare and manifest I beseecâ—e your highnesse coÌ„mand that the Princesse Persiana the knight of the golden image and the Duke Alfâ—â—on may beset at libâ—â—tie their innocencie being saued and confirmed by the happie successe of this battell which intreat to be forthwith respâ—â—ting the great necessitie we haue of â—are for our most daungerous wounds The Sophy that minded no such thing replied I do beléeue you know Sir knight I am not bound to what you said for if they be cleared of Don Gallaneos death as you wil haue it the Duke notwithstanding is not freed of his trespasse committed against mee hauing resisted my wil with hostile arms which being so plaine I had no cause to put it in trial of battel but reserue vnto my self the punishmeÌ„t of that fault according as it deserues therefore talke to me no more thereof for I will doo nothing more then I haue said Whereto Don Bellianis answered We expected no such vsage at the hands of so great a lord I vndertooke the fight for all matters concerning the Duke and if hee be cleare of Don Galleanos death it followes then that he is frâ—e of all other things whatsoeuer Replie no more said the Souldan for I will haue it so Whereuppon he commanded the Duke to be returned to prison who straight was there conducted himself going to his Pallace and would heare none speak wherat Don Bellianis was like to burst through rage Don Brâ—anell and Arâ—â—lâ—o disguised him to go with theÌ„ to their lodging to be cured to whom he aunswered I haue no néede of cure since the Duke remaineth imprisoned and so I humbly take my lâ—â—ue for I will departe â—ut of the Citâ—ie Wherewith he lâ—â—t them 〈◊〉 taking his way to the wood onely followed by don Contumeliano The knights and the Princesse Aurora returned to their lodging reasoning on nothing but on the Sollitarie knight whome they thought neuer enough praysed hauing by him receiued so great helpe in the battell I should not haue beléeued said Arfileo that the world contained such a knight as the Prince of Phenicia You did not sée his déedes so well as I replied don Brianell because you were busie in Combat and beléeue me he no more feared being without sword then if he had béene confronted with no foes which if it had not broken he néeded none of our helpe Thus talking togither they laide themselues in their seuerall beds where they were cured hauing many and dangerous wounds The Princesse Aurora leauing them went well accompanied to the pallace to sée what was done in the Dukes libertie where shee founde the Princesse Persiana that for the words spoken by the knight of the Golden Image was sette free who receiued each other as theyr great loue testified and after sent to sée what the Souldane did who brought them word he commaunded the Dukes guarde to bée doubled and that also he hadde sent the aduenterous knight word commaunding him that since he would not at his intreaties spare the King of Cyprus brothers life he should forthwith depart his Land or else his life should pay the forfit of his staye The Ladies greatly gréeued hearing this demaunded his aunswere which was that hee was contented to obey him within thrée daies but he should regarde that hee
those parts For within one moneth there were arrided in that Cittie aboue thrée hundreth thousand valiant horsmen and well appointed The Souldane sent to many places as well abroad as at home to seeke for his sonne the Prince Perianeo to leade those troupes against his aduersaries with whose comming he so assured himselfe to be reuenged as if it were alreadie executed For he not only thought to destroy the Duke Alfiron and the Prince of Phenicia but also thought to subuert the kingdom and King of Rasia whom he imagined to be father vnto Arfilio and if those warres happily succéeded to passe against the Grecian Emperour whom he knew to be frée of the daunger that Don Galaneo of Antioch had put him in So that these imaginations made him longerstaie then he had purposed preparing all necessaries for those warres CHAP. XXXII How don Brianell required by the Prince don Bellianis departed towards the Kingdome of Antioch How the duke Alfiron married the Princes Persiana and what straunge things happened in the Iousts vnto the Princes Contumeliano Arfileo and Florispiano THe Knight as is said being within the Citie of Bollera made famous by their being there were within fiftéene dayes throughly whole of their woundes though not of that which the amorous Prince don Bellianis had in his hart for the loue of the bewteous Princesse Florisbella which had so penetrated his tender breast that he determined vpon the good successe of those affaires neuer to cease till his eyes might enioy her happie sight thinking therewith to mitigate the crueil passions of his tormented heart Thus continuing there vpon a day taking apart the Princesse Persiana told her that he thought it not amisse if she desired the accomplishing of her desires she should forthwith wed the Duke Alfiron lest the chaunges of Fortune might héereafter disturbe it and that the Souldan her father would not be so cruell that hearing it would not reioyce to sée her marryed to her content Shée that nothing else desired said she would in euery thing accord to his will derogating in no respect from it Wherefore thanking her for that honour he conferred of it with the Duke who thereto agreed appoynting the nuptialls to be solemnized tenne dayes after which was the time they celebrated a feast dedicated to their Mahomet All the Knights greatly reioyced at that don Bellianis had done preparing themselues very sumpteously against the mariage day ordering a most stately Tourney in honour of the nuptialls And in the meane time hearing of the Souldanes preparations and innumerable multitudes neglected not to demaund the aide of all her friends and Allies And the kings sent to their kingdomes that all their help might there with speede be vnited And so these great enemies béeing thus nigh one to the other were by their spyalls still aduertised of eythers dooings The knight of the Golden Image much gréeued to see these delayes because they hindred and kept him there from prosecuting his attended iourney dispayring of hoped ioyes wanting the presence of the causer of his gréefe which he somewhat lightned by daily conuersing with the damsels of his mistresse else otherwise he hardly could haue staied there all that while which he beguiled with pleasant discourses with those Princes and Ladies and one day talking with the Princesse Aurora about her affayres in Antioch she said to him it wold not bee vnnecessarie shee should write vnto the Gouernour of that kingdome placed by the Prince Don Gallaneo on whom she reposed great trust I thinke it not amisse answered Don Bellianis if you suppose it will not disaduantage you But who shall carrie it when it is made I shall want no knight to doo it replied shee or if I doo one of my Damzels shall vndertake the troublesome toyle Whereupon Don Bellianis taking pen yncke and paper writ the letter and when it was done called the Prince Don Brianell whom as is said greatly desired to be imploied in that Princesse seruice said to him hee should bee the bearer of that letter being a matter to be trusted on none but he There is no reason my good Lord said the Princesse that you should vndergo such trouble hauing alreadie hitherto taken so much for my sake you neede not now farther indanger your self in these new such seldom seen toiles hauing at my hands receiued no fauour for any It is no trouble déere lady said he which is vndertakeÌ„ in your behalf especially in y e aduancing of your glory and therefore I am incouraged straight to depart heÌ„ce I gladly wold haue accompanied you replied she if this present war did not hinder me wher don Bellianis is also necessarily staied It is better that you remaine here said Don Bellianis for the Prince Don Brianell will quickely returne with answere And thus they agreed that the next day he should depart telling those knights that he went about an earnest matter of his