witnesse of the strongest and purest amitie that can be oh let the knight in yealow satisfie it with the like and with endlesse seruice perpetually to honor you And wonder not to sée me thus attired for the successes that haue me befallen makes me admire how I haue escaped with life I wil not because I cannot sufficiently expresse excellent knights the ioy those Princes conceiued with my sight They imbraced me as I were their brother yet had I bene so they could not haue done more They plainly had perceiued I was inamoured of Pollinarda since to such manifest hazard of my life I durst aduenture to come to the Court He so richly performed the part of a Noble Prince that knowing I desired to be concealed and not to be intreated otherwise then a seruant he also séemed content that I should affect his sister Much better did the faire Ladie take my part saying Beléeue me henceforth none but I wil sollicit Iaroes affaires which should haue no il successe séeing he refuseth his other name so wil I procure to redresse the most difficultest that we may liue contented She forgot it not the next day going to visit my Lady in her chamber where she found her troubled with many amourous doubts now misconstring of her fauours showne me then iudging it not sufficient to my deserts and her loue We departed thence ouercome with ioy and being in our Chamber and the Prince laide in bed I betooke me to a window that looked into the Garden to recount the fauours I receiued where in briefe I omitted none singing vnto the silent night the pleasure of my conceiued happinesse vnable to deuise what meanes I might choose to be knowne vnto the Princesse She was so farre in loue and therein so much out of quiet no Louer had euer any that she ouerheard my song and I thinke she gathered thereby her selfe had only the power to glad my sorrowfull soule And as the Infant Solesia came afterwards and began to talke of me she so well dealt for me speaking more then I deserued that she altogither made conquest of her heart for me insomuch that she had almost discored it For that time the Ladie would not presse her any more which if she had Pollinarda would of force explaind her great loue towards me That night which was the last of my content she came to heare Musicke and as I alwaies vsed I tooke my Lute and went to the window where not thinking because it was so late any had heard me I began to sing and openly to expresse the soueraigne ioy of my heart in this maner Oh who would thinke that Bondage could be Free That deep-hart-woundings could beget all gladnes That most accurst could the most happiest bee That that which all count griefe should kill all sadnes Let all men note these myracles in mee Whom Loue hath raised from the depth of badnes Vnto the highest of all high degree Euen then when nothing rul'd my soule but madnes Blest be the heauenly powre whose powerfull might Hath duld the keen edge of her iust disdaining And euer blessed be her noble spirit That heard with pittie my sad soules complaining Blest be the griefe of past afflictions night Sith it more sweete doth make my present gaining Blest be the Tyme that lent me first her sight But treble blest the Tyme of grace obtaining You markes of bondage too which did inuest Me in these blessings euer be you blest Longer had I made my song but that I heard a noise which not only made me leaue but also with some alteration to draw my weapons not thinking my lifes happinesse would séeke me at that houre With my sword in one hand and buckler in the other I awayted the successe when in the way accustomed I espied that soueraigne Ladie so excellent bewtifull that with her only sight I thought my selfe transported into the skies Smiling she came shewing the heauen of her face full of ioyfull hopes She first said thus Methinkes that straunge and irefull kinde of entertainment for her that soly procures thy content Oh what swéete words these be they that now féede me in this cruell absence and more she said thus And in faith I haue not conceiued small pleasure hearing thée sing expressing the secrets of thy amourous heart and for the great loue the Prince my brother beareth thée I wil indeuour if you tel me who your Ladie is to get your libertie that you may better attend her seruice With my soule full of gladnesse I replied It is the condition most soueraigne Ladie of all powerfull Loue to pardon none among which number he hath from the beginning so subdued my heart that I haue alwaies delighted to treate of his affaires with my selfe being most alone although the Ladie I adore and idolatrize be resolued neuer to fauour me I haue not dared euen from the spring of my loues to do more then sing the ioy my heart conceiues to account my selfe hers Where to she answered And is it possible thou art so cunning in dissembling thy affection Now by my troth wert thou to be my gallant thou shouldest not suffer so many torments And beléeue me there is neuer any thing lost by discouering to the Ladie the interior secrets of the heart and how she is beloued for otherwise thus to dissemble is rather occasion of further euil because it is likely nay it often happens that the Ladie may place her affection on some other and so thou loose that benefit through silence I haue alreadie set my chiefe happinesse therein did I reply most beawteous Ladie and therefore I cannot but bee silent and loue although I die Well hath my Ladie vnderstood what I require and how I loue for mine eyes sometimes forgetting their other motions repairing vnto the heauen of that bewtie for some fauour are credible Embassadors of the hearts intent That is not sufficient said she to make her resolue to loue beeing beloued for as touching your gazing that is so common and generall among all men that the Ladies may iudge it as an ordinarie thing not considering the owner of those gazing instruments doth honour and loue her and therefore it is an error to dissemble when the paine is estraunged If in recompence of the greatnesse thereof most sacred Ladie said I the author of the same should be discouered and she acquainted therewith none with more reason ought to do it then I for there can be none that hath indured so much nor any loued with such firmnesse If there be assurance thereof replied the Princesse I say thou doest wrong thy Ladie in not letting her know how she is beloued if it be with such truth as you publish And therfore because I haue this day heard I know not what of the Princesse Solesia thou shalt tell me what I demaund and on my faith none shall know it but whom thou wilt You haue no reason to binde me to any thing excellent Ladie
to her thinking she liued neuer more to be séene of any This life did she lead till the age of fouretéene yeares for then did her beautie staine the sunnes in his mid-daies pride whose fame the other Nimphes of the Temple published abroad throughout the spacious world One day among the rest as Prince Celio accustomed to recreate himself descending this way on hunting he chansed to finde her neare a cleare fountaine that lies behinde this little hill called the Vnfortunate by reason of that which happened thereat Where Celio séeing her and of such admirable beautie blame him not if hée yéelded a thousand soules so many if he had for much more deserued her excellencies and most gracious brauerie Hee went towards her shewing by his alteration what he went for and how estranged from himselfe he should depart at the drawing of his attracted eies from her sight From her being rose the solitarie Goddesse discontented to haue met with that knight who séeing her disdaining coynesse followed to ouertake her stayning her with sighes that procéeded from the middest of his perplexed heart but the frée Ladie carelesse of his cares declared hers in onely hasting her swift running steppes turning her face from whom acknowledged her for his Goddesse Shee could not so far outrunne him but he at last ouertooke her and catching holde by her thin sléeue falling on his knées began thus Oh sacred Ladie why should you shew such crueltie against him that must liue onely to loue you hoping for no longer life then you shal grant admitting his deuotion but oh if you shall ioy to prosecute your strangenesse let mee not prorogue your vengeance on my selfe While this dagger is readie to execute your sharpe decree for so you do remaine without displeasure it will be my pleasure to satisfie your doome with my death The crueltie sir knight you speake of should I vse towards my selfe replied the disdainfull Laissa should I regard your prayers knowing how Capitall the offence is against the chaste Diana whose Nimphes of whom I being one are first afore all other things sworn to the puritie of a single life and so my selfe ioying in the swéetnesse of so choise a liuing as that led in solitude should not then cruelly tyrannize ouer my coontent procuring your ease to loose my libertie With many currents of pearled teares distilling from his eyes the amourous Celio answered Neuer sacred Goddesse did my imagination so much as thinke by louing to worke my content in any thing to abridge yours onely I beséech and this is not to offend you that though my merits deserue not your sight nor my selfe be woorthie to adore you I may to nourish my else dying life make you solely to my selfe the sole commandresse of my oppressed soule and that I may repaire to your glorious name with the tributarie duties of my poore hearts spoyles Somewhat milder grewe the sister of amorous Celio for there is no Ladie so cruell and vnthankefull but reioyces to be beloued for such vertue doth loue set in the Ladie loued that onely to deserue the gift to be beloued shée will loue She would haue answered but the comming of Alcyno the second brother interrupted her who almost before hee sawe her rendred his soule vnto her as a pledge of his true loue The like sacrifice did the third make of hs that then arriued which two last séeing their brother and with that Ladie ere they knewe how to loue exprest approoued tokens to be iealous To breake their silence the third brother said What good fortune is this good