they would be found by reason of the triumphes cōmaunded their ship to be guided to Arrissa a hauen some thing remote from the Citie where the eight day they arriued and taking land they entred through the grene Forestes taking the next waye to Constantinople but first determined to linger thereaboutes the time that wanted for the feastes which might be some vii or viii dayes So their Fortune led them to passe away the night hard by the place where the iealous Sarmatia bewailed her woes For after she had parted from Brandafidell she cast her selfe from her horse lamenting her misfortuns supposing that her beloued Oristides had forsaken her to Loue Floralinda wife to the Prince Meridean And they arriued at such time that forced by a Ielous spleene she said Oh rauning experience that before I can begin to Loue I must with Ielousie be tormented Oh Cupid if this be one of thy blowes established in all harts how is it possible thou shouldest be honored or to thee appeale why shold any as to the Soueraine Prince and Iudge of the earth how wilt thou haue that Ladies shall worshippe and adore thee if with such extreames thou plaguest their tender harts Apparent signes did I see in that valiant Prince to loue me but more certainer haue I met in Greece that he abhorrs me Oh happie Land only to me vnappie I blame not thee but curse my starres that doe oppose their influences to ruinate my glory who would haue tould me thou shouldest be a sepulcher to her that to thee came to seeke her life O Gods how farre better had I done to split my hart in Lacedemon with my deare friends swoord then to come to so great miserie in Greece mightie will be the wrong I doe to Ladies when my death shall be published to haue been because I was not beloued But wretch that I am why impute I in him the sin of disloyaltie hauing to his owne cost assured mée by militarie déedes his soule to be soly thine then rather procuring thy victorie then the conquest for himselfe And séeing it is yet doubtfull I will cherish my selfe till I know it and finding it so not that I loued him without hope of like but for the dishonor I did thereby commit against my puritie I will vpon my life execute the cruellest death that ere the world was guiltie of in recompence of my rash foolishnes and affection so ill repaied So somewhat quieted she could not so continue long remembring what the Lady had tould her whereuppon a little to prorogue her griefes shee tuned her voice with this Dittie to her Lute with a more melodious harmonie than Mercury did sound whē Iupiter did send him to bewitch with musick the hundred eies of watching Argos charge Perswaded still maye be My sowle and pensiue hart That If I liue in smart It is by louing thee His life was neuer sweete That euer learnt to loue Vnlesse his minde did meete With what his Loue did moue There doth he striue to liue Both with his soule and hart That If he die with smart His death his loue might giue The acte that most is praised And worthie of most renowne Is I Loues heauenly crowne That makes dispaire amazed Which when it shall assure The soule and amorous harte Then is a life no smart To Loue if it indure With so short a winded hay me ended the warrelicke Dame that the Princesse which ouer hard it could not but greatly pittie her hauing begun to tread thē inextricable maze of Loue not a little wondring to see how general that passion was where with they cheefely liued So afflicted remained the beautious Sarmacia that she could passe no farther giuing occasion to the Brother and Sister their beuers closed because they would not be knowne to go to her and the Ladie being naturally more tender to the other said What haue you felt Sir Knight to expresse parte of your hearts aboundance to the aire and part to these harde and sencelesse Oakes which is but to increase your smart the which if in any thing we may diminish we will effectually accomplish it At the noise did the Ladye start for being drowned in imagination shee did not remember her selfe and hauing her thoughts dispearsed abroad had giuen no eare to the Princesse wordes and so seeing those Knightes in that place shee said Greatly may you fauour me Sir Knight to leaue me to my solitude for that onely hath the power to ease my paine and strengthen my mynde to suffer it add greater if greater may be imagined And this I intreat vnlesse any necessitie requires my person which I will vse most willingly in either of your behalfes Braue Knight replyed Floraliza the sight of your present state so penetrated our harts that it caused this Knight and my selfe to come and demaund the reason of it offering our persons at your neede I doe highly esteeme your offer renowmed Knight aunswered Sarmacia which could not proceede but from you But my infirmitie is of such condition that the remedie on your partes will augment it and for mee to relate it were a griefe past griefe and a newe kinde of torment For I haue no leaue to publish it to any much more to you because it will but serue to refresh the memorie of passed griefes and present euils And therefore I praye you either to goe from mee or giue me leaue that I may doe it For the verie sight of companie is to mee troublesome I neuer sawe a Knight saide Floraliza so deepely possest with Loue but would delight to communicate his paynes and ioyes For the one he mittigates by communication and the other he encreaseth by relation And so I thinke you are a Nouice in Loue seeing you knowe not there is no griefe how great so euer but will by company be asswaged Rather replyed the Lacedemon Ladye this proues you a fresh Scholler in Cupids schoole seeing you ignorant what wrong is offered to the Ladye loued publishing her secretes For to immagine them is secrete treason committed against her And nowe I saye I woulde not keepe companie with a Knight that so quickely desyres to blabbe the thoughtes cloased in an amourous soule being soly to be imagined and not made common to euery voyce Oh how braue a louer woulde you make gyuing place in your hart for euery loue tale Oh that I knew your Mistres be assured she should not longer liue deceaued in her hopes although I thinke she doth not yf this be not to her vnknowen you speake more then befits you said the hastie Floraliza and with more bouldnesse then you should which belike our simple well meaning spéeches did cause that rather is answered Sarmacia the truest testimony that any can haue of his Fortitude and not the vaunting beasts that many vse and commonly bragge of And seing this way you haue brought it about restore me the honour I did you esteeming you in the degrée of a good Knight
aduantage knowne which made the spectators begyn a new ioy for the Pagans demaund had angred them all The acknowledgment of his aduantage was not so great but that the other might recouer it to the louers deare cost wearying him with assaulting auoyding warding and offending The people in the place celebrated euery blowe with promises aboue the skies But the impatient Moore blaspheming against his gods as thinking that his disgrace from them proceeded went to his enemie and with both hands let flye at him such a blowe that lighting on the side of his Helme he cut away all the buckles of the right side which had he spyed no doubt but he had made an end of him by againe recharging there But he with-held so long that the gallant Louer recouered himselfe and with both armes aloft marched against his enemie who in like sorte met him and with more horror then the furious waues beate vpon the flintie rockes they discharged their blowes vpon their Helmes with such puissance that both sencelesse fell on the ground the Nyquean without his Helme but the Pagan with his head scull and braynes broken scattered within his owne The people would haue gone to them had not the guard stayed them till they sawe what became of the Knights traunce But straight was the victorie proclaimed for the valiant Lindoriano returned and seeing him selfe in that manner flung to his weapons to assault his foe but seeing him so lye went to him and vnlaced his Helme saw his head broken in three or foure pieces it grieued him for he was but yong scarce hauing any beard But seeing he could not doe withall demaunded the Iudges if he had accomplished to his honour And in such manner replyed they most valiant Knight that for euer shall your memorie here indure Alreadie came the Emperour and all the