made his encounter with so great strength that in the middest of that great place hee ouerthrew him from his horse to the ground his heeles vpwards so far from himself as though he had ben dead Then straight waies came forth an other who with great lightnes he shoued him out of the saddle so that he was taken in mens armes caried him into the tent for that all y e bones of his body were shaken brused with that strongs encounter And without any long tarying hee ouerthrew other ten knights of them entreting them in such sort that not one of them all could arise from the ground of himselfe but that they were caried in other mens armes into their tents At the which the king Oliuerio all that were there present were greatly amazed and could not learne by any meanes to know who those two valiant knights should bée Then all thâ—…se of England receiued great ioy and contentment for that they saw that the knights of Lusitania there pride and ioy did abate And Adriano said vnto the king I beléeue that the Prince Don Siluerio is not well pleased with this knight Let him alone said the king for I haue a good hope that his knights will cary away but litle honour of that which is past Then Bramides of Lusitania came foorth mounted vpon a myghtye great horse with a big speare in his hand he gaue a turne about the place shewing great prid thinking certainly that at the first encounter he would ouerthrow y e valiant knight but it fell not out according vnto his expectation for that they made their incounter with such force that Bramides vpon the shéeld of the strange knight shéeuered his speare all to shéeuers but the knight made no shew of moouing in his saddle but he made his encounter so strongly against Bramides that heauing him right out of his sadle he caried him a good way off from his horse with his head to the ground and his héeles vpwards was so astonied with that terrible blow that hée could not arise from the ground till such time as some of his companions tooke him vp caried him into their tent Oh how great was the griefe that the prince Don Siluerio conceiued when he saw his knights receiue so great reproch the knights of England with so great ioy pleasure because they saw that strange knight defend their honors so valiantly The king and the two ancient knights that were with him desired very much to know who that knight should be and likewise his companion who as it séemed vnto them was as one amazed beholding that mightie pallace in his semblance proportion seemed to be no lesse valiant theÌ„ his companion as it was of truth for that it was that valiant Rosicleer who had not so much gouernment of himselfe for to saffer but néedes he must come foorth into that great place with the king Sacridoro for to behold that day the princesse Oliuia but that he saw the princes in hir royall estate shewing foorth hir soueraigne countenance with so singuler beauty he was as one astonied amazed not knowing whether he were in Heauen or on Earth and the great glory thâ—… which he felt within himselfe when that he had before him that precious sight so long of him desired that forgetting himselfe hée remained in one place without any power for to mooue himselfe but as one depriued of his wits And the other was that stout strong king Sacridoro who seeing the great mischance of his companion would make some shew of his great bountie and by reason that he was of so great bountie in lesse then one houre he ouerthrew vnto y e ground all those fiftie knights all very euill intreated ill beestead with the force of the mighty fals which they had receiued the great pleasure the which Adriano receiued héereat was such that he could not let but say vnto the prince Don Siluerio how doo you like this my lord now you may well see that the bountie of all the world doth not consist onelye in the knights of Lusitania By God I doo sweare that according vnto the vsing which these knights haue receiued the emperor Trebatio shall bée in great securitye of them for anye harme he shall receiue at their hands The prince was so full of sorow so angry for that which hapned vnto his knights that without making any answer vnto Adriano with great fury he mounted vpon his great horse tooke a speare in his hand put himselfe ready at a point for to reuenge the inâ—…urie done vnto his knights At whith time the valiant Zoylo for that he was a great friend vnto the prince fearing that ther should happen some reproch vnto him saide vnto the king Truely my lord if it please your highnes I would very much that the prince Don Siluerio might excuse the iusting at this time with that straunge ventrous knight for that he hath gotten this day very much honour I would not that now he should loose it againe Surely said the king Oliuerio I should be very sorrowfull and I would that all might well be excused and they seperated if there were any good meane for the same I will goe and part them sayd the â—…artarian Zoylo And therwith he arose vp from the place wher he sate by the king descended downe the court mounting vpon a horse very gallantly richly trapped which was brought vnto him he went vnto the king Sacridoro and said Sir knight by the way of curtesie I doo hartely desire you that this day you would cease your high valiant deedes for you haue done inough to giue testimonie of great bounty at this time to depart for that the king Oliuerio shall receiue great contentment courtesie in so doing Then the king Sacridoro who knew him very well since the time that he saw him at the fountaine of the sauages hauing great desire to shew him plesure answered him said Sir knight not onely in this but in all other things whatsoeuer your pleasure is to commaund mée with all my hart power I will doo it to doo you pleasure So after that the valiaunt Zoylo dad gratified him with great thanks for his curtesie the king Sacridoro departed went vnto the place wheras Rosicleer was as one amazed astonied beholding the great beauty of the princes Oliuia shaking him by the hand hée said Come let vs now depart from heuce for we haue taried héere very long Then Rosicleer comming to himselfe as one which did awake out of a dead sléepe set spurs to his light horse and went with the king Sacridoro put themselues in a by way out of that great place in such sort that in a short space they were out of sight and the prince Don Siluerio ramained very furious and full of anger for that the knight was departed from thence before hée
I will bee ther very quickly Doe all things according vnto your pleasure said the king I pray God to giue vnto you such victory that our enemies might vnderstand know that as yet the king Liseo is neither dead nor ouercome So when the night waxed dark the king in the best maner hee could he toke the qâ—…eene behind him on his horse embrased the knight of the Sunne shedding many teares he toke his leaue with the queene departed by a narrow lane which he knew very well went towards the citie although he met by the way with diuers yet for all that hauing no feare by reason that he spake the language very well they made litle reckoning of him did not mistrust y t he should be any of their enemies Then the knight of the Sun when he supposed that the king had passed the campe he toke his speare in his hand dreâ—… nigh vnto his enemies when he saw them that they were with out watch or care of any euill that might â—…appen vnto them â—…e committed himselfe vnto God put himselfe amongst his enemies with his speare he began to kill to destroy so many of the knights other souldiers that his great force strength was quickly knowen by the number thâ—…t lay dead in the field For that in a short space he had flame more then fiftie of them at the noisâ—… of whom with a triâ—…e all the whole camp was in an vproâ—… and cried vnto armour And after that this valiant knight had broken his 〈◊〉 with his swoord in his hands he pressed still forwardes amongst them in such sort that he seemed to be some infernal creature And without finding any great resistaunce he approched vnto the tents that were in the field which were very many rich wheras he found in them very many that seemed to be valiant Knights who at the noyse vprâ—…are of the souldiers wer all armed in their company many great and deformed giants that séemed to be great towers who when they saw all the people run away saw not their enemies follow them being greatly amazed therat they stood still knew not which way to depart but when the valiant knights drew nigh vnto them the first knight that he met withall he stroke him such a blow vpon his helme that cléeuing it his head downe vnto the breast he ouerthrew him dead to the ground turning himselfe about he stroke another vpon the wast that he cut him a sunder in the midst ouerthrew him from his horse likewise dead to the ground which made all the knights that wer ther not a litle to meruaile for that this valiant worthy knight would not at that time tary any longer he set spurs vnto his furious horse passed through the camp with so great fury that ther was not one knight that could get before him being seene by one of the most valiantest giants amongst the rest with a great mase in his hand he followed him pretending to strike him with the same The knight of the Sun perceiuing it tourned about with his horse before that the giant could execute his mighty blow with his mase he stroke him so terrible a blow vpon the wast that his sharp cutting sword entred into his bowels that he fell down from his horse dead to the ground and then without any stayinâ—… he put himselfe in the middest of the whole campe and made so great a spoile amongst his enemies that hée whom hee found in his way might well thinke himselfe vnhappy So that they all fledde and ran béefore him as from some infernall creature that according vnto the great destruction that he made amongest them they thought him to be no other In this sort this valiant knight went throughout the whole camp without finding one that was so hardy to disturbe him slew w t his own hands more they two hundreth knights being all embrued in blood he came vnto the gates of the citie wheras he found the king Liseo who being knowen by his knights subiects did open the gates did abide his comming And when they saw the knight of the Sun to come all to be raied with blood the knig straight waies did imagine what had passed with him embraced him saying Oh my good perfect friend now I am fully perswaded that it hath pleased god to give mée full remedy set at liberty all my kingdome onely in that I haue your valiant person héere with me At this time the most principallest of all the knights of the citie came vnto them with great contentment ioy to sée their Lord and king they entred into the citie commanded the gates to be shut very strongly excéeding good watch ward to bée kept they altogether went vnto the pallace wheras they were of the quéene meruailously well receiued entertained and did vnarme the knight of the Sun with hir own hands and there they did repose rest themselues that night not without great care complaints vnto their king to see themselues in such great affliction almost all the people in their Country lost Likewise also was the valiant knight of the Sun sore troubled with his amorous thoughts of the faire princes Lindabrides and of the princesse Claridiana which thoughts were more troublesome vnto him then the furious battaile which he should haue with his enemies the next day following But when he remembred his brother and the rest of his friends that were prisoners with Rodaran he receiued so great sorrow griefe that he thought long till the day was come had a good trust and confidence in God that very shortly he should sée himself cléere from his enemies for to haue time to returne vnto the bridge of the iaspe to conclude his pretence to combat with Rodaran Likewise at this time all those that were in the campe of the king of Arcadia did not take their rest in perfect quietnesse but when they remembred that which dyd passe with the beginning of the night they all trembled with theyr great feare which they receiued of that worthy valiaunt knight And when they had made relation of all that had hapned vnto the king of Arcadia he began to blaspheme against his gods for that it was not his fortune to méet with him they were all amazed because they could not vnderstand know who that valiant Knight should bée And againe they were fully perswaded that it could not be the king Liseo for that he was not a knight of so great valour for to make such destruction amongst them for that they had combatted with him diuers sundry times likewyse others had ben so ventrous as to enter into their camp but neuer did shew so great force the King being very desirous to know who he should be to sée him he passed away all that
hir selfe Then the king knowing hir will mind to be contrary vnto his pretence commanded hir to be put into a tower alonely in the company of hir damsels commanded that none should either see or speake with hir beléeuing that therby she would reclaime hir selfe yéeld vnto his request In the meane time the prince Don Siluerio made ready put in order all that was requisite néedefull for those feastes with so great expenses now inuentioâ—…s as neuer the like hath beâ—… seene for that this was one of the most riches princes in all the world had brought with him more then fiftie thousand knights into England amongst them were such that they thought that in all the world was not their equals These were the great triumphs and feaâ—…ts that were told vnto Rosicleer the king Sacridoro in the ship whereas they came passengers all the which they beléeâ—…ed to be as Fidelia had told vnto them with the great desire that Rosicleer had to méete with Don Siluerio he thought to be very slow the swift course sailing of thâ—… ship as though she did not moue out of the place So in this sort the ship did nauigate a leauen daies in the end wherof they ariued in a port of Scotland which was a prouince of England disiâ—…barking themselues they gaue great thanks vnto them which came with them in the ship for their good conuersation they tooke their leaue of them departed all alone it was consented betwéene them that Fidelia should goe before and giue vnderstanding vnto the princesse Oliuia of their comming and afterwards finding hir conformable vnto their will they would determine what was best to bée done ¶ How Fidelia went to the Prince Oliuia and gaue hir vnderstanding of the comming of Rosicleer Chapter 57. AS you haue heard before it was concluded betwéene the two knights that Fidelia should goe before vnto the Citie of London for to carry newes vnto the princesse Oliuia of thâ—… comming of Rosicleer to vnderstand the estate of all things So she tooke hir leaue of them departed on hir tourney they two remained in a monestary of religious men which was foure miles from London in great confusion not knowing how to determine themselues in these matters that they stoode them so much vpon seeing with what great hast they did prouide all things necessary for those triumphs feasts the celebrating of y e mariage of the princesse Oliuia for that within foure daies the time would bée expired of the two moneths which were appointed as it was told theÌ„ of many that they ouertoke going vnto the triumphs And Rosicleer hearing the same was so full of anguish in hart that he seemed like a foole furious from himselfe would neither eate nor drinke neither all that euer the king Sacridoro could say or doo was sufficient for to appease him many times he did arme himselfe and would haue taken his horse for to goe and seeke the prince Don Siluerio and wheresoeuer he had found him to haue slâ—…ine him but by the great wisedome and gouernment of the king by force and against his will hée did stay and detaine him alwaies putting before him the ill successe that would proceede in doing the same and how that hée might therein bring himselfe into a meruailous perplexitie and bee an occasion that the princesse Oliuia shall bee put wheras hee shall neuer sée hir Likewise y t he should consider how Fidelia was gone to speake with the princes Oliuia that it was not good till such time as she had sent hir answere giuen vs to vnderstand hir purpose not to giue any attempt With which pâ—…rswasions Rosicleer staiâ—…d himsâ—…lfe although very sorrowfull and without any contentment or hope of remedy He did abide the returne of Fidelia the answere she should bring from hir ladye the princesse Who when she came vnto the citie of London she went vnto the great pallas whereas she found not the princes but it was told hir how that the king had commanded hir to be caried into a strong tower wheras no bodie could neither see hir nor speak with hir but only two damsels who did serue hir without opening any doore to any body all such things as was necessary for hir was drawen vp at a window This tower was scituated vpon a high rock very strong nygh vnto a very broad déepe riuer walled round about And the king kept the keies therof for that he would that none should enter in therat for to visit the Princes for that she seeing hir selfe so solitary in so great straightnes would be the occasion that she would yéeld hir selfe vnto mariage to doo all that the kings pleasure was to command hir although it were all onely for to be cléere of so straight solitary life So when Fidelia came vnto the gates of the tower saw that they were shut she knocked at a ring that hong therat till such time as a damsell whom she did know very will did looke out at a window who when she knew Fidelia being very much amazed to sée hir she said What hath ben become of you my sister Fidelia that in so long time you haue not come to visit the princes our mistresse for that your absence hath grieued hir very much and hath thought long for your comming To whom Fidelia answered said my good friend I haue ben all this time in Scotland in my mothers house for that I was very sick till now she would neuer let me depart from hir Then the other damsell said if you doo meane to come in hether you must goe vnto the king for that he hath the keies of the tower Then Fidelia very heauy when she heard these newes she would stay ther no longer but went vnto the kings pallas And entring into his chaÌ„ber finding him all alone she knéeled downe before him and kisâ—…ed his hands Then the king when he knew hir he was very glad ioyful of hir comming said my friend Fidelia wher haue you ben so long that you haue not come to sée vs vnto whom shée said in Scotland with my parentes héere I doe desire your highnesse to pardon me For that by reason of a great infirmitie which my father had was the occasion that I haue deteyned my selfe so long haue not come to acknowledge my duetie seruice vnto the princesse my lady mistresse Thou art welcome said the king héere I doe desire thée to goe see the princesse to declare vnto hir the great benefit which will come vnto hir in taking for husband the prince Don Siluerio And ther the king did declare vnto hir all that was appointed to be done for that he had hir in reputation for hir grauitie wisdome and thought that the Princesse would giue more credit vnto hir words then vnto any other Then Fidelia who