brother to méete with so gallant a Ladie in so solitarie a place So haue the heauens appointed it my deare brother replied Celio And being nothing iealous of them to feare to say his minde added that the power of my thoughts béeing imployed on her my soule may triumph in content to haue found such a Soueraigne Most woorthie is her beautie saide the second of the offer of my noble thought whose reliques may solemnize her brauerie neither is vnoccupied for Loue doth occupie them all And whilest Alcino speakes Larsinio gluts himselfe with gazing And if by chance all thrée be silent she by mouing the Organs of her spéech kindles the fire that vnconsumingly doth burne them Celio loues and the mollified Lady looking on him by the motions of her eye-resplending sunnes with infinit signes of hopes doth incourage him to persist in his moued sute and for his sake shée affects the other two knowing they were his brethren She exprest it by her kind words in answering them Such is the condition of loue most bewteous Ladies credit me it is knowne by experience that any amorous motion how fained soeuer is accepted of the Louer as a manifest token that onely he is he soly beloued In like maner fell it out with the brothers For as the Lady without straungenesse kindly spake to them the more to winne Celio to her selfe either of the others accounted themselues to be especially beloued The greatest part of the day continued they in pleasing that intangling themselues in the snares of that deceiuing net that there with thousand childish toyes did leape from bowe to bowe to insnare these poore Louers in their owne vnhappie conceits vntil the withdrawing time of the recluse Goddesse called her away which forced the thrée brothers to returne vnto their home purposing euery day to come thither in quest of whom they loued yet minding to take their seuerall way For nothing was sufficient to disswade the two brothers that they were not beloued to desist the prosecuting of their intented loues Sometimes after they spake with the Lady not knowing nor remembring she was their sister but she by all exterior meanes told the two younger she could admit none saue the elder Neuerthelesse so possest was loue of the two brothers soules that in such sort it blinded them that they would neuer beléeue it was as she said and their owne eyes sawe to be most true for the perfect sincere loue which nourish them caused them to deuise the expedients meanes to end their passionated labors They found it and to their liues cost for passing some moneths in this entertainment one day dismall and blacke to this Countrey since so much calamitie fel on it Larsinio the yonger brother hastened his comming to séeke his sister clad all in rich shining armor He met with her at the vnhappie Fountaine through their lucklesse euents so called in whose bubbling Current shée was washing her faire white Alabaster hands His Beuer lifted vp the Louer and nimbly leaping from his horse went straight towards the Founte To receiue him ranue the Ladie guerdoning his comming with a louing imbrace not as to her brother or Louer but so neare in ally to him whom with heart she tendred which the Prince attributed not to Celio in fauour nor his consanguinitie to Laissa saue to his owne pure loue which was so great that he iudged himselfe in respect of
sonne Rosuler that at Oliuas intreaties did stay Also the furious Brandafidel was with him on whose strength he reposed much hope The Gréeke Alphebo had no néed of aduertisement for the generallitie of the warres was come vnto his eares and so with the greatest power he could vnite withdrew himselfe to Tribizound accompanied with Braminoro and Tefereo who most gréeued at the Princes absence was the beautious Archisilora attributing the lacke of Claridianos presence to her owne strangenesse her sorrow was easily discerned by her outward semblance No lesse was Rosamondes to sée her so knowing the cause it so tormented her that for feare it should be perceiued she resolued to absent her selfe for commanding the Gouernors of her kingdome should with all conuenient spéede conduct the greatest power of well prouided men they could select â—ut of her Kingdome to Constantinople and there to rest vnder the Emperours gouernment They accomplisht their Quéens beheft for then she no Princesse was more with loue respected of subiects sending when time serued fiftie thousand of well armed men The day before her departure shee tooke her leaue of Rosamond with no fewe teares for neuer betwéene two Ladies was such simpathie of true amitie Very importunately she offered her coÌ„pany but as any good societie wold but aggrauate the Quéenes euill shee would not admit it saying shee might not leaue Greece and the Emperour in such necessitie Then her armes being the best the world contained she presented her Them shee also refused for Lirgandeo had prouided her with such as were requisit for safegard of her person which were of the same colour as Claridianos sauing that the sable barres were filled with flames of fire on her shield was a gallant deuise for out of a field full of odoriferous flowers a Ladie séemed to go in search of a knight after whom she in great haste ascended vp a craggie rocke from whence she looked after the content she lost and the Motto betwéene them thus Little hope of ioyes abide That leaue knowne ioyes for ioyes vntride Alone would the warlike warriour néeds go thinking her gréefe a sufficient company all the Court sorrowed for her absence but Lirgandeo assuring them of her safetie their discontent was lessened mounted on a lustie Courser shee crost the woods of Greecia thinking on her Lord calling her selfe a thousand times most cruell for that in being so shee had lost him and by the losse obtained so great torments Shee shipt her selfe in a barke bound for Alexandria resolute to trauell the whole world in pennance of her folly One night among the rest while the warriours slept she walked as she vsed on the hatches with her lameÌ„ts to make the watrie dwellers partakers of her gréefes at such time that another barke sayled by hers from whence might be heard some entermingled grones with sighes She could not knowe what it was so swift it went away After it with all possible spéede with ores and sayles she commaunded hers should followe it was done with such diligence till shee ouertooke the barke wherein shee sawe a Knight complaine of Loue and Fortune thus Ay me vnfortunate Prince said the knight is it possible there should be no euill but the extreamest sower it containes my perplexed soule shuld féele Why should I hope for any good when with mine eyes I sée it flie from me There is no inconuenience but haunts me except death with whom I cannot be acquainted Oh Gréekish Prince how happily mayest thou call thy selfe happie by being in thy infancie brought vp with the soueraigne of my life and hearts direction since that was an occasion for the obtaining of those rights solely due to to me Oh Liriano thy name being sufficient to asswage the gréefe that me torments who might by sacrificing my life into thy hands assure thée in faith thy Louer deserue not comparison with me To you to you Sea-Gods do I complaine Oh you I pray that séeing her celestiall habitation is in your vaste confused watrie kingdome a little intreate her for the vnhappie Bembo Oh Loue how rigorously hast thou in all things shewen thy crueltie against me Wherein haue I offended thée when disobeyd I thy commands when violated I thy lawes abolished thy rights or when did my painfull thoughts harbor or conceiue the least imagination against thy honour or deitie If this be so and not vnknown to thée why doest thou wound him with tyrannie that is orborne with weaknesse and thy disastrous chaunces Oh how many any pardon me faire Ladies be hereafter confident on your perfections your crueltie being as great as your beauties are incomparable if you reward him that can loue like him that onely liues to hate No more could the Ladie heare for the barke was guided by Lupertio but what she heard was ynough to increase her paine and raise some doubt that the named Prince was he whom she loued Oh generall plague said the gréeued Lady none canst thou forgiue shewing thy care in most tormenting them that are most carelesse of thée A shower of infinit teares rained the Quéene downe her pearled théekes procéeding from the extremitie of loue hauing so done séeing her selfe comfortlesse and not knowing whom to aske for hauing no notice of the Gréekes deuise she began to giue vent vnto her swelling thoughts singing these verses My heart will burst except it be discharg'd Of his huge load that doth oppresse it so Streames stopt oreflow the bankes if not enlarg'd And fire supprest doth much more fiercer grow Great woes ript vp but halfe the woe remaines But paines concealde doth aggrauate the paines Sing then my soule the storie of my losse Forme in sweete words the anguish of my minde Yet doo not singing ill becomes a crosse Rather sigh out how hard Loues yoke I finde Loue is a sicknesse singing a ioy And pleasure is no pack horse for annoy And must I then knowing Loue a disease That fils our soules with strang calamities Spite of my heart enforc'd my selfe to please And in mine owne armes hug my miseries And seeing still my state waxe worse and worse Must I of force embrace and kisse my curse I must I must Cupid hath sworne I must And t' is in vaine and bootlesse to resist Then be not Loue oh be not too vniust I yeeld me to thy rule rule how thou list For my reclaim'd rebellion shall bring foorth A treble dutie to thy glorious woorth Oh Loue sweete Loue oh high and heauenly Loue The Court of pleasure Paradice of rest Without whose circuit all things bitter prooue Within whose centure euery wretch is blest Oh graunt me pardon sacred deitie I do recant my former heresie And thou the gearest Idoll of my thought Whom loue I did and do and alwaies will Oh pardon what my coy disdaine hath wrought My coy disdaine the author of this ill And for the pride that I haue shew'd before By Loue I sweare I le loue thee ten times more Hast thou
