the Fauno should discouer the shippe and before that we could doe anie thing for to saile from him he would ouertake vs and giue vs all cruell deathes as he hath done to manie others heretofore In conclusion at these words the knights consented not to â—â—aie but to departe and according vnto the great feare which they receued they thought they tarried to long but the two squires when they saw that they departed and caryed them in their companie leauing their Lord in so great perill it cannot be declared the great complaints that they made requesting y â— knights and pylot for to carrie them vnto the Ilande wherewith they should receiue great contentment and be ioyfull but all their requestes were in vaine for that they would not consent that they should dye so desperate a death as also for the great peâ—ill which should be vnto them all they would not consent therevnto wherewith these good squires were so desperate that if time had serued them therevnto they would haue throwen themselues into the sea and by swimming as well as they could they would haue gon to the Iland of the Fauno but the knights caused them to be kept in the shippe and put into a cabin and locked the dore and caryed them in their companie till in the ende of certaine daies they ariued at Transiluania whereas they did disembarke themselues and went a â—and but the Squires were so leane so féeble for that they would not eate anie thing and againe by shedding of so manie teares that they could scarce stand vpon their féete And now to returne to the knight of the Sunne the Historie maketh no more mencion of them but when they came vnto Transiluania after that they had remained there two daies for to refresh and strengthen themselues they sought an other shippe where in they returned to seeke the Ilande of the diuelish Fauno with determined good will there to dye with their Lorde in which iourney they were taken prisoners so that they could not accomplish their desire as shal be declared vnto you in the processe of this Historie ¶ How the knight of the Sunne ariued at the Iland of the possessed Fauno and of the wonderfull and perillous battaile that he had with him Chap. 15. SO when the knight of the Sunne was departed from the knights of Candia he made such hast in rowing w t his great mightie strength that small bote that in a short space he ariued at the solitarie Iland and surelie it was a thing of great meruaile worthie to be put in memorie all that happened with this valiant and happie knight for one way the water stode in his eies and his heart was reâ—die to breake with soâ—â—w griefe and pittie to sée his Squirâ—s remaine so sorowâ—ull and without all comfort an other waie acknowledging in what peril he was of his life in that iourney and how he went to put himselfe in the greatest perplexitie that euer was man he remâ—mbred and armed himselfe with so great hardinesse courage that he thought the time long till he did sée that diuelish Fauno When that he came a lande he sawe that all the Iland was plaine and verie fragarant and fresh replenished with greene Trées although there appeared manie buildings the which were destroyed and fallen downe to the ground in such sorte that it well appeared that the people that there dwelled to be diuelish and abhoiminable And as he was beholding y e countrie which séemed to be verie good and fertill he straight waies discouered where the diuelish Fauno was yet was he not nigh him but a great waye of neither did he sée him but that which proceeded from him which was an infernall fier which seemed to reach vp vnto the Skies with so great a noyse as though it had thundred and as y â— wise Lirgandeo saith that there was no humane heart of so sufficient courage for to séeke out so terrible and wonderfull attempt as was this of that worthie valiant knight in whose heart neuer entred any feare but with so valiant and couragious a stomacke determined to seeke that mishapen and infernall beast â—ull of so manie legions of diuells And for that he would not that there should remaine any thing that might carrie him out from that Ilande hée drew the bâ—te that brought him thether a lande and with one of the oares with the which he rowed he broke it all to peeces and scattered them abroade alongst the water syde that the force of the waues might carrie awaie the péeces But before he departed from that place where he ariued he fell downe vppon his knées and with manie sorowful sighes triikling teares which ranne downe his chéekes in signe that he was a true and faithfull Christian he sayde as followeth OH soueraigne creator both of heauen and earth without whose good will there is no diuell that hath any power neither without it can men fowles nor brute beastes liue vpon the face of the earth nor be sustained nor gouerned without it the Elements would be confounded the heauens lose their course and naturall mouings The earth would quake and the high and mightie mountaines would fall The waters of the Seas would ouer flow the lande and no liuing thing should finde where to be sustained but thou by thy infinit goodnesse and mercie doest ordaine and sustaine all not for that it is to thée necessarie but for the profit of man Therefore séeing that thou doest vse so great pittie and mercie with them here Lorde I doe desire thée that in this perillous danger thou wouldest not leaue me and if I haue anie desire herein to gette the victory it is not for anie honor nor vaine glorie that I hope to maintaine thereby but onely to haue a little more time for to liue in this dispeopled and solitarie Ilande whereas I may fully repent mée for the life which hetherto I haue lead and for to doe some penance for the euills which I haue committed against thy diuine magestie But if it be thy will that I dye in this trance I doe most hartely desire thée not to looke vpon my sinnes and wickednesse but to haue mercie vpon this my soule which is immortal and by thée created to thy similitude and likenesse for eternal liâ—e and diddest redéeme it with thy most precious bloud the which I pray thée to pardon and to receiue at such time as it doth depart out of this wretched bodie my death doth not greue mée so much as that I haue not time enough to serue thée When this good kâ—â—ght had saide these wordes he arose vp vpon his féete and looking towards that part the which was toward Grecia with deepe profound sighes he saide OH Empresse Claridiana how ioyfull would it be vnto my heart if y â— I did know of certaintie that thou wert acquainted with this my daungerous attempt with the which I am bestead for that seeing that my
manifest so high and worthie things for one waie the mightinesse of these two Emperors did make mée to wonder for that to bring in subiection the whole vniuersall world they lacked nothing and another waie I did greatlie meruaile that the great number of so manye worthie and valyant knightes who according vnto their great valour shewed in the battaile for to come of either of them might be made a perticular Hystorie But when that it commeth to my remembrance that I shall finde that shining Alphebo in the same battaile I am then tongue tide and my wittes troubled to thinke that I doe put my selfe for to declare his déedes for although I had so manye and more eies than Argos yet were they not sufficient for to beholde them Who lykewise should beholde the other son of Trebatio and the sonne of the gran Campion shall finde that their actes are not worthie of anie lesse memorie I knowe not whether you doe remember or not the names of those two valiant Pagans Meridian and Brandimardo that onelie in hearing them named the earth doeth tremble as much more shall be done by their equalls the Prince of â—raunce and the mightie Troyan Let not bée forgotten the mightie Emperour of Grecia with all the remnant of the inclite and generall knighthood of his soueraâ—gne Court for according as they are all most valiant and stout so are they sufficient to make the whole vniuersall world to be their owne What shall we then doe if we remember so many thousands of Pagans which are vnder the banner and at the commandement of the worthie Emperour Alycandro amongst whome besides the Nations of strong Gyantes that came from the Orientall Ilandes of the Gran Campion there were one thosand more of Gyants who were so bigge mightie and strong that they were sufficient to bée accounted walles vnto a great Citie I knowe not what you do thinke of this you that doe reade this Hystorie but I for my parte when that I doe thinke of things of so great worthinesse my memorie and wittes doth faile mée And I am fullie certefied that if you did see this great battaile concluded all the Hystories that heeretofore you haue read and séene treating of loue and of wars if that they were laide before this you woulde account them as nothing I will not contend anie farther héerein with reasons but certefie you that I béeing determined to staie here and procéede no farther yet for all that as the wearied horse being forced by the sharpe pricking spurre to bée quicke in his course euen so the ouermuch affection the which I haue vnto those high and worthie Dames and valiant Knights doth constraine mée to procéede forwardes till such time as I doe conclude the first parte of this mightie Hystorie and in that my weake and wearied vnderstanding cannot comprehend let my affection supplie the same the which hath mounted my wittes so high that although with great trauaile yet haue I translated that which I thought neuer to comprehend séeking it out of greate volumes from the originall written by the wise Artemidoro who béeing holpen by the wise Lyrgandeo and the Magitian spirite lefte it in writing according as héereafter you shall heare declared At such time as the daie apprâ—ched of that heauie and sorrowfull time wherein was â—ought that generall and bloudie battaile in which was concluded the expedition of new Rome was séene great