Kings that were with him to receiue the Knight who knowing which he was prostrated himselfe vpon his knees requiring his royall handes to kisse them he would not do it saying He that hath them so good Sir Knight with more reason ought his to be demaunded then ours giuen and raysing him from the ground verie kindly imbraced him demaunding who he was he replyed excusing himselfe the best that he coulde saying that for that time he was called Venus Knight The Emperour would not suffer him to staye in the Tent but that he should be cured in court Where the Empres Bryana in company of all the Ladies in recompence of what for the Emperor he had done visited him which from death reuiued him to giue it him more sweeter with their hāds The Ioustes ceased by the Emperors commandement for eyght daies while the Knight was in cure where he was so much made of as if they knew him in estate to be one of the greatest Princes of the world So many things happened in these few daies that some of them maye not be omitted what they were the next Chapter memorateth CHAP. XI What happened to Don Eleno of Dacia after he departed from the Emperor in search of his deare Lady Rosamond of Callidonia I Cannot sweete Ladies but intermingle some pleasing matter amonge the turbulent hurleburlies of bloody Mars shewing thereby in part the thankfulnesse of my minde due for your willing patience hitherto showen for which your beauties admiration shall while these lynes endure eternally remain the which if the world as a strange new rarytie adoreth my self by louing though vnregarded cannot but esteeme it And while the reward proceedes from some danger harken faire Ladies what befell vnto the warrelike Louer Who departing frō the Emperor and the other Princes with the swiftnesse of his Tyrio returned the waye that he came thinking to meete with his Ladie it otherwise happened for loosing himselfe within the woodie thickets of that forrest wandering many daies hearing no newes of his sowle So great were the torments he indured and his exclaimes vnto the skyes that his voice was hoarce with plaints With his dagger on euery tree he mett he engraued this When Don Eleno shall forget thee Maye fortune then reiect mee And vnder it to explaine more the efficacie of his greefe how that waye he sought Rosamond he thus added Since Rosamond is Life And soule of him that seekes her T' obtaine it without strife Why should I cease to seeke her In this maner did the Datian Lord acquaint the buzing winds with the secrets of his pensiue hart regestring it on the hard okes as if they were able to redresse his woes but t is alouers cōfort to cōmunicat his greefs vnto the aire Angry with this fortune he past 4 daies in the end wherof hard by the sea side finding himself alone and seing his misfortune he thus began to sing thinking that none did heare him Deuinest Nimphes that in your shadie bowers Doe lead your Liues contentedly in Loue And you that free doe daily spend your howers Recording those that yours will neuer moue Harken to his that his poore heart deuowrse And pines in woes and doth in torments liue Bereft of Ioyes of glorie and of fame By loosing her in beauty cheefest dame See how on me Loues tyrannie is shewne By which the Heauens and cruell fates torment me My loue refus'd my constancie for sworne Through which my Ioyes in loue I once did see To shew some pittie now were some renoune When life when hope when Ioyes reiected bee This maye you doe by telling her I seeke That I would meete her ere the sunne doe peepe For pitties sake this fauour dain to do me For whilst I greeue she greeues except you tell her Because our soules in woes coparteners be And absence is a scourge and faithes abayter The which you know and well I woot doth she That lost our Ioyes by absence loues afflicter Once I did loue and was againe beloued Now I must weepe seing my loue remoued Of both I am a scholler to experience Insample to of aforgotten louer And though I liue proclaimed was the sentence That me condemnd to sorrowe hartes tormenter Yet all I sufferd but this plage of absence I cannot being my Ioyes remouer I pine she weepes and we would faine now meet Except you helpe we neuer shall regreet None of all the forrest Goddesses and Nymphes that in their shadie Celles were ending of their taskes but gaue it ouer and in such sort pittied the complaints of the wofull Louer that the gentle Datian sawe himselfe incompassed with a more then celestiall cōpanie all of them offering him their helps assuring him the happinesse that his constancie had obtained and that he which can so well suffer the hard crosses of absence should not loose the hope of his future good They all promised him to aduertise his Lady of the intollerable passions that for her sake he sustained They brought him to the next straight way and departing returned with matter ynough to talke off concerning the amorous Prince that with vnaccustomed pace
replied Soueraigne Princesse of Trebizound although this Knight had greatly wronged me I am content to leaue it in this estate so he will he will he will answered shee if he will leaue me debtor for that he hath done for me In what maner the voice surpriz'd him in the same he stood a good while hauing his power subiect to no more then to obay the beauteous Ladie to whome hee replied My aduantage being hereby the greatest most faire Princesse I wish it had been commaunded mee before not now this knight hath got the best that your soueraigne beauty might haue been assured of my will which is with my life to bee employed in your seruice vntill the death In what maner soeuer you doe it I accoumpt it no small fauour sir knight did Rosiluera answere since the cause to be respected is the wil that perfourms it till some of my attendants come I pray you alight that with some thing wee may binde your woundes Both from their horses leapt and being Louers set all their felicitie in obeying Ladies They put of their helmes faire was the gallant youth Don Cellindo more white then browne and of so braue a constitution that no Lady being in loue but would desire to be of him Shee bound his woundes with more gentlenesse then Venus did her Adonis when shee thought he had not been slaine These three the famousest Louers that euer Cupids amorous host did knowe sat them downe together vnder the couert of a spreading mirtle Where oh loue who may haue a tongue so exquisite sharpened in skill to accord thy discordes and order thy disorders In what dost thou delight thou scourge of humane liues To see the youthfull Don Cellindo fixe his eyes and thoughts on the beauteous Ladye making it norishment to his heart and all other thinges but to bee hers to accompt a death a plague a torment or to behold the Lady frée of his paine to explicate with her two earthly Sunnes the cause that doth augment hers within her selfe suffering a Thousand tormentes all of loue procéeding of louing the Achayan Bembo to drawe the pleasure for her soule from him to Don Cellindos cost who noting with his Iudiciall eyes with what affection the Princesse woulde cast hers vpon his aduersarie it was more then eternall payne which he suffered then which the hel of Loue wherein hee liued he Iudged could yeild no greater Ioyest thou destroier of the vniuerse not sparing the little little corner of my iniuried hart to sée the ingratefull More iest at Rosiluera hauing his thoughts there but his soule with Liriana in this liuing with ioye but of the other hauing onely of all his powers his body there on the plaine casting his eyes aloft vpon the towring Cypresses and odoriferous mirtles Some comfort was this to Meridians Sonne for to himselfe hee sayde It was not possible hee should loue where his sight did not gaze theron Oh valiant Princes who might please you displeasing neither pardon oh pardon mee swéete Ladies for my long progressing through the pathes of loues sincere puritie for Don Cellindo gazing on her he loues shee on him she had afore her on the other side made the last viewing her beautie iudge it but a parcell or an abstract drawen from the perfect modell of Lirianas perfections on whome his imagination did féede accompting the greatest euil for her sake to be his chiefest ioy The Lady spake for in loue discourses they haue greater power in this war of Venus then Hector amonge Mars his troopes sir Knight looking at Don Cellindo I doe greatly desire you would communicate