giuing it the shadow and her heart the substance which being so tender and vnacquainted with change tooke such impression that neuer Lady yéelded more to loue then Eufronisa Now she desires to speake to him then feares she Already becomes she suspicious that neuer learned to loue Before she knew who he was she became so skilfull in the Art that she feared whether he loued whether he could loue or acknowledge anies soueraigntie Now she that staines the blushing of the mornings Sunne becomes enuious of her owne thoughts and doth distrust her owne worths séeking new deuises and inuented meanes to be beloued deseruing for her owne bewtie Ioues immortal worship Oh Cupids blind snares happinesse in misery a plague in pleasure and grief without remedy found vnsought for and yet a torment that contains a most swéete life By her amazednesse perceiued the damzel her Ladies maladie wherefore she merily said Let vs awake this knight and try whether his bewtie haue more force waking or sléeping Doo what you wil replied she although it be no modestie considering who we be Rather waighing that I thinke it best to do it said the wittie Selia to sée what he is that hath such power ouer Ladies for if his merits equals all other parts requisite in a good knight he may call himselfe one of the happiest in the world So long continued the Ladies in their amourous chat that the Prince awaked with these words Oh fortune how doest thou flatter my hopes for if thou giuest me any good t is only dreaming that when I wake to see it I finde it but an illusion He said no more for the Ladies sight staied him both from the publishing his woes as of the cause of them He rose admiring the Ladies bewtie who first spake thus You should séeme to haue fewe enemies sir knight séeing so carelesly you lye and sléepe in passages so open that any by you offended may at his pleasure right himselfe He answered So crosse and austere hath my fortune alwaies bene most bewteous Ladie that it did neuer let me knowe the state wherin I might say I had a friend for euen my owne thoughts doo most within my brest make warre against my rest wherefore hauing none to trust vnto forceth me to set my selfe in the hands of euery one that one in this generalitie would shewe the office of a friend by taking away my despised life then as such a one I should account him for by the déed giuing me one death he riddes me of a thousand that I suffer in continuall languishment and it might I wel call life for he liues well that féeles no more pain Great is your griefe answered the Ladie and of force to drawe commiseration from the hardest heart and greater it is séeing that none pities you were it but with a counterfeit remedie noting the waight of your complaints In faith faire Ladie said the Prince so mightie are my oppressions that although I know them and the paine I endure by them yet I must suffer them for if I liue it is by liuing in paine so that should I but neuer so litle ease this paine it would be séene in the want of my health If it doth so please you replied the Ladie vniustly you complaine and I thinke you greatly wrong your Ladie terming her cruel My complaints most soueraigne Ladie are not so much ment against my lifes directnesse as against my vnhappie starres that make me infortunate in fauours but not in my imployment for neuer was any better but in such a place where my griefs be scorned Some reason you haue said the Lady hauing this occasion to bewaile for where sorrow is not regarded there is a double griefe and gladly would I know who you are and where borne for you séeme a straunger in these parts I cannot but obey your soueraigne commaund most excellent Lady answered the Gréeke I was borne in the farthest Confines of great Tartaria and am called Corolano cast by fowle weather and tempest of the sea on this Countrey passing so many troubles that had I not receiued such vnexpected comfort with your faire sight no doubt but that my soule séeing the bodie drenched in misery and as vnworthie to containe it had it forsaken me but to enioy within it the view of your happie sight gaue life to her liuelesse habitation And that I may commit no error for it is impossible but I haue incurred some suffer my prayers by your admittance to make me deseruer to know the name of the land so happie in the possession of such admirable brauery Quickly doo you require a payment for the discouery of your name Sir knight replied Selia for the Princesse could not busied in her new and painfull businesse but because you shall not altogither iudge your selfe vnfortunate in your pretences know this land is called Sylepsia whereof this Lady is Princesse and going on hunting we lost our company and our selues yet wee haue not hunted ill hauing founde the amourousest knight in the world and so according to your showes none like you haue better assuraunce of the Louers Tent whose aduenture was newly brought into this Cittie and the proofe thereof shall within these foure daies be begunne and little shall you not please vs to hazard your person in the tryall I am so ill prouided of Armor and other necessaries faire damzell answered the tender Prince that though I were vnwilling to do it yet to content your bewties with them I would try it assured that for louing and being vnfortunate to me the glory is onely due This want shall not hinder you said Eufronisa for I will furnish you with the best armor that euer you saw earst belonging to the first king that raigned in this countrey named Tersio equall in soueraigntie of Fortitude and Wisedome strengthened by Art and skill wherewith he forged them and neuer were séene by any These I le send you by this damzell first swearing you shall not absent your selfe from this Kingdome without my leaue and in our Pallace shall you be cherished The amorous Lady spake so plainly as the Prince could perceiue Loues new wound There is none so destitute of iudgement but wold haue weighed what he obtained to be beloued of so faire a dame for if the Prince had euer séene pure bewtie she was the perfect stampe therof in whose creation Nature the olde Mars of liuing forme had shewed the vtmost of her skill modeling her liniaments more absolute then thought could wish Among so fewe yeares as they both had was neuer seene completer excellencies so he answered Who dares most soueraigne Lady shew himselfe so vngratefull to the fauours imparted by your rare bewty as to commit a fault so hainous to depart from you without your license I am so long since captiue to anothers wil as now to acknowledge it anew is no pain but rather chéefest happines knowing to whom I owe seruice Why then said she we may be gon
at one selfe same birth O haughtie Tynacrian thinke not but it is a blot to thy immortall fame to shewe thy selfe cruel vnkind gainst him whom hath yéelded soule thoughts to thée It is a tyrannie altogither vnbeséeming whom thou art and what thou diddest protest at our departure The sterne fierce Pagan would not interrupt him but astonied to heare what he said hearkened vnable to resolue whether man or woman he was All the night past they away one in his laments and the other in his newe doubts vntil the appearing of Auroras shine began to giue warning of the morning Sunnes vprise And then leauing his stand went towards the Knight that séeing it was day had laced on his helme fearing to be knowne The knightly Gyant séeing him with excéeding courtesie that most adorned him he beganne to speake You haue inforced me sir Knight to passe this night so disquietted by hearing you publish your griefe that in recompence thereof I intreate you I may knowe the cause and if the hazarding of my person to woorke your content may bee a seruice accepted I shall rest happie to bee so imployed The Ladie well noted him thinking she had neuer séene a brauer nor better armed knight and his ciuill demenour bound her to a milde answere but she was in such an amorous rage that not considering the end replied Why then woorse will the day be to me then was the night to you knowing that you haue heard what the verie soule dares not trust it selfe withall and I know not what lawe of armes admits it Your fauour I refuse for hauing committed such an offence as to require the knowledge of a strangers deare hearts secret against his will that loues which if I declare how should I thinke it could be conceald by you So may you returne for the gréefe that mée torments is pleasant onely in concealement I had not thought replied the Pagan that through intreating thée with what amongst good knights is vsed should haue put thée in that arrogant confidence as to néede none others ayde beeing a thing so contrarie to reason If thou knewest the lawe of Loue replied the Knight thou should knowe there is no happinesse therein but to loue with secrecie for that is it that assureth any doubtfull hope But to recount my cares to one that cānot redresse them with more then a dolefull I am sorrie we sigh more in hauing a straungers companie then for discret circumspectnesse It cannot be exprest what rage the Pagan conceiued for being insolently bolde he was onely noted of immoderate rashnesse and so answered Then that thou mayest know that to haue told it me was thy aduantage I ingage thée to the battell that by taking away thy puling life the paines whereof thou doest complaine may also end Mars was not more fierce then the Louer beeing angered and so without longer stay drew foorth one of the worlds best blades Mightie hee was but hee met with that strength whereto Mylos forces neuer reacht through conceiued rage he was quicker in executing his blow discharging it on the shield of which to the ground hee threwe a péece beating the rest so heauily on his heade that it almost astonished him He stept in with his right foote and with a steddie strong thrust he forst him with staggering paces backwards he wold not yet leaue the chase for turning his sword vnderhand let it flie at his right thigh making his aduersaries flesh féele the cutting of his sharpe blade Neuer was Serpent in the desert Libia more rigorous then the Pagan now did returne vpon the knight