owne which forced him so to leaue them assuring them his returne shoulde bee with spéede And so taking his parting leaue the insuing morning he went forwards on his voyage continuing his dayly iourneyes till hee arriued at Antioch where there be fell him great aduentures as shall be set downe in his due place So leauing him and returning to our former purpose the day was at length come wherein the royall nuptials of the Princesse Persiana with the Duke Alfiron should be celebrated against which time euery one prouided theÌ„selues according to their estate in such tumultuous times wherein they dayly expected the arriuall of their enemies for which cause least they should suddenly be surprised they kept in armour aboue eight thousand men which they had within the Cittie besides their campe they had without the walles intrencht about the furthest place of the citie because one should not trouble the other in their salue Which multitudes were equally diuided in squadrons and battalions as they were readie to fight some pitched battell The day come the Princesse Persiana issued foorth the contentedst Ladie liuing shee was ledde by the arme by Don Bellianis going all a foote because they would be the better seene with a soft pace When they were seene by their armed troopes they all showted out aloud saying It is a iust thing that we all spend our dearest liues for the safetie of such Lords or impall their heads with the imperiall Diaâ—â—m which they so well deserue and therewith discharged so many peeces of Ordinance and sounded so manie Instruments of all sorts as it seemed the totall subuersion of the vniuersall world in which maner they arriued in the temple where they were married which done they returned with like triumph to the Pallace where the Tables being couered they diâ—ed the Bride and Bridegroome at one Table with the two Kings and the thrée Princes at another dined many of their Nobisitie The dinner done they daunced according to theyr maner while the knights maintainers of the iousts entred the lystes
neuer wandred these parts But if this wil please you I will vnlace my helme vppon condition you craue no more at my hands against my will While they were thus talking the Prince Arfileo Don Contuâ—n 〈◊〉 Florispiano of Sueâ—â—a and the princesse Persiana and Auâ—ora with the Duke Alsâ—on came thâ—ther and thinking he would go intreated them to stay the curing of their woundes they humbling themselues for that high fauour accepted their prâ—ffer and hee which wish the Persian Prince had combatted tooke off his Hâ—lmâ— which he no sooner did but Don Bellianis and Arfileo knewe him to be the Emperour Bellaneo their Lord whose sight so amazed them that they thought they saw him in a shadow and not in substance and their present â—oy was so great that it almoste made them discouer themselues And the Emperour seeing them so amazed with â—oy could no longer stay himselfe but imbracing his sonne said in the Gréeke language What is the thing â—it Knight that hath so amazed you Don Bellianis after his dutie done demaunded of him in y e same tongue what the â—ther Knight was It is replyed the Emperour Sabian of Tâ—ebâ—nto sonne vnto the Duke of that Country who came with mee out of Constanâ—iâ—â—pâ—e to seeke you All the rest of those Princes wondred at their acquainâ—ance insomuch that the gallaâ—t Princesse Peisiana going â—â—gher them said with admirable grace I am very glad reâ—â—â—med Knights and wee all rest much beholding vnto you that at our intreaties you would satisfie our longing dâ—sâ—râ—e in manifesting your olde acquaintance and not conceale your selues in these tumultious broyles and â—â— right ioyfull that y e knight of the golden Image hath beene conuersant in such good companie especially so much resembling you in fauour and no lâ—sse for valiant deedes of haughtie Chiualrie The like said many others besides her for in deede the Prince Don Bellianis so much fauoured his Father that were they both of one age hardly might they be distinguished one from the other Yet the Emperour Bellanâ—o was somewhat lower of stature and bigger set then hee hauing his face honoured with a large beard something graye representing there with a high Maiesticall grauitie with so pleasing a countenance that it excelled all Knights of his age The Princesse Auâ—ora as afore is expressed hauing seene him in the discouered Casâ—â—e when he combatted against Don Gallaneo of Antioche nigh Constantinople knewe him straight and hee her but seeing howe dangerous it might bee to discouer him made as though shee knewe him not yet thrusting among the company that talked about him seeing him alone said that none could heare I do not doubt but I shall obtaine your Graces pardon most excellent Lord If I doe not shewe you that high honour and royall intertainement that your Emperious state and person meriteth beeing forced thereto by this times present necessitie The Emperour more narowlye regarding her recalled her former sight to his rememberance knowing her to bee shee that had ledde away his sonne and louingly imbracing hâ—r said Greater is my entertainement by your kinde wordes Supreme Ladie then any other effect that might bee done by me beeing spoken of so absolute a Ladie Then was Sabian of Trebento very louingly receiued of them all as if hee were their generall brother And so with the noyse of infinit musicail and millitarie instruments and an innumerable multituded of they were conducted to the Pallace where the Emperour beeing layde on a most rich bedde and hauing his woundes dressed was left alone to repose his wearie body And Don Bellianis taking Sabian of Trebento by y e hand brought him to the hall wher they were expected by those princes to supper with such abuÌ„dant soruice as euery one may imagine Wher Don Bellianis was demanded by all those Lords what the Knightes were Who said they were his nigh Kinsmen and that the wounded knight was his Vnckle whose admired valour they all commended May we not know said y e king of Armenia what y e knight offortune was that with him did combatte be hauing himself so gallantly therein Wee followed him hither saide Sabian of Frebento for on a bridge tenne myles hence lousting with mee at the first incounter my horse dyed and after would by no meanes drawe his sword and so my cempanion comming to mee I tooke my Pages horse and both of vs followed him till wée heard he was come to the Cittie But by the way we vnderstood of a knight who is sonne vnto y e Sophy of Siconia called the Knight of the three Images Is it possible saide the Duke Alfiron and certainely I thinke no lesse remembring his wordes and had I knowne it the matter had otherwise paste And I assure you I nothing wonder at what he did or he is the best knight that euer was in these countries therfore it behooues vs hourely to expect the Soldanes arriuall for â—he expected nothing but his comming In an ill houre may hée resolue to come Flonspiano for little is the harme hee now can doe vs. In such talke they a while were in till it was bedde time when giuing each other the good night were all lighted to their chambers Th. Duke Alfiron and the Princesse Persiana lay together in a sumptuens bed where they set an end to their long tormented Loues consumating that night to their greate pleasures though not well content remembring within what short time they were to bee besieged with so puissant an Hoaste as the great Soldan had assembled in Persepolis The valiant Knight of the golden Image after they were al gone to bed went to visit the watch and Centinells of the cittie as his vse was to doe cuerie night and tooke with him the Prince Arfileo and Sabtan of Trebento that by the waye tolde him how from Constantinople a great Nauie of ships with many woorthie knightes besides the Empercur with whom also came out his brothers Don Clarineo of Spaine and Don Lucidomore of Thessalie béeing first knighted by their father all which companies had taken their waye after him to the kingdome of Antioche But the Empereur and my selfe landing by the way in an Iland at our returne to the shoare found no ship â—eeing carryed away by a suddaine storme that arose and so wee stayed there ending some aduentures all wée departed thence and arriuing in this countrie came to this Cittie in request of the Knight of Forune know you not said Don Bellianis what became of y e shippes or were they all sincked in the tempest Wee could learne nothing of theÌ„ said he but our better hope is they are not al lost What number of Souldiers brought they demaunded Don Bellianis They brought replyed Sabiano aboue two thousand fighting men both well appointed and the cheysest of all the Empyre In this conference they spent the better two parts of the night that at length they returned to the Pallace and went to visit the Emperour with whem they stayed till it was morning