wonders and tokens terrible to beholde and sufficient for to terrifie the heartes of those valiant and stout warriours for that the heauens and the earth did manifest the excéeding great griefe which they felt of that mortall destruction and it séemed verilie vnto them that the end of the worlde was at hande by manifest tokens which were séene that daie for that there was neuer so great multitude of people séene slaine in one daie as appeared afterward by the greate streames of bloud which was in so great abundance that it was sufficient for to chaunge the coulour of the great Sea of â—geo into Fuxino In testimonie whereof at such time as the daie shoulde breake the same daie of the battaile all the whole region of the aire séemed to bée on fire with great abundaunce of lightnings accompanied with so many and dreadfull thunder clappes that all the celestiall moouinges séemed to haue fallen vpon the earth and at such time as the daie dyd somwhat appeare the dew that was wonted to fall from heauen in the mornings appeared to bée of red bloud wherwith al the grasse and flowers in the fieldes of Grecia was laden Likewise there were that sawe that whereas the shining starres alwayes at the breake of daie dyd vanish and take their leaue that now at that instant many Comets of fire dyd fall from heauen into the campe of the Pagans and did as much harme as thought they had béene thunderbolts amongest them And at such time as the Sunne shoulde shew her selfe they sawe plainlie how that it had lost his rubicond coulour and was chaunged into the coulour of bloud but after that this earthquake and storme of lightening and thunder was past yet there appeared not one clowde in all the whole region and compasse of the aire and the daie was verie obscure and darke by reason of the sorrowfull and vnaccustomed coulour the Sunne shewed The earth quaked and trembled verie terriblie whâ—ch was the occasion that many edifices dyd fall and were ouerthrowen downe and many high mountaines dyd sinke and were censumed so that with the one and with the other all the people were greatlie amazed and there was not one although hée were neuer so valiant and strong but at those sighes and tokens receiued both feare and dreade sauing onelie that superbious Pagan the sonne vnto the gran Campion who saide within himselfe and spake it plainlie that the heauens and the earth dyd shew those signes in token of the great abundance of bloud that should be shedde that same daie 〈…〉 of the death of his Father andâ— thought it 〈…〉 such time as the battayle was begunne and their companions ioyned together that he might execute his mortall furie but it was not long after that his dâ—sire was accomplished for that that worthie and valiant Emperour Trebatio séeing that the daie was come of the battaile verie earlie in the morning at the daie breake was in the field accompanied with all those valyant and worthie knights putting in order all his people in the best manner they could for to execute their battaile and although they dyd sée those wonderfull signes and tokens which caused them to haue some feare and dreade yet for all that the good Emperour neuer once abated anie whit of his valiant courage but had great hope and confidence in the onelie liuing God that he with his mightie hand and outstretched arme woulde defend the whole state of Christendome and did continuallie in his heart call vppon God requesting him of his infinite mercie and goodnesse for to graunt
vnto him the victorie in that battaile and not to permit that that worthie crew of Knighthoode should bee vanquished and lost in that battaile and did confesse and acknowledge that his great power and all that mightie Campe was in effect as much as nothing if that bée of his beneuolence dyd not aide and succour him These and such like things sayd the good Emperour in his heart and neuer rested in going from one place to another putting his people in good order with a Tipstaffe in his hande lyke a valiant and expert Captaine wherein there was not one that dyd passe him neither in his owne Campe nor in the whole Campe of the Pagans was there anie dyd so well The first battalle that he ordained was of the Gréekes saying that in the defence of their Countrie it was greate reason that they shoulde haue the foreward wherein there was foure and twentie thousand knightes all verie well armed and excéeding expert and committed the charge and gouernment thereof vnto that valyant and worthie Alphebo the lyght of all Chiâ—alrie and knighthoode and put in his companie that worthie and royall Princesse Claridiana for that they being together y â— one for the other would force themselues to worke the greater wonders and on the otherside he placed with them his great friend Oristides that valiant Troyan so that they thrée being together they were sufficient for to put feare and dread in all the whole Pagan hoast The second battaile he dyd commend vnto that valiant and worthie Rosicleer called by an other name the knight of Cupid who dyd so great wonders that day that so long as the world doth endure his fame will be mencioned therin he gaue with him in company his very good friends the Tartarian Zoylo and the king Sacridoro with twentie thousand Gréeke knights of great courage who followed after his brother The third battaile he gaue vnto that mightie king Florion with all his knightes that he brought with him out of Persia and other tenne thousand of his owne people and in his companie that valiant prince Brandizel being father and sonne that made great destruction amongst the Pagans that day The fourth battaile he gaue vnto the worthie prince of Fransia and vnto the king of Lidra with all the people that they brought out of their countries The fift baitaile he gaue vnto the gouernment of the king Oliuerio and vnto the prince of Lusitania with all the people that câ—me out of great Britaine and in this battaile went those two worthie princes Bargandel and Liriamandio with other worthie princes and valiant knights that belonged vnto the king Oliuerio The sixt battaile the Emperour Trebatio tooke vnto himselfe with all the rest of the knightes that remained which were to the number of thrée score thousand knights There went in this battaile in companie with the Emperour the king of 〈◊〉 the two princes of 〈◊〉 and Transiluâ—nia with the two gallant princes Rodomarte and Rodoteo and the two most valiant worthie knights Don Clarus and Arealus who in this daye dyd not a little exalt the honour of the Godos of Spaine There went also with the Emperour those two good knights Flamides and Florinaldes who were great friends vnto the knight of the Sunne Also there went with him those foure brethren sonnes vnto the gran Torcato with that stout Rogelio who were so couragious that there were fewe in all the whole armie that were more valianter then they being but young youthes There went also with him the King of Bohemia and many other mightie Lords belonging vnto the Emperour of Grecia whose names be not héere rehearsed for to auoiâ— tediousnesse So that this mightie Emperour hadde about him such a companie of valiant and worthy knights and of high estate that neuer the like was séene who little and litle in the order aboue mencioned dyd begin to fill those fields and plaines that it was a thing worthie to be séene so great number of worthie and valiant knights to be ioyned together although they saw before their eies put in good order their enimies and occasions of the great destruction looked for as also those fearefull signes and tokens which the heauens and the earth dyd shew vnto them the which was a thing of great wonder and dread to behold in especiall for those Ladies and gentlewomen that were in Constantinople who séeing their husbandes and children to depart in that sort their clamors and cryes seemed to assend vnto the heauens And in the mightie citie of Constantinople there was séene no other thing but olde men women and children who went bare foot bare legged through the stréetes from one church vnto as other praying vnto God to graunt the victorie on their parts and to defend his christian flock At this time was the Empresse Briana and the fayre princesse Olima with the beautifull Linderaza the Queene Radamira and Arquirosa and many other mo verie faire and beautifull Ladies and gentlewomen mounted vp into a high tower of the mightie pallace from whence they might at their ease discouer and sée all the whole armies but when they sawe so great a multitude of infidells against them whome they loued more then themselues they receiued great sorow and dread at their hearts which caused them to shed many teares and to pray vnto God for the victorie from the bottome of their hearts Now let vs leaue them and tell of the Pagans who were so many in number that all the night past with good part of the morning they hadde enough to doe for to set all things in good order and in a redinesse for the appointed battaile The first battaile ordained by the Emperour Alicandro he gaue vnto the rule and gouernement of that proude pagan Bramarant who like vnto an hungery Lyon or wolfe wold be the first and he had with him fiftie thousand horsemen the most furious and fiersest that was to be found in all the whole campe amongst whome he caryed all those giants that his father the Gran Campion had brought out of his owne countries which were more then one thousand and all mounted vppon Elephants who with certaine engens that they brought with them made them to be verie swifte Bramarant hadde with him in that battaile all the kinges of the Orientall Ilandes who as you haue heard were little inâ—erour vnto gyants and were the most strrongest and stoutest that was in all the whole Ilands and beeing this braue Barbarian in the middest amongst them he thought verely that all the whole world if they had bene ther together were not able to make resistance against him The second battaile was gouerned by those two mightie Pagans Meridian and Brandimardo who hadde with them three score thousand horsemen all of the Gran Tartaria meruailously well armed although the most part of them were armed with the hard skinnes of wilde beastes there were in this battaile twentie braue and furious Gyants whereof twelue of the most furious