and where he thought his blow would be of more effect thither hee strucke the other raised his shield but it was of no defence for although hee did not cut it through the finesse of the temper yet it so charged him that hee set his hands on the ground and ere hee rose hee felt another which made him thinke hee sawe the starrie firmament The blood congealed in his mouth and fréezed in his bodie séeing the fiercenesse of the Pagan which hee thought farre to excéede the Gréeke Princes He rose vp for hee was couragious minding to vse his nimblenesse but as therein the Scythian excéeded the swiftnesse of any Hart it auaild him not from receiuing most cruell blowes kissing the earth sometimes with his knées and sometimes with his handes Neuer felt he himselfe so persecuted nor at the poynt to loose the fame he had obtained for valour and therefore did hee redouble his blowes so strong and thicke that the Pagan was forced to deuise newe defensiue wards Excéedingly he reioyced to sée what braue knights he met in his iourney towards the parts of Grecia déeming him of that countrie where the Authors of his life were intombde This remembrance so vext him that hee supposed it cowardise to continue in single combat so long so letting a blowe flie aloft hee discharged the seconde with such mightie strength on his aduersaries helme that it rezounded like a bell and not able to penetrate it so heauily it waighed on one side that breaking all the laces buckles and riuets it strucke it from his head making the knight vpholde himselfe with his handes but at his rising Apollos beautie séemed not so faire that day as Floralizas great Alicandros Néece that wandring throgh straunge lands in search of her Poliphebo had arriued there In all his life did not the Pagan receiue such a blowe as with her sight for in all the same he forgot not the memorie of that day hee stayed his sword and stepping foorth vnlaced his helme setting to view his sturdie visage more faire then swartie yet with many wrinkled checkes and one great mole on his front approoued tokens of his excessiue strength his shield he cast away and taking his sword by the poynt through the newe tuch of loue hee spake with more ciuilitie then the most amorous Admired Goddesse I beséech you pardon my mad presumption although I féele alreadie the punishment thereof for the not knowing you forced me to it yet I repute it well if it redownde not to your farther displeasure which will be to me a more vnhappier death in that I haue séene the excellencie of beautie and valour and so intreate you as deseruer of farre more honour you will accept my sword in signe of victorie and I le defend that all the world doth owe it you It greatly delighted the Ladie to sée the knights courtesie and imagining he was of estéeme replied I will not sir knight haue you in all things take the better of the fight for the victorie is yours leauing not thereby indebted to your content Her handes to kisse then required the newe Mars thinking no greater good might bee expected then the present Shée drew them from him demanding who he was So yoaked was the Pagan that he could not denie it nor through contemplation say any thing yet thus he spake There was no reason diuine Goddesse
shed teares those teares will I repay Ten teares for one a hundreth teares for ten Hath my proude rigor hunted thee astray I le loose my life or bring thee backe agen Each sigh I le quittance with a thousand grones And each complaint with a whole age of mones And when I finde thee as I finde the will Or loose my selfe in seeking what I loue Then will I trie with all true humble skill Thy pittie on my great offence to moue Till when my griefes are more then tongue can tel My daies are nights and euerie place is hell With a heauie sigh shee ended but as if singing had but in part discharged her sorrowes she beganne with saying to prosecute them as followeth Ay me Quéen of Lyra said the Ladie that hauing no cause to complaine do suffer thus deseruedly a iust pay for such deserts Of whom else might I hope to bee loued beeing by the Gréeke Prince adored On the earth of whom couldst thou expect any good if not from thy Gréeke Oh woe is me that the trust of my small consideration should bring me to this passe that I must make the winds witnesse of my paines and that to my vnblemisht honours cost I must hue and wander by sea and land demaunding for him Archysiloras loue when I mought haue liued with ioy with pleasure and in quiet by giuing him a little signe of that happinesse I my selfe receiued by being his but séeing it is thus brought about loue I will and patiently embrace this iust imposed toyle Here was her languishment renewed séeing a knight come directly towards her shippe lying a long the hatches of another exclaiming against Cupids ordinances Who euer suffered said he his heart to followe and séeke his owne dishonour What lawe allowes the soule to disclose that whose secrecie preserueth no lesse then life Accidents be these onely incident in loue for he as the King of extreames enforceth me not regarding my fame to procure anothers consent Oh most valiant Knight who shall beléeue thou shouldest with mee violate thy word Thou knowst I loue thée also the I follow thée but I know to aggrauate my woe thou fliest my presence What is become of those swéete words at our parting thou spakest where is the faith wherwithon my hands thou vowedst loyaltie protesting if any pleasure thou shouldest haue it would procéede only from thinking thou art mine Thou doest ill guerdon the bountie wherewith I laide open vnto thée the secrets of my soule making my selfe tributary vnknowne to whome I did it when thou iudgedst it newe life newe ioy newe ease and newe content But now altogither forgetfull thou fliest from me that liue to loue thée So ouerwhelmed in her owne thoughts was the bewteous Floralizar who departing from the furious Brauorant followed the searche of the Tinacrian whom shée so intierly affected that shée regarded not whether any heard her By the complaints did Archisilora knowe her to be a Ladie and pittying her caused her Barke to be grappled with the other and saide No maruell heroicke Ladie that since the lande hath alreadie beene acquainted with your constancie you nowe participate your faith vnto these inhospitable waters Be of good courage for you haue company in your woes and such as wil neglect his owne to remedie yours At the voyce rose Floralindas daughter and replied Who are you Syr Knight that so kindly doo commiserate my paine which is the greatest that euer was inclosed in any humane breast I am hée saide Archisilora who with my soule valiant Ladie will procure your quiet and therefore pray you accept such seruice as my Barke wil yéeld for it may be the recitall of your griefs to me and I mine to you wil be a mittigation of some sorrow I le not forgo the enioying of so good company as that you offer mee Syr knight said Floraliza intreating I may know who you be that alreadie knowes my gréefs The Ladies gallant behauior had attracted the Lirian Matrons affection who replied In more then this doo I desire to satisfie you soueraigne Ladie but first step into my ship where I wil do it at full To know your name answered Floraliza a harder enterprise would I attempt So leapt she into the Quéenes Barke saying Aduantage hath my Barke got sir knight with my absence to which being alone the winds and waters may now be more fauourable then when I was in it and since we haue this opportunitie deare sir defer not my desire With neuer a word the haughtie Quéene vnlaced her Helme resting more faire then was Latonas sonne when onely for loue he kept Admetus shéepe Floralizas was also of whose beautie was equalled by fewe and that want was with valour supplied Let it not gréeue you Soueraigne Lady said the Quéene that I knowe she cause of your mones for mine are no lesse which I suffer séeking for him that ought to dye louing but since I am the cause therof it is reason I endure the extremitie of gréefe and séeing loue hath equalled vs therein I le no longer kéepe from you who I am So she related vnto her euerie thing she could not naming Claridiano Why now said Alicandros Néece I do account my paine a pleasure being pittied by you and haue assured hope we shall quickly finde redresse wherto the Quéene answered Gladly would I know who he is to labor your content Any certaine thing I know not replyed she more then that I am an others for a brother of mine called Celindo and my selfe were brought vp without knowledge of father though since we receiued the order of armes we haue met with certaine tokens to be children vnto the prince Meridian Excéeding ioy conceiued the Quéen of the Ladies company resoluing to enioy it so long as she would They vowed firme amitie which towards the peace was of no small effect for this Lady was of highest estimation among the Pagans in the Grecian warres By little and little being tender of yeares and knowing that the manifesting of their loues was some ease to their borthering cares either vnderstood who was the Louer to the other Vppon which occasion Floraliza thus saide So that our fortune doth permit most Péerelesse Princesse the Gréeke Princes to tryumph ouer our hearts Séeing the heauens will haue it so excellent Lady aunswered the Quéene and so haue fauoured them from their birthes we cannot but acknowledge their Soueraigntie specially the Tynacrian Prince knowing how great his gaines are thus being loued To which Floraliza made aunswere Stay my good Quéene how well by knowing your selfe to be loued doo you iudge a straungers distresse who would not liue contented in middest of the greatest euill were wée certaine of that assurance What paine would not then be a pleasure or what could make mee a stranger to my selfe onely séeking the company of my woes But I feare illustrious Ladie that as the heauens haue made them absolute happie so some one of them wil place his felicitie