brest and so redoubled his most furious courage that if there had beene â—oure such Knights as the Persian Prince before him hee thought that in short time to reduce them all to the mercie of his mortall Blade With which betwixt both hands he wâ—nt against his louâ—-crossing aduersarie which did the like also and raysing his Median Sworde aloft to descend it with a more furie there appeared before him a Lady altogither like to her whose Picture had with cruell yoake subiugated his commaunding heart which said vnto him What doo you hâ—â—re renowmed Prince of Greece knewe you not your loue that is towards mee cannot take any effect if first you free mee not from this danger And therewith hee thought hee sawe foure monstrous Gyants like a whyrle-winde snatch her thence and that one dragged her amber guided hayre with such barbarous sauagenesse that his vnconquered heart resolu'd to liquid blood at the cruel yet a pittiful â—ight and moreouer an other following theÌ„ cried out let me alone with that vilde wretch for she must dye by my hand Which that valiant Prince Don Bellianis seeing not respecting the fight pursued that illusion that he sawe which tooke the way downe the Valley Héereupon his fine Armor with deuise of the imperiall Crownes lost their hewe becomming like those that the Prince Perianeo did weare at the Jousts in Bollera The Persian Prince that nothing of that had séen thinking his aduersary had left the battel for some other reason began to follow him but sodainly his raines were taken out of his haÌ„ds and looking about to sée who should do so sawe before him the dearest fréend he had the Sage Fristone who thus saide vnto him What is the matter deare Prince of Persia that you follow whom you know not nor whether it bee your aduantage so to doo Take my counsaile returne to Ballero for I haue laide such a snare for him that you shall be fully reuenged on your enemies and therefore follow not that knight So this said he vanished away The Persian Prince was greatly amazed hereat and so great was his hate against the valiant knight of the imperiall Crownes that he was about to follow him yet notwithstanding resoluing the contrary returned to his fathers Campe where arriuing he found the battell still to indure very fierce through which he thrust himselfe to helpe his men Where we leaue him till we haue exprest what happened to Don Bellianis pursuing those inchantments CHAP. XXXVII How Don Bellianis following the Sage Fristones inchantments Combatted with the Emperour his father in the Valley of three Fountaines and how Don Bellianis was led away by the wise Bellona to ende a certaine aduenture THe Prince Don Bellianis as is said pursued those Gyants whom he thought carried prisoner the Princesse Florisbella in which pursuite he had remained inchanted by the sage Fristone had it not béene for his sword yet was hee by him deceiued seeming otherwise theÌ„ he was which was all the Magician could do And thus going aloÌ„g he espied before him a knight armed as he thought in the Persian Princes armor with whom he not long before fought with And so soone as they approached togither all those inchantments vanished away wherat like one amazed wakened out of some dreame stood still But the knight that came vp the valley was his father had by Fristones deuice his Armour also chaÌ„ged For that of Don Bellianis séemed like the knights of Fortune and the Emperors nothing differed from the same Who séeing him come with such haste and without Launce left his owne and drawing forth his sword went to méete him with it raised aloft Don Bellianis doing the like there began betwéen them the cruellest fight that in al that day was fought making their heads bowe to the saddle pummell with their terrible strokes so fast redoubling blow vpon blow that the mightinesse of them strooke fire out of their armour and made them often loose the sight of one another Don Bellianis at this time thinking his aduersaries strength increased more and more more furious then a furious Beare hauing lost none of former rage strooke at him so huge a blowe that cutting his shield in two it tumbled to y e ground with a péece of his helme But the Emperour strooke at him below his shield that cutting his armor it also pierced his coate of male wounding him two fingers déepe in his right side and entring within him with a furious thrust penetrated all his armor to the flesh forcing him to giue backe two or thrée steppes and séeing that was the time wherin he should shew the vtmost of his mightie forces letting fall the remnant of his shield would haue with both his hands strooke him on the head But Don Bellianis séeing the cutting sword descend with such furie spurred his horse forwards and closing with him ere he could discharge his blowe tooke him twixt his strong armes and lifting him out of his saddle shaking the stirropes from his owne feete he lept with him on the ground where he opened both armour and flesh with one mightie blow But ouercome with rage both at one time raysed their slicing swords which falling with such strength the Emperour had the buckles of his helme cut which fell on the earth and the sword descending on his left arme it made him there a gréeuous wound But don Bellianis was so ouerladen with the Emperours blow that he was forced to set both knées and hands on the ground And the Emperour séeing himselfe without the helme strooke his aduersary so suddeinly againe with such strength that he sorely wounded him on y e left shoulder and the sword ran thrée handfuls into the earth But Don Bellianis neuer loosing any sparke of his admirable courage at any sinister accident raised himselfe vpon his féete and turned vpon the Emperour ere he had time to drawe his sword from the ground At this instant was y e Emperors life in wondrous daunger being without shield and helme and not able to helpe himselfe with his sword so quickly as hee should And Don Bellianis being on foote with his sword raised with both hands and readie to discharge it did suddeinly knowe him and with the greatest wonder that euer before hée was in cried out Oh Almightie God in whome I doo beléeue is it possible my handes should commit so hainous treachery And therewith staied his hand The Emperour hearing these words said Know you me knight Or what is the reason you end not your fight Whervnto Don Bellianis replied I doo most humbly beséech you my verie deare Lord and Emperour euen by that Lord that hath permitted we should not die by so great deceits that you omit and pardon this my errour wherein I am guiltie of no fault committed against you And hauing saide so vnlaced his helme whereat the Emperour straight knewe him which strooke him into so great an anguish to sée his deare sonne so cruelly wounded by his
