displeased to seperate their Trinity they tooke their iournie strait to Constantinople whereby the Duke was marucylous glad of this Knights abode with him misdoubting nothing that be would lie in ambush for his wises honor who hoping to take some pastime in the amorous chace with her new Parramour made a great deale the better cheare to the Gentlewoman who was cause to retayne him with her â— where wee will leaue them to the liking of their loues to recount what befortuned Belcar and Recindes after they had parted company CHAP. VIII How Belcar and Recindes being arriued in Constantinople vnknowne of any vanquished the County Peter and continued the lawe of his Ioust dooing maruels of Armes and how the Emperour sent Palmendos and Primaleon to know who they were BElcar and Recindes perceiuing the will of Tirendes their companion prayed God to preserue him from all sinister accident then bidding him adien they fell into their way againe wherein riding many dayes iourneys they arriued at the last in Constantinople on a Sunday morning the seanenth day of the Ioust that County Peter enterprised as you may call to minde whereof they heard some newes by the way as they came By meanes wherof they determined before they would make themselues knowne to prooue themselues against him as Knights errant Belcar praid his companion to let him haue the first course which hee willingly graunted albeit hee coulde haue desired to win the honour or shame first himselfe Entring then into the Citty they made directly to the Tilt-yeard where they found the gate fast by reason the County dined then in the company of many Knights with great ioy and sollace as they were accustomed within his Pauilion So that being saint to stay the fit houre they leaued vpon their Launces vntill they sawe the Emperour take his place on the left hande to whome the King of Hungarie who fate at his side begins to say My Lord behold those two â—nights who will I 〈◊〉 how braue they gouerne themselues â—â— horse-backe Truly brother you say well quoth hee I beliue it will doo a man good to see them at the shecke When Belcar perceiued the Emperour whom he had not séene long time before force and courage increased so in his heart that hee purposed to shew this day some pleasure in his house where because his was nourished and brought vp in it from his infancy he knew not King Frisol his father who was with him in company beeing brought from Hungarie thither in his swadling clouts But the Earle séeing the Seigniory Noblesse in the galleries caused forth with his Helmet to be brought and by and by all his strings leathers and buckles to be laced and tyed Then mounting he commaunded the Trumpets and 〈◊〉 to sound and to open the Gate of his repairs Whereinto Belcar being first entred the Earle asked him whether he would Ieust or fight I will quoth the Assailant doo all that I shall know to be necessary but let vs first Ieust to sée what will follow Hauing thus saluted each other they encounter with 〈◊〉 a fury that Belcar lost his 〈◊〉 and the Earle breaking in dashing together the peâ—â—rall and the girths of his horse went mangre his nose to luste his greater and mother but â—â—â— soone got vp againe being greatly ashamed and vexed to loâ—â— an instant the honour he had conqurred in sixe dayes Sir Knight then quoth Belcar I haue wâ—rme your Coats of Armes if I be not giuen to misunderstand in declaring â—â—â— the Lawe of your enterprise According to which you must depart this field which I purpose to garde and defend in my turne as you haue done before me if seene body 〈…〉 not by force of Armes My Habilliament shall I 〈◊〉 giue you answered the County without departing the Tilt 〈◊〉 be not by Martiall exployte performed by you or some other which shall force me to doo it You will séene your 〈…〉 replied Belcar neuerthelesse seeing you will 〈…〉 hathly and con me thanke for she curtesie 〈…〉 which I shew you Then set the Earle foote to stirrup againe and in the meane time the Emperour being greatly astonished at the magnanimity of this Knight said to the King of Hungarie he well knew who he was the two Champions beganne with their swords a terrible and furious skirmish hewing out another in so bruske and strange manner that it terrified the bâ—â— olders to be are them onely For the County through rage and despite which surmounted his reason laid on without feare most desperately But his aduersary who was a little more nimble and could mannage a little better than hée did tiggle his ribbes with such sound flashes which eastly tamed him at length so that being weary to make him languish so much hee 〈…〉 in the ende a fell stroake vppon his Murrion which lâ—ude him in a stonny vpon the bare ground saying Now Knight must you condiscende by force to that whereunto you woulde not accord by your good with a thing surely procâ—â—ding from your rash presumption which make you thinke the honour of Chiualry dwelt onely among Frenchmen At this spectacle and words 〈…〉 the Prince Arnodes and had it not beene through the â—â—disposition of his person and that Philocrista would neuer haue permitted it hee had endossed his Armes to 〈◊〉 the County and his Nation of this reproach In the same paine and choller were all the rest of the French Nobility who séeing they coulde none other remedye listed by Earle Peter from his fall and bare him into his lodging to cause the Surgeons to â—â—ke vnto him and search his wounds Belcar who thought in the 〈◊〉 time what he haâ—â—â— doo tooke the coats of Armes and giuing it to one of his Pages commaunded him to be are it from him and one of his companions to Melissa the King of Hungaries Daughter whom they 〈…〉 all commers it shee would vouchsafe them so 〈…〉 to let them Combat vnder her 〈…〉 And gaue charge more-ouer to the young-man to tell the Emperour and those who were about his Maiestie that whosoeuer would Tourney against him should alwaies finde him ready within the Listes Where if per aduenture hee were vanquished by any of the Assailants the field should remaine tolâ—s companion who should second him therein which they did desire to did in attending the opening of the generall Triumph The Page vnderstanding throughly his Masters will went strait to the Pallace where knéeling before the Empresse hâ—e besought her to showe him which of her Ladies was Melissa King Frisols Daughter wherein beeing by her gratiously certefâ—ed the youth rose vp and with a most lowly reuerence began to say in this manner Madame Melissa the Knight who vanquished Earle Câ—â—â— kisseth the hand of your Excellencie and sendeth you by 〈◊〉 this his spoile the which hee knoweth beséeming your worthines whom he loueth more than any Lady of this company And although he neuer saw you hee assureth himselfe neuerthelesse
shall you neuer vnderstand by my meanes quoth the Spaniard hereof can I well aduertise you that happen to mee what may I will not couch my Launce against you You will tell mee then a reason quoth Arnedes or you shall presently die of my hand Such inhumanitie shall I neuer sée in you replyed Recindes albeit I had no will to desend my selfe By the liuing God said Arnedes hastily you wil constraine me to bée discourteous indéede and therefore at your owne perill be it I can no longer forbeare quoth the Emperour then who heard this controuersie but I must néedes knowe who are these two Knightes nowe in fielde for me thinkes I see none other than the true representation of Belcar and Recindes When he had thus saide he descended with manie Nobles after him and finding the two Combattants yet in dispute the one séeking to knowe why his aduersarie woulde not encounter him the other excusing himselfe that hee might not tell the cause willed Arnedes to goe aside And taking Recindes Horse by the Bridle hee prayed him of all loue that hee woulde satisfie the great desire hee had to knowe him My Lord quoth he I cannot doe it without insâ—â—â—ging my faith therefore I pray you vrge mee not to be perâ—urde Assure you replyed the Emperour you shall neuer sée me depart from hence before I knowe and looke you in the face so that by excuses you may not preuaile Therefore I pray you put off your helmet and thinke in so doing you shall not breake your faith and promise For Gods sâ—ke replied Recindes do not offer to force me in your countries This force will I offer you answered the Emperour for that in my mind it stayneth neither your honor nor mine The Knight in a perplerity not knowing what to say further seeing it was a matter of constraint held his peace and not a word Then Belcar who had verse well heard all the whole circumstance seeing hee coulde no longer conceale himselfe threwe incontinent his helmet to the ground and went to fall on his knees before the Emperour in kissing whose handes her saide My Lord pardon vs if it please you if wee haue not béene so prompt to obey you as your greatnes requires for wee determined at our departure out of Macedon to come vnknowne into this place to exployte before your eyes some honourable attempt wherein you might take some delight pleasure Notwithstanding seeing wee are frustrate of one intention hauing perfourmed nothing worthie to giue you contentment it is the verie reason why wee dissembled our selues vnto your Maiestie of whom both the one and the other of vs two reputeth himselfe a most happie man to haue receaued so great honour Ah my deare friends quoth the Emperour then you be exceeding welcome into my Court wherein I may well assure my selfe cannot be founde two Knighte in whom can be found so much anâ—â—rosity as in you onely but tell mee I pray you whether the King my most honourable Father will come speedily vnto this Cittie My Lord answered Belcar I am sure it wil not be a wéeke before he arriue here For he was readie to depart when I entreated him to let vs goe before to bring you newes thereof The Emperour maruellous ioy full of this aunswere turning himselfe with a laughing countenance towardes the King of Hungarie saying to him Brother receaue to you Belcar your Sonne whose vertues and good manners make him so amiable that euery braue man of good iudgment wold be to him in steede of a Father in this behalfe As the Dominators of Greece spake these words Belcar falling vppon his knees kissed honourably his Father King Frisols hand who embraced him with great loue the trickling teares standing in his eyes and at length the French Prince seeing his Cosen Recindes in face ranne vnto him with open Armes to giue him the accolladâ—e and could not almost speake for extreame gladnes which seazed his heart in recognising him Which the Spaniard perceauing alighted quickly from his Horse to embrace him and after they had shewed manie familiar louing cherrishings one to another he went to doe his dutie to the Emperour who receaued him most ioyfullie as did likewise all the â—eigneurs and Barrons of the Court whereof the greatest part esteemed themselues verie happie if they might come next to offer them the gentle welcome and if all the beholders were very glad of this sodaine and inexpected ioy whereof euerie one had a good share that of Pinedes was so abundant that it could not be expressed hauing seene him perfourme the valiant and famous acts which you haue to fore vnderstood Then tooke the Emperour Recindes by the hande and the King of Hungarie his Sonne Belcar whome they lead straite to the Pallace where beeing disarmed they went honourably to kisse the Empresse hand who entertayned them with most kinde spéeches During which Melissa who heard them by the only instinct of the vnspeakeable ioy which she felt in minde reuested in the superficies of her face such a naturall beautie that it was an admirable thing to behold Full well did the two knights marke it when they came to doe reuerence to Philocrista Francheline and to her who represented the third Goddesse So that thinking her selfe thrice happie to haue bin knowne worthie the presents of two worthy and excellent Princes embraced many times her brother Belcar amiably Neuerthelesse with more than a singuler affection and without any meane as it falleth out manie times to those who are striken with the same Dart that shee was shee entertained Recindes her loyall and perfect louer And beleeued firmely by that which her Brother sent her when the youngman brought her the first coate of Armes that shee knewe indéede the whole discourse of their secretes wherein she found great consolation shewing oftentimes to her louer by many signes gratious aspects and other duâ—â—â— Embassages of loue what was her intention which Recindes did the like for his part toward her In this meane time Belcar was busie in beholding the extreame beautie of Franchâ—line whereof he was greatly astonished not without thinking Palmendos a most happie man to haue won so much honour in winning her for his wife And albeit hee was well contented with Alderine the onely Lady of his heart yet hee could haue wished to haue had this for his Mistresse which passion could not be so well dissemble but in embracing Palmendos hee must néedes tell him in smiling manner Truely Sir it was for my great good I was not present at the bridge of Carderie when you arriued there for obtayning nowe so caste victorie of me what would you haue done when your heart was so much pricked forwarde to purchase so rich a treasure as Francheline is No marueile then if you haue shewed that prowesse vpon me which euerie man hath manifestly knowen in you seeing before your eyes a beautie sufficient to make able the most coward and faint harted knight that
who vnderstood her well speaking for her set one knée on the grounde and made this answere Madame in very déede I beléeue your Lyon neuer sawe this Damsell before because shee commeth but nowe from a 〈◊〉 Lande farre distant from these Countries but hée presageth the great desire which the Knight who sent her vnto you hath to doo you seruice and also can iudge of the high choyce of this Princesse beeing Daughter to the Soldan of Persia for so much as the Lyons by nature as being Kings among the foure footed Beasts doo recognize and knowe perfectly the illustrious and royall bloud So hee procéeded to declare the Embassage which Prince Edward gaue him incharge to deliuer by worde of mouth beside the letter which he had already giuen into her hand praysing him in valour and curtesie aboue all the Knights to whom the fower Elements had euer lent any influence of harmonicall constitution And told her moreouer how he caused him self to be called the Knight of the Dogge by reason of a very great and fayre Dogge that he carried along with him which was of so good knowledge that hee ayded and succoured him greatly in his necessities Squire my friend replyed the Princesse Gridonia I make no doubt but that the Knight of the Dogge is both magnanimious and of great Prowesse séeing that without knowing me hee hath had this remembrance of me wherein I pray the Lord God to giue me the fauour that according to his merite I may returne him his due guerdon and rewards and giue him so much power and strength as by his happy victory he may chace from my hart the languishing and bitter sorrow which hath ceazed it a long time And for a testimony of the loue and duety I too owe him reciprocally I take and accept this Infant his present in the place and steede of a sister and a good friend and so will I loue and honour her as if wee were both issued out of one wombe For this acceptation and curtesie did Diazan thanke her most humbly in kissing her hand then did hee interprete to the Infant what she said whereat Zerphira bowing her selfe very low did giue her also thankes for her part and then did Gridonia take her by the hand to make her sit downe by her praying her to be of good cheare and to deuise what pastime shee pleased all which Diazan expounded vnto her as well as he could Then shee who perceiued so much honour was done vnto her in eating and drinking alwaies with Gridonia which made her greatly comfort her selfe and droue away all yrkesomnes of the place but not that she could in any wise altogether forget her aduerse and sinister fortune Neuerthelesse she neuer shewed any euident token thereof but very wisely dissembled it whereat Gridonia maruelled not a little but much more at her great riches and iewels which shée carryed about with her Diazan after hee had rewarded the Merchants of Arriace with some present sent them away home to their houses because hee meant to abide there to serue the Infant Zerphira whom he aduertized by the way to take héede least shée shuld speake any thing in fauour of the Emperour of Constantinople to Gridonia nor to shew by any token or signe that she loued him or any of his stocke or kindred Which shee who was both sage and well aduised tooke for so good a forewarning that shee was neuer heard in her presence to speake any thing by affection of this family CHAP. XXII How the Knight of the Dog presented himselfe with the Lady of Arriace before King Frisol who at his entreaties let the widdow alone with her Cittie and how afterward he got the best in a Tourney which was held in his Court and what fell out by occasion thereof DIazan being departed with the infant Zerphira Prince Edward the Lady of Arriace accompanied with twentie knights whom they tooke for their safe conduct tooke their iourney towards King Frisols Court so that arriuing there the third day afterward about euening praier the Knight being in his complete armour except his head-péece and gantlets onely led the Lady by the hand euen vp to the chamber of presence for in this place did the King recreate himselfe with his children and with many other Lords who were come the ther of purpose to see and welcome Belcar not long time before arriued from Durace and there was besides the Quéene his Mother accompanied with Esquiuela Alderine the wiues of Dâ—treus and Belcar his two Sonnes with many other Ladies deuising and sporting themselues together euery one according to their pleasure The King séeing the Lady come in knew presently she was Lady of Arriace and beholding the physiognomie and honest countenance of the Knight iudged with himselfe he descended from some high and great linnage when the Lady prostrating her selfe at his féete thus began to frame her complaint Sir it hath pleased you to cause notice to be giuen me to appeare before your royall Maiestie to the end that vnder the coulour of fortification and assurance of your kingdome you may dispossesse me of my towne of Arriace because it is situate vpon the frontiere confining vpon the Moores your enemies from whom yée suppose putting therein sure guarde and good garrison to shut vp all passage that way to cut off the hostile inuasion which they might other wise make into your Maiesties dominions wherein I maruell much that you addresse your selfe to me being but a poore widow rather than to any other of your vassalls to vse such rigour extremitie towards them considering if you alledge that my sonne is too yong to kéepe quarter and to hold so dangerous a passage I will answer you this reason séemeth not sufficient to execute iniustice towards him but rather ought you as his King soueraigue Lord to take him into your protection and safegarde Nor can you finde iustly any fault that my citty is not well guarded and fortefited séeing I ordinarily kéepe in pay a great number of Knights and Souldiers who do not neglect their duty and diligence aswell in placing Sentinels and Scouts both by day and night within and without my walles as likewise in maintaining all other things which are requisite for a frontire towne besides euery one may presume that in loosing of it I should most of all be endammaged as being depriued of the principall cittie of my domaine which I will not exchange for any other which you shall offer me in recompence to haue it This is the matter I am come to let you vnderstand hoping to finde some pitty and compassion in a Prince so full of clemencie as you are otherwise I would neuer haue presumed to haue béen so bolde to appeare before your presence assuring my selfe if you cause the charters of your Royaltie to be exactlie looked ouer you shall finde it appertaineth not to you by any vassellage but hath alwaies beene the chiefe citie belonging