your name to vs that Trebizound may know her creditor for my libertie nothing more then to obay her can the gallant so he replyed Most Soueraigne Princesse the certainest thing that I can tell of my name is to knowe nothing of the same In companye of a Sister of mine a wise man brought me vpp not telling vs who we are but that I was called the hidden Don Cellyndo though now the fortunate Knight I am termed It shold séeme they suspected this would befall me wherein I might doe you some seruice although it may bee more aptly attributed to the valour of this Knight Any other thing I know not of my selfe nor haue I the hart to declare it The last vnderstood the Lady as one wounded with that disease because she would not giue him farther occasion for that argument she thanked him for that hee had done and turning to her soule sayde Seeing sir Knight that by your valour you haue obtained to be my kéeper I must now haue you also declare your name vnto me In all things soueraigne Princesse am I bound to your seruice although of your demand I know lesse thē this Knight only can I tell that from my minoritie I haue acknowledged anothers soueraigntie ouer mee and for all my life dependes thereon yet was my name giuen me contrarie to this Knights calling mee the vnfortunate I am sure she will now bee weary of paines hauing reserued for mee in Trebizound such supreame good As the Lady was about to answere appeared Teferreo with signes that hee had fought for all his armor was dashed with fresh blood of others T was so for not far there had hee met with the 4 Knights whose vanquishment cost him no little trouble but in the end their heads payd for their bouldnes He toke vp the Lady behind him on the horse shūning the prolixitie of their gréetings tooke their way where the brothers of Spaine Artermisa were with whome after the passing of some iests betwene them about her flight they altogether went to the house of pleasure where the Emperour brauely welcomed them and the better knowing what had befallen them What intertaynement or with what pleasure they should intertaine the two Princes they knew not The one knewe no more of himselfe then what he had sayd The other neuer declared his name to any but Liriana There staid he eight dayes which was but a momentary instant for the Ladye that by a thousand meanes woulde haue made him knowe her affection but his was so great towards another that it woulde not so much as let him marke hers thinking hee had byn stayed a whole age in Trebizound Hee craued leaue for his departure to euery ones griefe for hee was louing who felt it worse then death was Rosiluera though she dissembled it in this she exceld all Ladies of her time Hee returned to Achaya where his frend Lupercio expected him who to expell his loue of Lyriana from his minde toulde him how she was betrothed to one of the valiantest Knights of the world and of the house of Grecia It grieued him so extremely that he fell into many infirmities although the wise man with hopes deluded him which was the cause of his recouery where we must leaue him and Don Cellindo feasting in vaine the gallantnesse of his Ladie Rosiluera because we must treat
by the Thespian land onely mentioned through her bordering on the Helliconian Mount the habitation of those sacred tryple Trinity of Sisters the diuine Muses Ioues-brayne-bred daughters Mothers of all learned Arts. To be short with incredible spéede delight he compassed the most part of the orbed earth for being acquited of Loues tributarie dueties his quiet mind had the more scope to subiugate his thoughts to admiration of these things So that now wearie of ease he wished an end vnto his trauaile that he might agayne exercise his often tryed forces to augment the perpetuitie of his glories which he thought were ecclipsed in the obscure cabbin of his honor-smothering bark yet he stil perswaded himselfe some great aduenture could not but awayt the end of this Nauigable toyle At length passing the Ilands Sygares in auncient times called Sydromades whose coastes to vnskilfull passengers is pitilesse death some fiue dayes after he sayled through the Mediterranean Sea where vpon a morne when glittering Phaebus mounted his fierie Carre the boate ran ashoare to the Princes great contentment who was almost tyred with this long nauigation Wherefore arming himselfe in his rich armour he leaped on land and mounting on his swift Tyrio accompanied onely with his good squier Fabio he tooke a narrow beaten path through which he went with great desire to know in what ayre he breathed So with an easie pace they trauailed not long that way but it brought them into a great wood whose vnknowen passage somewhat amazed the Dacian Lord. Yet was it no part to expell the great delight he did conceaue with the soft whistling murmure of the pleasant windes that seemed to daunce vpon the mouing of the shaken leaues on whome the whistling byrdes warbled their ditties in such accordant manner that agreeing in one consort of an inartificiall harmonie it arrested the amazed conceipt of the wandring Prince that continued his iourney along a Christal Riueret whose bending turnings brought him at last vnto his springing head whose purling brooke from a rockie quarie traced his continuall currant through a pibble paued channell that gathering in one a many runnings that from the naturall rocke did issue seemed so many spouts proceeding from an artificiall fount making the streame more great whose sweete noyse could not but remoue the Mellancholiest heart though neuer so much tormented with loue-oppressing passions euen from his deepest dispairing thoughts This pleasant spring was all incompassed with high cressend trees proud Cedars and loftie Pynes whose height seemed to controll the firmament aloft and scorne the lower plants beneath whose humble growth was accompanied with greene Palmes fresh Oliues and odoriferous Orange trees that euer flourisheth with springing habits Through these vpon the dyaperd ground with flowered tapestrie ranne the sportful wanton yong Deare that in aboundance increased the pleasure of this wooddie fount for some scudded along to out-strip the others in running others nibled the tender growing sapplings and others togither butted in wrangling pastime their horned foreheads The Dacian wrapt in a suddein admiratiō with the vnhoped sight of such miracles rested confounded in pleasant imaginations that perswaded him in a land so wonderfull of Natures wonders he should not but expect some vnlooked vnconceaued and unmerited happinesse Here to ease himselfe awhile he alighted and washed his sweatie face hands in those coole refreshing waters and then sitting on the grasse satisfied his hungrie stomack with such prouision as Fabio his page had brought with him from his ship The collation ended they discoursed of many matters to beguyle the time withall especially touching the Romane Ladies whose affection towards him shewen by the Princesse Roselia was not of meane respect wherevpon Fabio tooke occasion thus to beginne I cannot deare Lord sufficiently conceaue the hidden reasons of your strange proceedings in Loue. For when I remēber your extreame passions for the first robber of your heart Florisdama your second doting on Lidea your last affection towards Roselia with the maner of your sudden departure from her without a farewell in recompence of her many fauors which her accepting you for hers condemnes you in the highest degree of ingratitude in Loue besides her many other merites which I list not now memorate deserued no such sleight esteeme The consideration of which things drownes my witts in vncertaine thoughts Do you thinke when shee shall record her courtesies and your discourtesies she will not call you a dissembling Dacian a flattering friend a wauering changing Louer Wil she not complaine of her ill aboading starres exclame on fortune and banne your remembrance Nay how can shee otherwise hauing so great cause thereto For shame my Lord awake your slumbring sences and rayze vp againe the broken ruynes of your decaying credit let not the honor of your byrth be tainted nor the royall blood of Dacia stayned with an infamous blott of thanklesse ingratitude Let not Roomes quarrell begunne in the fathers continue in the children and be ended God knowes in what posteritie But pardon me my Lord for thus passing the limits of duety and the duetie of a seruant