wherein to exercise themselues for to appeare valianter then others Therefore séeing that God hath made you more valyaunter then any in the world you ought for to put your person in aduenture to put remedie in this matter with reproach and perill vnto your â—…erson such as neuer hath béene séene in Knight séeing that â—…he Princesse Oliuia is so fast locked in that to take hir out from thence it is a thing impossible and it is now requisit that you doo pacifie your altered minde that you may the better abide time and season to worke oùr feate And my iudgement is this that wée doo waight the time that the king shall command the Princesse to bée taken out of the Tower to carrie hir vnto the pallace for to celebrate the Marriage with Don Siluerio at which time there will bée little memorie of armour but all occupied in apparayling themselues and to seeke out new inuentions then wée to enter in and to take the princesse from them and paying with your rigorous arme him who shall withstand vs for that at that time they shal not haue so great strentgh for to cause vs to stay and if once wée get well out of the Citie wée haue the sea at hand wheras wée cannot lack a ship all furnished and readie for to make Sayle wée béeing once within and betwixt this and that place our horse be so good that I béeleeue there is not any that can ouertake vs of all remedies impossible this is one amongst them that is possible to bée done therefore now my Lord consider with your sâ—…lfe what is best to bée done in this extremitie Then Rosicleer who was meruaylous attentiue vnto these words which the King Sacridoro had sayde hauing his hart so valiant and couragious for such like attempts and likeing the counsaile of that inuention very well béefore that the King had fully ended his iudgement when that hée would haue put himselfe in that enterprise and finding this to bée the best remedy they concluded and straight wayes therewith they all thrée departed to the sea side which was not far of and when they came thether they procured to seeke out and to prouide for to serue theyr turne a good Ship and amongst a great number of strangers that were come thethey with people for to sée theyr feasts they chaunced to enter into one which séemed vnto them to bée the strongest and the best sayler amongst them all And talking with the master or patron thereof they found him to bee of the Empire of Greece and Rosicleer knowing him by hiâ—… speech to bée of Greece hee tooke him a part and dyd discouer vnto him who hée was and tolde him what great necessity hee had of him and of his shéep promising him excellent payment with the aduantage if so bée that they did well escape with their enterprise and without reproch Then the Maister of the Ship béeing a Grecian and hauing heard of Rosicleer was very glad and ioyfull for that hée had so good opportunitie to serue him would haue kissed his hands as the hands of his Lord and Prince and offered him not onely his ship but also his lyfe to serue him at that and all other times Then Rosicleer with great loue embraced him and gaue him great thankes and all the rest of the day that remayned they were in the Ship with him putting in order all things necessary as vnto so perilâ—…ous an enterprise was requisit So the next day drew on of the marriage as it was agréede which should bee the third day in the which time these two perfect friends did peruse and mend their armour and fortified theyr ship for it séemed according vnto the great necessitie into the which they were driuen that it was all néedefull So the next day béeing come Fidelia tookâ—… hir leaue of them and went vnto the citie straight waies vnto the king who commaunded that the Tower should bee opened willing hir to doo his hearty commendations vnto his daughter and to tell hir that shée should make hir selfe in a readinesse for the next day shée should come foorth to see the great feasts triumphs which the Prince Don Siluerio hath ordayned for hir sake With this Fidelia tooke hir leaue of the king and departed and the gates of the Tower béeing opened shee entered in therat the gates were shut againe â—…s beefore When shée came vnto the Princesse they two toâ—…ether entred into hir closet all alone and there Fidilia deâ—…lared vnto the Princesse all that euer shée had passed with â—…he King hir Father and what was concluded with the two â—…ights And when the Princesse vnderstood the great perill â—…nd daunger in the which shee should put hir selfe hir heart 〈◊〉 hir to think thereof and waxing pale of coulour shée 〈◊〉 as though shee had béen dead not knowing wheâ—…her shée were in Heauen or in the earth At which time Fidelia dyd comfort hir saying What is this my Lady and mistresse at such time as his death was most published and you enuironed with most mortall anguish at that time you had a good hart for to suffer all courage for to discemble And now you that haue your knight so nigh at hand with hope quickly for to sée him you doo lacke force for to suffer and your hart doo faile you for to enioy him that more then your owne lyfe you haue desired For Gods loue doo it not my Lady but rather animate your salfe and do you reioyse for that in such great necessitie the great valour of noble courage is knowen and in especiall whereas no euill may chance vnto you but rather a further benefit and contentment of minde more then hetherto it hath béene vnto you And if once Rosicleer haue got you into his power then is there nothing that can bée hurtfull vnto you for to â—…ourne you to any griefe for that you haue recouered for your husband the most high and worthiest Prince in all the world as well in his estate as of his person Then the Princessâ—… sayde with a great sigh ah Fidelia I haue no dread nor perill of my owne part for that I dyd choose rather to kill my selfe then to doo any other thing to the contrarie So that I haue little feare in any other thing touching my selfe but my feare is onely for Rosicleer for that this his enterprise the which hée dooth take in hand is great his life must needs bée in great perill if God for his 〈◊〉 mersie do not maruaylously delyuer him For this cause sayde Fidelia hath God made him of such force aboue all other for thaâ—… hee hath deliuered and cleered himselfe in greater daungers then this is so if God permit hée will cléere himselfe oâ—… this And I doo béeleeue that God hath not forgot you buâ—… will deliuer you with your honour out of this rebuke anâ—… will not permit that your father the king shuld do so greaâ—… outrage in forcing you to marrie against your
did first take reuengement for the iniurie done vnto his Knightes and for that it waxâ—…d late againe there were no knights left for to iust there béegan straight waies a great noise of sounding of Triumpets and other instrumentes of musick which was done in such sort that all the whole Citie dyd ring thereof and héere with the iusts were made an end the Tents taken out of that great place and the Prince Don Siluerio with great honour accompanied with many Princes and knights was brought vnto the mightie pallace wheras hée was very well receiued by the king â—… was carried into a Chamber which was on the one side of the great hall wheras he was vnarmed The Princesse Oliuia beefore this time knew Rosicleer for Fidelia when shee saw him aduertised hir wherat shee receiued great contentment dyd esteeme all hir trauailes sorrows which shee had receiued well bestowed although when she remembred y e great hurly burly that shuld bée that night hir hart was very much out of quyet and full of anguish and could not by any meanes bée merry but with great sighs and bitter teares she desired God to deliuer hir well out of all those daungers How that at such time as the King Oliuerio and the mightie Princes and knights of the Court were ioyned together that the Princesse Oliuia and the Prince Don Siluerio should take handes Rosicleer and the King Sacridoro entered into the mightie pallace and what happened therin Chapter 60. AFter that Rosicleer and the King Sacridoro were departed out of the place whereas the iusts were made they both put theÌ„selues into a Forrest which ioyned nigh vnto the Citie whereas they remayned till the night was come béeing fully determyned what they should doo for that they had left their ship at the coast all in a redinesse very wel appointed considering in what great peril danger they did put themselues they praied vnto god with all their harts for to deliuer theÌ„ well out of that great reproch hauing a very good hope y t god wold aide succour them for that which they went about was in a iust right cause for to set frée the great wrong harme done vnto the Princesse The day béeing past and the night come they issued out of the forrest and entered into the citie for that ther were so many knights as well strangers as Countrie men they could not be perceiued for the stréets were full of them likewise the night being darke theyr armour could not be discouered neither was ther any account made therof for that it was a time void of suspition so they drew nigh vnto the pallace at such time as the Princesse Oliuia the Prince Don Siluerio should ioyne hands together vowing matrimonie the pallace being cléere light with the great number of torches and candles that were ther lighted that it seemed to bée mid day and there were so great a number of people that they could scarce mooue by one another All this time went Fidelia very diligently vp and downe the pallace and when shée saw the houre draw néere that theyr pretence should be put in execution she went out of the pallace and taking with hir a bundle of things necessarie for the princesse she went towards the sea side and put hir selfe in the ship abiding the time to sée what fortune would doo for hir Lady and mistres and for those worthy and valiant Knights and was in so great feare that for any thing shée would not bée put in the like againe All this time was the Princesse Oliuia so full of anguish and alteration that shée knew not whether shée were aliue or dead and béeing in a quadran nigh vnto the great hall accompanied with all hir Ladies damsels readie to bée taken foorth to ioyne hands with the Prince shée many times fell in a sound and béeing very much comforted by the Princesses Rodasilua Siluerina yet all that euer they could doo did profit very little neyther could shée recouer any force nor receiue any comfort for that the houre was come that she shuld passe that great affliction and in remembraunce thereof shée thought verily that hir hart would haue leapt out of hir dody At this present time Rosicleer and the King Sacridoro came vnto the pallace and by a false doore which Rosicleer knew very well they entered into a chamber wheras the princesse was leauing their Horses with a Page of the kings who put them vnder a portall where they could not bee séene of the people so they went vp a narrow payre of stayres till they came into the great hall whereas they found the King Oliuerio with all those mighty Princes and knights in a fayre Quadran in company with the prince Don Siluerio abiding the comming of the Princesse Oliuia to take hir to his spouse Lykewise on the other side of the hall in another Quadran was the Princesse Oliuia accompanied with all hir Ladies and Damsels and with the Princesse Rodasilua and Siluerina who had hir in the midst beetwixt them and when they would haue gone whereas the King was the Princesse Oliuia could not step one foot forwards but fell in a sound in the armes of the other Princesses Then when these two valiant knights saw it was time they entered both together into the quadran and the king Sacridoro carryed his Swoord drawen in his hand and his shéeld on his arme the which put a great teare amongst all the Ladyes and Damsels and Rosicleer went straight vnto the Princesse Oliuia his Lady and tooke hir in his armes lifting hir from the ground all which time shée was in a sound and by reason at theyr entering in all those Ladyes and damsells gaue great shrikes and out cryes there came presently to that place many Knights and béeing without armour they drew out theyr Swoords and doubled theyr cloakes about theyr armes and went to rescue and take away the Princesse from Rosicleer who carried hir in his armes but for that the good King Sacridoro was at hand in a redinesse with foure blows which hée gaue hée ouerthrew foure Knights dead to the ground of them that first approched wher they were the which did put so great feare in all the rest that they durst not come nigh him so that Rosicleer had roome to come vnto the narrow stayres which descended downe to the false doore Then the King Sacridoro put himselfe in the face of all the people and dyd so much that Rosicleer came vnto the place whereas his horse was and findeing none for to disturbe him hée mounted forthwith vpon his Horse and tooke the Princesse in his armes béefore him and hée had the Page to tarrie for his Lord and setting spurres vnto his good horse Rodarte which hée had of the Gyant Mandroco and one of the strongest and lightest that was in all the world within a short time hée found himselfe out of the Citie and with so great