valiant knights who with great furie and shouts began to laie vpon their aduersaries and saying Upon them vpon them for they be ouercome But wheÌ„ Rosicleer hearâ— those wordes and sawe no other thing but perdition he began greater to lament y â— death of his friends more than his owne but that which did grieue him most was that after so many troubles sorrows the which he had passed for the Princesse Oliuia and had her in his power alwaiâ—s hoping at her hands to receiue reward for the same he should now be constrained therefore to die and to leaue her in the power of another hauing this in his remembraunce lifting vp his eies vnto heauen to aske mercie of God for his sinnes he sawe his welbeloued mistres in a sound in the armes of Fidelia as she which made no other reckoning but to die the which did cause vnto him so great dolour griefe that it kindled in him mortall wrath and ire determined to sell his life verie déere vnto them that so much desired his death wherewith hée tooke his sword in both his handes and stroke so terrible a blowe at the Captaine Bramides vppon the wast that cutting him in two péeces he ouerthrew him dead to the ground and therewith at other sixe blowes he slew other sixe knightes behauing himselfe so amongest them that they fled from him as from the death But hée as one that had his death certaine without anie care of his life all alone he maintained the battaile against the knightes of Don Siluerio for that his friends could not doe anie thing in his defence they weare so wearie And although the knights of Lusitania were valiant and did charge him with many heauie blowes that had bene sufficient to haue cloue amanfield in péeces yet did he defend the entrie of the ship alone for the space of halfe an houre against all the companie and had about him on euery side a great number of dead bodies shewing so great wonders among his aduersaries that it was scarce credible to the beholders Whereat Don Siluerio receiued great griefe to sée so many of his knights slain but yet he durst not come nigh him himselfe but forced his knights forwards with reproch that it was a shame to him that one alone knight shoulde make his defence so long against so many Who hearing those wordes made no more a doe but put their liues in aduenture for to accomplish that which was their deaths and therewith they leaped into the ship of Rosicleer and charged him so much with so many terrible and heauie blowes that it had not bene possible for him to haue indured long if that by the wonderfull myracle of God he had not bene succoured You shall vnderstand that fortune did serue him so wel that the ship wherein was that valiant and worthie knight of the Sunne and that stout Oristedes was constrained by the force of the storme and tempest past to enter into thâ— same port of Cerdenia and entering in thereat they straight waies did sée the execution of that cruell battaile and were greatlie amased to sée all the water so stained with bloud and how that one alone ship did make his defence against all the rest but when they sawe so few knightes did maintaine themselues against so great a multitude of their enimies their meruaile was the more and remained astonied for a great space to sée the incredible acts that Rosicleer dyd as one that was desperate of his own life which was with so great courage that if he had séene it with his owne eyes he could not haue beléeued that any humane creature could haue done it And as he was with great attention beholding them with great good will for to aide and helpe them The knight of the Sunne did know him by the deuice of his armour although that they were all to be raiâ—d with bloud as also by the comelie proportion of his bodie therewith vpon a sodaine with a loude voice he said O good God it séemeth vnto me that yonder knight should be Rosicleer my brother or els my sight doth deceiue me Oh my good friend now shew forth your great bountie to defend and saue the life of the person of him that I loue best in all the worlde Come on let vs go sayd Oristedes forâ—with verie good will I wil offer my selfe in anie thing that doth appertaine vnto you or to your brother And inâ—saying these words these two good friends did cause their ship to be grapled vnto the ship of Rosicleer and with their swordes drawen in their hands they leapt into the sayd ship and sayd Courage courage good knight and take a good heart héere is come vnto thée thy brother the knight of the Sunne And therewithall turned against his aduersaries and made so great a slaughter amongst them that in a short space al the hatches of the ship laie full of dead bodies and the knights of Lusitania béeing greatlie amased at such sodaine and strâ—â—ge succour they fled before them with all the speede they could into their owne ships and in making such hast many of them leaped short fell into the water so that by this meanes their shippe was quicklie ridde of their enimies But when that Rosicleer heard those comfortable words of his worthie brother and knew him as well by his wonderfull blowes giuen as by the deuice of his armour what ioy and pleasure might bée equall vnto his I saie vnto you it was much more than it was at that time when that he was succoured by him in the Iland of Canâ—â—marte for that his death at that time shoulde not haue béene so grieuous vnto him as at this presâ—nt the death of his good and perfect friends and hauing in his power the fayre Princesse Oliuia And as one who by the aide and succour of his Brother was in good hope to be set frée and at libertie of so rigorous and cruell a traunce with a new and vnlooked for ioye did so hearter and incourage himselfe recouering so great force and strength that hée began to make so great a destruction among his enimies as though the battaile were but as then begun and comming nigh vnto the knight of the Sunne he sayde Oh my Lorde and welbeloued brother what great benefit is this that God hath shewed vnto me that it hath pleased him that I am succoured by your great power and strength and now that I find my selfe in your companie if that all the whole world were against me I should not haue anie feare At this time the knight of the Sunne could not make him anie answere for that he was so occupied amongst his enimies where hée did so great slaughter that there was none that durst tarrieâ— before him Likewise the Troian did so defend his partie that it was wonderfull to beholde at whom Rosicleer was greatlie amazed not knowing who that valiant and worthie knight should be Then the king Sacridoro and the
vpon verie gallant and well dressed palfries and mounted himselfe vppon a mightie great horseâ— and put himselfe in the middest betwéene them And béeing in this maner in the great and wide court whereas the Emperour and the Empresse with all those valiant kings Princes and knights did behold them and a new they began to meruaile to behold their great beauties and gallant dispositions And as it hath bene declared vnto you before in this Historie that Rosicleer was of a high stature and well proporcioned of his bodie according vnto his height for that continually vnto that time he did encrease daylie more more as well in the one as in the other and ioyntly with this his face was perfect and well proporcioned verie white and faire and of a merrie couutenaunce and there was none that did behold him but had a great delight to sée him he was at that time apparailed in a Iacket of cloth of golde garnished round about with a great number of precious stones and a hat vpon his head after the Gréeke fashion full of verie fine Rubies and Diamonds and carryed no other weapon with him but that precious sworde of the Quéene Iulia at his girdle which was suteable vnto the apparell he ware for that the scabbert was garnished with gold and precious stones he was mounted vpon a big and lustie horse all baye sauing he was full of black spots which became him verie well and being in this maner on horse 〈…〉 to be a Gyant and in beautie and fairenesse Narcissus On the other part was the Princesse Oliuiâ— with Arquirosa so faire and richlie apparailed that it was verie strange to behold and Rosicleer being in the middest betwixt them there could not a more gallanter sight be séeâ—e of thrée persons So in this order they tooke their leave of the Emperour of the Empresse and departed out of that mightie pallas being accompanied with all those mightie and valiqnt Princes and Knights till such time as they came into the fielde out of the Citie whereas at the request of Rosicler they all retourned back againe and they thrée alone wont toward the compe of the king Oliuerio being verie much looked at of at the people of the citie and with no lesse admiration they were looked at by them of the campe when they came nigh vnto them and not knowing the pretence of their comming they could doe nothing but behold them and abyde the time to vnderstand the effect of their comming When they were come vnto the camp they asked which was the tent of the king Oliuerio and being shewed by a knight that was there they neuer rested nor staied till they came vnto it at which time the king shas within accompanied with the prince of Lusitania and with the other princes of Scotland and Ireland consulting whaâ— were best to be done in their affaires but when they saw them knew Rosicleer and the Princesse Oliuia all apparailed after so gallant a sort they were wonderfully amazed and were silent to heare what should be their demand There was no mouing amongst them till such time as Rosicleer descended from his horse who straight waies alighted y