their liues depended thereon The fierce Gyant gaue so vehement a blow which made such noyse that it séemed to thunder in the ayre It séemed not to the louer of Arquisilora any wisedom to stay the lighting of so rude a blow and so winding himselfe on one side séeing the blow come from aloft he let it slip which came as it were thundring in the ayre he smote it an hand déepe in the hatches of the ship which was a very great good hap for the Gréeke for by that meanes being vnable to pull it out so soone as hee would he ioyned with him and with both his hands gaue him a blow on the thicke helme It little profited him that it was thrée fingers thick for he smote the greater part thereof from his head and left him sore wounded and withall made him to reele hee payde him the second time better then at the first for hitting him right vpon the huge great armes hee made him let goe his battaile-axe which put him to such paine that he had much to doe to put his hād to his side to draw a broad crooked fauchion wherewith flourishing he assayled the prince There was no roome in the Galley to shun the swift comming therof neither was it possible to ward the terrible blow with his most strong shield which for the finenesse thereof although that he could not cleaue yet hee beat it to his helmet with so great force that he made him set both his knées to the ground Neuer did Knight better beare himselfe in a particular fight then this prince did for oftentimes with his agilitie and discretion hee knew how to make his benefite of his ill happes against his enemy as nowe without loosing his warde by reason of this great blow for hée gaue him a great slash ouer the legs This was it which assured him of the battaile for hitting him a little beneath the gartering place hée cut it almost halfe off hée would not so giue ouer without giuing him one more which was a very fearefull stroke which wholly bereaued him of his right foote he made him goe backewards with lesse stedfastnesse then in battailes is required The valorous Batchelour rose againe on his féete attending the fierce Pagan who came vpon him casting a thicke smoake out at his beuer but wanting the assistance of his legge hée was to strike him with his eyes hee was constrained to set him on his knée and in that maner to attempt the doutful victorie it cannot be imagined how great contentment the Prince of Apulia receiued in séeing the marueiles in armes which that Knight performed estéeming himselfe happy to haue such a companion By reason of the great noyse which was made in this battaile out of a cabin of the Galley came one of the most fayre Ladyes that euer was séene all clad in gréene Satin cut vpon most fine cloth of Gold and her yellowish haires hanging loose about her shoulders pouring streames of teares downe her fayre cheekes which resembled the most rich Orientall Pearles who seeing howe victoriously this Knight had borne himselfe to giue him the greater courage sayd Let these cruell and accursed caitiffes dye and assure your selfe I will not leaue your trauaile vnrewarded The Gréeke néeded no new fauours for hée had already ranged the Gyant so well to his will that hee would not giue him so much space as to drawe his breath and desiring to make an end of the war making amends with a mighty blow vpon the Moore he closing came to handy gripes and cast him on his backe on the floore bereauing him at the very instant of his life in the despite of all those knights which would haue hindered it with which hee returned againe into a deadly battaile but it lasted not long for hée lost all patience The cruell Lyon is not more furious in the middest of the sheepe-flocke nor a shée Beare that is robbed of her whelpes then was hée among those which remayned he ouerthrew three with mortall wounds which gaue occasion to the rest who before with much hate did resist him to throw away their swordes and to fall downe and humbly entreat him to pardon them their liues The noble minded Knight easily graunted it for choler did neuer so much blinde him as to make him tread that compassion vnder féete which ought to bee held with those which yeeld By this time the faire Prince of Apulia was come aboord the Galley who embracing the Grecian saide Fortune will not now most puissant Knight shew herselfe so cruell vnto me séeing it hath together giuen me satisfaction for so many troubles bringing me in due time to ioy at the view of your worthie actes It is sufficient glorie for mee noble Prince answered the Gréeke to haue deserued so generous a commendation as what I heare from your mouth which hath giuen me occasion to estéeme better of my selfe then my valour hath deserued The gallant Ladie ended their discourse who like a chased Lionesse taking notice of whom she had held for a captiue who was also Lord of her soule wherewith shee loued him without giuing the Gréeke any thankes for the libertie which hee had giuen her clasping her armes about his necke shée saide I neuer thought neither Iaroe with such satisfaction as this to enioy thy presence or that Fortune should haue ended my disgrace in this maner but the heauēs haue so decréed that she who is borne to be thine shall be no mans else Now I will not complaine of Iaroe for I am perswaded hee would not haue so forgotten me as the Prince of Apulia With this the gentle young man presently knew her to bee the faire Troyla daughter to the King of Argel where he had béene a captiue The gallant Ladie had made this Prince so much beholding to her for the many signes of good will which shée shewed him being in prison that at the instant bowing his knées to the ground desiring to kisse her hands he said My troubles noble Princesse of Argel haue béen such since the destinies ordayned my departure from thy presence that I know not how they haue giuen mee leaue to liue neither to thinke vpon Iaroe but the Prince of Apulia as he who at the last yéelded himselfe more beholding acknowledgeth the much and many fauours which he hath receyued at your hands offering you now anew his life to be at your seruice and speake I pray you to this venturous Knight for both ours to him is due according to the much which hée hath performed The Lady acknowledged the error whereinto shée was fallen but séeing it was for loue it was to be excused Then began shée to discourse of this valorous Gréeke and to enquire who he might bée and what aduentures hée had past And hearing what the prince of Apulia said of him shée said Pardon most worthy Knight my retchlesnesse in that I haue not all this while giuen you thankes for that which you haue done
himselfe and holding such company as the Gréeke Prince who desirous to returne into Grecia to the aid of his parents taking leaue of these Knights thanking them for the newes which they had told them he said Ualorous Princes the best most certaine meane that I know to deale in this busines is to remit it to the fortune of my valor so to bereaue this Prince which procureth your spoiles of the meane therto here fréeing vs froÌ„ any successe that may happeÌ„ to send a messenger to the King of Lucania that I wil maintaine the beauty of this Lady against any Knight that shal say the contrary at al assaies to be the fairest that is in this kingdoÌ„ which shall giue occasion to this Knight if he loue and be valiant as he is reported to be to take it in ill part that any should bee preferred before his Ladie and comming to blowes with him for nothing in the world will I giue ouer the battell and if the heauens grant vs victorie as I hope they will it shall bee an easie matter for you to carie the Ladie away shee bearing you such good will as you say she doth and being in your Countrey you may defend her against all the world or otherwise make your returne into Grecia in company with this Ladie wherein you shall do the king of Argel great seruice deliuering her into his hands They all agréed to this which the Knight of Cruelty had deuised and so in conclusion they dispatcht a Damsell in company with Polisandro to deliuer the message to the King they remayning in a wood expecting answere which shal be declared in the next Chapter CHAP. VI. How the Damsell deliuered the ambassade to the King of Lucania in the behalfe of the Knight of Crueltie who admitting the same the matter came to triall AS Polisandro and the Damsell as saith Galtenor were departed from the Princes with the Gréeke Princes message and were come within two miles of the great Citie of Troba at what time as the King was newly risen froÌ„ dinner accompanied with many principal knights among which was the most strong Astrenio which was now respected of euery body as the Kings sonne they desired leaue to enter which was granted in the presence of many Ladies the faire Polinarda with Solesia the Princesse of Campania and her valorous louer Lisander The Damsell doing such reuerence as in such cases is accustomed the King willing her to deliuer her ambassade shee began in this maner Thou shalt vnderstand mighty King of Lucania that in the confines of the red Sea in that part which boundeth vpon Media there lyeth a most populous and rich Iland called the I le of plate for the great abundance which the earth there bringeth forth of which Iland is Quéene one of the most accomplished Ladies of the world called Troyla with whom the mightie Prince of Cumagena trauelling through the world to seeke his aduentures seeing her rare beautie fell in loue and that with such feruencie that according to the shew which hee hath made thereof nothing but death onely may suffice to diuert him from his amorous conceit hee hath perfourmed most Soueraigne King so many and so great matters in the seruice of this Ladie that of very dutie and considering with her selfe that it was no disgrace to her to accept him for her Knight thee resolued to admit his seruice and him for her seruant With the fauours which she bestowed on him he beganne againe anew to make triumphs for ioy in such maner that she consented and promised to be wholy his She valorous King standeth so assured on her selfe and her beautie that she requested him in requitall of the faith which she vowed vnto him to carie her to the Courts of the most famous Kings for the space of two yéeres to maintaine her beautie A small request seemed vnto her louer that which she required and to all others that knew him seeing by experience the great valour which the heauens had infused into him And now they goe accomplishing the two yeeres quest performing such aduentures therin with so much honour to them both that hee is held for one of the most valorous Knights of the world and hearing the fame of this Court of the gallantrie of the Ladies of the same he would not passe by into Grecia before he had here made proofe of what power his aduenture might bee he yéeldeth to the battell at all perils for some hauing procéeded to the Iusts onely haue remained throughly grieued bringing the battell to no perfection wherefore he hate sent to entreat thée if it shall so please thée to send him safe conduct to the ende he may maintaine the cause for which he commeth Here ended the Damsell her Oration leauing not one in all the hall which did not wonder at her bold demaund Some rumour beganne among the young Knights making a scoffe thereof auouching that the Ladies whom they serued had attained to the highest of all beautie Wel did the King vnderstand it and dissembling the same answered the Damsell which comming in the name of an Ambassadour was to be honourably entertained I doe thankefully accept faire Damsell of the pleasure which this Knight with his presence will doe vnto this court although as I am perswaded he shall here purchase more enemies then friends for here being Princes which delight in Ladies seruice they will neuer yeeld to so generall an offence as is this The most strong Astermo could not dissemble his discontentment déeming that therein was great disgrace done to his Polinarda who said thus I doe rather wiâ—h faire Damsell that this Knight had first séene the Ladies of this Palace that he might haue perceiued the errour which he maintaineth before he had with such ouerboldnesse defyed their gallants I am of opinion Sir Knight answered the disâ—reet Damsell that you haue not yet made proofe of the power of loue seeing that you know not that hee which admireth the beautie of his beloued speaketh according to his affection I am of opinion that both of the one and the other the Prince will put you out of doubt if it shall please the King to giue him leaue thereto I graunt it quoth the King if he will to the end wee may see the effect of your hopes The Lady would haue kist the Kings hand for the sauour which he granted returning she said As these Princes mightie King haue trauelled a long iourney so come they vnfurnished of prouision necessary wherefore they pray thee to commaund a Tent to be lent theÌ„ seeing that the challenger is to make his abode therein Whatsoeuer shall please him answered the King I will coÌ„mand to be carefully prouided In this maner said the Ladie with a high voice begin you that are enamoured to set vp your armes for betwéene this and to morrow wil come to the Lists the Prince of Comagena with costly experience to make shew of his great
THE NINTH part of the Mirrour of Knight-hood Being the fourth Booke of the third part thereof Wherein is declared the high and noble actes of the sonnes and nephewes of the Noble Emperour Trebacius and of the rest of the renoumed Princes and Knights and of the high cheualrie of the gallant Ladyes wherein also is treated of the most cruell warre that euer was in Greece with the amorous euents and the end thereof AT LONDON Printed for Cuthbert Burbie and are to be sold at his shop at the Royall Exchange 1601. The fourth Booke of the third part of the Mirrour of Knight-hood wherein is declared the high and noble actes of the sonnes and nephewes of the Noble Emperour Trebacius and of the rest of the renoumed Princes and Knights and of the high cheualrie of the gallant Ladyes wherein is treated of the most cruell warre that euer was in Greece with the amourous euents and the end thereof The first Chapter How the Princesse Rosselia of Rome being deliuered from the Inchantment desired her father to bee reuenged on Don Heleno Prince of Dacia and of that which followed thereof SO many were the harmes receiued of the princes of the Gréekes most Noble Lord that in all the Pagans countreys there was no spéech of any thing but of reuenge and that the most cruell that might be for those which were grieued were so great Monarches that each of them determined to inuade Greece apart particularly Bembo who drue his pedegree from Iupiter and felt himselfe most toucht séeing the Gréeke louer to beare away the spoyles which were due to his worth and valour Well had the Pagan some body else who likewise was grieued for him For Proserpina below in her darke kingdom through the malice which she bare against the Gréeks entreated her beloued Pluto for aid in the behalf of Bembo against the GreciaÌ„s The infernall prince was so subiect to his wiues request that he commanded Discord to be called whom with the greatest company that possibly might bée he commanded presently to depart to leaue neither armes nor lance on end which should not bee bent against the Gréekes for the Grecians bold attempts were not to bée endured Discord felt it selfe some thing grieued euer since the time of the venturous Octauius Augustus for her arme being vnable to resist the valor of that yong man he peaceably possessed the whole world wherefore it was an easie matter to make her leaue that infernall habitation shée was well accompaned for with her went Ambition and Ielousy friend to the blind god and there went Auarice and the rest of the infernall Furies Discord sallied armed at all pieces in russet armour with a sword in each hand vpon her shoulders a bright shining Mirrour a signe that as she pardoned none so would she go in safetie from her enemies accounting all for such Couetousnes marched with her spectacles which made all she saw séeme greater with a monstrous aspect The first place attempted was in Morea against the braue Epirabio to the ende that in seruice of his Liciana he should repaire into Grecia there nowe to recouer that which before by his late comming he had lost They knew how to take so good order that although the Prince went with his confederates al the kingdom was in an vprore to attend the seruice of their soueraigne Lord. The king of Lituania was already summoned to the ende that with the greatest forces that he was able to make he should draw nere vnto Niquea Couetousnesse encountred this man and in such sort ouercame him that at the instant hée beganne to order his people wich were many and well armed The faire Lisiana would not stay froÌ„ going into Greece for not a little succéeded for her there Good friends had they ray3sed against Grecia but their chiefest trust remayned in the braue Romanes Discord Couetousnesse and Suspition tooke charge of the Conâ—uest For the very soule of Resilia was possessed séeing her faith so ill rewarded and that the Dacian had made a scoffe of her There is no Uiper which sheweth it selfe so cruel as a faire Ladie doth against him whem shee hath once loued as her soule Iealousie crossed in the middest vntill she was wholy ouercome forcing her to aske cruell vengeance of her father for that which the Dacian had committed They made herto adde thereunto which was that the Emperour asking her whether there past any promise of Mariage Shée beeing blinded with passion answered her Father Yea. Wrath approched in so good a time that a Basiliska returneth not more wrathfull then the Romane Emperour Constantius shewed himselfe to bee against the Gréekes he presently commanded a Councell to be assembled in this case there entred thereinto Arsiano the braue Prince of Almany whom Dishonour had already ouercome bringing to his minde the disgrace whereinto Don Heleno the Prince of Dacia had brought him and as his voyce was the first and he well disposed thereto hee gaue his opinion that by fire and sword vengeance should be taken No man gainesaid this passionate yong man The alarme was spéedily giuen in Rome and in all the Townes subiect thereto Thither came the Kings of Zerssa of Carthage and of Argier all which were friends to the Romanes The king of Rodes failed not in this warre As for the furious Almaine he thought with his owne people alone to giue battell to the whole world for he left not in all Almany neyther high nor low one man that was able for the warres The King of Scotland came with a mightie Hosse in fauour of the Romane Empire for the friendship he had amongst the Daughters Discord was yet of greater power for it passed into Gibia leading Reuenge by the hand where she published the death of their Princes by the hands of the Dacian Lord in Rome their death was there already vnderstood and mourned for But those infernall furies knew how to take so good order that all that whole populous Kingdome was at an instant in an vprore who had a yonger brother and the most valiant man in all those kingdomes called Brundusio the strong who although that hee were not a Gyant of his bodie yet there was no man how strong soeuer that was able to resist his force which yet was not knowne to be borrowed He spéedily began to leuie people gathering together the Borderers which were braue Knights with many proud Gyants which excéeded two thousand of other people the strong Brundusio raysed an hundred thousand fighting men and with them hee went to ioyne himselfe with the Romanes carrying sufficient prouision for many daies perceyuing that the warre would be of long continuance The Emperour of his ariuall receyued him with great ioy séeming vnto him that with that people and the rest which he would leuie it were a small matter to subdue the whole world they would not inuade the Gréekes without aduertising them of their departure déeming that it would bee attributed to
made them equals to the end that as brothers and so like in proportion but that by their names no man could haue knowne them the elder was called Daristeo of Podolia and the yonger Rosaner Both at their comming affected the Kinges fairâ— Daughter wooing her with many Tiltings and Turneyes which they caused for her sake wherein they were both coÌ„mended in equall degrée As to subiect the mind in these louers cases is reserued to loue onely it ordained for the greater euill that Celibella most affected the younger not for that he had more then the other but that fortune thought it an honourable trophe to triumph of these two louers with her eies did this faire Dame giue her beloued gallant to vnderstand to what estate fortune had brought her but they had so small hope of béeing beloued that notwithstanding that she shewed it with a thousand good countenances yet he could neuer be perswaded that she loued him for as that Lady is the Phoenix of beautie hee held a fauour from her hand to be such a thing as loue it selfe could not deserue and so they procéeded in their loues a-vie without acquainting the one the other with the secret of their mindes It was no small griefe to the Ladie that Rosaner could not perceiue how well she loued him and for the Lady to make shew thereof by any signes or other meanes she would not for any thing in the world well knowing how much she should therein preiudice her honour with the often fauours and publike prayse which she gaue to whatsoeuer this gallant did he was partly perswaded that she loued him but yet he could hardly beléeue that fortune would be so fauorable At this instant wherein Celibella shewed her selfe most affected vnto him accepting of the endeuours and exployts which Rosaner performed in her seruice there was brought to the Court a kinsewoman of this Ladies who was the beginning and ending of all these mishaps She truly was fayre for somewhat being of kinne to the Kings daughter claue to her As my Lady was young and a nouice in loue she was of opinion that it was much ease to disclose it some others are of the same opinion but for my part I vtterly condemne it for there is no greater griefe then to reueyle the secrets of the heart whereby the renowne may be touched and from whence nothing is drawne but the Lady to subiect her selfe to the party to whome shee reueyleth her secret who also peraduâ—â—ture will hold her for more light in discouering it then for being in loue This hapned sometimes The vnwary Lady trode these reasons vnder foot told all to Felina for so was her kinswoman called The discouery of this secret serued not to yeeld any ease to the Lady but to incite her kinsewoman to fall in loue with the Prince Daristeo and that in so good earnest that shée spéedily made it appeare But as hee was so engoulfed in the loue of Celibella he tooke no notice with what affection Felina shewed her selfe to be his The Lady Princesse perceyued it well and receyued no small pleasure therein imagining that therewith Daristeo would leaue to bee so enamored of her for the beauty of her kinsewoman was â—ell worthy to be beloued There were often meetings in the hall betwéene these foure louers but I know not who is able to agrée them for with my tongue I am not able for neyther partie left to loue though it were not accepted It appeared in their eyes for the two brothers fixed theirs vpon the Princesse and she with new spoyles beholdeth her Rosaner making her eyes fat with beholding him But her cousin being touched to the quick with apparant signes giueth testimony of her loue in beholding her Daristeo in whom she onely delighteh and from whom she draweth her life and although she were but a nouice in that occupation the carelesnes wherewith the prince answered her put her in such care as I thinke no body hath béene more carefull for from that time forward her griefe was such as her cousin was very sory for This amorous passion did so much pinch her that shée knew no meanes how to remedie it neither saw any possibilitie for the prince neuer tooke any regard of the fauours which shee shewed him which was worse then death to this afflicted Lady who growing desperate would haue taken any course for remedy although somewhat dishonourable As the king loued these Princes holding them in place of sonnes although he had not yet determined vpon whom be would bestow his daughter Celibella so had they opportunitie to discourse with the lady who seeing that her father was well pleased therewith forbare it not making shewe that to be the cause concealing the trueth Rosaner being the man who wore the palme his brother could neuer imagine it thinking with himselfe that if the Ladyes affection were guided by reason he was rather to be beloued theÌ„ his brother but loue led it another way without respect of the large kingdoÌ„ whereof he was prince for to him which perfectly loueth it neuer representeth the qualities of the thing beloued but only what is in self which otherwise were but a fayned loue and so the Lady loued the fortunate yong man not with a litle enuy of loue séeing what was enioyed The passionate cousin was shée who sped worst in this businesse for although that the Princesse loued not Daristeo yet he was neuer perswaded that shee loathed him for the discreet Lady bestowed some fauours vpon him which were a meane to entertaine the Prince and hée held himselfe happy to obtaine so much at her handes But poore Felina neither perceiued any shew that she was beloued neither was there any end in vnderstanding her ill hap in being not regarded by him whom shee loued better then her selfe In this meane while the braue Furiandro bastard sonne to the king of Podolia which hée gat in his yong yéeres vpoÌ„ a most strong woman in the mountaines Rifei came to the court to séeke these 2. brothers he proued so fierce and valiant that they say that in valour he doeth exceede the great god Mars for there is no knight no although they be ten nay twenty that are able to kéep the field against him neither any Gyant how fierce so euer he be he is beloued of the common people for hee is not of that condition which such men commonly are of which excéede all other in force and strength of body but he is rather courteous and a great friend fauourer of Ladies although that in this occasion I maruaile not he haue shewed himselfe cruell to Celibella Much did the princesse reioyce at his comming all the whole court for the feastes were renewed wherein it is incredible not to be beléeued what that furious knight did for he was séene at one blow to strike downe both horse and man all men gaue him the prize for valiant The king respected him according as was
you shal heare in the next Chapter CHAP. III. Of that which hapned to the Prince of Tinacria with a Knight much affected to Celibella and how he ended the battell for her IT should bee past midnight most Noble Lord when a Knight with his lamentations did awakeÌ„ the valiant Poliphebus who a little from him had laid him down to sléep The sonne of the cruel Garriofilea saâ—e vpon the gréene grasse and being frée from loue he harkned and gessing which way the complaint came fully armed not knowing what might follow for he would not goe vnprouided he saw by the Moone light which shined very cléere at the foote of a great Oake a great Knight stretched all along vpon the ground richly armed in blew armour wrought all ouer with many knots of gold bee séemed to the Tinacrian to be some Knight of good account In his shield which he had fastened to his necke was painted loue with a merry countenance and fortune in the skirt with the most piercing aspect that euer was séene with these letters vnderwritten Fortune being so contrary With angrie valour taking part Though constant loue be on my side Yet nothing can assure my heart The Knight séemed to be in a trance séeing he moued not as indéed he was for the griefe to lose the faire Celibella had put him out of his wits But when he came againe to himselfe with a sigh being out of breath he began to say O Fortune with how many trials doest thou shew thy mutabilitie tyring my heart with so many troubles If I did imagine blind Goddesse that I had euer béene rebellious against thée that I had not respected thée that I had not put my trust in thée that I had doubted of thy power and of what thou art I should haue taken this rigorous touch for a reward for my patience But séeing that without any occasion thou wilt shew thy selfe my greatest enemy I hauing giuen thée no iust cause thereof I cannot forbeare to complaine and onely of thy mutabilitie séeing that with what or for what thou hast brought me to the point that nothing but death onely can yéeld mee ease O â—â—wardly heart séeing that for being so thou suffrest her to die which might giue thée life in distresse succour thée Pardon mee worthy Princesse for now I sée the iniurie which with my cowardise I haue done thée in not daring to oppose my life in thy behalfe and séeing that so many wayes I sée it lost and that now fayling with thée the remainder wil be worse then death it selfe the Gods defend that I sée thy vniust death but rather that I with iustice bereaue my soule thereof for in so long staying I wrong the loue I beare thée and herewith in a diuellish furie hee snatcht vp his sword and lifting vp his bresâ—plate hee would haue thrust it into his owne bodie saying Herewith soueraigne Ladie I make amende for not vndertaking the battell although that I had seene my death before mine eyes by how much more then beeing for thée it might haue béene accounted life The Tinacrian tooke hold of him and before that hee could effect his diuellish intent he seized vpon his sword which he pluckt out of his hands saying Oh desperate Knight and with committing so vilde an act wilt thou soader vp that which thou hast done against the Ladie whom thâ—usâ— much louest The Moore came to himselfe who was Prince of Prussia a countrey very néere adioyning to that of the most faire Celibella and beholding that Knight so tall and so wel armed being perswaded that he saw his remedy he said vnto him Do me not Sir Knight so great displeasure but suffer me to satisfie with my life that which I haue committed against the most faire Lady that the world containeth séeing that vndertaking the battell for her although with the losse of my life I might haue done her particular seruice but being against so furious a knight with very cowardise I lost that which I might haue gotteÌ„ although I had remained without life and séeing that now to hold it it will be to my further hurt giue me leaue to procéede according to my determination if you will not that I make a larger payment for the error which I haue committed which was the greatest that euâ—r Knight committed against her whom he so loued Leaue off your so much sorrow said the warlike Tinacrian for men are not bound to vndertake matters aboue their force for in such case you of your part are excused That cannot bee said the Pagan who owing his life and would not venture it for her in any daunger how doubtfull so euer the successe thereof were cannot be excused therefore you cannot denie me the wrong that I haue done my Ladie Notwithstanding all this I will not yéeld that any such crueltie bee committed in my presence neither is it weldone but ill you see the end of this aduenture to torment your selfe in such sort as may put you in such despaire as this which dooth so much disgrace the valour which appeareth in your person And because I came from farre about this businesse and to fight for this Ladie I pray you be satisfied and hold me companie to the Citie where I will trie my lot with Furiander Who can presume Sir Knight said the Moore to come into that Citie where hee hath committed so great a fault such as the like hath not beene séene I haue not the power neither can any thing make me thereto able It hath not beene so great said the Tinacrian but it may be amended if fortune fauour vs. The Prince told him so many things that in the end hee offred to hold him companie to the end that he might see the forces wherewith hee should fight for Celibella By this time it was day and so they tooke their horses and with the damsell and the Tinacrian his squire they tooke the way towards the Citie and by the way hee knew that this Knight was the Lord and King of Prussia where he fel in loue with the Princesse Celibella although he neuer knew the necessitie wherein shee was vntill hee came with his armes onely disguised to the Court to see her which for her beautie was extolled through his whole Dominion and comming thither he vnderstood of Furiander his challenge But the fame of his valour was such that hee durst not vndertake the battell for the Princesse notwithstanding that hee loued her much more then his owne soule and falling into consideration of what hee had done going forth of the Citie he meant to haue slayne himselfe The Tinacrian recomforted him the best that hee could and he did not a little preuaile being the most fearefull yong man in the world They ariued when the King was newly risen from the table and had that day inuited the famous Furiander purposing with some good reasons to haue disswaded him from that attempt being very sorrowfull for that he perseuered