which only loue and zeale to your reputation hath moued me vnto In deede Fabio replied the Prince first thanking thee for thy care I must confesse in some respect I stand guiltie in Roselias sight for departing without her consent But yet God knowes it was not either by negligent forgetting or vnthankfully reiecting her deserued merits or the sleight regarde of her kindnesse for which and for her infinite fauors I euer shall rest debtor But leauing this I am perswaded the heauens in their iust doome haue not allotted her to me although her perfection a greater Monarche do deserue then me which I do the more beleeue because my trusty friend Nabato did assure me it touched me as neare as my life not to speake to her at my departure which I with some vnwillingnesse agreed vnto hoping the Princesse knowing my power to be yoked vnder her commaund would not take any serious conceipt at so sleight a trespas Yea but quoth Fabio women are so grieued by euery small occasion that little offences wayghed in their feminine scales are found to be excuses of inconstancie and selfe wauering affection and therefore are taken in the worste part For commonly women conceiue whatsoeuer is done for them must for so reason requireth proceede of duetie chiefely if moued by any amorous inclination hers was not little if I may beleeue her exterior motions when you were fiercest in your combate For by no better meanes doth a louer expresse his loue towardes the thing loued then when it is seene in any perill how small soeuer which things adde such credit to my doubt that I certainly beleeue shee hath vttered a thousand complaints against you moued with that inward and entyre affection shee beares you And to conclude her rare beawtie deserueth more then I can or am able to expresse This conference was here abruptly broke
Prince with such haughtie thoughts that Mars himselfe would haue feared him With furie at length they mette in middle of their course with most strong incounters But the Dacians Horse being the best in the world meeting with his aduersaries tumbled him on the ground and with a mighty fall made his Maister measure his length on the earth himselfe stumbling at a speares struchon Whereat the Prince fearing some mischance seeing him so stagger leapte from him with such nimblenesse that his gallantnesse as much delighted the Lady as it grieued her to see her brothers disgrace who fearing a sudden death with his sword drawne and his shield wel buckled about his arme made towards our Knight that in like manner expected him desirous to prooue the cutting of his Romaine blade wherewith he laide vpon the toppe of his enemies shield entring it with such might that al that quarter with a pece of his helme he threwe to the ground He seconded another not so dangerous yet more fearfull because lighting on his breast it gaue him a wide wound Trembling stood the Lady at her brothers chance though he like a valiant warriour setting his right foote forward so struck him on the leggs that had his sword been like the Dacians he hadd greatly hazarded his victorie Forward he stept with his other foote to make a stronger blowe and so thrusting at him with his point it chanced between the buckles of his skirts that had he not turn'd aside he had there been slaine out-right notwithstanding it made him a little wounde whereout issued some blood The Dacian thinking it to be greater like a furious Lyon before he was able to withdraw him vpon the little left him of his shield gaue him such a blow that parting it from one end to the other and the point slycing all the armour of his arme he threw his shield on the ground leauing all that side without defence With the feare of death rested the Knight amazed but incouraging himselfe with his sword in both hands he made against his aduersarie discharging on his shield so braue a blow that falling on his head he forst him to retire backe with staggering stepps which séeing he followed the aduantage with a point had almost ouerthrowne him But our new Louer firmely staied himselfe raysing aloft his Romain murthering sword at such time as the Ladie getting to her Horse cried out Knights withdraw your selues for this is no combate any farther to proceede But she came too late for ere shee mounted her brother groaned his last falling on the earth with his head parted in two which sudden death grieued euen the very soule of the vanguisht victorious Dacian But what the sorowfull Lady did admits no comparisō for casting her selfe from her Horse all the moouing motions of her breathing senses left her so disposest of Life as they hadde the Prince with this vnlook'd for accident He vnlaced his helme and sitting on the blood-dewd grasse he tooke the amazed Ladies head betweene his hands which he durst doe bycause the weapons of her excellencies through a pale ashie trance had left her beautie without defensiue armes and began to vse those meanes for her recouerie that his braue heart did neuer study and with bitter exclaimes he saide Oh cruell fortune may it be thou shouldest so soon temper with so sower a chance the first time thou wouldest a little fauor me Oh wise Nabato my professed friend why didst thou tell me thy care should alwaies be to cure my woes if all things now conspire against me to ouerthrowe my content In his owne helme hee caused some water to bee brought him and sprinckled it vpon the Ladies faire face till with a sighe proceeding from her oppressed soule she return'd vnto her selfe yet for all this did she remember the pitifull lamentes that the Knight hadde vttered and that the force of Loue did onely force him to But séeing the brother that she most affected lye before her besmeared with his owne blood so cruelly slaine she stepte from the Prince saying Let mee goe rude and discourteous Knight for the wronges you haue gainst me committed cannot be satisfied with lesse then the heart blood of your dearest life And casting her selfe on the dead carcase with such pitifull compassion that it would haue drawne teares from a Tygers eies she wailed her brothers losse and drowning his head and face with a pearled shower of water distilling from her two clowdie founts she thus began her plaintes May it be deare brother that the angrye Heauens should so oppose their happie reuolutions against our youth suffering the cruell fates to persecute thee and me with so lamentable a chaunce kept in store by that constant Lady of inconstācie giuing the world so great a losse thorow thy vntimely death who shall dare carye the vnlucky newes of thy vnhappie end vnto our Parents Oh Princes of Callidonia now must you take new weapons and put on armour of reuenge and build an alter to Rhamnusia offering thereon the cruell sacrifizes of Nemesis bloodie rites that she maye further your reuenging thoughts to take so iust a vengance For you haue this day lost a Prince of the best the brauest Ah tender youth so suddenly bereaft and ill enioyed Oh pittilesse inhumane death with what extreames dost thou performe thy cruelties hauing without mercie or respect of innocencie with such barbarous sauagenesse snacht from hence my poore Larsyno on whome the enuious worlde had placed all her hopes And if impartiall destinies inexorable Sisters you had determined this partiall doome within the consistorie of your counsell house why suffred you not sterne goddesses my brothers mortall wound also to fall on me and end in my hart and not leaue mee thus with life to feele so many deathes Thus did that beauteous Ladie poure forth her sorowes for her deare Larsyno But the inraged passiōs that did possesse Don Eleno when he vnderstood that he had slaine her brother whom he loued more then his owne soule had almost forced him with his owne dagger to drawe his owne harts blood to pacifie her rage if he had not feared eternall damnacion for so great a sinne yet esteemed he that a profitable death where nothing was hoped but what should be more cruell For all this he animated his drooping heart and turning to the weepyng Lady sayde Seing my more then vnhappie fortune deuine Lady hath permitted he should displease you and in this sort that was only borne to adore you soly desiring life to please you bethinke what satisfaction you will haue though it be with the dearest blood chambred in my soule and at your command these hands shall sluce it forth bycause with such a death my life will end with ioy if something it may extenuate part of your discontent conceaued Any reuenge most cruell Knight replied the sorowfull Lady will be but little in recompence of the highe wronge I haue receiued by those murthering handes guiltie of