â— princesse Oliuia and the quéene Arquirosa and taking them both by the hands they entred into the tent then the king and all that were with him did arise from their seates and dyd salute the one the other with such courtesie as appertained vnto so high persons and although that Don Siluerio was greatly amazed and his bloud did rise when that he saw the princesse Oliuia yet when that he saw her in the power of Rosicleer and considering the great reason she had therevnto he dyd not let to haue a great regard vnto the Quéene Arquirosa and liked very well of her and said with in himselfe that next vnto the princesse Oliuia she was the fairest gentlewoman that euer he saw in all his life and greatlie desired to know what she should be His desire was quickly accomplished for that Rosicleer putting himselfe before the king hauing the princes the Quéene by their hands said HIgh king of great Britaine I will not call you mightie for that according vnto the opinion of wise men there is none amongst mortall men can attaine to so glorious a name sauing alonely he may call himselfe mightie that is Lorde and gouernour ouer men and hath the power of all fortunes he at whose will the Heauens doth moue the windes doth blow the waters of the sea doth arise and rage and by him the earth with all beasts plants are sustained Here I doe giue you the name of high for that séeing your selfe in what estate you are in you may know how perilous and slipper it is and how readie you are and open vnto the thundering blowes of fortune Many things doth men begin and put in vre who cannot bring it to passe as they would and according vnto their mindes but in the ende it finisheth cleane contrarie vnto their expectation and this procedeth onely for that it is in theyr hands to begin them and in the power of God to giue the conclusion vnto his pleasure Our hearts he valiant and couragious for to attempt against all the whole world and doe not consider and sée that humaine force is so féeble and weake that one little and hidden euill doth ouercome it and whatsoeuer blow of fortune doth ouerthrow it This we ought to haue alwaies in our remembraunce because we should not put our selues in difficult things for that if afterwards it doth not fall out according vnto our mindes then should we not haue any occasion for to be angrie neither reason for to complaine vs of fortune for that the whole fault is in our selues and with more reason we may be angery with our selues You doe well vnderstand how that the Prince Edward your sonne with fortie thousand good knights of great Britaine came into Hungaria with what intent I doe not iudge but according as it was notorious and manifest vnto all he came for to destroy the Emperour my father for to make the king of Hungaria Lord ouer all Grecia and for that this was an attempt as vniust as difficult it was in his hands to begin the same but in the hands of him that hath power ouer all to conclude the ende according vnto his will If the Emperour my father was to be blamed herein iudge you and then sée if there be anie reason for him to make restitutioÌ„ to whome fortune would seme fauourable but now let that goe for that I doe beléeue you are certified And touching the marriage which I made with the princesse Oliuiâ— without your lisence I will giue you to vnderstand that if you doe well consider and looke into all these things passed then should you verie manifestlie and cléerelie sée that it is not for anie iniurie towards you but that the diuine prouidence hath ordained the same for to euitate and cut off the
great griefe and innumerable euils that were looked for betwéene my father and you for séeing that the harme was committed there was no other meanes for to recouer and make friendship againe but onelie by this marriage betwixt vs by the which my father doth claime of you kindred and you may receiue mée as your owne naturall sonne and séeing that this hath ben ordained by the diuine prouidence who is he that shoulde grant me this inclination to haue so great a desire as I had for to goe into great Britaine being in such delightes ioye and pleasure vnder the wings of the Empresse my mother Consider with how much honour you nâ—t knowing mee I receiued the order of knighthood at your hands and how fauourable Fortune did alwaies shew her selfe vnto mee in your Court What force could be so great that did constraine my will and the will of this precious Princesse so perfectlie to loue the one other in such sort that there is nothing in all the world that may bee compared therevnto In what heart may be comprehended so great singularitie no that although there were heere present those three worthie and famous Captaines Iosue Dauid and Iudas Machabeus and with them thâ—se thrée Pagans Hector Iulius Caesar and Alexander if it doth not come of the diuine prouidence neither without it could there be anie such force comprehended in me and in my companion for to giue the enterprise of such an attempt with so great boldnesse for to take away ouâ— of your power the Princesse Oliuia and what wée passed at the sea to deliuer and defend her Heere is the Prince of Lusitania who found himselfe present at the sport and can saie that the resistance was not made by anie humane force and strength for that being but fiue knights we alone did defend our selues so long time against so great a fléete of ships and men Likewise hée can declare of the great miserie in the aide and succour that came vnto vs in that great extremitie I will not héere inlarge nor procéede anie farther in these matters neither wold I haue said so much but onelie because you shall vnderstand that all doth procéede from aboue and that it is Gods will that this marriage betwixt me and the Princesse shall be the occasion for to euitate and take awaie all these inconueniences which are looked for and likewise to remedie and make attonement for all that is past do you not thinke that this wil bée an euil meane for things past besides as now the doing thereof cannot be restrained and many times as héeretofore hath fallen out their sonnes in lawe to be as profitable to their Fathers in lawe as are their owne naturall sonnes As to aske the question of Caesar Augustus and hée will saie that there was neuer sonne to true and trustie vnto his Father as was vnto him Marcus Agrippa his sonne in law Likewise consider of Antonius Pius who had for his sonne in lawe Marcus Aurelius who vsed so great fidelitie with him all the daies of his life which was for the space of twentie and thrée yéeres that for his great fidelitie and continuall diligence hée did not alonelie deserue to bée beloued of him and to haue his Daughter but as his owne naturall sonne hée dyd succéede him in the Empire So that by these and many other examples that might bée declared you maye plainelie sée what a swéete spice of friendshippe and perfect kindred is that which commeth by the Sunne in lawe and in especiall this that from the beginning vnto the end it appeareth to bée goueâ—ned by the diuine prouidence so that thereby there is no other thing to be looked for but vnto you great good and â—â—rie profitable for all your kingdomâ— And that whic◠〈◊〉 I will desire of you is no other thing but your plesure 〈◊〉 â—â—â—sider how that al these things are ordained by him who â—ath the rule gouernment of al and being fullie perswaded therein for to ioyne confirme your will vnto his will and to procure doe no other thing but that which is agréeable vnto his pleasure which is to confirme a peace betwixt you and my Father for that you be both Christians and it is the thing that our sauiour Iesus Christ dyd leaue most in charge vnto his Disciples And if there séemeth vnto you anie fault to bée in the Emperour my Father or that I and the Princesse Oliuia haue offended your Maiestie in anie thing apart and put awaâ—e from your heart all anger and wrath for that you doe vnderstand that the most noblest manner of reuengement is to forgiue and how that there is nothing so inconuenient and hurtfull vnto man as is wrath and anger for that it doth properlie appertaine vnto furious beastes and not vnto men but vnto such as bée most cruell and furious and to the contrarie there is nothing more conuenient vnto man than is méeknesse and mercie and much better and more honour it is to forget iniuries than to reuenge them and there is not a more nobler and generous forgetting than is in the offence which was attributed vnto the prince of Captaines for that he did praise himselfe that hée did neuer forget anie thing but offences done The pleasure in taking reuengement doth passe awaie in a moment and the ioy pleasure in shewing mercie endureth for euer There is nothing so necessarie amongest men nor ought to bée more common than to forgiue for that there is none but hath néede of mercie séeing that the Sunne must shine vpon him the earth sustaine him and all creatures must bring forth The winde must haue his course the clowdes must poure out their waters the Sâ—ars must haue their influence the heauens must moue and the waues of the sea must bée in quiet and not to ouerwhelme the earth when they are in a rage and higher than it and to conclude all things of the gouernment of this worlde doth vse Mercie and be necessariâ— for the conseruation of humane life and mercie cannot be lacking in him or at least waies may not that cannot sustaine himselfe one iote without it and that which is more there is not one but that hée sinneth so that hée cannot but hée néedes must desire mercie for his sinnes and offences What is hée that can salue and make whole the wounded consciences of humane creatures if the wrath of God doth perseuer then shall you neuer haue end of contentions and troubles armour shall neuer cease on the land neither lightnings and thunders with cruell shaking of the heauens therefore it is necessarie most worthie King that you doe forgiue and refraine the ire of your heart for otherwise with iust reason you cannot aske of God pardon when that you will not vse pardon with your daughter and sonne in lawe Beware take héede and helpe your selfe from that which is written That man doth kéepe wrath and ire a-against man and both doth séeke vnto God for