Castle nor Caue But before him laydead the Emperor Brandezar and his knights which greatly gréeued him there also he found his armour he had left and putting of those he had on armed himselfe with them of the Emperour which were the richest till that houre séene They were all gréene guarnished with many Bassiliskes of gould and Azure with many vnualuable pearles of excéeding brightnesse and gyrding his good sword went to the Emperour for the ring the wise man haâ— tolde him of which he tooke from a finger of his right hand the preciousnesse of which Jemme much amazed him the stone of it was a little Carbuncle yéelding as great light as feure burning torches But scarce had he taken the ring when hard by he sawe a Tâ—â—be as faire as euer he sawe any set vpon twelue Pillers of Christall which sustained an Altar made of the richest Emeraldes in all the Orientall regions Upon euerie Piller stoode soure Angelles holding foure burning torches that neuer wasted Uppon the Sepulcher was a shield held vppe by two greate â—reeffions with the Armes of the Emperour Brandezar and about them were written these wordes The Incription on the shield vppon the Emperours Sepulcher Nycaon King of Egypte chiefe Magician of his time in perpetuall memorie of his reuenge for the distruction made of 〈…〉 kingdome by Brandezar Emperour of Babylon Persia Trebizond hath erected this monument wherein after the many torments sustained by his skill beeing vanquished hee lyeth dead by his handes that in valour excelleth all Knights in the vniuerse Heere shall hee lye buiryed in this lasting monument till the Sonne of the braue Lyon with his force shal ouercome the power of my Art obtaining the sight heerein inclosed not vsing the rare valour of his heart On the other side of the Tombe was set another shield expressing the manner of the Emperours inchauntment and for what cause Nycaon had so donc with the manner of his libertie by Don Bellianis who attentiuely beholding that wondrous worke with great ioy for the obtained ring he â—pted Bellona in great haste come to him in manner as hâ—e left her and demanded of him how he did Very well replyed hee for I haue accomplisht what you commaunded mee yet am much amazed at what here is for hauing séene none to do it Heere lyeth buryed the Emperour Brandezar and do greatly desire to see what is within That may not be answered shee for our staying may much preiudice vs. Yet I long to trye it said hee But I will leaue it seeing you will haue it so And one of the Gyants that came with her gaue him a shield according to his armour but in the middle of it was his accustoined deuise Don Bellianis greatly â—oyâ—d to see the picture of his Ladie And so departed in the manner that they came in little time posting in any myles But heere wee leaue them returning to the great Magician Historie CHAP. XLII What Fristone wâ—ouâ—ht after the two Princes battell to get into his power the Princesse Florisbella and how she was succoured by the Knight of the golden Image THe battell béeing ended betwéene the two Princes aâ— before is mentioned the sage Fristone hauing cured the Prince Persiano of his woundes returned to his habitatien in the desart of death where cailing to his remembrance the loue that Persiano did beare the Princesle Florisbella which she so little regarded and wherein she contiuually languished He cast about with his coÌ„iurations by which he came to know that if vnder the domination of the Plannet Marcury that then raigned he got not to his hands the beauteous Princesse Florisbella he should after suffer mortall torments for her sake yet coulde he not learne whether the Persian prince should marrie her or no. And in these tumultuous times thinking easily to get and present her to the Perfian Prince before the end of those warres taking the necessaries to imploy his Art arriued in little time within the superbeous Babylonian walles Where he raysed a Tent the richest and most stateliest that euer was séene with so many gallant deuises that it admyred euery beholder Which no sooner was seen but it was presently tolde the Souldane who with the Empresse Siluiana his wife and the princesse Florisbella his daughter came forth to sée it greatly woondring at the fayrenesse and riches thereof from whence they heard so swéete a mellodious consort of musicke that it rauished their delicate sences and after so many Trumpets sounded as if some pitcht fielde were to be fought Which being done there issued out of the tent foure beautious Ladies cloathed in long rich robes of imbrodered worke they were led by their hands by foure valiant Knights clad all in gréene Armour with many golden starres thereon with theyr helmes laced on their heads Which troupe went towards the gallant princesse Florisbella y t was discoursing with her father about the tent and being before her they all kneeled refusing to rise both at her and the Emperors intreaties And one of the ladies with a cleare voice that all might heare her thus began High and mightie Potentate Emperor of Babilon Souereigne Monarch of the orientall regions and most renowmed Souloan to whose supreme command the Vniuersall globe of all the orbed earth might deseruedlie owe tributary dutie excelling all mortall Kings in honour and in bountie by maintaining equall and vpright iustice through his vaste Empery with the continuall glorie of haughtie Chiualrie daily honoured in his Courts whose magnificent estate the immortall Gods doo emmulate through the incomparable beautie of his excellent Daughter for whose sake his Empyre shall still augment with eternall happinesse to perpetuall ages Know that the deare hope to finde redresse for our troubled thoughts hath brought vs to this imperiall Cittie where if our hopes bee frustrated of theyr desires we will returne dispayring of future remedie for our gréefes wanting it here where neuer any was denied Wherefore of thée and of this glorious Princesse wee must obtaine a boone before we do explayne the cause of our comming Require what you will said the Souldane for my desire is so great to knowe this aduenture that not onely one but twentie I doo graunt you and therefore make vs partakers of your gréeuances Whereuppon they rose and the Damozell returning to her former purpose thus saide In yonder Tent most dread Lord is the valiaunt King Gorgiana of Soria théefe Lord of that Land whome you well knowe béeing your néere Ally that being in his peacefull kingdome ordering of certaine Tryumphs wherein himselfe with most of his best knights shoulde bee in thyther came many straungers and forreiners brought by the fame of his beautious Daughter then thought the fayrest Lady liuing And among many that there arriued shee was demaunded of her father for wife by the great Magician Herodiano king of the Ile of pearles one of the brauest Gyants hitherto séene But he being informed what he was returned him that his daughter
do not importune him about it for it cannot be otherwise Hereupon they went where the two Princesses Florisbella Matarosa were chatting with Don Bellianis intreating him to put off his helme Wherupon the Souldan said If you obtain no more then hitherto you haue done of this knight I beléeue he will depart vnknowne He will not so much wrong vs said the Princesse vnlesse he will haue vs make litle account of his ayd we receiued And seeing he faith he will do what this Lady doth commaund him I hope she will not leaue vs so vnsatisfied in recompence of her long absence I do beséech your excellency said Bellona not to vexe your selfe for I assure you if he now discouer himselfe it will cost him no lesse then his life in lieu of the pleasure he should do you therein And let this suffise which according to our power we haue done But yet in respect of this displeasure I doo certifie you that your cousin the Princesse Aurora is wel though sorrowfull wanting your company she we left in Persia with the Ladies you sent to séeke her and thither must we goe shortly This hath greatly comforted me said she yet rest not altogither satisfied wanting the effect of this my desire I cannot expresse the oppression of my gréeued heart most excellent and supreme Lady said Don Bellianis to haue so yoked the libertie of my condition to a stranger power that I cannot now though it were with the certaine daunger of my life satisfie the deare obedience of your high commaund for I haue so tyed my selfe to anothers will that I must not do more then what this Lady here shall