we may well dessemble the great loyalty that it told of other knights for that it is to tell of things surmounting nature or els it is so â—…ar to extoll knights for to make them to beare off to be men So that if the knight of the Sun with the presence of the princesse had forgot himselfe to the contrary the princes with the presence of him was the pleasantest lady in all the world receiued great contentment onely in thinking that at their comming vnto the court of the emperour hir father their marriage should straight wayes be celebrated So after that they had trauailed one mooneth in the mighty Asia they entred into the second Scithia wheras they saw so many so strange formes of people and customes that the Knight of the Sun went very much amazed and although many things worthy of telling hapned vnto them in this iourny yet this history doth leaue them for that if he should detaine himselfe in telling of them he shuld leaue off to declare the principall for that the greater part is vntold To conclude in the end they entred into the country oâ—… the gran Cataia Then the emperour when he vnderstood that they were within a daies iourney of Neptaia whereas hée was hée went foorth to méet them accompanied with morâ—… then fiftie kings lords his subiects euery one a crowne 〈◊〉 gold vpon his head and more then a thousand knights thaâ—… went in gard And when they came whereas they met thâ—… triumphant chariot they alighted from their horses wenâ—… kissed the hands of the princes Lindabrides embraced thâ—… knight of the Sun hée receiued them with great ioy coâ—…tentment when the emperour drew nigh the knight of thâ—… Sun knéeled downe before him for to kisse his hands but thâ—… emperor with great pleasure meruailed at his mightie prâ—…portion gallant semblance would not consent therevntâ—… but embraced him with great loue kissed him saying dooe desire the high mighty gods my sonne to graunt you health that you may enioy many yéeres your youthfulnesse for that your comming into this country hath made me very glad ioyfull And I doo desire them my good lord said the knight of the Sun to preserue your person emperiall estat for that all we your subiects may doo our duties in your seruice Then Oristedes the troyan came vnto him as one that had a great desire to see him the knight of the Sun embraced him with great loue all those kings knights meruailed much at his mightie proportion musing how that 〈◊〉 knight of so few yéeres should consist so great force streÌ„gth So after that all had giuen him entertainment the emperour went vnto the triumphaÌ„t chariot ascended vp into it the faire princes did fall downe vpon hir knees kissed his hands the emperour likewise kissed hir receiued hir with great loue passing béetwéene them many words of great pleasure he set himself downe in the triumphant chariot in the midst betwéene the princes the knight of the Sun all the other kings lords mounted vpon their horses compassed the Chariot round about taking their iourney towards the mightie Citie of Neptaya whereas of an infinit number of people as well women as men with great solempnitie they were receiued being all much amazed at his gentle and gallant disposition Likewise the knight of the Sun did very much meruaile at the mighty greatnes of that citie and of the great abundance of people that were therin and saide vnto himselfe that not without great reason the Emperour was estéemed for the mightiest Prince in all the world So likewise when they came vnto the mightie pallace he was no lesse amazed to sée the great sumptuousnes and riches thereof for that in all his life hée neuer saw the like no not by a great deale for that it seemed â—…o bée a citie compassed about with verye strong walles and high towers When they came thether they all alighted from their horses entred into that mighty pallace whereas they passed away the rest of the day that remained all that night in great solempne feasts And it was concluded amongst theÌ„ all that within fifteene daies they should begin to make the great triumphs feasts for the mariage of the knight of the Sun the princes Lindabrides at the which triumph shal be present the most strongest king and knights in all the pagan country for to see by experience the great bounty that hath ben published of the knight of the Sun who all this time receiued great ioy contentment for the time drew on to finish his great desire although the loue of the princes hir great desert were the principall occasion that he should bée desirous to marry with hir Likewise considered he might thinke himselfe happye to haue to wife the daughter of so mightie an emperour heire vnto so high estate With this determination firme loue he passed away that time verie much honored of the emperour respected of all those lords kings his vassailes for that they all had a great delight pleasure in him Whom the historye doth leaue at the present to tell of other things that hapned in the meane time ¶ How the two Princes Brandizel and Clauerindo departed from the Court of the Emperour Trebatio what happened vnto them being at the sea Chapter 62. AFter the departure of the knight of the Sun the two princes Brandizel Clauerindo did a bide certaine daies in the court of the emperour Trebatio of whom likewise of all his knights they were honoured esteemed by reason of the great loue which the Prince Brandizel bare vnto the princesse Clarinea she could not take any rest nor be at quiet Sâ—… vpon aÌ„ day béeing in conuersation with his friend Claueryndo hee sayd That for so much as the Knight of the Sunne was not there with them mée thinckes it should bée good in the meane time till hée returned agayne to fly from this idlenesse in the which wee are and to go and seeke some aduentures for to increase our honour and to exercise militarie Knighthood The which counsayle lyked the Prince very well and vnderstanding the will of Brandizell hée strayght wayes sayde that hee should dooe all that his pleasure was for that hee should receyue great contentment therein So both of them asked lisence of the Emperour for to depart promising him to returne againe so soone as they heard that the Knight of the Sunne was returned agayne So the Emperor although very much against his will and by theyr great importunancie did grant leaue vnto them So these two perfect friends departed from Constantinople and when they came vnto the waters side they entered into a ship which they found readie to depart towards the kingdome of Polonia After that they were departed had sayled on theyr voyage foure dayes there beegan to
¶ THE SECOND part of the first Booke of the Myrrour of Knighthood IN WHICH IS PROSECVTED THE ILLVSTRIOVS déedes of the knight of the Sunne and his brother Rosicleer Sonnes vnto the Emperour Trebatio of Greece With the valiant deedes of armes of sundry worthie Knights very delightfull to bee read and nothing hurtfull to bee regarded NOW NEWLY TRANSLAted out of Spanish into our vulgar tongue by R. P. LONDON Printed by Thomas Este. 1599. TO THE RIGHT worshipfull Master Thomas Powle Esquire Clarke of the Crowne in hir Maiesties high Court of Chauncerie COnsidering right Worshipful that such men as haue excelled others in vertue or anie excellent quallitie doe shine through perpetuall fame all abroad and are like the bright Sunne beames surmounting without comparison the small and speedie decaying candles of the rude ignoble and seeing that this brightnesse of fame hath and doth not onely shine in men by vertuous studies and contemplatiue exercises but also in most worthie feats of chiualrv and martiall prowesse the knowledge practise whereof Cicero that most wise and learned Senator deemed as necessarie as learning and other good gifts of the minde to maintaine an orderlie common weale Considering also that as well the spirit of God hath by the hands of Moses and of many good men since published and that greatly commending them the valiaunt acts and puissant exploits of sundrie both good and mightie men at armes as did Homere Titus Liuius Salust with many mo the right martiall and euer memorable acts of the Greekes the Romans c. All which records of Chiualrie â—ending to animate others vnto imitating the like and beeing â—s a spur to instigate and prick vs forwards vnto prowesse who â—lse would bee idle and lie in obscuritie I haue thought it â—ot fruitlesse to publish this Mirrour of Knighthood also inâ—ented and set forth rather to encourage dastards and to teach â—he readie minded what excellencie is in puissant and inuinciâ—le mindes passing common iudgement then to feede the reader with an vntruth Now sithens custome hath made it to bee as a law in mens hearts obserued that they account bookes published not to haue sufficient warrant except they bee dedicated to some worthie personage of authoritie I am bolde to present vnto your Worship this Booke entituled The second part of the Mirrour of Knighthood done out of Spanish and now newly printed beeseeching your Worship rather to accept of my good will shewed than to respect the simplenesse of the gift Thus ceasing to be tedious I commit you to the tuition of the Almightie who blesse you and all yours Your VVorships most assured T. E. To the Reader I Haue good Reader according to my forepassed promise prosecuted the Second part of the first Booke of the Mirrour of Knighthood after which likewise beefore the second part alreadie Printed followeth another booke which is intituled in the Spanish worke The third part of the first Booke c. Which with as much expedition as may bee shall bee published wherby both the quaint beginning and the quoy abruption shall bée brought to a concord though no conclusion Yet shall the whole story bée concluded with diligent spéede if thou accept with thy wonted curtesie these passed impressions Desiring thée not to think the fulnesse of the history to bée deferred of malice but by euill luck wherefore good Reader I beséech thée beare with the abruptnesse of the translation the errours of the impression and the good meaning of the Authour and thinck not euerie Actor a right Grecian Lord no more then euery Chremes a Corinthian churle but contrary that as Terence shewed the figure that then was so our Author shadoweth the forme that should be in all Nobilitie to wit Chiualrie and curtesie Committing therefore the consideration of this worke to thy acceptance I conclude Thine to vse T. E. G. G. To the Reader IF learned Maro merited such prayse for penning downe Aeneas trauayles strange Or if to heauen they Nasoes name doe rayse that writ of men and beasts trans form'd by change Then shall our Spaniards toile I trust obtaine Though no such praise yet pardon for his paine For as their pens did paint the rare euents of things succeeding fitting for their time Euen so doth hee declare in his contents the verie meanes to Honours top to clime Accept his will doe not disdaine his worke In simplest shew doth truest meaning lurke FINIS ¶ THE SECOND PART of the first booke of the Mirrour of Knighthoode in which is prosecuted the illustrious deedes of the Knight of the Sunne and his brother Rosicleer sonnes to the Emperour Trebatio of Greece OF ALL THAT HAPPEned vnto the Emperour Trebatio and the Princesse Briana in their way vnto the Grecian Empire CHAPTER I. WIth great ioy and contentment the Emperour Trebatio and the Princesse Briana trauailed towardes the Grecian Empire as well for the fruition of hir contented ioy as the pleasure and ease which she hoped to haue at such time as shée should come vnto the Empire And if it had fallen out that their departure should haue bene knowen yet at their ease they could not follow them for that most of their trauaile was by deserts and vninhabited places and not by peopled townes vilages and this was the occasion that they could not come so seene vnto Grecia as they might if they had taken the frequented waye And so in great peace and quietnesse they trauailed certaine daies without any accident happaning that is worth the noting till such time as they had passed through y e kingdome of Hungaria entered among certaine mountaines which wer very craggie troublesome to trauaile in where they chaunced vpon the skirt of the mountaine Sarpedo which is verye great and was inhabited with very furious and vnciuile people This was the cause which made them to trauaile by the lowest part of the mountaine where they continued on their iourney till the third day at such tyme as the Sunne was in the extreamest of his parching heate which caused them to haue an earnest and great desire to drinke for that they were thyrstie by reason that all that daye and the other day past they could finde no water nor any other thing to drinke And béecause the great thirst which the Empresse sustayned was more griefe vnto the Emperour then his owne hée diligentlye searched in euery place where he came to sée if hée could by any meanes finde any Towne Uilage or Fountayne where they myght haue water to quench theyr thirst And hée as trauayled in this care and sorrow within a whyle after hée discouered a certayne valley which entred in by the one side of the Mountayne in the middest thereof there was as it were a sluce which procéeded out of the Mountayne and it séemed vnto him that it could not hée without water for that the ground about it was very fresh and pleasant And presentlye leauing theyr way that they then followed they tooke
strongest that euer hée saw in all his life and this Castell did béelong vnto the king Tiberio and it was edified there very strong for that it was in the vttermost partes of all Hungaria and was scituated ther for that his enemies could not enter into his Countrie with any armie but onely that way by reason that the Riuer there was verie great and hée that was Liefetenaunt and had the kéeping of the Castell was the Troyan Earle béefore the Knight of the Sunne slew him and after his death the King dyd commit the charge and kéeping thereof vnto his Brother Florinaldus for that hée was a knight of great estimatian and one of the principallest of his Court who not forgetting the â—…uill will which he had conceiued against the knight of the Sunne hee determined to take him prisoner in that Castell and when by force hee could not doo it hée would doo it by treason For vnderstanding of a certaintie that hee could not passe by any other way but that onely as it in déede fell out that at such time as the Knight of the Sun should come thether Florinaldus was within the Castell with more then twentie knights abiding his comming So when the knight came thether hée â—…ound the gates of the bridge shut which was vnder that mightie Castle and hée tooke the ring of the gate in his hand and gaue great strokes at which noyse there appeared at a window a very faire Gentlewoman and well apparayled and when shée saw the Knight of the Sunne shee straight waies knew him by the tokens shee had of him and speaking vnto him shée sayd What is it that you would haue gentle Knight that you knocke so hard at the gates When the Knight of the Sunne saw the Gentlewoman saluting hir very curteously hée replyed That which I would haue fayre Gentlewoman is that you would commaund the gates to be opened that wée may passe and goe forwards on our iourney for that according as it hath béene tould mée there is no other way to passe but by this Bridge I am very well content to dooâ—… this which thou dost demaunde saide the Gentlewoman but yet first thou must doe that which other Knights doe when they come to passe this way What is that which I must doe sayd the Knight of the Sunne for it may bee such a thing that I shall haue great pleasure and delight to dooâ—… it That which thou must doe said the Gentlewoman is to iust with a knight if it so fall out that hée doo ouerthrow thee from thy horse to the ground thou shalt leaue héere thy name written and then passe forwardes on thy iourney and if so â—…ée that you doo ouerthrow the Knight you must â—…arrie heere all night and receiue the honour that shall bée done vnto you and in the morning you may depart whether your pleasure is All this I am very well content to doo sayd the Knight of the Sunne therefore commaund that the gates may bée opened Tarrie a while sayd the Gentlewoman and therewith shee withdrew hir selfe from the window and within a small while after the gates were opened and there came foorth a verie big and well proportioned knight mounted vpon a good horse well armed séeming to bee of a good disposition and without speaking any word vnto the Knight of the Sunne hée went and put himselâ—…e in the field with his speare in his hand readie vnto the iust Then the Knight of the Sunne tooke his speare and prepared himselfe and beeing both in a readinesse they broched their horses with their spurs and with great fury and force they made their incouÌ„ter which was in such sort that the Knight of the Sunne encountered with the Knight of the Bridge with so great force that hée bare him ouer the horse crouper with the saddle béetwixt his legs and hée fell downe to the ground and the Knight of the Sunne passed his course forwards without receiuing any harme Then the Knight who was throwen downe arose vp and without speaking euer a word went into the Castle This Knight was Florinaldus who as yet did not acknowledge himselfe but would prooue his good fortune the third time with the Knight of the Sunne Then the Gentlewoman which spake vnto him at the window came downe vnto the gate accompanied with other two Gentlewomen and when shée came vnto the Knight of the Sunne shée sayde Of a truth gentle knight thy great bountie is such that vnto thee more then to any other with great reason wée ought to giue thée seruice and honour which in this Castell wée bée accustomed to doe vnto valiaunt Knights and seeing it is now late and you cannot goe farre this night alight from your horse and goe wee vp into the Castle rest your selfe whereas wée wil doo you all the honour that possiblie wée may The Knight of the Sunne would verie faine haue procéeded on his iourney and not haue stayed there but considering his promise and againe that it was verie late hée determined to accomplish that which séemed vnto him with a 〈◊〉 good will the Gentlewoman had desired And therewith hée dyd alight from his Horse and his Pages did the like and it was commaunded that their Horses should bée kept in good order and the Gentlewoman went vnto the Knight of the 〈◊〉 and tooke him by the hand and lead him vp into the castle whereas he was serued and banketted with 〈◊〉 and diuers sorts of fruits other things till such time as supper was made readie so they sat downe and were serued with diuers kindes of meates in as ample manner as could be at the table of King Tiberio And all this while there appeared not in the castle one knight but Gentlewomen and householde seruaunts at which the knight of the Sunne was greatly amazed and asked of that faire Gentlewoman what was become of the knight with whom hée did iust And the Gentlewoman answered that at such time as hée is ouerthrowne by any knight hée neuer dare come in hir presence againe till such time as he hath ouerthrowen some other knight And in talking of this and other things wherein they most delighted they passed the time away till it was time to goe to take their rest then ther came two Gentlewomen with two siluer candlestickes and candles therein whereby the Knight of the Sun perceiued that it was for his departure to bed and taking leaue of that faire gentlewoman hee went with the other two who brought him vnto a chamber which was very faire and richly hanged in the which was a rich bed wherefore hee greatly meruayled at the honour which they did vnto him So when hee came into the chamber the Gentlewomen left the Candles and departed and his Pages did vnarme their Lord and hée went into the bedde one of the Pages who was called Bynnano was of a verie prompt wit and vnderstanding and verie craftie in all his beings and hee seeing the great honour