some supposed they were stricken with the falling sicknes insomuch that they mâ—â—ed all the standers by to compassion and the Emperour for his parte would willingly haue deliuered them had hee not perceaued Palmendos could not honestly frustrate Ozalio of the promise which he had made him By meanes whereof not to abide beholding them any longer in this pitteous Tragedie he commaunded incontinent to recarry Ocurites to his loâ—ging Marencida backe into her chamber where she would willingly haue done that for him to saue him from death which Alceste whilom Quéene of Thessalie would only haue enterprised for Admetus her husband after she vnderstood by the Oracle that any one of his friends who would die in his stead might saue his life which else in no wife might bee preserued So great was she heartes griefe Ocurites felt during his traunce that refusing to eat or drinke a long time afterwards he weakned so much his members and spent his naturall vigour so farre that his soule was constrained to take leaue of his body which was interred afterward by commaundement of the Emperour in a rich tombe whereof Marencida neuer knew any thing for they sought meanes expressâ—â—y to conceale from her this mischaunce fearing lest she should goe after to héepe him companie in the other world as might bee misdoubted by the coniectures gathered of the anguish she indured séeing him in so miserable estate when shee sounded in his presence as you haue read before And for that Ozalio did solicite at the length her departure with all dilligence Palmendos caused two shippes to be made readie with all things necessary graunting him fréely his departure albeit there was much griefe on both sides for that from their infancie they had béene both brought vp together they gaue each other their last adieu not without bedewing their faces with store of teares their mindes beeing touched inwardly with the strict and more than fraternall amitie betwéene them so that euerie one maruelled why he would not for this only respect renounce Paganisme as Palmendos had done which hee would surely haue done if the loue of Marencida had not so preuailed with him The Emperour gaue them many sumptuous presentes to carrie from him to the Queene of Tharsus which beeing bestowed in fit place on ship boorde hee commaunded to hoyse sailes and so incontinent launched into the maine sea which was so calme and still that within fewe dayes hee fell within the coast of Tharsus So soone as he was ariued in the haue it all the Cinso began to make bone fires and many other tokens of ioy thinking to recouer their true liege Soueraigne Palmendos But soone after chaunged their reioycing into sadnes when they knew certainly Palmendos was so farre from that plate where they thought him to be present all the people doing nothing els but curâ—â—e and ban the old Beldame who 〈…〉 the loste of so made and gentle a Prince At this time â—ay she Quéene very grieuously sicke in her bed for the absents of her sonne Palmendos so that seeing Ozalio 〈…〉 for into the chamber her heart felt present he such an 〈◊〉 anguish that she had neyther sinew veine artir nor miâ—scle which was not depriued of their vsuall functions So that without hearing the Ambassage which the Emperor 〈◊〉 to Ozalio to oster hir with his presents she died more 〈…〉 euer â—â—erre through 〈…〉 This honourable Lady hauing thus accomplished the last law of nature and yeelded before God her mortall homage Ozalio gaue the principals of the Kingdome to vnderstand of the ordenance of Palmendos his Cosen wherby vpon calling them together soone after the decease of the Quéene hée shewed them fast scaled and so subscribed as they ought to bee by which meanes they all knowing him to bee a most sage and valerous Prince accepted him gladly for their King Thus hauing peaceably inuested himselfe in the kingdome he married forthwith in great triumph and magnificence his deare Marencida who seeing the loue her husband bare her to increase more and more euery day conuerted her mourning and sorrow into thankfull gladnes so that within few daies she quite forgate all thinges past louing afterward so perfectly the good King Ozalio her second husband that shee had by him many goodlie children many whereof proued very braue and hardie Knights Thus feasting them whom he tooke from Constantinople for to accompanie him homeward at length he returned them backe againe with such newes and rich giftes which the king Ozalio sent to his Cosen Palmendos as hee in memoris hereof continued the same euery yeare following in like manner for tribute and homage of the high estate which he confessed onely to hold of him No sooner were the Knightes arriued in the Emperours Court but Palmendos was aduertized of the death of the Quéene his mother whereupon he grew into great mellancholle and made woefull lamentation seeming to him that his absence was the principall cause of her death but he loued Franchelinaso ardently that hee could not well busie his spirites in any other thing than in those which he knew might cause her delight and pleasure wherefore in time hee forgot the sorrow which these heauie newes caused especially féeling himselfe so comforted by his loue whom wee will now leaue to take the gratious pastimes wherwith those that are 〈…〉 affianced and wont to sollace one another attending the wished day of their Nuptials And now returne wee vnto Rifarano whome we shall finde yet in the house of the Countesse of Island CHAP. IIII. How Rifarano beeing departed from the Countesse of Island to go to the Tourney which was to be held in Constantinople met with his companion Ledefin with whome hee fought to reuenge a pore Damsell whose husband hee had slaine RIfarano who Combated Dioll the Earle of Islandâ— brother if you remember remayned sometime with the Countesse his widdowe as well to heale his woundes throughly especially that in the scull of his head which hee was faine to cauterise and haue throughly seâ—â—ched as also for the pleasure and graunt of amourous fauours which he receiued daylie of her by meanes where of he could not leaue her till hée was aduertised how the Emperour Palmerin would holds open Court in Constantinople and of the great Triumphes which were here in preparation to solemniâ—s the alliance Nuptials of the infant Philocrissa with Arnodes Sonne is the King of Fraunce likewise of the Princesse Franchelina with Palmendos But not to loose so good occasion to present himselfe in so honorable a companie which hee hoped would there mâ—ete at this solemne feast hee demaunded licence of the Countesse to goe see the Prince Palmendos at whose handes he had heretofore receaued so much fauour that vs though that held his life but of him and the immortall God who might end it when â—â— best pleased him Whereunto very loath and vnwilling she accorded doubting lest bee should not returne againe to her so
before day which displeased Rifarano verie much for that hee could not take his leaue of the Emperour nor of Palmendos whom he destred to sée aboue all other Wherefore calling to him the Squire of the Countesse who followed him hee commaunded him before his departure from thence he should present himselfe before the Emperour and to tell him that Rifarano recommended himselfe most humbly to the good grace of his Maiestie beseeching him of excuse if he could not come him selfe to doe the message for that by reason of some businesse which was of great importance he was coniured to depart in all haste to the end to arriue with more spâ—d in Germanie and that he would ere long returne to make amends by his humble seruice for the Honour which he had receaued in his Court Then giuing him manie rich presents as well for himselfe as his Mistris commaunded him assoone as hee had discharged his dutie towardes the Emperour he should returne to hir strait to pray her learn him shee should not thinke amisse of him if during his aboue with her he neuer told her the name of his house and linage For which he would come to make amends hauing remayned some few daies in Almaine whether he was going with Ledefin to sée the Emperour Trineus his Father and that in the meane time she should make account of him as of the most affectionate seruant shee might finde in the vniuersall world After these spéeches the Pilot began to cut with his ship the spacious pliane of salt waters leauing vppon the shore the Squire verie pensiue and sorrowfull to abandon thus his Master but after he had called his courage to him he went to do his embassage to Palmendos and the Emperour who was wil sorrie for his secret departure because he would soone haue sent Rifarano home to his Father wish more honour The Countesse of Islande vnderstanding by her Squier that her Paramour was an Infidell and had nâ—â—eadie taken his way towards Germanie shee had almost 〈◊〉 for sorrow So that tooing afterwardes some â—â—llere pennance for her offence after the end of nine Moneths shee brought into this world a goodlie Sonne who inherited the â—arâ—â—dome of Island after the discease of his mother and following military Discipline did atchieue 〈◊〉 many strange thinges in Fraunce whether he went to sée his Father who was Duke of Burgundie as you shall vnderstand by the discourse of our Historie With this Childe the Countesse tooke so great comfort that by little and little she forgot the loue of Rifarano whom ' wee will nowe come to finde making saile in the Adrâ—aticke Sea where he had so happie Nauigation that within fewe daies hee came vppon the coast of Germanie and casting his ankers in a Porte foure dayes iourney distant â—â—om the Emperour Trineus Court they went thither in compleate armes except the head In breefe béeing arriued at the Pallace Rifarano sell on his knées before his Father demaunding his hande to kisse it The good Prince Trineus who vnderstoode long time before by letters from the Emperour of Greece of his Sonnes arriuall in Constantinople which hee then presentlie imparted to the Empresse his wife who greatly desired to knowe what they were séeing these two strange Knightes mistrusted lest the one should be him whereof serued for a good testimonie the gladnesse which hee shewed in his heart when he saide Sir Knight to giue you my hand I may not willingly consent before I knowe who you are My Lorde replyed hee againe in places where I am knowne they call mee Rifarano and this my companicâ— â—echefin Sonne to the Solton of Persia and to 〈◊〉 most affectionate friends O then you are thrice welcome quoth the Emperour into the place where your arriuall ouercommeth mee with gladnes So said he embracing them hauing for very â—ole so râ—re the teares in his eyes that he could hardly abstaine but some one did fall to the ground when he began thus Ah! my sonne happie may I thinke the perill and danger I past to be get you séeing that I see you no 〈◊〉 proued such fruite of my labour that all my life I shall for my part praise God for so great a grace but how could you stay so long away before you would come to see me considering your valour and Chiualrie did much increase my desire thereunto â— Alas It was the heauen which beeing enâ—â—ous and iealous of my blisse could not permit me to enioy your presence Hauing done this speech hee welcomed verie courteouslye Lechesin in the meane time they had this honest and gratious communication came in many Nobles who vnderstood newes of Rifarano to entertaine him the most Honourablâ—â— they could So that the Emperour who knew verie well the Empresse would be most glad of this occurrence taking the two Knights the one in the right hand and the other in the left went to finde her in her Chamber saying Madame these Princes the one who is of the Soldan of Persiaes sonnes and the other ouer whom you haue absolute power to commaund come to do you their humble reuerence and to offer you their seruice in any thing whatsoeuer wherein it shall please you to employ them Then the Empresse rising from her 〈…〉 to embrace them both with great loue especially Rifarano to whome she saide My sonne I haue now good occasion to reioyce mee of your presence and to cherrish you as mine owne Childe seeing you resemble him so naturally who following his destante gaue you your essence among men whome I loue aboue mine owne person with zeale so entire and perfect that it extendeth and redoundeth far ouer yours Madame quoth Rifarano nature hath so fullie accomplished you with all vertues that there can procéed from you nothing but a sincere good will for which I thanke you most humblie in mine owne behalfe albeit it much surpasseth my little merite which shall cause me to put this kindnes into the number of manie others which you haue so well heaped on mee that all my life I shall finde my selfe much boundeâ— vnto you Then bee kist her hand with the honour and reuerence which appertaineth to so high a Ladie and next did embrace Vernan her eldest sonne a Prince surely carefullie instituted in good manners and vertuous education which well hee could shew by the gentle entertainment he made him in recognisance of this new fraternitie albeit he were verie young of yeares Hee held the second place of thrée male Children and of two female which they had at one birth whereof the first liued not long because this was not in age marriageable the alliance of the houses of Almaine with that of Constantinople could not be redoubled giuing him to Philocrista whome the Prince of Fraunce had neuer other wise espoused their eldest Daughter of the age of fourtéene called Bellerisa was verie faâ—re yet not so faire as the younger But the Emperour caused the two Knights to bee disarmed and