to acknowledge him for their Prince and soueraigne Lord for the king had so heauily taken the death of his two sonnes that the sorrow thereof bereaued him of his life and he left no heire but this mightie Furiander Al the principal of the Realme were of opinion to giue the crowne vnto him and to accept him for their king seing his valour deserued no lesse but was much more worthy The valorous Pagan did not a little sorrow the death of his father and the sonne of the most cruell Garofilea kept him company mourning with him for the one and reioyâ—ing with him for the other A newe life and a long answered the Pagan I would the heauens would grant me noble man at Armes to the ende to acknowledge howe great a good it is to bee your friend but such as it shall please the gods to bestow vpon me assure your selfe it shall be to doe you seruice as he who is no lesse endebted vnto you then for his life and honour It yéeldeth me not that ioy and solace said the Tinacrian Soueragine prince to sée how gentle fortune hath shewed her selfe vnto me to gette such a friend as I hope in the gods you will bée as to sée with what affection and in how good earnest you haue estéemed my offer so as if I shall be able to equall my déedes with my desire none shall shew himselfe a more faithfull friend then I. By this time the king with the whole court was descended to receiue and entertaine the Tinacrian who had already determined in himselfe to entreat the king to receiue Furiander for his sonne In approching with his Armes displayed he came to the faire yong man saying Althoughâ—â—t were for nothing else most valiant knight but to say that in my armes I imbrace the flowre of cheualry I hold the troubles well imployed whereunto this Prince hath brought vs. The faire Poliphebus wel discharged the part of the Moore saying It was a worthy matter mighty king to to considered in how manifest a daÌ„ger your daughter was but herein appeareth the noblenesse of your generous brest that you not onely pardon what is done with the passion to sée such princes to fayle but you are now to receiue him for a friend séeing his valour deserueth that all the princes of the world should hold him for such greater errours then these which may be pardoned so venturous a knight vndertaking the same By this time was come the Kings daughter so fayre that I know not any man of reasonable vnderstanding but would haue giuen rather then to haue lost the sight of her two thousand soules if he had them She drew néere giuing the prince great thanks for that which hée had done for her saying I was well assured valorous knight of the Bough that committing my affayres into your victorious hands it should haue such issue as is this While as the fayre Tinacrian made answere vnto Celibella loue began to sturre in the brest of the Pagan who regarded the beautie wherewith the Infanta was adorned whom in his conceit he had much offended but loue playing his part had obtained his pardon for sometimes she cast her eye aside to behold the wounds which this new-come prince had receiued and indéed the Pagan did not so much feele it as the Lady did for it did ease his paine to behold her beautie But to her who had already yéelded her selfe tributarie to loue euery drop of his blood was worse then a cruell death so farre doeth his power extend who is called the blind god of loue Within the Palace were these Princes cured of their wounds and fifteene dayes the Tinacrian there remayned in which time he behaued himselfe so well that hee obtained of the king all that he desired setting before his eyes the valour of Furiander and the state which hee held loue had so well disposed of the fayre princesse that it was no hard matter to winne her The valorous Furiander knew not how to value this good for all the Court feasted him holding it well content to receiue such a knight for prince and Lord thereof Much did the princesse desire that the Tinacrian should haue remained a longer time but being vnable to end other matters he tooke his leaue of the Lady and committed himselfe to the déepe sea with Ruuâ—o his squire alone The fift day of his nauigation with a prosperous wind he ariued in the kingdome of Hilepsia where hapned vnto him that which in the next Chapter shall be declared CHAP. IIII. How the Prince of Tinacria neere the Fountaine of three spoutes met with the braue Eufronisa and of the battaile which hee fought with two Giants which would haue robbed him SO much did absence most noble prince afflict the fayre Eufronila for the loue of Rosabel that shee tooke no pleasure but in comming to the fountaine where shée first saw him It fared with her as with one which hath lost a precious iewel who not finding it a thousand times returneth with great care to the place where he thinketh he lost it EueÌ„ so did this fayre princesse beeing not so much afflicted for the losse of the sonnes as for the absence of the Father In company of her discreet gentlewoman she passed a heauy solitarie life although it were som case vnto her to think that her father had promised to carry her with him into Grecia for there came certaine messengers to him from the Souldan of Niquea to entreat his â—auour which hee throughly purposed to grant as he which was very mightie and of great power And imagining with her selfe that there she should see her 〈…〉 made her to prolong some what the rest of her dayes it was a world to sée and to heare what she did and said beholding her selfe in the cléere fountaine Loue is not such most noble prince as that hee who is possessed ther with can haue any regard of reason neither is reason of force to detaine him who is enamored from going to any place whither his cruell destinyes shall lead him In the Schole of my mishappes I learned to discourse of the successe of Loue and how it dealeth with those which are subiect thereto this enamored princesse yéeldeth vs sufficient experience thereof whom loue so many wayes after she was subiect thereto tired with a thousand desastres and being set in the place where she first became enamored she made a thousand complaints of loue Oh fierce and cruell resolution said the fayre Lady and the pleasing content wherein I liueâ— before I saw that venturous prince the robber of my libertie I know not of whoÌ„ to complaine me not of loue for it shewed it selfe fauourable in my behalfe I complaine me of his crueltie séeing that he séeing the sincere faith wherewith I loued him neuer vouchsafed to giue me one sparkle of hope but reioyced to sée me for him in so sweet annoy Oh my sonnes if the heauens grant you life and by them
valour And so taking her leaue of all Polisander and shée mounted on horsebacke and with a swift pace they returned to the wood where they had left the Princes to whome for by little and little they drew néere to the Citie shée deliuered the message which she brought Much did Claridiano reioyce to vnderstand how well the Damsell had dispatched her businesse It might bee about two of the clocke in the afternoone when these valorous Princes came into the great Market place of the Citie of Troba leading betweene them the venturous Troiâ—a so well pleased to see the good which shée hoped for that shée was as it were ouerioyed There were none but did verie attentiuely behold the Princes the Ladie séeming to them no lesse faire then the Knights to be of a good constitution particularly he in the yellew whome by his deuice in his Shield they held to be the challenger and whome they déemed to bee the most gentle Knight that was in that place They ware their visors perced and bare their Launces in their hands All the place by this time was full of people by reason of the report of their comming and so they approached to the beholders where the King and all his daughters were the one doing that reuerence to the others as their estates did require The Gréeke a little lifting vp his Beuer said Ualorous King of Lucania notwithstanding that my comming to thy Court hath béene to doe thée pleasure yet my challenge I addresse to those which professe themselues not to be their owne Your comming Sir Knight is much estéemed aunswered the King and so at your pleasure you may begin to maintaine the beautie of this Ladie When they all intreated to come vp to the beholders in companie of Polinarda the two Princes desired no other thing accordingly as they had agréed and so alighting into the armes of him in the yellow they led her vp to the place wher Polinarda was who was very doubtfull that Astermo should not lose that which the other held for certaine All the courtly Ladyes iudged the fayre Troyla to be very beautifull Polinarda saying vnto her I now say gallant Lady that I maruaile not though your Knight beare the prize in all hard aduentures iustice beeing apparant on his side wherefore all good successe is due vnto him This noble Lady answered Troila will be through the reflection froÌ„ your beautie mine being very little O prince of Apulia who could helpe thee in the perplexitie wherein thou waâ—t It was so much most noble Prince as who so had noted him might well haue perceiued it They spent not long time in discourses for the Gréeke yet saw not the end of his businesse pricked forward with the necessitie wherein his parents were and so doing a short reuerence to the Ladyes giuing his hand to the carefull louer they came downe the â—aâ—es and mounting on their horses they rode to a most fayre tent which was in the middest of the place I would not valorous prince said the prince of Apulia that any euill successe should happen vnto Lisander my friend and brother to my Soueraigne Lady There shall not sayd the Greeke for I will so handle the matter in the battaile that he shall lose nothing but that he shall not ouercome By this time many were come into the place who with their Armes would yeld testimony of what they felt in their soules The first that tried their fortunes were two of the Kings nephewes yong knights and both much enamored but losing their saddles there rested no more action for battaile for at two encounters hee put them all the whole company out of doubt that he wanne the flower of cheualrie Right before him past the prince of Campania who was but newly come to the Court so enamored that hée made account trusting therein to beare the palme from the battaile his Armes were of the colour of the Lyon wrought ouer with gold and in his shield a skie wherein was a Lady and beneath Faith painted only with this Inscription That in heauen which is reserued Will try the due by loue reserued Heere below on earth His good gesture gaue contentment to all The sea beating against the rocks doth not make â—o great noyse as these two did at their encounter The Prince of Campania â—ell not although in déed he made an ill fauoured bending backwards in his saddle he returned towards the Greeke with his sword in his hand but the battaile was vnequall for he seconded not his blow and the valiant Greâ—ke with his sword shield making amends first ioyned with him and with both his hands smote vpon the top oâ— his shield there was no defence but hee cast the one halfe thereof to the ground the sword fighting on his helmet with such â—â—rce that it set him sencelesse on the arson of the saddle The Gréeke was very desirous to end the battaile and so spurring his furious horse he ran against him with his brest which cast them both to ground and the prince was so crazed with the fall that he could not get from his horse The Ladyes were much grieued that the prince of Campania should be ouercome and most of all his sister the gentle Solersia whose brauerie had encouraged the prince Lisander to come into the Lists so well armed disposed that the common people through affection openly gaue him the victorie He came armed in a reddish armour wrought all ouer with knots of gold and in the midst of his shield ContentmeÌ„t described after the maner as they depaint the Arabia Foelix set vpon a Globe ruling the world encompassed with this Mott Where hope is well assured And ioyn'd with stedfast constancie Fortunes mutabilitie Is nothing to be feared Great pleasure did his mistresse receiue in his deuice holding it done for her sake The prince of Apulia had giuen notice that that was his deare friend wherefore the Gréek with a soft pace went to him and said Ualorous prince of Lucania there resteth so little time to end so many battels as yet remaine that I thought good to demand battaile of you vpon condition that whether of vs that within two houres shall loose his Saddle through a stroke of his aduersarie shall remaine for ouercome Be it Sir Knight answered the prince as you shall thinke good presuming to haue the better of the battaile They managed their horses with so good a grace that Mars himselfe from his high throne tooke pleasure to behold it At what time as they should encounter in sight of the whole troupe the valorous Gréeke bare vp his lance There were few in that land that could so well behaue themselues and so gallantly as he which was before him who smote him with such force that it made him bend his body farther backwards then he would he past forwardes much estéeming of that Knight for his valour and hurled his lance with greater force then if a man had discharged a
out of great blowes the Gréeke gaue the Pagan such a blow on the shield that he cut the one halfe cleane away so tormenting his arme that hee could not lift vp the little which remained and so he flung it to the ground pursuing the Gréeks more fiercely then the hungrie Lyon doth the fearefull shéepe-flocke he reacht him vpon the toppe of the rich helmet a blow with such furie that although that he cut it not by reason of the good temper thereof yet for all that it made him to sée the twinckling starres of the skies within the helmet making him for a space to forget himselfe and taking benefite of the time he gaue him such a stabbe in his louing brest that it much grieued him they were come so close and so néere together that béeing vnable to strike and seeing him so néere he claspt him in his strong armes The Pagan refused not to wrestle neither would he if hee had béen Anteus There was neuer battell so fought for they were so lockt together that they stood more firmely fixed in the ground then the roots of a great and wel growne Oke All men wondred at this rigorous combat thinking with themselues that there neuer was the like séene in the world and so was the King saying to the Prince his sonne that hee was much beholding to the Knight of Cruelty séeing how he had dealt with him and the like to the Prince of Campania who maruelling much thereat said I doe certainely beléeue that this battell will be perpetually memorable and much it would grieue me that eyther of them should die séeing how great losse their death would bring to the world The sorrow would bee generall saide the gentle Lisander of Lucania who was of opinion that hee in the yellow would obtaine the victorie They turned to behold the battell which at that instant was maintained with much obstinacie but in the end they were of flesh and fell to the ground they gaue ouer their hold betaking themselues to their armes where with they afresh renewed the battell which was worth the séeing although with some aduantage to the Gréeke for as he was more nymble hee charged and retyred with agilitie both of body and minde The Pagan would haue relied himselfe who as hee was heauily armed and corpulent of body and the battell had lasted so long he was out of breath said thus If it please you Sir Knight let vs rest vs a little for there remaineth time inough to ende the battell I will take none answered the cruell yong man neither shall there be any thing to giue it me but to sée thy head in my hands for the ill maners which thou didst vse towards me There is no venimous Uiper but was to be accounted méeke and gentle in respect of the Moore who being perswaded that his spéeches had encouraged the enemie assailed him as fiercely as a Tyger said Stay and thou shalt sée to thy cost what the assurance of that good which I requested might haue done thée It had so stung him in minde to sée himselfe lightly regarded that with greater force then at the beginning he againe assailed the Gréeke giuing him with both his hands 〈◊〉 great a blow on the toppe of his Crest that it made him to set both his hands to the ground He hasted to him with another wherewith hee had wholy ouerthrowne him but that he holpe himselfe with his knées which were so strongly fastened in the earth that hee could not stretch himselfe out at length to giue further place to the Pagans furie Without all doubt the Gréeke had béene in great danger and the baâ—tell to him would haue beene much more costly but that rigorous furie béeing past at an instant appeared the aduantage on his side which was in the yellow There is no doubt to be made of that pleasure which the gentle Sir Florisiano of Apulia would haue receiued therin séeing how wel the Prince had perfourmed his promise if he had there with knowne how well the faire Troyla had negotiated for him no man would haue béene more glad then hee there was no reason but hee which had loued and did so effectually loue as he did but he should be so and so hee set himselfe to see the end of the warre which lasted not long for the Gréeke being exâ—remely angry for the blowes which hee had receiued arose more fierce then a Basiliske often giuing him such cruell blowes as put him cleane out of breath making him sometimes to set his hands and sometimes his knées to the ground which did much moue him séeing before his eyes the death wherewith the cruell Knight had threatned him who being desirous to end the warre defending himselfe with his shield closed with him and gaue him such an encounter that it made him giue backwards making shew of falling hee holpe him thereto with a strong stabbe which was the last that hee receiued for hee had not throughly vpon the ground spread his broad shoulders when through his visor he cut from him all hope of enioying Polinarda ending his life and his loue both at an instant with so much contentment to the louers that it shall bee fitter to bee left to consideration then any thing coÌ„cerning the matter here to be set down in writing The Gréeke entred into his tent to repose him embracing the Prince of Apulia who knew not what to do for ioy By this time the faire Titan had ended his iourney and the Ladie Lucina was to begin hers when the friendes of the dead Prince caried him from the place giuing according as to him did appertaine honourable buriall The Prince of Apulia went to the faire Troyla who with some sheweâ— although fayned of sorrow for the dead man said From this time forward I will take the word from my Knight if he please because he shall leaue so cruell a deuice as that which he beareth for my sake It was agréed betwéene them that on that side of the Ladies garden which Florisiano knew they should come where she would warrant his life and receiue him for her husband The young man went downe so troubled to sée himselfe in her presence and not to lead her by the hand which loued him as her selfe as it were impossible but that his alteration would be noted To auoid tediousnes I do not set downe how he felt himselfe when he knew what the Ladie determined Happie loue said the Prince séeing such hands haue dealth therein bringing it to that ende which the louer deserueth and happie Florisiano which shal enioy the same The contentment which I receyue with my mistresse fauour noble Princesse is no greater then that which to sée the effect of yours doth yéeld me and how carefully you haue procured it it is a fauour which I haue receiued which cannot yet bee requited for that bringeth the payment therewith séeing you haue accomplished it with your valour and my necessitie Those few
houres which they past seemed a thousand to goe to the place appointed where hauing taken order for all that was to be caried the Ladie leauing a letter for her father contayning a thousand amorous excuses reciting to him all the whole course of their loue past she stayed in company of the faire Solersia who would not part without speaking to the valiant Florisiano Without the inclosure remained the faire Troyla and the rest of the Ladies with Palisander and the two Princes he of Apulia helping the Gréeke who in a moment gat vp to the top of the wall and giuing his hand to Florisiano they leapt into the garden where the louers could not speake the one to the other a common thing in the law of loue But the pleasant Solersia imbracing the Prince of Apulia said I would not valiant Prince that that Ladie had told vs the discouerie of Iaroe for it had beene to put vs in new griefe to loue you not as the Carthagonian but as the Lord of Apulia I was assured worthie Princesse answered the Prince that shée who then did me fauour would now worthily accomplish it with that generositie wherewith you are endued Your sight and new acquaintance quoth shée is for so small a time that I cannot suffer this Ladie to enioy the same to whome your absence hath béene so grieuous that shée could hardly bee comforted But seeing that the heauens will that you come together there is nothing to bee done but to giue thankes therefore and wee are all glad thereof Those true louers imbraced each other with so much ioy as cannot bee imagined it sufficeth to beléeue that it was the greatest in the world being purchased with so much troubles which doe season the good when it commeth to bee enioyed About an houre they stoode talking giuing many thankes to the Greeke for that which hee had done for them admiring his beautie and few yeeres Much it grieued the Ladies to depart but séeing that it was requisite giuing in charge to Solersia to procure her Fathers good will and excuse the Prince of Apulia with his beloued Lisander giuing strickt imbracemeÌ„ts they tooke their leaue the Ladie returned to her lodging without being perceiued The Princes in their armes receiued the Kings daughter which went away very feareful of her Fathers displeasure it was good hap that shée lost not her sences for sorrow but Lisander and his beloued Solersia tooke so good order that they did not onely satisfie him but also procured him to pardon them séeing shee was so well maried as with the Prince of Apulia who with his beloued Polinarda with the rest of the Princes tooke the way towardes Apulia with determination to leuie the greatest forces that hee should be able and goe to the succour of Grecia for the much that he was bounden vnto the Prince thereof And so in a short space he armed twentie thousand Knights entreating the Prince Claridiano to goe into Gréece with him who yéelded thereto but vpon condition that he should neuer speake to any man of him for no lesse then his life depended thereon And so they tooke their course towards the great port of Grecia where they arriued in happie time not without many great suddaine passions of the Gréeke louer to know himselfe so néere to her whome he carried in his soule they tooke land the Emperour receiuing them with such grauitie as appertained But the Gréeke louer would neuer discouer his name neither would hee see her which was Ladie of his life and therefore tooke his leaue of the Ladies promising the Emperour that he would not depart out of Grecia before the warres were ended which was then euen at their doores the enemies comming being most certaine with his Squire Palisander alone accompanied with a thousand passions of loue hee tooke his way into a wood which was called The wood of Willowes purposing to change his armes and so vnknowne to giue aide to his Grand-father Hee greatly reioyced to sée the great good preparation in a readinesse being of opinion that with so great armies and so well armed the land might be defended against all the rest of the world Foure daies he wandred in that wood without any aduenture worthie of memorie vntill the fifth in the euening he heard a great noyse as though it had béene of Knights fighting he mended his pace making towards the place where he heard the noyse but he had ridden but a little way when an old man leaning vpon a great Rush tooke his horse by the Reines saying Hold thée Prince of Greece for it behoueth thée not in any case to goe any further forwards for to goe to say the truth it is to goe to the house of death What art thou honourable auncient old man answered the Prince beeing much abashed therewith which knowing me hast bound me vnto thee for the aduertising of me of the danger wherein I went He valorous Prince which many yéeres hath procured your good as hee which most dearely loueth youâ— and therefore alight for without my helpe you shall not come to the battell whereof you haue heard so much neither shall you serue in the warres in the field without being knowne to your parents and friends which will bee little for your ease and somewhat hard for you to endure The valorous young man with a skip was on foote verie desirous to know who this olde man was which knew so much of his life Hee had hardly set his féete to the ground when the olde man with his armes displayed in his owne likenesse of Gualtenor came to imbrace him saying Doe not thinke my beloued sonne that I take so little care for your contentment but that I procure it more effectually then if it were for my selfe and séeing I perceiue your desire to returne into Grecia â—and the disgrace wherein you are with your Mistresse and the néede that there is of your helpe I haue enforced my selfe to come to yéeld remedie to all aduertising you first to the end that you may with contentment endure this long warre that if you loue you are beloued in good earnest and with the soule but the high heauens haue so ordained that you shall not liue assured from this vntill that these warlike hands haue shed the bloud of that person whome you best loue in the world your sorrowes being then grown to the highest which you shall not be able to passe and then will come the ioy which you desire which your destinies haue prepared for you the most acceptable in the world and because you shall goe vnknowne I haue brought you here certaine armours which I began to forge long before you were borne and onely against this warre they are such as no other Master is worthie thereof but the Prince of the two Empires there are onely three which equall them in value for that that the temper of them all was giuen vnder one planet with these and this Iewell you may goe in