appoint me But I do protest and promise you by our high immortall Gods hauing freed my libertie to returne with all spéede to serue you and the Souldan your father whence I will not part but by your commaund in token whereof I do beseech you accept this King which cost me no litle labour with abundant losse of my blood to obtaine it Wherewith you shall be safe and sure of any such accident as this last And taking off his Gaunlets discouered the Alablaster whitenesse of his hands The Princesse heart was somewhat abashed adding more beautie to her beautie by the roseat tincture of a vermillion blush not knowing whether she should take the King which the knight presented her thinking shée should thereby do him a greater fauour then she would Which the Infant Matarosa perceiuing being greatly satisfied with the knights behauiour said vnto her What doth your highnesse doubt why do you not accept the precious gift of this valourous knight wold you sée vs euery day in like daunger which if you desire I assure you we shall not euery day haue so good helpe for though I sustained some perill yet was there none that succoured me Receiue this gift daughter said the Souldane for it is no small thing to kéepe the pledge of so valiant a knight All this while the discréete Princesse holding downe her eyes gazed on don Bellianis hand thinking with her selfe that if his face with the disposition of his bodie did agree with it the whole world could not affoord a gallanter not better knight of whose valour she was sufficient witnesse And séeing her Image on his shield imagined this was the knight whose praises her cousin had so inhoused Whereupon the subtill God of Loue on a suddain tooke his tributary vâ—ties by the possession of her heart and with such a violent stroake penetrated it that hauing no defensiue proofe nor the shielde of reason to withstand it but vnprouided assaulted by his subtiltie yéelded at the first encounter resting so vanquished that she neuer had the power to recouer the former libertie of her heart And the more shée thought on him the more she did insnare her selfe as the disccurse of this present booke mentioneth for no small forments this vnséen sight of don Bellianis Cousin here and with a suddaine ioy conceiued by her thoughts dying her beautie to make it more faire with the colour of an Orient Ruby First thinking that her Fathers commaund and her Cousins perswasions were sufficient armour to shield her from after scandall with lowly courtesie on both parts she tooke the King saying I do receiue Sir Knight this present at your hands lest it be saide I do deny the gratesulnesse I owe for the good turne you did and taking possession of this which is the least you shall remaine bounde to that which is the most I meane your speedie returne to attend the Souldane my dread Soueraigne and because you shall not forget it I will kéepe this as a pledge left me by you as also in remembrance of her that against my will doth lead you away before you haue receiued any signe of guerdon of my father Yet before you goe I pray you let vs know the daungerous deceit we had like to fall in I do most humbly beséech you sole president of diuine excellency said Don Bellianis to let me kisse the wonder of your handes that I may thereby enioy the fruition of so high a fauour as you haue done in the acceptance of the small gift of so meane a Knight as I am in respect of your highnesse Againe promising my returne shall be so shortly as the obedience of your commaund requireth vnlesse my hopes be frustrated by death and turning to Bellona intreated her séeing she knew the beginning and end of that aduenture she wold fully satisfie the Princesse therin Which she did in manner alreadie set downe And hauing done craued leaue to depart And so kissing the Souldans hands and the Empresse Siluiana bad them and the Princesses farewell Don Bellianis did the like with such griefe as any in his case may imagine leauing his heart with the Princesse and for it carrying away hers The Princesse Matarosa pleasantly said thus vnto the Prince I do beleeue sir Knight that the Sage Bellona hath so maistered you that you speake not but when it pleaseth her and if it be so tell it me for I presume to obtaine leaue of her for your tongue to play Don Bellianis that through his great amazement had net seene her but seeing her replied This hath not bene the cause of my silent ouersight courteous and pleasant Lady but the imaginations of the sight there séene which with my suddaine departure hath so increased my admiration and so intrapt me in my owne thoughts that they haue suffered me not to regard the deserued merits of your worthie person robbing the power of my spéech to consound me more in the déep consideration of my harts subiection Then belike the fault is very litle answered she by the spéedie redressing of our daunger wearing so good an armour as that The present blindnesse deare Lady said he is better to preserue my future sight At your returne you shall explaine me this said she for now I do not vnderstand it Whereupon the braue Prince don Bellianis mounted
many of his agaynst the like number of the fierce king Tramolcanos which on either part this day was begunne verie bloodie but in the meane time entring there in two of the kings cousens haue made such a massacre of the Counties knights that none dare confront them and my selfe being wounded as you sée am thus going to be cured in a Castell not far from hence and so past away What were we best to do sir Palineo demaunded don Brianell That we go to the iousts answered he and there we shall sée what we haue to do And thus resolued arriued at the Tilt-yard where but 500. of the counties knights were left and they so wounded that they could no longer withstand their aduersaries by reason of the cruell strokes of the kings causes Which don Brianell perceiuing and his valiant heart abhorring to be idle saide to Palineo Let vs succour those almost vanquished Be it so replied he Whereupon â—â—wching their Launces entred the listes and at the first encounters ouerthrow two of the Giants knights and don Brianell before his Launce broke vnhorsed more then sixe Palineo with a loude voyce cried out thus Courage courage knights of Antioch and shew the valour of your mindes least now you bee reputed vanquished which neuer hitherto hath happened Who â—â—boldned with this speech seeing the haughtie deedes of don Brianell couragiously renued the bloodie skirmish The two Giants séeing that noueltie in the Cities knights and how the Prince don Brianell like a bloodie Dragon persecuted their men did both togither assaile him to giue him his death But he that in greater perils had beene in awaited them couragiously well couered with his sheeld and they arriuing both at one time with their slycing semilers discharged two mightie blowes vpon him But don Bryanell spurred his horse â—orward within them that the blowes lighted not full on him notwithstanding his sheelde was cleft cleane in two and he wounded one with a mightie thrust that the sword appeared at his backe 〈…〉 g dead on the ground And seeing an other furious blowe from the other gyant descend vppon his head and being destitute of a shéeld câ—â—st the sâ—â—itor with his sword which beeing of a better temper then the Gyants it cut it in two and straight thereupon strooke the Giant on his arme which from his shoulder fel to the earth Who seeing himselfe maimed of his lims turned his horse and roaring fled away Who were able to expresse the greefe and rage of Tramolcano to sée one Cousin slaine and the other wounded to death Thereupon calling out to his mâ—n to take that Knight that had committed so great treason whereat many incompassed Don Brianell wherfore Palineo went to help him amazed at his haughty déedes The count Garianos men brauly defended him yet had hee remained prisoner for the diuellish Tramolcano descended with all his men had not Palineo that foresawe the daunger pluckt him by the arme and said to him Follow me sir knight if you wil