most dangerous falles Him call I happie that least doth set his confidence in Fortune or hath least receiued of her blinde gifts terming her benifites the threatning of greater miserie What good is there on earth but is mingled with a thousand vnsauorie displeasing euilles and of discontents misfortunes and lamentable euentes such and so many that onely leaue him with his bare name ouerpressing the soule with torments and gréeuing the perplexed minde with most gréeuous and wofull paines After that by little and little the furie of the sea was asswaged he hasted to a coppes that not farre from thence he espied there to drie his clothes and himselfe There Trebatios haughtie Nephew disrobed himselfe leauing but his onely shert vpon him remembring with some tendernesse the troubles he had ouerpast iudging by the greatnes of them they would at length wearie of themselues bring him to a delectable sweete ende that then with the present happinesse he might ioyfully recount his former infelicities This consideration somewhat animated him suffering that distresse more patiently Example should they take by him that in lesse dangers forget to make vse of sufferance estéeming that death which peraduenture the celestiall powers doth but ordaine for tryall of theyr workes The Gréeke againe apparelled himselfe his vestments beeing drie and laid him downe to rest neuer more destitute thereof then at that instant it was little for straight hee wakened to séeke some path which might leade him to some Village hee found it but with some trouble for without it nothing desired is lightly obtained And going along the same there happened to him what the insuing Chapter doth mention CHAP. XIII What befell vnto the mightie Rosabell with certaine other Ladyes of whome hee learned the countrey wherein hee then was I Dare almost assure my selfe faire Ladies your bewties haue with some féeling except your harts be harder then the flint or more obdurate then the Dyamond attended the Gréeke princes shipwrack In faith his worthes deserue it for hee that with an ayme submits himselfe to gréefe maketh himselfe vnworthie of comiseration being in necessitie and yet neuer any merited fauour that denied it to the néedie Something destitute of it was Olyuias haughtie sonne but from the middest of his heart drew he strength to resist his woes who although incompassed on all sides with so many extreames did neuer forget her whose fauours were wont to cherish him and now in absence putting him to his tryall This vertue hath true loue remoueable by nothing from the soule where it buildeth once his rest opposing it selfe against all inconueniences though ordered by his Lady whereof being assured takes them as comforts to his distresse Many examples there are of this yet of them I wil recount but one witnesse my mothers sonne whom neither the changes of time nor time altering course of life nor yet the Mutabilitie of state in life can make him denie his Captiuitie nor omit the dulled accentes of an vnaccent passion with remeÌ„brance of his grones for his vnpittying warres And though she know it and the sinceritie of his affection yet turnes she away the pittie of her fauour one telling him his paines are too fewe Pittie so vnfortunate a Louer pittifull Ladies and yée that shall first heare of his griefe greater then that which neuer any had nor worse respected yet this comfort hath hee that a lady excéeded all worth of comparison moued with his laments said vnknowne by whom vngratefull truth may shee be called that thus intreateth this distressed Louer Venus and Cupid reward thée beautious Lady and suâ—â— I am hee wil when thou shalt desire Loues helpe against Fortunes tyrannie for the Gréeke Lord suffering his labours with constant sufferance in the ende obtained his Lyriana whose onely sight made him déeme all his former discontents most swéete contents With this hope trauelled hee on foote onely with his sword hauing taken the straightest and most troden path Hee had not gone farre but vexed with thirst although newe dryed of waters he turned vp a long by a cleare streame till he came to the head of the spring about which was builded an Allablaster Fountaine whose worke with the clearenesse of the waters inuited the Prince to drinke Which done he did eate of such frute as the frutefull trées did yéeld that round incompassed the Fountaine Tyred with his former toyles he laid him downe and slept a good while resting his rest wanting amorous ioynts Farre was he not from the great cittie of Golthuerg chiefe in the Kingdome of Sylephia lying betwéene Polonia and Bohemia and therefore at the instant he dreamed the swéetest Vision in all his life for thinking himselfe embraced his Lady the Princesse Eufronisa whose beautie was inferiour to none equalling the fayrest that met in Constantinople at the Tryumphes She was very young hauing not yet attained to 14. yeares which made her as children vse walke to sport her selfe about those woods that bordered on her garden and hauing lost her selfe with one Lady from the rest of her attendants so amazed was not Venus when she first saw the boy Adonis along the banks of Nylus as with admiration the bewtious Eufronisa was astonished with the Gréeke Princes sight that lay vpon the grasse séeming more faire then when young Apollo in habit of a shéepheard tended Alestes Goates He was big of body his other parts and liniaments are already set downe although now he entered into 20 they were better perfected With more desire did the Lady gaze on him then in the woods of Troy the thrée faire Goddesses expected Paris sentence So much she yéelded to the sight that shee began to féele a newe alteration neuer felt before in her heart for being but a childe she yet knew not the meaning of Loues pretie fooleries With some woonder she turned to her damzell with these words Hast thou euer séene more perfect bewtie then this gallant youth doth shew I beléeue that Nature at his byrth angrie with her selfe did thus create him to despight her selfe I cannot thinke but he is child to some of our immortal Gods that haue now sent him on the earth to alienate all straungers wits Which if it be so we Ladies must strengthen our selues with courage for I feare the wisest will néed it to scape frée of his sight so absolute is he in all things This aduice came too late to the tender Lady for Loue had already made her his Goddesse till the death neither had she power to vntie the knot wherewith blinde Cupid had bound her hart tying it so hard as he left it insoluble I pittie thée gallant Eufronisa that in the nonage of thy yeares thou shuldest begin so sower an office as to be subiect to an vnknown lord I wold willingly giue thée some consolation but so much I do want it as rather for both I should procure it No vaine no colour no fashion was in the Brytanickes face but she coted it within her very soule
Galtenor saith the Ladie forgot her paines enioying many daies the fruition of the Gréeke Louers bedde vnder that deuise telling him that a wise man her great friend had for some time fetcht her out of the inchantment to accompany him in that distresse Much bound did the Prince thinke himselfe to him for so good a turne So farre wrought the vertue of the Crowne that all the time shee enioyed him by that deceit the Gréeke could comprehend no more but tooke what Fortune offered him At length Eufronisa iudging it reason to let him go féeling her selfe with childe conferred with Selia that approoued it Shee tooke off the Crown kissing it a thousand times for hauing enioyed by it her harts content She had no sooner set it by the other when it was presently taken away not knowing by whose hands A voyce shée heard which thus comforted her Haue patience Ladie for the heauens will haue it so and till you knowe the fruite that by this deceit shall rise neuer looke to sée it more So soone as it was taken away the Gréek thought all that he had past but a dreame hauing scarce the remembrance thereof What time hée had so spent he knew not but stayed for the Ladies comming to giue her his answere which shee determined to refuse because shee would not be bound vnto him for it She entred his chamber with her damzell thus speaking How are you determined most cruell knight of the Flowers that according to your resolution she may liue that loues you He answered I am sure excellent Princesse you haue had time to consider the wrong you do me to inforce me breake my word yet I am yours and will bee till the death and so may you dispose of mee at your pleasure Whereto she thus returned Euer since most glorious Prince of Greece that Fortune or the powers of Loue made my heart obedient to your will I onely procured but a graunt from your mouthe by so many meanes as you haue séene solely deuised to affect you and that you might knowe I loue you And since you are assured thereof and now to comfort my sorrowes in your absence I wil haue you leaue with me some remembrance and let it be your dagger for which you shal haue mine that wherewith I intreated you to end my life which now I le kéepe to imploy it in your loue and beléeue me braue Prince while this soule shal haue power to breath this affection shall neuer decay And therewith with excéeding ioy she embraced him and taking his ponyard she gaue him hers bidding him prepare his departure against the next morning The Prince did so somewhat abashed to haue béen so importuned Hee tooke his leaue of the Ladies not without many teares for trust mee hee was beloued in the highest degrée that euer knight was A verie rich Iewell the Ladie gaue him at his departure All armed in precious armour and mounted on a lustie Courser giuen him by Eufronisa hee went out of the famous Cittie of Golthuerge whose departure she tooke most heauily yet some comfort she conceiued to be big with childe by him Straight the two Ladies beganne to deuise how they might kéepe close Eufronisas trauell who being a straunger to such matters gréeued thereat Onely this consolation she tooke to looke from the toppe of a high turret towards Grecia whither her ioy was gone calling it a heauie land to bring forth such fruite Thus this bewtious Lady passed away the season vntill her time of deliuerie which being the first she felt extreamely She was deliuered of