quoth Malfada then séeing you finde it not best to dwell any longer with me I am of aduise that you depart assoone as it shall please you to the end to take your â—ourney where you may find better entertainment than here And for that I haue loued you extreamely I will present â—ou a shippe verie well rigged with all that is néedfull for your commodious nauigation vnto your own Countrie Ten thousand thankes I giue you Madame replyed Robert for the good will you beare me and albeit I do not merâ—ie the least part of this fauour yet will I not cease to remayne your perpetuall bounden and a great deale the more if you refuse not to giue mee this Dog which I woulde craâ—â— at your handes Surely I should bee verse ingrately and little curteous quoth the Fayrie if I should denie you so small a thing albeit that heretofore this beast hath beene a Giant Lorde of the Ile of Escania who that I may in thrée words count you his History desiring at eighteene yeares of age when he receaued his Knighthood to doo some seates of Armes in the world embarqued him selfe néere his owne house for the same purpose And such was his fortune that a great storme which rose vpon the Sea cast him a shore in this Iland where presently hee found himselfe inchaunted vnder the forme of this Beast that you sée which I giue you also fréely as a thing wherewith you may helpe your selfe at you néede and shall be peraduenture sometime occasion for you to call to minde the remembrance of mée which I recommende vnto you as much as you haue knowne the singular and perfect loue I too heare you After many accustomed embracinges Robert tooke his leaue of Malfada thanking her againe for his Dogge to whom for that the Giant of whom hee had once the forme was called Maiortes and for that he was also the greatest of all that Iland he gaue the same name of Maiortes and afterwardes setting sayle towardes England passed by hard passages where his Dogge stood him in good stoode But in the meane season whilest Prince Edward was so highly estéemed in his fathers Kingdome the Knight Robert fell sicke who knowing the ende of his dayes were at hand purposed to make him inheritour of his Dogge as the person of all the English Nation whom he knewe worthy of such a present and sent the Dogge to him by a Squier of his beseeching him to take him alwaies with him in company and that he would not neglect him in that hee shoulde make great account of him one day when he knew his quallities better The young Prince was woonderfull glad of this Dogge when making as much of him as might be hée shewed him selfe so louing and gentle as if hee had brought him vp from a little whelpe therefore he sent in recompence of this Dogge great riches to the Knight Robert who in the meane season passed out of this world into the other Euer the Prince would haue Maiortes at his side whome he loued as a humane creature But facre more he estéemed him knowing the wondrous thinges hee did in hunting to which sport he lead him forth almost euery day During which idle and pleasant life it befortuned him vppon a day to see a thing which caused him afterward to haue iâ—â—umerable trauels For that the Knight his Father delighting much to build as well Castels as other pleasant and delightfull houses for aboue all his most sumptuous buildings hee caused to be builded with all magnificency one sumptuous Pallace whither he was woont to goe to take his disport with the Quéene his wife It fortuned that amongst many maister workemen who did worke in this new building there was a Painter of Ormeda who by chaunce was present at the Fountaine when Gridonia was met there by the Lyon who to the ende hée might at his ease fully behold the fauour of the Princesse hée followed her into the Castell with others that were there for those of that profession are very desirous to sée the Idea of so perfect beauty with whose lineament and perfect feature they may helpe themselues in their portraitures And for that hee founde not any store of worke to employ himselfe in the City of Ormeda he resolued to goe séeke in other Countries So that being arriued in England after hée had gotten acquaintance to bee knowne hee tooke charge to paint this goodly Pallace which the King caused to bee built néere his chiefe Citty Wherein among many excellent things which hee inuented there by his Art and skill hauing as yet fresh in his memory the beanties of Gridonia hée pourirayed her so naturall that shée séemed a liuing creature séeming euer to them which behelde her that shée woulde open her mouth to speake vnto them and there hee set her in a place as it were in a prison seiâ—â—ate vpon a Rocke and a Lyon couched vppon the sky it of her Coate holding his heade betwéene this Ladies handes who did gently stroake his heade and all the rest of hys body Prince Edward who went much abroade to hunt 〈◊〉 oftentimes so make his mâ—â—ing in this place where beholding vpon a time the worke of this Painter sawe there amongst other thinges Gridonia paynted as you haue heard And woondring in himselfe at so admirable beauty especially to sée a Lyckrepayre so peaceably néere a woman coulde not cheese but â—all for the Paynter vnto him saying I pray thée interprete vnto me a little the meaning of this picture and how a Lyon may be made so tame that one may sée him couched so still 〈◊〉 a Damosell for that it so mâ—th to me to be a thing fit rather for little Dogges than for such sauage animals which are cruell and indâ—mptable by nature You say very true quoth the Paynter but knowe yée my Lorde that in the world are many strange thinges a among the which I sweare vnto you by him that giueth vs life to haue séene with mine owne proper eyes the true Modell of this my poore among liuing creatures Thou he began to make discourse vnto him of the Estates and perfections of this Princesse Whereat the Knight remayned much amazed and troubled uâ—minde but answered him thus It is a very rare example that a beast without reason as this especially hath so much foresight as to knowe the valour and bounty of a Lady so well accomplished and that shée presumeth in her selfe to recouer the heade of Primaleon for the earnest of her marriage The Painter affirmed to him againe it was as true as hée had in euery word recounted to him Whereupon Prince Edward began to beholde a little better than he did before his busines and because he reputed him one of the best Artists that as yet hee had euer seene to handle Pensill hee researched with such dilligence and remarked so exactly many times the lineature and grace of Gridoniaâ—s countenance disputing in himselfe whether shée might bee so faire a
Captaine of his Penâ—â—oners that assembling all his Aâ—chiers with their halberts he shoulde make a round in forme of a close field wherin none should dare to stirre from his place nor speake anie word and so was there made a great circle furnished with the gardes standing arme in arme one by another except on the side of the Emperours tent to the end both he and the Empresse and their daughter might easily behold this combat The Dukes Eustace and Pâ—holomey were appointed for iudges who brought them both within the lists equally without anie fauour distributed to them the Sunne Then placing themselues at the one side of the circle and causing the word of the assalt to be giuen by the Herald the knights who had great desire to come together displaced themselues to fetch theyr carierâ— as fast as they could galloppe one against another with so great a brauerie and furious violence that the verie earth seemed to sinke vnder them at theyr incounter which was such that breking their lances one against the other they went both roundly ouer theyr horse croupers to the ground either of them being wounded a little But the desire to vanquish the shame they receiued in being both cast out of their faddles Primaleon before Torques and prince Edward in presence of Flerida whom he imagined had still her eie vpon him made them make quicks speed to recouer themselues and imbracing with an inuincible courage their shields they began a most fierce fight with theyr sâ—ordes being both right exquisite and singular good Wherewith be laboring each other roughly in a short space they couered y e ground round about them with the peeces of their shilds with the broken plates of theyr armor so that disarming each other at euery blow they stroke they neuer lighted anie foile or touch but presently the bloud followed to the ground the beholders affirming they neuer sawe the like cruell combat whereof they could not discerne as yet who should beare awaie the victorie The two knights then hauing a long time buckled together in this manner without perceiuing anis vantage one of an other felt themselues verie féeble by reason of the great heals which they indured vnder their harneys and also for the smell intermission they tooke to continue this hot and fearefull â—ight of their first assault Wherefore they returned from choler to repose and breath themselues a while when the Empresse séeing her sonne in so euill case cryed out to the Emperor saying Alas my Lord what a disaster mischiefe is this Will ye than permit that I beholde the mortall issue of so tragick a spectacle Ah heauens for bid for if Primaleon die I shall presently beare him companie If then either loue of a child or of a wife â—â—ay find any place in the heart of a father and a husband I humbly intreate you haue pittie of vs both considering the great danger wherin he is now and the extreme anguish which I féele which ye may soone remedie praying them to procéede no farther in this theyr deadly fight Willingly would I accord quoth the Emperour were it not for the shame and dishonor which thereby would fall vpon my head for the world woulde then saiâ— I had done it expresly fearing my sonne should be discomitted in the battell albeit I perceiue no signe of aduantage that the one hath ouer the other assuring you that by the death of two so valiant knights the worlde shoulde receiue great losse for the good fruit which might come of their persons Rather let your daughter Flâ—rida go to intreate them for her loue they would end and desist this combat and doubtlesse I suppose they will sooner surâ—â—ase it for her than for anie other and by this means shall I auoâ—â— the danger of being â—aâ—ed therefore by mine enemies and euil willers Scanthad the Emprour spoken these wordes but the Empres who seemed greatly to feare the death of Primaleon for this effect sent the infant her daughter accompanied with many damsels who comming with all speed vnto the knights who had alreadie renued their assalt more furiously than before called vnto them aloud Stay your hands my Lordes stay I beseech ye heare me a little what I would intreate ye to do for me Thou prince Edward seeing her before him who had wounded his hart cleane thorough could not lift vp his arms to strike a blow seeing himselfe vereft againe of all his forces which caused him to retire backwards a little when Primaleon chaâ—ing with great indignation against his sister spake to her verie rigorously Sister Flerida what meane yee get yet gone from hence presently and let vs pursue our assault for I will die in the place or I wil make him die who hath put me to this plungs Dearchrother replyed the infant I beseech ye aboue all fauours that ye wyll euer do me desist the desire ye haue to finish this combat wherein I thinke your enemie so curteous that he for his part wil be content to agree for my sake Then turning towardes prince Edward Faire Knight quoth she albeit I finde my selfe of smal trierite in your behalfe yet must I needs request ye by the saith ye owe to knighthood which is to haue compassion of all Ladyes and by the zeale and sincere affection ye beare to her whom ye loue most to absolue your aduersaris as touching this different which I may no longer indure to beholde so bloudity tried betweene ye so inuincible seemeth vnto me the high valour and extreame prowesse of yee both And if for my sâ—lâ—e ye do any thing heerein I shall haue cause to sâ—ie I haue found more fauour and curtesie in a straunger than in mine owne naturall brother which shall not be without honest reward when it shal please ye to imploie me in anie thing wherein I may manifest my good will to requite this vndeserued curtesie of your hands The knight seeing with what grace his sweete enemie intreated him reputed himselfe more than happie by this opportunitie to finde me and to do some thing which might please her so that bee framed her this answere Madame ingratefull and voice of all good iudgement shoulde I bee if I shoulde refuse so high a Ladie as your selfe the â—â—ing yee demand of 〈…〉 your sweete saue who deserue much more at my â—auden then may euer come from me I absolue Primaleon of the controuersie for which wee entered the combat or else yeelding my selfe vnnquished by him I giue him the honour of the battell 〈…〉 it for your selfe quoth Primaleon then for since it is not 〈◊〉 by right I will not inrich nor glorifie myselfe therwith Then shall â—â— triuth â—â— my pleasure when I shall 〈…〉 ouer ye Therefore sister Flerida get ye henâ—â— speedily or otherwise yee will make mee shew my selfe discourteous towards ye for I will not haue this knight make his vaunts how hee brought me to this bay Doo then your pleasure replyed the
each other why then doo you not giue some recreation to your affectionate soules but stand thus as dead bodies depriued of life Madame answered the Prince meruaile not to see mee silent and dispossessed of speech in that loue by nature sealed vp my lippes for seeing vs in greater content with the thing more conformable to our desires hee tooke the benefit of speaking from vs least the one should not please our eares so well as the other doth our harts Moreouer I haue till this houre so extreamely desired that which now I am perswaded is altogether mine as I shall neuer enioy any quiet in minde so yrksome is the thought of time to me till I may see the Crowne of Fraunce on the head of faire Philocrista As for you Madam be you certaine if my Cosin Recinde as yet liueth one day to rule the Realme of Castile for so perfectly doth he loue you as his returne hether will not be long to conclude this affaire which for my part I would be glad to hasten in regarde of the desire I haue to plesure you both to my power At these words Melicia began somwhat modestly to blush neuerthelesse being prudent and well aduised shee cunningly dissembled this youthful feminine shame saying My Lord the Prince Recinde is of such a vertuous and gentle nature and so well his valour and prowesse knowen where he trauaileth as each one ought to reioyce at his good fortune especially my selfe beyond all other that loue and honor him if it be so that hee beares me such good will as you speake of These speeches of Melicia so imboldned Arnedes that now he beganne somewhat to cheare vp himselfe and entered into further conference with his Lady taking of her the first ernest of their loue which were many daintie kisses soft touchings and such like yet so honest and comely discharged as it was no scandall or offence to the beholders but rather moued them to wish that they would longer continue this agreeable and pleasing behauiour Now the Emperour amongst those that were of greatest regarde there present highly esteemed and honored his sonne Palmendos in that the cheefest ioy and pleasure of this feaste proceeded from him heeruppon he remembred the sealed booke which he sent him with so many other precious thinges from the Isle of Delphos as in the tenth Chapter of Palmendos hath beene declared To make knowen therfore to the french Lords the magnanimitie and vertues of his sonne Palmendos hee commaunded the rich exquisite chaire wherin the Idol sat to be bright before him and the booke likewise which hee had caused to be kept in his treasurie amongst matters of greatest account To open the booke hee made proofe againe by many of his Knights but there was none could come néere it which hee perceiuing deliuered it to Palmendos saying My sonne make some little proofe of this booke for if you bring not this labour to end I am assured wee may set our hearts at quiet for reading or beholding any thing theerin contained Palmendos turning aside his head and making a lowly reuerence to the Emperour tooke the booke from foorth the hands of a Knight that endeuored to open it and with such ease did he open it as if the same had neuer been closed before heerat the Emperour was exceeding ioyfull and turning towardes the Noblemen of Fraunce he could not containe but néedes must expresse before them a most euident signe of fatherly affection to Palmendos Then taking the booke he turned ouer the leaues from one end to an other finding no matter or discourse written therin only he beheld the figures of two Emperours painted in the midst therof the one attyred after the greekish manner holding a sheeld vppon his arme wherein was the blazon and discription of the armes of the Empyre the other was armed cap a pe after the Turkish guise with a naked swoord in his right hand wherewith he seemed to menace the Gréeke and with his left hand very furiously hée snatched the shield from his arme If the Emperour were highly pleased with Palmendos opening the booke no doubte but hee greatlye marueiled what sinister presage these figures deliuered by their shew fashion wherefore he said aloud that these did signifie mighty matters hereupon all the Lordes and Knights approched nere him to see the figures and passing the booke from hande to hand they all could coniecture nothing but matter of astonishment But as each one deliuered his opinion according to such reason as best séemed vnto them there entred the pallace a young Gentleman in verie rich habilliments carrying it Sheeld and one of the verie best Swords for Armes that euer Vulcan God of the Forgers could deuise to make by his diuine Arte and being come before the Emperour he set his knee to the ground speaking in this manner Sir the Knight of the enclosed Ile sent me directly to this Court to kisse your hand on his behalfe béeing the man whō he loueth honoureth and estéemeth more than any other person this day liuing vnder the celestiall Spheres Albeit as yet hee neuer saw yee neyther knowes yée but onelye by the renowme of your manhood and generositie which hath so farre commended yée and gotten such conquest ouer him as hee cannot by his Magicke Arts Necromancie Cabalist and hidden Philosophie wherein he may well bee named the second Zoroasbres foresée any thing that may turne to your griefe or discontent of mind but he imagineth himselfe bound to let yee know thereof Wherefore that yée may wade no further in the depth of doubtfull opinions which the two figures in this enchaunted booke may cumber your thoughts withall he tells yée by me that as yée behold here these Images euen so one day shall the Empire of Gréece and the glorie of her good Knightes be abated and destroyed by the enemies of our fayth So that for the sinnes and iniquities of the Christians God will suffer betwéene the Gréekes and Turkes mortall diuorce a hatred which shall end by a most bloodie discomfiture whereto you and your Son Palmendos haue alreadie giuen beginning Neuerthelesse this raine and decadence shall not happen in your time neyther of him or your posteritie because all their liues euen to the last day shall bee most glorious and triumphall not any of your enemies erecting one Trophe ouer them therefore receiue no griefe at this fatall iudgment considering we can no way escape the ineuitable destenie whereto God hath appoynted vs. I sée well then replyed the Emperour in great heausnes that man shall not haue anie one intire pleasure in this mortall life Ah soueraigne directer of all thinges most deuoutly I intreat thee that thou wilt for euer imprint within my soule the true caracters of thy holy catholike faith to the end I may both liue die thereafter without any other desire than to accomplish thy most blessed will And albeit that Greece in my time shall not receiue