so big and againe the great waight of his armour which was more and béeing on Horseback hée had a mightie great big speare in his hand of so great waight that a Knight had inough to doo to lift it froÌ„ the ground therwith he put himselfe right against the knight of Cupid in the presence of many Knights y t were gathered together to sée what should passe béetwixt them So both of tham did broch theyr horses with their spurs with so great fury that it séemed the ground wold sincke wheras theyr horsses ran So they met together and made theyr encounter which was with so great strength that their mightie great and bigge speares dyd flie into the aire all in shéeuers and the Gyant lost his saddle and had a great fall vnto the ground but the Knight of Cupid kept his course forwards on somwhat astonied with the force of that incounter which made all the Knights of the gyant those which were ther gathered together to sée that contention and all those which had séene the worthie knight of y e Chariot said that without all doubt it was hée and that hée had gone abroad with other armor béecause hée would not bée knowen to proue himselfe with the Gyant for that in his gentle disposition and great force strength in his incounter hée did resemble him very much So when this mightie Gyaunt saw himselfe ouerthrowen to the ground hée knew not whether it was a dreame or truth which hée saw hée was so amazed and séemed that it was not possible that hée should bée ouerthrowen and his enimie remaine in his saddle whom hée saw returning back againe on Horsback and when hee came vnto him hée sayd It is great right and reason Gyant that thou possessest the same order and condition that thou diddest ordaine for them with whom thou hast iusted which is that hée who so euer is ouer throwen to the ground to loose his Horse and to bée his oâ—… whom he receiued the incounter that did ouerthrow him Then the Gyant did looke vpon him with a very fierce and furious countenance that it séemed ther flew out of his eyes great lightning and sparckles of fire and â—…ayde Héere I doo giue and yéelde vnto thée my Horse for that â—…hou â—…ast won him but I wil so handle thée that liuing thou â—…hal not inoy him although all the gods doo come downe froÌ„â—…eauen to aide help thée And in saying these words hée aâ—…ose from the ground and drew out a very great and heauy â—…auchon that he had at his side went towards the knight â—…f Cupide with it in his hands who would not abide him â—…n Horsback but with great lightnesse hée leapt foorthwith 〈◊〉 his Horse-backe and drew out his sine cutting â—…woord which hée had wonne béefore of Candramarte that was of the Quéene Iulia and went forth with the same in his hand to receiue the Gyant and as they met to strike both to gether at one time the Knight of Cupid did stay his sword in the aire and tarrteâ—… till such time as the Gyaunt had discharged first his blow and at such time as his great Fauchon did descend hée leaped on the one side with great lightnesse that his blow could not fasten vppon him and beeing downe hee entered into him with a stout and couragious stomacke and giue him such an ouerthwart blow vpon the thigh that hee cut both armour and flesh vnto the hard bone out of the which wound there issued great abundance of blood The Gyant did complaine very much of this wound and beegan with a great noise to cry out against the heauens and with great ire and courage hée turned againe and uâ—…t vp his curting fauchon and beecause hée would not misse his blow hée stroke the Knight of Cupid ouerthwart his wast with so great fury that if his armour had not béen made by the great wisdome of Artemidoro hée had cut and parted him in two peeces And therewith hée made him to flie on the one side more then six paces and thought verily that all his bones had béene broken and béefore that hée could settle himselfe for to returne against him to giue him his paâ—…ment this great and mighty Gyant was vpon him and lift vp his mighty fauchon and would haue stroke him a right downe blow but this valâ—…ant and good Knight seeing himselfe in so great extremity with soueraigne courage and with a valiant hart strength hee let loose the sword out of his hand and before that the Gyant could execute his blow for that hee had his armes all a high hee entered in with him and embraced him with his strong armâ—…s abouâ—… his wast that hee made him to loose the force of his blow and with so great strength hée charged him vpon that thigâ—… which was wounded that sore against his will hee ouerâ—… threw him to the ground who fell in such order that it sée med a great wall had fallen downe The Gyant when hâ—… saw himselfe vnder foote hee did force himselfe all that eueâ—… hee could for to â—…se vp againe and thrust with his strong armes at the knight of Cupid for to get him froÌ„ ouer him but he did vse so great policie that hée did recouer his sword againe which dyd hang by the wrist band and putting the point therof to his visor of his helme hée thrust it in therat in such sort that hée thrust it through and through his head so that ther was slaine that great and famous Giant Mandroco with so great wonder vnto them which dyd sée him slaine as though he had béene an immortal man for that no humane strength had béen sufficient to haue slaine him And when his knights did sée him lying a long vpon the ground and dead beeing very desirious to reuenge the death of their Lord they all together did assault the worthy knight of Cupid did compasse him round about for to kill him So wheÌ„ the valiant king Sacridoro saw his very friend in that great extremity he stroke his horse with his spurs and put himself amâ—…gst the thickest of them and the knight of Cupid began to strike vpon his enimies in such sort that euery blow that hée â—…oke was with so great fury that either hée slew one or ouerthrew one to the ground And the king Sacridoro did hâ—…lp him with so great strength that more then six he ouerthrew dead to y e earth at which time the knights that were there gathered together for to sée the battell when they saw the giant dead and the high bounty of the two knights more then twenty of them returned in their behalfe so that in a little time after that they came to help them the knights of the Gyant were all slaine and all those receiued great contentment and pleasure at the death of the Gyant for that they were all amazed had great feare of him And séeing the high mighty prowesse of
the knight that slew him they were all very desirous to know him and so some of theÌ„ dyd â—…oyne themselues together and did desire him to tell theÌ„ his â—…ame for that they were desirous to know what hée was â—…hat had done so great benefit and good vnto all that Countrie Then hée surrendred vnto them great thankes for the â—…reat ayde and succour hée had receiued at their hands and â—…uld vnto them that hée was called the Knight of Cupid and that he could not at that time giue them any farther to vnderstand 〈◊〉 that those Knights did cease from troubling him any farther but alwaies had in â—…elofie that hée should be the Knight of the Chariot for that in all things he did resemble him very much So when that the knight of Cupid and the king Sacridoro departed from that place certaine of the knights which were ther considering the great contentment and pleasâ—…e that the Emperour and all his court would receiue for the death of that Giant Euen dead as he was they tooke him laid him ouerthwart vpon a horse in the saddle but by reason of his great length his head and féet did traile vpon y e ground and in that sort they carried him vnto Constantinople hauing great ioy pleasure and no lesse wonder vnto all theÌ„ that did sée him And wheÌ„ they came vnto Constantinople they made representation of him vnto the Emperour declared vnto him all the manner how and in want order the Knight of Cupide had staine him how was not a little amazed séemed vnto him that the Knight which had done that acte could not bée but of great excéeding valour for that the giant was of great strength and force and that there was not one of so great name fame amongst all the Ilands of the Terreno sea So the Emperour had great desire to sée know him for that by the signes tokens which hée vnderstood of him it gaue him in his minde that hée should bée the Knight of the Sun Whom hée had a great desire to see very much marueled that hée came not thether according vnto his promise So in this sort the fame of the knight of Cupid began to be knowen throughout all y e whole Empire of Greece And after that the Gyant was slayne the Knight of Cupid neither the king Sacridoro wold not enter into Constantinople till such time as the Knight of the Chariot did returne to defend the beauty of the Princesse Lindabrides but trauailed in that Countrie certaine daies in the which they dyd many déedes of great Chiualrie whereby their fame did increase in such sort that there was no other communication but of them likewise there was great contencion growne amongst many which of the two Knights hée of Cupid or he of the Chariot should be the best proporcioned and strongest Knight and all in generall had great desire to sée them both together in battaile the one against the other And did béeléeue very certainely that they two were the best Knights that were in all the world How the Knight of the Chariot returned to defend the beautie of the Princesse Lindabrides in the mightie Citie of Constantinople whereas happened very strange things Chap. 31. AT such tyme as was accomplished the Mooneth that the Emperour had commanded the triumphs and feasts to cease for the death of his Son Rosicleer Straight way y e great citie of Constantinople began againe to be furnished w t al sorts of worthy vaâ—…aliant knights as well strangers of their natiue countrie who had trauailed throughout that countrie to passe away the time of the Emperours commandement So for to prooue the aduentures with the knight of the Chariot and other some to sée his mighty Knighthood So y e first day that the knight of y e Chariot entred into y e place hée ouerthrew more theÌ„ twenty knights such as were very famous came from far countries for to proue themselues with him The Emperour and y e Empresse were in the windowes of theyr great â—…allaice with so sad and sorrowfull semblant y t it did well appeare in them y e great griefe which they receiued for the â—…eath of their sonne And béeing in this Iust there entred â—…nto the place thrée worthy Knights of a strong and big proportion and armed with very rich armour wrought and â—…rauen with great cost The which were straight wayes â—…nowen by the Knight of the Chariot in the deuice which â—…ey brought And were ioyfull of their comming for that â—…ese thrée knights were the two valiant princes Brandizel Clauerindo his friend Florinaldos who were come in the demaund of the knight of the Sun And when they heard the great report and fame of the knight of the Chariot they came thether to prooue themselues with him and so they entered into the great place and Florinaldus was the first that put himselfe against the knight of the Chariot And at such time as hée should make his encounter the knight dyd lift vp the point of his speare because hee would not strike Florinaldus but yet Florinaldus made his encouÌ„ter w t so great strength y t he shéeuered his speare al to péeces either of them passed the one by the other without any moouing So then they returned to make the second encounter and looke as the knight of the Chariot did the first encouÌ„ter so hée did now likewise againe because he would not hurt him which was the occasion that Florinaldus did plainely vnderstand that his aduersary would not encounter against him and ther with he did a part himselfe from y e place of iust meruailing very much at the great curtesie which y e knight of the Chariot did vse with him So straight way entered into the iust that stout and valiant Brandizel but to conclude it happened with him as with the prince Clauerindo as it happened with Florinaldus so that they were constrained to withdraw themselues all thrée halfe abashed for the little profit that did procéed oâ—… their encounters and no lesse meruailed at the great curtesie wich the knight of the Chariot did vse with them for thâ—… which they conceiued within themselues that hée should bâ—… their great friend the knight of the Sunne for that in his deâ—… meanour in all points hée did resemble him very much and againe that setting him a part that there was not in al thâ—… world a knight of so great power and strength At that timâ—… that the great place was al couered with people and armeâ—… knights on the one side thereof they saw enter in a mightâ—… knight of his body and mounted vpon a very faire greaâ—… Horse and was armed with so precious and rich armour that amongst all the knights there was not the like excepâ—… the armour of the Knight of the Chariot hée brought wiâ—… him thrée Damsells all mounted vpon their palfrayes aâ—… brought with them certaine fardels Likewise a very foule ill
of Greece by reason that the people which doth inhabit on the one side of the fiue armes which procéedeth from Danubia and runneth into the sea Fuxino they are very barbarous furious and beastlie and many times they doo enter into that Countriâ—… and doo very much harme therein And although the Emperour would make a conquest ouer them as diuers times hée hath put it in practise yet hee cannot for that they haue neyther Cities Townes nor villages neyther any dwelling houses but onely great Caues vnder the ground whereas they doo make theyr habitation béecause they are so beastlie and brutish In consideration whereof it dyd behoue the Emperour to haue that bridge very stronge and excéeding well kept and it was for that alongst the Riuer there was none other passage When this valiant Rodaran and the Quéene ariued at that bridge saw it to bée a place very conuenient for their purpose straight way the prince Rodaran did prepare himselfe for to win the same béeing armed in very good order hee tooke the quéene by the hand and without any more company they went towards y e gate of the bridge knocked therat for that they were all alone the gate was straight way opened When they were entered within the first Tower this valiant Rodaran commanded those that were the keepers therof that they should yéeld vp the towers and bridge and that they should depart with quietnesse Who séeing him alone they so many wold not obey his commandement but did procure to defend the towers the bridge and wold not suffer him to perswadge any farther But this valiant Rodaran in a smal time did so béehaue himselfe amongst them that wounding and killing the most part of them the rest were constraynd thought it good for the sauegard of their liues to yéeld and to doo all that hée commaunded them And so they deliuered vnto him all the keyes of the gates and towers and departed thence at their liberty with the losse of the most part of their companions and although they were ashamed so manye to bée slaine and ouercome by one alone Knight which made them to refraine comming into the Emperours presence yet ther did not lack who béefore Rodaran did enter into Constantinople that did aduise the Emperour thereof At such â—…ime as hée came thether hée was very angrie with himâ—…elfe for that hée was so bolde to giue that enterprise and if â—…t had not béene for the disturbing of their great feasts and â—…riumphs which were made there for their sons hée would â—…aue sent thether such as should haue rewarded him vnto â—…is contentment for his boldnesse But when that Rodaâ—…an was come vnto the Court and the Emperour fullie saâ—…sfied of his demaund hée was very glad and ioyefull for that hée had so good opportunity whereby hée should receiue his pâ—…yment for his boldnesse and small account that hée made of him and his estate So when this valyant Rodaran and the Quéene of Carmania saw themselues