whéeling about he threw him downe néere vnto a great bowle wherevpon he set his hand thinking to kneele vpoÌ„ the Sauage but before he could doeâ—t there was heard the greatest noyse that euer was heard in the world a thousand visions comming out of the Towre appeared to those which were in the court the skyes were daâ—kened and there was such lightning that made the most couragious hartily afrayd and much more the Ladies which being from their gallants gaue a thousand seriches for feare after this earthquake which séemed as though heauen and earth should haue come together In the towre was heard the most swéet and best tuned musicke in the world it séemed to theÌ„ a thing come from heauen none were discomforted but such as were wounded with loue for to those onely comfort may be giuen by those which bereaue it And but that the great Lirgandeo did recomfort the Quéene of Lira assuring her of the Princes health and safetie telling her that it was not conuenient that they should so soone meet without doubt this heauenly musicke had bene lothsome and but for that aduertisement shée had gone to seeke him for shée could not forbeare to lament his absence This swéete harmony did no lesse recomfort the warlike yong man for therewith he thought as in déed it was true that he was whole and cured of his hurts and beholding with whom he had wrestled wondring to sée himselfe armed and sound he perceyued that he was in the armes of a very fayre Lady with a Quéenes crowne vpon her head euery body knew that it was Quéene Iulia who taking the yong man by the hand sayd vnto him Come with me valorous Prince and thou shalt sée a reward worthy thy great valour as well kept as you haue séene He could giue her no answere imagining that it was some enchantmeÌ„t but followed her and entring into a rich square roome two statues which stood at the doore casting flowers vpoÌ„ the Gréekes head at his entring bowed downe saying The long wished for Claramante of Gréece is welcome for with his coÌ„ming are ended the troubles and anguishes of her whoÌ„ he most dearely loued who although she were ill requited yet seing her liberty gotten by so great valour the iniury which she hath endured may be accouÌ„ted happines As the Gréeke came into the hall he was rauished of his wits to sée the strange pictures curious workmaÌ„ship he staied a while to coÌ„sider of the loue which that Princesse had borne the Gréeke prince and the faith which shée had sacrificed vnto him and seeing how desolate he had left her it extreemely grâ—ued him he being a man as Gualteâ—â—r sayth who tooke excéeding compassion of â—adyes would fayne know that Knight which was so ingratefull and challenge him for it But the Quéene put him from it because that the gallant Lindabrides was come whom arâ—â—yled to see that Knight in her walke where â—uer any bodie had bene The Queene sâ—ept forwardes and saâ—e Soueraigne princesse of the Scythians receiue here the Knight whom the heauens haue prouided for you in place of the ingratefull Alphebo It was long since that Lindabrideâ— had seene him yet she presently knew him to be the youth Claramante whom she dearely loued for the great resemblance betwéene him and Alphebo and her loue being now well cooled she presently affected him being of opinion that hee onely was the man who next after his brother did worthily deserue her beautie The free young man escaped no better for neither his valiant heart neither Theâ—â—us armes which had preserued him from so many dangers could defend him from the wounds and fyre wherewith loue tormenteth his vassals for beholding the rare beautie of the Scythyan princesse and her gracious countenance with the grauitie of her most fayre face he thought that there was nothing els to be desired in the world nor other contentment but to loue her for he was ready to giue vp his Ghost when hée left to looke vpon her The gracious Princesse answered Quéene Iulia saying I will not receiue this Knight deeâ—e Iulia so much because that the heauens haue sent him for my comfort as for the generositie wherewith with the hazard of his life putting it into infinite dangers he hath procured my libertie making me so much beholding vnto him so as except I shal employ the same in that which may yéeld him content all other requitall is vnworthy of the name for what I receiue admitteth no comparison This most worthie Princesse sufficeth answered the amorous yong man althoughâ— had aduentured farre greater dangers for I was bounden to doe it for your beauties sake withâ—ut â—eipe â—ing the deeds but the desire erthe soule wherefore I pray you kneeling downe before her giue me your faire hands to pay the 〈◊〉 which all the world oweth them and withall receiue mee for a knight so doe you seruice which shall aduance â—â—e to the higheir degree that fortune is able to giue me He could â—â—y no more for beholding her neither could she make any answere for loue had so wounded them that they were speechlesse leauing to the eies the imaginations of the heart But hauing recouered her speech beholding the Princes goodly proportion considering his valour and what hee had 〈◊〉 for her shee tooke him vp by the armes saying â—here is no reason valorous Prince to giue my hand to him who hath so good of his owne which haue set at libertie the most sorrowfull Damsell of the world as for the rest I would not shew any token of ingratitude but to my soule I haue had so costly experience for you so much resembling the Knight which was went to bee called Alphebo that I am afraid and not without reason you will resemble him in all and being so I should but doe you wrong to giue you occasion to shew your selfe inconstant I would Soueraigne Princesse answered the tender-hearted Prince that I were not so neere of kinne as I thinke I am to that Knight to make him know his vnthankefulnesse for it is a sufficient defect in mee not to know what I sée and nothing in the world can assure mee to hope for any good but from this hand Herewith answered Quéene Iulia I will be shee noble Prince which shal inbute this â—orthy Princesse to accept you for hers and I will be â—â—â—â—tie to you for her and to her that you shall bee thankefull The gallant 〈◊〉 â—abrides graunted what the Gréeke required and 〈◊〉 shâ—e could not doe for anything to beâ— wished for Loue had made her wholy tributary to the Greekes beautie hee kist her hands with so great contentment to them both that if hee thought that he spedde well she accounted her selfe happy to be beloued by him There was neuer heard sweeter musicke vpon the earth neither better consorted then they heard when shee made an ende of entertaining him Although that those which stood thereby in the Tower did sée what past yet they heard not
yet the next day he met with theÌ„ but first the Ladies which gréedie to let them know their valour tooke such order that the next day by nine of the clocke they saw them descending towards the sea-shore for Bembo desirous to know the nomber of his enemies had taken that way whereaâ— the Ladies greatly reioyced especially Rosamundi who spurring her horse sayâ— Follow me valorous Ladies for I know the country for I haue bene a hunting heere and I will be first with them which will make them beléeue that we are but newly landed They all consented which no lâ—sse desired it then she although their horses were tyred yet within an houre they came to the sea side the fayre Rosamundi came mounted vpon her beloued Don Helenoes horse and Archisilora vpon Corneâ—ino which was Rosabels the gallant Sarmacia did not chuse the worst for the light vpon Aristoldoes a better no man had in the world the Princes were nothing grieued withall but were rather glad séeing they should be in the more safetie there they stayed some what to repose them and to put their horses in breath all the Ladies gaue Rosamundi the hand not for that they did acknowledge any preeminence for they would not haue yéelded any to Mars himselfe but for that they held her most wronged for her swéet hearts defiance pulling downe their beauers and brandishing their great lances they went into a pleasant gréene medow where they tried what was in their horses charging on the one side then on the other with a better grace then Mars himselfe could haue done Claridiana heartily laughing said I say considering well gallant Ladies wherefore wee come wee shall doe these Barbarians too much fauour notwithstanding that they die through our hands Well said Sarmatia though wee shew them this fauour I am of opinion our gallants will not be offended withal rather to giue them so honourable a death is to anger them that shall know it said Archisilora let eche of vs apart shew what our Armes are able to doe said the faire Rosamundi that if hereafter those which shall heare thereof be desirous to make triall they may come into Grecia for they which now can giue it may hereafter procure it In this maner the foure pillars of strength and beautie rode discoursing when euen hard at hand they discouered the seuen Knights who séeing them as they were in their enemies Countrey presently armed theÌ„selues not knowing what they would they chanced to méet in the middest of a great beaten way where Rosamundi being somewhat before the rest said as you shall heare in the other Chapter CHAP. X. Of the bloody cruell Iusts betweene the Ladies and the Romane Ambassadours and of the comming of Claridiano and the gentle Claramante and what followed IT is a common opinion among wise and discréet men most noble Lord that courtesie is the most commendable part of a man and which doth most adorne his person aduance his valour and which doth most auoid dangers fruitlesse contentions whereof we haue an example in hand which béeing wanting in Coriandro in the presence of so many so worthy Princes it was the occasioÌ„ of al the strife which followed all happening athwart vnto him for the Ladies beeing stung therewith determined to pursue them before they should returne to Rome to teach them how to behaue themselues before Princes and so the faire Ladie thinking with her selfe that she stayed too long set her selfe in the middest of the way and said Sir Knights the commandement giuen vs by the Dames which remaine vpon the Stronds side to iust with all thâ—se which we shal méet for their beauties to be the greatest and most rare in the world doth hold vs blamelesse for presuming to desire it of such Knights as you whome Mars would not dare to encounter Shée did so dissemble and that with such courtesie that it tooke away all occasion from them to suspect them although that without it the fiue did assure them selues nothing imagining that there had béene any women in Grecia which bare armes and that that which they heard at the Court was but a iest and so the braue Coriandro gently answered holding himselfe sufficient to haue ouercome all the foure Because Sir Knights you shall accomplish the commaund of the Ladies we accept thereof vpon condition that whosoeuer shal lose the Saddle at the encounter shall not desire to come to fight with the sword you requiring this condition shall not thinke it much that we desire another in our behalfe which is that whosoeuer shall fall shall lose his shield for there is nothing wherewith the Ladies are better pleased then to see their beauties so well defended bringing for testimonie thereof the aduersaries armes All quoth one of the Giants shall bee as you will haue it for remaining without the shields it shall bee no great matter to make you beholding to vs for our good déeds Without making any answere the gallant Rosamundi turned the furious Tirian who came more swift then the Sunne beames betwéene the clouds I would to God worthy Ladies séeing this matter concerneth you that you would assist my slow hand with some new fauours which would furnish meanes to make the matter the more easie to recount the best iusts that euer were in the world for comming to encounter with a full carreere with greater noyse then the swelling Seas make beating the miserable Ships against the high Rockes they brake their Launces as if they had beene little Réedes but before it was done the Pagan who assured himselfe of the victorie smote the Ladie in the middest of the white brest with so great force that hee strake her sencelesse out of the Saddle but fortune was much her friend and durst doe no other for shée set her hand on the pummell of the Saddle where shée held fast till shée recouered breath and therewith the Saddle wondering at the strong encounter Hers was no lesse to be noted for shée smiting the braue Pagan with such force that before that her Launce brake shee laide him on the greene field falling with such disgrace vpon his head that he remained sencelesse with the blow Well may you imagine gallant Dames whether the thrée faire Ladies were well pleased with the good beginning which the Princesse had made shée stoode with a better grace beholding the fierce Pagan then can bee spoken making her aduersaries to make more accompt of her then of Mars himselfe for being mounted vpon so good a horse and so gallantly armed neuer had any a better presence then she shee commanded the Squire for they all foure had but one to take away the Moores shield Presently commeth forth the gallant Archisilora giuing no lesse hope of her valour then Rosamundi had done one of the foure Gyants confronted her it did nothing moue her to sée him so great as a well growne Pine trée but rather praying the Heauens to fauour her in this encounter
she ran with her Courser more swift then a starre falling betwéene the cloudes there were those which bare record of this encounter for the gods of the woods leauing their habitation with their Nimphes and Tritons came into the gréene field at the very instant that that famous Quéene made the brauest encounter that euer was séene in Gréece for hitting the Pagan in the middest of the strong shield it auailed him not that it was of stéele neither the doubles which it had for through it and the brest-plate being a handfull thicke it past cléere yeelding an armes length of the launce thorough his beastly shoulders the swiftnesse wherewith her Courser came made him to misse the shocke shée past forwards with so good a grace as would haue intangled Mars the countenaÌ„ce of Archisilora onely was sufficient to haue made him to yéeld his soule captiuâ— and to make the god of Loue himselfe in loue to behold her Shée returned and with a soft pace came to the Ladies which were very glad of the good encounter which shée had made onely she wished that her Gréeke louer had bene there The valorous Empresse of Trapisonda would stay no longer but mounting vpon Cornerino her horse came sorth as swift as an arrowe which is shot by a nimble Sorian at a certaine marke she did nothing enuie the last encounters for although that in that which she receyued she lost one of her stirrops yet that which she gaue was so rigorous that shée therewith sent the Giant to the ground wounded in his brest and but that her launce brake not striking somewhat acrosse it had cost him his life The two famous warriours Bembo and the great Brauorante séeing the valour which the thrée had shewen and the signes that the fourth had giuen to be no lesse then the rest it was euen so as they imagined for the faire Sarmatia with her furious horse charged the third Gyant with such force and doxteritie that shee laid him though it much grieued him in the gréene field forth shee rode and recouered both her stirrops which in the encounter she had lost forwards went the gallant Rosamundi hauing taken vp the dead Gyants launce and said vnto those which remained on horsebacke I would very gladly Sir Knights that wee were in number equall vnto you to the end that with equalitie the Iusts might haue béene ended But now me thinketh that you séeking reuenge for that which is done to your companions we beeing but foure of force you must beginne againe with me The last Gyant which was the most valiant of al made no longer delay but whorling a ships mast which he bare in stead of a launce about his head tooke his carriere against the Ladie she gaue spurres to her horse as swift as thought encountred the Pagan and did better this time then the last for his strong plancks of stéele could nothing profite him but that shee smote him cleane thorow from side to side the horses came to the shocke and made greater noise then if two rocks had met but as the Ladies horse had not his like in that land so he ouerthrew the Gyant horse and man spreading them vpon the gréene field and her horse set him on his buttocks being vnable to goe any further The valorous Dame fearing some ill successe as light as an Eagle leapt to the ground séeing her good horse recouer with another iumpe shee leapt into her saddle The most strong Pagan Brauorante blaspheming against heauen would haue taken his course when the Ladie said vnto him Hold Sir Knight for there is time enough for our encounter for I would speake with this Knight in the gréene skarfe pointing to Coriandro which was the man whom she had ouerthrowne who hauing recouered breath was mounted on horsebacke but without speare or shield The like had the other two Giants done to whom the Ladie said I am very sory Sir Knight for your ill hap but I was more sory to sée the few maners which you shewed in Grecia for you should haue had more respect to the great princes which were in the hall wherein you grieued many Ladies being in your prowd behauiour farre more arrogant then valiant if that might not haue moued you it had bene sufficient for you to haue noted the courtesie and good carriage of these Knights in the blacke who made shew to be hartily sory for your prowd demeanour which deserued that reuenge which you now haue experimented and because you may sée the hands which haue wrought it and may say the in Grecia as Knights vse Iusts and Tournaments so like wise Ladies also séeke reuenge which peraduenture may serue for a warning for you Romanes that they come with lesse pride then their Ambassadours haue done and so although your pride deserue it not yet we will do you this fauour to tell you who we are to the end that being well assured you may be glad to haue left your armes in the kéeping of such ladies together with your honor at that instant they tooke off their caskes appearing by reasoÌ„ of the heate of their encouÌ„ters sarâ—e more faire theÌ„ Apollo in the midst of his iourny because you may vnderstaÌ„d Knights said the Lady that in Gréece there is no misse of gallants to serue Ladies yet there is not so great néed of their Armes but the the heauens haue imparted some valour among the Ladies so as they may make some chaleÌ„ge thereto and as for you valorous Knights hauing no occasion but what these Knights haue giueÌ„ we refuse to iust with you doubting to lose therin what we herein haue gotteÌ„ Neuer a one of those which were ouercome could answere thei were so asham'd holding it the greatest disgrace that could happeÌ„ to be ouerthrown by the hands of teÌ„der delicate Ladies Bembo steps forth with a grace being in a maze said Ualorous dames this Knight and I were very sorry for the displeasure which is taken through that which these Knights sayd although being sent they might be somewhat excused if excuse may be admitted for errour committed against such beautie But it séemeth as it doth appeare that who can so well take offence can as well take reuenge without néed of any offer to be made by any your gallants against whom rather then against your daintinesse the challenge was made But it is past in such sort that you rest reuenged making vs beeing bounden vnto you for your courtesie to giue ouer the right which we had to the Iusts for your chalenge was to all That which you do valorous Knight is not of so small account but may deserue requitall at our hands which shall be to leaue vs in greater doubt then before The famous Prince would haue answered when as not farre from them there came along by a woods side the â—lower of all humane valour Claridiano and Claramante who as I haue said before hauing receyued the rich armes of his
you in any thing that shall please you Ah Claridiano said the gallant young man to himselfe if the Ladie knowing thée had said this what paine could there be which should not bee pleasing what displeasure could the heauens doe me which here with might not bee made tolerable And herewith faining that shée said so brandishing his cruell weapon hee assaulted his enemie It was in good time for he found in an ill taking her who had borne him in the middest of her intrailes for the furious Brauorante at the verie instant of his arriuall with a blow had made her set her hands to the ground and was about to haue giuen her another when the braue Gréeke stopt his passage reaching him a far off such a knocke with Theseus battel-axe that made him runne faster backwards then he came forwards Let your Soueraigne greatnesse hold your selfe aloofe off valorous Empresse of Trabisonda said her dearely beloued sonne for it is not reasonable that to hands so generous should happen any disgrace The Ladie wondered to sée that shée was knowne by that Knight and imagining that it was some of her kindred shée assailed the Giant which had falne to the ground with whome shée returned to a most cruell battell but it lasted not long quenching the same with the death of the Giant Alone remained Claridiano Claramante and the gallant Rosamundi against Bembo Brauorante and the furious Coriandro whose fight O Muses of Pernassus that a man might dip his pen in the fountain of your sacred liquor for much more doe these fixe most rare in valour deserue they fell out of order for against Rosamundi the Achaian addressed himselfe and Brauorante against the braue sonne of Trebatius with Claridiano happened the wounded Coriandro which yet with mortall wounds prolonged his fortune There was no fight to be séene like to Rosamundies for although that she were not equall in force to the fierce Pagan yet her rich and faire Armes in all supplied that want for against the edge of her rich sword no armour nor enchauntment could auaile for shee neuer gaue Bembo any blow which did not pare away his harnesse together with his brawny flesh The Moore was wonderfully amazed to sée his armour so torne knowing that shée which fought with him was but a gallant Ladie a thousand times would he haue withdrawne himselfe from her accompting it a base thing to wage battell against her but shée did so anger him with the often blowes which shée gaue him that treading all vnder foote he began to defend himselfe and to offend the Ladie giuing her such sound knockes that but that shée tooke them vpon Semiramis armour without doubt he had dealt but hardly with her but if she took any blowes it was to the greater dammage of the Pagan which gaue them for shée charging and retiring as nymble and quicke as an Eagle made the victorie very doubtfull and oftentimes brought it to that passe that it plainely appeared to be hers shee was so furious The battell betwéene Brauorante and Claramante deserueth a Romane Theater for eche of them knowing his enemies force they began to make benefite of their agilitie which was such and employed in so good season that neither of them could fasten a full blow but hee which tooke any vpon his armour it made his flesh blacke and blew and brought him to the ground vpon his knées Unequall was the battell betwéene Claridiano and Coriandro for as he wanted both breath and blood his ouerthrow did plainely appeare or his certaine death at the instant that Archisiloraes Louer ended the battell hitting him so hard vpon his shield that it nothing auailed him to be of fine and well tempered stéele but that he smote it in two pieces sorely wounding him in the head comming to the ground vpon all foure and yet he was ashamed being in choler and before his Ladie holding it but for a small blow who hauing a thousand amorous suspicions in her head she stood reioycing in his valour vnable to perswade her selfe that it should be any other then he whom she loued with her soule but comming to shew him any fauour her grauitie was such that she resolued rather to die then to shew any such lightnesse this cost her so deare that it made her to shedde bloody teares The thrée pillars of humane fortitude arriued when the Gréeke drew néere vnto the place where Rosamundi with Bembo were together by the eares if néede required to ayd her They were no lesse then Don Heleno of Dacia the faire Rosabel and his friend the Captaine Generall Aristoldo who hearing the noyse of the battell came as hard as their horses could runne The Dacian presently alighted and with his sword drawne went directly to Bembo thinking that his Lady was ouermatched forbare not séeing the Gréeke Prince to do the like but rather ouercome with furie thinking that he had meant to haue strikē her as he made great haste he cried vnto him saying Hold thée vncourteous Knight for this villany shall cost thée thy life The Gréeke would scarsely haue taken these words at his owne fathers hands he gaue no answere but florishing his axe about his head with such courage that he made thē al to wōder he was so quick in deliuering his blow that Archisilora knowing that it was the Dacian could not put her selfe betwéene them before that the furious young man had striken him with the axe on the toppe of the Helmet Brutus his Armes stood him in good stead for otherwise from the head to the foot his axe had split him and notwithstanding he made him to goe thrée or foure steps backewards being ready to fall he followed him with a thrust there was neuer a better giuen in all these battels for hitting him on the one side of the brest he brake all the buckles and within a little disarmed him making him set one knée to the ground to stay him vp Hee againe lifted vp his terrible axe but not with such dexteritie as his Uncle would haue done for being long in bringing the blow about his head he gaue place to the Dacian to close with him with such force that he lifted him from ground and with a little more had ouerthrowne him The Gréeke was constrained to let goe his axe the better to vse his hands O you Princes which delight in armes I would haue béene glad to haue séene you at this wrestling for neither wearinesse did any way cause the Gréeke to shew himself to be any other then he was wont to be and the Dacian was so blinded with choler that he dealt not herein with such discretiō as was requisite The maner how they gyrded one another the gronings they made their sometimes clasping their bodies sometimes parting asunder then crossing their legges was such as no tongue is able to declare for if the Dacian be strong the Gréeke is no lesse Giue eare Ladies for there is no reason that this
wrestling should passe in obliuion without witnesses and these which came were no lesse theÌ„ the most mighty Alphebus the two pillers of fortitude brought him betwéene them Bramidoro and Brandafidel with the gentle Tirifeo of the other part came Torismundo the braue Lord of Spaine with his sonne and his valiant brother in law they mist not the venturous Zoilo with the beloued Lisart and the Prince of Argentaria so as a man may well say there was at that méeting the best and most tryed company that was in the vniuersall world All this comming could not cause them to giue ouer the battell for the Dacian séeing his Ladie in danger it made him draw new forces euen out of his wearines and to giue the aduersarie worke inough to doe who condemned himselfe of cowardise to suffer one Knight to vse him so in the presence of his father and other friends They were both out of breath and they could not continue and maintaine their obstinate fight but the one thrust the other a great way off from him the Gréeke fell downe hard by where Rosamundi stood and where hee had left his battell axe he tooke it vp and with a wonderfull readinesse hee made towardes the Dacian but before that he was come néere him Archisilora stept betwéene them saying Hold you out Knight in the yellow for the Prince of Dacia is not a Knight with whoÌ„ this battel may be suffred to be ended The Greeke stayed vpon his Ladies words and then knew the valorous Dacian for he had no desire to do ought but what might please his Queen But the noise of a most fierce blow which Bembo gaue the Lady suffred him neither to giue any answere neither to procéed forwards The fierce Claridiano turned about as malicious as a serpent to see his faire Ladie on the ground vpon her knées and had somewhat lost her senses and that the Pagan forgetting from whom hee came would haue closed with her There is no Pard that more lightly rampeth after his pray theÌ„ the Gréeke did to defend her he came in good time for before that his sword alighted on her he reacht him a blow on one side of the helmet with his axe and made him fall on his hands and his axe pierce his target smiting him with both his hands standing on his left foot againe smote him a full blow on the brest and made him with greater haste then he would withdraw himselfe three or foure paces from the Ladie the which free from danger hauing bene busied with him had not perceyued the people which shee there beheld vntill shee was about to assaile her aduersary her husband slept before her saying Shall I neuer deare Lady leaue to haue cause to complaine of your crueltie sith comming to so apparant danger you would not bée defeÌ„ded by him which was borne to loue youe These Ladies good Sir are in the fault which alone desired to take vengeance on the Romanes which is done in such sort that those which remaine shall haue whereof to talke of the Gréeke Ladies In fewe words shée told him what had past and how they had ouercome theÌ„ in the Iusâ—s and of the death of the two Giants and of the comming of Claramante with the other Knight more furious then a Lion and how they had waged battaile with those in that black to whose ayd came the rest which there remayned rouÌ„d about had that famous company compassed those famous warriours whole battaile seemed to Mars to be but new begun according to the dexterity wherewith they charged and the quicke retiring of them all foure The battaile-axe seemed somewhat trouble some to the Gréeke in a priuate battell chiefly because he had neuer bene vsed thereto wherefore pitching the blunt end thereof into the ground he left it for a testimony of the owners valour and so drawing out his good sword with his shield in his hand he assayled the mighty Bembo O Apollo I would thou wouldest recite this battaile which made all men to wonder for the dexteritie of them both was without comparison they were both wel breathed by reason of their long exercise in armes and for that cause hastening their mighty blowes so thicke that it séemed to them which saw them not that Vulcans Forge was thereabouts for according to the noyse it was to bee thought there had bene a great many of Knights to the close came these two most rare men at armes with their swords aloft But that warre lasted but little for both fell which was a meane much to prolong the battell in that maner and so againe entring with their left féete forwards and their swords in both hands they made hard Anuils of their Helmets There was neuer particular battaile in the world better fought for eche of them both was the flower of his Nation and exercised in the Arte as well of Loue as in this wherein no man excelled them no not loue it selfe nor Mars The Moore had the worse by reason of the Christians good Armes but supplied that with his strength giuing and taking blowes which would haue beateÌ„ a rock to péeces The Gréeke would play the fencer thinking with a thrust to haue striken his aduersarie in the face but hee had not well fastned his blow when the Moore soundly gaue him a knocke on the top of the Helmet he tooke him at vnawares and so the blow lighted so much the heauier made him set one of his knées to the ground and in that warde he stood to sée if he would second his blow which had lifted vp his sword but the young man would not attend the weight wherewith it came but with a iumpe standing on his féete he let slip the blow on one side leauing the Moore deceiued who gaue so fierce a blow that it turned him round about smote the one halfe of his sword into the hard floore Upon the armes the nephew of the great Trebatius gaue him a great blow he was much distressed being assured that hee should lose his sword breaking the little chaine with a skippe hee turned about for in agilitie no man excelled him and if the Gréeke had not the better looked vnto it the like had happened vnto himselfe But seeing the Pagan giue way he let slippe one hand to weaken the blow hee stayed but little herein but it was enough for the nimble Pagan who like an Eagle séeing his sword was lost he suddenly tooke vp the Axe wherewith he was a second Mars In many dayes before he had not receiued the like contentment as in séeing that in his hands assuring himselfe now of the victorie he now made roome in the spacious gréene field All men knew him to bee verie expert with that kind of weapon many were sorie for it but hee whome it touched euen at the verie soule was Archisiloraes louer who framed a thousand complaints against himselfe calling himselfe coward séeing that so retchlesly he had committed so