these Knightes for in my opinion I haue not seene the like and hee of the deuise with the Gyants greatly resembleth a Pagan that I knighted who after about the armour of Bramarante bereft of life our deare friend the Tartarian Zoylo for by his sudden assayling and the liberall domination he hath ouer himselfe in the battaile I iudge him to be hee he will neede all helpes replied the Scythian Prince for his aduersarie differs not in shew from that youth we met in Lacedemon whome wée left with opinion to be your cousin and if it be he the victorie will be his for the Prince Rosicler as he himselfe said was with twoo blowes by him feld The noise that in the place did suddenly arise broke off their talke for if any of them obtained any aduantage straight some fauourite of his would celebrate the blow of his affected as now some the Greeke and some the Mauritanian would praise aboue the heauens Somewhat a wearie were they and séeing the sunnes declining with the nights beginning to approch with the vtmost of their forces they discharged their furie in such sort that they struck each other frō their horses to the astonishment of all the beholders His Mace dyd the Greeke loose out of his hands first executing a braue blow which wrunge his aduersaries helme about his head greatly blinding his sight they had not fallen when quicker then immagination they rose The Greeke drew foorth that good swoord which Brandafidell did giue him when he lost his of Queene Iulias and with it before the Pagan setled himselfe he strucke him about the toppe of his shield he cut away a peece therof with all the brimme of his helme on that side he made him stand trembling like a leafe shaken by a Northren blast he well noted his amaze and so lost not the occasion for with a loftie florish ouer-head hee made him there repaire his warde leauing his legs without defence Whereuppon the Prince stept more in with his left foote and standing strongly thereon withdrawing his swoord with both handes executed his blow on his left thigh cutting it to the bone This wound was it that gaue him some aduantage ouer the Mauritanian and also the victorie if the battaile to the end continued For the Pagan began to loose much blood and to shrincke through faintnesse on that side euery time he was there charged They parted to breath for foure houres without rest had they combated since they began The Greeke as he walked cast vp his eyes towards the windowes where he spied his deare Oliuia and with a sighe breaking from the middest of his heart he began I know not why thou shouldst esteeme thy selfe Prince of Grecia to haue obtained thy Lady by force of armes Thou art wronged and not in the least degree so to be praised for it hauing no reason for it seing that before al thy Parents freinds and kinsfolkes their presence must beare witnesse of all thy former honors wracke in this sole battle Where in this particuler Combate with a single knight thou loosest in one minute all the glorie in so many yeares with dere experience and losse of thy dearest blood thou diddest atchiue No lesse exclaimes did the furious Pagan breath into the aire blaspheming gainst his Gods saying Why now none néed feare the name of Brufaldoro nor is there any cause his Ladye should estéeme him since before his greatest enemies so ill he doth defend her beautie reason hast thou to cōplaine deare Ladie of thy Gallant that in sight of thy rare perfections he hath not the power to beate his aduersarie from the field but see himselfe to be brought vnto the point of a shamefull ouerthrow he ended turning to his enemie that like a raging whirlewind marcht against him To meete him went the haughtie Pagan being the first that executed such a blow vpon the Greeke that he made him set one knee to the earth discharge he would another but Rosicler being more actiue in that Art before the Pagan strucke setling himselfe on his right legge he stept aside not making hym loose his blowe but staggering seeme to fall with a thrust did the louer of Oliuia reach him it pierst his armor and he felt it within his flesh like to the winde he rose with both hands did strike at him Little preuailed the defence of the strong shield for frō the one end to the other it was cleane cut and so ouer-charged him that both handes hee set on the ground He thought to surprize him as hee fell and so entred within him more then he should insomuch that he could not wound him For the Pagan cast his mightie armes about him beginning with aduise an admirable wrastle He raysed him from the ground and had almost cast him down if the Greeke had not withall his power held him fast and in that occasion with a trip got from him strongly swinging him about hee hurled him well nighe foure paces from him both falling downe But scarce had they fallen when with such courage they rose that all the behoulders were amazed to see so cruell a battle Nyne woundes hath the Pagan and the one exceeding troublesome on the thigh The Greeke hath foure all about the buckling of his armor two of them dangerous and hys body brused and tyred that his legges coulde scant sustayne him A windie noyse began to sound throughout the place who the Moore of the Moones was iudging him the valiantest that ere was seen in Greece for by this time the Pagan began to faint by reason of his wounded Thighe whereby his aduersarie knewe his aduantage ouer him So long it was argued who it might bee that euerye one happened rightly on whome in deede it was For the Emperor Trebatio himselfe commaunded all the Pages to tell the truth At last it was known that the valiant Moore was Rosicler It could not be kept so close but it came to Oliuias hearing who liuing by louing him began to bewaile the battle with millions of pearled teares that ran down the current of her rosed chéekes seing in what cruell combate her deare Lorde had put himselfe and so besmeared with blood With many out-cries she had descended but that the Ladyes stayed her As much griefe for it tormented the good Trebatio that no longer able to with-hould tooke his horse when Phaebus light was altogether drencht wtin the Cauers of the western Ocean at what time the two famous warriors cried out for lights From out the Tent were presently brought aboue 1000 torches so wearie were either of the aduersaries that scarcely they were able to stand on their féete Neuer a steppe made the Moore but with his blood hee left it printed on the grasse and the Greeke sturd not but hee felt a bloody sweate ouer all his bodye Great was the aduantage he had ouer the Pagan because of the troublesome wound of his thigh At length disparing of the long fight the Moore closed
about to rent it without seing the contents but considering it was no salue for the euill done she opened it whose effect was thus Claridianos Letter to Archisilora TO the Soueraigne Archisilora excellent Queene of Lyra Claridiano of Grecia health A thousand meanes most hawghtie Queene haue I sought by some one to make known part of my cares but seing with what certaintie hourely swanlike I singe the approching cōming of my death and that the malady which mine eyes expresse wold not assure thee thou onely art the cause of my danger I resolued to imboulden my selfe to my harts deare coste to this whose imagination she thought it must come to those mighty and all-wondring hāds my soule feares to haue thus presumed to speak for the harts it trembles with doubt of remedie not obtayning it in lyfe which admitting no mittigation of griefe will bee short I intreate you not deuine Ladye to loue mee this merits not so meane deserts I onely craue if a remorcelesse cruelty is not altogether possest of that rarest beauty you wil be pleased to admit me as a knight attēdāt on your seruice suffering my lāguishment I require no pardon for louing thee since thou by woūding the body gauest the soule leaue to idolatrize the Instrument but if thou wilt altogether seeme displeased in kindled wrath my selfe will bee the executioner of the punishment I merit killing that life the heauens gaue me to adore thee vntill death the which is sure in me shutting the gates of pittie clemēcie wherto thou art bound As manye teares as the distressed