this wound yet must it néeds marueilously offend and displease me that so good people by a false and miscreant Dog should be so outraged Neuerthelesse séeing I can no other way redéeme it I sweare and protest before yée all hereafter to be a cruell and capital enemie to these harbarous and vnbeléeuing helhounds making them dearely to buy before hand the infelicity destinyed to this moane-worthie countrie And euen so it came to passe in that both he and Palmendos in his Kingdome of Thessalie did great and infinite dammages to the Turkes for euer after there was continually open warres betweene those Nations But the Emperour then somewhat mittygating hys choller with a more pleasing countenance and milder tearms thus spake to them about him Wherefore should I offend my selfe wyth such things as we shall neuer behold I pray yée for all this let vs not leaue the fruition of such pleasures as God hath sent vs at this instant for séeing it is hys will that happy successe shall betyde the affayres of my time and they that follow of my posterity likewise I haue no reason to passionate my selfe but rather to repute me the most happy Prince that thys day inhabiteth betweene the two Poles Therfore I pray you quoth hée to the Messenger on my behalfe thank the Lord of the enclosed Isle your Maister for putting mée out of those doubtfull imaginations striuing to vnderstand what these two figures shoulde signifie assuring him withall that he hath no friend in this world who can make more account of his goodwill than I doo nor shall hee finde any iot lesse in me towards him when pleaseth him to make any triall therof so breaking off the Gentleman went a little lower toward Primaleon who likewise was there present thus spake to him Happy fortunate Prince the Lord of the enclosed Isle my master who louer you as himself hath sent yée this good sword and rich shield the two best and most exquisite weapons that at this day are to be found in all the world and them hee thinks méete for so valiaunt a Knight as you will prooue aduertising you that the clouen rock being thus separated as you may beholde héere figured in this shield signifieth the partialitie and little looue betwene you and her who in after time shall make one sole heart of twaine so that on the day of this riciprocation hapning betwéene you this impregnable rock shall then remaine intyre closed againe and without any impeach to testifie your reconciliation Tell your Master from me answered Primaleon as one abashed to heare such spéeches that as it hath pleased him to send me this fayre present which I shal wel carefully hope for his sake so wold I haue him commād me any thing wherin I may do him pleasure when he shall aduertise me as the mā that may command my vttermost whom I highly thank for his curtesis albeit I cannot but remaine in pensiuenes 〈◊〉 I vnderstand more clearly the matters you haue told mée The time will come replyed the yong Gentleman when you shall knowe them sufficiently although at this instant they séeme so hard and obscure to yée and then shall ye recompence the seruice which now yée receiue from my Maister Then commaunded Primaleon that one should fetch a rich present for the Lord of the enclosed Isle in requitall of the excellent Armes he sent him and another in like manner for the Gentleman that brought them which immediatly was perfourmed in euery respect when the youth with great reuerence taking his leaue returned presently towarde the Isle leauing all the Court meruayling at the newes before rehearsed The Emperour and his Barrons long looked on the weapons each one commending the artificiall workemanship of them meruayling what the strange seperation of the rocke should meane being thus foretold that one day it should ioyn together againe which made the Emperour deliuer these wordes before all there present I am perswaded wee shall behold great matters of importance when this halfe deuided Rock shall knit together againe So that as séemes to mee my Sonne speaking to Primaleon for thée are reserued many aduentures which none but thou canst effectually finishe Wherein I pray God to bee thy directer enduing thée with such strength and hardines as thou mayest honorably make an end of them So doe I deuoutlie pray my selfe answered Primaleon els shall I repute all my life verie careleslie bestowed and I vnworthie to come in companie of so great personages if I shuld not resemble in some good part or other the noble Lord that begot me and that I may attaine thereto it is necessarie I should passe through many perillous tranayles knowing that without excéeding endeuour it is impossible to reach such honour as doth for euer make men to be estéemed For this may serue me as a most worthie crample yea and an infallible mirrour of all vertues proceeding from your excellencie so great a president as not onely hath sweetly conquered the loue of your subiects but gayning likewise a priueledge of euerie ones good will hath beside constrayned the enemie and most barbarous Nations to admire and honour yée for al perfections being the cheefest peece of workemanshippe that euer Nature made These gentle and gratious speeches of the Prince Primaleon made the Emperour his Father so pleased as possiblie might be hearing from him such honest commendations yet collourably ayming at a third person as thence forth he reputed him verse magnanimous and remembring Achilles Alexander Themistocles and other such valiant Champions which Greece in former time had brought forth he began to conceiue some hope that one day he should see him go beyond all other of his time Whereupon hee gaue commandement that the weapons sent from the Lorde of the enclosed Isle should be verie charilie layde vp and for this cause if afterwarde in any place Primaleon would not be knowen he named himselfe the knight of the clouen rocke From that time all the whole day there passed no other speeches among them but of the meruaylous knowledge of this great Magitian the Emperour entring into so good opinion of him as he could neuer forget that the Empire of Greece should be sackt by the Turkes which was a continuall griefe to his heart yet would hee not outwardly deliuer any show thereof but with Princely iestures shadowing them still seemed as pleasant as euer be was before Primaleon likewise on the other side was very pensiue desiring also to know her name who already by the very words of the yong Gentleman had inflamed his thoughts with the heauenlie fire of Venus for till this houre hee had no knowledge of amourous passions but now his heart was so liuely touched therewith as there they had taken a perpetual dweling place as yee shall perceiue by the following discourse of the Historie But now he fell to make prouision with the other knights giuing order that all thinges might bee readie against the
become sources dishlling foorth water more cleare than Christall and if she tooke any finall pleasure or recreation it was only with Ozalio who euerie hower fayled not to visite her At length Palmendos went one day to conferre with her concerning the former determination of ioyning her in matriage with Ozalio but so soone as he entred the Chamber shee began to renewher wonted griefes and passions saying Alas Sir Knight wherfore come yée to renue my sorrowe so extreame and insupportable as death it selfe is readie to seaze on me in this place I intreat yée séeing the destinies haue fatallie appointed me to this endlesse torment that yée woulde not vrge it the more by the meanes of your presence Madame answered Palmendos if heretofore I haue procured yee any iniurie or griefe of minde I hope at this instant to make a final end thereof by the meanes of an inestimable gift which I meane to bestow vpon yée giuing yée the Knight to your husband who estéemes and loues yée aboue al thinges in the world Nor could the King Ocurites compare with him for valour and vertue the heauens bearing witnes of his prowesse and dexteritie in Armes as I know no Gentleman of the Turkish Nation séeing him once manage déedes of Chiualrie that dare méete him in Tourney or field-battaile without repenting it dearely afterward Neyther could King Ocurites equall him in riches and possessionâ— enuoying the kingdome of Tharsus which hereafter shall be his a state more wealthie than the Prouince of Culaquin For this cause Madame appease the violence of your passions consider that your comming into this Countrie will bring ye great honour and felicitie if yee please to accept as your lawfull husband the Prince Ozalio my Cosen whose affectionate dilligence yée behold in your seruice But should yée be so vnmercifull as to refuse him yée may easly hill both life soule together a matter too irregular and differing from Ladies reputation in that by nature they are rather benigne pittiful than bloodie and cruell though verie often ouer firme in peruerse obstinacie Lord Palmendos quoth Marencida how is it possible to condiscend vnto the matter you propound mee but by forces well may you guesse by the small delight I take in béeing in this Countrie I will neuer doe this with my good will asâ—â—â—t Sergnent Ozalio seemeth vnto me such a one as I could not better bestow my loue vpon any who meriteth more sauour at my hand than he doth but alas my fortune hath reduced me into so pittifull tearmes that I cannot accommodate my selfe to any thing which delighteth my spirits Notwithstanding if so it bee that against the good will of your handmaide and captiue you haue determined to effect this businesse I pray you before I espouse the Prince Ozalio your Ecseâ— that I may see the king Ocurites my â—â—st husband to the end I may aduertise him of my disaster 〈◊〉 of that which I am now forced to doe being not able by my reasons any way to resist Thereunto do I accord most willingly answered Palmendos and addressing his speech to Philocrista thus hee procéeded Madame I humble beseech you after dinner to take her with you into the Emperours great chamber to gratifie her in that which she hath presently requested So sell it out after the Infant had constraynedly made her to 〈◊〉 on her richest habillunenis in which it was a godlye sight to behold her for she was both faire and of the best grace Being come into the presence where the Emperor was conferring with the king of Theslalie with manie other Princes and great Saigneurs Palmendos commanded by and by to send for the king of Culaquin who seene after was brought thither looking so leane chaunged and meager of countenance that Marencida did not know him and had not Palmendos shewed him to her she could not will haue guest it to be he Then she rising vp from a chaire where shee sate went to embrace him the teares standing in her eyes when she cried out Alas king Ocurites which of the Planneds haue wee prouoked that doth submit vs both to this sinister fortune and inexplicable mischaunce euen by the meanes of one onely knight the same who vanquished and tooke you prisoner in the Leuant-seats hath brought me away by force out of my Countrey from my Father and friendes into this place where not contented to held me as his slaue but will moreouer in my despite giue me to another husband And that which I haue receiued of him as great sauour is this that he hath onely permitted me to let you vnderstand hereof to the end I hauing once tolde you you may not blame mee hereafter knowing not for my part howe to remedie it otherwise Ah I wish the fatal Goddesses would quickly shread a two the thrid of my life before I consent by my will to any such occasion Ah! If it might so will befall me I should repute my selfe happie as receiuing the onely contentment which I desire is to saue mee from contaminating the excéeding loue I bare you But infortunate and miserable woman that I am séeing death sheweth himselfe herein inexorable I must spend in extreame sorrow the rest of my dayes Alas poore King Ocurites who was wont to be so much esteemed off among the Princes and Kings of Turkye whose prowesse and haughtie courage did farre surpasse all the brauest and hardiest Knights of Asia where are now become thy riches and great estates who hath dimmed the so signall and samous renowne of thy Heroicall gestes captiuing both thée and thy loyall spouse How did fortune vngently abandon thée in this manner O it was ambition and desire of winning he nor which hath put this slauish chaine about thy necke placing thée among Gallie-slaues where it shalbe vest for thee to die immediatly séeing the Emperour is our mortall and capitall enemie O diuine prouidenes how hast thou permittet fortune to rebell thus and to execute against vs so enorme and woful a mischiefe's Assuredly I can well vaunt that the celestiall bodies haue more fauored vs than thou hast béene friendlie and gentle towards vs. She vttered manie other lamentable discourses still detesting her accursed life When the King Ocurites who had giuen attentiue eare to her knowing that she was Marencida felt him selfe so confounded and out of his wits that he could not pronounce aboue fiue or sixe such like wordes Alas Mahomet did it not suffise thée to haue so austerely afflicted me but thou must reduce into so pittifull and base extreamity the soule which did not merrite the least of all these sorrowes which doth so much the more agrauate my torment Ah the most outraged King that euer was borne of his mother sée alloweth downe patiently the potion mixtured with bitternes which thou haste prepared for him Speaking these wordes hee fell his height to the ground and Marencida fell downe heard by him where they vsed such strange gestures that
my husband could assaile him hee thrust his sworde vppe to the hills with such a violence that it ranne cleane through his bodie Which these sorrowfull eyes of mine beholding I began to cry out like a woman deprined of her wits and as ill sucke hapned there was not found one in all the Castell who had power or courage to take Armes to reuenge me of this Barbarian for that the two bretheren of my disceased husband who are indeed both so hardle Knights that he had not dared to haue perpetrated this homicide in their presence take away the day before al the men of desence with them into the Countrie By meanes whereof this fellon and cruell murtherer had time ynough to arme him selfe and to make away from the Castell where after the massaker he 〈◊〉 not aboue a quarter of an houre in which short spare I could not aduertise my neighbours the place where I dwell beeing far in the fields and remote from all other habitations Now you haue heard who by word â—ir Knight the veritie of my disgrate séing it hath pleased you to vnderstand it wherein beside she disaster of my husband which cannot now be remedied I account my selfe much dissauored of the heauens and fortune hauing no meane so finde out one who will for mee enterprise vengeance against Authour of thy finall 〈…〉 〈…〉 Rifarano I 〈…〉 there is not that 〈◊〉 who will not affirme him to be a 〈…〉 and you shall 〈…〉 Knights who 〈…〉 him vpon this quarrell of whome I offer my selfe 〈…〉 In my learne what ways he hath taken and the coate of Armes which hee heareth is the end I may haue some knowledge of him the better in the meane time pray vnto God that I may méete with him if you desire to he reuenged for to that effect doe I purpose to bend all my forces or else they shall sayle mee at my greatest néede Faire Knight a thousand thankes I yéeld you aunswered the Damsell for your curtesie and good will the which certes I knew to be no lesse when first you began to speake which puts me in some good hope that I shall bee reuenged by your hand and through this meane shall you binde me to so great obligation towards you that bardly shall I euer bee able to cancell it if of your grace you may not accept for satisfaction thereof the desire that I haue to employ my selfe for you in at honest requestes wherein it shall please you to commaunde mee This Knight hauing learned the way and the markes whereby he might discrie him who had slaine his hoste hee tooke leaue of the Damsell all so bee blubbered with wéeping that whosoeuer had séene her would haue iudged two channels to haue béene made artificiall vpon her chéekes through the aboundance of teares falling incessantly from her two eies Hée rode all that day without méeting him but nowes he heard at the entring into a forrest that hee went that ways not farre before him where béeing ouertaken by night hee purposed to repase himselfe till day But he could not sléepe a wink because he fell into a déepe thought how he might depart after the Courney to take his vayage into Almaine towards the Emperour Trineus his Father herewith was his spirite so disquieted that he was forced two houres before day to remount on horsebacke And galloyping as lest as hee could hee was gone before the sunne rising 〈◊〉 leagues which they counted from the forrest to a little village where lay that night the Knight whome hee sought enquiring after him of those whome he met he was a ware of him where hee was mounting by the side of a hillocks not farre from the place whence be was not a quarter of an houre before dislodged and went an easie pace Rifarano well a paid hereof spurred his horse to euertake him which hee did before hee was gotten to the foote on the other side of the hill As soone then as the murtherer entred the plaine and began to set spurres to his horse to goe a little faster Rifarano called alond vnto him descending into the bottome Hola Sir Knight tarrie I shall kéepe you from vauting to haue slaine trayterously a gentleman who receaued you with all humanitie into his Castell and that you did a little to rashly rauish your selfe with the loue of his wife When the Knight affailed heard his menacing he presently turned bridle and vayling his launce staide for him couragieuslie without stirring a foote for séeing him in company of one onely Aquire he was nothing amazed but answerd him verie stoutlie Knight you are come to reuenge the death of him who will make you loose your life I thinke therefore it were better for you if you desire euer to see her againe for whome you resolue to combat mee to withdrawe your selfe from so great an enterprise leauing to counterset the butterfly who after she hath found the light can neuer goe from it till in the end she haue set her selfe on fler We shall quickly sée replied then Rifarano howr God can chastice the ouer wéening and Arrogancie of Traitors such as you are who for the lust of their sensuall appetites corrupt the inuie late laws of hospitalitie speaking these words they encountered with such a power and breaking both their Launces one vppon another as Rifarano was a little wounded with that of his aduersarie whome hee sent in so bad case to the ground that he could hardly rise againe Neuerthelesse being magnanimious and could manage Armes well he quickly put hand to his sword and thrusting his arme into his shield as soone as he could he gaue so pesant a blow vppon Rifaranos horse head that he made him fall downe dead betwéen his legs from whome he leapt off nimbly saying all in rage and choller Nowe I sée well your occupation is to betraye folke séeing you haue so discoueteousâ—â—laint my horse for which I hope to makke you 〈◊〉 dearely before you passâ— With those wordes began Rifarano to strike home and to how him in such strange manner that being néere valiante and stronger made for Armes than his enemie within a small space he laid him on the ground at his féete where séeing him lie a long in a traunce hee ran vpon him to giue him the mortall guerdon of his demerits which hee had done if the Knight who felt himselfe in extreame perill of his life had not cryed out saying Alas My Cosen Rifarano where art thou now that thou canst not succor me in this necessity wherin I see myselfe Certaine I assure my selfe full sorrie wilt thou be when thou shalt beare tydings of my death It was Lecefin his companion who for the cure of his wounds which hee receiued in fighting with Arnedes Prince of Fraunce when he slew the Hermite who would haue parted them as you haue read before retired himselfe into a Nunnerie Where by meanes of a Religious sister who did verie well vnderstand the methode of Chirurgerse he was