great a fault I doe not deserue said that grieued Prince to loue such a Ladie as this who is iudge of my basenesse I haue iustly lost her fauour séeing that in her presence I was not able to defend those weapons which were none of mine Gualtenor could not end this battell without a new Chapter presupposing that he should wel ease them both of their paine with forbearing a little CHAP. XII Of the end of this cruell battell and how the Greekes returned to their Citie and of what happened vnto them vpon the way HEctor was not so much grieued with the cruell wound giuen him by the Greeke Prince for that it was by his hands alone as Claridiano was to sée himselfe vnfurnished of one of his weapons not onely for losing it but that it happened in the presence of his parents when it had béene requisite to haue shewed all his valour rather then in any other part The sight of the faire Quéene was to him as sauce for his choler tempering the same in such sorte that it made him to fall into conceite with himselfe how he might recouer the lost Battel-axe and so like a cruel Pard he would haue closed with the Moore but hee met with the point of the axe his shield was no sufficieÌ„t defence to ward the blow but that it passed cleane thorow This did more grieue the Gréeke then if hee had in a maner felt the fine temper thereof in his flesh he remembred that there was no enchantment that could resist the edge thereof the Pagan doubled his blow but before that he could fasten it hee was gotten so néere vnto him that he seized his armes vpon him and finding no resisting within a little he had ouerthrowne him and lifted him aloft from ground The Lord of Achaia was in some doubt and thought with him that it were better againe to lose the gotten battell-axe then the victorie and so letting it goe hee did vse such force vpon the yong mans shoulders that he made him in despite of him to stay with his burthen and gaue him place to take footing on the ground he resembled the Sunne of the earth in recouering againe his strength againe getting that which hee before had lost the Gréeke being vnable to hinder the same notwithstanding that he sweat droppes of blood This battell made them that were present so much to wonder that they tooke no héede to that which passed betwéene Claramante and the Scythian Moore who were so fierce that they séemed to beginne the battell anew Claramante was sory that he had not begun with the axe imagining that by this time he had made an end thereof yet notwithstanding when he hit him a fall blow he made him to shake like an Aspin leafe vpon the trée when the Southwest wind bloweth They were both very desirous to end the battell for it was aboue sixe houres since it beganne and both together gaue so mightie blowes that they both set their hands to the ground there was little difference in their skill But as occasion serued the Gréeke was more nimble in assayling then the other and so raysing him with a thought before that the Pagan could recouer his ward he gaue him so cruell a blowe vpon his great crest that hee made him to goe crosselegd and ready to fall hee set his right foote forward and with a strong thrust hee hit him on the brest striking him almost out of breath Through the noyse which they made which beheld this battaile hee turned about his head and séeing that those which had wrestled were come to that ground where they were he suddenly drew neere and would not strike the Pagan which all men thought much of By this time was the valiant Brauorante come blaspheming against the heauens seeing that he neuer proued Knight in Gréece that did not put him in doubt of the battaile in approching he suddenly gaue him a knocke crosse the helme which made him goe on one side not with the good grace which the place required where were so many beholders hee turned against the Pagan and being so néere that they could not strike they closed Claridiano was so néere to the battell-are that strugling with Bembo hee might haue layd hands thereon and taking footing hee rose finding himselfe hard by his Uncle for these warriours were sometime aloft sometime vnder The Achaian gaue him not so much leasure who hauing recouered his sword came towards the Gréeke he went to encounter him beginning the battell anew Those which stood by had no time to talke fearing that in shutting their eyes they might lose the sight of some notable action worthy eternall memory By this time would the carefull Louer impart his light vnto the Antipodes hiding it from our world leauing to vs that which his sister gaue when the foure warriours being the flowre of Armes and brauery were most earnest sometime the Gréeke seemed to haue the aduantage but it was so little and laâ—ted so small a time that no man could say to whether party it would incline In like maner was it betwéene Brauorante Lindabrides her new louer But they all stood expecting the issue when the heauens began to lighten to giue such terrible thunderclaps that no man there present could deny that he was afeard all was darkened and nothing to be séene but flashes of lightning which put great feare in those valiant Knights which beheld the battell no man was able to stirre from the place where the Earthquake had brought him for any thing that hee was able to doe Some visions appeared to them which fought the battell and as those clouds were past the skies remained cleare the Sun yet shewing some fayre streames as a certaine token of his departure All alone remained they which had fought the battell onely excepting Bembo and Brauorante with the wounded Coriandro which Lupertius had carried away because that the Romane shippes being arriued at Niquea had great néede of their presence Gualtenor saith that being fearefull of some ill successe he made that enchantment to carie away his Bembo and sought by all meanes to haue done the like by the Battel-axe had not Claridiano seized vppon it out of whose hande he could not get it by reason of the vertue of the rich Iewell which was of the greatest antiquitie of any that he knew No griefe can bee compared to that which Bembo and Brauorance conceiued seeing themselues set in Niquea for it seemed to them that they had farre the better of the battell which was the cause of their sorrow they made a thousand complaints of the wizard who by all meanes sought to appease them telling them the truth of the cause for which hee brought them away which did somewhat appease them and promising them that he would set them in Gréece in a place where no body should part the battell This is verie little in respect of that which Brundusio felt when hee vnderstoode what had
Giants payd for it who were so waighty that they could not make such haste and so death ouertooke them before they could come to the sight of Grecia One of the best ships in the whole nauy was lost There was no lesse to doe where the three lights of Knighthood Claramante Archisilora and the disguised young Knight with the Captaine generall by land were fighting The braue Souldan of Egypt fell to their lot but to his losse for against the furie of those foure Princes there was no force or temper of any Armour was able to resist for before he could put himselfe in readinesse they had ouercome him and had wholly ended it if that foure Gallies had not with full sayles come to the rescue of their Prince and with all this presuming vpon the aide of the Gyants hee placed himselfe neere the boord where he assaied to shew his force to his enemies His youthfull resolution lasted but a while for his gard of Gyants little auailed him neither his fierce Cousin which stoode by his side whome Claramante suddenly with a knocke with his Battel-axe bereaued of his life for taking him on the toppe of his Helmet the sharpe edge of of his Battel-axe descended downe to his brest This terrible blow strooke a cold sweat into all the Gallies which came to his aide The warlike Causelio as angrie as a waspe taking the Souldans part would needes be reuenged who in the Empire was the next that succéeded the dead Souldan Fortune was heere fauourable vnto him reseruing him for greater daungers for although hee fell into the handes of Claridiano yet he could not although hee procured it accompanie his honourable Cousin in his death but yet hee was stretcht out vpon the Hatches mortally wounded very neere vnto the death hee would haue leapt aboord her crying Grecia and had done it and gotâ—en the Galley â—ad not there come in his necke a mightie Galeâ—n to rescue the wounded youth Herein did the Gréeke execute his rage for in despight of those which came therein he leapt aboord and presently the thrée which followed him The fight in no place in all the whole armie was more cruell then aboord this Galley neither were there halâ—e so many â—laine men found elsewhere in that battel for if these foure met but with neuer so little resistance they redoubled their valour To the losse of many liues they gat the Standard iust at the instant when Don Heleno assailed the Admirall of the Romanes for he had long béene about it The furious Lady aduanced her selfe forwards being verie angrie for the defiance which they had sent her husband The first that was met was the strong Brundusio who séeing the armes of Dacia wauing in the maine top hee presently imagined what it was and to be that which he desired hee made all haste with his Galley to come aboord the mightie Dacian The Moores Galley came manned with so good Knights and so warlike and mightie Giants that here the battell was most obstinately maintained The warlike Pagan fell into the Ladies hands with whome shée began such a stur and with such valour as made them all to wonder shée had the aduantage aboue all that followed the warres for there was not a blow that shée gaue but did cut their armours cleane thorowe and most commonly the flesh withall By reason heereof the Pagan notwithstanding that he were knowne to bee one of the most strong and valiant in the army yet was hee so hardly be set by his aduersaries that hee was bathed all ouer in his owne bloud but that was not sufficient to make him giue backe neither was there in him any point of cowardize but deferring his cruell destinie be fought like a valiant Captaine The Dacian his Galley was in great danger for there were foure which at once with full sayles charged him on all sides I beléeue it was to the ende that he should the more shew his valor for redoubling his deadly blowes there was nothing worth the looking after but he and his faire Ladie They deuided themselues ayding those which were in greatest distresse The high minded Spaniard was none of those which did worst for both hee and his sonne made good shewe of the strength of their armes wading almost to the middles baâ—hed in Turkish blood notwithstanding all this they had hardly escaped but that the warlike Zoilus came to their â—id with his squadron of Galeons appointed onely to yéeld assistance where greatest néed required hee came in hurling so much artificiall fire and that with such swiftnesse that hee thereby rescued the beaten Galley which beeing therewith lightened charged so the Romane Admirall that they had almost taken her when the warlike Lindauro arriued whom the Dacian deadly hated he set the Romane at libertie but not with such ease but that hee first had some taste of his enemies valour There was a huge noise in that squadron wherein the mightie Alphebus was in company with his Claridiana and of the Troiane Oristides and his faire Sarmatia which was that hauing aduentured far coueting to take the Admirall of Niquea they were enclosed with aboue twentie Gallies holding them in such danger that if there had not béene therein such people as there were they had without doubt béen taken but the most strong Lisarte with his daintie sonne kept all the one side which did some what appease the battell There were neuer séene more cruell blowes then were giuen here for the mightie Emperour holding his valour for nothing worth to sée himself so compassed about gaue neuer a blow which bereaued not some one of his life so as the Sea was full of dead carkasses the enemies were so many that they neuer mist ten or an hundred for presently there came so many fresh men in their places and of ours neuer a one they had now no hope to depart from thence for it séemed impossible séeing their great valor to do that which they intended which was to take their Standerd Afresh came the furious Knight of Epire who was accounted for one of the most famous he was much in loue with the faire Lisiana wherefore his doings were to be noted he came in a very high carued ship he thought to haue caried all at the first charge but he found such company within boord as was the flower of Cheualrie who came to ioyne with the louing Moore before that he could take footing as a valiant man for indéed he was one the Emperour Alphebus gaue him so sound a knocke vpon the top of the Helme that he made him set his hands and knées both to the ground he was scarcely risen vpon his féet when with a thrust hee set him faster then apace out of the Galley he would haue followed him had it not béene for feare to abandon his Galley being in such danger there came a Gyant to his owne hurt to séeke reuenge but before that he could discharge one blow Claridiana had left
him armelesse being desirous to hasten his death shée came to the ships side where with a thrust shee pierced him cleane thorow she escaped not so scotfrée but that another smote her on the top of the crest whose good temper gaue her life yet not so but that she set both her hands to the floore the Pagan would haue giuen a second when the warlike Spaniard Don Clarus drew néere cutting both passage and life from the renounced Infidell In many parts they began to crie Uictorie Uictorie but chiefly there where the foure pillars of fortitude Claramante and his companions went who as there waÌ„ted not on whoÌ„ to try their swords so was it a pitifull thing to sée how many they slaughtered No lesse went they ouercomming euery where where the braue Astrutio went encouraging his Souldiers to doe well in hope of the reward which they expected which made the Spanyards draw force out of weaknesse and the most tired to shew himselfe couragious of such force are the spoyles of warre But the enemies were so many and their Ships Gallies so innumerable that they neuer mist any that were wanting for all the care that Bembo going from one part to another nor of the mighty Pagans Brauoranâ—e and Brufaldoro could take were not sufficient but that they gaue ground vpon the water In this conflict the Pagans were very desirous notwithstanding they were mortall enemies to meet with Claramante and his companion fortune here in gaue them their wish for those Princes Galley came where they were that made way wheresoeuer they passed well were they knowne by their Armes the two valiant yong Gallants Claridiano and Claramante whom with his Battell-axe no man would abide so great was the damage that he did therewith And the vnknowne Louer séeing himself in presence of his Lady who tooke pleasure to see him not knowing him for Claridiano it was wonderfull what hee did The foure rare men at Armes of the world séeing one another with an excelleÌ„t grace and terrible boldnes came to ioyne The braue MauritaniaÌ„ fell with Trebatius his nephew at their encounter they gaue together so mighty blowes that they were inforced to receyue them with ordinary curtesie they rose againe and returnd to giue other being assured to receyue the third for they came not to the fourth but that they first saw the starres of the heaueÌ„s in their Helmets Behind theÌ„ as a bird some space was Claramante who brandishing his axe smote the Pagan vpon the rich Helmet more hard theÌ„ Diamant his â—â—xteritie nothing auailed him but that he made him giue two steps backwards with apparant shew of falling hée gaue him a lucky thrust which tooke him on the side of the brest plate barâ—â—way the maâ—les and therewith the flesh that blowe did so much trouble him that the Gréeke had time to leap aboord his Galley and to cry Grecia and for it Uictorie His speaches cost him deare for Brufaldoro returning to it finding him neere at hand and out of order with his leap with all the force that he was able he smote him vpon the rich Helmet he made a thousand sparkles fly out of it and the bloud out at his mouth By this time came Brauorante as fierce as a Basiliske seeing his Galley entred he threw his shield to ground and with both his hands he smote at him a cruell blow The Greeke well saw it coÌ„ming and vnable to shâ—n it he crost it with his strong halbert for if he has stricken him at full he had bene in great danger he smote it backe to his Helmet tormenting him so that he had almost lost his senses With another came Brufaldoro which put him more to his shifts It greatly grieued his Nephew to see what past and although that with his Uncles leap the Galley was put off yet taking his rising in his owne Galley he leapt aboue twentie foote at a iumpe With the force wherewith he came he fell on his knées at Brauorante his feete who was about to fasten another blowe on the warlike young man but séeing him so neere vnto him and knowing him by his Armes he addressed it vnto him discharging with all his power a cruell blow vpon the Gréekeâ— there were but few Knights within boord and those so busied and some wounded that they let these foure proceed in their battell which was wonderfull to behold Claramante let slip no occasion to take reuenge on the Moore who séeing him busied with his Nephew before that the Mauritanian could come at him making roome in the Galley he came at him in such sort with his battel-axe as would haue made Mars afeard The valorous young Gallant mist not of his blowe for striking him with great force on the one side of the Helmet hee made him fall downe vpon his hands to the ground Claridiano closed with him meaning to haue kild him and had done it had not Brufaldoro come so soone who to rescue him was likely to haue lost his owne life for againe striking a downe right blow with his axe the blow lighted on his left shoulder leauing it all disarmed and with a small wound they all betooke them to their weapons where they began a battell worth the seeing for those which fought it were gréedie thereof and angry for former matters which was the occasion that made it farre more cruell The night came so fast on that for all that they could doe they could not end it the Greekes being coÌ„strayned except they would lose themselues to returne to their Galley where they might sée their enemies Nauie burning in a light fire for there comming a fresh gale of wind from the shore it was a fearefull thing to behold the slaughter that there was made if Nero had séene it I beleeue he had séene that which he so much desired The Greeke Nauie was not free from that danger for as there were many Galleyes grappled together the flame tooke hold on them and had done much mischiefe had not the Captaine wisely preuented it casting on much water and with all possible spéed as the case required cutting the grapples and tackling falling off from the fire The enemies vsed the like policie and were forced to take landing much lower then they would haue done hauing lost great part of their Nauies but séeing so great a multitude of people they were recomforted purposing to make amends by land That night and the next day they landed all their people in the Hauen of Hircambela ten miles from Constantinople which they would haue razed but for staying They presently ordred their battels according to Bemboes direction who that night came forth of the Campe accompanied with the best men in the armie with a hundred thousand men of warre to leuell the passages betwéene that and the Citie and to pitch their Tents The victorious Gréekes although with some losse of their Gallyes returned to their Port went ashore there was great ioy made in
the Citie the Emperour much estéemed this course of importance The valorous Astrusio taking his leaue of the Princes with many imbracements returned to the sea setting his hurt men ashore to be cured hee came to the mouth of the Hauen for feare of a tempest verie ioyfull of the victorie the Captaine generall by land séeing his enemies therein began to shew the worthinesse of his person as shall bee declared in the next Chapter CHAP. XV. Of the encounter which the Captaines souldiers had with the enemie about pitching of their Campe. THere is nothing most excellent Prince that giueth the assurance in the wars as discretion that maketh easie that which is most difficult the braue sonne of Sacridoro making benefit thereof ended great battels as shall appeare in this famous and large Historie This famous Captaine was the first man shewing in all things not onely his valour but the excellencie of his wit also for the golden Apollo had scarcely lookt out at his fayre baye window spreading abroad his golden lockes bathed in the Spanish Seas when comming foorth of Constantinople with all his royall Cauallarie hee called the Spaniards and Antiochians to whome for their much experience hee had shewne much affection with him went the flowre of Cheualrie ClaramaÌ„te Claridiano and the faire Archisilora with him also went the warlike Giants Brandafidel Bramidoro and the strong Tifereo Few of the principall but did accompanie the Generall who in few words told them whereabout he went and how much it did import after and séeing in what case the Moore had left him before that he had space to draw his broad sword the Ladie was come and with hers shée suddenly tooke him crosse the Helmet cutting away a great part of the visor and withall made him réele in his Saddle shée holpe him forwards with a thrust so as his thicke armour auailed not for shée hurt him sore in the middest of the brest his bloud gaue testimonie of his dangerous hurt Like one of the wild beastes of Hircania the Paynim set vpon the gallant Ladie who séeing the furie where with he came gathering her selfe vnder her shield for shée had no more roome shée receiued the terrible blow it made the bloud come forth at her eares and to her brest did shée bend downe her head astonished with the blow and but that her dexterity stood her in stead he had striken her againe which had béene no great matter to doe shée was so ill of the last for the Moore was verie strong but reyning her horse shée put her selfe somewhat from him the force of the blow made the strong Pagan to turn about and fall vpon the pummell of his Saddle and his horse being prickt with the Spurres brought him hard by Claridiano who was glad in his soule for a thousand times he was about to leaue the battell to come although there were no néede to aide the Quéene of his life Seeing the good occasion putting the Achaian from him with a verie strong thrust with all his whole power hee smote him vpon the Helme it was a verie fortunate blow for lighting vpon the cannon of the Feathers it pluckt it from his head leauing it disarmed throwing it at his horse héeles and but for feare of the ioyning of the two battels he had followed him for séeing into what case he had broght his Lady it made him deadly angry Then came the Lady pursuing him and séeing what reuenge was taken of him euen enforced thereto to her selfe shée said O flowre of Cheualrie how vniustly doth thy Ladie suffer thée to beare this deuice being worthie to bee beloued by the most excellent I beléeue that but that shée loued Claridiano so extremely shée had sure giuen passage to Cupids forces who sought by a thousand meanes to make her tributarie but shee was so constant in her loue to the Gréeke Prince that the Knight with the Ladies inioyed onely good will shee would requite him for his blow giuing Bembo another with both hands of no lesse force then what of him she had receyued she made him lay his head in his bosome and before that hee againe came to himselfe she gaue the Pagan such a thrust as did much grieue him In this hurry came the Captaine generall and the most strong Mauritanian being some what out of breath for hauing buckled together there mist but a little that the Antiochian had not bene ouercome for the Moore was so strong that few could match him they came before the Greeke who stood beholding his beloued Archisilora and suddenly the Pagan smote the sonne of Oriselua on the side of the Shield it was great hap that he had not stricken it out of his hand and his arme therewithall he made him so dizzie that he could not tell whether he were afoote or on horsebacke he would haue giuen him a second and had stretched out his arme to giue it but the valiant young man opposed himselfe saying Hold thee thou ill taught Pagan know that it is no valour to strike him which cannot defend himselfe He stayd for no answere for in such cases it is excusable but hurling his sword about his head with Mars his strength hee smote him vpon the strong armes which he had lifted vp and made him to lose his blow and also his sword out of his hand which before he could recouer againe hee gaue him another and within a little layd him at his horses féete With the noyse about turneth Claramante who was in a terrible fight with the Scithian neither the one nor other could passe any farther forwards for the two armies came to ioyne with such a noyse that it séemed that the heauens were vnhung and should come downe to the earth with a fayre encounter they repayred wherein aboue twentie thousand lost their saddles It was a fearfull spectacle to see the diuers kinds of deaths which were giuen some falling from their horses were troden to death others being thrust thorow so ended their iournie others séeking reueÌ„ge desired to kill dying As the place was narrow and the people infinite no man lâ—st his saddle that could euer againe recouer it The horses not féeling their riders ran out of the troup leauing any more to trouble the troups At the first charge they lighted on the famous Brundusio who escaping without hurt with a new Helmet would néeds returne to the battell desiring rather to die in coÌ„pany of his Knights then to liue any where else He entred reuenging himselfe vpon that poore people among which he did excâ—eding much hurt Yet the Greekes did as great among them so as some of their Colours began to retire to the passage where they first came into the field but there they found the braue Sacridoro who did not onely stay theÌ„ but made a great slaughter among them so as the Moores were beaten on either side for neither the force of their Captaines neither their great number of people could defend them from
the greatest pleasure that euer fortune did him and set her in her Saddle saying I would not valorous Quéene that your worthie acts should bring you into such danger To ioy in yours warlike Knight it shall bee but well done to séeke it séeing that therewith is purchased the sight of the valour of your arme There was no time to vse many speeches for they were in haste for séeing the enemies on foote no man remained on horsebacke The Greeke with a light leape recouered his horse leauing them all amazed at his doings it was his good hap to be on horsebacke for there came the flowre of Giant-land with great Pine trées in their hands these the Greeke desired to meete and but for leauing his Ladie he had gone to seeke them their huge bodies were clad with planckes of Stéele to meete them went out two with the Princes Brandafidel aduaunced him and gaue a faire blow for hitting one of those fierce Giants on the toppe of his Murrion hee put him out of his remembrance throwing him to ground with a greater noyse then if a great horse had falne his death was not noted for there came so many that there was no place voide although they fell more and more With all this they felt the braue Greeke keepe a stirre and working wonders among them that which Bramidoro did was no lesse worth the sight who had alreadie slaine foure the great troupes of men which came to rescue one another parted the battel but not the companie of the foure which first began Claramante hauing vpon a suddaine slaine a King of the Giants raising himselfe on his Stirraps saw much people towards Grecia in a whirling he repaired thither conducting the thrée Princes with him one wondring at anothers doing They made great haste for it was néedfull and the matter was that the young man whome wee will call the Knight of the Starres vntill the fourth part of this Historie where hee shall lose his name and become a louer it was hee which in the Forrestes as is alreadie said put the Princes in such danger who was come in fauour of the Pagans as hee had promised to Bembo whome hee went to seeke Before that euer he brake his Launce he had throwen many of the most famous to the ground for to the Princes of Fraunce nothing did their valour auaile them for he ouerthrow them Liriamandro Brandisel and Bariandel with the braue Troiane kept them companie it was his fortune with his sword in his hand to meete with that Knight to whome by nature he was bounden which was Zoilo the Tartarian They both strake together but the match was vnequall for such as the young man are few in the world hee had put him in danger of death or of being ouercome if the warlike Lisait had not come to his aide with his beloued sonne and the Prince of Persia Bransiniano the which with their power hauing left the stand where Sacridoro was séeing all in safetie came afresh to the battel and they came in good time for the Tartarian The yong man more faire then Absolon doubled nothing but casting his shield at his shoulders as he neuer mist blow he put them all out of breath without losing any ioat who being neere the Prince of Hungarie with a side blow he cast him to the ground sore wounded after him hee set the Prince of Bohemia on all foure Then came the Spanish Prince who within a little held them companie for hee set him sencelesse vpon his Saddles pummell hee had a hundred swords about his cares and those the most famous but his lot was to make shew of himselfe to bee the Phenix of the world To his rescue came the foure Pillars of their Camp Bembo Brufaldoro Brauorante and the terrible Brundusio with whose aide he made more head against the Greeks On the other side came the braue Emperor of Trapisonda all couered with bloud with Rosacler his sonne they held their swords to behold the young gallant God blesse vs quoth Alphebus what valor is in this knight he would not assaile him he so much affected him but be held Rosabel who like a Lion leapt into the middest of the throng All those which were of his side knowing him gaue him good way and the enemies for feare left the field frée for the foure famous warriours Claramante and his companie had taken them to taske and so hauing fit oportunitie they put their determination in execution I would I were not so much affected to the young Knight with the starres whose fame reached vnto them because I would describe this battell without passion worthie to bee related by Virgill or Mantuan For these two rare persons in valour comming to ioyne it is not possible to expresse what blowes they gaue onely Gualtenor saith that they bowed downe their heads to their Saddles pummels casting aboundance of bloud out at the visors of their Helmets none of those which beheld the battell durst to giue them any aide for it was néedlesse for they presently came againe to themselues and each of them knowing the valour of his enemie they began to vse dexteritie The bold Breton was most accustomed to armes and therefore was more nimble in giuing the on-set but the late lost blow of the yong man supplied that defect for as fierce as a Serpent he sought to attaine to the victorie He came flying in with two blowes vpon the highest of his shield the young man with the Starres was not one who would lose occasion and insuch a case as that and so beating by a thrust hee smote him on the rich Helmet it much auailed him that it had béene Hectors otherwise hee had cleft him to the necke it sounded like a Bell he made the firie sparkles flie and him beléeue that the skies were therein when they are most starrie for hee did so astonish him that for a good space hee lost his remembrance it was a spurre to put life in him for the young man to come with another as strong as the first it cut off his plumes and as Lupertius saith the Cannon also wherein they were but let it bee as it will the Gréeke neuer saw himselfe in the like danger as then in his life but being chaffed therewith and that his Father did behold him he set vpon his enemie In all these battels there was neuer giuen a better blow for against Hectors sword no force nor magicall temper can resist Smiting him vpon the top of the shield hee claue it in two péeces and passing through to his shoulders it carried with it his Poloron leauing him shrewdly wounded hee ranne at him with a thrust which cast him backe vpon his Saddle and if he could haue fastned another vpon him without doubt he had ouerthrowne him There is no Uiper could bee compared to that warlike young man for seeing himselfe handled in that maner hee flung his shield to ground and with his sword in both