Lords and gouernours ouer the whole bridge and their Towers they commaunded all those that came in theyr companie to enter in thereat whereas they dyd establish their abiding and caused the ship wherein they came thether which was at the sea to enter into the riuer and to surge close vnto the bridge wheras they did let fall their ancker and made hir very fast for that in the same Ship Rodaran did determine hauing ouercome the most part of the best and principallest knights in all Greece to put them prisoners into the same ship and returne with them into his owne Countrie So after that the Quéene of Carmania had well perused the scituation of the bridges of the towers she saw that the tower that was in the midst of the Bridge was made in such sort that beneath it was round like vnto an arke and hollow without any gate but as broad as the bridge was wheras shée caused the net of yron to bée hanged in the highest part of the hollownesse within in such sort that it could not bée séene nor descerned without but it was so large that it occupied all the bignesse of the vaut within and in such sort the Quéene of Carmania caused it to be hanged that in pullling of a cord ordained for that purpose the whole nâ—…t should fall downe When Rodaran saw the net hanged vp and put in good order he was very desirous to know to what purpose it was put there and did importune the quéene so much that in the end shée was constrained to declare it vnto him saying You shall vnderstand my Lord that the great loue which I dooe beare vnto you hath caused mée to feare that which your valyaunt and singular bountie doth assure mée and put mée in great doubt of and although that I am fully perswaded that there is not in all the world a knight that can compare his bounty vnto yours yet it séemeth vnto mo that hauing to do with so many who wil prooue themselues against you it cannot bée chosen but there must néedes bée some amongst them that will trouble you so much béeing wearie that you shall receiue some harme on your person And therefore béeing mooued with the great loue that I doe beare vnto you I haue caused to bée made and put in this yron net which you sée that at what time so euer béeing in battaile with those Knights you shall finde your selfe to bée in any extremitie that then you may retire your selfe with him whom at that present you doo combat till that you are both right vnderneath this net and béeing there then presently both you and your aduersarie shall take your ease And this Sir is the whole cause and effect why I haue caused this net to bée made And if it bée so that this which I haue done dooe cause in you any disconentment or griefe héere I doo craue pardon and doo request you to attribute the occasion as a fault committed by a woman for when an offence is committed for loue and good will it is the easier to bée pardoned and forgiuen This valiaunt Rodaran in all his life time dyd not receiue so great grife and sorrow as at that present when hée did vnderstand sée what the Quéene had ordayned and it seemed â—…nto him that she had doubt of the victorie that hée hoped to haue of the Greekish Knights yet for all that the loue that hée bare vnto hir was such that hée would not say against that which shée had done but shewing himselfe to bée very angrie for the same hée saide Lady and mistres it doth griue mée very much that the Prince of Arabia is so little knowen vnto you What â—…oo you thinke that in all the world there is one for one â—…hat is of so great strength that of himselfe hée is sufficyâ—… to bring mée into so great extremitie in battaile that I â—…hall bée driuen to séeke for rest and succour for to bring
â—…nto an ende this my enterprise which I haue vndertaâ—… And if the battell which I had with the Prince Meridian in your kingdome of Carmania doth cause you to suspect or haue any doubt in mée You doo well vnderstand that the occasion doth grow by the Deitie that is in him of the immortall gods from whom hée all his progenitors doth desend and would not consent nor suffer that by any humane knight he should bée ouercome so that our battell was separated without any victorie of eyther of our part The which was no small fauour and honour vnto mée that the Gods would make mée equall vnto their diuine bountie And séeing that the Prince Meridian is hée who onely is pertaker of the diuine Deitie and no vauntage betwixt vs two for very certaine sure I may account the victorie of my part against the Gréekish Knights without thinking of any néede of help in the bataile that I shall haue with them The Quéene was very discréete and wise and with hir amorous and sweet words dyd pacifie him in such sort that the net dyd still remaine as shée had commaunded it to bée put for a farther effect then shée dyd giue Rodaran to vnderstand And although at that time it did cause in him great anger and griefe yet béefore many daies had passed hée receiued great contentment and pleasure therein so that this was the occasion that mooued this valiant Rodaran and the Quéene of Carmania to come vnto the Court of the Emperour Trebatio and the occasion of this their demaund How the Prince Rodamarte went vnto the bridge of Iaspe for to combat with the valiaunt Rodaran Chapter 39. WIth great care and small rest the â—…alyaunt Prince Rodamarte did passe away the night thincking long till the morning was come for to depart vnto the bridge of Iaspe for to combat with Rodaran for that the day béefore he liked him very well séemed to be a knight of great valour Yet for all that he was of so valiant a courage that he had no feare of his might big proportion but very early in the morning before that the sun had couered the earth he was armed with very strong armour his horse trymmed dressed very richly with cloth of gold which did signifie vnto all people his high estate So in this sort he went foorth of Constantinople with but onely one page which did carry his speare his shéeld And hauing his minde occupied on the loue of the princesse Analiria he trauailed so much that the next day he came vnto the bridge of the Iaspe But Rodaran the quéene with great quietnesse contentment did abide the comming of the gréekish knights So when Rodamarte came vnto the gate of the first tower he found that it was fast shut he commanded his page to call there at who with the ring that hong at the gate he gaue great and mighty blowes straight way apeared one of the kéepers out of a window somewhat high perceiuing that it was a Knight of the emperour Trebatio he willed him to tarrye a while the gate should be opened vnto him The kéeper straight way went told his Lord Rodaran who incontinently did arme himselfe with his strong rich armour and requested the Quéene that she would with hir owne hands help him said Lâ—…dy now shal you 〈◊〉 the difference that is betwixt the greekish Knights your 〈◊〉 and how euill shalbe accomplished the prouisâ—…es of that king of Gedrosia So when that all things was in very â—…ood order he commaÌ„ded that the gate of the first tower shâ—…uld be open so that y e Prince Rodamarte did enter in there at and comming on the Bridge in the space that was betwixt the first Bridge and the second which was as long as y e corse of a good horse might indure There he found Rodaran mounted on Horse backe with his speare in his hand who was so bigge and of so great stature that he lacked but little to be as bigge as a giant And at the farther end of the great space that was from the first tower vnto the middle tower vnder the vaut therof was the queene Carmania sitting in a chaire of estate with cushions pillowes of cloth of gold very richly curiously wrought with silk So when the prince came vnto the place wheras Rodaran was he did salute him very curteously said Thou shalt vnderstand Rodaran that I am a knight of the Emperour Trebatio one of them that thou didst disceiue openly in the great hall of his Court. And for the loue of a faire Lady whom I doe serue I am come hether for to chastise thée for thy great folly which thou spakest beefore the most fairest damsels most valiantest knights in all the world Therfore turne thy horse for to Iust with mée or els turne deny all that thou spakest ther. With great laughter disdaine Rodaran answered vnto the prince Rodamarte said of a truth knight if that my Lady the quéene of Carmania were not before me in presence possible it were better for me to deny that which I haue spoken then to iust w t you for that you doe seeme to be a gentill valiant knight But for so much as she is present I know not how to excuse my selfe but first consent to loose my life then to commit any such offence Therfore as reason doth require séeing that you do know who I am let me likewise know by whom I shall be ouercome I am said he Rodamarte prince of Cypres vassayle vnto the emperour Trebatio Therfore leaue of these thy words let vs come to the effect of déedes y t thou maist beléeue of certainty that which thou hast now spoken in mockage gesting Unto the immortall gods I doe giue great thanks said Rodaran for that so far as I can perceiue by your gentil semblance that you do seme to be a knight of great estimation if my iudgement doe not disceiue me And therewith all these two valiant knights did depart the one from the other Rodamarte toward the foote of the bridge whereas he entred in Rodaran toward the place whereas the quéene was And when he came nigh vnto hir with great pride hée saide Lady I pray you to giue very good entertainment vnto this prisoner for that he is the prince of cypresse And therewith all the one moued against the other with so great fury that it séemed the bridge did shake vnder them And in the midst of their swift course these two made their encounter in such sort that their sâ—…aues were sheuered in péeces they passed forwardes on without any mouing by the force thereof till such time as they iustled together with their bodies horse man And by reason that the valyant Rodaran was bigger of body of more force strength he stroke the prince in such sort that he ouerthrew him horse all to
the ground so cleane void of all memory as though he had stroke against a mighty rocke he broching his horse with the spurs passed ouer the Prince who was so euill intreated that he could not arise till such time as Rodaran returned with his horse alighted from him toke his sword from his girdell his healme of his head did help to raise him from the ground And when he was come vnto himselfe he toke him by the hand and lead him to the Quéene Carmania who when she knew who he was shée receiued him very well said Gentle knight what doe you thinke of my Lord Rodaran be all the other Knights of Grecia like vnto him Lady and Quéene answered Rodamarte if this contention doth long endure the knights of Grecia will séeme vnto you to be other maner of knights then Rodaran Well said she for that you shall sée how much you are deceiued héere you shall remaine with vs till such time as the best knights of the Emperours court be brought hether to beare you coÌ„pany Then Rodaran did cause him to be vnarmed to bée put at his foot a great chaine commanded him to be put into a déepe and darke dungeon whereas he was certaine daies with more sorrow griefe to loose the victory in that demand then to be ouercome as he was Then his page which came with him departed from thence and returned vnto Constantinople with a sorrowfull hart And one day at such time as the Emperour with his sons and all the knights in the court were in great pastimes and pleasures sporting themselues with dauncing in companie with the Empresse hir Ladies gentlewomen the princes Lindabrides Claridiana with them The page entred into the court with so great sorow griefe that he was scarce able to speake for to tell the heauy newes of the prince Rodamarte yet as well as he could he gaue them to vnderstand of all that he had passed with Rodaran at the which they did all meruaile very much for that Rodamarte was had in reputation for one of the best knights that was in all the empire of Greece the emperour receiued great griefe that it fell so out that by one alone knight hée should bée ouercome Then straight way that valiant estéemed prince Rodafeo who was the second by lot to go forth without speaking any word departed out of the great hall the emperour séeing his determination did commend him vnto god so did the rest that were ther present but especially his lady the princesse who when she saw him depart hir hart was ready to part a sunder When this valiant prince came vnto his lodging hée armed himselfe with very strong rich armour commanded his horse to be trapped with cloth of gold which did signifie vnto all men his 〈◊〉 high estate and so departed out of Constantinople with one alone squier when he came vnto the bridge the like happened vnto him by Rodaran as happened vnto Rodamarte and was put prisoner with him in the same dungion whereas they receyued so great sorrow and griefe to bée in such a demaund ouercome that rather they desired to dye then to liue So when the valtaunt Rodaran saw that hée had two prisoners and both princes oâ—… so great valour and estimation hée was so proude and high minded that it was straâ—…nge and beeléeued of a certaintie that those two were the best knightes that were in all the Emperours Court and was as pleasaunt and idyfull with the quéene as though he had ouercome theÌ„ all And was very sorrowfull because that this victory did not passe in the great citie of Constantinople thinking that ther better then in any other place he might reioyce himselfe of his great pride vain glory did very much reprehend the queene for that ther was so much time lost in Carmania in making that yron net for that they had no néede therof The Quéene séeing that he had great reason so to say helde hir peace answered nothing ther vnto When the prince Rodafeo was ouercome prisoner his squier returned backe againe vnto Constantinople and watching the time that the Emperour all his Knights were together he entered into the court declared all that which happened vnto the prince at the which they were greatly amazed from that day forwards they had the valiant Rodaran in much more estimation séeing that he had ouercome two of the best knights that the Emperour had although at that present the emperour receiued for them great sorow griefe suspecting that these two princes should be ill intreated in the power of Rodaran yet because he was fully certified that ther remained behinde such knights for to combat with him that very shortly would not ouely set them at liberty but also bring Rodaran prisoner vnto him So for that the third lot did fall vnto the mighty valiant prince Brandizel to take this enterprise demaund straight way as soone as the squier of Rodafeo had told the newes of his Lords imprisonment he arose vp from the place wheras he was set nigh vnto the knight of the Sun and put himselfe before the Emperour asked lisence for to goe and combat with Rodaran who did graunt it vnto him and said I am very sorrowfull mightye and valiaunt Prince that you were not the first that went in this demaund for if you had I doe beléeue of a certaintie that Rodaran should not haue had any occasion to boast himselfe of the victorye of any knights of my Court. And therewith the Prince doing his duety vnto the Emperour departed out of the great hall went vnto his lodging for to arme himselfe the knight of the Sun said vnto the emperour This may your highnesse with great reason speake vnto the prince Brandizel for y t in the great wars of Persia I haue the best knights that were in all Asia agÌ„ainst the babâ—…lonians I could not sée one that in armes prowesse could match with him And againe if by the diuine prouidence ther had not ben remedy put in the acknowledging the one the other his high mighty bounty had bene to me full déere in a battaile which wée had at the sea without knowing one another the which battaile endured betwixt vs more then sixe houres So ther the knight of y e Sun did declare vnto the emperour all that hapned betwéene them two what he had seene him doe against his knights at the sea Likewise some part of his valiantnes the Prince Claueryndo had told him of and done in his presence company At the which all those that were ther present meruayled very much And the Emperour answered his precious gentle proportion doth cause me to beléeue much more then he is able to doe And with this they all departed abiding the newes of all that shall passe with this valiant prince ¶ How the