taking his Coate of Armes went directly to the Pallace where the Emperour the King of Thessalie very glad of this act receiued him with great pleasure the Emperour saying thus to him Sonne the Knight did wisely not to accept the Combat of the sharpe against you otherwise he might haue sped ill considering his successe at the Ioust Now God grant I wish it with my hart that all your future enterprises may sort to so good honorable ende as the passed haue receiued a most fortunate and fauourable issue Palmendos kissing his hands thanked him humbly for this good wish then sent hee Belcars Gabardine to his faire Francheline who was not a little glad thereof Therefore shée would needes come to disarme him with her owne handes casting about him a faire and rich mantle surd with white sables for feare he should take cold CHAP. IX How Recindes continuing the â—oust after Belcar vanquished the Marques of Penerad and a Cosen of his with many others after them and howe the Prince Arnedes his Cosen lousted against him which caused the Emperour to come into the field to know who he was BElcar seeing Palmendos depart the Listes rose vp very angry for his fall to retire himselfe to the Earles Pauilion where Recindes was who galled to the heart for his companions misfortune purposing to reuenge him if any man appeared within the Barriers So that beeing mounted his fâ—uced liuely vp and downe when the Marquesse of Penerad esteemed a good Knight as descenting of the race of the Emperours of Constantinople came into the field Hee beeing aduertised that the two Knights who kept the Ioust ofter Earle Peter had sent his Coat to Melissa whom hee desired extreamely to haue in marriage beganne to beare them a mortall and secrete grudge and purposing to chastize them for their ouer bolde rashnes came richly armed into the fielde where without any word speaking prouoked with raging anger vailing his Launce dasht his horse sodainely Which Recindes perceauing set spurs quickly to his likewise so furious was their encounter that the Marques went arse ouer head ouer his horse head to kisse the ground taking such a grieuous thulch that he remayned in the place wagging neyther hand nor foot whereupoÌ„ one of his cosens proper and valiant of his person a heauie man at this accident in the meane while they carried the Marques into his Chamber ranne speedile to Arme himselfe thinking to reuenge his mishap Bimer was the Marques Cosen called who beganne to Ioust in such a heat that he mist his blow against Recindes who contrariwise hiâ— him so full pat that he sent him castly to take the Marques place but he rose vp againe lightly saying to the Defendant hee should not thinke to haue yet done with him seeing he would know how he could handle his sharpe At these words the Spanish Prince alighted and putting his shield on his Arme with a couragious stomack they began a fierce combat which for all that was quickly finished For Recindes beeing a better warrier and more spruce than his aduersarie made him recoyle to the place where he was vanquished then pulling off his Gabberdine left him wounded in many places of his bodie among his people who carried him thence into his Cosens lodging That done he gaue that and the Marques coate to Belcars Page to beare them to Melissa beséeching her to accept them as comming from one her most affectionate seruitour that she might finde vnder the two Tropicks of heauen She who was with Philocrista in her Chamber when the Page came to doo the message answered thus I know not what these Knights meane to send mee such presents without knowing me yet faine would I learne their names what mooueth them to doe it Madame quoth the youth they are such that when you shall knowe them you shall thinke some great good Fortune will befall you in béeing able to doe them some honour for your part in recompence of the extreame desire that I can assure you they haue to serue you in the things wherein you take some pleasure For all that they shal haue none other thankes of mee replied the Princesse till I knowe more well will I take that which they send me where with I finde my selfe greatly content albeit farre more should my spirits be satisfied as you may tell them if I might perceaue openly their drift Few dayes shall passe Madame quoth the youngman before you sée the true end of all so that I beséech you doe not vexe your selfe but attend the fitte honour which shall be bréefely as I hope Finishing his spéech he tooke honestlie his conge of the Ladies whome he left verie pensiue and curious to knowe who these valiant and curteous Knights might bee In the meane time Recindes who held on his Chiualries Iousted against ten or twelue Assailants all whome hee laid brauely along winning by this meane their Coats which hee caused to bee hanged on high vpon the Piller where Countie Peter hoped to erect his Trophie After this he tooke his sollace and recreation before any one presented himselfe within the Lists euerie one fearing to aduenture against him whose prowesse and derteritie was so great Whereupon Arnedes who felt himselfe better at ease than he was wont hearing the Emperour say the Defendant might well remaine with the honour of the Ioust seeing that no man entred the field any more answered him I doe not thinke my Lord they cease câ—mming for feare of him for the number of braue hardie Knightes of this Court is not so little that he can long time hold out against them and as he had said hee went presently to fit himselfe with Armes putting on a Murrion well tempered with steele then came he into the place mounted on a mightie Courser who did nothing but neigh and some at the mouth When Recindes saw him enter the Barriers hée discouered him soone by his deuise and as he thought howe to auoide Iousting with him hee was forced to set spurres to his horse because he saw his Cosen Arnedes do the like neuerthelesse approaching within the reach of their Launces he hauâ—â—ed his and would not couch it against him By this meane Arnedes easily broke his staffe albeit hee could not wagge the Champion an inche out of the Saddle so that in manner abashed to sée him doe so turning bitte hee incontinent charged vpon him thus Sir Knight let vs haue another bout yet and vse no more this curtesie towards him who will con you no thanke for your fauour So taketh hee another staff and fetching his carriere to run the second time Recindes did as he had done before Arnedes by that meanes or els by choller missing his attainte in a greate rage threwe his Launce to the ground and setting couragiously hand to his sworde saide to the Knight As God mee helpe nowe will I knowe for what reason you would not Iouste against mee as well as against the rest That
heart of the Duke that what by promise by flattery or otherwise before an houre was past hee appeased the firste of his passion making her of a mayden dedicated to Pallas a wise ready to offer the Seston or Girdle to Venus to present him her seruice whereof he was the gladdest man that might bee Neuerthelesse well bethinking with himselfe afterwards what was best for him to do for that he was alreadie married purposed to build in the same place a stronge and inviâ—sible Castell there to kéepe her within it with all the pleasure and contentment that her heart might desire For this cause hee sent word by his Squier to she Hunters who châ—ced in the wood that they should euery man 〈…〉 Cittie And hauing shewed to him the Hermits Daughter and afterwardes making him vnderstand his determination commaunded him to cause his Architect to come thither with a number of Artificers to builde a Fortresse in that same place Whereunto hys Squire gaue present order and returned with many rich robes for the young Damsell into the Cell wherein none euer entred but himselfe alone all the rest remayning vnder Tentes which hee had pitched before that same place From which the Duke would neuer depart vntill hee saw the Castell finished which hee had caused to bee builded vppon that cloâ—â—â— Rock whereof it bore the name continuallie afterwardes â—nd was one of the strongest and fayrest in all that Countrie for the Sea invironed it on the one side and on the other side was a most steepe and in accessible Rocke except onelie on that side where the fountaine was Therein did the Duke enclose his Loue Poncia the which when her time was come shee brought him foorth a verie faire and goodlie Sonne who was afterwardes Grandfather of Nardides Father of Gridonia of the 〈◊〉 Knightes whome the Emperour and King Frisoll shewe in a Combat which they had together But these Loue trickes could not so well bee concealed but the Duchesse had intelligence therof who séeing herselfe so much contemned by her Husbande 〈◊〉 for griefe and rage Whereuppon it fell out that for the intire loue which the Duke hare to the Childe which hee had by Poucia hee espoused her afterward in second Marriage liuing together in great pleasure and ioy vntill the verie end of his dayes when hee knowe that shee was his owne Néece Now in this Castell retired Gridonia with the olde Duchesse for feare shee had of the Prince of Clorence and arrining at the Fountaine for that it was both â—â—pleasant and a delightfull place she would haue â—aâ—ne gone 〈◊〉 to â—â—to refresh her selfe But she was not so soone set downe vppon the brâ—nke of it but the remembrance of hir dead 〈◊〉 Perâ—â—quin comming in her thoughts renewed in her a pittifull and lamentable be wailing of his death for that fortune fauoured so much the Emperour Palmenn who slew first the Duke Nardides her Father and Primaleon afterwards this her Cosen with whome shee hoped to passe ioyfully the rest of her life Meane while she made these strange complaints which might prouoke almost the vnreasonable and insensible creatures to compassion behold there rusheth out of the wood a huge and furious Lyonrozing so terrible that all the company of gentle women beeing wonderfull scarred euery one got away as well as they could leauing with her only the good old Duchesse who was not able to runne away as the others did Wee néed not in the question how great might be the feare of a simple and timerous Damosell as of Gridonia who supposed vndoubtedly that to be the last houre of her life Yet perceauing this Lyon to come right vppon her shee soone perceaued the contearie for that hee began to fawne vpon her with his pawes and to play with his taste as though hee had béene familiarly brought vp with her all his life In such sort that hâ—e put his head into her lappe and beginning gently to licke her handes made her as much amazed as if shee had séene before her eyes some new and strange wonder Wherefore by little and little assuring her selfe of the tamenesse of this brute beast shee stroked her hand vppon his head flattering him in most gentle and gratious manner wherein the Lyon séemed to haue so great pleasure that Gridonia and her 〈◊〉 ther putting away all feare called to them againe their company which was dispersed in the Forrest And if some of them came backe greatly ashamed â—o haue thus abandoned â—he two Ladies in their greatest necessitie yet she was more ioyfull to sée this beast so louing and 〈◊〉 meruayling much that a Lyon by nature cruell and humane should be made so 〈…〉 and gentle before Ladies to whom nor to any of their Damâ—sels and waiting gentle women hee neuer shewed him selfe â—urious nor angry but vnto all Knights who did approche the Intent and vnto others whome â—â— knew not he did 〈…〉 some displeasure either hee scratcht them with his pawes or 〈◊〉 them outright Glad then without all comparison was Gridonia of this good fortune and lead this Lion with her into her Castell where hee woulde neuer forsake the sight of her In such sort that shée stillâ—ed him with her owne hande and from thence forward hee was a sure Gardean of her person being very tâ—â—me quiet and familiar with all the seruants of her house euen as it had béene some little Dogge which séemed a most rare and strange case to all those in the Countries round about which had knowledge thereof CHAP. XVI How Valido the King of Bohemiaes sonne hearing the renowne of Gridoniaes beauty came to see her in the Castell of the Clouen-Rocke and howe hoping to haue her in marriage hee went to Combat with Primaleon in Constantinople where he was by his hands slaine outright FAire Gridonia then being within her Castell of the Clouen-Rocke the Duchesse her Mother who remained at Ormeda for the gouernement and administration of Iustice in her Countries had euery day messengers sent from diuers Princes which did demaund her in marriage as well for her superexcellent beauty and good grace as for that they hoped she should one day inherite the Kingdome of Polonia because of her mother the Kings sister who neuer had any Children but Perrequin whome Primaleon â—lewe in his Tourney yet when they vnderstoode with what condition they should marry this Princesse euery one did furcease to make any more earnest sute fearing the perrill of death which might enâ—â—e But the King of Bohemia the same who tooke Diartes and Cardonia whome the Emperour deliuered afterwardes as you may haue read in his Historie had two male children the youngest whereof named Valido who was a valiant and hardy Knight bearing the renown spread abroad of the great beauty of Gridonia departed his fathers kingdome accompanied with many braue Knights to take his voiage towards Ormeda Where being arriued hee was honourably receiued by the Duchesse vnto whom after hee had a little refreshed
Carle of Brabant Which answere made me in such a rage that I had almost run mad for spight Neuerthelesse for the last refuge which I hoped to finde in this my frenzy I prayd the Damosell to beare mee a word or two insecret Whereunto she answered me that I should come the very same euening into her Chamber by a little dore which was seldome times opened where shee woulde bee to beare what I would say vnto her The appointed houre being come I would in no wise permit so good opportunity to slip my hands without reaping that sweete frute which might restore the heart to the which all other liquor seemed gall and bitternesse But soone clasping on mine Armes I went strait to the doore with my priuy watch-word in the most secret wise which might be possible Yet I could not carry my selfe thither so well but my brother who began to mistrust my draft as it falleth out sundry times sealousie causeth to comecture thinges which haue small appearance of truth so that hee arming himselfe in like manner 〈…〉 slily to the very place where I staide for the opening of the doore and without making himselfe knowne vnto me began to let driue at me saying he would take order I shoulde neuer attaine that where unto I did aspire Then seeing to defend my selfe whether I would or not I must néedes in that extremity put my selfe in deuoyre as well as I could and in the meane time the Duke who heard our cople ran vnto vs with many of his seruants erclaiming in a great rage How now disloyall knights goe yee about to dishonour mee with so great an infamie By the liuing God I shall make you dearely buy this so great presumption Hee presently working by his Art of Negromancie made vs both remaine as deade at the very instant and beeing in this traunce sodainely transported into this place hee enclosed vs fast within the Sepulcher with this instance of wordes yee combat to dishonour mee and my Daughter well continue hardly your battell till a Knight of your race may by his generous courage come to part you When he had thus said he vanished from our presence and we remained there in a wonderfull rage striking one at an other as you haue seene euen vnto this present so that wee know not how long this deadly quarrel and mallice betweene vs hath lasted and the extreamest point of the disaster vnto which this sorcetie did binde vs was in that wee could not dye by any of those stabbes and woundes which wee receaued one of another Maruelous thinges are those which you tell mée quoth tho Prince and know that it is nowe a long time since the Duke inchaunted you heere because Prince I dward of whome yée speake was my great Grandfather Neuerthelesse let vs depart out of this place to goe a while some whether else to