againe come to himselfe neither that he bare a gallant mind for hee pulled him to the ground where strugling at length they came to let goe their hold beginning a now battell and although bloudie yet worth the sight for he of the Castle was valiant and he fought for no lesse then his life and honour but he gat little by this young man who was euerie way his better and much accustomed to feates of armes And hauing gotten him a foote in that manner had he béene Mars himselfe hee would haue made small accompt of him With all this hee of the Castle defended himselfe and sometimes offended the mightie Tinacrian who thinking that he lost much time reatcht him a sound knock yea he gaue him another which made him fall on his hands to the ground which before that he could rise againe he seconded that within a little he had laid him all along This warriour of the Castle as fierce as a Lion séeing his death before his eyes considering the enemies force falling into desperation throwing his shield to ground with his sword in both his hands went towards him striking him vpon the shield the fierce blow came with such strength that it beat it to his Helmet making him lose his sences There was neuer séene greater haste then he made to secoÌ„d that blow and smote him on the top of his most fine Helme bereauing him in a maner of his sight he would haue closed with him with a stabbe but the young man as fierce as a Basilisk preuented him beating it aside they came to handy gripes and as hee was stronger then he of the Castle so lifting him vp from ground hee hurled him against the pauement and gaue him a sore fall hee of the Castle still kept his hold of him being afeard of death and recouering strength in his weakenesse he began to defend himselfe to procure his libertie But it was now too late for knéeling downe vpon him with his dagger in his right hand he made a good end of his dayes worke but so wearie that he was not able to stand on his feete With all this thinking that he had yet something to do desirous to know what that might be which was so much defended with the same club on his necke he entred in at another gate he came into a large walke at the end whereof he saw about the number of twenty Ladies so excéeding faire that they did euen make his eyes to dazle thinking with himselfe as indéede it was true that there was nothing else to be séene After that he drew neere to behold them they were Ladies of Gréece which there were represented although with new spirits all taking that forme Seeing him comming they set themselues to behold him very well liking his proportion One of them which to him séemed to haue an Imperiall Crown on her head said vnto him We would not Knight that you should passe from hence without our fauour which shal be so néedfull for you considering how much there yet remaineth that without it it will be impossible to haue good end of this aduenture No man can deny it sayd the young man putting vp his Beuer being a thing so well knowne and wanting deserts if it shall please you to bestowe any vpon mee as on him which hath most neede thereof you may binde me wholy to doe you seruice Wee are all well pleased therewith sayd the fayned Ladie but you are to receyue it heere in our lodging because that euery one will impart some vnto you apart and so you may come vp here and I will lend you my hand Being so heauily armed faire Ladies answered the Prince it will bee very hard for mee to get so high You haue your remedie in your hand answered the Ladie for disarming you you may easily come vp to our lodging and it shall be a new fauour for you to be new armed at our hands It will be so sayd the Greeke but in a Castle where I haue met with so many enemies it shall not be safe to goe disarmed wherefore if there be no other staires I am not of opinion to fulfill your commaundement Then I say sayd the Ladie that you shall not accomplish what you pretend séeing that Ladies requests so much in your fauour you haue so lightly regarded They were all gone vpon a sudden leauing him at their departure in extreme darknesse The Prince in some sort was sorrie that he had not obeyed them but imagining that it was some inchauntment he was glad that he had on his Armour By chaunce he entred in at a gate which led him into a fayre Court the Maiestie and richnesse thereof bereaued him of his iudgement for there was nothing else to be seene but portraytures of gold set with many rich pretious stones they all seemed to the young man to bee aliue the colours were so excellent and so wel layd on In the middest of the Court hee saw a most fayre tree the one halfe of most fine gold and the other of siluer set in so good and comely order with such exquisite arte that it was a most strange wonderfull and pleasing thing to behold Aboue in the Galleries there seemed to bee people although hee could speake to no bodie nor know how hee should proceede in this most strange aduenture for hee was very desirous to sée the end thereof As he stood thus beholding the Castle and the ingrauen workes of the walles there came forth at one side of the Court a most comely and well countenanced Knight in his hose and dublet of greene cloth of gold so faire and so young that the Tinacrian wondred at his most excellent constitution Hee came with his sword in his hand and a scarlet mantle wound about his arme with such a gesture as was strange to see and with very good behauiour drawing neere towards him he said I would not Sir Poliphebus but that you had falne into so great disgrace with the Ladies without which you might haue gone forwards with your good fortune which did assure you a certayne end of this aduenture but now being to fight you are to performe it with mee and not with any other weapons then such as you see I come withal wherfore except you seeâ—e as it is requisite a mantle at some Ladies hands hauing most highly offended those of this Castle I know not what order we shal take to be able to fight which is a thing that I haue much desired for the great fame which in this Castle I haue heard of your valour I thanke you much faire Knight for that which you haue said answered the Tinacrian Although there bee no such matter in mee as you say yet neuerthelesse there shall want no good will to obey yours This battell being ended which seeing that it cannot be eschued to end this aduenture let it be as you will haue it although I want a mantle for I am perswaded that I haue so
to sée that his Ladie beheld him for otherwise without faile he of the Castle had hurt him and yet he passed his sword vnder his right arme without comming to the flesh entring his clothes he let passe that blow winding to one side with such quicknes as was strange He cast another at his shoulder this gaue him the victory for through his elbow hee thrust the third part of his sword hee drew it out dropping bloud and not content therewith hee â—mote him athwart the thigh it was somewhat a doubtfull blow for had it not béene so he had certainely hought him he wouÌ„ded him notwithstaÌ„ding although but litle There was neuer Uiper that so returned against her enemie as did he of the Castle although somewhat out of breath which was the daungerous wound being wholly desperate couered with his Mantle he entred and with a strong thrust hee stabd the great Tinacrian in the arme it made him to grone to féele himself so sore hurt At the instant the bloud sprang out vpoÌ„ his Ladies Mantle I know not who most felt it for she soâ—ing him hurt waxed as red as a Rose He not for that hee was hurt had also a good colour but for pure anger as he well made it appeare for giuing a fierce leape he ioyned with his aduersarie who warded it with his Mantle â—ut that was but a poore defence for he cut all the pleites therof and part of his arme hee saw him somewhat out of order and lost not the benefit of the occasion for he closed with him thinking to haue ouerborne him but he gat but little by his comming for finding himselfe preuented by his aduersarie who with his dagger in his hand if hee had béene a little more come to himselfe without doubt he had kild him for comming to handie gripes he gaue him therewith a mightie stab it was below his hip wherein he left the dagger sâ—icking The valorous Tinacrian tooke this wound verie in patientlie and put his hand to his dagger to haue ended the warre Hee of the Castle set hand to the scabberd being afraid of death but he could not be master thereof But going strugling euen to the gate where the Ladies were hee had the better in the wrestling by reason of his hurt in the thigh But comming where hee might behold his Ladie his colour changing and all his body trembling hee set vpon his aduersarie whome being almost out of breath he forced to fall on his knées vpon the floore and with his dagger in his hand hee meant to haue stabd him into the forehead had done it had he not heard the Ladies which séeing it cryed out holding him fast The young man lifted vp his head to see who it was that called They said vnto him Sir Knight in requitall of the displeasure which you haue done vs wee entreate you to leaue that Knight with his life séeing how little it importeth you to be an Homicide whereas you may otherwise haue the victorie It is a thing which I should bee sorie for answered the valiant youth I would valorous Ladies that of your part I might be commaunded and as not a thing that I desire and if it bee your pleasure I giue ouer the battell on condition that he suffer mee to giue an end to this aduenture and so he parted from him thinking to haue fought no more for his déede deserued no lesse but the Knight forgetting his kindnesse with an encreased stomacke farre more then at the beginning assailed the young man saying Doe not thinke sonne of Garrofilea that thy comming into this Castle shal so litle cost thée The Prince was ashamed to sée himselfe so mocked Hee turned to sée the Ladies which holding his death for certaine séeing him so ill hurt and his enemie so sound and wel had left the standing The like did his faire Ladie hauing made streames of teares for the great sorrow which shée felt to see the Gallant whome shée so dearely loued to bee so sore wounded much more did the young man grieue at that then to sée himselfe so wounded But comming againe to himselfe as furious as an Aspicque hee charged vpon his enemie although drawing one leg somewhat after him There is no crueltie comparable to this for death is not feared so as reuenge may be had He crossed his sword somewhat low making shew to bee ouercome His most strong aduersarie thought to make benefit thereof but it hapned cleane contrarie he put by the blow but with a full blow he smote him ouer the legge and almost cutting it off hee made him to stumble with the paine of his hurt and hee reached him yet another sound one before hee could stay Hee smote him also on the shoulders where was his first hurt but therewith the Tinacrian ended the battell for with the fourth hee felled him dead to the ground He scarcely touched the ground when he vanished out of sight all the Court was filled with a thicke darke 〈◊〉 nothing was heard but the lamentations of distressed Ladies That being past the Tinacrian felt himselfe whole and sound of al his wounds and blowes receiued and againe armed with his rich armour which was that which made him most to wonder hee saw nothing in the Court but the Siluer trée He drew néere vnto it wondring at the beautie and the rich enamelling of the body of the trée He read an Epitaph differing froÌ„ that which the faire Quéene of Lira met withall when shée entred into this Castle as was declared in the second part of this Historie written with Gréeke letters in bloud the Louer read them which said thus When the bastard Lion shall come into this habitation and with winning it shall lose his libertie breaking off the Golden bough he shall make frée from perpetuall enchantment that personage which tooke him leauing another frée entrie for the fierce Basiliske who shall set at libertie the father of this Damsell and many other Knights which here shall bee enchanted with the flowre of beautie leauing this Palace this old and fresh repose shall be giuen them in Olympus where they shall remaine many yeeres The young man made no longer stay but comming to the Golden bough taking good footing in the ground hee set to his valiant hands he bowed the bough so much that hee made it like a bow hee heard great exclamations which came forth of the body of the trée saying O cruell Knight the case which tormenteth me I feele in the middest of my soule leaue me it sufficeth for my afflicted heart that thou take compassion thereof in knowing that I am that infortunate Alpatraphio Lord of all Egypt and to my great hurt a great wizard and this not sufficeth for I was the murtherer of my owne daughter in whome rested my life These words nor the pitifull complaints of the Emperour mooued him not so as to make him giue ouer her determination but rather with greater force then before
he so hard pulled the bough that he brake it off running downe great streames of bloud all his armour and weapons were changed into that Purple colour and hauing the bougâ— he went therewith to a gate within which led into a great hall so rich that it made him out of his wittes to behold the Paintings and Carued workes which were round about it The young man was much troubled to see the things which were in that most faire hall in one side thereof hee saw comming foorth an auncient Gentlewoman of good yeeres leaning vpon two Nimphes such as hee saw the Queene haue apparelled all in white cut vpon coloured Tinsell which comming neere vnto him said I know not presumptuous Knight who hath giuen you leaue to come into my lodging whither it is not permitted to any man to come without bringing the Golden bough or at least that of Siluer Why then honourable Ladie aunswered the young warriour I bringing the tokens of the tree which you speake of you haue no reason to shew your selfe displeased with me And with that he held vp his hand and shewed the Golden bough The Ladie verie much reioyced to see the Princesse at libertie shee came to the gentle Tinacrian and taking him by the hand shee said Come with mee valorous Prince of Tinacria and you shall enioy the spoyle due vnto your rare vertue Shee brought him to a lodging whose richnesse and beautifull building made him more to wonder then all the rest it was supported by foure Pillars and vpon euâ—rie Pillar was a picture painted holding arowe signifying what he was These shall not be freed from enchantment valorous Prince said the Ladie with the sorrowfull Emperour of Egypt which heere shall remaine punished for his follie and manie faire Dames vntill that the great Basiliske free his lodging for the present to you is onely granted the most faire daughter for reward for the paines which you haue endured in performing this enterprise a reward worthie of the sonne of Garrofilea and shee is a gainer to bee beloued bâ— so valorous a Prince Shee would not let him staie any longer but taking him by the arme shee ledde him to other rich lodgings till at last shee brought him verie neere where his Squire was before he went forth Shee put him in a rich square roome which opened towards the Dungeon where Luzela the Emperours daughter was lamenting her misfortune to see her selfe without libertie or any hope thereof The Ladie verie pleasantly went in thither saying Come hither Soueraigne Princesse of Egypt for now the high heauens haue practised a meane to free you of your paine and haue sent you the Prince of Tinacria to set you at libertie for whome it was reserued as for him which was most worthie The Ladie surprised with ioy could gaue no answere the good and such as that was so busied all her sences that she could not beleeue it although she saw it She came foorth with her where in seeing the great Tinacrian sheâ— fell wholly in loue with him in louing being beloued neyther of both had any aduantage The valorous louer set him on his knées before her imagining that it was shée which had giuen him the Mantle in pawne whereof he left with her his heart and soule he desired with great affection to kisse her hand and shée not to shew herselfe vnkind raising him said There is no reason valorous Knight that shée which hath receiued so much good at your hands should be entreated for ought séeing you haue more deserued The most discrete Ladie would not suffer them to spend any longer time but bringing them foorth into the walke where his Squire staied giuing to the Princesse those two Nimphes for her seruice shée imbraced them saying Although that the pleasure valorous Princes which I now enioy to sée you be great I hope in the high heauens to receiue greater although not so soone but the assured hope shall make mee liue contented expecting the Basilisk on whome your and my contentments doe depend Shée had alreadie prouided Palfreyes for the Ladies and againe imbracing them not without teares shée returned to the Castle at whose going in there was so great a noyse as made the louers much to wonder and within their sight they sawe the building to arise and to flie in the ayre vntill it past their sight whereof mention shall bee made in the end of this fourth booke where it shall better fit to tell you what those louers did CHAP. XVII How the Prince of Tinacria tooke his way towards Grecia in companie of the gallant Luzela and how hee set his sister Rosaluira at libertie from the power of the Giants which carried her to Sea IN sight faire Ladies of the inchaunted Castle wee left the two Louers who seeing themselues alone who is any way able to expresse what the one conceited of the other Now I would faine haue a fauour to be able to publish with my owne experience of what power a fauour is which is giuen with a pleasant countenance All this was experimented in them for if hee loued her shee liued by adoring him they were well matched and to liue secure from the changings in loue and with tendernesse of heart the valiant young man askt her saying Soueraigne Ladie séeing that the heauens haue reserued me to be yours and that I am neuer to depart your seruice neither from what you shall commaund I should bee verie glad to knew your mind and whither your will is that wee goe My lot valorous Prince is so contrarie although that I now haue my wish seeing I am in your power that I am to doe nothing after my owne will but onely follow yours The Gallant hartily thanked her saying I well see valorous Princesse that this your generosity is wholly to inrich me and seeing that it is your pleasure that I shall dispose of all for this present let our iournie be for the Greeke Empire for I haue a great desire to make my selfe knowne vnto the Emperour Trebatius my beloued father and also because that he may see what chaunce is fallen vnto mee in comming to doe you this little seruice for there your greatnesse may stay with the Greeke Ladies in greater honour then in that sorrowfull habitation Ualorous Prince sayd the tender Ladie I haue euer had a great desire to see the Gréeke Court and the Ladies therein for that I haue heard say that they are the full perfection of all brauery In this maner there is a thing come into my mind which if it shall please you to heare it I will tell it you vpon the way betweene this and the sea Nothing valorous Prince shall displease mee if you therein shall take delight In Poliphebus armes the Ladie tooke horse and so did the Nimphes giuen to doe her seruice Hee as nimble as a flie leapt into his saddle a new bayt to make the Ladie the better to loue him and leading her horse by the
gaue back with his body letting goe his club which was the cause that he escaped the blow which if he had not done he had falne on his face the handle onely remained with the valiant louer which he would imploy in his Ladies seruice which he saw did behold him it did the more encourage him to doe it for that that by reason of the noyse there came cut of a Cabbin in the Galley a most braue dame clad all in blew cut vpon rich cloth of Gold with her haire made vp more bright then the Sunne beames vpon her head a net-worke of Siluer the swéete prison of loue which to him had béene life if they would haue letten him alone although somewhat painefull in that place It was long since that the Prince had séene that Ladie but he presently knew that shée was his beloued sister the gallant Rosaluira a cold sweate to sée her in that place ran ouer all his bodie he would defer no longer time but threw the péece of the Club which hee had in his hands at one of the Giants if it had béene shot out of a Culuerin it could not haue fline with greater force he smote him right on the Helmet him who had alreadie lost his arme the gallant neuer in his life gaue blâ—w more worth the séeing for lighting on the end it sheathed it selfe in his head he therewith stept backe and drew out his rich sword and with a skip was with the Giant who was yet troubled with the last blow and with all the strength that he was able hee gaue him a thrust in the middest of the brest His strong douâ—le brest plate auailed him not but that his sword entred euen vnto his shoulders and in drawing out his sword cut came the Giants soule He which remained aliue was much vexed therewith and séeking reuenge with his sword in both his hands he made towards the youth he could not auoide the blow and to haue receiued it was like to haue béene the Princes last for striking him on the top of the Crest hee made aboundance of bloud gush out at the visor of his Helmet he was readie to fall The Moore came vpon him with another which made him fall vpon his hands and knées vpon the ground hee would haue troden him vnder his feete but the warlike Prince had not yet lost his good resolution séeing him come running slipt to one side letting him passe with greater force then a thunder-bolt The young louer followed him and as hee turned about with his sword in both hands hee smote him athwart the Helmet and strake away all that side and left him shrewdly hurt hee prouided for him another because hee should â—â—aie and with a backeward blow hee left him astonied for to smite him on the side of the head euerie blow was death to him hee closed with him séeing the aduantage which then he should haue The Giant with the pangs of death griped him with such force that his armour entred into his flesh But the fierce youth with his dagger ended the warres and throwing them all into the Sea hee went straight to his sister putting off his Helmet and said I know not Madam and my beloued sister how I shall estéeme this good hap which the Gods this day haue powred vpon mee séeing they haue brought me where I might doe you seruice for I beleeue you were forced to come hither with such euil companie By this the Ladie knew him and imbracing him with a thousand teares like Pearles for ioy shée said Who that hath gained valorous brother hath béene my selfe séeing that in giuing me libertie you haue giuen me means to reioyce at your Cheualrie They againe imbraced for there were no brothers that more déerely loued then these two he acquainted her with his aduenture and the course which he held The Ladie beyond all measure reioyced to sée the prince Poliphebus so well employed shée would then goe to speake to the Princesse of Egypt taking much pleasure to knowe her for her Ladie and sister The Prince carried her in his armes aboord entertaining her with such courtesie as was expedient and knowing her to bee his sister whome shee so deerely loued shee shewed her great affection which lasted so long as they liued The Princesse was verie sorie to thinke how much her mother grieued for her absence wherefore they tooke order that two of their people should goe in the Giants Galley directly for Tinacria where they should bee well paid for their labour which they did carrying certaine letters from the Prince to his mother They tooke their course for Grecia where in few dayes they arriued and those with the letters at Tinacria where they were well entertained knowing for whome they came The Quéene read the letters reioycing to know what was become of her beloued sonne the contents whereof were these Poliphebus his letter to Garrofilea his mother MY businesse hath beene such so much Soueraigne Queene and deare mother that they haue not giuen me leasure to bee my owne messenger notwithstanding that I much desired the same occasion was now offered me when verie merily I tooke my way towards the Greeke Empire in companie and as husband of the Princesse of Egypt and the high heauens willing to fauour me ordained that in the middest of the Sea I met with my Sister whom three cruel Giants carried prisoner The gods were so fauourable that I gaue her libertie and with her am going to doe my dutie to our father who is vexed with most cruell warres and if mine and my sisters intreatie may ought preuaile with you we beseech you that forgetting what is past you will not onely pardon but also assist him with men from your kingdome which wil be much esteemed through the world and to vs it shall be much honour to be the children of such a mother We hope that your wisdome wil consider that this is verie requisite and much importeth The gods preserue your royall person and graunt vs life to returne againe to doe our dutie vnto you Poliphebus of Tinacria and Rosaluira of Grecia your louing children The sonnes reasons did so much mollifie the hard hart of the cruell mother that shée presently altered her mind In the end as shée was a woman yet therefore shâ—e lost no part of her authoritie but presently commaunded Proclamation to bee made through all Tinacria that they all should within few dayes with the greatest force that they should bee able to leuiâ— make their repaire to her Citie Her subiects obeyed for shée was well beloued of all and when they knew what voyage they should make they leuied thirtie thousand men all verie well armed shée issued of her treasure what was néedful for although that the warres would be long yet there should bee nothing wanting shée was a thousand times in the mind to haue gone for Grecia but she found so many inconueniences that shée was enforced to stay Shée sent for
went in the Uaunt-gard aboue thrée thousand Giants so high that they séemed to be so many Pine trées the valorous Astorildo led the arrere Gard desirous to méete with his Cousin of Dacia with whome hee was much offended because that hee had perswaded his sister Rosamundi to renounce the worshipping of their false gods Thither came the mightie Emperour of the Romanes accompanied with the best men in the armie by his side came the Prince of Almaine with the strong Brundusio which could neuer be perswaded of the fiercenesse of the Greekes there came for his Gard all the flower of Giant-land which were aboue two thousand The braue Califa led his people so gréedily desiring to fight that euen with passion not foreséeing the euent hee commaunded his Standerd to march forwards and so extending themselues in length in good order they should present themselues before the Gréekes for this should put the victorie in their hands The mightie Gréeke came not so ill prouided but that hee brought all the Thebane horsemen by his side commaunding the Duke to bring foorth all the Carts Wagons set with hookes of Iron the Elephants and if occasion were offred to present a field battell for hee with his sonne would take the gréene way Then came the mightie Captaine Generall with the best companie that was in all the whole world for hee had twentie foure Giants the most valiant that were in all the Armie which only had the charge of his person for so had the Quéene Oriselua commanded feareful for her déere sonne therewith went the flower of Cheualrie Claridiano Claramante and the faire Archisilora there was also the valorous Zoilo with the men of Tiglia who went a great pace to recouer a hils side which was of great importance for the battell Good were these preparations but fortune being against them they serued to small purpose for the enemie led her by the fore-locke for the couragious Bembo which led the vauntgard seeing the Armes of Trapisonda which were fiue Eaglets in a field of siluer said to the Gallants which were with him Sée yonder is the Emperour Alphebus of whom fame hath made so great report heere is the place where you are to shew your valour The mightie Gréeke came mounted vpon Cornerino his good horse with his strong and rich Armour which hee had wonne for in this battell hee meant to shew himselfe a Gallant With him hee brought three companions which did assure any hard aduenture which were the valiant Dacian the fayre Rosamundi with his Empresse Claridiana of whome the sonnes of the great Tituan tooke charge which were eight Giants and they the most famous in all the armie The braue Lord of Achaia went a little apart from his people in signe that first they desired so many against so many to breake their launces to shew the valour of their persons They went forth foure and hee made the fifth which were Brauorante and Brufaldoro with the fayre Floralisa and her brother Don Celindo Face to face stood they against the Flower of Christendome for the great Emperour which had a great desire to proue himselfe against Bembo addressed himselfe against him and against the Scithian the valorous Don Heleno against Brufaldoro Rosamundi Floralisa and Claridiana charged together and against her beloued brother the prince of the Persians the valorous Bransiniano Bembo his encounter was somewhat lowe for feare of missing as hee desired it was not such as hee had giuen But he that receyued it his force not auailing him lost both his stirrops The like happened to the valiant Brauorant◠with the warlike Don Heleno who turning his Tirian returned against a contrarie partie and Alphebus did the like There was neuer séene a more cruell particular battell in a field nor better fought for as for foure of them they could each of them apart doe as much in the warres as the angry god Mars himselfe The three past their carriere amazing all the armie Brufaldoro is more valiant but the Ladies Armes supply her defect and more too for returning vpon him she gaue him a knock the best that euer was stricken in the warres for by chaunce her sword lighted betweene his shield and his brest she strake it from his arme and loosened a great part of his vaunt-brace shee came vpon him with a thrust and well shee felt that it fet the bloud Neuer was Lion so furious as was this Mauritanian against this Ladie and although her Helme were most strong yet it was not sufficient to keepe her from falling sencelesse vpon her saddle pummell casting bloud out at her mouth All the rest of the Combats were reasonably deuided but they were presently parted for the furious Dacian with the noyse of so huge a blow by chaunce looked backwards and séeing his Rosamundi to whom the Pagan was about to giue another blow with two leapes off his Tirian hee was with him and tooke him somewhat at vnwares What shall I say of his blowes they made him lay his head on the saddle pummell Then he ranne against him with his horse brest which made him stagger and likely horse and man to fall to the ground By this time was Rosamundi come againe to her selfe and was glad to sée her Dacian so neere her The Combate could not continue by reason that the two Armies ioyned with so great a noyse that it seemed that the last day was come Who is able to describe the sundry kindes of death the mightie blowes and the gallant attempts giuen and taken of either party that day Some vnable to kéepe themselues vpright tumbled to the ground and before they could rise againe death met with them others which kept their saddles much better with seeking meanes to hold them lost their liues and were glad that they were dead before they fell to ground others were thrust thorow from side to side and were nothing sorry for their wounds but because they had no time to bee reuenged others were so impatient that being close by their enemies they had not so much trust in their swords as in their fists and with them mayntained the warres vntill that death cut off all hope to sée the triumph for the warre There were aboue twentie thousand dismounted and the greatest part of them lost their liues At the first charge where Bembo went and his fierce companions Gualtenor durst not tell what they did but comparing them he sayth That a Riuer breaking his bounds and ouerflowing a corne field doth not so beare downe the corne as they did tread men vnder their feet The Christians were so desirous of reuenge that they would not suffer any place to bee voyd for although they sawe that they met with their death yet there was no bodie seene to refuse it still being in hand with the gallant Pagans whose swords and Armours were died in Gréeke bloud No lesse harme did the valorous Alphebus with his mightie company for he did so oppresse