Greeke hadde shedde wryting of the Letter didde the Ladye poure downe when shee read it for shee extreamely loued him but her libertie so rested her and imagining it diminisht her Fame not shewing her selfe grieued she so not onely determined it but also to write it lest her silence might giue him occasion to thinke the glory of his high thoughts was allowed Shee writ her answere not without manye teares and taking it with her put it twixt her brests a place where Phoebus wisht to rest so without any shew of alteration she went vnto the hall for one of her Damozels had told her how an aduēturre was come to the Pallaice which in deede was so For when they were all in pleasing conuersation one with another there entred a Dwarfe thorowe the hall so little that hee was scarce seene because hee brought a shielde bigger then himselfe and the richest in the world he went directly to Don Eleno and kissing his hands hee gaue him a letter from Nabato with his commendations bydding him straight read that Letter for it behooued him to depart with some alteration the Dacian tooke it and read it thus Nabatos Letter to Don Eleno of Dacia TO the excellent Prince of Dacia Nabato his faythfull friend and in the Magicke artes most skilfull health As all my studie is directed for thy content I haue founde that it behooues thee for the reasons I shall giue presently to depart from that Court least thy delay be the cause of the deare Lyons death It must bee onely with thy Page and that my seruaunt that shall guyde thee leauing thy be trothed Loue in pallaice where shee shal be well intreated vntill the heauens shal otherwise appoint The like must the King of Argentaria doe with the Kings of Antioche France and Hungarie and the valiant Persian for after so great pleasures and on the necke of such Tryumphes no maruell if there happens the most cruellest warre that euer mortalls heard off for the enuious Basiliske with all his skill doth procure it The Gods preserue and protect thee as thy faith deserueth This Letter amazed euery one for Don Eleno tould thē who he was and seing with what spéed he was commaunded away he went to his chamber where his Ladie helpt him on with his rich armour with many millions of sighes bewayling her Loues departure she tould him softly shee was with Childe which newes nothing discontented the Dacian but rather said it therefore befitted her to stay in his Vncles Court. They brought him his swift Tirio and the Dwarfe gaue him his shield bidding him take none other he would suffer none to goe with him out of the Citie he intreated the Emperour to eare for his Rosamond who esteamed her as his daughter for the great loue hee bare to the Dacian Arryuing at the sea he found his inchanted Barke whereinto he leapt which with his accustomed velocitie began to rent the waues where we must leaue him to shew what happened in Constantinople CHAP. XVIII Howe one night the Greeke Prince diguised absented himselfe from the Court and what else happened WIth great care sweete Mistres of beauty leaft wee the faire Queene of Lyra to deliuer her angry Letter to him shee most loues Presently shall she bewaile with eternall teares and yet shall it bee no comfort to her the rash resolution she had to write so seuerely being assured with what faith she was beloued Shee mist not occasion for the carefull Palisandro quickly crost the hall shee called him saying Good Squire I beléeue you erred in deliuering your letter for it was written to some other Lady So I bring it you againe that she may not loose what from the same doth procéede he well perceaued the drift and therefore answered Why then most excellent Quéene I haue committed the greatest fault in the world publishing the secrets of my Lord the Prince There is no such fault for though I knowe his loues I will keepe them secret and as for the rest neither thou nor hee hast lost any thinge with me for t is verye common in his youth to ymploy it in some Ladies seruice She would staye no longer because of them that too and fro did passe which pleased the Page thinking hee carried good newes vnto his Lord hee found him in his Chamber for he went not from him and sayd That you may know with what affection your matters are handled reade this Letter written with your Ladies hande hee tooke it and whyle he ouerpast the feare of reading a thing so doubtfull with attention heard all that happened betwene the two Ladies at length he rent open the seales and a Thousand times kissing the firme the contents were these Archisiloras Letter to Claridiano ARchisilora of Lyra to the Prince Claridiano health If the anger griefe I did receaue with thy Letter bold Prince I shoulde expresse in this I shoulde rather want paper for it then reason to complayne mee of thy presumption behauing thy selfe not as a Knight but as one that liues by insinuating deluding those Ladies that altogether thinke not of thee With my owne hāds I wil not procure my reuēg for that were to worke thy content but I aduise thee to do so again thou do not so much as imagine it for that bee the cause to driue me to my kingdome only to depart frō the Knight that hath
so fiercely hee entred to the wrastle but making of one foote two he stoode so strongly that the Pagan thought he hadde incompassed a Rocke So longe they stryued that they fell on the hatches not daring to loosen fearing to loose thereby By this meanes did the Achayan loose so much blood that it was maruell how he could hold out for all the barke was stayned with the hewe tumbling vppe and downe the boate the Gréeke went so nighe the boorde thereof that taking houlde thereat with more strength then maye bee imagined in despight of the Moore with a swinge hee flung him to the farther syde with admirable lightnes he set himselfe on foot Slow was not the Pagan in doing the like though in this seconde battle was plainely séene what aduantage the yellow Knight had ouer his aduersarie and the Combate continuing to the end the More could not but be ouercome The Ladie would not suffer it for only to that intent had she her perfect iudgement by meanes of the peruerse Lupercio so shee spake heere me sir Knights Hearing the Ladies voice neither stirred their swoords for the gallantnesse wherewith both were adorned bound them to it shee procéeded May this testimonie braue Knights suffice which you haue giuen to the déepe seas that for my sake making no longer battle yée leaue it in this estate They could not do otherwise then the Ladie intreated it benefited the Moore therein and so replied So long hath my will obayed the supreame cōmaund of yours most Excellent Ladie that I cannot do more then what is your content and seing herein you doe receaue it I am content so pleaseth this Knight She said he will for it is the Gallants sole honor to accomplish a Ladies behest much more her kinde request She did not so dislike the Greeke that he should not obay her and therefore made answere In faith most Soueraigne Ladie I am glad occasion is offered that I may be obedient to your seruice and since herein it is shewen I am content and so remit this knights battaile beseeching you to giue me leaue to depart for I haue much to doe in another place To doe so you haue it sir Knight answered the Ladie He tooke his farewell of her and the Pagan leauing with him ynough to talke of his valour many yeares after He leapt into his boat which began to saile with such velocitie that the Ladies straight lost the sight thereof so did Bembo that stood amazed at his Goddesse view not knowing whether he was in heauen or on earth With greater courage then at any time he said If the Faith swete Ladie which I owe you may be any meanes somewhat to assure mee the entrance I intreate your soueraigne beawtie to shewe me which way I maye thether ascend and take her frō so inhumane a Gaole that hath perpetually imprisoned my heart The Ladie answered neuer a word for she neyther knewe her selfe nor any other only might she disturbe any battaile when any of Lupercios faction sustained the worst She returned away with her Ladies leauing the Prince in obscure darknesse Hee lost all the mouing powers of his body and stoode gazing at the place where he had séene his glorie In that vision wold he haue dyed thinking he departed in quiet but hauing ouer-past that amorous care with a sigh he burst into these spéeches Oh cruell Lady scourge of the Achayan house may it be such