refresh vs all three together And as he set his soote vpon the threshold of the doore of this Chamber he spied an old woman which thus be spake him Faire knight long time before you were borne did the Duke of Boâ—sa knowe by meane of his knowledge your valour and magnanimity and how you should finish this aduenture therefore left you the sword which you haue gotten and keepe it well as being of that vertue as I assure you hath few fellowes at this day especially for as much as if you shall held it in your right hand no enchauntment shall euer bee able to hurt you In like manner is the shield which you haue there wonne most woonderfull and most rare for that you shall sée the discourses of all your life pourtrayed out most liuely therein the which not withstanding you shall neuer knew but by lapse of time following the desteny whereunto God submitted you euen from your birth day so that hauing now accomplished that which was by great learning foreséene directed in this aduenture you may goe hence when it shall séme good vnto you And for that the two Knights who goe with you cannot long time remayne in this world counsaile and admonish them to remember the mercie of God who by his diuine grace hath giuen you power to deliuer them from the misery and calamity wherein they haue remayned this hundred yeares last past The old woman hauing spoken thus much vanished away whereat the Prince was amazeo when making far greater account of the sworde and shield than he did before hee departed out at the doore with his companions And séeing no more the Pallace wherein hee had sought with the Knight of the Caue nor the Armes which were giuen him at the Monasterie his admiration was much more redoubled Yet as hee came backe hee founde the way to be verie darke and obscure which as hee came was as cleare light some as at the mouth of the hole where being arriued they got out easily without any disturbance and from thence forth was it for euer shut vp the Pallace resolued into smooke and all the enchauntments thereof vndone and brought to finall end Afterwards walking together towardes the Gardengate there met them the Abbesse and her Nunnes who entertayned the Prince with ioy and the greatest gratulation that might bee maruelling much at the two companions whome hee brought with him which caused the Abbesse to demande who they were and who had giuen him the â—â—ch Armes shee saw him being on his backe out of the Caue Madame quoth hee these two Gentlemen say they are two Brethren and Knights descended of noble race who by the great skill of the Duke of Borsa were enclosed fast in the place from whence I haue nowe deliuered them out of a torment farre worse than the cruellest torture which they might endure The Armes which you sée I haue conquered from a Knight who woulde haue kept from mee the entrance of a Pallace where combating with him vpon that refusall I changed mine Armes being bewed and péece meale broken for these which you sée but in stéede thereof will I leaue you my sword for a testemony of the affection I haue to giue you far greater thinges when the time shall come for that sworde which I haue gotten of the old woman will I carry with mée vnto the Kings Court whether I hope by the helpe of God spéedily to conduct these Knights That may you not well doo quoth the Damosell who garded him into this place before you accomplish first that which you haue already promised me Well may these two Knights in the meane time in this place attende your returne which will be in very short space as I hope Prince Edward answered he would goe with her willingly into what place soeuer it shoulde please her to bring him Neuerthelesse being already late in the euening they departed not that night out of the Monastery Where the Lady Abbesse and her sisters could not satisfie themselues to feast the Prince and the two Knights the which at their instant prayer made once more
false and disloyallest woman that euer guided Knight into any vnknowne place Beeing put in this assurance of sauegard by his guide hée went on fayre and softly his pace by that false gate before which the two brethren long since fell together by the eares euen till hee came within the Chamber of Rene where as seene as they were entred quickly was the doore well barred Whereupon by fortune Prince Edward called to minde that which appeared vnto him in the wood and moreoner that which the old woman foretold him touching the vertue of his sword By meanes whereof mistrusting some inchauntment hée spéedily set his hand vpon it and then marched towardes the Infant which he saw so beautifull and so Pompously attired that any Knight would haue taken great pleasure in her sight onelie And for hee came without his Helmet on his heade with so magnificent and rich Armour vppon his backe hée pleased the Damosell so much that rising vp from her seate shée came to prostrate her selfe at his feete saying Prince Edward in truth I was out of hope with my selfe that the heauens would fauour me so much as to make these mine eles beholde you which haue shed so many teares to deplore my future calamitie if it please not you to succour mée Whereby my hart hath béene by an impatient desire prouoked to rage and exclaime against fortune which hauing blowne your renowne vnto mine eares would frustrate my sight of so rare a creature Notwithstanding nowe my lucke is so prosperous as to make me the happiest Damsell of all Europe seeing the paine you take to visit mee I perceiue well that not without great reason it hath made mee altogether the slaue and captiue of your loue The Knight greatly maruasling no lesse at the singuler beauty of this Damsell than to heare her vse such eloquent and cunning tearmes tooke her by the hande to lift her from the grounde and to seate her in her chaire againe néere vnto which the Damsell who was the messenger before hauing already set another the infant caused the Prince to sit downe hard by her side reentring the former talke with this instance Faire Lorde knowe yee I am Daughter to the Duke of Borsa one of your most faithfull vassals who hearing the brute of your generous actions on euery side published round about vs began so extreamely to loue you that I forgot the very zeale which I bare vnto my selfe Whereof shall bee a good testemony the extreame passions which you shall vnderstand doo daily debilitate my life that dependeth onely but vppon your humanity the which I hope to sée so pittifull towards me that it shall haue compassion of the grieuous anguishes which without intermission doo martyr mee with more painefull torment than that which king Phalaris caused Perillus to endure within the brasen Bull which he himselfe inuented for the cruell torturing of others And you may well thinke faire Prince I could not in any other Knight of base condition haue knowne howe to ground so much hope as I haue nowe in you and therefore I pray you to haue regard to the reason and carriage of all good and sounde iudgement Madame replied the Prince I could not imagine the mean to exempt from you the recognizance wherein I find my selfe bounden to you considering the good will which of your grace you beare me without any merit of my part Neuerthelesse if death doo not preuent the affection which I haue to shewe you howe it is not to an vngratefull person or one of small power to whom you addresse your selfe I will vse such munificence and liberalitie towards you and your father that you shall haue chiefest cause of any liuing in this kingdome to giue me thankes And beléeue mee swéete Ladie if I had knowne your will setting apart all mine owne affaires I had come vnto you to doo you all the seruice I could possibly haue deuised yet not with intent to obtaine of you any thing which might staine your honour or abase that vertue which I sée shining in you as doth Virgo the maiden signe in the Zodiacke of the heauens Forsomuch as thereunto could he neuer consent who shall thinke himselfe all his life time to be your loyall and obedient seruant Thus much I say because I may not haue you in marriage to be my wife my hart béeing vowed in another place Albeit to assure you of my sincere and true deuotion towards you there is nothing so difficult or harde to bee accomplished which it shall please you to commaund me but I will erecute most willingly in the best sort which I may or shall be able to deuise Iudge yée whether the Ladie were perplered and greatly troubled in her minde or no hearing the resolution of the Knight whose minde was onely fixed and established on Gridonia for so much as her very spéech which shée lost for a while shewed euidently a most true and perfect token of her sufferance Which her Aunt perceiuing who in the meane time employed her best skill to bring her in grace with the Prince was sore difended to see her in such a swowne Knowing also that she laboured in vaine by reason of the sword which he got in the Caue shee came into the Chamber where they were together saying Prince Edward so fauourable are the heauens vnto you that they will happily conduct you to the ende of all your enterprises except of that one which you haue so liuelie now imprinted in your breast For the Lady which you purpose to serue with infinite paines and trauels is long since dedicated to a more accomplished Knight than your selfe So that as I thinke you should doe well to leaue that way which shall bee so hard for you to kéepe to take this which hath no difficultie nor disturbance in it That cannot I do by mine own consent quoth the Prince hauing alreadie surrendred the conquest of my libertie into a place whence when I would I cannot well call it vacke at my pleasure Wherefore I beséeche you of all fauour make me vnderstand so much as I perceaue you knowe and withall who shall be that so fortunate Knight who shall go before mee in the fruition of the Princesse Gridonia Nay seeing you haue no pittie replyed the Inchauntres of this faire Lady whome you sée almost breathlesse in your presence I am not purposed to tell you things wherein you may take delight but rather not to drownd my selfe in sorrowes séeing you before mine eies I wil presently depart out of this Chamber with that shee went her wayes leauing the poore lauer in a Sea of teares continuing her exclamations with lamentable â—ighes thinking to moue her Narcissus to some compassion But he who cared little for these santasles supposing what was saide of Gridonia was spoken onely to winne him from her loue he comforted the Damsell as well as be could telling her bow hee would conferre with her Father and if hee would condescende thereunto hee
woulde come thither ere it were long to marrie her In the meane time her Aunt went to speake with the Duke her Brother with whome after shée had giuen him to vnderstand that â—ot knowledge was not to 〈◊〉 to work Prince Edward to this passe she aduised him to go accompanied with twenty Knights Armed into his Daughters chamber Where sayning himselfe ignoraunt of the matter and shewing himselfe fore displeased against them hath hée should â—eaze vppon his body and put him in prison and so they might worke their matters as they lifted The Duke than putting in prâ—â—tize this stratageâ—â—e came with twenty men all in Armes who the chamber dore wherin he 〈◊〉 entred all alone 〈…〉 â—ignes of adâ—â—cation began thus to say Alas my God what a bayâ—â—â—â— case â—â— Isle Am I awake or doâ— I meaning beholde this 〈◊〉 Ah! I should haue thought to haue had a vertuous 〈◊〉 and chast â—â—â—den to my Daughter more 〈…〉 than any other in these Northen Regions and 〈…〉 I trustrated of mine opinion for I sée before mine owne eyes she is more vitious and corrupt than euer was 〈◊〉 as Messalina Truely I may well vaunt my selfe to make thâ—â— both dye in prison by the most 〈◊〉 torment that may bee 〈◊〉 séeing they haue shamefully dishonoured 〈…〉 all my posterity Enter then and come in my Knights to â—â— handâ— vppon this murthering Palliaâ—d to the ende I may know who be is and who hath counselled him to enter to râ—shly into my house for all those who are culâ—able and in any 〈◊〉 consâ—crate in this misdéede I shall make them pay deareâ—â—â— for it by a most 〈…〉 shamefullend of their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that hee â—ept out of the Chamber doore to â—et â—â— his 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 come in did nothing animâ—â—â— nor terrifâ—e the English Prince who setting band to his sword and with an inuincible 〈◊〉 putting his shield on his arme 〈◊〉 them thus Come now hardly who 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 and I shall shew him 〈…〉 from all 〈◊〉 this 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 gathâ—ring 〈…〉 〈…〉 â—et for all thâ—t 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 about him so 〈◊〉 thâ—t he 〈…〉 them all 〈◊〉 not the 〈◊〉 after gone to worke with her magicke spels as you shall heare Shée forsooth darkened all the light of the Chamber making a sulphurous and obscure ayre 〈…〉 darke than hell itselfe in stéed therof then deliuering forth the Knights with the Infant◠〈◊〉 who would willingly haue bin in his place who was dead she shut Prince Edward fast within the Chamber vntill the morrow morning when she saw seuen of the Dukes Squiers lying along on the ground one staine outright and other 〈◊〉 sore wounded Now could not the Duke tell what it were best to doo with him because if he should deliuer him it séemed to him but to hasten too shamefull a death for himselfe and if hee should kéepe him any longer in his house it should but encourage him to forethinke all meanes to put him to more cruell torment so that he passed the night in this conflict vntil the morrow morning when an auntient Knight reprehending him sharpely because he suffered himselfe to be gouerned by women counselled him to cause Prince Edward to bee secretly conuayed out of his house by the same Damosell which giuded him thither The Duke who liked well of this aduise caused the Damosell who had béene the messenger to come before him vnto whom after he had shewed some signes of great heauines his made this spéech It grieueth me much that my sisters pretence hath not sorted to so good effect as she expected and for so much as you are the cause hauing conducted the Knight into the aduenture of the Cloyster where hee hath conquered such a it well which safe-gardeth him from all her enchauntments néeds must you your selfe get him by subtle meanes from hence saying you onely haue meanes so saue his life and for you should thinke your selfe greatly culpable of his death if it should chaunce to happen vpon the assurance which you gaue him bringing him into my house you will willingly set him frée from hence into the fields if hee will promise you neuer to séeke any reuenge of the Duke nor of any of his family Hereunto willingly condescended the Damosell when departing from the Duke troubling like an Daken lease shee came to the Chamber where Prince Edward was who studied already how he might breake open the doore to sackage them who would come against him Shée prostrating her selfe before him with the teares in her eyes beginneth thus the â—enour of her words Fayre Prince great is the occasion which I haue nowe to complaine of fortune for I hauing brought yâ—u into this house vnder a protext of the extreame loue which my Mistris beareth you they haâ—e deuised a spéedy and most shamefull death for vs all thrée for you especially whome the Duke hath surprised with his Daughter whom albeit he should pardon the vainousnes of the case which hee supposeth falsely to haue béene aâ—â—â—â—knowing you should 〈…〉 will 〈◊〉 ther owne bosome with some sword or 〈…〉 some nowe kinde of death as did â—ortia the Daughter of Cato where shée heard of the death of her husband Brutus As forme you may well thinke my Lord the Duke 〈◊〉 of the sourâ—â— of this occurrence as he beginneth already to doo most tractly finding out at last my priuy practiâ—es which I protest before God I neuer went about to carry to any euill end I shall be most sharpely punished of vs all thrée Neuertheles yet iâ— I dye will I not surcease as being the person of this Trinity which know I haue best deserued as wel I know I must die for it to employ my self in some subtle inuentions to make vs escape this imminent perrill so that ye will aâ—â—are mee neuer to séeke any reuenge for the offence which hath béene offered you in this place Wherefore I beséch you fayre Lord most humbly to graunt me generall remission to the ende that declaring it to the Duke at the article of my death hee may bée moued to compassion to pardon me also himselfe and this is the meanes whereby wee may peraduenture saue our liues from the mortall punishment which they prepare for vs euery day So well knew the Damsell to colour her spéeches that she wone the mercy of the Prince who answered her thus Fayre maiden for the loue of Rene who surely meriteth much more at my handes I haue willingly pardoned this iniurie to the Duke and to all his familie albeit it is one the most vilest touch and outrage which might bee offered to any Knight And albeit the death which they determine to make vs die be horrible and cruell yet I shoulde take mine in very good part if I might execute vpon those vaâ—less who woulde lay hands on me such a massacre as they deserue Neuerthelesse séeing the occasion presents it selfe to auoyd this scandall I am content to followe it so that no greater dammage may