two boyes the fairest that the heauens created for he which was first brought forth had on the face of a Lady fairer then the sunnes Splendor in his pride The other a heart thrust through with a dagger with the wound so fresh as it séemed then to bléed Selia shewed them her saying Reioyce faire Princesse with the issue sprung from that deceit which is such that it frées you from any fault The tender mother embraced and kist them saying Oh may the powerfull heauens deare children of my heart let you liue to know your warlike father for though he vsed me with all crueltie yet are you his sonnes Blesse you may the Gods make you as happie as I am vnhappie although I may now call my selfe the happiest on the earth onely by being your mother So carefull Selia tooke them away and through a secret doore in the garden she gaue them to the old ancient knight to see them nursed in some Village At their carriage away a thousand kisses and blessings did the louing mother giue them as diuining the long time shee should be ere againe she saw them With much care did the olde knight carrie them to a Village where he had prepared a nurse for them That hee might passe more couertly he cros◠the Forrest bearing the children in two baskets on a litle Asse by the way hee rested and tooke downe the boyes to quiet them from crying Scarce had he done when a chased Lyon ran thitherward being hunted by shéepheards with their dogs The knights age and the Lyons sight put him in such feare as he fell downe in a trance As then the cruel beast ment not to take any pray but to escape his pursuers In this manner lay the old man and the children crying for hunger when by great chaunce a mightie Lord dwelling on the confines of Sylepsia past that way with his wife that had bene at the Cittie to to sée the tryumphes there With them was an auncient Lady lately deliuered of a childe that dyed in Golthuerge So soone as the Lords wife saw the children and hauing none her selfe tooke such affection on the babes séeing theyr woonderfull bewtie that she commaunded the other Lady carefully to nurse and bring them vp In this manner were these two Infants carried by this Lord and tendered as his owne He that had the Ladies face they named Clarabell And the other with the wounded heart Leobello Who so grew in yeares and bewtie that they were accounted children of the Godds Where we will leaue them nourished by the good Knight Sergio for so was hee called omitting also their afflicted mothers sorrow for theyr losse and a while must remember the mightie dispayring knight Claridiano of the Sphere already departed from Croatia CHAP. XVII What aduenture the Prince Claridiano met in the I le of Creet where he disinchaunted his Vnckle Claramant FOr a while faire Ladies I am constrained to leaue Loues amorous discourses and trust mee with some gréefe but hauing to treate of many things I must describe them with diuers styles And now the warlike Gréeke with an Adamantiue power attrackts me to lighten him from the darke center of obliuion who departing from the most bewteous Venus and gallant Laysa lanched into the Adriaticke sea downe the which hee Nauigated foure dayes and the fift hee crossed into the Affrican and happening on no aduenture deseruing memorie
to forbid it nor to breake their order This was the famous Abstrusios Nauie then who vpon the seas was neuer any more skilfuller and bringing with him so many men well furnished vesselles with an ifinit number of braue Knights aduancing aloft the Gréeke armes hee passed through his enemies with winde-blowne sayles and oares in mosthorrible manner crying Grecia and his countrey He kept such good order that ere he lost it he made mortall destruction on his enemies for his smaller barkes entring where greater could dot did nought but cast wilde fire melted pitch and scalding Leade which was present death to those that onely defended themselues with the sword Armed like Parthians were Abstrusios followers with bowes and arrowes wherewith before they fell to handy blowes they bereft a number numberlesse of liues Which horror of shafts being past it was admirable to sée with what brauerie they betooke themselues to their weapons They were all expert and exercised in warre because they liued in it continually against theyr neigbouring Ilanders Wherefore the Sea began a newe to floate with dead trunckes of men with such horrible outcries of the wounded because they could not before death reuenge themselues that there is no heart so stony and remorcelesse but would haue bene mooued to pittie Sylla that wished to sée riuers of purple goare had here bene satisfied with sight of seas of blood The mightie generall Abstrusio did set himselfe vpon the hatches of his galeon doing what Mars durst not imagine on either hand Lysart did accompany him with his sonne Florisart desiring to make manifest their affection to the Gréeke The Gyants that were appointed to guarde the fayre Serynda were cyzed like tall high mastes clad all in steele with Iron Maces in their hands A better defended vessell was not in all that Fléete for not dreading any thing it went forwards sinking all it met The furious Bembo hauing séene the mercilesse destruction of his men and Gallies had commaunded his to be vngrapled from the Gréeke Emperors to send succour where it most néeded He was straight espied by Abstrusio that presently sent those that followed him to boord her leauing way for his encounter The beake of whose Galleon was all of Iron fastened euen downe to her kéele which made him presume on more then was lawfull on the seas So séeing how well his Gallies had assailed his aduersaries not omitting his intent Abstrusio entered with his running with such force against the side of his aduersaries that he split her cleane in two and had almost endangered himselfe for trusting to his strength he would haue leaped into her when shee began to sinke and they within her cryed out for boates to saue themselues Oh Bembo here diddest thou shew thy selfe to be whom thou art for leaping into a small Barge he opposed himselfe against Abstrusio as if he were in as good a Galleon as his The Pagan laughed at his folly and noting him more narrowly by his colours he knew him to be his enemies Generall It gladded him thinking to haue taken him prisoner But the haughtie Louer that had his life reserued to endure greater troubles made his valour there knowne to the vttermost and how in déeds of armes he would be second vnto none for though he was beset on all parts he so bestirred himselfe that neither his aduerse Generall nor Lysarte with his sonnes power could enforce him from his standing Presently was he succoured and taken into Lindauros Admirall dyed in blood and so inraged that he would speake to none nor any durst looke on him To be in such vnaccustomed brunts amazed him and more not able to learne nor gesse whom his aduersary was that making such destruction of his had succoured the Gréekes From this imagination was he put hearing the entry of the other Fléete nothing inferior to the first Diuers were the voyces heard for some cryed Babylon and Persia some Antioche others Croatia and all at once Grecia and then let flie such volleyes of shaftes that no lesse hauocke they made then Abstrusio Whose arriuall vtterly vanquished that wing of the Pagans And Sacridoros Admirall where Oristoldo was past close by the Tower which none else had done It astonied both Father and Sonne to looke vpon the two Competitors Bramarant and Brufaldoro who with their ponderous blades suffered none to approach the Arches to doo the like arriued Bembo making himselfe strong betwéene the Pillers that sustained the Tower where he animated himselfe with gazing on the Ladie he most affected that opening the Casements then knowing none of them had set her selfe to behold the battell She appeared like the Sunne of Maye in all his glorie chasing away the duskie Clouds from about him that would obscure his brightnesse There was none in all the Fléetes but turned their eyes to gaze on her bewtie Many knew her whereof one was Oristoldo who thus said to his Father This is the season wherein we must procure to liberate you Ladies thence For the fayrest of them is Lyriana whose carrying from Nyquea cost our friend Rosabel and me so much blood and more labor And beléeue me not dread Lord and Father if these knights haue not purposely takē their standings there that none might proue the ascending to the Tower As they were thus talking they descried two knights of rare disposition comming in seueral Barkes The one was presently knowne to be Don Eleno of Dacia whome being departed from Pollidolpho Nabato had guided thither Of his helpe there was no néed for the Pagans had then the worst yet he entred as he was accustomed couering the frothy waues with dead carkasses He assaulted no particular knights but the fierce Gyants Quickly was Rosamond aduertised of his comming whereat she straight commaunded her Royall Galley to waft her where he was she met him Her Armor was well knowne of euery one and so her beloued Dacian also knew her He leapt into her Galley imbracing one another with intyre loue It was no time for long discourses so hauing kist the Emperors handes the two Louers began to performe such déeds as were incredible but not to those that to their cost beheld them The other knight clad all in Rose colour Armour none as then knew but approaching neare the Tower and viewing his Lady he conceiued such content that he suspended his fight til he had well noted the possessor of his heart He became so fierce with that sole sight as he iudged nothing the subduing of both Armies Casting his shield behind him and taking Hectors sword twixt both hands at fewe blowes he was known to be Rosabel to the excéeding content of all his friends In this inchaunted Boate he flung to the Arches of the Tower but he found them so wel defenced that neither his friend Aristoldos helpe nor his owne strength could make his way to them For the thrée famous warriors being in a rancke with such brauery behaued themselues that euery one iudged the