inhumane crueltie should bee inclosed within so faire a Lady what law permits thou shouldst knowe I dye I ioye therein that t is my life to suffer many deathes for thy sake and that thou hast neuer been pleased to say I am pleased to admit it This is a tirannie that admits no comparatiue for if my death wil auaile thée or that thou wilt not loue let me knowe it and my selfe will bee the cruell executioner of a most cruell death if therein consistes thy contēt But vnfortunate mishhap t is enough it comes from me that Bembo doth desire it to be denyed by Lyriana If any should be cherished in life for well louing is there any on the earth that better then my selfe hath done it Is there anye that with more puritie doth Idolatrize thy affaires then I Is there any that omitting his owne pleasure will procure thine but I If then fairest of all Fayres beauteous Liriana thou art of this assured why doest thou thus prolong my remedie why becomest thou deaffe to my exclaymes Thine I am and thine will I die let fortune still be opposite euen to my hopes and may the heauens euermore conspire against Bembo my heart hath patience to endure all First began I to pyne ere I knewe whome I loued since from all aspects I am disswaded and shoulde belieue it will I onely in thoughts end my dayes So much blood lost he that the Maister pittying him sayd Sir Knight bee not such an enemy to your selfe for it may cost you your life the differring of your cure My happe will not bée so good replyed the Prince as to meete with death for it doth my paine expect and desire anchorage of the griefe it sustaines Neuerthelesse sayd the Maister t is a kinde of dispaire to suffer a death by the heauens vnappointed for t is a blemish to any ones honour Such perswasions he vsed that he put of his armor and layde him on a bed within the Maysters cabbin They drest him with greate care yet greater was his of his Lady They would not suffer him to rise in foure daies which he continued the thinking to sée his Goddesse seing t was but in vaine he commanded to direct to Achaya intending to demaund of his friend Lupercio what armour weapons the entrance to that Tower required The Marriners to please him would haue done it but there arose a sodaine tempest that t was vnpossible to arryue there so were they carryed backwards vp downe the Grecian Ocean vntill the eyght day they arriued in a most aboundant land full of many trées and woods It gladded the Prince for the Sea had tyred him So he commanded his furious Courser to be landed and armed in all his armor he leapt on shore commaunding the rest to staye for him eyght dayes while hee learned what countrey that was He tooke the most vsedst path he could sée till the after-noone that the Sunnes mydday heate was somewhat coole he alighted to rest close to a Fountaine eating such prouisiō as his pages had brought from the ship So eating was the Pagan there but his pylgrim thoughts wandred on Lyriana when to the same fountaine where he was arryued a damozell no lesse beauteous then well attired who not for all the Prince was there alighted with rare gallantnes to refresh her faire face in the pearled spring where she reassured her selfe shee was beautifull hauing dried her face with a semely wantonnesse she stept to the Prince with these words Sir Knight the heate and the
commodiousnes of the place haue forced me to beare you company although respecting the sorrow your armour doth expresse I belieue it will discontent you delighting in solitude a meanes that loue hath inuented to louers costes to ease their paines and incorage their pensiuenesse Amorous was the Pagan and vsed to saye hee merited not the to bee named a Knight that woulde not in a Ladies behalfe aduenture his life hazarding his owne affaires to doe them seruice and so answered In faith faire Damozell though all humane conuersation were troublesome vnto mee yet yours shall not bee so because I thinke you are a little schooled in the good of solitude a manyfest token that hee that spares none hath pleased to make you his tributarie these discourses beeing those the soule conuerseth al alone to haue nowe one to aunswere mee will make my paines more tollerable perswading my selfe of good lucke in all thinges in his lande where my fortune hath cast me being welcomed by such a good beginning where shee replyed It well séemes sir Knight you bee in loue seeing with your reasons you woulde so soone launche into the déepe of beautye a common thinge amonge Knightes that only loue for the present there is no cause you should assure mee of my beautye for with it the Fountaine restes more gladded then that wherein Narcissus gazed So that Sir Knight you must séeke other meanes then these to Court the Dames of Trebizound which is the Lande you nowe are in for this here is too common and they knowe it verye well that presume so on their beautyes for telling them of it is to increase their rygor against them that in this land so wooe I am much bounde vnto your seruyce pleasaunt Ladye replyed Bembo gladde to heare the chatte of the riggish Dame for this aduise for as a Nouice in thys lande not knowing the manners thereof I talked according to the practizes of other Nations at this time since there is no content to Ladies equall to the calling of them beautifull receauing griefe by the contrary and not the least in compting them not fayre although the heauens haue towardes them byn niggards in their influences making them not of the absolutest She answered They doe so that will not beléeue what they are contrary to vs in Trebizound and therefore be they pleased to be tearmed by what they are not giuing their louers fauors though faygned for it who more by insinuating then a firme faith procure the content of beeing beloued Not for all the Ladies so saying to their gallantes sweete damozell answered the Pagan Cease they to be liberall carefull and for their Mistres good most ready The damozell replyed with that t is so for it doth more euidently shew how the hart loues and on the last groūding what abroade is vsed I saye that Ladye is ingratefull that will not shew her pittie being assured shee may by a Thousande new fauors that her gallant may be animated knowing if he liues by louing that his fayth is also repayd by loue This is that which best assures the hoped good betwene louers on the Ladies behalfe their glory of being beloued Other maner of courting vse you here faire damozell sayd Bembo thē in those places I haue trauailed for the gallāts in my countrey onely procure by louing to assure their Ladies thereof that they may be pleased to condescend therto making their wills knowen vnto them In respect of the intollerable paines suffered do they neuer require any guerdō but only procure to propagate that magnanimitie wherwith they sacrifize thēselues vnto their Ladies setting in their hands their hearts soules expecting nothing hereby but the glorious sirname of their amorous knights Strange things haue you tould me sir knight said she gladly would I know whome you loue to be certified whether it be so or no but perswaded it is so I know not what the Trebizound Ladies meane so much to debase their beauties And far more thē to receaue a iewel of great prize would I esteeme to haue longer time to discourse with a knight so grande a seruitor to Cupid but the hast that cals me away constraines me to depart for my Lady the Princesse expects an answere of some busines by my returne who to rest a while remayned not farre hence in a house of pleasure and with her is the Princesse Artemisa of England and to my thinking not so frée as were conueniēt So sir knight I pray you pardon me for fortune maye appoint better occasion that I may enioy your amorous conuersation which hath not a little attracted me At all times faire Ladye replyed the Moore that you will so fauour me will I accompt past my deserts reputing it according to your many merits the discretion of so faire a dame And if my power may any way procure your content commaund me for with all diligence necessarie will I accomplish it With this she departed leauinst the amorous Pagan affected to her witty wantonnes And mounting on his horse he cōtinued on his way wherein befell him what the next recounteth CHAP. XXI What in the Forrest happened to the couragious Bembo with the Princesse of Trebizound and her guard with other aduentures MOunted on a brauer horse then anye they which