them that he made them retire a great way out of the plaine On that side where the Duke of Thebes was the Emperour of the Romanes charged with the Prince of the Almaines and the valorous Brundusio who desâ—rous to meete with some of the Greekes made the battels to ioyne together with such a noyse as if the skyes had fallen The mighty Epirabio tooke charge of the assaulting of the Citie and so with all the instruments and engines requisite for such an exployte with all the Assyrians the power of the Parthians they drew néere to the walls with many timber Castles with which they thought so enter the great Citie 3. clarions were souÌ„ded in the Castle of Venus froÌ„ wheÌ„ce the Ladies beheld the cruel warre All the Gréeke Princes knew what it meant The Emperour Trebatius was very sorry fearing some ill hap for he saw all the troupes of Niquea in aboue sixty rankes marching towards the fountaynes to charge at their backes He lifted vp his eyes to heauen saying Into thy hands O mightie God I commit my cause and the equitie of this persecuted Empire He turned to Rosacler saying I doe beléeue that this day will neuer be forgotten I beséech the Lord to looke vpon his people Hee offered to come to fight with the Moores but that was not their meaning for they deferred it for a better occasion but onely to crosse the fields to recouer a hill which was hard by the walles where they meant to fortifie It was wonderfull to sée for the Captaine Aristoldo had already taken it A better coÌ„maunder the world neuer knew and truly to haue gotten the hill had bene continually readie to enter the Citie The discréet Captayne returned within the valley with all the Spanyards and made such haste that they tooke it beforehand The Pagan brought much valiant people and hee was so of his person but he met with those which he thought not of which were the flower of Knighthood no lesse then Uncle and Nephew Claridiano and Claramante with the faire Archisilora These were sufficient to fight with their whole armie The Captaine of the Moores came to an ill market for he met with Lindabrides her louer who smote him sencelesse vpon his saddle bowe he was so quick with him that before that he could recouer himself he laid him on the hard ground with a knock with his axe Hee would not trouble himselfe any longer with him leauing him for dead but withdrew himselfe some what from his companions for not to be troubled with his battel-axe for therewith hee made more roome There was nothing better worth the séeing in all those warres There was neuer any hired labourer in the countrey which shaking the Chestnut trée threw down more Chestnuts then the sonne of Trebatius threw downe Knights with his terrible battell-axe Sometimes with thrée blowes hee felled fixe Knights and sometime with a strong thrust hee pluckt Knights out of their saddles filed vpon his axe as papers vpon a thred He neuer gaue blow which made not the noble company to looke about and wonder at the strength of his armes The vnknowne Louer gaue good account of himselfe for hee sought not out particular Knights but the grimme Giants among which hee rushed without any signe of feare Their comming to the rescue was to so great effect that they made the Moores to retire out of the field to Bembo his squadron who by this time was within sight for he had intelligence that there was a supply of men landed in the port of Antona He made hast in hope to ouercome for he saw that by their hastie going his people gat the aduantage of the field Wel did the strong Breton sée that for that he was on the left wing where he plaid the deuil as that ground was somwhat higher those which tooke land might well possesse it which ranging themselues into a strong Battalion he saw tooke their way towards the field Hee called the Prince of Argentaria and sayd vnto him Now is the time come valorous Knight to shew what hath bene hoped for at your hands and therefore if you will be my conuoy it behoueth me to passe by all these Tents to goe to know what people that is which is newly arryued for if they bee not enemy we shall get the field Doe herein valorous Prince sayd the noble Florisarte what shall please you which to effect with the losse of my life I shall be well content The valiant Rosabel for he had no time to stay casting his shield at his backe and in his hand his sword gaue his horse the reynes who as swift as a thunderbolt parted froÌ„ his squadron towards the sea side The Prince of Tharsis had inough to doe to followe him hee went with such fury and swiftnesse Both campes beheld him The Gréeks knew him by the blew scarfe which Liâ—iana had giuen him Some followed him the first whereof were Claramante Claridiano and the fayrâ— Archisilora because they saw that Aristoldo made all haste getting ground vpon his enemie for Epirabio being missing whom sore hurt they had carried out of the battell in a maner turning their backes they made towards their campe notwithstanding that the Moores in that place had the worst of the fight in most places else they cryed Uictorie for Bembo reinforcing his squadron had brought to his ayd a hundred thousand Assyrians with which hee gaue so fierce a charge on the squadron of the Thessalonians that hee made them retire aboue a bow shot The Gréekes were in better case on that side where Florisiano with the gentle Polidolpho with the people of Lira Apulia and Croatia had entred they were somewhat of kinne and for that cause they alwaies kept company They were of opinion that the Sargeant Maior generall had reserued them and their people fresh onely for that dayes seruice They were very confident in their valour through that occasion they vndertooke great enterprises and fell on that side from whence Rosabel went who with the strong Floriâ—arte being to go crosse the tents had put theÌ„ in disorder They came in good time for the people of that countrey beeing but a fewe left had retired to backe themselues with a little hill whither came the two famous Captaines with al the horsemen which gaue so sudden a charge vpon their enemies as did greatly annoy them but the best was to recouer the ground which they had lost They both did greatly encourage the people shewing them what honour they wanne that day seing it might well be sayd that they had restored Grecia being almost lost These couragious speaches wrought such effect that euerie one fought for two no man was afeard of danger so great was the hope of victory All was but neede for the Emperour of Rome did so busie the Duke of Thebes and the Souldan of Egypt charged on the right wing so as the Greekes had their hands full on euery side for with the
loued as his sister and the other as his loue the greatest in all Cupids band He pluckt downe his Beauer with his Launce in his hand hee marched away like Mars and came downe into the valley hee did not bow the grasse where his horse went hee flew so swift with the enamored gallant It was a luckie cōming for the Frenchman who was taken prisoner and sore wounded whome three most strong Giants and foure Knights carried away towards their Campe to goe in the more securitie Both princes saw them but the Tinacrian like an Aspicque in furie was the first that came for knowing the Knight which was prisoner by his armes ful of Flowers 〈◊〉 Luce he held him for a man of worth and of the Gréeke partie He would aske no questions but rather charging his Launce assailed the Giants who held him for a mad-man one of thē opposed himselfe against him who with his life paid for the young mans displeasure for in méeting him before that the Launce brake hee passed it a third part thorow his backe and like a Lion returned against the rest of the rascals Foure times he hurled about his strong sword wherewith hee dispatched the foure Knights remaining alone in the field with the two fierce Giants where O valorous Ladie newly mistrisse of his soule who can depaint this combat in such sort as you may take pleasure therin He which carried the valiant Frenchman prisoner was constrained to set him downe vpon the hard ground and with his Club to turne against the sonne of Trebatius who making a hard rocke of his rich and sure shield attended the blow bearing his sword aloft and séeing that the blow came hee spurring his Rubicane came so néere the Giant that hee made him lose his blow Luzelaes louer came with a good will for with a thrust he hit him on the middest of the brest came with such force that it past halfe thorow at one side his armour was so thick that he scarce hurt him His other companion came with a great Cemiter in his hand hee slaied for his comming but before that he could make any resistance he smote him vpō the rich Helmet and made him sée al the least stars in the skies and the bloud in great aboundance to gush out at his mouth had it not béene Poliphebus which fought this battel without al doubt they had ouercome him for the two Giants were the best in all the Camp therfore Bembo had recōmended vnto thē the kéeping of the good Frenchman but they met with the sonne of Garrofilea who more fierce then a Basiliske againe rusht in betwéen them from him who had so handled him on a suddain he smote his shield to the ground with the gretest part of his arme The yong mās fury rested not here seeing that he came néere to the knight who also saw him not knowing whether he were his friend although that indéed hee was the greatest that hee had in the world he would not méete him in this hurly burly with the Giants for turning to the second he smote him vpon the Helmet and left his head all vnarmed and therein a great wound By that time came his lame enemie who séeing himselfe without one arme lifted vp his crooked Faulchion but it was to smal purpose for his wound tooke away the greatest part of his strength with a leape he cleared himselfe from him and iust as Rosabel came with his sword in both his hands hee smote him vpon the top of the shoulder there was no defence in the hard Stéele for hee strake away all that quarter throwing him downe dead at his horse féete Hee had so fatned himselfe therwith that he gaue opportunitie to the other being in despaire of his life to giue him a blow yea he smote him a full one and strake him downe vpon his horse necke past all féeling sencelesse and so hee continued a great while giuing place to the Pagan to second it with another and had not Rosabel come in time to hinder it hee had striken him againe The furious Breton returned and smote the Moore on the side of the shield the one halfe he flung away with great part of his Uant-brace leauing him sore hurt By this time was Garrofileaes sonne come againe to himselfe who seeing the Gréeke so néere him hee presently knew him and was wonderfully glad to sée him in that place but he would not that he should end the warre for giuing his Spurres to his strong horse for there were few such and for such did the wizard giue it vnto him and ioyning with the Pagan desirous to giue his Cousin to vnderstand that he was no lesse then himselfe with both his hands hee smote him vpon the vnarmed head and as he hit him on the skull so hee cleft him downe to the brest and then as though hee had done nothing wyping his victorious sword he went to his Cousin Rosabel saying I would gladly know Sir Knight of whether of these two Camps you are for if you bee of the Gréekes my mortall enemies I shall bee enforced to become ingratefull for that which for mee you haue done by challenging you the combat hauing farre better confidence in the equitie of my cause then in my owne valour In vnderstanding this worthie Knight in denying my selfe to be a Gréeke I might auoide the combat But because that you shall vnderstand that you come ill enformed let our fight begin presently and in what maner you will whereby you shall vnderstand that the equitie of our cause will giue vs the victorie Your personage valorous Rosabel is worthie of all the triumphes in the world and putting off his Helmet he went to imbrace him saying Why did you thinke Sir Knight that I would not haue come into your Countrie to sée you you hauing offended a Ladie in Silepsia such as is Eufronisa by whome I am commaunded to challenge you the single combat The yong man could giue him no answere for ioy Sometime Madam a suddaine ioy bereaueth me of my sences especially when it commeth vnlooked for but that qualme being past imbracing him againe he said I did assure my selfe valorous Prince and my Lord that considering how much néed Gréece hath of your aide you would remember it let vs bee gone to acquaint the noble Emperour your Father herewith That may not bee yet answered the valorous young man but it behoueth rather to conceale my name for the loue of certaine Ladies which come in my companie whome I haue promised to maintaine their beautie in the middest betwéene these two Campes against the Moores for against the Gréekes who shall dare although it were Mars him selfe Rosabel being of their side Séeing that you so please answered the nephew there is no man that will gainesay your will but first I would that wee might to day before the Sunne goe downe let them know what your arme can doe and it commeth well to passe
Lirianaes louer and Father to these youthes that this act might be performed with the solemnitie which your worth deserueth and not that I doing it should wrong these Princes Why then we wil come to a composition said the supposed father to these yong princes that this knight with the stars shall giue the order to one of my sonnes and you to the other and this doing both they I shall be bound to doe you seruice all the daies of our life Quoth Poliphebus It is very fit that they receiue it from so worthy a knight as is he with the stars And so Claribel knéeled downe before his father who kist his faire chéeke with as great affection as if he had knowne him He put on his Helmet pulled down the Beauer and with his sword he smote him on the shoulder saying Arise valorous Knight from hencefoorth shew to the world the vertue which your good countenance faire resemblance assureth the like did the vnknown Knight with the stars and Leobello lost nothing by receiuing the sword at his hands for he might wel say that hee receiued it of the most valiant Knight that was knowne in the world in that age With pleasing coÌ„uersation thei past the rest of the night in the which the two nouices learned the cause of all those wars as the careful Titan sent his messengers to declare his coÌ„ming the 4. challengers arose to giue end to the battell Claribel buckled on his father Helmet Leobello his with the stars Poliphebus which had lesse hope theÌ„ the rest buckled on his Helmet himselfe desirous to shew the worth of his person With angrie countenances they came the one towards the other I beléeue to haue a sight of this cruel war made Apollo to hasten his iournie for iust as they encountred hee shewed his golden face with shining Garlands out of the East Well did the one know the other being assured of the valour which either had shewen to the other particularly Rosabel who addressed himselfe against him with the Starres and for this cause they fought with discretion and would not through want thereof lose that which otherwise they might bee assured of Being well in breath they charged with the points of their swords about a third part before their Targets standing firmely vpon their right féete so néere together that they might strike with their pummels He with the Stars would haue ioyned with the Prince of Britaine thinking suddainly to haue ouerborne him but as the other was more nimble and expert in the warres then he so he changed his foote with a thought and thrust at him and with a quicke skip he leapt backwards giuing him in parting a blow in the thigh whose bloud bare witnesse of the blow Here was lost all order in fighting for the young man sâ—eing this blow hurâ—ing about his sword thought to haue cleft the Briton but he warded it with his Target which was a small defence for though he could not breake it yet hee beat it to his Helmet so close and with such force that hee made him to knéele vpon both his knées on the ground hee thought to haue ouerborne him setting his hands to his brest but it séemed that hee met with a rocke For the nephew of the great Trebatius séeing him so néere vnto him that hee could doe nothing but close with him tooke him at some aduantage and within little threw him to the ground for hee lifted him from ground and carried him a little along the field Hee with the Starres was mightily ashamed that hee had receiued the first foyle and that in strugling for therein he thought to haue béene too hard for Anteus and locking with the gentle young man enraged he tooke footing thinking againe to recouer what hee had lost but that was more then hee could doe for letting goe their hold with a strong whéeling about they tooke their weapons The sonne of Trebatius séemed to be most couragious and so was he with the starres which made the battell doubtfull It was more apparant betwéene Poliphebus and Don Clarisel for there the aduantage was easily to be séene The Assyrian with a blowe would haue made an end of the battel and so with his sword in both his hands hee made towards the Tinacrian who made shew to stay for him but knowing the ill successe of such desperate blowes at the falling of the blow with a light leap he set himselfe 2. fadome off from him he so followed his blow that it made him to fall on his brest vpon the pummell of Milo his good sword whereof he strake a third part into the ground The Tinacrian lost not that good occasion who turning to ioyne with him with his hand he thrust him and made him to returne backe leauing his sword sticking in the ground breaking the little chayne The victorie was in his hands had not the fayre Leobello with his sword in his hand come betwéene them doubting of the Assyrians life séeing he had lost his sword Succour came to eyther part for of the Gréekes which better knew the countrey there came the Princes of Hungarie and Bohemia and with them those of Fraunce and Spayne which by the Armes knew the Knight to whose ayd they came whose valour was much esteemed among the Gréekes they cried to the two youths that they should hold thinking that they would haue stricken him The braue Spanyard came in such haste that hee met with Leobello but hee might as well haue encountred a rocke hee stood so fast hee made his horse returne 2. paces backwards Then came Don Clarus and his brother Spanyards of whom in the first part much account was made and with much reason for their valour deserued it but in this charge they got very little for thinking to chase Leobello in the behalfe of their Prince Claribel stept close to him and smote him on the top of the Helmet and this was the first blow that euer the young man gaue with the sword and was so good that it smote him to the ground he stayed for his brother which came mounted vpon a great horse but hee quickly lost him and made the Princes of Hungarie and Bohemia hold them company he rusheth in among them like Mars and giueth not a blow but that therewith hee bringeth them on their knées or hands vpon the ground Leobello entertained the Tinacrian while as the Assyrian recouered his sword The braue Torismundo alighted seeing his friends on foote and met with the reputed father of the two youthes who was a good Knight but he gat little for the Spanyard is one of the most valiaÌ„t of the world hee smote him so that hee made him stoope and within a little had ouerthrowne him he would haue followed him but the furious Leobello holp him who was neere at hand putting the Tinacrian from him with a strong thrust The young mans valour made him to wonder and had hee not bene in
certaine aduenture They all offred him their company but then to be alone did best fit him accepting according as was reason of their gentle offer he tooke his way with his Ruvican speaking first to Rosabel whom he entreated that he should not tell who he was vntill hee had performed his chalenge He went directly to the place where he had left the Ladies but went not long to seeke them for by the Nymphes direction they met presently they made that day holyday passing it in reciting what had happened betwéene the Gréekes and the Moores to the which they determined the next day to send their message Their Captaine was much affected to valiant Knights and seeing what the two youthes had done he went to imbrace them who knowing what he was desired to kisse his hands putting off their Helmets discouering more theÌ„ humane beautie which strake them which were present with admiration to sée them so young and so valiant The warlike Bembo imbraced them saying It were no reason that they which haue so good hands of their owne should kisse any mans in the world All the rest of the Princes receyued them with such courtesie as was due to their valour There were no greater friends theÌ„ he with the stars and they all the whole campe did celebrate their comming reioycing to sée them especially the King of Silepsia when he knew that they were his subiects knowing the Knight whom they held for their Father they all supt together in the Soldan of Niquea his tent and to shew them the more pleasure there was that night masking and dauncing the Ladyes méeting there then which the earth bore none fayrer nor more discréete The Princesse of the Romanes séeing there was no possibilitie to effect her good sometimes from her seats with no small affection she beheld the Lord of Achaia séeming to her that next after the Dacian shee might best employ her beautie vpon him Of this Supper grew many new loues for the mightie Argante who till then had béene frée from his snares held the Sophâ— his Daughter to be the Sunne of all beautie and with this conceit he gaue her his life and soule submitting himself to her in such earnest and good fayth that nothing was of power to vntie the knot which blind loue had made Epirabio yéelded himselfe to the will of the gallant Lisiana who séeing his valour did neuer estrange her selfe from him It serued to small purpose for the braue Soldane of Egypt to subiect himselfe to the fayre â—ufionisa who had her eyes soule life and heart fixt vpon her Rosabel and without hope of remedie séeing him otherwise busted Time being come to withdraw themselues for some of the Knights were hurt they all went to their tents carrying with theÌ„ the yong Knights to their vnknowne Grandfather which went coÌ„mending the brauerie of the Gréeks who took no other race but to fortifie their Citie iudging that that war would be of long continuance both the one and the other had néede of truce And so from the Moores there came to the Citie to request it the Kings of Fenicia and Armenia The Gréeks granted it for fiftéene dayes and that into the Citie there might come onely 20. Knights together And séeing that both armies were in quiet the discréete Earle of Modica went to doe his dutie to the Emperour Trebatius making himselfe knowne vnto him who knowing from whom he came graciously receiued him This increased his good liking for he gaue him a letter from 〈◊〉 which the Emperour read alone not without vnderstanding how much hee was bounden to that valorous Queene which had so déerely loued him he read the letter which sayd in this maner A Letter from Garrofilea to the Emperour Trebatius TO the great Emperour of the Greekes Garrofilea sendeth greeting Had I not well knowne mightie Monarch how worthie those errours are to be pardoned when loue is the causer thereof neither would I haue presumed to write neither had I any mind thereto although I haue had it to desire thy death my life depending onely on thee that thou liuest I acknowledge my fault and for amends I send thee these Knights to serue thy person assuring me that the two sonnes which thou leftest heere will doe the like And if the affection which I doe and haue borne thee may moue thee the warre being ended I pray thee to returne them backe to me againe that I may enioy the presence of the sonnes which I hope not of the father The God in whom thou beleeuest grant thee such health as the forgotten Garrofilea desireth If he had to his liking ended all these battailes hee could haue receiued no greater ioy then he did in receiuing that letter from that cruel Quéen which was now become gentle milde amorous Sée of what force loue is for it hath euen melted me being of the countrey of the Tigers The Princes of either side were glad of the truce for the Greeks desired to sée the Ladies in the Moores camp the Pagans were no lesse desirous to sée the Gréek Ladies the fame of whose beautie recahed to the highest heaueÌ„s With this desire we will leaue them to tell what the most mighty Poliphebus did the next day CHAP. XXII How the Prince of Tinacria sent a Letter of challenge to the Pagans camp with leaue from the Emperour of Grecia and of what followed thereof IMagining faire ladies that chaptere of loue would be more pleasing vnto you I haue conceiued so much ioy thereof that it hath eased me of my paine which I begin to feele as the cause of my life if I intreate of any swéete hope it is but to deceiue mine owne fraile vnderstaÌ„ding who as a nomes in loue is of opinion that there can be no remedie for his griefe And my paine maketh me liue euer doubtfull of any good for although I loue in good earnest my Lady doth not yet know it an excuse for that which I endure not to attribute it vnto other but rather to mine owne mishap The valorous Tinacrian goeth free and at libertie for if he loue well hee knoweth that hee is also well beloued There is nothing in the world so swéet as is mutuall loue betweene a Lady her gallant for it sufficeth to make him cheerefull well content for to sée himselfe beloued was the occasion why he sent challenges to the 2. camps by the Nymphs which he brought She which went to the Citie well knowing what she had to doe stayed vntill all those high Emperours and Kings had made an end of their dinner and til that the Ladies were al come forth into the Hall séeing occasion she entred clad in such attire as was fit for such a message At her comming in she did her duty to such as were there and addressing her spéeches to the mightie Emperor Trebatius she sayd Soueraigne Prince whom in reason the world should acknowledge confident in thy generositie I am sent