armes of so high estate for to commit so great treason against one alone knight making battaile against thée his body against thine Tell mee traitour how canst thou consent to be called knight when thou dost vse so great villanie vnto the noble order of Knighthood How canst thou praise and extoll thy selfe in the great Asia to haue ouercome and gotten the victory ouer knights of Grecia when that with so great falsehood treason thou hast apprehended them Rodaran was verye much amazed at this which the Quéene had done and at the great subtilnesse of the arte where with shée did assure him of this victory against those Grecian Knightes And for that béefore this time he dyd not know the secret of hir polesie making himselfe very ignorant therof he answered said Thou hast no reason prince of Persia to call me traitour for that in all my life time I haue not committed any treason And héere I doe sweare vnto thée by the high godâ—… that I was as ignorant of this which the quéene hath done as thy selfe And retiring backwards towards hir was for that I being weary in the battaile very faint I thought by the sight of hir to recoyer some force and strength for that the loue which I doe bearâ—… vnto hir is very much Well said the Prince séeing it is so that thou art without fault do so much that my helme may be brought vnto me again that this chaine may be taken away let vs returne againe vnto our battaile I will not consent ther vnto said the quéene for that thou art my prisoner And Rodaran shall not giue vnto this liberty Then lady said the prince giue it you vnto me for no longer time then to make an end of our battaile that being finished I doe promise you by the faith of a knight to returne againe vnto your person For vnto such a lady as you are what so euer knight he be wil thinke well to be your prisoner Truely I doe like as ill of this as of the other sayde the Quéene of Carmania for that at such time as the battayle shalbe finished betwéene thée Rodaran thou shalt remaine in such pitifull case that I shall receiue no profit of thy imprisonment Therfore goe your wayes at this time beare company with the other Knights of the emperour Trebatio and giue them some comfort for that they are very sad and sorrowfull to finde themselues prisoners and very shortlie we will send others for to comfort thée also And take this of a certainty that we will not carry you from hence till such time as we haue all the best Knights that the Emperour Trebatio hath héere prisoners to beare you company And forth with they carried the prince away from thence who was so angry and furious that it séemed that he felt no wearynesse of the battaile past but rather if all the world were his he would giue it vpon condition that he had on his healme his sword in his hand for to take reuengement of this treason vpon Rodaran So they tooke him put him in to a deepe dungion next the water which was in the second tower wheras the other two knights Rodamarte Rodaseo were who were greatly amazed when they saw the prince Brandizel to be brought in that order thinking that hee had ben ouercome by Rodaran but the prince who knew them very well with the great sorrow and griefe that he receiued when he saw them he gaue them to vnderstand of all that which had happened betwixt him Rodaran of the great treason which the Queene had ordained wherby they were fully perswaded that all the rest of the knights which remained in the court of the emperour Trebatio would be brought thether prisoners if they had not some aduertisment giuen them therof With this thought which grieued them not a liâ—…le these thrée good knights did passe away the time tarryâ—… to sée what fortune would dispose of them And straight waies after that the Quéene Carmania vnderstood who the prince was she sent a damsell of hirs vnto him who did vnarme him caused him to be laid in a bed which was brought thether whereas he was cured with very good comfortable ointments of those great blows which he receiued wher with all his body was full his flesh all to brused whereby was giuen to vnderstand the great contention that was betwixt him Rodaran The squier of the Prince who remained without receiued great contentment when he saw Rodaran retire backwards ready to yéeld the victory hauing lost the sight of both these two Knights when they entred in vnder the second tower he remained ther to vnderstaÌ„d what the end would bée till such time as hée saw Rodaran returne with his sword in his hand who commaunded the gates of the first tower to be opened and being very much amazed because he could not sée his Lord hée ran vnto the gate méeting with Rodaran with a heauie chéere he asked what was become of his Lord To whom Rodaran said he is ouercome hath lost the victory doth remaine prisoner therfore doe thou returne vnto the emperour bid him send other knights such as can better defend themselues then those which he hath sent hetherto for that these doe remaine my prisoners The squier durst not giue him any answere but departed from thence very sorrowfull with great weping he returned vnto Constantinople at such time as the emperour was accompanied with all his princes knights he entred into the great hall wheras they wer ther he declared vnto them the newes and all that had passed with is much sorrow that he was scarce able to tell it vnto them When the Emperour and all that were there present had heard vnderstood the words of the squier they were very much amazed that such a knight as the Prince was should be ouercome by Rodaran but amongst them all the knight of the Sun the Prince Clauerindo were amazed most for they knew very well his great bounty prowesse could not beleeue that it should be true for that ther was not â—… knight in all the world that was sufficient to abate his courage get the victory but the sorrow griefe which euery one of them receiued was such that out of hand they would haue armed themselues for to goe combat with Rodaran but this stout valiant king Sacridoro who was the fourth person that did demand the enterprise did disturbe them of their desire and straight way arose vp from the place wher as he was set and put himselfe before the emperour and asked lisence of him who straight waies did graunt it vnto him saying Ualyant King I pray God grant vnto you the victory agaynst that strong stout pagan deliuer thée from treason for I doe beléeue that y e imprisonmeÌ„t of such knights can not bée without some
the damsell had made an end of saying these words she returned back went out of the great hall without any tarrying returned vnto Rodaran leauing the emperour all his knightes that were with him in great admiration 〈◊〉 sorrow beléeuing that the knight of the Sun was also priâ—… as men halfe amazed they looked one vpon another â—…new not what to say ther was not one of them that could â—…eléeue that such knights as went forth for to combat with Rodaran could bée taken prisoners except it were by some â—…reat treason Then the valiant Clauerindo who could no â—…onger suffer his couragious hart so swelled but asking liâ—…ence of the emperour he departed towardes the bridge of y e 〈◊〉 more with pretence to vnderstand if ther were vsed aâ—… treason for to be prisoner with his friends then for any â—…ope hée had to conclude that which the knight of the Sun â—…osicleer could not doo And when this valiant prince came 〈◊〉 y â— bridge the battaile that was betwéene him Rodaâ—… was so well foughten that they were more then halfe day in great contention and could not get the victory 〈◊〉 of another neither was there any vauntage knowen of â—…ther side but in the end Rodaran féeling himselfe weary 〈◊〉 the night drew on hée began to vse his accustomed remedy and did retire backwards this valiaunt prince with great courage did follow him till such time as they were vnder the 〈◊〉 of the second tower Then the quéene did pul the cord 〈◊〉 let the yron net to fall downe vpon those knights in â—…uch â—…ort that they were both prisoners straight way they pulled of the princes helme toke a way his swood and when his hands were bound they tooke him out of the net did cary him prisoner vnto the other knights Great was the sorrow griefe which these good knights receiued when they saw themselues together prisoners by so great treason And seeing that they were in place whereas they could not profit themselues of their force strength but to haue patience to suffer that terrible blow of fortune they committed themselues vnto God till such time as it pleased him to dispose of them to his pleasure So when this valiant prince was likewise prisoner with the rest Rodaran sent the damsell againe vnto the emperour for to giue him to vnderstaÌ„d how that the knight which he sent last was also prisoner that he should send other knights of great bounty in armes But when the emperour did â—…eare that message without speaking vnto the damsell or 〈◊〉 any other that was ther present he arose vp wenâ—… all alone into his closet And kneeling downe vpon the ground shedding many salt and bitter teares from his eies he began to complaine himselfe saying Oh high mightie Lord the creator of all things without whose good will permission nothing can be done Heere I 〈◊〉 acknowledge that the great pride presumtion of all morâ—… tall men is such and being by thée abhorred many times iâ—… the occasion y t being by thee forgotten they fall into greaâ—… troubles necessitie by the which we may vnderstand thaâ—… all our great force strength high estates and all goodneâ—… which we doo receiue doth procéede come wholly and onelâ—… from thee by thy will permission lacking thy aid anâ—… help we are of our selues nothing at all And I a mortaâ—… man at such time as I thought to be most highest in estatâ—… most 〈◊〉 est with the new acknowledging of my worthy valiant sons with the high mighty knighthood of my court with whom I did beleeue to be sufficient for to conquer the whole world Forgetting with my great pride presumption to giue thée thanks for so great benefite which by thee I haue obtained now is the occasion that I am by thee for gotten voide of thy mightie hand power And in a short time I do sée my sons all my knights which was y e flower of all the world in the power of one pagan prisoners I my selfe in danger to be with them Héere I doo humbly desire thee my Lord good seeing that I doo acknowledge my fault that I alone may receiue the punishment And doo not permit that so many good knights to perish decay In saying these other like lamentable woords the good emperour all that day he would not goe foorth of his closet but when night was come he armed himselfe very secretly with his strong rich armour tooke a mightie great light horse and with one squâ—…er he departed out of the citie tooke his way towardes the bridge of the Iaspe leauing order that they should say that he was in his chamber very sick that he commanded that none should enter in vnto him for that if they did know of his departure all knights of the Court would follow aftâ—…r him which was contrary to his desire So in this sort went this worthy emperour with so great desire to finde himselfe with Rodaran that he thought euery hower to bée a whole day But yet hee made so great hast that the fist day after his departure he ariued at the bridge of the Iaspe without finding any aduenture by the way worth the telling And at his comming vnto the bridge 〈◊〉 knocked at the gate and straight way it was open and the Emperour entred in ther at and hiâ—… squier would hauâ—… entred in with him but those that were at the gate woulâ—…â—…ot let him to go in so that the squier did striue with theâ—… and did stand in contention and one of the men tooke vp 〈◊〉 â—…ogell and stroke the squier that it greeued him very sorâ—… â—…t which noyse the Emperour looked beehind him and saw â—…is squier to bée so misused hée drew out his sword and 〈◊〉 that man such a terrible blow that hee euerthrew him dead to the ground the rest seeing their companion slain they began altogether to buckle with the emperour but he vsed himselfe so with them that in a small time of ten which were of them he slew eight the other two ran away for to tell their lord what had passed the gate remained with oâ—…t any kéepers so that the emperour entred the bridge and his 〈◊〉 with him he had not wel passed halfe the bridge when Rodaran armed with strong armour mounted on his furious horse with his speare in his hand be came â—…orth and met him with presumptuous and proud words he saide Knight thou séemest to be some innocent variable person thou comming to combat with me thou â—…ast made contention with my men Heere I sweare vnto thee by the high godâ—… that thy life shall make me recompence for theirs but first I will that thou tell mée whether thou art the Emperour Trebatio or some of his court for that hetherto thoâ—…e which hath come hether haue
to punish all euill déedes and how darest thou be so bold to vse so great euil and â—…illany Therefore out of hand make recompence of all this euill which thou hast done and set at libertie all those which thou hast prisoners in thy Castle if thou wilt that the diuine iustice bee not executed on thee this day The proude Gyant when hée heard those woords was so full of anger wrath that a thicke smoake came out of his Beauer and without answering any woord hée turned about his horse and with his Speare in his hand hée came against the Princesse saying Oh if the high Gods were so pleased that theâ—… wert that great Siracusano and Achilles the Greeke ioâ—…utly with Hector of Troy that all three together I might depriue theÌ„ of theyr 〈◊〉 wherewith I might somwhat ass wage this my great wrath and anger This valiant worthy Princesse did not refuse that terrible and cruel encounter of that furious Gyant but with hir speare in hir hand went foorth to méet him and meeting togyther in theyr first course the Gyaunt encountered with the Princesse in the midst of all hir body with so great strength that if hir armour had not beene made by the art of the Queene of Pantafilia it had not béen possible for hir to haue escaped death for if hee had made that encounter against two other Knights hee had surelie yearced them through and for that the force of hir fine armour would not consent to be broken the head of his spearâ—… glaunced on the one side and the staffe was sheeuered all tâ—… péeces in such sort y t the princesse 〈◊〉 cleere of that encounter but shée made hir encounter with so great force againâ—… she Gyant that chancing on the one side vnder his arme it perced him through his harneis hir speare appeared more then halfe on the other side making a little wound and by force of that strong encouÌ„ter his horse was ouerthrowen to the ground in his fall one of his legs chaunced vnder his Horse in such sort that by any meanes hée could not mooue himselfe as the princesse would haue returned vpon him all the Gyants knights came against hir and compassed hir round about and charged hir with mightie blows on euery side but when shee saw hir selfe in that necessitie shee drew out hir sword and in a small time gaue them to vnderstand hir great bountie and stroke at them such blows that they durst not come nigh hir at which time shée had ouerthrowen and slaine more then halfe in all which time the Gyaunt could not by any meanes cléere his leg froÌ„ vnder his horse and if so bee that any of his Knights alighted to help him the princesse was presently with him and slew him so that all the bâ—…ttayle was with his Knights and this valyaunt princesse had so great confidence in hir excellent and strong armour that shee put hir selfe amongst them as the râ—…utshing Wolfe amongst the poore and simple lambs and shée neuer stroke blow but shee dyd kill or sore wound a Knight There was not as yet full an houre passed since the beeginning of the battayle when this royall Princesse had slayne the most part of the Knights and the rest which remained â—…eeing much amazed at hir mortall blowes ranne away so that she remained all alone in the field with the Gyant and 〈◊〉 hir selfe cléere froÌ„ all those knights with a trise shée 〈◊〉 from hir horse and giuing the bridle to one of hir 〈◊〉 shee went vnto the Gyaunt who was blaspheming â—…gainst his gods in seeing his knights slaine béefore his eies â—…nd could not help them but the first thing which this royall 〈◊〉 did shée tooke the horse off his leg and did help him 〈◊〉 arise â—…rom the ground saying Orbion heere thou shalt 〈◊〉 how little the force of man auaileth when they 〈◊〉 forgotten of God for their euill works they lack diuine 〈◊〉 Tarry a little said the Gyaunt for as yet I am not at the poynt to acknowledge this and there with hée drew out a mightie great and broad Fauchon and went against the Princesse and stroke hir such a blow vpon the healme that it sounded throughout all the Ualley and if it had not beene verie good and of great force both head and body hée had clouen cleane a sunder in the middest and for all that it made hir to stoupe with hir hands vnto the ground yet dyd not this worthie Ladie receiue any feare but rather it did encrease hir force and courage wherewith shée returned vnto him stroke him such an ouerthwart blow vppon his leg that it cut both harneys and flesh vnto the hard bone whereat ranne out great abundaunte of blood then the Gyaunt retourned againe with great fury for to strike the Princesse vpon the healme pretending with that blow to conclude the battayle béetweene them but shée taking warning by the first which shée receiued with great lightnesse dyd cleere hir selfe from the fury thereof and his blow descended downe to the ground that the fauchon entered into the earth almost vp to the hilts and beefore that the Gyaunt could pull out his Fauchon the Princesse cast a thrust at the visor of his healme in such sort that chauncing in the sight it passed through his head on the other side so that the Gyant fell downe dead to the ground This béeing done the Princesse gaue great thancks vnto almightie God for that great victorie which hée had granted vnto hir and mounting vppon hir Horsâ—… shée tooke hir way towards the Castle and when shée came there the gates were opened vnto hir for that the small companie which remayned aliue of the people of the Gyant receiued greater pleasure then sorrow for his death onely for his euill and cruell customes and confines The Princesse straight way entered in and called for the keyes of all the Castle and demanded where the Quéene was shee was brought foorthâ—… with vnto a great quadran whereas shée found the Quéene with the Princesse Theophilia and all their Ladies Gentlewomen in great sorrow and heauinesse without any hope of succour who when they heard of the death of the giant of all that had passed their ioy was such that till such time as out of a window they did sée him dead in the field they could not beléeue it And as the princes entred in wheras the queene the princesse was they vnderstanding what she had done in their deliuering they went towards hir saying Ualiant worthy knight the liuing God reward thée for that which thou hast done in our behalfe héere we doe most hartely pray you to pull of your healme or els to tell vs your name that we may know vnto whom we are bound for this great benefit shewed vnto vs. Then the princes the more to glad comfort them did pull of hir helme did declare vnto them who she was And she remained so faire so full