doth you wrong and great iniustice to take your Cittie away from you by force and authoritie And if there be anie Knight in his Court will maintaine the contrarie I hope by the helpe of God to make him confesse it by force of Armes Thus much hee said for that he knew before howe Belcar one of King Frisols Sonnes was lately married with Alderine the Duke of Pontus Daughter and brought away his wife into Hungarie whereupon that occasion they held great feastes and Tournies so that growing vppon this quarrell in this contention with him or with the Prince Dutreus and killing him in single combat he hoped to do acceptable seruice to his Ladie Gridonia being this house néere allied to that of Constantinople The Ladie thanking him for this honest and curteous offer tolde him that if it pleased him to bare her companie shee feared nothing and that leauing her Sonne vnder good sure garde shee purposed to depart verie soone with some number of Knights for her safer conduct Whereunto the Knight answered that he was readie at any time when so euer she pleased And therefore shee caused good order to bee taken for all thinges which might be needfull in this voyage desiring before her departure to get into her possession for the Knightes sake the Damsels of Zerphira which remayned still in the Marchants hands paying for euery one of them a reasonable ransome according to their estate All that night was Prince Edward very sad for hee could not resolue with himselfe whether he should first goe to Gridonia to present vnto her the Infant Zerphira or whether he should passe vnto Constantinople to end the Combat with Primaleon In fine after many resolutions he concluded that with himself which he put in execution very early on the morrow morning for hee came to request the Marchant his Hoast that it would please him to commaund a sonne of his called Diazan to goe doo an errand for him as farre as the Clouen-Rocke wherein he was more willingly obayed than hee coulde commaund then went he strait to the Infants chamber whome he told that he would send her to an excellent Lady who wold honour her and vse her with all humanity and hee besought her to bee willing to goe hoping to come to visit her there ere long and to bring her such newes which should giue her no occasion to repent her going thither The yong Princesse albeit this offer went néere her heart answered him neuerthelesse in this manner In good faith it is great reason sir that as your prisoner and captiue I should obay your requestes without any contradiction especially knowing they deriue from the sincere and honest amity which it pleaseth you to beare me albeit I am sure I shall neuer be able to merite it on my behalfe neuerthelesse I beseech you to cause my Damsels to be called hether vnto whome if it please you I will speake some few words before my departure most willingly will I cause it to bee done replyed the Knight So hee caused them to come into her Chamber forthwith where these young Damsels séeing their Mistres in strange manner to hate her owne life in deploring and bewayling her infortunate disaster they began altogether to make such a strange and pittifull complaint that the Knight was constrayned to separate them and soone after to send away Diazan with the Infant Zerphira towards the Castell of the Clouen-Rocke to present her to the Princesse Gridonia from a Knight vnknowne with a letter whose tenour followed in these words Prince Edwards Letter to the Princesse Gridonia TO the rarest Paragon of Princesses the Lady Gridonia the onely Phoenix of her time future Quéene of Polonia and lawfull heyre of the Duchy of Ormeda a Knight who desireth to serue her perpetually sendeth gréeting kissing with all curtesie the hand of her Excellency The perfect Idea of your neuer perishing beauty accompanied with so many other singuler gifts of grace which the celestiall prouidence doth distribute equally to diuers persons hath so dimâ—ned the cléere-séeing eyes of her burning and vnquencheable beames that the Artizan in pourtraying of his liueliest péeces helpeth himselfe with your diuine lineatures as it were beauty it selfe descended into these lower Regions to bee séene amongst vs Such an example séene with mine eyes besides the testemony of another strange accident haue as it were a fatall arrow so liuely pierced my breast that I can take no rest but in trauelling to aspire vnto that which shoulde giue mee the swéete fruition of so precious a rarenes of fortune which is onely to reuenge the death of Perrequin of Duas your Cosen vppon the false traytor and fellonious bomâ—â—â—de Primaleon of Greece Continuing which tranquâ—â—lity of spirit by traueile of my body I saylâ—d merrily towards Constantinople and for the same effect when by great fortune I met a Brigandine of Mores tossed by tempest of weather into the North sea which would haue taken me prisoner But the Soueraigne of all Gods constrayning these mine enemies to passe the edge of my sworde hath safegarded and reserued me to the end to be your comforter and the reuenger of your iust quarrell For assurance whereof in attending that happy season I send you in Hostage a Damsell issued of great parentage whom I found within the vessell of those nuscreant Mores whom so I pray you to vse and entertaine as you shall know her vertue and Princely deâ—â—anor doth deserue as well in regard of the anguish which she shall suffer perceiuing her selfe thus captiue as also in respect of the sincere and perfect amity which she will shew vnto you all her life time He who hath not his match in good will to doo your Ladiship all dutifull seruice So then departed Diazan with Zerphira and all her sewels accompanied with many Merchants who conuayed them very willingly and holding on their iourney they arriued at the Castle of the Clouen-Rocke where after they had giuen Gridonia to vnderstand that there was a Damsell which they had brought her in the behalfe of a Knight Incontinent the Draw-bridges were all let downe and the great gates set wide open Then Diazan tooke the Infant by the hand to lead her strait into the Chamber of the Princesse who séeing her so richly attyred and so curteous to doo her honour and reuerence supposed she must néeds be extracted from some high and illustrious Linage wherefore shee came to welcome and to entertaynâ— her honourably and perceiuing that the Lyon which neuer styrd from her began to fawne vpon her she said alowd Sister I cannot beléeue but that this Lyon knoweth you considering the gentle semblant and ioyfull entertainement bée sheweth you which as yet I haue neuer séene him doo to any since he was with me Zerphira vnderstood nothing shee spake but stedfastly beholding her excellent perfect beauty reputing her selfe most happy to become into the power and custody of so gentle and rare a Princesse Neuerthelesse Diazan
himself by vertue of his héeles hee was ready to dye through rage and despite and causing the bodies of his Brother and the other slayne Knights to bee enterred could not tell how to conceale this ignominious ouersight as in like case the true Iudge of all doth permit such haynous disloyalties to bee quickly made knowne but the bruit came to the Kings eare Who forthwith imprisoned him as a transgressor of his commandement thereby to manifest vnto the world his own innocency in this treason considering the coniectures which might be gathered by the hard measure which his two wounded sonnes receiued at the hands of this stranger Which déede if it caused him to be highly honoured throughout all his kingdome no lesse did euery one commend the prowesse and valour of the Knight of the Dog who being recouered of his wounds as ye haue lately read hath taken his leaue of his Host to prosecute his intented voyage And trauelling fiue dayes space along the sea Coast on the sâ—â—t he entred into a forrest and found not in all that whole day any Cabbin or Tent wherein to make his repast but one onely olde house where some shepheards had set by a lodge couered with thatch so that he was constrayned to lodge therein all that night with Claudius his Page who led along with him his great Dog neuerthelesse before any sléep could close vp his eyes he saw from a corner wherein he was couched vpon a little straw comming into that homely Cell two goodly yong Stags casting foorth of their eyes an admirable glistering whom assoone as Maiortes espyed he started vp forthwith as if he would haue rusht vpon them furiously But it tell out to the contrary for they went out againe all thrée one after another as quietly as if they had béen brought vp in one house together all their life time so that the Prince no lesse astonished with this new accident than desirous to sée the end which would follow thereof went foorth of the Shéepecoate for the same purpose and beholding the thrée beasts run very louingly and quietly into the wood together he said Now so God helpe me it would greatly vex me if I should lose in this sort the Dog which I haue héeretofore so well defended therfore Claudius bring me my horse that I may go after to saue him if I can He had not scarse spoken the word but the Page was come with his horse vpon which mourning he was soone in the same way which he saw they had taken and albeit he gallopyed amaine yet could he neuer ouertake them and neuerthelesse he neuer lost them out of his sight So that following them all night long being very glad to sée them trip so louingly together before him yet was he far more ioyfull when he perceiued them hide themselues within the narrow month of a Caue where he being arriued leauing his horse with his Page who followed him entred in presently after them with his good sworde in his hand So farwent he within that darke hole vnder ground that he at the last drew neere to a goodly ritch Pallace ioyning hard vnto a most pleasant garden planted round with all sorts of fruite trées betwixt which he saw many channels running with cleare streames comming all forth of a most sumptuous and magnificent fountaine whose basen of fine Insper stone was supported by thrée Harpies of Orientall Christolite There Prince Edward encouraged him selfe to go on and as he went a little farther he found vnder a Pauillion of cloth of Golde a most beautifull gratious Lady sitting betwéen the two Stage and his Dog iust ouer against her whom the Knight séeing before him laide his hands vpon the heads of the two Fawnes of whome immediatly was made a wonderfull Metamorphosts for they became two yong men very richly attired vnto whom the Prince drawing néer being greatly amazed of that sodaine transmutation they began to shew great reuerence vnto him and the Lady by and by fell vpon her knées saying Faire Knight by the thing yee loue best in this world we beséech you pardon vs if with this trouble and disease of minde we haue caused you to come so farre for it hath not bin without good occasion considering the long time we attende you héere with great denotion and yée may be vndoubtedly assured not to suffer any disease in this place rather will we serue you héere as him who ought to re-establish vnto vs that which God and nature had prepared for vs after the death of our father Behold héer your Dog whom my Brethren brought into this place not to the end to steale him from you but to cause you onely to come into this place Prince Edward hauing heard this Damsell speake whom in the meane time he tooke vp from the ground by the hand appeased his choller and answered her thus Madame of a troth I was in very great care fearing to loose this Dog which I loose more than yée may imagine notwithstanding séeing I haue recouered him I pardon you willingly wherein soeuer you say yée haue offended me and if yée can deuise wherein I may imploy my best indeuours to doe you good in that which they detaine from you wrongfully I shall as willingly do it as any Knight whom yée may finde within the circute of the Horkon or in the whole center of the world Then the Damsel thanked him most humbly and taking him by the hand lead him to sitdowne by her in a Chaire where the two yongmen disarmed him then brought they him out victuals to breake his fast and after he had well eaten and satisfied his hunger they prayed him to lay downe his head vpon a rich pillow which they laid for him vpon the side of a sent there to repose himselfe which he did willingly being very weary with the trauell which he had endured the night before wherein he neuer slept winke The Lady couering his legs with a Scarlet Mantle furd with Wloluerings he fell a sléepe presently in the meane time the two brethren went to fetch Claudius who stayed with his Horse looking for him as yet at the mouth of the Caue After that the English Prince had slept a good while he awaked sodainely out of his sleepe being fore affrighted with a terrible dreame which he had dreamed It séemed to him to arriue at Constantinople to defie Primaleon where entring within the Citty he met a Lyon and a fierce Lyonnesse which as he would set his foote within the Gate issued foorth and ramped against him tearing away with her pawes the forepart of his Haubergion in such sort that making still a wound bigger and bigger in his brest iust against his heart it séemed to him that his soule did presently depart out of his body And as he thought beside that the Lion and he being furiously in fight together he could in no wise preuaile to vanquish nor in good sort defend himselfe from him he was so
much in nature resembling to the Lyonnesse which caused him in a great fright to starte out of his sléepe saying Lord God helpe me and permit not I beséech thée that I receiue any shame or dishonour in the battell which I hope to haue against Primaleon with that Olymba rose vp for so was the Lady called sitting at his sâ—oe saying Sir yee awake very sorrowfull and I know not what may giue you occasion thereof if it be not some dreame which yee know better than I men accompt but false and abusiue imaginations for when they should be true and should presage foretell to credulous persons some token of future occurrences yée are not ignorant but that the noble and generous mindes must passe thorowe many strange and hard aduentures In good faith yée say true Madame replied the Knight seeing that to finde you in this place with your Brethren lately transformed I reputed a thing most strange and maruelous wherefore I beseech you declare vnto me the whole discourse Sir replied Olymba most willingly will I obey you in this request since that it pleaseth you to vnderstand our great disaster Know yée that we are all thrée children of the deceased Soldan of Nicea the same who dyed by the most disloyall and tycannous mischance that euer was heard of for this good Prince our Father being by nature méeke and gentle loued most dearely a yonger brother that he had called Gelon who of a troth neuer shewed him any part of reciprocall loue again because from day to day he sought out all meanes to kill him to seaze himselfe wholy with his estate Seigniories which fell out after a while as they were both together Hunting abroad For my Father vpon a time making an assembly néer vnto a thick brake wherein his Hunters had enclosed a great wilde Boare and spread the â—oyle about it to shew him some pastime the traitour séeing himselfe still néere my father with thrée or foure of his faction as he espied him a strait passage beset couered euery way round with thick bushes by which way he doubted the Boare would issue lanched at him behind his hack a very sharpe Iaueline which he carried in his hand with such violence that it ran him cleane thorow the body being constrained to fall at that very instant from his Horse backe to the ground in the selfe same place so that the Boare comming foaming and grinding his téeth in furious manner toare and rent in péeces the Carcasse already deade the fellon murtherer our Vnkle making the world beléeue howe the Boare had slaine him and would haue done the like to him had he not shifted himselfe a little aside so that some Hunters who saw very wel the contrary durst neuer open their mouth so much they feared lest some mischiefe would be done them if they should make any spéech thereof This lamentable murther being committed he went strait to Nicea where inuesting himselfe with the whole Estate in lesse than fiftéene dayes he proclaimed himselfe Soidan without any contradiction my brethren and I being too little to resist so damnable a creature and yet for all that the cruell bloudy minded monster would haue slaine vs then in that our pupillage had it not béene for the ayde of a Knight called Osmaquin very well learned in the Art of Magicke and Negromancie who by the vertue of his secret Philosophy could foretell to our father that he should take héed of Gelon his yonger brother vnto whom he gaue no credit whereby this mischiefe happened vnto him But the good old man as soone as our father was deceazed conducted vs thrée into this place where by meanes of his knowledge hee hath built these goodly magnificences which you sée and dwelt here about fower yeares vsing vs as his owne children but at the end of that terme he fell into a grieuous and contagious mallady with the which fearing to infect vs knowing assuredly he should then dye would not in any wise we should frequent néere him but vpon a time féeling himselfe at the very last extremity of his life caused vs to come before him saying My children sorrow ye not for my death séeing that God being pittiful and merciful will remember you before it belong for a Christian Knight issued of Royall bloud reuenging the death of your father shall restablish you in the goods which are wrongfully detained from you and you shall know him by a fayre Dog which he hath being a great deale better than he is supposed to be in so much as it is a man and a very valiant Knight In fine be commanded vs having once met you to passe with you vnto Constantinople where he foretold vs you should receiue a wound in Combat whereof you might neuer be cured in all your life time albeit it should be to your honor and immortall renowne For the better direction of which voyage and to auoyd all shipwracke in this Nauigation hée told vs we should finde a Frigot ready rigde with all thinges necessary not far from this place then giuing vs many other holsome admonitions for want of his breath which began to sayle him bee yéelded his soule vnto him who demanded it in the same place as ye sée from whence my brethren haue issued forth diuers times to sée if they might finde you And now I prayse God it is not in vayne because the Dog which Osmaquin told vs off maketh me doubtles beléeue all the rest will prooue as true as this You recount me great matters quoth the Knight then I beséech God with all my heart they may haue a happy ende that I may reuenge you of so sowle a treason Mine aduise being to goe assoone as may bee towards Constantinople where the great affection I haue to see the aduenture which is reserued for me makes me thinke euery houre a yeare Then the young men bowing themselues very low doing their obeysance to the Knight thus bespake him Noble Prince since that by fatall destiny it falleth to your good hap to reléeue vs out of this misery we hope also our valour will bee something more aduantage to vs in receiuing the order of Knighthood from your hand the which I humbly kisse at this present quoth the Elder called Mosderin in token of the perpetuall seruice which yée shall alwayes finde at my hands the like did the yonger named Bellager Prince Edward embracing them both was very glad to sée Claudius hir Page there also to the end he might make more spéede away so comming forth of the Caue he mounted the Infant behinde himselfe and Mosderin vpon Clandius horse and his Page behinde him for Bellager would go on foote they began faire and softly to set forward thorow a Forrest And because they could not that euening reach the Sea-coast they rested within a wood in a very thick place all couered and beset with trées full of leaues and gréene boughes where the Knight could not sleep