her comming for they intierly loued Then the Emperor sent for Venus and Layssa who brought with them their two litle daughters whose bewtie euery one admyred There also the graund Trebatio greatly thanked Pollidolpho for his good aide And euery one in generall were busied in the entertainment of so woorthie a successe Through all the Fléete the Emperour commaunded the two knights to be sought for that had ended the aduenture but not finding them he was aduertised how they departed in the greatest haste possible After them had the Emperor sent but that Nabato staied him that would not depart without visiting his Dacian and speake to the Emperor who entertained him as his déeds and merites deserued He made reply according to his wisedome perswading them not to gréeue for the two knights absence whom they should sée in other new contents which the one should conceiue vntil death although the other is so tormented with amorous cares that the earth can affoord him no pleasure because the giuer thereof is in this shippe None could directly suspect who he was yet some iudged him to be Claridiano and they were the two gallant Ladies Rosamond and Archysilora who was comforted with hope to sée him in Grecia where she would assure him of his glorie and how that if she were beloued he was no lesse It was presently knowne by spies how their enemies were withdrawne homewards It nothing gréeued them in that for Lyrianas sake they willingly would haue accorded to any good motion Before that Nabato departed he aduertised them they should not dissolue theyr Hostes for that they would returne vpon Crecia with the greatest powers on the earth against which the fierce Lyonesse would rise stirred vp by the Russet Lyon With this he tooke his leaue of the Gréekes leauing them much bound vnto him A great while he conferd with Don Eleno to whome he declared the cause of the future warre and that since he was the greatest cause thereof he should procure to make knowne the vtmost of his vallor because that partie which should most respect him would most oppresse him and would many times put him in imminent daungers of his life yet all should honorably ende to his lasting fame and Rosamonds So he imbraced him vanishing far from thence The next morning the victorious Gréekes in tryumphant manner made towards Constantinople hauing finished the famousest nauall fight that was heard or read of Forewards did King Sacridoro put forth to be the first should beare those happy tydings vnto the Empresse which he accordingly performed And with prosperous windes not long after they arriued all at Constantinople in whose welcome there happened what the next Chapter shall declare CHAP. XXIIII How the Emperour Trebatio with all his Fleete arriued at Constantinople His welcome with what else happened NO sooner were the furious horses of the Sun harnest in theyr bright Caparisons of shining light readie to drawe the golden Charriot of heauens glittering eye through the Christal paued wayes of the Azure skies expelling thence the duskie Cloudes of leaden melancholy darkenesse when the Gréekes gallant Fléete containing so many Princes and braue Knights appeared in sight of the famous Citie of Constantinople sounding so many millitary Instruments as if that were the instant of the earths generall desolation Such thicke smoake of smothering fiery mysts raised the discharged ordinance in wel ordred peales that one vessel could not discerne the other Which past the Gallies and Shippes beganne to showe themselues daring the windes with their proude streamers and all their toppes with dauncing Banners made of silke whose méeting displayed in the aire rauished the beholding sences with ioy which on the other side was a corsiue to the hearts of the afflicted prisoners séeing theirs as trophies of the victorie set vp among their aduersaries The eccho on the water of mellodious harmony of concordant Musicke was a comfort to the poore wounded souldiers who were all committed to the warlike Troians charge The discréet Citizens were not all this while carelesse but rather in preparations to feast their Prince had bene most carefull All the Castles in the Citie welcommed them according to their vsuall custome placing on the highest of euery one the Emperours Imperiall standards To the sea side came all the gallant youthes brauely Armed and euery one a blew scarfe and in their hands swords and daggers wherwith they skirmiged as they went In two parts they diuided themselues to take the Princes in the middle that then were comming forth of Abstrusios Admirall A most faire Bridge they set vp from the Galleon to the shore with many stately Arches all couered with gréen cloth of golde and they with many curious Pictures containing all the Gréeke Princes Battles and aduentures Who issued foorth in this manner First marched the Emperor Trebatio betwéene his two sonnes representing such Maiestie and chearfull semblance that therewith his subiects were much gladded A little behinde them appeared those thrée Myrrors of beawtie Lyriana Archysilora and Rosamond who to please the Princesse of Nyquea had put off their strong abillements of warre They were all thrée attyred in gréene cut vpon cloth of siluer and tackte with knottes of Pearle and betwéene euery cut a button of rich Dyamonds on whose sparkeling light the reuerberating sun dazeling thereon depriued the beholders of the Ladies sight Large wide were their garments with long sléeues hanging to the ground all richly Embrodered euen much like the fashion now vsed in France Other shorter they woare on their arms laced ouer with great Orient Pearles with cuts drawne through with finest cloath of Golde faced with white and crimson according to the vsance of the Parthians Their disheueld hayre dangled downe in tramels whereon there is not any but would haue hung thereon a thousand soules and iudge them too fewe for their merits To conclude they were so excéeding absolute in all perfections that Apollo blushed to bee excelled in bewtie by humane creatures who to enioy the contemplation of their excellencies and surfet in imaginary conceits of their rarieties curbed with his raignes the hastie galloping of his fierce and vnstayed stéeds A little after them followed other thrée no lesse bewtifull then they These wer the gallant Venus the braue Layssa with the faire Syrinda They would not change colour and therefore were all in Crimson cut vpon Golde Next to them the excellent Empresse Claridiana attired according to her Maiesticke state and grauitie yet with such exquisit bewty that the former sixe became enuious of her faire She passed on with the mightie Abstrusio whom all the Gréekes much affected The rest of the ladies were al richly apparelled At the end of the bridge vpon a tryumphant arch stood thrée images most liuely representing the first thrée ladies Not far from them thrée Syrens with Amber tresses dangling to the ground came forth and playing on seuerall Harpes sung seuerall notes one after the other thus From the Lillies is she
Court was then full of knights that serued her And in faith beleeue me that how far soeuer the report of her prayses excéeded beléefe so farre and more did I finde them to limp behinde her excellencies I noted In my opinion the heauens haue not created a more absoluter bewtie because Enuie it selfe hath found no meanes to seize thereon and therefore is become the Herauld of her worthes You may think Noble Sir these were new snares to intrap my captiue soule Asumptuous tryumphe was ordained in the Citie which in auncient times was called Frossa which in the Assyrian tongue signifieth happy It was so indéed and euen from the beginning for she neuer had a Quéene but was also in bewtie so This occasion did Fortune offer me oh she did further me to make my mishaps the greater placing me neare vnto a brother of hers by name Lysander a knight both young and valiant and in loue too with the Infant of Campania that in court accompanied the princesse Pollinarda high Solesia no lesse bewtifull then kinde who knowing how she was beloued wold not ill repay Lysanders faith and so the gallant liued in some respects assured of his hopes Oh yet neuer had any full assurance if he still will be amorous On the aduerse part was Leader the valiant Prince of Calabria Agesilao by name the happiest that I knew in that without the panges of passions and soules afflictions he obtained to be beloued of Pollinarda and in such open manner that the whole popularitie did know it It did not gréeue my Ladies father but rather it so pleased him that in open shew he exprest it which more animated the Lady to grace him with new fauours which were sharpe poynted daggers stucke in the heart of wofull Florisiano for so am I named Oh it could not be lesse beholding with my owne eyes my own sorrow At length the Iousts began wherein my starres vouchsafed a little to aduance me which did attract Lysanders affection with such true zeale that there cannot bee firmer friendship then that hee hath shewen me yea although against his sister The whole multitude turned their gazing eyes on my deuice which was blew armes crost with yeallow barres It accorded to the ill my iealous soule endured On my shéeld was portrayed suspition in her naturall colour as in auncient times she was paynted bearing a scrowle with this word Wisely who can her despise That onely doth employ her eyes To spie out Loues subtilties There was no Ladie in the place but noted my iealous colours and so as I after vnderstood some that were more pittifull prayed for my victorie which maketh me think their orizons and good will abode me the honour of the iousts So Lysander that greatly affected me and I cleared the place that none wold more aduenture and hauing don yet did I not disclose my selfe neither to him nor any other although the King himselfe was very importunate to know me onely this they got that I was called the iealous Knight Sure I am that my Ladie béeing so busied wtth Agesilao shee did not note my déeds but rather for it was told me she was displeased that I vnknown had vnhorsed her Louer in the Liftes Néedes would the