froÌ„ the Knight with the Eagle who knowing that thou hast granted truce to the Moores for 15. daies although that hée came from farre to serue thée as all men ought to doe he would in the meane time with thy leaue entertaine the louing gallants giuing them occasion to shew their valour for in the middest betwéene these two camps hee will maintaine after to morrow that the two Ladyes which are come in his companie are indéed the most faire of the world and this at all perils of battaile This is my demaund and if it please thee that he come he will doe it and if not he will stay vntill the truce be past to come to thy seruice This seemed to the Greeke Princes to bee a great presumption in a Knight and so they desired that the Emperour should giue him leaue to come The Gréeke Lord himselfe had beene so greatly enamored that hée would haue gone in person to answere the challenge but trusting in his sonnes he sayd Faire Damsell I thanke the Knight much for that which he wil do for me which deserueth that a greater request then this should bee granted and so you may tell him that hee may come in safetie for no man shall offer him violence excepting such as shal fight in combate with him which will not fayle to doe it The Damsell would haue kist his hands for the fauour saying Then Soueraigne Emperour with your leaue I will deliuer a message to the Ladyes which I haue brought for them Do all that you will answered the Emperour So she weÌ„t directly to the cloth of estate where they were which might be sayd to be a new Paradice of beautie for they were come forth to recreate themselues some to fauour their Gallants with their looks which sufficeth for I would be glad to take it of my Lady if it might be permitted to come to sée her In séeing the Damsell comming quoth the gallant Policena daughter to the faire Venus Polidolpho which stood hard by the secoÌ„d Helen daughter to the Prince of Babilon Persia Bransiniano with the fayre Aurelia daughter to the great Tartarian Zoylo and the Princesse Tigliafa thrée Ladyes which did darken the Sunne in the middest of his carriere they were those which being but children gaue hope to be most faire There was neuer a one there that passed Rosabela daughter of the fayre Oliuia although she were yonger All which foure sate hard by Rosamundi Quoth the young Girle I beleeue that this Knight will challenge vs too Your Ladiship néedeth not to feare it quoth the second Helen for where these Soueraigne Ladies are there may wee liue safe from any defiance It will end according to the equitie of the cause quoth Aurelia and not for our beauties Take no care for that quoth Rosamundi for there will want no Knights which will take pleasure so goe forth in our behalfe It is to be doubted quoth Policena séeing how vnpleasing wee are By this time was the Damsell come who knéelde downe before the Empresse of Trapisonda which stood close by her daughter shée deliuered the letter to her hands desiring her to be pleased to read it because shée was spéedily to returne to the knight who had sent her It is a great confidence that that Knight reposeth in those Ladies said the Empresse séeing that my Lord the Emperour hath giuen him leaue we confirme the same Rosiluera presently read the letter with great laughter of all the Ladies imagining that it came for her it would not haue grieued Rosamundi nor Archisilora to haue tried theÌ„selues against him with gratefull hearing the Ladies gaue eare to the letter which said thus The Letter THe Knight with the Eagle to the Greeke Princesses greeting It hath beene my fortune Soueraigne Lâ—dies so wholly to estrange my selfe that I am enforced to vndertake the most difficill thing that can bee imagined I acknowledge the great difficultie your beautie whose fame flieth ouer all the world I haue presumed to entreat your leaue to vphold the beautie of my Ladies in the midst of the field against the Pagan army wel knowing that my owne smal valour deserueth it not but therein shal your generosity appeare The gods haue you in his keeping This Knight said Rosiluera is in the right in making no questions against the Gréeke Ladies which may also returne without armes for his part séeing he hath such confidence in vs it séemeth good to me with leaue of my Ladie the Empresse Claridiana to send it him with all the fauour possible to the end that through our fault he lose not the assurance of those Ladies beauties which are in his companie We passe not for that said Aurelia for hauing no experieÌ„ce of this Knight it should bee ill done to graunt him so much fauour Rosabel came to the end that his vnkles businesse might be so handled as he did deserue and said If my being suretie for the Knight with the Eagle gallant Dames may be a meanes to procure this fauour to be done him I presently impawn my word There is no cause to stay from giuing it said the gracious young Rosabella séeing that my Lord and brother hath taken vpon him the charge of our fame They all laught at the girles spéeches which was not yet aboue twelue yeares old for so long time had the Pagans spent in leuying their troupes They all went to Rosamundies lodging where Rosiluera in all their names wrote to the Knight giuing it to the Damsel shée tooke her leaue with great contentment leauing them very desirous to sée the Knight I beléeue Soueraigne Prince quoth Policena that you doe better know this Knight then we doe séeing you haue forced vs to fauour him in such a matter as this His acquaintance and friendship answered the gentle Britanian hath cost me so much bloud that I stand bound to bee his friend so long as I liue And this Soueraigne Princesse Serinda being so much bound vnto his valour I maruaile that shée intreated not for him Presently at the intreatie of the Ladies hee told what happened when hee first knew him fighting with the most strong Astratio for the libertie of Serinda as in the third booke hath beene declared where they two fell acquainted concluding such friendship as was the greatest in the world besides they being so néere of kin Now I say quoth Liriana that the fauour hath béene verie small that hath béene done vnto him and séeing that there is Truce wee will encourage him with our presence And that wil be a meane quoth the faire Troyla wholy to vanquish the Moore Ladies for yet they had neuer carried her to her Father the King of Argel it was so for her pleasure The Tinacrian very ioyfully receiued the answere reading it in presence of his Ladies in this maner The Answere THe Princesses and Greeke Ladies to the Knight with the Eagle greeting Thy thankfulnesse valorous knight hath so bound vs
hee bore Lady Fortune as though she procured his good holding her hand out to him with these words My wheele sometime hath little power If that loue do please to lowre And the dame reiect valour He had about his necke a blew scarfe fringed with gold mounted vpon a roane horse The Greekes tooke great pleasure to see him comming in so good order for although hee were an enemie yet vertue wheresoeuer is beloued Hee brought with him those which in all mens iudgement were most valiant There came the Knight with the Starres with his ordinarie deuice so gallant that hee gaue them all matter to looke vpon They stayed but little with him for looking vpon the two youthes to whom Lupertius had sent new Armours they were all of the Lyons colour with much Gold-smithes worke and so many precious stones that they could not bee valued The Caparisons for their horses were of the same with great plumes of feathers in their heads in both their Shields one deuice which was this they were depainted betweene Loue and Libertie with these words If sorrow must needes come T' is best to attend it And seeke to amend it Euerie man affected the two valiant youths After them came with their old deuices the fiue brothers of the hidden wood sauing that Floralisa and Don Argante according to that which they felt had set in their shields for the Lady bore Ielousie proper which was painted like a louer hauing more eyes then Argos with these words No eyes can behold The plagues of this torment Nor heart but will rent The new enamored whose eyes had made his heart to feele the flame bore Constancie naturally depainted with this motte No griefe but may be endured If louing at leysure It passe not all measure All the place noted the deuice of these two although that none of the Greekes knew Floralisa for fearing that the Knight would not fight the Combate with her she couered all her armour with blew silke There came the famous Epirabio so gallant that hee gaue good hope of him the like did Lindauro and the most mightie Aristoldo with the Prince of Almany who came all in gray with many waues of gold wrought with the hammer on his armour The mightie Brandaso who would also shew himselfe affected to Ladyes came into the field armed with cleane wel tempered stéele The Pagan brought for his deuice a Lyon which he in his youth had torn in péeces with his hands with these words What force would worke his smart Which yeelds himselfe in euery part Sith the Lyon hath no hart There went with him the mightie Coriandro a valiant knight although hee had ill lucke with the Greeke Princesses At last came in with a gallant shew and furious aspect the two emulators Brauorante although with no determination to fight and the braue Brufaldoro who as hee so déerely loued his Ladie so could he not endure the wrong which hee thought was done her They all repaired to the place where the Moorish Ladies stoode so faire that they would make the Sunne to séeme foule in the middest of his course The Knight with the Eagle quoth the Emperour of Trapisonda had néede of hands to answere all those which haue presented theÌ„selues at the Lists truly he hath procéeded with much discretion to craue fauour at the Gréeke Ladies hands for such cruell battels as hee is like to haue which if he performe with his honour it shall bee to him the greatest of the world for the Knights with whome he is to fight are the most famous vnder the Sunne Al that which may bee giuen him for fauour said the gallant Helena hath béene giuen him by the hands of these Princesses for hauing such a suertie as is the Prince of the great Britanie what attempt but is assured They could not procéede in their discourse for in the place was heard a great noyse which was that the Tinacrian comming forth at one side of his Tent would shew himselfe to the Greeke Ladies There was neuer swéeter Musick heard in Gréece then at his comming foorth without knowing who made it and there were many Squibs and fireworkes throwne into the ayre which gaue great pleasure to the beholders But much more when they saw Poliphebus the sonne of Trebatius come betwéene two Ladies so gallant that hee carried euerie mans eyes with him his Armes were of the colour of his Tent set with many Eagles of Gold so artificially done and with so many stones of sundrie colours that the Sunne shining vpon them no man could behold them in the middest of his rich shield whose borders were of most bright shining stones in the middest betweene two towring Herons he bare an Eagle so excellently made as was wonderfull to behold and vnder it were written these words The Eagles wings he ought to haue Thereby to mount vnto the skies From scorching flames himselfe to saue Or other harme that may arise His deuice was wel liked of and for his presence there were very few but were wel affected vnto him The ladies whose beautie brauery made al the assistants to wonder came clad all in white cut vpon coloured Tinsell and tho cuts set with most fine Rubies their Gownes were after the Spanish fashion with foure sléeues one paire straight and imbrodered with Gold and the other paire long and large hanging downe seruing onely for ornament their hayre made vp verie faire and set with rich stones so faire that many in beholding them fell extremely in Loue and vpon the top of al rich Garlands They came alone for so would the Tinacrian haue it He bare his Launce himselfe with his Beauer downe and with the same armes which the Nimphes had giuen him so as no man could knowe him They weÌ„t directly to those standings where the Gréek Ladies were whither when he came making his horse to knéele downe putting vp his Beauer with great reuerence he said Soueraigne Princesses of Grecia the fauours haue béene so great and so many which I haue receiued from you that I am not of hope to bee able to requite theÌ„ but to acknowledge the dutie on my part and these Ladies all the dayes of our liues employing the same in your seruice and to lose it therein shall be to vs gratefull These Ladies beautie said the Empresse Claridiana is more worthie and your valour Sir Knight bindeth all to fauour you although that hee which bringeth so good assurance with himselfe néedeth no greater fauour then from his owne presence which is such as assureth the palme of the battels whose end we wish may â—e such as the Gréeke Ladies doe desire The yong man bowed downe his head to his saddle bowe leauing them all amazed as much at his gallant countenance and good behauiour as at the brauerie and beautie of the Ladies which séemed to them to be exquisite They took their leaue going directly to their Tent where they were solemnly receiued with such heauenly musicke
as none could bee better vpon earth In sight of the campe he was armed but by whom it was vnknowne There was a stately Theatre made for the Ladies to behold the battell Upon a great piller they hanged the Princes shield bringing an infinite many of Launces that those which would but onely iust should want no Launces for that purpose The Tinacrian paced ouer the field vpon his Rubican a betâ—er horse there was not in the world with such a grace as Mars could haue done no better There wanted not some in a readines to come into the lists for Lindauro who yet had not lost Venus loue would there shew it Ah he that had so excellent a wit as might be able to depaint with contentment to all those battels which were the best worth the séeing of any that euer were in the world for the Pagan which first presented himselfe in the lists was valiant and who without question was most enamoured although he neuer attained to any thing whereby he might perceyue that he was beloued He smote his furious horse with the spars but with the Tinacrian he got little for he made him with the encounter to take hold of the saddle pummell for feare of falling The young Gallant past forth with a braue countenance and turned his horse vpon the hand so lightly as could not bee thought The Prince came ashamed of his ill successe and desiring to amend what was past drawing his sword with both his handes hee smote the Tinacrian vpon the Helme it sounded like a bell and the enamoured youth well felt the blowe but seeing how many and how valiant Knights there yet remayned to come it behoued him to giue a good account of himselfe or not to bee called the sonne of the great Trebatius repaying him another were but small hope of victorie They encountred with Mars his might for it séemed that some great house was fallen when their lances brake they made such a noyse The Almaine lost his reynes and stirrops and was so besides himselfe that the Tinacrian perceyuing it trusting to his Rubican ranne vpon him with his horses brest and ouerbare them both to the ground wherein fortune was contrarie vnto him for as hee was taken so at vnawares he had no leisure to pull his foote out of the stirrop and so one leg was vnder his horse who with the force of the encounter died presently Trebatius his sonne alighted leauing the whole campe amazed at his valiancie and went to the Almaine holpe him to frée himselfe from his horse saying vnto him I will not sir Knight that you should lose that for want of a horse which your valor doth assure you and so you may end the battell on foote But he was in so ill taking with his fall yâ— he was enforced to giue ouer the battaile and to leaue his shield behind which much despited Bembo who loued him very much admiring at that which he with the Eagle had vsed towards him I beléeue quoth the fayre girle Rosabella that my Lord my brother Rosabel did better know this Knight then me that hee was so readie to bee his suretie séeing wee were scrupulous in giuing him this leaue it is reason that we should recompense him with something the better to encourage him against the Captaine of the Moores who they say is very valiant Her faire mother stood hard by laughed at the girles speaches who wel knew what Knight that was for her son Rosabel had told her vpoÌ„ which assurance she said Séeing you are so careful for the good of this Knight being challenged I am content that you shal send him a pledge from your hand that he may see how much his valour is estéemed Al the rest of the yong girles hâ—lpe to further what Oliuia had required In the end Rosabellaes faire sister was to take from her necke one of the most rich Iewels in the world It had beene her mothers which Rosabel had brought out of Astrutio his Countrey there was not a better piece in that field Shee gaue it to a Damsell of hers who with many Knights which held her companie came downe to the place where the Tinacrian with a nâ—w Launce in his hand was on horseback The Prince séeing her comming leapt from his horse receiuing her with much courtesie which he shewed to women more then any other Prince of the world The Damsel sayd vnto him Ualorous Knight with the Eagle my Lady the Princesse Rosabella daughter to the Prince Rosacler commendeth her to you séeing the valor which you haue shewne which shee imagineth to come from the Gréeke Ladies haÌ„ds which with such generosity gaue you leaue she sendeth froÌ„ them her selfe this Iewell to the end you should know of what credit your suite is how highly your valor is estéemed The Tinacrian smiling receiued it said Tel these soueraine Princesses faire Damsell that with such fauors such as the Gods are vnworthy of it shall bee easie to accomplish this enterprise againe a new to bind me to be theirs which this rich gift cannot do séeing I am so already shal be til I die And acknowledging how much I am bounden I find it to be so much that to lost my life it is too little to requiâ—e al of what I haue receiued He deliuered the message with so loud a voyce that the Ladies which stood about the â—ent heard him Luzela did assure her selfe of her Knight séeing the gift came from so neere a kinswoman He put it about his neck in sight of all the campe which was a wound to the Moores Ladies hearts to sée him so fauoured which was enemie to their beautie The Greeke Ladyes did celebrate the courteous answere of the Knight who séeing the place cleare tooke horse as light as a bird and taking his place expected the comming of some aduersarie desirous to make them know their errours There wanted not those who were so conceited of their Mistresses beautie that they opposed themselues against him although that there were some question about it for euerie one would be the first At length the lot fell to the mightie Brundusio who being armed with strong plankes of stéele made head against the Tinacrian whose battell and the rest deserueth a newe Chapter CHAP. XXIIII Of the cruell battell betweene Brundusio and Poliphebus with the comming of the couragious Lindoriano Prince of Niquea WIth Soueraigne praises most excellent Prince did all Grecia extoll the noble Tinacrian whose fame reached to the heauens for in lesse then thrée houres hee had ouercome thrée of the most famous Princes in the Moores Campe. And Brundusio Prince of Gibia desirous to reuenge their losses with a most gallant shew confronted Luzelaes louer there was neuer séene a more angrie onset for before the beholders could imagine it they were together making little splinters of their great Launces whose trunchions flew out of sight vp into the clouds The Pagan lost a
at him made his horse to bound making him to misse of his cruell intent and so he passed so farre forwards and with such furie as made many to laugh although hee were none of them who returned with greater furie then the hungrie Lion into the heard They both together strake vpon their rich Helmete and saw within them the cleare skie when it is most starrie They doubled their first blowes making their blood to beare record of the force of their armes if they had giuen the third I beléeue that with their liues they had ended the sport but they both withheld entring like skilfull men of warre The Niquean his sword sped best because that his enemie striking aloft and finding resistance letting fall the point of his sword hee gaue him a proud thrust beneath his brest-plate and bare away more then a hundred Mailes of his shirt with part of his thigh Trebatius his sonne ranne out of his wits when he felt himselfe hurt in the thigh hee cared not for such preparations as men doe vsually make for he suddenly hurled at him with a mightie blow vpon the Helme and made it cleane to his head giuing him a shrewd hurt hee came vpon him with an other which put him quite besides himselfe and with better heede then before he closed with him and without being any way able to defend himselfe hee pluckt him from his Saddle leaping with him to the ground where the Pagan séeing the danger wherein hee was held the Tinacrian fast where they began a dangerous wrestling with great quantitie of bloud falling from either of them It made all men to admire to sée how long they did endure the fight with such force and obstinacie with a fierce plucke the vnseised falling one from another with great admiration to all that were present holding the Knight of Fortune for couragious seeing hee could so long make his part good against the Tinacrian who thinking that his long stay would bee noted for cowardise began to presse his enemie with such force that he made him to shift from side to side being almost out of breath but he defended himselfe so wel as purchased him great credite but it lasted but a little for within three houres after the battell began the aduantage did plainely appeare on the Tinacrians side Hee perceiued it being willing to shorten the battell which was likely to haue beene to his owne hurt for the Moore being well aduised séeing him comming close stayd for his comming and before that he could deliuer his blow he gaue him one which made him put his hands and knées to the ground There was neuer any Knight séene in such a chafe as was the Tinacrian for rising againe vpon his féete hurling his sword about his head he gaue him athwart the Helmet a terrible blow which made him goe backwards ready to fal he holpe him forward with two thrusts one after another shaking with anger but he felled him and then more light then a Bird he set vpon him bidding him to yeeld who for feare of death and in hope to bee reuenged in the field battell yéelded with such feare to the rest which remayned as is incredible for now there was no talke but of his great valour Many sayd that it was Claridiano for he had bene long missing from the Gréeke Court for of the rest of the Gréeke Princes there wanted not one The Prince was neuer so wearied in any battell as in this wherefore to bee cured of his hurts as otherwise â—o rest himselfe he speedily went into the Tent where the Nymphes were who very carefully cured him which studyed nothing else but to giue him content in all things Hee againe came forth out of the Tent whereat they wondred more then at his battels for according to the liuelynesse of his countenance it séemed as though he had done nothing He chose him a great Launce wayting for him which would next come which fayled not for the braue Celindo tooke the matter in hand who was knowne to many by his Armes Of this battell many were doubtfull imagining that the vnknowne Prince was more couragious then the Gréek They made one at another as swift as the wind at which time there was a great rumour in the campe about knowing of the Knight of fortune for the Souldan his father seeing him so sore hurt would not that they should proceed with those battel 's any farther but that they should renew the warre being very desirous to be reuenged for all together and had not Bembo bene present without doubt it had bene so who saw that therein he should hazard his honour which he dissembled The wise Lupertius cured him but could not imagine what Knight that should bee which was so couragious and valiant for the wise Lady had better prouided for her Nephew for so she tooke him to end these aduentures who spurring his good horse Rubican the Souldan being now turned to behold them they met in their cariere with so great noyse as though two great rocks had met The Tinacrian encountred him so luckily in the middest of the Beuer so as he disarmed his head and made him to misse the shocke He returned againe vpon him holding the successe of that blow for excéeding good fortune and before that hee could drawe Quéene Iuliaes precious sword with his hee had giuen him two blowes one after another which was a thousand to one but that he had killed him hitting him athwart the Helme without touching the forepart where a great péece was gone The enamored young man returned as fierce as a Basiliske and with his rich sword smote the Tinacrian vpon the Helmet which was as much as if hee had smitten 〈◊〉 hard well tempered â—ell and therewith made him shake like an Aspen leafe he returned with another so soon that before that he could defeÌ„d himself or set himself in any good order to fight he had againe striken him in the same place and made him bow downe his head to the horses necke There was neuer séene a readier Knight then the Sonne of Meridian who séeing the yong men somewhat pesâ—ered bearing his Sword hand close by his side he gaue him a strong a luckie thrust which bore away his vaunt-brace taking it iust in the ioynt and it was great lucke that he had not thrust him thorow the arme Saturne neuer shewed himselfe more angrie against Mars then the Tinacrian did against the Sonne of Floralinda for hurling his good sword about hee smote away his Shield at one blow cutting those hands which hung on his arme and but that he drew back he had put his arme in danger which notwithstanding did much torment him They now care no more for defence but ioyning their horses close together as though they smote vpon Anuilles so did these warriours vpon their Helmets amazing all that behold them The Knight of the campe quoth the king of Macedonia and Grandfather to the Prince is of a
her Helmet and with a touch pluckt it away leauing her couered with a fine Cawle of gold All the companie was stricken with admiration when they perceiued that shee was a woman The Queene of Lira knew her and doubting that Poliphebus would haue vsed her discourteously she would haue gone down to entreate him to giue ouer the battaile for the great loue which she bore her euer since they had beene together in Tinacria as is aforesayd But the Greeke was so gratefull considering how much loue this Lady had shewen him in time past He sayd vnto her You hauing so good assurance of your part valorous Lady haue wronged your beautie to séeke it with your victorious hands which if in ought I haue offended as I doubt not but that I haue much you may with lesse cost take iust reuenge although that comming hither vpon commandement it may somewhat excuse mee The victorie is yours and so are all in the world due to your beautie and worthinesse and so I beseech you in token thereof to take my shield To beare a pawn from so warlike a Knight quoth the Lady ought to haue béene done by some valorous knight for it is not iust that wee should take that which to your worth belongeth séeing that you haue so well woonne it for I am yours ouercome in battaile which otherwise I will not bee She would haue left her Shield which was held for an excéeding greatnesse of mind for it was one of the fayrest in the world But the Tinacrian would not yeeld thereto but rather accompanying her forth of the Lists offered her his seruice and so returned to his tent deâ—â—râ—ing the rest of the battels vntill the euening for these already ended had somewhat wearied him Bembo seeing what honour that Knight had gotten vpon his deare friends came forth like a Lyon There was a great hope of those which remained that they should againe recouer that which the rest had lost In the standings whither the Emperor commanded meate to bee brought for dinner there was no speech so long as it lasted but of the valour of this Knight If euer he had neede fayre Ladyes of your fauour sayd Liciana it will be this euening for I am of opinion that there remaine some behind which will put him to his shifts and God grant that hee fall not into their danger Hee shall not sayd the fayre Rosamundi for sith that these Ladies fauours haue serued his turne for so good a beginning and middle it will be no doubt sufficient to make a glorious end of that which remaineth They all wished it for they loued him in their soules and were neuer well vntill they might againe returne to see him Those of the campe stayed not long at dinner they were so sharpe set and the Greekes being aware of their comming came to the standing windowes to behold them whose sight deserueth a new Chapter CHAP. XXVI Of the cruell battaile fought betweene the youth Clecbulo and Poliphebus of Tinacria with what happened to Floriâ—arte of Argentaria FAire Ladies by often crauing your ayde as is reason I am become troublesome to you But my necessity so great occasion is offered me that I cannot forbeare to reâ—â—ire anew vnto you for some new fauour whereby I may bee able with a pleasing stile to deliuer vnto you the maner of foure of the most famous battels that euer were fought in the world for they which fought them were the flower of all valiancie and for such a cause as would haue made a Lambe a Lion There were many cruell blowes giuen but those which the Ladies gaue to those youths could neuer be cured but by them which gaue them No man employed himselfe so well nor with â—ore reason then the sonnes of Eufronisa which notwithstanding their braue and couragious hearts yeelded their soules to two Princesses of Grecia whose braue beautie would haue expelled the first Venus She to whome the gentle Leobulo subiected himselfe was the gallant Aurelia daughter of the valorous Tartarian Zoylo and the fayre Princesse Tigliafâ— whose loue gaue occasion to this Prince and his elder brother to worke wonders as I will the Muses assisting mee declare in the fourth part Well did Lupertius know what peace would grow of these warres and that hee should be a friend to the Greeks But hee was so much offended for the imprisonment of his fellow Scholler Selagio that he sought to bee reuenged of the Greeke Princes The destruction of Troy was neuer so much desired as was now the ruine of Grecia And although that he would that these youthes should haue dyed thereby to haue despighted Rosabel yet he forbare to the end he might see the bloud which they would shead in the Gréeke fields and in the behalfe of the Pagans And for this cause seeing the furious enemie with whom they were to encounter and the lucke of his hand hee sent them certaine most rich enchaunted Armours which were of the best in the world all russet with certaine knots of colours which made a marueylous faire shew They both bare one deuice for the gallant Claribel had chosen for his Soueraigne Lady the fayre Policena daughter of the valorous Polidolphus and of the second Venus In the middest of their shields they bare the God of Loue giuing him for tribute the spoyles of their hearts and soules with these words What may accounted pleasure Which doth yeeld no greater smart If loue therein haue no part Both the camps tooke great pleasure to sée these two gallant contented youthes which passing ouer the place tooke the first standing although there were some question about it for the Knight with the Starres had first desired the battell Brufaldoro was almost mad because hee could not be first The braue Lord of Achaia challenged it to bee his These fiue had fallen out about it had not the Emperour of the Romanes and the Souldan of Niquea taken vp the matter which brought them to agréement which was that they should draw lots whereto they agréed because they would not fal out The first lot happened to him which in all was equall to the best which was Leobello and the second to his brother the third to the Knight with the stars and next after him to Brufaldoro and the last of all to the furious Bembo who was as fierce as a Lion who imagined that after those Knights there would bee no meanes left for him to fight the battell but the Tinacrian did so wel discharge himselfe that hee gaue them all their hands full The youth came into the field with so gallant a countenance that all affected him for putting vp his Beauer hee went to the Tinacrian who entertained him verie courteously for they were maruailous like to whome the valorous youth said Mightie Knight with the Eagle although it bee a presumption for me to enter into the Lists with you yet for that my Ladie is fairer then shee whome you haue made Ladie