receiued when he saw that terrible and wonderfull blow for that his cosin was very rich a knight that was best beloued aboue all other knights that he had and also for that he conceiued within his mind that if that knight should endure long that hée would not leaue one knight aliue in all the whole camp that is of any reputation So with the great griefe which the losse of his knights caused him to haue with a trise he caused himselfe to be armed with his strong armour which was a finger thick of very fine stéele and so good as any was in all the world and being mounted on a strong light horse he went out of the camp with his speare in his hand saying Oh that my fortune wer so good that as I go against this valiant knight I might make battaile against all my false gods in whom I haue beleeued put my confidence for if they were all against me they were knights in this world I think verily to ouercome them all make them to know vnderstand that the power strength of this knight is much more then theirs The king had not fully concluded in saying these words when the valiant Pirro with one blow that the knight of the Sun gaue him with his swoord fell from his horse as though hée had béene dead but when the King saw that with wonderfull force he went towards him with a great broad fauchon in his hand he stroke the knight of the Sun vpon the helme that it tooke way the sight of his eyes depriued him of his vnderstanding and his horse caried him a while about the field for you shall vnderstand that y e king of Arcadia was so stout couragious a knight that neuer any knight with whom he did make battaile with could endure with him a whole day in the field was of great fame and feared amongst the pagans but yet he did not goe away boasting himselfe of this blow for the knight of the Sun before the king could strike him the second returned came again to himself set spurs vnto his horse came running against the king like a whirle wind with his swoord in both his hands he stroke him such a blow vpon his healme that hée made him to fall forwards vpon his horse necke the blood ran out both at his mouth nose and his horse carried him round about the field out of his remembrance as though he had ben dead at which time Alberro was come againe to himselfe and he and Gruto together did terribly assault the knight of the Sunne chargeing him with great and heauye blowes the which he felt and grieued him very much for though his armour did defend him from wounding yet for all that it could not excuse him but that his flesh must haue béene very fore brused with those mighty strong blowes and it had beene better for him to haue contended agaynst the whole armie then against those foure knights for that béeing embraced with a great number the valiant knights could neuer haue so good opportunity to execuse their mightie blowes vpon him but in such sort these valyaunt Pagans did so charge him that hée felt himselfe sore troubled but yet for all this not faynting nor loosing one point of his courage but rather increasing more and more did so béehaue himselfe with those two stout Pagans that in a small time hée had ouercome them if the king of Arcadia had not come againe to himselfe and Pirro mounted againe vpon his Horse who séeing themselues so euill intreated with great fury and courage they went to help theyr companyons which was the occasion that at that time their battell was more kindled and better foughten then it was in all the day béefore for when these stout Pagans saw themselues all foure together theyr courage and force did the more increase and héerein the knight of the Sunne was nothing behinde them for the more they did charge him the more his strength increased At this time it was more then three houres since their battaile béegan without taking any rest either of them and those that beeheld them waxed wearie and likewise the Pagans meruailously tormented with the mightie blowes which they had receiued and the knight of the Sunne more angrie wrathfull then hée was all the day beefore and his anger did so far exceede and his force so much increase y t at one blow he ouerthrew the stout Gruto to the ground and with an other blow he ouerthrew Pirro but the valiant Berro stroke him so strong a blow vpon his helme that hée made him to stoupe decline his head to his horse neck but he made no brags therof for that the knight of the Sunne returned his payment with so great furie and force that buckling his helme breaking therewith all to â—…éeces the skull of his head hée ouerthrew him dead to the ground and with a trise hee turned vpon the king of Arcadia who was comming against him to strike him and strok him such an ouerthwart blow on the one side that he ouerthrew him on the other side Then this valiant and worthy knight without any longer staying amongst them but with as great fury as a whirle wind he put himselfe in the midst of the whole armie and wounded slew so many that al the way wheras hée went hée left it full of dead bodies so that ther was not one in all the camp that durst make resistance against him but passed through amongst them as commonly the bayted Bull beeing well pricked with darts dooth passe through a coÌ„pany of men At this time the day passed away and night came on and this valiant Knight somwhat wearie with wounding and killing of Pagans all to bée brued with blood hée departed out of the Camp and without any following him he came vnto the gates of the citie the which were straight wais opened and hée found at the entrie in therat the king Lyseo all armed in a readinesse to goe foorth in his aide and help if hée were driuen to any necessitie of whom hée was receiued with great ioy pleasure and the gates béeing shut they went vnto the pallace whereas with great mirth and ioy they were receiued by the quéene and supped together with great ioy and pleasure and tooke their ease all that night and the knight of the Sunne determined not to goe foorth other two daies to the battaile How Rodaran came to land and by great aduenture hee came vnto the kingdome of Lidia Chapter 49. WIth great pride did this Pagan Rodaran nauigate by sea with his rich pray of the prisoners which hee carryed for to present them béefore the Emperour of Tartaria who was no lesse endued with wisedome patience theÌ„ with force and strength for to suffer that terrible and cruell blow of Fortune alwaies abiding the good houre that fortune would vse vpon them and
die or to be at liberty like mad dogs they put theÌ„selues amongst their enemies slew many of them but in especiall the good king Liseo who neuer stroke blow but that he slew or ouerthrew a knight to the ground by reason of the great hurt damage which they of the camp receiued on that side hauing great néed of aid succour they all did leaue the battaile at the tent and went thether although there remained not so few agaynst the Princesse but that she had mough to doe Now when the Knight of the Sunne was cleere of his enemies he saw the prisoners wheras they were in a corner of the Tent all of them with great chaines at their legges and knowing them on the one part he shed many salt teares from his eies for to see so high and mightie Princes brought into so great extremitie and on the other part he was as ioyful as euer he was in all his life because his fortune was so good to bring him to giue them their liberty and lifting vp the beauer of his helme he went and knéeled downe before the Emperour his father and tooke his hand and kissed them but the emperour with a tender loue more then of a father in shedding many teares that ranne downe by his chéekes with great ioy and pleasure he did embrace him saying I was very certaine sure my welbeloued son that we should not lack your aid succour in the time of this our great necessitie heere I giue great thanks vnto the soueraigne creator that by his mightie power you were sent at this time to giue vs liberty Then Rosicleer and all the rest of those mighty princes and knights did embrace him could not beleeue that he should be the knight of the Sun with the great ioy contentment they receiued when they saw him who pulled off all their chaines set them at liberty tooke from one of them that was ther slaine the keies of certaine chests wheras was all their armour so that they lacked not one peece of them for that Rodaran the queene Carmania commanded all to be kept very well that none should be lost All this time was the quéene Carmania hidden in a closet of the same tent so heauy sad to see all y t passed that she thought with very sorrow to haue died And in the meane time that the emperour the rest were arming of themselues in great hast the knight of the Sun returned to succour and help that Knight whom he left defending of the doore of the tent that none should enter in therat it was that worthy royall princesse Claridiana whom he found very brauely and stoutlye combatting with a great number of knights and hadde before hir at the entry of the Tent very many slaine and wounded and for that she kept hir selfe in the inside of the entry she defended hir selfe the better from all that came against hir But when hée came amongst them with his mightie blowes he made all his enemies to a part themselues from the doore of the Tent for when they saw him comming euery one dyd procure to make way all that euer they could from him for that they thought verily hée could be no mortall man doing that which they saw him doe At this time the good king Liseo came with all his knights together in an ambushment in the midst of the camp killing and wounding his enimies that they thought them to be all rauening Lions but yet in the end if they had endured long ther could not one of theÌ„ haue remained aliue for they were but a small number their enemies very many valiaunt So at this time the good emperour and all the rest of those worthy princes knights were armed with their swords drawen in their handes with the greatest fury in all the world they went out of the tent and as those which had a great desire to reuenge themselues in a small time they made such a slaughter amongst their enimies that they thought it best to giue them way so that they had time space inough to prouide themselues of horses of those which ran round about the field of the knights that were slaine when they were all mounted on horsback they ioyned themselues together in an ambushment put themselues in the midst of all the battaile with so great fury stroke such cruell mortall blowes that ther were none in all the camp that durst abide beefore them Who so had séene the good Emperour Trebatio at that present in the middest of his two sons killing wounding so many that hee was all to be bathed in blood did well appeare by the blowes hée gaue the great good will which he had to reuenge himselfe that valâ—…aunt prince Rosicleer did strange feates that whosoeuer had séene him might well know him to be brother vnto the knight of the Sun Likewise the mightie furious Prince Brandizell with king Sacridoro Rodamarte it might well be said that all they were a sepulchre vnto their enimies for that they were very many that were slaine that day for that ther was none that did know the princes Claridiana seeing the mortall blowes which she gaue and the wonderfull things which shee did they all meruailed much not knowing who that mighty strong Knight should be they had a meruaâ—…lous great desire to know him To conclude for that this excellent company kept themselues together they made such a slaughter amongst their enimies that which way so euer they went they made a broad way in a small time they came ioyned with the good king Liseo his knights who were wonderfully amazed when they saw the knight of the Sun accompanied with so many stout valiant knights and could not by any meanes imagine what it should meane being all ioyned together those that were with the king Liseo receiued great conrage their enimies harts failed and much the more because they had no captain to gouerne theÌ„ put them in courage mistrusting the worst many of theÌ„ ran away out of the campe procuring each one to saue his owne life when the rest saw some of their coÌ„panions run away they out of hand did the like in such sort that in the end of one houre the prisoners were at liberty ther remained not one in all the camp of the king of Arcadia except it were those that were slaine wounded which were more then halfe of them And when they saw themselues at liberty cléere of their enemies not finding one with whom to â—…ight the king Liseo went vnto the knight of the Sun and pulled off his belme and embraced him saying Ah my good Lord and perfect friend how can I gratifie this great good benefit the which this day I haue receiued of your great worthinesse for by you I haue recouered my lost Kingdome therfore worthy