starres and all the compasse of the Firmament as also the whole face of the Earth Alas when shall I sée the houre that all the teares and anguishes by mée passed and caused by your absence I may make manifest vnto you and that your troubles told vnto mée I may excuse being heard but alas what doth it profit mée all this desire for that mée thinketh that I shall not liue for to enioy so soueraigne ioye and pleasure Let that day come quickly make no longer tarying for the death which vnto this daye hath bene so desirous of mée I 〈◊〉 not now alonely hate but the naming thereof doth make mee agast These and many other things sayd the royall Princes and she had not fullie concluded these her words when that she felt the windes to begin to rage and the waters to arise striking against the shippe sides as though they would breake it in peeces and the Mariners began to crie out publishing euell fortune and fearing to be drowned for that in a verie short spare the Ayer which was verie faire and cléere was tourned to be verie darke and cloudie and from the Heauens procéeded soorth so great aboundance of thunder and lightnings as though the heauens and seas would ioyne together and the Mariners sayde that they neuer saw at the Sea in all their life time so great a storme and tempest But this worthie Princes who was at that time vppon her knées â—earing nothing of the tempest sayde as followeth LORD if it be thy blessed will that I shall sée againe the knight of the Sunne I doe verely beleue that this tempest commeth by thy prouidence and apointment for that this my Shippe being forced by the furie of these baysterous windes I may the soner come vnto the place whereas he is And if it be so Lord as vnworthie thou hast not heard my prayer and petition but that all things doth worke according vnto their nature yet héere I doe desire thy diuine maiestie for that it is in thy power to stay the celestial powers in such sort that they may not disturbe mée in this my iourneie nor bée contrarie vnto mée And I am fully perswaded Lord that if it were thy will that I should die before that I doe sée y â— knight of the Sun it were not néedefull the force of the Elements nor the noyse of so great thundering and lightening for to kill mée for alonely thy will is sufficient for to sinke this my ship downe to the center of the sea And againe if it be thy wil that I shal be saued then wherefore should I feare fortunes tempestes or the force of the great and furious waues the good Prophet was in greater peril when that he was swalowed vp by the mightie whale and the mightie Apostle in the deapth of the sea and for that it was thy will for to deliuer them those perills did little trouble them The wrath and yre of Esau did little profit against Iacob nor that of the Chaldes against Abraham nor that of Pharao against thy people nor that of Holophernus against Iudith nor that of the Lyons against Daniel and little can this tempest hurt mée if it be thy will for to saue and deliuer mée as thou diddest deliuer them So in saying these words the royall Princes it séemed vnto her that the storme encreased more and more and so dyd all that day the night following without any hope of calmenesse The next day in the morning whether it was by the will of God for that his pleasure was that the troubles sorowes of the knight of the Sunne should haue ende or whether it was by arte of the wise Lirgandeo I know not but the shippe with that torment was ariued at the solitarie Iland whereas happened vnto the royall Princes as shal be tolde you in the next Chapter following ¶ How that the Princes Claridiana went a lande at the Iland of the diuelish Fauno what she dyd there Chap. 28. WHen that the ship of the princes Claridiana was ariued at the solitarie Iland she her damsels and the Mariners were verie glad and gaue great thanks vnto God for that he had deliuered them out of that great storme and tempest and being somewhat wearie of the sea the Princesse determined to go a shore as well for to sée the fertilenesse of the Ilande as also for that her heart did giue her that by the hande and will of God all those things were ordained Then straight waies she disembarked her selfe and commaunded her damsells to tarrie in the shippe tilâ— she returned backe againe so that all alone with her horse and armour she went a shore And being a land she was greatly amazed to sée the countrie so plaine and no habitation therein she found it voyde of all people and the foundation of certaine houses which in times past had bene there builded but now ouerthrowen and fallen downe with the wether She saw that the Iland was very fresh gréene and full of trées but not a beast nor bird she could sée in all the Iland but as an vnpeopled and desert place and being very much amazed at all this she could not iudge otherwise but that should be the Iland of the diuelish Fauno coniecturing of all things as hath bene tolde her before of that Iland it dyd plainely appeare that it was in all thinges conformable vnto that which she hadde heard declared by the mouth of others And being in this troubled thought she saw vppon the sea side somewhat aparted from the place whereas she was a boate broken all to péeces the which was the boate that brought the knight of the Sunne thether and he brake it all to péeces because he would haue nothing to carie him from thence but when she came nigh vnto it she saw the prints of the blowes which gaue her plainly to vnderstand how it should be broken with the oares the which laye by sheuered all to péeces she being greatly amazed thereat passed further into the Iland wheras she discouered the saddle and brydle with all the trappings of the good horse Cornerino scattered vppon the ground which although it was euill intreated with the wether raine and dust yet might shée well perceiue that they were of estimation and verie rich for that they were all wrought with silke and golde and the pomell and arson of the Saddle gold was of purefiâ—e set full of prâ—cious stones which caused her straight waies to suspect that it should be the saddle and trapping of Cornerino for that many times she had séene the knight of the Sunne with them and he waâ— them of the Prince Meridian When that she saw this with a 〈…〉 from her horse and the better to satisfie her selfe she tooke the trappings in her hands and wipte of the dust that was on them then did she perfectly know them to be the knights of the Sunne for that in all her life she neuer saw the like
the Princesse Claridiana and that her suspition fell out to be true she remained as one dead and knew not what to saie nor to doe but to complaine of her Gods and of fortune and it is to beléeued that her lyfe had not endured long if that shée had not béene wonderfullie succoured as shal bée declared vnto you héereafter in this Hystorie How the stout and furious Pagan Bramarant ouerthrew and destroyed all the Idolls in the Campe and how the Emperour Alycandro for to appeale him caused to be brought with great honor the bodie of the gran Campion that was in the wildemesse of Grecia and what happened ouer and aboue this Chap. 36. THe great wrath and furie was so excéeding of that proude and barbarous sonne of the gran Campion for the death of his Father that there was not roome inough for him in all that mightie campe of the Pagans but he ranne vp and downe from one place to another like vnto a mad man or one from himselfe crying out making a great and terrible noise casting vp his firie eies vnto the heauens blaspheming and deâ—ieng his Gods vttering wordes of great reproch and anger thinking thereby to prouoke them vnto wrath to cause them to descende vpon the earth against him where he might execute his wrath vpon them As he was wholie ignorant of the immortall paines which these false Gods in whom the Pagans do beleeue and worship hath in hell and for that in no place he could take anie rest or be in quiet hée went into all the Tents of the Campe whereas he found many Idolles verie rich and of great price whome hée ouerthrew and cut in peeces with his sword and left not one standing neither was there anie king or knight of so great hardinesse that durst make anie resistance against him but onelie those two mightie and valiant knightes the Prince Meridian and Brandimardo who with a verie good will woulde haue baunted the pride of that proude and insolent Pagan if the Emperour had not disturbed them in requesting them not to returne to renue anie more their contention and anger so that finding not one that durst make anie resistance against him the pride of this furious and fierce Pagan Bramarant encreased so much that he neuer stayed till that hée came into the Emperiall Tent of the Emperour Alycandro within the which was a verie greate and rich stature of golde full of precious stones dedicated vnto the God Iupiter the which was made by the diuells arte in such sort that the Diuell was within the same and spake by the mouth of that Idoll deceiuing those wicked and miserable Pagans who with great reuerence and dutie did prostrate themselues vnto the ground and worshipped him it was set vppon a verie rich Alter whereas none durst be so bold as come nigh vnto it except certaine Priestes which were consecrated for to doe sacrifice vnto him dailie Besides this the Emperour Alycandro had in many places round about his great Tent many other Idolles whome hée dyd worship and all his subiects and being that daie in his great Tent accompanied with all those mightie kings and Lords of his whole Campe ordaining for to giue battaile vnto the Emperour Trebatio this mightie Pagan armed with his strong armour mounted vpon