saue your life for it will be reputed no lesse valour to saue it thus then sâ—aying to kill all this company Don Bryanell allowing his counsaile rained his horse backwards went away in despight of all that looked after him So soone as the king was come downe froÌ„ his window the tourney was parted and he commanded of those and other knights aboue 4000. to follow the murtherers as hee called them of his Cousins and dead or aliue they should bring theÌ„ to him and he taking with him the dead bodies of his slaine Cousins returned to his pallace to arme himselfe minding in person to follow the search all which was but in vaine for Palineo knowing all those wayes nookes and lanes that was thereabout issued out of the Cittie in sight of all the knights spurring without â—â—â—gring till they came into a litle Groaue turning on the right hand entred into a garden vnséene of any and passed to the farther side thereof vnto a house where shepheards in stormy weather withdrew themselues and there staying don Brianell said séeing they were not séene of anie Let vs light here if you please that our horses may rest and from hence may we well sée if any followes vs. Wherevpon looking from the high Mountaine and espying none dismounted from their horses and put them in a stable that there was giuing them hay and prouender they there found And with great ioy of their good successe discoursed of their late aduenture greatly pleased with the death of these two giants whoÌ„ Palineo sayd did great outrages in that land I hope said don Brianell we shall easily enter the castell Hardly shall we do it replied Palineo yet we will trie it séeing we are come to that effect In the meane time were it good we had somewhat to supper That were not amisse replied don Brianell if our prouision were better Let me alone for that said Palineo so soone as it is night for I also greatly desire to sée what is done in the Pallace the better to order our affayres And thereupon expected the approach of the couerer of nightly actions CHAP. XLVII What don Brianell and Palineo did going out of the Cittie of Antioch how they entred the Mine and of their fight withthe Castell about the libertie of Damartyno THe darke night béeing come so obscure as they wished Palineo vnarmed himselfe and leauing don Brianell behinde put on a cloake he found in the house which the day before a shepheard had there left and muffling his face went to the Citie where taken for a shepheard he passed vnknowne till he came to the Kings Pallace where he found many armed knights that returned from the search among whom was the King himselfe mad with anger that hée could not heare of the two knights that slue his Cousens Among this troupe had Palineo occasion to go in and so went vnto the Mynes mouth whose doore was shut and seeling whether it might bée opened hée found the Locke verie weake for the doore vsed onelie to bée shutte because that secret might not bée discouered And so returned to the Citie and brought some victualles for himselfe and his companion wherewith béeing almost tenne a clocke he came to Don Bryanell where with a good stomacke they supt hauing eaten nothing since their comming from Miriana and hauing done Palineo said Let vs be gone for if longer wée staye the King and the Countie may haue supt and so wée bee locke out of the Pallace But what shall we do with our horses said Don Bryanell for I would not willinglie loose mine because this Cittie containes none so good If replyed Palineo wée dye in this enterprize wée shall not néede our Horses but if wée scape liberating according to our desire our friend Damartyno the matter will be lesse in loosing them Don Bryanell replying neuer a word armed himselfe and carrying his Helme in his hand put on the shepheards cloake which Palineo had before woorne who said vnto
him You passe me in disguising your selfe incurring no lesse daunger then I doe for if with the many lightes I be known by mine armor in the Pallace you are like to suffer w t me But what shal wée do said don Bryanel There can we do no otherwise replyed he but in the cittie we way better shift And being come thither by the way they met two or three Pages Palineo stepped to one and taking him by the cloake made as hée would drawe his sword the Page feared therewith left it him and got away crying out they would murther him But Palineo calling don Bryanell croste another way because he would not be séene Don Bryanell could not stand for laughter to sée what deuise Palineo had found to get the others cloacke What say you to this saide Palineo hée that hath nothing must shift to get it with little labour Nowe so the Godes helpe mée said Don Bryanell it was well done and the quicknesse you performed it with makes me thinke you haue not a feawe times vsed it You say true answered Palineo for some time through necessitie I haue helped my selfe with like deuises which is nothing for in neede this cloake was as well mine as his that woare it and perchaunce more too In this manner arriued they at laste in the Pallace after the clocke had strooke twelue where the King was yet at Supper and méeting with the Captaine of the kings guard thinking they belonged to the Countie demaunded whence at that time they came They replyed we came from seeking those knightes the King our Soueraigne commaunded to be brought vnto him and not finding them we returned to vnarme our selues So they paste till they came to the Mine and séeing none was by opened the locke and went in and chayning the doore faste on the inside with lockes and chaines they found there and féeling with their hands went along And by the way Palineo said It behooues vs to conssder how we shall behaue our selues and though you excell in valour all those that weare armour yet in the end is it not amisse to auoyde all daunger therefore let vs goe softly for it may be we shall frée Damartyno without blowe of sword or Lance. I would we were alreadie within said don Bryanell and as for the rest it would not be much we should so doe through your good pollicie At length they came to the doore on the farther side that went into the Castle which passing Palinco shutte â—â—â—st that none might that way discrie theÌ„ and giuing one another a watch-word to knowe themselues in any daunger befalling them groping with their hands they came to the place wher Palineo knew the prisou was which they found sure locked which gréeued don Bryanell thinking they should not doe as they would But Palineo said Courage sir knight and we wil finde meanes to open this doore And if not replied don Brianell our swordes shall breake it open You say well aunswered Palineo and therefore let vs softlie go to the Castle Gate and that none heare vs make it sure that neither by the one nor by the other if we preuaile any may beare the newes and so going thither Palineo tooke a handfull of earth and cast in the lockes through the keye holes that it was impossible without breaking to open them I haue learned more of you said don Brianell in one day then euer my Tutors taught me in tenne yeares It might be answered Palineo they were neuer in such daungers as I and therefore could they not teach you that which by experience is learned By this time were they hard by one of the seruants of the Castle who perceiuing they were not of the Court of guard ranne to the Gyants lodging crying out that strangers were within which cries made the Gyant amazed eappe out of his bedde and arme himselfe whyle the man cryed about arme arme the Castle is surprised Whereuppon aboue tenne Knightes that were within were feared out of their beddes Which the two knights seeing Palineo said Followe me knight before these vnite themselues Yet for all their haste their appeared many burning torches at whose light they sawe the fearefull Gyant comming with a mightie Mace in his handes Another way came there sixe Knights alreadie armed Don Bryanell required Palineo to assault the Knights while he withstoode the Gyant who if he had thought them to bee but two alone had not armed