drawing the goulden eye of heauen compasse about the Terrene Orbe somewhat after his meridionall decline trauelled the mighty Bembo with his pilgrime thoughts onely on his Lady that to driue him from them was the wanton damozels prettie chat no meanes desirous ere he left that Empyre to see that Court so famoused throughout the world by reason of the excellent Princes that gouerned there On this ranged his pensiue imaginations with some ease which the pleasant sounde of the chirping birdes mooued seing that to among them loue hath his cōmaund For if they will striue either to excell other in their notes it is because he raignes among thē that makes the rusticke countrey swayne more excellenter then Demostenes in eloquence of speech so he be toucht with loue What tongue or pen hath he subingated that hath béen poore in skill and not rich in wit who could euer vtter the aboūdance of a copious and artificiall tongue vnlesse mooued by the sonne of his moother Venus The Sarracine Prince did not call himselfe deceaued for yeilding of his faith but considering he had past any time without Loue he tearmed it lost and that life worse thē death that is not troubled with Cupids amorous passions In this and in a thousand complots which Loue propounded him was he occupied when from out a fragant thicket he saw comming a companie of Knights richly armed not farre after them there came three attending on a sumptuous Carre wherein he thought hee sawe some Ladies till approching more nigh he was assured it was so ouer-viewing the riches of the knights Two of them were of one deuise all gréen with the spanish armes vpon their shields wherby he
knew them to be Spaniards as indeed they were being those two valiant brothers that went to the Grecian warres for the Emperoure Alphebo would not suffer them to retourne accoumpting greatly of them so they were entertayened with name and Charge of Captaines of the Empyre The other that séemed of a bigger constitution although so well proportioned that the Prince highly reputed him was that warlike and gallant Teferreo great friend to the Emperour and Don Eleno his armour was russet set with many riche stones which with curious knots wonderfully adorned his strong brest-plate Neuer did the Prince see so bigge comely a knight and though he himselfe was not much lesse than ix féete in height yet with his hand could he not reach the others head So soone as they sawe the Prince with so lamentable a deuise they did with admiration view him séeing his Maiestie on horse-backe only by this in many places when he would not he was knowen The Ladies being verie yonge entertained hys deuise with some smiles which made the English Lady thus say I am besides my selfe when I consider what power a Ladies disfauoure hath ouer any Knight for presentlye as if they were slaine they bewaile in mourning the life they liue iudging it tenne times worse then death It is common among Knights answered Rosiluera to expresse the paine of the soule caused by the sight of the ordresse And belieue me not if our kéepers bee not like to incurre some disgrace with him in the blacke for he seemes valiant Where Teferreo is said Artemisa there is no reason to feare that Neuerthelesse answered the Princesse shall you see I speake true Shee alreadie began to speake partially for in Greece did shee see the woonders of Bembos deedes imprinting his portraiture so truly in her heart that séeing him she knew to whome she had giuen entrance to the most secret and dearest lodging of the same The Knightes sent to the Pagan a Page with this message Sir Knight In yonder Charriot rydes the Princesse of Trebizound Rosiluera and to woorke her content the three Knightes are determined to demaunde the Iustes of al they shall méete by the waye and thinking vnder such deuise there cannot want any loue they sende me to intreate you that in seruice of yonder Ladye you would Iuste with euery one of them and your guerdon yf you vanquish shal be the greatest that can be for you must accompany them as their keeper defending them gainst all aduentures that shall happen and they themselues to loose what the Ladies to fauour them had graunted This demande gladded the furious youth and so replyed Good page I had rather in any other thing then by Iustes serue those Ladies for alwaies by them redounds perpetual enmitie Notwithstānding if therew t they be pleased barbarous rude were I to disobay thē so tell those knights I am content to doe it but that I will admitte no more then the Iusts With this answer returned the Page vnto the Ladies which greatly pleased them to see him so courteous for the Iusts the chollerick Spanyard prepared himselfe but here got he little for Lirianas louer encountred him so strongly that he threw him frō his saddle he lost one stirrop but he recouered it so quicke that none perceaued it To reuenge his brother prickt forth the elder finding like gaine although this encounter was stronger yet not to lette him from passing forwards on his swift Courser vntill the Ladies Charriot who to enioy better of his sight had cōmaunded it to be opened on all sides he had not séene out of Grecia greater nor rarer beautie then there was Some alteration in his brest did it cause remedies are they that though they doe not altogether salue yet dispose of cure for the deceipt of his blindnesse placing his loue where hope of redresse was méere despaire To gaze on them he stood still to whome Rosiluera said we knowe not wherein we haue offended you sir Knight that with such crueltie you should depriue vs of our kéepers he replied Most excellent Ladies as I was requested be them to doe it I presumed so to doe your pleasure since that haue matters happened so to my Honor that I know not wherto I should attribute it saue that Fortune alredie wearie in persecuting me would begin to shew some fauour Neuerthelesse if I haue displeased I am readie to make satisfaction rendring the victorie vnto these knights and leaue the Iusts with him that expects me So let he his launce fall to the ground wee will not accept this excuse said the Princesse but wil haue you follow the auspiousnesse of your fortune Not I faire Ladie answered he except your beautie do commaund me sufficeth we are pleased therby replied Artemisa that you may fearelesse doe it sir knight and as for the other that doth remaine against your winning of the thrée knights place to aduenture my life for it is nothing answered the gallant louer and therfore will I trie whether my Fortune be changed or no. He humbled himselfe to them with such gallantnesse that both Ladies wisht him victorie hee tooke vp his launce himselfe more quicker then a birde returning to his Carrier To the Iuste spurd the couragious Gyant with more horror then a flashe of Lightning renteth through the Clowdes vanishing in them The shieuers of their Launces mounted so high that they were neuer more séene Fiue launces did they breake without knowen losse Abashed was Teferreo thereat seing his hap before the Princesses therefore he sayd Sir Knight if you thinke good le ts end the battle at all aduentures seeing wee cannot bee vnhorst The Prince feared to displease the Ladies so made this answere I would sir Knight gladly content you herein but that I come with such hast that I may not stay so long but I accept it to be performed this day foure moneths in Achaya It pleaseth me replyed the Gyant and bearing this deuise you shall not now néede to tell your name With such crueltie replyed he doth fortune persecute mee that I intend all my life to weare this empreze so wheresoeuer you shal séeke me demaunding in Achaya for the vnfortunate knight shall you heare newes of me They turned their horses with more furie then Mars hadde done and with an vnthought spéede they met with such force that all the Forrest ecchoed Out of the saddle did Teferreo finde himselfe newes to him since Don Elenos battaile yet was his fall good by carrying his raygnes in his hande though the Horse helpt him little for eleuating himselfe made him that hee could not recouer his seate The valerous Bembo that stronger bare his legs remayned on horsebacke but with such disorder without brydle and stirropps that to shunne some disgrace hee was fayne to leape from his Courser Courteous was the gyant so he sayd Yours is the prize of the Iustes sir Knight hauing wyth such honour obtayned it so may you take our place in guard