his mightie horse entered into the Tent and when hée sawe the stature of the God Iupiter vppon the Alter as soone as he was entered in hée went towards the same and in drawing out his sword hée sayd Now will I sée if the power of that Christian Knight bée more than thine And in saying these wordes he stroke him such a right downe blowe that although it were made of massie golde yet hée cloue it downe to his breast and falling one peece from another there was sodainlie hearde a great and timerous thunder clappe wherewith it séemed that the heauens woulde haue rent a sunder and in the middest of the great Tent was séene a vestigell or spirite so dreadfull and horrible to beholde that it séemed to bée some infernall vision casting out fire at his nose and eyes and in both his handes he had a great mase of yron with the which he made a shewe as though he would haue stroken Bramarant vpon the head as those which had no more power but onelie for to put in feare with those his visages and semblances so that alone with the sight of him there was not one in all that Tent but dyd tremble ansd was afraide thinking verilie that they should be destroied for that which Bramarant had done But this proude Barbarian who feared not all that infernall companie with no more dreade than if it had bene a weake and féeble damsell he did abide his comming and as this vestigell or diuell did make a profer to strike him with his mase the Pagan stroke a terrible blow at him with his sword and thinking to haue clouen him a sunder in the middest hee stroke at nothing but at the aire for that the vestigell as a fancie consumed awaie and was no more séene in the Tent. But the Emperour and all those that were with him were verie sorrie for that which Bramarant had done mistrusted that there would happen vnto them great euill and misfortune for the same yet for all that there was not one amongest them all that durst retourne against him in the quarrell of their Gods but one Meridian and Brandmardo who because they would not anger the Emperour were in quiet wherewith Bramarant went out of the tent with great furie Then the Emperour thought within himselfe that it were good somwhat to appease his furie for to send for the bodie of the gran Campion which laie dead in the wildernesse of Grecia and to burie him with that honor and solempnitie as is vsed in their Countrie euen so as he thought he put it in vre and straight waies commaunded that thirtie crowned kings the most principallest of all the armie should put on mourning apparell and cause him to be laide vpon a béere and so brought vnto the Campe and commanded to accompanie them ten thousand armed knightes and all those Gyants that came from the Orientall Ilands that were subiect vnto Bramarant shoulde goe with them And in this sorte these thirtie kings with all their companie departed according vnto the vse and manner of their Countrie which was a strange thing to sée when they came into the wildernes they straight waies found the bodie of y â— gran Campion which was begun to bée eaten with the fowles and after that they all for a while had made great lamentation and bewailed his death those kings for to doe him more honour did balme him and then laid him vpon a Béere which they brought with them that was verie rich and couered with a faire cloth of Tissue and so carried him towards the Campe whereas he was receiued with great honour by the Emperour and all those mightie Princes that were
their terrible blowes all that euer they could At which time Bramarant thought not that the Emperour Alycandro had bene spoiled and lost the victorie but rather suspected that the Greekes had lost the field but verie quicklie hée was put out of that doubt for that by reason of the great noise which they made in their battaile the Emperour Trebatio and all those worthie Princes that were on his part came thether whereas they were for as then they were all ioyned together put themselues round about these two warriours with determination for to part them from that contension but this valiant and worthie pagan when he saw them in that sort and knew them hee was greatly amazed and straight waies suspected that they had got the victorie who as then with a hoarse voyce and proude semblant sayd Oh fortune how is it that thou hast had so great power for to shew thy selfe so contrarie against the pagans who is that mightie and valiant prince that hath had so great force for to ouerthrow the mightie Alicandro and the gran Campion my father who was sufficient to set fier on all the whole worlde To whome Rosicleer answered and said if thou wilt know him it is easie to bee vnderstood for I doe giue thée to vnderstand that all which is here done commeth alonely of him that dyd create and make all things and hath power ouer all men and at his will is gouerned both nature and fortune And this is Iesus Christ true God and man in whome all christians doe beleeue and worship and it hath bene his pleasure to giue vs the victorie against so many thousands of Pagans by the which thou maist vnderstand how false and deceiuable be your Gods who were not able for to ayde and succour the Emperour Alicandro who presumeth to desend from the race and stocke Then this proude Pagan replyed and sayde I neuer beleeued in any gods neither am I now determined to beleeue in any for that both their gods thyne and all the rest I holde them for my enimies and I will spoyle them all where soeuer I may finde or méete with them And in saying these words he raysed himselfe in his stirrups and with his sword in both his hands he stroke so strong a blow at Rosicleer vppon his inchaunted healme that it séemed a Thunderbolt to haue fallen from heauen the noyse was so great which made him somewhat astonished But when this Pagan sawe that he was compassed about with so much people that it was night he thought it not good to abide there anie longer but set spurres vnto his horse and rushed thorough the thickest of them ouer threw to the ground all them that was in his way lyke a whirle winde he runneth through those fields and neuer stayed till he came into the wildernesse of Grecia with intension not to depart from thence till such time as he hadde very well and to his contentment reuenged the death of his father Rosicleer would verie faine haue followed him for that he hadde a great desire for to conclude and giue ende vnto that battaile but the Emperour his father and those that were with him dyd distrube him Then when they sawe themselues together and missed the knight of the Sunne they were greatly amazed and seperated themselues some one way and some an other waye and went into all places for to séeke him but when that in all the whole field they could not finde him they could not immagine where hée should bée for the which they were all very sad and sorrowfull but in especiall the royall princes Claridiana for that she thought euery hower a yéere till she hadde spoken with him and trauailed from one place to an other with great care in his demaund but could not finde him nor haue anie newes of him till in the ende of great enquirie it was tolde her by a souldier that he dyd sée him embarke himselfe in a shippe and all that he procured was for to know some newes of the Emperour Alicandro When she heard this she was somewhat quieted in her selfe and went and informed the Emperour Trebatio thereof who with all the rest of the other princes receued great ioye and began at that instant to celebrate and reioyce the laâ—e victorie wonne and in very good order retourned to the Citie of Constantinople where as they were in the armes of those Ladies with such ioye as the reader may iudge yet I must néedes say that if the absence of the knight of the Sunne had not mittigated somewhat the extremitie of their pleasure there had neuer bene in Grecia the like ioye and triumph Let vs now leaue them in all their pastimes for that I am sure this long chapter hath somewhat wearied you and let vs retourne to tell you of other thinges wherein you shall receiue pleasure and delight ¶ How that the Emperour Alicandro sayling by sea was through a tempest by the which he was driuen vnto the strong Iland whereas they were taken prisoners he and the princes Lindabrides with all her Ladies by the Gyant Roboan and his sonnes ¶ Chap. 39. WIth great sorrow and heauinesse of heart dyd the Emperour Alicandro nauigate the Sea with the faire and precious Princes Lindabrides in companie with a small number of Knightes that entred into the ship with him who when they considered with what great pomp and force they entred into the Empire of Grecia with what disgrace they departed from thence their hearts were readie to breake with sorrrw for that they saw no other thing of so great a number of thousands of people that they brought with them out of their countries but onely the water of the Sea couered with bloud and a few other shippes full of people that had escaped from the furie of the Gréekes some one way and some an other without any order but whether soeuer the wynde fortune would carrie them The night was very dark so that the ship of the Emperor was all alone fortune who would shew her selfe more contrarie for to giue â—im to 〈…〉 what small trust there was in her it happen that in the night there arose a great â—â—mpest that dyd not onelie hinder them of their iourney but also dyd put the shippe many times in great daunger to be drowned so that the marriners and such as were in the shippe had enough to doe for to voyde and cast out the water that was forced in by that tempest and the faire princesse Lindabrides with all her ladies and gentlewomen receiued so great feare that they all amased remained as dead persons although vnto this faire princesse the griefe was not so much in beholding before her eyes that great perill of death in the which they were brought as to sée her selfe in that sorte for to depart from Grecia where as remained the knight of the Sunne and againe to consider how euell her purpose and desire was brought to passe so