him and raysing his heauie Mace would haue discharged it vppon his aduersarie but he stepping aside made him loose the blowe and wanting his shield hoysted aloft his sword with both handes and grounded it with mightie force vpon the Gyants head whereon he wore a brazen Scull which being cutte made him a little wound The Gyant nothing regarding the blowe would haue plucked him to him but don Bryanell séeing death before his eyes if once the Mace tooke him full straight caste himselfe vppon him and with muchado wrung the Mace out of the Gyants handes but he tooke don Bryanel betwixt his armes thinking to stifle him but he with a valiant hart drewe his dagger and stabd it to the hiltes twise or thrise in the Gyants breast who féeling himselfe deadly wounded let him go and drewe foorth a mightie Courtleaxe that hung by his side and with it strooke at don Bryanell which he seeing come right to his head started aside yet for all that it cut his helme quite downe on the one side and descending lower it parted his armor waunding him sorely on the side yet not dangerously Don Bryanell w t one blowe strooke at his leg which the Gyant for haste hauing not armed was cleane cut of making him like a tower fal to the ground wher roaring like a lyon within a little while he gaue his soule to him that through his euill workes hadâ—oâ—gâ— expected it Which â—one don Bryanell went to helpe Palineo that was in a â—ierce combatte with the Knights of the Castle which were all there among whome hee shewâ—d the braue courage of his minde and had slaine alreadie foure and with the rest though with daunger hée behaued himselfe very brauelie which highly contented Don Bryanell that looked on but thinking it no time to be ydle valiantly assayled the knights felling two dead at two blowes and not long after the rest not able to suffer his mortall blowes fledde downe towards the Castle Gate where the Porter trying to open it to call for helpe but all his labour was in vaine which the knightes séeing returned againe to their aduersaries where quickly they fell breathlesse at their féete with all the rest of the Fortes leauing none of the Gyants companie aliue in the Castle This dispacht these two braue Warriours searched about the Castle to see if any were hidde but finding none don Bryanell said We haue done ill in not sauing one to doe what we would and serue vs at our néede Gréeue not hereat replyed Palineo for wee haue no such
are you that knowes me in a strange land The Knight not replying vnlaced his helme whom straight Don Bryanell did so too demanding for his deare Brother Don Bellianis He is very farre from hence replyed Don Bryanell But what is that valiant knight that comes with you It is my Brother Don Clarineo of Spaine answered he and I doe greatly ioy to haue met with you for else we knâ—we not what to do By this Don Clarineo was thither come and with great loue imbraced him and said To the great wonder of Damartyno and Palineo to sée their good agréement it had almoste coste vs deare to knowe of you against your will what we required and I assure you if you longer conceale your selfe I will no more séeke you Wée are in a strange Land replyed Don Bryanell therefore can I doo no otherwise though more danger it should cost me But what shall we doo for thinking to finde you in necessitie the Emperor and vs shipt our selues with one hundred thousand men which are not farre from hence For knowing you were come to restore the Princesse Aurora to her kingdome we departed to aid you Where left you my Lord the Emperour demaunded Don Bryanell He is not with vs I assure you answere Lucidamore for he and Sauian of Trebento were separated from vs by a certaine aduenture All this talked they that Damartyno and Palineo did not vnderstand though they thought they knew one another Wherefore don Brianell said to the Princes it behooueth you to say that the Souldan of Babilon hath sent this armie to plant the Princesse Aurora in her kingdome that these knights may more willingly further vs for in these affaires they are very forward Is my brother here demanded Don Clarianeo and my Cousin the Prince Arfileo I left them in Persia replied Don Brianell in a bloodie controuersie against the Souldane about the death of Don Galfeo of Antioch Is it possible said Don Clarianeo I assure you you haue greatly gladded me with the death of that traytor but tell me did my brother Don Bellianis kill him He did answered Don Brianell and hereafter I will informe you al the manner how And now aduertise your Pages to say you all now come away from Babylon So they shall sayde Don Claryaneo Whereupon Don Brianell called to him Palineo that was much abashed at his fall and said to him and Damartyno You are sir knights to giue the immortal gods great thanks for directing our affaires better then wee wished for these knights are my néere kinsmen and for whome I would vndertake any danger in the world I speake this Syr Palineo because you should not vex your selfe at your chance nor diminish your good will towards me for what is past And besides all this they are come about the same matter we haue in hand landing a strong army sent to this end froÌ„ the Soldan of Babilon which wil not a litle help vs being here hard by Wherefore consider what best we may doo for in this nor in any thing else none of vs will in no manner contradict your counsaile Whereunto Palineo somewhat comforted made this answere I could not haue receiued greater comfort for my ouerthrowe then this being done by such a knight and your Allye for which cause he onely deserueth to gain the honor of all aduentures in the world therfore do I remain no lesse bound to his seruice though I beleeue he little néedes it then heretofore I was to yours I doo greatly thanke you Sir knight said Don Clarineo thinking my selfe happie to haue met you and do reioyce we came not to handy blowes being sure to haue béene vanquished by you as your courteous words sufficiently do shewe And therefore I do surrender all the honour of the victorie to you as your due and resting yours for euer as my future déedes shall approoue And so imbracing one another expeld all enuious rancor from their valiant hearts This done Damartyno said he thought good they all returned to the Castle whence that morning they were returned where they might conclude what should be performed and that in the meane while one of the Pages should goe and charge the Armie to stay where they had left it till they receiued farther order This counsaile being alowed they sent two of theyr pages with this coÌ„mand and themselues returned to the Castle where hauing rested that day they resolued that the prince Don Lucidamore and Damartyno should that night goe vnto the army and before the morning light they shuld coÌ„duct close to the walles of Antioch which they alreadie knew to be in armes with aboue one hundred thousand fighting men because by their spyes they were aduertised of their power and the vsurping king accounting them to bee enemies determined to méete them in field yet commanding the Cittie gates to be fast shut least vnwares it shuld be surprised leauing within 40. thousand men to defend it And he with the County Gariano prepared to set forth Moreouer it was resolued that don Clarianeo and don Brianel with his fréend Palineo should passe through the myne into the Citie procure to open one of her gates that they might enter to them and by that meanes win it which was so strongly fortified with munition and men that they within feared nothing for the space of two yeares So Damartyno his companion departed to the armie where arriuing hee greatly reioyced to sée the good order thereof Don Lucidamore notwithstanding his pages had deliuered his message did himself gaue coÌ„mandement they should say they were sent by the great Soldan of Babylon CHAP. XLIX The great danger the Princesse don Clarianeo don Brianel sustained in the citie of Antioch how they were succoâ—ed by the knight of the sse Balâ—â—ks The winning of the Cittie and the death of the Tyrant Tramolcano THe appointed houre being come which made euery one think it a year so much they dâ—uÌ„red to be within Antioch hauing séene the signall of the approach of the Emperors arme the valiant knights don Clarianeo don Brianel and the politick Palineo opening the doore of the mine went through it to the Pallace but they were scarce at the pallace side when they heard a great noise and harkening what it might be they vnderstood it was because the army of strangers had so sodainly appeared before the walles whither the king Tramalcano with the couÌ„ty Gariano were going with an infinit companie to sée if they would assault the Cittie before the morne whereto there lacked not two houres All which indéede was so for Don Lucidamore and Damartyno hauing coÌ„manded all their meÌ„ to hang scarses vpon their armor to be known from their enemies did at that time conduct their troupes hard by the gate which should be opened for their entrance Be in quiet said Palineo and lette mee go forth to see what we were 〈◊〉 doo Doo what you will answered Don Brianell for heere weeâ—â— stay for