Prince Lysander haue mee to his owne lodging professing himself so intier a friend that he hath wonne me to the death the which I will gladly receiue to procure his content In greater bonds did he tie me altogither expressing his much noblenesse by discouering vnto me the sinceritie of his loue towards Solefia Infant of Campania I could not but highly estéeme of the trust he reposed in me being but a Knight possessing nought but armour and horse He intreated me to accompanie him that night in a Maske because the king his father in honour of the iousts feasted all the Princes with shews and reuellings It pleased me in my soule in that I shuld behold her presence that gouerned my heart In two long robes of cloth of golde we issued masked yet would not I go so vnprouided but that I had on a priuie coate which in my wandring daies I vsed bearing armes In this manner we entered the Pallace when the reuels began Euery Ladie that had her gallant there fauoured him to daunce with him Of these was my deare friend Lysander one whose Mistresse was attired in the same colour that we were They daunced with such grace that Cupid himselfe could not but like it Next to him did Agesilao take Pollinarda Princesse of beautie by the hand I cannot denie what the heauens had imparted them for their grace and Maiestie admired all the Hall Many excellent changes and tricks they vsed yet the iealous passion of my gréeued soule stirred vp more in my face by comming and going of my running colour Had not my friende bene there rather then I would haue suffered it my heart vpon a two edged sword should haue bene split or I reuenged The beloued youth was famoused to be an excellent Musitian as indéed he was So his Lady or rather espouse for her father had agreed thereto gaue him a Lute to play thereon Hee accepted it for he was fully bent to performe her will and began to touch it with more swéeter musicke then hee that descended to the infernall Vaultes to fetch his wife Then with a cleare voice he warbled forth this Dittie the which my memorie carried away the more to increase my paine That brow which doth with faire all faires excell Those eyes that shining lends the world his light That gracious mouth where all the Graces dwell That dimpled chin the whetstone of delight Those two rare Mounts of Lillies and of Roses That in their swelling all content encloses That brow eye mouth chin and most daintie cheeke Doth call keepe hold bind and in giues restraine My heart eye eare my thought and iudgement eeke That no wise force can free me thence againe Yet do I loue my pleasing paine so well That boue all ioyes I prize my heauenly hell Let dunghill basenesse and the earthy mind His summum bonum place in what he list My soule which strange diuinitie doth find Within thy faces centure to consist Will not consent that any other bee My onely good but onely onely thee Thy brow shall be the dreadfull snowy Barre Where I will daylie for thy mercie plead Thy shyning eye my path-directing starre Thy mouth the Lawes which I must keepe shall read Thy chin and cheeke shall equall power beare The first to cheere the last to keepe in feare And thou thy selfe Goddesse of my desire In my Hearts temple dayly I le adore No other Deitie will I admire No other power diuine will I implore Great Goddesse keepe me in thy fauour shine My heart eye eare my thought and iudgements thine Thus did he runne vpon the treble with such heauenly melodie that had he not bene Agesilao that sung beléeue me braue knight I would haue liked it but being done by the
replied I knowing I will till death obey your commaund Shee answered Why then we shall not so ill disagrée as I thought the thing therefore I would knowe is thou must tell me if thy Lady be heere or no and her name withall without delay and circumstance for I shall thereby receiue the greatest pleasure in the world and with the contrary excéeding discontent which will bee immerited and no iust guerdon for what I meane to do for thée You may easily conceiue valiant Knights what conflicts I might indure of contrarious thoughts not knowing the successe that might ensue if by telling troth I did condiscend vnto her demaunde Somewhat amazed stoode I a while in so much that shee saide you must not deuise excuses for it will fall out woorse if you offend me so I answered None did I deuise diuine Pollinarda but I rather began to incourage my selfe to passe my life in your disgrace for nought else can redowne heereby but kindle your fléeping wrath Bee it what it will saide shee for I am pleased with the knowledge Why then replied I know soueraigne Princesse shée is in this Cittie and of the selfe same name that you are of in which repitition I offend her Shee procéeded further saying And haue you neuer spoken with her now did I tremble with feare and then imagined a thousand deuises yet in the end I replied Soueraigne Ladie your excellency so farre vrgeth this matter that I cannot steppe from hence fearing to méete with death vnlesse you seeke his lifes ouerthrow that was borne to serue you She replied I wil haue you tel me all for I wil take it as one that procures your good as you haue partly séene Whereto I answered falling on my knées Presuming on your Royall word and fauours sacred Ladie I cannot deny but I am yours imploring pardon for this fault if it be any worthie of worse punishment then death It did not gréeue her to heare me say she was the Quéene my heart had chosen to imperate ouer it and my soule but rather taking holde by my King the marke of my slauery which for my pleasure I often put on shée raised me saying Very plainely hast thou Florisiano exprest thou louest me and if thy constancie wherewith thou doest it be as thou saiest so I may enioy a heart so sincere and second to none I giue thée leaue to do so stil regarding the secrecy due to my honor vntil the heauens shall minister those meanes wherewith I may asswage thy griefes I required her hands I could doo no lesse to kisse them more glad then had I bene inuested sole Emperor of the wide world and yet that had not so pleased me She commanded me to take off my King séeing Fortune had now fauoured me wherto I replied Oh let not your excellency commaund me to put off that thing wherewith the heauens haue begun to worke my ioy lest Fortune enemy to all content séeing me no more a slaue should tryumph ouer my glory And though I be a king in louing and the most glorious and frée in being beloued let me kéepe this as a memoriall I am and wil be yours while my life shall endure the which loosing it in your seruice will be the happiest and richest losse in this terrene Orbe If it be so weare it replied the Mistresse of my life and yet the taking it off should nothing impaire my affection which now is only imployed in your Loue. Thus was the Soueraigne of my soule weauing this swéete webbe of my life on the delicate Loome of both our contents when blinde Fortune Mistresse of mischaunce being weary and angry that she had helped me that litle moment of time brought it about I know not by what meanes that our Loues till then became suspitious in Court nay further procéeds my woes Oh I cannot without teares say more it came to the Kings eares who desirous to be assured of so dishonourable a déede as to be beloued of the Princesse he had hidde himselfe in that roome vnknowne to me that very night and séeing by experience what he had suspected he issued forth inraged like a mad mā I yet was on my knées when he came forth and finding me in that manner he tooke me by the collor and drawing my ponyard said Oh infamous miscreant Turkish dogge hast thou thus wronged the trust reposed in thée The punishment inflicted on thée shall bee a sufficient example to all others such disloyall wretches as thy owne selfe I had no eyes to looke him in the face nor tongue to answere him though I wanted not hands to shead his blóod had not my Ladyes and my friend Lysanders displeasure and discontent thereby stayed me Hée snatched at her so furiously that shee almost fell vpon her face saying I had not thought Minion thy wanton boldnesse would so haue made thée passe the limits of shame and grace as to bestowe thy affection on a slaue He cried to those that awaighted without whereat foure knights rushed in who straight conueied me to prison where I thoght they would closely murther me the which I had gladly receiued so shee were not hardly handled that had so bountifully fauoured mee The king did commit her but knowing our affection had beene no other then he had séene hee straight for hee loued her dearely forgaue her turning all his rage vpon poore Florisiano Oh magnanimious Knights with how many millions of brinish teares did I bewayle that losse it was beléeue me the greatest in the world for none in so short time could bee so happie as I nor none againe so vnhappie Nothing I did but exclaime lamenting and with woes tormenting my afflicted selfe At length being so many some pierced the high heauens moouing the immortall Gods to pittie and comiseration appointing a meanes on earth to redéeme me for the Noble Lysander being mooued at my disgrace by pollicy procured my Gailors to release me of my Irons and boltes that I might escape through a window and saue my life I gréeued no lesse to depart from Pollinarda at that time though in her grace and fauour then at first when like an enemie I ran from her Yea more then this did my friend sollicit in my behalfe for hee went to his sister and discouered to her the whole secret of my affaires telling her I was the Knight in yealowe and hee that slewe her Agesilao then louing her more then now I neuer would tell any who else I was because I vowed it from the beginning onely to procure her fauour or disfauour without that regard and respect wherein I might bee hadde beeing knowne to bee Prince of Apulia and had not your valour and curtesies bound me thereto none should haue knowne it The Lady did not gréeue at this swéete complot of Loue but rather it kindled in her some new affection So was I visited in prison from her which reuiued my hopes and added new life to my dying powers To pleasure