Sunne considering that if the battaile shold goe forwards it wold not be well with Roboan and againe for that he had him and his sonnes in respect of strong and valiant knights for such would estéeme them if that he might cause them to leaue this great errour the which they had maintained a long time he there with all withdrew himselfe aback and lifting vp the beauer of his healme he said Heare mée a little what I will say vnto thée Roboan first before that this our battaile be finished thou shalt vnderstand that I doe estéeme thee and thy sonnes verie much as wel for the great valiantnesse that is in you as also you doe séeme vnto mee to be good and courteous knights my will and desire is that this our battaile betwixt vs may cease and that remedie be put in the curing these thy wounds and the wounds of thy sonnes in case that thou wilt leaue this law Gentilica wherewith thou hast bene so much deceiued and from this day forwardes not to obserue nor maintaine the euell and most cruell custome as hetherto thou hast For that if thou wilt sée and behold with the eyes of thy vnderstanding and consider of the law in the which thou doest liue thou shalt cléerely sée and perceiue the great errour and deceit wherein thou art wrapped Tell mee I pray thee Roboan who ought to be honored and worshipped for God but he alonely that created and made all things both ceâ—estiall and terrestriall and hath power ouer all things for to punish the wicked and to gratifie and reward the good and iust Well then if he alone that hath all this power ought to be estéemed honoured and worshipped for God what reason is there for to beleue that the Moone is the Goddesse Thou shalt vnderstand for her to shine and giue light hath neede of the cléerenesse and brighnesse of the Sunne without the which of her selfe she is verie darke and obscure and cannot be séene God created the high couloured Rubies the gréene Emeralds the blew Saphires the white Pearles the shining beams of the Sunne that giueth light vnto the Moone the Starres the gréene trées on the earth and her Plants the quietnesse of the heauens the roundnesse of the world and the meruailous course of the celestial mouings not for that we should occupie our wits and vnderstandings in these things but by the great beautie and sight of them our spirits may be moued vnto the beautie and loue of the creator and maker of all them from whom like as from a fountaine procedeth all that is faire and delectable vnto the sight of man In the meane time that the knight of the Sunne was saying these words Roboan was very attentiue taking as great pleasure at that he sayde as at his great force and strength and looking vpon himselfe he sawe that he was berayed with bloud and his armour broken in many places and his aduersarie not to haue receiued any wound but rather was more stronger and lighter then at the beginning which was vnto him apparant either to be slaine or to loose the victorie Likewise he well vnderstood to what ende the knight of the Sunne had spoken those words which did procéede more of vertue good will towards them then for any feare or dread he had in the conclusion of the battaile but by reason that he saw his sonnes lying a long on the ground in the field the eyes of his vnderstanding were so blinded that he could not sée the great profit which might come vnto him in leauing of his law and custome And said vnto the knight of the Sun that he should not speake any thing more therof vnto him for that he was determined to follow and take his fortune whether it were good or bad against him or with him And therewith they both retourned againe vnto the battaile for that they had somewhat breathed rested themselues it was then a thing worthie to be seene the strong and terrible blowes which the one stroke at the other For as I haue said Roboan was a stout and strong giant and sufficient of himselfe to destroye and kill one hundreth knights that should contend against him altogether in battaile The knight of the Sunne had great desire quickly to conclude and make an ende of that contension to sée what the Emperour Alicandro and the Princesse Lindabrides dyd in the castell who being greatly amazed at his great force and strength could not immagine who it should be except it were the sonne of Trebatio he who had done great marnailes in his presence And he that should at this instant haue certified the faire princesse how that it was the knight of the Sunne you may well beleeue that he should haue caused her to receiue greater ioye and contentment then if they had giuen her all the whole world for a present as she who should not receiue so great griefe if her soule should depart from her bodie as she should receiue in departing from the countrie whereas doth remaine her knight of the Sunne who dyd so much against Roboan that in the ende of one houre that the battaele was begun he fell downe a long at his féete so séeble and weake by reason of the great quantitie of bloud that he had lost that till such time as the knight of the Sunne did pull of his healme and gaue him ayre he could not come againe vnto himselfe But when that he was in his remembraunce the knight of the Sunne florishing with his sworde aboue his head sayde with this sword will I seperate thy head and bodie a sunder if that thou wilt not amend thy lyfe and apart thy selfe from the law wherein thou hast liued hetherto The feare of death sayd Roboan shall not make mée to doe any thing that is against my honour but thy great vertue and force doth make mée to beléeue that thy law and faith is better then this the which I haue hetherto maintained in the which I doe confesse greatly to haue erred and bene deceiued And here I doe promise thée in the faith of whome I am and by the high bloud from whence I doe descend neuer to maintaine any longer this euill custome but will esteeme and worshippe for my God all the dayes of my life him whome thou hast tolde mée off who vniuersally did create all things Then the knight of the Sunne who was very glad and ioyfull for to heare him so say dyd healp him to arise from the ground and embrasing him with great loue they went both together vnto Andricardo and Langereon whom they found both a liue and without perill but that they were verie weake and féeble with the great quantitie of bloud the which they had lost but when the sonnes had vnderstood all that which had passed with their Father God had inspired his holy spirit within them in such sort that they were very well content therewith and premised him that from that day forwards
thâ—â— more and better then if all the knights in his court had spoken and sworne it And as a thing verified to be most true the King commaunded the Quéene that straight wayes she should deliuer vnto the Duke the faire Polisena for that she had chosen him to be her husband Now sir knights I pray you iudge what the gentle Lusiano might féele in his heart who found himself present at all that passed and had more conâ—â—dence in the loue and loyaltie of the Dutches then of the credit of those knights with great payne did suffer that reproch for that he would not discouer the secret betwéene them But when that he vnderstoode that which the king had commaunded he as then could not suffer it any longer but put himselfe before the king and said Lord and soueraine here I doe saie that all which the Duke Roberto and these knights hath saide against the Dutches of Austria is the greatest treason and falsehood that euer was sayde or inuented For that that shée is my legittimate spouse and she neuer gaue her faith neither her loue vnto any other knight in all her life but vnto mée and this will I proue vpon the Duke or vpon any of these thrée knights This Prince had â—â—arce concluded these words when that the Duke and these thrée knights layde hand vpon their swords against him and he dyd the like against them so that there had bene done great harme if that the king had not put himselfe betwixt them and parted themâ— commaunded that either of them should kéepe his house and not to come abrode Then the king being verie desirous to knowe whether it were true or not which the Prince Lusiano had said commaunded that the Dutches should be brought before him and asked her if that the Prince Lusiano were her husband or not Then she séeing that it was not at that time to kéepe it in silence sayde that it was true that he was her spouse and none other When the king vnderstoode that he commaunded that the Dutchesse should bée put prisoner in a strong tower beléeuing verilie that shée had made her selfe sure and giuen her word vnto both of them and the great good will which shée bare vnto Lusiano was the occasion that shee did falsifie and denie that which shée had promised vnto the Duke Roberâ—o and for that hee would cléere this doubt by iustice he gaue straight waies sentence that the Duke and the thrée knightes that were his witnesses should maintaine and defend that which they had spoken and sworne and that Lusiano and the Dutchesse should in the space of one moneth bring knightes such that vpon their iust quarrell shoulde take and make combat with them in this sorte that if those which are of the Dukes partie doe get the victorie that then the Dutchesse should bée his and straight waies to bee deliuered vnto him and to the contrarie if the Prince and â—is knightes doe get the victorie that then the beautifull and faire Polisena should be his the which sentence being declared vnto them they were all consent therewith for that the Duke thought that in all the whole world there were not to be found foure knights that against him and his companions were able to wage battaile And Lusiano hoping in his iustice as much as in his strength presupposed the victorie to be on his part but alasse Fortune hath fallen out cleane contrarie vnto