mine to they ye vntill death I yeeld ye a thousand thankes quoth the damsell albeit for my lyfe I should not dare to vse anie commaunde towards you seeing it is I whome it neer â—y commeth to do yee the bast seruice I can Notwithstanding seâ—â—ing aside the circumstances for this present it shall please you to vnderstande how we three haue whilest ye three 〈…〉 resolued and made absolute determination 〈◊〉 that which wee are come to do in this place according to the 〈…〉 which Osmaguin lest vs at his â—â—th And â—â— haue thought iâ— best that Bellager should go attired like a 〈◊〉 vnto 〈◊〉 so â—â— the knight named to vnderstand of him how 〈…〉 behaue our selues to procéede in this busines This aduise was 〈◊〉 best of all by prince Edward therefore Bellager entering into a 〈◊〉 apparelled like a ciuill marchant wiâ—e a Spanâ— went into the towne as farre as Maruins house vnto which euery one he met directed him easily As soone as he was gâ—â—ieu vnto his house after salutations he gaue him to vnderstand how he wold deliuer a secrate message vnto him which no man 〈…〉 but himselfe So with drawing themselues 〈…〉 Bellager râ—â— alâ—â— vnto him who he was 〈…〉 appointment of his brother they came thâ—ther accompanion with a valyant christian knight to recouer theyr estate When Maruin vnderstood the matter sâ—â—ing Bellager so goodly and villane a Gentleman he was maruellous glad and listing vp both his handes to beauens for ioy thus bespâ—ke 〈◊〉 be the 〈…〉 tie God who is mindfull of ye in the end my 〈…〉 soueraigne Lordes heâ— yes most heartily 〈…〉 with that house as those who shall want nothing which I may â—â— for ye to reestablish ye in your owne estate as shine as the euening shall come see that you your sister and all thâ— other who accompanie them come secretly into this place where I wil keep you vntill I impart your arriuall vnto many others who haue lyke desire as I haue to doo you good to the end we may aduise together how to bring this our enterprise best about Bellager hauing receiued this aduertisement went directly towards the companie who attended his comming with great deuotion so that as soone as the houre of the night was come which Maruin and he had agreed vpon they all went ashoarâ— in a place where they found one of his sonnes who waited there for them of purpose to guide them the waie and presently the barke wherein they came vanished out of sight and was neuer seene afterwardes They being all safe ariued at the house and lodged in the most commodious part thereof where none of the seruants did frequent when Maruin sawe his fittest time heâ— went to visite the children of his true liege and soueraigne vnto whom hee wept for ioy in welcomming them thether Then hauing giuen such curteous entertainment to prince Edward as beséemed a man of his calling he vsed such care and diligence in all thinges to doo him good y t within a short space be cured him of all his wounds But let vs suffer them to rest here a little while Maruin worke his comploâ—s with other his conductors to make an end of the first booke of Primaleon whose generous and heroicall â—â—ates of armes are continued in a second parts no lesse profitable than pleasant and full of all sweete recreation to delight the readers with infinitie of amore and martiall discourses the like neuer read of in anie historie before FINIS
shee for whose loue the French Lord fought is not so perfect in beauty but she yéeldeth and giueth the first place into you Aduertising you more-ouer that he and his companion remaine from this present houre your most 〈◊〉 and obedient Knights as hoping if it please you to doo them so much honour that they may accomplish the Lawe of the Ioust of County Peter vnder your name to employ themselues so in this place that the renowne of your beauty shall flie throughout all climates of the Leuant Hee that had there séene the comely beauty of Melissa should not haue sailed to haue ludged of the tamour aâ— her two Alabaster cheekes couered with a transparent and 〈◊〉 Lawne for the shame that seazed her hearing him speaâ—â—â—â— in her fauour Nor could she answere a worde to the young-man shee founde her selfe so confounded when the King her father who was there with the Emperour 〈…〉 this Embassage in good part said vnto her Daughter I will not beléeue but the Seigneur who sendeth you such a present knoweth you and though it were for no other respect at least you ought to receiue it and to honour him who sendeth it you for loue of his generous minde I know not my Lorde quoth Melissa then who may bee the Knight whose curtesie seemeth not to approch his force taking this hardlesse to giue a present to a Damsell whom he knoweth not which notwithstynding for that it is your pleasure I will accept of it You shall aduertize your Master quoth shee to the Page he greatly mistaketh to presume so much of my beauty as to continue the Ioust of the Earle for mee who haue deserued no such honour at his hand Neuerthelesse I thanke him for his good will in â—ccompence whereof if I can doo any thing for him you shall assure him from mee I will employ my selfe with as good will as I pray God to preserue him and his companion also from all incumbrances which may impeach his valiant enterprise for the small occasion they haue to charge so heauy a burthen for so little beauty as mine makes me feare they wil be vanquisht if their prowesse and dexterity doo not supply this default Then the young youth making a low obeysance to thanke her for this curteous answere tooke his leaue gratiously of her And turning to Duke â—ustace who was neer esâ—â—eâ—ought him to tell the Emperour and his company that who so euer had any desire to ioust against this Knight-vanquisher and his companion should appeare vpon the Battiers where hee should finde them alwaies ready which hee did without delay The Emperour misdoubting one of these Knights to be Belcar told if incontinent to King Fâ—isol who assured him the contrary for that he supposed hee had hardly lest the company of Florendos Now did Belcar all that day nothing but breake stanes for there was no French Knight but came to doo his best against him hoping euery one to reuenge the County Peter but the like chaunce befell them as did to him before for this Desendant was rough and a very good horseman which was his inheritance he helde from King Frisol his father who was esteemed one of the best men at Armes of his time That same day Belcar dismounted beside the Frenchmen about twenty Knights the most redoubted of the Court whereat the Emperour wondered much so that he sent Primaleon to them to know who they were who gladly did this Embassage with Palmendos entreating them to repose that night in the Emperours Court who gaue them such charge for the great desire he had to know them Gentlemen answered Belcar desire his Maiesty to pardon vs this once for that wee cannot leaue this place without incurring some blame beeing departed from our houses with full detemination to make our selues knowne to none This is a point of small curtesie quoth the Constantino Politan to refuse the honest offer which the Emperour maketh you with so simple excuse as you finde now And who are you faire Syr quoth Belcar faining not to know him who tearme vs discurteous I am Primaleon replied hée Sonne to the Emperour who sendeth to intreate you by mée to doo him this honour I haue done then presecuted the Desendant because I knowe you haue not as yet receiued the order of Chiualry Assuring you that for your praiers nor for the entreaties of the Emperour shall you preuaile further with me than as I told you before I will not importune you any further sayth the young Prince then being somewhat offended and when hee had so said he returned into the Pallace with Palmendos who was so wrath with this thwart answere that hee purposed on the next morrow to Arme himselfe to the ende to chastiâ—e his arrogance When the Emperour vnderstood they had disdained to graunt his request hée did but laugh at it saying they must he let alone in their obstinacie to sée what might bee the 〈◊〉 Neuerthelesse Palmendos would be reuenged and without saying ought to any body went secretly to endosse the Coat of Armes in which he vanquished the Tourney which we haue described before and came withall with a great Eaunce in his hand within the Barriers So soone as Recindes spide his Armour hee knewe it and who carried it on his back which he let his companion know requesting him not to Ioust against him for the Emperours sake Whereunto Belcar answered bee coulde willingly forbeare notwithstanding he oâ—â—ht not to refuse so good occasion to proone his valour against so 〈◊〉 a Knight for if he dismount me at the Ioust quoth hee I shall not thinke it any shame or dishonour for mee seeing hee is the Achilles of our age with whose valerous exployts all the Orient reseundeth When hee had done his speech hee did his best endeuour to make him feele his forces and running one against the other very roughly such was their encounter that Belcar had taken measure of the earth had he not taken hold of his horse-maine And Palmendos liked not very wel the knocke which he gaue him but it was néedefull for them to breath a little Then charging a fresh with new Launces for that the first flewe in pieces to their Gauntlets they met together with so sodaine a sury that they made the ground tremble vnder them where Belcar sound himselfe much bruised what with the blow and the fall in his Armour Then Palmendos who lost onely his stirrups glad of this reuenge demaunded his Hanburgeon aduising him if he would not fight at the sharpe to depart the field Other battell quoth Belcar séeke not I against thee for small hope haue I to gaine more honour by the sword than I haue already at the Ioust and for that also I estéeme and loue then too well to make further tryall against thée knowing right well by this encounter I should haue but ill spéede if I procéeded further Palmendos hearing him say so mittigated a good part of his indignation and
ensue Ah my Lord replied the Damsell I giue you leaue to shew your surie on me the very first of all if euer I bring you into any further perrill with that shee kist his hande and letting him forth by the same doore hee came in at shee conducted him to the Hermitage where taking leaue one of another the Knight tooke his way toward the Cloister being most ioyfull of the vertue of his sword which he had purchased there but very sorrowfull and pensiue for the wordes which the Dukes sister told him which hee also saw so haue some relation to the Presage of the figures painted vpon his shield Afterwardes beeing arriued at the Abbey after the entertaimnents and welcommings accustomed taking the two Knights whom he had deliuered along with him in company he returned strait vnto the Court of the King his father who for that hee could heare no newes of him was in great heauines and melancholly the which at his arriuall was all changed into extreame ioy and gladnes when embracing him hâ—â— thus began to welcome him My deare sonne I cannot sufficiently woonder how ye departed without making me any thing at all priuy to your intent My Lord and father answered the young Prince I beséech you to pardon me for so much as I was forced sore against my will so to doo and then hee recounted vnto him the brauadâ— of the Damsell in the woode who carried him afterwards to prooue his valour in the aduenture of the Numâ—ey where hee deliuered also these two with the whole discourse of their History Whereat all those who heard him wondred greatly and espeacially the King his father who beeing filled with an vnspeakeable ioy welcommed them in the best manner vnto his Court and with kinde spéeches embraced them whereby they thanking him in most humble manner bowed themselues verie low to kisse his hand so that after this Royall entertainment they had great honor done them by al those of the Court who could not be satisfied with beholding them but did extoll vnto the heauens the inuincible valour of their deliuerer The Duke of North-Wales the verse same who was at that time Successor to their Father came to visite them as his néerest kinsmen with many other Knights and Lordes of his blood whereof they were wonderfull ioyfull especially to see themselues in the place where they were brought vp in theyr tender age and yet not knowing any one body of all those whome they beheld there And after they had made some abode in this Court for the loue of the King and of Prince Edward his Sonne so soone as he departed they went their waies also to yeeld themselues religious men within the Monastery of the Caue where they vowed the small residue of their liues vnto the seruice of God The King and all the great Lordes of his Court beheld with much admiration the rich sworde and all the rest of the Princes Armes estéeming the knowledge of the auncient Duke of Borsa to be most wonderfull who had â—â—â—ented so cunning matters in his house where to returne to the Infant Rene after shee saw her hope desperate shee besought her Father to make her a Nunne in the Monastery which had béene cause of her disafter protesting neuer to loue any other Knight but he Whereunto her Father easily condescended because this Ahbie was within the Country vnder his obedience and long since founded by his auncestors In this place the Damsell liuing at her great case felt cuerie day more and more some accesse of the languishing passion which shée indured for her deare and perpetuall friend Prince Edward who after hee was Crowned King of England knowing of the austere life she lead after his refusall came to see her as farre as the Connent was from him where hee bestowed great riches on it for the loue of her and of the Abbesse who by meanes of his sword which he left there remembred his promise The English Prince then being greatly estéemed of his father and of all the Lordes and Barrons of his Realme hée made small account of that reputation for that his spirit was rather occupied to séeke out the meanes how hée might secretly depart to goe followe straunge aduentures by the which hee might finde out her whom hee loued more entirely than himselfe In the meane time hee tooke his chiefest delight to visite many times her image and representation vnto the which hée discoursed and recounted the extreame affection be bare her as if he had beene in presence of the liuing creature and by this meane tooke he some comfort when vppon a day fortune presented before his eyes a fit opportunity to depart and to goe into any part of the world whether so euer he desired which was in this manner When he was walking vpon the bankes of the Thames mere London be spied a vessell laden with merchandize ariue which a rich Merchant of Hungarie accompanied with diuers others had laden together to sell and to traâ—sique by whom vnderstanding whence the ship was for he knew long before howe the Duchy of Ormeda bordered vpon the kingdome of Hungarie aduised himselfe that hee might secretely depart with this ship when it should bee ready to set sayle towards the North. By this occasion beeing returned into his Chamber purposing to get his equipage in a readines calleth aside a Page of his who was very faithfull named Clawde of whom hee demaunded if hee knewe not the Master of the shippe with whom he had spoken Who made answere he did then hée tolde him further howe hee must néedes make a voyage into Hungarie and to Constantinople about matters of great importance And because this shippe sayled directly into those Countries hée commaunded him to certefie the Pilot how a Knight who desired to passe into Hungarie would giue him willingly what he would demaund if hee would spéedily make for those parts The Prince made no creature priuy to his departure for that he meant to carry no more company along with him but his man Clawde only and Maiortes for to make him pastime by the way Claudius hauing thoroughly vnderstood his Masters mind went incontinent strait to the Hauen where hee concluded with the Master for the time of their embarkement and deliuering him a good summe of money to prouide necessary furnitures returned backe to his Lord and told him all who was very ioyfull of this opportunity And as secretly as hee could by night time be caused his Armes to be carried a boorde the shippe with such sea prouisions as were necessary for this voyage and after that the Merchant had made good trafficke of all his merchandize Prince Edward embarked himselfe with his man Clawde and his Dogge Maiortes onely The King and the Quéene missing Prince Edward at his vprising as he was accustomed to salute them were in great he aâ—nes for him and yet supposing he had but absented himselfe from the Court for a while they comforted themselues herein