of your soule if you please let our battell begin presently if not I will giue place to these Princes which remaine to giue end to theirs The Gréeke did highly estéeme the good spéeches of the young man imagining that they procéeded from a pure noble mind made answere To the end valorous Knight that I might not fight with you I would bee glad that you were excluded out of my Cartell but being of the Pagans Campe my challenge is to be vnderstâ—od to extend as wel to the knights as the Ladies The young man gaue him no other answere then by turning about his horse and putting downe his Beauer and tooke so much ground as might suffice for his carriere The Tinacrian did the like Here oh Nimphes of Pernassus your helpe is wanting and in no occasion O Mrcurie thou canst employ thine better then to explaine with what grace the one parted from the other As for me to intermeddle in the matter I shal but wrong those valorous knights which made the one towards the other and came so soone together as could not be imagined Their strong encounters would haue soone broken the hard rockes but they met with so hard brests that the Launces being shiuered into small splinters flew vp into the ayre as high as the clouds true witnesses of the mightie strength of those two warriours which without any mouing as though they had béene lockt in their Saddles with a singular good grace passed along the one by the other they returned with their swords aloft and terrible were their blowes The sparkles which flew from their shields seemed to set them on fire The Tinacrian lost the reynes of his bridle and thought that the last day had béene come hee heard such thundring about his eares and out at his mouth came aboundance of bloud and hee was a while past remembrance But the young man which had receiued a full blow and from the best arme in the world whose sword hath the best edge fell vpon his Saddle bow bereft of his sences But his horse carried him ten paces off and euerie body looked when he would fall but when he came againe to him selfe there was no Serpent that was troden vpon nor Lyon in a feuer that was so furious The courage wherewith he came made the sparkles of fire to flie out of his eyes The Tinacrian came againe to himselfe wondring at the mightie blow which he had receiued and séeing his Cousin come so furious hee thought it were but folly to stay for that blow and as he was more nimble and was better mounted so he bare to one side making him to lose his blow which came with such force that it made him to fall downe vpon his Saddle pummell so hard that when he would haue setled himselfe againe he was not able and the horse fiâ—ding his head at liberty with two boundings cast him to ground although hee fell vpon his feete The Eagle neuer stooped with greater fury after her pray then the Tinacrian did after the young man which was not yet fiftéene yeeres old he was one of the most light young men of the world and when hee came to perfect age no man excelled him and so with a leap he came to the place where the Gréeke alighted and with a strong thrust hee bare him a great way backwards His strong Armour saued his life for the sword had pierced thorow both his sides had not such cunning handes forged it The Gréeke stood no longer vpon his skill séeing himselfe so battered but layd on such load vpon the new Louer that he put him quite out of breath not without losse of some bloud for against the Gréeke sword there was no enchauÌ„tment that could preuaile Hee gaue him crosse the Helmet a cruell blow hee thought by his staggering that he would haue fallen Neuer was man so furious for noting his enemies strength he began to make benefit of his skill And the Tinacrian meaning to ouerthrowe him with some side-blow let fall his sword and setting forwards his other foot with his shield ouer his head gaue him an vnhappy thrust which the Gréeke thought had put him in danger for glauÌ„cing it chanced to hit in the closing of the armour where it entred into his left arme drawing out bloud in streames not there with content he pitcht his knee to ground smote him athwart the right thigh giuing him another wound although not great hee could not escape but that the Tinacrian would giue him another knocke at his ease ouer the shield smote away a great part thereof the trenchant sword â—ighting vpon the Helmet gaue him so terrible a blow that he set him vpon his hands knées vpoÌ„ the ground he would haue layd him all along striking him vpon the shoulder but the yong man stood firme laid hands on the son of Trebatius who was not retchlesse for that is most dangerous in such cases but suddenly drue out that famous dagger with which so many high enterprises were to be accomplished and gaue him 2. stabs far enough more dangerous theÌ„ the youth did imagine for trusting to his armour which indéed was good he tooke no care to ward them he thought he had bin wounded to the death so in despaire caused through his hurts he set his left hand vpon his dagger hand which he crosâ— with his right with maine force wrested it out of his hand and would haue strickeÌ„ him therewith and without doubt had killed him if he had not takeÌ„ hold of his wrest which he held faster then if it had bin tied with a Cable rope Eufronisaes sonne did not let slip the occasion for seeing the Gréeke busâ—ed and his right arme at libertie he wonderfully gat hold of his legs lifted him from ground who séeking to saue himselfe fel with his head first to ground pulling the youth down after him one sought to get aduantage of another and so tumbling ouer the field til they both were al bloudy but that auailing not as light as two birds they skipt to their weapons The youth was not so much vsed to theÌ„ neither so ready nor strong by reasen of his age as his wel growen kinsman who had the best sword armour in the world There was small aduantage to be gotten in this second battaile for that they were both so well armed but the time came when they were armed alike the youth câ—me to riper age when he made him to sweate drops of bloud recouering then that which now he lost But now it was impossible to match the Tinacrian which in armes was so skilfull But for all this he so plyed him that hee made him to shift from this side to that being galled with his wouÌ„ds much more with the feare to lose the battel but this was the Tinacrians day as he made it well appeare for the young man entred with an excellent ward which gaue great coÌ„tentment to all men saying
they made for where Brandafidel Bramidoro and the gentle Tefereo went there was no defence against their clubs for they trode all vnder foot The greatest part of the Pagans was slain before that their succors came from the campe In the auaunt gard came the flower of Chiualry which were Bembo Brauorante Brufaldoro the young men although yâ— Leobulo by reason of his hurts was not to haue taken armes so soone On the other side came the fiue of the wood desirous to méete with the Gréeks who being more ready séeing theÌ„selues reuenged and so much to their honour sounded a retreat garding their backs with the Citie wals leauing the enemy with lesse then the third part of their people And the greatest euil was that Poliphebus desirous to make shew of himselfe in company with his brother and Nephew wan the Standard of Comagena the King comming to the rescue lost his life honorably because it was by the hands of the Tinacrian This king was cousin and great friend to Bramarante and vncle to the furious Brauorante who when he knew of his death Gualtenor durst not tell how angry he was for before that the Gréeks were wholly withdrawn he slew aboue a hundred of theÌ„ would not returne to the campe without reuenge The diuelish young man went so compassed with his enemies that in despight of them hee went into the citie where I would gladly sée thée O Homer to sing the acts which he there performed he would not refuse to fight with a hundred for hee sought with them all He met with the Princes of Hungarie and Bohemia it was nothing to strike them to the ground considering what he pretended He turned to Thorisiano whoÌ„ he left sencelesse at his horses héeles And the braue Tartarian although he deserued it not hee had neere bereaued of life for casting bloud at his mouth and nostrils he threwe him to ground The strong Florisiano and the Prince of Croacia escaped not scotfrée for he left them astonied A proud attempt sixtéene Princes he threw to the ground in so ill plight that it was doubted of their liues He came to encounter the two famous Giants Bramidoro and Brandafidel to which he had an eie euer since their méeting in the willow valley He entred betwéene them nothing weyghing their terrible clubbes and they which were borne to be feared nothing feared him for whorling about their feareful weapons they both together smote him so strongly that they made him bow both his knées to the ground and had taken him but the terrible young man bestirring himselfe with his broad sword strake Brandafidels club out of his hands and came vpon him with another which set him from him faster then a good pace which gaue him place to rise and ouertake the furious Bramidoro Hee had paid no lesse then his life for the displeasure of this angrie young man for hee made him to fall vpon his hands and would haue closed to make a finall end of him and had done it had not the gentle Tifereo come who with a fierce blow hindred the purpose of the fierce Brauorante But he paid that which he ought to Poliphebus for with a thrust he wounded him verie sore in the middest of his brest and if his sword had entred a little further hee had nayled the one side to the other Brandafidel came to the rescue laying hand to his monstrous crooked Fawchion wherewith he thought to haue defeated the Pagan and smote him athwart the Helme and made him sée a thousand starres therein The Prince of Fraunce Clarindo by chance came at one side of him who was so eager that he could not strike although hee would faine but was likely to haue met with his death for the Pagan séeing him so néere him that hee could not strike him with his sword gaue him so sound a knocke with the Hilts that he â—aid him at his feete Gualtenor saith that had any of the other famous Princes entred with him the Citie had béene in danger to haue béene surprised he roared like a Bull at the stake and was more wight then an Ounce and thinking that hee should better execute his rage on foote he forsooke his horse and so iustled those which came mounted vpon great horses as though hee had béene an Elephant with two blowes hee strake downe the two brothers Spaniards which were held for as valiant as most in the Campe yet there were so many that desired to come to blowes with him that the place was neuer void but rather they met him in the way seeking reuenge All this did but inflame his rage had not the Gréeke Princes béene aduertised thereof who desirous to kill him came in all haste The Dane came first vpon his Tirian very cholericke for that he had ouerthrowne his Captaine which brought his troupes out of Dacia who entred pale with anger and ran vpon him with his horse brest but hee stirred him as much as if he had met with a rocke Then came the braue Claramante who had many times made him to feele what hee could doe with his Halbert who leapt from his horse to whome euerie one gaue place hee stood somewhat aloofe and whorling his weapon about his his head smote him ouer the Helmet and did more then Don Heleno his horse could doe for he made him set his hands to ground he seconded it with another which made him starke mad for making no reckoning of the third although that he saw it comming hee ioyned with him giuing him a suddaine blow with both his hands vpon the Helmet and made him to set both his hands and knées to the ground no man came to his rescue for feare to offend him thinking that he would make an end of the Pagan but hee was become such a Basiliske that if the whole Greeke Armie had beene there hee would not haue refused the battell against them all The louer gaue him a thrust in the brest and had not his armour béene so good hee had nayled him thorow and made him make two steps backwards By this time had all the flowre of the Greekes compassed him about and the Tinacrian had so great a desire to trie himselfe against him that hee leapt from his horse with his Shield vpon his arme desiring his brother to leaue that battell to him wherein he should doe him pleasure All meÌ„ desired to content him for he was beloued of all The Pagan knew him well by his Eagle and knowing that he had slaine his good Unkle hee assailed him bidding them both to prepare themselues which Claramante would not doe by any meanes but left the battell for his brother who as hee came fresh and eager before hee could turne about had giuen him two blowes one after another there was no enchantment against his weapons nor force equall to his for both his knees he made him set to the ground and reached him another no lesse then the former The Pagan
on our side the mightie Generall and Claramante with the vnknowne Gréeke which came to ioyne with greater force then can be imagined Oristoldo lost his stirrops but hauing so good a horse he past furiously along the like did the foure which remained they returned the one against the other with as great courage as possibly could be imagined Bembo desirous to strike Claridiano came so néere that he could not strike him and so came to handie gripes the Greeke knew the Pagans strength and leauing his stirrops he suffered himselfe to be carried away but in plucking him from his Saddle he took so strong hold that he pluckt him out of his before that hee was able to quit his stirrops which if the Gréek had knowen he would haue trailed him from his horse It was a luckie chance for Archisiloraes Louer for as he was stronger then the Moore so he set him vp against his horse and with his dagger was like to haue slain him for he hurt him although not dangerously The yong man was almost lost for the Giants séeing the Pagan in the ground charged with their squadron had troden him vnder foot had he not bin closed with Bembo but this the approach of the battels gaue theÌ„ place to take horse beginning betwéene them anew so furious a battel as if they had bin alone within the Lists It lasted not long for the flouds of frieÌ„de enemies parted them being mixed among the troupes where oh who is able to expresse what blowes were giuen aboue 30000. lost their saddles some presently their liues for they were either troden vnder the horse féete or smoothered with extreme heate who had seene the gallant Claramante with his shield at his backe charge the enemie with his Battel-axe at large to let driue at those Giants which as they were huge so many he neuer mist blow at euery blow felled one to the grouÌ„d stopping the passage against the horsemen his friends held him so good companie that it gaue great pleasure to behold theÌ„ for Claridiano carefull of his Lady suffered her not to strike a blow although she wel made shew of the valor of her persoÌ„ The warlike Lady charged in so far among the Giants that before she was aware hauing hoâ—t her horse they had her afoote her Louer repaired to the noyse séeing the Queene a ground I cannot tel whether a man should relate what the Gréeke did For 4. Giants being alighted to help their Captaine which was at handy gripes with the Lady he laid theÌ„ on the ground at 4. blowes and came where the Giant was armed with plankes of stéele his Helme He let her go séeing the Gréeke coÌ„ming prepared for his defence but it was too late for before he could turne with the furie which did predominate in him hee smote him with both handes vpon the head rasht away a great piece therof of his thick helmet hee seconded another together with Archisilora shee with a thrust pearced him thorow he before hee fel had cleft his head so as the best fairest hands in the world wrought his death Many did enuie the Giant for his death in such maner Oristoldo and Claramante would not bee out of the way when they should assist them The thrée famous Pagans turned backwards hearing the noyse and those which were a foote were like to bee in danger by their comming for in the Generals gard they had done much harme It was strange to sée Bembo with his sword died in bloud The furious Brauorante bare that day a great Mace of stéele being stung with the death of his Uncle hee sufficiently reuenged it for hée gaue many for one at his comming hee met with those of the Generals Chamber and flue thrée of them at two blowes and charging the Giants which had the gard of his person being nothing afraid to sée himselfe alone amongst them he began to stirre in such maner that if Claramante had not come hauing first mounted those two princes hee had made an end of them but knowing him they gaue place whose battell is not to bee forgotten for the one with his Axe and the other with his Mace at euerie blowe made the bloud to gush out at their Uisors It was good hap for a great many and as a man might say ordained by the heauens for at one blow with his terrible Axe hitting close by his hand hee smote in two péeces his Mace of steele and it was maruaile that he had not done the like by his armes O who had then séene the angrie Moore more furious then a Basiliske hee was nothing amazed neither did hee strike sayle to furie but rather drew out a sharpe skeane wherewith hee would haue smitten the Gréeke but it was too late for he had alreadie the edge of his Axe vpon his Helme here he saw that which he neuer thought of his weapons for hitting him athwart the Creast he smote it cleane away a great part of his stéele Cap. Forwards went the louer glad to see the Standard to march forwards getting ground The infidell Bembo perceiued it and with great furie would haue set vpon him which bare it which was the good Duke of Thebes had not his hands béene as good as his iudgement according to the force wherwith he pluckt it he had ne're caried it Brufaldoro followed the chase The old man was in great danger but his 3. soÌ„nes which were the flowre of the Gréeks defended their father as wel as they did the standard Oristoldo and Claridiano wel saw the hurly burly but the Giants did so much trouble them that they could not passe but séeing what was lost in the Standard notwithstanding he had a good gard throwing downe those which stood in his way the furious Claridiano caâ—e and met with Brufaldoro and taking him at vnwares it was a maruell that he had not killed him for in passing by he gaue him a mighty thrust in one of his sides which finding entrance in the iointing came forth againe all died in bloud The yong man passed by so swift that hee could not strike him but others of lesse worth which remained behind paid for displeasing him Bembo would that all the whole army should charge for the being by halfe more then the Gréekes being mixt al together they might the better one helpe another The horne was thrise winded which was a warning to giue the charge The braue Oristoldo well vnderstood it retiring with his company then which a better was not in the world he said vnto them The time is now come valorous Princes wherein your valour wil appeare for Bembo hath giuen signe for the generall charge and because he shall not thinke that we are carelesse it shall be good to get the hand of them which he did for he presently winded his so lowd that all the valleys rang thereof The Ladies in Mars his Castle knew it and the
in his determination he saw néere at hand the certaine death of his déerely beloued daughter for hee continued so obstinate in his vniust challenge that nothing could withdraw him from his damned resolution The two Princes came in whose presence gaue no small ioy to all that were in the hall principally the Tinacrian for no man had a greater grace in his countenance In ouer-looking the hall with iudiciall eyes the sonne of great Trebatius doing some reuerence said God saue the great King of Samogacia and graunt thée that peace which thy personage deserueth this Knight and I come from farre countries onely to defend the wrong as we haue vnderstood which is done by a certaine Knight vnto thy Daughter and casting lots whether of vs should first enter into battell for her it fell to me which gaue mee no small content to doe thy daughter this seruice and performe that whereto by the law of Knighthood I am bounden and therefore you may commaund her to be called and wee shall sée whether shee will commit the equitie of her cause into my hands The Gods requite thée the band Sir Knight wherein you haue bound me with offring your person to such danger as this present which is one of the greatest that you haue séene which might be ended by some other meanes if this Knight would who is the defendâ—nt to the challenge but séeing it must goe as fortune will appoint there is no more to be done but to come to the battell which the Gods graunt may end according to the equitie of the cause To be of the Princesses part mightie King hath compelled me to come answered the Tinacrian The fierce Pagan being somewhat moued rose vp saying I would not Sir Knight that you should haue so great confidence in the Ladies innocencie but that you should come so well furnished with forces as are needfull for the battel and so you may take this Knight to helpe you for my challenge doth extend to foure It shall not néed said the sonne of Trebacius to haue any more companie theÌ„ the equity of my cause doth giue me for if I be in the right my person will sufâ—ice for a greater matter if in the wrong little will great forces preuaile against iustice and I much desire that such a Knight which is so famous as you are before so many people should not make shew to trust more in the strength of your arme then in the equitie of your cause which most commonly fayling valour is of little effect The furious Pagan beeing there with â—ffended answered saying I thought not Knight that my curtesie had animated thee to be so proud but because thou maist know that I will not passe the time in words being more fit to vse deeds we wil no longer deferre the battell As he had ended his answere came the most faire Celibella all clad in mourning attire which did greatly encrease her beautie The Tinacrian had neuer séene greater beautie for there were few in the world that did excell her Her father told her at her comming how that Knight vndertooke the battell for her The faire Princesse knew him straight by his deuice of a bough which he bare in his shield that hee was the man for whom she had sent She presently gaue him authoritie with greater contentment then can be spokeÌ„ although that when she remeÌ„bred the infortunate Princes her most pleasing thoughts were watred with teares These two valiant Warriours made no delay for the fierce TinacriaÌ„ taking his leaue of the King went into the lists taking with him the Prince of Prussia who stood to looke on On the other side of the lists presently came in the valorous Furiander much people accompanying him although there was no bodie that would he should winne the palme or weare those armes wherein hee had accused the Princesse who was set vpon a scaffold with a sufficient gard where she prayed to her false Gods that her Knight might obtaine the victorie séeing the in so iust a cause he vndertooke the battell Face to face stood these two warriours whose lookes and gestures were such that he which stood farthest off did scarcely account himselfe in safetie at the giuing of the fearefull signe they drew with more swiftnesse then an arrow flieth In the middest of the place was appointed the course of their Carriere making a greater sound in their meeting then if two hils had runne together they bowed not in their â—addles with the force of the lances which brake like Kâ—xes whose splinters flew so high that they were out of sight These two rare men in valour turned their horses with their swords in their hands approching the one iust to the other they gaue so fearefull blowes as would haue beaten a rocke in pieces eche of them could testifie his aduersaries force they redoubled the second with greater courage then dexteritie either of them féeling his owne blood in his mouth they began to make benefite of the nymblenesse wherewith they were endued closing and beating by the blowes in such exquisite maner that Mars himselfe could not haue done the like The valiant Moore spurring his horse thinking by swiftnesse to get aduantage charged carrying his sword firme with the point forwardes The great Tinacrian was well aware thereof there was neuer seene any Eagle more swift then hee in giuing blowes and making his horse to giue a bound hée passed before the Moore and turned him so sodainly that hee wondred at the Sonne of Trebacio they came to ioyne and the Moore would giue the first blow hee did it which was more swift then the wind and strake him vpon the rich Helmet whose finenesse warranted his life for otherwise hee had clouen him to the saddle it sounded like a bell and therein the Tinacrian saw a thousand starres in the skies he fell vpon his horse necke and the Moore doubled his blow but if hee had giuen the third the battell had béen ended for it came with such force that he was quite senselesse he had closed with him if he had not séene that more furious then a Basiliske hee returned with his sword aloft There was no man in that place that yeelded not the victorie for the Pagan the Ladies fainting confirmed the same for losing her Rosiall colour it became like snow séeing the blowes which her Knight had receyued who was nothing discouraged therewith but casting his shielde at his backe grinding his téeth against the other he assayled the Moore giuing him so mightie a blow vpon his helme that he left him al that part vnarmed charging him so vehemently that there mist but little to haue laid him in the dust hee tooke hold of his horse necke The Tinacrian ioyned with him accounting the victorie for his owne and with both his handes gaue him another blow which imprinted his sword in his flesh wounding him in the shoulder as the Moore setled him selfe losing no occasion he gaue him two thrusts one
after another which set him on the arson of his Saddle griping him so that it seemed he had striken him quite out of breath The Pagan aduanced himselfe closing with the Tinacrian he thought to preuaile by grasping with him but he found the sonne of Garofilia as fast in his saddle as if he had béene a rock they tugged so hard together that they both were out of breath their horses stood more fixt in the grouÌ„d with â—â—uing in their wrestling then the most moored roots With one turne they fell both to the earth The Pagan had a mishap because one of his feet hung in the stirrâ—p which if the TinacriaÌ„ had perceiued in time he had slaine him yet notwithstaÌ„ding before he could get it out with his dagger he gaue him 2. cruel stabs left the marks in the flesh which the Pagan held for mortal and so turning to his enemy who as he was higher then he he lifted him from ground carying him in such sort that the Batchelour had lieffer haue bene deadly wounded hee did his best to encounter his aduersary and so recouer footing whence twise whéeling about they hurled together with greater force then a Coluerine shot they gaâ— to their weapons with such speed that al those which were present wondred thereat I beléeue quoth the king turning himselfe towards the principall of those which were with him that in these two warriours is disciphered the flower of cheualrie No pleasure can be compared to that which Celibella receiued séeing how well her knight had acquitted himself for on foot none of her brothers could do better and yet oftentimes fighting with them hee made them to doubt of the battaile Some aduantage was perceiued in him for striking with great rage the Tinacrian happily crossing inwards and standing very firme on his right foote he ioyned hitting right on the side of the vaunt-brace the trenchant sword rebounded to the hollow entring a third part in at the brest The Pagan féeling the wound thinking it had bene to the death gaue a signe thereof for with the very paine of the wound he went crosse-leg'd and was readie to fall the furious yong man holpe him doubling another blow vpon his helme with so great might that hee made him set his knées to the ground There is no serpent so wrathfull which can turne so as Furiander returned against the sonne of Garofilea and with the raging smart which he felt of his wouÌ„d throwing his shield to the grouÌ„d he went with such fury with his sword in both hands that he made more then foure lose all their colour in their faces the blowe was with lesse héed then wisedome required to beare for it had beene the last that euer the Tinacrian had receiued he hit him so right vpon the gilded crest that hee made him to sée a thousand starres in his helme and he charged his furious sword with such force that he made him to 〈◊〉 both his handes and knées to ground The impatient Moore drew néere with another no lesse then the first hée had stretched him out for a pray according as he was stroÌ„g so he suddenly pinck't from him his vâ—â—nâ—-brace and Lirgando saith that he also tooke his shield from him Gualtenor sayeâ—h no but that hee did cut the greatest part of his Polarons If hee had béene able to haue giuen the third I knowe not how this Batchelour had escaped from the battaile but as the wound fell vpon that side where his heart was it made him breathlesse so as hee could not thencefoorth procéed in his furie giuing the Baâ—chelour place to rise there was no helpe for the armour against the blowe which he gaue for hee cleane carryed away the crowne of the helme and a piece of the head withall Well might the sonne of the great Trebacio haue ouercome him but hée was a Knight who in déed did more affect the woorth which the Pagan had shewen saying thus vnto him I doe much desire Sir Knight that this battaile may rest in that estate wherein it is for I see you are dangerously and sore wounded very néere vnto death and in going further any your euill fortune whatsoeuer would much grieue mee for I doe neither desire your death nor ouerthrowe but perpetuall amitie and friendship which from hencefoorth I offer vnto you swearing and protesting vnto you that you most inâ—uriously vphold and maintaine the wrong against a Ladie who in apparant shewe hath much sorowed and lamented the death of your brothers When the generositie most noble Prince is so discouered procéedeth from a gallant brest there is no Aspicque so fierce and cruell but will bee therewith appeased hée had not beene Prince of Tinacria neither could that haue bene the country of your most noble Lordship if therein had not bene bred so rare a good as was this And so this valiant â—â—oore sound himselfe bound with the reasons which the Prince vttered â—aying Fâ—â—thuâ—g could happen to me so well as this my life and reputation being in such danger I would valorous man at Armes gladly in exchange to purchase the friendshippe of such a knight as you are and seeing it behoueth 〈◊〉 and that of my obâ—â—inate contending there can nothing grow vnto 〈◊〉 but perpetuall infamy and discredite I doe from hencefoorth vtterly giue ouer the battaile and freely seâ— at â—â—ertie the Princesse condemning my euersight and blinâ—â—â—â—e séeing iâ— was not possible in so perfecâ— a subiect to 〈◊〉 any thing which should so much disgrace it When the prince of Prussia lawe the 〈◊〉 league and bond of friendship concluded beiâ—â—ue the 〈…〉 he put spâ—â—res to his horse and tooke his way towardes his countrey with all the spéede that might be where hee passed his time in great heauinesse and sorrow hauing atchiued no aduenture The Iudges were néere at hand hearing what the Pagan said which yéelded such contentment to the whole Court that no man is able to expresse it but â—â— may be better imagined then any way described The hidden fire in the scattered powder my Soueraigne Lady hath not so much power neither is it of such effectuall force as is settled loue to shewe what it is and what it is able to doe What man in the world could haue confirmed a peace betwéene Princes so much at variance and with so great reason Who could haue brought it to passe that Celibella the beauty of the world should haue béene any whit sorowfull or grieued for the spitefull Paganâ— hurâ—s though neuer so deadly bee receiuing them in fighting so disgrace and confound her It cannot be imagined that so great an alteratioÌ„ as this can be attributed vnto any other thing but to loue Fortune was more fauourable vnto him then he was well aware of for they were not yet gone forth of the field when twenty Knights clad in mourning attyre came into the Campe which seeing him come foorth of the lists afoote came to him to kisse his hands and