my dooings hath prooued to driue mee out of his countrie yet hath hée neuer been able to doo it but all onely in hearing mee named hée dooth tremble with feare and alwayes I haue in my company these knights as thou seest and in my castels I haue as many moe not so much for the guard and defence of my person as for the authority of my Lordship Héere haue I tould vnto thée knight all that thou hast demaunded of mée that thou maist tell thereof when theâ—… doost finde thy selfe in place whereas they haue not heard of my fame And in sayeng these woords hée left them and would haue passed forwards his iourney but Rosicleer and the King Sacridoro were very much amazed when they heard of that euill and abhominable custome determined to put their liues in aduenture to cause that great knight to amend his life and to leaue of that euill custome Rosicleer put him-selfe béefore him and sayde I would very gladly desire to know of thée Fulmineo if the contentment which thou doost receiue in this thy biuellish lyfe can suffer to receiue any counsayle and considering how abhominable thy woorkes are and thou wilt acknowledge the errour in the which thou art repenting thée of the same and neuer after to vse them any more and turne ouer a new leafe taking vnto thy selfe some other kinde of life that may bée more profit vnto thy body and honour vnto the person but principally for thy soule and in dooing so thy high and mightie Lord of all powers of his bountifull and great mercie will pardon thee of all these great euils which thou hast done and thou shalt excuse the selfe of the infernall paines to the which thy soule is condemned and if thou wilt not dooe this béehold the iustice of God who can no longer suffer thy abhominable déedes and séeing that there is no amendement in thy lyfe when thou â—…oost thinck least thereof will fall vpon thee to thy vtter destruction Oh straunge Knight sayd Fulmineo how I am now fullie certified that thou art altogether foolish in that â—…hou doost put thy selfe to preach vnto mée and to giue mée counsaile but I my selfe am in the fault thereof beecause I stayed and vsed words with thée and although I gaue thée to vnderstand of my woneerfull déedes yet did I not tell thée the principall of them the which I will giue thée to vnderstand béecause it shall bée a warning vnto thée how to returne an answere to mée any more Know that béeing my Father Brumaleon one of the most strongest and valiantest Gyauntes which was to bée found in all the world onely for reprehending mée for a rape the which I dyd vnto a Damsell and did offer to giue mée counsayle to the contrarie I did defie him euen to the battell and hand to hand 〈◊〉 slew him although as then I was very young and tender â—…f age for at that time I was not ful eighteene yéeres of age Now séeing I did this against mine owne father for giuing â—…ée counsayle consider what I will doo against thée if thou 〈◊〉 stand in contention héerein and make mée angry And in saying these words without speaking any more for 〈◊〉 was not his custome to stay long with any hée broched his furious Horse with his Spurres commaunding his knights to proceede forwards hée would haue departed but that valiant Knight Rosicleer who was a great enimie vnto such as hée was and could not suffer that any in his presence should receiue rebuke or shame and especially 〈◊〉 séeing that it was labour lost to speake vnto that vile Gyaunt hee tooke his speare in his hand and put himselfe béefore him saying For as much as thy eares are deafe for to receiue counsaâ—…le choose vnto thy selfe that part of the field that dooth best please thee for that possiblie with the death thou shalt know how profitable it will bée to amend thy life therfore take to thee thy weapon and defend thy selfe for it doth béehooue thee by force to dooe that which thou wilt not of thy owne good will for alwayes I haue heard say that the euill and naughtie trée it is best to dig him vp by the roote When Rosicleer had sayd these words hée turned about his horse and tooke that part of the field that liked him best and with his speare in his hand hee put himselfe béefore Fulmineo who laughing very much beegan to goe forwards his way with great anger saying Captiue Knight thou shalt not get by mée so much honour in saying thou diddest enter aloâ—…e in battayle with mee Then Rosicleer sayd Thou vile and euill beast and the head of all pride and presumption take vnto thee thy weapon and defend thy selfe from 〈◊〉 Then Fulmineo when hée heard this with great â—…re â—…ee pulled downe the beauer of his helme and aparted himselâ—…e from his Knights without speare of swoord in his hand and sayde Come against mee thou foolish and caprime knight that for as much as thou hast heard of my déedes it shall bée good that by experience thou doost prooue my force and strength for that without speare or other weapon I will take from thée all thy armour weapon that thou bringest with thée Then Rosicleer béeing very angry at the great pride of Fulmineo came vnto him and saide Brute and diuellish brast take vnto thée thy launce and sword and come against mée for that I am not such a knight that will combat with thée with any aduantage for that Fulmenio did stand in contention not to take any weapon Rosicleer threw his speare from him assalted him with his swoord in his hand stroke him such a blow vpon his helme that he made him decline his head downe to his brest Fulmineo in all his life neuer receiued the like blow that he thought verily his teeth had ben broken in his head with beating one against another being very much amazed at the great strength of that knight séemed vnto him to bee such a one that without weapon he could not ouercome him he drew out from his side a great broad sword and went against Rosicleer to strike him on the head with great strength that chauâ—…cing vpon his helme it made him somwhat astonied if his helme had not ben very good he had clonen him downe to the brest but Fulmineo did not aduance himselfe very much in giuing that blow for the valiant Rosicleer did strike him such another on his right shoulder that by reason of the great strength of his armour his sword could not cut it yet for all that it did charge him so much that if hee had not imbraced himselfe about his horse neck he had fallen downe to the ground Oh how greatly amâ—…zed was Fulmineo at the great force and strength of Rosicleer for when he saw with what courage hee stroke his blowes and feeling the mightie force of them he said with in himselfe By fortune
pray you whether I doo sléepe or dreame and whether it bee true this which I doo sée The King did not meruayle much at all this which passed béecause hée dyd very well vnderstand the operation of loue but embracing him he tooke him by the hand and sayde Oh my Lord Rosicleer and perfect friend now I doo sée the great wonders of God and how great his mercie is for that hée dooth forget none that doth put their trust in him for when I was very prosperous in riches high 〈◊〉 estate and accompanied with all my vassalls and subiects and in soueraigne hope for to ouercome and haue that which I most desired straight waies I found my selfe very far from the easement of my griefe and the ende of al my desire separated for that I was ouerthrowen from my estate and all my kingdome destroyed my people ouercome and left desolate without my vassalls and bannished out of mine owne Countrie and throwen out into the world sunke into a lake whereas I found all that which I desire remedie for my sorrow and recouered againe my Kingdome and restored vnto mine owne estate and aboue all things I recouered a good perfect friend of you therefore all affâ—…iction and tribulation in the world God dooth permit it vnto them that hée doth not forget and when they dooe thincke themselues most afflicted and troubled ouerthrowen and brought most low and most without all hope and voyde of all goodnesse at such time with a trise and in a moment they are brought into more higher estate then they were béefore with ioy and prosperitie giuing them occasion for to estéeme and haue in more honour the thing that they most desire and so hath it happened vnto you my good friend Rosicleer for that at such time as thou didst abhorre thy owne lyfe and when thy sorrow and griefe had most gouernement ouer thée and when that all hope of remedie was past and farthest off from thee vppon a sodaine hath come vnto you remedie for all things and in so high order that you your selfe cannot bée léeue it and you doo thinke your selfe vnworthie of that which God hath ordained for you therefore surrender vnto god thanks for the same and gratifie this Damsell for hir great trauaile which shee hath taken for you and doo not â—…ay that it is a dreame or mockage that which wée doo all sée with our eyes At which words of the King Rosicleer came wholie to himselfe and hauing no hart to speake with the great ioy hée receiued hée embraced the King and Fidilia many times and by exteriour tokens and signes hée dyd communicate his pleasure and ioye vnto them Then afterwards Rosicleer demaunded of Fidelia all what had 〈◊〉 by whome hée vnderstoode all that euer shee dyd know of the Princesse Oliuia for there shee made manifest vnto him hir lyfe hir passions and hir cares and all that euer had passed in the Letters and how by them shee vnderstood him to bée Sonne vnto the Princesse Briana and afterward it was published that hée was sonne vnto the Emperour Trebatio Likewise shee toulde him the occasion of the writing of the first Letter and the great repentance which she had for the same the great anguish and griefe shee had for Don Siluerio the great good will of the king hir father and the great importance hee vsed also the great 〈◊〉 of the Princesse Oliuia all which when Rosicleer heard hee was as you may iudge of all them that faitfully and truely dooe loue at such time as they are giuen to vnderstand any thing of their best beeloued the which things vnto such as are free from all loue are counted but trâ—…fles and childrens toyes whereas to the contrarie vnto them they are pearles and precious stones Then the King séeing them in this profound and déepe rehearsall tooke him by the hands and sayd My good Lord let all these matters passe for this time and let vs vnderstand that which dooth most accomplish you which is to goe into England whereas you shall vnderstand and know all these matters of the Princesse Oliuia for that I doo perceiue by the long trauayle in the which Fidelia hath gone in seeking of you that you delay the time very long Then Rosicleer as thouâ—…h hée did awake out of a sound sléepe came vnto himselfe and savd Oâ—… high and soueraine Lord and God héere I doo giue infinite thanckes vnto thy holy name for that it hath pleased you to put remedy in the life of this your Knight with this vnlooked for remedie And vnto you my very good friend Fidelia I doo giue great thanks for the great trauaile the which you haue passed and taken in seeking of mée that I may goe comfort and recreate my selfe in the sight and countenance of my Lady and Mistresse And I doo desire of God to graunt mée lyfe that I may gratifie your large pilgrimage which you haue passed â—…n seeking mee And tourning himselfe vnto the King hee sayde Pardon mee I pray you my good Lord these my amorous passions and let vs goe whether your pleasure is to command vs without tarrying any longer So straight wayes they commaunded the knâ—…ghts of Fulmineo to bring before them all the Ladies and damsels that were in all the Castels And béeing brought béefore them they were more then thirtie all very faire and full of sorrow All the which Rosicleer dyd commaund that they should goe and present â—…hemselues béefore the Emperour of Russia in saying that â—…wo 〈◊〉 Knights hath slaine Fulmineo and that they doo â—…urrender and yeeâ—…d vnto him all his Countrie and lands â—…or that Fulmineo hath left no heire And vnto the Damsels â—…ée did giue all such riches as hee found within the Castells â—…nd for to set order in this and in all 〈◊〉 things they tarâ—…ed there that day and that night and for that his desire â—…as so great for to goe into England the night séemed so 〈◊〉 that hee thought the day would neuer haue apeared So the next day at such time as the Sunne did scarce appeare when they were armed with their rich bright armour and mounted vpon their good horses these two valyant knights and perfect friends went forth of the castle and in their company the damsell Fidelia leauing a good Knight which was Fulmineos in the gard and kéeping of the Castle and all the rest till such time as the Emperour of Russia dyd commaund his pleasure to bée done with them So all they together tooke their right way towards the sea whereas they might embarke themselues for England where the historie dooth leaue them til time dooth serue So the Ladies and damsels of Fulmineo went béefore the Emperour declared vnto him the embassage of the knights of all that euer had passed for the which hée receiued great ioy pleasure meruailed greatly that one alone knight had slayne Fulmineo was very sorrowfull for the departure of those two knights
arise a great storme at the sea and at midnight the winde began to blow so terrible and the Sea to worke so far out of all order that sometimes they thought that the waues carryed the ship vp into the cloudes and other tymes they thought the Ship to fall downe to the deapth thereof and the Ship receiued such a leake that whatsoeuer the marriners could doo with the Pompe and otherwise yet might they goe vp to the knees in water aboue the balest for the which cause these two good knights made no other reckoning but to bée lost which caused them with all theyr harts to praye vnto God to haue mercie on them and to forgiue them theyr sinnes and also if it were his diuine pleasure to delyuer them out of that great torment When the day was come those boysterous windes dyd so beate the Ship tumbling and tossing it from one part to another in such fort that it could no longer indure but opened a sunder in the midest so that these two Knights had no other refuge but eyther of them to take holde of the first planke that came vnto theyr hands Then God who dyd reserue them for a greater effect did deliuer them that they were not drowned in that torment for that they had not fully halfe an houre sustained themselues vpon their planks in the water when that those mightie high and great waues dyd carrye them vpon the shoare The Prince Brandizel in Polonia and the Prince Clauerindo vpon an Iland that séemed to bée full of thick and gréene trées who when hée was vpon the shoare and saw himself cléere of that great torment he gaue great thanckes vnto almightie God for his wonderfull benefits shewed vnto him in that his deliuerance dyd very much lament the losse of his friend Brandizel not knowing what was béecome of him And béeing very desirous to know in what Countrie hée was finding a narrow and small vsed way hée followed the same and trauayling therein a mile hée meruayled very much that hée could sée no people neyther anie towne or inhabitaunce the Countrie béeing so fresh and full of Trées that it séemed vnto him neuer in all his lyfe to haue séene a Countrie so delightsome So after a great while that hée had trauayled by that narrow path at such time as the Sun béegan to waxe hot and found himselfe out from amongst those trées hee entered into a great and wide plaine in the midst of the which hée saw a mightie high and well towred Castle the which was of Lyndaraza the sight wherof put him in great admiration and it séemed vnto him y t it could not bee wrought by any humane hands and beeing very desirous to know who it shuld be that was Lord of that meruaylous Castle hée hasted his pace more then béefore and went towards the same and the nigher hee came to it the more hée meruayled So when hée came and saw that wide and déepe ditch and that there was no other entrie into the Castell but onelie by the bridge hée went thether and found that the gate was shut and hauing at the ring thereof a very fayre and rich horne of Iuorie with a scroule vpon it which sayde Thou Knight whose fortune hath brought thée hether if thou art determined to know anie thing of this great and strong Castle blow this horne and thou shalt not lacke one to make thee aunswere and haue a great care in defending thy selfe from the Porter for that hee will put thy lyfe in great perill The Prince heereat was very much amazed and could not imagine what it should bee but hauing a great desire to know what should bée within without any longer tarrying and with a valiant courage hée tooke the horne and put it to his mouth béegan to sound it with so great strength that the sound was heard throughout all the Castell and hée had not scarce pulled the Horne from his mouth when that with a great rushing and noyse the gates were open and there issued out at the gate a furious beast called Brama and the most horrible and euill fauouredst that euer was séene formed by nature for that his body was as big as two good horses and his legges more bigger then a buls legge and each legge had fiue clawes and the least of them was a span long and as bigge as a mans finger and his mouth so bigge that a man might well goe in thereat and was all furnished with very big tuskes and as sharp as a rasour and hée threw out at his mouth great abundaunce of fire and smoake in such sort that it séemed to bée Hell mouth and hée came foorth with so great brauenesse that there was no man but onely at the sight of hir would haue receiued great feare And as soone as this Brama was come foorth it went strayght wayes towards the Prince and in his hastynesse hée would haue gored him with his sharp tuskes but the Prince who was polytike and very lyght gaue a leape on the one side and cléered himselfe from the fury thereof and passing by him with his swoord hée thrust so terrible a foyne at that monster that chancing béetwéene two ribs it entered into his body vp to the hilts and pulling the sword out there followed great abundance of blood out at the wound Then when the furious Brama felt himselfe hurt with as great fury as euer was séene he returned vnto the Prince who bearing his head very lowe in such sort that by no meanes hee could defende himselfe but must of force abide his fury who stroke him with his tuskes so terrible a blow that hee threw him from the ground tenne paces from him backwards so that if his armour had not béene made by that wise man Lyrgandeo at that blow hée had parted him a sunder in the midst yet for all that the Prince was so euill intreated with the mightie fall that if hée had not béene of so valiant a courage it had not béene possible for him to haue risen agayne from the ground but by reason that hée was one of the most valiantest Knights in all the world with a trise hée arose vp agayne and at such time as this furious Brama camē towards him againe for to claspe him béetwixt his cruell and sharp clawes hée firmed himselfe sure vpon his féete and tooke his sword in both his hands and determined to put his lyfe in aduenture in striking of one blow and so hee dyd for at such time as this Brama came vnto him hée stroke him so stronge a blow with both his hands vppon his monstrous head and for that his Swoord was very good and sharpe and stroke with so good a will of the Prince that it cloue it cleane asunder and the sword entered into the ground a good span so that the monstrous beast fell downe dead to the ground beefore the Prince who praysed God greatly for that victorie which hee had and remayned a good