his expectation for that this is the last daie of the moneth and in all this time he could neuer finde anie knight that durst take his part in the battaile one waie for that the other foure knightes were commended to bée so strong and valiant and féared of all others and other waies for that they thought of a truth that the Duke Roberto had reason for that it was verified and affirmed by thrée knights of so great credit so that now the Prince séeing himselfe al alone is determined all alone to goe forth vnto thâ— battaile this daie against those foure knights for that first he wil suffer himselfe to be slaine rather than to sée the faire Polisena deliuered into the power of the Duke so that this euening the battaile shall be tried the which cannot otherwise bée but that the gentle Lusiano must be slaine whose death vnto all people will be verie grieuous and he shall not bée so soone slaine when that the Dutchesse will kill her selfe with her owne hands for so she is determined to doe if that in the meane time God doth not ordaine some remedie for the same This is the occasion gentle knights of all this my great sorow which causeth me to come forth into these fields and high waies making my cries vnto the heauens and because I doo know the truth héereof better than anie other I cannot suffer to abide in the Citie to sée before my eies slain such two persons by a treason so manifest euill but come to sée if that in this short space I could méete with anie knight that wold haue compassion on them and now séeing God hath permitted that I haue met with two such knights as you doe séeme to bée héere I doe desire you by the great obligation in the which you bound your selues at such time as you receiued the order of knighthood that you would take compassion of that gentle knight Lusiano and of that sorrowfull and afflicted Ladie the Dutches if it so fall out that you shew them anie curtesie they be persons that will verie well gratifie the same and because you shall be fullie certefied of their iustice héere I doe sweare vnto you by that God that created and made both heauen and earth and afterwards by his death and passion dyd redéeme vs that all this which I haue told you is the verie truth of all that hath passed and againe the more to certefie you héerein you haue néed of no other thing but to beholde the ill fauoured face and barbarous countenance of the Duke and the gâ—eat beutie of Polisena whereby you may iudge the great vnlikelihood y â— the dutches should treate of loue with him in secret When the damsell had concluded the whole discourse of this treason the two knightes who were replenished with all vertue were moued vnto great compassion and gaue thankes vnto almightie God that he had brought them thether at that instant and thought it long till they saw themselues in battaile with the Duke and said vnto the damsel that they would goe with her and take 〈◊〉 with Lusiano for to defend his right towards the Dutches. And shée who verie well noted their gentle dispositions and the great riches of their armor by the which she was fullie perswaded with her selfe that they were knights of great estimation that her trauaile and comming thether was well emploied for that there was some hope by their aide on the parte of Lusiano much better than to battaile alone for the which she asked
he passed forwards and kept his saddle and for that he séemed to haue the vauntage on his aduersarie he dyd alight from his hose made his battaile on foote Then against Rosicleer for that he seemed to be the biggest and most valiantest of them all he was encountred by the two most valiantest and stoutest knight of the foure who was Carmelio Lord of the Albâ—â—â— and Anibard Lord of Marchomandia And for that neuer at any time before they met with their equalls they thought verely at that encounter to lessen the number of their aduersaries by one But it fell out vnto them contrarie for that 〈◊〉 of them brake their speares vppon Roâ—â—cleere without mouing him any thing in his saddle but he made his encounter vpon the stout Carmeliâ— in such sort that thrusting him out of his saddle he bare him to the ground ouer his horâ—e crouper and he had enough to doe afterwards to arise againe he was so tormented with the fall The king was wonderfully amazed and all those that dyd behâ—lde 〈◊〉 to see those gallant encounters betwixt them and could not 〈◊〉 that the 〈◊〉 of Lusiano were of so great force and strength that so lightly had ouerthrowen their aduersaries and from that time forwardes had a better hope of the victorie Then the Dutches who was as one halfe dead being comforted with those newes with a better good will then before put her selfe at the window for to behold the battaile Then the worthie Rosilceere finishing the furie of his swift course with great lightnesse he tourned his horse about retourned vpon Ambardo who remained on horsebacke and stroke at him such a blow with his sword that the shylde he lift vp for to ward the furie thereof although it was of fine and hard stéele hée cloue it in two péeces and from thence descended vpon his helme with so great furie that it made him to stoope with his head declyning it to his horse necke And this stout Ambardo when that he felt him selfe ouercharged with that mightie blow being greatly amazed he said within himselfe what is this mée thinketh I féele all the furie of the world against mée is this by fortune the sonne of Trebatio that passed this way when he slewe Aridon or else is that strong Achilles sonne vnto Peleo risen againe from death to life or that first begotten of Priamus for according as I doe féele the great force of this knight it is not possible but he must néedes be one of theÌ„ And in saying these wordes for that he was a valiant and couragious knight with all the furie of his armes he stroke such a blow at Rosicleere vpon the head that he gaue him well to vnderstand that he was a verie valiant and chosen knight All this time Liriamandro and Ricardo combatted together in such sort that the battaile was worth the beholding they were both stout and valiant knights and charged the one the other with so great power strength that it made them all to meruaile But he that was most oppressed and had greatest trauaile in this battaile was the prince Luâ—iano for that being in battaile with the Duke came also against him the stout Carmelio and although he was of great bountie yet had he enough to doe for to cleere himselfe from either of them and he had passed great euell betwixt them two if that at this instant had not chaunsed that the worthie Rosicleer being in battaile with Anibardo séeing himselfe before his graundfather his courage so increased in him that with the furie of all his force he stroke so mightie strong and furious a blow vpon his helme that he had clouen him downe vnto the wast if that his helme had not bene the finer and forged by art magicke which was the occasion that his fine cutting sworde could not enter nor cut it but yet by the great force of the valiant Anibardo cleane from himselfe fell from his horse to the ground not without great wondering vnto all them that saw that terrible and furious blow and looking on the one side he saw the Prince Lusiano how he was in fight against both the other knights who then with a trice leaped from his horse and went and put himselfe before the Duke and stroke his first blow at him in such sorte that he made him to stoope with both his hands to the ground Then the Duke who was of a valiant and stout courage let Lusiano in battaile with Carmelio and began to charge Rosicleer with such mightie and strong blowes that he made him to vnderstand that he was a valiant and worthie knight And it gréeued Rosicleer verie much to thincke that in the Duke should remaine so great treasoÌ„ he being a knight of so great bountie and valour in armes And being verie desirous that the truth thereof might be knowne he forced himselfe all that euer he could for to ouercome the Duke who for a while did defend himselfe very valiantly being greatly amazed at the strange bountie and force of his aduersarie and could not immagine who it should be except he were sent from heauen for to punish the great treason which hée had done against the Dutches as one worthie thereoff All this time the prince Liriamandro séeing himselfe in the presence of his father and mother and desirous to get honour before them dyd so ouercharge his aduersarie that in a smal time he abated the courage of Ricardo y â— the vauntage was on Liriamandros part Likewise y â— gentle Lusiano the stout Carmelio who were almost equall in bountie with great force charged the one y â— other with such blowes y â— they semed to be all on fire with the great quantitie of sparkes that flew out of their armour and although for a good while there was knowen no aduauntage betwixt them yet in the end the couragious force of the Prince endured longest and he did so intreate his aduersarie that he would haue giuen a great part of his estate so that he might haue béene cléered of that battaile with honour The which grieued nothing at all the faire Polisena who séeing her knight so stout and light in the battaile receiued great ioye and pleasure and with shedding of many teares praieâ— vnto God for to deliuer him cleere from that battaile as one that made no reckning to liue anie longer than the sawe him aliue but quicklie she was brought out of that care for that the inclite and worthie Gréeke that dyd combat with the Duke â— charged him so fast with his terrible and furious blowes that hée made him all astonied and amazed that he knew not whether he went nor where he stroke his blowes and â—éeing him in that perplexitie with his right hand hée tooke him fast by the goriet and pulled him with so greate strength that hée ouerthrew him at his féete and before he could arise again he put his knée vpon his breast and pulled his healme from his head and