that they extreamely were oppressad Defend you this entrie said don Clarineo to the knight of the Basiliske while I open yonder gate which he did so brauely that in despight of them that first arriued he first ouerthrew aboue fiue hundred dead and deadly wounded making the rest giue place vnto his puissant strokes Don Clarineo went to Palineo for the Keyes which he by no means would let go cut of his handes and with them opened the gate Which beeing séene of the campe with great clamours approached to enter into the Citie The Knight of the Basiliskes and his companions perceiuing it withdrewe themselues to giue that furie place with whose arriuall the battell in such manner was renued that the place was filled with heaped Mountaines of dead men and this because the King Tramolcanos multitudes were infinite and expert and knowing that if they lost the Citie they should all pay the tribute of their deathes by their enemies swordes fought like mad men But the Princes hauing recouered theyr knights togither with the knight of the Basiliskes and don Clarineo hauing assured the person of Palineo whom he founde with life vniting themselues pressing in the thickest of the battell with such courage as they augmented in themselues with desire to see those affaires terminated with a good ende The curreuts of blood beganne to runne about so fast like Riuers descending from so many mountaine toppes Damartyno considering that the Citie woulde hardly be woonne by that meanes by reason of the manie people within to defend it commaunded all his men to name aloude the Princesse Aurora which they so did saying Antioch Antioch for the Princesse Aurora Which crie and name the people of the Countrey hearing and thinking their Ladie and Princesse was there whom they so grealy desired abandoned the men belonging as well vnto the traytour Countie as the Giant and withdrewe themselues which they had not don in the beginning because they thought them enemies vnto the Citie and land themselues crying within as the others did without trampling vnder their horse hoofes and massacring without pitie those traitors in such sort to reuenge themselues for theoutrages done by them that ere it was woonne they left not one aliue to beare the newes of their desolation hauing slaine that morning aboue fourescore thousand wanting not aboue sixe thousand Christians And this hapned through Damartynos policie which if it had not béene though their aduersaries had also in the end all died by the sword their losses had bin infinit This done don Lucidamore caused to be proclaimed that none vpon paine of death should sturre any thing in the Citie but quietly lodge therein without oppressing or molesting any way the meanest Citizen of the same And hauing taken all the fortresses castels and holds of the Citie to their power calling don Clarineo and don Brianell with him went all togither to the knight of the 〈…〉 s who being mounted would depart But don Clarineo remembring the danger he had freed him front with greet loue imbraced him saying Oh most glorious and renowmed knight the excellentest that euer did draw sword I hope you will not so greatly wrong vs so to depart vnknowne hauing liberated all of vs from so great danger For which not onely our liues but the whole glorie of the lasting victorie of this battell is too little recompence For such ayd thinking our selues sufficieÌ„tly honored by solie knowing what you are This spâ—ke he in the Gréeke language for when he at first did succour him he incouraged him in the same tongue I know not excellent Prince answered the knight of the basiliske how I may cancell the bandes you tie me in by the incomparable merits of your wordes yet notwithstanding vnlose my helme Don Locidamore more amazed then at first to know his brother did presently vnbuckle it whereby the excellencie of his complexion was séene Whom don Clarineo knowing rested so confused with content that the teares ran downe his cheekes and with a high voice said Oh mightie Lord that for vs all did suffer what great wonder do I see hauing before mine eies my deare Lord brother the Prince don Bellianis Wherupon he straight lept from his horse to kisse his hand The like did all the rest Don Bellianis seeing them do so dismounted also from his horse to imbrace all those knights with such content as may be imagined Here wants nothing now said don Lucidamore to end our demaund but the presence of our Lord the Emperor That shall not néed repâ—ted don Bellianis for I haue left him well within the Citie of Bollera and hard by Persepolis whither we must go with all spéede How arriued he there demanded don Charineo hauig lest himselfe farre from thence That I knowe not said don Bellianis but I left him where I tell you and there I beleeue we shal finde himâ— Here were they seperated by the multitude of the knights y t came to doe their duties to don Bellianis not able to expresse their ioye with his sight And he commanded them all to keepe his and all their names secrete for he would haue none of the Cittie knowe what they were Aod hauing done with their gréetings they went to the king Tramolcanos Pallace where they lodged and their men about the Cittie were entertained hauing voyded it of the dead carcases offering no iniurie nor wrong to any Cittizen They also carried the noble Palineo to the Pallace which had recouered his sences whom all those Knightes visited and highlie honoured With whose presence he highly reioyced as also to see those businesse ended Don Clarineo and don Brianell were layd in two rich beddes hard by Palinios where their wounds which were many were dressed by verie skilfull Chirurgions Don Bellianis taking in his companie Damartyno whome hee greatly estéemed for the Princesse Auroraes reporte of him and went about the Cittie and assembling together all the States thereof and chiefest Cittizens of the same Don Bellianis made them a shorte discourse thanking them for their loyaltie they alwayes obserued promising they should all haue their losses requited with full and ample satisfaction and shewed them the letter written to Damartyno They greately consolated by his spéech promised to procure the restitution of the whole Kingdome vpon which conclusion don Bellianis returned to the Pallace leauing Damartyno giuing order to recouer the reste of the Prouince without more spilling of blood To which effect he sent messengers to all Citties and places of importance in the kingdome CHAP. L. Howe the whole kingdome of Antioch being recouered the state of the Countie Gariano was giuen vnto the politike Palineo of the Venture and leauing Damartyno gouernor there all those Princes departed towards Persia SO soone as it was knowne through all the Kingdome of Antioche the totall ruine and vtter destruction of the vsurping King and all his forces they all arose agaynst the Tyrâ—uâ—ts garrisons knowing those Knights came from their lawfull and right Princesse so